Xiao Yu

"About to break through to Dou Qi Level 9?"

Xiao Yan recalled those long, jade-like legs and nodded slightly.

Xiao Yu's talent was quite outstanding among the younger generation of the Xiao Family, far surpassing Xiao Ning's.

Of course, such talent could not be compared to Xiao Yan's or Xun'er's. The two of them were rare geniuses even across the entire Jia Ma Empire.

However, according to his memories, Xiao Yu seemed to have failed when attempting to break through to Dou Zhe later on, falling back to Dou Qi level 8. That was why she did not truly break through to Dou Zhe until she was nineteen.

For the sake of those beautiful legs of yours, I'll give you a hand this time.

With that thought, a teasing smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Yan's lips. He wondered how long it would take in this life to change Xiao Yu's attitude toward him.

"Xun'er, have some food."

Xiao Yan reached out and placed some of her favorite dishes into her bowl.

"Thank you, Brother Xiao Yan."

Seeing how concerned Xiao Yan was about her, Xun'er's little face broke into a sweet smile. Though she was only a girl of around ten, her smile was already more dazzling than the crystal lamp hanging above the dining table.

"Xun'er, I'll get some for you too."

Seeing Xiao Yan make Xun'er so happy, Xiao Ning immediately lost the mood to boast about how awesome he and his sister were. He hurriedly imitated Xiao Yan, hoping to curry favor with her.

"Thank you, Cousin, but this is already enough for me."

Before Xiao Ning could even raise his arm, it was pressed back down.

The sweet little face from before had already turned utterly cold, wearing an expression that kept strangers at a distance.

Xiao Ning: "???"

After the banquet ended, Xiao Yan first escorted Xun'er back to her room before returning to his own small house.

"Girls this age really are clingy."

Xiao Yan could not help rubbing his forehead lightly.

Girls around ten were full of endless curiosity about the world and always had countless things to chatter about, so they naturally seemed especially clingy.

Although Xun'er was a prodigy of the Ancient Clan, she was still ultimately just a girl her age.

Xiao Yan could not possibly show even a hint of impatience toward that. If a girl was willing to confide so many thoughts from the bottom of her heart to you, it meant she regarded you as someone very important.

"You little thing."

A trace of tenderness lingered at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips as he casually removed his black shirt, revealing a young body covered in bruises beneath it.

In truth, every movement Xiao Yan made pulled at the bruises on his body, but what did that kind of pain amount to for him?

He slowly stepped into the wooden basin filled with Foundation Establishment Divine Liquid, allowing the icy water to stimulate his aching, swollen body. Only then did Xiao Yan let out a comfortable sigh.

Although I possess the precious experience of my previous life, as though I carry an endless treasury upon me, I am still incredibly weak right now. Before the Soul Clan, I do not even count as an ant.

My most urgent task is still to raise my strength as quickly as possible.

I still have a full three years until I turn fifteen. I wonder just what level my strength can reach if I make proper use of those three years.

Xiao Yan exhaled a breath of stale air and began cultivating with full concentration.

This Foundation Establishment Divine Liquid was a medicinal formula he had deduced when he was a Dou Emperor. Since the quality of its various ingredients also surpassed that of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, its effects far exceeded the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid from back then.

Not only did it greatly enhance Dou Qi cultivation, it could also repair the body and strengthen one's physique.

Combined with Xiao Yan's tens of thousands of years of cultivation experience, his cultivation speed this time was several times faster than in his previous life. And that was only because he had deliberately been laying a solid foundation, repeatedly tempering his Dou Qi to make it purer.

The night was silent. Only the silvery moonlight occasionally passed through gaps in the forest and fell upon the young man.

With the rise and fall of his chest, streams of gentle energy continuously flowed into Xiao Yan's body. One portion passed through the bruised tissues, repairing his body and making it sturdier and stronger.

Another portion was guided into his body for refinement. After being tempered again and again, it eventually condensed into strands of Dou Qi.

Over the next several days, Xiao Yan maintained a regular routine. During the day, he trained his body; at night, he cultivated Dou Qi while also using visualization techniques to refine his soul.

Such nearly insane training would have been difficult even for a powerful expert to endure, yet Xiao Yan's eyes remained calm throughout, as though he were an emotionless cultivation machine.

"He cultivates like a madman, and his efficiency is so high. At this kid's pace, he probably won't need long before returning to Dou Zhe.

"If everything is truly as he said, then this old man may be able to win without lifting a finger this time."

On the Xiao Family's Back Mountain, Yao Lao's illusory figure floated silently. Yet when he saw the young man's utterly unruffled face, he could not help feeling somewhat moved.

Day after day passed, and Xiao Yan's body grew increasingly powerful. His slender arms and legs, which had originally shown no signs of training, had subtly thickened over those seven days, while his posture became ever more upright.

Beneath that black shirt, lines symbolizing strength were also beginning to emerge faintly.

Likewise, over those seven days, his Dou Qi steadily grew stronger. Even Yao Lao could not help shaking his head at such terrifying cultivation speed.

The moonlight flowed like water. The young man sat cross-legged, quietly soaking in the wooden basin and allowing the medicinal power radiating from the jade-green liquid to nourish his body.

As the young man's chest slowly rose and fell, wisps of faint, nearly imperceptible airflow entered his body through his breathing. They left behind strands of gentle energy that were converted into Dou Qi before being slowly exhaled.

At the very moment the moonlight gradually faded and sunlight began to illuminate the horizon, Xiao Yan abruptly opened his eyes.

"Dou Qi Level 4—achieved!"

Feeling the Dou Qi within him gradually fill out, Xiao Yan smiled.

He had only needed seven days to cultivate from Dou Qi Level 3 to Dou Qi Level 4. If such terrifying speed spread outside, it would probably leave many people's jaws on the floor.

"Today happens to be the day for testing Dou Qi. I wonder what expressions those people will wear when they see my strength gradually recovering."

Though Xiao Yan had generously refused to take the cold stares of the past to heart, seeing the changes in those people's expressions would still be quite interesting.

"Fine, I'll stop cultivating here for today."

Looking at the sky gradually brightening, Xiao Yan rose and got dressed. After going out for breakfast, he headed toward the Testing Stone Tablet.

By the time he had finished breakfast, the sky was already bright. More than a dozen younger members of the Xiao Family were quietly waiting in the Testing Plaza.

Though there was still half an hour before the test, they had arrived early to wait here.

Most of these youngsters who had come ahead of time clearly cared greatly about this test.

"Xiao Yan!"

The moment Xiao Yan entered the Testing Plaza, he heard an angry shout. Immediately afterward, he saw a pair of long, jade-like beautiful legs striding toward him.