Choosing Combat Skills (Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Follow-ups)

Xu Haoyu opened his eyes. Within his clear black-and-white pupils, divine light flickered and shone brilliantly. With this breakthrough, his Soul Strength had also increased tremendously.

With both legs exerting force, Xu Haoyu sprang to his feet. Feeling the lightness of his body and the immense strength gained after his advancement, the smile on his lips grew ever wider.

He threw several punches with a fierce rush of wind, then Xu Haoyu spoke with a chuckle:

"This is the power of a Dou Shi. It truly isn't something a Dou Zhe can compare to. At this level, you could basically establish a mercenary group in some small place and rule the roost."

"If I went out to travel, I'd at least have the most basic security. But staying obediently at home is my greatest opportunity. There's no need to run around everywhere. The poor travel far and wide, while prosperous clans stay in their homeland—truly a principle of life that applies anywhere."

To ordinary people, receiving guidance from a Dou Zong expert or a Rank 6 Alchemist would both be opportunities that defied the heavens. But for him, the Dou Zong expert was his grandfather, and the Rank 6 Alchemist was his teacher.

Suddenly, Xu Haoyu's gaze sharpened. An indescribable aura radiated from him, and his face brimmed with confidence as he said firmly:

"In the Central Plains, the very heart of the Dou Qi Continent, there are Dou Wangs of fourteen or fifteen, and Dou Emperors under twenty. With my current rate of cultivation, I definitely won't lose to them!"

After speaking, Xu Haoyu straightened his robes, then put away the cauldron, the medicinal ingredients he had yet to use for alchemy, and the pills he had already refined, placing them all where they belonged.

Then, with his head held high and a relaxed expression, he walked out of the Alchemy Room. He had no idea how long this breakthrough had taken. It was time to head back and share the good news with his grandfather.

Once outside the Alchemy Room, Xu Haoyu immediately saw Li Fufeng standing with his hands behind his back, guarding the entrance and protecting him during his breakthrough.

Xu Haoyu was somewhat moved. He promptly cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, Teacher, for protecting me."

At those words, Li Fufeng turned around. Looking at Xu Haoyu, who had just broken through and could not yet perfectly control himself, causing his powerful aura to leak out, a trace of emotion rose in his eyes. He said slowly:

"There's no need for that. I'm your teacher, and I'm happy that you've broken through. But you truly have surprised me. I never expected you to go from a Dou Zhe to a Dou Shi in just over half a year."

"Moreover, your realm is extremely stable, and your aura surpasses even Dou Shi of the same level. Little Haoyu, I think you'll become even stronger than the Grand Elder in the future."

Xu Haoyu grinned. It was just normal progress. His talent had never disappeared, and he was cultivating an Earth-Rank cultivation method. Such improvement was perfectly normal. Then he said:

"Becoming an expert like Grandfather has always been my goal. Also, Teacher, now that I've broken through to Dou Shi, can I learn to refine third-grade pills?"

Hearing this, Li Fufeng could not help but laugh and scold him:

"You're never satisfied, are you? You've only been at it for half a year, and you already want to refine third-grade pills..."

But after giving it some thought, he nodded in agreement.

"It's not impossible. The next time you come, I'll teach you the Pill Recipe for the third-grade Rebirth Pill. It is a precious pill that can quickly heal one's injuries. It can save your life at critical moments, and it is highly sought after on the market."

Hearing that he could learn a new Pill Recipe—and one for a third-grade pill at that—Xu Haoyu was extremely delighted. He said with a giggle:

"Thank you, Teacher."

Li Fufeng nodded with a smile, then turned to look at the clouds on the horizon. Illuminated by the setting sun's lingering glow, they had turned a blazing red. He said:

"You should go now. Head back first and come again next time."

Only then did Xu Haoyu truly leave. Breathing in the fresh air, his mood became increasingly cheerful.

When Xu Haoyu returned home, the first thing he said upon seeing Xu Tianlong was:

"Grandfather, I've broken through to a one-star Dou Shi!"

In fact, Xu Haoyu did not even need to say it. The instant Xu Tianlong caught sight of him, he noticed the aura around Xu Haoyu, nearly ten times stronger than before.

In an instant, Xu Tianlong shot up from his chair. Then, his figure vanished from Xu Haoyu's sight. In the blink of an eye, he had arrived at his side.

Shrinking the Earth into an Inch!

This was a rudimentary application of spatial power by a Dou Zong expert.

Xu Tianlong extended both hands and pressed them onto Xu Haoyu's shoulders. His eyes burned as he examined Xu Haoyu from head to toe, before bursting into hearty laughter.

"You really broke through! From Dou Zhe to Dou Shi in half a year—my good grandson, you've truly given me a huge surprise."

Xu Haoyu greatly envied Xu Tianlong's ability to shrink the earth into an inch, but only a Dou Zong expert could use it. He was still far from that level. He said:

"Grandfather, I've gotten stronger. I want to learn some new Dou Techniques."

Xu Tianlong readily agreed.

"No problem. Tomorrow, Grandfather will take you to the Dou Technique Pavilion. It contains every Dou Technique collected by the clan. Learn whichever ones you want."

Xu Haoyu looked forward to it greatly. Although the clan possessed only one Earth-Rank Dou Technique, the Heaven Splitting Divine Palm, it had many Mysterious-Rank Dou Techniques, with a complete range of different attributes.

As night gradually fell, Xu Haoyu ate dinner with Xu Tianlong, then returned to cultivate as usual. Though he had just advanced in realm, he could not neglect today's cultivation.

Only late at night, after mental exhaustion set in, did Xu Haoyu wash up and go to bed.

A night passed. The moon set and the sun rose. When sunlight streamed into the room, Xu Haoyu quickly climbed out of bed.

After getting dressed, washing up, and eating breakfast, Xu Haoyu followed Xu Tianlong to the Dou Technique Pavilion.

The Dou Technique Pavilion and the Cultivation Method Pavilion were foundations tied to a clan's survival. The Xu Family was no exception.

Along the way to the Dou Technique Pavilion, there were countless eyes watching openly and in secret. But the moment those cold gazes fell upon Xu Tianlong, they swiftly turned to reverence, and all attention withdrew.

At last, they stopped before an utterly unremarkable building. This plain building before them was the Xu Family's Dou Technique Pavilion.

After all, no clan would build places like its Cultivation Method Pavilion and Dou Technique Pavilion in lavish splendor. That would only draw attention—one need not fear thieves stealing, but one must fear thieves coveting.

Xu Tianlong did not need to show any token. His face alone allowed him to pass freely anywhere within the clan. He said calmly:

"Open the Dou Technique Pavilion and let my good grandson go in to choose some combat techniques."

As soon as he spoke, the two gray-robed elders guarding the Dou Technique Pavilion clasped their hands and accepted the order. They immediately formed hand seals at the same time, and two vast waves of energy converged toward one point. A transparent barrier suddenly appeared in the empty air. Ripples spread across its surface before an opening formed.

At this moment, Xu Tianlong said to Xu Haoyu, "Go on in, my good grandson. Pick whatever combat technique you like!"

Xu Haoyu nodded, then strode forward. He passed through the transparent barrier, climbed the steps, pushed open the door, and entered the Dou Technique Pavilion.