Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

"So, in future battles, you must act decisively. If you strike, strike with full force and aim for a swift victory!" Yao Lao warned.

Xiao Yan nodded but didn't take it too seriously.

His Dou Qi Whirlpool might not store much Dou Qi, but surely, he could think of other ways to deal with that?

"Teacher, you know very well that for all these years, I've been entirely focused on cultivating Dou Qi. As for Dou Techniques... I don't know a single one," Xiao Yan said with a frown, looking at Yao Lao in frustration.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Yao Lao, who was already familiar with his temperament, shook his head helplessly. It seemed he would have to make another sacrifice.

After pondering for a moment, Yao Lao let out a hearty laugh and said with a sigh, "Alright, alright. Who told me to take in such a pitiful disciple like you? To prevent you from getting beaten to a pulp, I'll teach you something."

"Since your strength isn't too high yet, I'll teach you a Profound Rank High-Level Dou Technique, one known for its destructive power. It doesn't have high requirements—anyone with a fifth stage of Dou Qi can unleash some of its might. Given your current limited Dou Qi, it's the most suitable choice."

Yao Lao pressed his hand against his forehead, recalling carefully before muttering, "I remember that this high-level Profound Rank technique was once given to me by someone who begged me to accept it. I wasn't particularly interested in these things, and if it weren't for their persistent pestering, I wouldn't have agreed to refine pills for them."

His casual and indifferent tone made it sound like he was talking about some discarded trash.

Xiao Yan leaned against the wall. A Profound Rank technique was nothing to scoff at, and with his extraordinary comprehension abilities, he was confident that he could eventually elevate it to an unimaginable level.

Yao Lao slowly opened his eyes. "If it weren't for today's situation, I would have completely forgotten about it."

"Close your eyes and focus. I'll pass it to you," Yao Lao instructed, motioning for Xiao Yan to sit properly. Then, he gently tapped his forehead with his finger.

A flood of information surged into Xiao Yan's mind. Thanks to his near Mortal Rank Low-Level soul strength, he absorbed the influx of information without any discomfort.

"Eight Extremes Collapse: A High-Level Profound Rank close-combat Dou Technique known for its overwhelming attack power. When mastered to perfection, the technique contains eight layers of force within each strike. The accumulation of all eight layers can rival even a Low-Level Earth Rank technique!"

This was indeed Xiao Yan's first true encounter with a Dou Technique.

As the third young master of the Xiao Clan, before the age of eleven, he never had a need for combat skills.

Most powerful Dou Techniques required terrifying amounts of Dou Qi, and even if he grasped them conceptually, he lacked the necessary conditions to execute them.

Thus, studying Dou Techniques would have been nothing more than a waste of his valuable time.

Focusing on refining Dou Qi and enhancing his soul power had always been far more important to him.

After thoroughly absorbing the knowledge of Eight Extremes Collapse, Xiao Yan stepped out of the cave. Once he finished reviewing the details of the technique, he fixed his gaze on a thick tree nearby, his hands itching to try it out.

Yao Lao, standing beside him, poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "Although Eight Extremes Collapse doesn't require too much Dou Qi, it demands a significant level of physical strength. After all, this is a close-combat technique."

Cultivating Dou Qi can rely on one's talent to progress rapidly, but mastering Dou Techniques requires diligent and repeated practice.

Thinking about the upcoming training sessions, Yao Lao couldn't help but tease, "With those thin arms and legs of yours, even if you manage to execute the technique, your muscles might be the first to break, not your opponent's. High-level Profound Rank Dou Techniques aren't so easy to master..."

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

A crisp and determined shout suddenly echoed through the forested mountain peak.

Xiao Yan's foot forcefully stomped the ground, instantly transforming into a swift shadow.

In the next moment, the shadow abruptly halted in front of a tree as thick as a large bowl. With a quick pivot of his feet and a half-leaning stance, his elbow struck fiercely against the tree.

"Bang!"

A muffled sound resonated as wood chips scattered, and spiderweb-like cracks spread from the point of impact.

The tree, now bearing a large hollow from the elbow strike, creaked and swayed before finally crashing down with a heavy thud.

As the tree fell, Xiao Yan, as agile as a spirit monkey, swiftly retreated and landed gracefully in the distance.

Observing his handiwork, Xiao Yan smiled slightly. This Dou Technique was truly exceptional for close combat.

Having personally tested it, he gained a deeper understanding of how this technique could unleash power comparable to Earth Rank Dou Techniques.

"Teacher, what did you just say?" Xiao Yan turned to Yao Lao, who was hovering nearby, his face filled with curiosity.

Looking at Xiao Yan's innocent expression, Yao Lao inwardly exclaimed, What a monster!

Eight Extremes Collapse was a high-level Profound Rank technique. Even for a genius, mastering it required at least three months of rigorous training.

Yet Xiao Yan had only received the technique's information and was already able to execute it effortlessly. His speed and force just now were no less than someone who had been practicing for an entire year.

Such comprehension ability was truly terrifying!

"Ahem, next time, listen carefully," Yao Lao coughed lightly and continued, "Don't get too proud just because you managed to perform Eight Extremes Collapse once. The power you just displayed barely does justice to its rank. You'll know you've truly mastered it when you can do this..."

Yao Lao scanned the forest before pointing at a massive tree, thick enough for an adult to encircle with their arms.

"When you can break that, you'll have reached the true level of a high-level Profound Rank technique. And if you can grasp the hidden force within it, the power will rival even an Earth Rank technique."

"This tree..." Xiao Yan slowly walked forward, circled around it, and nodded thoughtfully. "Seems worth a try."

Don't push yourself too hard, kid. Yao Lao almost voiced his concern but quickly held back. After all, Xiao Yan had plenty of healing medicines. Even if he got injured, he would recover quickly.

Yao Lao deeply admired Xiao Yan's talent in medicinal arts.

Although Xiao Yan wasn't yet an official alchemist, his knowledge of herbs was profound. The pills and powders he casually crafted using medical techniques were nearly on par with those of a first-tier alchemist.

A little setback is a blessing. Yao Lao nodded inwardly and decided to quietly observe from the sidelines.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and a faint yellow Dou Qi enveloped them. After a moment of concentration, he roared, unleashing his fist like a sudden thunderclap, striking the thick tree trunk.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

Given Xiao Yan's current strength, he couldn't hope to split the tree in half with a single punch, but he expected to at least embed his fist deep into the trunk.

However, when he withdrew his fist, the tree Yao Lao had pointed to remained completely unharmed. Not even the bark showed a scratch.

"Are you messing with me, kid?" Yao Lao furrowed his brows but quickly sensed something unusual.

Boom!

A muffled explosion echoed from within the tree trunk where Xiao Yan's fist had struck.

"Hidden force!" Yao Lao's eyes widened in shock, staring at the tree in disbelief, his entire being frozen as if struck by lightning.

(End of Chapter)

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