As the Ice Emperor Scripture began to circulate, Chen Xiao officially entered the breakthrough state.
The Dou Crystal within his body suddenly spun, its speed increasing by the moment, frantically devouring the pure Dou Qi that surged in after being converted by the cultivation technique.
At this moment, the Dou Crystal was like an insatiable, bottomless vortex. The speed at which Chen Xiao converted Dou Qi simply couldn't keep up with its absorption rate.
As if sensing the problem, the Dou Crystal's rotation speed increased again, causing Chen Xiao's pores to open and a strong suction force to spread outwards from his body in all directions.
In an instant, the surrounding energy of heaven and earth surged, continuously converging towards Chen Xiao's room, creating a rapid energy whirlwind.
With the influx of external energy, the speed at which Chen Xiao's cultivation technique converted Dou Qi instantly increased greatly, finally allowing him to keep up with the absorption rate of the Dou Crystal within his body.
However, it was only just keeping pace. It would still take a considerable amount of time to completely fill the 'greedy' Dou Crystal.
Maintaining the current state, Chen Xiao was free of thoughts and desires, forgetting everything in the outside world, focusing solely on converting Dou Qi.
"Buzz~"
After an unknown amount of time, Chen Xiao finally felt the rhomboid Dou Crystal within his body suddenly tremble slightly.
Following closely, a low buzzing sound quietly emanated, echoing rhythmically within the energy vortex.
It was also at this moment that the light on the Dou Crystal strangely became flickering, sometimes strong, sometimes weak.
Chen Xiao observed carefully with his inner vision and found that as the light flickered, the somewhat irregular rhomboid Dou Crystal within the energy vortex seemed to be being polished by an invisible angle grinder, gradually becoming rounded.
From a long rhombus, it gradually became an oval, until it transformed into a shape resembling a sea urchin!
The ice-blue light it emitted completely stabilized at this moment, and long sharp spines began to emerge, stopping only after nine had protruded.
"Bang~ Bang~"
The next moment, a dull sound abruptly came from within the sea urchin Dou Crystal, alternating and competing with the sound of Chen Xiao's heartbeat, as if he had two hearts, causing Chen Xiao's breathing to become slightly rapid.
Sensing this situation, Chen Xiao's mind moved, and he began to consciously soothe his emotions, allowing the rhythm of his heartbeat to slowly align with the sound emanating from the sea urchin Dou Crystal.
After repeated adjustments and alignments, finally, at a certain moment, the two beats within his body completely merged!
At this instant, the sea urchin Dou Crystal within the energy vortex trembled violently, and an extremely powerful energy ripple suddenly spread out from it!
The energy ripple passed through the energy vortex, meridians, and internal bones without any obstruction, finally erupting through his skin!
On the bed, Chen Xiao, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes were bright and spirited, and a sharp ice-blue light seemed to flash and disappear.
Suddenly standing up and landing on the ground, Chen Xiao's body trembled slightly. In an instant, a powerful aura spread out from within his body, causing the tables, chairs, and furnishings in the room to instantly turn into a pile of debris!
Without rushing to clean up, Chen Xiao's hanging arm gently shook, and Dou Qi surged within his body. A substantial Ice Spear, completely condensed from Dou Qi, immediately appeared.
With a thought, the Ice Spear dissipated into nothingness.
With another thought, ice blades, ice swords, any weapon, as long as it was conceived in his mind, could be perfectly condensed!
Condensing objects with Dou Qi, this was the mark of advancing to Dou Ling!
Dispelling the Ice Spear he was most satisfied with, Chen Xiao opened the door with a smile.
"Congratulations, Brother Chen Xiao, for reaching a higher level."
"Congratulations."
"Young Master is the best!"
Congratulatory voices rang out one after another. Chen Xiao looked closely and realized that quite a few people had been attracted by the commotion of his breakthrough.
Xun Er, graceful and poised in a purple dress.
The enthusiastic and straightforward Xiao Zhan, as well as the three Elders of the Xiao Family.
Finally, there was Qing Lin, who lived next door.
