Chapter 6: Xiao Yan's Ecstasy—Hun Cang Breaks Through to Dou Huang!

Kneeling on the ground, Xiao Yan kept his head bowed, his face filled with visible tension.

Would he agree?

Considering they were fellow countrymen... he probably would.

Although pledging allegiance to an older brother was not exactly a glorious affair, after enduring three years of cold stares and ridicule, Xiao Yan had long since understood one truth.

Strength!

That was the greatest reliance one could have after transmigrating.

If only he had known his fellow countryman sooner—could that have meant resolving the hidden danger of his disappearing Dou Qi right from the start?

Driven by this line of thinking, Xiao Yan acted with resolve.

"Get up first," in the quiet, Xiao Yan heard Hun Cang say, followed by a gentle force lifting him from the ground.

"No, if you don't accept me as your little brother, I won't get up today," Xiao Yan said with a firm expression, making a show of kneeling again.

Seeing this, Hun Cang seemed somewhat helpless. "Fine, fine, I’ll agree to it."

"Sigh..." He sighed again. "Since we are countrymen, why bother with all this formal nonsense?"

Judging by his tone, it seemed Hun Cang wasn't particularly keen on taking advantage of Xiao Yan.

However, to Xiao Yan’s ears, it sounded as if this Dou Wang might simply be looking for a fellow countryman for company, and might leave at any moment if his mood changed.

Instantly, he felt a sense of relief regarding his decision to pledge loyalty.

*Good thing I’m smart. Otherwise, if my fellow countryman leaves and I run into trouble, who would help me?*

Besides, wanting to befriend a Dou Wang powerhouse... even if he offered all the wealth of the Xiao family, he might not even receive a promise in return.

And for him, it only took one "Big Brother" to secure it all.

Thinking through the implications, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

At the same time, a long-lost system notification echoed in Hun Cang’s mind.

"Ding... detected that the host has gained the trust of the Child of Destiny..."

"Binding process initiated..."

"Binding complete... from now on, you will receive rewards for providing items to Xiao Yan."

*No wonder...* Hun Cang suddenly realized. I provided a vial of spiritual liquid earlier and wondered why there was no reward—it turns out this connection was required.

Perhaps this was what they called a happy accident.

Feeling slightly smug, Hun Cang looked at Xiao Yan and gestured, "Second brother, since you’ve called me Big Brother, why be so distant? Come over, sit, and have some tea."

"Right, Big Brother." Xiao Yan gave a brilliant smile, sat beside Hun Cang, and took the initiative to pour the tea.

The two chatted for a while.

Having resolved the hidden danger of his disappearing Dou Qi, Xiao Yan felt completely at ease. With their newfound fraternal bond, he appeared much more relaxed than before.

Pouring another cup for Hun Cang, Xiao Yan said with a hint of anticipation, "Big Brother, since you’ve come to Wutan City, this is my home turf. Why not come to my house and let me play the part of a proper host?"

*Inviting me is just a pretense; he really wants to use my status to show off, doesn't he...* Hun Cang guessed to himself.

After all, Xiao Yan had been treated with cold indifference by his family for three years. Now that he had a Dou Wang for a brother, he naturally wanted to regain his dignity.

Taking a small sip, Hun Cang set down the cup and shook his head. "Not today. I have some matters to attend to. I’ll visit in person in a couple of days. Since I’m visiting your family in this life, I must prepare some modest gifts."

*A Dou Wang bringing gifts to visit...* Xiao Yan was so happy he almost jumped for joy. That would be such a grand display—the elders would probably be scared out of their wits when they saw it.

He said politely, "Oh, Big Brother, your presence alone would bring great honor to our Xiao family. There’s no need to bring gifts."

"That’s not how it works. I am your big brother, after all," Hun Cang said earnestly.

Then, under Xiao Yan’s envious gaze, Hun Cang took some low-level medicinal herbs he had gathered within his clan before arriving from his storage ring.

Placing them on the table and pushing them toward Xiao Yan, Hun Cang smiled. "To be honest, I didn't expect to take on a younger brother today, so I didn't have time to prepare a proper gift. These are 'Qi Condensing Powders' from my own cultivation days. Add a spoonful to a bucket of water; soaking in it will accelerate the accumulation of Dou Qi. It’s perfect for the Dou Force stage."

"Thank you, Big Brother." Xiao Yan quickly tucked them away.

But he didn't move, remaining in his chair, staring intently at Hun Cang, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Hun Cang paused, then realized what was on his mind, and tapped his forehead lightly. "Haha, look at my memory. Second brother, originally, since you answered my questions correctly, I should have given you Earth-tier cultivation methods and Dou techniques. But for now, if you trust your brother, work hard on your cultivation. The day you become a Dou Zhe, I will give you a top-tier cultivation method comparable to the Heaven-tier."

*Heaven-tier high-grade?!*

Xiao Yan’s breath hitched instantly, finding it hard to believe.

On the Dou Qi continent, Heaven-tier methods were legendary, rare existences. To think his big brother actually possessed a Heaven-tier high-grade one!

And he was actually willing to give it to him?!

Xiao Yan felt so overwhelmed with happiness that he couldn't help but want to kneel and kowtow to Hun Cang again.

As for why he didn't consider that Hun Cang might be lying... well, he was already in this position; what could a Dou Wang countryman possibly want from him?

"What are you saying! Big Brother, from the moment I first called you that, I have trusted you unconditionally," Xiao Yan declared righteously.

He stood up, took a few steps, then turned back and said, "Big Brother, I will await your grand arrival at the Xiao family."

"Mm."

Hun Cang nodded slightly, watching Xiao Yan, whose joy could not be hidden, and sighed softly.

If things went as expected, Nalan Yanran would be arriving at the Xiao family soon.

Would you still be able to smile then?

With his objective in Wutan City achieved, Hun Cang didn't have Guni stop immediately. The Q&A continued until evening, at which point he told Guni there was no need to search any further.

Guni had a hunch that this lord had likely found who he was looking for.

He couldn't help but feel curious—who could that person be?

What deeper meaning lay behind those conversations?

The next day, Hun Cang left the Mittel Auction House quietly and arrived at a mountain not far outside Wutan City.

The reward returned by the system after giving the Qi Condensing Powder to Xiao Yan was a medicinal pill that could help mend one’s aptitude and facilitate a breakthrough.

"Becoming a Dou Huang is the first step toward a bright future."

Hun Cang stared at the pill in his hand, whispered to himself, and swallowed it without hesitation.

In an instant, a force of extreme density surged throughout his body. It felt as if he were being boiled in hot water; his entire body felt as though it were being torn apart, accompanied by an intense fever.

Amidst this agony, Hun Cang faintly sensed a certain shackle within his body being pulled repeatedly until it shattered completely.

The massive, accumulated Dou Qi within him began to surge with joy, emitting a roaring sound like a rushing river.

The disturbance was immense!

Birds and beasts in the forest were startled, fleeing in the opposite direction.

At this moment, Hun Cang was lifted by an invisible force, suspended in mid-air. Dou Qi gathered above his head, eventually forming a vortex that continued to expand.