Battle Through the Heavens: I Can Solidify All Talents

Xiao Qing slowly opened his eyes. A tangible gleam flashed through them before vanishing. He let out a long breath of turbid air, which remained condensed like a white ribbon and shot several meters away before slowly dispersing.

Feeling the vast, surging new power within his body, like a rushing river and seemingly inexhaustible, Xiao Qing's lips gradually curled into a satisfied smile.

"Finally... I've advanced to Dou Ling!"

Late Mortal Realm Soul! Black Rank Mid-grade Soul Skill: Soul-Extinguishing Arrowhead

In the inner region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, beneath a cliff—

Xiao Qing sat cross-legged atop a massive bluestone beside a waterfall.

His eyes were lightly closed, his expression calm. He allowed the icy mist to strike his face and soak his clothes, yet it did not affect his concentration in the slightest.

To him, the crashing waterfall felt like nothing more than a gentle massage.

Nearly two months of slaughter in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, battling all manner of fierce magical beasts, had not only deeply tempered his Dou Qi and Dou Skills, but also honed his will and temperament.

At this moment, much of the youthful immaturity around him had faded, replaced by a calm, restrained bearing that concealed a sharp edge.

With a thought, he flipped his palm, and three jade bottles of unusual material appeared in his hand, each faintly emitting energy fluctuations of a different attribute.

These three jade bottles were clearly no ordinary items, capable of preserving the energy of their contents extremely well.

One jade bottle was dark red throughout. Its surface seemed to retain a trace of its former owner's violent, scorching aura, and it felt warm to the touch.

The other two jade bottles were wreathed in a faint green glow, giving off an agile yet eerie feeling.

These were the core spoils of Xiao Qing's journey through the mountain range—three clusters of source Beast Fire taken from Tier 5 Fire Attribute magical beasts!

He first picked up the dark-red jade bottle, which still retained a trace of the Demon Flame Wolf's violent aura.

The instant he pulled out the stopper, a fist-sized cluster of dark-red flame, constantly twisting and leaping, impatiently burst forth. It radiated scorching heat as it attempted to break free.

This was the source Beast Fire he had painstakingly extracted from the body of that Tier 5 Demon Flame Wolf King after his first victorious battle—Demon Flame Wolf Fire!

Next, his gaze fell upon the other two green jade bottles. Sealed within them were the Beast Fires of a pair of Tier 5 magical beasts, Green-Eyed Demon Foxes—Demon Fox Nether Fire!

He recalled that cunning, troublesome pair of Green-Eyed Demon Foxes and their flawless coordination. Killing them had truly put him in grave danger.

But if he faced them now, with his current one-star Dou Ling cultivation and deeper understanding of power, he could probably kill them both with ease!

To kill that fox couple, Xiao Qing had nearly been forced to use the "Heaven Rank Dou Skill, Ghost Possession"!

Without hesitation, Xiao Qing opened his mouth and inhaled. The dark-red Beast Fire trying to escape was drawn by an invisible force, turning into a streak of flame that shot directly into his body!

Immediately afterward, he repeated the process and absorbed the Demon Fox Beast Fires from the other two green jade bottles as well.

However, what happened was completely different from the violent backlash one might have expected after Beast Fire entered the body.

These three clusters of Beast Fire, which would have forced even Da Dou Shi and low-star Dou Ling cultivators to treat them with utmost caution, seemed to encounter their natural nemesis after entering Xiao Qing's meridians!

Their originally blazing flames suddenly contracted until they were only thumb-sized.

Like three startled lambs, they trembled before the boundless Dou Qi containing the source aura of the Law of Fire. All of them curled up in a corner, not daring to let even a spark wander about, becoming extraordinarily docile.

Before the supreme Law of Fire, these low-grade Beast Fires could only submit!

Refine!

With a thought from Xiao Qing, the Burning Mantra immediately began operating at full force!

Within his dantian, the embryonic Dou Ling Sea spun faster, erupting with powerful suction.

Golden-red Burning Mantra Dou Qi surged like a warm tide, instantly enveloping the three trembling clusters of Beast Fire.

The refinement process went far more smoothly than expected.

The faint remnants of violent magical beast will within the Beast Fires were instantly washed away by the power of the law, leaving behind only the purest source energy of the Fire Attribute.

This source energy was rapidly assimilated and absorbed by the Burning Mantra Dou Qi. Like streams flowing into a great river, it rushed into the source of the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame.

Boom!

A faint rumble echoed within his body, and Xiao Qing's aura abruptly surged!

