Starforce Warriors

Resting Hall.

Daoist Sanjue lay on the stretcher, his face dark and grim. He couldn't move at all. The strange, sinister energy inside his body had seemingly doubled in strength in less than a minute.

Everyone gathered around.

"Old Daoist, how are you?"

"Daoist, how is your injury?"

Zhang Hongjing's face also showed concern. She was the first to ask, "How do you feel?"

"I'm sorry." Daoist Sanjue had no complaints about this young lady official. He let out a soft sigh and said, "I won't make it. My death is of no consequence... but losing this match has brought disgrace to Great Xia."

"You'll be fine." Zhang Hongjing quickly reassured him, "Don't worry. We have the best doctors. We'll take you to the operating room immediately..."

"No need." At that moment, Li Xiaofei stepped through the crowd. "I can treat this injury."

Hmm?

Countless eyes turned toward him.

Is he serious?

Daoist Sanjue glanced at Li Xiaofei. A trace of relief appeared on his face, but he still shook his head slightly. "No need, thank you, I..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his entire body suddenly froze. He couldn't believe his eyes. A man had walked out of the surgery observation room. It was Zhao Guoqiang.

The Great Xia superpowered warrior had lost an arm and suffered a knife wound to the abdomen in the previous match. Yet he seemed completely unharmed now. His complexion was ruddy with health.

His steps were also firm and powerful. There was no sign that he had ever been injured. What was most unbelievable was that the arm he had lost had regrown. It was completely intact, as if it had never been severed in the first place.

Everyone followed Daoist Sanjue's utterly shocked expression and turned to look. Then, one by one, they stood frozen in place, dumbfounded.

What is going on?

What had happened?

Why is Zhao Guoqiang...

Even Zhang Hongjing's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend the scene before her.

This was the same Zhao Guoqiang whom Director Zhou, their top surgical expert, had said would only survive if he managed to make it through the night. Yet now, he was standing there, alive and well, full of energy.

Thud.

The moment Zhao Guoqiang saw Li Xiaofei, he dropped to his knees without hesitation. Everyone was stunned, unable to understand his actions.

"Thank you, leader, for saving my life!" said Zhao Guoqiang.

Zhao Guoqiang bowed his head, about to kowtow to Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei quickly stepped forward to stop him.

"Brother Zhao, we don't do this kind of thing anymore," replied Li Xiaofei. He reached out and helped Zhao Guoqiang to his feet.

"Old Zhao, you... this... what's going on?" said the young master. He was utterly astonished.

Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed Zhao Guoqiang's left arm, squeezing it firmly. He confirmed that it was real flesh and blood, not some kind of prosthetic.

"It was Leader Li who saved me!" Zhao Guoqiang's voice was filled with excitement and gratitude as he spoke loudly, "Actually, I regained consciousness shortly after the surgery. Though I couldn't speak at the time, I could see everything. Leader Li used his superpower to heal me! His palm released a warm energy, like some kind of legendary immortal technique. My left arm grew back, my abdominal wound healed instantly, and even my displaced organs returned to normal!"

Everyone felt as if they had just witnessed a myth come to life.

Something like this... is possible?

Could it really be true?

Regrowing a severed arm?

Even the legendary physicians Bian Que and Hua Tuo wouldn't be able to accomplish such a feat if they were reborn, would they?

Qi Honglei, the young master, and the others exchanged glances, their shock evident and impossible to conceal. Daoist Sanjue's face was filled with confusion. Then, suddenly, he was overcome by a violent fit of coughing.

Blood spurted from his mouth and nose. A strange, faint red mist escaped his body along with the blood. It carried an eerie, malevolent aura, as if it were the breath of a demon from the depths of hell. The sight of it made everyone instinctively uneasy.

Li Xiaofei flicked his fingers as if he were plucking a tangible thread from the air. He effortlessly drew the crimson mist out of Daoist Sanjue's nose.

