The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 90: Xiao Yan Takes a Big Step Back

"Ah! My Dou Qi..."As the morning sunlight filled the room, the early summer temperature had already risen slightly, but Xiao Yan felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss. Overnight, the Dou Qi whirlpool he had formed upon reaching the Dou Zhe level had silently vanished. What terrified him even more was that his Dou Qi continued to dissipate."What is happening? What is happening?" Xiao Yan was panicking. In this world where strength was paramount, having no strength meant having no status, even if he was the son of the clan leader. Xiao Yan, who had always been the object of admiration due to his extraordinary talent and smooth sailing path, was now in a state of utter confusion. His Dou Qi whirlpool had inexplicably disappeared, dropping him from a Dou Zhe back to a lower realm. Even more frightening was that his Dou Qi kept vanishing. If he couldn't figure out the reason, his future cultivation would be in grave danger.Xiao Yan hurriedly rushed out of his room and ran to his father. Moments later, Xiao Zhan, with a furrowed brow, placed his hand on Xiao Yan's chest, letting his powerful Dou Qi scan Xiao Yan's body repeatedly."The Dou Qi whirlpool really has dissipated? And more importantly... I can't find the reason?" Xiao Zhan took a deep breath, his expression turning very grim."Yan'er, have you encountered any unusual people or experienced anything unusual in the past few days?" Xiao Zhan's tone was tense. The destruction of the Jia Lie clan with a single palm strike and the subsequent mention of a "Dou Di" had already left the entire Wutan City trembling in fear. If Xiao Yan's situation was also related to this, it would be very troubling."No, I've been at home all this time and haven't gone out. Nothing unusual has happened," Xiao Yan replied hurriedly."No anomalies?" Xiao Zhan nodded thoughtfully and then called out to the door, "Someone, invite the three elders over.""Father..." Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhan. From his father's expression, he could tell that even he had no solution to the problem.If even his father, a Five-Star Dou Ling, couldn't solve it, his path of cultivation...Thinking of this, Xiao Yan felt a wave of dejection.Not long after, the three clan elders arrived. Xiao Zhan explained Xiao Yan's situation, and the three elders, equally astonished, took turns examining Xiao Yan.However, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't determine the cause of Xiao Yan's dissipating Dou Qi whirlpool."Yan'er, don't worry. Father will find a solution for you," Xiao Zhan said, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder to comfort him."Mm," Xiao Yan nodded, knowing his father was trying to comfort him, but it still gave him a glimmer of hope."The issue with Yan'er is not simple. I ask the three elders to keep this matter confidential for now and not let it spread," Xiao Zhan instructed the elders before leaving with Xiao Yan.However, within a day, the news of Xiao Yan's downfall from Dou Zhe spread throughout the Xiao clan and even started to reach the rest of Wutan City."Damn it!" With a roar of anger, Xiao Zhan smashed the table in front of him, but it was already too late.Xiao Yan's condition worsened. In just a day, his Dou Qi had fallen to the third stage. This was even with Xiao Yan diligently cultivating to maintain it. He struggled to keep his Dou Qi at the third stage and found it extremely difficult to make any progress because any Dou Qi he gained would vanish instantly.Initially, people came to visit and encourage Xiao Yan out of courtesy. But as days passed, and it became clear that Xiao Yan's efforts over the month yielded no improvement, maintaining only the third stage of Dou Qi, the visits ceased.Except..."Brother Xiao Yan, don't be discouraged. You are always the best in my heart," Xiao Xun'er said, her pretty face still showing admiration.However, this look of admiration pained Xiao Yan. His fragile pride made him withdraw into himself. He didn't respond or speak, just remained silent..."Xiao Yan has fallen from the Dou Zhe realm?" Initially, Xiao Feng couldn't believe it when he heard the news.He knew how monstrously talented his cousin was. Xiao Yan had always been someone he looked up to. Such extraordinary talent, how could he suddenly fall in cultivation?But as the days passed, when a month had gone by, and Xiao Feng himself had already advanced to the fifth stage of Dou Qi, his once monstrous cousin was still stuck at the third stage."Taishang Danling, what's wrong with my cousin Xiao Yan?" When Xiao Feng learned that even his father and the three elders couldn't figure out the problem with Xiao Yan, he immediately turned to Taishang Danling for answers.In his view, nothing could stump this venerable senior.In fact, Xiao Feng wasn't wrong."There's nothing wrong with him," Taishang Danling replied in a calm tone."Nothing wrong? Then why is his cultivation dropping?" Xiao Feng was dissatisfied with Taishang Danling's answer."Xiao Feng, what do you think is most important on the path of cultivation?" Taishang Danling didn't answer directly but posed a question instead."The most important thing in cultivation?" Xiao Feng knew that Taishang Danling wouldn't ask this question without reason. Was Xiao Yan's issue related to this question?"Talent! Of course, it's talent! Without talent, one could spend ten years struggling like I did and still achieve nothing," Xiao Feng answered based on his own experience."Hahaha! As expected, you value what you lack the most. You lacked talent, so you cherish it. But does your cousin Xiao Yan lack talent?" Taishang Danling laughed heartily."My cousin Xiao Yan certainly doesn't lack talent," Xiao Feng replied without hesitation, remembering Xiao Yan's terrifying cultivation speed."Then let me ask you another question," Taishang Danling pointed at Xiao Feng. "What did you gain from those ten years of hardship?""Senior, you're joking. I gained nothing from those ten years of hardship," Xiao Feng replied with a bitter smile."Really nothing? Do you remember what you told me? You said that through those ten years of hardship, you developed a strong will and resilience. Isn't that a gain?" Taishang Danling's words shook Xiao Feng to his core."Yes! How could I have gained nothing from those ten years?" Reflecting on his past hardships, Xiao Feng took a deep breath. "Indeed, I gained a lot. Thank you, hardships, for helping me grow!""Haha. Your cousin is also growing," Taishang Danling said with a smile."What?" Xiao Feng exclaimed in shock.