Battle Through the Heavens: I Can Solidify the Talents of All Things

They were even pills used to break through realms!

In the Jia Ma Empire, these were priceless treasures unavailable on the market. Every single one was enough to spark a struggle among the major factions.

Xiao Qing casually took out three of them, once again shocking him with the extraordinariness of this nephew.

"Also..." Xiao Qing took out another scroll.

"This is an Earth Rank Low-grade fire-attribute cultivation technique, the Flame Sun Technique. It is countless times stronger than the technique currently passed down by the Xiao Family! Uncle can teach it to the family's core disciples as he sees fit."

Xiao Zhan no longer knew what to say.

An Earth Rank cultivation technique!

Even the imperial family of the Jia Ma Empire would covet such a treasure.

With this technique and those pills, the Xiao Family's overall strength would undoubtedly experience a qualitative leap.

"Qing'er, these are too precious..."

Xiao Zhan's voice caught slightly.

He knew that Xiao Qing was preparing for his departure, leaving behind enough foundations for the family.

Xiao Qing smiled faintly. "We're family. Why be so polite? After I leave, I'll have to trouble Uncle to take greater care of the family."

He could be said to have done everything possible for the Xiao Family.

At the same time Xiao Qing was speaking with Xiao Zhan, Gu Xun'er took Qing Lin to play in the Xiao Family's rear garden.

The two little girls sat on a swing, gently swaying as they enjoyed the leisurely afternoon.

"Sister Xun'er, is Brother Xiao Qing really amazing?" Qing Lin asked softly, her eyes full of admiration.

Gu Xun'er proudly raised her little face. "Of course! Brother Xiao Qing is a genius among geniuses!"

As she spoke, she lowered her voice. "I'll tell you a secret. Brother Xiao Qing is actually already a Dou Wang expert!"

"A Dou Wang?" Qing Lin blinked her large eyes. Though she had yet to begin cultivating and did not really understand how strong a Dou Wang was.

Still, from Gu Xun'er's tone, she could tell that it was definitely an incredibly powerful existence.

"That's right." Gu Xun'er jumped off the swing and gestured as she spoke.

"A Dou Wang expert can form Dou Qi Transformation Wings, fly freely through the sky, and split mountains and shatter rocks with a wave of the hand!"

Qing Lin listened in fascination, her little face filled with longing. "Then can Brother Xiao Qing protect us and keep anyone from bullying us?"

"Of course!" Gu Xun'er nodded forcefully. "With Brother Xiao Qing around, no one would dare bully us!"

At that point, she suddenly seemed to remember something and mysteriously leaned close to Qing Lin's ear. "Actually, I have a secret too. But I can't tell anyone about it yet, not even Brother Xiao Qing."

Qing Lin nodded obediently. "Qing Lin will keep the secret."

The two little girls exchanged smiles and continued playing in the garden.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps between the leaves, bathing them in a golden glow and adding a warm halo to the tender scene.

Meanwhile, outside Wutan City, the Nalan Family's carriage sped away.

Inside the carriage, Nalan Jie's face was pale, and blood still stained the corner of his mouth. Yet his eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness.

"Marshal, are you all right?" the accompanying guard captain asked worriedly.

Nalan Jie waved a hand, his voice hoarse. "It's nothing. Just superficial wounds."

Though he said so, he knew perfectly well that the youth had clearly held back at the last moment. Otherwise, he would already be a corpse.

That Xiao Qing... just who is he? Nalan Jie muttered inwardly.

A twelve-year-old Dou Wang—no, perhaps he is more than just a Dou Wang... Even some ancient aristocratic families may not possess such Talent.

At that thought, he could not help shuddering.

If Xiao Qing truly came from some superpower, then what the Nalan Family had done today was no different from courting destruction.

"Pass down the order..." Nalan Jie took a deep breath and made his decision.

"After we return to the Imperial Capital, no one is to spread word of today's events. Also, prepare a generous gift and send it to the Xiao Family in my name. Say that it is... an apology gift."

The guard captain froze, clearly not expecting the usually hardline marshal to make such a decision.

But seeing Nalan Jie's solemn expression, he still replied respectfully, "Yes!"

