Dou Zhe

"The Flame Mantra truly was wondrous," Xiao Yan murmured after receiving the information.

Xiao Yan immersed himself once more in circulating his Dou Qi, preparing to use the Flame Mantra to replace his basic cultivation technique. As the technique circulated, the Dou Qi within his body gradually began turning pale yellow.

"Success!"

Feeling the abundance of Dou Qi within his body, Xiao Yan excitedly clenched his fists.

Yao Lao watched with a smile.

"Since you have already broken through to the Dou Zhe realm, learning alchemy should be put on the agenda. It is time for you to leave with me for training."

"Furthermore, the Flame Mantra is currently only a Yellow-Tier Lower-Level technique. To evolve it, you must absorb all manner of mysterious Heavenly Flames. One such flame, called the Fallen Heart Flame, is hidden within Jia Nan Academy. At your current age and strength, you are far too weak."

"Therefore, there are only two places we can go for now: the places mentioned in the information about Heavenly Flames that you gathered some time ago. The first is the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where the Amethyst Winged Lion King appears."

"The Amethyst Winged Lion King possesses an innate companion Beast Flame within its body—the Purple Flame. As one of the strongest among the sixth-rank magical beasts of the Dou Qi Continent, if we can capture one and extract its companion Purple Flame for you to devour, your Flame Mantra should be able to evolve from Yellow-Tier Lower-Level to Yellow-Tier Mid-Level."

"The second is the information you mentioned regarding the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagor Desert. Although that information is uncertain, we still need to make the trip. After all, Heavenly Flames are simply too precious."

"The time you spend training outside with me may take nearly half a year, so cherish this time before we depart."

"The Magical Beast Mountain Range and the Tagor Desert? They sound rather interesting. Three years have passed—it is time for me to go out and see the world."

Thinking about how he could leave Wutan City with his teacher and venture into the outside world, finally witnessing the captivating scenery of the Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Yan lost himself in thought.

"Oh, right. Look at my memory—I really am getting old."

Seemingly recalling something else, Yao Lao patted his head in mild frustration.

"For the past two years, I have only taught you to cultivate Dou Power. I have never taught you any Dou Techniques. The first reason I did not teach you before was because you were still young. The second was that cultivating Dou Techniques before becoming a Dou Zhe would not have been very effective."

"Now that you are a Dou Zhe, and will soon be training outside with your teacher, I shall teach you a Dou Technique."

"A Dou Technique? Hehe, I thought Teacher had forgotten about that. I have not practiced any of the clan's low-level Dou Techniques these past two years precisely because I was waiting for the high-level Dou Techniques in Teacher's hands."

After hearing this, Xiao Yan stared at Yao Lao with eager eyes.

"Heh, you brat." Yao Lao cried out, looking slightly troubled.

"Teacher, Teacher, what kind of Dou Technique is it? Give me ten or eight Heaven-Tier or Earth-Tier Dou Techniques of each grade. I will not complain about having too many."

"Do you think Heaven-Tier Dou Techniques are cabbages growing everywhere? Come here. This is a Xuan-Tier Advanced Dou Technique. Take it or leave it!"

Without waiting for Xiao Yan's agreement, Yao Lao immediately extended a finger and lightly tapped Xiao Yan's forehead. A stream of information flowed into Xiao Yan's mind.

"Eight Extremities Collapse: Xuan-Tier Advanced Dou Technique. A close-combat attacking Dou Technique renowned for its overwhelming power. Once cultivated to mastery, each attack contains eight layers of hidden force. When all eight layers stack together, its might rivals an Earth-Tier Lower-Level Dou Technique!"

"Look it over yourself first. Your teacher is going to cultivate."

As he spoke, Yao Lao flew into the Storage Ring.

"Hehe, Eight Extremities Collapse. I have been looking forward to this for a long time."

Xiao Yan grinned wickedly as he looked over the method for cultivating the Dou Technique in his mind.

"Oh, right. I should go see Xun'er."

Xiao Yan chuckled, then got out of bed and ran toward Xiao Xun'er's courtyard.

"Xun'er, Xun'er, come out quickly! Brother Xiao Yan has come to see you."

Xiao Yan knocked on Xiao Xun'er's door.

"Creak!"

The door opened, revealing a fair little face. Its bright, watery eyes looked at Xiao Yan. Who else could it be but Xiao Xun'er?

"Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan with a pure, heartfelt smile, then tugged at his sleeve and led him into the room.

"Xun'er, did you sleep well last night?"

After entering the room, Xiao Yan saw Xiao Xun'er pulling at his sleeve and treating herself like the little mistress of the place. He could not resist teasing her.

Seeing the faintly teasing smile on Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Xun'er gave a somewhat guilty smile.

Did Brother Xiao Yan discover that I secretly followed him last night? Even Elder Ling did not notice Brother Xiao Yan's presence. Brother Xiao Yan's teacher truly is mysterious. Could he be a Dou Zong or even a Dou Zun powerhouse?

Xiao Xun'er nervously rubbed the corner of her clothes, making Xiao Yan secretly laugh. It reminded him of the amusing scene from last night.

Time rewound to the previous evening. Last night, at the Jia Lie Family residence.

The battle was in full swing. Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were hiding in a concealed corner in the distance, watching Xiao Zhan wield a large blade as he slaughtered his way through the crowd.

Just as Xiao Yan was enjoying the sight, Yao Lao suddenly said, "Get down!"

Streams of bone-white flame surged from within the black robe, enveloping Xiao Yan's entire body.

In the pitch-black sky far away, a powerful expert with a formidable aura descended on Dou Qi wings, landing only about ten paces from Xiao Yan. The expert held a delicate little girl in his arms and carefully set her down after landing.

"Miss, let us watch from here. If we get too close, the Xiao Clan will discover us. But why are you putting yourself in danger? What is so interesting about a clash between villagers of this level?"

The expert spoke softly.

"It is fine. Elder Ling is here, after all. And do not speak of Uncle Xiao Zhan and the others like that. Uncle Xiao Zhan is fighting for his clan too."

The little girl spoke unhurriedly.

"Yes, Miss." The expert then stood solemnly without another word.

The two were Xiao Xun'er and her guard, Elder Ling. Seeing them land beside him, Xiao Yan could not help baring his teeth soundlessly.

Xiao Xun'er gazed into the distance. To see more clearly, she once again activated the mysterious flame within her body. Strands of dark golden flame crawled over her eyes, which locked firmly onto Xiao Zhan's incomparably valiant figure on the battlefield.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan likely did not know that four mysterious figures outside the battlefield were watching him.

"Since we have already been discovered, charge with me!"

Xiao Zhan waved his hand.

"If Uncle Xiao Zhan gets hurt, Brother Xiao Yan will surely worry."

Xiao Xun'er watched Xiao Zhan with slight concern in her heart.

Hehe, I did not spoil this little girl for nothing.

As time passed, the battle drew to a close. When Xiao Xun'er saw the Third Elder and Xiao Zhan walk out of the main hall carrying Patriarch Jialie's corpse, forcing the Jialie Clan members to abandon their resistance, she knew everything was over.

P.S. This update makes up for yesterday's. There will be two more updates today, later on.