The next morning, Zhou Yuanjue finally completed all his paperwork and finished the work handover. A middle-aged senior lecturer named Yang would be taking over his courses. Liu Chengzhi had already arranged for people to handle most of the remaining matters for him. He briefly packed his personal belongings on campus, got in his car, and drove away from Wuhai University, bringing his teaching career there to a close.
BRRRING BRRRING BRRRING!!
His phone started ringing before he even made it back to his villa.
He glanced down; the screen showed an unknown number.
He raised an eyebrow and answered the call via his car's Bluetooth.
"You got everything settled over there?"
A woman's voice came through the phone.
"Are you having me watched?"
Zhou Yuanjue said coolly as he drove.
'I just finished the paperwork, and she's already calling. The implication is obvious.'
"Do I need to go to such trouble just to get a bit of information on your schedule? Besides, you weren't trying to hide your movements. I promise, if you were deliberately trying to hide something, I would never pry. Plus, we're partners now. Don't be so petty."
The woman's voice on the phone chuckled lightly.
"We're just using each other. Cut the chatter. Since you contacted me, I assume you have news?"
Zhou Yuanjue said flatly.
"Tsk, men are all the same. Cold as ice when you're no use to them, but all impatient and eager the moment you are."
The woman on the phone sighed softly, her voice filled with a tragic, mournful quality, like a sorrowful lament.
Zhou Yuanjue remained expressionless, his hand already moving toward the "end call" button.
"Ahem, enough of that. I did call you for a reason. Celestial Mansion, Area A, number 810. I'll be waiting for you."
Seemingly understanding Zhou Yuanjue's personality perfectly, the woman's tone shifted. She hung up without giving him a chance to speak.
Zhou Yuanjue was silent for a moment, then activated the voice input for the navigation system on his car's touchscreen.
"Celestial Mansion."
...
...
About forty minutes later, Zhou Yuanjue arrived at his destination.
Celestial Mansion. It was a well-known high-end residential complex in Wuhai City with garden-style landscaping and beautiful greenery. When he reached the security gate, Zhou Yuanjue had expected the security at such a luxury complex to be tight and that getting in would be a hassle. To his surprise, a tall, well-built guard merely glanced at his license plate before opening the gate and giving him a respectful salute. Someone had clearly notified them in advance.
Zhou Yuanjue drove on and quickly found house number 810 in Area A.
It was a private villa covering over 600 square meters, built in a minimalist style that radiated an air of luxury. Standing before the villa's main gate were two impeccably dressed men in crisp suits. The white gloves on their hands gave away their role.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhou?"
The two men asked respectfully, jogging over as soon as they saw Zhou Yuanjue park his car.
"Does Li Qingxuan live here?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"Yes, the young miss is waiting for you in the training room. Please, follow me."
One of the two men said respectfully, while the other asked if he could park Zhou Yuanjue's car for him.
Guided by the well-dressed butler, Zhou Yuanjue soon arrived at the door to the training room. The butler made a gesture to invite him in, then turned and left.
Zhou Yuanjue watched his back disappear down the end of the hall before pushing open the door in front of him.
It was a training room of about a hundred square meters. The decorations were simple, making it feel a bit sparse.
A soothing melody filled with the flavor of an Exotic Realm echoed through the training room.
In the center of the room, a young woman in tight-fitting workout attire held a peculiar, relaxed posture on the floor. Her left leg was bent and pressed in front of her, while her right leg was stretched out behind her, with both knees on a single straight line. Her right lower leg was bent upward, forming a ninety-degree angle with her thigh. Her left arm was wrapped around her back to touch her left instep, while her right arm stretched back to hook her raised right foot. Her head was tilted slightly upward.
In this strange pose, her limbs, fascia, muscles, and bones were stretched to their absolute limit, further accentuating her already graceful and captivating figure.
Her breathing was even and deep, and each breath seemed to cause the muscles of her body to ripple faintly.
Zhou Yuanjue knew very well that what Li Qingxuan was doing was the King Pigeon Posture from Yoga. Her form was perfect, displaying astonishing flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
He didn't disturb her, instead waiting for about a minute until Li Qingxuan gradually released the pose, her body relaxing from the state of extreme, gentle stretching.
"You're here? How's my Yoga? I learned this pose from a true Yoga master."
Li Qingxuan picked up a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead, asking Zhou Yuanjue with a smile.
"A complete mess."
Zhou Yuanjue said, shaking his head.
"What do you mean?"
Li Qingxuan didn't get angry. After wiping her sweat, she took a sip from a specially formulated sports drink nearby and asked.
"The essence of Yoga is a form of Cultivation, the same as the true meaning of Fist Techniques."
"The Mystical Technique of Yoga is threefold: Posture, breathing, and meditation. These correspond directly to the three training methods of Fist Techniques: Outer Cultivation of muscles, bones, and fascia; inner refinement of the vital organs; and finally, refining a person's Soul and Spirit. When essence, qi, and Spirit become a trinity, that is the true Great Success Realm."
"Just now, your Posture and breathing were both perfect. But your mind was not pure. You had too many distracting thoughts, letting your mind wander. It wasn't even close to meditation. When the mind is in chaos, the qi and blood fall into chaos, and your vital breath becomes muddled. That's why I said it was a complete mess. You're getting the benefits of a physical workout, but if you hope to increase your cultivation power and physical stamina, that's just wishful thinking."
Zhou Yuanjue said, shaking his head.
"The benefits of a physical workout are good enough for me. After all, I'm not walking the same path as you. My goal is to maintain my youth and my figure."
Li Qingxuan frowned at Zhou Yuanjue's words and replied.
"Suit yourself."
Zhou Yuanjue said with a nod, then fell silent.
"You're really no fun at all."
Li Qingxuan said with a hint of exasperation. Then, her expression turned serious. "The reason I asked you here today is to tell you that you can begin your plan."
"Oh? It seems you're all ready?"
Zhou Yuanjue raised an eyebrow upon hearing her words.
"The Martial Arts Schools all across the country are likely about to make their moves. This will probably become a golden age recorded in the nation's Martial Dao history."
Li Qingxuan said with a nod.
"A golden age, or a path of blood? Who can say for sure? Besides, this matter seems to be about more than just the Martial Dao. I'm actually very curious why your higher-ups approved such a plan."
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"It involves certain secrets that even I'm not entirely clear on. If you can distinguish yourself in the end and comprehend Saint Awakening, you'll earn the right to know the real reason."
Li Qingxuan said.