Cultivation Method

Cultivation methods were of vital importance after breaking through to the Dou Zhe realm.

On the Dou Qi Continent, Dou Qi cultivation methods were divided into four ranks and twelve levels, from highest to lowest: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow! Each rank was further divided into low, intermediate, and high levels!

The grade of the Dou Qi cultivation method one practiced was also key to determining one's future achievements. For instance, someone practicing a Mysterious Rank Intermediate cultivation method would naturally be somewhat stronger than someone of the same level practicing a Yellow Rank High Level cultivation method.

As Xiao Li looked at the three cultivation methods, he could sense the scorching aura emanating from them. Their grades were surely not low.

One had to know that the Xiao Clan's cultivation methods were rather lacking. Their clan-protecting cultivation methods were merely Mysterious Rank Intermediate: the Mysterious Rank Intermediate Furious Lion's Roar, the Mysterious Rank Intermediate Raging Tiger Thunder Technique, and the Mysterious Rank Intermediate Refining Fire Burning Technique.

Of them, Xiao Li was quite familiar with Furious Lion's Roar. His elder brother, Xiao Lin, practiced that very cultivation method.

The Raging Tiger Thunder Technique was the cultivation method practiced by Patriarch Xiao Ting. At his level, this method was already holding him back somewhat. Fortunately, its matching Dou Technique, the Thunder Tiger Seal, was also Mysterious Rank Intermediate.

In Xiao Ting's hands, it possessed boundless might. Among the clan's three great clan-protecting cultivation methods, the Raging Tiger Thunder Technique ranked first.

Had Xiao Li not taken Wang Ming as his master, he would probably have practiced the Refining Fire Burning Technique first, then added new cultivation methods to the clan in the future.

Then someone might ask: as one of the Imperial Capital's Four Great Clans, with even a Dou Wang expert, why did the Xiao Clan not possess even a single Mysterious Rank High cultivation method?

The answer was quite simple. The Xiao Clan's inheritance had been severed. After they had drifted to the Jia Ma Empire, many things had been lost. Though highly accomplished clansmen had emerged afterward, once they ventured across the continent, they never returned.

As for why they did not simply buy a Mysterious Rank High cultivation method, that was also simple—it came down to luck. The Xiao Clan had no industry to support itself, so it lacked funds.

Whenever the Mittel Auction House auctioned a Mysterious Rank High cultivation method, the Xiao Clan happened to have no money. Whenever the Xiao Clan had money, there was no Mysterious Rank High cultivation method available for auction. Their luck was truly abysmal.

The Xiao Clan also had many disciples to nurture, leaving it rather poor at present. Perhaps it had some money saved up for critical moments.

Among the Four Great Clans, the Mittel Family was engaged in business. Every major city in the Jia Ma Empire had a Mittel Auction House. They monopolized many industries, and with the Ice Emperor—one of the Jia Ma Empire's Top Ten Experts—overseeing them, no one dared touch the Mittel Family's interests.

The Mu Clan had always been the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family's lackey. With the empire backing them, they would not fall anytime soon.

The Nalan Clan appeared similar to the Xiao Clan, but it had close ties with the Misty Cloud Sect. The current Nalan Clan Patriarch was an Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.

(This is a secondary setting. This Nalan Elder was Nalan Jie's elder, and at this time, Nalan Jie was a Dou Ling just like Xiao Lin.)

Among all the great clans in the Imperial Capital, only the Xiao Clan seemed somewhat pathetic, standing alone and relying entirely on the old man, Xiao Ting, to hold it up.

"Teacher, could you introduce these two cultivation methods?" Xiao Li asked.

Although Wang Ming had taken out three scrolls of indiscernible material, he had separated them into two groups. His left hand held one crimson scroll, while his right hand held two vermilion scrolls.

"Hehe, the cultivation method in my left hand is called the Nine Heavens Yang Skill. It is an Earth Rank Intermediate cultivation method, and also the one your master currently practices. It is divided into nine levels. Once cultivated to mastery, its Dou Qi becomes supremely rigid and yang, with limitless power.

"As for the two scrolls in my right hand, they are a set: the Earth Rank Low-Level cultivation method, Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Technique, and its matching Dou Technique, Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand.

"It uses one's own Dou Qi flames and the 'Nine Tribulations' as its cultivation goal. Each time one breaks through a tribulation, one's Dou Qi flames undergo a qualitative transformation, gradually evolving from 'Scarlet Flame' into 'Purple Flame.' Upon reaching the ninth tribulation, one's flames will be no weaker than the Beast Flame of a Magical Beast of the same level.

