"Ba Ji Bing!" A clear, crisp voice rang out suddenly in the small forest at the mountain's summit. A swift, agile figure leapt and danced through the undergrowth, effortlessly navigating the dense thorns that crisscrossed the trees. Then, abruptly, the figure halted before a massive tree, half an inch in diameter, its body leaning slightly as it shifted its feet. With a powerful reverse elbow strike, it slammed into the trunk. "Thud!" The impact sent wood chips flying, and crack-like fissures spread outward from the point of impact, spreading like spider legs. The tree, now hollowed out by the force of the elbow, groaned and swayed, finally collapsing with a heavy, resounding crash. As the tree fell, the nimble figure—resembling a graceful monkey—retreated a step and then landed lightly upon a large, green stone. Staring at the achievements he had accomplished, the gentle lines of Xiao Yan's face were filled with joyful smiles—this was the first time in three months that he had successfully employed Ba Ji Bang, a high-level technique of the Divine Rank. Indeed, Ba Ji Bang, which was said to rival Earth-Rank techniques, had not failed to meet Xiao Yan's expectations. The destructive power generated merely by the sixth stage of Qi of Battle was already surpassing that of the eighth stage! … launched an Eight-Extreme Collapse. His entire body felt as though suddenly squeezed dry, like a sponge, with a persistent, aching numbness seeping into his nerves. The veins on his arms twitched faintly, a clear sign of overexertion. He licked his lips, then slowly tilted his head to gaze at his right elbow—already a deep, vivid red. "Ah—" a crack formed at his mouth as he drew a deep breath, smiling faintly while murmuring, "It makes sense now why the training involved such relentless physical punishment. Otherwise, this single strike wouldn't just break a tree—it would snap my arm. This Eight-Extreme Collapse truly tests the strength of one's flesh." Lying motionless on the cool, massive stone, his breathing, though slightly rapid at first, gradually settled into calm. Yet the lingering stiffness and numbness throughout his body made him unwilling to move even a single finger. With the sixth segment of combat energy currently flowing through Xiao Yan, he could only execute a single Eight-Extremity Collapse, after which he would be completely drained, requiring full recovery of his strength. Xiao Yan gazed upward, his eyes slightly narrowed, lazily watching the drifting clouds in the azure sky. A gentle breeze brushed past, lifting a strand of black hair that gently tapped against his forehead. Deep within his body, the foundational elixir absorbed over several months began to seep out subtly from various corners, imperceptibly repairing his weary muscles and cells, enabling them to deliver strength to him at the fastest possible rate. "Master, how much longer until I reach the seventh segment?" Xiao Yan murmured softly, his eyes half-closed. As soon as he attained the seventh segment, he would gain the qualification to visit the Combat Energy Hall to seek out martial arts techniques. Though he no longer considered the combat arts currently offered by the Xiao family particularly valuable, he still needed this qualification—since it was essential to uphold his father's dignity. A gentle breeze swept past, revealing the translucent figure of the herbal elder beside the massive stone. With a smile in his eyes, he first examined the great tree lying broken on the ground, nodded slightly, paused thoughtfully, and then chuckled, "Your progress has surpassed my expectations. I had assumed—even with the aid of the elixir—that it would take you a full year to reach the seventh stage. Perhaps it was the intense suppression you endured in the past; now, with this resurgence, you've become even more fervent. At this pace, you'll definitely reach the seventh stage of combat energy within two months." His gaze flickered slightly. Xiāo Yīn recalled half a year ago, the solitary figure of the young man standing amidst the hall, receiving countless condescending glances—firm, resolute, unwavering. "Nàlán Yānnán," he declared, "I am steadily climbing toward you. Wait with patience. In three years' time, we shall meet again—at Yunlan Sect!" A sudden spark of defiance lit his lips. Rising swiftly, the young man leapt into the air and roared passionately at the endless sky.