Breakthrough in Battle

A week later, Xiao Zhan and the others stood at the entrance of the Nalan Household, bidding farewell to the Nalan clan leader. Xiao Zhan said earnestly, "Clan Leader Nalan, take good care of your health. We have greatly enjoyed our time together these days. Thank you for your hospitality."

The Nalan clan leader replied with a smile, "Xiao Zhan, you must also be careful. When passing through the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, be sure to protect yourselves."

Nalan Yanran ran over with a small bundle in her hands, containing pastries she had made herself and a few small gifts.

She handed it to Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yan, I prepared these for you. I hope you like them."

Xiao Yan accepted the small bundle and looked at Nalan Yanran with gratitude. "Take good care of yourself too. If fate allows, we will meet again."

Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao, and Xun'er also thanked the Nalan clan leader. They bowed deeply before turning and leaving.

Nalan Yanran stood at the gate, watching their retreating figures as they went farther and farther away, her heart filled with reluctance and anticipation.

At the moment of parting, Nalan Yanran tightly hugged Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao, and Xun'er, tears spilling from her eyes. She choked out, "I'll miss you all. You must come back and visit me."

At last, Xiao Zhan and the others boarded their carriage and slowly departed from the Nalan Household. Nalan Yanran stood at the gate, watching their distant figures until they vanished beyond the horizon.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. That morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds and fell upon the bluestone-paved courtyard. The air carried the faint scent of morning dew, lending a touch of vitality to the tranquil space.

Xiao Yao and Xun Er had long grown accustomed to beginning their Dou Qi cultivation at this hour. They stood facing one another, their gazes meeting as though they could see the determination and persistence deep within each other's hearts.

Xun Er wore an elegant pale green dress, its sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze. Her long hair was braided behind her, with a few loose strands brushing lightly against her cheeks, adding a hint of playfulness to her appearance.

"Brother Xiao Yao, be careful—Golden Light Palm." Xun Er's voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a teasing smile like a morning breeze gently stirring Xiao Yao's heart.

Anticipation and excitement gleamed in her eyes, as if she could not wait to display the Dou Technique she had just learned.

Xiao Yao smiled faintly, the corners of his lips lifting into a confident grin. His eyes were deep and bright, as though they could see through all falsehood and reality.

Xiao Yao nodded lightly, signaling that he was ready to meet Xun Er's challenge at any moment.

Their figures moved in an instant, their motions smooth and coordinated like a pair of perfectly matched dancers.

Xiao Yao's fists were swift as lightning, every punch aimed directly at Xun Er's vital points. Xun Er, meanwhile, used softness to overcome strength, her graceful figure evading Xiao Yao's attacks with ease.

During one fierce exchange, Xun Er suddenly shouted, "Brother Xiao Yao, watch out!"

There was a trace of tension in her voice, but even more excitement and anticipation. Her figure flashed, and she appeared behind Xiao Yao like a ghost. Her right hand formed a palm, radiating golden light as it struck toward the center of his back.

Xiao Yao vanished from where he stood like a phantom. Using the footwork of the Traveling Secret, he easily evaded Xun Er's attack.

Xiao Yao appeared elsewhere, already a considerable distance from his original position. It was as if he had teleported, catching Xun Er completely off guard.

Seeing the direction in which Xiao Yao had vanished, Xun Er could not help growing angry. She stomped her foot and complained, "Brother Xiao Yao is always like this! Whenever I'm about to hit you, you use your movement technique to run away. Honestly, how are we supposed to spar like this?"

Standing in the distance, Xiao Yao could not help finding Xun Er's angry expression amusing. He knew her temperament, and he knew her strength.

The reason he had used the Traveling Secret to avoid Xun Er's attack was not because he feared her. He simply wanted to give her some chances to bring out even greater strength.

"Haha, Xun Er, don't be angry. Movement techniques are part of a person's abilities too. No matter how strong your martial arts are, if you cannot even touch your opponent's clothes, then they are useless."

Xun Er could not help feeling helpless after hearing Xiao Yao's words. She knew he was speaking the truth, but she still hoped to have a genuine battle with him and experience his true strength.

"I know movement techniques are important, but I still hope to have a real fight with you," Xun Er said, determination in her eyes.

Seeing Xun Er's serious expression, Xiao Yao was somewhat moved. He knew that Xun Er had high expectations for him and wanted to understand Brother Xiao Yao's true strength.

"Alright, Xun Er, I promise you," Xiao Yao said. "Next time, I won't run away so easily. We'll have a proper fight."

A happy smile appeared on Xun Er's face when she heard Xiao Yao's words. She knew that since he had promised her, she would have the chance to truly fight him.

The two began sparring once more. This time, Xiao Yao no longer used the Traveling Secret so readily to evade Xun Er's attacks.

Xiao Yao fought Xun Er seriously, allowing her to truly feel his strength.

Xun Er also gave it her all. Her palm techniques were sharp and fierce, forcing Xiao Yao to take her seriously.

Amid the fierce exchange, their figures darted rapidly through the courtyard. Palm met fist, and the light they gave off flashed with golden radiance.

At last, after a violent collision, both of them staggered back several steps. Xun Er looked at Xiao Yao and could not help feeling disappointed. She knew that although she had done her best, she still had not managed to defeat him.

"Brother Xiao Yao, your fists are so hard. Xun Er is really curious about your physique," Xun Er said, admiration in her eyes.

Xiao Yao thought, The more deeply the human body's physique is developed, the more one can discover its mysteries. As expected, the human body is the strongest physique. After improving over these years, my comprehension of Dou Techniques has become stronger and stronger. I just wonder how many more years it will take to successfully develop it to the Minor Achievement Realm.

Hearing Xun Er's words, Xiao Yao smiled and shook his head.

"You're quite impressive too, Xun Er," Xiao Yao said. "You're improving very quickly. Perhaps someday even Brother Xiao Yao won't be able to keep up with you."

Xun Er could not help feeling excited upon hearing Xiao Yao's words.

She knew that Xiao Yao's words were encouragement and recognition of her. They further strengthened her conviction that she would one day catch up to Brother Xiao Yao's pace.

Just then, the Dou Qi within Xiao Yao's body suddenly began to surge violently. Strands of Dou Qi flowed madly through his meridians on their own, while the Dou Qi in the space around him fluctuated at high speed. Threads of pure, multicolored energy gathered almost like a stream and poured into Xiao Yao's body.

Seeing this, Xiao Yao said in surprise, "I actually have signs of advancing during a spar. Sigh, I won't be able to hide my cultivation from Xun Er anymore. Little girl, remember to keep it secret!" After saying that, he immediately sat cross-legged and calmed his mind to break through.

Xun Er smiled and said, "Brother Xiao Yao, break through without worry. Xun Er will watch over you from the side."

Seeing the cultivation aura emanating from Brother Xiao Yao, Xun Er smugly thought, So Brother Xiao Yao had hidden his cultivation for so long. He has actually reached the Nine-Star Battle Master realm. Once he breaks through, he will advance to Da Dou Shi. It's truly unbelievable that he reached Da Dou Shi so quickly without any cultivation resources. It seems Xun Er must continue training harder.

Xiao Yao focused his mind on controlling the chaotic Dou Qi currents within his body, drawing in the pure external Dou Qi to nourish his meridians and sinews.

After some time, Xiao Yao emitted a dense, powerful aura and exhaled a mouthful of golden breath. Looking at the aura radiating from his body, he used Dou Qi to condense a set of golden Dou Qi armor before him and sighed, "I successfully broke through to Da Dou Shi at the age of ten."