Chapter 14: Poison-Devouring Palm

Two days later, Xiao Heng bid farewell to Xiao Yi Xian and set out for Wu Tan City. Forgoing his Purple Cloud Wings, he traveled on foot. As an Eight-Star Dou Shi, his speed had improved significantly, and he reached the city in just two days. Instead of heading home, he made his way to the Miteer Auction House. Time to handle some business first, he thought.

Entering without disguise, he was greeted by a sultry voice from behind. "Isn't this the Xiao clan's third young master? What brings you here?"

Turning, Xiao Heng saw a striking woman in a red dress, her figure captivating. "Ya Fei-jie, it's been a while. You're even more beautiful," he said with a smile.

"Little brother Xiao Heng, always so charming with words. What do you need? Tell your sister," Ya Fei replied, her voice dripping with allure.

"I found a Dou Technique scroll in a cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. I want to auction it and buy a poison-attribute Dou Technique of the same tier," Xiao Heng said.

"What tier?" Ya Fei asked, her tone teasing, as if trying to enchant the young man before her.

"High Xuan Class," Xiao Heng answered.

"Follow me," Ya Fei said, leading him to a private booth. "Wait here, little brother. I'll fetch someone to appraise it." Xiao Heng nodded.

Ya Fei glided out, her graceful movements mesmerizing. She's a temptress, but I'm no naive boy, Xiao Heng mused, unfazed.

Soon, Ya Fei returned with an elderly man. "Young friend, may I see the Dou Technique?" the old man asked.

"This is Master Gu Ni, a Three-Star Da Dou Shi and a second-tier alchemist," Ya Fei introduced.

Xiao Heng handed over a cyan scroll from his waist. Gu Ni examined it carefully before returning it. "Impressive. Ya Fei mentioned you're seeking a poison-attribute Dou Technique of the same tier?"

"Yes," Xiao Heng confirmed.

"Our branch acquired a high Xuan Class poison-attribute Dou Technique seven days ago. The next auction is in two days, but if you're in a hurry, you can sell your scroll directly to us. The price won't be much lower, and it'll cover the cost of the poison technique," Gu Ni said.

"Sell it directly," Xiao Heng decided swiftly. A few gold coins don't matter.

Poison-attribute techniques were rare, but practitioners of poison Dou Zhi Qi were even rarer. In the Jia Ma Empire, such techniques had a limited market and lower value. In the Chu Yun Empire, they'd fetch a higher price. Good thing I'm not here to haggle, he thought.

Ten minutes later, Gu Ni returned with a gold coin card and a purple scroll. "Here's fifty thousand gold coins for the difference. Check the Dou Technique."

Xiao Heng unrolled the purple scroll: "High Xuan Class Dou Technique: Poison-Devouring Palm." Perfect for Xiao Yi Xian, he thought. "Looks good. I'll be off."

As he left, Ya Fei asked, "Master Gu Ni, why add an extra twenty thousand gold coins?"

"This Xiao clan third young master is already a high-star Dou Shi at his age. His talent is extraordinary. Befriending him is wise," Gu Ni explained.

"High-star Dou Shi?" Ya Fei's eyes widened.

"Seven or Eight Stars, I'd wager. My strength limits my precision," Gu Ni said.

"Truly a genius," Ya Fei murmured, impressed.

___

Xiao Heng's return to the Xiao clan coincided with the annual Dou Zhi Qi test. In the vast bluestone plaza, a hundred young men and women gathered. Xiao Heng slipped to the back of the crowd, unnoticed. Let's keep a low profile, he thought.

"Xiao Heng-gege!" A girl's voice called from behind.

"Xun Er, only you'd spot me first. The four old men on stage didn't even notice," Xiao Heng said, turning to see a girl in green, even more radiant than a year ago.

"They're all focused on little Yan," Xun Er said with a smile.

"Fair enough. How many stages of Dou Zhi Qi is the kid at?" Xiao Heng asked.

"He's passed," Xun Er replied, her perception surpassing even Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the elders.

"Xiao Mei, Eight-Stage Dou Zhi Qi, Advanced!" The tester's voice rang out from the black stone monument. Advancing one stage in a year was genius-level in the Xiao clan, drawing envious glances.

"Next, Xiao…"

"Xiao Xun Er!" the tester called.

"Go on, Xun Er," Xiao Heng urged.

As Xun Er stepped forward, Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan noticed Xiao Heng beside her. Both were startled. Xiao Zhan sensed Xiao Heng's strength, while Yao Lao, hidden within Xiao Yan, informed him. This kid's no ordinary talent, Xiao Zhan thought.

"Good grief, has this guy been gorging on pills?" Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. He'd seen many prodigies, but Xiao Heng stood out.

"Probably that Heavenly Flame of his," Xiao Yan said.

"Makes sense," Yao Lao agreed.

"Miss Xun Er, One-Star Dou Zhe!" The tester's announcement sparked gasps across the plaza.

Xun Er returned, rejoining Xiao Heng. "Xun Er, you're amazing!" he said, giving a thumbs-up.

"Not as amazing as Xiao Heng-gege, already a Dou Shi in a year!" she teased, smiling.

"Naturally!" Xiao Heng grinned, draping an arm around her fragrant shoulder. Xun Er stiffened briefly but soon relaxed. She's too sweet for me to push too far yet, he thought.

"Last, Xiao Yan!" The tester called, and the "lucky brother" took the stage.

Seven-Stage Dou Zhi Qi stunned the crowd, blinding those expecting a joke. Most were just spectators, unaware of Xiao Yan's potential, thanks to Yao Lao's soul force cloaking his true strength. Xiao Zhan's heart eased, the weight of worry lifting. My sons are making waves, he thought proudly.

In the challenge phase, Xiao Yan, seen as an easy target, faced Xiao Ke, a great elder's follower. He dispatched him effortlessly. Dressed in black, Xiao Yan stood invincible in the arena, radiating an aura summed up in two words: Pose King.

"Yo, our Pose King!" Xiao Heng's voice cut through as the trio left the crowd.

"Don't mock me. I'm not even a Dou Zhe yet. You're the Dou Shi—Pose King suits you, Heng-gege," Xiao Yan shot back.

___

The coming-of-age ceremony was a month away. Xiao Heng spent long hours with Xiao Zhan, recounting a heavily edited version of his Magical Beast Mountain Range adventures. Some stories are better left vague, he thought.

The month passed leisurely. Beyond cultivation and alchemy, Xiao Heng devoted much of his time to Xun Er, though he restrained himself from crossing lines. Can't eat this dish yet, and I don't dare, he mused. Xiao Yan broke through to Eight-Stage Dou Zhi Qi before the ceremony.

As one of Wu Tan City's three great clans, the Xiao clan's ceremony drew many guests, including Ya Fei, whose red dress and alluring figure set Xiao Yan's pulse racing. Her mature charm outshone youthful beauty. Xiao Yu, a Jia Nan Academy student, also returned. Xiao Yan, ever bold, touched her long legs, while Xiao Heng merely caught a fleeting glimpse of her bathing—escaping swiftly to avoid detection. I'm smarter than Yan, at least, he thought, smirking.

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