Chapter 23: Hun Cang’s Astonishment! The Cultivation Technique Is Finally Acquired

The next morning, sunlight spilled across Hun Cang’s face, waking him. He reached out, but his hand met only empty space.

"Huh, when did Xiao Mei leave?" He sat up, the faint scent of her perfume still lingering in the air.

After taking a moment to dress, he headed out, intending to find Xiao Yan. Now that he had a relationship with Xiao Mei and was closer to the Xiao family, surely he could finally hand over the Fen Jue.

He ran into Xiao Yan just as he was walking by.

"Second brother," Hun Cang greeted him with a smile.

Xiao Yan smiled back and said, "Big brother, do you need a wife? Just say the word, and I’ll send one your way."

"What?" Hun Cang was stunned.

Without further ado, Xiao Yan pulled him toward the main hall, where Xiao Zhan and the three elders were already waiting.

"Greetings, Lord Cang Wang." Upon seeing him, they bowed respectfully.

Seated in the place of honor, Hun Cang looked at Xiao Yan, bewildered. "Second brother, what is all this?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Xiao Yan’s mouth. "Big brother, didn’t I say yesterday that I wanted to give you a gift?"

Hun Cang nodded slightly, but he failed to see how this related to the "wife" comment from earlier. Xiao Yan then began to explain the plan he had discussed with his father and the elders.

As he listened, Hun Cang stared at Xiao Yan, his mind struggling to process the information. What in the world? They wanted to thank him, but lacked anything of sufficient value, so they decided to select a woman from the clan to be his personal handmaiden? Was this truly a logical conclusion for human beings to reach?

Xiao Yan was still winking at him, as if urging him to accept quickly.

"Wait a moment." Leaving them with that, Hun Cang grabbed Xiao Yan by the shoulder and dragged him to a secluded area.

"Second brother, what kind of game are you playing?" he asked in a low voice. "It’s one thing that you didn’t want the technique I offered, but how could you do something like 'gifting' a woman? Is this even in your nature? Has your soul been possessed?"

Xiao Yan replied earnestly, "Big brother, we are both from the same homeland; would I ever try to harm you? Let’s put our past lives aside—in this world, you aren’t young anymore; it’s time to consider settling down."

Hearing this, Hun Cang couldn't help but laugh. "Second brother, stop joking. I treat you well because we are compatriots. If you become stronger, you can help me in the future. They don’t understand that, but you should, shouldn't you?"

Hun Cang was truly exasperated. Why all this superficial nonsense? Furthermore, he had just heard that the person they had selected was Xiao Yu, yet he had already slept with Xiao Mei the night before. If things continued like this, wouldn't everything end up in chaos?

Xiao Yan said seriously, "Big brother, if we don’t do this, my father won’t agree. I can't exactly tell him about those secrets."

*Sigh...* If I had known it would be this much trouble, I should have just given Xiao Yan the Fen Jue in the first place, Hun Cang thought.

"Big brother, don’t be so uptight. We’re in another world now; open your mind, broaden your perspective," Xiao Yan pressed, seeing his hesitation.

"No, besides, I... I..." Thinking of his actions the night before, Hun Cang felt numb. The Xiao family didn't seem like this at all; how had everything turned into such a mess since his arrival?

In truth, Hun Cang had completely underestimated the influence a Dou Huang had on Wutan City. His displays of kindness toward Xiao Yan had easily led to a misunderstanding: that Hun Cang was a man who deeply valued sentiment. If he went to such lengths for a brother he had just met, what would he be like for a wife or someone truly intimate? They had no idea that every time Hun Cang helped Xiao Yan, he received even greater rewards in return.

"Big brother, what’s wrong?" Xiao Yan asked with concern.

"It’s nothing." Hun Cang waved his hand. He yielded, wanting only to settle the matter of the technique. "Fine, we’ll do as you say, but let’s be clear: she is just a handmaiden. Don’t go spreading rumors."

Xiao Yan chuckled. "Don't worry, big brother."

Soon, Xiao Zhan and the three elders were thrilled to hear that Hun Cang had agreed. To them, if Xiao Yu could win over Hun Cang, the connection between the Xiao family and this powerful figure would be even tighter. If she could even bear him a child, the Xiao family would truly have a backer.

In the days that followed, a new figure appeared by Hun Cang’s side: Xiao Yu. This woman, known for her fiery temper, revealed a side of gentleness that was completely foreign to the Xiao family.

One day, as Xiao Yan was on the verge of a breakthrough, Hun Cang finally handed him the Fen Jue.

"It upgrades by devouring Heavenly Flames? Is there really such a technique, big brother? This is incredible!" Xiao Yan exclaimed after hearing the explanation.

Hun Cang nodded. "Yes. Cultivate in peace; as for the Heavenly Flames, your big brother will handle it."

Xiao Yan nodded excitedly. "Don't worry, big brother, I will not fail your expectations."

He then entered a state of cultivation. Before long, Hun Cang saw Dou Qi gathering toward Xiao Yan from all directions.

*He’s starting to break through...* Hun Cang murmured softly.

*Ding...*

Just as Xiao Yan’s aura surged, a system notification echoed in Hun Cang’s mind. A wave of information flooded his consciousness, causing a sensation of fullness that made him frown slightly. After a while, he opened his eyes, a flicker of joy crossing them.

"I knew it—the system really did complete the Fen Jue!" Digesting the information, a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Things were exactly as he had expected: merely providing the technique to Xiao Yan was useless; he had to actually cultivate it to meet the requirements. Now, he possessed a technique called the *Zhen Fen Jue*. Unlike the simple devouring function of the *Fen Jue*, the *Zhen Fen Jue* could not only consume Heavenly Flames but also sense their locations. It also included six Dharma Seals that could suppress the flames while enabling powerful attacks.

The more he learned, the happier he felt. He already knew the locations of most Heavenly Flames. Given his status, collecting them would not be difficult.

*By the time Xiao Yan’s three-year pact is over, I might even be a Dou Sheng,* Hun Cang mused.

"Big brother," Xiao Yan’s voice interrupted his thoughts. Hun Cang turned to see him. "I’ve broken through! I’m a Dou Zhe again!"

Hun Cang grinned. "Not bad. Now, start refining medicine. It’s time to teach the Jialie family a lesson."

"I will, big brother!" Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his eyes filled with confidence.

He stayed in the Xiao family for another three months. With the support of the medicines Xiao Yan refined, the family’s business in the marketplace thrived. Hun Cang also took the time to give Xiao Mei some gifts. The girl was very well-behaved, acting as if that night had never happened, always bowing respectfully whenever they met. If not for the occasional night when she would quietly slip into his bed, Hun Cang might have thought it was all just a dream.

That day, Hun Cang gave Xiao Yan two jade slips.

"Keep these safe. One is for communication, the other for positioning. If you run into trouble you can’t solve, tell me, and I will cross the distance to help you immediately. Understand?"

Xiao Yan looked reluctant. "Big brother, aren’t you coming with me to the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"

"Get lost," Hun Cang replied with a laugh. "How are you supposed to train properly with me around?"