Yuantu Abi, Monstrous Shock! (2-in-1 Chapter)

"Hiss!"

Lin Chen did not linger, using the deepest darkness before dawn as his cover.

He slipped back into the Xiao Clan Nursery without a sound.

He avoided the lax gaze of the night watchman.

Like a wild cat, he vaulted through the window and returned to his cramped dormitory, which was thick with the smell of sweat and faint mildew.

Several fellow orphans were sleeping soundly.

The sound of snoring rose and fell in succession.

He quickly stripped off his dusty old clothes, which carried a faint scent of blood.

He shoved them into the deepest corner under his bed and changed into the washed-out, coarse-cloth pajamas issued by the nursery.

He lay back on his small cot, as if he had never left.

Just as the sky began to brighten, the matron in charge of the nursery discovered Lin Chen, who had been "missing" for the night.

With clear worry on her face, she pulled him over to inspect him carefully.

Only after confirming he was uninjured did she gently pat his back.

Her tone carried a hint of lingering fear as she muttered:

"You child, where did you run off to last night?"

"You must not do this again; it isn't safe outside."

Lin Chen lowered his head and responded in a soft voice.

A trace of warmth rose in his heart; this was one of the few comforts he had left.

Daytime:

Lin Chen acted like a child who had been frightened into silence.

He hid in a corner.

He did not immediately cultivate to absorb the blood essence!

At the Dou Practitioner stage, raising his level by a star or two.

For someone with the trump cards of Yuantu, Abi, and the Karma Fire Red Lotus, the increase in combat power was limited.

More importantly, the nursery was crowded and full of prying eyes.

Cultivating the Blood Scripture would easily expose him.

When night fell once more.

After confirming that the other children in the room were fast asleep, Lin Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, his consciousness sinking into his dantian.

He carefully peeled away the blood essence he had stored in his dantian.

This time, he did not refine or absorb it.

Instead, he guided it, slowly injecting it into the two phantom images of ancient swords floating silently within.

"Hum... hum..."

The Yuantu and Abi swords emitted satisfied hums once again.

Like a long-awaited rain after a drought, they greedily devoured this pure energy.

On the blades, the blood-colored patterns and the gray-white luster of death.

Seemed to brighten by an imperceptible fraction.

Although it was still only a trillionth of their broken origin.

Lin Chen could clearly feel that their aura was a tiny bit more solid and powerful than it had been yesterday!

The road to restoration was long, but it was effective!

"Slaughter... blood... souls..."

Lin Chen silently recited the cravings transmitted by the twin swords.

He needed more! More powerful prey!

The Jialie Clan... must pay the price!

He had no intention of ending things after killing two or three people.

Given his personality, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly until the Jialie Clan was exterminated!

The next day:

An unusual atmosphere permeated the nursery.

Servants whispered to one another, and the stewards hurried about.

From their fragmented words, Lin Chen heard terms like "honored guest," "extraordinary big shot," and "the Clan Head is personally receiving them."

"Could it be... Xiao Xun'er?"

Lin Chen felt a stir in his heart.

Calculating the time, it seemed about right.

However, he had little interest in that.

His current goals were only to grow stronger and to exact revenge.

As usual, he finished a simple breakfast at the Orphanage.

Then, he began to "stroll" aimlessly through the interior of the Xiao Clan.

In reality, he was familiarizing himself with the environment and contemplating his next steps:

"Increasing my strength relies on slaughter, but right now, I lack effective Dou Techniques and defensive measures."

"Boundless Blood Sea is currently out of reach, but the Blood God Child..."

Lin Chen's eyes flickered.

A Blood God Child clone was mysterious, unpredictable, and excellent for self-preservation!

If he could condense even one, it would be equivalent to having an extra life!

He would have no more scruples in his future actions!

However, condensing a Blood God Child required a massive amount of blood essence energy and powerful soul strength as a foundation.

His current soul strength was perhaps far superior to his peers.

This was thanks to the memories of his past life and the baptism of the Styx inheritance!

But to meet the cultivation requirements, he still needed to accumulate more!

Fortunately, the Blood Scripture cultivated the physical body, the soul, and Dou Qi all at once!

"I will first accumulate a wave of blood essence, then attempt to condense a Blood God Child!"

Lin Chen made up his mind.

His targets, naturally, were those wicked, karma-ridden fellows from the Jialie Clan!

He would use their blood and souls to forge his own trump card for survival!

Unknowingly, he had walked near the Martial Arts Arena of the Xiao Clan.

This was usually the place where clan disciples practiced Dou Techniques and tested their strength.

At this moment, it was crowded with people, mostly young children and some adults from the branch families.

The atmosphere was quite noisy.

Lin Chen had no intention of paying attention and was preparing to walk around it.

Suddenly, a voice announcing a test result!

It rang out from the center of the Martial Arts Arena, clearly reaching his ears:

"Dou Force, Third Stage!"

Lin Chen's footsteps came to a sudden halt!

It was as if he had been struck by a paralysis spell!

He turned his head abruptly, his gaze piercing through the crowd.

