Basic Operation Miscalculation

Seeing the look of astonishment on Yun Yun's face, as if she were turning the grade of the Dou Techniques over in her mind, Zhang Nian waved his hand dismissively and said, "These are just basic operations. Once you reach a certain realm and gain insights into the world, you will naturally be able to handle them as skillfully as your master. Of course, these Heaven-tier Dou Techniques also require a certain amount of destiny to conceive; all in all, it is just a matter of occasional inspiration."

Basic operations...

Occasional inspiration...

Hearing this, Yun Yun rolled her eyes dramatically. Occasional inspiration allows one to modify three Dou Techniques in just a few days—two Earth-tier high-grade and one Heaven-tier low-grade? Are you trying to fool a child? Despite her internal grumbling, she was truly awed by Zhang Nian's display; at the very least, he was not the type to boast without substance.

She had just flipped through them casually, and some of the content was incredibly profound. It didn't look like it had been modified from the original three techniques at all; if anything, it felt more like innovation and creation. After all, Yun Yun was familiar with the original three techniques, yet she still couldn't grasp these.

"Master... I would like to ask you..."

Just as she was about to voice her questions, Zhang Nian hurriedly raised a hand to interrupt. "You want to ask questions before you have even begun to study? This is not just a gift for you, but a test. These three Dou Techniques each contain their own subtleties and my personal insights into the world. If you can comprehend even a fraction of them, it will benefit you infinitely in the future."

As he spoke with fervor, Zhang Nian paused, his eyes darting around before he continued, "Of course, if you wish to ascend to the heavens in a single step, I have a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill here called the Fangzhang Butian Pill. The user can break through directly to the Dou Ancestor realm, and their bloodline will be sublimated, making cultivation much faster. Its potency is on par with the one Ya Fei consumed. You may choose for yourself."

Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill...

Yun Yun naturally knew what a Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill signified. Ninth-Grade pills are divided into three types: Treasure Pills, Profound Pills, and Golden Pills. The Dou Qi Continent had not seen a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill for hundreds of years, and Ninth-Grade Profound Pills could only be refined by great masters. Thus, this Ninth-Grade Treasure Pill was already among the most pinnacle existence of medicinal pills. At this moment, she finally believed what her former master, Yun Shan, had said: the jade bottle before her contained nothing less than a heaven-sent opportunity.

But as soon as she thought of what Zhang Nian had just said, the trace of greed that had just emerged was nipped in the bud. Yes, a cultivator must take themselves as the foundation; if one blindly craves pills and auxiliary aids, one will never go far. She had some confidence in herself; to reach such a cultivation level at her age, aside from her own efforts, it was undoubtedly due to her talent.

She immediately refused, saying, "Master, I believe you are right. I will definitely study these Dou Techniques diligently. If I, Yun Yun, am not fortunate enough to comprehend your good intentions, then I am naturally not qualified to be your disciple, nor am I qualified to enjoy this opportunity!"

Her tone was resolute and her attitude sincere, to the point that even Zhang Nian believed the lies he had fabricated. He hadn't set any test at all; it was just that these Dou Techniques didn't suit him. The only one he could practice was the Earth-tier high-grade Cloud-Stepping Shadowless, but even that wasn't enough in his eyes.

Or rather, he could easily obtain stronger ones. For instance, he could go find Medusa and give her the Explosive Step, and he would immediately receive even more powerful techniques, wouldn't he? This meant that if Yun Yun asked him questions, his entire facade would crumble. Who creates a technique they don't understand themselves? Such a self-defeating act was something he absolutely could not let happen.

Nodding with satisfaction, Zhang Nian left her with a final word: "Mm, study hard. I believe that with your talent, you will comprehend them one day. Of course, do not neglect your cultivation; breakthroughs in strength can also change one's state of mind and perspective."

As he spoke, Zhang Nian took out a Dou Ling Pill, a Sixth-Grade pill from the gifts Yun Shan had brought during his last visit. "I will gift this Dou Ling Pill to you. Handle it as you see fit; whether you consume it now or later is entirely your decision."

After saying this, he casually tucked the Fangzhang Butian Pill back into his Storage Ring. Since Yun Yun chose not to accept it, he would just give her other rewards in the future; regardless, his goal had already been achieved.

Just as Zhang Nian took the Dou Ling Pill out of his Storage Ring, a system notification suddenly rang in his ears.

[Ding! Detected that disciple Yun Yun's favorability has increased by 10. Current favorability is 50. Return multiplier increased to 400.]

[Ding! Gifted disciple Yun Yun a Sixth-Grade pill. Commencing return...]

[Ding! Returned a Seventh-Grade high-grade pill, Orchid Heart Bodhi Pill: This pill can clear the user's mind and increase the success rate of breakthroughs (ineffective for experts above the ninth turn of Dou Zun).]

Emmm.

This note was easy to understand: it meant that when breaking through to Dou Sheng, this pill would have no effect. However, it should be quite useful when breaking through from Dou Ancestor to Dou Zun or from Dou Emperor to Dou Ancestor. It was equivalent to a higher-grade Dou Zong Breaking Pill. It is well known that it is very difficult for a Dou Emperor expert to break through to Dou Ancestor; a single mistake could lead to a drop in cultivation, which would undoubtedly cause bad results and affect one's state of mind.

Normally, if one fails to break through to Dou Ancestor the first time, they will likely fail in the future, because when you stand before that wall a second time, you have already lost the courage you had the first time. This is human nature.

"Alright, I shall take my leave."

Leaving Yun Yun's residence, he turned and headed toward the house where Ya Fei was staying. However, during this time, two uninvited guests had arrived outside the sect's protective barrier.

After several days of traveling through the night, Hall Master Mo of the Soul Hall's Northwest Continent branch had quietly arrived in the Jia Ma Empire with Protector Wu. Out of caution, the two had consumed pills to hide their aura, which was the only reason they dared to approach the residence of the Qinglian Saint. Upon seeing the magnificent and spectacular sight, Hall Master Mo's mouth hung open, especially at the milky-white flame atop the barrier, which revealed a hint of eeriness while carrying an extremely destructive aura, leaving him dumbfounded.

"Milky-white... holy yet eerie. Just looking at it from afar, one can feel the danger of that flame... That's right, it must be the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. This flame must be a nascent fire that has not yet awakened its intelligence, which is why it is milky-white. One must know that when the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is at its most concentrated, it is pink... This is an opportunity..."

Glancing from afar, Hall Master Mo began to harbor ulterior motives. In his mind, such a powerful flame could only be possessed by the Soul Hall, or rather, only the forces behind the Soul Hall could lay a hand on it. As a regional leader, he naturally knew more than those ordinary protectors.

The biggest problem right now was whether the person inside the barrier was truly a Dou Sheng expert, or if they were just bluffing...

His eyes shot out a terrifying gleam, his gaze fixed on the milky-white flame as he began to calculate. He glanced at Protector Wu, who was equally shocked, and a shrill laugh emanated from the depths of his throat:

"Hehehe..."