Sparring

Three days had passed since Xiao Yan returned to Canaan, and for the past two days, he had buried himself in cultivation, completely stabilizing his level at one-star Dou Master.

Having advanced in cultivation, Xiao Yan naturally could not wait to find someone to test himself against. He had originally planned to spar with Qian Mo, but Lin Xiuya became interested when he heard about it and invited him to battle. Xiao Yan naturally did not refuse.

The group of four arrived at a dedicated combat arena. A small sparring match like this did not draw any attention.

The two stood facing each other on the platform. Once they assumed their stances, Lin Xiuya called out:

"Xiao Yan, I'm already a three-star Dou Master. You can make the first move."

"Hehe! Brother Lin, be careful. I think I still have a pretty good chance."

With that, Xiao Yan sprang forward, swinging his fist straight at Lin Xiuya's handsome face...

When they came down from the arena, both were completely unhurt. Lin Xiuya still looked as calm and composed as ever, while Xiao Yan kept frowning in reflection.

Xiao Yan had thought that after his previous battle in the Black-Corner Region, he should at least be able to gain some advantage against Lin Xiuya. Yet during that spar, Lin Xiuya had firmly controlled the rhythm of the fight, leaving Xiao Yan unable to land even a single effective attack.

The entire fight could even be described as Xiao Yan being toyed with!

Lin Xiuya was somewhat puzzled as well. "Xiao Yan, your cultivation method is of a higher grade than mine. How come you don't have a single decent Dou Technique?"

"Dou Techniques?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

Yan Hao interjected from the side, "That's right. Old Lin's Coiling Snake Hand just now is one of the more troublesome Mystic Tier Dou Techniques. Its purpose is to overcome strength with softness and suppress an opponent within close quarters. If you have no way to counter it, then you should try using a Mystic Tier Dou Technique to break technique with force."

"Exactly. At the Dou Master stage, our strength should not differ much. That set of close-range moves of yours is enough against ordinary people, Xiao Yan, but if you encounter an expert of the same level, you absolutely need a trump-card Dou Technique."

Lin Xiuya continued, "That was why I wanted to see what your combat strength was like..."

Xiao Yan could only give a bitter smile. "So that's why you suddenly wanted to spar with me, Brother Lin. I've disappointed you, then. I had a separate opportunity with this cultivation method, but I don't have any Mystic Tier Dou Techniques."

Only then did Lin Xiuya and the other two remember. Xiao Yan had always cultivated at an astonishing speed and was even close to catching up with them, so they had assumed his circumstances were better than theirs. They had nearly forgotten that Xiao Yan's background was far inferior to theirs.

"This is a troublesome matter, Xiao Yan. Your combat ability just now was quite good, but you lack high-grade Dou Techniques. That will put you at a serious disadvantage in future battles..."

Xiao Yan understood this himself. Among all the Dou Techniques he possessed, including those Wu Protector had taught him, the highest was only High Yellow Tier. According to Wu Protector, Xiao Yan could not afford the price of Mystic Tier Dou Techniques.

"No choice, then. I can only see whether there's some chance to learn Mystic Tier Dou Techniques at the academy..."

Lin Xiuya nodded at that.

"Canaan Academy has quite a few Dou Techniques in its collection, but most of them are too ordinary, and it's difficult to find one that truly suits you. Still, Xiao Yan, you also have the status of an Alchemy Department student. Perhaps you might be able to obtain something better."

Xiao Yan felt depressed upon hearing that. He did not even have a single Mystic Tier Dou Technique in hand, yet from Lin Xiuya's tone, he did not think much of the ones at Canaan Academy!

After they parted ways, Xiao Yan went to train with the Enforcement Squad again. Today, he saw Wu Protector for the first time since returning to Canaan Academy.

Xiao Yan now knew that Wu Protector had taken them out without authorization. However, Xiao Yan did not care much about that. He felt that the trip had benefited him greatly, and he even planned to join the Enforcement Squad as a student to gain practical combat experience.

