One person: Lu Jin, do I look like your master?

To use a metaphor from "Journey to the West," he is like Pigsy who ate the ginseng fruit, swallowing it whole but not necessarily being able to fully digest and absorb its essence.

Zhuge Qing's admonition to Zhao Nian, based on the Qian hexagram of the Book of Changes, was equally profoundly impactful for him:

The third line of the Western Dragon is the third line of the Qian hexagram.

A virtuous person is constantly diligent and cautious, and remains vigilant even at night; thus, he will be free from blame.

Although he now possesses great power, he must remain diligent and vigilant at all times, and must not be complacent or slack in the slightest.

Daily meditation and qi cultivation is "Qianqian" (乾乾), practicing Bajiquan to strengthen the body is "Qianqian" (乾乾), and constantly reflecting on oneself and restraining one's mind is "Xitiruoli" (夕惕若厉).

Only in this way can we walk more steadily and far on this path that goes against the will of Heaven, without blame or disaster.

After practicing several sets of Bajiquan, Wang Xuan felt his blood and energy flowing smoothly throughout his body, a warm feeling spreading through him, and his mind becoming increasingly clear.

After all, to subdue a stubborn horse, one needs a strong mindset and a healthy body.

He slowly calmed down, his breathing returning to normal. He walked to the stone bench next to him, picked up his thermos, unscrewed the lid, and slowly took a sip of warm water.

Just as he was packing up to return to the courtyard, a clear clapping sound with a unique rhythm suddenly came from not far behind him.

"Clap clap clap..."

The applause was neither too fast nor too slow, and it sounded particularly clear in the quiet park in the early morning.

Wang Xuan did not stop moving, and his expression did not change at all.

He had already noticed someone nearby and had been watching him practice his boxing for a while.

He simply ignored the other party's lack of malicious intent.

Practicing martial arts to improve health is nothing to be ashamed of; you can watch if you want.

A languid, yet naturally alluring, female voice, seemingly capable of tantalizing the heart, rang out, her words filled with undisguised admiration:

"Master, what amazing boxing skills! Powerful and domineering, yet effortless and graceful, it's truly breathtaking!"

The voice seemed to possess a magical quality, easily arousing the most primal impulses of the opposite sex.

Wang Xuan then slowly turned around and looked calmly at the person who had come.

Not far away, under a ginkgo tree, leaned a woman with a graceful figure.

She wore simple jeans and a white T-shirt, with a loose knitted cardigan casually over them, dressed as a fresh and approachable girl next door.

However, it could not conceal her near-perfect figure and the captivating allure that emanated from her very being.

She had long, flowing pink hair that cascaded casually over her shoulders, her skin was as white as snow, and her features were as delicate as a fairy in a painting, especially her slightly upturned peach blossom eyes.

The shimmering water seemed to hold endless tenderness and allure in its every glance.

She can make any man who meets her gaze flutter in his heart and willingly succumb to her charms.

Wang Xuan's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his eyes remaining calm and still, as if he were seeing only a pink skeleton.

He spoke calmly, accurately revealing the other party's identity:

"The Four Madmen of Quanxing... Bone-Scraping Knife, Xia He?"

Chapter 29 A Slap and Xia He Falls Asleep

Upon hearing this, Xia He's captivating peach blossom eyes widened slightly, revealing a perfectly timed look of surprise, which added to her charm.

"I never expected that someone as accomplished as the Daoist Master would have heard of my humble name?"

As she spoke, she took graceful steps toward Wang Xuan.

Her gait seemed to possess a strange rhythm, despite her simple attire.

Yet she exuded the aura of a runway model, each step seemingly silently plucking at the heartstrings.

Wang Xuan watched her approach expressionlessly and corrected her:

“I am not a Taoist priest, but merely someone who practices Xuanmen techniques. You don’t need to call me Taoist Master.”

His tone was flat and emotionless, lacking the usual infatuation and fascination a man would show upon seeing her.

