Nine-Stage Dou Qi

On the mountain behind the estate, Xiao Yan was continuously practicing the Dou Technique, Eight Extremities Collapse, given to him by Yao Lao.

Hai Bodong and Yao Lao were off to the side, playing a game of chess.

"I say, Master, Elder Hai, could you two pay a little attention to me? Practicing all by myself is rather dull."

Hai Bodong chuckled and said, "It wasn't us who made a three-year pact with someone else."

After making a move on the board, Yao Lao remarked, "For the past two months, you've been soaking in Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid at night and practicing Dou Techniques by day. You just broke through to the fourth stage of Dou Qi a few days ago; are you slacking off just because you've had a taste of success?"

Xiao Yan plopped down onto the ground, though he was currently admiring his own perseverance.

However, if Xiao Yan were to train this diligently, what would he even need a system for? The reason Xiao Yan was working so hard was that the system had issued its first mission two months ago.

As long as he maintained a streak of two months of continuous training, he would receive a reward of 500 Summoning Points and one Low-Level Summoning Talisman.

"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission. The rewards have been issued; please check them. Additionally, to reward the Host, the cultivation base for the fifth stage of Dou Qi has been granted!"

No sooner had the system finished speaking than Xiao Yan felt his entire body begin to burn.

The next moment, Xiao Yan's cultivation base began to rise steadily.

Fifth stage of Dou Qi.

Sixth stage of Dou Qi.

Seventh stage of Dou Qi.

Eighth stage of Dou Qi.

Ninth stage of Dou Qi.

In the end, Xiao Yan's cultivation stopped at the ninth stage of Dou Qi.

Name: Xiao Yan
Age: 15
Strength: Ninth stage of Dou Qi
Cultivation Method: None
Dou Techniques: Stone Crushing Palm (Yellow-tier Primary), Eight Extremities Collapse (Xuan-tier Advanced), Mystic Divination Palm (Xuan-tier Primary)
Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Three-star Dou Ling)
Summoned Count: 1/1
Items: None
Summoning Talismans: One Low-Level Summoning Talisman
Summoning Points: 500 (Can be used to exchange for various items in the system shop)

By now, Hai Bodong and Yao Lao were completely stunned, as Yao Lao watched Xiao Yan suddenly break through five minor stages in a row.

"This little fellow has quite a few secrets. It seems this old man is the one who is ill-informed. I have truly learned something new today," Yao Lao said, shaking his head.

Hai Bodong replied with a bitter smile, "This person's future is limitless, not to mention the powerful forces behind him. He is not someone we can fathom."

Both men tacitly agreed not to pry into Xiao Yan's affairs.

Xiao Yan was more than happy to play the fool and not bring up the system. However, he was currently desperate to exchange for a Break Calamity Pill in the shop to restore Hai Bodong to his Dou Huang strength.

But the price of 3,000 was a difficult hurdle for Xiao Yan.

Right now, he only had 500 Summoning Points. Xiao Yan browsed for a long time, feeling that nothing was particularly cost-effective.

"Forget it, I'll just buy the medicinal ingredients for the Qi Gathering Powder first. That way, I can have Yao Lao refine it," Xiao Yan thought to himself.

However, the materials for the Qi Gathering Powder were a bit too expensive, costing at least 50,000 gold coins.

With no other choice, Xiao Yan swallowed his pride and sought out Xun Er.

"Xun Er, do you have any money?" Xiao Yan asked, his face flushing red.

Xun Er was taken aback for a moment before asking, "How much do you need to borrow, Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Yan fidgeted and said, "About 50,000 gold coins. I want to buy a set of materials for the Qi Gathering Powder."

Xun Er immediately produced a black card; only experts at the Dou Ling level were qualified to hold one.

However, having read the original story, Xiao Yan was not surprised. Besides, money was truly of no consequence to Xun Er.

"But Brother Xiao Yan must promise Xun Er one thing: to accompany me on a shopping trip," Xun Er said with a playful smile.

Xiao Yan scratched his head, appearing to be in deep thought.

Xun Er, however, said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Brother Xiao Yan, you've trained all the way to the ninth stage of Dou Qi in these two months; can't you take a break?"

Xiao Yan was startled for a moment, though considering Xun Er's background, he wasn't all that surprised.

"Alright, but it can't delay me from buying the medicinal ingredients," Xiao Yan stipulated.

Xun Er agreed immediately.

Xiao Family Market.

The two walked through the marketplace together.

Because the news of a Dou Ling expert backing Xiao Yan had spread throughout all of Wutan City, everyone who looked at him cast glances filled with a hint of fear.

Entering through the marketplace gates, the two guards at the entrance both respectfully called out, "Third Young Master."

Xiao Yan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Third Young Master, my name is Pain. If you need anything, feel free to call for me," a burly man standing to the side said.

"Oh, then many thanks, Uncle Pain. We're just here to look around the marketplace; we won't disturb your work," Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Pain nodded and then departed.

Xiao Yan took Xun Er's hand and began to stroll through the marketplace. He recalled how the former Xiao Yan on Blue Star hadn't even been on a single date.

A wave of bitterness washed over him, yet he found that this current feeling was actually quite nice.

However, they hadn't been walking for long before they encountered someone unpleasant.

It was Jalie Ao, the man who had harassed Xun Er in the original story.

"Miss Xun Er, what a coincidence, running into you here," Jalie Ao said with a lecherous grin.

Xiao Yan frowned; this guy looked even more annoying in reality than he did in the novel.

"Are we close? Coming over here just to seek attention?" Xiao Yan said, his brow furrowed, not wanting to give the man any face at all.

Jalie Ao suppressed the rage in his heart and said with a forced, insincere smile, "Oh? Young Master Xiao Yan, I didn't expect someone with only the third stage of Dou Qi would have the nerve to come out and play. If you don't hurry back to cultivate, I'm afraid you won't even be fit to be a servant."

Xiao Yan didn't indulge him in the slightest and retorted, "So you're saying you have high talent? You're already twenty years old and only a one-star Dou Zhe. Who is the one with no shame? You know that yourself."

Jalie Ao's aura erupted instantly, and he cursed, "You little piece of trash, you don't know when you're well off. Don't think that just because you have a Dou Ling expert backing you, you can act lawlessly!"

At this moment, Pain, who had been nearby, arrived with his men, glaring at Jalie Ao with a menacing air.

Jalie Ao sneered and said disdainfully, "A piece of trash who only knows how to rely on others. If you have the guts, come at me yourself."

In the original story, Xiao Yan had relied on the fact that he wasn't yet an adult to avoid this duel. But the current Xiao Yan was different.

"I have already sworn that I will never suffer another grievance again. Since you want to die, I will grant your wish." After saying this, Xiao Yan told Xun Er to step back.

Xun Er knew that Xiao Yan would only act this way if he were confident, so she didn't say anything more.

Jalie Ao dispersed the crowd and said with a laugh, "A piece of trash like you actually dares to accept a challenge? Today, I'll show you what a real cripple is. Watch me break your legs."

Xiao Yan clapped his hands and said, "Then you must be truly amazing."

This sentence nearly caused Jalie Ao to lose his composure, but Xiao Yan then held up a single finger.

"Within one move, if I cannot defeat you, then I lose."