Training

Xiao Yan and Yao Wan left the house.

"Finished saying your goodbyes?"

"Mm. I've said everything that needed saying. Let's go."

A trace of curiosity about the road of training appeared on Xiao Yan's face.

"Also, since our destination this time is the Cloud Empire, that place has especially many people who like using poison. Along the way, not only will you need training, but we also have to make sure you don't get drugged by just anything."

"By the way, Old Yao, since you successfully refined the Bone Spirit Cold Flame in the past, you must know the method for refining Heavenly Flames."

Yao Wan spoke.

"Mm, naturally."

"Then, if our target is the Nether Poison Flame, we must not only guard against its high temperature when refining it, but also beware of its deadly poison. What should we do?"

They had only just left the Xiao Family, yet this little girl following beside his disciple had already posed him his first difficult question.

Old Yao subconsciously stroked his beard and asked in return, "Since you took the initiative to ask this, you must have some idea in mind. Why not tell me?"

Yao Wan did not beat around the bush and said directly, "I still have a bottle of Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew. It is the highest-grade treasure for detoxification and poison resistance that I can find. Would it be enough to deal with the Nether Poison Flame?"

"Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew? No wonder you dared to set your sights on the Nether Poison Flame."

Old Yao froze for a moment, then shook his head in sudden realization. His disciple's friend was truly far from ordinarily wealthy.

"What is Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew, Teacher?"

Compared to Old Yao, who had reached the pinnacle of alchemy, and Yao Wan, who was deeply versed in it, Xiao Yan, a complete outsider, was naturally utterly confused.

"Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew is a heavenly treasure that even I would have fought for at the height of my powers. It possesses extremely potent detoxifying effects and can resist the erosion of poisons for a certain period of time."

"With Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew, along with the Blood Lotus Pill, Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and the Naling I have here, the conditions for subduing the Nether Poison Flame are in place."

"Only..."

"Only, even though the conditions are sufficient, Xiao Yan's current level is too low. He probably cannot subdue the Nether Poison Flame at all. Is that what you mean, Old Yao?"

"What a clever little girl."

Old Yao sighed. "If it were you, a Dou Wang, subduing the Nether Poison Flame with such thorough preparations, I naturally would not be worried. But Xiao Yan... sigh."

He had originally wanted to take the chance to mock him a little, but on second thought, this brat was indeed hardworking and ambitious. Saying it would only hurt his feelings, so he shook his head and kept it to himself.

"Hey, Teacher, you don't have to have so little faith in me, do you?"

With Old Yao having put it so plainly, Xiao Yan would truly have been an idiot if he still failed to understand.

"A Dou Zhe wants to subdue a Heavenly Flame. Are you sure you aren't courting death?"

Old Yao asked in return.

"Since I chose this path, I have no other choice. If I succeed, I succeed. If not, then I'll die!"

"Heh... good lad."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Old Yao's lips as he praised him.

"You have courage, but you're still too young."

"In cultivation, one must possess the resolve to face death, but not the intent to seek it."

"Subduing a Heavenly Flame is a matter of nine deaths and one life. No matter when, you must have the determination to survive only after being pushed to the brink of death."

"Mm... Teacher's lesson is right."

Xiao Yan cupped his fists and honestly admitted his mistake.

"Still, when you put it that way, this may be a problem too..."

At that thought, Old Yao's gaze could not help shifting back and forth between Xiao Yan and Yao Wan.

"Oh, right, Xiao Yanzi. Take this opportunity while we're out to practice the few Dou Techniques I taught you some time ago. Also, carry this with you."

"This thing? Hey, hey, hey, hey! What is this?!"

Before Xiao Yan could react, the heavy weapon that suddenly appeared in his hands nearly crushed him into stumbling, and he almost lost his footing.

Beneath Yao Wan's bamboo hat, surprise appeared on her face. "This is..."

"Teacher, all my Dou Qi is being suppressed. It's circulating so much slower—"

Xiao Yan struggled to hold the pitch-black, giant sword-shaped weapon planted on the ground. Though it resembled a greatsword, it was more fitting to call it a ruler.

"This is called the Heavy Black Ruler. It suppresses the circulation of Dou Qi. From now on, you must keep it with you at all times for training."

"Ah—not this again?"

Seeing the huge thing in his hands, which seemed to require him to brace his whole body against it just to move, Xiao Yan wore a bitter expression.

"If you want to become stronger, then obediently listen to me. The Heavy Black Ruler has many benefits. Carrying it will not harm you."

Old Yao paid no heed to Xiao Yan's complaints.

"Yes, I understand."

Xiao Yan was extremely clever and immediately understood Old Yao's intention.

Deep in the mountains leading toward the Cloud Empire, Xiao Yan's training began.

While traveling, he carried the Heavy Black Ruler on his back. At first, he could not even walk normally. Whenever he set it down, he felt as though a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders. He lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

"It seems we still have a long way to go before seeking the Heavenly Flame."

Watching Xiao Yan's state, Yao Wan could not help shaking her head.

"Precisely."

Old Yao also knew that going to seek a Heavenly Flame in Xiao Yan's current condition was far too risky. At the very least, he had to be able to ensure his own safety.

"Right, I heard Old Yao needs to refine the Blood Lotus Pill. I happen to have the medicinal ingredients needed for it, and I also have Ice Spirit Cold Spring. While Xiao Yan is intensifying his cultivation, we can finish all the preparations."

Yao Wan took out several medicinal ingredients as she spoke.

"Mm..."

Old Yao pondered for a moment before saying, "Very well. Besides, Xiao Yanzi has already reached the Dou Zhe level, so he can try refining medicine himself."

"Sigh... He has to refine medicine, cultivate, and carry the Heavy Black Ruler. This guy has way too much to do."

Yao Wan sighed and could not help complaining.

"Who told him that everything is only just beginning?"

Old Yao shook his head. He had long grown accustomed to it.

"Oh, right. Give me the Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew so I can refine it a little. If this brat just chugs such a good thing in one gulp, it'll break my heart. I'll refine several pills for him with medicinal effects his body can withstand."

Yao Wan nodded. "That works too."

As soon as she finished speaking, she took the jade bottle from her Storage Ring and handed it to Old Yao.

There was no need even to open it for inspection. A sweep of Soul Power was enough to reveal that what it contained was a genuine treasure rarely seen between heaven and earth.

...It truly was Heavenly Heart Glazed Dew.

Even he, in his former days, would likely have been unable to resist fighting over such a treasure.

This little girl was truly willing to use even such a treasure for Xiao Yan...

He had thought that she must have some unspeakable secret in approaching Xiao Yan, but who would have expected that she had already given so much?