12 Dou Qi Pavilion

Murong Yan had Beast Bone Soup delivered every day. With the combined effects of the Beast Bone Soup and the Nine Flowers Jade Dew Pill, Chen Cheng's cultivation progressed even faster.

He reached the second stage of Dou Qi faster than he had expected.

At the same time, Chen Cheng could feel that his physical strength had improved slightly.

His strength, speed, and agility had all increased.

Chen Cheng felt that, in his current state, even without relying on Poison Art or Dou Qi, he could handle someone at the sixth stage of Dou Qi using only his physical strength and fighting techniques.

My body has been strengthened, and my reaction speed has greatly improved. But at my current rate, raising my Dou Qi cultivation will take far too long. I can first go to the Dou Qi Pavilion and look for a fighting skill to try. The rank does not need to be high; Low-Rank Yellow will do. I do not plan to use it against enemies anyway—I just want to practice. Chen Cheng thought to himself.

He had only just begun cultivating. Reaching the Dou Zhe realm was clearly not something he could accomplish in a short time.

Cultivation was not simply sitting in meditation and circulating Dou Qi. That would only leave him with an empty foundation.

Cultivation Methods and Fighting Skills were meant to complement one another.

Chen Cheng's decision to cultivate a fighting skill was precisely because he wanted to temper his body.

That sort of high-intensity exercise would stretch and strengthen his muscles and bones, improving his physical capabilities on a subconscious level.

Chen Cheng acted as soon as he decided. After calling Huang Yaoshi, he headed toward the Chen Family's Dou Qi Pavilion. Red Serpent was currently busy researching Zhen Yu Qian Ye. Chen Cheng had gone to check on her a few times, and she was already close to succeeding. Red Serpent was simply too busy, so Chen Cheng did not call her along.

After all, if one could have a beautiful woman for company, who would choose an old man instead?

Upon arriving at the Dou Qi Pavilion, Chen Cheng discovered that its defenses were extremely formidable.

Several Dou Ling Stewards took turns guarding it, while a hundred armored guards patrolled in overlapping routes.

Beyond the visible defenses, it was also reinforced by formations. Once it came under external attack, the Chen Family's two Dou Emperors would receive word immediately.

In truth, anyone capable of breaking into the Dou Qi Pavilion would require opponents at the level of Two Emperors and Four Kings to deal with them. The entire Chen Family compound was heavily guarded; without sufficient strength, no one could even reach this place.

"Young Master, you've come?" A Dou Ling Steward stationed here spotted Chen Cheng and immediately came forward, speaking respectfully.

"Yes. I need to find a fighting skill to practice with." Chen Cheng nodded, his tone calm.

"I see. Please follow me." Once the Dou Ling Steward understood Chen Cheng's purpose, he led the way ahead.

This Dou Ling Steward was a direct descendant of the Chen Family. He had seen Chen Cheng in the council hall a few days ago. Chen Yuan had introduced him to Chen Cheng, so Chen Cheng vaguely remembered what he looked like. There had been too many people that day, though, and Chen Cheng had not remembered many names.

But Chen Cheng had the system, so he could still learn the Dou Ling Steward's name. He was called Chen Guan.

Chen Guan's impression of Chen Cheng remained fixed on several days earlier, and he still believed Chen Cheng had no Dou Qi whatsoever. He did not probe Chen Cheng's cultivation at this time either.

Although Chen Cheng would not notice if he used his soul power to inspect him, casually examining the Young Master's cultivation was highly disrespectful. If someone with ulterior motives discovered it and reported it to Chen Yuan, Chen Guan would have difficulty explaining himself.

Although Chen Guan believed Chen Cheng had no cultivation, he did not ask why Chen Cheng had come to the Dou Qi Pavilion to seek a fighting skill. The Young Master's affairs were not his to manage. Even if Chen Cheng himself could not cultivate, there was no problem if he wanted to give it to someone else.

As the Chen Family's Young Master, he had that much authority.

