Chapter 27: Xiao Yu in the Hot Spring

After more than half an hour, a small mountain of medicinal herbs and magic cores had piled up in front of Xiao Yan.

Next to these herbs was a heap of gold coins, seemingly numbering in the thousands.

"No wonder they say 'crime brings riches'..." Xiao Yan shook his head with a wry smile. "Just dealing with a single mercenary squad netted me nearly twenty thousand gold coins. This is more than the monthly revenue of the Xiao Clan's market."

Yao Lao was still examining the newly created Dou Technique by Xiao Yan. After a long while, he regretfully said, "If it weren't for your lack of Dou Qi, this Dou Technique could be even more powerful!"

Staring at the deep ravine stretching several meters on the ground, Yao Lao's eyes seemed to be replaying that move, sparkling like a brilliant star.

With one strike, the originally indestructible rock-crystal fist shattered instantly. Even Hemeng, who cultivated the rock element Dou Qi, was split in two.

The resulting force burst forth, and the five mercenaries behind didn't even have time to react.

The six mercenaries, who were by no means weak, died almost without realizing it. It was truly terrifying.

This Dou Technique required an extremely high degree of strength and Dou Qi concentration. Xiao Yan's execution was precise and flawless, which was a rare feat.

Generally speaking, a Dou Technique that allowed someone to exert power beyond their level was already quite impressive. However, Xiao Yan's "Star Change: Wolf Fang Break" increased his power to a degree that Yao Lao had rarely seen in his life.

This technique was hard to classify using traditional rankings, resembling more of a secret method that concentrated both strength and Dou Qi to the extreme.

As Xiao Yan's strength improved, performing this technique could still rival Dou Techniques of the Earth Tier.

Hearing Yao Lao's regretful remark, Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile. "This is just temporary. My Dou Qi will increase sooner or later."

"That's true." Shifting his gaze from the ravine, Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan, still marveling in his heart.

Generally, when someone obtained a Dou Technique, they would just try to refine it. However, this little guy, Xiao Yan, constantly innovated. Initially, he was only refining the Eight Extremes Collapse, but now he had extended it to the Heavy Xuan Ruler. Truly, he grasped the essence of learning by analogy!

After a brief glance at Xiao Yan's spoils, Yao Lao said, "You're still missing a second-tier fire attribute magic core."

"We're already doing pretty well." Xiao Yan waved his hand and pointed at the pile of gold coins. "With this money, it won't be difficult to buy a second-tier fire attribute magic core."

"You little rascal, always looking for shortcuts…" Yao Lao chuckled.

Originally, he had planned for Xiao Yan, this young master, to train in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for a few months to hone his Dou Techniques and temper his character.

However, Xiao Yan's talent in Dou Techniques was simply too strong. If he continued to train this way, his Dou Qi would soon be insufficient to support the techniques he could create.

Looking at the herbs in the pile, especially the Living Qi Fruit and Coagulating Blood Grass, Yao Lao had a thought. Talent in Dou Techniques didn't necessarily translate to the same level of aptitude in alchemy.

Alchemy required more than just the qualification of an alchemist. It also demanded countless herbs and repeated refining to accumulate experience.

After some contemplation, Yao Lao said, "Let's go to the auction house. Now that you're a Dou Fighter, you can use your Dou Qi for alchemy. It's time to teach you the art of refining pills."

"Become an alchemist? Now?" Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. He hadn't had enough fun yet.

"You can't always rely on this old man, can you?"

Xiao Yan chuckled, rubbing his hands. "Teacher, the cauldrons used by alchemists are quite expensive. I can't afford one with my current savings."

Seeing Xiao Yan's cunning expression, Yao Lao sighed helplessly. "Don't worry. Since you're my disciple, I'll naturally prepare one for you. You'll also get to witness some real alchemy techniques then!"

With a wave of his hand, Yao Lao stored the large pile of items into the Bone Flame Ring. Placing his hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, the space around them rippled, and they suddenly disappeared from the camp, reappearing on the Xiao Clan's back mountain.

Without Xiao Yan's continuous provision of Dou Qi over the years, it would have been impossible for Yao Lao to restore his soul power to this extent.

Looking at the somewhat unfamiliar surroundings, Xiao Yan asked curiously, "Teacher, did we take a wrong turn? Is this really the Xiao Clan's back mountain?"

"You rascal, you don't even recognize your own place?" Yao Lao's figure slowly faded back into the Bone Flame Ring. "Pack up and head to Wutan City's auction house."

Xiao Yan shrugged and muttered, "It's not like I had a choice. Someone's been draining my Dou Qi, so I spent most of my time cultivating."

Yao Lao returned to the ring without responding, falling silent.

With a sigh, Xiao Yan began to walk forward. Fortunately, the back mountain wasn't very large, so finding the right path wouldn't take too long.

As he walked, the surrounding air suddenly became humid, and Xiao Yan, who had been using his spiritual perception to navigate, perked up.

"Xiao... Xiao Yu, cousin!"

Only then did Xiao Yan realize that he had unknowingly wandered near a hot spring in the Xiao Clan's back mountain.

"Perfect, I can ask for directions." Xiao Yan nodded in agreement with himself, crouching down and stealthily slipping into the bushes, his dark eyes focused.

Not far away, a stunning girl in something resembling a swimsuit was bathing in the pond.

Her ink-black hair hung wet over her shoulders, and her smooth, round shoulders gleamed with a luster that would make even the finest jade pale in comparison.

The girl cupped water in her hands and gently rubbed her long, shapely legs. Those sexy legs were unmatched, not even by the seductive Ya Fei.

As the young master of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan had visited Wutan City's largest Mittel Auction House many times and couldn't help but compare her to the mesmerizing Ya Fei.

Xiao Yu was still young. Who knew how much more enticing her legs would become in a few years?

A moment later, Xiao Yu slowly stepped out of the hot spring. After wiping herself dry, she changed into a water-blue dudou.

The tight blue dudou hugged Xiao Yu's skin, accentuating her graceful figure.

Embroidered on the dudou was a white crane, so lifelike it seemed ready to take flight at any moment.

Wearing this dudou, Xiao Yu's fair skin looked even more delicate, enchanting all who saw her.

Just as she was tying the silk ribbon, Xiao Yu's beautiful eyes suddenly caught sight of a black object. Her pupils contracted.

"Who's there!"

Nervously clutching the dudou, Xiao Yu shouted sharply.

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. "I've been discovered? How is that possible!"

Then he suddenly remembered the heavy ruler strapped to his back.

It turned out that this thing had given him away! Xiao Yan cursed silently, an idea flashing in his mind.

"Run! There's a magic beast!" Xiao Yan jumped out of the bushes and sprinted towards Xiao Yu, shouting.

Seeing it was Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu secretly sighed in relief.

Xiao Yan was so fast that, in just a breath or two, he reached Xiao Yu, grabbed her delicate wrist, and tried to pull her away.

"Where's the magic beast?" Xiao Yu asked, somewhat puzzled, as she tried to pull her hand free.

Although the back mountain bordered the Magic Beast Mountain Range, the Xiao Clan had lived here for many years and had never heard of magic beasts appearing in the back mountain!

Xiao Yu's strength was no match for Xiao Yan's. Caught off balance by his sudden force, she slipped, and both of them tumbled into the hot spring.

The spring water splashed around, accompanied by a startled cry.

(End of the chapter)