Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

Half an hour later, a small mountain of medicinal herbs and magical beast cores appeared in front of Xiao Yan.

Beside the pile of herbs was a heap of gold coins, numbering in the thousands.

"No wonder they say, 'Plundering is the fastest way to wealth,'" Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. "Just taking down one mercenary squad netted nearly twenty thousand gold coins. That's more than the Xiao Clan market's monthly income."

Yao Lao was still analyzing the battle skill Xiao Yan had created. After a long time, he sighed regretfully: "If only your Dou Qi reserve were higher, the power of this skill could be even greater!"

Looking at the deep groove stretching several meters across the ground, Yao Lao still seemed to see the dazzling starlight from the technique's execution in his mind.

With a single strike, the previously indestructible Rock Crystal Fists had shattered instantly. Even Hemon, who trained in rock-based Dou Qi, was cleaved in two.

The explosive force of the attack left the other five mercenaries unable to react.

The six fighters, who were far from weak, died without much awareness. The technique was truly overwhelming.

This Dou skill required exceptional concentration of strength and Dou Qi. Xiao Yan executed it with unparalleled precision—flawless in every aspect, a rarity indeed.

Generally, a battle skill that could amplify a fighter's strength beyond their actual level by several times was already impressive. Xiao Yan's recent move, Stellar Transformation: Wolf Fang Breaks the Void, had an amplification level that Yao Lao had seldom witnessed in his lifetime.

This technique was difficult to classify with standard grading—it resembled a secret method that condensed both strength and Dou Qi to their absolute limits.

As Xiao Yan's strength increased, the move's execution would still rival battle skills at the Earth Tier level.

Hearing Yao Lao's regretful comment, Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. "It's only temporary. My Dou Qi will grow in time."

"That's true," Yao Lao replied, shifting his gaze away from the groove on the ground and back to Xiao Yan. He couldn't help but marvel.

Most people, when acquiring a battle skill, would simply practice and refine it. Xiao Yan, however, constantly innovated. What started as refining the Eight Extremes Collapse had now evolved into extending its principles to the Heavy Black Ruler. His ability to infer and create was remarkable!

Glancing at Xiao Yan's spoils, Yao Lao remarked, "You're only missing a Tier 2 fire-attribute magical beast core."

"That's not a problem," Xiao Yan waved his hand, pointing at the pile of gold coins. "With this much money, buying a Tier 2 fire-attribute magical beast core shouldn't be hard."

"You really know how to cut corners," Yao Lao chuckled.

Originally, Yao Lao had intended for Xiao Yan, the young master of a wealthy clan, to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for a few months. The goal was to hone his Dou skills while tempering his character.

However, Xiao Yan's talent in mastering Dou skills was so extraordinary that further training in this manner would only highlight his lack of sufficient Dou Qi to support his creations.

Looking at the pile of medicinal herbs, including valuable items like the Vitality Fruit and Coagulating Blood Grass, an idea struck Yao Lao. Exceptional talent in Dou skills didn't necessarily translate to similar aptitude in alchemy.

Alchemy required not only the qualifications of an alchemist but also extensive experience with countless herbs and refining processes.

After a moment of consideration, Yao Lao suggested, "Let's visit an auction house. Now that you've become a Dou Fighter, you can refine medicine using your own Dou Qi. It's time to start teaching you alchemy."

"Becoming an alchemist? Now?" Xiao Yan was taken aback. He hadn't fully enjoyed his recent triumphs yet.

"You can't rely on this old man forever, can you?"

Xiao Yan chuckled mischievously and rubbed his hands. "Teacher, alchemists need cauldrons, and those don't come cheap. This disciple's wealth isn't enough to buy one."

Seeing Xiao Yan's sly, fox-like expression, Yao Lao sighed helplessly. "Don't worry. Since you're my disciple, I'll naturally prepare that for you. You'll also get to witness some genuine alchemy skills."

Waving his hand, Xiao Yan stored the large pile of items into the Bone Flame Ring. Yao Lao placed a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, and with a ripple in the surrounding space, the two of them vanished from the camp and reappeared at the back mountain of the Xiao Clan.

If it weren't for Xiao Yan continuously providing Dou Qi over the past few years, Yao Lao would have found it nearly impossible to restore his soul power to such an extent.

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar surroundings, Xiao Yan realized they weren't exactly where they started and asked curiously, "Teacher, did you take the wrong way? Is this really the back mountain of our Xiao Clan?"

"You don't even recognize your own home?" Yao Lao's figure slowly faded back into the Bone Flame Ring. "Pack up, and then head to the auction house in Wutan City."

Xiao Yan shrugged and murmured, "Isn't it because someone has been constantly absorbing my Dou Qi? Most of my time has been spent on training."

After Yao Lao returned to the ring, he fell silent, offering no response.

Sighing, Xiao Yan walked forward. Fortunately, the back mountain wasn't too large, so it wouldn't take him too long to find his way.

As he walked, the surrounding air gradually became humid. Using his soul perception to scout the path, Xiao Yan suddenly perked up.

"Xiao... Cousin Xiao Yu!"

Only then did Xiao Yan realize that, unknowingly, he had wandered near a hot spring in the Xiao Clan's back mountain.

"Perfect timing to ask for directions." Nodding in agreement with himself, Xiao Yan crouched down and silently crept into the bushes, his dark eyes intently focused.

In the nearby pool, a breathtaking young girl, dressed in something akin to a swimsuit, was bathing.

Her ink-black hair cascaded wetly over her shoulders, and her smooth, rounded shoulders gleamed with such flawless beauty that even the finest jade in the world would pale in comparison.

She cupped water in her delicate hands and gently ran it over her long, slender legs—legs so alluring that even the enchanting Yafei of the Mitre Auction House in Wutan City couldn't compare.

As the young master of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan had visited the largest auction house in Wutan City many times. Inevitably, he compared Xiao Yu's beauty to that of the seductive enchantress Yafei.

At this young age, Xiao Yu was already stunning—Xiao Yan couldn't help but wonder how breathtakingly irresistible she would become in a few years.

Moments later, Xiao Yu slowly stepped out of the hot spring, dried herself, and put on a water-blue dudou.

The snug-fitting dudou hugged her delicate skin, accentuating her graceful curves.

A white crane was embroidered onto the fabric, so lifelike that it seemed ready to take flight at any moment.

Wearing the dudou, Xiao Yu's fair and tender skin appeared even more radiant, a sight enough to mesmerize anyone.

As she fastened the silk straps of her dudou, her beautiful eyes suddenly caught sight of a dark silhouette, and her pupils shrank.

"Who's there!"

Startled, Xiao Yu hastily covered her chest with her hands and shouted sternly.

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. "I've been discovered? How is that possible!"

In an instant, he realized—the Heavy Black Ruler strapped to his back had betrayed him!

Cursing inwardly, Xiao Yan quickly thought of an idea.

"There's a magical beast! Run!" Xiao Yan suddenly leaped from the bushes and sprinted towards Xiao Yu, calling out to her.

Upon seeing that it was Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yan moved swiftly, and within a breath or two, he had reached Xiao Yu. Grabbing her soft wrist, he tried to pull her along to escape.

"What magical beast?" Xiao Yu forcefully pulled her hand back, her face filled with doubt.

Although the back mountain bordered the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the Xiao Clan had lived here for many years, and there had never been any reports of magical beasts appearing.

Caught off guard by Xiao Yan's strength, Xiao Yu lost her balance, her foot slipping—both of them tumbled into the hot spring together.

The spring water splashed everywhere, accompanied by a startled cry.

(End of Chapter)

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