Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

But she could also imagine that the Mittel family, her own family, would be the first to act, and she never expected that the encroachment would have reached a level that required this important figure to specifically mention.

Su Baichen elegantly picked up the jade teacup, his gaze lingering on the ripples of the tea for a moment.

Mittel Xue naturally understood what Su Baichen meant—he had his eye on the untapped business talent that shone in Ya Fei’s eyes—a keen ability to discern opportunities amidst a sea of ​​data, and an intuition to control people’s hearts with a few words.

However, in the Dou Qi Continent, potential, without fertile soil to nurture it, will ultimately remain just a seed that cannot sprout.

Regarding the protection of the strong, since he has offered, he will naturally do so.

But market resources... it's best to let them fight for them themselves. If they don't even have the ability to revive their family business, then in his hands, Ya Fei will be nothing more than a sophisticated abacus, a pretty vase that can be replaced.

After all, while there aren't many people with business acumen on this continent, Ya Fei is certainly not the only one.

Mittel Snow understood Su Baichen's unspoken meaning almost instantly.

This woman, who had assisted her husband in the business world for many years, keenly seized that glimmer of hope—to prove her own worth. Otherwise, protection could easily turn into charity, and charity is always the easiest thing to take back.

"Sir, I will take back the Ya family's market as soon as possible and stabilize the situation as quickly as possible. Please rest assured."

Without any hesitation, she bent her knees and knelt heavily on the smooth, mirror-like bluestone floor. The dull thud of her knees hitting the stone was a sound of unwavering resolve.

Seeing this, Ya Fei immediately knelt down beside her mother. The ten-year-old girl might not fully understand all the calculations involved, but she could see the determination in her mother's eyes and feel the heavy pressure in the air.

Su Baichen's gaze lingered on the mother and daughter for a moment, his eyes as calm as a deep pool, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. The tea was a fine Yunwu Lingcha, slightly bitter at first, but with a lingering sweet aftertaste.

"Seven days, you only have seven days."

His voice remained calm, but every word struck Mittelshey's heart like a nail.

"If it cannot be completed within seven days, I am not obligated to accept it."

After saying this, he fell silent, simply sipping his tea, as if his words, which had determined someone else's fate, were nothing more than a casual remark about the weather.

The scene fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of teacups and lids gently touching.

Seven days.

When Mittel heard the deadline, her heart almost stopped beating.

The Ya family's businesses are spread across three major regions in the eastern part of the Gama Empire. Even at its peak, it would take more than a month to fully integrate their resources, let alone now that they are in a situation where everyone is kicking them while they are down.

Those covetous forces, those "allies" who kick you when you're down, those wavering vassals... Seven days? This is simply an impossible task.

But she knew all too well that she had no right to bargain. Living under someone else's roof, her life hanging by a thread, receiving even a single opportunity was a blessing; how could she possibly complain about how demanding it was?

"Thank you, sir. I will certainly not fail you!"

She raised her head, the last trace of hesitation in her eyes replaced by determination. Strands of hair on her forehead clung to her skin with sweat, making her look somewhat disheveled, but the light in her eyes was astonishingly intense—the light that only shines when someone in dire straits grasps at the last straw.

Yao Chen, standing to the side, remained silent throughout. This former Medicine Venerable had witnessed far too many similar scenes; the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, was the most fundamental rule of this continent.

The strong set the rules, the weak obey them, or seek a glimmer of hope in obeying them. Su Baichen was willing to lend a helping hand to this mother and daughter when they were at their lowest point, and whatever his motives, he was already more "merciful" than 99% of the people on this continent.

As for whether this opportunity is a blessing or a deeper calculation, that's not a question for the weak to consider—being able to think about how to survive has already exhausted all their energy.

Su Baichen finally put down his teacup, the porcelain cup clattering against the table with a crisp sound.

"Remember, what I want is not a Ya family that is barely surviving, but a Ya family that can regain its footing in the business world of the Gama Empire."

He looked at Mittelshee, his gaze carrying a tangible pressure for the first time: "Your current abilities determine the heights your daughter will reach in the future. I don't need a vase that only knows how to depend on the strong; I need a partner who can stand on his own...

