Preparations Part 2 Response to changes

Xiao Yan sealed himself up in his room. Xu Er was the only one that dares to go inside but she made sure to knock first. Not wanting a repeat of what happened last time of course.

Imagine her surprise when she came across Xiao Yan floating. On closer look, he was not actually floating but standing on a fine point of concentrated dou-qi. Rune qi lines were visible all across his body as he cultivated.

Even interwoven into his hair closes to the scalp.

*Woom!* A ripple of pressure went past Xu Er. Produced by the dou-qi that swirled in the room. Dou Master, Xiao Yan was not just stepping into it but just reached the peak she found out. His body looked as if it was getting ready to burst, however.

On the surface, the veins throbbed as blood and qi flowed within. The entire nervous system getting a workout currently. Comprehension of laws working over his entire existence even further than he knew before with his cultivation.

All of his Shattered Divine Sparks contained one Fate Soul inside them. With the strongest containing at least two. The energy was focused on the Subsidiary Dimension inside his Internal Space, to prevent him from exploding from within and causing massive chain explosions all around.

"Haa, my body needs to be more!" A flickering of Corruption ran over his entire body before dispersing. "I still have my will!" The Flame Vortex Core inside him compressed a little forcefully. Sacrificing a small method of power to heal himself further.

"Xiao Yan!" Xu Er shouted and ran inside. A rebounding force pushed her back out into the hall immediately upon contact. Luckily she had protection on. "Hmm?!" A blue-white barrier of energy protected her. Looking down she notices the necklace actually glowed a bit. 'He didn't lie!'

Pushing pass the last threshold, Xiao Yan forced his way into the Dou Grandmaster Rank. His body was finally able to handle his cultivation demands started refining itself. Streams of blood left from bowls in the room as well various colors of water that had the final medicine from the engagement breakoff.

In an hour or so it was finally over.

"This will have to do for now I suppose." Xiao Yan was dissatisfied. 'I need to get some people soon to change over to my side. Can't wait to test the Divine Spark Theory on the inhabitants here.'

The elixirs were subpar at best but he didn't have time to upgrade with his qi to give a little advantage to go and sell them right after. Every bit helped for himself right now. He just needed to relax a little before stressing himself out to much.

"Is something the matter?" Obviously, this was easier said than done currently.

"No." Xu Er shook her head quickly. Eyes wide as she looked him over and could feel he was only a Dou Master before she could no longer feel it at all. He smiled and gave a wink. "Is this ok for you to raise your rank that fast?"

Xu Er immediately focused on his well-being instead of his power output. Worried that this may be like before and what will cause him to lose all his cultivation again.

"Yes. My body needed to catch up faster to make sure things worked for me really. Now I am in balance more." Fixing his robes, Xiao Yan waved his hand cleaning up the room from any damage. The various pill bottles were stored away as well. No need to waste the containers. "So what's up?"

"The elders have decided to have the age ceremony exam. Which will take place in six months from now and not one year later." Xu Er was not as anxious as she originally was upon entering the room with Xiao Yan's regular attitude back out, making her calm. Seeing his strength she had no doubt he would be fine. "Wait till you tell him of your strength!"

"I am not telling him anything. You shouldn't either." Xiao Yan shook his head in dismay while wagging a finger. "He has almost no control over the family, it is better Xiao Zhan retires from the position, finds a new wife, and lives peacefully. He is just not cut out for this."

"How can you say that so easily." Xu Er frowned.

"Just think over everything that happened in the clan and you will have your answer." Xiao Yan moved to the door and paused for a moment. "I am going out for a few days, would you like to come with?"

She thought it over for a bit but decided against it. Gu clan business prevented her from doing so outright.

"Very well then. Never say I didn't invite you to come out and have some fun later." Xiao Yan would help Xiao Zhan only with a little bit until he proved to be trustworthy for more. The fact the man was to weak to be of use made it better to leave him alone. 'This is one of the few things I can do considering how he doted on the boy before me.'

With almost everything used up beside a few bottles left for an experiment, it was time to go outside to get what he needed and wanted. The Xiao Clan was just not going to cut it just yet. Plus, Magical beasts were easier to use with all he knew. Supplementing his forces and power quickly to revive his people and grow a power base proper.

Having stepped into the 4th Stage (Dou Grandmaster), it was best he recovers the Flame Vortex Core as quickly as possible. It was currently like a leaky faucet and only held in check with patchwork from what he had done so far.

Agreements with others needed to be formed to speed up the healing process more than ever. So much of his qi was just leaking out into his Internal Space. Which was not really bad but would make it really hard for him to progress more.

Having walked to an exit, Xiao Yan bumped into a few clan members. The ones already beaten down by him looked away. The only one in the group daring to meet his eye was Xiao Mei. After getting beaten by him with the others, she felt pride more than shame in losing to a stronger adversary.

Plus Xiao Yan's looks made it seem like it was someone completely foreign to them having won. But Xu Er and several others were able to vouch it was Xiao Yan.

