The next morning, Wan Yunting rose at six and sat in meditation on the lawn of Li Guohao's home, practicing the Wuji Tiangang internal energy cultivation method, absorbing the morning sun through breathing and qi circulation.
He drew the faint spiritual energy between heaven and earth into his body, then used the Wuji Tiangang internal cultivation technique to circulate the 'qi' within his dantian through his meridians and acupoints, slowly completing the great circulation…
Unbeknownst to him, Wan Yunting sat cross-legged on the lawn, seemingly in a trance, causing the security guards patrolling the yard to glance his way, wondering who the young man their boss had brought home last night truly was.
More than an hour later, as the morning sun’s rays fell upon Wan Yunting's face, he let out a slight exhalation of turbid air, concluded his practice, and guided all the 'qi' back to below his dantian. His body gradually relaxed, and he opened his eyes, turning his head to the side. He saw a tall woman in a white training suit practicing martial arts!
Her long, black hair was tied in a ponytail, revealing her perfect oval face. Without makeup, she looked pure and captivating, with a pair of clear, bright eyes, a well-defined nose, and subtly red, alluring lips…
"Xingyiquan!"
Watching her movements, Wan Yunting found her every stance and action filled with power, piquing his interest. He observed her practicing the Five Element Fist and the Twelve Animal forms, deducing she likely had some years of martial arts training and had probably reached the initial stage of Dark Force.
Li Shuyun completed her set of movements and then turned to look at the man smilingly watching her. "Are you the person my dad brought back last night?"
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded, understanding from her words that she was Li Guohao's daughter.
Li Shuyun, who had been home last night, naturally knew her father had brought back two people. She hadn't expected to see Wan Yunting meditating on the lawn when she came out to practice this morning. "Do you know martial arts?"
"Yes, a little," Wan Yunting replied, stretching his arms lazily.
Li Shuyun narrowed her eyes. "If that's the case, let's spar a few moves!"
Wan Yunting blinked, tilting his head to look at her. "That might not be appropriate. Besides, you can't beat me."
Li Shuyun’s expression faltered. Seeing his arrogant demeanor, she felt even more challenged. She was, after all, the senior disciple at the martial arts school, and her Xingyiquan had reached the realm of harmonizing qi and strength, making her a formidable opponent for most. However, this man before her, whom she had seen meditating earlier, now displayed such arrogance that she suspected he was merely putting on a show.
"It's just sparring, no need to distinguish between victory and defeat," Li Shuyun said coldly, suppressing her displeasure.
"Alright."
Seeing this, Wan Yunting's interest was piqued. He figured it was a good opportunity to try out his Wuxing Palm, using the beautiful woman before him as a test subject. He assumed a stance, beckoned to Li Shuyun with a smile, and said, "Feel free to attack."
Angered by his perceived arrogance and condescension, Li Shuyun's face darkened. Without another word, she lunged forward, her right hand transforming into a fist, and struck towards Wan Yunting's chest with a rapid piercing punch that would have been too fast for an ordinary person to react to.
Unfortunately for Li Shuyun, she had encountered Wan Yunting. Standing firm like a pine tree, he blocked her piercing punch with his left palm, even remarking with a smile, "Your strength and speed are good, but you're still missing the Dark Force in Xingyiquan!"
Li Shuyun was taken aback. She looked at the smug man with great surprise, astonished that he could neutralize the power of her punch and even point out her deficiency! Her master had told her that her Xingyiquan had reached the stage of harmonizing qi and strength, and to advance further, she needed to reach the realm of harmonizing intent and qi, enabling her to unleash Dark Force.
"Watch this," Wan Yunting said with a smile. He secretly channeled force from his dantian, his hips and waist twisting, and his left palm erupted with a powerful force that sent Li Shuyun’s punch flying outwards. She stumbled back several steps, her right hand going numb. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as she stared at Wan Yunting…
This kind of hidden Dark Force was just like her master's… no, her master couldn't unleash such potent Dark Force! Li Shuyun even suspected that Wan Yunting had held back; if he had unleashed his full power, her arm might have been broken.
"How does that feel?" Wan Yunting retracted his palm, looking at the stunned and speechless Li Shuyun. She had only reached the initial stage of Dark Force and had only just begun to touch upon its hidden power.
Recovering herself, Li Shuyun no longer thought Wan Yunting was merely arrogant. Based on the Dark Force he had displayed, she knew she was no match for him, and thus he had the right to be proud.
"What martial art do you practice?" Li Shuyun gazed at Wan Yunting, her heart trembling with curiosity as to why he was so formidable.
"Wuxing Palm," Wan Yunting replied with a smile. "Actually, my palm technique is similar to your Five Element Fist, both based on the five elements. For instance, my pushing, pushing out, stepping, grasping, and stroking correspond to the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth…"
Watching him execute the Wuxing Palm, employing the three harmonies, balancing stillness and motion, hardness and softness, emptiness and fullness, relaxation and tension, and exhibiting comprehensive movements filled with power, Li Shuyun was greatly impressed. She practiced Xingyiquan and had never encountered other martial arts. Seeing Wan Yunting’s every move flow seamlessly, she felt he was no less skilled than her own master.
This made Li Shuyun very curious. "Who is your master? How long have you been practicing martial arts?"
Wan Yunting smiled. "My master is not convenient to reveal. But I can tell you that my skill belongs to the Taoist tradition. I've been practicing for about six years."
Li Shuyun was astonished, finding it hard to believe. She had started her apprenticeship at fourteen and had been practicing for eleven years, yet she still couldn't compare to this man who had only practiced for six years…
"Xiao Wan, Shuyun, what are you two doing?" Li Guohao walked over at that moment. Wan Yunting turned and smiled at him. "We're sparring, Uncle Li!"
"Oh." Li Guohao looked surprised, but then he recalled that Wan Yunting had single-handedly eliminated Wu Zhongsheng and his men in Vietnam. He couldn't have done that without considerable skill. He then smiled and said, "Xiao Wan, let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Li Shuyun."
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled. "Hello. My name is Wan Yunting. Please forgive me for any offense just now."
Li Shuyun nodded, not saying anything further to Wan Yunting. She turned to her father and said, "I'll go inside and help Mom with breakfast."
"Go ahead," Li Guohao replied. He then invited Wan Yunting to sit on a nearby lounge chair. "Come, Xiao Wan, let's sit and chat."
"Certainly, Uncle Li."
They sat down, and the housekeeper brought over a tea set. Li Guohao personally brewed the tea. At this moment, Niu Qiuling also came out, greeted them, and sat beside Wan Yunting. Li Guohao smiled and asked, "How do you plan to investigate Young Master Leng next?"
"Thank you." Wan Yunting took a sip of tea after receiving the cup, then set it down and smiled at Li Guohao. "I plan to target his operations!"
"Oh," Li Guohao took a sip of his tea and put the cup down. "You mean directly eradicate his influence?"
Wan Yunting nodded. Since he couldn't obtain evidence of Young Master Leng's drug trafficking, he would uproot his foundation for it.
"Actually, there's a way to obtain evidence of Young Master Leng's drug trafficking, it's just a bit tricky!" Li Guohao said.
"Uncle Li, you have a way?" Niu Qiuling and Wan Yunting asked excitedly, as they felt like headless flies, unsure of where to start.
Li Guohao smiled. "You could try approaching it from a different angle, such as Young Master Leng's competitors!"
"His competitors?" Wan Yunting paused, exchanging a look with Niu Qiuling. Li Guohao nodded. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Besides, Young Master Leng has made many competitors here."
"For example, the largest triad here, Dongxing, is Young Master Leng's strongest competitor!"