Battle Through the Heavens: Obtaining the Extraction System at the Start — Part 6

Xiao Yan ran back to his small courtyard, wrapped bandages around himself, and sat on his bed with a gloomy expression. After setting a few goals for himself, he began his training for the day.

He definitely could not tell his Clan Leader father about this. If Xiao Zhan found out that his son had planned to spy on Xiao Yu bathing, then out of respect for the First Elder, he would certainly give him a harsh lesson. Xiao Yan could only cultivate in silence and wait until he was strong enough to take revenge.

Although cultivation was dull and tedious, Xiao Yan had gradually adapted after spending so long in the Dou Qi Continent.

"I'm about to break through!"

Feeling the somewhat surging Dou Qi within his body, excitement appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He focused his mind, preparing to make one final push and break through directly to the sixth stage of Dou Qi.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Ling, who had been cultivating in his room, formed the hand seal to end his training and rose to his feet. After sensing the Dou Qi in his body, he shook his head and sighed. "A Yellow Grade Low cultivation technique really is terrible. The Dou Qi cultivation speed is slow, and its quality is poor too. I need to use Beast Fire to raise the technique's grade a little. If it still can't reach the Mysterious Grade, I'll have to ask Xun Er for help. It's not shameful to live off my future wife. I've learned Suction Palm too. As expected of a Mysterious Grade Dou Technique—it's really useful." Clearing his thoughts, he left his room and hurried toward the Mietel Auction House.

As he neared the auction house, he put on a Black Robe and gloves as usual.

The moment he entered the main hall, the same cool sensation washed over him. Looking around, he saw no familiar faces.

Xiao Ling found a Maid and took out the token Gu Ni had given him last time. "I'm looking for Master Gu Ni from your auction house. Please lead the way."

The Maid took the token and examined it, then revealed a professional smile as she gestured with one hand. "Sir, please wait in the VIP lounge first. I'll fetch Master Gu Ni right away."

The two arrived at a lounge. The Maid brewed him a cup of tea before leaving. Xiao Ling sat down and took a sip, feeling his Dou Qi become slightly more active. "As expected of the Mietel Auction House. They really are rich. Even the tea served to guests can slightly improve cultivation efficiency."

After a while, Gu Ni entered. Seeing that it was the Black Robe from last time, a faint smile appeared on his face as well.

"Sir, the Beast Fire you requested has been prepared. There is Earth Flame Fire from a Fourth Rank Earth Rock Turtle, Peach Blossom Fire from a Fourth Rank Kui Mu Beast, and Dry Blue Water Flame from a Fourth Rank Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast. The first two cost one hundred thousand Gold Coin each, while the last costs two hundred thousand Gold Coin. The Jia Ma Empire's royal guardian beast is a Sixth Rank Nether Sea Flood Dragon Beast." Gu Ni waved his hand, and three Porcelain Bottles appeared on the table, each containing a Beast Fire.

Xiao Ling lightly activated Suction Palm, and the three Porcelain Bottles flew before him. With a sweep of his sleeve, he stored them in his belt one by one, leaving Gu Ni stunned.

As expected of a godly skill for showing off. Smiling, he said, "I trust the Mite'er Family's reputation. I'll come to you again when there's another transaction."

With that, he turned and left the lounge, exited the Mietel Auction House, and headed for the Xiao Family.

After returning to his room, Xiao Ling eagerly took out the three Porcelain Bottles and examined the three Beast Fires.

Earth Flame Fire was yellowish in color, a flame carrying the heavy, solid nature of the earth attribute.

Peach Blossom Fire was pinkish, emitting a faint fragrance that gave off a gentle, approachable feeling.

Dry Blue Water Flame was deep blue. Of the three, it contained the most energy and was of the highest quality.

Xiao Ling cleared his mind and adjusted his breathing, preparing to begin absorbing the Beast Fire.

Looking at the three Beast Fires before him, he hesitated before deciding to refine the gentler Peach Blossom Fire first.

He opened the stopper of the Porcelain Bottle containing Peach Blossom Fire and beckoned with his hand. The pink flame seed immediately fell into his palm. Staring at the Beast Fire before him, a trace of burning desire flashed through Xiao Ling's eyes. With his current strength, Heavenly Flames were both difficult to obtain and difficult to absorb. These Beast Fires extracted from Magical Beasts, however, were perfectly suited to his current weakness.

Slowly closing his eyes, he formed a cultivation hand seal and sent his mind into his body. He slightly opened his mouth and used Soul Power to guide Peach Blossom Fire into his body.