After entering the Dou Qi Pavilion, Chen Cheng found the place exceptionally cool and refreshing. Some special method seemed to be at work, making him feel as though he had entered an air-conditioned room.

Several service windows stood by the entrance, where people formed long queues to register something.

Rows upon rows of shelves were arranged throughout the main hall, divided into several categories according to attributes and whether they contained cultivation methods or fighting skills.

Some people browsed before the bookshelves. If they found a cultivation method or fighting skill they liked, they could borrow it.

"Young Master, the items in the main hall are all Yellow Rank cultivation methods and fighting skills, available for everyone to borrow. These are merely copies. Once registered, they may be taken out, so long as they are returned within the specified time." Chen Guan stayed by Chen Cheng's side. Knowing it was Chen Cheng's first time here and that he was unfamiliar with everything, he explained as they walked.

Chen Cheng listened as he walked without saying anything, allowing Chen Guan to continue his introduction. He truly knew nothing about this place.

"The items in the main hall are meant for servants and those who have only just begun cultivating. They surely would not catch the Young Master's eye. The inner section is where the Profound Rank cultivation methods and fighting skills are kept. However, one must have approval from a clan elder to enter." Chen Guan continued.

Yellow Rank cultivation methods and fighting skills were not especially valuable. They could be purchased on the market with a little money, so the Chen Family did not place much importance on them. Everyone, including maids and servants, had the authority to borrow them, though they were not allowed to pass them on to outsiders.

Profound Rank Cultivation Methods, however, were different. They could already be considered part of a family's foundation. Within the Izumo Empire, most families had, at most, only one or two Profound Rank cultivation methods. A family with such resources was enough to dominate a region.

Although the Chen Family was stronger than ninety-nine percent of the families within the empire, it would not treat Profound Rank Cultivation Methods as insignificant.

To obtain Profound Rank cultivation methods and fighting skills, one had to either be an elite direct descendant of the Chen Family or have rendered great service to its development and received approval from one of the Chen Family's Two Emperors and Four Kings.

"Young Master, please follow me. As the Family Head's son, you naturally have the authority to enter." Chen Guan said with a smile.

The Chen Family followed a family system rather than a sect system. Naturally, direct descendants of the Chen Family held higher status than members with other surnames.

"Mm, I understand. Lead the way." Chen Cheng said.

Although his goal was only a Yellow Rank fighting skill, that did not conflict with his desire to take a look at the Profound Rank Cultivation Methods.

Huang Yaoshi followed silently behind Chen Cheng, neither looking around nor speaking. Chen Cheng had brought him in. Though he was an outsider, no one would stop him out of consideration for Chen Cheng.

Once Chen Cheng entered the Dou Qi Pavilion, he naturally drew the attention of others. Someone who could have Elder Chen Guan personally guide him was quite eye-catching.

"Hey, who is that person? Steward Chen Guan is actually guiding him in person. How strange. I do not think I have seen him before. Could he be some elder's son or grandson?" A pretty young direct descendant of the Chen Family blinked her large eyes, pointed at Chen Cheng, and curiously asked another beautiful girl beside her.

"I do not know. Steward Chen Guan is famous for being fair and impartial. Someone who can make him so respectful must have quite an impressive background," the other girl said.

"Forget it, let's not worry about him. The family tournament is in three days. If he is from the Chen Family, we will naturally find out which elder's young master he is once he appears. We should hurry and pick a fighting skill. There is not much time left. It will definitely be too late to cultivate a Profound Rank fighting skill, so let's first get a Yellow Rank one to make do," the first girl said cheerfully.

"Nana, it is all your fault. You only cared about having fun, and now I have not even learned a single Profound Rank fighting skill. This year, I will definitely end up at the bottom with you," the other girl complained.

"Hey, Xiao Rou, do not talk nonsense. You were obviously the one who loved playing around. How did it become my fault?" the first girl said.

The two girls began bickering playfully. Both were exceptionally beautiful and held considerable status within the Chen Family, so their behavior drew the attention of those around them.