Dou Practitioner

"This Flame Mantra is truly wondrous." Xiao Yan muttered after receiving the information.

He immediately focused his mind, channeling his energy to replace his basic cultivation method with the Flame Mantra. As the technique began to circulate, the Dou Power within Xiao Yan's body gradually started to shift toward a pale yellow hue.

"Success!"

Feeling the fullness of the Dou Power in his body, Xiao Yan gripped his hand in excitement.

Yao Lao watched with a smile.

"Since you have already broken through to become a Dou Practitioner, it is time to put the study of alchemy on the agenda. It is time for you to leave with me for training."

"Furthermore, this Flame Mantra is currently only a low-level Yellow-tier technique. To evolve it, you must absorb various mysterious Heavenly Flames. The Heavenly Flame known as the Fallen Heart Flame is hidden within Jia Nan Academy. Given your current age and strength, you are far too weak."

"Therefore, there are only two places we can go for now, based on the intelligence you gathered recently. The first is the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where the Amethyst Winged Lion King haunts."

"The Amethyst Winged Lion King possesses a natural companion flame—the Purple Flame. It is a powerful existence among the rank 6 magical beasts on the Dou Qi Continent. If we can capture an Amethyst Winged Lion King and extract its companion Purple Flame for you to devour, your Flame Mantra should be able to evolve from a low-level Yellow-tier to a mid-level Yellow-tier."

"The second is the news you mentioned regarding the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagor Desert. Although this information is unconfirmed, we must still make the trip; after all, the existence of a Heavenly Flame is far too precious."

"You will likely be away with me for nearly half a year for this training, so cherish this time before we depart."

"The Magical Beast Mountain Range and the Tagor Desert, huh? That sounds quite interesting. It has been three years; it is time for me to go out and see the world."

Thinking about being able to leave Wutan City with his master to venture into the outside world, Xiao Yan was momentarily lost in thought, finally able to witness the enchanting scenery of the Dou Qi Continent.

"Oh, right, look at my memory. It seems I am getting old."

Seeming to recall something, Yao Lao patted his head with a hint of annoyance.

"For these past two years, I have only taught you to cultivate Dou Power, and I have never taught you any Dou Techniques. I didn't teach you before because I thought you were too young, and secondly, practicing Dou Techniques before becoming a Dou Practitioner yields little effect."

"Now that you are a Dou Practitioner and will be leaving with me for training soon, I shall teach you a Dou Technique."

"A Dou Technique? Hehe, I thought Master had forgotten about that. I haven't practiced those low-level techniques of the Xiao Clan for the past two years precisely because I was waiting for the high-level techniques in your hands."

Xiao Yan stared at Yao Lao with eager eyes.

"Heh, you brat." Yao Lao called out, looking slightly pained.

"Master, Master, what technique is it? If it's a Heaven-tier or Earth-tier technique, give me ten or eight of them; I won't complain."

"Do you think Heaven-tier techniques are cabbages sold on the street! Come here, this is a high-level Profound-tier technique. Take it or leave it!"

Without waiting for Xiao Yan's consent, Yao Lao extended his finger and tapped Xiao Yan lightly on the forehead, sending a stream of information into his mind.

"Eight Extremities Collapse: High-level Profound-tier Dou Technique. A close-combat technique known for its formidable attack power. When mastered, the attack contains eight layers of force. With all eight layers stacked, its power rivals a low-level Earth-tier technique!"

"Study it yourself; I am going to cultivate."

With that, Yao Lao flew back into the Storage Ring.

"Hehe, Eight Extremities Collapse, I've been looking forward to this."

Xiao Yan smirked as he looked at the cultivation method for the technique in his mind.

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

Xiao Yan chuckled, then hopped off the bed and ran toward Xiao Xun'er's courtyard.

"Xun'er, Xun'er, come out quickly, Brother Xiao Yan is here to see you."

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

"Creak!"

The door opened to reveal a fair, delicate face, looking at Xiao Yan with bright, watery eyes. It was none other than Xiao Xun'er.

"Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan with a pure, heartfelt smile, tugging on his sleeve as she led him into the room.

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

Entering the room, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Xun'er, who was acting like a little adult and pulling his sleeve as if she were the host, and couldn't help but tease her.

Xiao Xun'er saw the playful glint in Xiao Yan's eyes and smiled with a bit of guilt.

Could it be that Brother Xiao Yan discovered I was secretly following him last night? Even Elder Ling didn't detect Brother Xiao Yan's tracks. That teacher of his is truly mysterious. Could he be a Dou Zong or even a Dou Zun powerhouse?

Xiao Xun'er secretly twisted the corner of her clothes, making Xiao Yan chuckle to himself, which reminded him of the interesting scene from the night before.

Time turned back to the previous night, at the Jia Lie Family compound.

The battle was in full swing. Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were hiding in a secluded corner in the distance, watching Xiao Zhan wielding a long blade as he cut through the crowd.

Just as Xiao Yan was getting caught up in the excitement, Yao Lao suddenly said, "Get down!"

From within the black robes, strands of eerie white flames surged out, enveloping Xiao Yan's entire body.

In the dark sky in the distance, a powerhouse exuding a fierce aura descended on Dou Qi wings, landing only about ten steps away from Xiao Yan. The powerhouse held a delicate, doll-like little girl in his arms, and after landing, he carefully placed her on the ground.

"Young Miss, let us watch from here. If we get too close, we will be discovered by the Xiao Clan. But why must you put yourself in danger, Young Miss? What is there to see in this level of village brawl?"

The powerhouse whispered.

"It's fine, Elder Ling, you are here, aren't you? And don't speak of Uncle Xiao Zhan and the others like that; Uncle Xiao Zhan is fighting for the clan."

The little girl spoke unhurriedly.

"Yes, Miss." The expert said nothing more, standing solemnly to the side.

It turned out the two were Xiao Xun'er and her guardian, Elder Ling. Watching them land beside him, Xiao Yan couldn't help but grin silently.

Xiao Xun'er gazed into the distance, and to see more clearly, she began to channel a mysterious flame within her. Wisps of dark golden fire crept across her pupils, locking her eyes firmly onto the valiant Xiao Zhan in the midst of the battlefield.

At this moment, Xiao Zhan had no idea that four mysterious figures were watching him from outside the fray.

"Since we have been discovered, follow me and charge!" Xiao Zhan waved his hand and commanded.

"If Uncle Xiao Zhan gets hurt, Brother Xiao Yan will surely be worried." Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Zhan with a hint of concern in her heart.

Heh, all that pampering of this little girl wasn't in vain, Xiao Yan thought to himself with satisfaction.

As time passed, the battle drew to a close. Watching the Third Elder and Xiao Zhan emerge from the hall, dragging the corpse of Patriarch Jialie to force the Jialie clan to surrender, Xiao Xun'er knew that everything was over.