Starforce Warriors

Xue Ruqi's eyes had grown less guarded. He had built a vast business empire from scratch. Everywhere he went, he carried an air of authority, with wide-reaching connections in both political and commercial circles. His influence was unparalleled, especially in the northwest region, where he could summon the wind and command the rain.

Unfortunately, he was at a complete loss when it came to his precious daughter. Who would have thought that this little girl would actually ditch the bodyguards he had secretly arranged and sneak out alone to climb Mount Tai?

When he learned that his daughter had gone hiking with a male classmate, anger had already been brewing in his heart on the way. If the boy turned out to be someone with bad intentions, even if he was sincere toward his daughter, Xue Ruqi wouldn't have hesitated to demonstrate the power of capital and ensure that this boy disappeared completely from his daughter's life.

But unexpectedly, this young man had left a strong impression on him. Some of the anger in his heart dissipated. Even so, he still didn't want his daughter to have anything to do with this boy.

His clothes and speech made it clear that the boy came from an ordinary background. Someone like that might one day become an elite in a certain field. But to become his son-in-law? He was still far from qualified.

As the two of them spoke, a voice came from inside the hospital room, it was Xue Xue calling out. A middle-aged woman stepped out and said, "You must be Li Guorui, right? Xiao Xue wants to see you."

"Oh." Li Guorui nodded and walked toward the hospital room.

Xue Ruqi instinctively moved to stop him, but his wife, Palmena, subtly shook her head, signaling him not to.

Watching the young man walk into the room again, Xue Ruqi muttered subconsciously, "I think it'd be better if they see each other less in the future. Once her condition stabilizes, we'll transfer her to another hospital. Send her to the capital for further treatment, and once she's discharged, she can attend Qingbei University or go abroad, that works too."

Palmena couldn't help but laugh through her tears. She understood her husband's thoughts.

"She's grown up. She has to face life eventually." She held her husband's hand and said, "You can't manage her like you do your subordinates. She's our daughter, not an employee. She needs respect and freedom. Don't stir up her rebellious spirit."

Xue Ruqi took a drag of his cigarette without replying. At that moment, a bodyguard in a black suit walked up and handed him a document. After reading it, Xue Ruqi's expression darkened slightly and he passed it to his wife. It was a detailed background investigation on Li Guorui.

The report thoroughly documented his family background, reaching as far back as his grandfather's generation. It included information on family assets and annual income. Even Li Guorui's spending records since entering university were listed with crystal clarity.

After reading it, the smile on Palmena's face gradually faded. Although her thinking was more open-minded, when faced with such a poverty-level profile, she could no longer allow her daughter to mess around as she pleased.

Women tended to act more directly. She turned and walked straight into the room. A few dozen seconds later, Li Guorui came out of the room. His face revealed nothing.

"Mr. Xue, I have something to take care of. I'll take my leave now," he said calmly.

Xue Ruqi nodded and said, "Let's set up a time this evening. I'd like to invite you and Teacher Zhou to dinner. I haven't seen the old gentleman in a long time."

Li Xiaofei replied, "Alright."

With that, he turned and left. Xue Ruqi, of course, noticed that the boy's demeanor was no longer as warm as before. But he didn't care. He turned around and walked into the hospital room. Inside, he could hear his wife patiently speaking with their daughter.

At the same time, Li Guorui arrived at the hospital entrance. Since this hospital had been designated for treating those injured in the Mount Tai Meteor incident, it was already being swarmed by the media. It was quickly turning chaotic and crowded. Even the national television station's interview van and reporters were waiting eagerly outside, hoping to obtain first-hand information.

Li Guorui turned back and re-entered the hospital lobby. A member of the Dragon Group immediately stepped forward.

"Seal off all information. No media is allowed inside," Li Guorui ordered. "Prepare the fully enclosed special hospital. Be ready to accept patient transfers at any time. Admit all family members without exception to prevent classified information from leaking."

"Understood. Don't worry, Captain Li," the Dragon Group member replied.

In the face of absolute national will, no matter who it was, everyone would have to obey. The Dragon Group was specifically responsible for handling special incidents like the Mount Tai Meteor. As the captain of the Special Operations Team F, Li Guorui held absolute authority and was fully qualified to take charge of such matters.

Soon, the entire hospital was secretly placed under control. Li Guorui silently left the hospital and made his way to a nearby hotel. He knocked on the door of Room 1810.

When he saw the man inside, he immediately smiled. "Brother Xiaofei."

"Sit," Li Xiaofei said, pointing to a chair beside him.

Li Guorui quickly gave a detailed account of everything that had happened at the hospital.

"Well done," Li Xiaofei said, clearly satisfied.

Li Guorui had spent the past year secretly following the Dragon Group in their operations, making numerous contributions. His status and position had risen rapidly. Not only had his superpowers improved significantly, but he had also achieved his fourth awakening. His ability to handle affairs had also advanced greatly, making him a top-tier powerhouse within the Dragon Group. He was someone who could handle matters independently.

Li Guorui had become known as one of the Dragon Group's Six Kings, bearing the title of King of Thunder and Lightning. After a brief discussion, Li Guorui immediately set out to carry out his tasks. Li Xiaofei stood by the window, gazing distantly at the hospital across the way. With his strength, he could clearly sense dozens of powerful energies inside the hospital, all beginning to awaken rapidly.

This was the effect of the Energy Spores he had released. He had only released one ten-thousandth of the full dose of Energy Spores from the peak of Mount Tai. Yet it had caused a celestial phenomenon and sparked a public sensation. This demonstrated that the release of Energy Spores required a gradual, step-by-step process. It had been an experiment.

