The Da Dou Shi Realm and the Mine's Hidden Secret

Clang!

The iron ruler crashed against the long saber with an ear-piercing metallic ring. A violent blast of air spread out from the two of them, flinging the surrounding men in black several meters away.

The masked leader staggered backward, his arm numb. He stared at Xiao Yan in shock. He could feel that although his opponent's Dou Qi was only at the Tenth Stage of Dou Qi, its density and that strange scorching power actually made him, a Two-Star Great Dou Master, feel threatened.

"Who are you? Why are you interfering in the Jia Lie Family's affairs?" the masked leader demanded, a barely perceptible note of panic in his voice.

The Jia Lie Family?

Xiao Yan's eyes turned cold. It really is them! It seemed that after Jia Lie Bi returned, he had refused to let the matter rest and instead brought in an expert from his family to seize the mine.

"The man who's going to kill you!" Xiao Yan could not be bothered with further talk. He unleashed Wind Walking Step and closed in again like a ghost, swinging his iron ruler. Crimson ruler shadows wreathed in the phantom image of the Green Lotus Core Flame descended like a raging storm.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Wave Surge!"

Layer upon layer of ruler shadows surged like a crimson tide. Every strike carried an overbearing force that threatened to burn all things to ashes, sealing off every path of retreat for the masked leader.

The masked leader was horrified. He had not expected his opponent's Dou Technique to be so powerful. Gritting his teeth, he drove his Two-Star Great Dou Master Dou Qi to its limit and whirled his long saber into an impenetrable defense, trying to withstand Xiao Yan's assault.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A rapid series of collisions rang out, sending sparks flying. Though the masked leader had the advantage in cultivation, he gradually fell into a disadvantage before Xiao Yan's exquisite Dou Technique and strange flames. His Dou Qi defense sizzled under the flames, and the wind from the ruler tore his clothes in numerous places, leaving him in a sorry state.

What kind of flame is this? Why is it so overbearing? The masked leader was bewildered and terrified. He had never seen such a strange flame before-it could actually burn Dou Qi!

[Ding! The host's fierce battle with a Two-Star Great Dou Master has awakened his potential. The Tenth Stage of Dou Qi barrier has loosened!]

The system notification invigorated Xiao Yan. He could clearly feel the Dou Qi in his body surging wildly, battering the barrier that had blocked countless Dou Zhe.

"Now!"

A sharp gleam flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. Holding nothing back, he drove the Burning Heaven Art and Heavenly Flames Simulation to their limits. The phantom image of the Green Lotus Core Flame on his iron ruler grew more solid than ever, almost becoming real flame!

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Flame Explosion!"

The crimson ruler shadow abruptly swelled like a blazing dragon, smashing down at the masked leader with the might to destroy heaven and earth!

The strike held all of Xiao Yan's strength and will, as well as his determination to break through!

The masked leader's expression changed drastically. Feeling the force that made even his soul tremble, he knew he could not meet the strike head-on. He bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of blood essence. It landed on his long saber, which instantly erupted with pitch-black Dou Qi.

"Black Wind Slash!"

He unleashed the Dou Technique secretly passed down in his family to its limit. The pitch-black saber light met the blazing dragon amid a shrill howl of wind.

Boom-!

An earth-shaking boom exploded above the mine. Crimson and black energies collided violently and annihilated each other. A furious blast of air spread out like a tsunami, making the rocks at the mine entrance rattle. Many men in black were flung away by the blast and knocked unconscious.

Dust filled the air, obscuring everyone's vision.

Xiao Ding and the surviving guards held their breath, staring anxiously at the center of the dust cloud.

As the dust slowly settled, two figures appeared before everyone once more.

Xiao Yan stood motionless. Though his cyan robes were somewhat torn, his eyes were brighter than ever, and he radiated a powerful presence far beyond what he had before-the pressure of a Da Dou Shi!

During the collision just now, he had finally shattered the Tenth Stage of Dou Qi barrier and successfully advanced to the One-Star Great Dou Master realm!

