Apart from Xun'er, no one else knew that Xiao Yan had become a Dou Zhe, not even Xiao Zhan, who was unaware that his son had quietly broken through.
As for Xiao Ling, her progress was even more secretive. Right now, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yong were undoubtedly the mascots of the entire Xiao Family.
Since Xiao Zhan broke through to the 9-Star Great Dou Master, the entire Xiao Family had become Xiao Zhan's personal fiefdom. The three elders, including Xiao Ying, were now keeping a low profile, fearing that Xiao Zhan might one day become unhappy and settle scores, wiping out all three branches.
The once arrogant Xiao Ning was now extremely low-key. He had only one goal: to see if he could obtain a Qi Gathering Powder after reaching the 9th Level of Dou Qi and become a Dou Zhe, so that he could smoothly enroll in Canaan Academy.
As for competing with Xiao Yan?
His father, the patriarch of the Xiao Family, was about to become a Dou Ling powerhouse. What could he possibly compete with?
Xiao Yan rushed back to the Xiao Family and first went to the courtyard of the Fourth Elder, Xiao Yong, where he placed a pile of pills on Xiao Yong's table.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, why didn't Uncle Chen Yang come?" Xiao Ling looked at Xiao Yan, blinking her cute big eyes, and asked curiously.
Half a year had passed. Although Xiao Ling was still fourteen years old, compared to how thin and weak she was half a year ago, when she could be easily picked up, she had now grown into a young lady in the blink of an eye.
Her delicate and refined appearance was much more adorable than Xiao Mei's.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan reached out and touched his nose with a bitter expression. Xiao Ling called him cousin and Uncle Chen Yang, while he called Chen Yang Brother… In terms of seniority, they really each had their own way of addressing each other!
"Your Uncle Chen Yang has his own things to do. He'll come to see you once he's done!"
"Cousin Xiao Ling, you must cultivate diligently and strive to give Uncle Chen Yang a surprise, understand?"
Xiao Yan reached out and ruffled Xiao Ling's hair, saying with a smile.
"Yes, Ling'er remembers!"
Xiao Ling nodded.
"Uncle Yong, I'll head back now!"
After Xiao Yan finished acting as a deliveryman, he brought pills worth more than ten million gold coins all the way to the back mountain. The back mountain area of the Xiao Family, which was connected to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, had recently been completely assigned to Xiao Yan by Xiao Zhan.
There were even two 6-Star Dou Zhe guards at the foot of the mountain. Apart from Xun'er and Xiao Zhan, who could come and go freely, even if Xiao Yong came, these two Dou Zhe wouldn't give way. Of course, Xiao Yong wouldn't knowingly wander around the back mountain when he knew it was Xiao Yan's territory.
...
Outside the cave on the back mountain, Xiao Yan looked at the Bone Strengthening Pill in his hand and swallowed it without saying a word.
However, after taking the pill, Xiao Yan did not feel any change, as if he had not taken it at all.
The old doctor also looked at Xiao Yan with curiosity. Even with his terrifying Soul Force, he couldn't detect any changes in Xiao Yan after he took the pill.
The old master Yao Lao had also researched and developed such elixirs that could help one break through and rebuild.
But even the most miraculous Yin-Yang Xuanlong Pill would produce changes after being ingested, unlike this Bone Strengthening Pill, which had no effect whatsoever.
"What's wrong, Teacher?"
Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao and asked with a puzzled expression.
Therefore, Yao Lao told Xiao Yan about his discovery.
Xiao Yan was silent for two and a half seconds after hearing this, then smiled nonchalantly. "Teacher, Brother Yang wouldn't go through all that trouble to train me into a Dou Zhe, only to then try to kill me, would he?"
After saying that, Xiao Yan quickly stripped off his clothes, leaving only his shorts, and then gritted his teeth and said to Yao Lao, "Come on, Teacher, this time, be even more ruthless than before!"
After a few seconds of silence, the old apothecary sighed, then nodded, secretly thinking: For the first time, I'll go easy on him. Break an arm or a leg, but if the Spirit Frost Liquid doesn't work, I can just use a Grade 4 healing pill, and he'll be back to his old self in a few breaths!
With that thought in mind, Yao Lao gritted his teeth, condensed his Soul Force into a stick, and began to beat Xiao Yan mercilessly!
Ah!!!
Ah!!!
"You old bastard, you're really ruthless!"
"Damn it, my leg is broken, holy crap..."
At the foot of the mountain, the two guards heard their Young Master's screams and wanted to go up and check on him, but it was always the same as before. After a short while, the Young Master would come running down, full of life.
"Tsk…"
"The Third Young Master's cultivation is truly diligent!"
The two guards exchanged a glance, both seeing the respect for Xiao Yan in each other's eyes.
...
An hour later, Xiao Yan on the mountain was swollen all over. Yao Lao estimated that even if Xiao Zhan came, he might not be able to recognize Xiao Yan in this state.