The barrier of his recently stabilized one-star Dou Ling realm was effortlessly shattered by this new power. His cultivation rose directly to two-star Dou Ling!

At the same time, he clearly sensed that the circulation route of the Burning Mantra within his meridians seemed to have widened slightly, becoming smoother and more efficient. The rate at which he absorbed and refined the surrounding natural energy had subtly risen by another notch.

The cultivation method, originally at the Black Rank Mid-grade, had reached a perfect critical point after accumulating the refinement of three Tier 5 Beast Fires. It only needed a suitable opportunity to naturally advance to the Black Rank High-grade!

"Phew..."

Xiao Qing slowly exhaled a breath of scorching air and opened his eyes, a brilliant light gleaming within them.

Feeling the increasingly vast power in his body, along with his deeper affinity and control over Flame, he nodded in satisfaction.

This refinement had not only increased his cultivation, but also laid a solid foundation for the Burning Mantra's next evolution.

Xiao Qing focused his mind. His consciousness seemed to dive into deep water, instantly reaching the mysterious space formed by his Soul Power—the Soul Sea.

There, the Mysterious Book that had accompanied his growth quietly floated, radiating a hazy, ancient glow.

Since breaking through to Dou Ling, he could now consult the book directly within his consciousness with a mere thought. He no longer needed to manifest it outside as before, avoiding the awkward appearance of "staring blankly into space" in front of others.

Ancient words clearly surfaced across the book, recording everything about his current state:

[Host: Xiao Qing]

[Age: 11]

[Physique: Innate Spirit Body]

[Bloodline: First-Grade Emperor Dou Bloodline]

[Talent (1/5): Heaven Grade · Law of Fire · Initial Grade (10/1000)]

[Divine Ability: None]

[Cultivation: Two-Star Dou Ling]

[Soul Realm: Late Mortal Realm]

[Cultivation Method: Black Rank Mid-grade · Burning Mantra]

[Dou Skills: Black Rank Mid-grade Soul Skill · Soul-Extinguishing Arrowhead, Black Rank High-grade · Eight Extremities Collapse, Earth Rank Low-grade · Great Heaven Red Sun Palm, Earth Rank Low-grade · Phoenix Dance Wandering Step, Earth Rank Low-grade · Finger of Nirvana]

[Available Talent Solidification Attempts: 4]

[Innate Spiritual Rhyme: 1922]

As his gaze swept over the lines of information, faint ripples stirred in Xiao Qing's heart.

The Dou Skill section was quite extensive. He already possessed three Earth Rank Low-grade Dou Skills.

Phoenix Dance Wandering Step and Finger of Nirvana had been gifts from Gu Xun'er. Those seemingly casual but immensely weighty gifts still moved him whenever he thought of them.

Great Heaven Red Sun Palm, meanwhile, had been taught to him by Old Yao. Its power was incomparably fierce.

As for the Black Rank High-grade movement Dou Skill Old Yao had taught him early on, it had long since been replaced by the more exquisite Phoenix Dance Wandering Step.

Particularly worth mentioning was Soul-Extinguishing Arrowhead. This Black Rank Mid-grade Soul Skill was a secret art from Old Yao's collection specifically designed for soul attacks, and it was extraordinarily precious!

Moreover, among Black Rank Mid-grade Soul Skills, Soul-Extinguishing Arrowhead could be considered the ultimate attack against the soul.

Soul Power condensed into a soul arrow, concentrating its might into a single strike. Its damage was likely no weaker than that of some Black Rank High-grade Soul Skills!

Xiao Qing: Just Luck! Tier 6 Magical Beast, Heaven-Swallowing Demon Snake!

He thought of Xiao Yan's early struggles with his lack of Dou Skills in the original story.

What was this?

Let Xiao Yan suffer first?

Xiao Qing could not help smiling. Perhaps Old Yao truly had some intention of "tempering his will and exhausting his body" back then?

Suddenly, his gaze settled on the [Talent] section, and his mind stirred.

Hm? The progress of the Heaven Grade Initial Law of Fire has actually risen from its original one point to ten!

After thinking carefully, he realized that this change had occurred after he successfully refined the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame and the three clusters of Tier 5 Beast Fire.

Without needing an increase in Innate Spiritual Rhyme, Devouring and fusing powerful Flames can directly advance my law Talent?!

This discovery made Xiao Qing's heart burn with excitement!

It undoubtedly pointed out a clear shortcut for improving his strongest Talent!

Devouring Heavenly Flames was originally the core of the Burning Mantra's advancement and his increase in strength. Now, it seemed to accomplish three things at once!

