Swallow Return Strike at Major Accomplishment! Tenfold Return!

The Xiao Family's back-mountain forest.

Sunlight filtered through the lush leaves, forming patches of mottled light and shadow.

As two figures moved swiftly, they stirred up a light breeze that carried tiny specks of dust dancing through the woods, giving shape to the sunlight.

Beams of light formed throughout the forest, like golden spotlights gathering their brilliance for the battle between the two.

A faint blue Dou Qi glow shimmered over Xiao Ze's palm as he calmly struck toward Xiao Xun'er.

Golden Dou Qi flickered over Xiao Xun'er's hands like streams of golden light, flowing around her fingertips and palms.

Amid the thick forest, the golden radiance at Xiao Xun'er's fingertips was even more dazzling than the sunlight.

Bang!

Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er separated the instant they collided. Xiao Xun'er's petite figure spun several times through the air before she gently landed on the fallen leaves like a beautiful golden butterfly.

If anyone who had watched at the Dou Skill Pavilion a few days ago had seen this scene, they would surely have found it familiar.

Xiao Xun'er's movements were almost identical to Xiao Ze's earlier ones, equally effortless and graceful as she deflected her opponent's attack.

Xiao Ze felt as though his palm had struck a layer of cotton, his force finding no outlet at all.

A few days ago, Xiao Ze had still needed to offer pointers from time to time, but as time passed, there was no longer any need for him to speak up.

Xiao Ze had already done everything he could. What remained was for Xiao Xun'er to comprehend on her own.

And from that palm strike just now, Xiao Xun'er had clearly grasped the essence of Swallow Return Strike.

With that thought, Xiao Ze moved and charged forward again. This time, however, he suppressed his strength to Dou Zhi Qi Stage Nine.

A flash of golden light passed through Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and the corners of her pale pink lips curled slightly upward.

She advanced toward Xiao Ze as well, golden Dou Qi swirling around her fingertips.

Xiao Xun'er's fair, delicate palm erupted with formidable power.

The result of this clash was completely opposite to the last. Xiao Ze was sent flying at once.

Feeling a slight numbness in his palm, Xiao Ze smiled.

As Xiao Xun'er's opponent, he could feel most clearly what had happened.

His palm strike had first felt as though it had hit a layer of cotton, but behind that cotton was another layer of hard steel!

Not only had it returned all of his force, it had even amplified it!

That was why Xiao Ze had been sent flying!

Xiao Xun'er hurried over, her bright eyes already curved into crescents, the joy on her face plain to see.

"Brother Xiao Ze, my Swallow Return Strike has reached Major Accomplishment!"

"Indeed. Being able to precisely adjust the balance between borrowing force and striking force according to the opponent's strength is enough to be called Major Accomplishment!"

Xiao Ze lightly descended from the tree and nodded in praise.

Hearing Xiao Ze's praise, Xiao Xun'er's smile became even more obvious, carrying a hint of mischief.

"I've finally mastered the advanced stage. These past few days have been exhausting. Doesn't Brother Xiao Ze plan to reward me?"

"Huh? Shouldn't you be rewarding me? I've been keeping you company these past few days, and my body is practically falling apart."

Xiao Ze feigned surprise and put on a weak appearance.

"That does seem to be true. Then how does Brother Xiao Ze want Xun'er... to reward you?"

As she spoke, Xiao Xun'er moved closer to Xiao Ze, her breath fragrant as orchids.

When she said the word "reward," she even extended her soft pink tongue to moisten her pale pink lips.

"Ahem, there's nothing I really need... How about you treat me to a grand meal instead?"

Xiao Ze covered his mouth and coughed before speaking.

"A grand meal..." Xiao Xun'er pondered it before saying, "At the finest restaurant in Wu Tan City, we'll fill an entire table with dishes. Is that sincere enough, Xun'er?"

"Haha, sure. I've long heard that the Monster Beast Feast there leaves an unforgettable taste on the lips and makes people linger."

Xiao Ze clapped his hands in approval. "Then let's set it for half an hour from now. We'll meet at the Xiao Family gates?"

