Xiao Li and Xiao Lin stood side by side, acting as Protectors for their grandfather, Xiao Ting.
"Little Lier, where did you get the Longevity King Pill and the Dou Ling Pill? Was it from President Wang?" Xiao Lin asked.
"Hmm, I gathered the materials for the Longevity King Pill in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and asked my teacher to refine it. The Dou Ling Pill I got on credit from my teacher," Xiao Li said, shrugging his shoulders.
"You can get a Dou Ling Pill on credit? Only a Disciple like you has such a privilege," Xiao Lin said, speechless.
"There was no other way. My current Alchemy can only refine Rank 5 low-grade Elixirs. The Longevity King Pill is equivalent to a Rank 5 Advanced Elixir, so I couldn't guarantee the success rate and had to ask my teacher to refine it.
The Dou Ling Pill is even a Rank 5 Peak Elixir, and its difficulty in refining is such that calling it a Rank 6 Elixir wouldn't be wrong. In the entire Jia Ma Empire, only my teacher can refine the Dou Ling Pill."
Xiao Li really had no choice; after all, his Alchemy was not yet sufficient, and his grandfather's lifespan was nearing its end, so he could only ask his teacher for help.
"Oh, by the way, Big Brother, what stage of Dou Zhi Qi is Xiao Zhan at now?" Xiao Li suddenly asked, recalling the little rascal who used to follow him around. Now, that little rascal had grown into a resolute young man.
Xiao Lin: "Thanks to your medicinal bath, Zhan'er is now at the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi."
"Eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi, huh? That's just alright, sigh~ Xiao Zhan's talent isn't as good as Big Brother's. Big Brother, Dou King and Dou Emperor are definitely not your end goal. Once I reach Sixth-Rank Alchemist, our Xiao Family's strength will rise another notch."
Xiao Li had always been focused on increasing the Xiao Family's strength. As a remnant of the Xiao Clan, even though the Dou Emperor Bloodline in their bodies was gone, they were still descendants of a Dou Emperor. A thousand years ago, they had strong practitioners, and they would again in the future.
Current setbacks were not setbacks, but a path to rise!
Xiao Li now wanted to focus on Cultivating the Xiao Clan members: the Old Clan Chief Xiao Ting, his Big Brother Xiao Lin, and Elder Xiao Yuan, who oversaw the Dou Technique Pavilion.
The Xiao Family was only just starting to improve. If it hadn't been for a Dou King supporting them, they would have collapsed long ago. Those who could Cultivate to Dou King with such limited resources had considerable potential.
Take Xiao Li's Big Brother Xiao Lin, for example. Although his name is Xiao Lin, his Dou Zhi Qi is not wood-attributed Dou Zhi Qi. Xiao Lin's Dou Zhi Qi attribute is wind-attributed, mixed with Thunder Qi.
It was similar to Xiao Li's fire attribute, mixed with a trace of wood Qi.
Xiao Lin's Dou Zhi Qi not only had the powerful force of wind but also the ferocity of lightning, giving him a significant advantage in battles of the same rank.
"Big Brother, this is the Qi Gathering Powder I refined. The quality is pretty good. Keep it, and when Xiao Zhan reaches the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi, give it to him."
Xiao Li handed a cyan jade bottle to Xiao Lin.
"Understood, thank you. What are you going to do next?" Xiao Lin asked.
Xiao Li: "To temper myself, to the Canaan Academy to temper myself and see the 'Genius' from all over the Fighting Qi Continent."
"Then you should Cultivate well. I'll take care of things at home, so you can focus on Cultivating. I'm still waiting to eat the Dou Ling Pill you refine," Xiao Lin said, hooking his arm around Xiao Li's shoulder and smiling.
"Haha, that's natural. Oh, and Big Brother, when you train the Family Disciples in the future, don't just test their cultivation; also test our Xiao Family's will!" Xiao Li said seriously.
"Our Xiao Family's will?"
"That's right. Our Xiao Family ancestors were once incredibly glorious, but unfortunately, by the time it reached us, it became like this, without even a Dou Emperor.
