Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with the Extraction System

As for this situation, Yao Chen within the Bone Flame Ring was naturally pleased to see it. After all, once Xiao Yan became his disciple, he would have to teach him this knowledge anyway. Now that Xiao Yan was studying alchemical theory on his own, Yao Chen believed that under the guidance of himself, the Continent's Number One Alchemist, Xiao Yan would surely become an outstanding Alchemist.

At that moment, Xiao Yan's door was gently pushed open, and Xiao Zhan entered with joy written across his face.

Seeing Xiao Yan reading, Xiao Zhan felt greatly gratified. He walked up and lightly patted him on the shoulder.

Sensing someone pat his shoulder, Xiao Yan turned around. Seeing that it was his father, he asked curiously, "Father, what do you need me for?"

Although Xiao Yan had been born with powerful Soul Power, he had been focused on reading and was within his own room, so he had not released his Soul Power to remain vigilant of his surroundings.

Hearing Xiao Yan's question, Xiao Zhan smiled. "Yan'er, your cousin Xiao Ling returned to the Xiao Family not long ago. The news has already spread throughout the family, but you've been reading in the back courtyard and haven't heard about it yet."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately closed the book in his hand and rose to his feet. Delighted, he said, "Since Cousin Xiao Ling has returned to the Xiao Family, can we go ask him to examine my body now?"

Xiao Zhan nodded. "Just now, the elders of the family spoke with Xiao Ling. After they finished, he mentioned this matter to me. Your cousin happens to be free right now, so come with me to see him and have him examine your condition."

Xiao Yan nodded, unable to wait any longer. "Father, there's no time to lose. Let's hurry over now."

Seeing Xiao Yan's impatient appearance, Xiao Zhan nodded. "Alright, I'll take you to see your cousin first. But once you meet him, remember to thank him."

Xiao Yan nodded solemnly and said to Xiao Zhan, "Father, I understand. When the time comes, I'll sincerely thank Cousin Xiao Ling. I should also apologize to him. I used to be prejudiced against him. I wronged him."

Xiao Zhan smiled in satisfaction. "Being able to recognize your past shortcomings means you've improved. There's no time to lose. Come with me."

He beckoned to Xiao Yan, then walked out of Xiao Yan's room.

Seeing that Xiao Zhan had already set off, Xiao Yan quickly returned the book to the shelf, rose, and followed behind him.

After walking for some time, Xiao Zhan brought Xiao Yan to the front of Xiao Ling's courtyard and knocked on the gate.

At that moment, on the lawn within the courtyard, Xiao Ling was guiding Qing Lin in her cultivation.

With the help of the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid and Yellow Dragon Pill, as well as the feedback she received by absorbing the Dou Qi of snake-type Magical Beasts through her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, Qing Lin had already reached Dou Disciple Fifth Grade. Such cultivation speed truly astonished Xiao Ling.

Back then, Xiao Ling had spent four years before breaking through to become a Dou Zhe. Qing Lin had spent less than half a month reaching Dou Disciple Fifth Grade. In at most another month, she would be able to break through to become a Dou Zhe.

Xiao Ling could only sigh. "A Special Physique is terrifying indeed."

Without the Extraction System and the cheat-like cultivation technique Fen Jue, no matter how monstrous Xiao Ling's talent was, compared to Special Physiques like Qing Lin's and Xiao Yi Xian's, he could only watch their taillights in terms of cultivation speed.

Sensing the arrival of Xiao Zhan and his son, Xiao Ling first called out to Qing Lin, then brought her into the courtyard pavilion and sat down.

Using Soul Power to push open the courtyard gate, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan appeared in Xiao Ling and Qing Lin's sight.

Once the gate opened, Xiao Zhan led Xiao Yan over to Xiao Ling.

Pointing at Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan said to Xiao Ling, "Xiao Ling, this is my youngest son, Xiao Yan. You were born a few months before him, so he is your cousin."