Seeing Xiao Yan half-dead, Yao Lao was annoyed. He had originally planned to only break one arm and one leg, but the kid's cursing was so bad that he couldn't stand it anymore. He hit him a little too hard and accidentally broke more than a dozen ribs. It seemed that he even caused a lung hemorrhage.
"Now is the moment to witness a miracle!"
Yao Lao took a deep breath, waved his hand to remove Xiao Yan's storage ring from his right ring finger, then took out a bath tub, poured in a third of a bottle of Spirit Frost Liquid, and then threw Xiao Yan in.
Whoosh!
As soon as Xiao Yan entered the bathtub, Yao Lao was surprised to find that a powerful Wood-Attribute energy suddenly erupted from Xiao Yan's body, which then resonated with the Spirit Frost Liquid.
Xiao Yan's injuries began to heal at a visible speed.
While recovering, Xiao Yan's physical body, bones, and even internal organs and dantian were all strengthened to varying degrees, and even the concentration of Dou Qi around Xiao Yan increased more than double.
This…
How so?
The combined effect of these two pills is probably comparable to that of a Grade 5 Pill, right?
With his keen eyesight, Yao Lao immediately recognized the amazing properties of the combination of these two pills.
"Xiao Yan, you've really met a benefactor!"
The old medicine master asked himself, if he had the theory and time, he might be able to develop such an elixir in a dozen years, but the theory was created by someone else first!
Old fox… it seems I'll have to train Xiao Yan properly from now on, so he might have a chance to surpass that brat Chen Yang in alchemy! The old alchemist chuckled, then went to the cave entrance to wait patiently for Xiao Yan to complete his first transformation...
...
Time flies!
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
Over the course of the year, Chen Yang's most direct feeling was that Ya Fei's companionship was becoming more harmonious!
However, this woman was only kind to him, making him completely unable to resist her.
Throughout the year, Chen Yang occasionally tried to cultivate Earth Rank techniques, but the results were dismal. After a year, he remained at the 2-Star Dou Ling level, without making any progress in his cultivation.
This made him wonder if his talent was even worse than that of the previous Ya Fei.
Later, Chen Yang gradually figured it out. He guessed that it was because he was a human that his physique was not suitable for cultivating Dou Qi. After thinking it over, he stopped cultivating and turned his main focus to alchemy.
In one year, he refined all the pills that Mittel had been developing for the next three years, as well as all the pills that Xiao Yong and Xiao Ling could use, which he could refine at the Grade 4 Alchemist level.
Three months ago, Xiao Yong successfully broke through to the Great Dou Master level. Now he was a 4-Star Great Dou Master, second only to Xiao Zhan in the Xiao Family, and his strength was comparable to that of the patriarchs of the other two major families in Wutan City.
Xiao Ling broke through to the Dou Shi level five days ago, becoming the youngest Dou Shi expert in the Xiao Family at the age of fifteen and a half. Even Xun'er was quite surprised. Although she couldn't see it clearly, Ling Ying told her that Xiao Ling's foundation was incredibly solid, not at all like something built up with pills.
What Xun'er didn't know was that the pills Chen Yang refined for Xiao Yong and Xiao Ling were all invented by the future Lord of the Endless Fire Domain, Emperor Yan, and were mainly targeted at the Xiao Family's bloodline.
These pills may seem insignificant individually, but when combined, they had the effect of activating the bloodline of the Xiao Family's Dou Di. Although the effect was negligible, it was a terrifying boost for Xiao Ling and Xiao Yong, who were below the Dou Huang stage.
Half a year ago, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Ling underwent strength tests, but they only demonstrated the strength of a 3-Star Dou Zhe and a 1-Star Dou Zhe, respectively. Xiao Yan had concealed his 1-Star Dou Shi cultivation at Yao Lao's instruction, while Xiao Ling had been instructed by Chen Yang.
The tallest tree in the forest was bound to be felled by the wind. The Xiao Family was far from being able to support the emergence of two young geniuses at the same time.
Oh right, although Xiao Yan was beaten for half a year before his coming-of-age ceremony, and was basically beaten half to death every day, there was even a time when Xiao Yan cursed Yao Lao so badly that Yao Lao's spirit trembled.
However, the results during those six months were extremely significant.
With the combination of the two pills, Xiao Yan possessed a physical body comparable to a third-tier magical beast and the cultivation level of a 1-Star Dou Shi by the time of his coming-of-age ceremony.
Now, another six months had passed. Although Xiao Yan had focused his main energy on cultivating fighting skills and learning alchemy, he had still managed to raise his strength to a 5-Star Dou Shi within half a year.
Eight Extremes Collapse!!!
"Teacher, why aren't we going out to gain experience?"
"Didn't you say you were going to take me to find the Heavenly Flame?"
On the back mountain, Xiao Yan unleashed eight hidden energies with his Eight Extremes Collapse, turning the inside of a boulder into dust, while its exterior remained perfectly round like jade. He then turned to look at Yao Lao.
"That's right. In just half a year, you've mastered the Eight Extremes Collapse technique. Now, you're so powerful that you could probably hold your own against a 4- or 5-Star Great Dou Master!"
