Chapter 21: Xiao Xun’er’s Trump Card

"Are you so certain that within three years, Xiao Yan will be able to break through to the rank of Dou Practitioner?" Lin An asked with a smile.

Xun’er’s reasoning was not flawed, yet how could she be so confident? Even if she could unleash power sufficient to defeat him, how could she ensure that he would not advance a single step in three years? That was simply impossible. Unless she captured him and locked him away, preventing him from cultivating at all. But that would clearly go against her original intention to help Xiao Yan.

"I know that for someone your age to reach the level of Dou Practitioner is already the mark of a top genius. But... your vision is still too narrow," she said. "The world outside is vast. Even though Brother Xiao Yan is only at the third stage of Dou Qi right now, if I devote myself wholly to assisting his cultivation, in less than three years, I can help him break through to the rank of Dou Practitioner—or even higher. What Brother Xiao Yan lacks most right now is time. You and he started from different points, so, for his sake, I have no choice but to do this."

With those words, Xun’er seemed unwilling to continue speaking with Lin An. Before their eyes, her aura grew rapidly, rising visibly until it matched Lin An’s own. Standing not far away, even her pupils had now turned completely golden, giving her a strangely enchanting appearance.

"Let me see just how strong you Dou Practitioners really are!" she declared, stepping directly before Lin An, her palm glowing with radiant power as she struck.

Xun’er knew the secret technique she used to forcibly boost her strength would not last long, so from the outset, she intended a swift, decisive battle without lingering.

Lin An too was aware of the drawbacks of such forced enhancement. All he needed to do was stall for time; once Xun’er’s strength waned, victory would be his. But that was not Lin An’s intention. Such a drawn-out contest would be far too dull. He wanted to know for himself what heights his own power, as a one-star Dou Practitioner, had reached.

With a faint smile, he struck as well.

A resounding crash thundered as their palms collided, powerful gusts of energy radiating outward from their hands. Xun’er remained silent, continuing her assault, exchanging dozens of strikes with Lin An in the blink of an eye.

In contrast, Lin An seemed utterly at ease.

"Heaven-Turning Seal!" Xun’er called out in a low voice. Astonishing Dou Qi surged in her palm, instantly coalescing into a small golden seal.

Unleashing such a technique was taxing in the extreme for Xun’er, whose strength was only temporarily increased, but at this point, she had no room for restraint. Waves of formidable power spread out like a tide, emanating a terrifying aura.

Now Lin An’s expression grew grave. Evidently, this Heaven-Turning Seal was the most powerful Dou Technique Xun’er could unleash in her current state. He knew that if he could withstand this move, the outcome of the battle would be certain.

With a cold laugh, Lin An too unleashed an Earth-Tier Dou Technique.

"Sevenfold Soul-Destroying Finger!"

With a low cry, Lin An extended a finger, black divine light rapidly gathering at its tip until it formed a pitch-black digit. The lines upon it were distinct, exuding a dreadful aura—like the finger of an ancient demon clan that could destroy heaven and earth with a single touch.

The space around them seemed to shudder under the immense energy of the two Dou Techniques, dazzling light bursting forth, and even those far away could sense the terrifying waves of power.

Seal and finger clashed instantly. After a moment of silence, the Soul-Destroying Finger pierced through the Heaven-Turning Seal, immense energy exploding outward and striking Xun’er squarely.

Blood gushed from her lips as Xun’er was sent hurtling from the air, crashing brutally to the ground—clearly grievously wounded.

At that moment, a powerful expert from the Ancient Clan, who had been secretly safeguarding Xun’er, appeared before her.

"Miss, your actions are far too reckless. If you wished to deal with him, you need only have informed this old servant. Why suffer such injury? If the clan leader learns of this..." The Ancient Clan expert landed behind Xun’er, looking at Lin An with murderous intent. Should Xun’er give the order, he would not hesitate to strike, erasing Lin An on the spot.

"Stand down. This matter does not concern you. Since this is a duel between me and Young Master Lin, what would it mean if you intervened?"

Xun’er struggled to her feet, battered but not yet completely spent. The Ancient Clan expert hesitated, then sighed, refraining from further interference. He knew Xun’er’s temperament well; if he went against her orders and killed Lin An, who could predict what she might do in the end.

"You’re already in this state, and the aftereffects of your secret technique must be setting in. Do you still intend to continue this match?" Lin An said with a smile.

The technique Lin An cultivated had been provided by his system—the Six Paths Reincarnation Art. Once mastered, he could even summon the Six Paths themselves. Even the highest-level techniques of the Dou Break Plane could not match what Lin An possessed. Moreover, Lin An was a genuine one-star Dou Practitioner with a solid foundation, far above Xun’er’s forcibly raised level.

"I know there’s still a great gap between us, but isn’t it a little too soon for you to celebrate?" Xun’er replied. "I have no intention of conceding!"

Wiping away the blood at her lips, she gazed at Lin An, her expression grave.

"I’m truly curious what other tricks you could have at this stage," Lin An said.

"Miss, could it be that you..." the Ancient Clan expert began, as if realizing something, wanting to dissuade her.

"Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing," Xun’er replied.

As she spoke, her eyes turned entirely golden. Brilliant light radiated from her body, finally coalescing into a wisp of golden flame before her—a trace of the Golden Emperor’s Burning Heaven Flame, one of the Ancient Clan’s famed Heavenly Fires!

What Xun’er summoned was not the true Heavenly Fire, but a flame seed drawn from it. Yet even a flame seed was far beyond what ordinary people could bear. The golden fire exuded unimaginable heat; the surrounding temperature soared, and even the space around it distorted with the scorching. Should it touch a person, their soul would be annihilated in an instant.