The woods behind the Xiao Clan estate.
Sunlight streamed through the lush leaves, scattering patches of dappled light across the ground.
As two figures darted around, they stirred up a breeze, sending tiny motes of dust swirling through the woods and giving the sunlight shape.
Beams of light formed between the trees, like golden spotlights gathering their radiance around the two fighters.
A pale-blue glow of Dou Qi shimmered across Xiao Ze's palm as he unhurriedly slapped it toward Xiao Xun'er.
Golden Dou Qi flashed across both of Xiao Xun'er's hands, flowing around her fingertips and palms like golden streaks of light.
Amid the lush trees, the golden glow around Xiao Xun'er's fingers shone even more brilliantly than the sunlight.
Bam!
Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er's figures touched and immediately separated. Xiao Xun'er's petite form spun several times in the air before drifting down onto the dead leaves like a beautiful golden butterfly.
Anyone who had watched from the sidelines near the Dou Technique Pavilion a few days ago would have found this scene strikingly familiar.
Xiao Xun'er's movements were almost identical to Xiao Ze's from before: just as effortless and graceful as she turned aside her opponent's attack.
Xiao Ze felt as though his palm had struck a layer of cotton. He couldn't release any of his force at all.
A few days earlier, Xiao Ze had still needed to speak up now and then to offer pointers, but as time passed, he no longer needed to say a word.
He had done everything he could. The rest was up to Xiao Xun'er to understand on her own.
And with that last palm strike, Xiao Xun'er had clearly grasped the essence of Swallow Return Strike.
At the thought, Xiao Ze's mind stirred, and he charged forward again. This time, however, he suppressed his strength to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi.
A golden glimmer flashed through Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and her pale-pink lips curved slightly.
She moved toward Xiao Ze as well, golden Dou Qi swirling around her fingertips.
Xiao Xun'er's fair, delicate palm unleashed formidable power.
The outcome of this clash was the complete opposite of the last. Xiao Ze's figure was sent flying backward.
Feeling his palm go slightly numb, Xiao Ze smiled.
As Xiao Xun'er's opponent, he was in the best position to feel what had happened.
His palm had first felt as if it had struck a layer of cotton. Then he had felt something hard as steel hidden behind it!
It had not only returned all his force but had even amplified it!
That was why Xiao Ze had been sent flying!
Xiao Xun'er hurried over, her bright eyes already curved into crescent moons, her joy plain to see.
"Brother Xiao Ze, I've mastered Swallow Return Strike!"
"Indeed. Adjusting the balance between borrowing force and striking with it to match your opponent's strength so precisely is more than worthy of mastery!"
Xiao Ze nimbly dropped down from the tree and nodded in approval.
At his praise, the smile on Xiao Xun'er's face grew even brighter, with a hint of slyness.
"I've finally reached the advanced stage. These past few days have been exhausting. Aren't you going to reward me, Brother Xiao Ze?"
"Ah, shouldn't you be the one rewarding me? After keeping you company these past few days, my bones are practically falling apart."
Xiao Ze pretended to be surprised and put on a feeble expression.
"That's true, I suppose. So how would you like Xun'er to reward you, Brother Xiao Ze?"
As she spoke, Xiao Xun'er moved closer to Xiao Ze, her breath sweet as orchids.
When she said "reward," she even stuck out her little tongue and licked her pale-pink lips.
"Cough, cough. I don't really need anything. How about you treat me to a grand feast?"
Xiao Ze covered his mouth with his hand and coughed before answering.
"A grand feast?" Xiao Xun'er pondered. "How about we fill a table at the finest restaurant in Wutan City? Xun'er's being very sincere, isn't she?"
"Haha, sounds great! I've heard the Monster Feast there leaves you savoring every bite and wanting to linger forever."
Xiao Ze clapped his hands in approval. "Then let's meet at the Xiao Clan's main gate in half an hour?"
"How about an hour?" Xiao Xun'er suggested, taking a small step back.
"Since this is my first time going out with you, Brother Xiao Ze, I want more time to get ready and take a nice bath. Look at me—I'm covered in sweat!"
"Covered in sweat?" Xiao Ze repeated, leaning a little closer and sniffing before deliberately saying, "I don't smell any sweat. I only smell something sweet."
"Pfft! Brother Xiao Ze, you're always saying silly things. How could anyone smell sweet when they're drenched in sweat?"
Xiao Xun'er burst out laughing. She didn't mind Xiao Ze sniffing around her; if anything, she felt a little pleased.
"Someone can. My little Xun'er, for instance."
Xiao Ze unleashed a barrage of cheesy sweet talk. Feelings had to be nurtured from childhood.
Even so, Xiao Ze had never crossed the line.
They were both still young, and Xiao Ze kept himself in check, never doing anything improper to Xiao Xun'er.
Xiao Ze also knew that the Ancient Clan bloodline within Xiao Xun'er had yet to stabilize.
Before she became a Saint, it was best for her to remain a virgin.
That was very important for Xiao Xun'er's growth!
"Enough! You're always saying such embarrassing things!"
Xiao Xun'er gave Xiao Ze a gentle smack, then darted backward like a startled little rabbit.
With a smile, she waved at Xiao Ze and ran back to her room to get ready.
Only after Xiao Xun'er's figure disappeared from sight did Xiao Ze turn his attention back to his System Panel.
[Xiao Xun'er has mastered Swallow Return Strike. Her strength has increased!] [Congratulations, host. You have received tenfold feedback: True Essence: Borrowing Force to Strike (Beginner)!]
After Xiao Ze claimed the reward, he quickly understood what this so-called True Essence was.
It was like a kind of principle. By combining other Dou Techniques, Xiao Ze could create entirely new ones.
"I've gained a key to creating Dou Techniques."
Xiao Ze pondered. This tenfold feedback had pleasantly surprised him.
He had originally thought he would be rewarded with an even more advanced Dou Technique.
He hadn't expected it to reveal the very essence of Swallow Return Strike to him.
It wasn't impossible for Xiao Ze to grasp the True Essence on his own.
But he might have needed to practice this kind of Dou Technique day in and day out for decades before he could comprehend the True Essence of Borrowing Force to Strike.
The tenfold feedback had saved him all those years of effort.
Xiao Ze was certainly satisfied.
"I should get ready. Come to think of it, this is my first time going out with Xun'er. An hour is more than enough time to prepare!"
Just after Xiao Ze left the woods, he spotted a figure. His brows lifted, and he walked over.
"Third Brother, were you waiting for me?"
Xiao Yan, who had been standing there in a daze, came back to his senses when he saw his fourth younger brother.
It was their first time seeing each other in days, but Xiao Yan felt something had changed.
Perhaps it was the halo of genius around Xiao Ze—brighter even than the one Xiao Yan had once possessed.
"Mm. I came here today specifically to thank you."
Xiao Yan smiled, though there seemed to be a trace of distance between them.
Noticing it, Xiao Ze strode over without hesitation, put an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder, and gave him a light punch in the chest.
"Third Brother! We're brothers. Why are you being so formal?"
"But wasn't I the one who stopped you from keeping a low profile?"
Xiao Yan hesitated.
"If I saw my brother getting beaten and still kept a low profile, would I even be human?"
Xiao Ze said nonchalantly, "Besides, I only kept a low profile before because I didn't want to deal with a bunch of irrelevant matters. I just wanted to focus on cultivating."
"Now that I've shown my talent, Father can shield me from those matters. So for me, nothing has changed."
After hearing Xiao Ze's explanation, Xiao Yan finally relaxed. He hugged Xiao Ze tightly and said earnestly,
"Fourth Brother, thank you!"
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