Switching Cultivation

After accepting the two as his disciples, Yao Lao began to map out their cultivation paths.

"I have two Earth Tier fire-attribute cultivation methods here for you to choose from: one is Earth Tier Low-grade, and the other is Earth Tier High-grade."

Two illusory scrolls appeared in his hands.

"The Earth Tier Low-grade method requires no special conditions to begin, so you could start practicing it right now. As for the Earth Tier High-grade one, it is much more troublesome to get started with. Which one do you choose?"

Yao Lao looked toward Qi Fei.

"Master, since you've already brought out an Earth Tier High-grade method, why would I ever choose the lower one?"

Qi Fei was somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected Yao Lao to be able to produce an Earth Tier High-grade cultivation method.

But then again, it made sense; before his death, Yao Lao was nearly the number one alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent, so obtaining an Earth Tier High-grade method was perfectly normal.

"I was just providing you with a backup option."

Yao Lao smiled, then began to explain the Earth Tier High-grade method.

"This method is called the Red Lotus Body Tempering Art. Once mastered, your physical body will become pure and clear, which is of great benefit to your Dou Qi cultivation. Furthermore, it forges a formidable physique, giving you a massive advantage in combat."

It was a pity that for a peak Dou Zun, this method wouldn't provide much help.

Otherwise, he would have switched to this method himself back in the day.

"However, to begin this method, you must find a place where flames gather and use that fire to temper your body. The grade of the flame will directly influence your future cultivation."

After stating the advantages, Yao Lao began to explain the drawbacks.

"What specific grade of flame-gathering location is required?"

Qi Fei had already decided to choose this one.

In the original story, several places where Heavenly Flames were born had appeared, and those locations would certainly meet the requirements of the method.

"You don't need to go out and search for such places, because you have a much better way to start."

A pale flame ignited at the tip of Yao Lao's finger.

Once the flame appeared, the surrounding temperature immediately began to rise, yet a strange, eerie coldness followed in its wake.

"Ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Bone Chilling Flame."

Yao Lao announced the name of the flame in his hand.

"Heavenly Flames are rare treasures nurtured by heaven and earth over countless years; they are the ultimate prize that countless alchemists dream of."

"However, the power of a Heavenly Flame is far too immense. Even an average Dou Huang would find it difficult to subdue one. I suffered quite a bit back when I was subduing this flame."

Yao Lao said with a look of deep reflection.

Clearly, the painful experience of subduing the Bone Chilling Flame all those years ago was still fresh in his memory.

"With your cultivation at the Dou Huang level, you should be able to barely withstand its burning to begin the Red Lotus Body Tempering Art."

No matter how impressive a normal environment might be, it could never compare to a Heavenly Flame born over tens of thousands of years.

Using the Bone Chilling Flame to start would maximize the effects of the Red Lotus Body Tempering Art; perhaps it might even rival a Heaven Tier method.

"Wait, Dou Huang? That realm above Dou Wang?"

Xiao Yan, who was listening on the sidelines, suspected he had misheard.

"Otherwise, which Dou Huang did you think I meant?"

Yao Lao asked, puzzled.

"Isn't this a bit wrong?"

Xiao Yan expressed that he couldn't wrap his head around it.

The levels of the Dou Qi Continent from low to high were Dou Zhe, Dou Shi, Grand Dou Master, Dou Ling, Dou Wang, Dou Huang, Dou Zong, Dou Zun, Dou Sheng, and Dou Di.

A Dou Huang already stood at the pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire and the surrounding nations.

To say Qi Fei was a Dou Huang was like saying his childhood best friend from the village was actually the richest person in the world.

It didn't sound realistic at all, did it?

"Xiao Fei had a powerful expert pass on his cultivation to him, so what is so strange about that?"

Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan with a hint of pity.

This child—had he been drained into a fool? He had only just explained these things, and he had already forgotten.

