Seeing Yun Yun's astonished expression, as if the question of the techniques' grades had set her thoughts churning, Zhang Nian waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "These are all basic operations. Once you reach a certain level and gain insight into the world, you'll naturally be able to wield them as easily as your master. Of course, coming up with a Heaven-grade Dou Technique also takes a certain amount of luck. In short, I just happened to have an insight."
Basic operations...
Just happened to have an insight...
Hearing that, Yun Yun rolled her eyes. He'd happened to have an insight and transformed three Dou Techniques in just a few days—two high-tier Earth-grade techniques and one low-tier Heaven-grade one? Was he trying to fool a child? Though she grumbled inwardly, Zhang Nian's feat had thoroughly impressed her. At least he wasn't someone who casually made boasts he couldn't back up.
She had only glanced through them, but some of the contents were so profound that they didn't seem to have been revised from the original three techniques at all. If she had to describe it, they seemed more like entirely new creations. Yun Yun was familiar with the three original techniques, yet she still couldn't understand these.
"Master... I wanted to ask you something..."
Just as she was about to voice her question, Zhang Nian quickly raised a hand to stop her. "You're already thinking of asking questions before you've even started studying them? These aren't merely gifts for you; they're also a test. Each of these three techniques has its own subtleties and contains my insights into the world. If you can comprehend even a little, it'll benefit you immensely in the future."
As he spoke with increasing fervor, Zhang Nian paused, his eyes darting about before he continued, "Of course, if you want to reach the heavens in a single step, I have a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill called the Fangzhang Butian Pill. Anyone who takes it can break through directly to the Dou Zong realm, while also refining their bloodline and greatly accelerating their cultivation. Its medicinal power is on par with the pill Ya Fei took. The choice is yours."
A Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill...
Yun Yun naturally knew what a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill meant. Ninth-grade pills were divided into three kinds: Treasure Pills, Profound Pills, and Golden Pills. There hadn't been a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill on the Dou Qi Continent for several hundred years, and only great experts could refine a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill. That made a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill one of the most powerful pills in existence. Now she finally believed what her former master, Yun Shan, had once told her. The jade bottle before her contained an immense opportunity.
But when she recalled what Zhang Nian had just said, the trace of greed that had only just arisen in her heart was snuffed out before it could take root. Yes, a cultivator's own abilities were the foundation. If she relied too heavily on pills and other aids, she would never go far. She still had confidence in herself. Reaching such a level at her age was proof of her talent, in addition to her hard work.
She firmly refused. "Master, I think you're right. I'll study these techniques carefully. If I'm not fortunate enough to understand your intentions, then I won't deserve to be your disciple, nor will I deserve this opportunity!"
Her tone was resolute and her manner sincere. Even Zhang Nian believed the nonsense he'd made up. What test had he set? These techniques simply weren't suited to him. The only one he could cultivate was the high-tier Earth-grade Cloud-Stepping Shadowless, but even a high-tier Earth-grade technique wasn't enough for him.
Or rather, he could easily get something more powerful. For instance, he could give Medusa Explosive Step and then obtain a better technique in return. That was why he couldn't let Yun Yun ask him questions—otherwise, all his excuses would fall apart. Who had ever heard of someone not understanding a technique he'd created himself? He absolutely couldn't let himself get caught in such a ridiculous lie.
Zhang Nian nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good. Study them carefully. With your talent, I believe you'll understand them one day. But don't neglect your cultivation, either. Breaking through can also change your mindset and broaden your perspective."
As he spoke, Zhang Nian took out the Sixth-Grade Pill Dou Ling Pill, one of the gifts Yun Shan had brought him during his last visit. "I'll give you this Dou Ling Pill. You can decide what to do with it—whether to take it now or later is entirely up to you."
With that, he casually returned the Fangzhang Butian Pill on the table to his Storage Ring. Since Yun Yun had chosen not to accept it, he could give her something else later. In any case, he'd already achieved his goal.
Just then, as Zhang Nian took the Dou Ling Pill out of his Storage Ring, the system's notification suddenly rang in his ears.
[ Ding! Disciple Yun Yun's favorability has increased by 10. Current favorability: 50. Return multiplier increased to 400. ]
[ Ding! Gifting disciple Yun Yun a Sixth-Grade Pill. Beginning return... ]
[ Ding! Returned a high-tier Seventh-Grade Pill, the Orchid Heart Bodhi Pill: This pill clears the mind and increases the chance of success when breaking through (ineffective for experts at the Ninth Revolution of the Dou Zun realm or above). ]
Emmm...
The note was easy enough to understand. The pill wouldn't have any effect when breaking through to Dou Sheng. However, it should be quite useful when advancing from Dou Zong to Dou Zun, or from Dou Emperor to Dou Zong. It was like a higher-grade Dou Zong Breaking Pill. Everyone knew that it was extremely difficult for Dou Emperor experts to break through to Dou Zong. One misstep could cause them to fall back a realm, with disastrous consequences. It could also affect their state of mind.
Normally, if someone failed their first attempt to break through to Dou Zong, they would fail every time afterward. When they stood before that wall a second time, they would have already lost the courage they'd had when challenging it the first time. That was only human nature.
"All right, I'll be going now."
After leaving Yun Yun's residence, he turned and headed for the house where Ya Fei was staying. At that moment, however, two unwelcome guests had arrived outside the mountain gate's barrier.
After several nights of nonstop travel, Hall Master Mo of Soul Hall's Northwest Branch Hall had quietly arrived in the Jia Ma Empire with Protector Wu. To be cautious, the two had taken pills that concealed their auras before daring to approach Saint Qinglian's residence. When he saw the magnificent sight before him, Hall Master Mo's mouth fell open. The pale, milky-white flame on top of the barrier especially left him dumbstruck. It was faintly eerie, yet carried an aura of overwhelming destruction.
"Milky-white... holy yet eerie. Even from a distance, I can feel how dangerous that flame is... That's it. It must be the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third on the list of Heavenly Flames. It must be a newly born flame that hasn't developed a mind yet, which is why it's milky-white. The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame turns pink when it's at its most concentrated... This is an opportunity..."
After taking a distant look, Hall Master Mo began to entertain some unscrupulous thoughts. In his mind, only Soul Hall could possess such a powerful flame—or rather, only the force behind Soul Hall had the right to lay claim to it. As a regional leader, he naturally knew more than ordinary protectors.
The biggest question now was whether the person inside the barrier really was a Dou Sheng expert—or was he just bluffing?
A fierce glint shone in his eyes as he kept staring at the milky-white flame, weighing his options. He glanced at Protector Wu, who was just as shocked, and let out a shrill laugh from deep in his throat.
"Heh heh heh..."
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