"Mm???"
"Hahaha…"
As Yao Lao floated at the entrance of the cave, gazing into the distance and reflecting on his failed first half of life, he suddenly felt a surge of Dou Qi coming from behind him.
He turned his head and saw that Xiao Yan had also climbed out of the wooden tub, looking at him with a blank expression.
The old doctor immediately burst into hearty laughter.
Gradually, Xiao Yan, realizing what was happening, began to smile, his resolute face breaking into a wide, unrestrained laugh…
As he laughed, tears welled up in Xiao Yan's eyes. Three years of despair, three years of being a useless person, three years of humiliation—all of it had vanished into thin air today.
At this moment, Xiao Yan, who was soaking naked in the wooden tub, no longer had any obsession with the so-called three-year agreement.
Six months ago, he only vaguely understood what Chen Yang had told him, but now, having returned to the realm of Dou Zhe, he suddenly understood the meaning behind those words.
"Good lad, you really didn't disappoint me!"
Looking at Xiao Yan, whose eyes were filled with tears, Yao Lao said with a sigh.
Perhaps Xiao Yan himself would think that he was able to break through to the Dou Zhe level within half a year because of the Body Tempering Pill and Foundation Building Liquid refined by Chen Yang.
But only Yao Lao, who personally lashed Xiao Yan's body with his whip, knew what Xiao Yan had endured in the past six months.
Every whip mark imprinted on Xiao Yan's body was a medal on his path to growth!
"Old… old bastard, I… I did it!!!"
Xiao Yan sobbed, laughing and crying at the same time as he looked at Yao Lao, joking and cursing.
"You brat, you have no manners! Do you still want to learn that Earth Rank fighting technique?"
Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan and rolled his eyes.
"Heh… hehe…"
Xiao Yan still had tears in his eyes, but his face was full of flattery, which made Yao Lao unable to suppress the corners of his mouth.
This time, I shouldn't be wrong again, right?
Thinking of this, Yao Lao suddenly sighed and slowly floated down a little, looking at Xiao Yan at eye level.
"You've managed to condense your Dou Qi vortex in just six months. While that Chen Yang kid's pills played a part, I've also seen your hard work over the past six months!"
"Now, let me ask you one more question: do you really want to cultivate that strange technique?"
"No one has ever successfully cultivated that thing. The description of the cultivation method says that it can evolve, and it can only evolve by absorbing that terrifying Heavenly Flame!"
"Cultivating this technique is extremely risky, with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death. Moreover, in the early stages, you will be a step behind others in every aspect. Are you sure you really want to cultivate it?"
The old doctor stared intently at Xiao Yan and asked with a serious expression.
"Teacher, if I cultivate a Mid-Level Xuan Rank technique, can I become a Dou Zun in this lifetime?" Xiao Yan asked suddenly after a moment of silence.
"With your talent, you should have no problem reaching the High-Level Dou Huang realm by cultivating a Mid-Level Xuan Rank technique, but Dou Zun…" Yao Lao shook his head.
"Can one become a Dou Di by cultivating an Earth Rank technique?" Xiao Yan knew that Yao Lao had Earth Rank techniques.
"A Dou Di… Heh…" Yao Lao shook his head bitterly, "The Dou Qi Continent hasn't seen a Dou Di for ten thousand years. Let alone Earth Rank techniques, even Heaven Rank techniques probably can't lead to becoming a Dou Di!"
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment after hearing this, then asked, "Teacher, you said before that Xun'er's family is very mysterious, is that right?"
The old apothecary hesitated for two and a half seconds before nodding. "Let me put it this way, if your talent is nothing compared to your Brother Yang, then your Brother Yang is nothing compared to Xun'er's family. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Xiao Yan nodded, a bitter smile playing on his lips.
Xun'er's current strength was probably far more complex than it appeared on the surface, wasn't it?
Seeing that Xiao Yan remained silent, Yao Lao did not press him further.
He really wanted to tell Xiao Yan that if Xiao Yan successfully cultivated the Fen Jue, there would be a way to revive him, but after hesitating several times, he still didn't say it.
