Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

The Mountain-Splitting Palm is a mid-level Yellow Rank fighting skill. Only disciples of the Xiao family with a fighting spirit of level five or above are qualified to learn it!

Xiao Fan looked at Xiao Shan's palm strike and a hint of boredom flashed in his eyes. With the guidance of Yao Lao and the support of the system, as well as a year of sparring with Xiao Yan, his combat experience was already quite sufficient.

Not to mention that higher-level fighting techniques are not necessarily better, but rather depend on the user's familiarity with them. Mastering a low-level fighting technique can completely surpass a high-level fighting technique that the user is unfamiliar with.

At this moment, Xiao Shan was like this, using the highest level of fighting techniques he could learn to fight, thinking that he could maximize his strength. In fact, he was making a big mistake. He would have been better off using this time to seriously study low-level Yellow Rank fighting techniques. The strength he could unleash might have been three points stronger.

Seeing the hand getting closer and closer, Xiao Fan took a step back with his left foot, gently deflected Xiao Shan's attack with his left hand, grabbed Xiao Shan's waist with his right hand while he was still inertia, and casually threw Xiao Shan behind him.

He easily neutralized Xiao Shan's attack without even using any fighting techniques.

Xiao Zhan, standing on the high platform, looked at Xiao Fan's response with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He could tell that Xiao Fan was able to easily deflect Xiao Shan's attack, not only because Xiao Shan was unfamiliar with fighting techniques, but also because Xiao Fan had a wealth of combat experience. From the fact that he could think of using Xiao Shan's strength against him in such a short time and throw him away without using his fighting spirit, it was clear that Xiao Fan's combat experience might even surpass that of many family guards who had already gone out to participate in missions.

The entire arena fell silent. Xiaoshan's defeat perfectly confirmed everyone's suspicions.

Looking at Xiao Fan standing with his hands behind his back on the field, everyone slowly gasped. To be able to easily defeat Xiao Shan, a sixth-level Dou Qi cultivator, without using Dou Qi, meant Xiao Fan's strength was definitely above the seventh level of Dou Qi. It seemed that Xiao Fan's strength as a one-star Dou Zhe was indeed real.

Thinking of this, everyone looked at Xiao Yan again. Everyone knew that the two of them had been cultivating in the back mountain for the past year. At first, everyone was just watching them with the intention of making a fool of themselves.

Now, the terrifying speed at which both of them advanced four levels of Dou Qi in just one year has led everyone to wonder if there are some rare and precious treasures in the back mountain.

Or perhaps, the two of them have some secret that no one else knows.

Looking at the two boys staring at each other from the high platform, Xiao Zhan remembered the grievances his child had suffered over the past three years and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The three elders looked at Xiao Zhan laughing heartily and sighed inwardly, but did not stop him. It seemed that Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan had truly soared to new heights, and their grandson would never be able to catch up with them. Four levels in a year, this terrifying speed of advancement was enough to shock anyone.

Xiao Fan casually swept his gaze over the surrounding disciples and slowly asked, "Anyone else who wants to challenge me?"

Seeing the innocent teenagers pretending to be stupid, Xiao Fan shrugged and walked back to Xiao Yan's side.

"Senior brother, congratulations on your outstanding achievements!" Xiao Yan sincerely congratulated Xiao Fan upon his return.

Xiao Fan smiled and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Three years ago, these people looked at you with the same admiration. But three years later, will you still feel proud because of those looks?"

Xiao Fan grinned. Although he had lost some things in the past three years, they were insignificant compared to what he had gained.

Xiao Xun'er, who was standing next to Xiao Yan, tilted her head and said to Xiao Fan, "Brother Xiao Fan, it's really amazing that you advanced from the sixth level of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe in just one year!"

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's words, Xiao Fan grinned, "Xun'er, don't tease me. Xiao Yan advanced to the Dou Zhe level at the age of twelve. Besides, aren't you the same?"

Chapter 13 Farewell to Yao Lao

Without Xiao Fan on stage, there was no pressure.

