After the selection of the cultivation techniques, the entire family seemed suddenly much more vacant. Young family members with less than seven segments of Qi began to be gradually transferred out, assigned to various family enterprises for training and education. Those outstanding family members who received the techniques started to immerse themselves in dedicated practice, striving to master their newly acquired Qi cultivation methods as swiftly as possible. In this tranquil period, two months slipped quietly through one's fingers, almost imperceptible. The sky was filled with a blazing sun, its intense rays baking the earth like an oven, with gentle waves of heat rising steadily from the ground, slightly distorting human vision. On the mountain peak of the rear of the Xiao family, within a dense forest. Sunlight filtered through the layered tree canopies, casting delicate spots onto the leaf-littered ground, scattered like stars in the night sky. Within the small forest, two figures suddenly darted past each other, their palms colliding and generating ripples of gentle wind that swept dry leaves into a flurry around them. As their arms sharply crossed in front of them, a deep thud echoed, deflecting the gentle press of Xu'er's delicate hand. Though the attack appeared tender, the moment their palms met, that soft force instantly transformed into a sharp, offensive intensity. With a sudden, powerful thrust of her foot against the ground, her body surged forward, sending a flurry of soil spiraling upward. Observing Xiuo's renewed attack, Xun'er lifted her lips slightly, the delicate golden glow in her hands growing increasingly intense. Her foot pressed firmly into the muddy ground, creating a distinct depression; as Xiuo's swift advance slowed, her body halted just one meter away from her, achieving a seamless transition between dynamic motion and stillness—so smooth and natural that it felt utterly effortless. Seeing Xiuo's precise command over his speed, admiration shimmered in Xun'er's clear, luminous eyes. "Eight-Direction Collapse!" At the instant her running form froze, Xiuo's right foot planted firmly on the ground. His body then spun with force, his left leg sweeping through the air in a powerful, arcing motion. A sharp, crisp wind sound accompanied the movement, and with a decisive crack, he whipped the leg hard toward Xun'er. Gazing up at Xiao Yan's fierce assault, Xun lightly nodded with her refined chin, her pale hand curling into a small semicircle before her. A soft golden glow surged suddenly from her palm, her fingers forming an odd, curved arc, and then she swiftly and decisively drove the strike into Xiao Yan's left leg. "Boom!" At the point of contact, a deep resonance echoed through the air, as if the ground itself had exploded. The scattered dry leaves were instantly swept away, swirling into the sky. After a brief moment of suspended tension, both of them retreated simultaneously—Xiao Yan's body propelled upward by the force of the impact, soaring several meters before landing. He shook his head in amazement, then, as he began to descend, suddenly swung his right palm toward a towering tree, creating a suction force that absorbed the momentum of his fall. With a firm foot press against the trunk, he stabilized himself and settled gently back on the ground. Raising his head to gaze at Xun, who had also stepped back several paces, Xiao Yan chewed on his lower lip and smiled, "What was that technique of yours just now?" "Advanced technique at the Xuān Stage: Yan Fǎn Jī... When refined to a higher level, it enables one to feed back the opponent's attack. Currently, I'm still at the initial stage and can only return a fraction of the force." Xun'er smiled gently. As she slightly tilted her head, Xiao Yan's mind suddenly flashed several words: "Using force to counter force..." "Xiao Yan's technique was quite impressive just now. If it weren't for the fact that Xun'er is a one-star combatant and possesses strength superior to yours, she might have truly struggled to withstand that powerful surge of energy." Xun'er's beautiful eyes curved into a lovely crescent moon shape, and she smiled lightly. Xiao Yan merely shrugged indifferently, lazily twisted his neck. The intense combat had not only made his muscles ache but also left him mentally fatigued. Wiping away the sweat that flowed like a river over his face, Xiao Yan silently cursed the unforgiving weather, then pulled off his clothes and tossed them aside. The clothes were shed, revealing the young man's slightly tanned, athletic frame. Though not particularly robust, his compact body concealed an explosive strength. Seeing Xiao Yan standing bare before her, Xun'er's cheeks flushed gently. Holding onto his robe, Xiao Yan leaned wearily against a patch of green stone beneath his feet, offering a weary smile to Xun. "Ah, it's been two months now, and I'm still stuck at the eighth stage of combat energy..." Seeing Xiao Yan's somewhat helpless expression, Xun gently smiled, shifted her feet slightly, and settled herself against the same stone. She took the slightly damp robe from Xiao Yan's hands, gently wiped the sweat from his body, and softly reassured him, "The transition from the eighth to the ninth stage is the bottleneck phase of the beginner combat energy level. Don't worry, Xiao Yan—when the time comes, everything will naturally fall into place." As she spoke, Xun suddenly noticed the intensity of Xiao Yan's gaze. Raising her eyes, she found him staring at her with a dazed expression. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a soft pout. "Xiao Yan..." The delicate, slightly indignant tone of her voice instantly cooled the warm air of the small forest. Due to the hot weather, Xun was dressed in a short, light blue garment, revealing a large expanse of inviting white skin beneath her slender neck. Her slightly developed, budding chest radiated the charm of youthful allure, making Xiao Yan momentarily lose his focus. Woken by Xun, Xiao Yan's face flushed slightly, and he offered a somewhat embarrassed smile, leaning against the cool green stone and slowly closing his eyes, allowing her gentle hands to lightly massage his body. With her red, slightly parted lips slightly lifted, Xun glanced at Xiao Yan as she helped him with his body, only to be startled to find that he had fallen asleep without realizing it. Shaking her head in resignation, Xun'er knew that today's intense battle had left him utterly exhausted. Frowning slightly at her nose, she lowered her hands from her garments, and along her slender fingertips, a gentle glow of pale gold began to pulse steadily. Gazing quietly at Xiao Yan, who showed no response, she gently touched his skin with her fingertips, and one by one, golden light seeped slowly into his body. As the golden energy flowed in, fine beads of sweat appeared on the smooth expanse of her forehead. She bit her lower lip, ready to continue the infusion—yet just as she prepared to do so, a slight expression of surprise flickered across her face.