Upon seeing the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art, Xiao Yao's heart stirred.
Even if there were no other gains from this trip, this secret technique alone was enough to satisfy Xiao Yao.
Although Xiao Yao had read extensively before and even seen the collection of cultivation techniques at the Profound Tier in the academy, his accumulation in secret techniques was indeed insufficient.
These are all relatively common secret techniques; their ability to raise Da Dou Shi by two to three stars is already the limit.
Judging from the writing on the ground, the original owner of this secret technique used it to escape from a mortal enemy at the Peak Dou Emperor, despite possessing the strength of a Three-Star Dou Wang.
However, it was also because of this secret technique that this Three-Star Dou Wang was completely consumed by fire.
He hid here, only having time to hastily set up traps as a hiding place, before leaving behind these last words and perishing in this unknown corner.
Such an ending is quite tragic for a Three-Star Dou Wang.
However, judging from his last words, this Three-Star Dou Wang was quite pleased with himself.
He successfully escaped the pursuit of his mortal enemy, preventing them from succeeding.
He also prevented his life's work from falling into the hands of his mortal enemy.
It makes sense. If one were to be killed by one's mortal enemy, and all one's life's accumulations, such as collected martial arts techniques, Dou Technique, and rare treasures, were to be taken by the enemy, that would be truly tragic.
However, after reading all the last words, Xiao Yao found none of them mentioned how the information about the ruins had been leaked.
Xiao Yao was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that this Three-Star Dou Wang couldn't bear to see his lineage die out, so he took the initiative to draw a map of this place and spread it out?
After several twists and turns, it finally fell into Han Yue's hands, and then she brought me here to search for it?
Xiao Yao was unaware of the specifics of what happened, but at least the outcome was positive.
Xiao Yao got what he wanted.
This Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art allows one to simultaneously burn their own blood qi and Dou Qi, thereby greatly enhancing their strength.
However, blood and energy are the manifestation of a person's physical body. Excessive burning of these elements will only damage the body, even causing it to become like a withered tree, losing its vitality. In the end, it is common to shorten one's lifespan, and even sudden death is possible.
Needless to say, Dou Qi is the foundation of strength; excessive burning of it can even cause one to drop in cultivation level.
However, such terrifying consequences also bring about an astonishing improvement.
The fact that a Three-Star Dou Wang was able to escape from the clutches of Peak Dou Emperor is a testament to this.
Since they are mortal enemies, they will seize the opportunity to fight to the death and will not let this Three-Star Dou Wang escape slowly.
This Three-Star Dou Wang must have possessed enough strength to rival Peak Dou Emperor in order to escape from his mortal enemy.
In other words, this Three-Star Dou Wang relied on the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art to forcibly increase his strength by more than one major realm.
Although it doesn't seem to be as powerful as the secret technique Xun'er used before, which allowed her to leap from Dou Zhe to Da Dou Shi.
However, the secret techniques still depend on the specific level of cultivation.
If Xun'er had used the secret technique before, it would have been impossible for her to leapfrog two major realms at the Dou Wang level.
The current Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art can forcibly elevate one's cultivation level by a whole major realm. In terms of the magnitude of the improvement, it is probably no less than the secret technique that Xun'er has mastered.
However, the quality of a secret technique depends not only on the extent to which it enhances strength, but also on the severity of its side effects.
If a secret technique can significantly enhance one's strength with minimal side effects, then it is a top-tier secret technique.
If the increase in strength is small and the side effects are huge, then it is the worst kind of secret technique.
In Xiao Yao's view, the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art, while not top-tier, was still below the top level.
The secret technique greatly enhances strength, but the side effects are equally severe, even burning away a Three-Star Dou Wang completely.
Three-Star Dou Wang can already be considered a high-level cultivator. In the original work, the Dou Wang level is even referred to as "the strongest on the continent".
Because at the Dou Wang level, one can Dou Qi Wings, thus gaining the right to roam the continent.
The higher one's cultivation level, the stronger one's vitality. Under such circumstances, the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art could still burn a Dou Wang to the point of exhaustion, which shows how terrifying its side effects are.
Of course, secret techniques aren't used all the time; they're used when you're fighting for your life.
Since we're going to risk our lives, it must be an extremely dangerous situation. No matter how severe the side effects, we have to use it.
Very few people use secret techniques as ordinary methods, just like Xiao Yan did in the original novel.
Now, Xiao Yao can actually use the secret technique as a regular method, after all, his recovery ability is too strong.
It's just that Xiao Yao doesn't need to use secret techniques most of the time.
Moreover, the secret techniques he had previously mastered offered only minor improvements, and the enhancements from using them were negligible.
As Xiao Yao looked at the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art, various thoughts arose in his mind.
If his conjecture comes true, his strength will receive an exaggerated boost.
Seeing Xiao Yao deep in thought, Han Yue couldn't help but offer some words of advice.
"Junior Brother Xiao Yao, you wouldn't be tempted by this secret technique, would you? It can be used as a trump card to save your life, but please don't overuse it."
Xiao Yao nodded and handed the Storage Ring in his hand to Han Yue.
"Senior Han Yue, let's take stock of the items in our Storage Rings. It's time to tally up our gains."
Upon hearing this, Han Yue smiled. She took out items from her Storage Ring as she spoke.
"Junior Brother Xiao Yao, let's split the spoils 30/70 this time. I didn't help at all except provide intelligence, so I'll take 30%."
Xiao Yao smiled upon hearing this and said directly, "Let's stick to a 50/50 split of the profits. Since we've already agreed on it beforehand, let's not change it."
Xiao Yao's thinking was simple: if it had been agreed upon beforehand, there was no need to change it; only by adhering to the agreement could they maintain long-term cooperation.
If it had been agreed beforehand that the spoils would be divided according to the contributions made during the trip, then Xiao Yao would not be polite.
Seeing Xiao Yao's serious words, Han Yue stopped insisting, but her pretty face flushed slightly and her heart raced.
Despite their great strength, they do not rely on their power but instead keep their promises and abide by previous agreements.
Coupled with everything that had happened before, Han Yue's feelings for Xiao Yao grew even stronger.
However, Han Yue still said, "Alright then, we'll split the spoils fifty-fifty, but you pick out the items that suit you first, and I'll take the rest."
This time, Xiao Yao did not refuse and immediately accepted the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art.
Seeing that Xiao Yao had chosen the Blood-Burning Qi-Combustion Secret Art, Han Yue was a little worried, but things had gone too far, so she didn't say much.
Hopefully, Xiao Yao can remain rational when faced with the temptation of the secret technique that greatly enhances his strength.
Xiao Yao ultimately selected a batch of medicinal herbs and some rare treasures.
As for Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills, the two had already made an agreement beforehand.
If the Soul Imprint is sufficient to be read multiple times, then it can be shared by both individuals.
Therefore, the Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills are shared by both of them.
Among them was even a Low Earth Tier Dou Technique, making it a truly enormous gain!