A Second Round?

Cao Ying faced Xiao Yan's snake-avoiding-scorpion attitude and barely suppressed her anger before trying once more to keep him here. She looked soft and charming on the surface, but she was exceedingly stubborn within. Unless she probed Xiao Yan's true depth, she would not be satisfied.

"Wait, Xiao Yan. I've learned a few Dou Techniques as well. I was worried that after coming to the Pill Tower, I wouldn't have any use for them. From your tone earlier, it seems you've studied this path too. How about the two of us spar?"

At last, Xiao Yan showed a bit of interest. He turned back and assessed Cao Ying with a fighter's eye, then shook his head in disinterest.

"Forget it, Junior Sister Cao. You're not my opponent, so there's no point in sparring. Competing in alchemy would be fine, but there's no need to compare Dou Qi. If Junior Sister gets hurt, it'll be hard for Senior Brother to explain himself."

To someone like Xiao Yan, who had truly experienced the environment of the Black-Corner Region, it was almost obvious at a glance whether someone had ever fought. He had said it with complete sincerity.

Putting alchemy aside, Cao Ying and Cao Dan were on the same level in combat. Beating them would be less challenging than the missions he had once carried out in the Black-Corner Region!

This brat!

But Cao Ying clearly took it as Xiao Yan looking down on her. She finally could not bear it any longer. Calling her "Junior Sister" over and over was simply provoking her. She wanted to see what Xiao Yan was capable of!

"Xiao Yan, you're far too arrogant!"

With that, Cao Ying tapped the ground and charged straight at Xiao Yan. A fiery red Dou Qi Veil suddenly wrapped around her body, fully displaying the strength of a Nine-Star Dou Master Peak.

"Voidfire Blaze Rend!"

Cao Ying struck in fury, even using a Dou Technique! Flames flowed from her hands, forming several whip-like strands. Xiao Yan could tell that this was no ordinary Dou Technique; it was probably related to her status as a Fourth-Grade Alchemist.

Yet his expression did not change in the slightest. He merely muttered helplessly, "There really are people who announce their skills during a fight?"

Before his words had faded, he charged at Cao Ying without dodging or evading. Cao Ying had not expected Xiao Yan to rush at her so brazenly, and the flame Dou Technique under her control immediately fell into disarray. Their combat experience was simply not on the same level. Xiao Yan took only one step, yet forced Cao Ying to switch from offense to defense.

Cao Ying hurriedly controlled the flaming chains to block the space before her, separating Xiao Yan from herself. Only then did she feel somewhat reassured. This guy, he isn't even defending...

Xiao Yan crashed straight through, shattering Cao Ying's flame Dou Technique. His fist struck her abdomen and sent her flying.

Xiao Yan patted out the flames on his body. Cao Ying's Dou Technique clearly relied on manually detonating it to deal its greatest damage. When Xiao Yan had charged into it so forcefully just now, Cao Ying had not had time to trigger the technique's follow-up attack.

If she had ignored everything and blasted Xiao Yan with the intention of taking them both down...

The outcome would still have been the same. Cao Ying's combat intentions were far too straightforward. Xiao Yan almost felt embarrassed to strike her.

He had intended to trade one hard blow so she would recognize the gap between them. Who would have thought Cao Ying would be so frightened that she immediately went on the defensive? He truly did not know whether to call her timid or kindhearted.

Meanwhile, Cao Ying curled up on the ground, gritting her teeth to keep tears from falling. But the pain in her abdomen constantly tested her tear ducts. When had she ever suffered such an injury?

Xiao Yan was somewhat stunned as well. He had even withdrawn his Dou Technique from that punch. Not to mention Cao Ying's strength at the Dou Master Peak, Xiao Yan reckoned that even Liu Qing, back when he had left school, would have been fine after taking that punch.

If Cao Ying knew that Xiao Yan was comparing her to some rough man, she would surely crawl up and scratch his face. The pain in her body had actually eased considerably, but for some reason, she simply could not stand.

Xiao Yan was embarrassed too. He truly had not expected to hit Cao Ying into such a state. Was Cao Ying's cultivation fake?

After thinking it over for quite a while, Xiao Yan could only go check on Cao Ying. But the instant he took a step, he suddenly froze.

The sun was setting, they were deep in the mountain forest, and he was alone with a rather pretty girl who had lost the ability to resist?

