"Hmph!" Liu Xiaoxiao let out a delicate snort, seemingly disdainful of Han Lang's response.
"New recruit, Xiaoxiao, first time here! You've got quite the big mouth! Do you really think you can win the rookie arena competition with just your current abilities?"
Hearing these condescending words, Han Lang felt a surge of displeasure. He even put aside his respect for Liu Xiaoxiao and replied indifferently.
"Commander Liu, thank you for your concern! Although I am not talented, I am somewhat confident in winning the rookie arena competition! As for Commander Liu herself, after ten years of service, you've only just reached the Golden Core stage. It doesn't seem like there's much to be proud of, is there!"
Han Lang's words seemed to have struck a nerve with Liu Xiaoxiao.
Indeed, in terms of talent, the qualification for the special special forces was early Foundation Establishment. Ten years of cultivation on the Sixth Great Spiritual Vein, a privileged environment within the special special forces, and only breaking through one major stage was hardly something to boast about.
However, Han Lang was unaware.
Many years ago, Liu Xiaoxiao was also an outstanding among the recruits.
During the rookie arena competition back then, she was a formidable cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Although she didn't win the championship that year, her future was still immeasurable.
It was only during a mission later that her meridians were damaged, causing her cultivation to decline instead of advance. If not for her passion for military life and her diligent efforts over the years, she would likely have regressed to the Foundation Establishment stage by now.
Therefore, facing Han Lang's sarcasm, Liu Xiaoxiao trembled with anger!
"You ignorant brat, what do you know! Since you're so arrogant, let me see today if you truly have the strength to back up your arrogance!"
With that, she unleashed a palm strike without hesitation, the powerful gust of wind heading straight for Han Lang.
Han Lang hadn't expected that Liu Xiaoxiao, besides her condescending demeanor, also had a fiery temper that he couldn't fathom.
As a deputy platoon leader of the new recruits and a Golden Core cultivator, she had attacked him, a mere recruit, without a second thought.
This was completely out of the ordinary!
But the reality was that, despite Han Lang's confusion and even his internal curses towards Liu Xiaoxiao's family, he couldn't stop the incoming palm strike.
With no other option, Han Lang abruptly channeled the spiritual energy throughout his body, crossed his arms, and swung them. The vigorous spiritual energy surged towards the palm strike like a fierce tiger.
With a "rumble" of explosion, their moves canceled each other out instantly. As the residual shockwaves dissipated, nothing remained between them.
Liu Xiaoxiao was somewhat shocked.
Although she hadn't used her full strength in that move, she had exerted seven or eight tenths of her power to teach this arrogant kid a lesson.
To her surprise, this kid not only didn't dodge but met her attack head-on.
Even more astonishingly, he not only held his ground but was evenly matched with her.
Did this mean that this boy's strength had already reached the late Foundation Establishment stage?
At this thought, Liu Xiaoxiao's surprise deepened.
"Good kid! It seems I've underestimated you! I didn't expect you to possess strength close to the late Foundation Establishment stage!"
Han Lang smiled dismissively and did not reply. Instead, he quickly summoned three golden needles, suspending them around his body, ready to defend at any moment.
Seeing his silence, Liu Xiaoxiao felt even more looked down upon. Her anger flared, and she slightly channeled her palms, condensing her full strength into her palms before clapping them together and striking.
Instantly, Han Lang felt as if he were facing a colossal, overwhelming force, its pressure making it difficult for him to breathe.
He dared not delay. The three needles shot out simultaneously, forming a vast triangular formation, mutually attracting each other. The spiritual energy formed a giant triangular net, enveloping the palm wind from Liu Xiaoxiao.
With a "crackling" sound, the two energies collided. Han Lang's spiritual energy net gradually consumed Liu Xiaoxiao's palm wind.
However, the gap in their strength was evident. Even with Han Lang's full effort, he could only offset seven or eight tenths of Liu Xiaoxiao's palm wind.
Watching the continuing fierce wind, Han Lang had no choice but to crouch slightly, then leap forward, evading the palm strike while heading directly towards Liu Xiaoxiao.
At this moment, Han Lang had only one thought in his mind.
If he couldn't win in a long-range confrontation, he would engage in close combat.
Liu Xiaoxiao saw through Han Lang's intentions, but Han Lang's explosive power was too great. Even if she wanted to create distance, Han Lang's attack was like a persistent shadow, closing in.
With no other recourse, she had to engage in close combat, a style she was not proficient in, with Han Lang.
Fists and palms clashed. Liu Xiaoxiao, relying on her superior cultivation, gradually began to suppress Han Lang.
However, since Han Lang had decided on close combat, he wouldn't be limited to such tactics.
Just as their battle reached its peak, and neither could disengage, Han Lang's divine sense stirred. Three golden needles silently shot towards Liu Xiaoxiao from three different angles.
