Xiao Yuan: What Are You, and What Gives You the Right to Tell My Brother and Sister-in-Law What to Do?

After Xiao Yan recovered from his injuries and broke through to the sixth- Dou Ling, his life returned to its usual peaceful state. Although his appearance in the Inner Academy would attract a lot of exclamations and various gazes, as the saying goes, habit becomes second nature, and over time, Xiao Yan was able to ignore it.

Although the competition has ended, perhaps to allow the participants enough time to recover, the process of entering the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda has been postponed quite a bit. As a result, Xiao Yan, who was full of anticipation, felt that time was passing by.

Xiao Yuan, on the other hand, rarely showed up in the Inner Academy. He spent his days practicing Dou Technique and alchemy, personally teaching Xiao Yu how to practice Dou Technique, and occasionally being pulled aside by Zi Yan for sparring.

After all, Xiao Yuan was the only one in the entire Inner Academy who wasn't afraid of her strange strength.

After adjusting his own condition, Xiao Yuan obtained permission from Great Elder Su Qian to cultivate at the bottom of the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda and began to cultivate in seclusion, drawing on the rich inner fire at the bottom.

However, this time, Xiao Yuan was not trying to increase his Dou Qi.

Instead, he used the power of the projected heart fire to nourish the fire power within his body! According to the cultivation method recorded in the Five-Colored Scroll, Xiao Yuan was able to cultivate the fire power to the maximum extent that he could control. Then, he used a secret method to draw out the primordial energy in the Heart Scarlet Fire Qi Palace, which was also the primordial energy of the heart. After fusing this primordial energy with the fire power, a special flame could be generated.

The intensity of this flame will increase as Xiao Yuan's primordial energy grows stronger, eventually reaching a level comparable to Heavenly Flames.

This method of cultivating the five fundamental energies within the body is known as the "Six Qi Transformations".

The reason for the six qi is that wood, earth, metal, and water account for four of them, while fire accounts for two. They are called, "Jueyin Wind Wood Qi", "Taiyin Damp Earth Qi", "Yangming Dry Metal Qi", "Taiyang Cold Water Qi", "Shao Yin Sovereign Fire qi", and "Shao Yang Prime Fire qi".

According to Xiao Yuan's understanding, the two types of primordial energy with fire attributes are the easiest to transform into Heavenly Flames.

As for the other four types, if the opportunity arises, it is not impossible for them to transform into Heavenly Flames.

However, the Heavenly Flames is just a form of energy that fits this world, and it is not necessary to transform it into Heavenly Flames. The Five-Colored Scroll seems to record some wonderful uses of the primordial energy, but Xiao Yuan's primordial energy is relatively weak at the moment, and it is not enough for him to squander at will.

Moreover, after advancing to the Dou Wang level, Xiao Yuan needed to cultivate at least one type of primordial energy to a level sufficient for use in battle for each subsequent advancement, so that his internal organs would have enough capacity to bear the Dou Qi within his body.

Otherwise, even if one manages to advance by chance, their Dou Qi will not be able to circulate at full power because their Qi Mansion is not strong enough.

To put it bluntly, this is more like forcing Xiao Yuan to develop himself in all aspects, whether it's cultivating Dou Qi, tempering his body, or practicing Dou Technique, he needs to develop them in a balanced way.

However, Xiao Yuan did not object to this.

On the contrary, he felt that this was a good thing for him.

Having thus pointed out the path forward, he could save time from figuring out how to continue his cultivation, thus improving the efficiency of his practice.

The worst thing in cultivation is to cultivate without direction or purpose.

A person without direction is destined to go nowhere.

In order to pave his own path of cultivation, Xiao Yuan decided to take advantage of the opportunity to immediately begin cultivating the "Six Qi Transformations"! Among the Six Qi Transformations, the one that Xiao Yuan planned to cultivate first was the Shao Yin Sovereign Fire Qi that was in harmony with the formless and colorless Fallen Heart Flame that appeared in his heart.