"An hour from now," Xiao Xun'er suggested, taking a small step back at the same time.

"After all, it's my first time going out with Brother Xiao Ze. I want more time to prepare, take a proper bath, and clean up. Look at me, I'm covered in sweat!"

"Covered in sweat?" Xiao Ze repeated, leaning closer and sniffing deliberately.

"I don't smell any sweat. I only smell something fragrant."

"Pfft, Brother Xiao Ze is always saying nonsense. How could someone drenched in sweat still smell fragrant?"

Xiao Xun'er burst into laughter. Not only did she not resist Xiao Ze sniffing around beside her, she even felt a trace of delight.

"There is someone. Isn't my little sister Xun'er exactly like that?"

Xiao Ze unleashed a barrage of cheesy sweet talk. Feelings had to be nurtured from a young age.

Even so, Xiao Ze had never behaved improperly.

They were both still young, and Xiao Ze restrained himself, never doing anything indecent to Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Ze also knew that the Ancient Clan bloodline within Xiao Xun'er was still unstable.

Before becoming a Saint, it was best for her to remain pure.

This was extremely important to Xiao Xun'er's growth!

"Enough, stop saying such embarrassing things!"

Xiao Xun'er lightly smacked Xiao Ze, then ran back several steps like a startled little rabbit.

Then, smiling, she waved at Xiao Ze and ran back to her room to prepare.

Only after Xiao Xun'er's figure disappeared from sight did Xiao Ze turn his attention back to his System Panel.

Xiao Xun'er has mastered Swallow Return Strike to Major Accomplishment. Her strength has increased!

Congratulations, Host, you have received Tenfold Return: True Meaning: Borrowing Strength to Strike (Beginner)!

After choosing to claim it, Xiao Ze quickly understood what this so-called True Meaning was.

It was similar to a concept. By combining it with other Dou Skills, Xiao Ze could create entirely new Dou Skills.

In the future, Xiao Ze could even use True Meaning: Borrowing Strength to Strike as a starting point to create numerous Dou Skills based on it!

"A key to creating Dou Skills..."

Xiao Ze fell into thought. This Tenfold Return truly surprised him.

He had originally thought he would be rewarded with a higher-level Dou Skill.

He had not expected the essence and core of Swallow Return Strike to be laid bare before him instead.

It was not impossible for Xiao Ze to master this True Meaning himself.

However, he might have needed to practice this type of Dou Skill day after day for decades before he could comprehend True Meaning: Borrowing Strength to Strike.

With Tenfold Return, he had saved himself all those years of effort.

Naturally, Xiao Ze was very satisfied.

"Time to get ready. Come to think of it, this is my first time going out with Xun'er. An hour is more than enough time to prepare!"

Just as Xiao Ze walked out of the forest, he saw a figure. His brows lifted slightly as he walked over.

"Third Brother... Were you waiting here specifically for me?"

Xiao Yan, who had been standing there in a daze, came back to his senses and saw his fourth brother.

This was their first meeting in several days, yet Xiao Yan felt that things were completely different.

Perhaps it was because the halo of genius around Xiao Ze was even more dazzling than his own had once been.

"Yes. I came specifically to thank you today."

Xiao Yan smiled, though there seemed to be a slight distance between them.

Noticing this, Xiao Ze walked over without hesitation, slung an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders, and lightly punched him in the chest.

"Third Brother! We're blood brothers, so why are you being so polite?"

"But... wasn't it because of me that you can't keep a low profile anymore?"

Xiao Yan said hesitantly.

"If I could still keep a low profile after seeing my brother get beaten up, would I still be human?"

Xiao Ze said carelessly, "Besides, I kept a low profile before only because I didn't want to deal with so many irrelevant matters. I just wanted to focus on cultivation."

"Now that I've revealed my talent, Father can also shield me from those matters. So for me, nothing has changed from before."

After hearing Xiao Ze's explanation, Xiao Yan finally relaxed. He hugged Xiao Ze tightly and said earnestly.

"Fourth Brother, thank you!"

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