Now that Xiao Yan was capable of making his own decisions, let him decide for himself.
Xiao Yan remained silent, got up and stepped out of the bathtub, dried himself off, and changed into a black robe. Today, he unusually did not wear any combat-appropriate clothing.
After changing his clothes, Xiao Yan walked out of the cave and looked up at the bright sun in the sky.
He suddenly remembered what a great man had said when he was on Earth.
Xiao Yan murmured, "The world belongs to you, and it also belongs to us…"
He suddenly smiled slightly, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"I am that gentleman's disciple, how could I back down because of difficulties?"
"Since there's no road ahead, I'll forge one myself!"
"That gentleman didn't have anyone to guide him back then!"
As thoughts flashed through Xiao Yan's mind, his resolve grew stronger.
He turned to look at the old doctor and nodded resolutely. "Teacher, I will practice that technique!"
...
In the afternoon, at the Mittel Auction House, Chen Yang finished refining a batch of pills and got up to stretch.
As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Xiao Yan standing at the door in a black robe, with a pretty young girl in a purple dress next to him.
"I've really made something of myself, having the future Lord of the Endless Fire Domain and the young lady of the ancient clan waiting for me at the door!" Chen Yang smiled slightly, this thought flashing through his mind, before welcoming the two of them in.
"You've become a Dou Zhe?" Chen Yang suddenly asked, looking at Xiao Yan.
"Hehe, I broke through while practicing this morning!" Xiao Yan scratched his head and said shyly.
"Good. So, what are the plans for the training of the Dou Zhe level next?" Chen Yang sat with his legs crossed on the chair, pointed to the round table opposite him, and gestured for Xun'er and Xiao Yan to sit down.
Xun'er remained silent, sitting next to Xiao Yan, while Xiao Yan wore a bitter smile.
He only realized after choosing the Fen Jue that it was originally a Low-Level Yellow Rank cultivation technique. He had just been severely scolded by Xun'er at the Xiao Family.
After learning that Xiao Yan had made his own decision, Xun'er stopped getting angry. However, when she heard that Xiao Yan was coming to Mittel, she followed him.
If Brother Yang finds out that I'm practicing a Low-Level Yellow Rank technique, he'll probably be disappointed in me, right?
Seeing Xiao Yan's silence, Chen Yang knew that the boy was afraid to tell him because he had cultivated the Fen Jue, so he didn't press further. Instead, he said.
"Since you have no ideas, I'll give you a suggestion!"
"How about continuing to train your body while cultivating your Dou Qi?"
"If you can cultivate your physical body to a level comparable to that of a magical beast of the same rank, fighting against opponents of higher ranks will be no problem at all!"
Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Xiao Yan was immediately stunned, and then his lips twitched. He recalled his experiences over the past six months, which were truly… indescribable.
"Kid, agree to his request. With your current Dou Qi strength and endurance, if your Dou Qi runs out, you'll be a sitting duck. Moreover, increasing your physical strength will also benefit your absorption of the Heavenly Flame!"
The voice of the old man suddenly rang in Xiao Yan's mind.
Xiao Yan nodded almost imperceptibly, then looked up at Chen Yang. "Brother Yang, I'll listen to you, but what exactly should I do?"
Chen Yang smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "After you advance to the Dou Zhe level, the Body Tempering Pill will no longer be effective. I have a Grade 3 Bone Strengthening Pill here. Take one pill every three days and continue taking it for half a year. I guarantee you will have a physique comparable to a third-tier magical beast!"
Upon hearing this, Xun'er looked at Chen Yang curiously. How come she had never heard of such a miraculous pill? "Mr. Chen Yang, does Brother Xiao Yan just need to keep taking this pill?"
Chen Yang glanced at Xun'er and shook his head. "If it were that easy to obtain the physical attributes of a third-tier magical beast, I would have been the richest man on the continent long ago."
After saying that, he turned to Xiao Yan with a mocking look. "After taking this pill, the most important thing is… to get beaten up, and to get a severe beating!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan swallowed hard!
"I'm going to get beaten up again???"