The Five-Colored Scroll records that the Sovereign Fire is above to illuminate, and the Ministerial Fire is below to maintain its position. The Qi of the Sovereign Fire resides in the heart, and its function is to bring light at the highest point of the rise and fall of Qi in the body, like the sun in the sky. The Qi of the Ministerial Fire is stored in the kidneys and is called the Fire of the Gate of Life. It is located at the lowest point of the rise and fall of Qi in the body, and it is responsible for heating and vaporizing the water in the kidneys so that it can be distributed throughout the body, like fire under a cauldron.

Therefore, by using the Fire Attribute Energy abundant in the flames projected by the Fallen Heart Flame, and cultivating the fire power within the body to a certain degree, one can then fuse it with the primordial energy, thereby rapidly enhancing the primordial energy and gaining the ability to manifest in a substantial form.

According to Xiao Yuan's guess, since he cultivated with the help of the Fallen Heart Flame, the Shao Yin Sovereign Fire he condensed would probably also have the ability to project heart fire similar to the Fallen Heart Flame.

This is something that Xiao Yuan is quite looking forward to.

It's no wonder he's so obsessed with cultivation; sometimes, when he thinks about it, cultivation is indeed much more interesting than women.

Of course, I can't say this to Xiao Yu, it would hurt her feelings.

The cultivation is progressing steadily.

In their spare time, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan would occasionally take Xiao Yu and Xun'er to the Back Mountain to find some delicious magical beasts to kill and have a picnic.

After all, we're family. Getting together often will bring us closer.

During this period, Xiao Yan was recuperating from his injuries and advanced two stars in succession. Therefore, he did not enter the tower to cultivate. Instead, he chose to solidly temper the Dou Qi that had suddenly surged in his body. Although this kind of rapid advancement in strength was certainly exhilarating, this kind of rapid advancement was not as solid as the Dou Qi that was built up step by step.

Superficiality is a major taboo for advancement. Therefore, for the sake of the future, Xiao Yan must always maintain a truly full and solid state within his body, rather than that kind of ethereal and superficial strength.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame, which allowed him to solidify his Dou Qi much faster than the average person.

And before they knew it, a month had passed since the Strong Ranking Tournament began.

This is a slightly sloping meadow, with lush green grass stretching to the horizon like a carpet. Not far below the meadow, there is an extremely wide and deep mountain stream, with a light mist swirling around it, making it look like a fairyland.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er lay quietly on the grass, the soft sunlight covering their bodies, giving them a warm and drowsy feeling.

They had just finished their picnic. Xiao Yuan needed to continue his cultivation, while Xiao Yu had to handle some matters concerning the Lion Heart Society, so he left first.

Xun'er tilted her head slightly, her bright, jewel-like eyes gazing at the black-robed youth beside her who had his eyes closed and looked relaxed. A slight smile slowly curved her lips. After a moment, as if she had thought of something, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she whispered, "Brother Xiao Yan, you must study the scroll that Xun'er gave you carefully when you reach the Dou Wang Stage."

Hearing the soft voice in his ear, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, smiled and patted Xun'er's head, saying, "Of course, how could I not wholeheartedly cultivate what Xun'er gave me?"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er Nalan Yanran gently, her laughter as clear and melodious as a mountain spring hitting rocks.

"But girl, you seem to have been acting a little strange lately," Xiao Yan said suddenly, looking directly at Xun'er's beautiful smiling face.

Slightly startled, Xun'er avoided Xiao Yan's gaze with a flicker in her eyes and said softly, "No, I don't think it's any different from before."

"Is that so?" Xiao Yan smiled, shook his head, and said slowly, "Third Brother wouldn't spend his time on a picnic for no reason, and he even specially dragged the two of us along."

Upon hearing this, Xun'er blinked, feeling somewhat guilty. But before Xiao Yan could ask any further questions, Xun'er seemed to sense something, and her pretty face immediately changed. She hurriedly pushed Xiao Yan into the forest, anxiously saying, "Brother Xiao Yan, quickly hide inside, please don't come out!"

"What's wrong? Were those people after you?"

