The Queen's Critical Condition

"Ouch, ouch, ouch."

Alice rubbed her head, frowned, and looked up at the sandbag spinning above her.

The original training ground had been completely transformed. Plum blossom piles of various sizes, thicknesses, and widths were scattered everywhere, and the sandbag hanging from the ceiling randomly swung and struck.

After the Heavenly Dao departed and Liu Tian no longer needed such a place to train, this training ground became Alice's exclusive domain for honing her evasion skills.

After all, the optimal training period had passed. While Alice's aptitude for martial arts was significantly better than Liu Tian's, it was only just enough to meet the standard.

Barring any unexpected events, such as a sudden awakening of electrically-powered strength, Alice would likely only ever hover around the threshold of mastery in her lifetime. At best, with enough money, she might become a mediocre Martial Artist who couldn't even defeat an entry-level trainee.

Because of this, Liu Tian had no intention of forcing Alice to train. However, since she wanted to explore the ruins with him, shouldn't she at least learn how to escape?

With this thought, Liu Tian consulted the Martial Arts Grandmaster, the Heavenly Dao, for a Secret Martial Art specifically designed for practicing movement and evasion—the Shadow Seeking Dragon Step.

According to the Heavenly Dao's evaluation, although the Shadow Seeking Dragon Step was only considered a third-rate Secret Martial Art overall, it excelled in its low entry barrier, rapid practice speed, and unique approach to small-scale evasion. If one could reach the Martial Artist level with it, dodging three handguns or less than one rifle would be effortless.

Liu Tian also practiced it a bit. Relying on a Martial Artist's self-control, he easily reached the introductory level within ten days. The effect displayed on his Effort panel was as follows:

Shadow Seeking Dragon Step: Level 1, Special Effect: Light Body (Level 1). For every three subsequent levels, the Light Body effect increases by two levels. Can be upgraded, can be fused.

Because its special effects were completely covered by the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, mastering the Shadow Seeking Dragon Step brought no changes to Liu Tian, only adding some small-scale evasion techniques.

Perhaps this was also why the Heavenly Dao, despite mastering a hundred schools of martial arts, did not teach Liu Tian more martial arts besides the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao.

The Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, with its special effects of both physical strengthening and light body movement, along with explosive killing moves, was sufficient to cover the training effects of most internal and external martial arts.

While some specialized Secret Martial Arts, when practiced to their extreme, might surpass the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao in certain aspects, their comprehensive improvement was something the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao far exceeded.

Therefore, until he reached his limit and needed to expand his overall capabilities to improve his combat effectiveness, Liu Tian had no need to waste time practicing things that were essentially useless to him.

After all, in the Heavenly Dao's view, Liu Tian's martial arts aptitude was not very good, at most average. If Liu Tian hadn't stumbled into his sight when he was disheartened and acting recklessly, the Heavenly Dao would never have taken him as a disciple.

Liu Tian, who had grown slowly through diligent practice and the guidance of a master, might never break through to the Fighter realm if he were to divide his attention practicing other martial arts before reaching it.

As the foremost expert in the world, if his only two personal disciples couldn't break through to the Fighter realm, where would the Heavenly Dao's reputation stand?

"Fell again?" Liu Tian surveyed the training ground, ensuring nothing was damaged, before asking with concern, "I mentioned it before, you've only just gotten used to the plum blossom piles. Build a solid foundation first, don't rush to add limitations for yourself. You're not at that stage yet."

"Hehe, I was trying to push myself, see what my potential is." Alice, dressed in a fitted outfit, got up and lightly tapped her head with her right fist, pouting playfully. "Didn't you always say, 'look at your infinite potential'?"

Liu Tian was taken aback, surprised that Alice remembered a casual remark he'd made. He then chuckled, "That's because I have potential. Do you?"

"Huh? I don't?"