Nalan Jie leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He should have remembered today's humiliation deeply.

But reason told him that making an enemy of a monster like Xiao Qing was by no means wise.

Besides, the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family still had the friendship of the older generation between them...

With Nalan Jie's bedraggled departure, no one in Wutan City could ever shake the Xiao Family's position again.

And the name Xiao Qing would quietly spread among the Jia Ma Empire's upper ranks...

Inside the Xiao Family Council Hall, Xiao Qing and Xiao Zhan's conversation continued.

"Qing'er, when do you plan to leave?" Xiao Zhan asked.

"In a few more days." Xiao Qing thought for a moment before giving an ambiguous answer.

"Once things on the family's side have stabilized, I'll also need to prepare a few things."

Xiao Zhan nodded. "If there's anything the family can help with, just say the word!"

"There is indeed something I need Uncle's help with." Xiao Qing spoke directly.

"After I leave, I'll have to ask Uncle to take good care of Xun'er and Qing Lin. Qing Lin especially. That child has a pitiful background and a timid nature. She needs more care and affection."

"Rest assured about that." Xiao Zhan solemnly patted his chest and promised.

"There's no need to say anything about that girl Xun'er! Since Qing Lin is the little sister you acknowledged, she is also a member of my Xiao Family. We will never let either of them suffer the slightest grievance."

At that point, Xiao Zhan seemed to recall something. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked, "Qing'er, as for you and that girl Xun'er..."

Chapter 75, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong!

Xiao Qing smiled faintly. "Xun'er is still young. It's too early to talk about such things. But I will protect her and ensure she grows up healthy!"

These were not empty words.

Xiao Qing knew well that Gu Xun'er's identity was extraordinary. The forces involved behind her were tangled and complex, far beyond what the Xiao Family of Wutan City, tucked away in this remote corner, could imagine.

That precocious wisdom beyond her years and her ethereal temperament were not something an ordinary family could cultivate.

However, no matter what storms he might face in the future, now that he had taken her under his wing, he would never allow her to suffer even the slightest harm.

Xiao Zhan nodded, half understanding and half confused.

As dusk gradually settled, Xiao Qing slowly walked out of the Council Hall. The final streak of sunset on the horizon stretched his tall, straight figure into a long shadow.

His conversation with Uncle Xiao Zhan still echoed in his mind. Especially when Xun'er had been mentioned, the protective resolve buried deep in his heart became even firmer.

Xiao Qing slightly raised his head and looked toward the night sky, now gradually dotted with stars. A gentle curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

Inside the hall, Xiao Zhan watched his nephew's departing back and thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Since Xiao Qing had matters well in hand, it would not be appropriate for him to ask any further questions.

Though Xiao Zhan did not know Gu Xun'er's true origins, he had struggled through the Dou Qi Continent for many years and still possessed sharp judgment.

Xiao Zhan recalled the noble air Gu Xun'er unconsciously revealed in her every gesture, as well as the oppressive feeling brought by her father, "Xiao Yuan."

He also recalled the obscure presences that occasionally flickered in the shadows, presences so frightening that even Xiao Zhan felt his heart palpitate. All of it showed that her background was anything but simple.

However, since Xiao Qing had a clear understanding of the matter and had obviously made arrangements, Xiao Zhan, as his uncle, could not pry too much. He only needed to provide the protection they deserved within the family.

"Forget it. Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes."

Xiao Zhan shook his head, drained the remaining tea in his cup, and turned his thoughts toward the family's future.

Xiao Qing's rise was like a powerful stimulant injected into the stagnant Xiao Family.

Over the next few days, Wutan City remained as bustling and lively as ever on the surface. The markets teemed with people, and hawkers' cries rang out endlessly.

Yet beneath the seemingly calm waters, undercurrents surged. Every faction was reassessing the balance of power in this small city.

The Jialie Family's destruction had been too swift and too thorough. The enormous charred palm print left amid the ruins was like a silent proclamation, radiating a terrifying deterrence.

And the bedraggled departure of the empire's Lionheart Marshal, Nalan Jie, proved even more clearly that behind the Xiao Family stood one or perhaps even several existences they could not afford to provoke.