He concentrated on the vortex, rapidly wrapping the entire thing in Soul Perception before making it spin at high speed.

As the vortex continued spinning rapidly, an area large enough to contain the Beast Fire gradually opened within it.

Using Soul Perception to wrap Peach Blossom Fire, he guided it through the surrounding blockade of Dou Qi and finally into that tiny space.

Once Peach Blossom Fire entered the space, it began to operate slowly like a machine.

The Beast Fire needed to absorb the Fire Attribute Dou Qi within the vortex to strengthen itself, while the heat it radiated increased the vortex's absorption speed for Dou Qi. In this way, both the Beast Fire and the vortex benefited.

In the room, Xiao Ling slowly opened his tightly shut eyes. His gaze was much brighter than before.

After sensing the changes within his body, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He raised his palm, and Peach Blossom Fire leaped onto it.

The Beast Fire seemed alive as it flickered constantly, but with Soul Power controlling it, it obeyed him as easily as an arm or finger.

He put away the Beast Fire in his hand, then looked at the two Porcelain Bottles before him. After some hesitation, Xiao Ling stored them away as well. His strength was still a little lacking. To be safe, without an Ice Heart Pill and a Pulse Protecting Pill, it was better not to devour Heavenly Flames to advance Fen Jue.

When Jia Nan Academy came to recruit students next month, he would exchange for pills and Beast Fire at the academy and directly raise Fen Jue to a Mysterious Grade cultivation technique.

Shaking his head and clearing his thoughts, Xiao Ling walked out of his room and let out a long breath. "First, I should notify the clan elders of my plans. If I suddenly leave, it might cause unnecessary trouble." Xiao Ling stopped thinking about it and rushed toward where Xiao Zhan cultivated.

Arriving outside Xiao Zhan's Cultivation Room, Xiao Ling glanced at the several guards nearby before walking over.

"Hello, is the Clan Leader free right now? I have something I'd like to discuss with him," Xiao Ling said to a guard.

The guard clearly recognized Xiao Ling. Hearing that he wanted to see the Clan Leader, he replied, "The Clan Leader is currently discussing matters with several elders in the meeting hall. I'll take you in." He first nodded to the surrounding guards, then headed inside.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling followed him. Since all of them were gathered together, it would be best to explain everything at once.

Before long, they arrived outside a spacious hall. The guard first exchanged a few words with the guards at the entrance, then said to Xiao Ling, "Your status in the family is special. The Clan Leader previously said that if you have business, you may enter directly. Go in through the side door."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Ling could not help but sigh. Having talent in the Xiao Family really means you can do whatever you want. He nodded, opened the side door, and entered the meeting hall.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw the First Elder pointing at Xiao Zhan's nose and berating him furiously.

"Xiao Zhan, do you even know how to raise a son? Xiao Yan actually went to spy on my granddaughter bathing! If Xiao Yu hadn't discovered him early, who knows how many family girls would have been watched? As the young Clan Leader of the family, he's so shameless. What a disgrace!"

Seeing this, Xiao Ling muttered inwardly, So word got out that Xiao Yan was peeping. They're arguing over it.

Looking over, Xiao Ling saw that Xiao Zhan remained calm and unruffled, completely unconcerned by the First Elder's accusations. He was even leisurely sipping a cup of fragrant tea.

At the sight, Xiao Ling's mouth twitched. Is this the confidence that comes with talent? I wonder if he'll still be this calm after Xiao Yan becomes a cripple.

When the elders saw someone enter, they all turned their gazes over. Upon recognizing Xiao Ling, the indifference on their aged faces immediately vanished, replaced by kind smiles.

Seeing that everyone's attention had shifted to him, Xiao Ling quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Clan Leader, three elders."

"No need for formalities. Sit and speak. Why have you come? I heard you just broke through to the Dou Zhe level. Do you need guidance in cultivation?" the First Elder asked first.

The other elders also looked at Xiao Ling questioningly. They all knew that he had broken through to become a Dou Zhe and gone to the Dou Qi Pavilion. As the Xiao Family's greatest genius, his breakthrough naturally mattered greatly to them.

As soon as Xiao Ling sat down, he exchanged greetings with the elders. However, the age gap was right there. Even counting both his lives, he was only in his twenties, so after only a few sentences, he felt a little awkward. Thus, he went straight to the point. "I've already reached the Dou Zhe level. The Xiao Family can offer me limited help now. When Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team arrives, I plan to enroll there directly for further study."

