Earth-Tier Dou Technique

Back in the room, Xiao Ding was still tense.

On one hand, he trusted Qing Mo, but they had only known each other for a few hours. Besides, his second brother Xiao Li had only just begun to recover, so he could not afford to let down his guard.

"It's fine now. They were from the Mad Blade Mercenary Corps. I had a minor conflict with them before, and their commander came to apologize."

Qing Mo walked into the room and, seeing Xiao Ding's strained expression, explained himself. It would not do to let him misunderstand.

"So that was it." Upon hearing Qing Mo's words, Xiao Ding's taut nerves finally relaxed.

He let out a long breath before gently setting Xiao Li back down.

"Don't celebrate too soon. That commander of the Mad Blade Mercenary Corps probably realized you were hiding in here."

Qing Mo did not conceal anything and repeated what Commander Li Kuang had said.

"Whether you stay or leave is up to you."

Qing Mo held nothing back and laid out all his suspicions.

As for whether Xiao Ding chose to remain here or leave to find a new hiding place, that was entirely up to his own judgment. It had nothing to do with Qing Mo.

After all, he was not particularly close to Xiao Ding. He could not possibly arrange everything for him, especially when he himself had only been in this world for a short time.

Hearing Qing Mo's words, Xiao Ding's expression turned solemn. After pondering for a moment, he rose to his feet, gave Qing Mo a deep bow, and spoke with great gratitude:

"Thank you, Young Master Qing Mo. If not for your help, who knows when my second brother would have recovered. Xiao Ding will never forget this kindness."

Qing Mo waved a hand. "No need to thank me. I took your money and handled your trouble. You don't owe me anything. Also, just call me Qing Mo."

Qing Mo took a small bottle from his robes. Li Kuang had given it to him earlier. Though it was only a first-grade pill, it might be of some help to Xiao Ding right now.

"I'll give you this bottle of Blood-Replenishing Pills too."

Qing Mo handed the bottle of Blood-Replenishing Pills to Xiao Ding. They were first-grade pills that restored vitality, coagulated blood, and relieved pain.

Although Xiao Li had taken the Resurrection Pill, his body still needed time to recuperate. The Blood-Replenishing Pills could speed up his recovery and help him heal faster.

"This..."

"Take it. I don't need it." Qing Mo stuffed the Blood-Replenishing Pills into Xiao Ding's hand.

"If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first."

He had taken their money and completed the job. Now that the matter was settled, he could get on with his own business. He was not about to return those gold coins. He had earned them.

"Alright." Xiao Ding did not stand on ceremony any longer. He put away the Blood-Replenishing Pills and thanked Qing Mo once more.

Qing Mo took Qing Lin back to the inn.

Once he returned to his room, Qing Mo finally had time to inspect his gains.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were Xiao Yan's brothers, naturally making them important figures in Battle Through the Heavens. He had received rewards from the system as well.

[Detected that the host has encountered major Battle Through the Heavens plot characters Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. Reward: Low-Tier Earth Dou Techniques—Falling Leaf Flying Daggers, Gale-Chasing Step.]

Falling Leaf Flying Daggers was a hidden weapon Dou Technique renowned for being silent and unexpected. The practitioner attached Dou Qi to flying daggers, causing them to spin rapidly through the air and trace paths like drifting fallen leaves. They looked soft and powerless, yet concealed lethal killing intent.

The most exquisite aspect of this technique was its Dou Qi cutting. When the flying daggers spun at high speed, they formed a cicada-wing-thin Dou Qi blade around themselves, capable of easily slicing through weak protective Dou Qi.

However, to unleash its greatest power, it also needed to be used with a special kind of flying dagger called Silent.

These flying daggers had a unique construction that minimized the sound of cutting through the air, allowing them to truly travel without a sound, like ghosts.

The other Low-Tier Earth Dou Technique—Gale-Chasing Step—was a movement Dou Technique. By channeling Dou Qi into the meridians of the legs, one could unleash immense instantaneous sprinting power. Gale-Chasing Step had three levels:

First level—Gale.

Upon reaching this level, one's body became like a raging gust of wind, capable of astonishing bursts of speed over short distances.

Second level—Chasing Shadows.

This level demanded greater control over Dou Qi. The practitioner could maintain stability while moving at high speed, leaving countless afterimages across the ground. The true body and illusions intertwined, making it difficult for opponents to tell them apart.

In battle, one could constantly shift positions, seek out an opponent's openings, and launch a fatal strike!

Third level—Formless.

The highest realm of Gale-Chasing Step. Upon reaching this level, one's movement technique transcended the ordinary. Moving was like merging into the air itself, leaving no trace whatsoever.

He had been worrying about lacking offensive methods, and these two Low-Tier Earth Dou Techniques had arrived at just the right time.

Still, although the rewards looked quite good, they could not compare to Qing Lin's. Qing Lin had been rewarded with a High-Tier Heaven cultivation method. The difference was simply heaven and earth, even if he could not cultivate it.

"These two brothers have plenty of screen time too. I really don't get it..."

Still, overall, the rewards were quite good. The system was indeed generous.

Cultivation methods and Dou Techniques were scarce on the Dou Qi Continent. Even a high-tier Mystic Dou Technique was enough to make countless people fight tooth and nail over it, let alone a high-grade Dou Technique like a Low-Tier Earth Dou Technique.

Obtaining them without lifting a finger was already an immense stroke of fortune.

Come to think of it, there was an even more important figure hidden in Stone Desert City: Hai Bodong.

This former Dou Emperor had no small role in the story. If Qing Mo could encounter him, the system would probably produce even better rewards.

A trace of anticipation flashed through Qing Mo's eyes at the thought.

"Looks like I'll need to make a trip to Desert City later."

There was still plenty of time, so there was no rush.

He could also arrange little Qing Lin's cultivation schedule. She had an innately special constitution, and with the Jade Serpent Divine Art perfectly suited to her, would she not soar straight to the heavens?

"Still, her body is too weak right now. She can't rush things."

Qing Mo touched the fifty thousand gold coins in his robes. That money was enough to improve Qing Lin's meals and give her a solid physical foundation before she began cultivating.

"Right, I also need to find a house."

Staying at the inn all the time was inconvenient. It would be better to rent a house. As Qing Mo thought about it, he realized he had quite a lot to deal with.

Fortunately, time was what he lacked least right now.

After planning out what he needed to do, he decided to make better use of his time cultivating. Once he became a Battle Master, it would be time to consider leaving Stone Desert City. He could not stay here forever.

Although the Pure Origin Art was an attribute-less Low-Tier Earth cultivation method, its depth and richness were unparalleled. As he circulated his Dou Qi, streams of pure Dou Qi surged from within his body and flowed through his meridians.

A warm sensation enveloped his entire body. He had to admit, it felt pretty great.

With every circulation cycle, the Dou Qi within his body grew a little purer, and his strength increased a little more.

When immersed in cultivation, it was easy to lose track of time.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning. He felt that he was not far from becoming a Three-Star Dou Practitioner.