Seeing his father introduce him, Xiao Yan clasped his fists toward Xiao Ling. "Cousin Xiao Ling, I held many prejudices against you when we were young. My vision was narrow then, and my temporary arrogance clouded my mind. I was wrong before. I apologize to you."

Xiao Ling raised his brows and looked at Xiao Yan somewhat unexpectedly.

Although Xiao Yan had not yet suffered the three-year low point from the original story, because Xiao Zhan had invited Vice President Mitchell of the Alchemist Guild to examine Xiao Yan, he had endured even harsher ridicule and abuse than in the original story. At least in Xiao Ling's view, the effects of these two and a half years should not be any worse than those three years.

He wondered whether, after Xiao Yan regained his cultivation, and with the Xiao Family now having a promising Sixth-grade Alchemist like himself, the Cloud Mist Sect and the Nalan Family would still have Nalan Yanran break off her engagement with Xiao Yan and set a three-year agreement, just as in the original story.

Picking up the tea Qing Lin had poured beside him, Xiao Ling took a light sip. Looking at Xiao Yan, he said calmly, "It's nothing. I never took those things to heart. Youthful impulsiveness is common enough. Still, you do seem much more mature now."

Turning to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ling smiled faintly. "Clan Leader, let Xiao Yan remain here with me for now. It will take some time to fully resolve his problem. The Xiao Family has only just returned to Jia Ma Holy City, and there are many matters requiring your attention, so I won't keep you here any longer."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan nodded. He was quite reassured about leaving Xiao Yan with Xiao Ling. If Xiao Ling had wished to harm Xiao Yan, he would have acted long ago. "Then I'll take my leave first. I'll have to trouble you with Xiao Yan's matter."

After replying to Xiao Ling, Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan again. "Whatever Cousin Xiao Ling asks you to do, do it. Just follow his arrangements. He'll examine your body carefully."

"I will, Father." Xiao Yan nodded, his face earnest.

After giving his instructions, Xiao Zhan walked out of Xiao Ling's courtyard, leaving Xiao Yan behind.

After Xiao Zhan left, Xiao Ling stood from his stool and rubbed Qing Lin's little head. Smiling, he said, "Qing Lin, go cultivate Dou Qi with Sister Xian'er later. If you have any questions, go ask Sister Zi Yan."

After speaking to Qing Lin, Xiao Ling beckoned to Xiao Yan. "Come with me. It won't be convenient to resolve your physical problem outside."

Without waiting for Xiao Yan to respond, Xiao Ling started walking toward a Cultivation Room.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and slightly calmed the excitement in his heart before following Xiao Ling into the Cultivation Room.

After the two entered the Cultivation Room, Xiao Ling took out a chair from his Ring and sat down. He pointed at the stone platform in the center of the room and looked at Xiao Yan. "Sit there."

Xiao Yan nodded and followed Xiao Ling's instructions, sitting atop the stone platform. At that moment, he was rather nervous, and a thin layer of sweat had formed on his forehead. If even Xiao Ling could not resolve his strange problem, Xiao Yan did not dare imagine how devastated he would be.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling smiled. "Don't be so nervous. Just relax."

Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly. Though he did not want to be nervous either, I just can't do it.

Xiao Ling found this somewhat amusing and did not bother with such trivialities any longer. He intended to thoroughly examine Xiao Yan's condition and see just what methods Yao Chen, the Continent's Number One Alchemist, could use.

In Xiao Ling's memories, Yao Chen's Soul Realm before his death had been at the great completion of the Spirit Realm. Only after consuming the Soul Infant Fruit had his Soul Realm broken through to the Heaven Realm Soul. With Xiao Ling's own Spirit Realm Soul, Yao Chen, whose soul had yet to fully recover, should be unable to conceal himself completely before him.

Taking a Yellow Dragon Pill from his Ring, Xiao Ling tossed it toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan hurriedly caught it. Seeing that it was a medicinal pill, he looked at Xiao Ling with confusion in his eyes.

