Chapter 187: Han Yue's Invitation
Crackle! Crackle!
Tiny arcs of thunder crackled in the air as two figures darted across the swamp, their bodies moving with dazzling speed, stirring strong energy ripples that caused the muddy waters below to tremble. Yet despite the violent motion, not a single drop of mud splashed onto their shoes. They glided over the marshland as if walking on solid ground.
Clang!
A black spear collided fiercely with the Heavy Xuan Ruler, sending out shockwaves of energy that rippled visibly through the air.
In the next instant, Xiao Yan was sent flying backward. His Heavy Xuan Ruler slipped from his grip and crashed into the muddy ground.
Oddly, losing his weapon seemed to free Xiao Yan's momentum. His feet flashed with silver lightning, and his figure vanished like a blur, reappearing behind Xiao Yuan with a burst of scorching energy punching straight at his back.
But Xiao Yuan remained composed. Leaning back gracefully, he stabbed his long spear backward along the curve of his chest at even greater speed.
A returning spear strike!
Xiao Yan knew this technique well. Green flames surged from his palms as he caught the chilling spear, then kneed toward Xiao Yuan's head.
Though just sparring, their moves were vicious and precise.
As expected, Xiao Yan's strike didn't land. A flicker of green thunder erupted as Xiao Yuan's figure blinked away—just like Xiao Yan had a moment earlier.
Xiao Yan instinctively spun and struck out, only to find Xiao Yuan had reappeared in his original position—where he promptly kicked Xiao Yan into the swamp.
Splash!
Covered in Dou Qi, Xiao Yan soon flew out again, shaking his head with a helpless smile.
Still lost.
If that last hit had come from a real enemy, he would've been seriously injured—if not dead.
"Not bad. Against an average opponent, that punch of yours would've ended the fight," Xiao Yuan said with a smile. He waved a hand, releasing black water mist to wash the mud from Xiao Yan's body.
"But against someone experienced, you'll still be at a disadvantage. Fortunately, you've finally mastered the first stage of Three Thousand Lightning Movement—Thunder Flash."
Xiao Yan looked back at the battlefield, smiling. There, two fading figures—one black, one white—dissipated into the mist.
"Mm. We've spent over a month on this. These results aren't surprising," Xiao Yuan nodded, slightly regretful.
During this month, Xiao Yan had advanced to nine-star Da Dou Shi, while Xiao Yuan remained at five-star Dou Ling—still short of six-star.
Still, he hadn't just trained Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
His alchemy had progressed too—he could now refine Qi Recovery Pills.
Moreover, his cultivation of the Devil Lightning Tome had gone smoothly, greatly enhancing both the quality and quantity of his Dou Qi.
At this point, his Dou Qi strength rivaled that of nine-star Dou Lings who practiced advanced Xuan-tier methods. Even those with Earth-tier skills couldn't overwhelm him, especially with the enhancement from his Heavenly Flames.
His solid foundation gave him tremendous confidence in his current strength.
"I had estimated it would take you two months just to reach the Thunder Flash stage. Even the best disciples in Wind and Thunder Pavilion weren't faster. This is a surprise," Yao Lao remarked, emerging from his ring with a smile.
"Teacher, let's pause the technique training for now. I want to return and enter the Heaven-Burning Qi Refining Tower for closed cultivation. I need to raise my Dou Qi level and check how Lionheart Society is doing."
Xiao Yuan said calmly.
"Mm. Your cultivation requires massive energy. Only in the Refining Tower can you maintain a reasonable speed. Training out here really is too slow," Yao Lao nodded after some thought.
"I'll stay. I'm close to completing my flame fusion technique. Once it's done, I'll return," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"I look forward to seeing your merged flame technique," Xiao Yuan grinned and patted his brother on the shoulder. Then, bowing to Yao Lao, he summoned his Purple Cloud Wings and flew toward the Inner Academy.
"Teacher, I'll need your flame again," Xiao Yan said, exhaling and focusing.
Yao Lao nodded, turning into a stream of light and vanishing into Xiao Yan's ring. With a thought, a pale white flame burst from Xiao Yan's hand.
"I hope it works this time."
Green flames erupted from his other hand. Without hesitation, he slammed his palms together—combining green and white flames. The terrifying wave of destruction that followed caused every magical beast within a 500-meter radius to flee in terror. Even two rank-5 magical beasts bolted a kilometer away.
Far off, Xiao Yuan sensed the explosion and raised a brow.
The Buddha's Fury Flame Lotus… it's coming.
Who'd be the unlucky one to take the first hit?
Hiss! Hiss!
A soft hissing pulled him from his thoughts. A small, colorful figure wriggled from his collar—his Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
In his past life, Xiao Yuan would've fainted from fright. Even now, he wasn't exactly comfortable with snakes on his body.
But if that snake could turn into a stunning beauty… well, maybe he could live with it.
"Wake up and immediately want food?"
The snake opened its tiny mouth, eyes glimmering with "hungry" energy. Xiao Yuan chuckled, pulling out a vial of Companion Amethyst Source and letting her feast.
Despite how cute this feeding session was, what worried him was that the snake had recently fallen into frequent deep sleeps. Xiao Yuan could sense a powerful soul slowly awakening within her.
