Seeing the expectant expression on Mengmeng's face in the video, with her eyes fixed intently, it felt as if it was over a decade ago.
Su Mu's expression softened, and he gave a sheepish smile.
"Yes, I was lucky enough to be promoted to a Third Level Martial Artist recently, and I encountered two benefactors. Your husband is now an official university instructor!"
Even though Jiang Miaomiao had some suspicions in her heart, hearing Su Mu personally confirm it brought another wave of emotions and feelings.
Third Level Martial Artist?!
An official Martial Arts University instructor?!
Pride and admiration were evident in her expression, and seeing Mengmeng like this, a sense of happiness welled up in Su Mu's heart, this moment's excitement was even more intense than when he became an instructor.
Sharing joy with family is something impossible to experience alone.
"Hubby, you're amazing... and you've worked hard!"
"I'm actually doing fine."
"Also, hubby, why do I feel like you've become a lot younger recently?"
Su Mu scratched his head a bit embarrassed, and Jiang Miaomiao chuckled. She hadn't seen her husband make this gesture for a long time; she remembered Su Mu during his student days would subconsciously do this when he was nervous.
"Oh right, I want to see your instructor ID card."
Su Mu quickly brought it over, holding it to his chest, Jiang Miaomiao's almond eyes shimmered with light, "It's my first time seeing a university teacher's ID card, my husband is really amazing!"
"This good news, wait until you come home and tell Xiaoyue yourself."
"Alright."
After the video ended, Su Mu happily indulged for quite a while.
That day, Su Mu's cultivation state was excellent. At night, with deep breaths, the air transformed into warm currents, circulating through his limbs, causing a slight fluctuation in his Qi and blood.
After three days, the second movement was successfully integrated!
At this moment, Su Mu tried alternating between the two movements, and after more than thirty cycles, he felt his organs burning with pain.
Compared to successfully integrating only one movement, he lasted twenty more cycles.
Just these few short minutes could match half an hour of previous cultivation.
"Only one last movement to go before mastering the Breathing Technique."
Five more days passed.
A long breath transformed into a warm current within his body, and in one breath, Su Mu skillfully assumed three cultivation postures, his entire body becoming comfortably warm within seconds.
At this point, Su Mu completed the integration of the 12th, 13th, and 14th movements, officially mastering the Breathing Technique.
Su Mu spent thirty-six days in total to reach this step.
Immediately, Su Mu continued without stopping, and after integrating three movements, the Breathing Technique established an initial cycle, beginning with the cycle of the Breathing Technique.
The gateway to a new world opened, with each inhalation and exhalation giving life to the breath, cultivation speed increased once again, and there was even a subtle sound of wind circulating faintly within Su Mu's body as he cultivated.
Su Mu took a hundred continuous breaths.
The increase in Qi and blood in this brief moment was likely equivalent to one or two hours of previous hard cultivation.
Not long ago, Qi and blood had just recovered to the Third Level High Stage. Originally, he estimated it would take several months to recover to the Third Level Peak. Now, after mastering the Breathing Technique, Su Mu is confident he can recover to the Peak of Third Stage within this month!
That night on the training ground, as Su Mu entered meditation, other club members awoke with surprise. They were puzzled and also heard the strange sounds Zhao Meng had previously mentioned.
"It sounds like wind... or maybe breathing?"
"Tsk tsk, why is Senior Su's breathing so strong?" someone marveled.
"It's said that Martial Artists at the Peak of Third Level begin to encounter the Breathing Technique. A distinct sign of Fourth Level Martial Artists is mastering a Breathing Technique..."
The girl's voice abruptly stopped, she covered her mouth with her hand, her expression indescribably shocked.
"No way, are you saying Senior Su is at least a Third Level Peak Martial Artist?"
"Is it possible?"
Su Mu was awakened from meditation, opening his eyes to see Zhao Meng right in front of him, with an expression that suggested she wanted to say something.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Senior Su... never mind, it's nothing."
Zhao Meng's mouth moved several times, but in the end she didn't ask, afraid that if she did, they might not be able to interact like they do now.
"Well, ask next time then."
In the morning, Su Mu went to the classroom to study Introduction to Forging by himself, and in the afternoon and evening, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation, participating in meditation at night, starting a three-point routine.
Life was fulfilling, and Su Mu felt his Qi and blood increasing every day, a wonderful experience that was very captivating.
On this day, Professor Wang inquired about Su Mu's recent situation.
