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

Little Fairy Doctor sighed and rubbed her forehead, knowing that her senior sister's old habit had resurfaced—she just loved teasing the younger ones.

Upon hearing Cao Ying's words and recalling her past "improper" words and actions, Little Fairy Doctor suddenly realized—the "special" master that her senior sister mentioned, besides that mature-looking but lively-hearted person, was...?

She had personally witnessed how, after she returned that time, her senior sister Cao Ying carried several "books" with fancy packaging and strange fragrances in her arms, and secretly studied them in her room for several days.

Later, she accidentally stumbled upon it. The vivid and bold illustrations on the pages, along with the words "yin and yang harmony" and "nourishing life through cultivation" written next to them, made the ten-year-old Little Fairy Doctor blush and flee in panic.

"I absolutely cannot let Xun'er be led astray by her senior sister at such a young age!" Little Fairy Doctor's alarm bells rang in her heart. Looking at Xun'er's clear, curious, and trusting eyes, a sense of responsibility to "protect her own" arose spontaneously.

Rather than letting her senior sister "enlighten" her with exaggerated, distorted, and possibly even inappropriate jokes, it would be better for her, as a slightly more reliable older sister, to teach Xun'er some essential common sense in a relatively ideal and healthy way.

Although... she herself only had a superficial understanding, having only read some theoretical descriptions in certain medical books left by Aunt Liu, her practical experience was completely blank.

But at least she can guarantee that her attitude is correct and her knowledge is relatively accurate!

Thinking of this, Little Fairy Doctor took a deep breath, as if she were about to complete a major mission. The blush on her face still lingered, but her eyes became serious.

She gave Cao Ying a look that said, "Leave it to me," and then gently pulled Xun'er over, gesturing for her to come closer.

Seeing this, Cao Ying raised an eyebrow. Instead of stopping her, she crossed her arms with great interest, looking like she was watching a good show, wanting to hear what her usually serious junior sister had to say.

Little Fairy Doctor leaned close to Xun'er's ear, the rising steam blurring their intimate outlines. She cleared her throat, lowered her voice, and spoke in as calm and scholarly a tone as possible:

“Xun’er, um… what Sister Cao Ying said earlier about ‘obvious’ and ‘little mound’… actually refers to our girls’ bodies… um, some natural changes that happen as we grow up…”

Xun'er blinked, tiny water droplets clinging to her long eyelashes, and listened intently.

As she listened, the curiosity on her face gradually turned into shyness, and her cheeks slowly turned red.

"Sister Cao Ying, you actually..."

Xun'er looked at Cao Ying shyly, then, feeling both ashamed and angry, she submerged herself in the water, leaving only her nose and eyes exposed.

But at that moment, Xiao Yu's voice suddenly came from the shore:

"What are you talking about? You seem to be having a lot of fun."

Turning her head, she saw that Xiao Yu had changed into some light clothes and was carrying a fruit platter over. She had obviously overheard part of the conversation, and a mischievous smile was on her face.

"N-nothing!" Little Fairy Doctor hurriedly replied, her little face flushed.

Upon seeing this, Cao Ying burst into heartless laughter, the sound echoing across the lake and startling several water birds perched among the reeds on the shore.

Chapter 146 Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning are up to something!

While the four women were still playing and frolicking in the hot spring, two furtive figures were slowly moving towards the hot spring under the cover of the bushes on the forest path in the distance.

Xiao Yan! Xiao Ning!

The son of a clan chief and the grandson of a great elder!

The two crouched low, stepping carefully on the soft soil, afraid of breaking dead branches and leaves and alerting their target.

Xiao Yan led the way, his eyes gleaming with unusual excitement, while Xiao Ning followed behind, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his expression hesitant.

Hearing the faint sound of splashing water and a woman's clear laughter from afar, Xiao Ning froze, grabbed Xiao Yan's sleeve, and said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Yan, I think I heard my sister's voice."

Just then, a mountain breeze blew by, making the distant sounds clearer—it was Xiao Yu's hearty laughter, tinged with a touch of boldness, mixed with playful shouts of "Take this!" and "Don't run!"

Xiao Ning's face turned three shades pale instantly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan pretended to listen intently, shook his head with a "sincere" expression, and said in a low voice, "You must have misheard. I'm stronger than you, and I can't even hear it. How could you hear it? That's just the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves. Don't scare yourself."

After saying that, he patted Xiao Ning on the shoulder with an expression that said, "Don't worry about me." But his eyes involuntarily drifted toward the hot spring as he pondered the best spot to observe.

