Xiao Yan and Yao Chen's Budget Version

With that, Ling Yuan easily won over the little girl Cao Ying.

Cao Can pulled Cao Ying close and solemnly instructed her:

"Ying'er, after you return to the Ling Clan with the young clan chief, you must behave yourself, cultivate diligently, and learn alchemy. You cannot be so willful anymore. Do not disappoint the young clan chief's efforts or our Cao Clan's expectations."

Cao Ying nodded vigorously. Though she was still somewhat childish, she understood that this was an important matter and replied softly, "Father, I understand."

Then Cao Can turned to Ling Yuan and gave him a deep bow, speaking earnestly:

"Young Clan Chief Ling, I entrust my daughter to you. I hope you will take good care of her and teach her well in the future. If she does anything wrong, please discipline her as you see fit."

Ling Yuan waved his hand. "Clan Head Cao, rest assured. Since I have decided to train her, I will not be perfunctory. I will properly teach her cultivation and alchemy."

Ling Yuan's attitude toward training others was simple: if someone was worth training, he would spare no effort, like Qing Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, and Medusa. As for those unworthy of training, such as the Ling Clan's younger generation with mediocre talent, he would not bother with them at all.

Before coming here, Ling Yuan had originally planned to recruit both Cao Ying and Dan Chen into the Ling Clan. Both were geniuses with outstanding alchemy talent, and if trained together, they would become pillars of the Ling Clan in the future.

However, while chatting with Cao Can earlier, he learned that Dan Chen was even younger than Cao Ying. She was only eight years old!

She had only just begun cultivating, so recruiting her would be far too troublesome.

Moreover, Cao Can said that Dan Chen's health was poor. She was sickly and much weaker than children her age.

He wanted those he trained to cultivate the Burning Mantra. The technique itself was dangerous and required Heavenly Flames for support.

Given Dan Chen's condition, if she cultivated the Burning Mantra, she might one day fail to withstand the scorching heat of a Heavenly Flame and perish.

Even if she did not cultivate the Flame Mantra, merely enduring a pill lightning tribulation would be difficult for her.

Dan Chen was better left alone.

By the time she grew up, the Ling Clan would no longer need her anyway.

Rather than waste his energy, it was better to concentrate resources and fully train Cao Ying alone. The results would come faster and be more reliable.

Once the matter was settled, Ling Yuan did not delay any longer and brought Cao Ying back to the Ling Clan.

It was Cao Ying's first time leaving the Cao Clan, and also her first time entering the Ling Realm. Seeing the abundant natural energy, the unusual spiritual herbs and medicinal plants, and the magnificent buildings of the Ling Clan estate, she looked like someone who had never seen the world, glancing around in every direction from time to time.

Still, she was quite bold and asked many questions.

Ling Yuan occasionally gave her brief answers.

As they walked, he calculated inwardly: Since he had decided to let Cao Ying cultivate the Burning Mantra, he needed someone proficient in both alchemy and the Burning Mantra to teach her. Wasn't Yao Chen the most suitable candidate?

Wasn't this just a budget version of Xiao Yan and Yao Chen?

Thinking of this, Ling Yuan stopped and spoke to the ring in his hand. "Yao Chen, come out for a moment. I have a job for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a translucent soul phantom floated out of the ring. It was Yao Chen.

Yao Chen bowed to Ling Yuan. "Young Clan Chief, what are your orders?"

Ever since refining the Soul Origin Ling Yuan had given him, Yao Chen's soul had recovered considerably. His phantom was much more solid than before, and his aura had stabilized significantly as well.

He only needed some more medicinal ingredients to repair his soul. Before long, he would likely recover to the peak state of his soul.

Ling Yuan pointed at Cao Ying beside him and said:

"This is Cao Ying. Her alchemy talent is quite good, and I want her to cultivate the Burning Mantra. You are idle anyway, so from now on, you will guide her in alchemy and help her become familiar with the Burning Mantra's cultivation method."

Cao Ying's alchemy talent was indeed formidable, but a good teacher was also indispensable.

