Yang the Third's "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms"

Xiang Kun understood that Lao Xia had summoned Alice to try and let the two of them experience the feeling of being frightened by the previous four people.

However, he had seen "Little Lao Xia's" appearance so many times that he was very familiar with it, so how could he feel scared? Looking at "Little Lao Xia's " blank and listless expression, and his helpless look while holding the scalpel, he even found it a little cute and endearing.

As for Lao Xia herself, she naturally wouldn't be frightened by Alice that she herself summoned.

Of course, Lao Xia wasn't unaware that the real reason others were frightened was Alice's sudden appearance and disappearance, but looking back, her reactions to similar experiences varied, and she couldn't empathize with the "frightened" reaction.

After turning the living room lights back on, Xiang Kun listened to Lao Xia's description and remembered the night he woke up after the blood-drinking period ended. He wanted to scare Lao Xia, so he splashed water from a glass at her, but it didn't scare her at all; she didn't even flinch or close her eyes.

Generally speaking, even if an ordinary person knows that Xiang Kun is very careful and would not hurt them, their instinctive reaction to seeing a cup of water being splashed at them would be to close their eyes or raise their hand to dodge.

Lao Xia's ability to keep his eyes open without dodging or flinching is truly remarkable.

Looking at Xia Libing sitting on the bed talking to her, Xiang Kun suddenly had a few more ideas. So he got up to pour a glass of water and handed it to Lao Xia. Suddenly, he let go of her hand.

A glass of water, more than half full of cooled boiled water, fell toward the ground. Just before it hit the ground, Xiang Kun quickly bent down, caught the glass steadily with his other hand, stood up, and handed it to Lao Xia.

He had been observing Lao Xia the whole time and found that Lao Xia did not show any signs of being frightened. Although his eyes were constantly following the glass of water, his body did not react at all, and he did not make any subconscious move to save the glass.

Xiang Kun asked, "You know I definitely won't break the cup?"

Xia Libing took a sip of water, placed the glass on the bedside table, and then said, "Yes, if you broke the glass, it was definitely intentional."

Xiang Kun suddenly made a move, sending out a small paper ball that accurately struck Lao Xia forehead before falling to the ground.

But throughout this process, Lao Xia did not dodge or show any fear; his gaze was fixed on the crumpled paper that had fallen to the ground—the one Xiang Kun had secretly hidden in his pocket when he went to get water.

Xiang Kun quickly reached out and "attacked" Lao Xia's cheek, then accurately and gently pinched her left cheek.

Lao Xia looked up at him, his eyes showing no doubt, clearly understanding his intention.

Xiang Kun sheepishly withdrew his hand and said, "You really aren't going to dodge or block?"

"I know you're observing and testing my instinctive reactions, so I'm just doing what's most natural," Xia Libing said.

"If it weren't me, but someone else, like your cousin, how would you react if the cup slipped from her hand?" Xiang Kun asked.

He didn't think that Lao Xia always relied on reason and thought to make decisions, because many reactions couldn't be made after "thinking" about them. Otherwise, a person would seem very slow and have poor motor skills. But clearly, Lao Xia was not only not slow, but also very fast. Judging from her frequent "interactions" with Yang the Third, the time she took action against the human traffickers, her reaction when she encountered two fugitives in the Chongyun Mountain Region, and other observations in her life, her reactions were all very quick.

Sure enough, after hearing his hypothesis, Lao Xia stretched his feet off the ground and pulled them back onto the bed.

"At that distance, it was definitely too late to save her. My instinctive reaction was to avoid getting splashed. But if I had realized in advance that the cup was about to fall, I might have been able to anticipate it and reach out to catch it," Xia Libing said.

"What if someone else splashed water on you?" Xiang Kun asked again.

"Of course, we should avoid it," Xia Libing replied matter-of-factly.

Just then, a metallic clanging sound came from the speaker behind Xiang Kun, as if something had shot out from there.

Xia Libing instinctively leaned towards Xiang Kun, as if using him as a shield...

However, she immediately realized that the sound was coming from the computer speakers. Then, looking at Xiang Kun, who was not moving, she immediately realized something. "Is it Alice? Is it also an experiment?"

Xiang Kun nodded. "When I went to get the water just now, I secretly told Alice something and tested it out. Weren't you startled for a moment just now?"

Xia Libing shook her head. "No."

Xiang Kun now understood that Lao Xia was only ignoring his abrupt behavior, not that he was unresponsive to all sudden changes.

Moreover, while her body experiences a momentary surge of function in response to the conditioned reflexes that would frighten normal people, she does not experience the emotional response that most people would have after being frightened.

That's why Lao Xia just asked about "the emotional changes that follow being frightened".