He locked his eyes firmly onto the massive black Magic Testing Stele in the center of the arena.

The smooth surface of the Magic Testing Stele was currently emitting a striking glow.

It clearly reflected five large characters:

Dou Force: Third Stage!

Standing before the Magic Testing Stele was a boy of about five years old, dressed in a small silk robe.

The boy held his small face high, a smile of undisguised pride hanging on his lips.

He was enjoying the gazes of shock, envy, and even awe being cast upon him from all around.

His small body stood straight, like a proud little rooster.

It was none other than the young Xiao Yan!

"Heavens! Five years old... Dou Force Third Stage?!"

"This... how is this possible? When I was five, I was still playing with mud!"

"He is worthy of being the Clan Head's son! A genius!"

"A true genius!"

"The future of the Xiao Clan is promising!"

The exclamations and praises from the surrounding crowd surged in like a tide.

They crowded around the young Xiao Yan, placing him at the center of it all.

The smug expression on his face grew even more pronounced.

His gaze swept over the peers around him, carrying a condescending air of arrogance.

At this moment, he was the center of attention, brimming with high spirits.

He had yet to experience the troughs and tempering of life.

Lin Chen's eyes quickly returned to a state of profound calm.

He watched the dazzling little figure in the arena quietly, his heart remaining as still as a stagnant pool.

As a two-star Dou Practitioner at the age of five, he had long since transcended the category of a so-called "genius."

In his eyes, the radiance of Xiao Yan at this moment was like a firefly compared to the bright moon.

Just then, a steward hurried over.

He shouted from outside the crowd:

"Young Master Xiao Yan! The Patriarch requests your presence at the Ancestral Hall immediately!"

"An honored guest has arrived!"

The smugness on Xiao Yan's face收敛 slightly.

Carrying a trace of annoyance at being interrupted, he still held his head high and chest out.

Amidst a crowd of envious gazes, he left the Martial Arts Arena.

He headed toward the core area of the Xiao Clan.

Lin Chen understood in his heart:

"An honored guest... Xiao Xun'er has arrived."

He also turned around and strolled unhurriedly in the direction of the Back Mountain.

The atmosphere on the corridor outside the Ancestral Hall was solemn.

Patriarch Xiao Zhan was accompanied by several elders.

They were keeping company with a little girl who was as exquisitely carved as a porcelain doll.

The little girl was about four years old, dressed in a pale purple dress.

Her temperament was ethereal and otherworldly; even at such a young age, she already showed the prototype of a stunning beauty.

She was none other than the daughter of the Ancient Clan, Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Yan was brought over.

With a proud smile on his face, Xiao Zhan introduced him to Xiao Xun'er:

"Miss Xun'er, this is my son, Xiao Yan."

"Yan'er, come and greet Miss Xun'er quickly."

"From now on, Miss Xun'er will be living in our home; you must take good care of your little sister."

Xiao Yan looked at the little girl before him, who was younger than himself yet so beautiful she didn't seem mortal.

A flash of amazement crossed his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by the arrogance belonging to a "genius."

He puffed out his small chest and, imitating the mannerisms of an adult, cupped his hands with feigned maturity:

"Miss Xun'er, I am Xiao Yan."

"If you need anything in the future, just come to me!"

His tone carried a trace of imperceptible showing off.

Xiao Xun'er raised her eyes, which were as clear as glazed glass, and glanced at Xiao Yan indifferently.

There was no expression on her small face; she merely nodded slightly as a greeting and did not speak.

That gaze was calm and ripple-free, as if she were looking at an insignificant object.

The smile on Xiao Yan's face stiffened for a moment.

He was accustomed to being fawned over; when had he ever been treated with such coldness?

He felt a sudden sense of displeasure in his heart.

He tried to find a topic:

"Miss Xun'er, I just tested my Dou Force at the Martial Arts Arena—three stages!"

"I wonder what your cultivation level is, Miss Xun'er?"

"Perhaps we might have some exchanges regarding cultivation in the future?"

He tried to attract her attention.

Xiao Xun'er still showed no reaction.

She simply shifted her gaze calmly, seemingly lacking interest in everything around her.

She just stood quietly by Xiao Zhan's side.

Xiao Yan hit a wall, and the pride in his heart flared up.

Hmph, isn't she just a pretty little girl?

Who cares!

He stopped trying to strike up a conversation, crossed his arms, and adopted an equally indifferent expression.

However, he still complied with his father's request and led Xiao Xun'er out of the central ancestral hall.

They began to tour the Xiao Clan.

Just then, no one noticed.

The old man in black robes, who had been standing in the shadows behind Xiao Xun'er like a phantom, his presence almost entirely merged with the environment:

The Dou Emperor Ling Ying.

A look of extreme shock suddenly appeared on the face hidden beneath his hood!

His powerful soul perception, like invisible tentacles, instantly locked onto a spot near the corner of a corridor not far away.

It was fixed on a five-year-old child wearing the coarse cloth clothes of the orphanage, who was passing by at a leisurely pace!

"Miss!"

Ling Ying's voice carried an unprecedented gravity and a trace of incredulous trembling.

