Beast Fire

Morning sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the young man meditating cross-legged on the bed. It made the Miasma Qi curling around him even more resplendent, while further accentuating his extraordinary bearing.

"Phew~"

After sitting in meditation all night, Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. As he drew a long breath, the Miasma Qi swirling around him transformed into several long dragons and poured into his body through his nose and mouth, nourishing his limbs and bones. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, allowing him to clearly feel himself gradually growing stronger.

"Letting go completely and cultivating really does feel great."

Yao Yan rose from the bed and stretched his body. A satisfied smile appeared on his lips as he muttered softly to himself.

He could clearly sense the changes in his body. The feeling of growing stronger was exceptionally distinct.

After pondering for a moment, he touched the spot between his brows.

He was also curious about the Tunling Clan's innate ability. Unfortunately, within Yao Clan territory, without Hun Xuzi at his side to protect him, he truly did not dare activate this Bloodline Power without restraint. He could only let it remain dormant within his body.

However, after a night of cultivation, he could feel this power growing stronger as well. Unlike the Dou Qi cultivation system, it seemed to strengthen alongside his body.

This was clearly not something Yao Yan could figure out at present. After thinking about it for a while, he gave up.

This feels like a fucking dream... Yao Yan grumbled inwardly before pushing open the door. A courtyard several times larger than the previous one appeared before him, planted with many precious flowers and herbs. Of course, the most important thing was the Space Barrier surrounding the courtyard, a power that only Dou Ancestor experts could wield.

It was precisely because of its presence that Yao Yan could cultivate without restraint, without worrying about being noticed by others.

"Young Master."

As the space beside him distorted, Yao Nong stepped out and called respectfully.

This was naturally Yao Nong's residence. As the Clan Leader of a major branch in Pill Cauldron City, he naturally possessed a residence of his own there. His strength had long since reached Peak Dou Ancestor, only a single step away from becoming a Dou Zun. Yet that one step was simply too difficult to cross.

Yao Nong had been stuck at this realm for decades.

Clearly, Dou Qi cultivation was nowhere near as effortless as novels made it seem. Some people might never cross that threshold until the day they died.

There was only one word's difference between a Dou Ancestor and a Dou Zun, yet they were worlds apart.

Yao Yan looked at him and asked softly, "Have you arranged everything?"

"This old servant has announced to the outside that I have accepted Young Master as my disciple. I also exchanged my accumulated contribution points at the Pill Pavilion for a Seventh Grade Primal Pill. This pill can reshape one's bones and constitution. That way, Young Master's recultivation of Dou Qi can be concealed. So long as no Dou Zun level expert investigates, no one will be able to detect the changes in Young Master's body."

Yao Nong nodded. He had already arranged everything. Even if Yao Yan went outside now, no one would be surprised by the changes in him—unless some ruthless bastard dissected Yao Yan.

Yao Yan silently gave him a thumbs-up. As expected of a Dou Ancestor expert valued by Hun Xuzi, his efficiency was truly impressive.

"These are the Spirit Gathering vessel and Seventh Order Beast Fire prepared for Young Master, along with pills to assist in refining it."

With a flip of his hand, Yao Nong took several items from his Storage Ring and introduced them. "This Seventh Order Beast Fire is called Illusory Gold Flame. It came from a Seventh Order Magical Beast, the Fire Scorpion Dragon Beast. It exists only within the shell remains of its young and is this type of magical beast's companion flame. It can temper the body and is best suited to Young Master's current stage."

Yao Yan's gaze grew slightly heated as he looked at the Illusory Gold Flame floating in the air before him. It glowed a brilliant gold, like a mass of blazing magma churning and rolling.

As an alchemist, how could he possibly have no interest in Heavenly Flames?

Yet Heavenly Flames were obviously not something one could obtain just by wanting them. Most alchemists could only choose Beast Fires, and this Beast Fire was clearly more suitable for Yao Yan at present. As for Heavenly Flames, for someone without sufficient strength to covet one was no different from playing with fire and getting burned.

Yao Nong continued, "Young Master will also need to nourish it with Dou Qi every day to increase your compatibility. Once Young Master reaches the Dou Zhe realm, you may refine it."

