Chapter 200: Preparing a Surprise for Brother Han Feng
Gazing at the water and fire essences within his lower abdomen, Xiao Yuan appeared thoughtful.
This current Yin-Yang force was still too weak to be of real use, but if nurtured properly, it held great potential.
The fire aspect was manageable, especially with the help of his Heavenly Flame.
But the water… he still had no clue how to cultivate that.
Ah, forget it—for now, it could simply rest within him.
With a shake of his head, Xiao Yuan sent the fire and water energies into his Crimson Fire Qi Palace and Black Water Qi Palace, respectively.
As soon as they settled into the compatible Qi Palaces, the absorption process completed.
Boom!
In the next instant, intense energies surged around Xiao Yuan, forming a spiraling black-and-white energy storm.
His aura erupted to a new height—he had advanced to three-star Dou Wang.
As the storm was absorbed back into his body, Xiao Yuan slowly opened his eyes, a glimmer of vitality flashing in his pupils.
Despite the surge in power, his increased soul strength allowed him to remain in full control, preventing any instability in his Dou Qi.
"I was gonna absorb all this energy myself, but you took it all!" Zi Yan pouted, walking over with a sour look.
She'd taken plenty of beatings from that human-faced serpent in the past. Soul attacks were especially hard to defend against—if she weren't a mighty Taixu Ancient Dragon, she wouldn't have escaped its ambush.
"All the next herbs are yours, okay?"
Xiao Yuan chuckled, rubbing her head gently.
"Hmph! Then what are we waiting for?"
Satisfied, Zi Yan huffed proudly and dashed out of the cave.
Xiao Yuan took a moment to look around. The once-glowing water and fire runes were dimming. He pulled out a jade slip and recorded the cave's layout and energy fluctuations before leisurely following her out.
For the next while, the duo roamed the deep mountains.
A swarm of locusts had nothing on them.
Beasts weaker than fifth rank that knew what was good for them surrendered their herbs and lived. Those that resisted… were eliminated and dismantled for parts.
Though they had agreed that all herbs were Zi Yan's, Xiao Yuan swapped a few with her for ingredients he needed, making it a win-win.
He spent a full week refining her haul into tasty pills.
Zi Yan was delighted—she now had enough for quite a long time.
Of course, she'd soon drag him out to harvest more.
Time flew in the mountains. When they returned to Jia Nan Academy, the Strong Ranking Tournament had already ended.
Surprisingly, the winner wasn't Liu Qing, Lin Xiuya, or even the highly anticipated Xiao Yuan.
The dark horse was… Xiao Yan, who defeated both Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya in the semi-finals and final.
Back at Lionheart Society, Xiao Yuan wasn't surprised at all.
Before they'd left for the mountains, Xiao Yan had mastered the earth-tier defensive Dou Technique: Flame Armor.
It was tailor-made for him.
Xiao Yuan had even helped him train it. His evaluation was simple: it had no flashy effects—just incredible defense. Its strength depended entirely on the flame used.
And while Xiao Yan's flame, the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked only nineteenth, it was still a Heavenly Flame.
The armor also protected internal organs and meridians. Only once both internal and external flame armor were formed was it considered mastered.
According to Yao Lao, its greatest function wasn't just defense—it enabled Xiao Yan to withstand Heavenly Flames more easily during future devourings.
With Flame Armor, Flame-Splitting Ruler, and Three Thousand Lightning Movement, Xiao Yan had three earth-tier techniques at his disposal.
No wonder he won.
Of course, two tough battles left him heavily injured.
When Xiao Yuan returned, he found Xiao Yan bedridden, blinking weakly at him.
Xun Er tactfully left them alone.
"You're back, brother."
Xiao Yan whispered.
"I thought just breaking into the top ten was enough. Why go so hard?"
Xiao Yuan sighed and pressed his palm to Xiao Yan's chest, channeling black and green wood and water Dou Qi to treat his wounds.
