The noon meal started and ended. Everyone went back to practice. Liam noticed the training ground beside him was loud and lively, and he muttered to himself, "If I'm right, Lin Xueya's squad trains and lives here."
'This is the perfect opportunity to get some help without wasting XP. Lin Xueya is known for taking care of her squad, unlike those other commanders who don't give a damn.'
He wondered if, rather than asking the system for help and wasting 1000 XP to unlock the Qi Projection technique, maybe he should just ask Lin Xueya. If she didn't help him, he would just ask the system. And if she did help him, it would be a win situation for him. Liam had nothing to lose, so he told his team to start their practice and that he would be back in a few.
Rin watched Liam leave, wanting to go with him but also wanting to train. She decided to stay and focus on her practice.
When Liam reached the neighboring training ground, he was stopped by guards who told him he wasn't allowed entry as it wasn't his training ground. "You're in the wrong place, kid," one of the guards said dismissively.
"I came to watch," Liam explained, but the guards dismissed him with a wave of their hands.
Liam was about to leave when a voice called out, "Hey, kid."
He turned around and saw Lin Xueya standing right in front of him. He instantly panicked, realizing he hadn't sensed or heard her approach.
'How did she get so close without me noticing? She's incredibly strong. I can tell just by standing in front of her.'
"What's up?" she asked.
Lin Xueya was a vision of elegance and power. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back, shimmering in the sunlight. Her eyes were a striking shade of deep brown, almost black, and held a piercing intensity that seemed to see right through him. She wore a form-fitting, black and gold armor that accentuated her curves while allowing for fluid movement. The armor was adorned with intricate gold embroidery that glinted in the light, and a red sash was tied around her waist, adding a pop of color. Her boots were knee-high and made of supple leather, designed for both comfort and agility.
Liam was momentarily lost in her presence, his heart racing. He had seen Lin Xueya multiple times by now, but it was his first time seeing her from so close. His first time smelling her scent—a mix of jasmine and something uniquely her.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy for those in her squad, thinking, 'They're so lucky to be under her command.'
Lin Xueya snapped her fingers, bringing Liam back to his senses. "Why are you here? Do you need something?" she asked, her voice firm yet gentle.
Liam hesitated for a moment before responding, "I came to ask for your help with Qi Projection."
Lin Xueya inspected Liam with her keen eyes, her thoughts racing. 'This kid has already achieved Qi Control within a day? Impressive. He has great potential. Perhaps that's why Crimson Shadow wanted him?'
She nodded slightly before speaking. "Qi Projection is about more than just pushing your Qi outward. It's about understanding its nature and shaping it with your will. Visualize your Qi as a tangible force, something you can mold and direct. Feel its energy and guide it with your intent. Practice shaping it into different forms—a shield, a blade, or even a projectile. The key is to maintain control and precision. Start with simple shapes and gradually move on to more complex forms as you gain mastery."
She paused, her eyes meeting Liam's. "Come to me if you need more help. I'll be here to guide you."
Liam's eyes widened in gratitude. "Thank you, Commander Lin. You're the best commander of all five. You also care about others. I would have been glad if I was under your command."
"All lives are equal to me." Lin Xueya chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I can't steal what belongs to the Crimson Shadow, or I would have taken you in."
Liam smiled, realizing that if he had been under Lin Xueya or any other commander, he wouldn't have met Rin and the others. With renewed determination, he thanked Lin Xueya once more and returned to his training ground.
On the way back to his training ground, Liam couldn't help but smirk as he thought, 'I wonder if the system is feeling betrayed or jealous that I went to Lin Xueya instead of asking it for help.'
[You little shit, I don't have feelings. I'm a fucking system. But I gotta say, I'm pleased you used your brain for once and did something sensible. Good job, asshole.]
Liam chuckled under his breath. "Well, fuck you too, system."
When he reached his team, they were already deep in practice. Liam gathered them around and shared the news. "I went to Lin Xueya to ask for help, and she gave me tips for Qi Projection."
The team listened intently as Liam shared everything he had learned.
With renewed determination, the team began to practice with unwavering focus. The entire day passed, and evening came, but they were still at it, pushing themselves to the limit.
This time, it was Soo Min who was the first to succeed, her eyes widening with excitement as she felt her Qi project outward.
"I did it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.
Rin and Kai followed shortly after, their faces lighting up with triumph. Surprisingly, Mi-Na and the Joon brothers also succeeded within a few minutes of interval.
Liam, however, was the only one who couldn't succeed. He was so focused on his practice that he didn't notice the others had already achieved Qi Projection. Just like the day before, the other team members left to get their meal, while Rin stayed with Liam to watch over him.
After some time, Liam opened his eyes, his expression frustrated. Rin, who had been watching him closely, asked, "Did you achieve Qi Projection? Everyone else already did."
Liam shook his head, his voice laced with disappointment. "No, I hit an invisible wall. I can't seem to break through."
Rin's heart went out to him, her voice soft and encouraging. "It's okay, Liam. You'll get it. You've come so far already. Maybe you just need a break."
Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, maybe. I just can't believe everyone else succeeded, and I'm still stuck here."
Rin smiled gently, her eyes filled with faith in him. "You'll get there, Liam. I know you will. Let's take a break and get some food. You can try again later."
Liam nodded, appreciating Rin's support. Together, they made their way to get their meal, and they all ate together.