Then Xiao Ling's voice drifted into Xiao Yan's ears. "This is a pill I formulated. It can be taken during the Dou Qi stage. Swallow it, then begin refining its medicinal power."

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He had not expected his cousin to create a pill that cultivators at the Dou Qi stage could consume. Yao Yue had mentioned this matter before as well...

The thought flashed through his mind, and Xiao Yan opened his mouth and swallowed the Yellow Dragon Pill.

The instant the pill entered his body, it transformed into a warm current that spread through Xiao Yan's limbs and bones, tempering the Dou Qi within him.

At that moment, Yao Chen concealed within the Bone Flame Ring on Xiao Yan's finger secretly released a trace of Soul Power. Sensing the changes within Xiao Yan's body, he stroked his translucent beard and muttered in surprise, "This kid is quite a genius. He actually created a pill that can be consumed at the Dou Qi stage. It can even slightly improve one's cultivation aptitude, and its drug resistance isn't as strong as that of ordinary pills."

Since the Bone Flame Ring was worn on Xiao Yan's finger, Xiao Ling did not notice the trace of Soul Power Yao Chen had just released.

Feeling the surging energy that had appeared in his body, Xiao Yan hurriedly formed cultivation hand seals and began refining the pure energy within him.

Just then, a familiar sensation appeared within Xiao Yan's body. The last time he had felt this way was when Yao Yue examined him.

However, compared with Yao Yue's examination, this was on an entirely different level.

If Yao Yue's probing had made him feel as though he were naked, then under Xiao Ling's examination, it felt as though his flesh, blood, and bones had vanished, leaving only the meridians within his body.

Though it felt somewhat uncomfortable, Xiao Yan continued circulating the energy in his body, trying to refine it.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to completely refine that energy, a familiar feeling surged through his entire body. It was a sensation Xiao Yan had experienced repeatedly for two and a half years. There was no way he could mistake it.

"Phew..." Xiao Yan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and abruptly opened his eyes. A faint white glimmer flashed through his dark pupils. It was the Dou Qi that had just been absorbed but not yet fully refined.

Xiao Yan cast an expectant gaze toward Xiao Ling. By then, Xiao Ling had already risen from his chair and walked before him, a faint smile on his face as he regarded Xiao Yan with an interested look.

Within the Bone Flame Ring, Yao Chen cried out in disbelief, "How is this possible? Only fifteen years old, yet already a Five-Star Dou King, and his Soul Realm has even entered the Spirit Realm."

Xiao Ling smiled at Xiao Yan. "Sleep for a while. Your body will recover soon..." Before Xiao Yan could react, Xiao Ling tapped his sleeping acupoint.

As Xiao Yan closed his eyes, he fell into sleep.

"What? Still not planning to come out?" Xiao Ling removed the Bone Flame Ring from Xiao Yan's hand and tossed it about in his palm.

"Alas, I never expected this tiny Jia Ma Empire to produce such a peerless prodigy as you. This old man has fallen into your hands." As the voice rang out, the Bone Flame Ring floated into the air, and a translucent elderly figure drifted out from it...

Just as the energy within Xiao Yan's body was about to be refined, it seemed to suddenly gain a trace of intelligence and voluntarily slipped out of Xiao Yan's body. After leaving him, it dispersed into the air.

This method clearly belonged to an expert with a Spirit Realm Soul, who had temporarily endowed that energy with intelligence. Seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune, the energy naturally did not wish to be refined by Xiao Yan, so it escaped from his body.

With his own Spirit Realm Soul Power, Xiao Ling had naturally discovered Yao Chen's methods with ease.

Moreover, under the full investigation of his Soul Perception, every aspect of Xiao Yan's body had been observed by Xiao Ling. Only the Bone Flame Ring was impenetrable to his Soul Power.

Based on that abnormality alone, even if Xiao Ling had never read the original story, he would have been able to find Yao Chen's hiding place.

