Four Months

Four months later, the end of the year arrived.

Early in the morning, Xia Mo and Xiao Yi Xian sat at the doorway. For some reason, Xia Mo especially liked lazily basking in the morning sun. Was it a magical beast's natural habit?

Watching people come and go outside, he had no idea what was happening. It seemed today was a good day, suitable for going out—at least, for Xia Mo.

After four months of cultivation, Xiao Yi Xian had advanced to the seventh stage of Dou Qi, while Xia Mo had successfully reached the peak of Nine-star Dou Zhe and was on the verge of advancing to Dou Shi. Cultivation really was addictive, just like leveling up in a game—and there was no risk of dropping ranks.

His Alchemist level had also reached the peak of the first tier. He could basically refine every first-tier medicinal pill already, though Xia Mo felt that he could refine second-tier pills as well. He simply had not tried yet.

Over these past four months, Xia Mo had also begun learning weapon techniques. After all, an inch longer meant an inch stronger; he could not rely on hand-to-hand combat every time he fought.

In the end, he found that he was not suited to anything too flashy, so he commissioned a huge saber from the Mittel Auction House. Its style was that of the broadswords from wartime eras, only thicker and heavier. Most importantly, it was simple.

The Dou Qi Continent was actually quite similar to the martial arts world in his memories. Ordinary cultivators practiced sabers, swords, halberds, and spears as well, and there was a complete foundational system.

Sabers focused primarily on chopping and hacking. "The blade's sharpness lies in its cut." They were especially suited to a naturally powerful, "talent-based" fighter like Xia Mo.

That did not mean technique was ignored, however. There were also lifting cuts, thrusts, intercepts, blocks, deflections, slashes, wipes, draws, wraps, and more.

Saber techniques were characterized by boldness and speed, imposing momentum, and fierce strength, like a savage tiger. When using a saber, footwork was paramount—leaping far and covering distance, with quick eyes and nimble hands.

Thus, Xia Mo added another training regimen every day: practicing the eight fundamental saber techniques—sweeping, chopping, deflecting, shaving, skimming, pressing, slashing, and thrusting.

A towering building rose from level ground. Only with a solid foundation could he wield it as freely as an arm, with the saber moving as his thoughts willed.

After Xiao Yan saw this, he got one as well, since he had nothing else to do after his daily cultivation. Now, after cultivating at the back mountain every day, the two of them practiced saber techniques for several hours.

Xiao Yan often dragged Xia Mo into sparring matches as well. Of course, they agreed not to use Dou Qi and to practice only technique. Otherwise, Xia Mo could send this Dou Qi "expert," Xiao Yan, flying with a single slash.

Xia Mo leisurely held a skewer of candied hawthorn as he watched the Xiao Clan members bustle about. He looked exactly like a bystander enjoying the drama. If the candied hawthorn were replaced with watermelon and a plate of sunflower seeds added, he would look even more the part.

Before long, Xia Mo spotted Xiao Yan among the crowd and called out to him, "Hey, Xiao Yan, where are you going?"

Hearing Xia Mo greet him, Xiao Yan walked over with a dejected expression. Somewhat downcast, he replied, "The clan test."

Upon hearing that, Xia Mo understood. "The clan test? Is it fun? Can I go? I've never seen one before."

"Sure. It's not some secret, and in their eyes, you're Xiao Yi Xian's younger brother. Xiao Yi Xian has brought enormous benefits to the Xiao Clan, so naturally they won't say anything."

After hearing Xiao Yan say that, Xia Mo said nothing more and followed him toward the Xiao Clan's testing square.

The people along the way kept their distance whenever they saw Xiao Yan, pointing and whispering. Before long, they even dragged Xia Mo into it, making him roll his eyes. It seemed Xiao Yan had been too smug in the past, which was why so many people were now kicking him while he was down.

Xia Mo did not care much, though. These people were merely frogs at the bottom of a well. Xiao Yan was at the third stage of Dou Qi, while this bunch possessed, at most, the strength of Dou Zhe. Yet they acted as if their own ranks were so high.

Before long, the crowd gathered at the square, and the testing began...

"Next, Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan stepped forward and slowly placed his hand against the black stone tablet. The tablet was quiet for a moment before light flickered across its surface.

"Xiao Yan, third stage of Dou Qi. Low grade!" a middle-aged man beside the testing tablet announced indifferently.

Xiao Yan heard the result without any expression on his face, completely unsurprised. After all, it was a result that had long been predetermined. Seeing Xiao Yan's clenched fists, Xia Mo thought, He must be unwilling to accept this. He worked so hard, after all.

