Strength Greatly Advances, Nine-star Dou Zhe

"Ding, Nalan Yanran practiced the Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique: Wind Spirit Fractal Sword. Proficiency +1. Congratulations, Host, you obtained the Wind Spirit Fractal Sword through Return. Proficiency +10."

"Ding, Nalan Yanran practiced the Mysterious Tier Intermediate Movement Technique: Flying Catkins Movement Technique. Proficiency +1. Congratulations, Host, you obtained the Flying Catkins Movement Technique through Return. Proficiency +10."

As the voice sounded in his mind, Liu Yun felt a flash of enlightenment surge through him. In an instant, all manner of Dou Technique circulation methods and techniques appeared out of thin air in his mind, as though he had performed them thousands upon thousands of times.

With a thought, Liu Yun shot forward, his body tracing an S-shaped path. Two afterimages appeared behind him. When Liu Yun came to a stop, the two afterimages shattered and vanished like drifting catkins.

The next moment, the Liu Yun Sword appeared in his hand. Liu Yun raised it above his head as fierce winds howled around him. Five energy swords and the Liu Yun Sword—six longswords in total—formed an arc above his head.

Liu Yun swung his sword, and the six swords merged into one. Energy poured forth like wind and rain, slashing toward the plaza ahead. With a single sword strike that shook heaven and earth, a deep trench appeared in the ground, stretching from Liu Yun's feet all the way to the other end of the plaza.

Even Liu Yun himself was stunned. This felt a little too game-breaking.

Sure enough, no Mysterious-tier Fighting Skill was simple. As a Seven-star Dou Master, he had actually unleashed an attack comparable to a Da Dou Shi's. That was absurd!

Although the Liu Yun Sword's boost had played a part, this still far exceeded the usual limits of fighting above one's level on the Dou Qi Continent.

Not far away, He Qingfeng could not help but suck in a cold breath. Young Master truly wasn't human. Was this really the strength of a Dou Zhe?

A true genius should be like this. Young Master had been right—the Jia Ma Empire was still too small.

At that moment, He Qingfeng understood. His horizons had been far too narrow.

At the same time, Ya Fei, who had just stepped out of the discussion hall, was also shocked. Her little mouth hung wide open, as though she could fit an apple inside.

Although she had long known that Liu Yun's talent was extraordinary, and Liu Yun had personally admitted that his realm had already surpassed the Tenth Stage Dou Qi, Ya Fei had still assumed he was merely a low-level Dou Zhe.

But upon seeing the scene before her, she completely lost her composure. A Dou Zhe? She would not have believed it even if someone claimed he was a Dou Master!

That plaza had been reinforced many times. An ordinary Dou Master simply could not achieve this, so did that mean Liu Yun was a Da Dou Shi?

"My heavens! A Dou Master—not even fifteen years old—or perhaps even a Da Dou Shi?" Ya Fei muttered, frightening herself with her own words.

Because of Liu Yun's actions over the past few days, she had practically begun treating him like an adult. But now that she thought about it, this genius little brother seemed to be only fourteen. Was she robbing the cradle?

At the same time, Ya Fei felt an unprecedented surge of excitement and pride. This was the man she loved—he was so outstanding that it was simply unbelievable!

Liu Yun stood with his eyes closed in the plaza, his robes fluttering in the wind. The setting sun cast its light across his face, making that impossibly handsome visage seem even more striking.

It was not that he was showing off. Rather, another mechanical notification sounded in his mind at that moment.

"Ding, Yun Yun gained 200 points of Dou Qi through cultivation. Congratulations, Host, you obtained 2 points of Dou Qi through Return."

A burst of Dou Qi erupted, and Liu Yun felt as though his entire body were swelling. He immediately circulated his highest-grade Cultivation Method, the Carefree Wind Riding Art, converting the Dou Qi in his Qi Vortex into Wind Attribute Dou Qi and frantically refining and absorbing it.

