### Chapter 5: Defying Heaven with Comprehension, Upgrading the Dou Emperor's Cultivation Method

"[Dou Qi Breathing Technique] - Inhale and exhale to draw upon the energy of heaven and earth, refining it into the purest Dou Qi. It nourishes the meridians, strengthens the bones, and solidifies one's foundation."

No matter how a person moves, breathing and exhaling are indispensable.

After reading the system message, Xiao Yan's lips curved into a faint smile.

This "Dou Qi Breathing Technique" was indeed the cultivation method he had spent several months comprehending.

This method not only eliminated the need for special cultivation postures but also doubled the cultivation speed from a certain perspective.

No matter how focused a genius might be, they still need to deal with everyday trivial matters during cultivation.

However, breathing is different. No matter what interruptions occur, the act of breathing cannot be halted.

Xiao Yan's lengthy time spent in comprehension was due to the fact that he was modifying a cultivation method that had been iteratively created by the Dou Emperors, and he even upgraded it significantly.

This demonstrated the power of his max-level comprehension!

After all, a few months for a Dou Emperor was merely a blink of an eye, yet no Dou Emperor had ever altered the Dou Qi cultivation method so drastically before.

Having comprehended the "Dou Qi Breathing Technique," Xiao Yan did not hesitate and immediately began his cultivation.

For the first time practicing the "Dou Qi Breathing Technique," Xiao Yan was exceptionally focused and serious.

He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began to breathe steadily.

Moments later, his chest rose and fell, forming a perfect cycle as he inhaled and exhaled.

A faint, barely perceptible stream of white energy flowed into his body through his nose and mouth, nourishing his bones and meridians.

The energy of heaven and earth was refined into pure Dou Qi. It carried a warm and moist sensation, much like the early spring sun warming a frozen lake, with the warmth gradually spreading.

As Xiao Yan breathed calmly, his bones, meridians, and cells were strengthened.

As his breathing deepened, the faint white energy stream became increasingly powerful.

Having practiced in the womb for many days, Xiao Yan's cultivation level had not only reached the third stage of Dou Qi but also his potential had improved tremendously.

Even after birth, despite not actively cultivating, his strength continued to grow slowly.

Now, as he practiced the "Dou Qi Breathing Technique" and actively absorbed the energy of heaven and earth, his third-stage Dou Qi realm began to break through.

Heaven and earth's energy was drawn in, a stream of pale energy seeping from the air and constantly pouring into Xiao Yan's body.

As Xiao Yan was breaking through, the guests who had come for his first birthday, along with the Xiao family members, were once again astounded.

The people in the room, who were all distinguished figures in Wu Tan City, did not even dare to breathe loudly at this moment.

They were all too familiar with the situation Xiao Yan was experiencing.

A breakthrough! A breakthrough in the Dou Qi stage!

However, this usually happened to the young boys and girls in their families.

But a one-year-old child...

Even these experienced family heads were stunned, each wearing expressions of utter disbelief.

It was known that Xiao Yan had already been at the third stage of Dou Qi when he was born.

Now, breaking through again meant he had reached the fourth stage of Dou Qi!

A one-year-old at the fourth stage of Dou Qi. What kind of genius would this little one become in the future?

Unfortunately, this little guy had already been betrothed to the Nalan family, one of the three major families in the Jia Ma Empire. Otherwise, these family heads would surely be promoting their own daughters.

Not just the family heads in Wu Tan City, even Yao Lao, who hung on an ancient ring around Xiao Yan's neck, was utterly shocked!

Initially, Yao Lao had planned to take a long rest after sensing that Xiao Yan was no longer cultivating like he had in the womb.

But Xiao Yan's rapid breakthrough to become a fourth-stage Dou Qi child surprised him greatly.

What shocked Yao Lao the most was that the heaven-defying automatic cultivation from the womb had returned after this period of dormancy.

A child who cultivated Dou Qi automatically all the time. Just thinking about it made Yao Lao feel a sense of terror.

Ordinary people take more than ten years to become a Dou Practitioner, but for Xiao Yan, it might take at most five or six years.

In fact, given Xiao Yan's genius-level absorption speed, it might only take three to four years.

A four or five-year-old Dou Practitioner—unless one received the assistance of a seventh or eighth-tier pill to gain an early advantage, it would be almost unheard of.

However, such pills were beyond the current capacity of the Xiao family, practically a fantasy.

Relying solely on his physical constitution for cultivation, and at such a speed, even Yao Lao, the continent's premier alchemist, had never heard of such a thing before.

Since the gathering was initially to celebrate Xiao Yan's first birthday, the various families of Wu Tan City naturally couldn't help but praise him.

After a while, Xiao Yan was carried by Qin Yueyao to the front hall for an important ceremony among large families—the "First Grasp."

With Xiao Lin, a Dou King powerhouse, present, the Xiao family could lay out all kinds of rare treasures on the mat for this ceremony.

Xiao Yan propped his chin with his hand, his bright eyes examining the items in front of him, deep in thought.

Now that he could start cultivating Dou Qi, he could not only revive Yao Lao in the future but possibly make him even stronger.

For now, there was no rush to focus on his own strength.

What mattered most at this moment were his grandfather and mother.

His mother had died of an unknown illness, though now, with his constitution significantly improved, that fate should largely be avoided.

However, his grandfather, who was gravely injured by enemies, would require top-tier medical skills to save him.

Using conventional medical techniques to heal a Dou King powerhouse would be a formidable challenge.

With a decision made, Xiao Yan crawled towards a medical book and a green first-tier magic core.

He hoped to gain a wealth of medical knowledge over the next two years. With his heaven-defying comprehension, he could possibly develop miraculous healing medicines.

Holding the two items, Xiao Yan chuckled with satisfaction, clearly pleased with his choices.

"Medical skills and a magic core." Recognizing the items in Xiao Yan's hands, Old Han, who had once treated Qin Yueyao, spoke excitedly, "Young Master aims to become a respected alchemist!"

"An alchemist!" Everyone gasped in amazement.

Any alchemist would be fervently courted by various factions at any cost, their status and influence unparalleled!

Qin Yueyao lifted Xiao Yan into her arms, saying to the crowd, "Yan'er's attributes are fire with a touch of wood. If his soul power aligns and he finds a teacher in alchemy, he might become an alchemist."

Finding another teacher? The Dou Qi Continent's top alchemist was right around this little guy's neck! Yao Lao was very satisfied with Xiao Yan's nature and choices, as if fate had destined him to be his disciple.

*(End of Chapter)*