The remaining unqualified individuals put aside their concerns and began to challenge the opponents they had already chosen.

After all, this was their only chance to change their fate.

If this attempt fails, I'll spend the rest of my life serving the clan in remote areas. Unless I later demonstrate extraordinary talent in some area or catch up with other outstanding clansmen in cultivation speed, I'll likely never be able to return to the inner clan.

However, it is still quite difficult for an ordinary person to defeat a disciple with a seventh-level Dou Qi with only a sixth-level Dou Qi.

We're all cultivators, so why do you think someone a level higher than you is inferior to you? Unless you have something special about you—of course, if you had such talent, you wouldn't have failed to break through to the seventh level of Dou Qi at sixteen.

Undoubtedly, in the end, only two people, relying on their skilled fighting techniques and a bit of luck, managed to defeat their opponents and successfully enter the qualified area.

Finally, with Xiao Zhan's resounding announcement, the coming-of-age ceremony for this generation of Xiao family disciples came to a close.

......

At night, Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan were in the training grounds on the back mountain. They sat on the ground shirtless, their bodies covered in bruises.

The old physician floated to the side, watching the two cultivate their inner energy, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. To be able to receive two disciples of such exceptional talent and character in his old age was perhaps a small compensation from heaven.

In the arena, Xiao Fan slowly opened his eyes, looked at the floating Yao Lao in front of him, and grinned at Yao Lao: "Teacher."

Looking at Xiao Fan, who was standing up, Yao Lao nodded and praised, "Fan'er, your talent is even stronger than Yan'er's, and your body's recovery ability is also astonishing."

"You two were clearly at your limit just now, yet you were able to recover almost completely in such a short time. Even I really can't understand your physique."

Xiao Yan, who was in the arena, opened his eyes and shouted, "That's right, teacher, you don't know, when I hit my senior brother, it was like hitting a steel plate. Moreover, one second he was vomiting blood, but the next second he was as good as new."

Hearing the two teasing him, Xiao Fan scratched his head and could only manage a silly grin to get away with it.

It seems that this is all thanks to his Chaotic Fiery Body. Not only does he have a natural affinity for fire elements, but he also has excellent effects on recovery and damage resistance.

Xiao Fan then remembered that his main task was to leave Wutan City ahead of schedule, so he took this opportunity to say to Yao Lao and the others, "Teacher, junior brother, there is something I need to tell you."

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Fan continued, "I plan to leave Wutan City."

Before Yao Lao could speak after hearing Xiao Fan's words, Xiao Yan hurriedly asked, "Leave Wutan City? Senior Brother, are you leaving the Xiao family?"

When Yao Lao heard Xiao Yan's words, he frowned and turned to look at Xiao Fan.

His disciple didn't seem like the kind of person who would forget his roots. Even if he had talent, he would never abandon the Xiao family.

Xiao Fan was stunned when he heard Xiao Yan's words. He realized that Xiao Yan and the others had misunderstood him, so he could only explain, "Junior brother, you misunderstood me."

"What I mean is that I want to leave Wutan City and go out to gain experience. I have already broken through to the level of a Fighter, and the coming-of-age ceremony of the family has also passed. There is nothing for me to do in the family for the time being."

Hearing Xiao Fan's words, Yao Lao's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he grinned, "I've had this idea for a while now." He then turned to look at Xiao Yan.

"I originally planned to take you and your fellow disciples out of Wutan City for training after you broke through to the level of Dou Zhe."

"Furthermore, Canaan Academy will be recruiting students here in a few days. You must strive to secure a place at Canaan Academy then..."

Upon hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Fan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Teacher, it's not that I want to hide it from you, but I have my own reasons. I may have to set off alone."

Upon hearing Xiao Fan's words, the old apothecary gradually stopped speaking.

"Teacher, I have unavoidable reasons that I cannot tell you now, but you will always be my teacher, and Xiao Yan will always be my junior brother. This will never change."