What he didn't know was that this was already the result of Xiao Zhan having sent away many curious onlookers from the Xiao Family.
Otherwise, the scene would have been even more lively.
"I didn't expect to even alarm the Clan Leader and the three Elders. Just now, I got carried away and couldn't control my aura, making a mess of the room. I'll have to trouble the Clan Leader to have someone clean it up."
"Haha, it's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. Seeing you break through, this old man is genuinely happy. Chen Xiao, you just returned today, why don't you take a look around first? After I have someone clean up the guest room next to Miss Qing Lin's, I'll inform you."
Those in high positions are good at observing people's expressions and words.
Xiao Zhan's position was average, but he knew a little.
He could sense that Chen Xiao was not used to flattery or awkward situations, so he took the initiative to speak.
Chen Xiao cupped his fists in thanks and didn't stand on ceremony, taking Qing Lin and Xun Er with him to leave first.
Within the Xiao Family, other than the rarely visited Back Mountain, there weren't many quiet places. Having returned after a long time, Chen Xiao didn't want to go straight to the Back Mountain.
Thus, they all ended up at Xun Er's small courtyard.
"Xun Er's place is still the most elegant. Every time I come here, I can't help but relax."
Listening to Chen Xiao's sigh, Xun Er smiled slightly and went into the house to fetch some tea to serve.
"Brother Chen Xiao didn't even pay attention to me just now. Xun Er thought we had become estranged after not seeing each other for a while."
"Of course not. If Xun Er wasn't here, I wouldn't have planned to come to the Xiao Family this time."
Xun Er nodded with a smile. Of course, she knew that Chen Xiao's response to Xiao Zhan just now was merely polite.
In contrast, his seemingly casual attitude towards her and Qing Lin was actually a sign of greater closeness.
However, Chen Xiao's answer still made her quite happy.
The feeling of being valued was always pleasant.
"Brother Chen Xiao, now that you're back this time, will you wait until the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team arrives in the Jia Ma Empire before leaving?"
The Jia Nan Academy recruitment team's chosen location for recruitment varied each year. Sometimes they would come to Wu Tan City, sometimes to the neighboring Black Flame City, or other cities.
At that time, people from the surrounding cities who were interested in entering Jia Nan Academy would gather together to participate in the assessment.
Therefore, Xun Er's statement, "the recruitment team arrives in the Jia Ma Empire," was undoubtedly more accurate.
"For the next few months, I'll just focus on cultivating and wait for them to arrive. I won't go anywhere else," Chen Xiao nodded and replied.
Xun Er's lips curved slightly as she poured a cup of tea for Qing Lin, who was sitting beside her, listening but not speaking.
"In that case, Xun Er won't be bored these next few months. Oh, right, just now over there, I heard this Miss Qing Lin call Brother Chen Xiao 'Young Master'?"
"It's just a form of address, no need to take it seriously. Qing Lin and I met in Stone Desert City on the edge of Tagor. We were both alone, so we decided to keep each other company. Thanks to her companionship these past few days, I haven't felt lonely while being away. Moreover, Qing Lin has excellent cultivation talent; her future is immeasurable. It was pure luck to find such a good prospect."
Due to Xun Er's identity, Chen Xiao didn't need to hide too much from her and could speak more freely and boldly.
At the same time, Chen Xiao also had a small selfish motive.
He wanted Xun Er to value and like Qing Lin more.
This way, Qing Lin's future safety would have an extra layer of protection.
Xun Er nodded gently. She could feel that Chen Xiao valued Qing Lin greatly.
Their relationship wasn't just what it seemed on the surface; it was more like siblings under the guise of master and servant.
"So that's how it is."
Nodding in understanding, Xun Er looked at Qing Lin, who was holding a teacup and sipping the tea in small sips.
"We might see each other often in the next few months, and it won't do without a form of address. I should be a little older than you, so from now on, you can call me Sister Xun Er, how about it?"
Not yet knowing the significance of this form of address, Qing Lin habitually looked at Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao gave her an encouraging look.
Seeing this, Qing Lin sweetly called out.
"Sister Xun Er~"
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