Every year after the enrollment of Jia Nan Academy, the students travel together to the border fortress of the Jia Ma Empire, then ride flying Magic Beasts to cross the Black-Corner Region and reach the Academy.
During this journey, besides the leading instructors and senior students in the group, there are also military escorts.
Major dangers are unlikely to occur along the way, but minor crises may arise from time to time.
Sometimes passing through forests and mountains, instructors arrange for students to hone their skills, engaging in battles with wild beasts, and occasionally confronting First Rank Magic Beasts.
"Splitting Wind Palm!"
With a swift chop, a wild wolf's stretched out in pain, its howl yet to be heard before a tremendous force erupted in its abdomen.
"Rhino Collision!"
Lin Xiu's movements were extremely swift, seamlessly transitioning from one move to another.
The sound of bones shattering echoed within the wild wolf's body. After falling to the ground, it struggled for a few moments before going silent.
"So impressive."
"It seems he has already mastered these two Dou Techniques proficiently."
Some of the modestly dressed students, seeing Lin Xiu cleanly dispatch a wild wolf, showed a hint of envy in their eyes.
During this time, everyone had become acquainted, after all, Lin Xiu wasn't exactly introverted.
Many people were in a situation similar to Lin Xiu's; they hadn't previously been exposed to Dou Techniques. Although they had been practicing, some still couldn't control the normal flow of Dou Qi when it came to real combat.
In contrast, Lin Xiu not only could unleash the power of Dou Techniques but could also change techniques promptly.
"Making a fuss over nothing. Is it really that difficult to learn Yellow Rank Low-Level Dou Techniques?" Where there is envy, there will be jealousy.
Te Lan City had recruited a total of fifteen students this time, some of whom came from large families similar to the Lin family.
These types of people look down on civilian students in their hearts, especially since someone saw Steward Lin talking to Lin Xiu that day and, with a simple investigation, learned about Lin Xiu's status in the Lin family.
Therefore, it didn't sit well with them to have their limelight stolen by a mere stable boy.
[You engage in a battle, Splitting Wind Palm experience +20]
[You engage in a battle, Rhino Collision experience +20]
Glancing around, Lin Xiu paid no attention to the scrutiny of others and continued to seek out new opponents.
He didn't know before that battles could increase the experience points gained for Dou Techniques; he only realized it later.
These days, Lin Xiu had experienced several battles, already leveling both Dou Techniques to level 4.
[Splitting Wind Palm lvl 4 (400/400)]
[Rhino Collision lvl 4 (400/400)]
"The level cap for Yellow Rank Low-Level Dou Techniques is 4?" Lin Xiu speculated to himself upon seeing his experience points maxed out.
He still had 7 Attribute Points. When Lin Xiu attempted to allocate points, two options appeared before him:
[Option 1: Increase level, up to 2 times maximum. Each increase enhances the power of Dou Techniques.]
[Option 2: Dou Techniques Fusion. Fusing Dou Techniques of the same rank can yield a brand-new Dou Techniques of a higher rank.]
(Note: Dou Techniques types need to be consistent, i.e., attack Dou Techniques cannot be fused with defense Dou Techniques.)
[Currently, "Splitting Wind Palm" and "Rhino Collision" can be fused. Would you like to proceed with fusion?]
"Yes."
Lin Xiu immediately made his choice.
[You expend 1 Attribute Point and gain Yellow Rank Mid-Level Dou Techniques "Wind Slash".]
[Wind Slash, Yellow Rank Mid-Level. Your collision can erupt with greater force, sending opponents flying, while instinctively delivering your most powerful blow.]
A plethora of information flashed before his eyes, with the original "Splitting Wind Palm" and "Rhino Collision" abilities replaced by the new "Wind Slash".
[Wind Slash lvl 1 (0/100)]
As descriptions of Wind Slash flashed through his mind, Lin Xiu realized he had completely grasped the new Dou Techniques.
"Let's give it a try," Lin Xiu was curious about what changes would occur when fusing the two Dou Techniques.
