Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 10: Defeating Xiao Ning

At the Xiao family's estate, in the back courtyard, Mo Yu looked up at the spacious building in front of him. Above the entrance, a plaque bore three blood-red characters in flowing script: Dou Technique Hall.

Hearing the occasional shouts from inside, Mo Yu wasn't surprised. Although the Xiao family's Dou Technique Hall wasn't large, and most of the techniques stored inside were low-level, it was still quite respectable for Wu Tan City. As a result, some of the younger family members would visit from time to time.

Mo Yu wasn't there for high-level techniques—he had plenty of those in his mind. He had come to study the basic Dou techniques of the Dou Qi Continent and to relax by reading.

Without hesitation, Mo Yu stepped into the Dou Technique Hall.

As soon as he entered, the faint sounds of cheers and shouts from the young men and women could be heard in the distance. The hall was divided into two parts: the eastern side housed the family's Dou techniques, while the western side was a fairly large training area where the Xiao family members often held sparring matches.

Mo Yu had no interest in sparring and instead headed straight to the eastern section. He stopped in front of the shelves in the eastern hall, casually pulling out a purple scroll. Slowly unrolling it, he saw a few black characters on the back: Yellow Grade Low-Level: Mountain Splitter Fist.

Leaning leisurely against the bookshelf, Mo Yu began to study the cultivation method for Mountain Splitter Fist. With his vast experience from previous lives, it didn't take long for him to grasp most of this yellow-grade low-level Dou technique.

After memorizing the technique, Mo Yu moved to another shelf and picked up a black scroll. Unrolling it, he read: Yellow Grade Low-Level: Cloud Parting Kick.

The leg technique caught Mo Yu's interest. His Thunder Armor Body significantly strengthened his physical condition, but there were gaps in technique, which he had since filled. However, absorbing some techniques from the Dou Qi Continent would still be beneficial.

Thus, Mo Yu began his frenzy of reading, almost devouring every scroll within reach. His behavior attracted the attention of several Xiao family members.

Usually, a Dou Zhi Qi practitioner only needed to master two or three yellow-grade low-level techniques. First, mastering these techniques required long-term practice, and a person's energy was limited, so they couldn't possibly learn so many techniques. Second, after breaking through to the Dou Zhe level, low-level techniques became less useful, and higher-level techniques were needed. Hence, very few people focused too much on these low-level techniques.

Mo Yu's actions were, therefore, baffling to others.

As Mo Yu was engrossed in the various Dou techniques in the Xiao family's Dou Technique Hall, an uninvited guest approached him.

"Are you Mo Yu?"

A voice tinged with a mix of inquiry, disdain, and schadenfreude reached the young man's ears. Pulled out of his reading, Mo Yu's brow furrowed.

Having lived through three lifetimes, Mo Yu hated being interrupted while doing something he enjoyed.

"Who are you?" Mo Yu asked, looking at the slightly chubby boy, around fifteen or sixteen years old. A flicker of anger flashed in Mo Yu's eyes, like a storm of lightning.

The chubby boy trembled under Mo Yu's icy gaze. What he thought would be a chance to curry favor with Xiao Ning now felt terrifying as he stood before this person.

"I… I'm Xiao Le. I heard you performed well in the last test, so… Brother Xiao Ning wants to invite you to the western training ground for a match," the chubby boy stammered, his tone becoming much friendlier under Mo Yu's intimidating presence.

Hearing this, Mo Yu understood that this boy was just a messenger. He turned his gaze toward the training ground on the left. There stood a young man, about seventeen or eighteen, with a rather handsome appearance. This was the same young man Mo Yu had encountered earlier. He was the grandson of the Xiao family's elder and had decent talent, reaching the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi at only seventeen. In the family, only Xun'er could surpass him. Of course, that was before.

"It seems my earlier attitude caused some misunderstanding. How petty," Mo Yu thought, quickly realizing the reason for Xiao Ning's hostility. But he didn't care.

After all, why would an elephant change its behavior for an ant?

"Mo Yu, although you are not of the Xiao family, you do carry our blood. Now that I'm inviting you to a match, you wouldn't refuse, would you?" Xiao Ning called out with a smile, though a hint of malice flashed in his eyes.

As the grandson of the family elder and the most talented member besides Xun'er, with a promising future ahead, Xiao Ning couldn't tolerate being ignored by Mo Yu, the descendant of a servant. Today, he was determined to teach Mo Yu a lesson!

Noticing the flash of malice in Xiao Ning's eyes, Mo Yu's lips curled into a dangerous smile. Since Xiao Ning was so eager for trouble, Mo Yu didn't mind exercising a bit.

"Your invitation is too kind to refuse. I'll exchange a few moves with you, Cousin Xiao Ning," Mo Yu said as he slowly put down the scroll and walked toward the training ground.

"Brother Xiao Ning reached the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi two months ago. Mo Yu could be in danger," someone in the crowd whispered. "He's just a servant's descendant. Even if he carries Xiao family blood, he's no match for our true talents." "Go, Brother Xiao Ning!" the crowd cheered.

For some reason, the chubby boy, Xiao Le, who had been terrified by Mo Yu's earlier gaze, shivered as he watched. He had a feeling… Xiao Ning would lose!

"Mo Yu, I'll be honest. I broke through to the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi a few days ago. If you surrender now and bow to me, I'll forgive your earlier disrespect," Xiao Ning said confidently.

Mo Yu shook his head calmly. "No need. Let's begin."

Seeing Mo Yu's unwavering gaze, Xiao Ning's anger flared. "Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

With a cold sneer, Xiao Ning clenched his fists. The Dou Zhi Qi within him surged, filling him with strength. After a brief pause, Xiao Ning suddenly stomped the ground, launching himself at Mo Yu. As he charged, his fingers curved into claws, his sharp nails glinting coldly. When he was half a meter away from Mo Yu, Xiao Ning abruptly stopped and swiped his right claw in a tricky arc toward Mo Yu's chest. "Yellow Grade Mid-Level Dou Technique: Splitting Claw!"

The onlookers gasped as Xiao Ning used a mid-level yellow technique right off the bat. The family strictly forbade heavy-handedness during sparring, and Xiao Ning's move was clearly against the rules. But given his status as the elder's grandson, no one dared to speak up.

They all looked at Mo Yu with pity. This move would likely leave him bedridden for months.

In the training ground, Mo Yu remained calm as the claw approached. He slowly raised his hand, and with a sudden force, pushed forward with overwhelming power, like a thunderbolt. At the same time, the lightning marks on his right arm began to glow brightly, as if ignited by flames.

"Thunder Armor Body!"

Caught off guard by the massive force, Xiao Ning's face changed. He was thrown back as if struck by a heavy hammer, retreating several steps before he finally stopped, looking disheveled. "Xiao Ning… defeated!"

(End of this chapter)