Strengthening a Battle Skill

"He actually managed to cobble it together! Is there any justice left? Any law left? Are you cheating? Elder Pig, quickly withdraw your divine powers!" Medicine Elder stared in shock at the ever-expanding rotating pattern before Xiao Yan. This battle skill had already reached the level of an Earth-tier battle skill. Why were Earth-tier battle skills more powerful than Black-tier battle skills? Because Earth-tier battle skills could draw upon the energy of heaven and earth; naturally, their power could not be compared.

"Teacher, hit me already! I can't hold on much longer!" Seeing Medicine Elder standing there in a daze, Xiao Yan could not help reminding him.

Hearing Xiao Yan's shout, Medicine Elder finally came back to his senses. Xiao Yan had only just entered the Dou Zhe realm. If he forcibly used an Earth-tier battle skill, he might suffer backlash. Though backlash would not mean much to Xiao Yan—at worst, it would only hurt a little.

Medicine Elder casually launched an attack. Three spikes carrying eerie pale-white flames shot rapidly toward Xiao Yan. The instant the spikes touched the Tai Chi diagram, they were swallowed by it and vanished. The Tai Chi diagram merely dimmed slightly before three black-and-white flaming spikes emerged from within it and shot toward Medicine Elder with even more terrifying force.

Seeing that Medicine Elder's attack had been reflected, Xiao Yan immediately withdrew his Dou Qi. The Tai Chi diagram before him vanished as well. After holding on for so long, Xiao Yan had completely run out of strength and collapsed to the ground, though his eyes remained fixed on the three spikes flying toward Medicine Elder.

When the flaming spikes reached Medicine Elder's face, they were blocked by an invisible membrane and could no longer advance. After a brief stalemate, white flames appeared atop the spikes, and they dissolved into nothingness.

"Not bad! It has already reached the level of an Earth-tier battle skill! The reflected attack is even a few points stronger than the original. I never expected you little fellow to actually make it work. You've truly given me quite a shock!" Medicine Elder praised him without reservation. Although Medicine Elder had casually dispersed Xiao Yan's reflected attack, that was because his strength was comparable to a Dou Huang!

"But the consumption is way too great, isn't it?" Xiao Yan said helplessly as he slowly got to his feet.

"Hehe, it is an Earth-tier battle skill, after all. With your current strength as a Dou Zhe, being able to use it at all is already enough to put everyone else to shame." Medicine Elder looked at Xiao Yan, a trace of approval flashing through his eyes.

"I finally have my first signature ultimate move!" Xiao Yan said happily. Although Heavenly Shift had been quite powerful before, it still fell short as a trump card.

"All right, your clan's test should be nearly over by now, shouldn't it? Hurry down the mountain and show off a little." Medicine Elder smiled.

"The test doesn't really matter. The important thing is, I haven't seen that girl in a long time. I really do miss her a little." A smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips, and his steps quickened.

Before the Black Stone Stele on the clan training grounds, the examiner looked at the list in his hand, where Xiao Yan's name was written. He swept his gaze across the field but still could not find Xiao Yan. Shaking his head helplessly, he turned past Xiao Yan's page and continued the test.

Watching the examiner's movements from the platform, Xiao Zhan let out a helpless sigh. Looking toward the edge of the field, he muttered, "That brat isn't really going to be absent, is he?"

As the test continued, the examiner's list finally reached its last page. He looked over the field once more and shook his head helplessly. Still, he called out loudly, "Next, Xiao Yan!"

Hearing the examiner call Xiao Yan's name, everyone began looking around for the youth's figure, but after searching for a while, they still found no sign of him.

The examiner called Xiao Yan's name three times in a row. In the end, he could only look helplessly toward Xiao Zhan on the platform to the left and ask whether the test could be concluded.

When Xiao Zhan saw the examiner looking at him, he felt rather embarrassed as well. If Xiao Yan had not been his son, the examiner would likely have ignored him long ago. Xiao Zhan slowly rose from his chair. Just as he was about to speak, he sensed a figure rushing rapidly in this direction. Smiling faintly, he gestured apologetically for the examiner to continue the test.

The examiner could only call out helplessly once again, "Next, Xiao Yan!"

"Here!" Xiao Yan answered instinctively, as though his name had been called during class.

Everyone in Blue Stone Square turned in unison toward the youth hurrying over. They saw a young man with flawless features and a tall, straight figure. A trace of wisdom and decisiveness shone from his deep eyes, as though he could see straight through people's hearts. His clothes, however, were filthy and ragged, full of holes and covered in mud.

After entering the training grounds, Xiao Yan did not immediately go up for the test. Instead, he scanned the crowd, seeking the person he had been missing.

"Brother Xiao Yan!" At that moment, a gentle voice sounded beside Xiao Yan's ear.

Xiao Yan turned toward the voice and saw a beautiful woman. His brows furrowed slightly. She gave him a feeling that was both familiar and unfamiliar. Then he asked uncertainly, "Xun'er?"

"Hmph! Brother Xiao Yan doesn't recognize Xun'er anymore?" Xun'er pouted.

Looking at the woman before him, who had grown ever more radiant, Xiao Yan's eyes widened. They had not seen each other for only half a year—how had she changed so much? At first glance, he really could not recognize her. One was a woman, the other a young girl; how could they be the same? Could a peach be the same as an orange? Could dressing up be the same as not dressing up?

"Xun'er, how have you changed so much in the past half year?" Xiao Yan had wanted to pat Xun'er on the head, but his hand stopped as soon as he raised it. He awkwardly scratched his head.

"Brother Xiao Yan, do you like it?" Xun'er asked softly.

"Well, um... I'll go take the test first." Xiao Yan felt a little embarrassed and hurriedly ran toward the testing Black Stone Stele.

Watching Xiao Yan flee in disarray, Xun'er felt a wave of disappointment. She sighed softly. "I shouldn't have avoided Brother Xiao Yan. I never expected that after only half a year, Brother Xiao Yan would no longer be as close to me as before. Instead, there's a sense of unfamiliarity."

Xun'er regretted it somewhat. With Xiao Yan's talent, he certainly would not encounter too few women in the future.

At that moment, an inexplicable feeling arose in Xun'er's heart. She felt that Xiao Yan would soon leave. If she did not seize the opportunity now, she would truly lose Xiao Yan. This strange feeling gave Xun'er a sense of crisis.

Xiao Yan walked before the Black Stone Stele and apologized to the middle-aged man beside it. After all, he had been late for so long; he felt rather embarrassed. Then he stretched out his palm and touched the Black Stone Stele. The instant Xiao Yan's palm made contact, the Black Stone Stele erupted with light. The dazzling radiance nearly blinded everyone present.

The entire field fell into dead silence. Even breathing seemed to stop, leaving behind nothing but stillness as everyone stared fixedly at the Black Stone Stele.

"Dou Zhe: One Star!"

"Xiao Yan, Dou Zhe: One Star!" Looking at the four shining words on the Black Stone Stele, the middle-aged examiner remained stunned for a long while before recovering. He had expected Xiao Yan's result to be good, but this was far too terrifying!

"Breaking through to Dou Zhe in one year!"