Coincidentally, there was a girl stumbling over tree roots just ahead of him, with a wild wolf poised to pounce on her as she fell.
"Ah!"
Seeing the wolf leaping, Xiao Mei instinctively let out a cry, crossing her hands in front of her eyes.
Just then, a figure rushed from behind at an angle, crashing into the wolf, sending it flying. While still in mid-air, the person twisted and leapt, delivering a palm strike as the wolf flipped.
Bang!
The ground emitted a dull sound as dust filled the air. The wolf was smashed into the ground, with a depression in its abdomen, completely still.
"So powerful!" Lin Xiu shifted his gaze from the wolf to his hands. "It feels like muscle memory. The moment I sent it flying, my waist and legs instinctively powered up, everything just flowed naturally."
Compared to Rhino Collision, Wind Slash's impact speed was noticeably increased.
However, what impressed Lin Xiu the most was the combo. After fusing the two Dou Techniques, his combos became much smoother.
"Thank you." Still immersed in joy, a voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Lin Xiu saw it was the same girl. He nodded slightly. "You're welcome. Be careful next time."
With that said, he continued to seek out new opponents.
Since Wind Slash was still at a low level, if it were raised to level 4, it might unleash even greater power.
Lin Xiu was looking forward to it, and at the same time, he also began to anticipate the Dou Techniques stored in the ring.
"It seems like he's already mastered it completely, and it hasn't even been half a month." Not far away, Ruo Lin's gaze had been following Lin Xiu. The wolf couldn't withstand even two moves in his hands.
"Whether it's talent or luck, we'll soon find out." The instructor beside Ruo Lin's eyes flickered, as if a decision had been made.
After dealing with the wolf pack, the group continued forward.
In the evening.
"Teacher Huo lan, did you need me?" Lin Xiu stood before a middle-aged man.
This was the teacher in charge of recruiting for Te Lan City, a Yellow Rank instructor, and also a Dou Grandmaster.
"I've noticed that you seem to have already mastered those two Dou Techniques. Now, I'll teach you a new one." Huo lan got straight to the point. He gestured for Lin Xiu to step back, then began to demonstrate.
The new Dou Technique was a leg technique called "Whip Kick" a Yellow Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique.
With one foot planted firmly on the ground, Huo lan's body rotated, while his other leg sliced through the air.
Snap!
The air seemed to crack as if being burst open.
Although there was no close contact, Lin Xiu could feel how terrifying the power was on his leg. If a wolf were hit by it, it would probably explode into pieces.
"Follow my lead." After the demonstration, Huo lan explained to Lin Xiu the route of Dou Qi circulation. The reason why they're called Dou Techniques is because they incorporate the power of Dou Qi.
Lin Xiu practiced three times until a text flashed before his eyes.
[You successfully learned a new Ability - Whip Kick]
[Whip Kick lvl 1 (0/100)]
"I'll be observing. Don't slack off, understand?" Huo lan seemed to have some expectations of Lin Xiu.
"Understood." Lin Xiu nodded heavily. In fact, he was more excited than Huo lan. What kind of combo would emerge if Whip Kick and Wind Slash were fused?
However, the prerequisite for fusion was to raise the Ability level to the maximum. The upper limit for Yellow Rank Mid-Level was level 5.
Lin Xiu didn't plan to use Attribute Points to increase it. While practice was tiring, he could improve his Constitution, which was also a kind of gain.
Moreover, he intended to save Attribute Points to enhance his Qi Methods.
After reaching full Aptitude points, Lin Xiu's Dou Qi cultivation speed increased. He had already broken through the eighth stage of Dou Disciple, and even the ninth stage was halfway completed.
Before long, he could consider advancing to Dou Practitioner.
At that time, Lin Xiu could think about finding a Qi Method to practice. However, he currently had no direction as his instructor hadn't provided any information on this matter.
"People who work hard usually don't have bad luck. I hope you truly have talent in this regard."
Before leaving, Huo lan glanced at Lin Xiu, who had already begun to focus on his practice.
---
Check out my Patreon for up to 50 Advanced Chapters.
Link : patreon.com/AlbertTL