"As for the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand, its power can rival an Earth Grade Intermediate Dou Technique. Your master uses it as well. Once mastered, one can split mountains and shatter rocks with a gesture, overturn rivers and seas with a wave of the hand."

Wang Ming introduced the cultivation methods and Dou Techniques in his hands, leaving Xiao Li greatly shocked. Were Rank 6 Alchemists really this wealthy?

An Earth Rank Low-Level one was understandable, but he even had an Earth Rank Intermediate one? Don't tell me that you, a Rank 6 Alchemist, even have a Rank 7 Pill Formula or perhaps a Grade 8 Pill Formula!

Xiao Li carefully examined the two cultivation methods in Old Wang's hands. After considering them closely, he chose the Earth Rank Low-Level cultivation method, the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Technique.

For his current stage as a One-Star Dou Practitioner, an Earth Rank Low-Level cultivation method was more than sufficient. It already surpassed the cultivation methods of countless Dou Zhes, and the matching Dou Technique, the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand, looked extremely enticing.

At the very least, within the Jia Ma Empire, the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand would definitely allow him to fight above his level.

"Teacher, I choose the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Technique!" Xiao Li said as he approached Wang Ming's right hand.

"Heh, you have good judgment, kid. You weren't overly ambitious. At your current level, an Earth Rank Low-Level cultivation method is already the limit. There is no need to pursue a higher cultivation method.

"Even if you had a higher one, you would not be able to cultivate it. Here—this is yours."

Wang Ming nodded with a smile. He was very satisfied with Xiao Li's choice and handed him the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Technique along with its matching Dou Technique, the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand.

Xiao Li opened the Earth Rank Low-Level cultivation method, the Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Technique, and quickly immersed himself in it.

The Dou Qi within Xiao Li's body began circulating according to the route described in the cultivation method, swiftly completing a Great Heavenly Cycle.

Xiao Li felt his Dou Qi becoming purer, while both its quality and quantity rapidly increased.

"Open your mouth, disciple!"

Just as Xiao Li was immersed in cultivation, he suddenly heard his teacher's voice. He did not know why he was supposed to open his mouth, but he did so anyway. It wasn't as if Master would harm me, right?

Xiao Li opened his mouth, and two pills appeared in Wang Ming's hand before he tossed them directly into Xiao Li's mouth.

Xiao Li naturally felt two smooth, round objects enter his mouth. They melted as soon as they entered, swiftly flowing down Xiao Li's throat.

Having taken Gathering Qi Powder before, Xiao Li naturally understood that his teacher had given him two more pills.

As soon as the pills entered his body, Xiao Li felt the difference. He could sense the fire-attribute World Energy around him more clearly, and his absorption speed became even faster.

It must be because of those two pills. I cannot let Teacher's efforts go to waste. Cultivate!

Xiao Li once again entered a state of immersed cultivation. Seeing his disciple fall into deep cultivation, Wang Ming sat down in a chair and took a sip of tea.

"Third Grade Pill, Awakening Spirit Pill. Third Grade Pill, Gathering Fire Pill. With these two pills, Li'er's cultivation should proceed much more smoothly. Mm, not bad~

"With Li'er's talent, if I nurture him properly, becoming a Dou Zong will be effortless. As for becoming a Dou Zun, I will need to nurture him even more carefully."

Wang Ming muttered to himself, then took out an ancient scroll from his Storage Ring.

"The Rank 5 Peak Pill, Foundation Establishment Pill, seems a little unworthy of Li'er. Besides, the Millennium Spirit Origin Fruit is too difficult to find. Why not change it?

"The Rank 6 High Grade Pill, Profound Yuan Foundation Establishment Pill. I have Purple Gold Profound Yuan Ginseng on hand, and the Mittel Family should have the other supplementary ingredients. That fellow Hai Bodong would not dare refuse to show me respect.

"Using the Profound Yuan Foundation Establishment Pill as the main treatment, supplemented by a Medicinal Bath made from Grade 5 Pills, five consecutive years should definitely forge a Venerable foundation for Li'er!

"Unfortunately, although I possess the pill formula for the Rank 7 Peak Pill, Profound Bodhi Foundation Establishment Pill, I cannot refine it. Sigh... I wonder whether I can advance even further during the years I have left?"