Cultivation

After Elder Huo left, Xiao Ling returned to the pill cauldron and continued practicing Alchemy. Whenever the Dou Qi in his body was exhausted, he would sit down and cultivate. Feeling his cultivation steadily grow stronger, Xiao Ling smiled in satisfaction.

Thus, pill refining and cultivation alternated without end. By the time the setting sun had dyed half the sky red, Xiao Ling stepped out of the Alchemy Room and stretched his body wide. A series of crackling sounds came from within him.

He reached toward the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night at his waist and took out a bottle of Cola, then downed the entire drink in one gulp. More than half of his day's fatigue vanished, and he could not help sighing inwardly, I have never felt so refreshed.

Returning to his room, he took out the Storage Ring Elder Huo had given him that day. His Soul Perception flowed into it as he began examining the items inside one by one.

First were the cultivation techniques: the Earth Tier Low-grade cultivation technique, "Sky Burning Flame Art."

Then came the Dou Techniques: the Black Tier Advanced Movement Technique, "Wind Chasing Steps"; the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique, "Sky Burning Palm"; the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique, "Crimson Flame Fist"; and the Earth Tier Low-grade Dou Technique, "Blazing Fire Meteor."

There were also several books related to alchemy: "Compendium of Medicinal Properties," "How to Identify Pills," "Pill Cauldron Identification Manual," "Three Years Controlling Fire, Five Years Refining Pills," "Annotation of Alchemy Techniques," "One Hundred Tips for Becoming an Alchemist"...

Looking at these cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques, Xiao Ling could not help marveling, "As expected of Jia Nan Academy. They're truly generous. Since they thought I lacked a good cultivation technique, they simply gave me an Earth Tier Low-grade one. There's even an Earth Tier Low-grade cultivation technique called 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Fire Absolute' in the Library Pavilion. Their foundations are far stronger than that little place, the Jia Ma Empire."

However, when he looked at those books related to alchemists, Xiao Ling's lips twitched. It gave him the feeling of studying back in his previous life.

After sorting through everything, he put away the other books, cultivation techniques, and Dou Techniques. Then, picking up "One Hundred Tips for Becoming an Alchemist," Xiao Ling reclined halfway on his bed and began reading with great interest.

Day after day passed. After arriving at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Ling's life gradually became more regular.

Every morning, he went to the Alchemy Room of the Alchemy Department to refine pills and cultivate Dou Qi. Whenever he encountered something he did not understand, he would occasionally seek Elder Huo's guidance.

Elder Huo was also deeply invested in teaching this half-disciple of his. Whenever Xiao Ling came to ask about doubts related to Alchemy, he would patiently and earnestly answer, providing Xiao Ling with considerable help.

Having stayed at Jia Nan Academy for who knew how long, Elder Huo was highly experienced in teaching students. He knew that geniuses and ordinary people differed in their ability to absorb knowledge, so his teaching method for Xiao Ling focused more on making him learn to think through problems and understand knowledge for himself. Everyone was different. Only by walking one's own path of pill refining and forming one's own insights could one become an outstanding alchemist.

Xiao Ling did not disappoint him. He progressed extremely quickly in Alchemy, and his foundational knowledge and pill-refining techniques were solid. His Soul Power was also continuously improving and had already surpassed those of the same rank by more than double.

Although Xiao Ling devoted much effort and time to alchemy and cultivation, he did not neglect practical combat training.

No matter how powerful one's own strength was, if one could not use it properly, one could only bully cultivators weaker than oneself. If one wanted to be invincible among those of the same rank or fight across ranks, practical combat experience was indispensable.

Xiao Ling often sparred and exchanged pointers with the academy's students, and sometimes sought guidance from the academy's instructors and elders. At the beginning, because he could not properly control his own Dou Techniques and lacked combat experience, he could not display his full strength and would lose to opponents of comparable cultivation. By now, Xiao Ling had gained far more experience in actual combat, and his mastery of Dou Techniques had improved greatly. Relying on his outstanding physique, powerful recovery ability, and Soul Perception far beyond those of the same rank, he was practically unmatched in battles within the same major realm. Even against opponents one major realm above him, he could hold his own.

Such a rate of growth made Xiao Ling's reputation resound throughout the academy. Both teachers and students called him "Jia Nan Academy's Number One Genius."

Xiao Ling gladly accepted such praise, but he did not become arrogant or complacent because of it.

Because he knew what he was pursuing. To achieve his future goals and obtain those opportunities, this level of strength was far from enough. On the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supreme; the biggest fist was the only hard truth.

The upper ranks of Jia Nan Academy also became increasingly satisfied with Xiao Ling. His talent and temperament were impeccable, and he was extremely respectful toward his elders. Even First Elder Su Qian of the Inner Academy would smile warmly whenever he saw Xiao Ling, and he would occasionally come to the Outer Academy to guide Xiao Ling's cultivation.

Time flowed like water, slipping away bit by bit. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

At one of the academy's battle arenas, two students were sparring. The energy of their Dou Techniques spread outward, stirring ripples through the air.

On the viewing platform beside the fighting stage, many students sat watching the spar. They whispered among themselves and discussed it animatedly.

"Junior Xiao Ling truly has extraordinary talent. He's only just over ten years old, yet he's already a Great Dou Master. He truly deserves to be Jia Nan Academy's number one genius."

"That talent is terrifying. When I was ten, I hadn't even condensed a Dou Qi Vortex to become a Dou Zhe."

"Junior Xiao Ling is getting more handsome by the day. I want to have babies with him so badly."

Before long, the spar on the stage was decided. Xiao Ling deliberately revealed an opening, then caught his opponent off guard and knocked him off the fighting stage with a single punch.

At the sight, waves of cheers erupted from the crowd in the stands. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Xiao Ling leaped down from the stage and landed before the young man. He helped him up and used the Soul Bone Skill "Wildfire Cannot Be Burned Away, Spring Breezes Bring It Back to Life" to treat him.

The young man was tall and slender, with an exceptionally handsome face. Judging from his appearance, he was about seventeen or eighteen years old.

Once he saw that the young man was not seriously hurt, Xiao Ling withdrew his hand and said, "Brother Lin, I was a little heavy-handed during that spar. You aren't injured, are you?"

The young man waved his hand and said with a bitter smile, "I'm fine. That healing skill of yours works quite well. No wonder you recover from your injuries so quickly after every spar. I just never expected that you'd defeat me, a Four-star Great Dou Master, right after breaking through to the Great Dou Master realm. You really are a monster."

Xiao Ling scratched his head and replied with a smile, "I only had the advantage of recovering quickly and having strong Soul Perception. Brother Lin, your strength is among the best of those at the same rank. Once you reach the Dou Ling realm and use your cultivation technique to condense Dou Qi Wings, even if I reach the Dou Ling realm as well, I might not be able to gain any advantage against you."