Need to Fight

Between Wutan City and Black Jade Pavilion lay a stretch of hills. All kinds of flowers bloomed across them, and amid the clusters of blossoms stood a small wooden cabin. Its rustic tranquility was immensely comforting.

At that moment, a middle-aged man clad in a tiger-hide coat was using a kitchen knife to scrape the scales off a giant snake. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, showing that he had been busy for quite some time.

"Dad, look who I brought back!" Just then, a young girl's voice reached his ears. The middle-aged man immediately turned around with a somewhat rugged smile.

Xiao Ni stood beside Yang Qizhen, watching the middle-aged man with a polite smile at the corners of his lips.

He felt that neither Black Jade Pavilion nor these hills were very far from Wutan City. Why had Xiao Yan and the others never come here before? The environment here was so lovely.

"What decent person could you possibly bring home? You're probably after my medicinal herbs again, aren't you?" The middle-aged man rolled his eyes at Yang Qizhen before saying decisively, "Kid, I, Yang Cheng, am merely a humble Three-Star Dou Master. There's nothing here that you want. Go back where you came from."

"You misunderstand, Uncle. I only heard that your family's cooking is delicious, so I came to have a taste." Xiao Ni smiled faintly. As he spoke, his gaze lingered on the giant snake for a moment, and he even licked his lips.

If he was putting on an act, he had to see it through. Otherwise, how could he dispel Yang Cheng's concerns? Though Yang Qizhen had invited him over for a meal, he had only agreed casually. His true goal was the medicinal herbs and the cauldron.

"Oh, you came to eat? Then go sit inside." Yang Cheng grinned, his attitude becoming much friendlier, as though he truly believed Xiao Ni's words.

"Dad, you really don't recognize him? He's Xiao Ni!" Yang Qizhen stepped forward and tugged on Yang Cheng's arm, signaling for him to take another good look.

Yang Cheng had sold meat at the Xiao Household Marketplace several times, so she believed he should have seen Xiao Ni before. After all, Xiao Ni had often wandered around the marketplace in the past.

"Xiao Ni? Ohh, that second biggest waste in Wutan City." Yang Cheng suddenly understood. So his daughter had brought Xiao Ni home. Then there was no need to worry about the medicinal herbs. With Xiao Ni's talent, he definitely had no use for them.

Still, this Xiao Ni was quite a handsome lad. Unfortunately, his talent was too poor. He was probably destined never to become a Dou Zhe in this lifetime. Sigh, what a pity. Such a pity.

"Dad, what outdated news are you relying on? Brother Xiao Ni stopped being that useless person long ago. He's already a Two-Star Dou Practitioner now." Yang Qizhen curled her lips. Her father's information was always so behind the times, leaving her rather helpless.

"A Two-Star Dou Practitioner?" Yang Cheng's nerves inexplicably tightened.

He felt that he had reached his conclusion too soon. Xiao Ni might really be here to get his hands on those medicinal herbs.

"Not only that, Brother Xiao Ni raised his strength to the Dou Wang level and severely injured Mister Ge Ye of the Misty Cloud Sect." Yang Qizhen continued recounting Xiao Ni's astonishing exploits, and Yang Cheng's face gradually turned green.

He was now ninety-nine percent certain that Xiao Ni had definitely not come here for a meal.

Sigh, why did his daughter bring just anyone home? Was she even that familiar with Xiao Ni? When making friends, she could not judge people by looks alone.

"Uncle Cheng, there's no need to be surprised. I was merely lucky enough to obtain a secret technique that can temporarily increase my strength." Xiao Ni cleared his throat and straightened his back a little.

At that moment, Xiao Ni was waiting for Yang Cheng to wipe his hands clean and warmly pull him into the house. He felt that hunters and blacksmiths were all very hospitable, and Yang Cheng had clearly been shocked by his methods and talent. If he modestly said another word now and left Yang Cheng with a good impression, would getting the medicinal herbs and cauldron he wanted not be easy later?