When the three saw Wu Protector, they greeted him as usual. Wu Protector still wore the same expression, showing no sign that the previous incident had affected him in any way.

Wu Protector asked in a deep voice, "Tell me your thoughts about the last trial."

Wu Hao spoke first. Since he had not fought, he only talked about how to survive in the Black-Corner Region. Wu Protector neither interrupted nor commented, merely gesturing for Hu Jia to continue after Wu Hao finished.

Hu Jia had not even expected what she experienced to count as a trial. She stammered out that next time she went out, she would have to conceal her identity better.

Wu Protector finally sighed helplessly. "Next time, you first need to follow instructions..."

Then it was Xiao Yan's turn. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"The atmosphere in the Black-Corner Region was somewhat different from what I imagined..."

"...As for combat, I still lack Dou Techniques. If I had Mystic Tier Dou Techniques, this trial would have been much easier."

"So I wanted to ask whether there are any opportunities at the academy to obtain Mystic Tier Dou Techniques?"

Wu Protector nodded as he listened to Xiao Yan's answer. "That is indeed the case. Mystic Tier Dou Techniques are indeed necessary for you. I will report this matter to the academy."

Wu Hao opened his mouth from the side, but in the end, he said nothing.

After a day of training ended, Wu Hao escorted Xiao Yan and Hu Jia out of the Enforcement Squad. On the way, he spoke to Xiao Yan with some embarrassment. "Xiao Yan, how about I talk to Master Wu and ask him to teach you some of his Mystic Tier Dou Techniques? Or I could secretly teach you..."

Xiao Yan hurriedly stopped him. "Don't! Wu Protector's Mystic Tier Dou Techniques are his own. He would only pass them on to disciples. I can't learn them."

"Exactly. Taking a master and learning skills is a very serious matter on the Dou Qi Continent. How can you casually learn someone else's Dou Techniques?" Hu Jia agreed repeatedly.

At Canaan Academy, they had instructors, protectors, and elders—but they alone had no masters!

Masters were different on the Dou Qi Continent! They were true inheritors of one another's teachings, a relationship even closer than that between blood-related parent and child. Wu Hao and Wu Protector were one such example.

The two sent the naive Wu Hao back, repeatedly warning him never to bring this up to Wu Protector.

As they continued on their way, Hu Jia began chattering away. She no longer disliked Xiao Yan as much as before, though she could not exactly be called friendly either.

Xiao Yan had thought that great lesson last time would make her change somewhat. Who knew she would still be the same!

"...Oh, right, Xiao Yan, don't you lack Dou Techniques? I can mention it to my grandfather and have him help you. You helped me so much last time, and my grandfather has always said he wants to thank you."

Xiao Yan had wanted to complain, That wasn't helping you—that was saving your life! But he held it back and said instead:

"I never expected any reward. I'd be thanking the heavens if you could just be a little nicer to me. But the Dou Techniques of President Hu... wouldn't that be the same as Wu Protector just now..."

Hu Jia rolled her eyes at the first half of Xiao Yan's words.

"Isn't it already being nice to you for this young lady to speak to you calmly?"

"As for the Dou Techniques, it's different. Mystic Tier Dou Techniques are not an important inheritance to my grandfather. Giving you one would be no big deal. Besides, even if the academy gives you one, with my grandfather looking after you, you can get something genuinely good!"

Hu Jia pursed her lips again. "And if it comes down to it, you can just take my grandfather as your master. I think he thinks highly of you. He likes the look of you more than he likes mine!"

Xiao Yan froze. He truly had not considered that possibility. If he really became Hu Gan's disciple, he would have struck it rich! Who would not want to become the disciple of a top-tier Dou Emperor?

But when it came to formally taking a master, Xiao Yan felt as though something about it was strange...

Shaking his head to toss those thoughts aside, Xiao Yan said:

"We'll talk about it later... Oh, right! Xun'er has been complaining to me. Stop bothering Xun'er all the time. She needs to cultivate too!"

"Tch, none of your damn business..."

"..."