Cultivation Soars, Peak Four-Star Dou Huang

After a brief exchange with Xiao Yan, Xiao Ze's gaze shifted to the stunningly beautiful young girl who had been trailing behind him. If one were to ask who in the entire Xiao Clan possessed the most terrifying background, it might well be this girl before him, with her skin like congealed fat, a beauty that could topple kingdoms, and an appearance that seemed remarkably unassuming.

"Ancestor, this is also a member of our Xiao Clan, her name is Xiao Xun'er..." Xiao Zhan continued his tireless introductions from the side. "However, due to some accidents, both her parents passed away, and she is currently being raised by the entire clan."

Xiao Xun'er's beautiful eyes were clear and calm as she bowed slightly toward him. "Xun'er greets the Ancestor..."

"Hello..." Xiao Ze smiled faintly at her.

Just as he assumed this was merely a simple introduction, Xiao Xun'er's voice suddenly rang out in his ears. Her voice was crisp and melodious, as pleasant as silver bells. "Your Excellency, although Xun'er does not know how you bypassed the bloodline detection, I can be certain that you are absolutely not an ancestor of the Xiao Clan... If you truly harbor ill intentions toward the Xiao Clan, the consequences will be grave. I hope you will think twice—"

The other party had used a sound-transmission technique. Therefore, these words could only be heard by Xiao Ze; even Xiao Zhan, who was standing quite close to him, did not hear a single syllable.

"What?" She knows I'm a fake? How is this possible? Listening to Xiao Xun'er's transmission, Xiao Ze's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes flickered with panic. Was the Ancient Clan's intelligence gathering on the Xiao Tribe this comprehensive? Did they even know the truth about him, an imposter claiming to be someone from over a hundred years ago? That's impossible! His Xiao Clan bloodline couldn't be faked! How on earth did she discover his identity? Or was she just trying to bluff him? Xiao Ze couldn't figure it out.

Just as he hesitated, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Gu Xun'er has developed a trace of trust in you. Current Trust Value: Half a Star]

[Trust Value +50,000]

[Current Trust Value: 680,345]

Good grief... So she really was bluffing me! Thank goodness I have a cheat, otherwise, I would have definitely given myself away based on that sentence alone. Looking at the text that had suddenly appeared, Xiao Ze let out a long sigh of relief. As expected, the little girl before him was just trying to bait him into revealing his identity. It was fortunate that this information had arrived in time, or he would have been exposed.

Since he knew the other party was bluffing, Xiao Ze naturally had a way to respond. He chuckled softly and said to the girl before him, "What nonsense are you spouting, little one? This old man was born into the Xiao Clan over a hundred years ago; naturally, I am an ancestor of the Xiao Clan! In consideration of your youth, this old man will not punish you. Withdraw at once!"

As he spoke, he flicked his long sleeve. A surge of force compelled Xiao Xun'er to take a few steps back.

"Xun'er!" Xiao Yan's expression changed, and he quickly stepped forward to support her, asking with concern, "Xun'er, are you alright?"

"I am fine," Xiao Xun'er shook her head.

After steadying herself, she hurriedly bowed to apologize, "It was this junior's recklessness; I hope the Ancestor will not take offense."

At the same time, a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.

Could it be that I overthought things?

Is the person before me truly the genuine Ancestor of the Xiao Clan?

But why, when I came to the Xiao Clan as an undercover agent, did I not find any mention of this in the Xiao Clan's archives?

Could it be that even with the Ancient Clan's power, they were unable to gather complete intelligence on the Xiao Tribe?

Xiao Xun'er could not fathom it.

Yet, deep down, she still harbored a shred of suspicion toward Xiao Ze.

The grand banquet did not conclude until late into the night.

Escorted by a group of high-ranking Xiao Clan members, Xiao Ze returned to the courtyard where he was currently residing.

After checking that no one was around, he closed the doors and windows, then sat cross-legged on the bed.

He opened the system.

His gaze fell directly onto the [Trust Points].

Seeing the six-digit figure displayed there, his heart surged with excitement.

[Current Trust Points: 700,000]

Although the amount was substantial, Xiao Ze understood that he had merely overdrawn the trust of the entire Xiao Clan in advance.

Collecting [Trust Points] in the future would not be as easy as it was today.

"After some testing, my identity as the Xiao Clan's Ancestor has finally been solidified."

"Although the process was a bit bumpy, the result is good."

"Next, I just need to proceed step by step, gradually deepening my influence as this Ancestor over the Xiao Clan. The deeper my influence, the more the Xiao Clan members will trust me, and the higher my Trust Points will be!"

Having summarized his goals, Xiao Ze turned his attention to the system shop.

With 700,000 Trust Points in hand, he prepared to purchase some items for himself.

"Tier 5 Qi Recovery Pill? Buying it!"

"Tier 5 Healing Pill? Buying it!"

"Tier 6 Imperial Polar Pill? Is that the pill specifically for boosting the cultivation of Dou Huang experts?"

"Damn, 300,000 Trust Points for one? Why don't you just go rob someone?"

"Forget it, I'll buy one first to test the waters..."

In the end, after a massive shopping spree, Xiao Ze had spent nearly 500,000 Trust Points.

He decided to save the remaining 200,000 Trust Points just in case.

Although he had spent a lot, he had also gained quite a bit.

Take that Tier 6 Imperial Polar Pill, for example; according to the original story, it was a pill capable of increasing the cultivation of a Dou Huang expert.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had taken one while at the seven-star Dou Huang level, and his cultivation had directly jumped by two stars, soaring all the way to the peak of the nine-star level!

The pill was undoubtedly a good one.

But at 300,000 Trust Points each, it was far too expensive!

With that kind of money, he could have bought three [Dou Huang Upgrade Cards].

"I hope one Imperial Polar Pill can be worth three [Dou Huang Upgrade Cards], otherwise, this thing will never appear on my redemption list again!"

Looking at the Imperial Polar Pill in front of him, Xiao Ze felt a pang of heartache.

He secretly swore that if this Imperial Polar Pill could not boost him by three minor realms, he would permanently delete this item from the system shop.

What a piece of trash.

Pah!

"Swallowing a pill into my belly, my fate is determined by me, not the heavens!"

"Imperial Pole Pill, help me break through!"

Xiao Ze gritted his teeth and ruthlessly swallowed the Imperial Pole Pill.

As the pill entered his body, a surging and pure energy instantly erupted within him.

Boundless Dou Qi permeated his body, and his aura climbed steadily.

One-star Dou Huang, peak one-star Dou Huang!

Two-star Dou Huang, peak two-star Dou Huang!

Three-star Dou Huang...

Four-star Dou Huang!

Until—

Peak four-star Dou Huang!

The Imperial Pole Pill had truly not failed his expectations; a single pill had directly raised him by three minor realms, and his cultivation had reached the peak of a four-star Dou Huang!

Just as Xiao Ze was raising his cultivation, in a residence to the northwest of his own, Xiao Yan was also engaged in arduous training.

With the help of Elder Yao, he had gradually rediscovered the path of cultivation he once knew, and vast amounts of Dou Qi were condensing within his body.

Without Elder Yao's consumption, this Dou Qi was successfully stored within him.

"Success, my Dou Qi can finally be stored in my body."

"I, Xiao Yan, can cultivate once again!"

In the steaming wooden tub, Xiao Yan laughed excitedly.

The youth who was once a waste had vanished.

In his place stood the genius youth of the past!

If it weren't so late, Xiao Yan would have even wanted to roar at the top of his lungs to tell the entire Xiao Clan that he, Hu Hansan, had returned!