Cultivation

The next day, Gu Clan Back Mountain.

A thin mist shrouded the back mountain, with faint streaks of golden light seeping through it.

Upon a protruding boulder in the mountains, a petite figure sat quietly in meditation, morning dew clinging to her eyelashes.

Xun'er was cultivating the technique she had just acquired: the Starry Radiance Art.

Only after becoming a Dou Zhe could one cultivate the corresponding technique. Once successfully cultivated, one's originally attribute-less dou qi would transform into the attribute-bearing dou qi of that technique.

When first cultivating a technique, one could choose one of a slightly higher rank. That way, when fighting others, one would have sufficient dou qi to support them.

Later, upon becoming a Dou Emperor or even a Dou Saint, one could replace one's Mystic Rank Technique and use it as a stepping stone toward an Earth Rank Technique.

Her eyelashes trembled as her eyes slowly opened. Her originally gemlike eyes had become even more spirited. On closer inspection, one could even see stars within them. This was the change brought about by the Starry Radiance Art.

"So this is a technique from the Dou Qi Continent? It seems pretty good." Observing the changes in Xun'er's pupils and bearing, Yun Xi praised her.

Yun Xi had set up a barrier here. The slightest disturbance would immediately alert him. That was why he dared to appear in Broad Daylight without fearing discovery.

"Yun Xi, I remember you told me that as long as you devour Heavenly Flames, you can increase my strength, right? (For details, see Chapter 2.)" Xun'er looked brightly at Yun Xi in the distance.

Yun Xi nodded slightly. In truth, he did not understand it either. It seemed that these so-called Heavenly Flames were naturally capable of devouring one another and evolving. When Xun'er had refined the Golden Emperor Burning Flame, he had also devoured a trace of its origin. While increasing Xun'er's strength, he had gained a small portion of the Golden Emperor Burning Flame as well.

In other words, as long as Yun Xi could continuously devour Heavenly Flames, he could raise Xun'er's strength while allowing both of them to wield those Heavenly Flames.

At most, one person could only possess a single Heavenly Flame. Yet Xun'er could use Yun Xi as a medium to maintain balance, allowing her to wield multiple Heavenly Flames and even fuse them together.

Seeing Yun Xi nod, Xun'er exclaimed eagerly, "Then let's go look for Heavenly Flames!"

Looking at Xun'er's excited cheers, Yun Xi held his forehead with one hand and said helplessly, "Didn't your father tell you? There are only twenty-three kinds of Heavenly Flames in this world. They're treasures of the world—how could you possibly find one just because you want to...?"

"Taking a step back, even if you found one by chance, could you subdue it with your current strength? Refining it would be even harder. How could it possibly be easy?"

Yun Xi's barrage of words left Xun'er momentarily stunned.

"You have extraordinary talent, but if all you want is to find shortcuts, you'll only waste that talent. If you don't work hard at cultivation, then no matter how gifted you are, you'll inevitably become ordinary."

Yun Xi looked at Xun'er solemnly as he spoke in a serious tone.

He had seen far too many young men and women who called themselves geniuses. Relying on their high talent, they looked down on everyone and neglected cultivation, only to end up mediocre in the end.

Startled by Yun Xi's rare seriousness, Xun'er's little face reddened slightly. She understood how laughable her earlier thought of seeking a shortcut had been.

"Continue cultivating the technique you just obtained for now. Once you're familiar with it, I'll personally teach you how to cultivate. While keeping you ahead of those your age, I'll also help you build a solid foundation and master the strength that has suddenly surged within you." Seeing the change in Xun'er's expression, Yun Xi spoke with great satisfaction.

"Huh?" Xun'er was somewhat surprised. She had not expected Yun Xi to say that he would personally teach her.

In her impression, aside from his formidable spiritual power and his constant boasting, the person before her did not have the slightest air of a teacher. And someone like him was going to teach her how to cultivate?

"What do you mean, 'huh'? You don't believe me? I'm really strong, you know! If you don't believe me—ah!!" Seeing the surprise on Xun'er's face, Yun Xi became a little unhappy.

As the White-Robed Spear God known to every passerby on the Heavenly Profound Continent, being doubted by a little girl in another world was the greatest humiliation to him.

He had examined Xun'er's meridians before. Though some parts differed, they were largely the same.

That meant the laws governing dou qi cultivation in this world should not differ much from the laws governing spiritual power cultivation in his own world.

Seeing Yun Xi's displeasure, Xun'er ultimately swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

Though young, she was clever. Although Yun Xi often boasted, the fact that he could evade Gu Yuan and all the Elders' spiritual detection proved that his strength was beyond doubt.

After thinking for a moment, Xun'er gave a sly smile and said, "Then I'll be relying on you, Master Yun."

Before Yun Xi could react, Xun'er had already entered a state of cultivation.

"Hiss, how many times has this been now? Every time, she starts cultivating or leaves right after saying something. This girl, honestly..." Coming back to his senses, Yun Xi looked at Xun'er cultivating before him, torn between laughter and tears.

In his previous life, he had never experienced the joys and sorrows of the mortal world, nor had he ever had anyone he liked or admired. He had always cultivated alone, until the day he was about to die. Only then did he understand that the most important thing in a person's life was not cultivation, but enjoyment.

Leaning against an ancient tree, Yun Xi watched Xun'er cultivate earnestly in the distance, the corners of his lips lifting. This girl had brought him far too much joy.

When Xun'er opened her eyes once more, golden flames covered her pupils, faint starlight glimmered within them, and her entire aura had become steadier.

Looking at the changes in Xun'er's aura, Yun Xi smiled. "Looks like you gained quite a lot."

Having cultivated a high-grade Mystic Rank Technique, Xun'er would certainly far surpass those who cultivated low-grade Mystic Rank Techniques in battle.

At the very least, an opponent would fall into a state of depleted dou qi after unleashing three or four Mystic Rank Dou Skills, while she could use several more. This gave her an enormous advantage in prolonged battles.

"Sigh... I've successfully cultivated the technique, but I'm completely stumped by this Swallow Counterattack." Xun'er sighed softly.

Yun Xi had examined this Dou Skill earlier as well. This type of counterattack Dou Skill was a fine method for a young girl like Xun'er, but its drawback was that it could only reflect attacks when the opponent used physical damage. Once the opponent used magical attacks, she would have no means of protecting herself.

Tilting her head slightly, Xun'er looked at the contemplative Yun Xi and could not bear to interrupt him.

Suddenly, Yun Xi thrust two fingers toward Xun'er with lightning speed.

Xun'er was startled, but it was clearly too late to dodge at that speed. She simply watched as the two fingers drew closer and closer. Just as they were about to touch her, Yun Xi's fingers stopped an inch before her forehead.

Looking at the fingers halted before her, Xun'er's lips curved upward. Just as she was about to laugh, Yun Xi curled his fingers and flicked her smooth forehead.

"Ow."

Xun'er cried out softly in pain.

"Why didn't you dodge?" Yun Xi asked in confusion.

"I believed you wouldn't hurt me, hehe." Xun'er laughed softly.

Warmth filled Yun Xi's heart as he said gently, "Come on. I'll teach you how to cultivate this Dou Skill."

"Mm."