In the dense small forest, a faint white current of qi energy appeared from thin air, then continuously flowed into the body of the deeply sleeping Xiao Yan.
Seeing Xiao Yan almost transform into pure source energy, Xun Er was slightly startled. She quietly retreated a short distance, vigilantly guarding the surroundings. At this moment, if anyone were to awaken Xiao Yan from this state of cultivation, he would likely lose an opportunity for advancement.
Xiao Yan's advancement this time could be described as smooth as flowing water. As Dou Qi continuously flowed in, the faint weariness on Xiao Yan's face slowly vanished. A faint white light, like warm jade, radiated from his delicate features.
In the small forest, the Dou Qi fluctuations lasted for over an hour before slowly disappearing.
When the last stream of Dou Qi entered Xiao Yan's body, the small forest returned to tranquility, and the sunlight continued to shine down.
Seeing Xiao Yan's eyes still tightly shut, yet his breathing extremely steady, Xun Er let out a soft sigh of relief. She chuckled softly, "He's finally reached the ninth segment. Perhaps in just another half a year, Brother Xiao Yan will be able to fully condense his Dou Qi and become an official Dou Zhe."
Smiling gently, Xun Er sat cross-legged on a rock, quietly waiting for Xiao Yan to awaken.
When Xiao Yan awoke, the sky had already darkened. He blinked dazedly, and after a moment, he regained his senses. He looked up at Xun Er, who was sitting on the rock, bathed in the afternoon sun as if covered by a layer of silver gauze. Gazing at her limpid, spiritual eyes, he couldn't help but smile.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you're awake?" Seeing Xiao Yan awaken, Xun Er smiled sweetly.
Smiling and nodding, Xiao Yan stood up, stretched, and lazily twisted his waist. A series of "cracking" sounds emanated continuously from his body.
Stunned by the feeling of fullness that only comes with a recent advancement, Xiao Yan clenched his fists, then immediately opened his mouth and looked up, saying with a hint of hesitation and uncertainty, "What... I seem to have reached the ninth segment?"
Seeing Xiao Yan's bewildered expression, Xun Er burst out laughing and nodded.
Seeing Xun Er nod, the corners of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. He was inwardly startled, yet also found it both shocking and amusing. Last time he broke through while sleepwalking, and this time he broke through while sleeping. This method of breakthrough was truly too comical.
Enthusiastically throwing a few punches, feeling his Dou Qi several times more abundant, Xiao Yan couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
After venting all the shock in his heart, Xiao Yan finally noticed that the sky had darkened. He smiled apologetically at Xun Er, knowing that this lass must have been waiting here all along.
Casually picking up his clothes and putting them on, Xiao Yan turned to Xun Er and said humorously, "Not leaving yet? Let's consider today a happy day, Brother will treat you to a meal in Wu Tan City."
"Hehe, I must choose the most expensive thing..." Hearing this, Xun Er smiled naturally, lightly tapped her toes on the rock, and gracefully landed beside Xiao Yan. The clear laughter of the young girl echoed throughout the forest.
To thank Xun Er for waiting all afternoon, Xiao Yan specially took her for a stroll around Wu Tan City, and only then did they part ways within the clan.
Dragging his somewhat excited footsteps back to his room, Xiao Yan lay down on the bed, hugging the soft blanket and pillow, and quietly said with narrowed eyes, "I'm finally about to become a Dou Zhe..."
"Heh, for this advancement, you have that little lass to thank." Inside the room, an aged laughter suddenly rang out.
Looking up, Xiao Yan saw Yao Lao, who had appeared without him noticing, and frowned as he asked, "Is it related to Xun'er?"
"Hmm, it is indeed somewhat related. Otherwise, I'm afraid it would take you a while longer to break through," Yao Lao's translucent body floated above the chair as he said indifferently.
Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly, buried his head in the blanket, and said dejectedly, "Now that I'm at the ninth Duan, to break through to the Dou Practitioner level, I'm afraid it will take at least half a year..." Saying this, Xiao Yan sat up abruptly, his face suddenly turning grim, a hint of coldness in his voice. "More than a year has passed, but I still haven't become a Dou Practitioner. If this speed continues, three years from now... I'm afraid I won't be able to contend with Nalan Yanran."
Hearing this, Yao Lao blinked, offering no opinion.
"Nalan Yanran can be cultivated by the Yun Lan Sect to become the next Sect Master; her talent is absolutely not inferior. Moreover, the Yun Lan Sect possesses formidable strength, and within the sect, there's a powerful alchemist like the Pill King Gu He... If he assists Nalan Yanran, I'm afraid her advancement speed won't be any slower than mine," Xiao Yan muttered to himself.
Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan, but then saw the fellow staring at him with sparkling eyes. He immediately chuckled, but refused to speak.
Seeing Yao Lao show no expression, Xiao Yan could only glare helplessly. It seemed those words were spoken in vain...
"Ahem..." After a moment of silence, Yao Lao finally cleared his throat. He stood up, stepped forward, and said with a disdainful curl of his lips, "That Gu He is merely a sixth-grade alchemist, yet he dares to call himself a Pill King? Then what are those who are better at alchemy than him called?"
Hearing Yao Lao say that, a smile immediately appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He knew that this mysterious master was finally going to take action...
"Tomorrow, go buy the materials. Hmph, isn't it just a Qi Gathering Powder? I'll refine it for you to eat like potatoes... I don't believe that Nalan Yanran receives such treatment." Yao Lao said with a cold, arrogant laugh, his hands clasped behind his back.