It resonated directly in the depths of Xiao Xun'er's heart:

"This Xiao Clan... is hiding a true monster!"

Xiao Xun'er was feeling a bit bored.

Hearing this, her heart stirred:

"Old Ling, are you referring to that five-year-old Xiao Yan who is at the third stage of Dou Qi?"

"His talent is decent, but within the clan... he can hardly be considered top-tier, right?"

She assumed Ling Ying was talking about Xiao Yan.

"No! Not him!"

Ling Ying's voice carried the excitement of someone who had discovered a rare treasure:

"It is that child!"

"That five-year-old child in the coarse clothes who just walked over from the Martial Arts Arena!"

Following Ling Ying's mental guidance, Xiao Xun'er cast her gaze toward the corner of the corridor without changing her expression.

There, a boy with a thin frame and a still-youthful face was walking with his head down.

He seemed to have no interest in this side, walking along at a slow pace.

It was none other than Lin Chen!

"Him?"

Xiao Xun'er slightly furrowed her delicate brows and sensed carefully.

Her cultivation was still shallow, and her soul power was limited.

She could only vaguely feel that the person's aura seemed a bit steadier than that of an ordinary child.

"Miss, this child is not simple!"

Ling Ying's voice was filled with shock:

"This old servant has probed him with soul power three times! There is absolutely no mistake!"

"This child... the Dou Qi within his body is condensed and vigorous, his energy circulation perfectly rounded."

"His cultivation realm... is actually already a two-star Dou Practitioner!"

"What?!"

Even with Xiao Xun'er's knowledge and temperament as a daughter of the Ancient Clan.

At this moment, she could not help but be shaken to her core, almost losing her composure!

Five years old! A two-star Dou Practitioner?!

How is this possible?!

Even within the Ancient Clan, with its endless resources and heaven-defying cultivation techniques.

Those who could reach the Dou Practitioner realm at five years old were absolute rarities, peerless geniuses groomed with the utmost priority!

And those geniuses!

Which one of them wasn't soaked in top-tier medicinal baths from a young age, fed rare treasures of heaven and earth, and taught by famous masters?

Yet here... this is the barren Jia Ma Empire!

This is the remote Wutan City!

It is the declining Xiao Clan!

A boy wearing the coarse linen clothes of the Orphanage, clearly of low status...

A 2-star Dou Practitioner at five years old is truly shocking.

But what is even more shocking is achieving the rank of 2-star Dou Practitioner at five years old without any resources!

The two are not even in the same category!

This simply subverts all common knowledge!

If not for the fact that Ling Ying had said it himself and confirmed it repeatedly, Xiao Xun'er would never have believed it!

"Elder Ling... are you certain?"

Xiao Xun'er's voice carried a tremor she herself had not noticed:

"Absolutely certain!"

Ling Ying replied decisively:

"This child's aura is restrained; had I not sensed it with my soul power, I would have been deceived by him as well!"

"The Dou Qi within his body is incredibly refined, and his foundation is far deeper than anyone of the same rank!"

"He is simply a peerless monster!"

Ling Ying's heart was in turmoil.

A 2-star Dou Practitioner at five years old, appearing in a place like this.

Either he has encountered a heaven-defying opportunity.

Or... some legendary, heaven-defying constitution has awakened early!

Either way, it is enough to shake the entire continent!

For the first time, Xiao Xun'er's clear eyes rested upon that thin, small back about to disappear at the end of the corridor with unprecedented scrutiny and gravity.

The "genius" halo of Xiao Yan, who was at the 3rd stage of Dou Force at five years old, seemed so dim and lusterless at this moment.

This obscure son of a guard was shrouded in a mysterious and unsettling mist.

"Lin Chen..."

Xiao Xun'er silently recited the name she had just learned from Ling Ying.

This Xiao Clan seemed much more interesting than she had imagined.

Her mission objective had not changed.

But this monster who had suddenly appeared...

Was worth her increased attention.

If he could be recruited into the Ancient Clan, he would definitely be a great asset!

Meanwhile, Lin Chen, who was being secretly watched by the daughter of the Ancient Clan and a Dou Emperor, was completely unaware of it.

He had only received the cultivation technique a day ago, but he was already able to keep his aura extremely restrained.

Neither a Dou Ling nor a Dou King could see through his cultivation.

But he had run into a Dou Emperor!

However, once he became familiar with the technique, almost no one would be able to see through him.

He had already passed through the corridor and arrived at a secluded, deserted cliff behind the Xiao Clan's Back Mountain:

"Hoo..."

The mountain wind whipped, blowing the stray hair on his forehead.

He sat cross-legged on a smooth bluestone, overlooking the mist-shrouded valley below.

His eyes were deep and profound.

"2-star Dou Practitioner... the road to repairing Yuantu and Abi is long... the Blood God Child..."

He muttered to himself.

Xiao Xun'er's arrival did not stir much of a ripple in his heart.

It was not that he had no thoughts on the matter; after all, that was Xiao Xun'er.

But at this moment, his desire for strength and revenge outweighed everything else!