Another Insight, Earth Origin Formula

However, the First Elder could still tell how much of Xiao Ning's words was true and how much was exaggerated.

Defeating a Six-Star Fighter while also possessing Earth-Attribute Battle Qi had sparked no small interest in Qin Yu within the First Elder.

After all, he himself possessed the Earth Attribute as well.

"I see that you and I are quite fated, young friend. This old man has cultivated for many years and has gained some insights into Earth-Attribute Battle Qi. Would you be willing to exchange a few words with me?"

"I would be honored."

With someone willing to offer guidance, Qin Yu was naturally more than happy. Insight had never simply appeared out of thin air.

Seeing that the two were about to discuss serious matters, Xiao Ning tactfully withdrew.

Who would have thought that the moment he stepped outside, he would run straight into Xiao Yu, who had come over.

"Sis, um... what are you doing here?"

"What kind of question is that? Can't I come here if I have nothing to do?"

Seeing Xiao Ning's obviously guilty expression, Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Had this brat caused trouble for her again?

The suppression from their bloodline left Xiao Ning stammering, unable to form even a complete sentence.

If his sister found out what he had done today, his fate would definitely be miserable!

"N-No, it's nothing. Grandpa is talking with a guest right now, so he asked me to stand guard."

"Really?"

Xiao Yu's face was filled with suspicion. For her grandfather, the First Elder of the Xiao Household, to receive someone personally, that person had to be someone of some importance.

How had she not heard that the Xiao Household had such a guest today?

"Really! How could I lie to you, Sis? You're my real sister!"

"Then tell Grandpa that I plan to go to the Jia Nan Academy recruitment station tomorrow and wait there. I want to get to know my future classmates in advance."

Though she still had some doubts, Xiao Yu had nothing important to do, so after leaving those words behind, she prepared to leave.

Xiao Ning let out a relieved breath. Luckily, Qin Yu and Grandpa had not come out just then. His sister's pressure was still far too terrifying.

"...Then I shall not disturb you any longer, young friend. Farewell for now."

"No matter. An opportunity for sudden enlightenment is something that can only be encountered, not sought. This old man cannot delay you."

Just then, the door suddenly opened, and Qin Yu and the First Elder stepped out while chatting and laughing.

Hearing the movement, Xiao Yu, who had not gone far, turned around and saw the scene.

"Big Brother Qin Yu?"

The sight before her left Xiao Yu stunned. Why was Qin Yu here? And why was he chatting so happily with Grandpa?

Then, in the next moment, the corner of Xiao Yu's eye caught Xiao Ning sneaking around nearby, trying to take the opportunity to slip away.

"Xiao~ Ning!"

"Ah! Grandpa, save me!"

At Xiao Yu's furious shout, Xiao Ning froze in place as though he had been hit by a paralysis technique.

Seeing his sister storming toward him, Xiao Ning was so frightened that he could barely stand straight. He hurriedly hid behind the First Elder and Qin Yu.

"Get over here!"

Xiao Yu angrily chased him for two steps, but with Qin Yu present, she could not go too far. She could only shoot Xiao Ning a vicious glare.

"Big Brother Qin Yu, I'm sorry. This brat has needed a beating since he was little."

Turning to Qin Yu, her tone softened considerably.

"Sis, that's discrimination!"

At that moment, Xiao Ning, apparently not done courting death, poked his head out from behind Qin Yu.

"You're so gentle with Big Brother Qin Yu, but with me, it's always shouting and violence..."

"Shut up!"

"Enough!"

Only when the First Elder spoke up to stop them did the brother and sister finally settle down.

"These two children never let anyone have any peace. I've made a spectacle of myself before you, young friend."

Qin Yu did not say much. After replying politely, he quickly left the Xiao Household.

"Grandpa, Big Brother Qin Yu, he..."

With the First Elder present, Xiao Yu could not deal with Xiao Ning for the moment, so she instead asked about Qin Yu.

"Qin Yu... This young friend possesses exceptional comprehension. I merely spoke with him briefly, yet he managed to grasp many things that even I had never understood."

The First Elder watched Qin Yu's departing figure and could not help sighing. Then, his tone suddenly shifted.

"Ah, Xiao Yu, I remember you said yesterday that you got along quite well with him?"

"Uh... yes."

Xiao Yu instinctively took two steps back, because her grandfather was wearing the same meaningful smile as Xiao Ning.

Meanwhile, after Qin Yu returned home, he could not wait to sit cross-legged and enter a cultivation state.

His exchange with the First Elder of the Xiao Household had given him another insight and inspired the idea of making a second improvement to the Thick Earth Formula.

His mind raced as the First Elder's words and his own realizations flashed through it again and again.

"So that's how it is. My previous line of thought was still too narrow."

Qin Yu murmured to himself, gathering a thread of brown Dou Qi at his fingertips and drawing a new circulation diagram of meridians onto the scroll.

"The power of the Earth Attribute originates from the land itself. Rather than absorb the thin, scattered energy in the air, it would be better to directly draw Earth Power into the body. That is the true essence of cultivating Earth-Attribute Battle Qi."

He made sweeping changes to the core circulation method of the technique. Half an hour later, Qin Yu gradually stopped thinking, and a gleam flashed through his eyes.

The twice-improved Thick Earth Formula had undergone a complete transformation. Not only did it retain the original Earth-Attribute Battle Qi's dense and steady traits, but it could now actively draw Earth-Attribute power from deep within the ground.

"Hmm, the name Thick Earth Formula no longer matches its level. I'll call you the Earth Origin Formula instead."

Afterward, Qin Yu adjusted his cultivation posture, placing both feet directly against the ground. He removed his shoes and socks, allowing his skin to make direct contact with the earth.

He could clearly feel the ground beneath his feet seeming to come alive. A warm, heavy power flowed steadily into his body through the meridian nodes in the soles of his feet.

This Earth Power was several times purer than the scattered energy in the air. Moreover, it was naturally aligned with the earth, so it needed little refinement before merging into the Battle Qi Vortex in his dantian.

Nourished by Earth Power, Qin Yu's Battle Qi Vortex suddenly began spinning faster.

The Dou Qi within it also became visibly more condensed and heavy, while the vortex itself slowly expanded.

After cultivating for just one hour, he felt that the Dou Qi in his dantian had increased by nearly thirty percent—equivalent to an entire day of arduous cultivation in the past.

Qin Yu was secretly delighted. He knew that he had found the right path for cultivation.

His previous closed-door cultivation had been like drawing water from a dried-up spring. Now, by relying on Earth Power, he had found an inexhaustible source of living water.

He immediately decided to change his cultivation method. At dusk, he arrived at a small hill outside the city, where Earth Power was far denser than within the city.

He found a flat bluestone and sat on it, placing his feet in the soil beneath him before circulating the Earth Origin Formula once more.

In an instant, a faint earthy-yellow glow spread across the ground. Countless tiny strands of Earth-Attribute power emerged from deep underground and streamed endlessly into Qin Yu's body through his feet and meridians.

Cultivating barefoot... actually felt pretty comfortable?

The next morning, Qin Yu slowly withdrew his power. After only one night, he was just one step away from breaking through to become a Two-Star Fighter.

Clenching his fist, he could clearly feel the heaviness and surging power of the Dou Qi within him. He had never experienced such a sense of strength before.

"Once I reach Jia Nan Academy, I'll make the next improvement to the Earth Origin Formula."