The Xiao Clan, rear courtyard.
Mo Yu looked up at the spacious room before him. On the plaque above the door, three blood-red characters danced across it: Dou Technique Hall.
Listening to the occasional shouts coming from within, Mo Yu wasn't surprised. Although the Xiao Clan's Dou Technique Hall wasn't large and housed mostly low-level techniques, it was already considered quite good within Wu Tan City. Therefore, some clan members would occasionally come by.
Mo Yu didn't come to seek high-level techniques, as his mind already held many from his previous life. He came here simply to study the foundational techniques of the Dou Qi Continent and, in the process, relax a little.
Without further ado, he stepped inside.
Upon entering, the occasional cheers and laughter of teenagers echoed from time to time.
The hall was divided into two sections: the east side housed the clan's dou techniques, while the west side was a decently sized training ground. Occasionally, clan members would spar here.
Mo Yu had no interest in sparring and dove straight into the eastern section.
Stopping in the main hall, Mo Yu casually picked up a purple scroll from the nearby shelf, slowly unfolding it. On the back of the scroll appeared a few large black characters:
Huang-Class, Low Level: Mountain Splitting Fist!
Leaning leisurely against the bookshelf, Mo Yu slowly absorbed the training methods of this technique. With his wealth of experience, it didn't take long for him to grasp the essence of this low-level Huang-Class technique.
After memorizing the basics of the Mountain Splitting Fist, Mo Yu moved to another shelf and grabbed a black scroll. Unfolding it, he saw the title:
Huang-Class, Low Level: Cloud Piercing Kick!
His interest piqued slightly. The Thunder Body greatly strengthened his physical form, but its lack of finesse left room for improvement. Although Mo Yu had already addressed this issue, it couldn't hurt to draw on the experiences of the Dou Qi Continent.
Thus, Mo Yu began his journey of rapid browsing, flipping through scroll after scroll.
His fervent behavior soon drew the attention of some Xiao Clan members.
Typically, a Dou Qi practitioner would only need to master two or three low-level Huang-Class techniques. For one, mastering techniques takes time and effort, and a person's energy is limited. It would be impossible to master so many techniques. Secondly, after breaking through the Dou Zhe stage, low-level techniques lose their utility. Hence, few people would spend too much time on them.
As a result, Mo Yu's actions left many baffled.
While Mo Yu was engrossed in reading various techniques, an unexpected guest appeared by his side.
"You're Mo Yu?"
A voice filled with inquiry, mixed with disdain and schadenfreude, reached Mo Yu's ear.
Disturbed from his reading, Mo Yu's brow furrowed slightly.
After living through three lives, he detested being interrupted in the middle of something he enjoyed.
"And you are?"
Looking at the slightly chubby teenager in front of him, about fifteen or sixteen years old, Mo Yu's eyes flickered with a trace of anger, as if a storm was brewing inside him.
The chubby youth felt a sudden chill as Mo Yu's cold gaze fell on him. Originally thinking this would be an opportunity to curry favor with Brother Xiao Ning, he hadn't expected this person to be so intimidating!
"I... I'm Xiao Le. I heard you performed well during the last assessment, so... Brother Xiao Ning invited you to spar in the western training ground."
Intimidated by Mo Yu's aura, the youth's tone softened considerably. He pointed to the training ground and stuttered his words.
Hearing this, Mo Yu quickly realized that this person was merely a messenger. His gaze shifted toward the western training ground.
Standing there was a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome appearance.
This young man was the same one Mo Yu had encountered earlier — the talented youth of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Ning. Mo Yu was not unfamiliar with him. He was the grandson of the Xiao Clan's Grand Elder, known for his decent talent. At the young age of seventeen, he had already reached the 8th stage of Dou Zhi Qi, only surpassed by Xun'er within the clan.
Of course, that was before.
"It seems my earlier attitude offended him. What a petty person," Mo Yu mused, understanding immediately why Xiao Ning was targeting him. But he didn't mind.
Why would an elephant care about an ant?
"Cousin Mo Yu, although you're not a direct member of the Xiao Clan, you still carry the blood of our family. Now that I've invited you to spar, surely you won't refuse?"
Seeing Mo Yu's gaze, Xiao Ning smiled warmly. But a hint of malice flashed in his eyes.
As the grandson of the clan grand elder and the second most talented youth after Xun'er, Xiao Ning's future looked promising. He couldn't tolerate being ignored by someone like Mo Yu, a mere descendant of servants.
Today, he would teach Mo Yu a lesson!
Noticing the malice hidden in Xiao Ning's eyes, a dangerous smile curled up on Mo Yu's lips.
Since Xiao Ning was so eager to pick a fight, Mo Yu didn't mind giving him one.
"Since you're so eager, I'll humor you, Cousin Xiao Ning," Mo Yu said, calmly placing down the scroll in his hand and stepping into the training ground.
"Brother Xiao Ning reached the 8th stage of Dou Zhi Qi two months ago. Mo Yu could be in real trouble."
"Ha, a servant's descendant? No matter how much Xiao blood he has, he'll never compare to the real geniuses of our clan."
"Brother Xiao Ning, go for it!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, gathering to witness the upcoming match.
For some reason, though, Xiao Le couldn't shake the cold feeling from earlier. He had a strange premonition.
Xiao Ning... was going to lose!
"Cousin Mo Yu, I must admit, I've reached the 8th stage of Dou Zhi Qi recently. If you surrender now and bow to me, I might forgive your earlier disrespect."
On the training ground, Xiao Ning spoke confidently.
Mo Yu shook his head indifferently. "No need. Let's begin."
Xiao Ning's face darkened as Mo Yu's calm, unflinching demeanor fanned his anger. "Since you're asking for it, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
With a cold laugh, Xiao Ning clenched his fists, his Dou Qi surging through him in waves of strength.
After a brief moment of tension, Xiao Ning stomped the ground and charged at Mo Yu. As he neared, his claws curved, fingertips gleaming with a cold light.
When he was half a meter away, Xiao Ning's body suddenly halted, and his right claw slashed toward Mo Yu's chest in a deadly arc: "Huang-Class, Mid Level: Splitting Claw Strike!"
The onlookers gasped as Xiao Ning unleashed a mid-level Huang-Class technique from the start.
Family rules forbade heavy-handedness during sparring, but considering Xiao Ning's background, no one dared to intervene.
Many cast sympathetic looks toward Mo Yu, expecting him to be bedridden for weeks after this.
At that moment, Mo Yu remained calm, his gaze steady as he raised his hand. With a sudden surge of power, his right arm radiated with glowing lightning marks, like flames.
"Thunder Body!"
Under the immense force, Xiao Ning's expression shifted. His body flew backward as if struck by a sledgehammer, only stopping after crashing out of the training ground.
"Xiao Ning... defeated!"