Chapter Nineteen: A One-Star Dou Master
“Miss, these items aren’t something you’d just come across casually in the Beast Mountains. The medicinal herbs might be a matter of luck, but as for the Combat Technique scrolls, even an old servant like me hasn’t ever found one.”
A voice spoke, but the speaker remained unseen.
The dark-attribute guard specialized in appearing and disappearing like a ghost.
Xun’er was used to this; upon hearing the sudden voice, she didn’t even pause her steps.
“Elder Ling, haven’t you forgotten that widely circulated saying? No matter how Brother Chen Xiao obtained those things, it has nothing to do with us.”
On the Douqi Continent, there was a common saying:
If one day you fall off a cliff or stumble into a cave, don’t panic. Take a few steps forward, and perhaps, you will become strong!
After all, the world is vast and full of wonders.
The hidden guard paused briefly, then smiled with relief.
…
Inside a small hut.
Chen Xiao restrained the urge to immediately consume the Ice Spirit Flame Herb and first went to see an elder of the Xiao family.
One purpose was to show his face and confirm his return.
The other was to completely set aside unnecessary daily chores.
Previously, he had no choice—he had to work to earn his food. But now, the situation was different; he could support himself.
Therefore, there was no need to waste at least an hour each day on labor.
It was far better to use that time to cultivate, read, and broaden his horizons.
“As for meals, handle it yourself. You’re exempt from paying rent; the Xiao family isn’t short of a plot this size. Also, you’re growing up. You need to think carefully about whether to stay or leave in the future.”
“I understand. Thank you, Elder.”
After expressing his gratitude, Chen Xiao left.
This elder, named Xiao Shiyi, was the family member he had interacted with most over the years—a rather warm-hearted man.
Evening fell.
Many young members of the Xiao family gathered at the training ground, enthusiastically discussing Canaan Academy.
The annual enrollment at Canaan was a grand event in Wutan City. Youths from various families took pride in entering the prestigious academy.
“Did you see those recruits? They’re not much older than us, yet each one is terrifyingly strong. If I got into Canaan Academy, would I become as strong as them?”
“That instructor is incredible—I feel he’s even more formidable than our clan chief.”
“Unfortunately, the admission bar at Canaan Academy is extremely high. I’m only at the fifth level of Douqi now. I don’t know if I’ll meet the requirements later.”
“Don’t even think about it. Among us, only Cousin Xiao Yan might meet the criteria in two or three years!”
Hearing the praise from the girl in the pink dress, Xiao Yan, sitting in the center, found it somewhat childish but couldn’t help but smile.
Those words were sweet and heartwarming.
But two or three years?
No need to wait that long!
With his current seventh level Douqi, Xiao Yan scoffed inwardly, confident he could qualify for Canaan Academy within a year.
Whether he would go or not was another matter.
No one in the Xiao family had yet entered Canaan Academy, so Xiao Yan’s understanding of the renowned school was limited.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Xiao, who admired Canaan Academy, sat cross-legged on his bed with eyes closed.
He circulated the Ice Emperor Classic through several cycles until he felt his condition had peaked, then slowly opened his eyes.
He glanced at the Ice Spirit Flame Herb beside him, already cleaned, and without hesitation, picked it up and swallowed it like a snack.
He had thoroughly examined the ancient texts Xun’er left behind and confirmed there was no falsehood.
The slightly bitter taste entered his stomach, and immediately, a chilling coldness spread throughout his body.
Yet, thanks to his affinity with the ice element, Chen Xiao felt no pain—only a deep, refreshing coolness.
Within a few breaths, the energy contained within the Ice Spirit Flame Herb began to manifest, causing his meridians to swell slightly.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao focused without distraction, quickly forming cultivation hand seals and sinking his mind inward to refine and absorb this immense blessing.
As Chen Xiao entered his cultivation state, the energy in the surrounding world subtly accelerated, as if attracted and converging toward the hut.
The energy from the Ice Spirit Flame Herb and the influx of worldly energy combined, keeping Chen Xiao busy at his limits, pushing the Ice Emperor Classic to its extremity to refine and absorb.
After being purified by his technique, this energy gradually transformed into pure Douqi, which Chen Xiao then poured into the ice-blue vortex within his body.
With each surge of mighty Douqi, the previously gentle vortex abruptly spun faster and faster, greedily devouring the continuous flow of energy—as if savoring a delicious treat.
Faster, faster, even faster...
It seemed to say.
Time passed unknowingly, and Chen Xiao lost track of how much refined Douqi he had infused into the ice-blue vortex.
Finally, at a certain moment,
A qualitative change was triggered by quantitative accumulation!
Chen Xiao inwardly observed and saw clearly that inside the ice-blue vortex, some liquid-like droplets appeared. They resembled dewdrops resting quietly on morning grass blades.
One drop, two drops, three drops...
As the vortex absorbed more Douqi, the number of these dewdrop-like liquids rapidly increased.
This state continued until the twenty-fifth “dewdrop” appeared, after which the vortex gradually calmed, and its rotation slowed to a halt.
Chen Xiao suddenly opened his eyes. In an instant, strands of hair on his back lifted as if blown by wind, and his clothes billowed without a breeze. A force several times stronger than before erupted from within him!
Exhaling a breath of pale blue cold air, Chen Xiao leapt from the bed.
Clenching his fist slightly, he immediately sensed the unprecedented fullness of his power.
After a moment’s feeling, he struck with his fist while turning his thoughts.
In an instant, dazzling ice-blue Douqi, tinged with coldness, burst forth. Under Chen Xiao’s control, it folded and stretched, slowly wrapping around his body over his clothes.
From the front, it appeared as if he was wearing a sheer ice-blue garment—mysterious and enchanting.
“So this is the Douqi Sheath?”
Like discovering a new toy, Chen Xiao turned over and over, moving his limbs to experience the transformation.
On this continent, every stage of cultivation was sharply defined.
For example, forming a Douqi vortex symbolized becoming a Fighter.
The Douqi Sheath was the signature skill of a Dou Master!
It not only altered appearance but was extremely practical.
After a brief moment’s feeling, Chen Xiao realized that with the Douqi Sheath’s enhancement, his speed, defense, and attack were all comprehensively amplified!
Opening the door, the starry sky glittered brilliantly, and the Xiao family compound lay quiet.
Feeling the inexhaustible strength within him, Chen Xiao turned back inside, retrieved the “Roaring Lion Chant,” and headed straight for the back mountain.