Clearly, no matter how hard he tried to avoid using her in battle—to keep from weakening her and giving Queen Medusa a chance to take control—it wasn't something he could prevent forever.
Thankfully, as long as Yao Lao was around, Xiao Yuan's life wasn't in danger.
Even now, in his soul form, Yao Lao's power rivaled an eight-star Dou Zong. Even if Queen Medusa fully awakened, she couldn't kill Xiao Yuan.
But still… Yao Lao wouldn't be by his side forever.
"All right, back we go. Your rations are running low. I need to find more Heavenly Spirit Liquid for you soon."
As the python emptied the bottle and released a puff of hot purple mist, Xiao Yuan sighed and scooped her into his palm, flapping his wings back toward the Inner Academy.
When he returned to the building, no one was there—they were all off training.
He went to Ah Tai's quarters instead.
"President?"
Ah Tai, busy with paperwork, smiled brightly when he saw Xiao Yuan appear silently.
"How's everything?" Xiao Yuan asked casually.
"All good. After you defeated Yao Sheng, our Lionheart Society's reputation exploded. Many independent students came to join, even some from Yao Gang. As you instructed, I returned the Fire Energy we collected from them."
Ah Tai stood straighter as he reported.
"Good. No troublemakers, right?"
"Some wanted to be vice presidents because of their strength, but Vice President Xun'er dealt with it."
"Haha, Xun'er, huh? Looks like her power's becoming formidable too."
Xiao Yuan chuckled. If he remembered right, Xun'er would leave Canaan Academy after the Strong Ranking Tournament—by then, she'd already be a Dou Wang.
Terrifying growth.
But there were four months until the tournament. Maybe… maybe he could reach Dou Wang by then too.
After all, there was a certain "Senior Han" he had to fight soon.
Wonder what kind of face he'd make when he saw the eight-star Dou Zong, Yao Lao?
"Crack Mountain hasn't caused any trouble, right?" Xiao Yuan suddenly asked.
"No. Word is that Senior Liu Qing told his men not to."
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan nodded, deep in thought.
"Also, President, Senior Han Yue came looking for you three days ago. Said she needed your help."
"Senior Han Yue?"
Xiao Yuan blinked. Then a memory surfaced.
Could it be about… Earth Core Body Milk?
If she's asking for help, she must think highly of him.
"Got it. I'll visit her shortly."
With that, Xiao Yuan left the room—vanishing like a shadow.
"President's getting scarier by the day," Ah Tai muttered, shaking his head at the fading afterimage. "That speed is ridiculous."
With Three Thousand Lightning Movement, Xiao Yuan's speed had become terrifying. Even walking leisurely, it only took him five minutes to reach Yue Ling's base.
Releasing his soul perception, he quickly sensed Han Yue's aura.
Touching his chin, he decided to walk in normally—no lightning flash entrance today.
Given Yue Ling's alliance with Lionheart, many of its members were quite fond of the handsome Xiao Yuan. They greeted him warmly all along the way—it almost felt like returning home.
When he entered the hall, Han Yue looked up, sensing his presence.
"Senior Han Yue. I heard you were looking for me. I've just returned from the mountains after training some techniques."
Xiao Yuan got straight to the point, smiling.
"Training? Your strength seems to have improved quite a bit."
Han Yue looked at him with curiosity.
"Some special fortune. I'm near peak eight-star now," Xiao Yuan said, glossing over the fact that he was nearly six-star Dou Ling.
"Does that mean… your combat power can rival an eight-star Dou Ling?"
Han Yue asked seriously.
Xiao Yuan shook his head.
Eight-star? That was two months ago.
"Your secret technique… is it unusable now?"
Han Yue's brows knitted slightly, a hint of disappointment in her cold voice.
She still hoped to recruit Xiao Yuan. He was powerful and reliable.
"No, I think I can match the top three on the Strong Ranking now."
Han Yue's eyes widened.
Even with her calm nature, she couldn't stay composed.
Top three? That meant he could match the peak of the Dou Ling class?
A Da Dou Shi… equal to a peak Dou Ling?
Unbelievable.
Xiao Yuan could tell she was struggling to accept it. But that was fine. In time, she'd see it for herself.
"…Even if that's hard to believe, if you can still fight like you did against Yao Sheng, that's enough."
After a pause, Han Yue sighed and continued.
"Oh? What is it?" Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Have you heard of Earth Core Body Milk?" she asked.
"Earth Core Body Milk?"
As expected, Xiao Yuan's face lit with surprise.
"You mean that miraculous substance that can cleanse the marrow, refine the bones, and help those stuck at bottlenecks break through?"
Seeing he recognized it, Han Yue nodded.
"I recently discovered a lead. But it's guarded by a Snow Demon Ape. I can't retrieve it without alerting it. So I need trustworthy people—strong ones."
Her cool voice held a hint of hesitation as her eyes lingered on Xiao Yuan.
If Xiao Yuan really had power like Lin Xiuya or Liu Qing, she wouldn't need many others.
Which meant a bigger share for herself.
But… was Xiao Yuan truly that powerful?
(END CHAPTER)
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on March 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1