Solar Prominence Eruption

Because he had focused on music, Si Ming had inevitably spent less time practicing martial arts. After all, everyone had only twenty-four hours in a day, no more and no less.

Once he became a public figure, he could no longer compete or duel with others. Without the tempering of life-and-death struggles, his progress naturally could not be fast.

Even now, he had failed to train his external martial arts to their peak and achieve the goal of refining essence into Qi. As for his eighth-level internal cultivation, he had attained it entirely by taking pills.

Stars never lacked money, and Si Ming was willing to spend it on expensive pills. But eighth-level internal cultivation was the limit. That was the conclusion the Mohist School Academy of Science had reached after extensive research: medicinal power could only take a person to the eighth level.

Liu Qingqing said, "I've heard that the Yuezheng Lineage's Yellow Bell Responding to the Pitch Formula focuses on cultivating the mind. Unlike traditional internal cultivation methods, it pays no attention to absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. In fact, members of the Yuezheng Lineage all practice another internal cultivation method alongside it. Perhaps it could be a way forward for you, too."

Si Ming said listlessly, "I've asked. The Yellow Bell Responding to the Pitch Formula is the Yuezheng Lineage's closely guarded family art, and they never teach it to outsiders. Even among the Yuezheng family, only a handful are qualified to practice it. A bunch of old stick-in-the-muds clinging to their old rules. No wonder they couldn't make it in the Nation of Beauty. The Mohist School should stage a revolution against them and show them the power of the iron fist of democratic dictatorship."

Liu Qingqing fell silent for a moment. Seeing that the break was nearly over, she said with a hint of hesitation, "I've heard that as long as you're willing to marry Yuezheng Yao, the Yuezheng Lineage will teach you the Yellow Bell Responding to the Pitch Formula. A king of music matched with a queen of music—that's a happy match everyone would welcome."

"That woman Yuezheng Yao is no simple character. Her innocent act is all a pretense. The goddess next door? Ha! I'd rather marry her older sister. At least her sister is straightforward and wears her heart on her sleeve."

"...From what the Yuezheng Lineage has let slip, as long as you're willing to marry a woman from their main family, they'll agree to teach you the Yellow Bell Responding to the Pitch Formula."

Si Ming opened his eyes and sprang to his feet. Looking at Liu Qingqing, he asked, "Who told you all this?"

Liu Qingqing met his gaze and said calmly, "As your work assistant and personal assistant, it's hardly strange for the Yuezheng Lineage to discuss these things with me, is it?"

"They discussed this with you not because you're my assistant, but because you're the one who's been by my side since we were children." Si Ming gripped Liu Qingqing's shoulders and said gravely, "The Yuezheng Lineage is a large and powerful family. There's no way they'd allow me to take a second wife."

"...Becoming a martial arts grandmaster has always been your dream. I know you actually chose the path of music to make that dream easier to achieve. To you, becoming a world superstar is just a stepping stone."

Liu Qingqing stepped back, putting some distance between them. With a faint smile, she said, "I'm willing to wait until you're capable of making the Yuezheng Lineage bow their heads. I believe that, with your talent, you won't keep me waiting too long."

Silence. Stillness.

The room became so quiet that not a bird could be heard, as though it had broken away from the bustling, clamorous concert venue and become another, isolated world.

A knock sounded at the door. After three knocks, someone pushed it open and announced, "It's your turn to go on."

The person who dared ignore the oppressive atmosphere in the room and speak to Si Ming like that was none other than Auntie Liu.

Si Ming narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "You were the one who told Qingqing about this, weren't you?"

"I told you a long time ago: people with talent and people without it belong to two different worlds. Forcing them to stay together is no good for either of them."

"Even though your daughter has become a world superstar's assistant, you still stubbornly believe she has no talent?"

Auntie Liu's expression did not change. "That doesn't count as talent. An ordinary person could do the same job with training. She became a world superstar's assistant only because she was his childhood friend, nothing more."

Their gazes met in what seemed a clash of wills, neither giving an inch.

The audience's cries came from the venue. They shouted Si Ming's name, wave after wave, urging him to come onstage.

"...Then this is my answer!"

Si Ming seized the unsuspecting Liu Qingqing by the hand and ran outside, racing all the way onto the stage. Ignoring the audience's confusion, he gestured to the staff.

"Clack-"

With a heavy mechanical rumble, the roof of the Hall of Esteemed Worthies opened, revealing the beautiful night sky and the bright moon overhead.

Si Ming called out, "This next song is for the person who has always been by my side, caring for me, supporting me, giving silently and never asking me for anything in return!"

A melodious tune began at just the right moment. Si Ming turned to Liu Qingqing and sang with deep feeling:

"You ask me how deep my love for you is, how much I love you. My feelings are true, my love is true..."

Liu Qingqing froze. For the first time since she had been born into this world, she wore an expression of utter bewilderment.

Some members of the audience thought it was part of the show, while others sensed what was happening. As if by agreement, they fell quiet, no longer clamoring and shrieking as they had before.

It was as though only two people remained on the entire stage.

"Go and think about it, go and take a look..."

As the song drew to a close, a balloon drifted leisurely down through the open roof of the Hall of Esteemed Worthies. An elegant little box was tied beneath it.

Si Ming caught the box and opened it, holding it out before Liu Qingqing.

"...The moon represents my heart."

The mask that had remained serene for twenty years was finally shattered by tears of happiness.

Volume Two: The Little Lotus Has Just Revealed Its Pointed Tip

Chapter 37: Solar Prominence Eruption

In Tange City, the surface of Heart-Reflecting Lake shone like a mirror, its water clear to the bottom. Refreshing breezes swept across it in gentle gusts, spreading ripples over the surface. The weeping willows on the stone embankment swayed in dance, showing off their graceful, enchanting beauty.

The Sea Continent world used True Qi as a source of power, and True Qi was a green resource that produced no pollution. Thus, even Su State, the most industrialized nation, kept its environment well protected.

Moreover, the Mohist Academy of Science had once collected data and discovered that people cultivated far faster in environments with low pollution than in heavily polluted ones. This meant environmental problems were no longer minor issues that could be dealt with after pollution had occurred, but an important factor directly affecting a nation's strategic resources.

The government therefore placed great importance on environmental protection, treating it almost as seriously as drug offenses in his previous life. If a factory was found dumping untreated waste at will, it would take far more than a simple fine to settle the matter. Everyone from top to bottom would be arrested and held criminally responsible. From the owner to the employees, not one could expect to escape, and in cases with especially severe consequences, the death penalty could even be imposed.

A gentle breeze sent ripples spreading across the vast expanse of water, which remained soft and tranquil rather than turning fierce in the wind. Just then, however, a furious splashing broke out across the lake, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

A figure raced over the waves, arms spread like a great roc's wings, moving as fast as a yacht. Each step kicked up a spray two meters high, leaving a long wake behind him.

"From now on, I can call myself Iron Palm Skimming on Water, too!"

Si Ming let out an excited, ringing cry. In his view, crossing a river barefoot was one of the martial arts standards for becoming a great hero. Now he had taken another great stride toward his dream.

"Don't get carried away. You're still a long way from 'skimming.' At best, you're running."