Yao Chen's alchemy techniques might not be as good as Elder Chen's, but his ability to teach was definitely superior.

Ling Yuan felt completely at ease having him guide Cao Ying.

Yao Chen looked at Cao Ying and gently probed her with his soul power. Sensing the purity and strength of her soul, a trace of approval flashed through his eyes. "What a powerful soul!"

Ling Yuan introduced her, "This is Venerable Yao. He once won the Alchemist Grand Assembly championship. If there is anything you do not understand about alchemy in the future, you may ask him for guidance."

Cao Ying had never heard of Yao Chen. After all, it had been many years since he won the Alchemist Grand Assembly championship. As a twelve-year-old girl, she naturally would not know about it.

However, she knew how prestigious the Alchemist Grand Assembly championship was. Even her father, Cao Can, had failed to obtain such an honor despite giving it his all. This Venerable Yao before her had to be an extraordinary figure.

She hurriedly bowed to Yao Chen. "Greetings, Venerable Yao. I hope you will guide me generously in the future."

To make Yao Chen teach with all his heart, Ling Yuan said jokingly, "Yao Chen, I will find her three kinds of Heavenly Flames. When the time comes, have her revive you. You cannot hold anything back."

When it involved his own interests, Yao Chen naturally could not be careless.

Yao Chen had lived for so many years; how could he fail to understand the meaning behind Ling Yuan's words? He promptly promised that he would teach her everything he knew.

If he succeeded in teaching her, Yao Chen could be revived.

If he failed, then he would have no way of being revived.

Ling Yuan nodded in satisfaction. He did not have Yao Chen stay by Cao Ying's side all the time, as he found that somewhat uncomfortable.

Instead, he had Yao Chen remain in the Ling Clan's Alchemy Hall, where he could focus on restoring his soul. If Cao Ying encountered anything she did not understand, she could go to the Alchemy Hall and seek his guidance.

Besides that, the Ling Clan had more than a dozen tier-eight alchemists. Cao Ying could seek instruction from them as well. The more she learned and practiced, the faster she would improve.

Of course, she could also consult other alchemists.

With more than a dozen tier-eight alchemists from the Ling Clan teaching Cao Ying, it would definitely be better than Xuan Kongzi of the Danta.

After arranging everything for Cao Ying, Ling Yuan finally took out the Burning Mantra and handed it to her.

"The cultivation technique you are currently practicing should be High Earth Tier, correct?"

Cao Ying nodded. "In reply to the young clan chief, yes. I cultivate our Cao Clan's High Earth Tier technique."

"This technique is only Low Yellow Tier, but it is very special. It can continuously advance by refining Heavenly Flames, eventually reaching High Heaven Tier, perhaps even surpassing Heaven Tier."

Ling Yuan let Cao Ying decide for herself whether she wanted to switch to this technique.

If she chose to switch, he would train her properly and help her become a Dou Di.

If she did not, Ling Yuan would choose someone else.

Holding the Burning Mantra, Cao Ying wore a conflicted expression.

The first reason for her hesitation was that the Burning Mantra's rank was too low. It was only Low Yellow Tier, far inferior to the High Earth Tier technique she currently cultivated.

The second was that she lacked confidence. The Burning Mantra required refining Heavenly Flames in order to advance, and Heavenly Flames were incredibly rare. She had no confidence that she could find enough of them.

Fortunately, Ling Yuan did not make things difficult for the little girl. He said that he would do his best to help her find Heavenly Flames.

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and two flames of different colors appeared out of thin air. One was pale green, the Green Lotus Core Flame; the other was pale blue, the Sea Heart Flame.

Seeing the two Heavenly Flames before her, Cao Ying's eyes instantly lit up. The conflict vanished from her face, replaced by excitement.

She had been obsessed with alchemy since childhood and had longed to see Heavenly Flames. She could hardly see even one in ordinary times, yet two had suddenly appeared before her. How could she not be excited?

Cao Ying's face was filled with determination. "Alright, I choose to switch to the Burning Mantra!"