Laying a Foundation for His Brother, Methods of a Venerate

The warning from Tian Ji Zi's envoy hung over Xiao Chen like a sword suspended above his head, making him even more keenly aware of how pressing time was. Under external pressure, strengthening their core power had become the highest priority, and Xiao Yan was undoubtedly the "core" he needed most—and the one most worth investing in.

In the back mountains of the Xiao Family lay a secluded valley Xiao Chen had isolated with the Power of Space. Clouds and mist swirled within it, while the energy of heaven and earth was so dense it seemed impossible to disperse. This was the core area of the Minor Zhou Tian Spirit Gathering Array Xiao Chen had set up.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged atop a smooth green stone, bare-chested. His expression was solemn, yet his eyes held anticipation and resolve. Before him stood Xiao Chen with his hands behind his back. His azure robes fluttered despite the lack of wind, and an unfathomable aura flowed around him.

"Brother Yan, you cultivate the Fen Jue. Your foundation lies in Heavenly Flames, and your physique has far surpassed those of the same realm after being tempered by Heavenly Flames so many times. That is your advantage," Xiao Chen said slowly, his voice like clear spring water flowing over stones, carrying a calming force. "But precisely because you have advanced too quickly, and because your resources were limited in the past, there are inevitably some subtle flaws in the purity of your Dou Qi, the toughness and width of your Meridians, and the compatibility between your soul and body. These flaws are harmless under normal circumstances, but when you attempt to break through to higher realms—especially when facing high-level Dou Zuns or even Dou Saint-level enemies in the future—they may become fatal weaknesses."

Xiao Yan nodded seriously. Yao Lao had also reminded him of such issues many times before. However, limited by his previous circumstances, he could only slowly polish them away through painstaking effort.

"Today, I will use the methods of a Venerate to thoroughly cleanse your foundation and solidify your base." Xiao Chen's gaze sharpened. "The process may be painful. You must hold fast to your mind."

"Brother, come on! I can take it!" Xiao Yan said without hesitation, his eyes blazing.

"Good!"

Xiao Chen said no more. He formed seals with both hands, and Chaos-Colored Flame flickered at his fingertips. He did not directly use the Chaos Flame itself, but instead drew upon a trace of its origin aura, mixing it with vast, pure Dou Qi and boundless Soul Power to form three streams of light in different colors.

The first was Chaos-colored, as thin as a strand of hair, yet it contained the contradictory aura of burning all things to ash while nurturing life. It shot directly into the Dou Qi vortex within Xiao Yan's dantian.

The second shone with dazzling silver light. It was condensed from the purest Power of Space, like countless tiny silver needles that instantly scattered through Xiao Yan's limbs, bones, and Meridians.

The third took the form of transparent ripples. It was a manifestation of Xiao Chen's Heavenly Soul Realm Soul Power, directly enveloping Xiao Yan's head and seeping into his soul space.

"Ungh!"

The instant the three forces entered his body, Xiao Yan's body jolted violently, and pain immediately appeared on his face.

As that Chaos-colored aura entered his vortex, his originally docile Dou Qi became like ice thrown into boiling oil, instantly erupting into violent turmoil. Like the harshest examiner, it forced every strand of Dou Qi within Xiao Yan's body through frenzied compression and purification. Impurities were forcibly refined out, then reduced to nothingness beneath the Chaos Aura. The pain brought by this tempering at the very source of his energy sank deep into his bones.

The silver Power of Space, meanwhile, was like countless tiny carving blades, weaving through, expanding, and reinforcing every Meridian and every inch of Flesh and Blood in his body. His Meridians were forcibly widened and made tougher, capable of containing and circulating far greater amounts of Dou Qi. His flesh, blood, and bones were compressed and tempered by the Power of Space, their density continuously increasing. Hidden injuries were repaired, and his physique grew stronger at a visible rate. It felt as though countless ants were gnawing at him while repairing him at the same time—aching, numb, swollen, and agonizing beyond description.