I think I've seen this plot before!

And Hu Jia also had the nickname "Little Demoness"...

Something like this could actually happen!

Xiao Yan did not dare move again. Even though he was currently in the Pill Tower's Inner Domain, he could not be certain that Xun'er would not appear the very next second. After all, their half-year deadline had already arrived.

Xiao Yan did not dare act rashly, but the person he had been thinking of did not appear. Cao Ying, however, had recovered somewhat and took a medicinal pill from her storage ring before swallowing it.

Xiao Yan had been watching her the entire time and could tell that it was at least a fourth-grade pill. He was immediately speechless. With a Dou Master's physical constitution, it would have been difficult for his punch to even leave a bruise on Cao Ying. Yet she had actually wasted a pill above the fourth grade over such a little pain?

After taking the pill, Cao Ying slowly got to her feet. She was still bent over now, but that was entirely psychological.

"You!"

Cao Ying's glare made Xiao Yan somewhat awkward, but he did not feel that he was in the wrong. No matter what, Cao Ying had attacked first. He had not even used his Dou Qi Veil or Dou Techniques. What more did she want?

Xiao Yan maintained his cold and aloof persona. "Junior Sister Cao, I told you long ago that you weren't my opponent. Why insist on bringing suffering upon yourself?"

Cao Ying said nothing more. Even if she herself had been at fault in this matter, she did not intend to let it pass so easily. Still, she had indeed given up any thought of sparring with Xiao Yan in Dou Qi in the future.

"Today, I was blind. I didn't expect you to truly have some skill, Xiao Yan. But don't get smug. I may not be able to beat you in Dou Qi, but in alchemy, I will definitely surpass you."

Since Cao Ying did not intend to pursue that punch, Xiao Yan also sighed in relief and replied coldly, "I'll be waiting anytime."

Cao Ying finally could not hold herself together. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? She did not want to hear Xiao Yan speak another word and immediately prepared to leave.

"Um... I..."

Hearing that voice, both Xiao Yan and Cao Ying froze. Only then did they notice someone emerging from behind a tree. It was Dan Chen.

Both of them were somewhat surprised. It was true that they had been focused on each other just now, but they should not have overlooked Dan Chen, who had the cultivation of a Dou Practitioner. Yet these two Fourth-Grade Alchemists had not sensed her at all.

This was clearly abnormal, but it probably involved Dan Chen's own secrets or those of the Dan Family. Neither Xiao Yan nor Cao Ying rashly asked about it. However, once Dan Chen spoke and saw them both looking at her, she forgot what she wanted to say. She had only spoken after mustering all her courage, and now she looked as though she were about to cry.

Faced with this child, Xiao Yan did not keep a stern face. That would certainly frighten her. So he said gently, "Little Sister Dan Chen, why haven't you left yet?"

Encouraged by Xiao Yan's gaze, Dan Chen gathered a little more courage and timidly pointed behind herself, toward the path leading to her cave dwelling.

"Um... dark... I'm scared..."

Xiao Yan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had thought Dan Chen was about to say something important, but she was actually afraid of the dark and did not dare walk home!?

Are there any normal people among these Five Great Families?

Still, considering Dan Chen's age and personality, this behavior was not all that strange.

Xiao Yan glanced at Cao Ying. By all rights, she was the better person to help with this, but judging by Cao Ying's expression, she clearly only wanted to return as quickly as possible.

"Um... Senior... Senior Brother Xiao... can... can you..."

Dan Chen seemed even more afraid of Cao Ying and had not expected any help from her.

With Xiao Yan's personality of being soft-hearted rather than responsive to force, he truly could not bring himself to ignore this child. He could only agree.

"Alright. I'll take you there."

Joy appeared on Dan Chen's little face. At last, someone could accompany her through that terrifying mountain path.

Cao Ying gave a cold laugh, her teeth grinding loudly. "I really couldn't tell, Xiao Yan. So you're the type who pities and cherishes pretty girls!?"

Xiao Yan paid no attention to Cao Ying's sarcastic tone and stepped onto the path leading to Dan Chen's cave dwelling.

Cao Ying felt that she had suffered more anger today than in her entire life. That Xiao Yan clearly did not want to deal with her. He could speak gently to Dan Chen, yet treated her with that kind of attitude!

Cao Ying made a huge mark against Xiao Yan in her heart before finally returning to her own cave dwelling.