Defeating a Dou Master

Sure enough, under this move, the Great Elder's Dou Qi gauze robe visibly dispersed by quite a bit.

Just as he was about to throw his final palm strike, Xiao Fan twisted his body, missed entirely, and fell straight to the ground.

Seeing Xiao Fan injured, Xiao Yu immediately ran onto the martial arts platform and anxiously checked his condition.

Other than looking somewhat pale, Xiao Fan was completely fine.

"Grandpa, why were you so heavy-handed?!" Xiao Yu glared at her grandfather in dissatisfaction, her voice full of reproach.

The Great Elder pointed at himself, then looked at the Dou Qi gauze robe on his body that was nearly dispersing. "What do you mean, I was heavy-handed?"

"I never even got a chance to attack! This kid was the one beating me up the whole time, all right?"

The Great Elder was utterly dumbfounded. Xiao Fan's combat awareness and use of Dou Skills had been impeccable. Especially that final palm strike—he felt as though his old bones would have fallen apart today.

"Xiao Fan, he's a genius! A monster!"

The Great Elder found it hard to imagine that Xiao Fan was merely a Dou Zhe who had just advanced.

What kind of Dou Zhe was this? He could clearly fight an ordinary Dou Master for a while.

If Xiao Fan's Dou Qi reserves had not been insufficient, the Great Elder would have truly embarrassed himself today.

The more the Great Elder looked at Xiao Fan, the more pleasing he found him. Then, seeing his own granddaughter's expression, he stroked his beard and revealed a meaningful smile.

"Yu'er, Xiao Fan has merely exhausted his Dou Qi. Don't worry too much. This is a good thing for him."

The refinement of Dou Qi required constant tempering, and battle was the best method.

"Hmph, bad Grandpa, bullying people!"

Xiao Yu helped Xiao Fan up. By now, his complexion had already returned to normal. He looked at Xiao Yu somewhat sheepishly. After all, he had used less than a third of his Dou Qi just now, only to preserve some dignity for the Great Elder.

Being cared for really did feel nice. Why hadn't I noticed it before? Sigh.

"Great Elder, experience triumphs over youth. I still need to train harder." Xiao Fan pretended to pant.

The Great Elder's mouth twitched. He had not used any Dou Skills, nor had he even made a move. How could he not know the truth?

Then he understood Xiao Fan's intention. This brat is actually saving me face!

After letting out a long breath, the Great Elder looked at Xiao Fan solemnly. "Fan'er, with your current talent and strength, let alone the Xiao Family, I'm afraid no one in all of Wutan City is qualified to teach you anything. What are your plans?"

After thinking it over, Xiao Fan said seriously, "Grandpa, I want to go to Jia Nan Academy!"

The Great Elder fell silent. Xiao Fan was still young, and truthfully, he did not want Xiao Fan to leave the Xiao Family. But just as he had said, there was no one in the Xiao Family capable of teaching Xiao Fan.

"Jia Nan Academy? Perhaps that place truly suits you..." Worry filled the Great Elder's eyes. Though the Xiao Family was not powerful, protecting Xiao Fan within Wutan City was simple enough. But beyond Wutan City lay the vast Dou Qi Continent. The Great Elder's knowledge might be limited, but he understood that the outside world was one where the strong devoured the weak. And Xiao Fan's age... He feared that this parting would be their last...

The Great Elder gritted his teeth, and concern once again appeared on his aged face. "Jia Nan Academy will come to Wutan City to recruit students in half a year. With your talent, you'll definitely receive focused training."

Xiao Fan was deeply moved. The Great Elder was not good with words, but he had indeed taken Xiao Fan in, given him a home, and treated him extremely well.

Unfortunately, in his previous life, Xiao Fan had not had the chance to repay him before the Great Elder died protecting the Xiao Family.

Look at what you protected, Xiao Yan!

If Xiao Yan had not been so arrogant, the Soul Clan might never have discovered the Xiao Family's existence, and the Great Elder would not have died because of it.

"Grandpa, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself, and I'll support you in your old age someday!" It was a promise, and it was also the truth in Xiao Fan's heart.

I really owe far more than I thought. Xiao Fan could not help mocking himself inwardly.

The Great Elder nodded and headed for the Xiao Family hall in response to the summons for a family meeting. Before leaving, he muttered, "What's happened to the Xiao Family again?"

Seeing her grandfather leave, Xiao Yu could not help asking Xiao Fan, "Xiao Fan, are you leaving?"

For some reason, Xiao Yu's voice carried a hint of coquettishness.

"Yeah, Sister Xiao Yu. I need to become stronger."

"But you're already amazing. You almost defeated Grandpa!"

"It's still not enough..." Xiao Fan could not explain. The hardships and challenges awaiting him would only grow greater. With his current strength, he was not even qualified to serve as cannon fodder.

Xiao Yu saw the depth in Xiao Fan's eyes. Clenching her fists, she said to him, "Xiao Fan! I'll definitely go to Jia Nan Academy to find you too!"

"Okay, I'll wait for you." Xiao Fan grinned and rubbed Xiao Yu's little head.

This infuriated Xiao Yu, that clawless little kitten. She bared her teeth and claws and lunged at Xiao Fan's face. "Who said you could touch my head?!"

"Nyah nyah nyah." Xiao Fan ran off in a flash.

Watching Xiao Fan disappear into the distance, Xiao Yu suddenly felt a little sad. The distance between her and Xiao Fan seemed to be growing ever wider. When that day truly came, would Xiao Fan still be waiting for her?

On the other side of the martial arts platform, a figure stood in the corner, watching this scene. Her fingernails dug into her flesh, and her entire body trembled nonstop.

"Damn Xiao Yu!"

It was Gu Xun'er, who had been unable to exchange even a word with Xiao Fan for three months.

She could only watch Xiao Fan from a dark corner.

Whenever she tried to approach Xiao Fan, he always found some excuse to run away.

"Hmph! Jia Nan Academy, is it...? Xiao Fan, you won't get away!"

Gu Xun'er turned and left.

"Sis, that strange girl was watching you again."

Xiao Ning pointed behind Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu looked over in confusion. "Ignore her. We don't know her anyway. Don't go provoking girls like that."

"Sis, why would I? I'm going to follow Boss's example now. I'm going to become a Dou Emperor." Xiao Ning declared with immense confidence.

Xiao Yu slapped Xiao Ning on the head. "Give it a rest. It'll be good enough if you stay safe and sound."

Xiao Yu pulled Xiao Ning away to train. She had to work hard now and strive to catch up to Xiao Fan as soon as possible.

After returning to his room, Xiao Fan did not rest. Instead, he took out a medicinal cauldron—the one Ya Fei had given him earlier.

This three-flame-vent, third-tier pill furnace was perfect for his current use. Taking out the various medicinal ingredients stored in his Storage Ring, he found that Ya Fei had considered every detail and prepared everything just right.

If Ya Fei were the virtuous wife behind me, things would probably be much easier...

No longer dwelling on it, Xiao Fan took out the pill furnace and first familiarized himself with its feel. Then, using Dou Qi to condense real flame, he began refining the various medicinal ingredients...

"Hm? This aura? Someone is actually refining medicine in the Xiao Family?" Yao Lao in the ring curiously expanded the range of his soul perception...