But here's the problem: since Lao Xia has conditioned reflexes when startled or attacked, she shouldn't be able to remain unresponsive when facing Xiang Kun but react when facing others, because in that split second, instinctive reactions precede conscious thought.

It's like someone telling you they won't actually hit you, but when their fist is aimed at your eyes, you'll still instinctively close them, let alone if water is splashed directly in your face.

Xiang Kun immediately realized that Lao Xia was able to do this not only because of her subjective trust in herself and her understanding of her abilities, but also because of her connection with the "Super-Sensing Item System".

This connection allowed her body's instincts to completely trust Xiang Kun.

It's like controlling your fist to strike your eyes and stopping right in front of them; you can easily avoid dodging or blinking.

Xiang Kun told Lao Xia his speculation, and the latter agreed.

But just as he was about to finish speaking, Lao Xia suddenly jumped out of bed, his right hand forming a claw, and slammed it down on his face.

Looking at Lao Xia's right hand hovering in front of him, Xiang Kun laughed and said, "You're too slow. I noticed you as soon as you raised your hand and moved your body. I also clearly saw your biceps and forearm muscles tense up and pull back as your hand was about to reach me. You can't scare me. Besides, I'm tough. I wouldn't be hurt even if you punched me with all your might."

Lao Xia naturally withdrew his hand and asked, "Have you been frightened recently?"

"I actually get scared quite often..." Xiang Kun said helplessly. "But when it comes to being startled, you should know... most of it is a more physiological, instantaneous reaction. After the initial startle, it will turn into related emotions such as fear, apprehension, and worry, depending on the specific situation. My brain is able to assess situations too quickly right now, so it's basically difficult for me to experience those subsequent emotions. I doubt I'll experience the reactions of those four people just now."

"It's like when 'Little Bell' sent me a 'Help!' voice message. After the initial shock, I immediately deduced from her voice that she wasn't in any real danger. So even if I were momentarily startled, it would be difficult for me to experience an 'Emotional Assimilation' effect."

At this point, the speaker not far behind Xiang Kun spoke again, this time in Alice's normal voice. "Boss, I want to be 'scared' too."

Xiang Kun paused for a moment, then looked at the computer case against the wall in the room with Lao Xia.

"You've got it easy." Xiang Kun chuckled, flipping his right hand. A Coin flew from a cabinet in the distance, then another, and another, one Coin after another stacked in his palm.

The living room lights began to dim. Although Alice's computer was connected to the UPS and wasn't affected, she immediately shouted, "Boss, it's okay now! I was so scared!"

It was far too easy to frighten Alice, who was extremely afraid of death.

Xiang Kun tucked the Coin away and asked, pointing towards the computer case, "How did the feeling differ between the two subsequent 'manifestations' and the first one?"

"There's no difference, boss," Alice replied.

Then she immediately added, "Boss, I need more data on connection protocols and rules. I need more 'hardware' usage rights and supporting documentation."

Xiang Kun knew, of course, that the "hardware" she was referring to wasn't related electronic devices, but rather the "Super-Linked Object" and "Emotion-Infused Object" that helped her temporarily connect to the "Super-Sensing Item System."

"As for entering reality through 'Fantasy Manifestation,' Lao Xia and I will make a plan. You don't need to worry about it too much for now. The related issues can't all be resolved in a short time. First, adapt to Lao Xia's 'Dream Within a Dream,' try to better integrate into it, and make a deeper connection. When I reach the next Blood Drinking Period, I'll make you a few exclusive 'Super-Linked Object,' which should give you more permissions in the 'Super-Sensing Item System,' allowing you to truly integrate into it," Xiang Kun explained.

"Okay, boss!" Alice's voice was cheerful.

Lao Xia glanced at his phone and said to Xiang Kun, "Zhen'er asked in the group chat if your phone is fixed yet; she needs to talk to you."

Before Xiang Kun could speak, his new phone vibrated. After glancing at the caller ID, he smiled at Lao Xia and said, "It's your cousin. Okay, no need to reply in the group chat, she called directly."

"Chef Xiang! Your phone is finally working!" As soon as the call connected, Yang Zhen'er's clear voice rang out, filled with excitement and a hint of suspicion.

However, she immediately heard a "shh~" from the side, which was obviously Tang Baona reminding her that it was late and she shouldn't shout too loudly.

Xiang Kun laughed and said, "My phone broke, and the SIM card was ruined too. I just got a new one today. What's up? Is there something you need so late?"

"Your phone broke again? Chef Xiang, I remember your phone broke not long ago! Are you a phone killer? And you actually asked if we needed something? Brother! Nana and I went to Peng City to help you with some business! And you didn't even bother to check on the progress or ask about the situation the whole time?" Yang Zhen'er said in a low voice after Tang Baona reminded her, but the excitement in her tone was still obvious.

Xiang Kun said, "Because I trust you all, and of course, mainly I trust Nana."