The word "partner" made Mittelxue's pupils contract sharply. This was not charity, nor was it simple protection; it was a transaction—using their abilities in exchange for his support.

This, in turn, dispelled the last unease in her heart.

A transaction implies a relative equality in the status of both parties, even if this equality is currently only nominal.

“I understand.” She kowtowed heavily, her forehead touching the cold stone surface: “Within seven days, the Ya family will stand before you with a new attitude.”

"Go." Su Baichen waved his hand, as if brushing away insignificant dust: "Time has already begun to pass."

Mittelshe pulled Yafei to her feet, took three steps back, and then turned and quickly left. Her back was ramrod straight, a posture that transformed all pressure into motivation.

Before turning around, Ya Fei secretly glanced at Su Baichen. The mysterious powerhouse was still sipping his tea, his profile appearing exceptionally profound in the light and shadow.

At that moment, something in the girl's heart was touched—not gratitude, not fear, but a vague desire to become strong.

The hall returned to silence.

Yao Chen finally spoke, his voice calm and unwavering: "Seven days, the timeframe you gave is too short. Even if she tries her best, recovering 30% of the assets is the limit."

Su Baichen smiled, a smile that conveyed a sense of calm and insight into the ways of the world.

"Master Yao, do you think I really need the Ya family's assets?"

Yao Chen was taken aback.

“What I’m interested in is how much potential she can unleash in dire situations.” Su Baichen gazed out the window, his eyes distant. “If she can recover 30% within seven days, it shows she has the ability; if she can recover 50%, it shows she’s worth nurturing; if she can recover more than 70%…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but Yao Chen already understood.

This is not a test, but a tempering. True gold is refined in fire, and true talent is revealed in adversity.

What Su Baichen wanted was not a complete Ya family, but a Mittel Xue who could create miracles in desperate situations—and her daughter with even more amazing talent.

"So how much do you think she can get back?" Yao Chen asked.

Su Baichen toyed with the teacup in his hand, the jade cup gleaming warmly between his fingers.

“I don’t know,” he said frankly, “but we’ll see the answer soon.”

Chapter 134 Daily Life in the Courtyard

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in Wutan City, a different scene unfolded in a quiet courtyard.

Cao Ying looked at Xiao Yu with satisfaction and nodded repeatedly. After several days of hard training, Xiao Yu's battle qi, which had been slightly unstable due to his rapid breakthrough, had been completely stabilized. His aura was steady, and his eyes were clear, indicating that he had laid a very solid foundation.

"Hmm, not bad. Your consolidation of your ninth-level Dou Qi these past few days has made your foundation very solid."

As she spoke, Cao Ying took out an exquisite white jade porcelain bottle from her storage ring and casually tossed it to Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu hurriedly caught it; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, and the bottle carried a faint medicinal fragrance.

"This Qi Gathering Powder is for you. After all, you're my friend, Cao Ying. I can't be too disrespectful." Cao Ying said it as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, as if she were giving away a simple candy instead of the Qi Gathering Powder that countless fighters would go crazy for.

Xiao Yu's hand holding the porcelain bottle trembled slightly. Qi Gathering Powder! That was a precious pill that could help someone at the ninth level of Dou Qi break through to the Dou Zhe realm; the entire Xiao family might not produce even one a year! She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by Cao Ying's next action.

Cao Ying walked to her side and patted her shoulder. The gesture was casual, like brushing off dust, but Xiao Yu could feel a heavy trust coming from that hand.

"From now on, I'll guide you in your cultivation."

She spoke casually, but Xiao Yu's nose inexplicably stung, unlike those in the family who approached her because of her status.

Cao Ying, this mysterious and powerful girl who appeared suddenly, has treated her as an equal from the beginning, and now she has even made a promise to "guide you in cultivation".

“Cao Ying, I…” Xiao Yu’s voice was choked with emotion.

"Stop." Cao Ying made a pause gesture, then turned to look at the small figure secretly moving towards the courtyard gate, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Xun'er should also start cultivating. Cultivation should start from a young age. Let's start cultivating now."