There was no disdain or wariness from upright people towards the "Quanxing demons," as if they were stating a fact that had nothing to do with them.

After saying that, he didn't look at Xia He again, screwed the lid of the thermos on, and turned to leave the small park.

The sudden appearance of this "Bone-Scraping Knife," who was famous in the world of supernatural beings, did not stir up the slightest ripple in his heart.

Just treat it as a rather noisy bird you encounter during your morning walk, and ignore it.

Xia He had never been so thoroughly ignored before.

Her charm and her reputation seem to be her invincible passport, no matter where she goes.

It can drive men crazy, make women jealous, and make respectable people wary and fearful.

But the young man in white before me was like a block of ice that couldn't be warmed, a piece of wood that couldn't be struck.

From his eyes to his attitude, he exuded a thorough sense of "boredom" and "indifference".

This, on the contrary, aroused Xia He's great curiosity and competitive spirit.

She quickened her pace, easily catching up with Wang Xuan, whose steps seemed ordinary but were actually quite fast. Walking alongside him, she turned her head and asked in a languid yet alluring voice:

"Mr. Wang, don't be so cold. They're not going to eat you. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

She actually addressed him as "Mr. Wang," which clearly indicates that she came prepared.

Wang Xuan did not stop walking, his eyes fixed ahead, his tone remaining calm:

"We are complete strangers, and our paths diverge so we cannot work together. May I ask what brings you here to see me?"

He made it clear that the other person had come specifically to see him, rather than it being a chance encounter.

Xia He chuckled softly, her voice like a feather brushing against the heart:

"Oh my, Mr. Wang is so quick to speak his mind."

"They've heard some things about Mr. Wang and are really curious, so they couldn't resist coming to see for themselves!"

She deliberately moved closer, and a faint, sweet but not cloying fragrance wafted into Wang Xuan's nose. At the same time, she raised her slender hand.

She gently tucked a stray pink hair that had playfully slipped behind her ear, a gesture that exuded charm as she winked her captivating eyes at Wang Xuan.

"I heard that Mr. Wang was raised by people from our Quanxing sect? And he even said, 'The Quanxing sect raised me'?"

That's quite an interesting statement! So I wanted to come and see for myself what kind of remarkable person could say such a thing!

Her words were half true and half false.

She did come to Liupanshui to visit Granny Jin Feng, a senior member of the Quanxing sect. Although Granny Jin Feng had long since stopped managing affairs, her seniority still mattered.

And from the casual conversation between Granny Jin Feng and Xia Liuqing, they unexpectedly overheard a few words about Wang Xuan—especially the phrase, "He who nurtured me is Quanxing, and who imparted his knowledge to the Three Ones."

This piqued her interest greatly. So she followed the scattered clues and inquired around, and unexpectedly, she actually bumped into Wang Xuan practicing boxing in the park.

Unfortunately, her demeanor and words, which were enough to make most men's bones melt, remained as gentle as a breeze across a hill in Wang Xuan's eyes and ears, causing not a ripple.

He didn't even glance at me, remaining completely indifferent like a blind man, as if the only thing beside him was a colorless and odorless mass of air.

Xia He, the "bone-scraping knife" who was invincible in the dating scene, encountered for the first time an "iron lump" that could not be cut or chiseled through at all!

This did not discourage her; on the contrary, it completely ignited her competitive spirit and curiosity!

She refused to believe that there was any man in the world who could be completely immune to her charm!

With a thought, a barely perceptible pink light flashed in Xia He's peach blossom eyes.

The next moment, a very faint, almost invisible pink aura quietly rose from her body!

This energy is not used for attack, but rather it is a manifestation of her innate superpowers combined with her acquired cultivation—it can infinitely amplify the most primal desires and impulses of those who come into contact with it!

Invisible and intangible, impossible to defend against!

Because the two were extremely close, this ambiguous aura containing strange power spread out almost instantly, enveloping Wang Xuan!

Xia He stared intently into Wang Xuan's eyes, hoping to see a hint of intoxication, fervor, or at least struggle in them.

