Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start

Entering the small room where cultivation arts were kept, the light grew a little brighter. There was only a stone platform inside, with a black scroll resting quietly atop it. Picking it up and looking at it, he softly read, "Refining Fire Burn, Yellow Grade High." Xiao Ling could not help shaking his head. The Xiao Family's collection was far too lacking. Since he was only going through the motions anyway, he did not dwell on it. Taking the cultivation art, he walked to the entrance, bowed to the Pavilion Guard Elder, and left the Dou Qi Pavilion.

He headed toward Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, intending to tell her about his breakthrough to Dou Zhe.

Arriving outside Xiao Xun'er's gate, he exchanged a few words with the Maid outside. After seeing the Maid leave, he waited where he was.

Before long, the girl dressed in green darted out of the house and stood gracefully before him.

Xiao Xun'er smiled and softly complained, "Brother Xiao Ling, didn't I say you could come directly into my courtyard?"

Lowering his head to look at that exquisite little face without the slightest flaw, Xiao Ling smiled and perfunctorily replied, "Next time, for sure." Then he changed the subject. "I came to tell you some good news. I've already broken through to Dou Zhe."

"As expected of Brother Xiao Ling. The gap between Xun Er and you is only growing wider," Xiao Xun'er softly replied.

"Stop teasing me. If you cultivate properly, you'll definitely surpass me." Xiao Ling's mouth twitched, but inwardly he grumbled, This little bit of talent is nothing before your Divine Bloodline.

Suddenly, Xiao Ling's stomach let out a "grumble~." Cultivation had consumed too much of his energy, and since he had not eaten, he was getting hungry.

Xiao Ling's little face reddened. He scratched his head awkwardly, then saw that it was nearly noon and said, "Breaking through after cultivation made me a little hungry. Xun Er, would you like to have lunch with me?"

Xiao Xun'er covered her small mouth and let out a string of silver-bell-like laughter before smiling. "Sure, sure. Xun Er is a little hungry too."

Thus, the two headed toward the dining hall together.

The two were sitting at the dining table, eating their meal.

Xiao Xun'er's eyes shifted as though she had thought of something. She asked, "Since Brother Xiao Ling has just broken through to Dou Zhe, have you prepared a cultivation art?"

Without thinking much of it, Xiao Ling took Refining Fire Burn out of Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night. Waving the scroll in his hand, he said, "This is the strongest Fire Attribute cultivation art in the Xiao Family."

Taking the cultivation art from Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er frowned when she saw that it was merely a Yellow Grade High cultivation art.

She handed Refining Fire Burn back to Xiao Ling, then took out a white scroll from her Ring and placed it before him. "This is the Profound Grade High cultivation art Playing Flame Art. Brother Xiao Ling should cultivate this one."

Looking at the cultivation art before him, Xiao Ling knew it was worthless to Xiao Xun'er, so he did not decline and tucked it away at his waist.

He said to Xiao Xun'er, "I know Xun Er's background must be extraordinary. This cultivation art may be nothing to you, but I'll accept this gift. Thank you, Xun Er."

Seeing Xiao Ling accept the cultivation art, Xiao Xun'er was also in a very good mood. She earnestly said, "Brother Xiao Ling, Xun Er believes in you. I will wait for the day you become the strongest expert standing above the world."

Seeing the earnest look in Xiao Xun'er's eyes, Xiao Ling turned serious as well. Confidence flashed through his eyes as he resolutely said, "Don't worry. I won't disappoint you."

At that moment, sunlight fell across the young man's profile as the wind brushed past his hair. Looking at the high-spirited Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er revealed a brilliant smile.

After lunch, Xiao Ling first escorted Xiao Xun'er back to her courtyard before leaving the Xiao Family. He planned to visit the Mietel Auction House and buy some Beast Fire.

As he neared the Mietel Auction House, he quickly entered a dark alley, draped himself in a Black Robe to conceal his appearance, and slowly made his way toward the Mietel Auction House.

The Mietel Auction House was the largest auction venue in Wutan City. It also belonged to the Mite'er Family, the wealthiest family in the Jia Ma Empire.

Crossing the street, he arrived before the Mietel Auction House. Looking at the towering building, Xiao Ling could not help sighing inwardly, It really is luxurious. Even the Xiao Family can only pale in comparison.

Under the wary gazes of several fully armed guards at the entrance, Xiao Ling paid them no attention and walked straight inside without slowing down.

The moment he entered the main hall, the heat from outside receded like a tide, replaced by a refreshing coolness. It was like being in two extremes of ice and fire, reminding Xiao Ling of walking into an air-conditioned room during summer on Blue Star.

After looking around the magnificent hall, he noticed a room with several glittering golden characters written above its entrance in bold, sweeping strokes: "Treasure Appraisal Room." Xiao Ling headed toward it.