Xiao Ning listened intently for a while longer, his face growing increasingly grim, his voice trembling with tears: "No, the more I listen, the more it sounds like her! I'd recognize my older sister's tigress voice even if she were ashes! That laugh that sounds like she's about to chop someone up, you won't find another one like it in the entire Wutan City!"

As he spoke, he backed away, his heel hitting a protruding tree root, causing him to stumble before regaining his balance: "I'm not going, I'm not going no matter what!"

Originally, Xiao Ning planned to practice his fighting skills diligently in the training ground today, just like the other Xiao family disciples.

In three months, it will be the family competition. He has been stuck at the fifth level of Dou Qi for more than half a year. Although his grandfather, the Grand Elder, has not said anything, his eyes always show disappointment when he looks at him. Xiao Ning is determined to prove himself.

But in the afternoon, Xiao Yan found him mysteriously, put his arm around his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "A-Ning, do you want to have a chance to make a name for yourself?"

Xiao Ning looked at the clan chief's son with suspicion.

Among the younger generation of the Xiao family, Xiao Yan possesses exceptional talent, reaching the seventh level of Dou Qi, and is highly regarded. However, Xiao Ning has also heard some rumors about him—that he is quick-witted, full of ideas, and sometimes even a bit... unethical.

"What opportunity?" Xiao Ning asked warily.

Xiao Yan looked around and whispered in his ear, "Cao Ying, Little Fairy Doctor, and Xiao Xun'er, you know them? They come from three powerful forces with unfathomable backgrounds. I have a way to make them look at you with new respect, and even... become your friends."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning's heart skipped a beat. He knew far more than just "about" those three women.

He practically dreamed about it day and night. No, it wasn't that he had any improper thoughts, but rather that he knew all too well what it meant to befriend someone like that.

His sister, Xiao Yu, is the best example. Ever since she met those three women by chance half a year ago, Xiao Yu has become a completely different person.

Previously, although she had good talent, she was only at an above-average level among the younger generation of the Xiao family. But in the past few months, Xiao Yu's cultivation has improved by leaps and bounds, and more importantly, she can occasionally produce some good things that make people envious.

Just last week, Xiao Yu secretly slipped him a small bottle of Foundation Establishment Elixir. The elixir was entirely emerald green, with a faint glow, completely different from the murky brown liquids available on the market.

Xiao Ning only took it once, but he felt his long-stagnant fighting spirit begin to loosen. He excitedly asked his sister where she got it from, and Xiao Yu just smiled mysteriously: "A friend gave it to me."

Later, Xiao Ning learned from his grandfather that his sister had broken through to the Dou Zhe level a year ago! A ten-year-old Dou Zhe was definitely a top genius in Wutan City! And all of this was obviously related to those three mysterious women.

Holding the bottle of Foundation Establishment Elixir, Xiao Ning's mind was in turmoil. He knew all too well what this meant—resources, opportunities, a wider world.

He, the grandson of the Great Elder, was still struggling to break through to the fifth level of Dou Qi.

"But... what method?" Xiao Ning asked in a dry voice.

Xiao Yan revealed a meaningful smile: "They are currently at the hot springs in the back mountains. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

If we just "accidentally" pass by, bump into them, sincerely apologize, and strike up a conversation... wouldn't that be how we get to know them?

Xiao Ning immediately sensed something was wrong: "Peeping at girls bathing in a hot spring? This...this isn't a good idea, is it?"

"What 'peeping'!" Xiao Yan said seriously, "It was a chance encounter! Besides, those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles. Think about it, once you get involved with them, what will you gain? Pills, cultivation techniques, fighting skills... Maybe in the next clan competition, you can soar to the top and even surpass your sister!"

These words struck a chord with Xiao Ning's deepest, most hidden desire. From childhood to adulthood, he had lived in his sister's shadow.

Xiao Yu is talented and has a strong personality. Although he treats his younger brother well, the invisible pressure he exerts makes Xiao Ning feel suffocated.

He also wanted to prove himself and wanted his grandfather to look at him with the same pride he showed his sister.

Seeing Xiao Ning waver, Xiao Yan added fuel to the fire: "Here's what we'll do: if you come with me, you can have all my allowance for this month! A whole fifty gold coins!"

Fifty gold coins! Enough to buy three bottles of body-refining potion! Xiao Ning's mind was in complete turmoil.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded against his conscience. All the way, he kept reassuring himself: it was just a chance encounter; he'd apologize and leave, then find a chance to get to know each other properly... Yes, that's it.