"I just thought that the most one could receive through inheritance would be a Dou Shi or a Grand Dou Master."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but mutter.

"What are you thinking? Anyone capable of passing on their cultivation is a powerhouse of their generation; how could it possibly be just a Grand Dou Master?"

Yao Lao rolled his eyes at Xiao Yan, then turned his gaze back to Qi Fei.

"Besides these two methods, you actually have one more option."

With a wave of his hand, he condensed yet another cultivation method.

Yao Lao, having learned his lesson from the incident with Han Feng, prepared to inform Qi Fei of the pros and cons of this cultivation method in advance, so as to avoid the two of them turning into enemies in the future.

"This is a Yellow Tier Low-level cultivation method, which I have named the Burning Art."

Here it comes, here it comes—the massive pitfall of the Dou Po World, the seemingly sweet but lethal poison, the legendary Burning Art with its abysmal cost-effectiveness.

Qi Fei muttered to himself in his heart.

"Although it is only Yellow Tier Low-level, it has the ability to evolve, and theoretically, it could even become a Heaven Tier cultivation method."

Yao Lao first pointed out the advantages of this method.

"It's that powerful? Then why wouldn't one choose this?"

Xiao Yan, standing to the side, asked.

He had originally thought that an Earth Tier High-level method was his master's limit; he hadn't expected there to be such a good thing.

"I'm afraid it's because this method has some drawbacks."

Qi Fei guessed, putting on a show of feigned ignorance.

"That is correct. This method has two fatal flaws."

Yao Lao said with a nod of approval.

"First, its evolution requires the consumption of Heavenly Flames; second, it requires you to abolish your current cultivation and start practicing again from the level of a Dou Zhe."

Consuming Heavenly Flames requires strength, medicinal pills, and a bit of luck, yet the Burning Art forces one to start from the very beginning as a Dou Zhe.

In other words, a practitioner of the Burning Art must endure the slow speed of a Yellow Tier method while climbing their way up.

That part was manageable enough.

Besides Heavenly Flames, fire seeds produced by high-level Magic Beasts could also provide a certain degree of improvement.

He estimated that gathering a few dozen of those should be enough to raise the Burning Art to the Xuan Tier Low-level.

The more important issue lay in the Burning Art's incredibly low cost-effectiveness.

In the original story, Xiao Yan risked his life to refine his first Heavenly Flame. What level was the Burning Art at that point?

Xuan Tier Mid-level.

That's right—risking one's life to refine a Heavenly Flame that could kill even a Dou Huang, and the Burning Art was only barely at the Xuan Tier Mid-level.

It wasn't even as good as the Flame Manipulation Art that Xiao Xun'er had prepared for Xiao Yan at the start; at least that method was Xuan Tier High-level.

If one wanted to continue improving the method, one had to keep risking their life to refine more Heavenly Flames.

Furthermore, this was all predicated on the assumption that one could actually find Heavenly Flames.

If the practitioner was unlucky and couldn't find any Heavenly Flames, they would be stuck using Beast Flames to make up the numbers.

In that scenario, they would likely spend their whole life stuck at the Xuan Tier. Any talk of Earth Tier or Heaven Tier would only be found in their dreams.

In short, from Qi Fei's perspective, the Burning Art was a typical protagonist's cultivation method.

The floor was incredibly low, the risks were incredibly high, and the ceiling was also high.

Only a creature like a novel protagonist could ignore its two flaws and enjoy only its benefits.

If someone with a less "hard" life tried it, they would have been sent to their grave by the very first Heavenly Flame.

Qi Fei would have to be out of his mind to switch to this method.

He could just use an Earth Tier method to breeze through his cultivation, and then, once his strength was sufficient, look for a Heaven Tier method to switch to.

Wouldn't that be much more comfortable than gambling his life away with a Yellow Tier Low-level method?

As for the argument that the Burning Art was tied to Yao Lao's resurrection?