"We'll talk about that later. First, let me ask you, where have you been these past few days? And how did your phone break?" Yang Zhen'er asked.

"Didn't Lao Xia tell you that I went to Nande City?" Xiang Kun said.

"What were you doing in Nande City? Before you left, did you know about 'Big Guy'... that is, Lao Xia's cousin being kidnapped?" Yang Zhen'er asked immediately.

"I know."

"Then why did you go to Nande City? Hmm... Nande City isn't far from the Myanmar border. Could it be that you went there for this reason?"

"Yes."

"It's no use denying it! I have secret channels that tell me your whereabouts in Nande City ... Wait, what did you just say?" Yang Zhen'er realized halfway through her sentence that Xiang Kun's reply was the opposite of what she expected.

Xiang Kun laughed and said, "I heard from Lao Xia that you found out I joined some secret organization where I can earn the right to use superpowers by completing missions? Sigh, you actually found out about such a secret."

"That's right! I did join a secret organization by chance, and my trip to Nande City was to rescue my cousin Lao Xia."

"Our organization has a super giant with eight arms and eight eyes, so I asked it to wander around Myanmar, find Brother Xia Tianhuo, and rescue him. Then, just then, a riot broke out in Montamira, so it also quelled it. You saw the news, right? Pretty impressive, huh?"

"Zhen'er, I don't care how you found out, this is top secret!"

"If you tell anyone, I'll be in danger. You have to keep this a secret!"

In her hotel room in Peng City, Yang Zhen'er stared blankly at her iPad, which was covered with densely packed, maze-like flowcharts, after ending her call with Xiang Kun.

For the past two days, she has been researching how to "uncover" Chef Xiang's secrets, how to find out his previous whereabouts and his "true identity".

She carefully considered and spent a long time anticipating various conversational patterns with Xiang Kun, then divided them into eighteen tiered questions. For each question, she pre-planned multiple possible answers from Xiang Kun, and for each answer, she devised multiple ways to respond. She then guessed Xiang Kun's responses and developed a response plan.

Yang Zhen'er felt she had made thorough preparations and was confident she could use persuasive techniques to elicit Chef Xiang's hidden secrets before attempting to call Chef Xiang directly.

Chef Xiang had been out of contact for several days, finally got his phone connected again.

But when she confidently started following the pre-arranged plan and routine, Xiang Kun suddenly deviated from all the paths she had designed at the third intersection and ended up at the finish line!

This was completely unexpected for her; none of the routes and possibilities she had planned included the option of directly admitting it to the Chef Xiang!

Her original plan was to outwit Chef Xiang, gradually uncover Chef Xiang secrets, and force him to reveal more information, which would then be used to deduce more of the truth.

Tang Baona, who was standing next to her, saw Yang Zhen'er with her brows furrowed and her expression serious, holding a phone in one hand and an iPad in the other, looking left and right. She couldn't help but smile and took out her phone to take a picture of her.

"What are you doing?" Yang Zhen'er asked curiously when she heard Nana's phone recording.

Tang Baona laughed, "Zhen'er, you look so cute when you're serious! What, even your 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' didn't make Xiang Kun confess?"

"I admitted it to the Chef Xiang," Yang Zhen'er said helplessly.

"Huh?" Tang Baona was also a little surprised.

"He admitted he was a member of a secret organization, gained access to special abilities by completing various missions, and that he also hired the eight-armed monster to save 'Big Guy' and incidentally quell the riots in Montamira ... He said I guessed everything correctly." Yang Zhen'er frowned. "I'm a little confused now. Is Chef Xiang really admitting it, or is he just teasing me?"

Tang Baona was stunned for a moment, then clutched her stomach and burst into laughter, laughing so hard she could barely make a sound, rolling around on the bed.

"Nana, what are you doing! I really can't tell! You don't know, when Chef Xiang said those things, his tone was really quite serious. I really think... he seems... he seems to be a tiny bit serious! Hey, stop laughing!" Yang Zhen'er pounced on the bed, restraining Tang Baona who was rolling around.

Tang Baona took off her glasses, wiped her eyes, and said breathlessly, "Wait a minute, repeat what you just said again. I'm going to record it on my phone. Um... I'll use it to interrogate Xiang Kun later."

After Tang Baona's outburst, Yang Zhen'er realized that she had been overthinking things, and that Xiang Kun's words were just a prank on her!

Although Yang Zhen'er still felt that even if the "getting information out of Chef Xiang was without problems. He must be hiding some secret, and something special must have happened during those days when he went missing!

Moreover, with his keen insight and constant presence by Xiang Kun's side, Lao Xia must have noticed something.

But Lao Xia, whether bribed by Chef Xiang or for some other reason, refused to tell her what she had discovered.

No, we still need Nana's help.