"How's your comprehension of the Breathing Technique going? Is everything smooth?"
Su Mu pondered how to respond. This scene didn't seem strange to Professor Wang, as it had only been a little over a month. If there had been progress by now, it would have been unusual.
"It's okay, take it step by step. How is the study of the general subjects going?" Professor Wang shifted the topic.
"Replying to Professor Wang, 'There's a treasure house in books.' Forging is a profound subject, and I've benefited greatly from it recently."
"There's a treasure house in books indeed. What a great phrase!"
Professor Wang looked at Su Mu even more favorably. If he hadn't known Su Mu was just a school security guard before, he would have thought Su Mu graduated from a top martial arts university.
"Good, keep up the effort."
"Professor Wang, I will work twice as hard."
Wang Shuheng nodded, having a tiny bit of expectation that Su Mu might master the Breathing Technique within a year, though he still found it unlikely.
After all, Su Mu's talent was evident, and sometimes effort alone couldn't make up for it.
As for Su Mu's plan, he aimed to integrate ten movements within three months, stepping into the Minor Success Realm.
With a clear goal and total dedication, time flies as swiftly as water slipping through one's fingers. In the blink of an eye, May was already gone.
In June, the summer cicadas sang ceaselessly in the locust trees, and the blazing sun scorched the sky.
Within the Cultivation Room, Su Mu's Qi and Blood roiled within him.
Half an hour later.
He exhaled, his eyes shining brightly. Just now, his Qi and Blood had reached the Third Level Peak, and yesterday he had completed the integration of the eighth movement.
"Finally caught up."
"Today is the last day of double comprehension. Time really flies."
After breaking through, Su Mu stabilized his Qi and Blood and quickly ended his cultivation. The school had announced this morning that an emergency meeting would be held in the afternoon, and as a counselor, he had to attend.
"Recently, the Alien Race Battlefield... seems to be quite unstable."
In the meeting room, dozens of students were busy setting up mineral water and arranging chairs, including Zhao Meng, whose busy figure was evident. She had fought hard for this opportunity to earn credits.
However, even amidst such busyness, there were a few people on the central stage of the meeting room who were chatting and laughing without working.
"The meeting is about to start, everyone hurry up."
"Hey, you over there! Look at how crooked those water bottles and chairs are arranged, fix them properly!"
A female student pointed and commanded, causing annoyance among the crowd, but everyone held back for the sake of credits.
"What's so great about Li Xue? She's just flaunting her student council boyfriend. Ugly people really make more trouble," Xiao Yan muttered quietly.
"Exactly, what's so great about her," Zhao Meng expressed her dissatisfaction with much gusto.
"My dear Mengmeng, for heaven's sake, keep your voice down..."
Xiao Yan's expression changed slightly, wanting to stop but it was too late, as Li Xue glared over with a dark face.
"Xiao Yan, Zhao Meng, how dare you slack off? Don't you want the credits?"
"If you don't want them, get out right now."
Li Xue had no regard for classmates' dignity, openly naming the two.
Zhao Meng was furious and wanted to argue but was held back by Xiao Yan shaking her head.
Li Xue was petty. Offending her would mean being blacklisted by this person till graduation, it wasn't worth it.
At this moment, a figure pushed the door and entered, startling everyone. Only Zhao Meng showed pleasure after a moment of surprise, waving over.
"Senior Su, over here, over here. Are you also here to earn credits?"
The newcomer was Su Mu, who had arrived at the meeting room early, as was his habit.
"Zhao Meng, who is this handsome guy?" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up upon seeing the handsome man.
"Sister Yan, he's Senior Su from the Elixir Medicine Academy, and a member of our Meditation Club I mentioned to you."
Li Xue also brightened when she saw Su Mu, thinking he looked quite handsome, much more attractive than her boyfriend. But seeing his familiarity with Zhao Meng made her face instantly gloomier.
"Hmph, Xiao Yan, Zhao Meng, and whoever just came in, all of you can get lost. There's no credit for you today."
"Why?" Zhao Meng couldn't hold back any longer.
Just then, a figure wearing a Mentor Robe entered the meeting room. Everyone respectfully greeted, "Hello, Teacher Lin!"
Teacher Lin nodded slightly. Upon taking his seat, he noticed Su Mu.
"Teacher Su, you arrived quite early today, but you should put on your Mentor Robe for the meeting. Please go change it."
Instantly, a deathly silence fell over the meeting room.
...