Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

So this is the power of a true expert? Even just a soul projection was this terrifying! Xiao Yan's dark eyes flickered slightly. If Yao Lao had truly intended to target him, despite his strength far surpassing an ordinary Dou Practitioner, he wouldn't stand a chance against even a single move.

Glancing around the surroundings, Yao Lao cast a gentle smile in two directions.

He actually noticed me? Hidden deep in the wilderness, Ling Ying frowned, shocked in his heart.

His Dou Qi was of the dark attribute, possessing an extremely powerful concealment ability. Yet, with just a casual glance, his hidden presence was completely seen through.

On the other side, realizing she had been discovered, Qin Yueyao furrowed her delicate brows. This Yao Lao possesses truly formidable strength!

All these years, this old man had remained hidden without making a move. It now seemed likely that his injuries had recovered. For Yan'er to gain guidance from such an expert—this is his great fortune.

With a slight nod, Qin Yueyao's water-blue Dou Qi wings flickered before she disappeared into the back hills of the Xiao family estate.

With her physique enhanced by Xiao Yan and having obtained an advanced Earth-tier cultivation method, Qin Yueyao's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years.

However, since she rarely appeared in public, few knew of her true strength.

Once both figures had disappeared, Yao Lao sat cross-legged on a green stone, shaking his head with slight impatience. "Brat, are you going to learn or not?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I? If I don't, wouldn't all the Dou Qi you've been absorbing from me for years have gone to waste?" Xiao Yan no longer hesitated and nodded.

"Heh heh, if you're willing, then acknowledge me as your master." Yao Lao's gaze scrutinized Xiao Yan for a moment, a sly grin swiftly appearing on his face.

"I have to formally acknowledge you as my master?" Xiao Yan's black eyes widened slightly. He was already a genius at this level, yet he still had to go through these formalities?

"Of course! You think I'll teach you everything without an apprenticeship? Keep dreaming!" Yao Lao rolled his eyes, his rigid attitude exceeding Xiao Yan's expectations.

Helplessly smacking his lips, Xiao Yan performed the formal apprentice ceremony.

Seeing that Xiao Yan followed all the proper customs, Yao Lao finally nodded in satisfaction.

"Heh heh, now that I'm officially your teacher, how about handing over an advanced Heaven-tier cultivation method?" Xiao Yan casually sat on the grass, stretching out his hand with a smile.

"Nonsense! You think Heaven-tier techniques grow like wild potatoes? How dare you even ask?" Upon hearing this, Yao Lao's face twitched, scolding him with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Xiao Yan felt a bit dejected. The Burning Technique, being one of the only two known paths to reach the Dou DI level, still had its flaws as usual.

The technique itself was flawless in quality; the issue was finding the right person to wield it.

It was like having two legs—neither should be arbitrarily longer than the other.

Seeing Xiao Yan's somewhat disappointed expression, a glint of scheming suddenly flashed in Yao Lao's murky eyes.

"I don't have a Heaven-tier technique, but I do have something even more mysterious."

Gazing at Xiao Yan intently, a complicated expression flickered across Yao Lao's face. "What do you think of that girl, Xun'er?"

"Huh?" Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned by Yao Lao's abrupt question. "Teacher, we're discussing serious cultivation matters here—why are you bringing this up?"

"You Have an Arranged Fiancée, Yet You Rotate Between Three Different Girls' Rooms Every Night."

Yao Lao counted on his fingers and said, "As your teacher, I have to ask—what exactly are your intentions, you little rascal?"

Thinking about what Xiao Yan had done over the past few years, Yao Lao couldn't help but smile bitterly. This disciple of his was indeed a genius, but he was also a bit too flirtatious.

However, for a future powerhouse, this wasn't necessarily a flaw—except that one of the girls was quite special.

Xiao Yan's wry smile froze slightly. Finding a wife should be done early, and over the years, he had used his meridian-nurturing techniques to help those three little girls grow.

Otherwise, with their talent alone, they would never have reached their current level of strength.

Seeing Xiao Yan remain silent for a long time, Yao Lao said in a serious tone, "The Xiao family is declining, and your fiancée's family has barely shown themselves. I heard she has already joined the Yun Lan Sect, and it's only a matter of time before they come to break off the engagement."

"I suggest you dissolve the engagement sooner rather than later and distance yourself from the other girls—except for Xun'er—so you can fully focus on my teachings."

Yao Lao's expression grew heavier, and he smacked his lips, puzzled. "That Xun'er girl's background is rather terrifying. I have no idea how someone of her status got involved with your tiny family."

"But that doesn't change the gap between you two. The difference in your status is simply too great. Even if she likes you, the people behind her will never approve—especially considering you already have a fiancée!"

"If you follow my guidance and manage to stay by that little girl's side, your future will be limitless. It could save you at least twenty years of struggle," Yao Lao said with a mischievous grin.

Marry into wealth? Become a live-in husband? Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows, the blade of wild grass in his mouth trembling. "After all that talk, teacher, you just want me to choose that technique even more mysterious than a Heaven-tier technique, don't you?"

"Heh heh..." Yao Lao touched his withered old face and chuckled awkwardly. "I admit I may have been pushing you a little. But whether it's from my perspective or yours, I sincerely hope you'll cultivate it."

"You know, I only exist in a soul state now, right?" Yao Lao spread his hands.

Xiao Yan nodded.

"In this state, I should technically be considered dead. However, due to my soul being far stronger than ordinary people, I've managed to survive in this strange form..." Yao Lao laughed bitterly, a trace of sadness in his smile.

"I don't enjoy this illusory existence. I still have things I need to accomplish personally, which is why I need to break free from this soul state. The technique I mentioned—once cultivated to a certain level—possesses the miraculous ability to bring people back to life."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and said, "I will cultivate the technique, but as for calling off the engagement—forget it."

"I'm not a saint, but I'm not someone who breaks promises either. People might say the Xiao family wants to break off the engagement because we realize we can't match up to the Nalan family, one of the three major families in the Jia Ma Empire."

"But the truth can't be hidden forever. One day, the empire will know that I, Xiao Yan, apprenticed under a great master in my youth. If I agree to dissolve the engagement now, how would I be any different from the Nalan family, who might break it off in the future due to their superior background?"

Yao Lao was slightly taken aback. "Then what do you plan to do?"

"I want it all!" Xiao Yan clenched his fists.

(End of Chapter)

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