Under the clear blue sky, the training ground was bustling with activity.
Many disciples gathered at the center, where a young man in white was sparring with a Xiao family disciple. His movements were swift and precise. With a single slash of his blade, the opposing disciple was sent flying and collapsed onto the ground.
"As expected of the young master—his strength is terrifying!"
"Yes, yes! Young master, I want to bear your children!"
"Get lost! The young master is mine!"
Laughter and cheers filled the air. The training ground was livelier than ever, all because of Xiao Yan's overwhelming talent.
Standing at the edge, Xiao Tian watched the fight with unconcealed envy. Deep in his heart, he longed for such strength.
"That's all for today," Xiao Yan said calmly, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I'll be heading back."
The surrounding disciples hurriedly returned the salute, their gazes filled with admiration.
Xiao Tian rushed forward, excitement written all over his face.
"Brother Yan, you truly live up to your reputation!" he exclaimed.
Earlier, Xiao Yan had already decided to become sworn brothers with Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian was naturally delighted. At first, he had only hoped to build a good relationship with Xiao Yan—but now, they were brothers in name and in heart.
A young master and a servant becoming brothers sounded unbelievable, yet it had happened.
Xiao Yan walked out of the crowd, with Xiao Tian following a step behind, occasionally glancing at him, then lowering his gaze in thought.
Suddenly—
Xiao Yan staggered and collapsed to the ground.
Shouts instantly erupted.
Xiao Tian snapped out of his daze and rushed forward, helping Xiao Yan up.
The moment he touched him, Xiao Tian's heart sank.
Xiao Yan's face was deathly pale, his body limp, as if all strength had been drained from him. More terrifying still—his battle qi was rapidly dissipating.
Xiao Tian's mind thundered.
Is it happening now?
He immediately tried to pull Xiao Yan away, afraid others would notice. But the training ground was crowded, and disciples rushed over one after another, asking anxiously.
After all, Xiao Yan was their idol.
"Why is the young master's battle qi disappearing?!" someone suddenly shouted.
Chaos erupted.
Everyone surged forward to check on Xiao Yan's condition. In the commotion, Xiao Tian was pushed aside, forced out of the inner circle.
"Quick! Inform the clan head!"
"The young master's level is still dropping—he's already at the fourth stage of Dou Qi!"
"No—now it's the third stage!"
Hearing the frantic discussions, Xiao Tian tried desperately to squeeze back in, sweat pouring down his forehead. But surrounded by experts, he was powerless.
At that moment, a group of people entered the training ground.
At the front was a burly man with sharp eyes and a heavy presence—Xiao Zhan, the clan head of the Xiao family, a five-star Da Dou Shi. Beside him were three elders.
"Make way! The clan head and elders have arrived!"
Seeing Xiao Yan lying unconscious, Xiao Zhan rushed forward, placing a trembling hand on his son's wrist. Pain flickered across his face.
"No one is allowed to speak about today's events," Xiao Zhan said loudly.
"Xiao Yan merely overexerted himself and collapsed. He needs rest."
His voice echoed across the training ground.
Silence fell instantly.
All heads lowered—except Xiao Tian's.
Xiao Zhan noticed Xiao Tian briefly, but did not linger. He lifted Xiao Yan and departed with the elders.
"Everyone, return to your duties," an elder added coldly before leaving.
The training ground fell into uneasy whispers.
No one continued cultivating.
Xiao Tian glanced around, then hurried out of the training ground—but Xiao Zhan and the others were already gone.
For a moment, Xiao Tian didn't know where to find Xiao Yan.
Only he knew the truth.
The genius who had entered Dou Zhe at eleven was about to endure three years of ridicule, his Dou Qi completely drained.
Lost in thought, Xiao Tian wandered aimlessly until he unknowingly returned to his own residence.
A dilapidated storage room.
Pushing the door open, he sat down on the weeds, staring into space.
"Xiao Yan's battle qi is being absorbed by Yao Lao," Xiao Tian muttered.
"To restore it, the ring must be removed… but in the novel, no matter how Xiao Yan throws it away, it always returns."
"I wonder… if I take it now, will it still come back?"
After a while, Xiao Tian opened the system panel. Little Ling'er appeared once more.
"Now that Xiao Yan has lost all his Dou Qi," Xiao Tian asked earnestly, "is there any way to help him?"
"I'm sorry, host," Ling'er replied gently. "I only serve you. I can't directly help others."
Xiao Tian sighed.
He had expected this.
"However," Ling'er continued, "there is another way."
"The host can take Xiao Yan's ring and wear it himself. This will help Xiao Yan."
Xiao Tian had already thought of this—but his heart hesitated.
If he wore the ring, wouldn't he become the one whose Dou Qi was drained?
He had just arrived in this world. Could he really endure three years of being crippled?
Seeing his hesitation, Ling'er spoke again.
"Host, there's no need to worry. The system possesses a magic item capable of absorbing surrounding battle qi. As long as you wear the ring and carry this item, it can offset the ring's absorption. You'll still be able to cultivate normally."
Xiao Tian's eyes lit up.
"Really?! Then give it to me—quick!"
"Host, don't rush," Ling'er said calmly.
"This item is called Heavenly Food. To obtain it, you must exchange points."
Cold water was poured over Xiao Tian's head.
He had zero points.
"But," Ling'er added, "you can also exchange it using gold coins. The price is no more than five thousand gold coins."
Xiao Tian fell silent.
He had no gold coins—but Xiao Yan did.
However, Xiao Yan had already been taken away, and his whereabouts were unknown.
For now…
Xiao Tian could only wait.