The masked leader, meanwhile, knelt on the ground in a sorry state. His long saber had broken, his body was covered in burns, and blood kept spilling from the corners of his mouth. He was clearly gravely injured. Looking at the Da Dou Shi presence radiating from Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with despair and disbelief.

"No... impossible... how could you suddenly break through?!"

Xiao Yan did not answer. He simply raised the iron ruler in his hand. Though its flames had gone out, the scorching heat that lingered on it still made the masked leader tremble all over.

"The Jia Lie Family has quite the nerve, daring to covet my Xiao Clan's mine." Xiao Yan's voice was cold as frost. "Today, you'll pay for what you've done!"

He walked toward the masked leader one step at a time, each footfall seeming to land on the man's heart.

"S-spare me! I'm Jia Lie Nu, an elder of the Jia Lie Family. If you kill me, the Jia Lie Family will never let you go!" the masked leader roared, blustering to hide his fear.

"The Jia Lie Family?" A cold smile curved Xiao Yan's lips. "Sooner or later, it'll be their turn."

Before his words had faded, the iron ruler fell, cleanly ending Jia Lie Nu's life.

[Ding! Emergency mission "Defend the Mine" completed!]

[Rewards issued: Successfully broke through to the One-Star Great Dou Master realm, 2,000 points credited, mysterious item "Storage Ring Fragment" stored in system space!]

[Current total points: 3,280 + 1,500 + 2,000 = 6,780!]

Warmth surged through his body, and the power of a One-Star Great Dou Master coursed within him, filling Xiao Yan with an unprecedented sense of strength. He clenched his fist and could clearly feel that his control over Dou Qi had risen another level. Every movement carried a power that made heavy burdens seem light.

"Xiao Yan... no, Mr. Yan Xiao?" Xiao Ding limped over, leaning on his weapon. He stared at the Da Dou Shi presence radiating from Xiao Yan, his face full of shock. "You... you broke through?"

Xiao Yan dropped his disguise, revealing his true face, and smiled. "Big brother, it's me."

"Little Yanzi?!" Xiao Ding was both shocked and delighted. "It really is you! You actually... actually reached the Da Dou Shi realm?!"

There were only a handful of Da Dou Shi in all of Wutan City, yet Xiao Yan had reached that realm at such a young age. It was simply incredible!

"I only managed to break through by luck." Xiao Yan smiled. "Big brother, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, just flesh wounds." Xiao Ding waved a hand. Looking at the corpses and the mess strewn across the ground, he showed lingering fear. "It's a good thing you arrived in time. Otherwise... the consequences would have been unthinkable."

Xiao Yan nodded and glanced toward the depths of the mine, his brows furrowing slightly. "Did the Jia Lie Family really go to all this trouble just for the mine? I keep feeling there's more to this."

[Ding! Energy fluctuations detected deep within the mine, resonating with the "Storage Ring Fragment." Side mission "Uncover the Secret" triggered!]

[Mission requirement: Venture deep into the mine, find the source of the energy fluctuations, and uncover the secret hidden within the mine.]

[Mission rewards: 1,500 points, "Storage Ring Fragment" repair progress 30%, and one "Dou Qi Crystal Core" (can rapidly restore Dou Qi).]

Storage Ring Fragment? Energy fluctuations? Xiao Yan's heart stirred. It seemed the mine really did hold a secret.

"Big brother, take the men and deal with the aftermath here. Strengthen the guards at the mine. I'll go take a look deeper inside."

"You're going alone? Could it be dangerous?" Xiao Ding asked worriedly.

"Don't worry. I'm a Da Dou Shi now. Ordinary people can't hurt me." Xiao Yan patted Xiao Ding on the shoulder. "I'll be back soon."

With that, he circulated his Dou Qi and flashed away toward the depths of the mine.

Deep inside the mine, the light was dim, and a faint scent of ore hung in the air. Xiao Yan followed the system's guidance, heading ever deeper. The farther he went, the clearer the energy fluctuations became.

Half an hour later, he arrived before an enormous cavern. At its center stood a huge black crystal covered in intricate patterns. It was emitting faint energy fluctuations that resonated with the Storage Ring Fragment in his system space.

"This is the place."