Grabbing Xun'er's slender hand, Xiao Yan's powerful soul force naturally sensed the aura flying from afar, and his expression immediately darkened.

Xun'er's gaze swept towards the distant northern horizon, sensing the rapidly approaching aura. She quickly placed her slender hand on Xiao Yan's body, and with a burst of energy, a gentle breeze propelled Xiao Yan into the woods. At the same time, she instructed, "Brother Xiao Yan, suppress your aura and don't let them discover you!"

Pushed into the forest by Xun'er, Xiao Yan's expression changed constantly. He didn't understand why Xun'er suddenly became so anxious.

"Who exactly are they?" Following Xun'er's gaze to the northern horizon, Xiao Yan slowly clenched his fist, a strange anger quietly rising in his heart.

Shortly after Xiao Yan was pushed into the forest, a large number of whooshing sounds suddenly rang out from the sky. Finally, a dozen or so small black dots appeared on the northern horizon. The routes of these black dots were very clear, heading directly towards where Xun'er was.

As the sharp sound of wind breaking grew stronger, the black dot rapidly grew larger, and finally appeared within sight.

Peering through the gaps in the leaves at the dozen or so black dots within his line of sight, Xiao Yan's face immediately showed shock. Those black dots were not human figures, but a dozen or so creatures, their bodies pitch black, each with a single silver horn over a foot long on its head. Strange patterns covered the horn, and even faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard emanating from it. The beasts also had extremely wide wings on their backs, and as they flapped, a gale howled down from the sky, pressing the forest down slightly.

Xiao Yan had never seen or heard of these unfamiliar magical beasts before, but this did not prevent him from being astonished. He sensed an extremely ferocious aura emanating from them. Clearly, these magical beasts were not just ordinary transport beasts, but flying beasts that could be used for combat.

Flying beasts are rare to begin with, and those used in battle are even rarer. Only extremely powerful forces have the resources to raise and tame them.

His gaze shifted from the Four-Winged Unicorn to their broad backs, where Xiao Yan was startled again. He saw that on the back of each Four-Winged Unicorn stood a human figure.

These figures were all dressed in purple-black robes, expressionless, their eyes flashing like sharp blades, sending chills down one's spine. Xiao Yan was somewhat horrified to discover that the aura of almost every one of these ten figures was like a deep pool of water, unfathomable. Xiao Yan could usually only sense this kind of aura from the elders in the Inner Academy.

Ten enormous Four-Winged Unicorn flapped their wings and finally landed above the mountain stream, their gazes sweeping over the girl in green standing on the grass.

"Hehe, Miss Xun'er, I've finally found you."

A Four-Winged Unicorn slowly descended, and on it, a man smiled at Xun'er.

The man wasn't very old, appearing to be around twenty-four or twenty-five. He was extremely handsome, almost comparable to Lin Xiuya. His purple-black robe gave him a more composed air than Lin Xiuya. Most importantly, this man seemed to be the leader of the group, as the other nine people were clearly behind him. Such subtle details best revealed the difference in their social standing.

"I am Ling Quan, the newly appointed deputy commander of the Black Annihilation Army. I have been ordered by the clan leader to bring the young lady back!"

The man who called himself Ling Quan stood atop the Four-Winged Unicorn, respectfully cupped his fists towards Xun'er, and said in a respectful voice.

"I said I would go back, so why did you come all this way?"

The sudden arrival of Ling Quan and the others made Xun'er's expression quite cold, and even her words were tinged with coldness.

"We can only obey the clan leader's orders." Ling Quan smiled slightly, about to speak, when his gaze suddenly sharpened, instantly turning to the forest. He said in a deep voice, "Who is eavesdropping?"

As soon as Ling Quan's shout fell, the nine figures standing motionless on the back of the Four-Winged Unicorn, like statues, instantly turned cold. With a tremor, the nine figures flashed into the forest almost simultaneously, followed by a series of low collision sounds.

"Stop!" Xun'er's pretty face changed, and she shouted sharply.

