Xiao Zhan's Plans, Xun'er's Gift!

Xiao Chen did not dwell on the matter upon hearing this, simply calling out "Uncle" in a straightforward manner. Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction and asked the question weighing on his mind, "Chen'er, didn't you dislike cultivation before? How did you suddenly become a Dou Zhe?"

The reason he asked this was not to pry into Xiao Chen's secrets, but out of concern that Xiao Chen might have gone astray by practicing some forbidden art.

"Uncle, it's like this. While I was strolling through Wutan City, I encountered a mysterious expert. That expert said my talent was exceptional and insisted on taking me as his disciple!"

"I didn't want to agree at first, but he said he was an alchemist and guaranteed that I would become a Dou Zhe within a year..."

Under Xiao Chen's vivid description, Xiao Zhan's expression grew increasingly strange. Just as Xiao Chen reached the part where the alchemist produced a Di-tier cultivation method to beg him to become a disciple, Xiao Zhan could no longer hold back. He coughed lightly to interrupt his tall tale, "I was originally planning to send you to the Cloud Mist Sect, but it seems that won't be necessary now!"

In truth, it was natural for Xiao Zhan to have such thoughts. As the saying goes, there are no airtight walls in this world; Xiao Chen becoming a Dou Zhe could not be hidden forever.

If Aoba Pa and Jialie Bi were to learn of such a young Dou Zhe, they would likely lose sleep.

They would undoubtedly resort to unscrupulous means, trying every possible way to kill Xiao Chen to prevent the Xiao Family from annexing their families once it rose to power.

Looking across the entire Gama Empire, only the Cloud Mist Sect could protect Xiao Chen, which was why Xiao Zhan had wanted to send him there.

However, upon learning that Xiao Chen had an alchemist master, Xiao Zhan abandoned that plan.

To have the means to elevate Xiao Chen from Qi Condensation to Dou Zhe in a single year—with such capability, wouldn't protecting Xiao Chen be a simple matter?

"Thank you, Uncle, but there is indeed no need to go to the Cloud Mist Sect. Within this Wutan City, there shouldn't be anything capable of threatening me!"

Xiao Chen was not exaggerating. With the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, he had the confidence to counter-kill even if he faced a Dou Shi.

Of course, Jialie Bi and Aoba Pa could not possibly take action themselves; at most, they would send a few Dou Shi, which would be nothing more than serving him food on a platter.

Xiao Zhan naturally did not know Xiao Chen's thoughts and assumed he was just confident in his master, but he still felt somewhat uneasy. "Chen'er, although your master is strong, he cannot guard your side twelve hours a day. One's own strength is the foundation of survival!"

"Now that you have stepped into the Dou Zhe realm, it is time to learn a suitable Dou Technique."

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan walked to the corner of the secret chamber, groped along the wall for a moment, and pressed down.

Following the press of his palm, a dense sound of mechanisms echoed. The wall of the secret chamber began to shift, and a hidden compartment emerged from its surface.

Xiao Zhan opened the compartment, took out a dark yellow scroll, and tossed it to Xiao Chen. "This is my Xiao Family's Huang-tier high-level close-combat Dou Technique, the Mountain Crushing Palm. Take it and practice!"

Looking at the Dou Technique scroll that had landed in his hands, Xiao Chen did not act coy and tucked it directly into his robes. "Thank you, Uncle. I will definitely practice this technique well!"

"Alright, there's nothing else. You should head back. If you don't, I suspect Miss Xiao Xun'er will tear our Xiao Family apart!"

Xiao Zhan waved his hand to dismiss him, not forgetting to tease him at the end. The two had been inseparable for the past half-year; Xiao Zhan was not blind, so how could he not be aware of their little affair?

Meanwhile, in Xiao Xun'er's small courtyard, Ling Ying's face was full of astonishment. "Miss, you say Young Master Xiao Chen is a one-star Dou Zhe?!!"

A nine-year-old one-star Dou Zhe—even in the Central Plains, he could be called a genius. Considering this was not the Central Plains and lacked the resources of those great clans, one could see just how terrifying his talent was.

If these words hadn't come from his own Miss, he would have suspected she was playing a joke on him.

"Yes! Elder Ling, with Brother Xiao Chen's talent, he will surely be envied and perhaps even face harm. That is why I want to ask you to protect him for a time!"

Having been in Wutan City for half a year, Xiao Xun'er was familiar with the layout of the city and understood Xiao Chen's current situation. It was precisely because of this that she had impatiently summoned Ling Ying.

"Even if you hadn't asked, this subordinate would still protect the... cough cough... Young Master Xiao Chen!"

As Xiao Xun'er's guard, Ling Ying naturally knew the status Xiao Chen held in her heart and immediately patted his chest to give his guarantee.

Moreover, given Xiao Chen's talent and his relationship with Xiao Xun'er, if he did not fall, he would inevitably become the son-in-law of the Ancient Clan in the future. It was highly necessary to build a good relationship now.

After leaving the secret chamber, Xiao Chen began searching for Xiao Xun'er. Upon learning she had returned, he hurried over.

Xiao Zhan's words had reminded him; he was truly afraid that if the little girl couldn't find him, she might have Ling Ying tear the Xiao Family apart. That would be a massive disaster.

"Miss, Young Master Xiao Chen is here. This subordinate will take his leave!"

Sensing that Xiao Chen was rushing toward the courtyard, Ling Ying bowed and vanished on the spot.

Not long after Ling Ying left, Xiao Chen's voice drifted from outside the courtyard. "Sister Xun'er, are you home? I've come to see you!"

"Brother Xiao Chen, you're back! Did Uncle Xiao Zhan have anything to discuss with you?"

Hearing Xiao Chen's voice, Xun'er ran out from the courtyard and threw herself directly into his arms.

Xiao Chen patted her head and, without hiding anything, told her about the Dou Technique scroll Xiao Zhan had given him.

Xiao Xun'er lay in his arms, listening quietly. After he finished, she nodded in agreement. "Uncle Xiao Zhan is right. Only by being strong yourself can you protect yourself!"

"Oh, right, Brother Xiao Chen, what is your Dou Qi attribute?"

Xiao Xun'er touched the storage ring on her finger, pondering which Dou Techniques in her collection would be suitable as a gift for him.

Xiao Chen didn't think much of it and replied directly, "Fire attribute!" This was what the system had told him.

"Hee hee, congratulations to Brother Xiao Chen for becoming a Dou Zhe. This is a gift I prepared for you, you cannot refuse!"

Hearing this, a smile curled at the corners of Xun'er's mouth. Her finger brushed across her storage ring, and two scrolls—one red and one gold—appeared in her hand. To Xiao Chen's surprise, she shoved them into his hands, giving him no chance to refuse.

Xiao Chen looked at the two scrolls in his hands; even without opening them, he knew these were certainly not roadside goods. "Xun'er, this is far too valuable!"

"It's fine, Brother Xiao Chen. I have plenty of cultivation methods and Dou Techniques of this level!"

Xun'er shook her head dismissively and pointed to the red scroll to introduce it to him. "This is a Di-tier middle-level fire-attribute cultivation method, the Burning Flame Separation Fire Art. The other is a Di-tier low-level movement Dou Technique, the Flame Shadow!"

"If this movement technique is supplemented by a Heavenly Flame, the speed will be even greater, and it will be much easier to cultivate!"

As she said this, Xun'er furrowed her brows, beginning to contemplate how she might obtain a Heavenly Flame for Xiao Chen.