Chapter Eight: Another Year

Flipping through the auction catalog, Chen Xiao found many items he currently lacked.

For instance, medicinal herbs for emergency healing. Even a first-grade Recovery Pill started at fifteen hundred gold coins per bottle.

Pills to restore fighting energy—first-grade Rejuvenation Pills began at eighteen hundred gold coins per bottle.

Pills to accelerate cultivation—basic Amplification Pills were already second-grade, priced at two thousand coins.

Low-grade spirit rings started at fifty thousand gold coins, and to secure one would likely cost at least double that.

All told, just a modest upgrade in equipment required over a hundred thousand gold coins as a base.

The thought alone gave Chen Xiao a headache.

He was short on money—very short!

He had initially planned to earn some extra cash during his free time to then purchase pills and aid his cultivation.

But now, he realized he had been far too optimistic.

Within Utan City, ordinary fighters had few ways to earn extra money. Usually, they could only help escort goods for major families—a task that was time-consuming and poorly paid.

For this reason, many independent fighters took on mercenary roles, often venturing into the Monster Mountains. Though dangerous, a stroke of luck there could yield enough to live comfortably for years.

“Brother Chen Xiao, have you found anything you like?”

After nearly an hour at the auction, with more people arriving and conversations becoming difficult, Xun’er quietly asked.

Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, placed the catalog back, and gestured for Xun’er to step outside first.

She smiled softly, nodded without hesitation, and followed obediently.

These so-called auction items were hardly worth her attention; today was simply a chance to relax alongside Chen Xiao.

Under the puzzled gazes of the guards, the two left the auction house. Chen Xiao slipped into a nearby shop and purchased a loose black robe as a spare.

“Xun’er, what kind of strength do you think one needs to move freely around the outskirts of the Monster Mountains?” Chen Xiao asked casually as they walked side by side down the street.

The Monster Mountains were very close to Utan City—one could see the mountain ridges from the back hills of the Xiao family estate.

After reviewing the auction catalog, Chen Xiao realized that relying on conventional means to earn enough resources for daily cultivation was nearly impossible.

So, he had to think of other options.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao knew of a cave within the Monster Mountains that could quickly enrich him, providing sufficient wealth to support his early cultivation.

But based on his memory, he only knew rough details of the cave; finding it would take some time.

“Brother Chen Xiao, do you want to venture into the Monster Mountains for experience? I think that’s still too soon. Many mercenaries from Utan City go there frequently. Fighters at their level always return with injuries, and they never go alone—they travel in groups. Even then, there are casualties. So, I think you’d be safer at the Battle Master level.”

Xun’er analyzed the situation earnestly, her conclusion closely matching Chen Xiao’s own estimate.

Suppressing his restlessness and losing interest in further wandering, the two returned directly to the Xiao estate and parted ways for the time being.

Watching Chen Xiao head toward the side courtyard, Xun’er’s eyes flickered with a hint of doubt.

“Old Ling, has Brother Chen Xiao already refined his cultivation method to transform his fighting energy?”

Her voice was barely audible, as if speaking to herself.

Still, she trusted that those listening in the shadows could hear her.

Sure enough, a voice came softly through a mental transmission:

“You guessed correctly, Miss. I sense that his cultivation method is of a high grade, even surpassing the Wild Lion’s Fury of the Xiao family.”

Xun’er was stunned.

The Wild Lion’s Fury was renowned throughout Utan City, ranked as a mid-level Profound stage technique.

If Chen Xiao’s method was even better, the answer was clear:

It was an advanced Profound stage technique.

Ling Ying and Xiao Xun’er, who thought they knew Chen Xiao inside and out, could not fathom where he had obtained such a technique.

…

Adversity forces growth; desire fuels motivation.

After visiting the Mittel Auction House, Chen Xiao became more dedicated to his cultivation, even sacrificing sleep time to train.

Although sleep was not strictly necessary for cultivators, remaining awake for long periods was still a mental strain.

Nonetheless, Chen Xiao maintained this state for a full year.

At the back hill of the Xiao estate, a secluded pond was mostly deserted, save for occasional visits by Xiao family heirs. Even Xiao Yan, who had fallen from grace, seldom came here.

This solitude allowed Chen Xiao to train freely. As of now, he had reached the rank of eight-star fighter and had advanced his Swallow Return Strike to the intermediate level, capable of reflecting thirty percent of an enemy’s attack power.

Yet, despite such great progress, no one in the Xiao family except Xiao Xun’er and Ling Ying knew of it.

It seemed incredible, but it was the truth.

The reason was likely Chen Xiao’s simple social circle.

Even the few guards who often saw him only noticed he seemed more energetic, never suspecting that this boy they watched grow up had quietly surpassed them.

After practicing the deeply ingrained Swallow Return Strike again, Chen Xiao stood with his fists clenched.

“An eight-star fighter, intermediate Swallow Return Strike—I should be able to defend myself against a one-star Battle Master now!”

The thought was only theoretical, as his real combat experience was zero.

Gazing toward the silhouette of the Monster Mountains under the moonlight, Chen Xiao made up his mind and left without looking back.

Passing by Xiao Xun’er’s courtyard on the way back from the back hill, Chen Xiao hesitated briefly but decided to say farewell.

“Brother Chen Xiao, are you planning to go to the Monster Mountains?”

Before he could speak, Xun’er had already guessed from his expression.

Only she in the entire Xiao family knew his plans.

“Endless grinding alone isn’t the way. A bit of simple experience will prevent me from becoming a tragic stepping stone in future battles. But I won’t be gone long.”

The girl nodded slightly. “Then I wish you a bountiful return, Brother Chen Xiao.”

Chen Xiao smiled and nodded, saying no more.

The Monster Mountains were not far; if all went well, he could be back in about ten days. No need to make it seem like a farewell forever.

After leaving Xun’er, Chen Xiao sought out the elder who assigned him tasks daily, informing him of his few days’ absence.

With all arrangements made, Chen Xiao returned to his quarters and took out the few hundred gold coins left under his bed.

Over the past year, he had spent over two thousand gold coins on an Amplification Pill to aid cultivation and a map.

After packing simply and finishing his wash, Chen Xiao decided to rest and conserve his energy that night.