The people below fell silent for a moment upon hearing the result, then began mocking him again.

"Heh, third stage again. Just as expected—the 'genius' hasn't moved an inch!"

"Trash. How embarrassing."

"If his father weren't the clan leader, he would have been kicked out long ago."

"What a waste of resources."

Listening to the surrounding clamor, Xia Mo found it not only noisy but also felt that people's hearts were truly complicated. So this world worked on the principle that as long as I was a little better than you, I could mock you however I wanted.

Xia Mo felt that it was no wonder the Xiao Clan had declined. There was a problem at its roots. Even if Xiao Yan had fallen from grace, he still had a Da Dou Shi father and two older brothers whose talent ranked among the best in the clan. No matter how low he had fallen, he was not someone others could bully. What great clan did not have useless, spoiled direct descendants? Yet none of them had it as bad as Xiao Yan.

Xia Mo watched Xiao Yan walk down numbly. "Xiao Yan, over here." Only when he heard someone calling him did he show the slightest reaction.

Once Xiao Yan reached the side, Xia Mo asked, "Xiao Yan, why do you look so awful? Did a dog bite you? Want me to take a look? I'm a healer, you know."

Xiao Yan was stunned, then forced a faint smile onto his face. "You could say that. Let's just say I got bitten by a dog." With that interruption, Xiao Yan no longer felt quite so upset. The two were already very familiar with each other, and he could understand the teasing.

"Let's go back. This is boring. We'll have a barbecue tonight," Xia Mo said.

"Sure. Have Xiao Lan catch a Wind Pig. I like roast pork."

"No, I want Xiao Lan to catch Cloud Rabbits. They're so cute—but I like mine spicy."

The people around them were dumbfounded. When Xiao Zhan saw this, he felt comforted. "Yan'er still has friends"...

That night, at the Xiao Clan's back mountain, a large bonfire burned before Xia Mo, Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xun'er. A Wind Pig piglet and two rabbits were roasting over it—roast suckling pig and roast rabbit, for short.

None of them mentioned what had happened during the day. Xiao Yi Xian had no idea what had happened at all, since she had not gone to watch the excitement, while Xiao Xun'er would never rub salt into Xiao Yan's wounds.

"Big Sister Xiao Yi Xian, what flavor do you want today?"

"Spicy, I guess. Actually, she prefers fragrant spicy."

"Then fragrant spicy it is today," Xia Mo said.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er: "???"

"Xia Mo, why didn't you ask Xun'er and me?"

"I didn't need to ask. I knew you'd definitely like it spicy," Xia Mo said matter-of-factly.

"You little brat!"

"Relax, relax. Aren't there two of them? I'll make them in two different flavors."

As the four of them chatted and ate, they suddenly heard Xiao Yan say, "Father, since you're here, come out." In truth, Xiao Yi Xian was the only one who had not noticed. Aside from Xiao Yan, Xia Mo and Xiao Xun'er had sensed him long ago as well, but neither of them said anything.

Xiao Zhan found a seat and sat down. "Yan'er, it's been a long time since I last saw you this happy. Thank you for keeping Xiao Yan company."

"No need, no need. Who wants to keep him company? He's the shameless one who came here to freeload," Xia Mo said. Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Xun'er covered their mouths and laughed, while Xiao Yan glared awkwardly at Xia Mo.

Hearing Xia Mo's words, Xiao Zhan burst into laughter. "You're quite an interesting kid!"

Xiao Zhan's expression turned solemn. "Yan'er, in one year, you will undergo the Coming of Age Ceremony..."

"Father, one year from now, I'll definitely reach Seventh Stage Dou Qi," Xiao Yan said calmly to Xiao Zhan. Both of them understood what the Coming of Age Ceremony meant.

"Mmm, mmm, Xiao Yan can definitely do it," Xia Mo said through a mouthful of fatty meat, his words barely intelligible.

Xiao Yi Xian lightly patted him. "Swallow your food before you talk."

"Mmm, Brother Xiao Yan, you can definitely do it." That was Xiao Xun'er.

"Haha, that's right. Yan'er, you can definitely do it. You all keep playing for a while, but don't stay up too late. Yan'er, we'll have guests tomorrow." Xiao Zhan was briefly stunned by Xia Mo's words, then replied heartily before getting up and leaving.

"Xiao Yan, good luck. Otherwise, I'll have to go to your shop and support your business when the time comes. Hahaha," Xia Mo teased.

"Screw you"...

In a corner none of them could detect, "This time, I definitely won't be mistaken..."