Ninth Stage of Dou Qi

Ding-dong!

"Congratulations, your Experience Points have filled up and you have leveled up twice in a row. Current level: Ninth Stage of Dou Qi (Level Nine)."

As the system's voice faded, a warm current flowed from Xiao Han's mind, nourishing every part of his body.

Immediately afterward, the spiritual energy around him formed a vortex around Xiao Han.

"He broke through!"

Everyone present stared at Xiao Han in utter astonishment.

He had broken through in the middle of a conversation!

To one side, Ge Ye looked at Xiao Han with even greater admiration. Judging from the intensity of the spiritual energy fluctuations, he rose at least two levels. Yet he didn't take any pills or rely on external aids. How... did he do it?

It was not only Ge Ye. The three elders seated above, Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan Head, and several other elders all looked at Xiao Han in amazement.

The happiest people present were naturally Xiao Han's father, Xiao Hao, and the Third Elder Xiao Family.

Xiao Hao looked at Xiao Han in delighted surprise. "You advanced?"

"Yes." Xiao Han nodded. "I went up two levels."

"What? Two levels?" Xiao Hao's eyes widened.

Xiao Han's words stirred up towering waves in everyone's hearts.

"Two levels in a row?"

"He tested at the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi yesterday. That means he's now at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi!"

Ninth Stage of Dou Qi.

On the Battle Qi Continent, once one's Dou Qi reached its peak, it could condense into a Dou Qi Vortex, allowing one to become a true Dou Zhe.

"Hahaha..."

The Third Elder Xiao Family, who had always preferred silence, laughed happily. "Good grandson. Within a year, barring any accidents, he'll be able to condense a Dou Qi Vortex and become a true Dou Zhe!"

Because of this unexpected interlude, everyone in the Xiao Clan focused their attention on Xiao Han. They seemed to have forgotten that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were supposed to be the protagonists today.

To one side, Ge Ye tugged at Nalan Yanran's sleeve.

Nalan Yanran came to her senses and clasped her fists toward Xiao Zhan. "Clan Head Xiao, Yanran was rash today as well. I came to disturb your household without carefully examining the marriage contract. I hope Clan Head Xiao will be lenient with this junior."

"Fine. It was only a misunderstanding." Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran and waved his hand weakly.

"Clan Head Xiao." Ge Ye continued, "There are still many matters in the Misty Cloud Sect awaiting my attention. I shall take my leave for now. Another day, I will reminisce with Clan Head Xiao."

Reminiscing was merely an excuse.

Given today's circumstances, although the Misty Cloud Sect, the Nalan Family, and the Xiao Clan had not become enemies, there would likely be no contact between them for some time.

"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly. As clan head, he had to consider the clan in all things. Being able to achieve today's outcome was already acceptable for the Xiao Clan.

Ge Ye then smiled at the Third Elder Xiao Family. "Xiao Sen, you've raised an excellent grandson! The gates of our Misty Cloud Sect will always be open to him!"

"Thank you for the Misty Cloud Sect's goodwill." The Third Elder stroked his beard and looked at Xiao Han. "But it all depends on his own wishes."

"Mm." Ge Ye nodded. Xiao Han would not come of age until next year. There was still time.

Xiao Han was so outstanding that Ge Ye had already decided he must find a way to persuade him to join the Misty Cloud Sect. "Everyone, Ge Ye bids you farewell!"

"Yanran bids you farewell!"

Seeing Nalan Yaran and Ge Ye about to leave, Xiao Yan shouted, "Stop!"

"Mm?" Ge Ye turned to look at Xiao Yan, a trace of displeasure appearing on his face. "Xiao Yan, the matter is already perfectly clear. What else do you want?"

"You..."

Xiao Yan wanted to angrily rebuke Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran, but at this point, anything he said would be useless.

Having been toyed with like this, an inexplicable fury rose in Xiao Yan's heart.

