Carrying unease, the two returned to the small courtyard.
Upon parting, Xiao Xun Er reminded Xiao Feng again, "Brother Xiao Feng, you must not mention this matter to anyone else."
"I know. It's already late, go back and sleep."
"Mhm, goodnight, Brother Xiao Feng."
Xiao Xun Er watched Xiao Feng enter the small courtyard before closing the gate. With a solemn expression, she walked into her bedroom and called out softly, "Old Ling?"
In the darkness, a figure emerged. "Young Miss, I am here."
"You saw what happened tonight as well?" Golden flames flickered in Xiao Xun Er's eyes. This matter was too important; she even felt she couldn't trust herself.
Ling Ying sighed silently and spoke, "Young Miss, I can only guarantee that a fourth person will not know of this."
The golden light in her eyes receded, and Xiao Xun Er nodded, her voice filled with apology. "I'm sorry, Old Ling. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that once this matter is revealed... Brother Xiao Feng's life will be worse than death."
Ling Ying nodded. Since that night, his Young Miss's heart had been completely set on that boy. If anything happened to him, he feared the Young Miss... Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and whisper, "I only hope that kid is brilliant enough, otherwise he'll truly be unworthy of the Young Miss's devotion."
...Xiao Feng could no longer sleep.
Recalling the scene on the back mountain just now, it felt like a dream.
To verify the true attribute of Xiao Feng's Dou Qi, Xiao Xun Er had brought out several Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques of varying levels and different attributes.
He couldn't help but marvel; she really was a little rich lady.
Someone with a fire attribute practicing a fire attribute Cultivation Technique would see their Dou Qi turn red. If they practiced a Water Attribute technique, not only would no color be produced, but they would also easily suffer Qi Deviation due to conflicting attributes.
This was a desperate measure.
It was Xiao Feng's first time encountering a Cultivation Technique, yet his learning speed was ridiculously fast.
After closing his eyes to sense the circulation path, he was done.
It took less than a minute.
"Red Dou Qi." Xiao Xun Er smiled. "It looks like Brother Xiao Feng is also fire-attributed."
"Wait." Xiao Feng put down the fire attribute technique scroll, picked up the Water Attribute technique beside him, stopped Xiao Xun Er who wanted to block him, and closed his eyes again.
A minute later, Xiao Feng opened his eyes and extended his left hand; blue Dou Qi spread out.
"This..." Xiao Xun Er covered her tender lips, her face full of disbelief.
Dual attributes might be rare, but they wouldn't have shocked her this much. Xiao Xun Er had seen combinations like fire-wood or wind-lightning before, but how could she remain calm when completely opposing attributes like water and fire appeared in the same body?
Xiao Feng didn't stop, taking a few more minutes to learn the remaining techniques.
Thus, on his outstretched fingertips, red, blue, green, cyan, and silver Dou Qi danced separately.
Xiao Xun Er's eyes went wide, and she stood dazed once again.
With a flick of his wrist, only the red and blue Dou Qi remained on his fingertips, rapidly shrinking. Just as they were about to disappear, Xiao Feng pointed at the dazed Xiao Xun Er and shouted, "Watch this! Plain Water Attack!"
The red and blue Dou Qi tapped the girl's smooth forehead, making her indignant.
"Brother Xiao Feng! You're still messing around!" Xiao Xun Er pouted, her nose twitching slightly.
"Alright, alright, it's not a bad thing, what are you worried about?" Xiao Feng didn't mind.
"How can I not be worried! This is something that has never happened before. If others find out, do you know what the consequences will be!" Xiao Xun Er was anxious, her eyes misting over. Xiao Feng's nonchalant attitude made her both uneasy and angry.
Xiao Feng tapped the girl. "I started cultivating at age two and became a Dou Practitioner in less than half a month. Who knows about that? Don't worry, if I don't want something to get out, no one will know!"
"Half a month... Dou Practitioner?" Xiao Xun Er glanced at Xiao Feng and was no longer shocked. It seemed only natural for such things to happen to Xiao Feng.
Pulling his thoughts back, Xiao Feng extended two fingers, and the red and blue reappeared. He thought of Xiao Yan's famous skill—Buddha's Fury Fire Lotus. With a thought, the two types of Dou Qi began to approach and Fusion.
*Pop!*
A soft sound, accompanied by a slight explosion, and the two types of Dou Qi vanished.