However, the Heaven Grade Initial Law of Fire is already sufficient for now. It can support me until the higher realms, while my remaining nearly two thousand points of Innate Spiritual Rhyme are far from enough to raise it to Heaven Grade Advanced. He analyzed calmly.

Rather than wasting Spiritual Rhyme on endlessly upgrading the Law of Fire, I might as well use it to solidify a new Talent.

I have four solidification attempts. I cannot waste them!

Should he choose a defensive Talent to strengthen his ability to survive, or a special physique that enhanced his physical body?

Or should he search for a rare Talent related to Soul Power, Spatial Power, or special attributes such as poison and lightning?

Every choice could have a far-reaching impact on his future path.

He needed to observe more carefully and wait for the right opportunity. He could not rush this.

A clear plan for his future path gradually took shape in his heart.

The core would be the Burning Mantra and the Law of Fire. At the same time, he would use the Mysterious Book's abilities to selectively fill in his weaknesses in other areas, forging a powerful foundation without any shortcomings.

He needed to choose carefully!

After sorting out his thoughts, Xiao Qing withdrew his consciousness from the Soul Sea and slowly opened his eyes.

Almost the instant he did, Old Yao's soul form leisurely floated out from the Bone Flame Ring.

Seeing his disciple's aura becoming ever deeper and more condensed, the old man's face was filled with undisguised amazement and satisfaction. Stroking his beard, he laughed. "Hehe, the Burning Mantra truly defies the heavens! Devouring Beast Fire is like drinking water, and advancing in cultivation is as easy as breathing."

"Combined with your monstrous Innate Fire Spirit Body and affinity with Flame... Tsk, tsk. I dare say that in time, the so-called geniuses of the Dou Qi Continent will not even be qualified to gaze upon your back!"

Old Yao's words were full of certainty.

Having personally witnessed Xiao Qing grow at such a terrifying speed, he no longer had the slightest doubt. He firmly believed that this child would one day stand at the summit of the continent.

"Just luck."

Xiao Qing merely smiled modestly in response. He was not complacent because of the praise.

He knew full well that the path of cultivation was long, and the challenges ahead would only grow more numerous.

"Luck is also part of strength." Old Yao waved his hand, his expression turning solemn.

"Since you have stabilized your Dou Ling realm, it is time to put the refinement of the Tier 6 Spirit-Nourishing Pill on the agenda. If this pill succeeds, then with your Late Mortal Realm soul foundation, you will have a great chance of reaching Peak Mortal Realm."

"At that time, as long as your Dou Qi cultivation keeps pace, it will not be impossible for you to attempt refining Tier 7 Medicinal Pills and knock upon the door of becoming a Tier 7 Alchemist!"

Even Old Yao could not help sighing with emotion as he spoke.

Not yet twelve years old, yet already a Dou Ling with Late Mortal Realm Soul Power, carrying so many powerful Dou Skills and secret arts...

No one would dare believe such achievements if they heard of them.

This cultivation speed was not merely fast—it had completely shattered common sense!

"With my own reserves added in, we only lack the supplementary herb guarded by the Heaven-Swallowing Demon Snake to gather all the medicinal ingredients needed for the Tier 6 Spirit-Nourishing Pill!" Old Yao said again, stroking his beard.

"Soul-Calming Moon-Evening Grass..."

The moment Old Yao mentioned the item, a sharp, tangible gleam burst from Xiao Qing's eyes.

He had memorized the pill formula by heart and understood the importance of this supplementary herb.

The Peak Tier 6 Spirit-Nourishing Pill would be the key to another leap in his Soul Power!

And his determination to obtain that spiritual herb had long been closely tied to the humiliating encounter from a month ago.

It was time to retrieve the final piece needed to refine the pill—the Soul-Calming Moon-Evening Grass.

It was time to settle the score with that Heaven-Swallowing Demon Snake!

"It's time to go back and take revenge." Xiao Qing muttered, a cold, vicious glint flashing through his eyes.

For a moment, he seemed to see that Heaven-Swallowing Demon Snake again, coiled outside a deep cave. Its body was as massive as a small mountain, radiating suffocating pressure!

At the time, he had just killed a Tier 5 magical beast and was searching for his next target when he unexpectedly sensed strange soul fluctuations coming from a valley.

Following the trail, he discovered a Soul-Calming Moon-Evening Grass swaying beneath the moonlight, its leaves shaped like crescent moons and its entire body radiating tranquil Soul Power!

Yet before his wild joy could rise, a cold, viscous, terrifying aura far surpassing Tier 5 swept out from a nearby cave like a tidal wave!