"Xuan'er, how is your progress?"
Upon entering the warehouse, Ke Wudi was shocked by Qin Xuan's state.
Half a month ago, Qin Xuan's aura was merely contained, his vital energy and spirit at their peak, making him like the midday sun that ordinary people dared not look at directly.
But now, Qin Xuan's entire aura was completely concealed, as if he were a lifeless corpse without a trace of sound.
If not for his exceptionally perfect appearance, people would likely pay him no mind if he walked down the street.
Logically, this was a process of收敛 (shōuliǎn - containing) one's vital energy and spirit, which might have miraculous effects in combat. However, Ke Wudi knew this was an overcorrection.
"Whether a person is at an extreme of outward expression or inward containment, it brings no benefit to themselves."
"Only by returning to peace and simplicity can one achieve the state a cultivator should aspire to."
Qin Xuan nodded gently upon hearing his master's words, deeply understanding them.
However, knowing was one thing, and achieving it was another.
He was currently in a very chaotic state due to his extensive reading of various cultivation manuals. His entire body still needed adjustment through his own comprehension.
Waving his hand, Ke Wudi understood that this was not something that could be achieved overnight.
Qin Xuan was no ordinary person, and he believed his disciple would eventually reach this level.
As his master, he only needed to constantly remind his disciple of his state.
Handing the old cultivation manual to Qin Xuan, Ke Wudi spoke with a solemn expression, "I am here today for three matters."
"First, to inform you of the situation outside."
"The United States has officially announced that they do not rule out the possibility of peaceful diplomatic relations with extraterrestrial civilizations. On the same day, the British Empire, Japan, and Korea also simultaneously announced this news."
"Although Dragon Country has declared that the three of us are now cultivators at the Core Formation stage, there are still some smaller countries that are leaning towards the American side."
"Hmph, truly inviting wolves into the house and seeking profit from a tiger!"
Upon hearing the news brought by Ke Wudi, Qin Xuan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
He could discern the United States' intentions, which were simply to profit from war using their old methods.
After all, the overall situation in the United States had been chaotic in recent years, and its economy had been declining year by year. The higher-ups were somewhat panicked.
But how could aliens be the same as other countries in the world?
On their home planet, Blue Star, the United States was the sole superpower. Even if problems arose between warring parties, they could completely suppress them by relying on their national strength.
But could you suppress aliens?
That was a planet similar to Blue Star, possessing cultivators and high-tech weapons.
If Dragon Country were to fall, what could the United States do?
Would they not be passively devoured by their so-called allies, ultimately leading to their destruction?
To not even have this foresight and forcefully engage in diplomatic relations with aliens, dragging their allies along, only proved that they were indeed a barbaric nation that occupied others' territories.
Ke Wudi wholeheartedly agreed with Qin Xuan's assessment.
However, agreement aside, there was no better way to respond.
The entire Dragon Country had now entered a state of extreme emergency preparedness.
Although the public was not yet aware, from the highest leadership down to the local level, everyone was already on high alert, waiting for the United States and the aliens to reveal their fangs.
"However, announcing a possibility does not mean full diplomatic relations."
"Although it is like seeking profit from a tiger, the other side should also put on an act and engage in deep conversations with the Americans."
"So, you don't need to be too anxious during these days. Without saying too much, they should not make any significant moves within half a year."
After calming Qin Xuan's emotions, Ke Wudi brought up his second piece of news.
"Your vampire friend is having a harder time lately."
"Time has not diminished his thirst for blood. On the contrary, with the initial awakening of his bloodline, he now needs to consume a large amount of fresh blood daily to maintain his vitality."
"We had no choice but to place a bloodline seal on him."
"Although it still cannot conceal his craving for blood, his desires have fortunately been reduced, and he can survive by consuming refrigerated blood."
Qin Xuan's vampire friend naturally referred to Vladimir.
After their last meeting in the Imperial Capital, Qin Xuan had asked him to stay there so that his masters could observe the young vampire with his ancestral bloodline at any time.
However, after his 200th birthday, Vladimir fell into a long period of slumber.
It was not until Qin Xuan and the others returned from the martial arts competition in the United States that he slowly awoke.
The initial awakening of his bloodline had directly propelled Vladimir's strength from Baron to Count.
Although he did not reach the level of a divine supreme, he was equivalent to a top-tier Grandmaster.
Along with the increase in his strength, his craving for blood also gradually deepened, which led Ke Wudi and the others to reluctantly place a bloodline seal on him.
However, Qin Xuan knew that the bloodline seal was only a temporary measure.
If the problem with Vladimir's bloodline could not be completely resolved, he would eventually erupt again.
Therefore, Qin Xuan secretly made up his mind.
Once his current affairs were settled, he would take Little Fu back to his homeland, the British Empire, to thoroughly eradicate the inherent flaws in his bloodline.
Nodding, Ke Wudi pointed to the cultivation manual in Qin Xuan's hand and slowly said, "As for the third matter, it is the cultivation manual I brought for you."
"A few days ago, I happened to meet that young man Shi Chuangong, and he asked me about your recent situation. Seeing that you had gotten along quite well with him before, I told him that you had already reached the pinnacle of mastery."
"Unexpectedly, he seemed even happier than I was and immediately handed me this cultivation manual to pass on to you."
"Now I have fulfilled my promise to him. Whether you choose to cultivate it is up to you."
Senior Shi Chuangong?
Upon hearing the name, Qin Xuan's mind conjured the image of the middle-aged Grandmaster with white hair and beard.
At that time, he had come to his side with Zeng Shou. Although they hadn't spoken much, Qin Xuan could sense that he also wanted to take him as a disciple.
However, Qin Xuan had clearly stated that he already had a master, and the other party had not insisted.
It was only later, during the Grandmaster competition, that Shi Chuangong had taken good care of him.
He hadn't expected that after not seeing him for a month or two, the man would send him a cultivation manual.
"I know a bit about this young man Shi Chuangong. I heard that his ancestors were once very powerful."
"However, with the great changes in the world, their cultivation techniques could no longer be passed down, and they gradually declined, relying on their family's external martial arts to make a living."
"Later, for some unknown reason, his family ancestors suddenly began searching for successors who could cultivate their family's inherited techniques."
"It wasn't until his generation that he even incorporated 'Chuangong' (passing on techniques) into his name, showing the depth of his obsession."
"It's just that I don't know what their purpose is in doing this."
"And why would they unconditionally give this family heirloom manual to you now?"