With his keen instincts, Oba Pa, patriarch of the Oba Pa Family, had almost immediately prepared generous gifts and personally visited Xiao Zhan.

Inside the reception hall, Oba Pa's former arrogance was nowhere to be seen. It had been replaced by an almost humble smile.

"Patriarch Xiao Zhan, if my Oba Pa Family has offended you in any way in the past, I hope you can be magnanimous."

Oba Pa cupped his hands, his tone sincere.

"These are the deeds to three markets in the eastern part of the city, along with fifty percent of this year's profits. It is merely a token of my sincerity. I hope the Xiao Family will show us more consideration in the future."

Xiao Zhan sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression calm, though he could not help feeling emotional inside.

Only a few months ago, Oba Pa and Jialie Bi had often joined forces to suppress the Xiao Family in business at every turn.

Now, the Jialie Family had become history, while Oba Pa had voluntarily surrendered core interests in order to protect himself.

All these changes stemmed from Xiao Qing's earth-shattering display of strength.

Xiao Zhan did not refuse. He calmly accepted the deeds and gift list.

In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, excessive humility could sometimes be seen as weakness.

Xiao Zhan needed to take this opportunity to announce the Xiao Family's powerful return to all of Wutan City.

"Patriarch Oba Pa is too polite. In the future, every family in Wutan City will still need to work together and develop together."

Xiao Zhan's tone was mild, but it carried unquestionable weight.

Oba Pa repeatedly agreed, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

Xiao Zhan's willingness to accept the gifts at least showed that the Xiao Family had no intention of continuing its reckoning for the time being.

With the Oba Pa Family taking the lead, the other small and medium-sized factions followed the wind. They nearly wore down the Xiao Family's threshold.

All kinds of rare medicinal ingredients, beast cores, and gold coins flowed into the Xiao Family treasury like water.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Zhan used thunderous methods to consolidate nearly seventy percent of Wutan City's resources and industries. The Xiao Family's sphere of influence and control rapidly expanded in a short time, reaching an unprecedented height.

Within the family, the atmosphere was even more fervent.

The Earth Rank Low-grade cultivation technique Xiao Qing had left behind, the Flame Sun Technique, was listed as a core family inheritance. Only disciples who passed strict evaluations, were loyal to the family, and possessed outstanding Talent could cultivate it.

Those precious pills further ignited every clan member's enthusiasm for cultivation.

From morning to night, the Martial Arts Arena was filled with shouts and the sounds of Dou Qi colliding. The younger disciples sweated profusely, their eyes burning with desire for strength.

Xiao Qing did not remain completely uninvolved either.

He took time to guide Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in their cultivation.

In a secluded clearing on the Back Mountain, Xiao Ding held his breath and focused. Dou Qi surged violently around him as he attempted to break through that invisible barrier.

Xiao Qing stood nearby, his gaze sharp as a torch, occasionally offering guidance.

"Sink your qi into your dantian. Guide the Dou Qi through your meridians, and do not rush. The key to condensing a qi vortex lies in precise control of energy, not brute force."

Xiao Ding had always possessed decent Talent and a sufficiently steady temperament. Under Xiao Qing's guidance, many of the obstacles that had previously hindered his cultivation suddenly became clear.

Xiao Ding felt that the Dou Zhe bottleneck that had troubled him for so long had already loosened. He was truly only one final step away from formally condensing a qi vortex and entering the Dou Zhe realm.

Meanwhile, the younger Xiao Li displayed a tenacity different from his older brother's.

Xiao Li practiced basic Dou Skills again and again. Even when he was so exhausted that he nearly collapsed, he still gritted his teeth and persevered.

Xiao Qing watched from the side and secretly used a thread of gentle Dou Qi to help Xiao Ding sort through his meridians and strengthen his foundation.

With Xiao Qing's help, Xiao Li successfully broke through to the seventh stage of Dou Qi. This progress thrilled him immensely, and the way he looked at his cousin Xiao Qing was filled with gratitude and admiration.

As for Xiao Yan, who was still young but had already revealed extraordinary Talent, Xiao Qing would occasionally "run into" him within the family and seemingly casually offer a few pointers on basic breathing methods and energy-sensing techniques.