But when I actually got close to the hot spring and heard my sister's familiar laughter, all my self-comfort crumbled instantly.

Xiao Ning could almost see Xiao Yu chasing him all over the mountain with a sword in hand—she was absolutely capable of doing it! Xiao Ning had personally witnessed the last time a disciple from a collateral branch of the Xiao family spoke rudely to her and spread rumors about her, resulting in Xiao Ning breaking three of his ribs.

"No, don't go!" Xiao Yan saw Xiao Ning turn around and try to escape, so he quickly grabbed his arm tightly, sweat beading on his forehead.

He brought Xiao Ning here not to "share the opportunity," but because he had already planned ahead—if he were discovered, he would shift all the blame onto Xiao Ning.

The Grand Elder's grandson will certainly receive a much lighter punishment. But if Xiao Ning escapes, he will become the sole culprit.

"Xiao Yan, let go!" Xiao Ning struggled, her voice low but filled with terror: "I advise you to quit too! I heard from my sister that Cao Ying is not just an ordinary alchemist, her soul power is terrifying!"

Xiao Ning quickly broke free and spoke rapidly: "Alchemists' soul perception far surpasses that of their peers! My sister said she saw it with her own eyes; Cao Ying could sense mosquitoes flying ten feet away even with her eyes closed! Do you think our little bit of concealment skills can fool her?"

... (There's a dialogue here, which I'll explain later)

Xiao Yu's laughter just now shattered all of Xiao Ning's courage and brought back his remaining intelligence, making him realize that this was impossible.

Chapter 147 Xiao Yan Wants to Be a Kept Man!

While Xiao Ning was earnestly trying to persuade him, Xiao Yan's mind had already wandered elsewhere. He didn't hear Xiao Ning's warning at all; only those words echoed repeatedly in his ears—

"Cao Ying is an alchemist!"

Alchemist! The three words exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.

In Wutan City, how rare and prestigious are alchemists?

The number of alchemists openly recognized in the entire city can be counted on one hand, and each one is treated as an honored guest by the major families, receiving tens of thousands of offerings every year.

Even his father, Xiao Zhan, the patriarch of the Xiao family, had to be polite and courteous to those alchemists.

And Cao Ying, a girl who looks only a few years older than him, is actually an alchemist?

Xiao Yan's breathing quickened, his eyes gleaming strangely in the twilight. He recalled the rumors about Cao Ying—her mysterious background, her ability to casually produce precious pills, and how even the arrogant elders of the Xiao family behaved with deference in her presence.

So that's how it is! She's an alchemist!

Xiao Yan's thoughts raced, and a calculating smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

What does being an alchemist mean? It means endless resources of medicinal pills, a vast network of connections, and a cultivation speed that is unattainable for ordinary people! If one could...

A picture had already formed in his mind: he and Cao Ying stood side by side, Cao Ying gently nestled beside him, holding various precious pills in her hands, and whispering, "Brother Xiao Yan, these are all for you."

The Xiao family members, including the elders who had previously shown him outward respect but inward disdain, now looked at him with envy and even awe...

No, that's not all! With the support of alchemists, why should Xiao Yan be confined to the small city of Wutan?

The Gama Empire, the Northwest Continent, even... the Central Plains! Those legendary regions will all open their doors to him!

"With my adult mind, how could I not handle a teenage girl?" Xiao Yan thought to himself, a strange sense of superiority welling up inside him.

He was a transmigrator who had lived two lives; his knowledge and experience were far beyond what these "natives" could compare to. No matter how talented Cao Ying was, she was still just an inexperienced young girl.

With a little trickery, showcasing some "unique" insights and conversation, how could I not attract her attention?

Then, when the time is right, I can show my "talent" and "potential," and this little beauty alchemist will be my prize.

Take a gamble, and you might turn a bicycle into a motorcycle! Fortune favors the bold!

These words, which he had often heard in his past life, echoed repeatedly in Xiao Yan's heart at this moment.

Yes, risks? What doesn't involve risks? But what about the rewards? A living, breathing alchemist! A young, beautiful, mysterious alchemist with a promising future!

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and the last trace of hesitation in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an almost fanatical determination.

Fear? No, that's just a stepping stone on the road to success. Xiao Ning's warning? That's just an excuse for cowards.

"For the future..." Xiao Yan muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a morbid excitement: "It's worth the risk!"

He straightened his clothes, as if he weren't going to spy, but rather to attend an important appointment. He strode forward with firm steps, towards the hot springs, towards the "bright future" he imagined.