"Interesting." Xiao Feng chuckled.
His recently gathered thoughts scattered again; this world seemed to have become interesting.
'Both Huo Huo and I are transmigrators, so why am I the ridiculous one? Is it because of the technique I practiced in my past life... If Dou Qi alone is this fascinating, what will Soul, techniques, and Formations be like?'
Xiao Feng looked forward to it. The Seal techniques some Beast Tribes were born with, as well as various Formations and restrictions—these were things the original story didn't mention much. But for things to be passed down in a world where Dou Qi reigned supreme, they certainly wouldn't be simple.
With a freakish smile, Xiao Feng gradually drifted into dreamland... The next day, the Xiao Family was filled with joy. Everyone was high-spirited; even if they weren't the protagonists today, this glory was shared.
"Fenger, Yaner, follow me to the gate to greet the guests."
Early in the morning, Xiao Zhan started getting busy.
"Alright, Uncle Xiao Zhan." Xiao Feng quickly walked out of the courtyard.
On the other side, Xiao Huohuo took quite a while to appear, looking sleepy-eyed as if he had just woken up.
"Father, why so early?" Xiao Yan was a bit depressed. It wasn't like he was getting a promotion, making a fortune, or... er, getting married. Why make such a big fuss?
Xiao Zhan looked at his son with disdain. "If only you were half as diligent as Fenger."
"There always has to be a laziest person in this courtyard. Why can't it be me?" Xiao Yan grumbled. "Besides..."
His voice suddenly became inaudible.
After Xiao Yan finished washing up, the three of them went to the Xiao Family's main gate.
Despite it being early morning, someone had indeed arrived.
It was a weapons tycoon. Xiao Zhan chatted and laughed with him for a while before letting a servant lead him inside.
"Father, are you just going to make us stand here like idiots?" Xiao Yan looked unhappy.
"Huo Huo, do you still not understand Uncle Xiao's good intentions?"
Before Xiao Zhan could speak, Xiao Feng had already spoken.
"Meet people, get familiar with their faces, so it's easier to discuss matters in the future." Xiao Yan wasn't stupid and could naturally understand this, but understanding was one thing. "But in reality, as long as I'm strong enough, I don't need to consider whether I'm familiar with their faces or not."
Xiao Zhan sighed. "Yaner, you're not wrong to think that. But you can't be strong forever; eventually, you have to learn to deal with people from all walks of life. Pride is a good thing, but don't forget humility."
"Hehe, with my talent, in a few decades, our Xiao Family will surely reach the level of the Cloud Mist Sect!" Xiao Yan laughed. "Who will be able to bully us then?"
Xiao Zhan shook his head slightly and said no more.
The banquet was set for noon. By the time the sun was halfway up, the Xiao Family entrance was already crowded.
Among the Three Great Families of Wutan City, the Xiao Family and the Jia Lie Family were the most powerful. In recent years, the Xiao Family seemed to have even more momentum, so many people planned to use this opportunity to show goodwill and get close.
"These two must be the young masters Xiao Yan and Xiao Feng? They truly are handsome and have extraordinary bearing!"
A middle-aged man with a fat face flattered them with a smile.
Xiao Zhan greeted him with a smile as well, then said to the two behind him, "This is Mr. Danny. He controls thirty percent of the Weapons and Armor prices in all of Wutan City. Why haven't you greeted him?"
The middle-aged man said "it's nothing" with a smile, though the pride on his face was almost overflowing.
Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan forced a smile on their stiff faces. "Hello, Uncle Danny."
The two had been enduring such hypocritical scenes for two hours already.
They endured until near noon, when it finally ended.
"Ah... this is more tiring than a day of cultivation." Xiao Yan stretched, his tone not without sarcasm. "The people from the Jia Lie Family didn't dare to come after all."
Just as he finished speaking, Gale Bi led a group of people out from around the corner.
"Eh? That Old Scoundrel Gale really came?" Xiao Yan blinked.
Speaking of which, Gale Bi originally didn't want to come, but after seeing all the various forces of Wutan City arrive, he couldn't care less about his face; he had to come even if he didn't want to.
If the Xiao Family dragged them into doing something against the Jia Lie Family while he was absent, he would truly regret it until his intestines turned green.
He was already full of resentment toward Xiao Zhan, and with this mindset, his expression and gaze were naturally unpleasant.
Even so, he actually managed to force a smile.
