In the silent night, time stealthily crept by. As the sky began to lighten on the second day, Xiao Yan, who was in deep slumber, opened his eyes punctually. The recent days of wilderness living had fine-tuned his biological clock to a near-perfect rhythm. After a night’s rest, the fatigue that seeped from his bones had completely dissipated, replaced by a vibrant energy brimming with vitality. Sitting up cross-legged on the bed, Xiao Yan formed the seals for cultivation and slowly closed his eyes. The early morning was the best time to cultivate Dou Qi; like rowing a boat, one must push forward or risk falling behind. Only through relentless perseverance could he achieve the transformation from cocoon to butterfly. As Xiao Yan’s breathing gradually steadied, the calm space around him suddenly rippled like water, with tendrils of Dou Qi emanating from it. After the intense training of the previous day, Xiao Yan’s skin was like a sponge, greedily absorbing the Dou Qi swirling around him. Countless pores competed to open and close, swallowing the Dou Qi hungrily. While most of the Dou Qi was absorbed through his pores, a significant portion followed his breath into his body. After being refined through the meridians designated by his cultivation techniques, the Dou Qi was slowly stored in the small vortex within his Dantian.
The Dou Qi cultivation lasted for nearly an hour. When the sunlight brightened the room, Xiao Yan slowly ended his session. The hand seals dispersed, and a long, dull breath was exhaled. Gradually opening his eyelids, a pale yellow light flickered in his dark pupils before fading into the depths of his eyes. “At this rate, I might become a five-star Dou Shi in just half a month. The effects of this intense training are indeed quite impressive.” Stretching, Xiao Yan listened to the crackling sounds within his body, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. “Today, I will enter the Magical Beast Mountains.”
Leaping off the bed, Xiao Yan quickly washed up and walked to the bedside, his gaze fixed on the strange black greatsword. Slowly bending his knees, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, then grasped the sword hilt firmly with eagle-like claws. Stomping his feet heavily on the ground, he gave a low shout: “Up!” With the flow of Dou Qi, Xiao Yan’s arm strength was almost enough to break a large tree. But using this force on the peculiar greatsword, he could only lift it off the ground gradually. His body slightly bent, Xiao Yan’s face turned red, his breathing becoming more rapid. With another low, resolute cry, the greatsword was finally slung over his back. Instantly, his body sank heavily, but fortunately, Xiao Yan was prepared. Gritting his teeth, he gradually straightened up. “Damn, it’s too terrifying…” Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Xiao Yan let out a wry smile. Patting the black greatsword on his back, Xiao Yan took his steps towards the outside of the room. After a few days of adaptation, walking with the greatsword on his back no longer caused the ground to shake with each step as it did before.
The Magical Beast Mountains were rife with dangers, and traveling alone was likely to attract attacks from magical beasts. Therefore, most mercenaries entering the mountains would go in groups. With Xiao Yan’s current strength, he could at most handle a first-rank magical beast. Thus, he couldn’t afford to recklessly charge around the mountains alone. Of course, this excluded the possibility of the Pharmacist Elder’s assistance. However, on the day of the intense training, the Pharmacist Elder had stated that unless Xiao Yan faced life-threatening danger, he would not intervene to solve any problems. In other words, even with the Pharmacist Elder as his trump card, Xiao Yan would have to rely on himself to resolve all difficulties.
Though frustrated, Xiao Yan had no choice but to accept this. He understood that the Pharmacist Elder wanted to ensure that he remained vigilant against crises. A young eagle under its mother’s wings could never truly soar in the sky. Only by facing peril could one unleash their potential and ultimately triumph in the heavens!
The Pharmacist Elder did not want Xiao Yan to be a young eagle cowering behind him. Thus, he had to make Xiao Yan understand his situation. Standing in a corner, Xiao Yan did not immediately join any mercenary group. Instead, he observed the temporary teams, looking for one that seemed more disciplined. After all, in the dangerous Magical Beast Mountains, any slight oversight could lead to disaster. As Xiao Yan searched, a commotion erupted at the town gate. An excited shout rang out: “Wan Yao Zhai is entering the Magical Beast Mountains to gather herbs, and Little Healer Immortal is coming along! There are only fifty spots, and you must be at least a two-star Dou Shi. Hurry and grab your spot!”
The shouting made the noisy town gate fall into a brief silence. Mercenaries who felt they met the conditions rushed toward the middle-aged man in Wan Yao Zhai robes. Staring at the suddenly frenzied mercenaries, Xiao Yan blinked and, after a moment’s thought, also pushed his way through the crowd. With so many people entering the Magical Beast Mountains, ordinary beasts would not dare to attack, thus providing some safety. Once he found a secluded and safe place to train, he could leave the group.
The clerk at Wan Yao Zhai had spoken the truth; Little Healer Immortal’s name was highly respected in this town. The fifty spots were almost instantly filled, but Xiao Yan, with his agility, managed to get to the front.
“Just one more spot left!” The middle-aged man held up a parchment, smiling at the throng.
“Me!” A somewhat childish voice, slightly breathless, called out in front of the middle-aged man.
“Eh?” The middle-aged man, surprised by the fresh-faced youth, smiled and said, “Little brother, our requirement is a two-star Dou Shi!”
He emphasized the last four words, clearly skeptical of the young man’s qualifications.
“What’s this kid doing here? Get lost, brat!” “Move aside, kid, don’t waste our time!” The surrounding mercenaries, seeing the last spot taken by a teenager, cursed loudly.
Ignoring the insults, the youth stepped forward to a tree trunk twice the width of his arms. Clenching his fist, a faint yellow Dou Qi enveloped it. With a roar, he smashed the fist onto the tree.
“Crack!” With a crisp sound, the tree, to the astonishment of the onlookers, fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“Is this enough?” Xiao Yan, dusting his hands, smiled at the middle-aged man, who was now wide-eyed.
“Wow, such a talented youth! To be a two-star Dou Shi at such a young age, you’re a genius!” The middle-aged man, impressed, nodded and said, “Alright, the last spot is yours. The pay is five hundred gold coins, half paid upfront, and the rest upon return.”
“Agreed,” Xiao Yan smiled, nodding. He didn’t care about the money; he just needed the group to help him find a safe place to train.
The surrounding mercenaries, disappointed, left, but not without casting strange glances at Xiao Yan. Achieving the rank of a two-star Dou Shi at seventeen or eighteen was a rare talent in this small town.
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