In the silent chamber, Xuner sat quietly to one side, her delicate hand supporting her fragrant cheek. Her clear-sleeved dress revealed a section of her snow-white wrist, and her gemstone-like eyes reflected the soft lights, fixed on Xiao Yan who sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly closed. Nearly five days had passed since the Strong Ranking Competition, yet there was still no sign of Xiao Yan awakening from his cultivation, which caused Wu Hao and others to worry. They proposed several times to forcibly rouse him, but were always stopped by Xuner. With her keen senses, she could faintly feel that the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan’s body was growing increasingly powerful. When he truly awakened, his strength would undoubtedly have greatly advanced after his severe injury. To rouse him now would mean losing this excellent opportunity for advancement.
“Looks like there will be no result today either…” After waiting in the chamber for a long time, seeing that Xiao Yan still showed no signs of awakening, Xuner sighed softly and murmured, about to rise and leave. However, just as Xuner stood up, an unusual energy fluctuation suddenly rose in the chamber. Her pretty face lit up with joy, and her gaze turned towards Xiao Yan.
Shortly after the wave of energy spread, a strong aura surged out of Xiao Yan’s closed eyes. This aura continuously climbed, surpassing the peak state Xiao Yan had previously reached, and continued to ascend. Sensing the rapid ascent of Xiao Yan’s aura, a smile appeared on Xuner’s face. Just as she had guessed, over the past few days, Xiao Yan had continuously absorbed a vast amount of energy. Now, under the impact of that enormous energy, the barriers between levels were being obliterated.
The sudden surge of aura lasted for nearly five minutes before it gradually slowed. A moment later, a ripple of energy unexpectedly spread from Xiao Yan’s body, colliding with the hard walls, causing the chamber to tremble. After the energy ripple emerged, the unusual flush on Xiao Yan’s face gradually faded, returning to its normal color. His tightly closed eyes twitched slightly and, under Xuner’s joyful gaze, slowly opened. As his eyes opened, a blue flame shot out from them, then swiftly retracted and vanished.
“Whew…” A breath of dark air was exhaled by Xiao Yan, rising slowly and eventually touching the ceiling, corroding a small hole in it with a tiny sizzling sound. Xuner, who clearly saw this, frowned slightly.
As the dark breath was exhaled, a faint glow appeared on Xiao Yan’s face. Feeling the much more powerful Dou Qi in his body, the look of joy on his face was impossible to conceal. “Xiao Yan Gege, congratulations! Not only did you not suffer lasting harm from your severe injury, but you also gained benefits from it. Judging by your current aura, I believe your strength is now around that of a Five-Star Dou Spirit, right?” Xuner smiled, looking at Xiao Yan’s face filled with surprise.
Xiao Yan sensed it slightly and nodded, smiling, “It should be around a Five-Star Dou Spirit.”
Although Xiao Yan was delighted by the increase in two-star strength, he wasn’t too surprised. Others found it unbelievable that he could suddenly increase by two stars, but he knew the reason. While the recent battle played a role, the main factor was that his body had consumed various pills and rare treasures, such as the Earth Core Body-Refining Milk. Although most of it was used to refine Xiao Yan’s body, some residue of the medicinal power remained, permeating every corner of his body. Now, when Xiao Yan was completely exhausted, the hidden medicinal power naturally emerged, healing him and significantly boosting his strength.
“But Xiao Yan Gege, there seems to be something wrong with your body?” Xuner moved gracefully, approaching Xiao Yan and looking at him with a serious expression.
Xiao Yan was taken aback, then realized it must have been because of the dark air she saw. Scratching his head, he said helplessly, “I once took a herb to remove the poison from Nalan Jie, but ended up poisoning myself. Fortunately, with the protection of the Heavenly Flame, the poison didn’t harm me, so it has been lying dormant in my body. It can only be expelled during breakthroughs.”
“Can’t you solve it with your alchemy skills?” Xuner asked, slightly surprised.
“This poison is extraordinary. Even Nalan Jie, who was at the Dou Wang level, almost died from it. It’s not easy to completely remove it.” Xiao Yan shrugged.
