Xiao Ning Took Qi Increasing Powder, Yet Still Lost

"Eight-Stage Dou Qi!"

The Second Elder looked at the black-haired youth before him with a complicated expression. He sighed inwardly, and the doubt in his eyes finally vanished before reality.

He gave a light cough, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Xiao Yan, your Dou Qi retest has passed!"

"According to the rules of previous years, Xiao Yan must accept one challenge. The challenger must be below the Dou Zhe level. Who wishes to step forward?"

The Second Elder swept his gaze over the younger generation and called out softly.

There was a penalty if the challenged party lost under this challenge rule.

Any Xiao Clan disciple who passed the coming-of-age ceremony had one chance to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion and select a Dou Qi cultivation technique.

This penalty was to surrender that opportunity to select a technique from the Dou Qi Pavilion to the challenger.

Although Xiao Yan had no interest in the family's low-tier Dou Qi cultivation techniques, if someone challenged him—

He would not be polite either.

Hearing the Second Elder's words, the younger Xiao Clan members exchanged glances, but no one moved.

After all, Xiao Yan's Eight-Stage Dou Qi strength was right there for all to see. No one was confident they could defeat him.

Even if they could win, they did not want to offend him over it.

After all, Xiao Yan was not only the clan leader's son, but also possessed terrifying talent. Offending someone who might become a Dou Emperor in the future was not a risk they wished to take.

"If none of you dare challenge him, then I will!"

Just as the Second Elder was about to announce the end of Xiao Yan's ceremony, a disdainful snort rang out.

It was Xiao Ning at the edge of the field.

Xiao Ning looked provocatively at Xiao Yan and was about to step onto the stage when a jade-like hand grabbed him. It was his elder sister, Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu shook her head and sighed. "He's now at the same Eight-Stage Dou Qi as you. You don't have much of an advantage. Why not forget it?"

Xiao Ning was not entirely confident either. However, when he looked toward the slender figure on the other side, he saw the girl gazing gently at the youth on the stage. Her delicate, enchanting appearance drove him mad with jealousy.

Gritting his teeth, he shook off his sister's hand, his eyes filled with coldness and madness.

"I've been at Eight-Stage Dou Qi for over a year. Can I really not handle a rookie who has only just advanced?"

"If I truly can't defeat him, I'll take the Qi Increasing Powder you gave me. No matter how gifted he is, he can't possibly defeat a Dou Zhe."

Seeing that she could not persuade her younger brother, Xiao Yu frowned slightly. "You absolutely must not act recklessly. Don't cripple him, or even Grandfather won't be able to protect you."

"I know..."

Xiao Ning answered carelessly, then leaped onto the high platform.

The Second Elder looked at Xiao Ning, then toward the First Elder atop the platform. Seeing the latter's grim expression, he could not help cursing Xiao Ning for being a complete idiot.

With Xiao Yan's current cultivation and talent, how could he be bullied so casually?

The Second Elder glared at Xiao Ning, trying to signal for him to abandon the challenge.

But Xiao Ning seemed to have gone blind. He slowly walked to Xiao Yan's opposite side and smiled smugly.

"Xiao Yan, let me see just how strong your combat ability is."

Xiao Yan remained expressionless. He knew perfectly well why the other party had challenged him—it was merely because Xiao Ning was jealous that he and Xun'er were close.

He said calmly, "Come."

Seeing Xiao Yan agree, the Second Elder could only sigh helplessly. He waved his hand, and as he retreated, he said in a low voice that only the two boys could hear.

"Remember this. Stop when appropriate."

Xiao Ning curled his lips.

Xiao Yan shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

As the Second Elder gave them space, the two youths faced one another in the center of the field. Battle could break out at any moment.

Watching the two youths confront each other on the platform, the honored guests shifted their attention over. They too wanted to know—

Whether the youth who had created the miracle of advancing five stages of Dou Qi in a year possessed equally terrifying talent in cultivating Dou Techniques.

However, they still doubted whether Xiao Yan could win.

After all, one had only just reached Eight-Stage Dou Qi, while the other had been there for over a year.

On the stage, Xiao Ning sneered and stomped hard against the ground, charging rapidly toward Xiao Yan.