Xun'er, whose name was called, stiffened, blinked her big eyes innocently, pointed to her nose, and said with a look that said, "Why am I involved?"

"Why am I involved, Sister Cao Ying?" The little girl tried to get away with it by being cute, her voice so sweet it could drip honey: "I'm still so young, I can stay a few more days before I start training."

Cao Ying wasn't buying it. She walked up to Xun'er with a smile and looked the little girl in the eye.

Then, under Xun'er's wary gaze, she took out a vibrant green lotus platform from her storage ring—it was the Ten Thousand Fire Green Lotus.

“Cultivation must begin from childhood, that’s what my master said.” Cao Ying placed the Myriad Fire Green Lotus into Xun’er’s arms. The lotus platform was cool to the touch and emitted pure fire attribute energy.

“Of course, you don’t have to cultivate…” Cao Ying deliberately dragged out her words. Seeing the little flame of hope that had just lit up in Xun’er’s eyes, she changed the subject and smiled as she waved her little fist.

"On the premise that you can beat me."

She spoke her last sentence with complete confidence.

That's how her master "taught" her back then, so it must be a profound truth!

Moreover, the feeling of "bullying" this future prodigy who is destined to shock the continent... is inexplicably pleasurable.

Xun'er hugged the Wanhuo Qinglian, which seemed a bit "heavy" for her small frame, and her face fell.

She glanced at Cao Ying's fist, which, though delicate, was powerful enough to lift her up and spin her around three times, then looked at the blue lotus in her arms, and finally sighed resignedly.

"Alright, I'll start cultivating..."

Knowing that resistance was futile, Xun'er could only carry the Myriad Fire Green Lotus and, with her short legs, walk dejectedly towards the cultivation room.

She wasn't afraid that Cao Ying would actually hit her, but this older sister had endless ways of "torturing" people—she would never forget the last time she was tormented by her.

Watching Xun'er's pitiful figure, turning back every few steps, Cao Ying finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. Xiao Yu, watching this scene from the side, also couldn't help but chuckle softly.

In this small courtyard, there is a long-lost, vibrant atmosphere belonging to the youth.

"Sister Cao Ying, why are you so good to me and Xun'er?" Xiao Yu finally asked the question that had been on her mind for a long time.

Cao Ying turned to look at her. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face. Her smile faded slightly, and a complex expression flickered in her eyes.

“Because I want to,” she said softly, then looked up at the distant sky where clouds drifted by. “And it’s a very lucky thing to have someone to walk alongside you on this road.”

Xiao Yu seemed to understand, but she could sense the sincerity in Cao Ying's words. She gripped the porcelain bottle tightly in her hand, the cool surface gradually warming as she touched it.

"I will try my best, Cao Ying." The girl's voice wasn't loud, but each word was enunciated clearly: "I will never let you down."

Cao Ying withdrew her gaze and once again revealed that flamboyant smile.

"Of course, how could someone I, Cao Ying, choose be anything less than excellent?"

She clapped her hands, as if to dispel the somber mood of the moment before.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time. Xiao Yu, today you will try to break through to the Dou Zhe level using the Qi Gathering Powder. I will protect you. Xun'er, your task is to continue using the Myriad Fire Azure Lotus to refine and absorb the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within your body. I will check on you!"

In the small courtyard, the days of cultivation began. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, another test of survival and transformation was also beginning its countdown.

How much can seven days change?

Perhaps enough to rekindle hope in a family on the verge of collapse, perhaps enough to set a young girl on the path to becoming a strong person, perhaps enough to allow a seed to stubbornly sprout its first tender shoot amidst the ruins.

Every day on the Dou Qi Continent, similar dramas unfold. Some fall, some rise, some seize a glimmer of hope, and some miss their last chance. And time, the fairest yet cruelest judge, never stops for anyone.

Su Baichen's tea had gone cold, but he didn't refill it. He just stared at the tea leaves floating in the cup, lost in thought.

Seeing that there was no more entertainment to be had, Yao Chen left. He was left alone in the hall, with the gradually setting sun shining through the window.

"Seven days..." he murmured to himself, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.