"Even if you do, it's not something you can unleash when your foundation isn't solid," Liu Tian said with a smile. "Practice your foundation diligently for a year, step by step. There's plenty of time. Your talent is better than mine, you don't need to rush."

"You're lying." Perhaps because they were more familiar now, Alice was less reserved and spoke her mind. "I asked Teacher Tian Dao. Reaching a realm just one step away from the Fighter realm at the age of 17, even with his careful guidance, requires talent that surpasses most people."

"And my talent is only slightly higher than average. Brother Tian, your talent is much better than mine."

"My talent isn't that great, actually," Liu Tian shrugged. "I'm just sufficiently diligent."

"Talent plus effort is the secret to success, right?" Alice rolled her eyes charmingly.

"?" As they were talking, Liu Tian's brow furrowed. His keen senses picked up unfamiliar footsteps outside the door.

Flat leather boots, the steps were regular yet hurried—the footsteps of an adult male.

"Thump-thump, thump-thump!" Although the footsteps indicated the person was anxious, they still knocked politely. Clearly, it wasn't an enemy.

Even so, to avoid any danger, Liu Tian went to open the door. The visitor was a typical old gentleman from the Hundred Flowers Kingdom, always wearing a gentle smile. He wore a black tailcoat, a white shirt, and a meticulously tied tie. A carnation was pinned to his lapel, the symbolic flower of the Gayn Family.

It was evident that the visitor had some connection to the Gayn Family.

And so it was—

"Butler Gimon!" Before the visitor could introduce himself, Alice exclaimed happily, recognizing him. She hurried over. "Long time no see. Have Dad, Mom, and my brothers returned?"

"Good noon, Fourth Miss." The visitor, addressed as Butler Gimon, greeted her with a smile before turning his gaze to Liu Tian. "You must be Young Master Liu Tian? Thank you for taking care of Miss these past few days, and thank you for saving her life for the second time."

"There's no need for such formalities," Liu Tian replied, since the visitor was not an enemy and he could easily tell the man wasn't a match for him. He moved aside and returned to his spot. "Miss Tia has already paid for the life-saving services. We are not indebted to each other."

"A mere appraisal right for some antiques cannot compare to the apple of the Gayn Family's eye." Gimon bowed gratefully. "Count Eddie originally intended to come himself, but news suddenly arrived of the Queen's serious illness, making it impossible for him to get away. If Young Master Liu Tian is willing, once everything calms down, the Gayn Family will host a banquet to express our gratitude in person."

"There's no need for that. We can discuss it another time," Liu Tian said, looking up at the sky as if he could hear the sound of a ship docking in the distance. "Judging by the time, my father should be returning soon. We might need to go back home."

"Alice, since your family is here to pick you up, we'll stop training for today," Liu Tian said, turning to Alice. "I might be returning to the Crimson Cloud Empire soon to visit a potential younger sibling. If the door is closed tomorrow, it means I've already left."

"You need to train diligently while I'm away. If you're really struggling, you can mention your master. I'm sure anyone would give him some face."

Liu Tian was no fool. He had some idea why Tia had been so serious lately and why Ailian had been looking for opportunities to approach him. Because of this, he was willing to make a promise on behalf of the Heavenly Dao—a promise that might be used.

Liu Tian wasn't someone who liked to leverage the prestige of elders or make promises on their behalf, but he had no choice when his own abilities were insufficient.

Therefore, he didn't make too many promises. Otherwise, given Liu Tian's impression of Alice and Tia, even if he wasn't familiar with the undercurrents of the Hundred Flowers Kingdom, he might have offered further assurances.

However, without knowing the Heavenly Dao's stance, Liu Tian wouldn't overstep his bounds. Reaching this point was already his limit.

"Well then, goodbye." Hearing this, Butler Gimon's eyes lit up. Alice, however, looked a bit confused. But since she didn't dwell on things she couldn't understand, which was typical of her, she simply waved her hand.

"Goodbye!" Liu Tian said softly. "See you again."