What Yao Lao was most emotional about now was the beating Xiao Yan endured in the previous six months.
If Xiao Yan didn't have physical attributes comparable to a third-tier magical beast, even if he were a 5-Star Dou Shi now, he probably wouldn't have been able to cultivate the Eight Extremes Collapse to this level.
After expressing his feelings, Yao Lao began to answer Xiao Yan's question. "The reason I asked you to stay is for the upcoming Canaan Academy!"
"Canaan Academy?" This wasn't the first time Xiao Yan had heard of Canaan Academy.
That tall, leggy Xiao Yu was from Canaan Academy.
Six months ago, at her coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yu suddenly returned home.
As a result, the once arrogant and proud daughter of Canaan Academy returned to find that her family had undergone such a drastic change.
The Clan Leader became a 9-Star Great Dou Master, and Xiao Yan, who had been a waste for three years, transformed into a genius and even became an alchemist.
Didn't her own younger brother, Xiao Ning, like Xun'er before?
Why did she tremble at the mere mention of Xiao Yan's name?
Xiao Yu was furious and, relying on the fact that Xiao Yan had molested her when they were children, she went to settle the score with him. As a result, Xiao Yan ended up groping her long legs all over again.
Tsk tsk…
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan raised his hand and touched his nose. He had to admit that Xiao Yu's legs felt really good. They were different after she grew up!
"What are you thinking, kid?"
Seeing Xiao Yan's lewd expression, Yao Lao glared at him.
"Uh… hehe…"
Xiao Yan chuckled, then swallowed a Qi Recovery Pill, recovering his Dou Qi while waiting for Yao Lao's instructions.
"In Canaan Academy, there is also a Heavenly Flame called the Fallen Heart Flame. This flame ranks 14th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. If you devour it, the Fen Jue may evolve into an Earth Rank technique!"
"So, if Canaan Academy comes to recruit students in a few days, you should go and register!"
The old doctor gave instructions.
"A Heavenly Flame?"
"I see!"
Xiao Yan nodded, and after recovering his Dou Qi, he took out the medicine cauldron and began refining pills!
Although he hadn't taken the Alchemist Level Exam yet, the past six months of learning from Master Yao had enabled him to begin refining Grade 2 pills.
At this time, Xiao Yan's progress in all aspects of cultivation was more than a year faster than in the original novel, and all of this was thanks to Chen Yang's kindness!
...
"Little brother, why do you seem insatiable today? You've almost ruined my cultivation of a 7-Star Dou Shi!"
Ya Fei, drenched in sweat, looked at Chen Yang, feeling that the night had been far too intense.
"I'll be leaving Wutan City in a few days!"
Chen Yang put his arm around Ya Fei and said softly.
Although his strength didn't improve much in that year, Ya Fei's strength increased by leaps and bounds under his nurturing and with her improved talent.
In terms of talent alone, Consort Ya was already no less talented than the other playboys of the capital at the same age.
"You… you're leaving?"
Ya Fei looked at Chen Yang in surprise, her delicate body trembling slightly, feeling a pang in her heart.
"Hmm… A year ago, I broke through to the Dou Ling level, and now I'm at the level of a 2-Star Dou Ling!"
"I will receive a legacy when I return, which will greatly enhance my strength and alchemy skills!"
"Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon!"
Chen Yang reached out and touched Ya Fei's hair, saying with a smile.
"I…"
"I…"
Ya Fei knew that she definitely couldn't keep Chen Yang, nor did she have the right to keep him.
So…
"Again!"
"I'm going to drain you dry these next few days!"
"So you don't go off and start flirting with other women as soon as you leave Wutan City!"
Ya Fei gritted her teeth, then lunged forward and launched an attack directly at Chen Yang.
However, she was already at her limit and no match for Chen Yang, a mere 2-Star Dou Ling.
Chen Yang only needed to make a slight move, and Ya Fei was already begging for mercy!
"After I leave, you and Master Gu Ni should return to the Mittel Family!"
"I will come to see you in about a year!"
Chen Yang said softly.
"Mm!"
Ya Fei nodded.
In the past year and a half, with Chen Yang's help, the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City had become the most profitable among the surrounding cities. Even powerful cultivators had come here specifically for Chen Yang's pills.
Several powerful cultivators still owed Chen Yang favors, and his network of connections in the Jia Ma Empire was steadily expanding.
In this situation, Ya Fei and Gu Ni were naturally rewarded by Mittel Teng Shan, who promised that they could be transferred back to headquarters at any time.
"I'll be waiting for you in the capital!" Ya Fei bit her lip and looked at Chen Yang, then gently bit his chest. "I know I have no right to stop you from finding other women, but please, don't forget your sister, okay?"
After saying these words while lying on Chen Yang's chest, Ya Fei looked up at him with affection.
"Don't worry, I will always remember that Sister Ya Fei was the first woman I ever met in this world!" Chen Yang looked at Ya Fei with deep affection. He wasn't a robot. Although he had a carefree attitude towards life, even gods have feelings, let alone a mere mortal like himself.
"Mm, thank you, you little brat…"