Cultivation

Cultivation

After Elder Huo left, Xiao Ling returned to the medicine cauldron and resumed practicing alchemy. Whenever he exhausted the Dou Qi within his body, he would sit down and cultivate his Dou Qi. Feeling his cultivation grow stronger bit by bit, Xiao Ling smiled in satisfaction.

As alchemy and cultivation alternated like this, the setting sun had already dyed half the sky red. Walking out of the Alchemy Room, Xiao Ling stretched his body broadly, and a series of crackling sounds came from within him.

He reached toward the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night at his waist and took out a bottle of cola, downing all the drink in one gulp. More than half of the day's exhaustion vanished, and he could not help sighing inwardly, I have never felt so Clear Mind Refreshing before.

Returning to his room, he took out the Storage Ring Elder Huo had given him that day. His Soul Perception flowed into it as he began examining its contents one by one.

First were the cultivation methods: the Earth-grade Low-level Cultivation Method Blazing Fire Heaven Art.

Then came the Dou Techniques: the Mysterious-tier Advanced Movement Technique Wind Chasing Swift Steps, the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique Heaven Burning Palm, the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique Crimson Flame Fist, and the Earth Grade Low-Level Dou Technique Blazing Fire Meteor.

There were also several books related to alchemy: Compendium of Medicinal Properties, How to Identify Pills, Medicine Cauldron Appraisal Manual, Three Years Fire Control Five Years Alchemy, Annotations on Alchemy Techniques, One Hundred Tips for Becoming an Alchemist...

Looking at these cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, Xiao Ling could not help remarking, "As expected of Jia Nan Academy. They were truly generous. They thought I lacked a good cultivation method, so they gave me an Earth-grade Low-level Cultivation Method. There is even another Earth-grade Low-level Cultivation Method, Nine Layered Phoenix Fire Absolute, in the Library Pavilion. Their foundation is far stronger than that little place called the Jia Ma Empire."

Yet when he looked at all those books related to Alchemists, Xiao Ling's mouth twitched. It made him feel as though he had returned to his previous life, studying at school again.

After sorting through everything briefly and putting away the other books, cultivation methods, and Dou Skills, Xiao Ling picked up One Hundred Tips for Becoming an Alchemist. Half-reclining on his bed, he began reading it with great interest.

The days passed one by one. After arriving at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Ling's life gradually became more orderly.

Every morning, he went to the Alchemy Room of the Alchemy Department to refine pills and cultivate Dou Qi. Whenever he occasionally encountered something he did not understand, he would seek guidance from Elder Huo.

Elder Huo also cared deeply for this half-disciple of his. Whenever Xiao Ling came to ask about doubts related to alchemy, he would answer patiently and earnestly, providing Xiao Ling with much help.

Having remained at Jia Nan Academy for an unknown length of time, Elder Huo was highly experienced in teaching students. He knew that geniuses and ordinary people had different capacities for understanding, so his teaching style for Xiao Ling focused more on teaching him to think through problems and comprehend knowledge himself. Everyone was different; only by walking one's own path of alchemy and forming one's own insights could one become an outstanding Alchemist.

Xiao Ling did not disappoint him. His alchemy improved at an astonishing pace, and he learned both foundational knowledge and pill-refining techniques very solidly. His Soul Power also continued to advance, already more than twice as strong as those of the same realm.

Although Xiao Ling devoted much effort and time to alchemy and cultivation, he did not neglect practical combat training.

No matter how powerful one's strength was, if one could not use that power properly, one could only bully cultivators weaker than oneself. If one wished to be invincible among those of the same rank or fight above one's level, combat experience was indispensable.

Xiao Ling often sparred and exchanged pointers with the academy's students, and at times he sought guidance from the academy's instructors and elders. At first, because he could not properly control his own Dou Techniques and lacked combat experience, he was unable to display his full strength and would lose to opponents with cultivation equal to his own. By now, however, his practical combat experience had grown far richer, and his command of Dou Techniques had improved greatly. With his outstanding physical condition, exceptional recovery ability, and Soul Perception far surpassing others of the same rank, he was virtually unmatched in battles within the same major realm. Even against opponents one major realm above him, he could contend for a while.

Such a rate of growth made Xiao Ling exceedingly famous within the academy. The teachers and students alike called him "Jia Nan Academy's number one genius."

Xiao Ling gladly accepted such praise, but he did not become arrogant or complacent because of it.

He knew what he was pursuing. To achieve his future goals and obtain those opportunities, this little strength was nowhere near enough. On the Dou Qi Continent, strength was supreme; the biggest fist was the only hard truth.

The higher-ups of Jia Nan Academy also became increasingly satisfied with Xiao Ling. His talent and temperament were beyond reproach, and he was extremely respectful toward his elders. Even Great Elder Su Qian of the Inner Academy would smile warmly whenever he saw Xiao Ling, and he would occasionally come to the Outer Academy to guide Xiao Ling's cultivation.

Time flowed like water, passing little by little. In the blink of an eye, two years had gone by.

On a combat field within the academy, two students were sparring with each other. The energy of their Dou Techniques spread through the surroundings, stirring ripples through the air.

Many students sat in the viewing stands beside the fighting platform, watching the match. They leaned together and discussed it animatedly.

"Junior Student Xiao Ling truly has extraordinary talent. He is only a little over ten years old, yet he is already a Da Dou Shi. He truly deserves to be Jia Nan Academy's number one genius."

"That talent is terrifying. When I was ten, I had not even condensed a Dou Qi Vortex to become a Dou Zhe."

"Junior Student Xiao Ling is getting more handsome by the day. I really want to have babies with him."

Before long, the sparring match on the platform was decided. Xiao Ling deliberately exposed an opening and, catching his opponent off guard, knocked him off the fighting platform with a punch.

At this sight, waves of cheers erupted from the crowd in the stands. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

Xiao Ling leaped down from the platform and landed before the young man. He helped him up and used the Soul Bone Skill, "Wildfire Cannot Burn It All, Spring Breeze Brings It Back to Life," to treat him.

The young man had a tall, slender figure and a remarkably handsome face. Judging by his appearance, he should have been around seventeen or eighteen years old.

Seeing that he was not seriously hurt, Xiao Ling withdrew his hand and said, "Brother Lin, I was a little heavy-handed during that spar just now. You were not injured, were you?"

The young man waved his hand and said with a bitter smile, "I'm fine. That Healing Skill of yours is quite effective. No wonder you recover from your injuries so quickly after every spar. I just didn't expect you to defeat me, a Four-star Great Dou Master, right after breaking through to the Da Dou Shi realm. You really are a monster."

Xiao Ling scratched his head and replied with a smile, "I merely took advantage of my fast physical recovery and strong Soul Perception. Brother Lin, your strength is outstanding among those of the same rank. Once you reach the Dou Ling realm and use your cultivation method to condense Dou Qi Wings, I might not be able to gain any advantage against you even if I were also a Dou Ling."