Dou Technique Training

Startled by the thought, Yaoye shook her head, trying to return to normal. Yet the urge to keep Xiao Shuang by her side refused to fade.

Seeing this, Yaoye could only offer a few more reminders before pulling Jia Xingtian away.

Xiao Shuang gave a bitter smile, then sat down on the stone platform and picked up the scroll and Qi Gathering Powder beside him.

As soon as he opened the jade bottle, a strange medicinal fragrance wafted out. Merely catching its scent refreshed Xiao Shuang's mind.

The pill was emerald green and about the size of a longan. Xiao Shuang merely glanced at it before setting the jade bottle aside.

The Qi Gathering Powder was not the most precious item. What truly interested him was the Mysterious Tier High-grade cultivation technique Yaoye had left behind.

If he mastered a Mysterious Tier High-grade technique, he would be among the best even at Jia Nan Academy.

"Condensing Ice Art, a Mysterious Tier High-grade cultivation technique..."

After studying it carefully for a while, Xiao Shuang closed the scroll. Cultivation techniques had to be practiced after breaking through to the Dou Zhe realm; being too hasty now would be a grave mistake.

That said, Xiao Shuang still opened the other scroll. It contained a Dou Technique suited to this cultivation technique, and it was still feasible for him to learn some Dou Techniques now.

"Ice Breaking Finger: a Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique. Gather Dou Qi at the fingertips along a specific meridian route, allowing one at the Dou Zhe level to release Dou Qi externally, something normally only a Da Dou Shi can do!"

The introduction was only a few lines long, yet it left Xiao Shuang shaken. This Dou Technique could allow a Dou Zhe to release Dou Qi externally? What an enormous advantage that would provide in battle!

Even at the Da Dou Shi level, when Ice Breaking Finger was unleashed and Dou Qi gathered at the fingertips, one would not be at a disadvantage against an armed opponent even barehanded.

Still, Mysterious Tier Dou Techniques were not so easy to practice. Xiao Yan had suffered greatly while cultivating Eight Extremes Collapse. It seemed growing stronger truly was not so simple.

Although Ice Breaking Finger matched the cultivation technique, that was not essential. With the cultivation technique's support, Ice Breaking Finger could reach the strength of a Mysterious Tier High-grade technique. Even without practicing the cultivation technique, this Dou Technique would remain Mysterious Tier Mid-grade.

Having made up his mind, Xiao Shuang sat cross-legged, and the Dou Qi within him began to surge.

Wave after wave of pale blue Dou Qi was drawn forth, all of it directed toward the fingertips of Xiao Shuang's right hand.

Under the effects of that Dou Qi, Xiao Shuang's fingers began to glimmer faintly, and even his finger bones became vaguely visible.

After a long while, Xiao Shuang took a deep breath. Most of the Dou Qi within him had been exhausted, and he no longer had the strength to continue cultivating.

"What a pity. If I had reached the Dou Zhe level, cultivating with Dou Qi would yield twice the result with half the effort."

Xiao Shuang sighed, but his heart was still filled with joy. Under the tempering of practicing this Dou Technique, he had taken another step closer to becoming a Dou Zhe.

Closing his eyes again, Xiao Shuang sensed the Dou Qi within him gradually recovering. The corner of his lips rose slightly, and he extended a finger, drawing upon the Dou Qi that had only just recovered.

However, how could a Mysterious Tier Dou Technique be so easy to master? Xiao Shuang's current achievement was merely making his finger flash once. It looked quite dazzling, though.

If all the Dou Qi in his body recovered, he could probably make it flash several times...

He carefully put away the Qi Gathering Powder and both scrolls. He also possessed a low-grade Storage Ring. Though its space was limited, it was enough to store these valuable items.

After putting everything in order, Xiao Shuang touched the Jade Pendant on his chest. It was the token of love Yaoye had just left him. After hesitating for a long time, he ultimately did not place it in his Storage Ring.

"This Jade Pendant should be worn on me. I won't be going through any life-and-death battles anyway, so I don't have to worry about it getting damaged."

Muttering to himself, Xiao Shuang glanced at the sky outside. It was time to head back.

Tomorrow, I'll visit the Dou Technique Hall first. I haven't even mastered many Yellow Tier Dou Techniques. This Ninth Stage Dou Qi really doesn't live up to its name.

After silently grumbling for a while and roughly planning what he needed to do over the next few days, Xiao Shuang returned to his little wooden cabin.

Ping'er had already prepared dinner, and the bed had been neatly made as well.

When she saw Xiao Shuang return, the little girl waved at him before eagerly bringing the food tray to the table.

"Sit down and eat with me. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to the Dou Technique Hall to see if there are any suitable Dou Techniques. Do you want to go for a stroll?" Xiao Shuang sat at the dining table. He had promised Yaoye to keep himself pure, so he needed to maintain some distance from his little maid as well...

"I'll listen to whatever Young Master says." Ping'er's reply was extremely obedient; that was simply her nature.

"Then I'll go by myself. There's nothing much to see at the Dou Technique Hall, and you probably wouldn't be interested anyway." Xiao Shuang paused, then said as if it did not matter, "I'll give you the day off. Go have some fun at the Marketplace and buy whatever you want. I'll give you fifty Gold Coins."

"Mm, I understand. Thank you, Young Master!"

When she heard the first half, Ping'er's disappointment was plain to see. But when he said she would have a day off and plenty of Gold Coins for spending money, the girl immediately beamed again.

"Remember, just browse around the Xiao Family's Marketplace. At least it'll be much safer there."

Suddenly realizing something, Xiao Shuang reminded her once more, saying nothing more than to be careful and not let herself be cheated.

For some reason, Xiao Shuang felt slightly uneasy. He could not explain why; he simply felt inexplicably unsettled.

That was why he kept reminding her. Yet Ping'er was very obedient and showed no impatience whatsoever. After hesitating again and again, Xiao Shuang gave the girl another twenty Gold Coins.

Lying in bed, Xiao Shuang recalled everything that had happened today. It all felt as unreal as a dream, leaving him unable to fall asleep.

With no other choice, he made the Dou Qi in his body circulate continuously, using it to calm his heart and let his mind relax somewhat.

Realizing that he had been overthinking, Xiao Shuang gave a soft laugh. Why trouble myself over nothing? I'll just let nature take its course.

As his thoughts gradually emptied, Xiao Shuang drifted into sleep. In his dream, he and Yaoye held a grand wedding, and every family in the Jia Ma Empire came to offer their congratulations...

In the early morning, a pale white mist hung in the air. Accompanied by a gentle breeze, the temperature felt slightly chilly.

"Looks like it might rain today." Xiao Shuang had already completed his morning cultivation. As for Ping'er, she had risen even earlier than usual. It seemed the day off he had given her had made her very excited.

Breakfast had already been prepared on the table, its temperature just right—at least, it was just right for Xiao Shuang.

After greeting Xiao Shuang, Ping'er headed to the Xiao Family Marketplace. She was clearly looking forward to her day off.

Thinking of this, Xiao Shuang smiled and shook his head. He slowly finished his breakfast, then leisurely followed the gravel path toward the Dou Technique Hall.