Defeating a Dou Master

Under that move, the Great Elder's Dou Qi Armor visibly dissipated by a considerable amount.

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

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

Aside from being somewhat pale, Xiao Fan was otherwise unharmed.

"Grandpa, why did you hit him so hard?" Xiao Yu glared at her grandfather in dissatisfaction, her tone full of reproach.

The Great Elder pointed at himself, then looked at the Dou Qi Armor that was nearly gone from his body. "What do you mean, I hit him too hard?"

"I never even got a chance to attack! That brat was the one beating me up the whole time!"

The Great Elder was utterly bewildered. Xiao Fan's combat awareness and use of Dou Techniques had been flawless. Especially that final palm strike—he felt as though his old bones were about to fall apart today.

"Xiao Fan is a genius! A monster!"

The Great Elder found it difficult to imagine that Xiao Fan was merely a newly advanced Dou Zhe.

What kind of Dou Zhe was this? He could clearly trade blows with 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. Seeing the expression on his granddaughter's face, 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."

Refining Dou Qi required constant tempering, and battle was the best way to do so.

"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 only used less than one-third of his Dou Qi just now in order to save the Great Elder some face.

Being cared about really did feel nice. How had I never noticed that before? Sigh.

"Great Elder, experience truly counts for something. I still need to train harder," Xiao Fan said, pretending to pant heavily.

The Great Elder's mouth twitched. Not only had he not used any Dou Techniques just now, he had not even made a move. How could he not know what had really happened?

Then he understood Xiao Fan's intentions. This brat is actually leaving me some dignity!

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

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Fan answered seriously, "Grandpa, I want to go to Jia Nan Academy!"

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

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

The Great Elder gritted his teeth, concern once again appearing on his aged face. "Jia Nan Academy will come to Wutan City to recruit students in half a year. With your talent, you will certainly receive special training."

Xiao Fan felt somewhat moved. The Great Elder was not good with words, but he truly had taken Xiao Fan in, given him a home, and treated him very well.

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

Look at what you protected, Xiao Yan!

Had it not been for Xiao Yan's arrogance, 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 definitely take good care of myself and support you in your old age someday!" It was a promise, as well as Xiao Fan's heartfelt truth.

What I owe really is no small amount.

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

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 trace of coquettishness.

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

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

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

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

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

That infuriated Xiao Yu, this clawless little cat. Baring her teeth and brandishing her claws, she lunged for Xiao Fan's face. "Who said you could touch my head?!"

"Nyah nyah nyah!" Xiao Fan dashed off in a flash.

Watching Xiao Fan's retreating figure, 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 training platform, a figure stood in the corner, watching the scene. Her fingernails had dug into her flesh, and her whole body trembled constantly.

"Damn Xiao Yu!"

It was none other than Gu Xun'er, who had been unable to so much as speak 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 one excuse or another to run away.

"Hmph! Jia Nan Academy, is it...? Xiao Fan, you won't be able to escape me!"

Gu Xun'er turned and left.

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

Xiao Ning pointed behind Xiao Yu to indicate her.

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? From now on, I'm going to follow Boss's example. I'm a man who'll 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 enough if you can stay out of trouble."

Xiao Yu pulled Xiao Ning along and began training. She needed 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.

The three-flame-vent, third-grade pill cauldron 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 cauldron and first familiarized himself with its feel. He used Dou Qi to condense real flames and 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...