Staring at the illusory figure floating above the ring, Xiao Ling remained calm, as if he did not know Yao Chen at all. He asked, "Who are you? Since you have followed my cousin without endangering his life, I assume you bear him no ill will. Then why did you drain all his Dou Qi, subjecting him to more than two years of scorn and turning him into a cultivation cripple?"

Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Yao Chen stroked his beard, a composed smile appearing on his face. "Young friend, you need not worry. I bear your cousin no ill will. I absorbed his Dou Qi only to temper his temperament. Now that he has begun to develop the heart of a strong person, once his cultivation talent is restored, his future accomplishments will surely surpass his former potential."

After hearing Yao Chen's explanation, Xiao Ling nodded slightly. Only after enduring the tempering of being a "cripple" could Xiao Yan go further. In the original story, Xiao Yan's greatest gain during those three years as a "cripple" had been a resilient heart that refused to yield despite repeated setbacks.

At that moment, Yao Chen continued, "According to my original plan, I intended to let this little fellow temper his mind for three years. Once the time was right, I would reveal myself and take him as my disciple. However, after learning of your circumstances, I had another thought. If you could not detect this old man's methods, I would proceed according to the original plan and take this little fellow as my disciple. But if you could discover my whereabouts, I would follow at your side and help you become a powerful figure of your generation."

"That sounds nice, but if I discovered your whereabouts, would I really have continued letting you hide?" Xiao Ling curled his lips, somewhat speechless. "Besides, how can you prove that a Remnant Soul like you can help me become a great powerhouse? Why should I allow a person of unknown origins to remain by my side?"

"Since I said I can help you become a great powerhouse, I naturally have my reasons." Yao Chen stood with his hands behind his back, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.

"Since you are a Sixth-grade Alchemist, young friend, have you heard of the 'Continent's Number One Alchemist'?" After saying this, Yao Chen revealed a smug smile.

"Of course. The Continent's Number One Alchemist, Yao Chen, Venerable Yao. Not only did his cultivation reach the peak of Nine-Revolutions Dou Venerate, he was also an Eighth-Rank Peak Alchemist." Xiao Ling raised his brows and spoke calmly. "Since you mentioned Venerable Yao's name, could it be that you are Yao Chen himself, who vanished decades ago?"

Hearing Xiao Ling's question, Yao Chen smiled mysteriously and raised his illusory hand. A pale white flame leaped into being, spreading an aura of extreme cold and extreme heat.

"As an Alchemist, you should recognize this Heavenly Flame." Stroking his beard, Yao Chen looked rather smug. In the Dou Qi Continent, those capable of subduing Heavenly Flames were exceedingly rare. They were also the flames Alchemists dreamed of possessing. This kid would surely reveal an envious expression soon.

"The eleventh-ranked Heavenly Flame on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. It seems you truly are Venerable Yao, Yao Chen." Xiao Ling pretended to be greatly surprised as he spoke in an astonished tone.

Yao Chen nodded slightly and stared at Xiao Ling. In a steady voice, he said, "Correct. This old man is Yao Chen. Because I fought with an enemy, I ended up in this miserable state. Does this 'Continent's Number One Alchemist' qualify to follow you and teach you Alchemy Art?"

For a sheltered youngster like Xiao Yan, Yao Chen had not planned to reveal his identity directly. A slight display of his abilities, followed by some promised benefits, would have been enough to convince him. However, when facing a genius youth like Xiao Ling, who had already grown so formidable, Yao Chen would never persuade him to let him remain at his side without showing some real skill.

When Yao Chen released the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within Xiao Ling's Spirit Absorption seemed to sense it and became somewhat restless.

Yao Chen, who had been watching Xiao Ling closely, naturally noticed the scorching aura coming from within Xiao Ling's body.

"Hmm, I didn't expect you to have subdued a Heavenly Flame at such a young age. You are quite fortunate." Yao Chen raised his brows, speaking with some surprise.

The moment Yao Chen finished speaking, Xiao Ling spread open his palm, and a crimson-gold flame leaped forth. The scorching temperature radiating from the flame caused the surrounding space to faintly distort.