Steel-Blooded War Tiger

"It's good that you have no plans to marry." Yang Cheng smiled and patted Xiao Ni on the shoulder, seemingly quite satisfied with his answer. "Xiao Ni, remember this: wait until you've become a Dou Emperor before talking about love. That way, you'll have more options."

Hearing Yang Cheng encourage him like this, Xiao Ni revealed an awkward yet polite smile and solemnly nodded. "Don't worry, Uncle Cheng. I'll definitely become a Dou Emperor—perhaps something even more terrifying!"

So Yang Cheng wanted to help expand his harem, not arrange a marriage for him. He had misunderstood Yang Cheng. Sigh, Uncle Cheng, I never expected you to be this kind of person.

"Good lad, you've got ambition. Come on, I'll take you to get the herbs and the cauldron." An unusual light flickered in Yang Cheng's eyes as his curiosity and admiration for Xiao Ni grew.

He did not truly believe that Xiao Ni could one day become a Dou Emperor, much less surpass one. It was merely because he had once made such a vow himself that he felt an affinity with Xiao Ni and saw his younger self in him.

Of course, with Xiao Ni's talent, even if he could not reach the Dou Emperor level in this life, becoming a Dou Wang should not be a problem. As for whether he could contend with the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts, that was harder to say.

Rumble...

Following Yang Cheng and Yang Qizhen for more than a dozen breaths, the three of them finally stopped before a massive boulder. Yang Cheng pressed his palm against a jade stone embedded in its center. A muffled, thunderous sound reached their ears, and then an underground passage entered Xiao Ni's view.

The underground passage was around a dozen meters long. Through the faint light within, they could vaguely make out various medicinal herbs, including two Purple Leaf Orchid Grasses. Though they were some distance away, Xiao Ni was certain that those two Purple Leaf Orchid Grasses were of even higher quality than the ones in the market.

"Hm?" As the three walked down the underground passage, with only five steps remaining, Xiao Ni suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze on an open patch of ground five or six meters ahead.

There, a little tiger with jet-black fur and crimson eyes stared straight at Xiao Ni.

The little tiger tilted its head, and its clear eyes seemed to hold a trace of curiosity.

It had lived here for a long time and had only ever seen two people. Now, however, there was an unfamiliar face. It was only natural that it would be curious.

"Uncle Cheng, did you raise this Steel-Blooded War Tiger?" Xiao Ni froze for a moment before asking tentatively.

Among Magic Beasts, the Steel-Blooded War Tiger possessed tremendous potential. Even the Amethyst-Winged Lion King fell somewhat short in this regard.

An adult Steel-Blooded War Tiger had a high chance of becoming a Sixth-Order Magic Beast, with strength at least comparable to a Seven-Star Dou Emperor. Some could even become Seventh-Order Magic Beasts. Although this Steel-Blooded War Tiger was only a Second-Order Little Black Tiger, it would still be a formidable force if placed in Wutan City.

"Oh, I raised it. If Brother Xiao Ni likes it, Qizhen can give it to you." Yang Qizhen spoke readily, then strode forward and scooped up the Little Black Tiger.

Before someone she admired, Yang Qizhen was not stingy at all. She had obtained this Steel-Blooded War Tiger by sheer luck, and with her One-Star Dou Practitioner strength, she truly was not qualified to own it. Besides, if she gave the Steel-Blooded War Tiger to Xiao Ni, wouldn't she have an excuse to visit him at the Xiao Household in the future?

"About how many-star Dou Masters can it contend with now?" Rather than immediately accepting Yang Qizhen's goodwill, Xiao Ni continued asking.

"I'm not too sure either, but I saw it kill two Two-Star Dou Masters with my own eyes. Although it was badly injured afterward, I feel its strength should be about the same as my father's." Yang Qizhen spoke uncertainly.

Ever since she had rescued this Little Black Tiger, she had kept it in this basement. It was very well-behaved, only occasionally eating some of the herbs here, so she truly could not determine its exact strength.

"What's so difficult about finding out its strength? I can spar with it later and get a rough idea, can't I?" Yang Cheng rubbed his hands together eagerly. He had long wanted to test himself against this Little Black Tiger, but Yang Qizhen was overly protective of it and refused to let him make a move.

However, things were a little different today. As long as he could persuade Xiao Ni and pique his interest, then with Yang Qizhen's lovestruck nature, there was a ninety-nine percent chance she would not object.

"Fine. After I finish refining medicine here, I'll have to trouble Uncle Cheng to test this Little Black Tiger's strength." Xiao Ni nodded slightly, then stepped forward and stroked the Little Black Tiger's head.

Roar!

The Little Black Tiger seemed to like Xiao Ni. After letting out a soft cry, it even licked his palm.

"You're going to refine medicine here?" Yang Cheng stepped closer, his tone growing excited.

Ever since his wood-attributed Dou Qi had been crippled, he had never had contact with an Alchemist again. He had not even watched an Alchemist refine medicine from afar.

But today, Xiao Ni had used Heavenly Flames before him, instantly rekindling his interest in Alchemists. He was now greatly looking forward to seeing Xiao Ni refine medicine.

"Yes. I want to refine a few bottles of Foundation Elixir. Bathing in it can increase cultivation speed for anyone below Eight-Star Dou Practitioner." Xiao Ni briefly introduced the Foundation Elixir before unceremoniously searching for the herbs needed to refine it.

Very quickly, Xiao Ni found thirty Purple Leaf Orchid Grasses, twenty-one six-year-old Bone-Washing Flowers, and two five-meter-long Wood-Whisker Vines. The first two ingredients remained from the original formula, while the last had been changed by the system to Wood-Whisker Vine. The Foundation Elixir refined from it would not only be more potent, but would also spare him the trouble of searching everywhere for wood-attributed Monster Cores. It was the best of both worlds.

The Wood-Whisker Vine itself was worth less than a first-tier wood-attributed Monster Core, but it was comparatively easier to find and could also raise the success rate of refining medicine. Even if Yao Lao learned of this recipe, he would surely cast the old formula aside.

"Brother Xiao Ni can actually refine such amazing spiritual elixir too. Could you give Qizhen two bottles later?" The admiration in Yang Qizhen's eyes deepened, and her heart filled with anticipation.

If Xiao Ni was willing to give her two bottles of Foundation Elixir, she might be able to break through to Two-Star, or even Three-Star Dou Practitioner.

"That won't be a problem, but you must agree to one condition. While I'm refining medicine later, you can't leave my sight for even a moment." Xiao Ni smiled faintly, but then his expression turned solemn.

"O... okay." Yang Qizhen's pretty face reddened. Her heart pounded wildly, and her gaze involuntarily lowered.

Before Xiao Ni, she was completely a demure young woman, utterly unlike her usual self.

What does this brat mean? Could he have taken a fancy to Qizhen? Even if that's the case, he shouldn't make such an ambiguous request, should he? He'll be refining medicine later. Could it be that he plans to stare at my daughter the whole time instead of watching the cauldron? Yang Cheng frowned slightly, utterly baffled.