The cultivation technique for Dou Zhi Qi was straightforward. In less than half an hour, Xiao Heng had explained it three times. The key now was how long it would take Qing Lin to sense the scattered Dou Zhi Qi in the air and draw it into her body. Success would mark her official start on the path of a Dou Zhe. Her progress and speed would depend on her talent and opportunities.
___
"Brother, are you smitten by her beauty?" Xiao Yan emerged from the house, freshly washed, only to find Xiao Heng teaching a pretty young girl how to cultivate.
This girl's talent is extraordinary! Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Really? How come I can't tell?" Xiao Yan responded to Yao Lao.
"With your level, it'd be a miracle if you could!" Yao Lao scoffed.
"Little Yan-zi, do you think so poorly of me? I just saw her pitiful background and decent talent. Following me will give her a better life," Xiao Heng said, glancing at Xiao Yan. He briefly recounted Qing Lin's story.
"So that's how it is. She's had it rough," Xiao Yan said, shaking his head after hearing her tale.
Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, Yao Lao's voice chimed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Big Brother, Second Brother is in the meeting hall. If you've got nothing to do, go find them and bring these two technique scrolls," Xiao Heng said, handing Xiao Yan a cyan scroll and a silver one.
"What are these…?" Xiao Yan examined the scrolls.
"Wood Attribute, Di Class Low-Level Technique: Wood Spirit Technique. Thunder Attribute, Xuan Class High-Level Technique: Lightning Spirit Technique."
"Not bad! What about fighting techniques?" Xiao Yan asked casually.
Xiao Heng didn't answer, merely gesturing toward Xiao Yan's ring. Xiao Yan instantly understood—this was a hint to get them from that old man.
"Then I'll go deliver these techniques!" Xiao Yan said.
"Go ahead. I'll stay here and wait for Qing Lin to successfully cultivate her Dou Zhi Qi," Xiao Heng replied.
___
Only Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were present inside the meeting hall. "Little Yan-zi's here. Where's Third Brother?" Xiao Ding asked.
"That kid? The three of us could drink him under the table," Xiao Li said, shaking his head.
"That's because Heng-ge's strength is formidable. He's in the backyard teaching Qing Lin to cultivate Dou Zhi Qi," Xiao Yan explained.
"Qing Lin's had a hard life. This will give her a bit more ability to protect herself," Xiao Ding remarked.
"Do you know Third Brother's strength? Yesterday, he insisted we guess," Xiao Li asked.
"My Dou Zhi Qi cultivation is still below yours and Big Brother's. If you can't sense it, how would I know?" Xiao Yan said helplessly. He knew Xiao Heng was a One-Star Dou Huang, but that was Yao Lao's perception. Saying he didn't know was perfectly reasonable.
"Fair point," Xiao Ding nodded.
"Oh, right, these are the techniques Heng-ge asked me to bring you," Xiao Yan said, tossing the two scrolls to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
"Let's see what kind of high-grade goods these are!" Xiao Li didn't hesitate, eagerly unrolling the silver scroll. Xiao Ding did the same.
"My goodness, Xuan Class High-Level!" Xiao Li exclaimed.
"Di Class Low-Level!" Xiao Ding shot to his feet.
"Let me see!" Xiao Li hurried to Xiao Ding's side.
"It really is a Di Class Low-Level Wood Attribute technique," Xiao Li confirmed.
"Seems like Third Brother's had some extraordinary opportunities," Xiao Ding sighed.
Three hours had passed in the courtyard, and Qing Lin finally began absorbing her first wisp of Dou Zhi Qi. Her absorption speed was impressively fast.
Two more hours later, Xiao Heng noticed signs of fatigue in Qing Lin. "If you're tired, stop. Cultivation should be efficient, not about grinding for hours," he advised.
"I understand. Young Master, do you think I've reached the First Stage of Dou Zhi Qi yet?" Qing Lin asked, her delicate face inching closer. She knew some basic cultivation principles.
"It's not that fast. You've only just started. Take it slow; there's plenty of time ahead," Xiao Heng said, gently patting her head.
"Young Master is so kind. Qing Lin likes Young Master the most!" Qing Lin hugged Xiao Heng's arm, rubbing her cheek against it.
____
"Young Master, I finally reached the First Stage of Dou Zhi Qi!" Qing Lin exclaimed excitedly to Xiao Heng.
"Well done! Keep it up!" Xiao Heng encouraged.
"Today's the Miteer Mercenary Corps' tri-monthly strength test. It's lively—shall we go watch?" Qing Lin tugged at Xiao Heng's shoulder.
"Let's go!" Xiao Heng took Qing Lin's soft hand and, with a single step, leaped onto the rooftop—a perfect vantage point to overlook the training field.
"Young Master is amazing! It felt like walking on flat ground just now," Qing Lin said, gazing at Xiao Heng with admiration.
"When your strength grows, you'll be able to do it too," Xiao Heng said fondly, patting her head.
Below, the training field was chaotic, with hundreds of people sparring, using all sorts of techniques.
A while later, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, standing on a high platform, noticed Xiao Heng and Qing Lin on the rooftop—more accurately, they spotted Qing Lin first, which led them to Xiao Heng.
The three exchanged glances and continued watching the melee. Xiao Yan observed from atop a massive boulder. As a battle enthusiast, Xiao Li wouldn't miss this chance. Xiao Heng's strength was too profound for him to sense, indicating Xiao Heng was at least above the Dou Ling level.
Xiao Yan's One-Star Dou Shi strength, however, was clear as day. Xiao Li gestured to Xiao Yan on the boulder, and soon, silver lightning and purple flames clashed in the training field.
Both summoned their Dou Zhi Qi cloaks from the start. Xiao Yan's purple flame was a reddish-purple, not the pure purple of the Nether Poison Flame.
"Young Master, who'll win—Brother Xiao Yan or the Second Commander?" Qing Lin asked, blinking her large eyes at Xiao Heng.
"Who do you think will win?" Xiao Heng countered.
"The Second Commander, probably. His strength is a few stars higher," Qing Lin said, swinging her pale legs.
"Higher strength is one factor, but when the gap isn't too wide, the level of fighting techniques can also decide the outcome. Xiao Yan and Second Brother are only three stars apart—not a huge difference. Xiao Yan's fighting techniques are slightly superior, so his chances aren't small," Xiao Heng analyzed.
"Oh, I see!" Qing Lin nodded, looking enlightened.
"Will Young Master teach me fighting techniques?" she asked, gazing at Xiao Heng with pitiful eyes.
"Of course. When your strength grows, I'll teach you personally, step by step," Xiao Heng promised.
"Hehe, Young Master is the best!" Qing Lin beamed. She had rarely felt warmth in her life. After her mother's death, she wandered alone, never knowing kindness until the two commanders took her in, improving her life somewhat. Yet, the hostility from others due to her background was something even they couldn't fully shield her from.
The sparring match ended as expected. Though Xiao Li disarmed Xiao Yan, without the Mysterious Heavy Ruler suppressing his Dou Zhi Qi flow, Xiao Yan's strength surged. Coupled with his superior fighting techniques, Xiao Li was unsurprisingly defeated.
"You hid your strength well, kid!" Xiao Li said, shaking his head with a smile.
"Just got lucky!" Xiao Yan replied with his usual line.
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