Chapter 16: A 2+1+1 Combination of Xuan-Tier Dou Techniques
After leaving the auction hall, Xiao Yuan quickly returned to the VIP lounge, took off his black cloak, stored it in his storage ring, cleared his throat, and exited smoothly through an internal passage.
With his purple-gold card, Xiao Yuan had access to many privileges that ordinary people could only dream of. Even Gu Ni, the only tier-2 alchemist in Wu Tan City, would greet him with a smile upon meeting him.
Normally, such a card required at least Dou Ling rank to apply for, and would display five activation ripples. But Xiao Yuan's card had none—for now. Once his strength reached the proper level, the ripples would activate accordingly.
The Miteer family was willing to issue the card for a simple reason: if Ya Fei's words proved true, Xiao Yuan's talent guaranteed he would reach Dou Wang or even Dou Huang level. Giving him VIP privileges a few years early wouldn't result in any real loss.
To be fair, the Miteer family knew how to make solid investments.
After that brief reflection, Xiao Yuan made his way to Ya Fei's office again. He wanted to take this chance to see what kind of Dou Techniques the Miteer family had prepared for him.
However, Ya Fei hadn't returned right after the auction this time, so Xiao Yuan calmed his mind and patiently waited.
Moments later, the door opened, and Ya Fei walked in. Seeing Xiao Yuan smiling while waiting, a hint of apologetic regret appeared in her eyes.
"Sister Ya Fei?"
Xiao Yuan asked, a bit puzzled by her expression.
"I wanted to see if I could get you more Foundation Elixirs, but they said only one bottle was available for sale right now."
Ya Fei sighed, clearly frustrated.
"Hehe, it's fine. I've already reached stage five. I'll definitely become a Dou Zhe within a year. No need to worry, Sister Ya Fei."
Xiao Yuan smiled and waved it off, signaling that she didn't need to worry about it.
"You've reached stage five in just one month?"
Ya Fei was stunned, her red lips slightly parted.
Xiao Yuan nodded and deliberately circulated his Dou Qi to demonstrate.
"If you had been able to cultivate from the start, you'd probably be a high-level Dou Zhe by now… maybe even close to Dou Shi."
Ya Fei couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"Not necessarily. After all, when I was three, you hadn't come to Wu Tan City yet. Without your help, I wouldn't be progressing so quickly."
Xiao Yuan looked at her seriously as he spoke.
"You really know how to talk… Here, these are six Low Xuan-Tier Dou Techniques that don't require specific elemental affinities. You can only choose two. Originally, the elders only wanted to give you one, but the Great Elder personally intervened to let you have two.
"And if you really reach Dou Zhe before year's end, he promised to give you a Mid Xuan-Tier technique suited to your element. If you become a Dou Shi within two years, you'll get a High Xuan-Tier technique."
Ya Fei huffed lightly, though there was a smile in her eyes. She retrieved six black scrolls from her ring and handed them to Xiao Yuan.
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan raised a brow. The Great Elder really had vision. He took the scrolls and opened them one by one:
Whirling Slash Blade, Low Xuan TierMountain-Splitting Strike, Low Xuan TierEarth-Rending Slash, Low Xuan TierLifebreak Palm, Low Xuan TierDrifting Dragon Steps, Low Xuan TierSix Harmony Spear, Low Xuan Tier
"Sister Ya Fei, any insider info you can share about those promised Mid and High Xuan-Tier techniques?"
Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"You'll have to wait until you actually become a Dou Zhe. Even these six Low Xuan-Tier scrolls were delivered personally by a Da Dou Shi. Once you've picked, you'll need to take them home right away."
Ya Fei rolled her eyes, speaking with a hint of helplessness.
"Fair enough. These Low Xuan-Tier techniques are already great… shame I can only choose two."
Xiao Yuan sighed with exaggerated regret, then picked up two scrolls and stored them in his ring.
"Two years to become a Dou Shi… that's not hard."
He sounded energized and full of confidence.
"Good. I'm also curious what kind of technique the Great Elder will give you later, so make sure you live up to it."
Ya Fei chuckled as she put away the remaining four scrolls.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down."
Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile, then stood up and added:
"Now that I've got the techniques, I'll return to train. And in three years… I'll make sure the Xiao Clan is the only family left in Wu Tan City."
"I believe you will."
Ya Fei smiled gently, reaching out to pat his shoulder in encouragement.
After leaving the auction house and returning home, Xiao Yuan took out the two techniques from his ring and unrolled them.
"Drifting Dragon Steps."
"Six Harmony Spear."
Looking at the scrolls on the table, Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Originally, he had hoped to get a close-range hand-to-hand combat technique. But upon seeing the movement technique and spear technique, he knew he'd made the right choice.
He wasn't in a hurry to train with spears—after all, sparring within the clan forbade the use of weapons that could injure others.
But Drifting Dragon Steps? That was valuable. Whether for offense or escape, a movement technique was far better than simply running with his legs.
So, Xiao Yuan put away the spear scroll and began diligently studying Drifting Dragon Steps.
—Two months later—
One day, Xiao Yuan had transformed his room into a mini obstacle course to practice Drifting Dragon Steps.
Despite the name, the technique had nothing to do with dragons.
It was more like a serpent.
At the moment, Xiao Yuan's body twisted and slid through the obstacles in a strange, snakelike posture. His footwork glided close to the ground with rapid, flowing steps, and his figure swayed with the rhythm of his movement.
At the same time, a powerful Dou Qi aura radiated from within him.
As his pace quickened, the energy around him grew stronger, showing faint signs of a breakthrough.
Training Dou Techniques helped temper Dou Qi as well, promoting its growth.
"Hup!"
With a shout, Xiao Yuan's body shot forward like a bolt of lightning, weaving through the maze of obstacles along a predetermined route.
"With this movement, I might even be able to handle a Dou Zhe-level opponent!"
Xiao Yuan spoke excitedly to himself as he finished his training.
"Young Master."
Just then, Payne's voice rang out with the sound of the front gate opening.
Xiao Yuan quickly stowed away the obstacles into his ring and opened the door.
"Uncle Payne? What's going on?"
Payne's face looked a bit tense. As soon as Xiao Yuan finished asking, he replied urgently:
"There's a problem with the marketplace's grade assessment."
(END CHAPTER)
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