Chapter 71: Suppressed Nature and the Fall of a Genius
In the Jia Ma Empire, the capital city, at the old Xiao family residence...
Huang Min pouted with frustration. "Teacher, isn't it just a sixth tier magical beast? So what if I ate it? Even if they know it was us, they wouldn't dare do anything, right?"
"You little rascal, can't you tone down your foodie instincts?" Xiao Tiance said with a helpless laugh.
To be fair, Huang Min had many good qualities, but the moment she encountered a high tier magical beast, she simply couldn't resist wanting to eat it.
Of course, this was a desire deeply engraved in her nature, so it was difficult to blame her.
Xiao Tiance could only sigh. This was simply who she was.
"Hehe, Teacher, it's not like I want to feel this way, but every time I sense a high tier magical beast, I can't help myself!" Huang Min giggled, showing no signs of annoyance.
She understood that her teacher was incredibly tolerant of her, even going out of his way to refine pills for her. She was already more than grateful.
"Min'er, it's my fault for suppressing your nature. However, I've been waiting for this opportunity in the northwest for over a thousand years, and I can't afford even the slightest mistake," Xiao Tiance apologized unexpectedly, leaving Huang Min flustered. She quickly waved her hands. "Teacher, it's all my fault. I'll control my urge to hunt magical beasts from now on. Please don't send me away, okay?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and it seemed she might burst into tears if Xiao Tiance refused her plea.
Seeing this, Xiao Tiance gently patted her head and said softly, "It's my oversight. I forgot that you and Ling Yun are both from the supreme Heavenly Phoenix Clan. Hunting magical beasts is in your blood it's not your fault.
However, for the next two or three decades, I must focus on a very important task, so I can only ask you to endure it for now."
Realizing she wouldn't be sent away, Huang Min quickly wiped away her tears and grinned. "It's okay! Teacher has already done so much for us. Not only do you refine pills for me, but you also make delicious food from time to time. Min'er is already very happy!"
Xiao Tiance was touched. He continued patting her head, quietly enjoying the moment.
Soon after, Huang Min fell asleep on his lap.
Looking down at the peacefully sleeping Huang Min, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly and sipped his tea silently. When she woke up, he sent her back to rest.
Meanwhile, in Wu Tan City, at the Xiao family residence...
Hidden in the void, Xiao Yin watched as night fell. Just as he thought he could relax, he saw Xiao Yan sneak out of his room and head straight to Xiao Xun'er's quarters.
"This kid, sneaking into a girl's room in the middle of the night? What's he up to?"
As Xiao Yin contemplated this, a sudden killing intent radiated from Ling Ying, who was stationed outside Xiao Xun'er's room. Xiao Yin was just about to take action when Ling Ying's killing intent vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Given Ling Ying's presence nearby, Xiao Yin didn't dare act recklessly. Even though his strength had reached the six star Dou Zong level, it was still impossible to act unnoticed under Ling Ying's watchful eyes.
About half an hour later, the four year old Xiao Yan emerged from Xiao Xun'er's room, his Dou Qi completely depleted.
If he weren't just a four year old child incapable of doing much, anyone might have assumed he'd done something improper in the girl's room.
"What a little rascal! Sneaking into a girl's room like that if this were my daughter, I'd break his legs!" Both Xiao Yin and Ling Ying shared the same thought.
Over the next year, Xiao Yan repeated this routine every night. He even managed to win over the pure hearted Xiao Xun'er, who began calling him "Brother Xiao Yan" and trailing behind him everywhere.
Time flew by. Xiao Yan turned eleven and successfully broke through to the Dou Zhe level, becoming a famous genius in Wu Tan City's Xiao family. He earned the admiration of the clan members, who saw him as the family's future hope.
However, good times didn't last. On Xiao Yan's twelfth birthday, the Bone Flame Ring on his hand suddenly flickered with a faint glow.
The next morning, Xiao Yan woke up intending to find Xiao Xun'er to play, but his expression suddenly changed. Terrified, he cried out, "What happened? Where's my Dou Qi? My Dou Qi why is it only at the third stage of Dou Zhi Qi?!
Damn it, no way, no way! This must be a dream!"
Desperate, he started cultivating to absorb more Dou Qi. Yet no matter how hard he tried, his cultivation remained stuck at the third stage, as if all the Dou Qi he had previously absorbed had vanished into thin air.
"No! This can't be!"
He tried again and again, but the results were always the same.
By now, Xiao Yan was truly panicked. He didn't know much about the powerful figures of the Dou Qi Continent, but he understood that a mere third stage Dou Zhi Qi cultivator was far from enough to survive.
From morning to night, Xiao Yan tried cultivating repeatedly, seemingly falling into madness.
Outside his courtyard, Xiao Zhan and the others called out anxiously, "Yan'er! Yan'er!"
They were worried he might hurt himself from over cultivating.
Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, the three elders, Xiao Xun'er, and Xiao Mei had all gathered.
Despite their calls, there was no response from inside.
Eventually, Xiao Zhan couldn't wait any longer. Just as he prepared to break down the door, it opened. Everyone was shocked to see Xiao Yan emerge with red rimmed eyes and tears in his gaze.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you're finally out! Are you okay?"
Ignoring everyone else, Xiao Xun'er ran straight to Xiao Yan and hugged him tightly, her eyes filled with worry and heartache.
"I... I've lost my Dou Qi," Xiao Yan said hoarsely, his voice filled with despair as he looked at the concerned faces around him.
"What?!" The three elders gasped in shock. If Xiao Yan had truly lost his Dou Qi, all the resources they'd invested in him would be wasted.
Despite their grim expressions, none of them openly blamed him. They were cunning enough to hold on to a glimmer of hope until they knew the full story.
"Yan'er, what happened? How did your Dou Qi disappear?" Xiao Zhan asked, his tone filled with concern.
Xiao Yan shook his head, his voice low. "I was fine before bed last night, but when I woke up, my Dou Qi was gone. No matter how much I cultivate, it just disappears as if it were never there."
Hearing this, everyone frowned, their expressions complex.
However, Xiao Xun'er and the Xiao Zhan family trio showed only care and concern.
"Yan'er, maybe you've been pushing yourself too hard lately. Rest for a few days, and your Dou Qi might recover," Xiao Zhan said gently, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Yes, Brother Xiao Yan, you've probably overworked yourself. Rest well tonight, and you might feel better tomorrow," Xiao Xun'er added with a smile.
Feeling touched and somewhat hopeful, Xiao Yan nodded. "Alright... Everyone, please leave. I'd like some time alone."
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