Warm sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the clean room.
Inside the room, a naked youth sat cross-legged in a wooden tub. His hands were clasped together, forming a strange hand seal in front of his chest. His eyes were tightly shut, and his breathing was steady.
Within the wooden tub, the emerald-green liquid rippled slightly, reflecting a few glints of strange, wondrous light.
The youth's chest rose and fell in a rhythmic breathing pattern. As his cultivation continued, a stream of green mist gradually rose from the liquid, slowly drifting upward before entering his body with each breath.
As the stream of air entered his body, the youth's delicate face seemed to glow with a luster like warm jade.
Sensing the Dou Qi within his body growing increasingly abundant, a joyful smile surfaced on the youth's face.
Having tasted the sweet fruits of his labor, the youth did not stop. His eyes remained tightly shut, and his hand seal stayed motionless. Focusing his mind and condensing his Qi, he maintained his optimal cultivation state, greedily absorbing the gentle energy from the green liquid.
The green liquid seeped into his skin, entering his body through every pore to nourish his bones and cleanse his meridians...
Under the youth's seemingly endless efforts, more and more streams of mist drifted up from the tub, eventually shrouding his naked body in a faint haze.
Time slipped away in this arduous cultivation, during which he forgot to eat and sleep. The sunlight streaming in gradually faded, and the sweltering heat slowly subsided.
……
Inside the wooden tub, the youth, eyes still closed, drew the last stream of mist into his body. His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a moment later, his pitch-black eyes suddenly snapped open.
Within his dark pupils, a flash of white light appeared as before, though this time, it was tinged with a faint shade of green.
Exhaling slowly, the youth blinked his bright, spirited eyes. He then stood up abruptly, letting the cool water droplets cascade down his body. Stretching lazily, he felt the abundant Dou Qi that felt just like it did three years ago. With a hint of intoxication, he muttered to himself, "At this rate, I should be able to make a breakthrough to the fifth stage of Dou Qi in another two months..."
Ever since he had gathered all the necessary materials, Xiao Yan had stayed in his room for over half a month. During this time, except for meals and basic hygiene, he spent every moment in secluded cultivation.
Although these days of cultivation were somewhat tedious, to someone like Xiao Yan, who had endured three years of disdain and ridicule, it was a trivial matter.
Three years of ridicule had made him clearly realize just how important strength was on this continent...
Although the cultivation over the past few days was exhausting, the results filled him with joy.
The medicinal liquid refined by Yao Lao was incredibly potent, but its effects far exceeded the expectations of both Xiao Yan and even Yao Lao himself. Originally, they thought that even with the liquid's medicinal power, it would take Xiao Yan at least a month to reach the fourth stage of Dou Qi. They never expected him to cut that time in half...
At this, even Yao Lao could not help but be astonished by Xiao Yan's cultivation efficiency. While it was partly because Xiao Yan had trodden this path before, such a speed was still simply too fast, wasn't it?
It must be understood that in the cultivation of Dou Qi, the foundation is the hardest to build. For the ten stages of beginner Dou Qi, it was not uncommon for people to spend ten or even twenty years... Of course, once one became an official Dou Zhe, their cultivation speed would increase. Before becoming a Dou Zhe, a year's time might only allow one to increase their Dou Qi by a single stage, but after entering the Dou Zhe level, it was highly possible to advance by several stars in a single year...
Given this vast difference between the before and after of cultivation, Xiao Yan's progress over the past half-month was truly terrifying.
…..
Stepping out of the wooden tub without a care, Xiao Yan turned back to look at the dwindling green liquid. Because the energy contained within had been absorbed by him, he shook his head helplessly and muttered, "Will this even last for the remaining half-month of cultivation?"
After wiping the remaining water from his body, Xiao Yan casually put on a clean set of clothes, sat on the bed, and pulled out the black iron plate from beneath his pillow.
The dirt on the iron plate had been carefully washed away by Xiao Yan. The overall piece was somewhat translucent, emitting a faint, eerie glow that gave it a highly mysterious feel.
Over the past half-month, aside from cultivating, Xiao Yan had focused all of his remaining attention on this Low-tier Xuan class Dou Technique.
During this time, under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan had also gradually mastered the usage of the Vacuum Hand. However, because the Dou Qi in his body was too scarce, he had yet to see any substantial effects, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
…..
Pressing the iron plate between his hands, Xiao Yan slowly closed his eyes. His soul perception followed his arms, entering the iron plate along a familiar path.
As Xiao Yan's breathing stabilized, the room fell quiet once more.
After another long period of silence, Xiao Yan suddenly snapped his eyes open on the bed. His right hand curled slightly into a claw-like shape. Under his conscious control, the thin Dou Qi in his body rapidly surged through several meridians and acupoints in his hand, finally erupting into a pulling force.
"Bang..."
In the direction of his palm, a vase on the table wobbled a few times before finally falling to the floor, shattering into pieces with a crisp sound.
"Sigh, although the Dou Technique is Xuan class, my Dou Qi is just too weak. I can't bring out much of its power at all." Looking at the destruction he had caused, Xiao Yan curled his lips and muttered helplessly, "Judging by this effect, to pull a person, I would need at least the seventh stage of Dou Qi to pull it off."
"Forget it, I'll go to the clan's Dou Technique Hall to see if there are any handy low-level Dou Techniques. The Vacuum Hand won't be of much use in the short term. Now that I can finally cultivate Dou Qi, I can't just train blindly like before..." Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan climbed down from the bed, glanced at the black ring, and then pushed the door open to walk out.
Squinting his eyes to adjust to the sunlight, Xiao Yan carefully closed the door behind him. He strolled leisurely down the gravel path, slowly making his way toward the backyard.
Ancient, lush green trees lined both sides of the path, leaving one feeling refreshed and energized.
Turning onto another path, a burst of girls' laughter drifted over from a different direction.
With the quiet atmosphere disturbed, Xiao Yan frowned and looked toward the source of the sound, spotting a group of young girls walking over, giggling.
Among the beautiful young girls, one particularly alluring maiden was laughing softly. Her face exuded a charming, seductive grace that made the simpler, more innocent girls beside her feel somewhat self-conscious.
This young girl was none other than Xiao Mei, who had stolen the spotlight back at the testing plaza.
Casting a cold glance at the beautiful girl who used to follow him around constantly calling him "cousin," a trace of mockery flashed across Xiao Yan's youthful face. He shook his head gently and withdrew his gaze without a hint of lingering attachment.
As they reached the end of the path, Xiao Mei's charming laughter suddenly faded. She looked at the youth not far away to her left...
The fading light of the horizon shone upon the youth. With his hands resting behind his head and an indifferent expression on his face, he looked incredibly captivating.
With a pair of eyes that could steal one's soul, she watched the youth draw closer and closer. Looking at his face—unable to tell whether he was smiling or mocking her—Xiao Mei's mind suddenly grew dazed for some inexplicable reason...
Three years ago, a smile would often play at the corner of that youth's lips, one that was utterly intoxicating.