Heaven-Burning Palm!

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and threw another punch!

This time, he activated the Flame Mantra. A wisp of crimson flame danced along the force of his fist!

"Interesting."

Approval flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. He turned aside, letting the flaming fist graze his robe before it blasted a charred hole in the bluestone behind him!

Xiao Chen sucked in a sharp breath. He looked at the blackened hole, a strange glint in his eyes.

"Not bad, kid... The Flame Mantra keeps getting stronger."

"Again!"

For the rest of the day, fists whistled through the air on the back mountain, sending broken stone flying.

Xiao Yan attacked like a rising tide, while Xiao Chen defended like an unfathomable abyss. Between attack and defense, he drew out Xiao Yan's fighting instincts bit by bit!

By evening, Xiao Yan had collapsed onto the ground, panting hard. Sweat had soaked through his clothes.

"Master Xiao... You're too ruthless..."

He grimaced. "After a whole day of this, I can barely lift my arms!"

"Ruthless?"

Xiao Chen smiled and handed him a waterskin. "On the day of the Three-Year Agreement, the Misty Cloud Sect won't go easy on you."

Xiao Yan paused, then nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Master Xiao! After you pushed me to attack again and again today, my Dou Qi seems to flow much more smoothly!"

"Exactly." Xiao Chen smiled. "Real combat is always the best teacher."

"But Master Xiao..."

Xiao Yan scratched his head. "Those moves you used just now seemed different from before. Why?"

"Oh?"

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

"I can't quite explain it."

Xiao Yan thought for a moment. "They felt faster and fiercer. Almost like... like they were aimed straight at my vital points!"

Xiao Chen smiled. "Good eye! I've recently worked out a few new tricks. If you want to learn them, I'll teach you tomorrow."

"Really?!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.

"Of course."

Xiao Chen smiled. "I won't hold back a thing I can teach you."

The next day, Xiao Chen began teaching him the Heaven-Burning Palm.

"The Heaven-Burning Palm is an Earth-Tier Dou Technique."

He stood in the training ground and spoke in a deep voice. "One palm strike unleashes flames that could burn the heavens. Your foundation is solid now, so this is the perfect chance to grasp the essence of the technique!"

"An Earth-Tier Dou Technique?!"

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted, and even his voice trembled. "Master Xiao, you're going to teach me an Earth-Tier Dou Technique?!"

"Obviously."

Xiao Chen smiled and tapped him on the head. "If I don't teach you, should I teach a stranger?"

"Watch closely!"

With a low shout, he thrust out his palm!

Crimson flames surged from his palm and formed a blazing hand over ten feet tall. It slammed into a blue-gray boulder a hundred feet away, carrying a wave of scorching heat!

Boom!

The boulder shattered on impact, spraying fragments everywhere! The fiery palm kept going and left a deep, blackened handprint on the rock wall!

The air around the handprint still shimmered, as though the heat of that strike had yet to fade.

"An Earth-Tier Dou Technique... It's terrifying!"

Xiao Yan drew a sharp breath, his face full of shock.

"Did you see it clearly?"

Xiao Chen lowered his hand and stood at ease. "The key to the Heaven-Burning Palm is 'burning.' Use Dou Qi to summon fire, then use that fire to burn the heavens. Follow the same method and try working through it once."

"Yes!"

Xiao Yan nodded firmly, copied the motion, and struck out with his palm!

At first, his fiery palm was crooked and shapeless.

But Xiao Yan's talent was astonishing. By his third attempt, the fiery palm had taken shape!

In its wake, grass and trees withered, and stones burst apart!

"Good!"

Approval flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "On the third day, we'll put it to use in combat!"

On the third day.

The two fought in earnest at the summit of the back mountain.

That day, Xiao Chen held nothing back.

He used Gale Step, moving like a phantom. His attacks came from vicious angles, each one aimed at Xiao Yan's vital points!

At first, Xiao Yan struggled to keep up. Gradually, though, he adapted to Xiao Chen's assault. Flames swept from every palm strike, and his attacks surged like a tide, driving Xiao Chen back inch by inch!

"Now that's more like it, kid!"

A sharp gleam flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes. "That's what I want to see!"

After a full day, Xiao Yan was drenched in sweat, but he only fought harder. The power of his Heaven-Burning Palm grew visibly with every move!

"Master Xiao, take this!"

Xiao Yan suddenly roared and thrust out both palms!

Two fiery palms swept in from left and right, carrying scorching waves of heat and cutting off every path of retreat!

"Excellent!"

Xiao Chen laughed, sprang into the air, and flipped over the two fiery palms by a hair!

Boom!

Both palms slammed into the rock wall behind him, blasting out two deep, charred craters!

Broken stone flew, and dust billowed!

Xiao Chen landed and stared at the two blackened craters, surprise flickering in his eyes.

"Not bad, kid. If those had hit me squarely, these old bones of mine might have fallen apart!"

"Heh, you flatter me, Master Xiao!"

Xiao Yan grinned and scratched his head, though pride shone in his eyes.

"Don't get cocky."

Xiao Chen chuckled. "Those fiery palms have enough power, but you take too long to gather it, leaving yourself wide open. A true expert could dodge with a single movement technique. Then you'd be the one getting hit."

"Yes! I'll remember that!" Xiao Yan's smile faded as he answered solemnly.

At sunset.

Xiao Yan struck out with his palm. Roaring flames forced Xiao Chen half a step back!

"Well done, kid!"

Xiao Chen laughed heartily. "You've grasped seventy or eighty percent of it in three days. With your understanding, you're bound to achieve great things!"

"It's all thanks to your teaching, Master Xiao!"

Xiao Yan wiped away his sweat and grinned.

"If you hadn't been willing to share an Earth-Tier Dou Technique, I'd never have seen power like this!"

"All right, enough flattery."

Xiao Chen waved a hand, took a jade bottle from his robe, and tossed it over.

"Take it. These are the last few Bone Tempering Pills. Keep them for when you need to break through a bottleneck."

"Master Xiao..."

Xiao Chen smiled and tapped him on the head. "That's enough. You're a grown man, so don't get all sentimental. Go back and train hard. I'm looking forward to seeing you make a name for yourself!"

"Mm!"

Xiao Yan nodded firmly and carefully put away the jade bottle.

Late that night, Ya Fei came to his door.

"Mr. Xiao, forgive me for disturbing you so late." She bowed as she entered.

"No trouble."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved a hand. "You must have something important to discuss, Miss Ya Fei. Please, sit."

But Ya Fei shook her head and remained standing.

She looked straight at Xiao Chen, her expression unusually grave.

"Mr. Xiao."

After sitting down, she spoke slowly. "The Misty Cloud Sect is no easy opponent. This Three-Year Agreement... Are you really going to put the Xiao Clan at risk over it?"

Xiao Chen's hand paused around his teacup.

He looked up at Ya Fei and saw the genuine concern in her eyes. Warmth rose in his heart.

"Are you worried about me, Miss Ya Fei?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes!"

For once, Ya Fei did not look away. She met his gaze directly. "You've treated me well, Mr. Xiao. Of course I'm concerned for your safety!"

"And..."