With the gold deposit card Xiao Yao had given him, Xiao Yan left the Xiao Clan grounds for the market, communicating with Yao Lao in his mind as he went. He was going to buy the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.
"Then does that mean it's not impossible for me to catch up to Brother Yao in strength, or even surpass him?"
"Indeed. Given your brother's talent, I suspect he may spend less time cultivating than he does creating cultivation techniques."
"After all, his special yang attribute is absolutely unique, even across the entire Dou Qi Continent."
"And that means there are no techniques of the same attribute for him to use as a reference."
"For other attributes, such as fire, creating a cultivation technique is relatively easier. There are plenty of techniques of the same attribute to draw on."
Xiao Yan was somewhat dumbfounded.
"So it's even harder for Brother Yao to create his own yang-attribute technique than it would be for someone with another attribute?"
Yao Lao said in considerable amazement, "Indeed. From what you've told me, it took him only two years to create a technique that could genuinely be cultivated. In my view, that's already a remarkable achievement."
"To give you a vivid comparison, creating a cultivation technique is like building a house."
"When people with other attributes want to build a house, they have plenty of house designs to look at. They know how large the timbers and stone bricks should be, and they can even pull doors and windows from other houses and use them in their own."
"But when someone with the yang attribute wants to build a house, he has to start from scratch. Never mind pulling doors and windows from other houses—he doesn't even know what a house should look like."
"Still, although the scarcity of yang-attribute techniques forces him to create his own, his talent for cultivating that attribute is terrifying. Isn't that also a case of gaining something for what you lose?"
Yao Lao talked on and on. Besides teaching Xiao Yan, he had his own selfish motive.
He wanted Xiao Yan to understand how precious cultivation techniques were by showing him how difficult it was for Xiao Yao to create one.
He hoped to guide Xiao Yan subtly, so that when he chose a cultivation technique in the future, he would choose the Flame Mantra.
Although the Flame Mantra could only rise in rank by devouring Heavenly Flames, making it immensely dangerous to cultivate,
it also contained a secret method that could use a combination of different flames to refine a body capable of housing a soul.
When the time came, he could use that method to live another life.
Xiao Yan knew nothing of Yao Lao's intentions, but he nevertheless set himself a goal.
Catch up to Brother Yao in strength, or even surpass him!
Though they were brothers, Xiao Yan was competitive too.
Part of the reason he had worked so hard cultivating Dou Qi as a child was to catch up to Brother Yao.
Unfortunately, after all his efforts, Xiao Yan had discovered that the gap in their talents was hard to cross.
And now, having learned from this mysterious teacher that he might be able to surpass Brother Yao, Xiao Yan naturally made that his goal.
Meanwhile, in the Extreme Yang Land, Xiao Yao sat cross-legged on the flame crystal stone bed, unaware that Xiao Yan had made him his target at Yao Lao's urging.
Even if he had known, Xiao Yao would not have cared much.
That was because there was one rather absurd thing about the Dou Qi Continent: after someone became a Dou Di, the power that flowed back through their bloodline could bring enormous benefits to their clan.
If Xiao Yan's fortune as a child of destiny exploded, showering him with opportunities even as he walked down the road, and he broke through to Dou Di before Xiao Yao, then Xiao Yao would have nothing to say. He would simply enjoy the benefits of the Dou Di Bloodline in silence.
That was unlikely, though. After all, Xiao Yao was not only a transmigrator but also possessed a golden finger.
With a transmigrator's foreknowledge of the plot and a golden finger combined, he hardly dared imagine how quickly he would break through.
Xiao Yao considered the opportunities in the Jia Ma Empire. The easiest to obtain was, of course, the cave ruins near Qingshan Town.
Now that he, a transmigrator, had entered the picture, he did not know whether the butterfly effect might lead someone else to get there first and discover the cave ruins ahead of time.
Xiao Yao planned to get his hands on the things first, lest delay give rise to trouble.
He glanced at the fire-attribute medicinal plants in the Extreme Yang Land. They were growing quite well, and leaving them for a while would be no problem.
Besides, he would be going to Jia Nan Academy later, so he would have no time to tend the Extreme Yang Land then either.
As for the clan, Xiao Yao had already told them of his plans after successfully creating his cultivation technique.
Although the Xiao Clan's upper echelons were reluctant to part with the Extreme Yang Land Xiao Yao had created, they were not so shortsighted as to keep him bound to Wutan City for the sake of immediate gains.
They understood that Wutan City was just a small puddle. If a genius like Xiao Yao was to grow, they had to let him venture out and see the wider world.
Fortunately, with Xiao Yao's help over the years, the Xiao Clan had developed rapidly and built up considerable reserves.
They would not be knocked straight back to square one after Xiao Yao left.
Leaving for a short while now would serve as preparation for his longer absence later.
No sooner had Xiao Yao thought of it than he acted. He immediately went outside the forbidden area and informed the Third Elder, who was stationed there for the clan.
"What? You're going out to look for an opportunity?"
The Third Elder was alarmed and hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
"An unknown opportunity like that is too risky. It's better not to take the chance."
"Don't worry, Third Elder. I learned about this opportunity from Sister Ya Fei. There's no real danger."
"As for the Extreme Yang Land, I'll be away for even longer later, so you might as well start getting used to it now."
Hearing this, the Third Elder shook his head slightly. Knowing he could not stop Xiao Yao, he could only sigh.
"All right, then. I'll inform the clan leader and the other elders."
"Then I'll set off in a little while."
Although the Third Elder was surprised by how swiftly and decisively Xiao Yao acted, he had already agreed, so there was no need to dwell on how soon he left.
Xiao Yao quickly returned to his room and packed. Seeing that Xiao Yan's door was shut tight and sensing no presence inside, he thought for a moment and left a note saying he would be away for a few days.
He then went to find Xun'er and explained the situation to her.
"Since it's such a rare opportunity, Brother Xiao Yao, you should do your best to seize it."
A radiant smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's breathtakingly beautiful face.
"But be careful in everything you do."
Xiao Xun'er gave him the gentle reminder.
Xiao Yao smiled and nodded. Xun'er watched him leave, a thoughtful look in her eyes, then spoke softly.
"Elder Ling, sorry for the trouble, but please look after Brother Xiao Yao from the shadows."
An aged voice came from the darkness and replied respectfully, "Yes, young miss."
After leaving the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yao went to the Mittel Auction House and asked Ya Fei to help him prepare some common supplies for training away from home.
Reluctant to see him go, Ya Fei gave Xiao Yao a hug. Before he left, she also brushed a kiss against the corner of his lips, as lightly as a dragonfly skimming the water.
But Ya Fei also knew that although her younger brother was still young, he had a mind of his own and would not easily change a decision once he had made it.
"Be careful on the road, Xiao Yao."