Chapter 197: Zi Yan Pays a Visit
Shii!
With a ripple in space, Su Qian appeared in the deepest level of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower. He frowned as he looked at Xiao Yuan, who had been encased in ice for nearly two weeks.
From the seventh day of Xiao Yuan's advancement attempt, Su Qian had been checking in daily. But the boy still showed no signs of completing the breakthrough.
Strangely, instead of thinning, the ice around Xiao Yuan had grown even thicker. Today, Su Qian couldn't even see the youth's face clearly beneath the dense layer.
Now, he could only rely on sensing Xiao Yuan's aura to assess his condition.
Fortunately, that aura remained incredibly stable—so strong, in fact, that even some three-star Dou Wangs might not compare.
But... what was this kid doing in there for so long?
Su Qian stared at the life-sized ice sculpture, utterly perplexed.
The truth was, Xiao Yuan had already broken through.
Seven days prior, he'd successfully stepped into the Dou Wang realm. However, at that critical moment, a five-colored scroll within his spiritual sea had suddenly unfurled further.
As he'd guessed, the newly revealed content described a method to connect all five Qi Palaces—allowing Dou Qi to circulate between them without any loss.
Previously, even though he had five Qi Palaces, energy transfer between them resulted in diminished potency. Now, no matter which one he used, all five acted as one unified powerhouse.
Even more astonishing, the connection allowed all palaces to share techniques. In other words, every one of Xiao Yuan's Qi Palaces now had access to his high-tier lightning cultivation art from the Aoki Palace.
This drastically reduced his need for new techniques. All he needed now were matching Dou Skills.
Moreover, as the Blackwater Qi Palace underwent this enhancement, its Dou Qi evolved. The Ice attribute within it began to undergo a qualitative transformation.
That was why the ice around him had thickened so dramatically—his Ice Dou Qi was reaching a level of purity comparable to Hai Bodong, a true Dou Huang.
Crack!
A sharp sound shattered the silence. Su Qian's eyes snapped toward the black ice statue.
Cracks rapidly spread across its surface, and as they appeared, Xiao Yuan's aura surged even stronger.
As the fractures spread over the entire statue, Su Qian's expression changed. He quickly formed hand seals and shouted:
"Spatial Lock!"
A spatial barrier sealed off the space around Xiao Yuan just as the ice erupted, releasing an overwhelming energy shockwave from the young man's crown. The barrier contained it perfectly.
The shattered black ice transformed into a thick black mist that billowed outward, then collapsed back inward—like a reversed bowl.
Amid the swirling haze stood a white-clad youth, revealed once more to Su Qian and the two nearby Elders.
"Grand Elder. Elders."
Xiao Yuan stood up with a calm smile and greeted them.
"Ha! This is the first time I've seen a Dou Wang breakthrough cause such a ruckus. I've seen people ascend to Dou Huang with less noise."
Su Qian chuckled, stroking his beard.
"Many thanks, Grand Elder!"
Xiao Yuan bowed in gratitude, then turned to the two elders.
"And thank you both for guarding me these days."
Though he'd been focused on cultivation, he was aware of their presence. The two had stood watch every day without fail.
"With such heaven-defying talent, we're the ones who should be grateful!"
The two elders smiled respectfully.
"We may need your guidance someday, Elder Xiao."
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but smile. Just after advancing, he already tasted the sweet respect given to the strong—it wasn't a bad feeling at all.
"Xiao Yuan, what are your plans now?"
Su Qian asked.
"I won't be making any major breakthroughs soon. I'll focus on honing my Dou Skills and improving my alchemy."
Xiao Yuan replied thoughtfully.
"Alchemy?"
Su Qian looked surprised.
"With Ice attribute Dou Qi?"
Realizing he might have revealed too much, Xiao Yuan quickly explained:
"Well, I have a Heavenly Flame, so despite not having the ideal element, I can still manage. Plus, my soul perception is decent, so I can at least handle the basics."
