Seven Star Dou Shi

After Hun Xuzi left, Yao Yan did not immediately contact Yao Nong and have him take him back to the Medicine World to kill someone.

His Dou Qi was about to break through. In truth, the Dou Qi within him had been sufficient for a breakthrough a month ago, but in order to break through in the most perfect state, he had held it back slightly. Only when he truly could no longer suppress it did he consider breaking through.

He had always remembered the words of the Elder at the Yao Clan Academy: before Dou Wang, one was in the foundation-building stage. Rather than rushing to break through, it was more important to feel the changes in oneself and one's Dou Qi, for this was the process through which the body gradually grew familiar with Dou Qi.

From Dou Qi to Dou Ling, Dou Qi energy would transform from a gaseous state into a liquid state, then into a solid state, ultimately becoming an indispensable part of the body. Carefully experiencing this process would bring unimaginable benefits to future cultivation.

As for what those benefits were, the Elder had not explained.

However, Yao Yan guessed that it was related to the Nine Revolutions Dou Zun, because that stage was also the most unique process in Dou Qi Cultivation. It required one to continuously compress one's Dou Qi, much like the early stages of Dou Qi Cultivation.

Yao Yan sat cross-legged atop a meditation cushion, his hands forming seals as brilliant Illusory Gold Flame coiled around him. With every breath, a great amount of Heaven and Earth Energy surged toward him. Tempered by the Illusory Gold Flame, it transformed into the purest energy and entered his body, eventually condensing under the circulation of his technique into droplets of liquid that fell into his Dou Qi Cyclone.

The current Dou Qi Cyclone could no longer be called a cyclone. It was more fitting to describe it as a lake. In fact, many parts within it had already condensed into crystals, like a mixture of crushed ice and water. Gaseous Dou Qi no longer existed.

Compared to an ordinary Dou Shi, Yao Yan's Dou Qi was more than ten times stronger.

Yao Yan's accumulation was simply too formidable. The layering of several types of Dou Di Bloodline Power had granted him unimaginable talent and potential. Especially after tempering his body, his Meridians had widened enormously, allowing them to contain a far greater circulation of Dou Qi. That was also why Mu Xiao had believed him to be a Da Dou Shi.

Even though he cultivated only a Low-Rank Yellow Level Technique, Yao Yan's astonishing talent had forcefully raised its efficiency in converting Heaven and Earth Energy into Dou Qi, as well as the amount it could condense.

In truth, this technique could no longer keep up with Yao Yan's Cultivation Speed. However, he valued its ability to absorb Spiritual Qi and nourish one's Essence, Qi, and Spirit, a quality other techniques did not possess. Thus, before breaking through to Dou Wang, he had no intention of changing techniques.

Besides, if all went smoothly, the technique he would ultimately switch to should be the Flame Mantra, the technique that led directly to Dou Di!

The Three Flowers Gather Fire Skill was of the same rank as it and could be converted perfectly without any obstacles.

He even had some thoughts of his own...

At this moment.

As Yao Yan's aura grew stronger and stronger, the Heaven and Earth Energy within the cave began to move slightly, transforming into streams of hazy energy that surged toward him. His body was like a bottomless pit, refusing none of it and allowing all that Heaven and Earth Energy to pour into him. Only when his aura reached a certain point did the Heaven and Earth Energy rushing in from all around suddenly freeze.

This strange stillness lasted several breaths before gradually dissipating as Yao Yan opened his eyes. A flicker of Golden Flame flashed through them, while the Illusory Gold Flame flowing over his body vanished without a trace.

"Seven Star Dou Shi!"

Yao Yan raised a hand and clenched his fist, murmuring softly. His expression showed neither joy nor sorrow.

Such a minor breakthrough was not enough to stir his emotions.

Compared to the increase in Combat Power brought by the Indestructible Diamond Body, the boost from becoming a Seven Star Dou Shi was negligible. Moreover, the Cultivation Speed was exceedingly torturous, giving him an impulse to devour others. However, that urge soon vanished. He was not so weak-willed that he could not withstand even this much temptation.

This temptation was like money in his Previous Life. How many young people could resist the desires that came after suddenly becoming rich? Most who gained wealth while young would sink into it, until their bodies could no longer endure or their money ran out. Yet the temptation brought by power was far greater than that of money.

Because this was the Dou Qi Continent, without the restraints of law or morality. Once you possessed power, you could possess everything and freely vent the desires within your heart.

"Ying ying~"

As a green shadow flashed past the corner of his eye, Yao Yan felt his shoulder sink slightly. Ling Er appeared beside his ear.

Yao Yan raised a hand and rubbed her head. Feeling her soft, smooth fur, the tangible sensation made it impossible to associate her with a Heavenly Flame. Smiling, he took several Essence Pills from his Storage Ring and handed them to her. "Clean up later. I'll take you to see my old home. If nothing unexpected happens, this should be the last time I return home."

The small courtyard in Pill Cauldron City of the Medicine World was the home where he had lived for twelve years. It contained many of his memories: his first cultivation, his first pill refinement...

Ling Er did not understand what he meant. Her muddled little mind was still unable to comprehend the word home. She lowered her head and ate all the pills in Yao Yan's palm, then contentedly rubbed her head against his, showing that she was in a good mood.

Looking at Ling Er, who understood nothing at all, Yao Yan's lips curved into a smile. With Ling Er in his life, he no longer seemed quite so lonely.

Carrying the heavy Ling Er, Yao Yan began packing the cave, placing everything he needed into his Storage Ring. In the end, however, he also left quite a few things behind in the cave, such as pills, maps, Dou Techniques, and so on. They were all things he did not need. He even left behind a bottle of precious Fifth Grade Pills—the Elk Essence Stabilizing Pill.

Perhaps someday, a lucky person would discover this cave and make a fortune from it... That should be rather interesting.

After putting on the airs of some lofty senior, Yao Yan left the waterfall with Ling Er. Then, with a light leap, he arrived at the shore and said to Yao Nong, who was hidden somewhere unknown, "We can return to the Medicine World now."

"Whoosh~"

As ripples spread through the space beside him, a figure appeared at Yao Yan's side.

The suddenly appearing figure naturally gave Ling Er a fright. The little fellow immediately burrowed into Yao Yan's arms, leaving only her adorable little head exposed.

Yao Yan patted her amusedly. Among the Heavenly Flame Realm, this little fellow was probably the weakest in Combat Power and the most timid in personality. Even the Fallen Heart Flame was an exceedingly fierce existence, with a record of even backlashing a Dou Zun. The Living Flame's record, on the other hand, was far more dismal. Even the Original Work described it as being poor at combat.

"If Young Master had remained inside any longer, this old servant would have had to speak up and remind you."

Yao Nong stood respectfully to one side, a faint smile on his lips as he spoke softly.

Compared to more than three years ago, Yao Yan had clearly gained his recognition. Yao Yan's talent deserved his address of Young Master, rather than merely being the result of Hun Xuzi's orders.

"Let's go. I also want to go back and take a look."

A bit of nostalgia appeared in Yao Yan's eyes as he spoke softly.

Yao Nong nodded and directly circulated his Dou Qi to envelop Yao Yan. The two men and one fox soared into the sky...