In the final exchange between the two of them just now, Hao Ren withdrew the Rigid Shield in time. He believed that, to outsiders, the faint flash that had briefly appeared would look like nothing more than sweat reflecting the sunlight. But without a doubt, Nolan had noticed that instant of abnormality: she had kicked a shield tougher than titanium alloy.
Looking into Nolan's deep, tranquil eyes, Hao Ren suddenly felt as if she had seen straight through him. He could hardly believe he was facing a girl of only seventeen or eighteen. The pressure her gaze brought was no weaker than Vivian's aura when she got serious. Still, he quickly composed himself and pretended to be relaxed. "What did you say?"
"You're terrible at changing the subject," Nolan said flatly. "What was that just now? Biochemical modification can't do that—and you're a natural human."
Hao Ren suddenly remembered that, in situations like this in novels, there was supposedly a universal excuse. "Then have you heard of inner martial arts like Qigong...?"
He was about to say that he knew a reclusive master who had exchanged a meal's worth of kindness for a set of peerless body-tempering techniques. But Nolan spoke faster than he did. "Qigong? I've heard of it. I've also fought so-called martial arts masters. They really were impressive, but that definitely wasn't martial arts. I saw my own foot kick a layer of light."
As Nolan said this, her expression was as emotionless as stone. She was clearly impervious to persuasion, while Hao Ren was left completely dumbfounded. What happened to that supposedly foolproof excuse? Why didn't it work? Had this girl actually beaten up a Qigong master...?
Nolan's observation had been meticulous, too. The shield had been exposed directly before her eyes, so explaining it as