Entering the Treasure Appraisal Room, he found it somewhat spacious and empty. Beside an antique tea table, an elderly man was leisurely reading a book. Xiao Ling briefly probed with Soul Power and found that he could not discern the man's cultivation at all. Either he was an ordinary person, or his cultivation was higher than Xiao Ling's.

Seeing someone enter, the refined old man put down his book and showed an amiable smile. "Are you here to have a treasure appraised?" His eyes assessed the figure beneath the Black Robe, but seeing nothing of note, he withdrew his gaze.

"Pills." A hoarse voice came from beneath the Black Robe. It was impossible to tell the speaker's age; Xiao Ling had deliberately disguised his voice.

He then patted his belt and took out a white Jade Bottle from Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night. Inside was a Fourth-grade Pill, the Qi Gathering Powder that Xiao Xun'er had given Xiao Ling. However, since Xiao Ling had extracted one through the system himself, he had no use for this extra one.

I've let Xun Er down this time. I'll have to apologize to her when I get the chance, Xiao Ling muttered inwardly.

The old man picked up the Jade Bottle and was about to inspect it when Xiao Ling's hoarse voice sounded again.

"There is a Fourth-grade Pill inside, Qi Gathering Powder. It can guarantee a cultivator's breakthrough from the ninth stage of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe. Go find someone suitable to appraise it." Familiar with the original story, he could not be bothered to waste words on a minor character.

"Please wait a moment, sir. I will invite the manager over to appraise it immediately." The old man set down the Jade Bottle, turned, and headed into the inner room.

Not long afterward, the old man returned, followed by another elderly man with graying hair.

Xiao Ling gave him a quick look. He wore an Alchemist's robe, and the pill-pattern badge on his chest bore two silver ripples. Could this be Gu Ni from the original story? I wonder whether Ya Fei has come to Wutan City yet. Probably not—she might not even be an adult at this point...

"Sir, this is Master Gu Ni of our auction house. He is a Three-Star Dou Grandmaster and also a distinguished Second-Grade Alchemist."

After Gu Ni sat down, he picked up the Jade Bottle on the table and examined it carefully. Opening its stopper, he looked inside and found, as expected, a lustrous, round Fourth-grade Pill: Qi Gathering Powder.

Putting down the Jade Bottle, Gu Ni said, "Sir, this is indeed a Fourth-grade Pill, Qi Gathering Powder. May I ask whether you intend to sell it directly or auction it? If you sell it directly, the price will be lower, but payment can be settled immediately. If you auction it, the price may be higher, but you will need to wait for some time while our auction house promotes it. After all, in Wutan City, aside from the three great families, no other force can afford a Fourth-grade Pill."

Rubbing his chin, Xiao Ling pondered for a while before replying, "I'll sell it directly. My time is limited, so give me a price quickly."

Gu Ni lowered his head in thought for a moment before saying, "In that case, the price can only be three hundred thousand Gold Coin. It may be somewhat troublesome to sell otherwise."

The moment Xiao Ling heard that the old fellow was trying to fleece him, he was displeased. Having read the original story, he knew that a Qi Gathering Powder was worth around four hundred thousand Gold Coin, and it would certainly sell for even more in a larger city.

I, Xiao Ling, treat the Mite'er Family with all my heart, and the Mite'er Family wants to play tricks on me, Xiao Ling?

Xiao Ling tugged at his Black Robe, lowered his voice, and said to Gu Ni, "Don't treat me like some ignorant fool who knows nothing about the market. Besides, this Qi Gathering Powder came from a legitimate source. Four hundred thousand Gold Coin at minimum. If you sincerely wish to trade, your auction house can exchange Beast Fire of equivalent value for this Fourth-grade Qi Gathering Powder. I happen to need Beast Fire for cultivation."

Gu Ni frowned and began to think. At first, he had assumed that this Black Robe-clad person had merely been lucky enough to obtain a Qi Gathering Powder and intended to sell it for some Gold Coin. Now, it seemed that he was someone who understood its value.

"Then we will purchase this Qi Gathering Powder for four hundred thousand Gold Coin. If you need Beast Fire, we will need to transfer it from some higher-level auction houses. This amount can purchase three portions of Fourth-Order Beast Fire. As for Fifth-Order Beast Fire, from what I know, even the family only has it at the headquarters." Gu Ni ruthlessly agreed in order to earn more merit. After all, it was difficult to see a Fourth-grade Pill even once in tiny Wutan City. He himself was only a Second-Grade Alchemist and could not refine a pill of such a grade.

Hearing the satisfactory answer, Xiao Ling also revealed a gentle smile. "That will do. About when will the Beast Fire arrive? Also, I do not need any with a Poison Attribute."

"It should arrive in Wutan City in about a week. Bring this token to find me next week." Gu Ni smiled as he took a Gold Token from his robes and handed it to Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling accepted the token and stored it at his waist, then smiled. "I'll await the good news. I'll return at noon in one week."

