Magical Beast Mountains.
In a secluded valley, a wide waterfall—dozens of meters across—poured down from the mountaintop, sending sprays of water splashing in all directions. Beneath the waterfall stood a boy, no older than ten, gripping a heavy black greatsword larger than his own body. He was fiercely cleaving at the falling curtain of water with relentless swings.
This was Xiao Yan's fifth month since leaving Wutan City.
Three months ago, he had already broken through to the Dou Shi realm. Now, his strength had reached the peak of Two-Star Dou Shi, just a single step away from the three-star level.
This progress had been delayed on purpose. Yao Lao had made him stay longer in the Dou Zhe stage, worried that progressing too quickly might lead to hidden flaws. Otherwise, by now, Xiao Yan would likely already be a Four-Star Dou Shi.
In truth, ever since entering the Magical Beast Mountains, Xiao Yan had slowed his cultivation pace—not because of any external difficulties, but because he had diverted a portion of his time to studying alchemy.
Under Yao Lao's hands-on instruction, Xiao Yan's alchemy skills had grown rapidly. In just a few months, he had gone from complete novice to a Tier 2 Alchemist. More astonishingly, although he was technically only Tier 2, he already had a considerable success rate when attempting Tier 3 pills. Yao Lao even suspected that, if Xiao Yan's Dou Qi were a bit stronger, he might be able to concoct Tier 4 pills!
This astounding speed stunned even a master like Yao Lao. Within the Yao Clan itself, even the most gifted alchemy geniuses had needed a year to go from novice to Tier 2. Xiao Yan had done it in half the time.
If not for Xiao Yan's clear cluelessness during his first attempt at pill refining, Yao Lao would have suspected that this boy had learned alchemy long ago.
And what made it even more terrifying was Xiao Yan's age—not even ten yet. At this rate, just what heights could he reach once he became an adult? What about at thirty? Forty?
Just the thought of it made Yao Lao's heart tremble. He felt as if he were personally crafting a myth—a legend that would one day shake the entire continent.
Xiao Yan had no idea what his teacher was thinking. At the moment, he was focused on mastering a newly learned Dou Technique. Half a month ago, Yao Lao had passed on a Heavenly Flame-type Earth Rank Dou Technique to him. Since then, Xiao Yan had dedicated himself completely to mastering it.
After two weeks of intense training, he had successfully reached the Minor Mastery level. It wasn't that he lacked the ability to push further, but his current strength couldn't support it. The technique—Flame Splitting Tsunami—was a genuine Earth Rank skill. Only a Dou Wang could bring out its full power.
"Boom!"
With a sharp whoosh of the massive greatsword, Xiao Yan cleaved downward, sending a violent gust into the waterfall. For a split second, the falling water split in two, forming a visible gap. Though it only lasted a second before the flow resumed, for a mere Dou Shi to accomplish that without even infusing Dou Qi was nothing short of miraculous.
"Teacher, I think I've met your training standard now, right?" Xiao Yan leapt down from the wooden stake beneath the waterfall and landed steadily on the ground.
"You think?" Yao Lao rolled his eyes and tossed over a grilled fish. Even with all his years of teaching, he couldn't find a single flaw in Xiao Yan's progress. He was certain—if Xiao Yan had the strength of a Dou Wang, he'd already be wielding the full might of Flame Splitting Tsunami.
With Profound Rank techniques, it wasn't unheard of for someone with talent to pick them up quickly. But Earth Rank? That was a whole different story—talent alone wasn't enough. They demanded deep comprehension, incredible control, and overwhelming power.
Xiao Yan caught the roasted fish and was about to begin his lunch when he suddenly heard an unusual sound near the valley entrance. This valley was extremely hidden, and they had scattered repellent powders laced with pungent medicinal scents. No magical beast should've gotten close. So where was that noise coming from?
He instinctively grabbed the hilt of his Heavy Xuan Ruler and looked toward the entrance. At the same time, Yao Lao's soul form dissolved into a stream of light and returned to Xiao Yan's ring.
A moment later, a figure in white—clearly disheveled—stumbled into the valley.
It was a girl.
She looked to be a year or two older than Xiao Yan, though that might've simply been due to girls maturing faster than boys. Though her features were still youthful and somewhat tender, she was already unquestionably cute, giving off a girl-next-door kind of charm.
Right now, however, her adorable little face was filled with panic. Behind her, something was clearly giving chase.
The sound of savage roars grew closer and closer. As sweat trickled down her cheeks, despair slowly overtook her expression.
Then she spotted Xiao Yan, calmly sitting on a boulder with a grilled fish in hand.
For a moment, her eyes lit up in hope—only to fade into disappointment when she realized he looked even younger than she was.
'No way he can help me… he'd just throw his life away.'
Teeth clenched, the girl forced herself to keep running. She didn't even spare time to catch her breath and instead shouted, "Hey! Kid over there! Run! A magical beast broke in!"
Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh.
'This girl's got a decent heart—on the brink of death, and she still remembers to warn others.'
Still, he had no intention of interfering.
He wasn't some noble, self-sacrificing hero. Sure, she warned him, but if she hadn't shown up, that magical beast wouldn't have found this valley in the first place. Of course, being a "model youth," Xiao Yan wouldn't do nothing—after the beast ate her, he'd give her a proper burial and avenge her.
He took another bite of his fish, preparing to enjoy the bloody show.
But then…
He squinted at the girl.
She looked familiar.
He frowned, mentally combing through memories from his past life. Eventually, the image sharpened in his mind—of a calm, cold, white-haired woman.
"So it's her…"
"The Heavenly Poison Woman."
(End of Chapter)
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