Chapter 7: "The Art of Playing with Flames"
Arriving at the Dou Qi Pavilion, he looked up at the massive building before him and couldn't help but shake his head in amazement.
The massive attic's plaque bore the powerful characters "Dou Qi Pavilion," a powerful aura overwhelming him.
This attic was the Xiao family's most important location: the Dou Qi Pavilion!
Unleashing his soul perception, Xiao Ling noticed several gazes fixed upon him from within the pavilion. Without changing his expression, he quickly entered.
Seeing Xiao Ling walking towards the Dou Qi Pavilion, the elder guarding the pavilion who was practicing opened his eyes, and swept over with a sharp gaze. Seeing that it was Xiao Ling, a well-known genius in the family, and a very gentle person who often taught his younger generations, his eyes became much gentler, and he smiled and said, "Xiao Ling, boy, what brings you to the Dou Qi Pavilion today? Are you planning to learn some fighting skills?"
Xiao Ling came forward, bent down slightly, bowed to the elder guarding the pavilion, and said, "My cultivation has now broken through the realm of a fighter, and I plan to come to the Dou Qi Pavilion to find a technique to practice."
Hearing Xiao Ling say that he had cultivated to the level of a fighter, the elder guarding the pavilion was shocked. He quickly stepped forward and held Xiao Ling's wrist. Xiao Ling didn't resist, allowing the inspection to proceed. He felt a warm current flash through his body. The elder guarding the pavilion withdrew his hand, staring at Xiao Ling as if he were a monster. He gasped, exclaiming inwardly, "This boy is terrifying."
"Haha, you're worthy of being the Xiao family's greatest genius in a hundred years. Come with me while I test your Dou Qi attributes, and then I'll choose a cultivation method for you." Stroking his graying beard, the elder guarding the pavilion led Xiao Ling into the pavilion.
When they reached the pavilion's main door and the crystal ball used to test Dou Qi attributes, he said, "Quickly test your Dou Qi attributes, and then choose a cultivation method based on your Dou Qi attributes." The elder guarding the pavilion nodded at Xiao Ling, motioning him forward.
Without further hesitation, Xiao Ling stepped forward, placed his hand on the crystal ball, and channeled a stream of Dou Qi. A crimson light shone forth. Having already known his Dou Qi attributes, Xiao Ling wasn't particularly surprised.
Seeing it was fire-attributed Dou Qi, the elder guarding the pavilion said, "The fire-attributed Dou Qi is in room 43, on the third path of the Fire Path. Go
in and choose the technique you want." With a subtle nod, Xiao Ling headed towards the technique pavilion.
Entering the small room where the techniques were stored, the light brightened slightly. Inside, he saw a single stone platform, upon which lay a black scroll. He picked it up and examined it, muttering softly, "'Refining Fire', Yellow Rank Advanced." Xiao Ling couldn't help but shake his head. The Xiao family's storage was still too poor. It was just a formality, so he didn't dwell on it any further. He took the technique, walked to the door, bowed to the elder guarding the pavilion, and left the Dou Qi Pavilion.
He headed towards Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, intending to tell her about the Dou Zhe breakthrough.
Arriving outside Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, he exchanged a few words with the maid outside. After she left, he waited there.
Not long after, a young woman in green clothes burst out of the room and stood before him, her graceful figure.
Xiao Xun'er smiled and grumbled softly, "Brother Xiao Ling, didn't you say you could come directly into my yard?"
Looking down at the delicate little face without a single blemish, Xiao Ling smiled and perfunctorily said, "Next time for sure." Then he changed the subject, "I came to tell you a good news. I have now broken through to the Fighter level."
"As expected of Brother Xiao Ling, the gap between Xun'er and you is getting bigger and bigger." Xiao Xun'er replied softly.
"Don't tease me. If you practice hard, you will definitely surpass me." Xiao Ling's mouth twitched, but he was complaining in his heart, "This little bit of talent is nothing compared to your divine bloodline."
Suddenly, Xiao Ling's stomach made a "gurgling~" sound. It turned out that he had consumed too much energy from practicing, and he hadn't eaten for a long time, so he was a little hungry.
Xiao Ling's face flushed, and he scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. He checked the time and saw that it was almost noon, so he said, "I'm a little hungry after practicing and breaking through. Xun'er, would you like to go to lunch with me?"
Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth, letting out a silvery laugh. Then, smiling, she said, "Okay, okay. Xun'er's a little hungry, too."
The two of them walked together to the dining room.
Sitting at the table, they ate.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes flickered, as if a thought had occurred to her. "Brother Xiao Ling, since you just broke through to the Fighter level, are you ready for your cultivation techniques?"
Without further ado, Xiao Ling pulled out the "Fire Refining" from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night. Shaking the scroll in his hand, he said, "This is the Xiao family's most powerful fire-attributed technique."
Xiao Xun'er frowned when she took the technique from Xiao Ling's hand, seeing it was only a high-level Huang-grade technique.
She handed the "Fire Refining" to Xiao Ling, then pulled a white scroll from her ring and placed it in front of him. "This is the high-level Xuan-grade technique, the "Fire Manipulation Technique." Brother Xiao Ling, practice this."
Looking at the technique before him, Xiao Ling knew it was worthless to Xiao Xun'er, so he didn't refuse and put it away at his waist.
He said to Xiao Xun'er, "I know you were born into a special family. This technique may not mean much to you, but I'll accept this gift. Thank you, Xun'er."
Seeing Xiao Ling accept the technique, Xiao Xun'er's mood brightened. She said earnestly, "Brother Xiao Ling, Xun'er believes in you. I'll wait for you to become the most powerful person in the world."
Seeing Xiao Xun'er's serious look, Xiao Ling's expression grew serious as well. A confident glint flashed in his eyes, and he said firmly, "Don't worry, I won't let you down."
The sun shone on the boy's face, and the wind ruffled his hair. Xiao Xun'er smiled brightly at the spirited Xiao Ling.
After lunch, Xiao Ling walked Xiao Xun'er back to the courtyard before leaving the Xiao family home, intending to purchase some beast fire at the Miter Auction House.
As he approached the Miter Auction House, he quickly entered a dark alley. He donned a black robe to conceal his presence and slowly made his way towards the Miter Auction House.
The Mitel Auction House, the largest auction venue in Wutan City, also belongs to the Mitel family, the wealthiest family in the Gama Empire.
Crossing the street and arriving in front of the Mitel Auction House, Xiao Ling couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the towering building, "How magnificent! Even the Xiao family pales in comparison."
Despite the vigilant gazes of several heavily armed guards at the entrance, Xiao Ling walked straight in.
Upon entering the hall, the scorching heat receded like a tide, leaving behind a refreshing coolness. It could be described as a world of ice and fire, reminding Xiao Ling of the feeling of stepping into an air-conditioned room on Blue Star in the summer.
(End of Chapter)