Xiao Family, Training Ground.
At this moment, four people stood on the Training Ground: a young boy and three young men. If one looked closely, it was the young boy confronting the three young men.
"Xiao Li, aren't you being too arrogant? You want to challenge all three of us at once? Do you really think your cousin's fists are made of mud?"
The youngest of the young men said angrily.
"Cousin Xiao Hu, for me, your fists really are made of mud. You're only a Seven-stage Dou Zhi Qi, two stages lower than me. What right do you have to act so imposing?"
"You!"
The young man named Xiao Hu (the future Third Elder of the Xiao Family) immediately flared up with Dou Zhi Qi, ready to fight Xiao Li.
The oldest of the young men pulled back Xiao Hu, who was about to lose control.
"Little Hu, don't be hasty. Since our little brother wants to challenge us three, let him open our eyes."
This young man was named Xiao Lie (the future Grand Elder). He was mature for his age and had already reached Nine-stage Dou Zhi Qi. Once he Broke through to Dou Practitioner, he could help the Family with some matters.
"Little brother, fists and feet have no eyes, be careful." The young man in the middle spoke. His name was Xiao Ying (the future Second Elder). Among the three, his talent might have been the best; he had also reached Nine-stage Dou Zhi Qi.
The three cousins Xiao Li was fighting, although called cousins, were actually distant relatives, almost beyond five generations removed. Perhaps 'clan brothers' would be more appropriate, but since they were all Family and of the same generation, being casual was fine.
"Please!" Xiao Li placed one hand behind his back and made a 'please' gesture towards his three clan brothers.
A faint wisp of Dou Zhi Qi appeared on the hands of the three young men, swirling around them.
The three attacked simultaneously, charging at Xiao Li. For these Dou Zhi Qi "strongmen," their combat was very basic, just simple Physical Body collisions, without any flashy moves.
"Mountain Splitting Palm!"
Xiao Lie's figure quickly closed in on Xiao Li. On Xiao Lie's right palm, Dou Zhi Qi slightly condensed. He swung his right palm, striking diagonally towards Xiao Li's shoulder.
[Mountain Splitting Palm, a Yellow Rank Intermediate Dou Technique. Clan members above Five-stage Dou Zhi Qi are qualified to learn it!]
Facing Xiao Lie's attack, Xiao Li calmly raised his left elbow, blocking Xiao Lie's strike.
But the attack wasn't over. Xiao Li's opponent wasn't just Xiao Lie; there were also Xiao Ying and Xiao Hu!
"Iron Mountain Fist!"
With two shouts, Xiao Ying and Xiao Hu clenched their fists tightly. A sharp, whistling gust of Qi sounded lowly in the air, attacking Xiao Li's shoulder and knee respectively.
[Iron Mountain Fist, a Yellow Rank Advanced Dou Technique. Its power is considerable, and one must be above Seven-stage Dou Zhi Qi to be qualified to Cultivate it.]
Although it was the same Yellow Rank Advanced Dou Technique, the power Xiao Ying displayed was much stronger than Xiao Hu's. Xiao Hu's attack looked fierce but was actually a bit flashy.
Xiao Li naturally saw this and did not move his body. He clenched his right hand and also delivered an Iron Mountain Fist towards Xiao Ying.
As for Xiao Hu's attack, Xiao Li raised his right leg to block it.
Bang—
A cloud of dust rose on the Training Ground. Xiao Li alone blocked the attacks of Xiao Lie, Xiao Ying, and Xiao Hu, and he did so with remarkable ease.
"Your teamwork is quite good. Keep it up in the future! Fire Cloud Palm!"
[Fire Cloud Palm, a Profound Rank Low-grade Dou Technique. As a Profound Rank Low-grade Dou Technique, it is more Advanced and powerful than Yellow Rank Dou Techniques. It requires higher demands on the utilization and control of Dou Zhi Qi, capable of unleashing more astonishing power than Yellow Rank Dou Techniques.
The user needs to condense Dou Zhi Qi onto both palms, causing the Dou Zhi Qi to transform into blazing flames. Then, using the palms as weapons, they attack the opponent. The palm wind carries scorching flames, possessing considerable destructive power.]