"Family Head Xiao, I hope you've been well!"
Gale Bi spoke through gritted teeth, emphasizing every word.
Xiao Yan remarked from behind, "I must say, this Old Scoundrel Gale is also a character who can adapt to circumstances."
Xiao Feng nodded but didn't respond.
As the host of this banquet, Xiao Zhan wouldn't go so far as to pick a fight with Gale Bi. The two entered the house, cold smiles exchanged.
The direct reason for holding this banquet today was Xiao Yan's promotion to Dou Practitioner, but the fundamental reason was the division of interests among various forces. Therefore, the only place Xiao Yan was needed was for the opening speech.
Perhaps the words "opening speech" describe it, but for the person involved, this hour-long opening speech was undoubtedly more agonizing than greeting guests at the door.
Voices of "I want to marry him" rose one after another from the audience, without a hint of the reserve girls should have. Pretty ones, ugly ones—it was more eye-opening than browsing a second-hand market.
Coupled with Xiao Zhan's "this girl is quite good" look, Xiao Yan broke out in a cold sweat.
Fortunately, this situation didn't last forever. When Xiao Yan returned, he slumped into his seat.
"Huo Huo, how does it feel?" Xiao Feng asked with a smile.
"I should really let you go up there with my face to experience it." Even Xiao Yan's voice had become much quieter.
Xiao Feng's eyes crinkled with laughter. "Don't worry, before long, you'll miss this feeling."
"Hmm?" Xiao Yan gave Xiao Feng a puzzled look, but the latter didn't explain. Xiao Yan didn't dwell on it either and picked up his bowl and chopsticks to start eating.
After the meal, the adults had their topics, and the youths had their business.
Several boys and girls of similar age walked toward Xiao Yan together.
Seeing this, Xiao Feng gave Xiao Yan a push toward them and laughed, "Enjoy yourself."
The banquet lasted until nightfall.
But none of that had anything to do with Xiao Feng.
As someone no one paid attention to, he found a random excuse and slipped away early.
At this moment, Xiao Feng lay on his bed with a relaxed face and let out a long sigh. Socializing was the most annoying thing; even Transmigration couldn't get rid of it.
Spreading his palm and watching the Dou Qi dancing like elves on it, Xiao Feng's gaze grew deeper.
"It took nearly ten years just to clear most of my Meridians, but I don't have much time left. My past plans should be put on the agenda."
Xiao Feng whispered, flames seemingly dancing in his eyes.
Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and a graceful figure flashed in from outside.
"Brother Xiao Feng! I heard from Uncle Xiao that you're not feeling well?" Xiao Xun Er looked at Xiao Feng, her face showing no worry, only a faint smile. "Could it be that you've learned bad habits from Brother Xiao Yan? Now you even dare to lie to Uncle Xiao."
Xiao Feng flipped over and jumped off the bed. "How am I lying? My head is killing me right now."
Turning over two teacups and pouring a large amount of tea, Xiao Feng's expression was somewhat conflicted. "Xun'er, there are so many dual attributes. Which one do you think is the most powerful?"
He didn't have the resources or energy to Cultivate every attribute, and time didn't allow for it either. He planned to choose a few to specialize in.
Xiao Xun Er understood Xiao Feng's meaning. Her jade-like, slender fingers tapped the table incessantly, making a *da-da-da* sound. Her other hand supported her chin, and her brows were knit together in an expression of extreme conflict.
"Water and fire must be excluded; it's too shocking. Fire and wood can lead to becoming an Alchemist, which will be of great help in the future, but the attack power isn't as high as wind, lightning, or metal, and the defense isn't as strong as earth or rock. It really is a bit of a headache."
Stopping her tapping, Xiao Xun Er looked up and said, "Brother Xiao Feng, how about fire and wood? The status of an Alchemist brings incomparable help."
Xiao Feng shook his head. "I'll have a younger brother who's an Alchemist, so that's not as important."
"An Alchemist younger brother?" Xiao Xun Er's pretty face was full of confusion. "Who?"
"You'll know in the future."
Xiao Feng's gaze drifted as he responded in a murmur.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Xiao Feng's mind like a bolt of lightning, crushing and erasing all other thoughts into the darkness.
He stood up instantly and spread out the borrowed Dou Techniques. As scroll after scroll was opened and put down, Xiao Feng's gaze grew increasingly fervent.
"I understand now!"