Short-lived genius?

"Dou Power, eighth stage, six years old, level: high-grade!"

Looking at the large characters on the testing monument, the Xiao Clan Martial Arts Arena erupted into a frenzy; even the elder standing beside the monument wore a look of utter shock.

"This... Brother Xiao Ling has actually improved by five stages in a single year? This is simply incredible..."

"Indeed, Brother Xiao Ling is worthy of being the peerless genius of our Xiao Clan!"

"Pfft! What's so great about that... Brother Xiao Ling is the most amazing!"

Watching the Xiao Clan disciples discussing all around him, Xiao Ling didn't pay them much mind. A trace of confusion flickered in his eyes as he turned and walked away.

However, no sooner had he taken a few steps than a little girl in a blue dress at the edge of the arena immediately moved her long little legs and trotted after him.

Along the way, Xiao Ling gazed at the winding path that only existed in books, a look of shock appearing on his youthful face.

"I... I actually transmigrated?"

Even now, he found it hard to believe. His name was Xiao Ling, and he came from Earth.

He vaguely remembered using his remaining living expenses to buy a physical copy of Battle Through the Heavens for 39.9 yuan, and he had even been lucky enough to get a signature from Dou Ge.

That night, he had excitedly stayed up late to reread it, only to accidentally die of sudden cardiac arrest.

Xiao Ling shook his head, filled with unwillingness.

"My signed copy..."

Fortunately, the heavens had not treated him poorly!

Although he had lost the signed copy!

It had also allowed him to luckily transmigrate to the Dou Qi Continent.

To him, this could be considered a stroke of good fortune!

He then began to examine the memories of the original body, a look of surprise appearing on his face as he did so.

What a coincidence; not only did the original body share his name, but the original body's father was actually the biological brother of Xiao Zhan?

However, two years ago, during a struggle over a marketplace, he had unfortunately been sacrificed at the hands of Aoba Pa, who had just broken through to become a Dou Grandmaster.

Because of this, the original body had been cultivating alone for the past two years.

Understanding the past of the original body, Xiao Ling sighed and muttered in his heart: "You can go in peace... I, Xiao Ling, promise you that I will definitely avenge you!"

As soon as his voice fell, Xiao Ling felt his entire body lighten, a feeling that was hard to describe.

It was as if, in the dark, he and the original body had completely merged, no longer distinguishable from one another.

This made Xiao Ling happy; he knew the experiences of transmigrators wouldn't lie to him, so he immediately muttered in his heart.

"Bless me, signed copy... signed copy..."

Although Aoba Pa was a Dou Grandmaster.

He believed that with his knowledge of Battle Through the Heavens, he would definitely be able to surpass the other party in the near future.

Walking along the winding path, Xiao Ling raised his still-youthful face, various thoughts swirling in his mind.

Just then, a voice came from behind, interrupting Xiao Ling's train of thought.

"Brother Xiao Ling, what are you thinking about?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ling followed the voice and looked back, seeing a little girl in a blue dress looking at him with a puzzled expression.

Seeing this, he put away his thoughts and said calmly: "Nothing, why? Do you need something?"

In the memories of the original body, the little girl before him was named Xiao Yu; yes, the very same long-legged Xiao Yu from later generations.

But for some reason, she was very obedient to the original body and was always clinging to him, but the original body bore the burden of his father's death and was very unsociable, always ignoring her.

Hearing his words, Xiao Yu rolled her eyes: "Can't I come find you to play if there's nothing wrong?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ling felt a headache coming on and had to maintain the original body's sternness, saying coldly: "I still need to cultivate; I don't have time to play with you."

As he spoke, he headed toward the original body's residence.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu could only stomp her little feet in anger: "Stinky Brother Xiao Ling, bad Brother Xiao Ling, for ignoring me..."

However, Xiao Ling, who had already walked far away, naturally could not hear her grumbling, nor would he know that every time she was slighted, she would go back and take it out on her younger brother.

Inside the room, Xiao Ling was filled with surprise; he discovered that he had actually transmigrated to an unfamiliar point in time.

Because on his way back, when he passed the small courtyard of the three Xiao brothers, he did not see Xiao Yan, but only saw Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, as well as a woman with a large belly.

Because the distance was too great, he didn't see the woman's face clearly, but there was no doubt that the one in the woman's womb was Xiao Yan.

This was a huge advantage for him; he could fully utilize the morning lessons initiated by the original body to lay his plans in advance.

When Xiao Yan was born, he could gradually gain the other's favor.

Perhaps... he would also have a chance to become an Emperor?!

With this thought in mind, Xiao Ling temporarily suppressed the various ideas swirling in his head. Excited, he sat cross-legged on the bed and, following the memories of his predecessor, crossed his hands in front of his lower abdomen to form an awkward, novice hand seal.

He began his first cultivation session since transmigrating.

As Xiao Ling's breathing steadied, a wisp of invisible energy in the air followed his breath and entered his body.

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.

Xiao Ling finished his cultivation and opened his eyes. Feeling the Dou Power flowing within him, he noticed it had increased slightly, and a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his still-youthful face.

He had not expected his first attempt at cultivation to give him the feeling that he was already on the verge of a breakthrough.

Judging by this progress, if he kept cultivating for another ten days or half a month, he might just break through to the ninth stage of Dou Power.

Just as he was marveling at the cultivation talent of his predecessor... a voice suddenly rang out in his mind, causing him to freeze in place.

[Ding, Trading Mall detected that the host's lifespan has reached a critical threshold. Binding in progress... Binding successful.]

[Host: Xiao Ling.]

[Age: 6 years old.]

[Lifespan: 6/30 years.]

[Mall items unlocked: 5.]

[Current Mall level: Level 1.]

[10,000 years of lifespan required to upgrade to Level 2. We hope the host will plunder enough lifespan soon... there will be many benefits when you do...]

The system's mechanical voice carried a hint of temptation.

"Hiss..."

Hearing the voice in his mind, Xiao Ling's eyes widened, and a look of disbelief appeared on his youthful face.

"This... how is this possible? How could I only have thirty years of lifespan?"

Xiao Ling murmured, the joy of awakening his golden finger completely suppressed.

"System, what is going on? Why do I only have thirty years of lifespan?"

Xiao Ling tried his best to calm his emotions, his voice trembling as he asked.

[Ding, system scanning...]

[Scan complete.]

[Host need not worry; it is entirely due to the original body's constitution.]

[It is suggested that the host plunder more lifespan. This will not only solve the constitution issue but also lead to longevity in a roundabout way.]

Hearing the system's confident mechanical tone, Xiao Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a relief that it's just a constitution issue... otherwise, I would be the shortest-lived peerless genius in the Xiao Clan!

As for the suggestion to plunder lifespan, he did not have much resistance to it.

However, he would not kill the innocent indiscriminately; he would only plunder those who stood against him.

Thinking of this, he decided to head to the cafeteria to find something to eat, and while he was at it, he would properly study his golden finger.

However, just as he was about to step out of his room, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body!

"This... I've already broken through?!"

Xiao Ling could hardly believe it; he stood stunned at the doorway.

It was only after checking multiple times that he confirmed he had indeed broken through to the ninth stage of Dou Power.

"But logically speaking, it should have taken at least a week... could it be because of the golden finger?"

Xiao Ling suppressed the doubts in his heart. He decided to spend the night consolidating his cultivation and familiarizing himself with his predecessor's habits to avoid any slip-ups during tomorrow's morning lessons.