Chapter 53

In the dense little forest, wisps of pale energy currents seeped out from the air, continuously surging into the body of the sleeping Xiao Yan.

Looking at Xiao Yan, who had almost become a source of energy, Xun'er was slightly surprised. She quietly retreated a bit, standing guard around him. If Xiao Yan were to be startled awake from this state of cultivation, he would likely lose another good opportunity to advance.

Xiao Yan's current advancement could be said to have been as smooth as water flowing into a channel. As the Combat Qi continuously surged in, the faint trace of fatigue on his face gradually disappeared. His clear and handsome little face emitted a faint white light, looking like warm jade.

The fluctuations of Combat Qi in the small forest lasted for over an hour before slowly subsiding.

When the last wisp of Combat Qi entered Xiao Yan's body, the small forest returned to peace, and the scorching sunlight continued to shine down.

Looking at Xiao Yan, whose eyes were still tightly closed but whose breathing was extremely steady, Xun'er let out a sigh of relief and said softly with a smile, "Finally at the ninth level. Perhaps in another half a year, Brother Xiao Yan will be able to condense a Combat Qi vortex and become a true Fighter."

Smiling lightly, Xun'er leaped onto a green stone, sat cross-legged, and propped her chin in her hand, waiting quietly for Xiao Yan to wake up.

...

When Xiao Yan woke up from his deep sleep, the sky had gradually turned dark. Blinking his eyes in confusion, he was slightly dazed for a moment before slowly regaining his senses. He raised his head and looked at Xun'er, who was sitting on the green stone, bathed in the golden sunset. Their eyes met, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're awake?" Xun'er said with a sweet smile, looking at the awakened Xiao Yan.

Smiling, Xiao Yan nodded and got up, twisting his stiff neck and lazily stretching. A series of cracking sounds came from his body as he moved.

Stunned by the fullness he felt, which only came after advancing, Xiao Yan clenched his fists and then opened his mouth slightly, lifting his face with some hesitation and uncertainty, "That... I seem to have reached the ninth level?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's puzzled and amusing expression, Xun'er couldn't help but laugh, nodding with a smile.

Seeing Xun'er nod, the corners of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. While feeling a surge of joy, he also felt somewhat amused. The last time he broke through was during sleepwalking, and this time, he broke through while sleeping. This method of advancement was simply too ridiculous.

He quickly threw a few punches, feeling the Combat Qi, which was several times stronger than a few hours ago, and couldn't help but chuckle.

After venting his joy, Xiao Yan noticed the darkening sky. He smiled apologetically at Xun'er, knowing that this girl had been waiting here all along.

Quickly putting on his clothes, Xiao Yan teased Xun'er with a smile, "Not leaving yet? Today is a happy day, I'll treat you to a good meal in U坦 City."

"Hehe, I want the most expensive..." Xun'er smiled, lightly tapping her foot on the green stone and landing gracefully beside Xiao Yan. The girl's clear and melodious laughter filled the green forest.

...

To thank Xun'er for waiting all afternoon, Xiao Yan took her for a long walk in U坦 City before they parted ways at their family residences.

Dragging his still excited feet back to his room, Xiao Yan heavily slumped onto his bed, hugging the soft blanket and smiling softly, "Finally about to become a Fighter again..."

"Heh, this time you owe a lot to that little girl," an elderly voice suddenly came from the room.

Lifting his eyelids, Xiao Yan looked at the Old Medicine Master, who had appeared at some point, and frowned, "It has something to do with Xun'er?"

"Yes, indeed it does. Otherwise, you would have taken at least a week to break through," the Old Medicine Master's transparent body floated above the chair, saying indifferently.

Shrugging helplessly, Xiao Yan buried his head in the blanket and mumbled, "Now that I'm at the ninth level, it will probably take another half a year to break through to the Fighter level..." His voice suddenly paused, and he pulled the blanket off, his face suddenly turning grim, with a hint of coldness in his voice, "It's been more than a year, and I still haven't become a Fighter. At this rate, in three years... I might still not catch up to Nalan Yanran."

The Old Medicine Master raised an eyebrow without comment.

"Nalan Yanran, who is being groomed as the next leader of the Yunlam Sect, has exceptional talent. Moreover, the Yunlam Sect is powerful, and they have a strong alchemist like Dan King Gu He... If he helps Nalan Yanran, her advancement speed won't be slower than mine," Xiao Yan said to himself.

The Old Medicine Master glanced at Xiao Yan and saw that he was staring at him with bright eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle but didn't say anything.

Seeing that the Old Medicine Master didn't respond, Xiao Yan rolled his eyes helplessly. This conversation was in vain...

"Cough..." After a long silence, the Old Medicine Master slowly coughed, stood up, and walked around, smirking, "That Gu He is just a sixth-rank alchemist, and he calls himself a Dan King? What is he in terms of alchemy?"

Hearing the Old Medicine Master speak like this, Xiao Yan's face immediately brightened. He knew that his mysterious teacher was about to take action again...

"Tomorrow, we'll buy the materials. Tch, it's just Qi Gathering Powder. I'll refine it for you to eat like beans... I don't believe Nalan Yanran can get such treatment," the Old Medicine Master said proudly with his hands behind his back.

(There was something I had to attend to earlier, so today's update is a bit late. I sincerely apologize.)