"This is…" Xiao Lin felt as if he had just awoken from a dream. Wasn't he surrounded and grievously wounded by his enemies, on the verge of death?
Why did his body feel even stronger than before?
"Father, your injuries…" Xiao Zhan ran his hand over Xiao Lin's body, then exclaimed with overwhelming excitement, "They're gone—completely healed!"
The three Elders of the Xiao Clan were utterly shocked. What was going on? Just moments ago, their Clan Head had been on the brink of death, and now he was perfectly fine!
Even Yao Lao was stunned.
He hadn't taught Xiao Yan a single refining technique, and yet this little fellow had somehow managed, just by reading through the Xiao Clan's medical texts, to concoct such an astonishing pill!
Back in his prime, Yao Lao could refine a pill to heal Xiao Lin's injuries with ease.
But alchemists of his level—how many existed on the entire Dou Qi Continent?
Xiao Yan's pill, although created through simple means, could be easily reproduced by any physician with the proper ingredients.
Yao Lao's exquisite pills could only be enjoyed by a privileged few. But Xiao Yan's medicinal pellet had the potential to benefit many with far greater accessibility.
By comparison, the difference between the two was like heaven and earth.
After all, no matter how miraculous something is, if it's out of reach, it remains nothing more than a legend gathering dust.
Xiao Yan's pill, on the other hand, was far more practical.
Now recognizing Xiao Yan's innate talent in medicine, Yao Lao grew even more expectant—just how far could this genius disciple go under the guidance of the Dou Qi Continent's greatest alchemist?
Xiao Lin, having sat up, showed no signs of joy despite his recovery. Instead, his gaze was contemplative.
Life's ups and downs always stir the heart, especially after brushing so closely with death.
Over the years, the Xiao Clan had grown stronger with the presence of a Dou Wang like him.
But along the way, they had also drawn the attention of increasingly formidable foes.
This time, he had barely survived after slaying the enemy.
Next time, if the enemy triumphed instead… once they recovered, without a powerhouse like him to hold the line, the Xiao Clan might face complete annihilation.
For a clan to remain strong, it needed not only talented descendants but also a powerful figure to stand behind them—someone who could turn the tide in a crisis.
At that moment, Xiao Lin began to consider passing leadership to Xiao Zhan and entering seclusion to pursue cultivation.
"It was the effect of that white pill!"
A spirited cry snapped everyone out of their stunned daze, drawing all eyes.
Elder Han stroked his beard as he looked at Xiao Yan, who lay in Qin Yueyao's arms.
"I originally thought this little guy had wasted all the herbs he took from the medicine store. Who would've guessed he'd quietly concoct such a heaven-defying miracle pill—one that brings the dead back to life and regrows flesh from bone!"
"Looks like I'm getting old~!" Elder Han chuckled, shaking his head.
The three Elders also recalled the pill Xiao Yan had presented. Their aged eyes gleamed as they turned toward the boy.
Who among them hadn't been injured in battle before? If they had such a divine pill on hand, it would be like having a second life!
The First Elder rubbed his hands together and beamed fawningly at Qin Yueyao. "I wonder how many of those miracle pills this little rascal has made? If we old fogies could each get a few hundred, the Xiao Clan could soon expand beyond Wu Tan City!"
A few hundred? Like he was handing out snacks?
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and nestled his head deeper into his mother's hair.
He had worked for days just to produce a single one.
Did they think miracle pills grew on trees?
Qin Yueyao gently patted Xiao Yan in her arms, then looked around at everyone and offered a helpless smile. "Looks like this little one's already fallen asleep."
How could he fall asleep at a time like this? The Xiao Clan was about to undergo a dramatic transformation!
The First Elder wanted to ask Qin Yueyao to wake him, but didn't dare say it outright. After all, disturbing the young hero who had just rendered such a great service seemed inappropriate. His forehead was already beading with sweat from anxious restraint.
Xiao Lin spoke in a deep voice, "The scent of blood is heavy here. It's not good for a child. Yueyao, take Yan'er back to rest."
With the Clan Head's orders, the three Elders could only suppress their eagerness for the time being.
Qin Yueyao gave a small nod and left the room with Xiao Yan in her arms.
Once outside Xiao Lin's courtyard, she reached out with a slender finger and poked Xiao Yan's little face. "Never imagined you'd secretly come up with something of that caliber!"
"And how cunning of you, pretending to be asleep just to avoid those old fogies pestering you for pills. Truly, you are my son!"
Xiao Yan tightened his arms around Qin Yueyao's neck but didn't open his eyes, still wearing a sleepy expression.
Whether or not he was faking, Qin Yueyao couldn't tell, so she simply carried him back home.
Lying on his bed, Xiao Yan calmed his mind and began to comprehend a soul cultivation method.
Now that he had saved both his mother and grandfather, it was time to shift his focus entirely to cultivation.
Soul power increases gradually with one's growth and breakthroughs in Dou Qi.
For someone like Xiao Yan—given his age and current Dou Qi level—any soul growth was almost negligible.
But what made his Heaven-Defying Comprehension truly heaven-defying… was the ability to see the profound in the subtle.
To predict the fall of autumn from a single leaf. To foresee the end of winter in the budding of spring.
All cultivation methods, battle techniques, and secret arts—no matter how powerful—were ultimately created.
With his Heaven-Defying Comprehension, Xiao Yan possessed the potential to create them as well.
[Based on the subtle growth of your soul power during physical development and Dou Qi breakthroughs, and after days of research, you've gained insight. You have comprehended a Mortal Grade – Low Rank soul cultivation method: Purple Mansion Heaven Evolution Technique.]
[Purple Mansion Heaven Evolution Technique (Mortal Grade – Low Rank):
A beginner-level method for cultivating soul power. Suitable for those with soul strength at or below the Mortal Grade – Low Rank. Cultivators above that level will experience significantly diminished results.]
"I did it!" Xiao Yan's heart surged with excitement.
Soul cultivation techniques had become increasingly rare over time. Few remained across the vast Dou Qi Continent.
And those who possessed them were all colossal powers of unimaginable strength.
But now, he—living in a remote region of the continent—had already acquired and begun training in one at the age of four. In doing so, he had unknowingly surpassed everyone else.
Soul cultivation techniques were abstruse and difficult to grasp. They weren't something a typical child could even begin to practice.
Even within major clans, possessing such techniques didn't mean they could have their youth start training as early as age four.
Now that he had gained insight into a soul cultivation method, Xiao Yan immediately began training in the Purple Mansion Heaven Evolution Technique.
The soul energy coiled at his brow began to rotate on its own. From the space between his brows, a faint tingling sensation began to spread.
Then Xiao Yan noticed a strange suction force emanating from that very point.
(End of Chapter)