The old doctor looked at Xiao Fan's serious face.

He reached out and gently stroked his beard, smiling as he said, "I know your character, Fan'er, and I trust you. Since you've chosen to leave, you must have your reasons."

"Since you have made up your mind, then I will not try to persuade you any further."

"But you must always remember that I will always be your teacher, and Xiao Yan will always be your junior brother. We are all your strongest support."

Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Fan felt a warmth in his heart. Although he had a system by his side after transmigrating to the world of Doupo, allowing him to see all kinds of life in this other world, he still felt lonely all by himself.

Now, after spending a year with Yao Lao and Xiao Yan, Xiao Fan has come to regard them as his family. Therefore, he does not want the Soul Palace to imprison Yao Lao and extract his life force again in the future.

Therefore, he must strive to become stronger and try to change their fate.

Seeing that Xiao Fan and Yao Lao had finalized Xiao Fan's decision to go out, Xiao Yan couldn't hide his disappointment.

Having spent the past year with his senior brother, honing their combat skills together, and with his senior brother always yielding to and helping him, Xiao Fan's gratitude was beyond words.

Therefore, thinking about when we might meet again, I felt a little lost.

Xiao Fan seemed to sense Xiao Yan's disappointment.

He punched Xiao Yan on the shoulder and laughed, "Junior brother, don't show that face."

"A real man's future is the stars and the sea, and this brief farewell will only lead to our meeting again in the not-too-distant future."

"When that time comes, we'll have a proper match. Don't let me down."

"Besides, it's a three-year agreement. I'll definitely come to Yunlan Sect to support you then. I believe that by then, my junior brother will be far more dazzling than Nalan Yanran."

Seeing the two bickering, the old doctor waved his hand to quiet them down and said, "Fan'er, since you have decided to leave, your teacher has some things to pass on to you."

He then gestured for Xiao Fan to step forward.

Looking at Xiao Fan in front of him, Yao Lao smiled mysteriously and reached out to stroke the top of Xiao Fan's head.

Just as Xiao Fan was about to say something, he felt a pure spiritual power gathering in his mind.

"Empty your mind. This is my summary of alchemy throughout my life, as well as some insights into combat techniques and cultivation methods. How much you can absorb is entirely up to you."

Upon hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Fan concealed his excitement and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

After a long while, Xiao Fan opened his eyes and saw the weakened Yao Lao before him, his figure gradually becoming more and more ethereal. He hadn't expected that Yao Lao would actually bestow an empowerment upon him, passing on his own experience and some medicinal formulas and combat techniques.

The fact that he was sending out so much soul power in his soul form made him even weaker.

Xiao Fan knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed three times to Yao Lao, but he couldn't utter a word.

Looking at Xiao Fan kneeling before him, Yao Lao said kindly, "Fan'er, be careful on your future path. I have sealed the memories in your mind. They can only be unlocked when you reach a certain level. Otherwise, injecting so many memories at once will affect your soul."

"You don't need to worry about me. Although I'm a little weak, I'm fine."

As he spoke, he took out a storage ring from his bosom and handed it to Xiao Fan.

"This includes some of my collection, such as cauldrons and medicinal herbs needed for alchemy, as well as some healing pills."

Xiao Fan accepted the storage ring from Yao Lao and bowed respectfully to him. He exchanged a knowing smile with Xiao Yan, then slowly turned and walked out of the Xiao family compound.

Chapter 14 Soul Tempering

In a dense forest outside Wutan City, Xiao Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, staring intently at the control panel.

[The Strongest Supporting Character System] (Pidan)

Host: Xiao Fan

Level: 3 (181400)

Strength: One-Star Warrior (11000)

Technique: Radiant Sun Technique

Combat Skills: Yellow Rank Low-level Fiery Cloud Palm (Mastered), Profound Rank Low-level Absorbing Palm (Proficient), Profound Rank High-level Eight Extremes Collapse (Proficient), Profound Rank Low-level Startling Dragon Step (Mastered)