After saying that, he turned and walked straight out, quickly disappearing from Gu Ni's sight.

Watching Xiao Ling's departing back, Gu Ni muttered, "What a strange person." When his gaze shifted to the Jade Bottle containing the Qi Gathering Powder, his eyes became heated. Picking up the Jade Bottle, he headed toward the inner room. He had to keep this pill safe; if anything went wrong, the Mite'er Family would punish him severely.

Leaving the Mietel Auction House, Xiao Ling let out a long breath. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly and nothing unnecessary had happened. He only needed to return next week to collect the Beast Fire. Fen Jue should be able to evolve to Yellow Grade High by then, right? Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it and headed back to the Xiao Family.

As he entered the Xiao Family, its clansmen greeted Xiao Ling one after another.

"Xiao Ling's Cousin, your aura has grown stronger again. Has your cultivation improved once more?"

"Xiao Ling's Cousin, did you just get back from outside?"

"Xiao Ling's Cousin is getting more handsome by the day. Could you come to your cousin's room tonight and teach me how to cultivate?"

Xiao Ling did not put on any airs or look down on them. He greeted them warmly, but when he heard one of his older female cousins invite him to her room that night to cultivate, the corner of his mouth could not help twitching. Pah. Are you asking me to teach you cultivation? You're lusting after my body, you shameless woman!

Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, Xiao Ling spotted someone beyond the crowd cautiously heading toward the Back Mountain. Taking a closer look, he saw that it was Xiao Yan. What was he sneaking around for? Wasn't he heading toward the place where the girls bathed? Could it be...

On a hilltop in the Back Mountain, Xiao Yan lay bored on the grass with one leg crossed over the other, basking in the sun.

This was his secret base. He often came here alone to cultivate or relax. If he was lucky, he could sometimes catch sight of the girls of the clan bathing.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan glanced to the side and spotted a figure in the distance walking toward the Water Pool in the Back Mountain.

He rose to his feet and looked closely. "Isn't that Xiao Ning's sister, Xiao Yu? She's even carrying a towel. Is she going to take a bath?"

Xiao Yan perked up. It looked like Xiao Yu really was going to bathe. He had never liked her younger brother anyway, so today he would see what his sister looked like. It seemed he had come to the right place.

He climbed to his feet, bent low, and quietly crept toward the Water Pool. Spotting a large boulder ahead that could conceal him, he rolled behind it, exposing only one eye as he stared fixedly at Xiao Yu in the Water Pool.

Xiao Ling also arrived nearby. Spreading out his Soul Perception, he quickly grasped the current situation.

So this is probably the day Xiao Yan peeped at Xiao Yu in the original story. Xiao Ling rubbed his chin and looked toward Xiao Yu.

Beside the Water Pool, Xiao Yu was about to untie her clothes, seemingly preparing to enter the water and bathe.

Behind the large boulder some distance away, Xiao Yan could not help swallowing at the sight. He stared straight at Xiao Yu, clearly unwilling to look away in the slightest.

How could Xiao Ling continue standing by and watching? He, Xiao, was an upright gentleman. He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen before his eyes.

With a flick of his fingertip, a ball of blazing red Dou Qi shot toward Xiao Yan's kidney. Although he had only just become a Dou Zhe, Xiao Ling's outstanding Soul Perception made controlling Dou Qi exceptionally easy. The Dou Qi tore through the air and struck Xiao Yan directly in the kidney.

Xiao Yan had been staring intently at Xiao Yu, so how could he spare any attention for anything else? He only heard a "whoosh~" before a scorching sensation suddenly spread through his kidney, followed by sharp pain. He clutched his side with both hands and cried out.

"Ah~, it hurts like hell!"

Xiao Yu had just undone one button when she heard a commotion behind her. She hurriedly stopped what she was doing and turned around in alarm, only to see half of Xiao Yan's head poking out from behind the boulder as he grimaced in pain.

How could Xiao Yu not understand what was happening? Her face flushed red with anger. In a single stride, she rushed at Xiao Yan and gave him a vicious slap.

"You little thief! At such a young age, instead of learning properly, you've learned to sneak around and steal! You even learned to peep at people bathing!"

Still not satisfied, Xiao Yu delivered two more heavy punches, one to each of Xiao Yan's kidneys. The pain made him clutch one side with each hand as he fled down the mountain in panic.

Watching from his hiding place not far away, Xiao Ling could not help swallowing. When a woman loses her temper, she's really ruthless. I must never provoke a hot-tempered woman in the future.

Shaking his head and no longer thinking about it, Xiao Ling saw that both of them had left the Back Mountain. He circulated his Dou Qi and hurried back toward his own courtyard.

"Xiao Yu, I will stomp you beneath my feet one day! And Xiao Ning too—just you wait!"