Xuan Kongzi's Thoughts

"Senior, if you have questions, just ask."

Ling Xi sighed, carrying a hint of helplessness like a man living under another's roof.

"As long as it's something I can say, I won't hide it."

"That's easy enough."

Xuan Kongzi nodded with a smile, then a trace of curiosity crept onto his face as he asked:

"What exactly were you doing in that room earlier, to stir up a heavenly phenomenon?"

"Surely you didn't actually create a Heavenly Rank cultivation method or Dou Technique."

Heavenly Rank cultivation methods and Dou Techniques were things even a Dou Saint might fail to create after a lifetime of effort.

Xuan Kongzi didn't believe that Ling Xi, a mere Da Dou Shi, could create a Heavenly Rank cultivation method or Dou Technique, but the heavenly phenomenon couldn't be faked.

"It's not really creation."

Ling Xi sighed again at the question.

"My master passed down a clan inheritance soul technique from the Ling Clan, and during my cultivation, it mutated within me."

"That's what caused the so-called heavenly phenomenon."

Lies would invite suspicion, and the truth Ling Xi couldn't tell.

Only a mix of truth and falsehood could fool a Dou Venerate like Xuan Kongzi.

The Eye of the Netherworld was an Earth Rank High Level Soul Technique of the Ling Clan, originally compressing Soul Power through a special circulation path and then shooting it out through the eyes.

When Ling Xi cultivated this technique, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol unexpectedly reacted with the Eye of the Netherworld.

Now, the Eye of the Netherworld was no longer just a soul technique; it was more like a fusion of a technique and a cultivation method.

Under the influence of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, the Eye of the Netherworld operated on its own constantly, absorbing Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth to strengthen Ling Xi's soul power.

And if Ling Xi actively activated it, he could still shoot compressed soul power from his eyes.

This mutation was likely the cause of the heavenly phenomenon.

Regardless, the power and practicality of this soul technique now far exceeded what an Earth Rank High Level grade could match.

"A soul technique can mutate during cultivation?"

Xuan Kongzi couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Truly, the world is vast and full of wonders."

Though he knew Ling Xi hadn't told the whole truth, it was enough to satisfy his curiosity.

"You're from the Ling Clan, so your soul power is extraordinary by nature. It makes sense that cultivating a clan inheritance soul technique would trigger a mutation."

Reaching the Spirit Realm level of soul power at such an age, Ling Xi was the first Xuan Kongzi had ever seen.

"I heard from Ying'er that in the newly opened space of the Pill Tower, you asked her to refine a Blood Lotus Pill for you."

Xuan Kongzi shifted the topic, asking with a sly smile:

"Did you find some powerful flame that required a fifth-grade Blood Lotus Pill to help refine it?"

"Senior Xuan Kongzi, do I have to have found a powerful flame just to refine a Blood Lotus Pill?"

Ling Xi couldn't help but retort.

"Couldn't it be that I just wanted to be more cautious when refining a flame?"

Xuan Kongzi snorted lightly at this, glancing at Ling Xi from the corner of his eye.

"Your master told me he once gave you the companion flame of a Seventh-tier Magical Beast, the Crimson Sun Luan Bird, as a teacher's gift."

"That Seventh-tier Beast Fire is enough to support you until you become a Seventh-grade Alchemist."

He paused, then sneered.

"If you hadn't found a flame stronger than that Seventh-tier Beast Fire, why would you bother refining a Blood Lotus Pill and switching flames?"

The old ginger was indeed spicier—Ling Xi's little excuse couldn't fool a wily old fox like Xuan Kongzi.

"Senior is right. I did refine a flame in that space your Pill Tower opened."

Pressing his lips together, Ling Xi had no choice but to admit it reluctantly.

"A flame that requires a Blood Lotus Pill to refine... don't tell me you found an Exotic Flame?"

The rarity of Exotic Flames went without saying—almost all known ones were controlled by major powers or renowned experts.

Even among the three giants of the Pill Tower, none possessed an Exotic Flame, so Xuan Kongzi's question was mostly a joke.

He couldn't believe Ling Xi, relying on his Dou Shi strength, had refined an Exotic Flame without help.

"Senior Xuan Kongzi, how did you know I refined an Exotic Flame?"

Ling Xi frowned as he asked.

"You actually refined an Exotic Flame?"

Xuan Kongzi's eyes went wide, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Mm."

Ling Xi nodded and extended his right hand before Xuan Kongzi.

A clump of dark red flame abruptly rose from Ling Xi's palm, its terrifying heat causing the space around his hand to warp slightly.

"This flame is dark red in color, and when it burns, it can take on the forms of various Magical Beasts... This is the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, ranked 22nd on the Heavenly Flame Ranking!"

Xuan Kongzi, an Eighth-grade Alchemist and a true master of flames, recognized the nature of the fire in Ling Xi's hand at a single glance.

"Did you also find this Myriad Beast Spirit Fire in that space you explored?"

Xuan Kongzi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Though the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire ranked only second-to-last on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, it was still a flame born of heaven and earth.

Its uses far surpassed those of any Beast Flame.

"Since I've already refined the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, why must you ask, Senior?"

Ling Xi dispersed the flame in his hand and blinked at Xuan Kongzi as he spoke.

"With your talent, this Myriad Beast Spirit Fire is somewhat beneath you."

Seeing this, Xuan Kongzi didn't press further.

Everyone had their own secrets, and he wasn't one to dig relentlessly, though a faint note of regret colored his tone.

"Oh? Does Senior mean to gift me the Three Thousand Burning Flame sealed in the Pill Tower Starry Sky?"

Ling Xi said with some exasperation.

"Actually, that's not impossible."

To Ling Xi's surprise, Xuan Kongzi nodded.

"But the Three Thousand Burning Flame ranks ninth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Born in the starry sky, it is wildly violent—neither I nor your teacher could subdue it."

Pausing, Xuan Kongzi continued:

"Your teacher begged me several times before, saying that if you ever reached the Dou Venerate level, we should help you refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame."

"But now that you've already refined the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, it's nearly impossible for you to refine a second type of Heavenly Flame in the future."

Ling Xi fell silent for a long moment, then asked in confusion:

"The Three Thousand Burning Flame belongs to the Pill Tower. Would Senior really agree to help me refine such a flame, just because my teacher asked?"

"Heh, the Three Thousand Burning Flame is wild and untamable—it will surely become a great calamity in the future."

Xuan Kongzi explained. "If helping you refine it prevents that, it wouldn't be a bad thing for the Pill Tower."

"Besides, among the younger generation of the Pill Tower, no one can match you. Your future achievements are nearly limitless."

Pausing again, Xuan Kongzi fixed his gaze on Ling Xi.

"Of course, I have one condition: you must join the Pill Tower!"