Under the gentle touch of dawn’s golden rays, Xiao Yan finally allowed himself respite after the adult initiation ceremony, a rare pause from grueling training once dictated in every second. The foundational spirit liquid obtained from previously bought herbs was now long exhausted, yet, with Xiao Yan reaching the eighth stage of Dou Qi, such liquids bore little worth.
With waning results of foundational elixirs, Old Pharmacist ceased forcing alchemical advancements upon the youth, instead urging balance and repose. Rigorously pushing oneself was but a double-edged flame – it bore promise, yet often singed the hand holding it. Xiao Yan, unused to idleness amidst relentless routine, grew antsy with leisurely afternoons lacking tension and toil. Forced leisure meant spending mornings idling nearby Xuner’s playful footsteps and afternoons drifting into mountain recesses for technique drills.
In a sudden metamorphosis from past obscurity to prestige, Xiao Yan naturally captured attention as Clan’s newfound star – wherever he treaded, gazes filled with awe tracked his shadow like hounds chasing a hare. Respectful greetings laced every utterance bearing his name – yet within Xiao Yan’s mind echoed a melancholy sigh, pondering the stark contrasts of before versus after.
……
*BOOM!* Amid the luscious greenery behind secluded mountains, agile forms danced like shadowy flickers amidst swerving trails. A figure nimble as any jungle lemur darted between trees, its limbs a blur evading natural entrapment effortlessly. At last, clenched fists crackled with internal force before thundering into thick trunks—wood splintered like dry bones snapping, severed entirely upon impact with a final resounding *WHUMP!*.
Evasion mastered, the agile Xiao Yan landed calmly on cool stone ledges, brushing his palm skyward drawing forth hanging garments tethered nearby by unseen force—a skill born of discipline and willpower forged over countless hours of pain and sweat.
Wiping the sweat tracing down his brow, Xiao Yan dressed leisurely beneath dappled beams filtering from above, movement echoing through rustling cloth and stirring grass blades under bare feet upon descent from the ledge below the forest canopy. A faint ripple—an intruder upon peace—he paused.
With eyes squinting and brows knitting, Xiao Yan turned to the sound with narrowed vigilance before breaking back through undergrowth beyond his training grove.
Sun kissed the world outside warmly as he stepped into open meadowlight. It wrapped around his limbs like soothing silk, relaxing tense muscles trained taught beneath rigorous schedules past days. Squinting into the light as he adjusted with blink after blink, he caught silhouette perched upon high.
Sunlight adorned the feminine curves with shimmered halo as Xiao Yu lounged atop smooth stone ledge; every angle spoke allure—particularly the long seductive lines trailing the thighs down toward hidden delights below. Xiao Yan, unaffected expression masking disdain, lazily clasped head behind his hand while studying Xiao Yu with casual disregard. Glance momentarily held at length traced her toned limbs and smoldered in mild contempt.
“You got a nice pair going. Stop showing off,” drawled Xiao Yan flat, shrugging his disinterest aside.
A simple whisper sliced the atmosphere—a whisper that transformed her once neutral expression into thunderous clouds, brows twitching with indignation.
Heated murmurs rumbled from chest before Xiao Yu barked out clipped tones edged with ire, biting words clear: “You *know* why I came?!”
He replied almost playfully, half-turning, “Came to beat me up?”
“Irregardless of how strong my Xiao Yan’s fists had landed – he yet lies bedridden. As the sister of wounded brother, am I not right to demand retribution?”
Xiao Yan snorted sly amusement dancing at edge of grin—his tone mocking when speaking of pain and injustice. Tilting head at Xiao Yu, contempt poured with speech:
“In your dreams. You expect me to have *stood still* while his brute force broke my arm? You think I would *allow* it? If I had… would your pity for *my* ruined arm not last fleeting minutes before fading from mind like wind from flame? Just like *that* last conversation—*nothing’s changed but the stakes*, you understand? Are you even capable beyond *blind, unreasoned* partiality? Your brother…is precious flesh and blood. Mine – is mine too.”
As words spilled forth, anger boiled crimson, and Xiao Yan’s usually calm features flushed red; he no longer restrained himself.
“Women like *you* piss me off! Big chest? Empty thoughts! That’s what *you* exemplify!”
“Xiao Yan!! Stop swearing this instant!”
Roaring, eyes flaming fury as every muscle in Xiao Yu thrummed with barely checked rage—an exclamation born not from reason but raw emotion. Observing her shift from ice queen indifference to feral scowl, Xiao Yan could do little else except let cruel, smacking tongue sound against palette in mockery – sheer vindictive pleasure flooding him in return.
Yet composure steadied even amidst rising adrenaline. Breathing evened, breath by breath restoring icy precision lost briefly within emotional storm that surged.
She descended sharply, legs slicing through sky like scythe in harvest sweep while lips shaped unspoken oaths behind clenched clenched teeth whispering threats.
“Tonight… will teach you humility.”
Foot swept forward – body curved through sunlight like dancer mid-twirl—granted momentum by furious desire alone. Right legs snapped forth like coiled whip aiming straight through vulnerable core in a single brutal kick.
He dodged with curses barely avoiding the lethal arc aimed too low – barely saved from certain destruction.
Her taunting tones followed swift movement – dripping smug certainty. “You may have talent; however, barely at eighth Qi threshold—I will humble your rising insolence to sky-high ego.”
Twirling through the air like wind-stirring storm, she delivered assault after assault with merciless fury and precision – her powerful kicks stirred gust after whirlwind, sending dead leaves flying into sky.
Indeed the prowess of three-star Dou Zhe stood leagues apart from earlier foes. Xiao Yan found himself barely capable of retreat as waves after ferocious waves kept his balance in peril.
Ducking, twisting sideways – avoiding with catlike quickness even during vulnerable moment, every inch of his body now calculated every shift, every twitch of intent from Xiao Yu’s eyes sharpened toward survival’s edge.
Blocking another sweeping blow, his arm now stung—not broken, but throbbing deep into sinew.
Yet realization struck—her force bore measured cruelty, restrained strength; pain was real but avoidable of lasting damage.
Backward flight brought momentary respite, but only temporarily as Xiao Yu, flushed from victory’s whisper, bounded off pebble-stained ground once more—eager predator pouncing for the killing sweep.
Yet, just at the brink—Xiao Yan, shifting from cautious retreat erupted with predator’s reflex!
Two open palms snapped out, pulling Xiao Yu like tide against fragile shore—a tug so swift and forceful her figure teetered off balance despite best efforts at stance mastery beneath feet.
As the force vanished—her balance teetered—replaced with unexpected, explosive counter-thrust!
She wavered. Legs lost alignment with Earth’s gravity; momentum collapsed.
She landed flat on rear.
A sudden crash left Xiao Yu stunned—surprise locking joints as hesitation stole precious recovery milliseconds in the aftermath of ambush strategy.
The gap in response left her open – her body barely able to shift weight, as a shadow leapt down like tiger falling upon prey, pinning her beneath.
“Guess what, *darling*,” he rasped through gritted teeth amidst painful breaths, bruised jaw barely functional beneath raw ache, “Tonight – *you’re getting raped.*”
Both palms pressed tightly upon her slim wrists beneath, breath hitched between his teeth filled with vindictive delight.
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