Hu Jia, Cultivation Methods, Dou Skills

The next day.

After ending an entire night of Dou Qi cultivation, Lin Yuan withdrew his cultivation hand seals and calmed the Dou Qi flowing through his body. After stretching a little, he sat on a stone stool, took out a volume from a "Pharmacopoeia" he had borrowed from the Cultivation Method Pavilion from his storage ring, and began carefully reading and memorizing it.

Although Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department did not have a very high ceiling, its foundation was extremely solid, and its collection of books was very rich. Lin Yuan knew very well how important the identity of an alchemist would be to his future, so he was extremely diligent in studying alchemy. Over the past few years, he had spent a great deal of time on it.

Lin Yuan understood that, without a "portable old grandpa," he could only rely on his own study to do his best to make up for his shortcomings in knowledge and foundation, reducing as much as possible the chance that he would miss future opportunities right in front of him.

After a while, Lin Yuan pondered that it was about time for the outer academy's Cultivation Method Pavilion to open, so he returned the "Pharmacopoeia" in his hand to his storage ring and strode toward the Cultivation Method Pavilion.

In front of the Cultivation Method Pavilion, a fiery-red figure entered his sight. She was waiting with her arms folded—none other than the Vice Dean's granddaughter, Hu Jia, known as the Little Demoness.

As the Vice Dean's granddaughter, Hu Jia was quite famous in the outer academy. She had a good background, outstanding looks, a straightforward personality, and excellent talent, but she was not very serious about cultivation. Today, she wore a fiery-red tight-fitting outfit that made her seem brimming with vitality, suiting her personality perfectly.

"Lin Yuan, what a coincidence. You're such a busy man—how do you have time to wander around here today?" Seeing Lin Yuan, Hu Jia quickly walked over and teased him.

Lin Yuan helplessly shook his head and replied with a slightly teasing smile, "It really is a coincidence! Even our Little Chili, who usually keeps far away from the Cultivation Method Pavilion, came here so early."

Hearing this, Hu Jia blinked, then suddenly leaned a little closer and asked mysteriously, "I heard you broke through to Da Dou Shi? Is it true or not?"

Lin Yuan smiled slightly and deliberately answered mysteriously, "Guess?"

"Oh, come on, stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me already!" Hu Jia grew anxious and reached out to tug at Lin Yuan's sleeve.

"That's right. I did break through." Lin Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Wow, aren't you way too amazing!" Hu Jia cried out somewhat exaggeratedly, then changed the subject and complained, "No wonder my grandpa nags about you in my ear every day, saying how hardworking you are and how talented you are. He's clearly using you to provoke me! Honestly, he's putting so much pressure on me."

After hearing this, Lin Yuan expressed his understanding. "Old people are always fond of comparing us. But don't be discouraged. I believe that as long as you work hard, maybe there's the slightest chance you can surpass me." Toward the end, a trace of teasing entered his tone.

"Hmph, what do you mean, the slightest chance? Surpassing you is only a matter of time!" Hu Jia raised her head proudly, then said seriously, "But you're right. I really should work harder too. It's decided—starting today, I'll cultivate seriously and stop slacking off!"

Looking at Hu Jia's serious expression, Lin Yuan could not help feeling a touch of relief. He knew that although Hu Jia usually looked carefree, she was actually very competitive deep down. He reached out and patted Hu Jia on the shoulder. "Keep going, young girl!"

Hu Jia was made a little embarrassed by Lin Yuan's sudden encouragement. She glared at Lin Yuan. "Don't take the chance to take advantage of me!"

Lin Yuan smiled as he walked past Hu Jia toward the Cultivation Method Pavilion's main entrance. He waved his hand and left behind a word of encouragement. "I hope that the next time we meet, you won't let down the title of Little Demoness."

After handing his token to Elder Xu, who guarded the Cultivation Method Pavilion, Lin Yuan stepped into the top floor of Jia Nan Academy's Cultivation Method Pavilion. There were far fewer cultivation methods and Dou Skills on the top floor than below. He knew he had to choose carefully, because his choice of cultivation method and Dou Skill would directly affect his future path of cultivation.

After selecting and comparing them, Lin Yuan finally fixed his gaze on two secret manuals—"Spirit Flame Art" and "Roaming Dragon Steps."

