Strength Breakthrough, Nine-Star Dou Ancestor

Seeing his subordinates being easily dealt with by Xiao Chen, Mu Li's expression changed drastically.

He stared fixedly at Xiao Chen, his eyes filled with terror.

"You... who exactly are you?"

Mu Li's voice was trembling.

Xiao Chen looked at him without saying a word.

Mu Li gritted his teeth, his Dou Qi surging wildly within his body.

He charged toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen raised his hand.

He struck out with a palm.

Mu Li was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.

He struggled to get up, but a sharp pain in his chest caused him to collapse back down.

Xiao Chen walked forward and looked down at him.

Mu Li raised his head, his eyes filled with fear.

"My lord... spare me, my lord."

Mu Li knelt on the ground, his voice shaking.

"I was blind and offended you, my lord."

"Please, spare my life."

"I will never dare to do it again."

Xiao Chen looked at him.

He brought his palm down.

Mu Li's head exploded instantly.

Brain matter splattered everywhere.

He died on the spot.

He didn't even have time to let out a single scream.

The surrounding mercenaries turned deathly pale at the sight, their legs trembling.

"He... he killed Young Leader Mu Li!"

A mercenary's voice trembled, his throat cracking with the strain.

"Run! Run for your lives!"

Several mercenaries scrambled away, rolling and crawling.

Some fell, scrambled back up, and kept running without daring to look back.

Xiao Chen ignored them.

Those few mercenaries vanished in the blink of an eye, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Xiao Yi Xian stood where she was, looking at Mu Li's corpse on the ground.

She was completely stunned, unable to move for a long time.

This youth actually dared to kill Mu Li.

Mu Li's father, Mu She, was the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.

In Qingshan Town, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group held immense power and their word was law.

Having killed Mu Li, Mu She would certainly not let this matter rest.

The entire Wolf Head Mercenary Group would hunt him down.

Xiao Yi Xian looked up at Xiao Chen.

There was no expression on Xiao Chen's face.

It was as if nothing had just happened.

Xiao Yi Xian was secretly shocked.

His strength seemed to be quite formidable.

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Thank you."

Xiao Chen waved his hand.

"It's nothing."

Xiao Chen said.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at him, an indescribable feeling welling up in her heart.

Just then, a mechanical voice rang out in Xiao Chen's mind.

[Task complete: Gained recognition and initial favor from Xiao Yi Xian.]

[Reward issued: One Multi-Child Multi-Blessing reward. Would you like to draw?]

Xiao Chen recited silently in his heart.

"Draw."

[Drawing in progress.]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the cultivation reward: Nine-Star Dou Ancestor.]

A surge of majestic power poured into his body.

Dou Qi surged and flowed through his meridians, becoming significantly more robust than before.

Feeling the increased fullness of power within him, the corners of Xiao Chen's mouth curled upward slightly.

From an Eight-Star Dou Ancestor to a Nine-Star Dou Ancestor, though it was only a one-star difference, it was like a chasm.

He thought to himself and tucked the system panel away.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Xiao Chen, hesitating for a moment.

"There is a cave deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range that contains treasures."

"I discovered it by accident while gathering herbs before."

"But there are magical beasts guarding it, and my strength isn't enough to get inside."

"How about... you come with me?"

"We can split the treasures inside equally, what do you think?"

Xiao Chen looked at her, silent for a moment.

"Fine."

Xiao Chen said.

A smile appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's face, a flash of joy crossing her eyes.

"Then let's set off now."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

Xiao Chen nodded.

The two left Qingshan Town and headed in the direction of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Xiao Yi Xian walked in front to lead the way.

She was very familiar with the terrain on the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, knowing every small path clearly.

Xiao Chen followed behind, his pace steady.

The two walked for about an hour.

Xiao Yi Xian stopped and looked back at Xiao Chen.

"We have already entered the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

Xiao Chen nodded.

Xiao Yi Xian looked around, confirming their direction.

"That cave is deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range; at our speed, it will take about half a day to get there."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

She paused and looked up at the sky.

"It's getting late, so let's rest on the outskirts tonight and head deeper early tomorrow morning."

"It's too dangerous to enter the mountains at night; magical beasts come out to hunt after dark."

Xiao Chen looked at her.

