Chapter 17: Relying on Oneself

Upon hearing Gu He's words, Nalan Su's heart began to waver. He suddenly realized: talent is talent, and there have always been countless talented people throughout history, yet the Jia Ma Empire has produced only a handful of Dou Huangs.

Just as Gu He said, the later one progresses in cultivation, the greater the resources required, and the less important talent becomes. With no resources to aid him, how could Xiao Yan possibly surpass his own daughter!

If my daughter truly defeats Xiao Yan, then she may, according to her own wishes, choose a husband who could be even stronger.

After all, strong ones are naturally drawn to each other.

"Thank you, Master Gu He, for clearing up my doubts. If Master Gu He does not mind, please make yourself at home at the Nalan Mansion—I, Nalan Su, will treat you with the utmost hospitality," Nalan Su said, clasping his fists.

Gu He waved his hand in refusal: "No, I plan to trade with a powerful figure soon and brew a batch of elixirs—I simply have no time."

Nalan Su hurriedly asked: "Is there any way our Nalan Clan can assist?"

Gu He smiled and shook his head: "I don't think it's necessary. That man is a Dou Huang."

Hiss! A Dou Huang!

Only Gu He, the Dantian Alchemist, likely has the capital to trade with a Dou Huang across the entire Jia Ma Empire.

At this moment, Xiao Yan, whose protagonist script had been stolen, stood beside a deep pool, picked up the Xuan Heavy Ruler planted in the ground, and jumped into the water with a splash.

The immensely heavy Xuan Heavy Ruler dragged Xiao Yan's body swiftly downward; with a thud, it sank to the pool's bottom, where Xiao Yan gripped the ruler and swung it continuously—horizontal sweeps, vertical chops, thrusts, upward jabs—the heavy ruler moved in his hands as if it were an extension of his limbs.

Weighted training!

Xiao Yan had trained the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler for over half a year and could already wield the Xuan Heavy Ruler freely. But he felt it wasn't enough, so he used water's resistance and pressure to intensify his training!

When oxygen ran low, he retracted the Xuan Heavy Ruler, surfaced to breathe, then returned to train again.

As Xiao Yan's speed swinging the Xuan Heavy Ruler beneath the water increased, the pool began to churn into a vortex, violently trembling.

His gaze sharpened; Xiao Yan suddenly gathered all his Dou Qi. The mysterious patterns on the Xuan Heavy Ruler emitted a faint red glow—the terrifying heat could not be cooled even underwater, and massive bubbles rose continuously.

"Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler!"

Xiao Yan swung violently toward the sky; a searing flame wave surged from the pool's depths, dozens of meters below, straight into the heavens, the terrifying heat relentlessly "devouring" the water waves!

With a boom like a torpedo exploding, the pool—larger than a football field—exploded instantly, water surging over twenty meters high, drenching the land in a torrential downpour.

Seizing this moment, Xiao Yan slung the Xuan Heavy Ruler across his back, leaped with both feet, and shot out of the pool.

"Huh? Why are you two here?" Xiao Yan emerged to find Xiao Mei and Xiao Yu standing beside the pool.

Poor girls—they had been cheerfully chatting, discussing their plans to join Jia Nan Academy in six months, Xiao Yu explaining the academy's interesting details, when disaster struck and they were drenched to the bone.

"Xiao Yan! It's you again!"

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, suppressing his laughter: "I didn't realize, Xiao Yu—you're still so pure."

Xiao Yu looked down: both she and Xiao Mei wore white clothing, now soaked through and translucent—clearly revealing Xiao Yu's white undergarments. The younger Xiao Mei, bolder, wore black.

Xiao Mei blushed furiously but made no move to cover herself. Xiao Yu shrieked, clutched her chest with her left hand, snatched up a large stone, and aimed to crush Xiao Yan.

While she bent to pick up the stone, Xiao Yan slipped away like oil on water, vanishing with only a muttered, "This was an accident."

Back in his hidden cave, Xiao Yan changed into dry clothes and muttered: "What bad luck—again."

Xiao Yan touched his storage ring, released the Bone Spirit Cold Fire, sat cross-legged half a meter from it, closed his eyes, and slowly activated the Burning Scripture.

Special energy could be seen being slowly absorbed by Xiao Yan, steadily strengthening his vortex.

Even when the Strange Fire became unstable and burned him, leaving him drenched in sweat and his skin blistered, Xiao Yan never ceased his cultivation.

If someone asked him: Without a master to guide you, without elixirs to aid you—what do you rely on to win? Xiao Yan would answer without hesitation: "Myself."

After completing his tedious daily cultivation, Xiao Yan returned leisurely to the clan. Before he even stepped through the clan gate, he saw three Elders anxiously waiting for him.

"Xiao Yan, you finally showed up!"

"Something huge has happened!"

"Quick, quick, to the clan meeting hall!"

The Second Elder and Third Elder immediately lifted Xiao Yan and carried him off to the hall, giving him no chance to escape.

After listening to the chaotic chatter, Xiao Yan finally understood: in summary, the Gale Clan and Oba Clan had somehow hired a One Grade Alchemist, monopolized all low-grade medicinal materials in Wutan City, spent months preparing, and brewed two One Grade Pills, seizing over half the market at the bazaar.

Market monopolized.

"Young Clan Leader, these are the 'Regeneration Powder' and 'Minor Dou Qi Pill' sold at the Lie'ao Bazaar."

Xiao Yan picked up the bottle labeled "Regeneration Powder," poured out a bit of medicinal powder, sniffed it, and shook his head: "This qualifies as an elixir? It's barely a low-grade One Grade Pill—it can't even speed up wound scabbing."

The Third Elder sighed bitterly: "Young Clan Leader, don't joke. Normal Mercenary Groups can only afford this kind of pill—and as long as it stops bleeding and pain, that's enough."

Xiao Yan picked up the bottle labeled "Minor Dou Qi Pill," poured out a blue pill smaller than a longan seed. He gently crushed it, rubbing the powder between his fingers.

"A bit better than the Regeneration Powder—mid-grade One Grade Pill. It should let someone with depleted Dou Qi use a Yellow Class Mid-grade Dou Technique one more time," Xiao Yan said, wiping his hands clean with a handkerchief, as if the pill had dirtied them.

"Yan'er, do you have a way to respond?" Xiao Zhan pulled Xiao Yan over immediately because, over half a year ago, Xiao Yan had already sensed their scheme and had the clan prepare in advance.

Xiao Yan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, then smiled with his usual confidence: "Of course."

The First Elder hurriedly asked: "Quick, tell us—we'll all support you."

Xiao Yan waved his hand: "No rush. As the saying goes: when heaven intends to destroy you, it first drives you mad. Let these two clans enjoy themselves for now."

The Second Elder frowned: "Then what should we do?"

Xiao Yan looked at the crushed white powder on the ground and said calmly: "Let's play along for now—just go as we normally would. Breaking their elixir scheme now would only cost them money, not cripple them."

"When dealing with enemies, we don't just aim to defeat them—we aim to kill them."