Chapter Forty-Eight: Breaking Through, Sister Xun~

As the Ice Sovereign Device began to operate, Chen Xiao officially entered a state of breakthrough.

Within his body, the Dou Crystal suddenly started spinning, its speed increasing moment by moment, ravenously absorbing the pure Dou Qi surging in through the transformation of his cultivation method.

At this moment, the Dou Crystal seemed like an unfillable abyssal whirlpool. Chen Xiao’s rate of transforming Dou Qi simply couldn’t keep up with the crystal’s absorption speed.

Sensing this issue, the Dou Crystal’s rotation accelerated once more, causing Chen Xiao’s pores to dilate. A powerful suction radiated outward from his body in all directions.

Suddenly, the surrounding energy of the world swirled, continuously converging toward Chen Xiao’s room, stirring up a rapid energy vortex.

With the influx of external energy, Chen Xiao’s speed of converting Dou Qi soared instantly, finally matching the Dou Crystal’s ravenous intake.

However, it was only just enough to keep pace; filling the “greedy” Dou Crystal completely still required a considerable amount of time.

Maintaining this state, Chen Xiao emptied his mind, forgetting everything outside and focusing solely on transforming Dou Qi.

“Hum~”

After an indeterminate period, Chen Xiao finally sensed the diamond-shaped Dou Crystal inside him tremble slightly.

Immediately after, a low, resonant humming quietly echoed rhythmically within the vortex.

At the same time, the light emanating from the crystal flickered strangely, growing alternately stronger and weaker.

Peering inward, Chen Xiao saw that as the light flickered, the once somewhat irregular diamond-shaped Dou Crystal within the vortex was gradually being polished by an invisible grinding wheel, becoming smoother and rounder.

Its long diamond shape slowly shifted into an ellipse, finally transforming into a sea urchin-like form!

The emitted icy blue glow stabilized completely at this moment, and long sharp spines began to protrude—nine in total—before the process stopped.

“Bang~ bang~”

The next instant, a dull, abrupt sound burst forth from the sea urchin-shaped Dou Crystal. It beat in syncopation with Chen Xiao’s heartbeat, as if he now possessed two hearts, causing his breathing to quicken slightly.

Feeling this phenomenon, Chen Xiao calmed his mind deliberately, slowing his heartbeat to align perfectly with the rhythm emitted by the sea urchin Dou Crystal.

Through repeated adjustments and synchronization, the two heartbeats finally fused completely!

At that moment, the sea urchin Dou Crystal within the vortex shuddered violently, unleashing an immensely powerful ripple of energy!

The ripple passed unimpeded through the vortex, meridians, bones, and finally broke through the skin, erupting outward!

On the bed, Chen Xiao, eyes closed and sitting cross-legged, suddenly snapped them open. His gaze sparkled vividly, a flash of sharp icy blue light momentarily flickering in his eyes.

He rose swiftly to his feet, his body trembling slightly, and in an instant, a majestic aura radiated outward, turning the furniture in the room into shattered debris!

Without haste to tidy up, Chen Xiao’s lowered arm shook gently, and a surge of Dou Qi erupted from within, instantly manifesting a solid ice spear formed entirely from condensed Dou Qi.

With a thought, the ice spear vanished without a trace.

Another thought, and ice blades, ice swords—any weapon he imagined could be perfectly condensed and materialized!

This ability to condense physical forms from Dou Qi marked the true threshold of ascending to the Dou Spirit realm!

Dispelling the ice spear he was most satisfied with, Chen Xiao stepped out of the room with a beaming smile.

“Congratulations, Brother Chen Xiao, on reaching a new level.”

“Congratulations!”

“You’re the best, Young Master!”

One congratulatory voice after another rang out. Chen Xiao looked up and realized that quite a few people had been drawn by the commotion of his breakthrough.

There was Xun’er, dressed in a flowing purple gown, graceful and poised.

Xiao Zhan, energetic and cheerful, along with the three elders of the Xiao family.

