When Xiao Yan heard this, he grew so excited that he was about to speak.
But Xiao Fan said, "Let's talk inside."
He could only suppress his excitement and follow Xiao Fan into the room.
Clang.
The door shut, and Xiao Fan smiled.
"Are you really that impatient?"
"Of course! I want to take back everything I've lost!"
By the time Xiao Yan finished speaking, his eyes had reddened.
Who knew how many cold stares and rumors he had endured over the past two years?
Fortunately, he had lived two lifetimes. If he'd really been a teenager, he would've buckled under the pressure and fallen into depression long ago.
Xiao Fan couldn't help feeling a little moved.
He hadn't said anything before because he had his reservations. After all, the soul belonged to a Dou Zun, while he was only a mere Dou Wang.
Originally, he had planned to let things take their course and wait for Xiao Yan to discover the truth himself in three years.
But things were different now. Xiao Fan had the Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus, and not only had his physical strength become formidable, but his soul had reached a terrifying level as well.
On the Dou Qi Continent, souls were divided into four major realms: Mortal Realm, Spirit Realm, Heaven Realm, and Emperor Realm. Each major realm could further be divided into three minor stages: early, middle, and great perfection.
Mortal Realm was the starting point of soul cultivation. Most people's souls were in this realm, including ordinary alchemists.
Souls in this realm were relatively weak. They could offer some help when refining low-grade pills, but controlling high-grade pills was difficult.
Those who reached Spirit Realm could refine Eighth-Tier Pills and were among the best of the alchemists.
Souls in Spirit Realm were far stronger than those in Mortal Realm. They could control their soul power more effectively and perform higher-level soul techniques, unleashing greater power in both combat and alchemy.
Those who reached Heaven Realm could refine Ninth-grade Pills, and their soul power was extraordinarily strong.
They could control their mental energy with ease and even influence others through its fluctuations. They could also materialize their soul power, creating a soul body as strong as their original self to fight for them.
Xiao Fan had already tested it. He could materialize his soul power, which meant that his strength had reached Heaven Realm.
But he didn't know whether he was at the early, middle, or great-perfection stage of Heaven Realm. That was why he wasn't afraid of Yao Lao in the slightest.
Xiao Yan asked urgently, "You figured out what caused it?"
It was clear that if Xiao Fan didn't give him a satisfactory answer today, Xiao Yan would show him what it meant for an ant to defy an emperor.
Xiao Fan smiled faintly. "That's right. After I broke through to Dou Emperor, I could see it."
Then he pointed at the ring on Xiao Yan's hand, his expression thoughtful.
"That ring is probably why your Dou Qi has been draining all this time."
When Xiao Yan heard this, he didn't even care that the ring had been left to him by his mother.
He hurriedly took it off and threw it to the ground.
Xiao Yan swore at it. "So it was you, you rotten ring! You made my Dou Qi regress for all this time!"
Xiao Yanzi felt utterly miserable!
If the ring hadn't been his mother's keepsake, he would never have worn it all the time.
He hadn't even taken it off when he bathed.
If he'd known this thing was so sinister, he'd never have worn it, even if it killed him!
Xiao Fan found the sight rather amusing.
This was your strongest cheat at this point in the story, and you just tossed it away.
He was about to explain the ring's mysteries.
Just then, a soul figure drifted out. It was Yao Lao.
Apparently, two years had been enough to rouse him, at least partially.
Looking helpless, Yao Lao said, "Young man, don't be so hot-tempered. I did absorb some of your Dou Qi, but only to preserve myself. I'll make it up to you in the future."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened. He realized that this transparent figure was the culprit behind all the cold stares he'd endured for two years.
He glared at Yao Lao and cursed at him.
"Make it up to me? Do you have any idea how much I've suffered all these years?"
Nearby, Xiao Fan crossed his arms and watched Yao Lao with "great interest."
"You're the soul hiding in the ring?"
Yao Lao looked at Xiao Fan, his expression shifting slightly. With a hint of solemnity, he said, "I didn't expect someone with such a powerful soul to be in a little place like Wutan City."
"At such a young age, you've already reached early Heaven Realm..."
In life, Yao Lao had been a Peak Dou Zun who had undergone Nine Revolutions. His soul had reached middle Heaven Realm, and its immense power gave him exceptionally keen senses.
So he could easily sense the Heaven Realm soul power within Xiao Fan.
What he didn't know was that Xiao Fan's Heaven Realm soul was just the tip of the iceberg. His true terror lay in his Dao body, with its limitless potential!
Xiao Fan gave a cold laugh, clearly taking Xiao Yan's side.
"Hmph. Don't think you can push us brothers around. Even if you're only a soul, I'll still make you suffer if you try."
Yao Lao hurriedly waved his hands.
"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I mean no harm."
His soul power was nowhere near Xiao Fan's current strength. If Xiao Fan had any ill intentions, Yao Lao might not even get a second chance at life.
Xiao Yan said angrily, "Intentions aside, you made me suffer this badly. How are you going to settle the score?"
Yao Lao thought for a moment, then could only say, "I can take you as my disciple and teach you cultivation and alchemy, helping you become a powerful expert. What do you say?"
Xiao Yan's soul power was pretty good, enough to become an alchemist.
Although Yao Lao was even more tempted by Xiao Fan, the young man had already reached Peak Dou Emperor, and his soul had reached Heaven Realm—the dream of countless alchemists. Something was clearly off about him.
That brat surely had plenty of secrets. It would be better for a remnant soul like him to keep his distance.
By contrast, Xiao Yan, despite seeming a little simple-minded, looked like an honest person. He was suitable as a disciple.
Xiao Fan raised an eyebrow. "All right. Since you've awakened, make sure to teach my little brother Yan well."
Yao Lao sighed helplessly. He had indeed awakened, but his soul power was still unstable, and he could fall asleep again at any moment.
Just then, Xiao Fan took out a Storage Ring and tossed it to Xiao Yan.
"Inside are some potions to help the old man recover his soul power, along with a few things you might need."
With that, he left the room, leaving Xiao Yan and Yao Lao staring at each other.
Yao Lao's mouth fell slightly open. Even through the Storage Ring, he could sense the nourishing effect its contents would have on his soul.
There was only one possible explanation.
Xiao Fan had known all along that Yao Lao's soul was hidden inside Xiao Yan's ring.
He had even gone out of his way to gather these medicinal ingredients.
"Your big brother treats you well. Remember to repay his kindness..."
Yao Lao's expression returned to its usual calm as he spoke to Xiao Yan.
Without those potions, he might have had to remain asleep for some time longer and keep absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi.
Xiao Yan also realized that. His face brimmed with pride.
"Of course! He may not be my blood brother, but we're closer than real brothers!"
Heh heh... I'm sticking to Brother Fan like glue!
At that moment, Xiao Fan arrived at the Xiao Clan's training hall.
Every Xiao Clan member he passed greeted him.
"Hello, Brother Fan!"
"Brother Fan is amazing! You really are the best in the Xiao Clan!"
"Brother Fan, could you give us some pointers when you have time?"
Clearly, the story of a Six-Star Dou Zhe defeating a Dou Shi had spread.
Xiao Fan kept his eyes straight ahead. Having been the center of everyone's attention since childhood, he was already used to their cheers and praise.
He started to leave.
But just then, a voice called out to him.
"Brother Xiao Fan..."