The people around him were stunned. That red mist was clearly a sinister and terrifying energy. It was an evil energy that had entrenched itself deeply in Daoist Sanjue's body. It was already fused into his very bones, making it nearly impossible to expel. Yet Li Xiaofei had extracted it as easily as pulling a strand of hair.

Was this what they called divine intervention? But that wasn't the end of it. Li Xiaofei raised his palm and lightly patted Daoist Sanjue's body two or three times.

In an instant, the pain that had been tormenting Daoist Sanjue vanished without a trace. The energy he had lost, the true qi that had been devoured, all returned to him as if nothing had ever happened.

Daoist Sanjue leaped up from the stretcher and landed gracefully on the ground in a single motion. He looked down at himself; his body felt lighter and more refreshed than ever before. This was nothing short of a miracle. He turned to look at Li Xiaofei.

A healing type superpower?

No. This has already surpassed the realm of mere superpowers.

"Thank you." Daoist Sanjue expressed his gratitude. Then, as if confirming his suspicion, he asked, "The one who saved me during the arena battle... was it you?"

Li Xiaofei nodded. "Yes, it was me."

At that moment, Daoist Sanjue finally had his biggest doubt resolved. He didn't hesitate to believe it. He simply accepted it as the truth. A sigh escaped him, and a sense of shame followed.

"I apologize. I was shortsighted, arrogant and blind to the true divine standing before me... I sincerely offer my apologies to you, leader." As he spoke, Daoist Sanjue performed the highest ceremonial bow of Daoism, bowing deeply to Li Xiaofei.

He apologized in front of everyone. For someone like Daoist Sanjue, who had always held himself in the highest regard, admitting his mistakes was not an easy thing.

But at this moment, in front of Li Xiaofei, lowering his head and apologizing felt completely natural. He had been utterly convinced.

Especially after witnessing Li Xiaofei's almost supernatural abilities, he now understood the truth. There had been no favoritism or political maneuvering in the decision to appoint Li Xiaofei as the leader of the exchange delegation. It was simply the right choice.

In contrast, his own initial skepticism in questioning Li Xiaofei solely because of his age and repeatedly challenging his authority, now seemed utterly foolish. His actions had been undisciplined, ignorant and laughable. He had been no better than a petty troublemaker.

Li Xiaofei accepted the bow. Only then did he say, "Daoist, your strength is formidable. The reason you lost to that Jiepeng warrior was not due to a gap in skill but because he resorted to deceit. He used a demonic sword infused with sinister energy to defeat you. His strength was not as great as it seemed."

"I know," nodded Daoist Sanjue. Then, he blew out a sigh filled with both frustration and helplessness as he said, "But so what? Even if I were to fight again, I still wouldn't be able to defeat that sword. The opponent cheated, yet we can do nothing about it. That is what truly makes me feel powerless. If this weren't just an arena duel but a real battle on the battlefield, I would have died countless times already... It's infuriating."

As he spoke, a sudden realization struck him. His gaze turned to Li Xiaofei, his eyes filled with hope.

"Leader, with your abilities, you must be able to defeat that demonic sword, right?" Daoist Sanjue asked, his voice laced with expectation.

Li Xiaofei gave a slight nod. Daoist Sanjue was overjoyed as he said, "Then please, I beg you, leader! If you step in personally, only then can—"

"No," Li Xiaofei interrupted, shaking his head. "That is your battle."

Daoist Sanjue was stunned.

"Don't you want to reclaim your lost honor with your own hands?" Li Xiaofei asked.

"But I..." Daoist Sanjue hesitated.

Li Xiaofei reassured him. "Don't worry. I will make sure you get a fair fight."

He patted Daoist Sanjue lightly on the shoulder. Then, he turned and walked toward the passageway. Against the light, he strode forward like a lone swordsman emerging from the radiance.

At that very moment, the referees were about to announce the results of the match, declaring Asuka from the Jiepeng exchange team as the victor.

"I object." Li Xiaofei's voice rang out, clear and commanding, across the entire venue.