Rending Claw Strike: Mid-Yellow Tier Dou Technique!

Xiao Ning activated the Rending Claw Strike Dou Technique. He spread his fingers, and under the reinforcement of Dou Qi, his nails gleamed with sharp, chilling light.

When he was only half a meter from Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning suddenly halted and clawed at Xiao Yan's chest with his right hand.

Though he appeared to be targeting Xiao Yan's chest, Xiao Ning's true target was his throat.

Faced with the fierce claw strike, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm.

He raised his palm slightly, and a powerful force burst from his palm.

Xiao Ning felt as if a huge hand had slammed heavily into his chest. He gave a muffled grunt and staggered backward.

He hurriedly retreated more than ten steps before finally steadying his somewhat disheveled body.

"You... What Dou Technique was that?"

Xiao Ning asked uncertainly, putting on a fierce front despite his inner weakness.

Naturally, Xiao Yan had used Fire-Blowing Palm, but why would he tell him that?

Seeing that Xiao Yan ignored him, Xiao Ning snorted and launched another attack.

Though Xiao Yan's previous strike had been strange, its offensive power had not been particularly strong. It had not intimidated Xiao Ning.

Xiao Yan curled his right palm and circulated Dou Qi through the pathways of Suction Palm. A powerful pulling force surged forth.

Xiao Ning felt a force drawing him toward Xiao Yan, making his charging body move even faster.

His expression froze briefly, then a strange smile appeared on his face. The fist of his right hand, hidden behind his back, began to glow faintly.

Mountain-Crushing Fist!

Just as Xiao Ning was about to reach Xiao Yan, the fist hidden behind his back shot forward like an arrow, hurtling toward Xiao Yan's chest.

At that moment, a massive pushing force appeared, halting Xiao Ning's rapidly advancing body.

Caught between the pulling and pushing forces, Xiao Ning, trapped in the middle, was struck by more than twice the force.

"Uwah!"

Xiao Ning tasted blood in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

The pushing force was greater than the pulling force. Xiao Ning's body flew backward, rolling more than ten meters across the ground before coming to a stop.

Looking at the motionless Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan said expressionlessly, "You lost."

Then he turned and slowly walked toward the edge of the platform.

Seeing Xiao Yan defeat Xiao Ning so easily, everyone present gaped in shock.

They had not expected the youth to possess not only astonishing talent in Dou Qi, but also no less talent in cultivating Dou Techniques.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, watch out..."

Someone suddenly cried out.

Xiao Ning, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly sprang up like a leopard. He stomped violently on the ground and shot forward.

Wood chips scattered from beneath his feet.

"You little bastard, die!"

Xiao Ning's face twisted grotesquely, and the blood at the corner of his mouth made him look even more vicious.

"Xiao Ning, stop at once!"

Sensing the Dou Qi in Xiao Ning's body surge explosively, the Second Elder's face changed drastically. He shouted loudly and lunged forward, intending to stop him.

Having taken Qi Increasing Powder, Xiao Ning's strength had soared. Rage and jealousy filled his mind—how could he possibly stop now?

This sudden change threw the entire venue into commotion.

The knowledgeable Ya Fei cried out, "He used Qi Increasing Powder!"

"Bastard!"

Xiao Zhan roared.

It was already too late to save him.

Xiao Yan abruptly turned around. Facing Xiao Ning's fist, the powerful fist wind swept aside the black hair over his forehead, revealing a pair of cold, dark eyes beneath.

His gaze remained calm. He clenched his right fist and bent his body slightly.

Eight Extremes Collapse!

Xiao Yan's fist shot out like a cannonball, colliding violently with Xiao Ning's fist.

Bang!

The two fists collided.

Crack!

It was the sound of bones breaking.

Xiao Ning's bones.

Xiao Yan's immense punching force shattered the bones in Xiao Ning's arm.

It was not over yet. The powerful force traveled along the other's arm and entered his body.

Xiao Ning's face immediately turned deathly pale, blood flowing from his seven orifices.

Xiao Yan's expression was icy. He pushed his fist forward, and Xiao Ning collapsed to the ground like a broken rag doll, barely clinging to life.

This chain of events had unfolded in the span of a spark.