"Wow!"

The moment the incense was lit, a supernatural phenomenon occurred in the room. Witnessing it, Su Xuan couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

The incense smoke swirled through the room, seemingly sketching out a world of mist. Two indistinct items floated within the smoke. They were blurry, but upon closer inspection, they resembled a set of thermal underwear!

"Again!"

To see more clearly, Su Xuan added several more pieces of incense to the Furnace of Longevity. The smoke in the room grew thicker, and the "thermal underwear" became more distinct, as if it were truly there.

Su Xuan moved closer for a better look and was greatly astonished. Runes he had never seen before appeared on the surface of the thermal underwear, exuding a mysterious aura. They also emitted a strange energy that drew him in, making him want to wear them.

Unable to resist, Su Xuan reached out to touch them.

But as soon as his fingertips made contact, he felt a wave of dizziness and lost consciousness.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he slowly came to.

The incense in the Furnace of Longevity had burned out, leaving the air in the room clear. He instinctively looked down at his body, and his eyes widened in amazement. The miraculous garments were already on him, clinging to his skin!

Their form was very peculiar, like a transparent film.

His body felt incredibly refreshed and comfortable, as if he were basking in bright sunshine. The sensation was wonderful.

"Is this it?" Su Xuan blinked. These clothes are just really comfortable? They don't have any other function?

Recalling the corpse that fell from the sky, Su Xuan had a bold idea. The corpse had managed to crawl into the cave after falling, likely thanks to these magical clothes!

Suddenly, Su Xuan stood up straight and rigidly threw himself onto the floor.

THUMP!

He landed solidly on the ground.

"It doesn't hurt at all!"

An expression of unconcealable excitement spread across Su Xuan's face. These clothes are a protective talisman! They can shield me from harm! Awesome!

He quickly left the room, ran up to the rooftop, and jumped off.

The result was the same—not a single scratch.

He tried again.

Still the same.

By this time, the night was as dark as ink. Dabai watched Su Xuan with astonishment, wondering why his master had suddenly gone mad and was so enthusiastically leaping off the building.

「The next morning.」

The sky was drizzling, and there was a slight chill in the air.

Su Xuan stepped out of his room and stretched. He felt no chill at all; the magical clothes he wore kept him as comfortable as if he were in a gentle spring breeze.

"Master, you're up so early today!"

When Steward Liu saw Su Xuan, he greeted him immediately. His demeanor was no longer as stiff and formal as before, but warm and natural, as if they were family.

"Old Liu, I've learned something new. Come here a moment," Su Xuan called Steward Liu over, pointed to his own chest, and said, "Punch me. Use all your strength."

"Is that really necessary?" Steward Liu asked. "I know your power control is already perfect. There's no need for more practice like this."

Steward Liu was baffled, unsure what had gotten into Su Xuan. Ever since Su Xuan had graduated from his Ruyi Tai Chi training, the two of them had never played such a childish game.

"Just hit me first, we can talk after," Su Xuan said cryptically.

"Alright, then."

Steward Liu reluctantly raised his hand, silently gathered his strength, and threw a punch at Su Xuan.

Then, something astonishing happened.

Su Xuan didn't even flinch. Liu's force vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the ocean, having no effect whatsoever.

This is completely different from how Ruyi Tai Chi works!

Before Su Xuan could say another word, Steward Liu threw another punch. The result was identical.

"Master, what kind of skill is this?" Steward Liu couldn't help but ask. "Your body seems to absorb force out of thin air!"

"I've mastered..." Su Xuan put on a serious expression, deciding to bluff rather than reveal the truth. "...the Star-Absorbing Technique!"

"The Star-Absorbing Technique?"

Steward Liu's eyes widened. Isn't that a technique made up for novels?!

"Just keep it to yourself, Old Liu. Don't go spreading it around," Su Xuan patted Steward Liu's shoulder and said with a grin. "We wouldn't want people from the martial arts world getting envious and lining up to ask me to be their master."

He then hastily ate breakfast.

Leaving Steward Liu completely bewildered, he went out to drive for his rideshare.

If I face that big guy again, I could just stand there and let him hit me. I could tire him to death! Su Xuan muttered to himself as he gripped the steering wheel. Yesterday's trip wasn't a waste of time after all. I really struck gold!

"Su Xuan, something's happened."

However, before he could accept a new ride request, he received a call from Zhong Huilan. "That kid escaped!"

Su Xuan pulled the car over to the side of the road, his face a mask of astonishment. "What?"

He knew exactly who she meant by 'that kid.' It was Wei Junhao, the man they'd gone to such lengths to capture last night! How did he escape?

"The situation is bizarre," Zhong Huilan continued. "He was in the holding cell and just... vanished. I'm sending you the surveillance video, see for yourself."

Su Xuan immediately received a video and pressed play.

The video showed Wei Junhao in a holding cell containing only a cot. He was lying on it with his legs casually crossed, looking completely at ease and not the least bit worried about being captured. His hands were cuffed to the frame of the cot.

A few seconds later, something strange happened.

Wei Junhao rolled over, sat up on the edge of the cot, and began to speak softly to the empty air. Then, he glanced down at his cuffed hands.

CLINK!

The handcuffs suddenly erupted in sparks and shattered.

Wei Junhao stood up, rubbed his wrists, and shot a cryptic smile at the surveillance camera. Then, his body grew fainter and fainter until he vanished completely.

Then, a few officers, sensing something was wrong, pushed open the door to the holding cell and went inside to search. They even turned the cot over but found no trace of Wei Junhao.

"Su Xuan, be careful," Zhong Huilan warned. "Now that he's escaped, it's highly likely he'll come looking for you."

"Sister Zhong," Su Xuan said, "I think you were all too hasty."

"What?" Zhong Huilan asked, surprised.

"You shouldn't have opened the door," Su Xuan said gravely. "He might not have actually left. He could have still been in the holding cell."

"But the door was already opened."

"And that's why he escaped."

"Did he have an accomplice?"

"Mhm, obviously."

The line went silent.

「After a long while,」

Zhong Huilan finally spoke. "Su Xuan, who do you think these people are?"

"I don't know," Su Xuan replied. "But they're definitely not ordinary people."

They hung up. As she did, Zhong Huilan reminded Su Xuan one last time to be careful.

DING-DONG!

A new ride request came in.

Time to get to work.

Su Xuan pursed his lips and set off to pick up the passenger. The person he was about to pick up, however, would be an astounding surprise...

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