As the Ancient Clan's strongest Dou Emperor, Ling Ying was not wrong to say that. After all, he was the weakest among the Ancient Clan's ranks—their only Dou Emperor.
Come to think of it, he really was the strongest Dou Emperor. There was nothing wrong with that.
Ling Ying had been sent by the Ancient Clan to protect Xiao Xun'er in Wutan City. Now that Xiao Xun'er had summoned him, he knelt on the ground and said, "Miss, what are your orders?"
"Elder Ling, there is something I would like you to investigate for me."
"Miss, just tell me what you need done. The clan chief sent me here to protect you and be at your command. It is my duty."
Xiao Xun'er replied, "It is like this, Elder Ling. I want you to investigate whether there is a second Tier 6 Alchemist within the Jia Ma Empire besides Pill King Gu He."
"I suspect that there is a Tier 6 Alchemist behind Brother Xiao Ze."
"The Imperial Extreme Pill that was sold earlier was a Tier 6 Medicinal Pill, and it was indeed Brother Xiao Ze who sold it to the Mittel Auction House."
"Moreover, Brother Xiao Ze's cultivation speed over this period has been even faster than I imagined!"
"I was thinking that if there really is a Tier 6 Alchemist behind Brother Xiao Ze, then it would not be strange for his cultivation to progress so quickly."
"However, I do not know that person's background. What if he is helping Brother Xiao Ze for some other reason or purpose?"
"I need to investigate it clearly before I can rest easy!"
"Elder Ling, please investigate it for me. Even if you must use the family's power, find that person!"
"Anything that could possibly threaten Brother Xiao Ze's safety, I need to understand it clearly," Xiao Xun'er said.
"Yes, Miss. Leave this matter to me. Please rest assured." Elder Ling immediately nodded, then transformed into a shadow and gradually vanished.
Watching Elder Ling disappear, Xiao Xun'er began murmuring to herself inwardly.
"Brother Xiao Ze, just what kind of Alchemist is secretly helping you from behind the scenes?"
"If that person has no other intentions, then Xun'er is quite grateful to that Alchemist for helping you increase your strength and giving you the power you possess today."
At the Xiao Family's Testing Plaza, Xiao Ze ran into Xiao Yan once again.
Xiao Yan's strength had already recovered to the level of nine stages of Dou Qi during this period. Clearly, even without Medicine Elder's cheat-like assistance,
Xiao Yan's own talent and ability still allowed him to cultivate at no slow pace.
Several months had now passed, and he had returned to the strength of nine stages of Dou Qi. However, breaking through to become a Dou Zhe would probably not be so easy.
Without medicinal pill assistance, breaking through would not be an easy task.
There was also a risk of failing the advancement, and that risk was not small.
Xiao Yan said, "Sigh, it seems advancing to the strength of a Dou Zhe will not be easy."
"But I could do it three years ago, and I can still do it now!" Xiao Yan told himself inwardly. His expression turned serious as he continued gathering Dou Qi.
When he saw Xiao Ze approach, Xiao Yan stopped cultivating and attempting a breakthrough. Then he looked at Xiao Ze and greeted him.
"Fourth Brother, you're here!" Xiao Yan was extremely excited upon seeing Xiao Ze.
After all, his fourth brother Xiao Ze was already a Da Dou Shi powerhouse at such a young age. Even their father was only a Six-Star Da Dou Shi.
But what about Xiao Ze? He had heard that Xiao Ze was now already a Four-Star Grand Dou Shi. It was simply unbelievable.
Xiao Yan looked at him excitedly. "Fourth Brother, I never expected you to have already advanced to the realm of a Four-Star Grand Dou Shi."
"Among our Xiao Family, if we are talking about talent, you are far stronger than us three older brothers."
"Good, good, very good! With a genius like you in our Xiao Family, why should we fear that our family cannot rise again?" Xiao Yan praised.
[You have gained the recognition of the fated protagonist, Xiao Yan. The host has received a random reward: one Qi Gathering Powder.] [A random mission has been triggered: help Xiao Yan advance to the strength of a Dou Zhe, revitalize the Xiao Family, and increase the Xiao Family's overall strength.]
Xiao Ze merely smiled slightly at the mission issued by the System Panel.
He had little interest in helping Xiao Yan increase his strength, but the system's mission was to help the Xiao Family rise again. Besides, the Qi Gathering Powder he had just received was of no use to him.
So he gave it to Xiao Yan to help him increase his strength.
After receiving the Qi Gathering Powder, Xiao Yan was extremely excited. Then he looked at Xiao Ze and said,
"Fourth Brother, I have wanted to ask this for some time. Could it be that you are also an Alchemist? Earlier, I heard Father say that the Tier 6 Medicinal Pill, the Imperial Extreme Pill, was sold by you to the Mittel Auction House for auction."
"You can even take out a Tier 6 medicinal pill. Fourth Brother, you truly keep surprising me!" Xiao Yan said with a sigh.
Xiao Ze suddenly could not help laughing. Yes, that was right, but it was all thanks to Xiao Yan.
If he had not stolen Xiao Yan's opportunity, then with his current Alchemist rank, he truly would not have been able to refine a Tier 6 medicinal pill.
After taking the Qi Gathering Powder, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged and began making a breakthrough in strength, seeking to advance to Dou Zhe.
Advancing to Dou Zhe did indeed carry a certain risk of failure, but after taking the Qi Gathering Powder, success was guaranteed.
It ensured advancement to the strength and realm of a Dou Zhe!
Therefore, Xiao Yan was extremely excited at this moment. This meant that no matter what, he had a chance to advance to Dou Zhe today!
More than an hour passed. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan's forehead was already drenched in sweat.
Only after Xiao Yan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes had his strength advanced to that of a Dou Zhe.
One-Star Dou Zhe.
Xiao Yan walked before the Testing Stele and tested his Dou Qi. It displayed: [Xiao Yan, One-Star Dou Zhe, Rank: High!]
Seeing the Dou Qi rank displayed on the Testing Stele, Xiao Yan was extremely satisfied and excited. If not for Xiao Ze, there was no way his cultivation speed could have increased so quickly.
Perhaps his strength would still have been declining even now.
A random reward immediately appeared on Xiao Ze's System Panel.
[The host has completed the mission: help Xiao Yan advance to the strength of a Dou Zhe. A main mission to revitalize the Xiao Family has been completed. Random reward obtained: three Red Treasure Chests, placed in the System Backpack.]
Xiao Ze opened the System Panel and saw three Red Treasure Chests in the backpack.
So, he immediately began drawing his rewards!
Before you continue