The elders looked at one another, unsure how to respond. In truth, they all understood that keeping a genius like Xiao Ling in the Xiao Family was a waste of his talent. They simply had not expected him to leave so early. If someone from another faction persuaded him otherwise, Xiao Ling might never return. Still, they could not stop him from doing so.

Xiao Zhan was the first to speak. "You're still young. You can cultivate at home for a few more years before going out. There's no rush."

After hearing this, Xiao Ling guessed their concerns and said, "I'm young, so now is the time to endure hardship. Besides, I want to raise my cultivation quickly and become one of the continent's strongest experts. Don't worry. I won't forget the kindness the Xiao Family has shown me."

Hearing this, the elders' expressions eased. As long as the clan's genius was not lured away and still remembered his home, that was enough.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan spoke again. "The Misty Cloud Sect will hold its disciple recruitment assembly in one month. You can participate in the selection. With your talent, you'll definitely receive special cultivation within the sect. Perhaps Sect Leader Yun Yun might even accept you as her personal disciple."

After hearing that, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Xiao Ling's forehead. He muttered inwardly, Xiao Zhan, your intentions are truly vicious. Are you afraid I won't die early enough? What, do you want to go jie jie jie too? In truth, Xiao Ling also understood that the Misty Cloud Sect was not far from the Xiao Family, making it easier to look after the clan. Jia Nan Academy was in the Black Corner Region, a place where even maintaining contact with the Xiao Family would be difficult.

Naturally, he could not reveal that the Misty Cloud Sect had a Jie Jie Monster in it—at least, not now. He could only explain it this way:

"Jia Nan Academy has a strong teaching staff. I don't think being a student there is any worse than becoming a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect. With my talent, perhaps some Dou Zong might even take me as a disciple."

Smiling, Xiao Ling made a modest joke.

The elders exchanged glances and sighed.

"Then choose for yourself. Just don't forget that you still have a Xiao Family."

The First Elder took out a black card and handed it to Xiao Ling with a smile. "This is some spending money for you. There are fifty thousand Gold Coin on it. Don't make yourself suffer while you're away from home."

Xiao Ling was somewhat moved. He accepted the gold card and nodded slightly. Although fifty thousand was not much, it was no small sum for the Xiao Family.

"Thank you, Clan Leader and elders. Xiao Ling will take his leave first." He cupped his hands and left the meeting hall.

As he walked back to his room, recalling every detail of the past four years, Xiao Ling could not help but sigh. Even a traveler from another land has formed attachments. Never mind that for now. If I can help with the Soul Clan matter, I will. I absolutely can't let the entire family be wiped out like in the original story, leaving only a few young descendants.

After returning to his room, he lay on his bed and emptied his mind. A wave of exhaustion washed over Xiao Ling, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Every day, aside from cultivating, Xiao Ling spent his time accompanying Xiao Xun'er as they went shopping together.

Early in the morning, when the sky was only beginning to brighten, Xiao Ling opened his eyes, got up, dressed, and left his small courtyard.

He had deliberately risen early because he was afraid that too many people would come to register later. Waiting in line would be far too troublesome.

Leaving the Xiao Family and arriving at the selection site, he found that there were indeed not many people yet. Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and headed toward the tent in the square.

There were not many people at the moment. Rather than passing through a human wall formed by soldiers as in the original story, Xiao Ling followed the queue to the registration area at the center of the square.

Before him stood a tall, large tent. Several young people in front of it were testing the cultivation of applicants. The requirement for registration was to reach the eighth stage of Dou Qi before turning eighteen. For Xiao Ling, this was effortless.

Though quite a few people were gathered outside, this was not Jia Nan Academy's first recruitment drive, and the requirements had long since spread. However, there were not many people truly confident that they could pass. Most had only come to watch the excitement.

"Too old. Next."

Before long, Xiao Ling arrived before the Testing Crystal Ball.

The tester was a female student. Seeing a handsome little boy enter who looked no more than ten years old, she did not look down on him due to the favorable first impression. Instead, she gave him a bright smile and handed him the Testing Crystal Ball.

"Little brother, this test is very simple. Just inject your Dou Qi into this crystal. If your strength has reached the eighth stage of Dou Qi, it will light up. Then you'll have passed."

Xiao Ling did not hesitate. He directly took the Crystal Ball in hand and poured Dou Qi into it. Once the Crystal Ball emitted a dazzling glow, he returned it to the female student.