"I see. That makes sense. Still, don't waste too much time on it."
Su Qian advised.
"Alchemy is good, but your true strength lies in combat."
"I understand, Grand Elder. I'll balance it wisely."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Good. Then let's head back."
Su Qian clapped a hand on Xiao Yuan's shoulder, and they vanished.
Back at the tower entrance, Su Qian handed Xiao Yuan a black scroll.
"This contains a sealing technique all Elders must learn. It's used to suppress the Fallen Heart Flame. Learn it quickly—you may need it soon."
"I will."
Xiao Yuan accepted it earnestly.
"Also, I'll keep your advancement confidential for now. Don't bother with the Strong Ranking Tournament. Your aura is likely stronger than even Zi Yan's… frankly, your talent is enviable."
Su Qian sighed.
"Thank you, Grand Elder."
Xiao Yuan chuckled and, with a flash of lightning, disappeared hundreds of meters away.
"That speed… terrifying."
Su Qian murmured as he vanished too.
Back at the residence, as Xiao Yuan pushed open the door, a white blur darted at him. Startled, he halted—then realized who it was.
Zi Yan looked up at him with sparkling eyes full of anticipation.
"Ah… Zi Yan, what brings you here?"
Xiao Yuan chuckled, patting her little head as he entered. Inside, Xun'er, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yu were all looking at him with strange expressions.
"You're out of pills."
Zi Yan followed him closely, her cheeks flushed, clearly embarrassed.
Xiao Yuan sweatdropped. He knew she'd probably gobbled the potent pills like candy. Her physique as a magical beast certainly allowed it, but still…
In the hall, Xiao Yu whispered,
"Who is this little girl? She came looking for you and hasn't left. She's been sitting here cold as ice all morning—we couldn't exactly force her out."
Xiao Yuan smiled wryly.
"Good thing you didn't. If you tried, this whole building might've been demolished."
"...Huh?"
Xiao Yu glanced at the cute girl, stunned. Could she really be that strong?
"She may be small, but there's terrifying power inside her. Very few here could handle her."
Xun'er added calmly, already sensing Zi Yan's strength.
"She's also number one on the Strong Ranking."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
That shut everyone up.
Moments later, Zi Yan dumped a pile of rare herbs on the table.
"You said I could come find you when I finished the pills."
Xiao Yuan picked one up and gasped—it was a Fire Spirit Root, a highly prized fire-element herb.
"Wait… did you raid the academy's stores again?"
"No!"
Zi Yan pouted.
"I found them in the mountains. I have a natural ability to sense these things!"
"Oh? You can sense hidden herbs underground?"
Xun'er asked in surprise.
Zi Yan gave her a wary glance, but replied,
"Of course. But most are guarded by strong beasts. Like that Snow Demon Ape in the canyon—it had treasure, but I couldn't beat it. I told a silver-haired lady I liked about it, and Xiao Yuan ended up with the loot!"
That made Xiao Yan glance at Zi Yan with new respect.
"Alright. Leave the herbs to me. If I'm not around, ask my brother Xiao Yan—his alchemy is better than mine."
"No!"
Zi Yan pouted.
"I can tell yours have a special taste. Also… I came to ask for something else."
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan raised a brow.
"I found another tasty-looking herb, but its guardian is too strong. Come with me!"
She clasped her hands nervously.
"Sure. But I want something in return."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Deal!"
Zi Yan lit up immediately.
"From now on, whenever you run out of pills, I'll stop everything and help. I'll even help you steal herbs. But if I need to search for rare ones, you have to come with me."
She thought about it, then nodded like a little adult.
"Okay, but I only help find them. If a beast appears, you fight. Or… pay me extra!"
"You really don't like losing, huh?"
Xiao Yuan laughed.
"Alright. I'll make the pills today. We leave tomorrow."
"No problem!"
Zi Yan beamed.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1