Don't make me laugh; the Holy Attribute from the Heavenly Jewel Change World alone possessed the ability to resurrect the dead.

If other newcomers from special worlds joined, resurrection would surely be a piece of cake.

All in all, the greatest value of the Burning Art to Qi Fei was likely its ability to unlock the Source Qi left behind by Ancient Emperor Tuoshe, which was used to ascend to the rank of Dou Di.

But Source Qi wasn't the only option; there was also an Emperor Grade Embryonic Pill in Ancient Emperor Tuoshe's Cave Abode, which in the original story was obtained by the great villain Hun Tiandi.

When the time came, Qi Fei could simply intercept the Emperor Grade Embryonic Pill from Hun Tiandi, and he would have one less boss to fight.

I win twice—it's a win-win.

Xiao Yan opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.

After all, this was Qi Fei's own future, so he naturally had to decide for himself.

"I apologize, Yao Lao, but I still choose the Red Lotus Body Tempering Art."

Qi Fei said after feigning hesitation.

"A wise choice."

Yao Lao looked gratified as he dissipated the Burning Art and handed the method he had prepared long ago to Qi Fei.

"Afterward, I will guide you in mastering the basics of this method, and during this period, I will teach you Alchemy. Once everything is fully prepared, we will go elsewhere to cultivate your combat abilities."

Yao Lao had arranged everything for Qi Fei's future with perfect clarity.

"Thank you, Master."

Qi Fei said with a look of gratitude.

"Alright, it's my turn. Master, can I also cultivate this Red Lotus Body Tempering Art?"

Xiao Yan asked impatiently.

An Earth Tier high-level cultivation method—the entire Xiao Clan couldn't afford a technique of this level even if they sold everything they owned.

"No. Even if you reach the Dou Zhe stage, you wouldn't be able to withstand the scorching heat of a place where flames converge."

Yao Lao said directly.

"What about the Burning Art then?"

Xiao Yan asked again.

He was starting his cultivation from the Dou Zhe stage, so there was no issue of having to scrap his previous cultivation.

"This... let's wait until you become a Dou Zhe before we talk about that."

Yao Lao hesitated for a moment and did not immediately agree to Xiao Yan.

Perhaps, once he saw Qi Fei enduring the scorching of the Heavenly Flame, he would truly understand the risks of the Burning Art.

"Oh."

Xiao Yan said with some disappointment.

The topic just now was too advanced; he had almost forgotten that he was only at the third stage of Dou Qi.

He was still six stages of Dou Qi away from becoming a Dou Zhe.

"Don't be sad. As long as you prepare the materials, I have my own ways to make you a Dou Zhe within a year."

While comforting Xiao Yan, Yao Lao listed the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid.

This was one of the few medicinal formulas that could be used for cultivation during the Dou Qi stage.

"Wait, these add up to over a thousand gold coins."

Xiao Yan counted on his fingers.

"For your small treasury of only two hundred and six coins, that is indeed a daunting task."

Qi Fei remarked from the side.

"Yeah... wait, how do you know how much is in my small treasury?"

Xiao Yan looked at Qi Fei with a horrified expression.

This guy wouldn't be eyeing his small treasury, would he?

"Xun'er saw you when you were hiding the money, and then she was spotted by me and your father when she was peeking at you."

Qi Fei briefly summarized the situation at the time.

"Although you looked a bit pathetic looking left and right without seeing the three of us, you really looked like a cool guy when you were saving money; your father was almost moved to tears."

After all, other children of the same age basically spent their pocket money as soon as they got it.

Having said that, Qi Fei gave Xiao Yan a thumbs up.

"..."

Xiao Yan looked at Qi Fei speechlessly.

Qi Fei maintained the thumbs-up gesture.

As for Yao Lao, he just stood to the side watching the show.

"So, Master, how am I supposed to get the money?"

In the end, Xiao Yan couldn't hold out any longer and turned to look at Yao Lao.

"I only know how to refine medicine; I don't know any other methods."