As Xun'er's sharp shout fell, a figure suddenly burst out of the forest, flapping its wings and hovering in mid-air before slowly landing beside Xun'er. It was Xiao Yan, whose clothes were slightly disheveled.

"Xiao, are you alright?" Seeing that Xiao Yan's breathing was a little rapid, Xun'er's pretty face showed a hint of anxiety. She was about to call him by his usual name when she realized it was inappropriate, so she asked in a calm tone.

Xun'er's change caused Xiao Yan to frown slightly, and he asked, "What's going on?"

After Xiao Yan emerged from the woods, the nine figures once again sprang out as one, landing behind Ling Quan. Their gazes, sharp as daggers, were fixed firmly on Xiao Yan.

The change in Xun'er's expression did not affect Ling Quan. She narrowed her eyes slightly, then turned to look at Xiao Yan had appeared. When she saw his face, she was slightly taken aback. She tapped her forehead lightly with her fingers and suddenly said with a half-smile, "If I'm not mistaken, this should be the former good-for-nothing young master Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, right? I've seen your portrait."

"Who are you?" Xiao Yan asked in a deep voice, his face ashen.

"Ling Quan, deputy commander of the Black Annihilation Army, but it's no use saying anything. You, or rather the Xiao Clan, are not qualified to come into contact with this level." Ling Quan laughed, his voice filled with utter contempt. The Xiao Clan of today has completely declined; where is the glory of the past? Naturally, they are not worthy of such attention.

Hearing the disdain for the Xiao Clan in Ling Quan's words, Xiao Yan's expression gradually turned cold, and he slowly gripped the handle of the Mystic Heavy Ruler.

"Ling Quan, shut up! The Xiao Clan has an alliance with our clan, how dare you insult them?" Noticing Xiao Yan's increasingly cold expression, Xun'er became anxious and shouted at Ling Quan.

"Hehe, Miss, please don't be offended. I was just being a bit blunt." Ling Quan smiled, then suddenly changed the subject and said, "However, before this trip, the clan elder instructed that if we encounter Young Master Xiao Yan, we can ask him about the location of the Xiao Clan's key."

At this point, Ling Quan smiled and turned to Xiao Yan: "Young Master Xiao Yan, may I ask?"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er's heart skipped a beat, fearing that Xiao Yan might reveal something. She was about to interject when Xiao Yan frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "The key?"

Frowning at Xiao Yan's puzzled expression, Ling Quan also frowned. This kid didn't seem to be pretending to be confused. Could it be that the key to the Xiao Clan really wasn't in his hands?

"I've been in the Xiao Clan for so many years and I've never heard of that key. You think you can get it so easily? You must be dreaming!" Xun'er said calmly, relieved.

"Hehe, I was just asking casually. My main purpose for this trip is to take Miss back. Everything else is just a side matter." Ling Quan smiled, then bowed to Xun'er and said, "Miss, please! The clan leader misses you very much."

With a slight frown, Xun'er gritted her teeth. Just as she took a step, Xiao Yan grabbed her arm and said in a low voice, "Are you leaving?"

"Brother Xiao Yan, I have been away from the clan for many years and have postponed my return several times. This time, it seems that I really can't postpone it anymore. Brother Xiao Yan, remember what I told you before: never reveal that the Tou She Ancient God Jade is in your hands. In the future, you will also know exactly what kind of power is behind Xun'er.

However, Brother Xiao Yan, before you have the ability to protect the ancient Ancient Jade, please don't come looking for Xun'er. Otherwise, some people in the clan will definitely try to keep you here, as the Ancient Jade in your possession is too important."Xun'er lowered her head slightly, her lips moved gently, and a weak voice, tinged with a hint of pleading, reached Xiao Yan's ears.

Xiao Yan's expression was uncertain, and his hand holding Xun'er's arm trembled slightly.

"Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er is waiting for you, waiting for you to truly become a powerful figure who stands above all others. Xun'er has always believed that you will stand at the pinnacle of the continent. At that time, the fallen Xiao Clan will rise again because of you!"