Xiao Yan entered the cavern and approached the black crystal. He could feel a pure energy contained within it. It seemed to be some kind of naturally formed Dou Qi crystal.

The instant he approached the crystal, its patterns suddenly lit up. A pale blue curtain of light shot out from it, forming a human figure.

The figure was an old man dressed in ancient robes. His features were indistinct, and his presence was ethereal. Clearly, he was a remnant soul.

"Hehe, someone has finally made it here." The old man's voice carried a trace of age and relief.

Startled, Xiao Yan watched the figure warily. "May I ask who you are, senior?"

"I no longer remember who I am." A trace of melancholy entered the old man's voice. "I only remember that several thousand years ago, I cultivated here and happened upon this Dou Qi Source Crystal. I laid a protective formation here and left behind a wisp of my remnant soul."

A Dou Qi Source Crystal?

Xiao Yan looked at the black crystal, understanding flashing in his eyes. No wonder it emitted energy fluctuations. It was a natural Dou Qi Source Crystal, a treasure even more precious than a high-grade spirit stone, capable of continually producing pure Dou Qi!

"Senior, you left your remnant soul here. May I ask what you wish of me?"

"Hehe, I was merely waiting for a fated person." The old man's voice grew serious. "Though this Dou Qi Source Crystal is precious, it has also attracted many covetous eyes. Over the past several thousand years, the power of my remnant soul has grown weaker and weaker, and the formation is about to fail. Now that you have come here, it shows that we are fated. I shall give you this Dou Qi Source Crystal."

"Give it to me?" Xiao Yan was taken aback.

"Indeed," the old man said. "But before that, you must promise me one thing."

"Please, go ahead, senior."

"I once left behind a Storage Ring containing some of my cultivation insights and Dou Techniques. Sadly, it later broke, and the fragments were scattered far and wide. The one in your possession must be one of them." The old man's voice held a trace of anticipation. "If you can gather all the fragments and repair the Storage Ring someday, pass on my insights and Dou Techniques. Do not let them gather dust."

[Ding! Side mission "Uncover the Secret" completed!]

[Rewards issued: 1,500 points credited, "Storage Ring Fragment" repair progress 30%, "Dou Qi Crystal Core" obtained!]

[Long-term mission "Carry On the Legacy" triggered: Gather all Storage Ring Fragments, repair the Storage Ring, and carry on the old man's final wishes.]

[Mission reward: Unknown (determined according to completion).]

Xiao Yan understood and said solemnly, "Rest assured, senior. I will not disappoint you!"

"Good! Good! Good!" The old man said the word three times in succession, his figure gradually turning transparent. "You may absorb the energy of this Dou Qi Source Crystal yourself. It will greatly benefit your cultivation. I... must go..."

Before his voice had faded, the old man's figure vanished completely, and the patterns on the black crystal dimmed.

Xiao Yan walked up to the Dou Qi Source Crystal and sensed the pure energy within it. He was overjoyed. With this Dou Qi Source Crystal, his cultivation speed would surely increase greatly!

He did not rush to absorb it. Instead, he first put the Dou Qi Source Crystal into the system space, using the system's newly unlocked storage function, then turned and left the cavern.

When he returned to the mine entrance, Xiao Ding had already dealt with the aftermath. Seeing Xiao Yan return, he hurried over. "Little Yanzi, how did it go? Did you find anything?"

Xiao Yan briefly told him about the Dou Qi Source Crystal, leaving out the secrets of the remnant soul and the Storage Ring Fragment. Xiao Ding listened, dumbstruck.

"A Dou Qi Source Crystal?! That's a legendary treasure!" Xiao Ding said excitedly. "With it, our Xiao Clan's strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds!"

"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded. "Don't spread word of this yet, or it might cause unnecessary trouble. Let's return to the residence first."

"Good!"

Back at the Xiao Clan residence, Xiao Yan told Xiao Zhan and the others what had happened that day, leaving them both shaken and excited. Xiao Zhan in particular wept tears of joy upon learning that Xiao Yan had broken through to the Da Dou Shi realm and obtained a Dou Qi Source Crystal.

