Body Strengthening Technique

Seeing that Xiao Yan did not refuse, Yao Wan smiled.

"Good. Then do as I say."

After Xiao Yan left, Yao Wan finally let out a sigh of relief. She had managed not to mess it up.

...It seemed he had already awakened.

But why had he not revealed himself yet?

Was he continuing to observe, or had he not absorbed enough Dou Qi to manifest himself?

Yao Wan could not quite make up her mind. After thinking it over, however, she did not intend to force the issue. It was best to let nature take its course.

Over the following half year, just as Yao Wan had promised Xiao Yan, he focused on training while she supplied him with the spiritual medicines best suited to him—medicinal liquids for Marrow Cleansing, body-tempering pills, and the like.

Yao Wan had never given Xiao Yan any pills capable of directly raising his Dou Qi cultivation. After all, he was not even a Dou Zhe yet. Giving him such pills would be no different from ruining his future. It was better to take things slowly and build a solid foundation.

Following Yao Wan's advice, Xiao Yan calmed himself and proceeded step by step.

If he could not cultivate, there was no need to rush. He could train his body first. Either way, it was not a loss for him.

Over the past half year, the younger generation of the Xiao Family had also noticed that Xiao Yan, once a genius but now a "good-for-nothing" incapable of cultivation, was always hurrying back and forth between his residence and the Xiao Family's guest quarters.

Perhaps he was busy with something.

But what could he possibly be busy with?

In the end, he was already someone who could not cultivate. His final fate would most likely be failing to reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi at the coming-of-age ceremony, then being casually sent off somewhere to do menial work for the family.

Apart from those who mocked him with glee, most people watched all this with cold indifference.

To them, it was merely a farce about a genius falling from the clouds, only to fade into obscurity forever after.

Though Xiao Yan's hurried manner drew curious glances from passersby, no one truly paid it any mind.

In the small courtyard of the Xiao Family's guest quarters, he had become thoroughly familiar with the way here over the past half year.

"Mm. Your build has not changed much, but your body has indeed become much sturdier."

Yao Wan stood quietly in the small courtyard, watching the immense change in the young man's temperament over the past half year, and could not help saying so.

"By my estimation, when you learn some more powerful Dou Techniques in the future, you'll get twice the result with half the effort."

"...But even though my body has become stronger, I still have too little Dou Qi. It's too early for Dou Techniques."

Xiao Yan said.

"That's true. There's no hurry for Dou Techniques, but I can teach you a few simple body-strengthening methods."

As she spoke, Yao Wan slowly walked toward Xiao Yan.

"Body-strengthening methods?"

"Your Xiao Family should have people who teach them too, right? The kind of Body Strengthening Technique that even people without Dou Qi can practice. It's meant to strengthen the body, though it can still be used for self-defense."

"With your current physical strength, you'd have no trouble quickly taking down a One-star Dou Zhe before they had time to make a move."

"Really?"

Xiao Yan froze for a moment before realizing what Miss Wan meant by a Body Strengthening Technique. Wasn't that martial arts?

Without Dou Qi driving it, though, it would ultimately be inferior to Dou Techniques.

"You want to learn? I'll teach you."

Yao Wan's tone was light and cheerful.

"But I'm still a little curious. Miss Wan, you know this too?"

"Mm, I know a little. At the very least, teaching you shouldn't be a problem."

"Here, hold out your hand."

Xiao Yan obediently held out his hand.

"Ah—It hurts!"

With the latest spiritual medicine Miss Wan had refined tucked inside his clothes, Xiao Yan hurried back.

Great. Miss Wan's teaching had been very useful, and he had learned quickly. He had even earned another bottle of spiritual medicine because of it.

But if possible, he should avoid this sort of thing next time.

Under the night sky, amid scattered lamplight, he turned down a road and heard a burst of girls' laughter coming from another path.

The quiet atmosphere disrupted, Xiao Yan frowned slightly and followed the sound with his gaze, looking toward the group of giggling girls approaching him.

Surrounded by several pretty young girls, a somewhat alluring-looking girl was smiling with pursed lips. The seductive charm on her delicate face made the immature girls around her feel somewhat inferior.

That was Xiao Mei.

His gaze swept indifferently over the beautiful girl who had once followed him around, endlessly calling him Cousin. A trace of mockery flashed across Xiao Yan's still-youthful face. He shook his head lightly and withdrew his gaze without the slightest reluctance.

At the end of the road, Xiao Mei's enticing laughter suddenly weakened. She saw the young man in the distance.

The roadside lamplight shone upon the young man, who rested one arm behind his head, his expression calm. He seemed especially captivating.

Her somewhat bewitching eyes fixed on the approaching youth. Seeing the faint curve on his face, impossible to tell whether it was a sneer or a smile, Xiao Mei's mind suddenly drifted into a strange daze.

Three years ago, when his genius had shone as brilliantly as the stars, that young man had often worn that intoxicating smile.

As they watched the youth slowly approach, Xiao Mei and the others stopped walking, and their laughter gradually faded.

The pretty girls beside Xiao Mei widened their eyes as they watched the youth, once regarded as the family's glory, slowly approach against the lamplight. The expressions on their faces were impossible to describe—perhaps regret, perhaps something else.

Xiao Mei stood where she was, her heart conflicted.

Deep down, she wanted to have a pleasant conversation with this young man she had once admired so deeply. But reality told her that the gap between them was now growing wider and wider.

It was not appropriate to keep directing her attention toward a good-for-nothing.

Forget it. She would greet him one more time. No matter what, he was still her cousin.

Unaware of Xiao Mei's thoughts, Xiao Yan simply continued walking.

Seeing Xiao Yan so close, a smile was just about to appear on Xiao Mei's lovely face. But the youth's actions froze that not-yet-formed smile in place, making her look somewhat ridiculous.

Xiao Yan walked straight past the girls as though no one else were there, his gaze fixed ahead, showing not the slightest hint of lingering attachment.

With her rosy lips slightly parted, Xiao Mei stared at the youth's retreating figure in astonishment. With her looks, when had she ever received such treatment? An inexplicable sense of humiliation and anger rose in her heart, and she could not help calling out, "Cousin Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan paused slightly but did not turn around. His calm tone was like that of a conversation between strangers. "What is it?"

His flat, distant tone made Xiao Mei stiffen. She shook her head awkwardly. "Nothing."

Xiao Yan raised his brow slightly. Too lazy to pay her any more attention, he continued on his way.