"Spirit Flame Art" was a cultivation method that could be called top-tier even among Mysterious Tier High Grade methods. It could help cultivators control fire-attribute Dou Qi more exquisitely. Lin Yuan flipped through this cultivation method, and the scrolls contained scorching power. This cultivation method could not only increase the might of fire Dou Qi; more importantly, it could strengthen a cultivator's control over fire, making flames as nimble as fingers, capable of being hard or soft. This was no small temptation to Lin Yuan, because for him as an alchemist, whether in battle or in pill refining, precise control over fire was often crucial.

The other manual, "Roaming Dragon Steps," was a Mysterious Tier High Level movement Dou Skill. The footwork recorded in this secret manual was strange and ever-changing, as elusive as a roaming dragon weaving through a sea of clouds. At the same time, its speed when fully unleashed was also exceptional, and it could work together with his previous movement Dou Skill, "Instant Step." Lin Yuan tried moving according to the steps in the manual, and he could feel that every step required extremely strong Dou Qi control to maintain balance and speed. Although this Dou Skill was difficult to cultivate, once mastered, it could let a cultivator move like a fish in water during battle, easily avoiding an enemy's attacks. At the same time, it was also extremely efficient for fleeing for one's life.

Lin Yuan knew his own advantages well. Because of his powerful Soul Power, his talent in Dou Qi Control was extremely good. Therefore, the tremendous cultivation difficulty that "Spirit Flame Art" and "Roaming Dragon Steps" posed to others was not an obstacle to him, while their excellent effects were exactly what he hoped for.

After choosing his cultivation method, he went to Elder Xu to register. Elder Xu took a look and chuckled. "Your eye is quite good. 'Spirit Flame Art' and 'Roaming Dragon Steps' are both excellent Mysterious Tier secret manuals. They're not easy to cultivate, but they suit a genius like you very well."

After hearing this, Lin Yuan gave the elder a slight thanks. "Many thanks for your praise, Elder. I will definitely cultivate hard and not let down such ultimate arts."

The elder nodded, then his expression straightened as he warned solemnly, "However, you must remember that the secret manuals in the Cultivation Method Pavilion are precious wealth belonging to the academy. Without permission, they may not be passed to outsiders. You may only cultivate them yourself, and in one month, you must return the originals. Otherwise, once you are discovered violating the rules, you will be severely punished."

After hearing this, Lin Yuan's expression became solemn, and he nodded gravely. "Please rest assured, Elder. This student understands. I will strictly abide by the rules and will definitely return the originals in one month."

Seeing Lin Yuan's serious appearance, the elder nodded in satisfaction. He waved his hand, indicating that Lin Yuan could leave. After thanking the elder again, Lin Yuan turned and left the Cultivation Method Pavilion.

After leaving the Cultivation Method Pavilion, Lin Yuan returned to his small courtyard, took out "Spirit Flame Art" and "Roaming Dragon Steps" from his storage ring, and began familiarizing himself with the corresponding Dou Qi circulation methods.

Midnight.

Lin Yuan, who was cultivating, had a calm expression, but his Soul Perception was operating at full force. After sensing that there was no one around, he gently moved the stone table aside. His right hand was covered in three streams of Dou Qi, and as the three streams of Dou Qi flowed, they formed a spiral. It was none other than Lin Yuan's self-created non-attribute Mysterious Tier Dou Skill, Spiral Force.

Lin Yuan controlled the spiral force to dig a small hole downward where the stone table had originally stood. After digging down several meters, a low-grade storage ring appeared at the bottom of the hole. Dou Qi circulated in Lin Yuan's hand, and a gust of force swept the storage ring into his hand. He then quickly put it away, swiftly filled the small hole back in, and returned the stone table to its place.

Afterward, Lin Yuan walked into the house and took out a jade bottle from the storage ring he had dug up. Inside the jade bottle was a medicinal pill, entirely blood-red and roughly dragon eye sized. This medicinal pill looked extremely mysterious. At a glance, it was like a transparent bead filled with blood. At the center of the pill, a point of blood-colored light seemed especially dark red, faintly appearing like a tiny eye, giving the whole thing an eerie feeling.

Looking at this medicinal pill, Lin Yuan was expressionless, his gaze deep and distant.

"It's time to begin the next step of the plan."

"Life Devouring Pill."