In the dense little forest, wisps of pale white energy seeped out from the air and continuously flowed into the body of the sleeping Xiao Yan. Looking at Xiao Yan, who had almost become the source of this energy, Xuner was slightly delighted. She quietly retreated to a distance, guarding the surroundings vigilantly. If Xiao Yan were to be awakened from his current state of cultivation, he might miss yet another good opportunity for advancement.
Xiao Yan’s advancement this time was as smooth as could be, like water flowing in a natural course. As the fighting qi continued to surge into his body, the faint fatigue on his face gradually disappeared, and his delicate features glowed with a soft white light, looking like warm jade.
The fluctuations of fighting qi in the small forest lasted for more than an hour before gradually subsiding. When the last wisp of fighting qi entered Xiao Yan’s body, the small forest once again returned to its calm, and the scorching sun resumed its rays.
Seeing that Xiao Yan’s eyes were still tightly closed, but his breathing was extremely steady, Xuner breathed a sigh of relief. She chuckled softly, “Finally at the ninth stage. Perhaps in another half a year, big brother Xiao Yan can form the fighting qi vortex and become a true fighter.”
With a light laugh, Xuner leapt onto a piece of bluish stone and sat cross-legged, her hands supporting her fragrant cheeks, waiting quietly for Xiao Yan to awaken.
…
When Xiao Yan woke up from his slumber, the sky had already grown dim. He blinked his eyes, still a bit dazed, and after a moment, he slowly came to his senses. Lifting his head, he saw Xuner sitting on the bluish stone, draped in the golden glow of the setting sun. His gaze met her bright, crystalline eyes, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Big brother Xiao Yan, you’re awake?” Xuner smiled sweetly, looking at him.
Nodding with a smile, Xiao Yan got up and twisted his stiff neck, lazily stretching and hearing the satisfying crack of his bones. The feeling of fullness that only comes after an advancement left him stunned. Clenching his fists, he opened his mouth slightly and, hesitantly, said, “Uh… I think I’m at the ninth stage now?”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s bewildered and amusing expression, Xuner giggled and nodded. Seeing her nod, Xiao Yan’s lips curled up. In his heart, surprise and joy rose, but there was also a tinge of laughter. Last time, he broke through while sleepwalking, and this time, he did it directly while sleeping. This method of breakthrough was simply too ridiculous.
Quickly throwing a few punches, feeling the fighting qi several times stronger than a few hours ago, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but chuckle. After releasing his joy, Xiao Yan noticed the dimming sky and gave Xuner an apologetic smile. He knew she must have been waiting here the whole time.
Casually grabbing his clothes and putting them on, Xiao Yan smirked at Xuner, “Aren’t you leaving? Today is a happy day; I’ll treat you to a good meal in Wu Tan City.”
“Hehe, I want the most expensive one…” Xuner laughed softly, her toes lightly touching the bluish stone, and she landed gracefully beside Xiao Yan, her clear, silvery laughter filling the green forest.
…
To thank Xuner for her long wait, Xiao Yan took her for a long walk around Wu Tan City before they parted ways in the family compound. Dragging his still excited steps back to his room, Xiao Yan flopped heavily onto the bed, hugging the soft quilt, and whispered with a smile, “I’m finally close to becoming a true fighter again…”
“Heh, this time, you owe a lot to that little girl,” a hoarse laugh suddenly echoed in the room.
Raising his eyelids, Xiao Yan looked at the Pharmacist Elder who had appeared out of nowhere. Frowning, he asked, “Is it related to Xuner?”
“Indeed, it has something to do with her. Otherwise, you might have needed at least another week to break through,” the Pharmacist Elder, hovering above the chair, said calmly.
Shrugging helplessly, Xiao Yan buried his head in the quilt and mumbled, “Now that I’m at the ninth stage, I might need another six months or so to reach the fighter level…”
Pausing, Xiao Yan suddenly lifted the quilt, his face darkening, and said with a chill in his voice, “More than a year has passed, and I’m still not a fighter. At this rate, in three years… I might not catch up to Nalan Yanran.”
Hearing this, the Pharmacist Elder raised his eyelids indifferently.
“Nalan Yanran is being groomed as the next sect leader by the Yunlan Sect. Her talent is undoubtedly strong, and the Yunlan Sect is powerful. There are also powerful alchemists like Gu He, the Pill King, within the sect. If he helps Nalan Yanran, her advancement speed won’t be any slower than mine,” Xiao Yan muttered to himself.
The Pharmacist Elder glanced sideways at Xiao Yan and saw the bright, eager eyes staring at him. He couldn’t help but chuckle but refused to speak.
Seeing no reaction from the Pharmacist Elder, Xiao Yan could only roll his eyes helplessly. It seemed his words were in vain…
After a long silence, the Pharmacist Elder coughed and got up, pacing and sneering, “That Gu He is just a sixth-grade alchemist. What right does he have to call himself a Pill King? Compared to alchemy, what is he?”
Hearing the Pharmacist Elder talk like this, a smile spread across Xiao Yan’s face. He knew that his mysterious teacher was about to make a move again.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go buy materials. Tsk, it’s just Gathering Qi Powder. I’ll refine it for you like beans. I don’t believe Nalan Yanran gets such treatment!” The Pharmacist Elder, with his hands behind his back, said arrogantly and coldly.
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