Flames were inherently violent things. Even the gentlest Beast Fire was not so easily refined. However, the companion flames of magical beast cubs like this were an anomaly. Their refinement difficulty could be reduced by feeding them Dou Qi, making them the most suitable Beast Fires for beginners.

"Thank you."

Yao Yan spoke with considerable solemnity, then raised his hand and stored all the items in his Storage Ring.

"This is what this old servant should do."

Yao Nong's expression did not change. After a brief pause, he continued, "May I ask whether Young Master still wishes to attend the clan school? If not, you may remain here and cultivate from now on."

"I'll cultivate here. We can talk about the rest once I reach the Dou Zhe realm."

Yao Yan answered directly without hesitation.

Since someone had already paved the way for him, he naturally would not go looking for trouble. Besides, the clan school could teach only so much. Especially now that even a clan school teacher like Yao Nong had become his servant, why would he waste time at the clan school?

"Yes, this old servant knows what to do."

Yao Nong nodded in acknowledgment.

As his words fell, the space around him distorted, and he vanished directly from Yao Yan's sight.

Yao Yan watched him leave, then turned and returned to the room, closing the door once more.

He would enter seclusion and cultivate.

Pill Cauldron City, clan school classroom.

"Have you heard? That mute Yao Yan lucked into some damn good fortune and got accepted as Lord Yao Nong's disciple. It's really envy-inducing!"

"Your news is outdated. My father told me yesterday that Lord Yao Nong exchanged the contribution points he had accumulated over the years for a Seventh Grade Primal Pill from the Pill Pavilion."

"Seriously? Why does Yao Yan deserve that? Isn't he just a little better-looking than the rest?"

A burly, tiger-headed youth was somewhat displeased and directly voiced his objection. He simply could not understand why Yao Nong had taken a liking to Yao Yan. Although Yao Yan had decent talent as an alchemist, his Bloodline Concentration was only third grade. His future path could be seen at a glance. Was it necessary to spend so much effort nurturing him?

That was a Seventh Grade Primal Pill. It was enough to rival some Eighth-grade Pills. Its value was enough to hire a Dou Zun level powerhouse to act.

"Who knows? Maybe he wants to take him in as a live-in son-in-law. That kid really is quite good-looking. They say his mother took a liking to his father back then because his father was handsome. It runs in the family, you know."

"Yao Hu, don't spout nonsense! My grandfather would never do that!"

A little girl with Ram Horn Braids angrily pointed at the tiger-headed youth and rebuked him.

"Right, right, I misspoke. It should be that your grandfather found you a Child Groom, hahaha!"

"You're courting death!"

The entire classroom immediately became lively, filled with cheer and laughter.

At the same time.

In a quiet little courtyard behind the classroom, Yao Nong was drinking tea with Yao Shan. The two had known each other for decades and could be considered Old Friends who knew each other inside out. Given their cultivation, they could hear every movement in the classroom with perfect clarity.

Yao Shan could not help shaking his head with a smile. He then glanced at his old friend and could not resist asking, "Could it be that you really do want to take him in as a live-in son-in-law? Your granddaughter is eight this year, and the two are four years apart. That does not seem impossible."

As he spoke, he actually began calculating the matter.

Yao Nong remained composed as he calmly said, "I simply think he has good talent as an alchemist and want to find an heir. You know as well that my Bloodline Concentration is not high. I can only remain in Pill Cauldron City for the rest of my life. Compared to those core clansmen chosen from birth, Yao Yan is more suitable to be my disciple."

Yao Shan was taken aback, and the smile on his face faded. He slowly said, "You still cannot forget what happened back then?"

"Yes and no. But none of that matters anymore. So many years have already passed. You and I have grown old too, haven't we?"

Yao Nong smiled softly, as though everything from the past had become drifting smoke.

Yao Shan nodded and sighed. "Indeed, we have grown old. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. Now, I only hope that a few of the younger generation will amount to something. It would be even better if one of them could be recorded on the Clan Monument."

His gaze turned toward the distant horizon, where a stone monument towering into the clouds stood tall, representing the Yao Clan's greatest honor.

"..."

Yao Nong looked at the towering Clan Monument and remained silent.