The results of the experiment left Li Xiaofei marveling. These Energy Spores, infused with superpower energy, possessed astonishing vitality. They could actively seek out hosts on their own.

That girl named Xue Xue, along with sixteen other tourists on Mount Tai and approximately thirty-seven local residents in the surrounding area, had all become hosts to varying concentrations of the Energy Spores. However, Xue Xue had absorbed the highest concentration.

Li Xiaofei rapidly reviewed every step of the release process in his mind. Then, he began mentally planning the next release. He began considering the time, location and dosage. Although the Military Guard Bureau of Chongque City had provided a user manual, Li Xiaofei now trusted his own judgment and analysis even more.

***

Night had fallen. At the Fool's Residence.

"Teacher, you still look as spirited as ever." When he saw his mentor, Zhou Defeng, again, Xue Ruqi immediately stepped forward to bow and greet him.

As the former dean of the Philosophy Department at Balitai University, Zhou Defeng held a prominent reputation in the academic world. He had taught countless students and was a leading authority in Great Xia philosophy. He was also a frequent guest of many top enterprises and high-ranking officials. Although Xue Ruqi was now a powerful figure in the upper echelons of society, he had always maintained his deep respect for this highly learned professor. He visited him regularly and never failed to send gifts during the holidays.

"It's rare that someone like you, living in wealth and influence, still acknowledges an old man like me," Zhou Defeng said with a smile.

Xue Ruqi quickly replied, "Teacher, I'll never forget your teachings. When I heard from Junior Li that you were also here, I was overjoyed and took the liberty of inviting you. I hope you won't take offense."

"Haha, of course not. Sit." Zhou Defeng laughed as he took the seat at the head of the table.

He was deeply devoted to academic research and had little interest in business socializing. But he had accepted the invitation today. The reason... Zhou Defeng glanced at Li Guorui.

He was extremely pleased with this student, who studied both Great Xia and Western philosophy. He regarded Li Guorui as his final and most treasured disciple, the one who would inherit his academic legacy. Naturally, he paid close attention to him. He knew about the subtle romantic connection between Li Guorui and Xue Xue and had decided to lend his reputation to support the boy.

Soon, eight exquisitely prepared dishes were brought to the table. Li Guorui sat beside them, refilling their wine glasses. Though Zhou Defeng wasn't skilled in social gatherings, he was a master of words. He only needed a few cleverly chosen literary references and anecdotes to convey his meaning clearly and express his full support for Li Guorui.

Xue Ruqi perfectly understood the message from his teacher; however, he was a bit surprised. But after thinking it over, it made sense. Still, that alone wasn't enough for him to place his daughter's future happiness in Li Guorui's hands.

Suddenly, a phone rang. Xue Ruqi glanced at it, murmured an apology and stepped out of the private room to answer the call. This time, the phone call lasted a full ten minutes. When Xue Ruqi returned to the private room, his expression remained calm as before. He continued drinking a few more rounds with Zhou Defeng.

But soon, the phone rang again. He had no choice but to excuse himself once more and step outside to answer it. Another ten minutes passed. When he came back, his expression still appeared composed.

However, there was now a faint trace of gravity deep in his eyes. Zhou Defeng noticed it and rose to take his leave.

"Teacher, let me see you off," Xue Ruqi said quickly.

"No need. Let Little Li take me back," Zhou Defeng said, waving his hand.

"How could I allow that?" Xue Ruqi insisted and said, "Let's do this, I'll drive, and Junior Li and I will both accompany you back."

A short while later, a Mercebes-Denz GL450 full-size luxury SUV pulled up in front of the hotel. The two of them, one on each side, assisted Zhou Defeng into the vehicle. Moments after seeing the old man off, they walked back to the hotel entrance.

"Teacher is getting old. I can't go against his wishes in front of him." Xue Ruqi lit a cigarette, took a drag, flicked off the ash, and then said, "I understand his thoughts, but I don't agree with them. Junior Li, you're a smart person, I don't need to say much. If you can't get past Xue Xue's mother, then it's better to let go of this idea early. There are many good girls in this world. With your talent, it wouldn't be hard to find someone even more outstanding than Xue Xue."

Li Guorui smiled. "If I said I didn't know the teacher would say those things during dinner, would you believe me?"

He looked calmly at the tall figure of his senior and spoke sincerely, "Maybe you'll think I'm being defensive, or just saying this out of pride, but I'm not. I don't believe that your words and actions today were meant to belittle or insult me. In fact, given your status and position, the fact that you were so patient and tactful in bringing this up is deeply respectful. And for that, I thank you.

"Of course, please don't worry. I've long understood that Senior Xue and I are from completely different worlds. That naive hope in my heart disappeared a long time ago. Even without your and auntie's intervention, I wouldn't have tried to hold on to her."

Xue Ruqi looked at the young man before him with newfound regard. There was even a hint of regret. If his background weren't so humble, if his family conditions had been just a little better, then maybe he and little Xue really could have... But no. There were no ifs.

"Thank you for understanding a father's concern," Xue Ruqi said with a smile. "No matter what, we're still fellow disciples. If you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Here's my card."

He handed over a special business card edged in gold. Li Guorui accepted it with a smile. Just then, four short-haired young men in black Zhongshan suits approached from the side, subtly surrounding the two of them.

One of them stepped forward, produced a badge, and said, "Mr. Xue, as we explained over the phone, I believe you now fully understand the situation. Please come with us."

Xue Ruqi's expression changed slightly, as a faint trace of helplessness appeared on his face.