Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

"Taking Xun'er's cultivation technique was just to see what's so special about a high-tier Xuan Rank technique." Xiao Yan played with the scroll in his hands.

Xun'er rested her slender fingers against her snow-white chin. Is Xiao Yan-gege's current technique inferior? Is that why he's so curious about a Xuan Rank technique?

With a soft, teasing smile, Xun'er asked, "Gege, can you show me what rank your cultivation technique is?"

"Ahem... Cultivation techniques aren't just about rank. It also depends on who is practicing them and how they are practiced." Xiao Yan laughed awkwardly.

Seeing his evasive response, Xun'er's beautiful eyes narrowed into a dangerous arc, yet her voice remained as gentle and melodious as ever. "Xiao Yan-gege, why don't you let Xun'er take a look?"

Facing Xun'er's persistent gaze, Xiao Yan could only sigh helplessly. He extended his hand, circulating his Dou Qi slowly. A faint yellow glow flickered in his palm, as weak and fragile as a candle in the wind, seemingly ready to extinguish at any moment.

Upon seeing the feeble Dou Qi, Xun'er's delicate face darkened slightly. She pressed her rosy lips together tightly, a clear sign of the frustration and disappointment welling up inside her.

"Xiao Yan-gege, this is the so-called better technique you were talking about?"

"You clearly know how beneficial a high-tier technique can be in the early stages of cultivation. I even brought you one—why couldn't you just cultivate it and return it to me afterward? Instead, you chose to practice the lowest tier technique. Are you doing this on purpose to upset me?"

Xun'er's eyes widened with anger and worry. Long, fluttering eyelashes trembled slightly, with a few crystal-clear teardrops clinging to them. Her pitiful expression made it difficult for anyone to resist feeling sympathetic.

We're destined to be together in the future, Xun'er thought. But with such a low-tier technique, how can we overcome the opposition from the family?

For Xun'er, who was always gentle and composed, to speak with such urgency, it was clear just how much she couldn't comprehend or accept Xiao Yan's choice.

Seeing her biting her lip stubbornly, demanding an explanation, Xiao Yan sighed and shook his head with a helpless smile. "We've lived together for almost ten years now. Don't you understand me by now?"

"But this technique... it's clearly of the lowest tier. My perception can't be wrong!" Xun'er's anger softened slightly, but she remained persistent.

"You should know my talent better than anyone. You'll understand everything in due time." Xiao Yan smiled confidently.

"Really?" Xun'er hesitated for a moment, watching his self-assured expression.

Before Xiao Yan could answer, Xun'er's delicate brows relaxed, and she smiled playfully. "Then why don't you show me some of your strength now? I've already broken through to the Dou Practitioner level too!"

From Disheartened to Smiling Brightly, A Sudden Enlightenment in Battle

Xun'er's expression shifted from sadness to a bright smile, like a spring breeze melting the winter snow. Her face bloomed like a flower, radiating a charm that came from deep within.

"It's the effect of the fourth-tier Qi Gathering Powder, right? You really are quite the little rich lady." Xiao Yan smiled gently.

For the Xiao Clan, reaching the ninth level of Dou Qi would typically require a long period of accumulation.

But Xiao Yan knew that for Xun'er, consuming Qi Gathering Powder for a breakthrough was nothing special—she could practically treat it like a daily meal.

Xun'er pursed her lips and looked at Xiao Yan seriously. "Gege, only in real combat will you realize the advantages of high-tier techniques."

Xun'er had no doubts about Xiao Yan's talent, but growing up in the remote Wu Tan City, he might not be fully aware of the intricacies of cultivation. At such a young age, he could easily be deceived by some old monster.

"Alright, let's have a little spar then." Xiao Yan drew out his heavy black ruler and forcefully stabbed it into the ground.

Despite the seemingly simple action, the immense weight of the ruler, combined with Xiao Yan's strength, caused it to sink into the hard earth with a loud thud, embedding itself deeply.

Xun'er's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment. She had been so focused on the cultivation technique issue that she hadn't paid much attention to the seemingly ordinary black ruler...

Xiao Yan smiled slightly and took a few steps back. "Come on, show me what you've got."

Biting her red lips gently, Xun'er didn't dare to be careless. Her Dou Qi core began rotating rapidly, accelerating with each passing moment. A golden glow flickered within her captivating eyes.

The scorching midday sun blazed in the sky, turning the earth into a furnace. Waves of heat shimmered upwards, distorting the air and blurring vision.

Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting scattered specks of light onto the dry, leaf-covered ground, resembling a sky full of stars.

With a gust of wind, the two figures in the forest suddenly clashed. Their palms collided, generating shockwaves that sent fallen leaves swirling in all directions.

Though their attacks seemed powerful, Xiao Yan was only using thirty percent of his strength.

Even so, it exceeded Xun'er's tolerance limit, leaving a faint bruise on her delicate hand.

"So strong!" Xun'er gasped softly. She had been with Xiao Yan nearly every day and knew he had never learned any formal combat techniques—his focus was solely on cultivating Dou Qi.

She had assumed that even after reaching the Dou Practitioner level, he would lack practical combat ability. But this first sparring match had already proven her wrong.

Xiao Yan suddenly stomped the ground and shot forward, kicking up dirt and debris. He stopped abruptly just a meter from Xun'er, transitioning seamlessly from rapid motion to stillness, without any awkwardness.

Seeing his impeccable control over speed and movement, Xun'er's eyes gleamed with admiration.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!" Xiao Yan shouted, executing a basic but powerful forward punch, aiming straight for Xun'er's seemingly delicate body.

Watching his fierce attack, golden flames flickered in Xun'er's eyes.

Her pale hand traced a small semicircle in front of her, and with a sudden burst of golden light, she clenched her fingers into an arc and struck Xiao Yan's incoming fist without hesitation.

Boom!

As their fists collided, a muffled explosion echoed through the forest, scattering the fallen leaves in a swirling frenzy.

For a brief moment, both figures froze mid-air before they were forced to retreat rapidly.

Xiao Yan felt as though he had struck a rubber ball—his force was not only neutralized but partially rebounded back at him. As expected of someone from an ancient clan.

"This is the high-tier Xuan-rank battle technique, Swallow Return Strike," Xun'er explained with a gentle smile. "At its peak, it can fully return an opponent's attack. Right now, I'm only at the initial stage, and I can only reflect a portion of the force."

"Using strength to counter strength..." Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly lit up, as if a veil had been lifted from his mind.

[By integrating the force-gathering technique inspired by the Stellar Transformation, you have comprehended a new Dou Technique—Reincarnation Tribulation: Shatter the Universe!]

(End of Chapter)