What infuriated him most was that he clearly knew Xiao Han had tampered with things, yet he could produce no evidence.

Pfft!

Xiao Yan's fury attacked his heart, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His trembling finger pointed at Ge Ye, Nalan Yanran, and Xiao Han. "You, you, and you. I, Xiao Yan, will remember this grudge. Thirty Years East River Thirty Years West River—do not bully the young because they are poor! If I do not avenge this humiliation, I, Xiao Yan, swear I am not a man! Nalan Yanran, just wait for me. In three years, I will go to the Misty Cloud Sect and personally wash away today's humiliation."

"Uh..." Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan and said calmly, "As you wish."

"And you!"

Xiao Yan pointed at Xiao Han. "Don't think this matter is over today. One day, I will make you pay the price you deserve."

"What was that, a challenge?"

"If he were still the genius he was years ago, he could naturally challenge Brother Xiao Han. But today, he is no longer that former genius. With the Three Stages of Dou Qi, challenging Xiao Han, a rising talent who has already reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi—he will probably never be Brother Xiao Han's match in this lifetime!"

Facing Xiao Yan's words, everyone merely thought he was speaking in a moment of indignation. No one took him seriously.

In their eyes, even if one year, two years, or even ten years passed, Xiao Yan, who had made no progress for years, would never catch up to Xiao Han, who was also a genius, even if he regained his former cultivation speed.

Xiao Han, however, could not be happy.

According to the Storyline, tonight was when Old Man Yao would appear.

In the short year after today, Xiao Yan's cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds, and he would become a true Dou Zhe.

In East City of Wutan City, a young man in green robes stepped into the Long Pavilion.

Seeing the young man in green arrive, Ge Ye and Nalan Yaran, who had been waiting for a long time, rose to greet him.

The young man in green was none other than Xiao Han.

Xiao Han held out his hand and asked, "Where are the goods?"

"Hehe..." Ge Ye chuckled softly as he looked at Xiao Han. After a long while, seeing no change in Xiao Han's expression and not the slightest hint of fear, he thought, What a steady temperament. He admired Xiao Han even more and gave a sinister smile. "Kid, you really dared to come. Three Qi Gathering Powders and one hundred thousand gold coins are no small sum. You came alone—aren't you afraid I'll renege on the deal, or simply kill you?"

"You can try." Xiao Han met Ge Ye's gaze calmly.

"Uh..."

As a veteran expert, Ge Ye looked into Xiao Han's deep eyes. Before Xiao Han, he actually felt a strange sense of powerlessness.

It was as though if Ge Ye truly made a move, the one who would suffer in the end would certainly be Ge Ye himself.

Xiao Han was clearly only a junior at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi. Ge Ye was extremely curious about what Xiao Han was relying on to disregard his existence.

Of course, Ge Ye had never truly intended to renege. He curled his lips and said, "Young people have no sense of humor. Take it. These are what you deserve."

Ge Ye took out three Brocade Boxes, then produced a green Silver Card.

Seeing Xiao Han turn to leave, Ge Ye called out, "Xiao Han, are you leaving just like that?"

"What else is there?" Xiao Han turned back to look at Ge Ye.

"Cough, cough..." Ge Ye coughed softly twice, then said solemnly, "Would you be interested in joining the Misty Cloud Sect and taking this old man as your master?"

Ge Ye was thoroughly satisfied with Xiao Han.

"Not interested."

"Uh... I was actually rejected!"

Ge Ye looked at Xiao Han's departing back and smiled bitterly. "Yanran, what kind of person is the prince charming in your heart?"

"Hall Master Ge Ye?" Nalan Yanran looked at Ge Ye in confusion.

Ge Ye kept his gaze fixed on Xiao Han's back and muttered, "If you're even a little interested in Xiao Han, you'd better seize the chance! This old man has a feeling that one day, the Jia Ma Empire will belong to this kid."

PS: Xiao Han will do something tonight. Everyone, guess what it will be?