Talent Slots and a New Plan: Jia Nan Academy

Inside the room, Xiao Yan suppressed the surging Dou Qi within him, and his breathing returned to normal.

Feeling the growing power within him, he couldn't help but murmur, "This is completely different from breaking through to the Seventh Rank of physical strength. One is a qualitative change in physique, and the other is a change in Dou Qi."

Thanks to the mid-level Earth Rank... no, high-level Earth Rank Flame Mantra, the Dou Qi within my body is fully capable of supporting the refining of Tier 8 Medicinal Pill!

It seems I'll have to start improving my alchemy skills again.

His cultivation level rose to the Dou Zong, and his Cultivation Technique evolved to the high-level Earth Rank after absorbing the Sea Heart Flame. His Fire Spirit Body and the <Flame Mantra> were quite impressive.

In contrast, the <Spirit Devouring Body Forging Mantra> only slightly improved his physique, which was already comparable to that of Tier 7 Magical Beast; it didn't bring about any qualitative change.

The only thing worth mentioning is that after absorbing the energy of the Sea Heart Flame, he can now awaken a Heaven-Swallowing Talent using the Sea Heart Flame.

However, Xiao Yan is still hesitating.

Because he received the advanced inheritance of the Wan Ling Emperor at that inheritance site last time, this Cultivation Technique successfully gave him five more slots for awakening Heaven-Swallowing Talent.

The Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, the Green Lotus Core Flame, and the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python —these three Heaven-Swallowing Talent each occupy a slot, so there's no need to elaborate.

Besides these three, he also decided to occupy a place for Fallen Heart Flame, Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, Nihility Devouring Flame, Nine Profound Golden Lightning, Zi Yan's Dragon-Phoenix Bloodline, and Emperor Flame.

Therefore, only six positions remain.

He has a high chance of obtaining Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches that can be used to awaken his Heaven-Swallowing Talent, including the Golden Emperor Incinerating Flame, the Three Thousand Burning Flame, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, and the Sea Heart Flame.

Five Heavenly Flames occupy six positions, which seems quite ample.

But Xiao Yan was really hesitant.

The things he has experienced and the circumstances he has reached now are not much similar to those in the original story.

In the original story, he never absorbed any of the three Heavenly Flames: the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, or the Nether Poison Flame.

Although the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame ranks low, its unique characteristics have brought him considerable Heaven-Swallowing Talent, from which he has benefited to this day.

The smooth cooperation with Queen Medusa was largely due to the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame and the [Myriad Beast] Heaven-Swallowing Talent.

Looking at the entire Heavenly Flame Ranking, and even all the Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches on the entire continent, are there few rare Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches like the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, which, although of low level, possess extremely useful characteristics? Quite a few!

There are quite a few on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

For example, there are two types of flames, Yin Yin-Yang. Both Yin Flame and Yang Flame have special effects and can also be combined into one Yin-Yang Dual Flame.

And the Mysterious Yellow Flame, which has the fewest descriptions but whose name alone suggests its extraordinary nature.

On a larger scale, it ranks tenth and can generate a chilling wind that disturbs others' emotions— the Nine Nether Wind Flame.

Ranked eighth, it is the Red Lotus Karma Flame that can burn away karmic burdens.

Ranked fifth, it can accelerate the growth of Medicinal Herbs, representing the ultimate vitality of the Life Flame.

He might have a chance to obtain those flames.

If he were to use the Sea Heart Flame to secure a Heaven-Swallowing Talent slot now, and then encounter a more desirable rare Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches in the future, only to find that the Heaven-Swallowing Talent slot is already gone, then it would be too late for regrets!

With this thought in mind, Xiao Yan no longer hesitated.

He doesn't need that Sea Heart Flame!

His current strength makes him virtually invincible in the Northwest Continent and even the outskirts of Central Plains. What he needs is not a new Heaven-Swallowing Talent to boost his combat power, but rather the accumulation of time to gradually improve his cultivation, so that he can more easily seize the opportunities from the original story.

The characteristics of this Sea Heart Flame are average; the Heaven-Swallowing Talent it can awaken will most likely be something like increasing combat power, which really doesn't appeal to him.