Yao Lao wore an expression that said, "You newbie, even if I told you, you couldn't use them."

"Stupid, just tell your father that we have been taken as disciples by an alchemist, and then hand the list of medicinal ingredients to him, wouldn't that be it?"

Qi Fei said, feeling that Xiao Yan was hopeless.

Medicinal ingredients weren't gold coins; even if Xiao Zhan was suspicious, he would definitely try it out first.

If it really didn't work, he could just have Yao Lao refine something random to hold them over.

"Having the clan provide the ingredients and then selling them directly through the clan after refining—how much less of a headache is that?"

Anyway, Qi Fei estimated that he would only be refining some low-grade pills to practice during this time, so there was no need to waste time on these trivial matters.

"That's right, why was I making things difficult for my small treasury?"

Xiao Yan suddenly realized.

"Since that's the case, memorize these as well."

Yao Lao listed another string of medicinal ingredients and added a request for a Medicine Cauldron.

"These are the items Qi Fei will need for alchemy later; buy them all and have them delivered."

"Yes, Master."

Xiao Yan replied.

Afterward, he went down the mountain to seek his father's help, while Yao Lao and Qi Fei remained on the mountain to prepare for the cultivation technique transition.

"This technique is divided into three stages: Fire Body, Jade Bone, and Red Lotus Body. Successfully tempering the Fire Body using flames marks the completion of the entry level, and you may cultivate the rest on your own..."

Yao Lao explained the various precautions of the technique to Qi Fei.

During this time, Xiao Yan returned from his errands. Seeing that their lesson had not yet concluded, he began to cultivate on his own to the side.

After the better part of a day, the lesson ended.

The group moved to a secluded cave, preparing to help Qi Fei achieve entry-level mastery.

"Because you cannot use protective medicinal pills, there is no such thing as failing and trying again. You must ensure no outsiders disturb us."

Yao Lao instructed Xiao Yan with a serious expression.

The core of the Red Lotus Body Tempering Art is to use flames to temper the physical body.

During this process, if the energy of other medicinal pills interferes, it is highly likely to affect the formation of the Fire Body, thereby impacting the final efficacy of the technique.

Therefore, the technique repeatedly warns against the use of medicinal pills.

"Understood, Teacher. I will absolutely not let any outsiders disturb us."

After saying this, Xiao Yan left the cave and began patrolling outside.

"The burning of the Heavenly Flame is exceptionally painful. If you cannot maintain the circulation of the technique, you must call out to warn me."

Yao Lao turned his head to look at Qi Fei again.

"Transitioning to this technique is not a task that can be accomplished in a single day, so it doesn't matter if the gains this time are minimal."

"Please rest assured, Master."

Qi Fei secretly released his Life Bead.

With the fire-attribute enhancement of the Will Jewel, should he be able to reach the entry level a bit faster?

"Then let us begin."

As Yao Lao's voice fell, pale flames engulfed Qi Fei.

Only after Qi Fei began to circulate his energy did the flames inch their way onto his body.

The moment he made contact with the flames, intense pain radiated from the areas being scorched.

If not for the support of his God Boundary Breaker willpower, Qi Fei felt he would have fainted from the pain the very next moment.

But for now, he could still manage to circulate the technique.

Under the enhancement of the Will Jewel, Heaven and Earth Origin Qi on a scale far exceeding normal Earth Tier techniques gathered and merged into Qi Fei's body.

Boundless power flowed continuously through his meridians, gradually being converted into Dou Qi to resist the scorching of the Heavenly Flame.

As time passed, Qi Fei's yellow Dou Qi slowly became tinged with a ghastly paleness, continuously merging into every part of his body along his meridians.

The injuries caused by the burning of the Heavenly Flame also began to heal bit by bit.

The transformation had begun.

During this process, Qi Fei suddenly experienced a strange sensation.

It was as if he could see the very composition of the Bone Chilling Flame.