However, Xiao Li did not use his full strength, merely repelling the three. After all, they were all clan members with blood ties, so sparring should stop at the appropriate point.
Bang—
The three were simultaneously repelled by Xiao Li. Xiao Hu lay directly on the ground, Xiao Lie knelt on one knee, and Xiao Ying barely stood there.
"Thank you for the concession!" Xiao Li cupped his fists and bowed to his three cousins.
The three naturally saw Xiao Li's gesture and quickly returned the bow. Since they were outmatched, they couldn't lose face in terms of etiquette.
Xiao Li smiled and walked off the stage, only to see a small child rushing over.
"Uncle, Uncle, you're so amazing! Even the three cousins together couldn't beat you. I want to be as strong as you too."
The small child speaking was named Xiao Zhan. That's right, he was Xiao Zhan, the father of the future Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan.
"Haha, want to be as strong as me? Then you'll have to Cultivate hard. You're only a Three-stage Dou Zhi Qi now, a long way off. Cultivate well, and when you reach Seven-stage Dou Zhi Qi, how about I teach you a Dou Technique?"
Xiao Li patted Xiao Zhan's head. He was quite fond of children, even though he was a child himself.
Not far from the Training Ground, four Elders stood there. They had just been observing Xiao Li's sparring with the three.
"Hehe, Lier is truly amazing. I've lived this long and never seen such a Genius."
"Yes, yes! As long as Lier Cultivates steadily, he will surely become a Dou Emperor powerhouse in the future, and even a Dou Zong is possible!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
The four speaking were the three Elders of the Xiao Family and the Pavilion Master of the Dou Technique Pavilion. They were all Dou Ling powerhouses.
"What are you all secretly whispering about?" An old voice came.
The Elders turned their heads and saw that the Clan Chief had returned, and behind him was!
President Wang!
Heavens! President Wang actually came to the Xiao Family!
"Clan Chief!" The Dou Ling Elders first bowed to Xiao Ting, then respectfully bowed to President Wang.
"Greetings, President Wang. Your presence at the Xiao Family truly brings... (honor to our humble home)"
The Dou Ling Elders' words were cut short by President Wang.
"Alright, alright. Don't say those words I'm tired of hearing. I'm here as a guest, so just relax."
President Wang himself disliked these elaborate formalities; he found them troublesome.
President Wang looked at the young boy, his eyes lighting up: "Old Xiao, is this your grandson? He looks very promising. To be able to use a Profound Rank Low-grade Dou Technique at such a young age, and his Physical Body quality is excellent too."
President Wang stroked his beard, pleased in his heart, but it wasn't time to celebrate yet; he needed to conduct a test to be sure.
How could Xiao Ting not know what to do next? He called out to Xiao Li: "Lier, come here for a moment."
Xiao Li heard someone call him and looked over, following the sound. It was his grandfather, and next to his grandfather were the Family's Dou Ling Elders, as well as an old man Xiao Li didn't recognize.
"Xiao Zhan, go back and Cultivate. Uncle has something to do." Xiao Li gently patted Xiao Zhan's head and said warmly.
"Okay, Uncle, I'm going to Cultivate. Goodbye, Uncle!" Xiao Zhan was very obedient and ran directly towards his room, as children are simpler.
Xiao Li sent Xiao Zhan away, then quickly jogged over to his grandfather, bowing to the Elders there.
"Grandpa, all the Elder grandpas, and this grandpa, hello to you all!"
President Wang stroked his beard and laughed: "This little fellow is quite polite, very good, neither arrogant nor impatient, his future is promising. Come, child, come to grandpa here, grandpa will check your body."
Xiao Li looked at this unfamiliar grandpa. What kind of strange words was he saying? He then looked at his own grandfather.
Xiao Ting, however, said with a slightly serious expression: "Lier, do not be rude. This is the chief Alchemist of our Jia Ma Empire, the President of the Alchemist Guild, Wang Ming, President Wang. He is the third-ranked existence among the top ten powerhouses of our Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Emperor powerhouse, and even a Sixth-Rank Alchemist."