In the Back Mountain woods of the Xiao Clan.
Sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, casting mottled patches of light and shadow. As two figures moved swiftly, they stirred up a light breeze, carrying tiny specks of dust dancing through the forest and giving the sunlight a tangible form.
It formed beams of light threading through the woods, resembling golden spotlights that added brilliance to the two figures' spar.
Xiao Ze's palm glowed with the pale blue radiance of Dou Qi, striking toward Xiao Xun'er in a leisurely and unhurried manner.
Xiao Xun'er's hands flashed with golden Dou Qi, like trails of golden light flowing across her fingertips and palms. Amidst the dense woods, the golden brilliance of her fingers was even more dazzling than the sunlight.
Bang!
The figures of Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er met and instantly separated. Xiao Xun'er's petite figure spun a few times in the air before landing gently on the fallen leaves, looking like a beautiful golden butterfly.
Anyone who had witnessed the scene by the Dou Technique Pavilion a few days ago would have found this moment extremely familiar.
Xiao Xun'er's movements were almost identical to Xiao Ze's earlier ones—effortless and elegant as she deflected her opponent's attack.
Xiao Ze felt as though his palm had struck a layer of cotton, his strength completely unable to find any purchase or release.
A few days ago, Xiao Ze still needed to speak out from time to time to offer pointers, but as time passed, such guidance was no longer necessary.
Xiao Ze had done everything he could; the rest required Xiao Xun'er to comprehend on her own.
And from that last palm strike, it was obvious that Xiao Xun'er had grasped the true essence of the Swallow Returning Strike.
With this thought, a flash of inspiration crossed Xiao Ze's mind, and he immediately rushed forward once more. This time, however, he suppressed his strength to the Ninth Stage of Dou Zhi Qi.
A golden radiance flickered briefly in Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and her pale pink lips curved slightly upward.
She also moved toward Xiao Ze, golden Dou Qi swirling around her fingertips.
Yet, Xiao Xun'er's fair, delicate palms erupted with formidable power.
The result of this contact was the exact opposite of the previous one: Xiao Ze's figure was sent flying straight back.
Feeling a slight numbness in his palm, Xiao Ze wore a smile on his face. As Xiao Xun'er's opponent, he could feel most clearly what had just transpired.
His palm strike had first felt as though it hit a layer of cotton, only to discover a layer of hard steel hidden right behind that cotton!
Not only had all his force been returned to him, but it had even been amplified!
That was the exact reason why Xiao Ze had been sent flying!
Xiao Xun'er trotted over quickly, her bright eyes already crinkled into crescent moons, visible joy written all over her face.
"Brother Xiao Ze, I've mastered the Swallow Returning Strike!"
"Indeed. To be able to precisely adjust the balance between borrowing and exerting force based on the opponent's strength—that is more than enough to be called mastery," Xiao Ze said, descending lightly from a tree and nodding in praise.
Hearing Xiao Ze's praise, the smile on Xiao Xun'er's face grew even wider, tinged with a hint of mischievousness.
"I've finally mastered the advanced stage, and I'm so exhausted these past few days. Doesn't Brother Xiao Ze plan to reward me?"
"Ah, shouldn't it be you rewarding me? Accompanying you these past few days has nearly broken my bones." Xiao Ze feigned surprise, putting on a weak appearance.
"I suppose you're right. Then... how would Brother Xiao Ze like Xun'er to reward you?"
As she spoke, Xiao Xun'er stepped closer to Xiao Ze, her breath warm and sweet like orchids. When she mentioned the word "reward," she even stuck out the tip of her tender pink tongue to moisten her pale pink lips.
"Ahem, I don't really need anything... How about you treat me to a grand feast instead?" Xiao Ze covered his mouth, coughed once, and then spoke.
"A grand feast..." Xiao Xun'er mused, then said, "The most upscale restaurant in Wutan City, with a table filled to the brim. Xun'er is being very sincere, right?"
"Haha, alright! I've long heard that their Magical Beast feast leaves a lingering fragrance on the lips and makes people reluctant to leave." Xiao Ze clapped in appreciation. "Then let's set the time for half an hour from now, and we'll meet at the main gate of the Xiao Clan?"
