Lu Hong was at a loss for a long while, watching Xiang Beifei, unsure what to say.
He thought he had been keeping a close eye on Xiang Beifei, but he never expected that it was still not enough.
Sometimes when you compare yourself to others, it can truly choke you.
"Uncle Lu, how does one gather Mars to form a flame?"
Xiang Beifei had no idea what Lu Hong was thinking because this wasn't his system's cultivation technique, so he had no concept of how long it should take to practice these techniques or how to practice them.
He could now produce a gust of wind with his punch, but the power of this gust was not yet sufficient; he aimed to reach the powerful levels that Lu Hong had when he dealt with Chen Gang.
Finally, having regulated his emotions, Lu Hong collected his thoughts and said, "Reaching this step means you've begun to glimpse the path. To advance further, you need to change the direction of the spiritual power in your hands. Next, you need to convert the spiritual power to your palm, letting your palm control the spiritual power of the fist..."
Although this was a technique from his own system, Lu Hong was not stingy and meticulously taught Xiang Beifei each and every point.
Xiang Beifei studied seriously according to the method taught by Lu Hong. Having such a good teacher meant he could avoid many detours.
Lu Hong stood to the side, watching Xiang Beifei who was fully focused on his punches, and nodded slightly.
At that moment, a line of text appeared on his system interface:
[Investigation system has detected a special N-level Awakener who has mastered the "Rapid Flame" more aptly than the host. The system has forcefully initiated investigation mode.]
[Investigation target: Xiang Beifei]
[Investigation direction: Martial Arts Talent]
Lu Hong was quite surprised to see the task that suddenly appeared in his system.
Normally his Investigation System would issue various investigation tasks which he could choose freely, like when working on cases, he might come across a murder weapon at the crime scene, and the system would issue tasks like [Please investigate the origin of this weapon], rewarding him upon completion.
But with previous tasks from the system, Lu Hong could choose whether or not to take them on; however, this time the system had forcibly initiated investigation mode.
Lu Hong mentally responded, "I don't want to investigate him, I've already said as much last time."
Following the incident with Lai Wuying, the system had issued the task [Would you like to investigate Xiang Beifei?]. After much deliberation, Lu Hong had decided to choose [No]
Beifei had saved his life; he was very grateful and felt it was unkind to pry into someone else's secrets.
However, another line of text appeared in his system:
[This task is mandatory and cannot be refused. "Rapid Flame" is a cultivation technique generated by the system tailored for the host, yet someone fits it even better than the host. The system needs to reassess the power of "Rapid Flame" and, if necessary, will collect Xiang Beifei's cultivation progress and details to refine the "Rapid Flame" technique.]
Impossible to refuse?
Lu Hong stared blankly.
He pondered deeply, but another line of text appeared on the interface—
[The system requires the host to teach Xiang Beifei all of the "Rapid Flame" techniques, to master his every step of the cultivation plan, to aid him in fully mastering "Rapid Flame", facilitating system assessment, and to improve the host's way of cultivating "Rapid Flame", enhancing the power of the "Rapid Flame" technique.]
Teaching "Rapid Flame" to Xiang Beifei was already Lu Hong's intention.
But something felt off, such tasks from the system seemed illogical.
He continued to inquire, "What if Beifei fully masters Rapid Flame?"
[The host may choose: Erase him, seize all comprehension about "Rapid Flame" from him, and integrate it into oneself.]
Lu Hong spoke sternly, "I am a city guardian, not a murderer! I won't undertake such a task!"
[The host may also choose to: cultivate him, and after Xiang Beifei has fully mastered it, ask Xiang Beifei to help the host improve the cultivation method]
[Note: This cultivation technique is the host's basic reliance, and the host's understanding of Rapid Flame is not on par with Xiang Beifei. To become more powerful, feedback from Xiang Beifei is essential]
Lu Hong stared at the words on the system interface, falling into deep thought.
As long as it doesn't involve killing, this option is acceptable to him.
But, once Beifei has fully grasped Rapid Flame, would he be willing to share his insights with him?
Lu Hong didn't have the confidence; the system's message was very clear—once Xiang Beifei mastered the power of Rapid Flame, he would certainly be stronger than himself in the future.
People are selfish, and once they become powerful, they guard their newfound strength as a core secret, barely keeping up with their own protection, let alone sharing it with others.
"Forget it, if Beifei can grasp a deeper level of Rapid Flame, it's still a good thing. If he can give me feedback, great, but if not, I'll just let it be!"
Though Lu Hong was very curious about what a more powerful Rapid Flame might be like, he was fundamentally an honest man, living with openness. If Beifei wanted to help him, he'd accept the help; if not, he wouldn't insist.
[As a reward, each time Xiang Beifei progresses a level in Rapid Flame, the host will receive a corresponding reward]
[Current progress: Xiang Beifei has thrown 13,000 punches, creating sparks with his punches, equivalent to the host throwing 164,000 punches. Beifei's punching details have been recorded in preparation for rewriting the Rapid Flame database]
[Mission Reward: Investigation ability value +2000]
Lu Hong was taken aback!
He knew that when he normally investigated a criminal, he might only get rewarded with 100 points. The system simply recorded Xiang Beifei's punching details and gave him 2000 points just like that?
Lu Hong watched the way Xiang Beifei earnestly threw his punches and was truly amazed.
He also faintly sensed something special about each of Beifei's punches; the method of execution was evidently no different from his own, yet somehow it felt distinct.
Was this Beifei's understanding of Rapid Flame?
Originally, he had taught Xiang Beifei Rapid Flame only to thank Beifei for helping him investigate Lai Wuying, but he had not expected that Beifei would inadvertently bring him these benefits after mastering it.
[If Xiang Beifei is willing to provide feedback, you may receive an Advanced Pill]
Lu Hong's heartbeat accelerated instantly!
He was currently at the initial perfected stage of Meridian Opening. To step into the middle stage of Meridian Opening, there were two methods: one was relying on his own understanding; the other was buying an Advanced Pill.
Relying on his own understanding was truly a challenge for him; it wasn't that his perception was poor, but at the Meridian Opening stage, every step forward required an epiphany, and such epiphanies do not just happen on demand.
Some people may have an epiphany upon seeing a withering grass, while others may struggle for several years without any enlightenment.
Lu Hong belonged to the latter; he was naturally very talented, but because of an injury he sustained while on duty, his progress became slow, trapping him in the initial stage of Meridian Opening for nearly fifteen years!
It was difficult to advance on his own understanding, so he needed to exchange for an Advanced Pill, striving to step into the middle stage of Meridian Opening.
Yet, even now, he still needed to accumulate tens of thousands of investigation points to purchase an Advanced Pill.
He hadn't expected that this time, the system would raise the reward to a significantly higher level in order to improve his Rapid Flame!
Lu Hong's heart was ablaze with excitement!
The allure of the Advanced Pill was simply too great for him.