While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

After flipping through the auction catalog, Chen Xiao found many things he currently lacked.

For example, a medicine for healing in case of emergency.

Even a first-grade healing pill has a starting bid of 1,500 gold coins per bottle.

A pill to restore fighting spirit.

The Rejuvenation Pill, also of the first grade, starts at 1,800 per bottle.

Pills that increase cultivation speed.

Even the most basic enhancement pills are grade two, and the price has reached two thousand.

The starting bid for a low-level storage ring is 50,000, and you'd need to pay at least double that to actually acquire it.

All things considered, even a little bit of arming would require at least 100,000 gold coins.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao felt a headache coming on.

We're short of money, really short of money!

He had originally planned to earn some extra money in his spare time and then use it to buy medicine to aid his cultivation.

But now it seems he had oversimplified things.

Within Wutan City, there aren't many ways for an ordinary fighter to earn extra money. It's mostly limited to things like helping guard the various families when they transport goods. Not only is it time-consuming and laborious, but the pay is also pitifully low.

This is why most of those rogue cultivators operate under the identity of mercenaries, venturing into the Monster Mountain Range from time to time. Although it is dangerous, if they are lucky, they can make enough to live off for three years.

"Brother Chen Xiao, is there anyone you like?"

Seeing that Chen Xiao had finished flipping through the booklet, Xun'er asked softly.

I've been in the venue for almost an hour, and people keep coming in, making it less convenient to talk.

Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, put the list back in its original place, and stood up to signal Xun'er to go outside to talk.

Xun'er smiled and nodded, getting up and following without a second thought.

These so-called auction items weren't even worth a second glance; she was just out with Chen Xiao today to relax.

Under the guards' questioning gazes, the two walked out of the auction house. Chen Xiao then went into a shop and bought a large black robe for later use.

"Xun'er, what kind of strength do you think one needs to move freely around the outer reaches of the Monster Mountain Range?" Walking side by side on the street, Chen Xiao casually started a conversation.

The Monster Mountain Range is very close to Utan City.

The outline of the mountain range can be seen from behind the Xiao family's house.

After reviewing the auction catalog, Chen Xiao realized that it was virtually impossible to earn enough resources to sustain his daily cultivation through conventional channels.

So, we need to come up with other ideas!

As it happened, Chen Xiao knew of a cave in the Monster Mountain Range that could make him instantly rich, with enough wealth to sustain his early cultivation.

However, based on his memory, Chen Xiao only knew the general information about the cave, and it would still take some time to find it.

"Brother Chen Xiao, do you want to go to the Monster Mountain Range for training? I think it's too early. There are many mercenaries in Wutan City who often go to the Monster Mountain Range. The mercenaries at the Fighter level usually come back with some scars. It is said that they do not act alone and always act in teams. Even so, there are still casualties. Based on this, it is probably safer for the Fighter Master level."

Xun'er analyzed the situation quite professionally, and her conclusion was roughly the same as Chen Xiao's prediction.

Suppressing their restlessness and abandoning any further wandering, the two returned directly to the Xiao family home and parted ways for the time being.

As Xun'er watched Chen Xiao walk towards the side courtyard, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

"Elder Ling, has Brother Chen Xiao already cultivated the technique to transform his battle qi?"

Xun'er's voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself.

However, she was certain that the person in the shadows could hear her.

Sure enough, a voice transmission soon reached my ears.

"Miss guessed correctly, and this old servant can sense that the cultivation technique he practices is of a high grade, even slightly higher than the Mad Lion's Fury of the Xiao family."

Upon hearing this, Xun'er was taken aback.

The Xiao family's Mad Lion Fury Gang is renowned in Wutan City, ranking among the mid-level Xuan rank.

Since Chen Xiao's skills are superior, the answer is obvious.

Advanced Xuan-rank cultivation technique!

Ling Ying and Xiao Xun'er thought they knew Chen Xiao inside and out, but they couldn't understand where he got this skill from.

...

Hardship forces people to grow, and desire gives people motivation.

After his visit to the Mittel Auction House, Chen Xiao became even more focused on cultivation, even replacing his sleeping time with cultivation.

Although sleep is not necessary for those who practice cultivation, staying awake for extended periods can still be a mental burden.

However, Chen Xiao maintained this state for a full year.

The back mountain of the Xiao family.

Except for the occasional member of the Xiao family who comes to bathe in the pool, it is mostly quiet and deserted.

Xiao Yan, who had not yet fallen from his height, also did not come here often.

This made Chen Xiao's daily cultivation easier. Now, he has reached the level of an eight-star Dou Zhe, and he has even mastered the Swallow Counterattack to the intermediate level, which can reflect 30% of the enemy's attack power!

Such a huge change was unknown to everyone in the Xiao family except for Xiao Xun'er and Ling Ying.

It may sound unbelievable, but it's true.

The reason for this is probably that Chen Xiao's social interactions are too simplistic.

Even the guards who frequently saw Chen Xiao only noticed that he looked more energetic, and had no idea that this child they had watched grow up had unknowingly surpassed them.

After practicing the Swallow Counterattack, which he had mastered to the core, once again, Chen Xiao stopped and stood up.

"As an eight-star Dou Zhe, my Swallow Counterattack has reached the intermediate level. Now I should be able to protect myself against a one-star Dou Shi!"

Parentheses, only in theory.

After all, he had zero practical experience.

By the moonlight, Chen Xiao glanced at the outline of the Monster Mountain Range and made his decision. Then, he left without looking back.

On his way back from the back mountain, as he passed by Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, Chen Xiao hesitated for a moment before saying goodbye to her.

"Is Brother Chen Xiao planning to go to the Monster Mountain Range?"

Before Chen Xiao could even speak, Xun'er had already guessed it from his expression.

Of the entire Xiao family, only she knew Chen Xiao's plans.

"Simply engaging in rigorous training is not advisable. It's better to undergo some simple trials to avoid becoming a pathetic stepping stone in future battles. However, it shouldn't be too long."

The girl nodded slightly. "Then Xun'er wishes Brother Chen Xiao a fruitful journey."

Chen Xiao smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

The Monster Mountain Range isn't far. If everything goes smoothly, we can be back in ten days or so. There's no need to make it seem like a life-or-death separation.

After leaving Xun'er, Chen Xiao went to find the elder who usually assigned him tasks and explained that he would be leaving for a few days.

After everything was settled, Chen Xiao returned to his residence and took out the few hundred gold coins he had left under the bed.

In the past year, he had spent over two thousand gold coins to purchase an enhancement pill to aid his cultivation, as well as a map.

After quickly packing his belongings and washing up, Chen Xiao stopped his high-intensity cultivation.

Tonight, let's recharge!