After taking the Qi Gathering Powder and engaging in Dual Cultivation with Qingxuan, Shen Qiang's progress in cultivation was accelerating rapidly.

After completing eighty-one major cycles, it was already 4:30 in the afternoon. To his surprise, Shen Qiang discovered that the True Qi surging in his meridians had condensed into thin strands, which were now entwined with each other.

Just like woven ropes.

At this rate of rapid advancement, Shen Qiang could complete his Qi Condensation cultivation in about three days if things went well and at most five days in the slowest scenario.

Next, as long as he stabilized his cultivation realm, Shen Qiang would be able to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Once Foundation Establishment was achieved, not only could Shen Qiang use Acupuncture Techniques, but he could also start refining Elixir Pills, which would greatly increase his strength and significantly improve his medical skills.

Excitedly, he got out of bed and went downstairs.

As soon as he reached the ground floor, through the French windows leading to the patio garden, Shen Qiang immediately saw Qian Shanxue, who was standing at the edge of the patio, gazing at the city.

Not far behind her, on a bench,

were Ali, who appeared to be in good spirits, and a woman with light blue short hair.

Because the woman was facing away, Shen Qiang couldn't determine her age for the moment, but from her build, she was in good shape—jeans and canvas shoes, with snow-white ankles visible from her sockless feet, and she wore an ordinary short-sleeved T-shirt, seemingly a young person.

Shen Qiang strode outside.

Hearing Shen Qiang's footsteps, Ali turned back to look at him without saying a word. Qian Shanxue, as if she hadn't heard the footsteps, chose to ignore them.

But the young woman with her back turned swiftly got up and turned to look at Shen Qiang.

The moment he saw her, Shen Qiang was taken aback.

She had a very pretty young face, a small round face, a pointed chin, large eyes, and her light blue short hair made her look very adorable.

But before Shen Qiang could even greet her,

he was surprised to see her bowing anxiously to him and nervously saying, "Hello, Senior, my name is Ye Xiaolei. 'Small' as in petite, 'bud' as in flower bud. I just graduated, and this is my first time officially working; if there's anything I don't do well, please advise me."

This method of self-introduction left Shen Qiang somewhat astonished; he then couldn't help but laugh and say, "No need to be so formal; I am Shen Qiang, also a newcomer."

Hearing Shen Qiang's words, Ye Xiaolei's eyes brightened and her expression became even more respectful as she said, "You must be the man in the mask, the newcomer who set a new record for the newcomer's reward! Senior Shen, I look forward to your guidance in the days to come."

At that moment, Ali, sitting on the bench, frowned unhappily and said, "If you really want to learn something, you should be asking me for advice; compared to this guy, I am the true senior here."

Ye Xiaolei seemed very nervous.

But before she could speak, Qian Shanxue, who had been standing at the railing looking at the city, turned back and walked toward them, saying calmly, "Now that everyone is here, let's discuss serious matters. Ali specializes in crime scene simulation; she can simulate the criminal's behaviors and determine their methods based on the crime scene situation."

"Shen Qiang's ability is in Medical Skill; he is the Medical Soldier in our team, mainly responsible for on-site emergency aid and medical-related matters, so most of the time, he does not need to accompany us on missions."

Turning her gaze to Ye Xiaolei, Qian Shanxue said solemnly, "Ye Xiaolei's role is to scout for the suspect's location, a position that is the most dangerous in the entire combat team."

"And I am responsible for using force to strike at criminals; this is the standard combat team configuration."

Looking at Ye Xiaolei, Qian Shanxue said, "In the month before this, while scouting this position, two members of the team were killed. If you don't want to die too early, you'd better learn to be smart. You are not allowed to approach the enemy, nor do you need to use force. All you need to do is find the approximate location of the suspect, and leave the rest to me."

Ye Xiaolei was startled, then responded, "Okay, Colonel. I understand."

Qian Shanxue paused for a moment and then continued, "This is Shen Qiang's house. We will stay here temporarily. To outsiders, Ali's identity is Shen Qiang's cousin, I am her cousin, and you are also Shen Qiang's cousin."

Shen Qiang frowned upon hearing this. "What kind of lousy excuse is this? Cousins piling up?"

Qian Shanxue looked at Shen Qiang indifferently and said, "If your girlfriend doesn't mind, you can also choose one of us three to claim as your girlfriend to outsiders, and the other two as your girlfriend's cousins."

Shen Qiang awkwardly gave a bitter smile.

...

By five-thirty in the afternoon, Su Xiaonuan called. Shen Qiang was a bit perplexed but still chose to tell her that the cousins had come to visit and would stay for a few days, which might be inconvenient.

Unexpectedly, Su Xiaonuan was quite excited.

Hearing that Shen Qiang's cousins were visiting, she immediately declared that she wanted to make a lot of delicious food to entertain them that evening.

Shen Qiang instinctively wanted to decline.

But that would obviously be abnormal, so Shen Qiang told Su Xiaonuan to do as she pleased.

It was just past six in the evening.

Su Xiaonuan had already come back with groceries.

Shen Qiang originally thought Su Xiaonuan, along with Ali, Qian Shanxue, and Ye Xiaolei, would definitely not get along.

But, surprisingly.

In less than ten minutes, the mature, sexy, and good-dancing Su Xiaonuan, not only made Ye Xiaolei very happy, but even Ali joyously called her "Sister Xiaonuan." Besides that, the aloof Qian Shanxue also encountered no problems in interacting with Su Xiaonuan.

This made Shen Qiang somewhat puzzled.

Not only that, what made Shen Qiang helpless was that the four of them gathered together, chattering endlessly about everything from makeup and clothing to male singers and idol dramas, from domestic tourist routes to foreign sightseeing spots—they talked nonstop, like three rapid-fire machine guns, added to one sniper rifle that rarely spoke, but hit the target every time it did.

Furthermore, the chatty Su Xiaonuan playfully asked Shen Qiang to help prepare the ingredients in the kitchen, saying she would cook later.

This left Shen Qiang a bit helpless.

But seeing Su Xiaonuan seeming very happy.

Shen Qiang, once in the kitchen, naturally started preparing those ingredients.

And on a whim, he used some common medicinal herbs from the storage ring and made what seemed to him to be ordinary medicinal meals. After all, in the Medical Saint Inheritance, food therapy accounts for a significant part, and he was quite skilled at it.

It was just that ever since Lv Shuyao went abroad, Shen Qiang rarely cooked anymore.

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