How, Want to Learn?

The supposedly indestructible Dou Qi Armor cracked inch by inch beneath Xiao Chen's palm!

Fragments flew everywhere, like shattered glass!

"Pfft—!"

Guest Elder Han spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily into the ground amid a cloud of dust!

"Boom—!"

The entire venue fell deathly silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the gray-robed figure standing in the arena with his hands behind his back, as if they were looking at a monster.

"Th-three moves?!"

"A Dou Zhe Peak defeated a Dou Ling in three moves?!"

"He even shattered the Dou Qi Armor with one palm!"

"H-how is that possible?!"

"Terrifying! Simply terrifying!"

Then, thunderous cheers swept through the venue like a tsunami!

"Elder Xiao Chen! Elder Xiao Chen!"

"The Xiao Clan is mighty! The Xiao Clan is mighty!"

"Elder Xiao!"

Xiao Zhan's voice trembled with excitement. Looking at the gray-robed figure in the arena, he was nearly incoherent.

"Elder Xiao! You... you are truly... fucking incredible!"

"Just luck."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved a hand, then added casually.

"Patriarch, when word gets out, say that Xiao here is also a Dou Ling, merely one who usually keeps a low profile."

"Ah? This..."

"Since someone is watching us like a tiger eyes its prey, we should show them our blade as well. Better to throw one punch hard enough to keep a hundred punches from coming our way!"

A sharp glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes.

"Since we've revealed ourselves today, we might as well reveal ourselves completely. Let anyone thinking of making a move against the Xiao Clan weigh whether they can afford it."

Xiao Zhan's heart trembled, followed immediately by great joy.

"Elder Xiao, you truly possess remarkable foresight!"

Xiao Chen nodded and glanced at Guest Elder Han, who was climbing to his feet in a bedraggled state. "Guest Elder Han, would you still like another spar?"

"N-no, I wouldn't dare!"

Guest Elder Han's face was deathly pale. He cupped his hands awkwardly, turned, and fled without daring to look back.

Galle Bi's expression had long since turned as ugly as if his mother had died.

He stomped his foot in fury, did not even leave behind a parting remark, and slunk away with his clansmen.

Watching that fleeing figure, a meaningful glint passed through Xiao Chen's eyes.

"A Dou Ling powerhouse is nothing much."

"Still, I won this battle only because he was trash among Dou Lings. If I truly encountered a powerful Dou Ling, I probably wouldn't be a match for him."

"When I return, I still need to raise my cultivation."

Before the aftershocks of the battle that made Dou Ling famous had even subsided, the Jia Lie Family sent someone over.

This time, the Jia Lie Family did not dare play any tricks.

Galle Bi came personally.

"Elder Xiao, Clan Chief Xiao... the Jia Lie Family admits defeat."

"Admits defeat?"

"Yes, yes!"

Galle Bi wiped away cold sweat and said in a trembling voice, "The Jia Lie Family is willing to offer all our shops and trade routes to the Xiao Clan. From this day onward, we will withdraw from Wutan City's medicinal market and recognize the Xiao Clan as our superior!"

Recognize the Xiao Clan as their superior?!

"Mm."

Yet Xiao Chen merely nodded faintly.

"Since the Jia Lie Family has shown such sincerity, the Xiao Clan will accept. From now on, behave yourselves, and you will naturally have a share to eat."

"Thank you, Elder Xiao! Thank you, Elder Xiao!"

Galle Bi looked as though he had been granted amnesty. After profusely expressing his gratitude, he withdrew.

Watching that hunched back, Xiao Zhan could not help sighing.

"Half a year ago, the Jia Lie Family was still arrogant, wishing they could trample the Xiao Clan into the mud. Now, they have bowed their heads and admitted defeat... the world truly is unpredictable."

"They haven't admitted defeat. They simply know they are about to die."

Xiao Chen set down his teacup and said calmly, "Patriarch, have someone take over the Jia Lie Family's assets as well. From now on, the Xiao Clan's influence will grow by another thirty percent."

