Huo Zhi was certain that Xiao Ting wanted to hit her, but not to the point of spanking her butt. The two of them weren't that close, and Xiao Ting wouldn't do such a vulgar thing.
After a short exchange, she realized that her spatial manipulation ability was actually inferior to Xiao Ting's. In close combat, she was completely suppressed, as if facing an early-stage eighth-rank magical beast.
The only way to resist was to use her battle technique, but Xiao Ting's battle technique was not inferior either and could fight her evenly.
What left her speechless and in disbelief was that Xiao Ting's physique was actually superior to hers. She had expected a prolonged battle.
No one would believe that a majestic Dou Venerable could be completely suppressed by a two-star Dou Ancestor.
Huo Zhi felt that even Fairy Hou Ling was not this strong when she was the same age and same level as Xiao Ting.
"My strength is a secret weapon, Hou Zhi. Don't ask for too much."
Xiao Ting maintained his ten-zhang giant body and threw a punch forward.
Space shattered and swallowed the battle technique Huo Zhi released. Countless turbulences shot out and, under Xiao Ting's command, attacked Huo Zhi from all directions.
"Now, answer me, Huo Zhi. Am I a Dou Ancestor or a Dou Venerable?"
Huo Zhi: "…"
A two-star Dou Ancestor who can suppress a one-star Dou Venerable is even stronger than a Dou Venerable.
Furthermore, since he already possessed such combat power at the two-star Dou Ancestor stage, how terrifying would he be once he reached a higher Dou Ancestor level?
If Xiao Ting reached the Dou Venerable level, he would be able to defeat her easily, and she wouldn't even be able to resist.
The gap was too obvious. She had no choice but to acknowledge Xiao Ting's strength.
Coincidentally, she had wanted to put Xiao Ting in a situation where it was reasonable for him to support her.
"You are even stronger than a Dou Venerable, so you are definitely a Dou Venerable!"
Huo Zhi retreated about a hundred feet and quietly accepted Xiao Ting's gaze. A look of admiration appeared in her eyes.
"Now you are somewhat worthy of Xun Er. I accept my defeat."
"According to the bet, if you reach the Dou Ancestor level before the age of twenty, I will grant you one quasi-Heaven-rank battle technique with Thunder and Fire attributes, one quasi-Heaven-rank cultivation method, and one quasi-Heaven-rank secret technique."
"If you reach the Dou Venerable level within ten years, I will grant you a low-grade Heaven-rank cultivation method, battle technique, and secret technique with Thunder and Fire attributes."
"We reached an agreement in just two days, and I will definitely fulfill my promise. Do you want it now?"
"Of course." Xiao Ting nodded lightly.
No one would complain about having too many cultivation techniques of this level.
Huo Zhi also made a decision and took out three jade slips from her storage ring.
"These are jade slips for imparting techniques. They were made by a Dou Saint of my Yan Clan and can only be used once. Several techniques, battle skills, and secret techniques are recorded inside. You can choose one to inherit. There are pure fire-attribute techniques as well as techniques that combine fire attributes with other attributes."
"As for Heaven-rank cultivation methods, battle techniques, and secret techniques, even I cannot carry them around at all times. You need access to read them."
"If it's convenient for you, shall I take you to the Yan Clan right now and let you read there?"
"If it's not convenient for you now, feel free to contact me anytime and I will fulfill my promise."
"Understood." Xiao Ting thought for a moment, then took the jade slip and said, "Right now I possess the power of a Dou Venerable, but I haven't reached the Dou Venerable level yet. It's not good to learn Heaven-rank battle techniques so early. After I reach the Dou Venerable level, I'll go to your Yan Clan to learn Heaven-rank cultivation methods and battle techniques."
"Aren't you afraid that if you go to my Yan Clan, you won't learn any techniques and will be left behind?" There was a hint of amusement in Huo Zhi's tone.
"I'm not afraid," Xiao Ting replied calmly. "If your Yan Clan tries to keep me there when I arrive, I will respect you as real men."
"Oh?" Huo Zhi laughed in surprise. If Xiao Ting had reached the Dou Saint realm or higher and joined the Yan Clan, it would be natural for him to say such things.
But at the Dou Venerable stage, the Yan Clan had a late-stage eight-star Dou Saint in command. What was there to fear?
Did he think the Gu Clan would protect him and that Gu Yuan would become his guardian?
How ridiculous! She planned to ask her aunt to deliberately keep Xiao Ting by her side for a while and teach him a lesson.
You are very capable, and we will never hurt you, but please don't act too arrogant on the surface.
[Hou Zhi asked me if I'm afraid of being left behind in the Fire Realm.]
[I want to be afraid, but I can't be afraid at all.]
[At my current growth rate, by the time I reach the Dou Venerable level, my soul realm will definitely have reached the Heavenly Realm. That is comparable to a seven-star to peak nine-star Dou Saint. I might even reach the mid-Heavenly Realm. That is comparable to the peak of a Dou Venerable transitioning from the first stage to the ninth stage.]]
[If I wait until I reach the nine-star Dou Venerable level before going to the Yan Clan, my soul realm will have grown to the late Heavenly Realm, comparable to a half-Saint, and I might even be able to fight evenly against a one-star Dou Saint.]
[If I wait until my soul reaches the peak of the Heavenly Realm, there will be even less to fear.
Furthermore, if my soul realm reaches the mid-Heavenly Realm, rescuing Old Dragon Emperor will be no problem for me.]
Huo Zhi: "…"
So this is where your confidence comes from.
In that case, it's fine.
"Hmph, then I'll check if your bones are as hard as your mouth!"
Huo Zhi clearly showed her irritation, snorted coldly, and was about to leave.
[Hou Zhi]: This is bullying, real bullying.
[Zi Yan]: If you work hard to please me, Xiao Ting will definitely listen to me.
[Huo Zhi]: That's a good idea. If Xiao Ting threatens me, you can intervene and persuade Old Dragon Emperor to leave. He will be completely confused, hehe.
[Cai Lin]: Then in the end, both of you will be punished.
[Zi Yan]: No, no, I don't want to get spanked. Forget it.
Women: ?
Why did you suddenly change your mind? Is your butt your weakness?
[Huo Zhi]: Luckily I realized it early, so I wasn't tricked by Zi Yan.
[Huo Zhi]: It seems there's no one who can stop Xiao Ting.
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Ting was traveling through the Lava World.
His target was not Tou She Ancient God Mansion, because he couldn't go there at the moment.
In front of Tou She Ancient God Mansion stood guards from the Fire Lizard Race. The strongest among them had reached the half-Saint level. Their origin was likely related to Ancient Emperor Tuo She.
Xiao Ting's targets were these Fire Lizard Race. He wanted to confirm the suspicions he had about them.
"They're here!"
After exploring deep into the Lava World for a while, Xiao Ting released his soul power and quickly and accurately sensed a group of lifeforms rushing toward his position at high speed.
Soon, countless Fire Lizard Race appeared before his eyes, completely surrounding him. They were all the same deep red color as the surrounding lava. Without powerful soul power to lock onto the target in advance, it would be difficult to find them with the naked eye.
These flames stood upright on abnormally large soles, with round heads covered in small scales and small eyes that revealed an unconcealable ferocity, making people feel drawn to them.
Their deep red bodies were covered in red scales, and a red scaled tail about half a zhang long swayed slightly. Their slightly large mouths were slightly open, revealing densely packed sharp teeth.