And finally, Qinglin, who lived next door.

What Chen Xiao did not know was that Xiao Zhan had already driven away many curious onlookers from the Xiao family.

Otherwise, the scene would have been even livelier.

“Unexpectedly, even the clan chief and three elders were stirred. Just now, I got carried away and lost control of my aura, leaving the room in such a mess. I’ll have to trouble the clan chief to send someone to clean up.”

“Haha, it’s a trivial matter. Seeing your breakthrough genuinely makes me happy. Chen Xiao, you just returned today; why don’t you take a walk first? I’ll have someone tidy up the guest room next to Miss Qinglin’s and then inform you.”

Those in high positions are keen observers.

Xiao Zhan’s status was average, but he still had some insight.

He sensed Chen Xiao’s discomfort with flattery and formal occasions, so he spoke up proactively.

Chen Xiao cupped his hands in thanks, showing no pretension, and with Qinglin and Xun’er, slipped away politely.

Inside the Xiao family estate, aside from the rarely frequented back mountain, there weren’t many quiet places. Since he had returned briefly, Chen Xiao didn’t want to head straight to the back mountain.

Thus, they ended up at Xun’er’s small courtyard.

“This place is truly elegant. Every time I come here, I can’t help but relax,” Chen Xiao said with a sigh.

Hearing this, Xun’er smiled softly and went inside to fetch some tea.

“Brother Chen Xiao didn’t pay me any attention just now. Xun’er thought maybe after some time apart, we’d become distant.”

“That’s impossible. If it weren’t for you here, I wouldn’t have even planned to come back to the Xiao family this time.”

Xun’er nodded with a smile, well aware that Chen Xiao’s reply to Xiao Zhan was mere politeness.

In truth, his seemingly casual attitude toward her and Qinglin was a sign of greater closeness.

Still, Chen Xiao’s words made her quite happy.

Being valued by others always felt good.

“Brother Chen Xiao, you’re staying until the Canaan Academy’s recruitment team arrives in the Karma Empire, right?”

The Canaan Academy recruitment team did not have a fixed location for their annual selections. Sometimes they came to Utan City, sometimes to the neighboring Black Flame City, or other cities.

At that time, those from surrounding cities wishing to enter Canaan Academy gathered to take the exams.

So, Xun’er’s expression, “when the recruitment team arrives in the Karma Empire,” was indeed more accurate.

“For the next few months, I’ll focus on cultivating and wait for them to come. I won’t go anywhere else,” Chen Xiao nodded in reply.

A faint smile curved Xun’er’s lips as she poured a cup of tea for Qinglin, who sat quietly listening.

“In that case, Xun’er won’t be bored these next few months. By the way, just now I heard Miss Qinglin call Brother Chen Xiao ‘Young Master’?”

“It’s just a form of address, nothing to take seriously. Qinglin and I met in Stone Desert City at the edge of Tagore. We were both alone, so we kept each other company. These days, I’m grateful for her presence; it keeps me from feeling lonely outside. Besides, Qinglin has great potential in cultivation. Her future is boundless. Finding such a promising talent is pure luck.”

Because of Xun’er’s status, Chen Xiao could speak more freely without hiding much.

At the same time, he also had a small private motive.

He wanted Xun’er to value and care for Qinglin more.

That way, Qinglin’s safety would have an added layer of assurance.

Xun’er nodded gently, sensing how much Chen Xiao valued Qinglin.

Their relationship was not as it appeared on the surface, more like siblings under the guise of master and servant.

“I see,” Xun’er nodded knowingly and glanced at Qinglin, who was sipping tea quietly.

“These next few months, we’ll probably see each other often. It won’t do without a proper form of address. I’m a little older than you, so you can call me Sister Xun’er from now on. How about that?”

Not yet understanding the significance of this form of address, Qinglin instinctively looked to Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao gave an encouraging look.

Seeing this, Qinglin finally called out sweetly,

“Sister Xun’er~”