Nine Fingers of Wind Demon

Xiao Yu gently blew off the dust covering the dark golden scroll, revealing four large characters: "Wind Demon Nine Fingers."

As he unrolled the scroll, it introduced: "Wind Demon Nine Fingers: A high-level Xuan-tier Fighting Technique. It condenses Dou Qi into fingers, incredibly sharp. When mastered, it can dominate with a single finger, its power rivaling that of an Earth-tier low-level technique!"

Xiao Yu's pupils contracted. "This is actually a high-level Xuan-tier Dou Technique? How has no one taken such a powerful technique?"

Continuing to read, he saw: "This technique consists of two volumes. The lower volume has been lost. Practicing only the upper volume risks going berserk. Practice with caution!" Upon reading this, Xiao Yu's face darkened. No wonder no one had practiced it; it's practically useless!

Xiao Yu sighed and was about to put down the scroll when a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind, causing him to pause.

"Detected that the host has obtained an incomplete Xuan-tier high-level Dou Technique. Restoration is available. Would you like to restore it?"

Xiao Yu was stunned, then overjoyed. He hadn't expected the system to be able to restore incomplete techniques. He quickly replied, "Restore it! I choose to restore it!"

As soon as he spoke, a faint light flashed, and the incomplete Wind Demon Nine Fingers scroll in his hand disappeared. His head throbbed as a vast amount of information surged into his mind, overwhelming him briefly. Soon, Xiao Yu absorbed the information and examined the full contents of Wind Demon Nine Fingers.

The content was vastly different from what was on the scroll, with much more detail. The upper volume comprised only 30% of the complete technique, with the remaining 70% in the lower volume. This explained why practicing only the upper volume could lead to going berserk!

"This Wind Demon Nine Fingers rivals Xiao Yan's Eight Extremities Collapse. I wonder which is stronger. Wind Demon Nine Fingers focuses on concentrated attacks. If I gather all my Dou Qi into one point, the damage will be immense!" Xiao Yu smiled, satisfied. Seeing Xiao Yan picking up a scroll and leaving, Xiao Yu also exited the Dou Technique Hall.

After parting ways with Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu began practicing Wind Demon Nine Fingers. He knew that Xiao Yan would be focusing on mastering the Eight Extremities Collapse, and with no major events until the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yu planned to use this time to cultivate intensely before venturing outside.

In the early morning, deep in the mountains, Xiao Yu trained among rock formations made of steel-hard stone, comparable in hardness to the full defense of a Seven-Star Dou practitioner.

Boom!

A loud bang echoed as a stone shattered into countless pieces under Xiao Yu's finger. He shook his head in dissatisfaction and muttered, "Still not enough! Only when a single finger can pulverize a boulder into dust will it have the killing power I'm aiming for. Shattering it into pieces isn't enough!"

If others knew that Xiao Yu could break through a Seven-Star Dou practitioner's full defense with just a finger and still wasn't satisfied, they'd be infuriated!

Over the past month, Xiao Yu had been busy and fulfilled, balancing his cultivation with learning alchemy. He practiced Wind Demon Nine Fingers in the morning, Moon Chase in the afternoon, and still found time to spend with Xun'er.

Now, Xiao Yu had broken through to a Three-Star Dou practitioner, and he had reached the entry level in both Wind Demon Nine Fingers and Moon Chase. The shattered stones all over the training ground were the result of his practice. His alchemy skills had also stabilized at the level of a second-tier alchemist.

After tidying up, Xiao Yu leisurely headed down the mountain. As soon as he returned to the Xiao family, he ran into Xun'er, who tilted her head playfully and asked, "Brother Xiao Yu, would you like to go out for a stroll with me today?"

"Sure, let me just change clothes first," Xiao Yu replied with a smile.

Xun'er's eyes squinted into crescent moons with delight, and she waited patiently as Xiao Yu freshened up. She then took his arm, and they walked out together.

At the main gate, Xiao Yu saw his father, the three family elders, and the young warriors of their lineage, including Xiao Ning.

Upon seeing Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning shrank back. After being taught a lesson by Xiao Yu several times, Xiao Ning no longer dared to challenge him. He thought, "Whoever wants to be the first to face him can go ahead; I'm not doing it!"

Xun'er whispered in Xiao Yu's ear, "What did you do to Xiao Ning? He seems really afraid of you."

Xiao Yu glanced at Xiao Ning and smiled, "Who knows? Maybe he just doesn't want to provoke me anymore. What's everyone gathered here for? Are we going to the Mittel Auction House?"

Xun'er rolled her eyes and said, "You weren't this quick before, Xiao Yu!"

She continued, "I heard the Mittel Auction House has obtained a second-tier spiritual medicine called Snow Jade Essence. It seems valuable, and all three major families are eager to bid for it."

Xiao Yu's expression froze briefly before he smiled bitterly. He knew the Xiao family's bid for the Snow Jade Essence wasn't for him or Xiao Yan. After all, he didn't need it, and Xiao Yan was still considered a "waste" by the family. Clearly, the elders were bidding for their own lineage, so Xiao Yu saw no harm in taking advantage of the situation.

Scanning the area, Xiao Yu didn't see Xiao Yan, assuming he was likely still cultivating in his room. Without giving it much more thought, he followed the family elders as they set off for the auction.

Meanwhile, at the Mittel Auction House, a mysterious figure cloaked in black had arrived, presenting a second-tier medicinal pill for auction. The event quickly caught the attention of Ya Fei and Gu Ni.

Ya Fei remarked, "What's going on lately? How are there suddenly so many mysterious alchemists in this small Wutan City? Are alchemists becoming as common as street vendors?"

Gu Ni smiled wryly and shook his head, saying, "I'm not sure either. Let's check the quality of the pill first."

Ya Fei nodded, and the two quickly headed to the appraisal room.

Upon entering, they saw the black-cloaked figure. Ya Fei immediately donned a professional smile, warm yet respectful.

The appraiser introduced the figure: "This is Miss Ya Fei, our chief auctioneer and the person in charge of the Mittel Auction House."

"And this is Master Gu Ni, our chief alchemist, a second-tier alchemist."

Gu Ni asked respectfully, "Sir, are you the one selling the second-tier medicinal pill?"

"Yes," came the cold, aged voice from beneath the black cloak.

Gu Ni and Ya Fei exchanged glances. Unlike the previous alchemist they had met, this one seemed far more aloof and arrogant.

This mysterious figure was, of course, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao. As a Dou Venerate and the famed "Medicine Venerable," the continent's top alchemist, Yao Lao had every reason to carry such pride.