If there is even the slightest wavering, her abilities can infiltrate like a virus, continuously expanding the spoils of war.

However, she was disappointed.

Wang Xuan's eyes remained like a bottomless, cold pool, calm, clear, and indifferent, without the slightest ripple.

The desire energy that could make even highly accomplished monks waver was enveloped by him, but it was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, producing no effect whatsoever!

Xia He was horrified; this was the first time she had ever encountered someone who could completely disregard her abilities!

In that instant of shock and disorientation!

A crisp slap suddenly rang out!

Wang Xuan didn't even turn around; he simply flicked his wrist casually, his movement as fast as lightning.

Xia He didn't even have time to react before she felt an overwhelming force slap her cheek hard!

Xia He let out a muffled groan, and like a kite with a broken string, she was sent flying into the air by the slap, tracing a graceful arc before crashing to the ground with a loud "bang."

It crashed solidly into the trunk of a large tree seven or eight meters away, causing leaves to fall in a rustling sound.

She slid to the ground, leaned against the tree trunk, her head tilted to the side, and she actually... fell asleep?

A clear handprint on her cheek quickly swelled up.

Fortunately, it was still early and there were hardly any people in the park, so this amazing scene went unnoticed by others.

Wang Xuan then slowly withdrew his hand, as if he had merely swatted away an annoying fly.

He didn't even pause for a moment, continuing to walk out of the park.

He had already shown leniency, giving her a small punishment as a warning. If he hadn't sensed that Xia He's earlier seduction was merely a test, he wouldn't have succeeded.

Rather than an attack imbued with murderous intent, that slap just now was not merely a matter of knocking her away and knocking her unconscious; it was enough to make her head explode like a watermelon.

Wang Xuan didn't have much affection for the Quanxing people, but he didn't feel the same deep hatred that made him want to kill them all.

He wouldn't bother with them unless they provoked him. But since they made the first move, he wouldn't mind teaching them a lesson they'd never forget.

Xia He, who had fallen into a deep sleep, leaned against a tree, her breathing steady, though her cheeks were swollen and her posture somewhat disheveled.

This is in stark contrast to her usual captivating image.

Wang Xuan's figure quickly disappeared at the park's exit, as if he had never been there. Only the unconscious Xia He remained, along with the gradually increasing, sparse chirping of birds in the park.

Chapter 30 His path lies only beneath his own feet.

In the early morning in the park, the sunlight gradually dispels the thin mist, casting warm dappled light.

About half an hour later, Xia He, who was leaning against the ginkgo tree, trembled her long eyelashes a few times and slowly opened her eyes.

The moment she regained consciousness, the burning pain on her cheek instantly brought her fully awake.

She instinctively reached out and covered her still swollen face. The cold fingertips touching the burning skin made her hiss softly.

Memories flooded back like a tide—the young man in white, his own unwilling attempts to test the waters, and the completely ineffective allure of his charm.

And then came that powerful, domineering backhand slap that left no time for anyone to react...

"Ha ha……"

Instead of being angry, Xia He covered her face and chuckled softly, her laughter carrying a hint of self-mockery and indescribable complex emotions.

"What a heartless man... who has absolutely no sense of chivalry..."

Xia He has roamed the world of supernatural beings for so many years, and with her innate charm, she has never received such "treatment".

Which man wouldn't be infatuated with her and wish he could tear his heart out of her?

Even those seemingly upright and righteous people, who outwardly shout for war and killing, do they not harbor any covetousness or wavering deep down?

But this Wang Xuan was like a stone without emotions or desires, no, even colder than a stone!

Her abilities were completely ineffective against him, her charm seemed to be non-existent in his eyes, and he even slapped her unconscious with a single, harmless slap just because of a small, non-lethal test!

This was an utter disgrace... but at the same time, an unprecedented and strange feeling was also growing in Xia He's heart.

Over the years, she has been troubled by her own abilities.

This uncontrollable allure, like a curse, prevents her from experiencing genuine emotions like ordinary girls.