Time flowed like a river beneath the stars—and carved monuments from the passing years.
When Yang Fan finally emerged from the soul beast forest, a full month had passed.
His soul power had smoothly advanced to Level 14.
Yang Fan himself felt little excitement—but Yao Lao was deeply satisfied.
Advancing a rank while suppressed by the Heavy Xuan Ruler meant his true strength had grown far beyond what the level suggested.
But the most obvious change was in his Dou Qi.
A month of relentless training had transformed his once-faint wisp of energy into a clearly perceptible current.
"You're now barely at Dou Qi, Third Stage," Yao Lao declared.
"And I mean real Third Stage—not just words."
…
After walking roughly fifty kilometers from the forest's edge, they reached a sprawling settlement.
Rows of makeshift stalls lined crude dirt paths, and the air buzzed with shouts and haggling—like a bustling marketplace dropped incongruously into the wilderness.
Merchants sold weapons, food, and even posted calls for party members, just like in video games.
Everyone here served one purpose: supporting soul masters stuck at bottlenecks who needed soul rings.
Yang Fan, trudging along with the massive Heavy Xuan Ruler on his back, drew countless stares.
Every onlooker's eyes held astonishment—and Yang Fan knew exactly what they were thinking:
What a ridiculous kid.
He didn't care.
Cultivation wasn't shameful!
As a member of the Breaking Clan, he instinctively headed toward a stall selling injury medicines.
"Little friend, need healing salve?" the vendor asked warmly.
He didn't dismiss Yang Fan for his age—any child who could haul that monstrous ruler this far was clearly no ordinary soul master.
Though Yang Fan's clothes weren't from some noble house, they marked him as part of a respectable soul master lineage.
Yang Fan scanned the stall.
These remedies were all common in the Breaking Clan—he could name every ingredient, effect, and preparation method off the top of his head.
Then—his eyes locked onto a particular powder.
It was milky-white, finer than the others beside it.
"This is Blood-Clotting Powder," the vendor explained. "It just hit the market a few days ago. Apply it to wounds, and bleeding stops instantly."
"If you're heading into the forest with adults, buying a bottle is wise insurance."
Blood-Clotting Powder?!
Yang Fan leaned in and sniffed—
Definitely Grandfather's work!
Before leaving the clan, Yao Lao had left them the formula for this very medicine.
The composition matched perfectly—and he could even detect the Breaking Clan's signature alchemical scent lingering in the powder.
"Uncle, I'll take one bottle."
Seeing Yang Fan's decisiveness, the vendor chuckled and pulled a small white vial from under the counter.
"Five gold soul coins!"
Yang Fan frowned slightly—but still handed over the coins from his storage soul tool.
A bit pricey…
Knowing his grandfather, this tiny bottle should've cost no more than one gold coin.
But seeing the Blood-Clotting Powder here eased his worries.
Ever since leaving home, he'd feared his grandfather might fail to refine it properly.
Yao Lao hadn't lied!
This medicine truly was simple to make—within just over a month, it had already reached the forest's outskirts.
Maybe this will help lift the Breaking Clan out of hardship…
…
Night fell.
Yang Fan checked into a cheap inn in the town.
After a month of grueling training on the forest's fringes, he hadn't bathed in ages.
He stripped off his clothes, ready to indulge in his nightly Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid soak—
when Yao Lao suddenly appeared behind him, eyes gleaming with intensity.
"Let me see that Blood-Clotting Powder."
Yao Lao took the vial, examined it—
—and his cheerful expression instantly soured.
"It's… acceptable," he conceded. "The hemostatic and healing effects are weaker than ideal, but still far superior to other market remedies."
This medicine was meant for independent soul masters without clan or sect backing—and Yao Lao had designed the formula specifically so Yang Fan could focus on his journey without worry.
"Strip down and get in the tub."
Yang Fan had missed his Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid regimen for a full month.
This time, Yao Lao poured six drops instead of the usual two.
First—Yang Fan's physical foundation had undergone qualitative improvement.
Second—his body, forged by relentless hardship, now thirsted for energy like a ravenous vortex.
As the liquid touched the water, warmth and softness enveloped Yang Fan instantly.
Blissful.
Lying in the tub, he felt like every woman on the continent had just pampered him.
His body drank in the energy like a bottomless pit.
As the spirit liquid nourished him, both his soul power and Dou Qi subtly evolved.
He spread his hands—left palm glowing with Dou Qi, right with soul power.
"Good," Yao Lao nodded from midair, smiling with approval.
"You're finally ready to learn Dou techniques."
"Really?!" Yang Fan nearly leapt out of the tub—if not for the unabsorbed liquid still swirling around him.
Ever since Yao Lao appeared two years ago, mastering Dou techniques had been his deepest desire.
Two years of body tempering.
Martial soul awakening.
The recent trials in the forest…
All of it led to this—to becoming stronger.
And especially after using Yao Lao's "trial account" to soar through the skies, that longing had seared itself into his mind like an unbreakable brand.
"Want to learn?" Yao Lao teased, a playful glint in his eye.
"Then show your master what you're made of."
Before Yang Fan could protest—
A weathered scroll materialized in Yao Lao's palm.
Its surface was dull brown-yellow, etched with the marks of time.
Guided by Dou Qi, it floated gently before Yang Fan.
He reached out, unrolled it carefully—
[Chasing Stars, Blazing Fire]
Earth-Tier Low-Grade Dou Technique. At mastery, capable of splitting mountains and rending earth…
Split mountains?!
Isn't that something only terrifyingly powerful Dou Zongs can do?!
The scroll detailed both the technique's lore and its cultivation method.
"This is an Earth-Tier Low-Grade spear Dou technique," Yao Lao explained. "Perfectly suited for fire-attribute cultivators like you."
"Master…" Yang Fan hesitated, "don't you have something… better?"
Earth-Tier wasn't bad—but his heart still yearned for perfection.
"A greedy snake trying to swallow an elephant!" Yao Lao snapped.
"The higher the technique's tier, the more Dou Qi it consumes."
"At your current Dou Qi Third Stage, even this Earth-Tier Low-grade move would drain you dry…"
"…"
And then—Yao Lao proceeded to scold him so thoroughly, Yang Fan wasn't even sure if he was still human.
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