Liu Xiaoxiao was terrified!
She truly hadn't expected Han Lang to be able to divide his attention and use techniques during such an intense battle!
But as a special forces soldier with ten years of service, Liu Xiaoxiao's combat experience was indeed formidable.
Seeing the three golden needles about to reach her, Liu Xiaoxiao suddenly stumbled, swaying close to the ground. She perfectly dodged Han Lang's golden needles.
Han Lang was greatly alarmed.
He was unwilling to let such a perfect offensive opportunity slip away so easily.
He followed up with a leap, then a backhand grab. His strong hand firmly grasped Liu Xiaoxiao's slender wrist.
Just as he was about to execute a shoulder throw against Liu Xiaoxiao, he suddenly discovered that Liu Xiaoxiao's pulse showed three blocked extraordinary meridians, causing her overall strength to be less than one-tenth of its potential.
It was precisely because of this that Han Lang's body momentarily faltered, allowing Liu Xiaoxiao to seize the opportunity to counterattack.
With a light step of her feet, she flipped over Han Lang's head. With a swift grapple, she cuffed Han Lang's right hand behind his back and delivered a knee strike, pinning him firmly to the ground.
"Yow, yow, yow, I surrender, I surrender!"
Han Lang cried out in pain, patting the ground with his free hand while repeatedly begging for mercy.
Just then, Huang Yuhua, sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations, rushed over with several comrades from the same company. They happened to witness Han Lang being subdued.
He quickly stepped forward to separate them and asked repeatedly.
"What's going on? Xiaoxiao, you got into a fight with a recruit?"
Liu Xiaoxiao naturally did not reveal that Han Lang had touched upon her weakness to Huang Yuhua. She merely let out a slight cold snort, glaring at the slowly rising Han Lang.
Han Lang brushed the dust off his clothes and quickly explained.
"Commander Huang, it's not Commander Liu's fault! I was just feeling the itch to spar and wanted Commander Liu to give me some pointers! As expected, I, a recruit, am no match. But I still thank Commander Liu for her generous guidance! I believe I will have more combat experience in the upcoming rookie arena competition, hehe..."
Han Lang grinned shamelessly, but Huang Yuhua didn't let him off the hook.
"I knew your strength was close to the late Foundation Establishment stage during the initial assessment. But even with your considerable strength, you cannot violate the rules of the special forces! No matter what, Xiaoxiao is your superior. How could you be so disrespectful and challenge your superior? Have you forgotten the thirty-kilometer punishment?" 138 Reading Network
Hearing this reprimand, Liu Xiaoxiao felt a little guilty.
After all, she was the one who initiated the confrontation. Moreover, this recruit in front of her was still defending her at this point. She absolutely couldn't let him suffer punishment.
So, before Han Lang could reply, Liu Xiaoxiao, uncharacteristically, spoke up for him.
"This recruit is not to blame! I agreed to it myself. However, I still want to congratulate Commander Huang. This recruit of yours has limitless potential!"
Huang Yuhua chuckled.
He also thought highly of Han Lang, but his expression quickly turned to disbelief.
Having fought alongside Liu Xiaoxiao for many years, he hadn't seen her speak so highly of someone in a long time.
"Could something unknown have happened between them?"
Huang Yuhua pondered this, but he had to deal with the immediate situation.
Heeding Liu Xiaoxiao's opinion, Huang Yuhua decided not to pursue the matter with Han Lang any further. He sternly said to him.
"Since Commander Liu is not pursuing it, let this matter end here! The rookie arena competition is only one day away. Don't wander around. Go back and cultivate!"
Han Lang, greatly relieved, happily trotted towards the recruit dormitory.
As he passed by Liu Xiaoxiao, he seemed to remember something and said to her.
"Forgot to tell you, Commander Liu. Besides being a recruit, I am also a doctor. I can solve many difficult and complex illnesses. If you need anything, you're welcome to come find me anytime!"
With a meaningful smile, he turned and left.
Liu Xiaoxiao was completely stunned.
Although she didn't know what Han Lang was referring to, she had a vague premonition that Han Lang was hinting at the chronic ailment she had suffered from for years.
Only Huang Yuhua was truly in the dark. He even asked Liu Xiaoxiao inexplicably.
"What is this recruit talking about? Are you sick?"
Liu Xiaoxiao glared at him annoyedly.
"You're the one who's sick! Your whole family is sick!"
With that, she was about to leave in anger, but after taking two steps, she, like Han Lang, turned back and said to Huang Yuhua.
"This recruit is a gem. Cultivate him well, and it will greatly benefit you!"
Watching Liu Xiaoxiao walk away without looking back, Huang Yuhua was left alone in the wind, bewildered.
"Tsk! As if I needed you to tell me! My platoon has plenty of gems! At least Zhao Wu and Tang Geng are considered such! Humph!"