"Let's make it an hour from now," Xiao Xun'er proposed, taking a small step backward at the same time. "After all, this is the first time I'm going out with Brother Xiao Ze. I want to have more time to prepare and take a proper bath—look at how sweaty and smelly I am!"
"Sweaty and smelly?" Xiao Ze repeated, leaning in a little closer, sniffing the air, and deliberately saying, "I don't smell any sweat. I only smell a lovely fragrance."
"Pfft! Brother Xiao Ze is just talking nonsense. Who smells nice when they're drenched in sweat?" Xiao Xun'er burst into a giggle. Instead of resisting Xiao Ze sniffing around her, she actually felt a hint of delight.
"There is one. Isn't my little sister Xun'er just like that?" Xiao Ze rattled off cheesy pickup lines; romance had to be cultivated from a young age.
Even so, Xiao Ze never crossed any lines. They were both still young, and Xiao Ze exercised great restraint, never doing anything improper to Xiao Xun'er.
He also knew that the Ancient Clan bloodline within Xiao Xun'er was still unstable. Before reaching the Saint realm, it was best for her to remain a maiden. This was crucial for Xiao Xun'er's growth!
"Alright, enough with the embarrassing words!" Xiao Xun'er lightly slapped Xiao Ze, then darted back a few steps like a startled little rabbit. With a smile, she waved goodbye to Xiao Ze and ran back to her room to prepare.
Seeing Xiao Xun'er's figure disappear from view, Xiao Ze finally turned his attention back to his system panel.
[Xiao Xun'er has mastered the advanced Swallow Returning Strike, strength increased!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining a tenfold feedback reward — True Meaning: Borrowing Force to Strike (Novice)!]
After choosing to claim the reward, Xiao Ze quickly understood what this "true meaning" was.
It was akin to a concept; by fusing other Dou Techniques, Xiao Ze could create entirely new ones. In the future, he could even use "True Meaning: Borrowing Force to Strike" as a foundation to create a multitude of Dou Techniques based upon it!
"I've grasped a key to creating Dou Techniques..."
Xiao Ze was lost in thought. This tenfold feedback reward had indeed surprised him. Originally, he thought it would reward him with a higher-tier Dou Technique. He hadn't expected it to directly lay bare the essence and core of the Swallow Returning Strike before him.
It wouldn't have been impossible for Xiao Ze to comprehend this true meaning on his own. However, it likely would have required decades of day-in, day-out practice with similar types of Dou Techniques before he could possibly grasp the true meaning of borrowing force to strike.
The tenfold feedback had saved him all those years of effort. Naturally, Xiao Ze was extremely satisfied.
"Time to go get ready. Come to think of it, this is the first time I'm going out with Xun'er. An hour to prepare is more than enough!"
Just as Xiao Ze stepped out of the woods, he caught sight of a figure. His brow twitched slightly, and he stepped forward.
"Third Brother... are you waiting for me here on purpose?"
Xiao Yan, who had been standing there in a daze, snapped back to reality and saw his fourth brother.
This was their first meeting in days, yet Xiao Yan felt a stark difference. Perhaps it was because Xiao Ze now wore a halo of genius even more dazzling than his own had once been.
"Yeah, I came specifically to thank you today." Xiao Yan wore a smile, though there seemed to be a slight barrier between them.
Noticing this, Xiao Ze strode right up, threw an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders, and playfully punched him in the chest.
"Third Brother! You and I are blood brothers, why are you being so polite!"
"But... wasn't it because of me that you couldn't keep a low profile anymore?" Xiao Yan asked with some hesitation.
"If I could still keep a low profile after seeing my own brother get beaten up, would I even still be human?" Xiao Ze said dismissively. "Besides, keeping a low profile before was just because I didn't want to deal with a bunch of irrelevant matters and wanted to focus solely on cultivation."
"Now that I've displayed my talent, I also have Father to shield me from those troubles. So to me, nothing has really changed."
With Xiao Ze's explanation, Xiao Yan finally let out a sigh of relief. He pulled Xiao Ze into a tight embrace and said earnestly,
"Fourth Brother, thanks!"