His hands trembled uncontrollably, and Xiao Yan's emotions were in turmoil as Xun'er spoke. Over the years, since shedding the label of "good-for-nothing," he had faced some hardships, but his Third Brother had always been there for him. Now, suddenly experiencing this separation was hard for him to accept. Moreover, at this moment of parting, he finally realized how much the girl in front of him held in his heart. At the same time, he also realized why his Third Brother had suddenly taken him and Xun'er on a picnic.

Perhaps, Third Brother had already foreseen, or even known, that this day would come.

The happier they were during those days, the more painful their separation would be.

At this moment, Xiao Yan began to understand why Xiao Yuan always kept the matter of revitalizing the family in mind and cultivated so frantically.

That might have been partly intended to alleviate the pressure on his younger brother.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, this is our mission, so please release Miss."

Looking at Xiao Yan holding Xun'er's arm, Ling Quan's eyes slowly turned cold, but his face still wore a warm smile, even though Xun'er thought it was incredibly hypocritical.

Ignoring Ling Quan's words, Xiao Yan kept his eyes fixed on Xun'er. After a moment, under Ling Quan's malicious gaze, he finally released his grip. However, just as his hand was about to leave Xun'er's arm, he suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her tightly into his embrace. He buried his head deep in Xun'er's fragrant black hair and solemnly promised, "Xun'er, wait for me. I will come to find you! I don't care how powerful or terrifying the forces behind you are. You are mine. If you need to reach the Dou Zun level to make those forces take you seriously, then I will strive for Dou Zun Dou Zun. If Dou Zun isn't enough, then I'll become Dou Sheng. If Dou Sheng isn't enough, then I'll become Dou Di! Until no one in this world can stand in our way!"

With her pearly teeth biting her lip tightly, Xun'er's gem-like eyes shimmered with light. "Fool, if you really reach the Dou Di, you can choose any woman on this continent."

Looking at Xiao Yan, who had the audacity to embrace Xun'er, Ling Quan's smile gradually faded. His gaze, cold as a blade, fixed on Xiao Yan, and his hand slowly clenched, a faint, tangible flame about to erupt from his fist.

As if sensing a fluctuation of energy in the world, Xun'er, worried about Xiao Yan's safety, was about to break free from his embrace when a familiar voice, filled with unwavering determination, rang out. "Hold on, hold on until you've had enough before you leave. Anyone who dares to stop you today will die!"

By the end, his words had taken on a real killing intent.

"Who!"

Upon hearing this, Ling Quan's face immediately turned ugly, and he shouted sharply. However, after looking around, he did not see anyone appear.

Upon hearing this, Xun'er froze on the spot. Then, she felt her tense mood relax considerably, and a sense of reluctance to part with her surfaced in her eyes.

Upon hearing that most familiar voice, Xiao Yan immediately hugged Xun'er tighter again, his reluctance bursting forth in an instant. Looking at Xun'er's equally reluctant eyes, his heart trembled violently. Then, their lips slowly approached and finally met.

"How dare you!"

Seeing his goddess being so desecrated, Ling Quan was so angry that he felt cold and trembled all over. He immediately reached out and grabbed a long spear, which then charged towards Xiao Yan.

However, Xiao Yan and Xun'er ignored his attacks, seemingly not taking him seriously at all.

Just as Ling Quan approached within twenty meters of Xun'er and Xiao Yan, a sudden clap of thunder rang out, and the hairs on Ling Quan's body stood on end. Before he could raise his gun to defend himself, a size 43 shoe sole, flashing with Azure Lightning, imprinted a pattern on his face.

Ling Quan's figure flew backwards like a kite with a broken string, spraying bright red blood along the way, forming a glaring scarlet bloodstain on the ground.

The other nine figures also narrowed their eyes and immediately looked in the direction of the attack. They saw a white-robed figure with flowing robes standing like an insurmountable barrier between Xun'er and Xiao Yan Xiao Yan Xun'er, blocking their path. A powerful aura erupted with his resounding words. "When did it become your place to interfere with my Xiao Clan's young master and your clan's young lady?"

Things are getting better; I feel like my sleep schedule is about to improve!