Xiao Yan, in his endeavor to awaken the Pharmacist Elder, had not only exhausted all the Dou Qi within him but also severely damaged his soul force. Therefore, even though the “Burning Decree” had evolved into an Earth Tier cultivation technique, it was rather difficult for him to quickly return to his peak state. Fortunately, with the Pharmacist Elder now awake and providing the safest protection, Xiao Yan could focus entirely on his recuperation and training without worrying about any external disturbances. In this concentrated and peaceful rest, the depleted body of Xiao Yan gradually filled up with robust Dou Qi, and his languid demeanor lightened day by day. Judging by this progress, it wouldn’t take much longer for him to fully recover.
In the lush mountain forest, atop a secluded peak, a black-robed young man sat cross-legged. His body was as steadfast as a rock, unmoving even as the fierce wind caused his robes to flutter and rustle. Around the black-robed young man, ripples of spatial energy appeared, permeated by the essence of heaven and earth. These energies continuously flowed into his body, so much so that it almost formed a vortex of energy around him. The center of this vortex was the seemingly bottomless well that was his body.
This absorption of energy continued for nearly an hour before it began to weaken. After a moment, the energy vortex shimmered slightly and gradually dissipated. As the vortex disappeared, the young man’s stationary body trembled slightly, and his tightly closed eyes snapped open! From them, two bright green flames, almost solid, shot out. But in an instant, they retreated back into his eyes, their luminance rapidly fading.
With a deep breath, the long-repressed stale air was expelled from Xiao Yan’s chest. This exhalation caused his face to brighten with a faint luster like jade, and the previously hidden traces of weariness in his brows dissolved completely.
Gradually clenching his fists, the sensation of burgeoning power made the corners of Xiao Yan’s mouth curl up in a smile. Nearly seven days of recuperation had thoroughly restored the exhausted Dou Qi in his body and mended his injured soul. Moreover, during the previous retraction of his energy, he clearly sensed that his Dou Qi seemed a bit more robust than before.
Although he was still at the peak of Dou Wang, each level could have its highs and lows. It was like a water bottle with marked levels—though the water might have reached a certain mark, there was still a considerable distance to the next. The ever-growing strength of his Dou Qi was akin to the steadily rising water; eventually, it would reach a higher mark, and then, it would be time for Xiao Yan to break through to the Battle Emperor stage!
Previously, due to a sudden surge in his strength and being in a pseudo-death state for two years, Xiao Yan had struggled to fully control his body’s power after waking up. No matter how he trained, his strength could hardly improve. However, after these months of exhausting all his Dou Qi, his control over his internal power had greatly improved. Now, upon completing his recuperation and restoring his strength, he felt a genuine increase in his power. This situation, quite rare in the past, signaled that Xiao Yan had begun to master his own power and had reached the threshold for further strength enhancement.
Standing up from the massive stone, Xiao Yan gazed down at the vast sea of trees stretching to the horizon. With a smile, he automatically formed a familiar and intricate hand seal, then lightly pushed it forward. The seal generated a gentle breeze, but since the actual “Mountain Opening Seal” required too much Dou Qi, which Xiao Yan was careful not to waste, this one did not cause any significant effects. However, as the seal passed, it still managed to create a subtle ripple in the space, purely due to its profound nature.
“Even after such a long time of practice, I can only barely control this Mountain Opening Seal,” Xiao Yan slowly withdrew the hand seal, reflecting on the formidable Earth Tier skill. Suddenly, a faint silver glow appeared beneath his feet, and his body quivered, leaving a residual image behind as he ghostly ascended into the sky, effortlessly floating without using his Dou Qi wings, thanks to the Three Thousand Thunder Lightning technique. Hovering momentarily, a pair of magnificent green fire wings sprouted from Xiao Yan’s back, stabilizing his descent with a soft flap.
“Three Thousand Thunder should have reached the second layer, the Thunderflash Realm. I wonder when I’ll reach the highest tier, ‘Thirty Thousand Thunder…'”
Looking down at the faint electric currents around his feet, Xiao Yan sighed wistfully, still longing for the incredible speed the Pharmacist Elder had described when he mastered the technique.
“Ah, Xiao Yan, you’ve finally regained your strength, huh?” An elderly laugh interrupted Xiao Yan’s thoughts, and a somewhat ethereal figure materialized before him with a whoosh.
Seeing the smiling face of the Pharmacist Elder, Xiao Yan nodded with a smile. “It seems you’re not only recovered but have also improved a bit,” the Pharmapist Elder remarked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He had already learned about Xiao Yan’s sudden strength surge in the underground, and he was quite astounded by his quick mastery and further progression.
“It’s been several months since I left the Sky Flame Tower. If I couldn’t get a handle on my own power by now, what right would I have to return to the Jia Ma Empire?”
The Pharmacist Elder chuckled, “Jia Ma Empire? Can’t believe it’s been over three years…”
“Yes, another three years.” Xiao Yan gave a faint smile, reflecting on the past. In the first three years, he suffered the humiliation of Nalan Yanran’s annulled engagement. In the second, he was hunted by the Yun clan, fleeing the empire like a stricken dog. Though he had avenged the first humiliation, the second… perhaps the time was near.
“When do you plan to return? At your current strength, you’re qualified to challenge the Yun Clan.”
Observing the pleased gaze of the Pharmacapist Elder, Xiao Yan smiled, “Soon, once I finish some matters here. I’ve built some influence in the Black Corner Region, and I’ll bring many strong allies with me. The Yun Clan has many powerful members and a significant influence in the Jia Ma Empire. Going alone, I’d be outnumbered, but I can retreat if needed. However, the Xiao family in Jia Ma Empire is still in a precarious position. This time, there can’t be any mistakes.”
The Pharmacist Elder patted Xiao Yan’s head with a warm smile, “You’ve really grown up, no longer the impulsive child you once were. You think things through so well now.”
Back then, in a fit of rage over his father’s disappearance, Xiao Yan rashly attacked the Yun Clan again, killing the only person who might have known his father’s whereabouts, Elder Yunjie. This reckless action not only severed the connection to his father’s fate but also led to a bitter enmity with the Yun Clan. Compared to before, Xiao Yan had not only made great strides in strength but also in maturity and calmness.
“In the past, I owe it all to Teacher,” Xiao Yan said, somewhat bashful. Reflecting on those rash actions, he realized the full extent of the Pharmacist Elder’s support.
“Come now, Xiao Yan, you were young and impulsive. If you weren’t, would you still be a young man?”
The Pharmacist Elder playfully slapped Xiao Yan’s shoulder, grinning. Looking at the happy, reassuring smile, Xiao Yan smiled back, turning his gaze towards the distant south. In that direction, many miles away, lay the Jia Ma Empire, home to the Yun Clan.
“Yun Clan, just wait. We’ll meet soon…” The setting sun cast a faint red glow on the young man’s face, a subtle, cold smile playing on his lips.
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