"You and Sister Xun Er are both Dou Wangs. I didn't want to fall behind."
Xiao Yan replied, embarrassed.
Xiao Yuan smiled gently.
"You're not one to rely on others. Just… don't make it a habit to fight recklessly."
"I understand."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"Teacher, may I speak with you?"
Xiao Yuan sent his soul force into Xiao Yan's ring.
Moments later, a soul wave spread through the room. Yao Lao materialized.
"Your power and soul seem stronger again. Another fortuitous encounter?"
"Sharp-eyed as ever, Teacher. I did come across something…"
Xiao Yuan tapped his forehead, and a translucent pearl floated out.
Yao Lao's soul quivered.
"This… could it be… a Soul Nurturing Pearl?!"
Even Xiao Yan felt his soul stir.
"In the ancient era, all alchemists would go mad for this. With it, a second life is nearly guaranteed!"
Yao Lao's calm expression lit up with rare excitement.
"I won't explain further. You already know its use. Take it, Teacher. If I absorb this much soul force, I'll suffer soul-body rejection."
Xiao Yuan handed it over without hesitation.
"But you could refine it slowly. At Dou Zong level, you'd gain the soul strength of an eighth-tier alchemist…"
Yao Lao hesitated.
"Teacher, Xiao Yan and I have the talent. It'll just take time. But if you recover sooner, your strength will protect us."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"...Even in my prime, I never dared say eighth-tier was just a matter of time. But I do trust you both. Very well, I'll use it."
Yao Lao accepted the pearl, then vanished into the ring to begin recovery.
Watching his soul aura fade, a cold glint flickered in Xiao Yuan's eyes.
"Han Feng… hope you're ready for a surprise."
"You'll be walking again in three days."
Xiao Yuan smiled at Xiao Yan.
"Huh? Already?"
Xiao Yan blinked, confused by how fast he felt better.
Then he noticed Xiao Yuan looked pale.
"You okay, brother?"
"I'll be fine. Just need a recovery pill."
Xiao Yuan shrugged.
He could now use the origin energy from his five Qi Palaces for healing and offense, but not in large amounts or rapid succession. Overuse could damage the Qi Palaces and cause realm drops.
"Teacher just made some pills. Here, take them."
Xiao Yan flicked out a bottle with a tremble of his hand.
"Thanks. Now rest up. If the Fallen Heart Flame goes berserk, you'll need full strength. You might even get to absorb it."
Xiao Yuan reminded him seriously.
"Give me a week. I'll be fully recovered—and stronger."
Xiao Yan vowed.
"Good. I'm off to see Xiao Yu."
Xiao Yuan waved and left.
Watching him go, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply.
Third Brother is always improving. I can't slack.
He closed his eyes and resumed healing.
Elsewhere in the inner courtyard, Xiao Yu was both annoyed and worried. Xiao Yuan had vanished for a month again—always training, always guiding others, never resting.
But even now, though he lay with his head in her lap, sunlight dappling through the trees, she could feel the Dou Qi flowing within him.
"You're a Dou Wang now. Must you still train this hard?"
Xiao Yuan opened one eye and smiled.
"If I slack, I die. Even outside the academy, in Black-Corner Region, Dou Wang experts fall like flies."
He sighed.
"Xun Er's clan is too powerful. I need to support Xiao Yan. He's my brother."
"Aren't you tired?"
She stroked his face gently.
"I like growing stronger. And when I'm tired… well, I have you, don't I?"
He looked at her with a soft smile.
"Ugh! Say stuff like that again and I'll leave."
Xiao Yu flushed pink and pouted.
"What happened to 'if it's not you, I won't marry'?"
Xiao Yuan teased.
"Shut up!"
She blushed deeper.
"Blah blah blah—nope!"
He grinned smugly.
"That's it, you asked for it!"
She leaned down and sealed his smirking lips with a kiss.
(END CHAPTER)
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