Spirit Flame Tempering Technique, an Earth Tier Low-Grade Technique

"So that was it."

After hearing Old Yao's explanation, Xiao Yan suddenly understood.

But soon, he realized just how reckless what he had just done had been.

A mere two-star Dou Zhe had actually dared to casually touch something of unknown origin, allowing a Heavenly Flame to enter his body. If Old Yao had not awakened in time today, he would surely have been burned to death by the Heavenly Flame.

"Luckily, you were here, Teacher. Otherwise, I really would have been in danger today!"

Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief and bowed again in thanks.

"Hehe, it was not quite that dire. I would have naturally awakened in another year or two anyway. The fluctuations of the Heavenly Flame simply woke me early today. Helping you refine it was also proof that your life was not meant to end."

Old Yao nodded with a faint smile, though he had grown somewhat curious about Xiao Yan.

After only a brief period of contact, he had noticed several unusual things.

This child before him possessed none of the immaturity one would expect. Instead, he was as steady as an adult, with emotions that were almost too stable.

Over the years, he had seen plenty of gifted young talents. Every one of them possessed some degree of pride. Even if they were well-mannered and did not show it outwardly, it was impossible for them to have no pride in their hearts at all.

Yet this youth before him truly had none.

In fact, Old Yao vaguely sensed that Xiao Yan seemed to be carrying something heavy in his heart.

What could he possibly have experienced at such a young age to grow into the person he was now?

Old Yao could not figure it out, but he was in no hurry. This was not his first time taking on and teaching a disciple, so he had experience. He only hoped that this time, he had not judged the wrong person.

"I see that the technique you cultivate is only Mystic Tier mid-grade. It is naturally sufficient for a Dou Zhe, but for my disciple, a Mystic Tier mid-grade technique is rather too ordinary. I have an Earth Tier low-grade technique here. Make do with it for now. Once you break through to Da Dou Shi, I will pass on an Earth Tier high-grade technique to you."

As Venerable Yao, the greatest alchemist in the Central Plains, Old Yao's collection needed no further explanation.

However, Xiao Yan already possessed a Mystic Tier mid-grade technique. Trying to make him cultivate the Burning Art now, even though Xiao Yan had a Heavenly Flame that could devour other flames to advance the technique, would be completely uneconomical for him personally. Naturally, Old Yao would not bother inviting such trouble.

"Why can't I start directly with an Earth Tier high-grade technique?"

Xiao Yan was puzzled.

"If you do not mind being chased down and hacked apart by Dou Zong experts, then I would not mind teaching you an Earth Tier high-grade technique."

A slightly teasing smile appeared on Old Yao's face as he joked.

"Er, that's true."

Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.

He had been so focused on the benefits of an Earth Tier high-grade technique that he had forgotten how eye-catching such a thing was.

Whether someone noticed the amount of Dou Qi he absorbed while cultivating, or sensed the pure Dou Qi fluctuations he emitted in battle, either would be enough to expose the technique's extraordinary grade.

Mystic Tier high-grade techniques were already somewhat insufficient for Dou Emperor experts.

Generally speaking, one needed at least an Earth Tier technique to cultivate to the Dou Zong realm.

But Earth Tier high-grade techniques were tempting not only to Dou Zong experts. Even some Dou Zun experts would be greatly interested.

Although such experts could not be found in the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Emperor experts alone would be enough to give Xiao Yan a terrible headache.

An Earth Tier low-grade technique was different. As long as Xiao Yan kept a low profile, he could easily make it appear to be merely a Mystic Tier high-grade technique. Many direct descendants of influential clans on the continent began their cultivation this way, and it could instead provide Xiao Yan with some protection.

"Then please teach me the technique, Teacher. But... Teacher, I have a question. Is it truly impossible for one person to cultivate two techniques?"

Xiao Yan hesitated. It would be rather regrettable not to cultivate the Fire Origin Art.

After all, the Dou Technique that matched the Fire Origin Art, the Fire Origin Sword Canon, would be more effective with the technique's support.

"You are quite greedy. A person has only one Dou Qi vortex, the place where Dou Qi is stored. If you cultivate two techniques, it is fine if their attributes are the same. But if they differ greatly, the two kinds of Dou Qi will clash inside your body. Forget continuing your cultivation—if you can survive, I will praise you for being tough."

As Old Yao spoke, he even raised a thumb.

Xiao Yan fell silent.

What troubled him most was that if Yun Yun came to see him later and discovered that the genius disciple she had just taken in had been whisked away by an old man, it would hurt her far too deeply.

But he also knew that under the pressure of the potential threat posed by the Soul Hall, he had to seize every opportunity and make use of every resource.

Only then could he rise swiftly and kill Hun Tian Di!

"Alright, then I will trouble you to teach me, Teacher!"

Xiao Yan quickly made up his mind. He respectfully bowed and spoke in a deep voice.

"Focus!"

Old Yao's expression turned serious as well. Then, his illusory finger touched Xiao Yan's brow.

In the next instant, a dark-red gleam flashed past, and an enormous torrent of information carried by spiritual power entered Xiao Yan's mind.

His head swelled with pain, and he did not know how long it took before it gradually eased.

The contents of the new technique appeared clearly in his mind, as though they had always been part of his memories.

"Spirit Flame Tempering Technique?"

Xiao Yan murmured.

Old Yao smiled at the sight, then calmly explained:

"This Spirit Flame Tempering Technique was a powerful technique that I cultivated as my main technique for a time in the past. Although it is only Earth Tier low-grade, its enhancement to cultivation speed is in no way inferior to certain Earth Tier mid-grade techniques!

"This technique uses a special method to compress and condense Dou Qi, supplemented by spiritual power, forming a spirit flame capable of tempering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to accelerate cultivation.

"Furthermore, once this spirit flame has been condensed, it can be used in battle to ignite an opponent's Dou Qi to a certain extent, weakening their attacks. Its effects are quite impressive.

"And for a lucky brat like you who possesses a Heavenly Flame, this technique is even more suitable. The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire already contains the souls of myriad beasts, so you do not need to condense a spirit flame at all.

"You need only use your soul blood as the foundation and refine it into the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, allowing it to completely merge with you. Then, if you control it according to the method described in the technique, you can use the Heavenly Flame in place of the spirit flame. In that case, this technique's efficiency in tempering Dou Qi may well approach that of an Earth Tier high-grade technique!"

"Earth Tier high-grade?"

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up!

This was truly amazing!

But what about the Burning Art?

Forget it, he would enjoy this first. He still had at least five years before the Green Lotus Core Flame appeared, so there was no need to rush into cultivating the Burning Art now. In five years, he might even have enough time to advance to Dou Ling. He could switch to the Burning Art then, use the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire after nurturing it for five years to advance the technique, and then devour the Green Lotus Core Flame. Would that not be perfect?

With that thought, Xiao Yan made up his mind.

"Then I'll begin switching techniques immediately!"

Xiao Yan said excitedly.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you thinking? I just drained your Dou Qi, and your realm is already somewhat unstable. If you switch techniques so casually now, your realm might even drop further. Stabilize your foundation first. It will not be too late to switch afterward!"

Old Yao's heart lurched at his reckless disciple's actions, and he hurriedly stopped him from courting death.

"Oh, oh. Then I should go back first."

Hearing that, Xiao Yan calmed down as well. He decided to follow Old Yao's guidance, take things slowly, and proceed step by step.