Our Xiao Family has the Bloodline to face difficulties head-on! Even if our strength is weak, our blood must not be weak!"
Xiao Li's words made Xiao Lin pause. He felt the blood in his body surging with excitement.
"Understood."
"Lier is right. Although our Xiao Clan has declined! Our hearts, our spirit, must not disgrace our ancestors!" An aged voice came, revealing that Xiao Ting had finished absorbing the Longevity King Pill's medicinal power.
At this moment, Xiao Ting still looked like an old man, but his figure was straighter, and the wrinkles on his face were much shallower.
"Grandfather!"
Xiao Ting nodded and looked at Xiao Li: "Lier, although Grandfather doesn't know much, our Xiao Clan was an extremely glorious existence a thousand years ago. The Clan Chief Xiao Xuan was the strongest practitioner of his time.
And you are the only one in our Xiao Clan today with the hope of restoring our ancestor's glory. You must remember that the burden of the Xiao Clan's revitalization falls on your shoulders!"
"Understood, Grandfather. After this, I plan to go to the Black-Corner Region with my master to temper myself. As for you, continue to Cultivate diligently. It's best if you can Cultivate to Dou Emperor, but Grandfather, after you Breakthrough to Dou Emperor, don't make it public. Don't tell anyone except Big Brother.
Big Brother will just spread the word that Grandfather didn't survive his lifespan."
Xiao Lin was very confused: "Why is that?"
"Because our Xiao Family has enemies. We cannot easily show ourselves. Our Xiao Family's strength is still shallow, and we cannot be targeted by those major powers, or the Xiao Family will face annihilation."
Seeing Xiao Li's serious expression, Xiao Lin knew there must be a formidable enemy.
Xiao Ting, however, frowned: "Lier, do you know something?"
"Hmm, I know a little. Grandfather, first advance to Dou Emperor. When I reach Sixth-Rank Alchemist, I'll find a way to help you reach Dou Zong. Having a Dou Zong at home will make me feel more at ease.
The same goes for Big Brother; don't slack off in Cultivation. I will also find ways to improve your strength, and pay attention to the exceptionally talented children in the Family; they all deserve to be Cultivated."
Xiao Li's thinking was different. He not only wanted to become stronger himself but also wanted his Clan members to become stronger. He wouldn't always be at home in the future, and if the home were raided, it would be over.
"Leave the Family matters to Grandfather and your Big Brother. You just focus on Cultivating," Xiao Ting said, patting Xiao Li's shoulder.
"Understood, Big Brother. All the Elixirs I've refined during this period are in this storage ring. I've marked the effects of each Elixir. Take them to enhance the Family's strength.
Once I arrive at Canaan Academy, we'll communicate by letter." Xiao Li handed a storage ring to Xiao Lin.
"Understood."
"Good, I'm also at ease with the Family matters. I should go Cultivate now. Grandfather, Big Brother, farewell!"
Xiao Li bowed to Xiao Ting and Xiao Lin.
"Lier, don't just bury yourself in Cultivation and harm your body!" Xiao Ting said slowly.
"Understood, Grandfather, you also take care of your health."
...Outside the Xiao Family gate,
"Big Brother, this is as far as you need to come. I'm leaving the Family matters to you."
Xiao Li bid farewell to Xiao Lin, and a pair of orange-red wings suddenly appeared on his back.
"Oh? Dou Zhi Qi Wings? No, you're only a Dou Ling? A flying Dou Technique?" Xiao Lin asked, looking at the wings on Xiao Li's back.
"That's right, the flying Dou Technique, Scarlet Flame Wings! Big Brother, I'm off!"
Xiao Li spread his wings and flew away from the Xiao Family, flying out of the Imperial Capital. An aged figure flew next to Xiao Li.
"Finished your goodbyes?"
"Yes."
Elder Wang stroked his beard. He was very pleased with Xiao Li, a child who valued his Family.
"Let's go. The Black-Corner Region is not a benevolent place. You'll have tough days there, my boy."
"I'm already impatient!" Xiao Li's gaze was firm.