Especially since the description stated that its power scaled with one's own strength, this Dou Technique would never become obsolete, no matter how high one's cultivation realm became. If this were in the Central Plains, it would be something people would fight over tooth and nail — even major powers like the One Tower and One Palace would try to seize it.
"Junior Xiao Tian, this… this is too precious. I… I can't accept it."
Han Yue was completely at a loss, waving her hands in refusal.
"Then consider it my investment in you, Han Yue. Once you graduate, I'll hire you as a Guest Elder for my Pure Heaven Divine Palace. You can also return to the Han Family later; you just need to act when Pure Heaven Divine Palace requires your assistance."
Xiao Tian also told Han Yue about Pure Heaven Divine Palace, which left her stunned. She hadn't expected Xiao Tian to have a power behind him, and one capable of cultivating a genius like Xiao Tian certainly wasn't simple. Even her own Han Family couldn't compare.
"This… this… I will repay you in the future. This favor is truly too great."
Han Yue looked into Xiao Tian's eyes, seemingly making a decision internally.
"What, how about you just give yourself to me then?"
Xiao Tian looked at Han Yue with a smile.
"If Xun'er doesn't mind…"
Before Han Yue could finish speaking, Xiao Tian pinched her mouth, stuffing something in. Before she could say anything more, she felt her aura surge uncontrollably. Han Yue had no time to worry about anything else, immediately sitting cross-legged on the ground to circulate her cultivation method and refine the sudden influx of energy.
The anomaly here gradually attracted people from the Inner Academy. Xiao Tian directly used Dou Qi to cover Han Yue. He released his aura, preventing others from approaching. Those who came to watch the commotion saw Xiao Tian and the aura around him, then glanced at the protective barrier, choosing to leave to avoid angering him.
Half an hour later, Han Yue's aura had risen to the peak of Nine-Star Dou Ling. The pill Xiao Tian gave Han Yue was a Nine Profound Pill. Xiao Tian had previously had the auction house collect many of these pills. This pill was extremely useful for the current Pure Heaven Divine Palace and served as both a reward for the faction and a means to attract talent. Currently, Pure Heaven Divine Palace didn't have many Dou Wangs or Dou Huangs, but it had a great number of Dou Lings.
After absorbing the pill's power, Han Yue was so excited her whole body trembled. A peak Nine-Star Dou Ling was a rare sight even in the Inner Academy. With her current realm, plus the Dou Technique Xiao Tian gave her earlier, she was confident in contending for a spot in the top five. Her current strength was probably on par with Yan Hao. As for Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya, both had been at the peak of Dou Ling for a very long time, and she definitely couldn't compare to their accumulated Dou Qi.
"Congratulations, Han Yue, on successfully advancing to peak Nine-Star Dou Ling. A spot in the top five is surely yours."
Xiao Tian flashed from the air to Han Yue's side.
Han Yue looked at Xiao Tian beside her and, like a swallow returning to its nest, threw herself into his embrace, kissing his face. Xiao Tian was no Liu Xiahui; he quickly moved his face aside to cut his losses, and their lips met. Han Yue's eyes instantly widened. Her first kiss had just been given away like that.
Han Yue immediately retreated in a hurry. Xiao Tian didn't stop her, but rather let her leave; some things shouldn't be overdone.
"Let's go, I'll take you to familiarize yourself with the Dou Technique. Try to unleash part of its power by tomorrow."
Xiao Tian quickly changed the subject, because Han Yue before him was already almost steaming like a kettle. If Xiao Tian said a few more words, she would probably be emitting actual steam.
Han Yue nodded with her head down, unaware that she had already secretly given her heart to him. Perhaps it was because of his excellence, or their interactions after he saved her, or the gifts, or perhaps all of it combined. To move a woman, you either needed to be meticulously thoughtful and give her enough emotional moments, or you provided her with material and spiritual support.
Xiao Tian carried Han Yue to the forest outside the academy. The forest was now silent, with only occasional beast roars. The two were very quiet during their flight, neither speaking, but silently enjoying the moment. Han Yue's head was still spinning, and she hadn't fully recovered from the previous events.
"Han Yue, we're here."
Xiao Tian said softly to Han Yue in his arms.
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, she quickly got down from his embrace, standing on the ground shyly.
"First, recover a bit. Then we'll spar. Only through combat can your current unstable Dou Qi become solid, and you can also test your Dou Technique."
Han Yue nodded, agreeing with Xiao Tian's suggestion. She stood in place, taking a few deep breaths. As she breathed deeply, she also recovered from her shyness. She was an independent and even intelligent person, and she managed her emotions very well. Before, she was just momentarily overwhelmed and couldn't react, and she had already had feelings for him anyway.
"I'm ready."
Han Yue looked up, her eyes firm, and said to Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian glanced at her, confirming she was fine and had entered the zone. He also nodded. "Then let's begin. You attack me, and I'll defend."
A silver longsword appeared in Han Yue's hand. She focused intently on Xiao Tian, then launched her attack against him. The two then began to spar back and forth in the forest. Essentially, Han Yue attacked, and Xiao Tian was responsible for defending and pointing out her shortcomings. Although he wasn't a swordsman, Yun Yun and Medusa were, and he had sparred with them quite a bit. Moreover, before his transmigration, he had watched many sword-related shows and read many novels.
"Falling Cold Star."
Han Yue seized the opportunity, her body slowly ascending into the air. This was a temporary ascent inherent to the Dou Technique. With her longsword pointing skyward, anomalies continuously occurred above her head. As her longsword pointed directly at Xiao Tian, several one-meter diameter ice spheres appeared in the sky, hurtling toward Xiao Tian with long, luminous tails.
Xiao Tian directly used his Falling Star Shield to block. The ice spheres crashed against the shield, producing loud booming sounds. However, the sound didn't spread, as he had already formed a huge Dou Qi barrier around them.
After using this move, Han Yue was utterly exhausted, using her longsword to support her body. Her tied-up long hair had fallen loose. Her forehead was covered in sweat, and a few strands of silver hair clung to her forehead. She had poured all her Dou Qi into this final strike; now there was not a single drop left, completely drained. Her entire body trembled slightly, and her face was as pale as paper. If not for the longsword, she would probably have collapsed to the ground, but being always strong, she was unwilling to let herself do that.
Xiao Tian immediately came to her side, gently supporting her body, and reached out to tuck those few strands of hair behind her ear. He took out a handkerchief and helped her wipe the sweat from her forehead. Han Yue smelled a fragrance from the handkerchief. She sniffed carefully; the scent wasn't Xun'er's, but a sandalwood-like fragrance, and it was a woman's.
She looked up, her eyes carrying a hint of surprise as she looked at Xiao Tian. Thinking back to what Xun'er had told her earlier, she seemed to understand something.