Yellow-Tier Dou Techniques

Putting those thoughts aside for the moment, Xun'er tucked the matter away in her heart, then applauded Xiao Yan.

"That was truly an exciting fight. The two of you already possess combat strength no weaker than a One-star Dou Practitioner, right?"

Hearing Xun'er's words, even with Xiao Yan's temperament, he felt a little proud. Still, he had not become carried away. He turned his head and gave a light cough. "You little girl, Xiao Yan isn't as impressive as you say."

The group left the training ground together, and the surrounding boys and girls consciously made way for them.

"The eastern section contains Dou Techniques. At our level, we can only study some Low-level Yellow Tier Dou Techniques. You can't rush things." As he explained while walking, Xiao Yan casually pulled a scroll from a nearby shelf.

"Low-level Yellow Tier: Stone Shattering Palm."

The descriptions of such Dou Techniques were all quite brief. They were not difficult to learn, but using them skillfully still required a certain degree of insight.

He tossed the scroll to Xiao Shuang, looked around, and found himself a little bored. He could only pick up another scroll and sit by the window.

Naturally, the Dou Technique Hall had tables and chairs. Many of the family's younger generation came here to study, and whenever someone suddenly gained an insight, they would head to the training ground on the other side to put it into practice.

Xiao Yan and the others found seats by the window. The sunlight was blocked by clouds, making the weather seem somewhat gloomy.

"Stone Shattering Palm? It suits me pretty well right now."

Xiao Shuang opened the scroll. Though it was only a Low-level Yellow Tier Dou Technique, he read it with great interest. Yet for some reason, his heart felt inexplicably unsettled.

Perhaps Xiao Shuang's enthusiasm for studying Dou Techniques had spread to them. Xiao Yan and the others exchanged glances and began researching the Dou Techniques in their hands as well.

There was no need to mention Xun'er. She likely had no use for such a low-grade Dou Technique. She merely glanced through it to pass the time.

Xiao Mei, on the other hand, studied her scroll very seriously. Her father was responsible for teaching Yellow Tier Dou Techniques, and in a few days, he would publicly teach High-level Yellow Tier Dou Techniques in the Dou Technique Hall. Influenced by her father, she was quite knowledgeable in this area.

After quite a while, Xiao Shuang finally looked away from the scroll. Faint Dou Qi swirled around his palm.

"So this is Stone Shattering Palm?"

At the same time, Xiao Yan raised his head. Dou Qi likewise swirled around his palm. Clearly, he had basically mastered Stone Shattering Palm as well.

"More or less. You can learn this with Third Stage Dou Qi. It isn't some especially difficult Dou Technique to understand."

Upon hearing that it could be learned with Third Stage Dou Qi, Xiao Shuang's expression became somewhat playful, as though he had heard some crucial phrase.

"Forget it, let's call it a day. I don't know why, but I keep feeling uneasy." Xiao Shuang placed the scroll back on the shelf, then sat in a chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Seeing Xiao Shuang's actions, Xiao Yan smiled helplessly. "You, if something is really bothering you, why not take a walk around the Marketplace?"

As though the words had reminded him of something, Xiao Shuang abruptly sprang up from his chair.

"Fine! Let's set out right away."

They all returned the scrolls in their hands to the shelves, but Xiao Mei waved her hand. She said she had not yet understood this Dou Technique and would not be going to the Marketplace.

"Oh, right. In a few days, my father will personally teach High-level Yellow Tier Dou Techniques in the Dou Technique Hall. Do you want to come too?"

Just as Xiao Shuang and the others were about to leave, Xiao Mei seemed to suddenly remember and asked them.

"Sure." Xiao Yan nodded, then turned and left the Dou Technique Hall with Xiao Shuang and Xun'er.

Xiao Mei could only turn her attention back to the Dou Technique, but for some reason, she could no longer focus on it...

"Let's go to the Marketplace in the south first. Once noon comes, I'll treat you to a meal." Xiao Shuang glanced at the gloomy sky. The air of an approaching storm made him feel even more uneasy.

"Then I'm ordering something expensive!"

The group headed toward the Marketplace in the southern part of the city. This medium-sized Marketplace was quite bustling; even the possibility of rain did not affect its enormous flow of people.

"What happened over there? Why is it so noisy?"

As soon as Xiao Shuang entered the Marketplace, he saw a crowd gathered together, along with the foul-mouthed curses of mercenaries.

Normally, he would never go over. Watching excitement was unnecessary to Xiao Shuang, and there were quite a few Xiao Family guards in the Marketplace maintaining order. This unexpected incident would likely be settled within minutes.

But Xiao Shuang was feeling inexplicably irritated now, and as if possessed, he wanted to go take a look.

"I'll go see."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan and Xun'er exchanged glances and naturally followed him.

They were curious as well. Normally, the family managed such Marketplaces very strictly. It was strange that something like this had happened and yet no Xiao Family guards had come to deal with it.

They squeezed into the crowd—or rather, the guards who had been secretly following Xiao Yan all along revealed themselves. They surrounded Xiao Yan and the others, forcibly dispersing the crowd.

At the center of the crowd was a young girl. Her clothes were still fairly neat, but she sat on the ground with tear streaks all over her face.

Beside her stood an extremely smug mercenary. The burly man held a cloth bag in his hand, and when he shook it, it gave off a jingling sound.

"I told you that you were a thief. Where else could so many Gold Coins have come from? Didn't you steal them from me?"

There was a scar on the man's face. His savage expression was terrifying, and the scent of blood clung to him. He was clearly the sort of mercenary who hunted magical beasts.

"Ping'er?" Xiao Shuang saw the girl sitting on the ground, and his expression darkened. He strode over to her and snatched the cloth bag from the man's hand.

Caught off guard, the man froze for a moment. Then he saw that the person standing in front of the girl was merely a child, and his anger immediately rose.

"Get lost! Give me back my money bag." As he spoke, the man deliberately revealed the badge on his chest. Four golden stars were embroidered on it. Clearly, he was a four-star Dou Zhe.

"Young Master." Seeing Xiao Shuang, Ping'er seemed to find someone to rely on. She got to her feet and pointed angrily at the man. "Young Master, he stole the money bag you gave me!"

"I understand. Leave the rest to me." Xiao Shuang turned and reassured Ping'er, then looked around. Quite a few Xiao Family guards had already drawn near. He had always known that Xiao Family guards secretly followed him whenever he went out, and the same was true for Xiao Yan. The family was quite thorough in protecting promising descendants like them.