"Good! Good!"

Xiao Zhan nodded repeatedly, beaming with delight.

"Oh, right, Elder. What about Guest Elder Han? The Jia Lie Family hired him. Should we..."

"No need."

Xiao Chen shook his head.

"He is only a Dou Ling. He cannot amount to much. Since he knows enough to retreat when faced with difficulty, let him go."

Once the news spread, Wutan City erupted once more!

"The Jia Lie Family... was actually beaten into submission!"

"Exactly! From now on, Wutan City's medicinal market will belong solely to the Xiao Clan!"

"Not just the medicinal market! Think about it—the Xiao Clan's businesses probably account for sixty percent of the entire city now!"

Sixty percent!

In just half a year, the Xiao Clan's commercial influence had spread across sixty percent of Wutan City!

"The Xiao Clan is about to soar!"

"Isn't that the truth? Only by following the Xiao Clan can you get your fill of meat!"

At that moment, the system notification abruptly rang out in Xiao Chen's mind—

"Ding! Main quest completed!"

"Excessive return triggered: [Spirit-tier · Spirit-Gathering Pill Recipe] ×1!"

"Return description: This recipe can refine the Spirit-tier medicinal pill, the 'Spirit-Gathering Pill.' Consuming it can greatly increase the speed of Dou Qi condensation. It is truly a cultivation treasure!"

As he examined the Spirit-Gathering Pill Recipe, the combinations of ingredients and refining methods recorded upon it all exuded an unfathomably profound aura, far beyond ordinary pill recipes!

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful!"

"With this Spirit-Gathering Pill Recipe, the Xiao Clan Apothecary will gain another treasure to anchor its store!"

"If this Spirit-Gathering Pill can truly be refined... not just Wutan City—even the entire Jia Ma Empire will likely go mad over it!"

"Spirit-Gathering Pill... Spirit-Gathering Pill..."

He silently recited several of the main ingredients listed in the recipe, his brows furrowing slightly.

One of them, Seven-Star Grass, was rarely seen in Wutan City's medicinal market. It seemed that if he wanted to refine this pill, he would have to make a trip to the Tagor Desert.

"So be it. I can take care of the Green Lotus Core Flame while I'm there."

That night.

Xiao Zhan hosted a celebratory banquet. The entire Xiao Clan was jubilant, and amid the clinking of cups, everything brimmed with prosperity.

"Elder Xiao, I offer you this toast!"

Xiao Zhan raised his wine cup, his face glowing red. "Without you, Elder, how could the Xiao Clan enjoy such glory today!"

"You're too kind, Patriarch."

Xiao Chen raised his cup with a smile. "What benefits the Xiao Clan benefits me."

"Good! Elder, you are right!"

The Xiao Clan members throughout the hall chimed in together, and the atmosphere grew fervent.

"Come, drain this cup—to the Xiao Clan's prosperity!"

"To the Xiao Clan's prosperity!"

The entire hall responded thunderously. Cups clinked, and the fragrance of wine filled the air.

During the banquet, Xiao Yan found an opportunity to sidle up beside Xiao Chen and ask quietly, "Grandpa Xiao, how did you shatter that Dou Ling's Dou Qi Armor with a single palm?"

"Mm."

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "What, want to learn?"

"I do!"

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. "Grandpa Xiao, teach me!"

"Sure!"

Xiao Chen smiled and tapped him on the head. "But first, you need to build a solid foundation in Dou Qi. You will learn that palm technique sooner or later."

"Alright!"

Xiao Yan grinned, then ran back to continue cultivating with renewed excitement.

"That boy feels uncomfortable if he goes even a day without training."

Xiao Zhan smiled from the side. "Elder, you really are raising him like your own son."

"He is worth it."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly.

"The Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran is approaching. Whether the Xiao Clan can hold its head high in the Jia Ma Empire will depend entirely on this boy."