Energy spread outward from his body, and the Dou Qi in the air responded to him. Fierce winds rose, forming a tornado around Liu Yun. The surging Dou Qi brushed over every inch of his skin before burrowing into his body.

At that moment, his Dou Qi Vortex trembled violently, and Liu Yun broke through to become an Eight-star Dou Zhe.

However, it was not over yet. Energy continued to gather, and the commotion outside grew even greater. Several Mittle Auction House staff members hurried over after hearing the noise, crying out in amazement.

He Qingfeng's eyes swept over the surroundings as he stood in front of Liu Yun to stand guard. Anyone who met his gaze could not help but feel a chill rise in their hearts.

Another quarter of an hour later, Liu Yun's aura at the center of the storm abruptly changed. The storm ceased, and the fierce winds dispersed. He had broken through to become a Nine-star Dou Zhe.

Liu Yun gently let out a breath and opened his eyes. He looked around and found that quite a crowd had gathered.

"I've disturbed everyone's work. Go on and get back to it. I'll pay for the repairs to the plaza," Liu Yun said.

The crowd dispersed. Ya Fei walked forward with a smile, studying Liu Yun with the gaze one would use on a monster and clicking her tongue in wonder.

"Little Brother Liu Yun, congratulations. You've broken through again!"

"Thank you, Sister Ya Fei. Have you been moved by your little brother's peerless looks again?" Liu Yun joked.

"Yes, my heart is all aflutter," Ya Fei said in a teasing tone, but the depths of her eyes held sincerity.

"Uh..." Liu Yun did not know what to say. He really could not out-tease Ya Fei.

In truth, the two of them were much the same. Every time Ya Fei looked at Liu Yun, her eyes held infatuation, and whenever Liu Yun saw Ya Fei, his heart was no less stirred.

"Sister Ya Fei, I may have to leave again for a while. This time, it might be longer," Liu Yun said.

"What? You're leaving again?" Ya Fei felt reluctant to part with him. She took a deep breath and said, "About how long this time?"

"Last time, I only trained around the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range. This time, I'm going into the inner region. It may take a long time—two or three months at the shortest, or a year at the longest," Liu Yun said.

"That long?"

"Yes. My strength has improved, and I need corresponding real combat experience. Only then can I solidify my foundation and avoid having an unstable realm," Liu Yun said.

"Then you must be careful. If you encounter danger, I'll definitely come find you," Ya Fei said firmly.

"Silly girl." Liu Yun gently embraced her.

"When are you leaving?" Ya Fei asked softly.

"Tomorrow. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. As for the auction house, I'll leave it to Sister Ya Fei. Wait for me to come back," Liu Yun said.

"Mm. Come to my room tonight," Ya Fei whispered, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

After saying that, her pretty face flushed red. She pushed Liu Yun away with both hands and headed toward her room.

Liu Yun froze, unable to react for a moment. But then his face broke into a broad smile. Another sleepless night!

Returning to his room, Liu Yun felt the tremendous increase in strength brought by his breakthrough and opened his mission panel.

Mission issued: With the Host's current cultivation of a Nine-star Dou Zhe, directly kill a total of 10 Peak Tier 2 Magical Beasts of different species. No tricks are allowed, and no person or Magical Beast may interfere or provide assistance during this period.

Mission completion rewards: Mission Points ×30, Fifth-grade Pill: Dou Qi Pill, Earth Tier High-grade Cultivation Method: Immortal Sword Body Art.

Dou Qi Pill: A Fifth-grade Pill that can raise a Dou Zhe's realm by 3–5 stars. It also has a certain chance of increasing the density of the Dou Zhe's Dou Qi, with no side effects.

Immortal Sword Body Art: A Metal Attribute Earth Tier High-grade Cultivation Method. By continuously absorbing Metal Attribute Dou Qi, it tempers the body into an Immortal Sword Body.