In the early morning, a white mist shrouded the back of the mountain peak, refusing to dissipate for a long time. A gentle breeze blew past, making a soft, whistling sound as it brushed against the skin.
Behind the mountain peak, in a secluded clearing within a small grove, Xiao Yan stood with both feet planted firmly in the soil. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He was completely bare-chested, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, and his body was covered in green, bruised welts.
Behind Xiao Yan, Yao Lao, in his ethereal soul form, sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder. He watched with a calm expression as Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and endured, before gently waving his hand.
As Yao Lao waved his hand, the air rippled slightly, and a beam of crimson Dou Qi shot forth from his palm. Like a whip, it lashed heavily against Xiao Yan's shoulder, leaving another green bruise on his body.
The corners of his mouth twitched violently as he gasped, sucking in a breath of cold air. Xiao Yan felt his shoulder go completely numb before a bone-deep, agonizing pain flared up. Under the intensity of the pain, his legs buckled, and he nearly collapsed.
Amidst the excruciating pain, silver Dou Qi rapidly formed within his body. Stimulated by the pain, this silver Dou Qi grew increasingly dense, circulating through the acupoints in his shoulder. A soothing coolness slowly seeped into his flesh, quietly strengthening his body...
"Again!" Just as the pain in his shoulder began to fade, Yao Lao mobilized his Dou Qi once more and lashed Xiao Yan's shoulder. Xiao Yan's youthful face tensed, filled with stubborn determination.
Seeing Xiao Yan's perseverance, a flicker of gratification appeared on Yao Lao's aged face. He nodded slightly and waved his hand again, sending another beam of crimson Dou Qi shooting out.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
Deep within the grove, a continuous series of muffled thuds, mixed with groans of agonizing pain, echoed out one after another...
Yao Lao controlled his strength with absolute precision. Each strike was calibrated perfectly to the limit of what Xiao Yan's body could endure, ensuring that he would not be severely injured while still forcing him to feel the full brunt of the pain.
As the Dou Qi battered his body, the agonizing sensation racking his entire frame caused Xiao Yan's youthful face to twist and contort in pain.
With every wave of Yao Lao's hand, the green bruises on Xiao Yan's body multiplied...
"Thud!" Another beam of Dou Qi shot forward. Like the final drop that overflowed the cup, Xiao Yan finally reached his absolute limit. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground in sheer exhaustion.
After resting for a long while to regulate his breathing, with cold sweat still clinging to his forehead, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile and asked, "Teacher, how did I do?"
"Not bad at all. Today you took eighty-four strikes of Dou Qi, which is nine times what you could handle half a month ago. You have indeed grown much stronger..."
Yao Lao smiled and nodded, though he was secretly astonished. In just half a month, Xiao Yan's performance had far exceeded his expectations. Today, for instance, Yao Lao had believed seventy strikes would be Xiao Yan's absolute limit, yet the boy had endured all the way to the eighty-fourth. He truly had to marvel at the sheer willpower of this kid.
Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. Utterly drained of strength, he slumped onto the ground to rest. Only after a while, when feeling returned to his body, did he slowly push himself up, pick up his clothes from the boulder, and carefully put them on.
As the fabric brushed against the raw bruises on his body, Xiao Yan winced in pain once more.
At this moment, Yao Lao transformed into a beam of light and slipped back into the black ring, leaving behind a warning he had repeated many times: "Hurry back and soak in the Foundation Elixir. Otherwise, internal bruising will remain in your body, which will cause you severe injury."
Nodding calmly, Xiao Yan put on his clothes and immediately rushed down from the back mountain.
Returning to his small room, Xiao Yan, who could no longer bear the pain, quickly stripped off his clothes and jumped straight into the wooden tub filled with the green liquid.
As the cool water washed over the wounds on his skin, Xiao Yan instantly felt a wave of comfort. He gasped in a few breaths of cool air, feeling an almost heavenly bliss. Slowly closing his eyes to enjoy this comfortable sensation, he lay lazily in the wooden tub, completely motionless.
Leaning against the edge of the wooden tub, Xiao Yan's breathing became even, and he unconsciously began to snore as he fell asleep. After enduring a period of painful torment, Xiao Yan's mind finally relaxed, and with his body thoroughly exhausted, he drifted deep into slumber.
While Xiao Yan slept soundly, the green liquid rippled slightly. A gentle, faint energy seeped through his pores, quietly entering his body to clear away the bruises while continuously reconstructing and strengthening his physical frame...
Lost in deep sleep, Xiao Yan's body was unconsciously strengthened.
During this process of strengthening and repairing his body, the green liquid in the wooden tub gradually faded. Clearly, the medicinal efficacy contained within the liquid was almost completely absorbed by Xiao Yan.
He did not know how long he had slept, only that when he woke up, the warm sunlight was already filling his room.
Stretching his body with some effort, his bones popped and cracked. As he sat up, feeling his entire body brimming with vitality, Xiao Yan could not help but exclaim, "So comfortable!"
Stepping out of the wooden tub, Xiao Yan suddenly noticed that the liquid, which had originally been green, had now turned completely clear.
"The medicinal power has been completely absorbed?" Rubbing his nose, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly. Suddenly, as if remembering something, a look of joy appeared on his face. He slowly closed his eyes to sense the state of the Dou Qi within his body.
A moment later, Xiao Yan opened his eyes. He swung his fists, a light smile gracing his lips as he failed to conceal his delight: "I've finally reached the fifth stage of Dou Qi!"