Happy that he was not "trash" anymore and moving on again as a powerful cultivator, she was suprised the same as them when he stopped and handed them a Pill Bottle with something inside.

"Take these and study this. One for you each." Xiao Yan was no longer going to be picky anymore. The souls of his people were at stake and himself. The faster he takes over the clan, the faster the area can be changed to suit his needs. "As the Young Master, it is my job to nurture everyone. I have not lived up to my duties due to study all these years."

As the smell hit them, the fragrance alone caused them to squeal in happiness. The material to study was the method of Dragon Martial Arts coupled with the new Astral Fire Body Technique. The pills were full of Star Energy and circulating the method would help change their Dantians to it.

Not as effective as him refining them in the flame Vortex Core as it relied on the hard work of the ones who could persevere mostly in the beginning.

"Xiao Yan..." Xiao Mei couldn't help but give him a misted look. "..will you ever forgive me for the way I treated you back then?" The others apologizing profusely as well. He had their respect after defeating them and the bitterness in their hearts only dissolving after he gave them some resources and what he said. "The clan has treated you badly..."

Not having the arrogance of the previous Xiao Yan helped a great deal. It was better to win bees with honey than vinegar or whatever they saying goes like.

"If you agree on your cultivation to never betray me again, then I can forgive you." Xiao Yan gave them a small smile. He could tell who meant it and who didn't so far. Most actually did, with only two thinking it was some type of trick to get back at them later. "If I stay in the Xiao Clan, it can not be pathetic anymore. I need those who are loyal to me at my side helping."

"I swear on my soul!" Xiao Mei shouted decisively. "If for some dark chance you become a cripple again, I Xiao Mei will still be on your side!" Only hesitating a little, the others did the same. The Xiao clan didn't have much hope during the years he was a cripple anyway.

"Good." As the agreement on their souls were made, the Xiao members felt a change take place within. "Take a pill each today and study the manual together. Do not share with anyone else."

Always thinking swearing on their cultivation meant nothing, as it rarely did as far as they saw, their resolves became stronger to succeed.

"We won't let you down." Xiao Mei was wondering where he was going but didn't ask. "Be careful on your training. The Jia Lie family has acted strange lately."

"I will do so. Oh, if any of you have the time after cultivating a little, the Shattering Rock Hand technique and the Dual Dragons Rage would be good skills to add to your arsenal. It will allow you to train your hands further." Nodding at what she said, he shot off like a bolt of Lightning into the distance. 'I can feel the cracks closing up already, this is excellent!'

The young Xiao clan members did not dawdle as they went to work. Mindful that they read the first lines about changing into close they did not care about since their bodies would flush all the dregs out of the body forcefully.

Xiao Yan pushed his body forward with each step. The Flame Vortex Core circulating nonstop as he moved and hunted. Every bit of the qi flooding the area of Dark Moon City inside his Internal Space. A few more were waking up inside.

Both Duan Jian and Xiao Ninger were moving about inside the Internal Space. Duan Jian searching for his wives as quickly as possible. Xiao Ninger went looking for Nie Yu to find out what happened after the battle with the Sage Emperor previously.

*Fwish!* Flames circled around as the Flame Vortex Core could hold more of his qi with the increase in the number of Connections made. His abilities as a Champion working to help restore him faster now.

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Yun Lan Mountain-

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A very dapper man with hair close to that of flames moved towards a cliff edge. This was Nalan Su, clan leader, and father to Nalan Yanran. The information he received in regards to the actions of his daughter were not good at all.

"Father, why are you here.." Yanran trailed off. Arrogance was still in her bones but also conflict, as she had an idea what here father was going to mention. Instantly bringing her to think about a few days ago and what happened to her. 'He could have killed me then! The elder would not have been able to act fast enough!'

"You know why!" Nalan Su did not want the situation to grow out of control with the plans the clan had for the future at stake. "Just come with me to the Xiao Clan to make amends! Your arrogance will bring further harm if you are not careful!"

For her father to what her to do this only infuriated the young scion further.

'For me to lower my head to that useless.." She was forced to bite her tongue. The sharp memory playing back even stronger than before. If he was useless, then what did that make her? "..my future is determined by me alone!" Her temperament changing as she open her eyes wide. "He already agreed to break it off! The gifts will not be given back!"

"An important matter like the engagement isn't something for you to play around with!" The gifts were used up anyway. "He has recovered his strength and used that time wisely all these years before acting!"

Informing his daughter on those defeated in the clan and how the young member of the Jiao Clan was forced to kneel in the town, further caused Yanran to feel anger. The disparity between the two was something she couldn't match at this rate.

"His growth and the fact he has study Alchemy during this time is.." Nalan Su stopped. Seeing her visibly shake in rage, he wished Yun Yun was here to talk to the girl. 'My dear daughter, you will only hurt yourself at this rate!'

"Since we agreed to meet in three years, I will make sure to push forward nonstop!" Her qi pushed out in a flurry. Enough to destroy the pillow she was sitting on before. "And when I defeat him, on the day of our meeting, I will make sure to defeat him! You and the rest of the clan will see I made no mistake!"