“Don’t worry, as long as the Heavenly Flame is in your body, this thing is useless,” Xiao Yan reassured, then got off the bed and twisted his body, which had been sitting for several days. A series of bone-cracking sounds filled the chamber.
“Oh, by the way, how did the Strong Ranking Competition end? Did I make it into the top ten?” Remembering the most important thing, Xiao Yan hurriedly asked.
“Hehe, don’t worry, you made it into the top ten, although you were the last one,” Xuner smiled, covering her mouth. Seeing Xiao Yan’s relieved face, she added, “Liu Qing also made it into the top ten.”
Stunned, Xiao Yan said in surprise, “Then who won?”
“Great Elder declared it a draw, so both of you are tied for tenth place,” Xuner smiled sweetly.
“Alright, as long as I can enter the Heavenly Fire Refining Tower, it doesn’t matter if we’re tied for tenth,” Xiao Yan nodded indifferently, stretching and walking out of the chamber. “I’ve been cooped up here for so long, my bones are about to rust. Let’s go, girl, get some fresh air…”
Hearing this, Xuner smiled and followed him, nodding happily.
When Xiao Yan and Xuner appeared in the Pan Gate, it caused quite a stir. During this time, rumors had spread that Xiao Yan was severely injured and couldn’t recover. Although Xuner and others had repeatedly denied these rumors, Xiao Yan’s absence for several days had made the Pan Gate members anxious. Seeing Xiao Yan, who was safe and in better spirits than ever, they were overjoyed and excited.
Walking through the Pan Gate, Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised to find that the number of members seemed to have increased, and the overall atmosphere was very high. The gazes that followed them were full of respect and awe.
“Hey, Xiao Yan, you finally finished your recovery?” Suddenly, Lin Yan’s familiar voice sounded, and a figure quickly appeared beside Xiao Yan, slapping his shoulder with a happy face.
Smiling at Lin Yan, Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the badge on his chest. Stunned, he asked, “Why are you wearing our Pan Gate’s badge?”
“Lin Yan Ge Ge has joined our Pan Gate, what’s the problem with wearing the badge?” Xuner chuckled.
Xiao Yan was dumbfounded, saying after a while, “A top ten member of the Strong Ranking Competition, willing to join our Pan Gate?”
“Pfft, the Pan Gate’s reputation in the Inner Academy is even higher than Lin Xiu Ya’s ‘Wolf Tooth’ or Liu Qing’s ‘Mountain Splitter’. Though they have strong fighters, the Pan Gate has more. Besides, we have Xuner, who easily defeated Lin Xiu Ya, the second-ranked. Who in the Inner Academy dares to provoke the Pan Gate?” Lin Yan chuckled.
“When did Xuner defeat Lin Xiu Ya?” Xiao Yan was shocked again, looking at Xuner, who was smiling sweetly.
“It was in the friendly match after the Strong Ranking Competition. You didn’t see it, but within ten minutes, Lin Xiu Ya was defeated by Xuner. Everyone was stunned,” Lin Yan laughed, spreading his hands.
As Lin Yan spoke, Xiao Yan’s surprise grew. He knew Xuner had hidden her true strength, but he never expected her to be so powerful. Lin Xiu Ya was on par with Liu Qing, and Xiao Yan had to use all his strength to reach a draw with Liu Qing. But Xuner defeated Lin Xiu Ya in just ten minutes. Her strength… she must have reached the Dou Wang level, right?
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but take a deep, cold breath. This girl was terrifying. She was younger than him, a Dou Wang at seventeen or eighteen? Such an achievement would make the elders of the Inner Academy cry in shame.
Xuner, sensing Xiao Yan’s thoughts, smiled gently, holding onto his arm. She looked so obedient and gentle, far from the cold and indifferent demeanor she had shown when challenging Lin Xiu Ya.
Seeing Xuner’s gentle behavior towards Xiao Yan, Lin Yan smacked his lips. Even he, a battle enthusiast, couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of Xiao Yan. How many people in the Inner Academy could enjoy such fortune?
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