She led Xiao Chen to continue walking forward.

After walking for a while, they arrived at a relatively flat clearing.

Beside it was a small stream, the water clear enough to see the bottom.

"Let's rest here."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

Xiao Chen nodded.

Xiao Yi Xian put down the pack she was carrying and walked to the stream.

She crouched down, rolled up her sleeves, and reached into the water to feel around for a while.

She caught a few fat fish.

She skillfully started a fire and built a simple grill out of tree branches.

She skewered the fish on branches and set them over the fire to roast.

Xiao Chen sat by the campfire, watching her work.

Xiao Yi Xian's movements were practiced; flipping the fish and sprinkling salt were all done in one fluid motion.

A moment later, the fish were ready.

The fish skin was roasted to a golden brown, sizzling with oil and emitting an enticing aroma.

Xiao Yi Xian handed the largest roasted fish to Xiao Chen.

"Try it."

Xiao Yi Xian said, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Xiao Chen took the roasted fish and took a bite.

"How is it?"

Xiao Yi Xian asked.

"Not bad."

Xiao Chen said.

A smile appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's face, and a hint of pride flashed in her eyes.

"I often gather herbs in the wild, sometimes staying for days at a time."

"My fish-roasting skills were honed that way."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

Xiao Chen didn't speak, continuing to eat the fish.

Xiao Yi Xian also picked up a roasted fish, eating it in small bites.

She snuck a glance at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen was looking down as he ate, his side profile sharply defined.

Xiao Yi Xian quickly looked away.

Her heart skipped a beat for no reason.

"We'll be heading deep into the Magical Beast Mountain Range early tomorrow morning."

Xiao Yi Xian said.

"There are many magical beasts in there, both second and third rank."

"The last time I came here, I saw a third-rank magical beast right at the cave entrance."

"If I hadn't run fast, I almost wouldn't have made it back."

Snake-People Tribe.

Yao Yue excitedly pushed open her sister's door.

Yao Ye was sitting in the room, flipping through animal skins.

Seeing her younger sister rush in with a face full of joy, Yao Ye looked up.

Yao Yue sat down beside her sister and opened her palm.

Lying in her palm was a medicinal pill, its surface marked with a faint pill vein.

"A fourth-grade pill, I refined it myself."

Yao Yue said, her tone full of pride.

Yao Ye took the pill and leaned in to examine it.

The pill was perfectly round and emitted a faint medicinal fragrance.

It was indeed a fourth-grade pill.

The quality was quite good.

"Not bad."

Yao Ye said.

"By the way, sister, did you see Xiao Chen today?"

Yao Yue asked.

Yao Ye shook her head.

"No."

Yao Ye said.

Yao Yue frowned.

"I haven't seen him all day today."

Yao Yue said.

"Didn't see him this morning, didn't see him at noon, and didn't see him this evening."

"Where could he have gone?"

Watching her younger sister's expression, the smile at the corners of Yao Ye's mouth deepened.

"What, missing him after just one day apart?"

Yao Ye teased.

Yao Yue's cheeks warmed slightly.

"No way."

Yao Yue lowered her head, her voice becoming quieter.

"I'm just curious, that's all."

"Curious about where he went since he's been nowhere to be found all day."

Yao Ye didn't expose her, merely smiling.

Yao Yue sat there, beginning to mutter to herself.

Xiao Chen hadn't been in the tribe all day today.

He couldn't be found anywhere.

Could he have gone to Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun?

After all, they were also Xiao Chen's wives and concubines.

Yao Yue bit her lip.

A strange sense of bitterness welled up in her heart.

If he really went to them...

Yao Yue murmured to herself in her heart.

Watching her sister's expression, Yao Ye gently patted her head.

"Stop overthinking it."

Yao Ye said.

"Xiao Chen must have just gone out."

Yao Yue nodded.

But the jealousy in her heart still wouldn't subside.

The outer perimeter of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

The night passed in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes and saw that Xiao Chen was already awake.

Morning light filtered down through the gaps in the leaves.

Xiao Chen stood up.

Xiao Yi Xian also stood up, brushing the dust and grass clippings off her body.

She took a deep breath to wake herself up.

"Let's go, into the mountains."

The two prepared to head toward the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.