Terrifying Rewards

After parting with Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Ni found a place to train diligently for an hour. Feeling that he hadn't made much progress, he returned to his room and continued soaking in the bath.

"Ah, soaking like this feels great, but without the nourishment of Foundation Elixir, it always feels like something's missing. I should find something else to replace it. What would be best?" Xiao Ni rubbed his chin and pondered for quite a while before finally making a decision.

"Why not try using Ripple Snake magic cores first? Not only can those temper the body, but they can also relieve fatigue. Mm, it's decided. Another day, I'll bring Xun'er to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Maybe it'll help her grow stronger faster."

"Oh, and that little black tiger. Before going to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, I can bring it along and feed it a Heavenly Extreme Avatar Pill while I'm at it. Let's see what form it transforms into and how much its strength improves."

Xiao Ni muttered to himself for quite some time before finally ending his bath and stepping out of the wooden tub.

"Hm?" Just as Xiao Ni was about to lie down on the bed, his powerful soul perception made him pause. He casually glanced at the wall in the corner before getting onto the bed at ease.

He was certain that a dark-attributed Battle Emperor was hiding there. Moreover, that person bore no ill intent, so there was nothing to worry about.

Although he didn't particularly enjoy being protected, since this person had been sent by Xiao Xun'er to secretly guard him, he naturally couldn't reject Xiao Xun'er's goodwill.

Still, having a Battle Emperor secretly following him around from now on felt rather awkward. It seemed he had to pick up the pace and become a Battle Emperor as soon as possible—or perhaps something even stronger.

It looks like I'll have to be more careful with what I say and do from now on. If Ling Ying overhears something and it reaches Xun'er's ears, that'll be troublesome. System, hurry up and give me a few more missions. That way, I can grow stronger faster and obtain terrifying power. Only then did Xiao Ni close his eyes.

The night passed quickly. Xiao Ni opened his eyes and stretched lazily. He didn't sense Ling Ying's presence nearby, and the tension in his heart immediately eased considerably.

After washing up, Xiao Ni quickly arrived outside Xiao Xun'er's room, just in time to find that she had been about to look for him.

"Morning, Xun'er. It's great to see you." Xiao Ni flashed a brilliant smile, then naturally held out his hand before Xiao Xun'er.

He had been doing this every morning these past few days, so there was nothing left to feel embarrassed about.

"Here, the last thousand gold coins." Smiling, Xiao Xun'er placed a card in Xiao Ni's palm. Then the system's voice rang out in his mind.

"Congratulations, Host, for successfully completing the borrowing-money mission. Your level has advanced to Four-Star Dou Master. Thunder Shadow Step has been automatically comprehended and evolved into Thunder Flash Across a Thousand Miles. Soul strength has advanced to the Heavenly Realm. Rewards: one hundred billion gold coins, Eight Desolations Dragon-Subduing Finger, Myriad Paths Return-to-Void Palm, and Heavenly Phoenix Divine Armor."

As the system's voice faded, a flood of dense information surged into Xiao Ni's mind. He was overjoyed inside, yet he deliberately remained calm on the surface without the slightest ripple of emotion.

Hahaha! I never expected the system to reward me with not only incredibly powerful Dou Skills and armor, but also one hundred billion gold coins. I've struck it rich!

One hundred billion! What kind of concept was that? Even the entire wealth of the Jia Ma Empire probably couldn't compare to his. He was practically rich enough to rival a nation.

Stay calm, stay calm. Xun'er is still watching. I absolutely can't let even a hint of smugness show.

"Brother Xiao Ni, y-you seem to have become a Dou Master, haven't you?" Xiao Xun'er tilted her head slightly and asked tentatively.

She had always been able to see Xiao Ni's level before, but now she couldn't quite make it out.

"Weren't your eyes supposed to be sharp? Why can't you see my level now?" Xiao Ni asked teasingly.

It seemed having a system really was useful. Perhaps his level had been too low before, which was why Xiao Xun'er could see through it. Once he became stronger and stronger, as long as he didn't reveal his true level, Xiao Xun'er probably wouldn't be able to tell either.

"It must be because Brother Xiao Ni's cultivation technique is too profound. Even I can't see through your level now." Xiao Xun'er pouted and acted coquettishly.

"You silly girl, couldn't you have just asked me directly if you wanted to know my level? It's not like I'd hide it from you." Xiao Ni shook his head with a laugh, then straightened his back and said, "That's right. I'm indeed a One-Star Dou Master now."

"Brother Xiao Ni advanced from the seventh stage of Dou Qi to Dou Master in just a few days. That's amazing! The title of the Xiao Household's number one genius may be taken by Brother Xiao Ni soon." Upon hearing Xiao Ni honestly reveal his current level, Xiao Xun'er immediately smiled and praised him lavishly.

She didn't ask further about Xiao Ni's cultivation technique, because she knew it was his secret. If Xiao Ni didn't take the initiative to tell her, she would never press him about it.

"Let's go to Black Jade Pavilion." Xiao Ni smiled as he patted Xiao Xun'er's head, his eyes full of affection.

"Mm." Xiao Xun'er nodded lightly and happily followed Xiao Ni out of the Xiao Household.

Half an hour later, Xiao Ni and Xiao Xun'er stood before an open patch of land. Looking around, there was almost nothing there apart from some flowers and grass.

"Xun'er, are you sure the entrance to Black Jade Pavilion is nearby?" Xiao Ni used his soul perception to scan the surroundings before asking tentatively.

He had indeed sensed a barrier in the area, but it was enormous. If they couldn't find the proper entrance, they might have to spend a long time trying to get inside.

He truly couldn't understand it. The once-powerful Qieke Lineage had already declined to the point of relying on small businesses like Black Jade Pavilion to make a living, so why had they set up a barrier around the outskirts? Did they even want to do business anymore? Or was it that—Gu He wouldn't allow them to conduct business openly?

"Where the entrance is doesn't matter, because this barrier only affects those below Five-Star Dou Practitioner." Xiao Xun'er chuckled, then added, "But if we don't find the real entrance, there's no telling where we'll end up after entering."

Compared to the true entrance, she actually preferred entering at random, because it made things more exciting.

"You're a Five-Star Dou Practitioner now?" Xiao Ni asked.

This girl had only just broken through to Fighter. She shouldn't have jumped four stars so quickly, right? Even with the Foundation Elixir he had given her, it couldn't possibly be that fast.

"I'm not a Five-Star Dou Practitioner, but I have a way to get in." A gentle, captivating smile rested on Xiao Xun'er's lips. Golden light covered her palm as she pressed it against the empty air.

Bzzz—

A crisp hum rang out. The empty air rippled slightly, and dense cracks appeared across the barrier. They stopped spreading only after the opening had become large enough for two people to enter.

Xiao Ni was dumbfounded by the sight.

Wasn't this barrier supposed to stop anyone below Five-Star Dou Practitioner? How had Xun'er broken it open so easily? It seemed her golden light really was incredibly powerful.

"Brother Xiao Ni, let's go!" A moment later, before Xiao Ni could react, Xiao Xun'er grabbed his hand and pulled him into the barrier.