"Good! Good! Good! Our Xiao Clan finally has hope!" Xiao Zhan said the word three times in succession, patting Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Little Yanzi, you truly are the qilin child of our Xiao Clan!"

That night, Xiao Yan began absorbing the Dou Qi Source Crystal's energy in his room. Pure Dou Qi streamed into his body without end, nourishing his meridians and Dou Qi. His One-Star Great Dou Master realm grew increasingly stable, and there were faint signs of a breakthrough to two-star.

[System notification: Absorbing Dou Qi Source Crystal energy. Cultivation speed increased by 500%!]

Xiao Yan was overjoyed. At this rate, it would not be long before he broke through to Two-Star Great Dou Master!

Meanwhile, at the Jia Lie Family residence.

Jia Lie Bi knelt in the middle of the hall, trembling all over and not daring to raise his head. At the head of the hall sat a sinister-looking middle-aged man: Jia Lie Ao, the patriarch of the Jia Lie Family, whose strength had reached Five-Star Da Dou Shi.

"Trash!" Jia Lie Ao slammed the table and glared at Jia Lie Bi. "You couldn't even deal with a mere Yan Xiao, and you got one of the family's elders killed. How dare you show your face before me again?!"

"Patriarch, spare me!" Jia Lie Bi was scared out of his wits. "That Yan Xiao is too powerful. Not only was he at the Tenth Stage of Dou Qi, he also used a strange flame Dou Technique. Even Elder Jia Lie Nu was no match for him, and... and he suddenly broke through to the Da Dou Shi realm!"

"What?! A Da Dou Shi?!" Jia Lie Ao's pupils contracted slightly, and disbelief appeared on his face. "A young alchemist is actually a Da Dou Shi? How is that possible?!"

"It's true, Patriarch!" Jia Lie Bi said hastily. "And I suspect that Yan Xiao is Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan! Apart from him, I can't think of any young person in Wutan City with such strength!"

"Xiao Yan?" Jia Lie Ao frowned. "That trash whose engagement the Nalan Family broke off? Didn't he disappear? How could he suddenly return and become so powerful?"

He pondered for a moment, a ruthless gleam flashing in his eyes. "Whoever he is, he dared to kill someone from my Jia Lie Family and covet my mine. He must pay the price!"

"Patriarch, what do we do now?" Jia Lie Bi asked.

"Hmph. A mere One-Star Great Dou Master isn't enough to frighten my Jia Lie Family." Jia Lie Ao snorted coldly. "Go, pass down the order. Have all the family's Da Dou Shi prepare themselves. Tomorrow morning, they'll come with me to the Xiao Clan. I want to see just what this Xiao Yan is capable of!"

"Yes, Patriarch!" Overjoyed, Jia Lie Bi hurriedly rose and withdrew.

Jia Lie Ao looked out the window at the pitch-black night sky, a vicious gleam flashing in his eyes. Xiao Clan, your good days are over!

At the Xiao Clan residence, Xiao Yan had just finished cultivating. Feeling the Dou Qi in his body growing richer by the day, he smiled. He could tell that he was not far from Two-Star Great Dou Master.

[Ding! Unusual activity detected in the Jia Lie Family. They will attack the Xiao Clan tomorrow. Main mission "Defend the Clan" (II) triggered!]

[Mission requirement: Repel the Jia Lie Family's attack, severely injure Jia Lie Ao, and utterly destroy the Jia Lie Family's ability to contend with the Xiao Clan.]

[Mission rewards: Break through to the Two-Star Great Dou Master realm, an advanced version of the Profound Tier Mid Grade Dou Technique "Flame Splitting Wave Ruler," 3,000 points, and one "Jia Lie Family Treasury Key."]

Xiao Yan's eyes turned cold. The Jia Lie Family really is coming!

"Jia Lie Ao, a Five-Star Da Dou Shi?" Xiao Yan's lips curved into a smile full of fighting spirit. "Perfect. I'll let you see just how powerful I am as a Da Dou Shi!"

He knew that tomorrow's battle would determine the future balance of power in Wutan City. And he would surely lead the Xiao Clan to rise once and for all!

As the night deepened, Wutan City lay under a blanket of quiet. But everyone knew that a storm was coming.