After regaining his senses, Xiao Yan carefully stored away the Earth Fire Lotus Platform and then began to check his gains again, including the Storage Ring of the Gold and Silver Elders.

As a lone duo from the Black-Corner Region, the Gold and Silver Elders kept all their wealth in the Storage Ring they carried with them.

He scanned it with his Soul Power and was pleasantly surprised.

As the top two strongest individuals on the Black Ranking, they possessed considerable wealth, including a Break-Ancestor Pill, numerous other pills and Cultivation Technique, and a wealth of treasures.

The biggest surprise was that there was a Sixth-Rank Beast Flame in their Storage Ring, which was one of his favorite rare Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches.

The other treasures remained in his Storage Ring, which Xiao Yan planned to use to exchange for other resources later. He simply swallowed the Sixth-Rank Beast Flame.

With his current cultivation level, combined with his Fire Spirit Body and Flame Mantra, the Sixth-Rank Beast Flame melts instantly upon entering his mouth.

The evolution progress of the Flame Mantra remained unchanged, but the cultivation level did improve somewhat.

"Not bad, it seems we can collect a large amount of Beast Flame later." Xiao Yan nodded.

After sorting out his thoughts and gains, Xiao Yan left the Black-Seal Auction House.

At the entrance of the auction house, Yuan Yi and Ban Lao bowed respectfully. "Congratulations, Master Yan Xiao, on your breakthrough!"

Beside them, the usually composed Ling Ying also clasped his hands and said, "Congratulations, young master, on breaking through to the Dou Zong!"

Xiao Yan nodded and asked, "How many days have passed since I entered?"

Yuan Yi spoke first, "A full seven days!"

Ling Ying also spoke up, "They have completely restored Black-Seal City. On the other hand, according to the information from Hai Bodong, they are currently dealing with some forces within Feng City that are loyal to Han Feng, and have not yet fully taken over Feng City."

Xiao Yan frowned slightly. "Haven't you received it yet?"

He had thought that before he came out, Elder Hai and his elder brother would be able to take over the entire Feng City smoothly, so that he could peacefully try to refine the Myriad Beast Pill he had envisioned.

However, upon closer reflection, he didn't feel any resentment.

After all, it's only seven days, and the two Flying Boat will spend at least half of that time just traveling.

Plans can't keep up with changes, mainly because he made breakthroughs too quickly.

He planned to break through from the Six-Star Dou Huang to Dou Zong, thinking it would take at least half a month.

Who would have thought that the combination of the Earth Rank Flame Mantra, the Fire Spirit Body, and the [Heaven-Swallowing] Heaven-Swallowing Talent could accelerate his breakthrough speed so much?

"Since Feng City hasn't been recaptured yet, why not proceed with the next step of the plan from my memory first?" Xiao Yan thought to himself.

As for what the plan is, it's not hard to understand.

He had already determined his objective before he even arrived in the Black-Corner Region.

Steal Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame to avenge Yao Lao.

Attack Demon Flame Valley and seize the method for creating the Heavenly Demon Puppet.

Go to the Jia Nan Academy, meet Xun'er, befriend Zi Yan, and find a way to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame.

Now, the goal of seizing the Sea Heart Flame has been achieved, avenging Yao Lao has been successfully accomplished, and a large number of Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches and the Myriad Beast Cauldron have also been obtained.

The first goal has been successfully achieved.

He planned to develop his power and stabilize the situation before launching an attack on Demon Flame Valley.

So now, he only has one goal to do immediately.

Go to the Jia Nan Academy!

Of course, not as a student; as a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, he wouldn't stoop so low.

The identity he wants is that of a collaborator!

By cooperating with the Jia Nan Academy as Seventh-Rank Alchemist, he could not only have frequent contact with Xun'er, but also naturally come into contact with Zi Yan.

Subsequently, he even obtained the Fallen Heart Flame without using force!

So now it's clear where to go.

Xiao Yan looked at Ling Ying: "Elder Ling, you don't need to watch over things here anymore. Come with me to the Jia Nan Academy!"