Advancing to Dou Master!

"Only when an alchemist breaks through from Seventh-grade to Eighth-grade does Spiritual Qi need to participate, thereby prompting the transformation of Soul Power."

Xuan Kongzi pointed at the visible energy vortex centered on the room, trembling as he spoke.

"You said this kid cultivates a High Yellow Tier technique, and his strength at most reaches the Dou Master level."

"Could it be that he's breaking through to Eighth-grade Alchemist?"

"Xuan Kongzi, what are you glaring at me for!"

Ling You, upon hearing this, instead shot a glare back at Xuan Kongzi.

"My disciple has his own peculiarities—what the hell do you care about so much?"

"Isn't it just using a bit of Spiritual Qi from your Pill Tower's starry sky? Look at that stingy look on your face."

Xuan Kongzi was instantly exasperated; Ling You's knack for turning the tables hadn't changed a bit over the years.

Inside the room, a colorful mist of Spiritual Qi now swirled around Ling Xi, a sign that the world's energy had condensed to a certain degree.

Yet its vibrant hues also proved the energy's impurity.

"Disperse!"

With a sudden shift of the hand seal in his closed eyes, the energy vortex around Ling Xi vanished abruptly.

Along with it, the condensed colorful world energy gradually faded, dissipating back into the air.

"Since I started cultivating this technique, it's taken over half a year, but I've finally broken through to the One-Star Dou Master level."

Ling Xi slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through his pupils.

"The Devouring Power of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol is too strong; this breakthrough also owes a lot to the rich Spiritual Qi here at Pill Tower."

Feeling the Dou Qi in his body, now several times more potent, Ling Xi couldn't help but show a satisfied smile, though it quickly faded.

"But precisely because the Devouring Ancestral Symbol's Devouring Power is so strong, it nearly ruined my foundation."

Levels below Dou King are merely about solidifying one's foundation.

Only by laying a firmer foundation at each stage before Dou King can one break through to higher levels more easily later.

"The Devouring Ancestral Symbol only has Devouring Power; it lacks the ability to refine this world energy."

Ling Xi frowned slightly. For this breakthrough, he had relied on Pill Tower's Spiritual Qi and the effect of the Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art in refining that Qi to succeed.

If he had absorbed that impure energy he'd just condensed, his foundation would have been completely ruined.

"A Seventh-tier Magical Beast's Beast Fire is utterly useless; I need to find an Exotic Flame to refine as soon as possible."

"Only by combining it with the power of an Exotic Flame can I fully unleash the Devouring Ancestral Symbol's effect."

In truth, having thoroughly read the original text, Ling Xi naturally knew a lot of information about Exotic Flames, like the Three Thousand Burning Flame sealed within Pill Tower.

But the problem was that he was too weak now; he couldn't even covet most Exotic Flames.

Yet telling his teacher about the Exotic Flames and having him take Ling Xi to refine them was also impractical.

Because he couldn't explain how he knew where these Exotic Flames were, and Ling You didn't have much time left to live.

"Forget it, I'll take it slow."

Ling Xi stood up and sighed.

"Maybe the next system check-in reward will be an Exotic Flame."

Shaking his head, Ling Xi rose and stretched, the abundant Dou Qi in his body making him groan involuntarily.

"Mm... Teacher, Xuan Zi, what are you doing at my door?"

Opening the door casually, Ling Xi was slightly startled to see the two stern old faces at the entrance.

Xuan Kongzi said nothing, simply reaching out to tap Ling Xi's brow.

Though a bit surprised, Ling Xi didn't resist.

A strand of Xuan Kongzi's Soul Power slipped into Ling Xi's body.

But before that strand of Soul Power could probe anything, it was directly devoured by the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.

"You... your Soul Power has a strange devouring ability!"

Xuan Kongzi withdrew his finger, a look of surprise on his face.

Ling Xi said nothing, feigning confusion.

"You don't know about the peculiarity within yourself?"

Seeing Ling Xi's expression, Xuan Kongzi couldn't help but frown and ask.

"Xuan Kongzi, you old bastard, stop interrogating my disciple with that tone."

Ling You snorted from the side.

"He's a child born a Descendant Citizen—how could he possibly know what's special about himself?"

"Even if there's something peculiar about him, how would he know the reason himself?"

Xuan Kongzi was choked by Ling You's words, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.

"There are also people in our Pill Tower whose souls possess an innate devouring ability, so I was just a bit curious."

"Curious or not, it's none of your business."

Ling You curled his lips, flickered into Ling Xi's room, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Xuan Kongzi, who had nearly taken the door to the nose, cursed under his breath. Seeing his disciple staring wide-eyed at him, he glared back.

"Ying'er, aren't you supposed to be preparing for the Pill Realm? What are you standing around for!"

"Teacher, who was that person you mentioned whose Soul Power has a devouring ability? Is it that little girl from the Dan Family?"

Cao Ying wasn't afraid of Xuan Kongzi in the slightest. She blinked her big eyes and asked in a sweet voice.

"It is her, but there's also a difference."

Xuan Kongzi sighed, a contemplative look flashing across his face.

"That little girl from the Dan Family—her Soul Power does have a devouring ability, but she has no way to fully control it."

"If the Dan Family hadn't been nourishing her body with all kinds of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, she probably would have collapsed long ago."

"But even so, her physical condition still isn't great."

Hearing this, Cao Ying's eyes couldn't help but recall the Dan Family Little Girl's frame, which was noticeably thinner and weaker than her peers.

Pursing her lips, Cao Ying pressed on: "Then what's different about the Devouring Power in Ling Xi?"

"Though it was just a fleeting glimpse, the Devouring Power inside Ling Xi is clearly far stronger than that girl's. Otherwise, he couldn't have devoured that wisp of my soul energy."

"Moreover, this Devouring Power seems to be fully under Ling Xi's control. I just don't know why the boy is deliberately suppressing it."

Pausing, Xuan Kongzi suddenly let out a chuckle.

"Speaking of which, this devouring ability is somewhat reminiscent of the legendary second-ranked divine object on the Heavenly Flame Ranking: the Nihility Devouring Flame."

Outside the door, the master and disciple were still lost in thought, but inside, the other pair was eerily quiet.

As soon as Ling You entered the room, he sat straight down in a chair, his face dark and silent.

Ling Xi could only stand obediently before Ling You, saying nothing in return.

Anyone who could cultivate to the Dou Venerate level was a true genius picked from ten thousand.

Ling Xi naturally didn't believe his teacher was completely unaware of the anomalies about him.

Between the two, it was more a matter of unspoken understanding.

"This is the Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, the Ember Extinguishing Spear Art, which I won from Ling Yuan earlier."

After a long silence, Ling You took a red scroll from his Nakai Ring and handed it to Ling Xi.

"I've looked it over. This spear art covers both offense and defense. Take it and practice."