Making a Name in Lin City

Four years later

A group of boys and girls surrounded the Martial Arts Arena, shouting with all their might. One large and one small figure were constantly battling in the arena. Rather than a battle, though, it was more like a beating. Eight-year-old Liu Xi was beating up twelve-year-old Chen Hong.

Over the past four years, relying on his extraordinary soul power, Liu Xi had cultivated remarkably quickly during the Dou Qi stage. In four years, without much help from cultivation resources, he had already reached the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi.

Chen Hong, who stood opposite him, had reached the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi today and had come to challenge Liu Xi once again. What he had not expected was that Liu Xi had progressed even faster than him, resulting in the beating taking place in the Martial Arts Arena today.

After Liu Xi began cultivating, although he had no powerful Dou Techniques to practice, he relied on his higher cultivation to remain invincible among those his age, becoming the undisputed King of Children.

Though Liu Xi possessed more mature thinking, when faced with these childish yet hot-blooded challengers, he naturally did not indulge them. The moment he made a move, it was a beating. His Dou Qi was the strongest anyway, so there was no need to play weak before crushing them.

At that moment, Liu Xi sent Chen Hong flying with one final punch, and he crashed heavily onto the ground. When the dust settled, although his injuries were all external, Chen Hong looked utterly miserable—his face was bruised and swollen, and one eye had turned black.

Liu Xi steadied himself, dusted off his hands, and looked around. A smile curled at the corner of his lips as he said, "Who else?" He spoke arrogant words in a gentle tone.

"Big Brother Liu Xi is so strong."

"Exactly! Chen Hong only came to challenge him after breaking through to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi, yet Big Brother Liu Xi still beat him up!"

"Could Big Brother Liu Xi already be at the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi?"

The young spectators first whispered among themselves, then each offered words of praise. He received the envious and jealous looks of the boys, as well as the starry-eyed gazes of the girls.

"Since that is the case, have a few people carry Chen Hong back. I'll be leaving first." Seeing that no one around him intended to challenge him, Liu Xi chuckled and turned to leave. He had not struck too heavily. Chen Hong looked badly hurt, but they were all external injuries, so Liu Xi was not worried about him.

That night, Liu Xi awoke from cultivation, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes. His aura gradually withdrew as his Dou Qi advanced once more. He had reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi. His next step was to condense a Qi Cyclone and become a true Dou Zhe.

The next day

When Liu Xi told his father that he had broken through to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi the previous night, Liu Ming's stern face first went blank for a moment before a smile appeared. Looking at his son before him, he was naturally overjoyed.

Although Liu Ming had never widely publicized his son's astonishing talent, Liu Xi's reputation as a genius had spread throughout Lin City through his undefeated record among his peers. Many people even hailed Liu Xi as Lin City's Number One Genius in a Century. There were even rumors that the Lin City Lord wished to take Liu Xi as his son-in-law, though the City Lord's daughter was several years older than Liu Xi. Whether the rumor was true or not was unknown.

Lin City was originally a city directly under the Jia Ma Empire, with power concentrated in the hands of the City Lord and no great clans stationed within it. If one could truly become the City Lord's son-in-law, it would be like ascending to the heavens in a single step for many people.

Liu Ming looked at his son and said with a smile, "Good, good, good! My son has truly given me a great surprise. I have good news to tell you as well."

"It is said that Master Xuan Hao, an alchemist and a friend of the City Lord, is getting on in years and wishes to find a disciple to inherit his alchemy. The City Lord invited him here this time so that Master Xuan Hao could see whether his daughter has the aptitude to learn alchemy."

"Most importantly, we have received word that all children under fifteen will have an opportunity then. If any of them can earn Master Xuan Hao's favor, they can take him as their master and become a respected alchemist in the future."

As soon as Liu Ming finished speaking, he saw a bright gleam appear in Liu Xi's eyes. At last, he said reassuringly, "Xi'er, your cultivation talent is beyond question. I simply do not know whether you have talent for alchemy as well. If you can learn alchemy, your future prospects will surely be limitless."

Hearing this news, Liu Xi excitedly clenched his fist, surprise shining in his eyes. He replied to his father, "Father, I will definitely become an alchemist."

It seemed that the original Liu Xi had taken this Xuan Hao as his master and learned alchemy from him. My aptitude definitely won't be a problem, and now I possess even stronger soul power. As long as I successfully become his disciple, I'll be able to learn alchemy in the future.

Furthermore, Father only has the mid-level Yellow Tier Cultivation Method, the Blazing Flame Art. If I can break through to become a Dou Zhe, I should at least be able to get an Xuan Rank Cultivation Method from my future master. Just thinking about it made him a little excited.