Four years later.
A crowd of boys and girls surrounded the training ground, cheering at the top of their lungs. On the field, two figures—one large and one small—were engaged in battle.
No, it wasn't really a battle. It was a one-sided beating.
The 8-year-old Liu Xi was pummeling a 12-year-old boy named Chen Hong.
Over the past four years, Liu Xi had relied on his unusually strong soul to cultivate Dou Zhi Qi at a frightening pace. Even without cultivation resources, he had already reached the 8th stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
Chen Hong, who had just advanced to the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi, had come to challenge Liu Xi again. He hadn't expected that Liu Xi's progress would be even faster, and thus today's "battle" had turned into little more than a one-sided thrashing.
Although Liu Xi had no powerful Dou Techniques to practice, his higher cultivation level made him unmatched among his peers. He had become the undisputed "boss" of the children in Lin City.
Though his soul was mature, and his mind much older than his body, when faced with these childish but hot-blooded challengers, Liu Xi didn't bother holding back. Every time someone challenged him, he simply beat them down. After all, he had the strongest Dou Qi among his peers—there was no need to pretend weakness or play games.
At this moment, Liu Xi's last punch sent Chen Hong flying, landing hard in the dust. When the dust settled, Chen Hong's condition was miserable. Though his injuries were superficial, his face was bruised and swollen, and one eye had turned into a panda eye.
Liu Xi clapped the dust from his hands, looked around, and raised the corner of his mouth in a faint smile. In a mild, almost gentle tone, he said arrogantly, "Who's next?"
"Big Brother Liu Xi, you're too strong!"
"That's right! Chen Hong even broke through to the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi before challenging you, and he still got beaten up!"
"Could it be that Big Brother Liu Xi has already reached the 8th stage of Dou Zhi Qi?"
The spectators murmured in awe, then quickly showered him with praise. The boys looked at him with envy and admiration, while the young girls gazed at him with starry eyes.
"Alright then, a few of you carry Chen Hong back. I'll be leaving first." Seeing that no one else dared challenge him, Liu Xi chuckled and turned away. He hadn't gone too far with Chen Hong—his injuries looked bad, but they were only external. Liu Xi wasn't worried.
---
That night, Liu Xi awoke from cultivation, his eyes flashing with a sharp gleam. His aura contracted slightly, his Dou Qi becoming more refined.
He had broken through to the 9th stage of Dou Zhi Qi. The next step would be condensing a cyclone—becoming a true Dou Zhe.
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The following day.
When Liu Xi told his father that he had broken through to the 9th stage of Dou Zhi Qi the night before, Liu Ming was stunned at first. Then, for the first time in a long while, a smile appeared on his stern face. Looking at his son, his heart filled with pride and satisfaction.
Though Liu Ming had never publicly flaunted his son's brilliance, Liu Xi's record of defeating every peer challenger in Lin City had already spread far and wide. His reputation as a genius echoed throughout the city.
People even began calling him the greatest talent Lin City had seen in a hundred years. There were even rumors that the city lord wished to betroth his daughter to Liu Xi. The only problem was that the city lord's daughter was a few years older than him, and whether the rumor was true remained uncertain.
Lin City was directly under the rule of the Jia Ma Empire, with authority resting in the hands of the city lord. No great clans were based here, so becoming the city lord's son-in-law would be a chance to soar into the heavens for most people.
Liu Ming smiled at his son. "Good, good! Xi'er, you've given me a great surprise. And I have good news to tell you as well."
"There are rumors that Master Xuan Hao, a renowned alchemist and close friend of the city lord, is growing old. He wishes to take on a disciple to inherit his alchemy. This time, the city lord has invited him to examine his daughter's talent to see if she can become an alchemist."
"The important part is that I heard all children under 15 will be given a chance to be tested. If Master Xuan Hao sees potential, he may take one as his disciple and personally teach them the art of alchemy. To become an alchemist is to gain respect and honor throughout the empire."
As Liu Ming finished speaking, he saw Liu Xi's eyes light up with blazing excitement. Smiling warmly, he added, "Xi'er, your cultivation talent is unquestionable. I don't know if you have the talent for alchemy, but if you do, your future will be limitless."
Liu Xi clenched his fists in excitement, his eyes shining. He answered firmly, "Father, I will definitely become an alchemist."
Inwardly, he thought, 'So it was this Master Xuan Hao who took in the original Liu Xi and taught him alchemy. With my stronger soul, my talent for refining pills will certainly be greater. As long as I pass this test, I'll gain a master and the path of alchemy will open before me.'
'Father's Qi Method is only the Mid Huang Class Blazing Flame Art. But once I advance to Dou Zhe, I should at least be able to obtain a Xuan Class Qi Method from my future teacher. Just thinking about it makes me excited.'
(End of Chapter)
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