"No need to be modest. Luck is also a kind of strength." Yang Cheng picked up a cloth and wiped his hands before smiling and patting Xiao Ni on the shoulder. Xiao Ni had no time to rejoice before Yang Cheng continued, "But your luck is terrible today. I have nothing to entertain you with, so you can only leave first."

As Yang Cheng spoke, he even began pushing Xiao Ni away.

How could Xiao Ni possibly leave so easily? In order to obtain free medicinal herbs, he had shamelessly returned that Purple Leaf Orchid Grass. If he went back empty-handed, would he not have to go to the marketplace and buy that Purple Leaf Orchid Grass again?

He was a very particular person. If he truly had to buy it back, he would even take the initiative to pay extra. Thus, unless he had no other choice, he would never easily give up a free meal or free medicinal herbs.

"Uncle Cheng has collected so many medicinal herbs. Could it be that you are also an Alchemist? If so, I can give you several prescription formulas." Xiao Ni's mind raced as he spoke with great sincerity.

When the system had rewarded him with the identity of a Seventh-Tier Alchemist, it had implanted over a hundred prescription formulas into his mind, along with some knowledge of alchemy. As long as he was willing to refine pills, even on his first attempt, he could produce valuable fifth-grade medicinal pills. As for low-grade medicines like Foundation Elixir and Qi Gathering Powder, they were even less of a challenge.

"Whether I am an Alchemist or whether I have collected medicinal herbs is none of your business. Leave this place immediately!" Yang Cheng's face suddenly darkened, as though the sky had abruptly been covered by gloomy clouds.

"May I ask what tier of Alchemist you are, Uncle Cheng? That way, I can select some suitable prescription formulas for you." Xiao Ni continued asking shamelessly.

Though he did not know why Yang Cheng had suddenly become so irritable, giving up easily was not Xiao Ni's style. He had always believed that nothing was impossible if one was shameless enough. As long as he stubbornly dragged this out, he would eventually find a breakthrough and make Yang Cheng give him some medicinal herbs.

"I stopped being an Alchemist long ago. You can get lost!" Yang Cheng's eyes flashed fiercely. Though it was not directed at Xiao Ni, it still startled him somewhat.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Cheng, but I won't leave until I accomplish my goal today." Xiao Ni's expression turned solemn. He felt that he would probably have to fight Yang Cheng today.

There was no helping it. Things had not developed as he had imagined. If they truly had to fight, he could only grit his teeth and go through with it.

"Very well. Since your skin is so thick, I'll give you an opportunity!" Yang Cheng stomped hard, and a wave of air surged outward, making Xiao Ni's clothes flutter for a moment. "As long as you can endure ten exchanges against me, not only may you stay for a free meal, but you may also choose any medicinal herbs you want from here. Let me make this clear beforehand: I will not suppress my strength, and you may not use your secret technique to increase yours."

"Dad, isn't that condition a little too excessive? You're more than a full rank higher than Brother Xiao Ni!" Yang Qizhen could finally no longer stand it.

She could understand that her father had a knot in his heart, but there was no need to make things so difficult for Brother Xiao Ni, was there? After all, he was innocent.

"If you want to get my medicinal herbs for free, then you need backbone and strength." Yang Cheng said sternly before asking coldly, "Kid, do you dare fight me with all your strength? If I enjoy the fight, perhaps I'll make an exception and let you stay without waiting for ten exchanges."

"Since Uncle Cheng has so generously invited me, there is no need for me to keep suppressing my strength." Xiao Ni grinned as the strength of a Seven-Star Dou Practitioner erupted from him. Yang Cheng and Yang Qizhen were both profoundly shaken, their eyes widening in disbelief.

So Xiao Ni's true level was Seven-Star Dou Practitioner. No wonder he had easily defeated Nalan Yanran and Liu Ling. However, the gap between a Seven-Star Dou Practitioner and a Three-Star Dou Master was still enormous. Could Xiao Ni endure ten exchanges?

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