Most dangerous of all was the cleansing of his soul. As those transparent soul ripples surged in, Xiao Yan felt as though his consciousness had been cast into stormy seas. Countless illusions sprang up, and past memories, obsessions, and fears were magnified without limit, battering his mind. This was the ultimate test of will. If his mind slipped even once, his soul would be damaged.

Xiao Yan clenched his teeth hard, veins bulging across his forehead. Cold sweat streamed from his body, which spasmed faintly under the extreme pain, yet he firmly guarded the last trace of clarity in his mind. He crazily circulated the Fen Jue, cooperating with the transformation brought about by the three forces.

Xiao Chen focused completely, using his Soul Power to meticulously control every change within Xiao Yan's body. He was like the most skilled craftsman, carefully carving an unparalleled piece of uncut jade. The process was extraordinarily taxing on the mind. Even with his cultivation as a Seven Star Dou Venerate, fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

At this moment, time seemed to slow.

Outside the valley, Yao Lao's soul body quietly appeared. As he sensed the restrained yet heart-palpitating energy fluctuations within the valley, his eyes filled with astonishment and gratification.

"Purifying Dou Qi, widening the Meridians, tempering the physique, honing the soul... attacking from all four fronts, and doing so in such a gentle yet efficient manner. Xiao Chen's control over power has reached an inconceivable level! For the Yan brat to have such an elder brother is truly a tremendous blessing!"

No one knew how much time passed. When the setting sun once again dyed the horizon red, the energy fluctuations within the valley finally gradually subsided.

Xiao Chen slowly withdrew his power. His face showed a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.

On the green stone, Xiao Yan remained seated with his eyes closed. His clothes had long been soaked through with sweat, but his exposed skin carried a warm, jade-like sheen, faintly glimmering with a precious radiance. His aura, which had once been somewhat unsteady from repeatedly fighting above his level, had become incomparably solid and heavy, as stable as a rock. Faint spatial ripples spread around him, revealing that his perception of the Power of Space had also greatly improved.

More importantly, there were his eyes. When he slowly opened them, those black pupils seemed to have undergone a cleansing, becoming deeper and clearer, sparkling with confidence and wisdom. His Soul Power had astonishingly reached the peak of Mortal Realm Grand Perfection, only a single step away from the Spirit Realm!

"How do you feel?" Xiao Chen asked with a smile.

Xiao Yan rose to his feet and tightly clenched his fists, feeling the pure Dou Qi within him surge like mighty rivers while remaining as obedient as his own limbs. He also felt his body and soul, now several times tougher than before. Ecstasy appeared on his face.

"Brother! I feel... as though I've been completely reborn!" he said excitedly. "My Dou Qi is at least thirty percent purer than before, my Meridians are broader and tougher, and my Soul Perception is sharper as well! If I faced a low-star Dou Zong now, I'm confident I could confront them head-on without losing!"

This was no exaggeration. The strengthening of his foundation had improved his strength in every aspect.

Xiao Chen nodded in satisfaction. "Your foundation is now secure. When you cultivate the Fen Jue and devour Heavenly Flames in the future, the risks will be much lower, and your efficiency will be greater as well. But remember, external aid is only assistance. To become truly strong, you must still walk the path step by step yourself."

"I understand, Brother!" Xiao Yan nodded heavily, engraving both this kindness and this warning deeply into his heart.

Seeing his brother's completely renewed state, Xiao Chen felt much more at ease. Building Xiao Yan's foundation was not merely to deal with the current crisis, but also to ensure that he could travel farther in the future.

"Next, it's time to go to Jia Nan Academy." Xiao Chen looked south, in the direction of Jia Nan Academy. "It is also time for the Fallen Heart Flame to truly acknowledge its master."

With such a solid foundation now, Xiao Yan would certainly have a far better chance when facing the Fallen Heart Flame again.

The two brothers exchanged glances, each seeing the other's anticipation and determination for the future.