Chapter Four: Breaking Through to Fighter

After finishing the medicinal broth, Ning Jiuyou handed the bowl back to Xiao Yan and said, “Thank you for saving me and taking such good care of me, but... I still don’t know your name.”

Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, suddenly realizing he hadn’t properly introduced himself. Scratching his head, he gave a sheepish smile and said, “What a memory I have, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Xiao Yan, a member of the Xiao family. It was I who found you in the back mountain. Seeing you badly injured, I brought you back.”

Ning Jiuyou nodded gently, repeating softly, “Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan...”

“Thank you, Xiao Yan. I’m just very puzzled. Since I woke up, I only remember the name Ning Jiuyou; everything else is completely blank.”

Seeing the confusion and loss flicker in Ning Jiuyou’s eyes, Xiao Yan felt a pang of sympathy and quickly comforted her, “It’s okay, Jiuyou. You just woke up, so your mind might still be a bit foggy. Maybe after some time, everything will come back to you. For now, just focus on healing and don’t worry about anything else.”

Ning Jiuyou nodded slightly, about to say something, when footsteps sounded outside the door. Soon, Xiao Zhan entered.

Seeing Xiao Zhan come in, Ning Jiuyou instinctively tried to sit up, but her body was still weak. Any sudden movement tugged at her wounds, causing a painful expression to cross her face.

Xiao Zhan hurried forward and gently stopped her, “Young lady, you’re still injured. Don’t move around. Just lie down and rest.”

“This is my father,” Xiao Yan said.

“I’m Xiao Zhan. You seem about the same age as Yan’er, so just call me uncle,” he introduced himself.

Embarrassed, Ning Jiuyou replied, “Uncle Xiao Zhan, I’m sorry. I just felt I should sit up to show my gratitude for your and Xiao Yan’s life-saving help and attentive care.”

Xiao Zhan waved his hand with a warm smile, “No need for thanks. You’re too polite. Your body isn’t healed yet, so taking care of your health is the most important thing.”

Xiao Yan chimed in, “Exactly, Jiuyou, just listen to my father and rest well.”

Ning Jiuyou nodded and said softly, “Thank you, Uncle Xiao Zhan... and thank you, Xiao Yan. I will take good care of myself.”

Xiao Zhan looked at her with a hint of concern in his eyes and said, “It’s good that you’re awake. How do you feel? Does it still hurt?”

“I’m still a bit sore, but much better than when I first woke up. The medicinal broth Xiao Yan gave me made me feel some relief,” Ning Jiuyou answered truthfully.

Xiao Zhan smiled, “That’s good. As long as you’re recovering, that’s what matters. I don’t know how you got such serious injuries, but now that you’re with the Xiao family, rest assured and recuperate.”

Unaware that the medicinal broth was concocted under the guidance of Yao Lao, Xiao Zhan simply thought Xiao Yan had figured out how to prepare it himself.

Listening to Xiao Zhan’s words, Xiao Yan silently recalled Yao Lao’s instructions and smiled in agreement.

Xiao Zhan glanced at Xiao Yan, then at Ning Jiuyou, a smile flickering in his eyes. “Alright then, you young ones keep chatting. I won’t disturb you.”

After Xiao Zhan left, the room fell silent again.

Xiao Yan looked at Ning Jiuyou thoughtfully. “Jiuyou, let me tell you about cultivation. Maybe it will help you remember something.”

Ning Jiuyou nodded, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

So, Xiao Yan began to recount the world of the Dou Qi continent, spoke of the Xiao family, and described Wutan City... Ning Jiuyou listened quietly, realizing she was utterly unfamiliar with everything Xiao Yan mentioned.

Even with amnesia, she shouldn’t feel so alien to this world...

Seeing Ning Jiuyou’s attentive expression, Xiao Yan felt a strong desire to help her become familiar with this place as soon as possible. Smiling, he said, “Jiuyou, once you’re fully healed, I’ll take you around Wutan City. It’s bustling, with markets selling all kinds of rare items and plenty of delicious food.”

Ning Jiuyou’s eyes brightened with anticipation, nodding gently, “That sounds wonderful. I really hope I can go out and see it soon.”

Xiao Yan continued enthusiastically, sharing anecdotes about Wutan City—how a certain family had a new prodigy, or how a shop had recently obtained a batch of precious herbs.

Ning Jiuyou listened with interest and occasionally asked questions, which Xiao Yan patiently answered.

Time passed, and the conversation gradually turned to cultivation.

Xiao Yan spoke of how he was once a prodigy but suddenly experienced a regression in his Dou Qi, becoming the family’s laughingstock. However, he had since restarted his training with determination to prove himself anew.

Hearing this, Ning Jiuyou grew curious about the cultivation system and asked, “Xiao Yan, you’ve said so much, but I still don’t quite understand how the cultivation system works. Could you explain it to me in more detail?”

Xiao Yan nodded and carefully explained, based on what Yao Lao had taught him:

“The cultivation system starts with the Dou Qi stage, like where I began. Then, from low to high, it goes: Dou Zhe, Dou Shi, and so on.”

“Each realm is divided into one to nine stars, with strength increasing as you ascend. Cultivators absorb the Dou Qi in the world to strengthen their bodies and circulate Dou Qi.”

Ning Jiuyou furrowed her brow, pondering Xiao Yan’s words, gradually gaining some understanding of the cultivation system.

At that moment, a technique suddenly surfaced in her mind. The flow and recitation of some cultivation formula appeared clearly in her thoughts.

After chatting a while longer, Xiao Yan noticed a hint of fatigue on Ning Jiuyou’s face and said, “Jiuyou, you just woke up, and your body still needs rest. You should get some sleep now. I’ll come call you when it’s time to eat.”

Ning Jiuyou nodded softly, “Okay, thank you, Xiao Yan.”

Xiao Yan waved his hand with a smile and left the room, gently closing the door behind him.

Once alone, Ning Jiuyou began practicing the cultivation method that had surfaced in her mind, following the system Xiao Yan had explained.

She tried converting the technique’s power into Dou Qi, guiding it to flow slowly through her meridians.

At first, it was difficult; the Dou Qi raged within her meridians, causing sharp pain.

Ning Jiuyou kept adjusting the rhythm of the technique’s flow. Gradually, the Dou Qi became gentler, moving smoothly through her meridians.

Time passed, and Ning Jiuyou immersed herself in cultivation.

When Xiao Yan reopened the door to call her for a meal, he was stunned to see a faint aura of Dou Qi emanating from her. Though subtle, it clearly reached the level of a one-star Dou Zhe.

Xiao Yan’s mouth dropped open in shock, stammering, “Ji... Jiuyou, you’ve... broken through to Dou Zhe?”