The Secret Behind Xiao Yan's Disappearing Dou Qi, Xiao Yan Convinced

Miter Auction House, front hall.

Hun Cang and Xiao Yan sat beside each other. From their expressions, it was clear that their conversation had gone fairly well.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. "So you knew it was me last night?"

Hun Cang nodded. "Of course. Did you think my Dou Wang strength was a joke?"

Yeah... Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. He had thought he had been careful enough and that nothing would happen.

Hun Cang smiled. "At the time, it seemed like you didn't want to meet me, so I decided to wait one more day. If you still didn't come, I wouldn't bother you. I'd just turn around and leave."

Hearing Hun Cang's candid words, Xiao Yan looked even more embarrassed.

After all, he had spent yesterday doubting and speculating about Hun Cang in every possible way.

Hun Cang glanced at him and asked curiously, "By the way, why were you willing to come find me today? Did you think it through after a night of consideration?"

"More or less..."

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile and told Hun Cang about his situation, a trace of hope in his eyes.

Hun Cang suddenly understood. "No wonder you're only at the Third Stage of Dou Qi. So that's what happened. After all, us transmigrators have an advantage when it comes to our souls. You should have felt that too, right?"

"Yeah."

Xiao Yan nodded lightly in agreement. He had relied on that advantage to become a Dou Zhe at the age of eleven.

Unfortunately, he had no idea what retribution he had incurred afterward. His Dou Qi had continuously regressed until he was reduced to the Third Stage of Dou Qi.

"You're a Dou Wang. You're strong and knowledgeable. Do you think there's a way to solve my problem?"

Seeing Hun Cang fall silent, Xiao Yan anxiously pressed him.

Of course there was! The reason you're in this state is entirely thanks to Yao Chen... Hun Cang answered without hesitation in his heart.

But naturally, he would not reveal that to Xiao Yan so easily.

After pondering for a while, he told Xiao Yan to stand up.

Though unsure why, Xiao Yan promptly got to his feet and stood straight before Hun Cang, his eyes filled with nervousness and anticipation.

Hun Cang raised both hands and stirred his Dou Qi. Layer upon layer of mist-like energy rose from his body, then descended from above and enveloped Xiao Yan entirely.

Seeing this, a trace of envy flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.

They were both transmigrators, so why was someone else a Dou Wang while he was trash who was not even as good as a Dou Zhe?!

In the silence, Xiao Yan's fingers unconsciously tightened from how much he cared.

A few breaths later, Hun Cang withdrew his Dou Qi, and a light sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Thank you for your trouble. Please have some tea." Xiao Yan brought over a cup of tea and respectfully placed it before Hun Cang, a nearly fawning smile on his face.

Hun Cang paused before accepting the tea.

To think the mighty Flame Emperor would have such a bootlicking day... How ironic!

After Hun Cang set down the teacup, Xiao Yan impatiently asked, "How was it? Did you find the cause?"

"Mm."

Hun Cang nodded, and Xiao Yan immediately showed wild joy. His lips trembled, and his eyes were brimming with excitement.

Hun Cang was not surprised in the slightest.

Although Xiao Yan had endured three years of mockery and ridicule after his Dou Qi disappeared, when he became a Dou Zhe three years ago, he had always regarded himself as a genius, someone who had sworn to rival the bright moon in the sky.

It was only the unexplained disappearance of his Dou Qi that had forced him to accept reality.

Now that he had finally seen a way to break free, it was difficult for Xiao Yan to restrain his emotions.

He did not ask again and instead chose to wait for Hun Cang to speak.

Moreover, Xiao Yan silently made up his mind. As long as Hun Cang could offer a solution, he would be willing to pay any price!

At that moment, Xiao Yan noticed Hun Cang's gaze shift. He followed it until it landed on the ancient black ring on his right hand.

"My disappearing Dou Qi is related to this?" Xiao Yan raised the hand wearing the ring and asked Hun Cang in a trembling voice.

"Mm."

Hun Cang nodded solemnly. "If my senses are correct, a remnant soul is barely clinging to life inside. In order to maintain its condition, it has been secretly stealing your Dou Qi for nourishment."

What?!

So that was the reason?

Upon learning the cause, the ring seemed to become scorching hot. Xiao Yan hurriedly removed it, not even caring that it was a keepsake left by his mother, and viciously threw it to the ground.

Just as the ancient ring was about to hit the floor, a force caught it.

Seeing the ring float into Hun Cang's hand, Xiao Yan hurriedly warned, "Throw it away quickly! Otherwise, it'll drain all your Dou Qi too!"

"It's fine. It doesn't have that ability." Hun Cang was full of confidence. A wisp of light emerged from his palm, and Xiao Yan saw an illusory elderly figure drift out of the ring.

When Xiao Yan first saw Hun Cang take the ring, he had harbored some suspicions, wondering whether the ring was some kind of treasure and whether Hun Cang intended to take it for himself.

Now, Xiao Yan completely extinguished that foolish thought.

For some unknown reason, whether because it had not received enough Dou Qi nourishment or something else, the illusory figure remained asleep.

On one hand, Hun Cang wanted to confirm that he had not mistaken the ring. On the other, he wanted to thoroughly dispel Xiao Yan's suspicions of him.

After returning the soul body to the ring, Hun Cang said to Xiao Yan, "Try cultivating now and see whether your Dou Qi still disappears."

"Alright."

Overcome with excitement, Xiao Yan sat directly on the floor. He assumed a posture and was about to begin cultivating when he heard Hun Cang say, "This is Spirit Nurturing Liquid. Drinking it can increase the speed at which you absorb Dou Qi. It's especially effective for cultivation below the Dou Zhe level."

Xiao Yan looked up and saw a crystal-clear jade bottle floating before him. He gave Hun Cang a grateful glance and said, "Thank you."

Then, without hesitation, he opened the bottle and drank it in one gulp.

He believed Hun Cang would not harm him.

Even if Hun Cang truly bore ill intent, there was no need for poison. Their difference in strength was right there.

The liquid was faintly sweet and icy cold. It slid down his throat and straight into his lower abdomen.

Xiao Yan held his breath, focused his mind, and cast aside all other thoughts. Soon, he felt Dou Qi gathering toward him. He steadied a wisp and absorbed it into his body in the familiar manner.

The Dou Qi successfully entered his dantian.

One breath!

Two breaths!

Three breaths!

The Dou Qi had not disappeared. It was really inside his body! Realizing this, Xiao Yan opened his eyes and stared at Hun Cang with a gaze mixed with gratitude, excitement, and countless other emotions.

The other man had truly solved the problem that had troubled him for three years!

He was a transmigrator! A kind-hearted fellow countryman! And a powerful Dou Wang!

In that flash of time, countless thoughts ran through Xiao Yan's mind.

Suddenly.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and, under Hun Cang's astonished gaze, bowed directly to him.

"Hun Cang, thank you for helping me!

"You were right. We are both wanderers far from home. We should trust each other, help each other, and improve together!

"Today, I, Xiao Yan, wish to take you as my elder brother. If you don't mind, please agree, Brother Hun Cang, and accept me as your little brother!

"From now on, we will share blessings and hardships alike!"

His impassioned words came entirely from the bottom of his heart and did not sound fake in the slightest.

Hun Cang, sitting in his chair, was completely stunned!

Damn it, the future Flame Emperor wants to be my little brother???