[Ding! Rewards successfully claimed. Constitution implantation in progress. The process may cause slight pain. Host, please endure!]
As the system's voice faded, Xiao Tian's body trembled. A surge of electric current coursed through him, leaving his limbs numb and powerless. A faint burnt scent lingered, and his body began to exude dark, viscous impurities. Clenching his teeth to stifle any cries, he endured the ordeal.
After roughly half an hour, Xiao Tian was covered in a layer of black grime, reeking of foul odor. He leapt into a bath barrel, scrubbing vigorously. It took five or six water changes to cleanse the impurities completely. His once ordinary frame transformed into a chiseled, robust physique—muscles sleek and harmonious, like a masterpiece carved by nature. Each fiber brimmed with boundless strength. His face, now even more resolute and dashing, could rival any peerless noble.
"Is this the Thunder God Body?" Xiao Tian marveled. "My body feels lighter, brimming with inexhaustible power. And deep within, there's a violent force, ready to shatter anything in its path."
[Ding! Constitution implantation is complete. Now transmitting technique and Dou Techniques. Transmission successful!]
A flood of knowledge filled Xiao Tian's mind: the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art and three Dou Techniques, as instinctive as if he'd known them since birth. He immediately studied the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art, which was divided into seven sections. For now, only the Wood Thunder Chapter was accessible. After a brief review, he began cultivating it.
Thanks to the Thunder God Body's affinity for lightning, converting his Dou Qi was swift. In just an hour, he succeeded. Sitting cross-legged, Xiao Tian opened his eyes, a fleeting azure thunder flashing in his gaze. Sensing his Two Star Dou Zhe strength, he murmured, "Only Low Di Class for now? Still, it's enough. Converting the technique alone advanced me one star, and my senses are sharper too."
He gazed at a single azure thunderbolt hovering above his Qi cyclone. "Nine more to form the Wood Thunder. Once absorbed, the technique will evolve, maybe even rivaling Xiao Yan's Burning Flame Technique in explosive growth."
"System, check in," Xiao Tian commanded.
[Ding! Check-in at the Host's Courtyard is successful. Reward: 100,000 Gold Coins. Please verify receipt.]
"That's it?" Xiao Tian stared at the sparse system panel, incredulous. In the system's storage, he found two jade cards: a black one, a common gold storage card capped at 5,000 gold coins, holding exactly that amount; and a pale blue one, unrestricted, displaying 95,000 gold coins.
The next morning, Xiao Tian concluded his nightly cultivation. Opening his eyes, he muttered, "Condensing thunder is tough. One night for just a single strand? Still, my Dou Qi cultivation speed is leagues faster than before."
After washing up, an aged voice called from outside, "Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master, the Clan Leader requests your presence in the main hall. Honored guests have arrived."
Xiao Tian's mind raced. Guests? Given the timeline, it's likely Yun Lan Sect members and Nalan Yanran are here to force the annulment of the engagement.
In this world, Xiao Yan remained betrothed to Nalan Yanran, unaffected by Xiao Tian's transmigration.
Xiao Tian responded casually, donning a robe woven with water-blue and white hues. Outside, he found Xiao Yan and Steward Mo waiting. "Let's go, Steward Mo."
Following Steward Mo through the rear courtyard, they reached the guest hall. Pushing open the doors, Xiao Tian saw a packed room. At the head sat Xiao Zhan and the three elders. Below them were three strangers—two men and a woman, presumably the "honored guests."
Spotting Xiao Xun Er in a corner, Xiao Tian took the seat beside her. Xiao Yan sat next to him.
Once seated, Xiao Tian shot a playful glance at Xiao Yan before turning his attention to the girl among the strangers. Roughly his age, her beauty rivaled Xiao Xun Er's, with only the latter perhaps edging her out. A badge on her chest bore three gold stars.
Three Star Dou Zhe, huh? Xiao Tian noted.
Suddenly, a sharp pinch at his waist jolted him. Xiao Xun Er, smiling sweetly, whispered, "Xiao Tian-gege, is she pretty?"
"Not as pretty as you," Xiao Tian replied, gently prying her hand away with a sheepish grin.
After soothing Xiao Xun Er, he silently commanded, "System, check in."
[Ding! Check-in at Xiao Clan Guest Hall was successful. Rewards: Two-Star Boundary Advancement, Fifth-Grade Elixir: Youth-Retaining Pill x4.]
In an instant, Xiao Tian's cultivation surged to Four Star Dou Zhe. The system masks boundary advancements, so no one will notice. Checking his system space, he saw four vials of elixirs.
In the hall, Xiao Zhan and the elders were engrossed in conversation with the unfamiliar elder, who seemed hesitant, struggling to broach a delicate topic.
Xiao Tian nudged Xiao Yan, who was lost in thought. "Know who they are?"
"You do?" Xiao Yan asked, turning to him.
"Of course. See the cloud-and-silver-sword emblem on their sleeves? They're from Yun Lan Sect, a powerhouse in the Jia Ma Empire. They're here for you," Xiao Tian said with a sly smile.
"For me?" Xiao Yan whispered, puzzled.
"Yep. That girl? Her name's Nalan Yanran. Ring a bell?" Xiao Tian's tone carried a hint of mischief.
"Nalan Yanran? Granddaughter of Lionheart Marshal Nalan Jie, my fiancée?" Xiao Yan's face stiffened. Glancing at the girl, he sensed this wasn't a friendly visit.
Just then, the elder among the strangers coughed lightly and stood. Xiao Tian smirked. Here comes the main event.
What a classic scene, he thought. Nalan Yanran single-handedly derailed the Soul Clan and the Soul Heavenly Emperor's millennia-long plans. If Soul Heavenly Emperor knew, he'd probably drag them to the altar himself and pop a few Dou Zongs like fireworks to celebrate.
When Elder Ge Ye announced they came to annul the engagement on the Yun Lan Sect Leader's orders, Xiao Zhan's face darkened. His teacup crumbled to dust, and he summoned the Mad Lion Fury Technique, ready to strike. But Xiao Yan rose, stepping before Xiao Zhan. Bowing respectfully, he faced Nalan Yanran.
"Nalan Yanran, you don't need to act |so high and mighty or wield Yun Lan Sect's name to pressure us. You want to annul the engagement because you see me as a failure. But how can you be so sure I won't rise again?" Xiao Yan's voice was steady.
"Fine. I'll set aside the annulment for now. I'll give you three years. After our coming-of-age ceremonies, even if you lose, it won't shame Uncle Xiao too much. Come to Yun Lan Sect then. If you're capable, show me how far you can rise. Defeat me, and I'll be yours to command—slave or servant, your call. But if you're still a failure in three years, hand over the engagement contract obediently. Do you dare accept this Agreement?"