Broke Through to Da Dou Shi (Please Vote for Me)

Who knew that just as he was about to step out of the courtyard, a pair of long legs blocked his way?

Before he could react, his hand was placed on them. The softness and springiness beneath his palm made him give them an unconscious squeeze. Just as he was about to squeeze again, he came up empty-handed.

"Brother Xiao Ling... This... this is all Yu Er can give you. If... if you like it, Yu Er can let you... every day..."

Xiao Yu's pretty face flushed red. By the end, her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Then she ran off, her cheeks still burning, while a soft, lilting voice drifted back from afar.

"Brother Xiao Ling, Yu Er's going home first. I hope you break through successfully!"

Watching her retreating figure, Xiao Ling snapped back to his senses, torn between laughter and tears. This girl was getting bolder by the day. If this kept up, he might not be able to handle it...

Just then, a clear voice came from behind him.

"Brother Xiao Ling, did Cousin Xiao Yu's legs feel nice? Should Xun'er let you... too?"

"Bonk!"

"Ah!"

"You little rascal, why are you butting in? Hurry up and get back to your cultivation!"

Xiao Ling put on a stern face and flicked the girl on the forehead. Then he turned and headed toward the Back Mountain.

Left behind, Xun'er pouted, her beautiful eyes fixed angrily on the White-robed Youth as he walked away.

"Bad Brother Xiao Ling... Stinky Brother Xiao Ling... When Xun'er grows up, she'll make you pay..."

By then, Xiao Ling had already reached the family's Back Mountain and had no idea what the girl was thinking. Even if he had known, he probably would have just smiled. You're mine now, and you'll still be mine when you're grown up. Who ends up on top is anyone's guess.

Looking at the narrow mountain path before him, Xiao Ling put aside his wandering thoughts and began walking uphill, one step at a time.

It was late autumn. Withered yellow leaves drifted in the breeze, and the last rays of the setting sun cast a dusky glow over the scene.

As he watched, Xiao Ling felt as if his spirit had been elevated. His mind reached its peak in an instant. He stopped in the clearing where he often cultivated, waved a hand to take out the White Jade Meditation Cushion, and sat down on it.

Just as he sat, by sheer coincidence, the last ray of sunlight drew back and fell across the young boy's tender face, leaving behind a mysterious hue.

Xiao Ling felt better than ever.

He knew it was time to break through.

Otherwise, he would miss this opportunity and fall into another slumber.

He formed hand seals and slowly closed his eyes. His aura rose and fell, making him seem as unpredictable as a fully inflated balloon.

"Pop..."

At a certain moment, a soft sound came from within Xiao Ling's body. It was the joyful sound of Dou Qi being compressed to its limit, changing from quantity to quality.

But just then, an invisible suction force suddenly erupted from within him. It had no effect on its surroundings, yet carried a domineering urge to devour all life.

As it appeared, Xiao Ling could clearly feel his lifespan being silently consumed.

At first, he thought his lifespan was being absorbed to help him break through.

But the truth was not what he had imagined.

In that instant, he had clearly felt a strange suction force burst from within him at the very moment he broke through, greedily devouring his lifespan. Was it making up for some unknown loss?

"Could this... be his special constitution?"

Xiao Ling murmured to himself, falling into deep thought. After considering it dozens of times, only two possibilities remained in his mind, though he instinctively leaned toward the second.

"Phew..."

After taking a deep breath, Xiao Ling stopped dwelling on it. He planned to sort out his thoughts and devise a proper scheme involving the two families.

Ideally, he would draw out Wu Ming, who was hiding behind them. The man was far too mysterious. In Xiao Ling's view, it would be best to take his lifespan as soon as possible.

Next, he planned to devote most of his energy to alchemy and try to become a Third-grade Alchemist as soon as possible. Then he could provide for himself and would no longer need to spend his lifespan trading with the system.

After all, the system's pills were far too expensive, and the prices were fixed. They weren't worth it for him.

Besides, he didn't want to become the next Shenqing Qishuang Heavenly Monarch.

That was why it was better to refine pills himself. At least then, they would be safe.

Besides, Alchemists held a very high status on the Dou Qi Continent. In particular, in the Jia Ma Empire, people held them in even greater reverence.

His plan against the two families also depended on his identity as an Alchemist to lure them into his trap.

With that in mind, Xiao Ling stood up and put away the White Jade Meditation Cushion, ready to head down the mountain. Just then, a clear voice rang out from below.

"Brother Xiao Ling, congratulations on breaking through to Da Dou Shi!"

Hearing her, Xiao Ling looked down through the hazy moonlight. A little girl in a purple skirt was nimbly hopping from boulder to boulder. At last, she landed lightly in the clearing at the summit. Her delicate, porcelain-doll-like face showed two adorable dimples as she smiled at him.

"Brother Xiao Ling, I forgot to tell you. You came back just in time. Jia Nan Academy's entrance exam is tomorrow. I think Uncle Xiao Zhan and the others will have you lead the group."

"Oh... Jia Nan Academy?"

Xiao Ling paused, then looked at the girl and smiled.

"Xun'er, did you come all the way up here just to tell me that?"

Hearing him, Xun'er tilted her little head and looked at the White-robed Youth suspiciously.

"Then what would Brother Xiao Ling like Xun'er to bring you?"

Xiao Ling shook his head helplessly. How had he forgotten who this little girl was? The effects of a God-Tier Bloodline really were astonishing.

"You're always letting your imagination run wild. Come on, I'll take you out for a stroll tomorrow."

With that, Xiao Ling took Xun'er's little hand and headed down the mountain.

Meanwhile, in the Reception Hall of the Aoba Family, Aoba Pa and Jia Liebi sat facing each other, discussing whether to give up the Xiao Family Market.

"Brother Aoba, what do you think? If we refuse this time, will Xiao Ling make a move against our two families?"

"Brother Jia, you're worrying too much. Xiao Ling may be a genius, but our two families aren't without strong fighters."

Hearing this, the old fox Jia Liebi smiled in relief, and the two began discussing the details.

"..."

At that moment, on a small hill outside Wutan City, a gray-robed youth sat cross-legged on a boulder. His expression shifted between dark and calm, making him seem utterly unpredictable.

"Hmph, Xiao Ling. You never expected me to attend Jia Nan Academy's entrance exam this time, did you?"

Wu Ming murmured with a cold laugh.

He hadn't planned to go to Jia Nan Academy at first. But then he realized that if he wanted to surpass Xiao Ling, he had no choice but to go there. It was closer to the Black-Corner Region, which would make it easier for him to act.