Battle Through the Heavens: I Can Solidify All Talents

At the instant the advancement was complete, Xiao Qing felt a thunderous boom in his mind as countless inspirations and techniques related to flame control emerged out of nowhere.

All the obscure and difficult parts of practicing the Fire Palm, the slight sluggishness when using it, suddenly became clear and perfectly integrated.

It was as if a master who had immersed himself in this path for decades had instilled all his lifetime experience into him.

Xiao Qing's heart stirred. He subconsciously raised his hand and circulated his Dou Qi.

Yellow Tier, Low-Grade Dou Technique, Fire Palm!

"Huff!"

It was not a simple burst of flames. A highly condensed blaze roared from Xiao Qing's palm, its shape faintly outlining the form of a dragon.

The scorching heat instantly evaporated the dampness within the cave, while the blazing light illuminated the entire cave crimson.

The dragon-shaped flames struck a hard boulder outside the cave with pinpoint accuracy.

Boom-crack—

Amid a deafening explosion, the boulder shattered directly. Its interior violently burst apart, turning into countless tiny fragments that scattered in every direction. Many of the stone fragments even bore signs of melting on their surfaces!

A moment later, Xiao Qing withdrew his hand. Looking at the pale red Dou Qi still lingering in his palm and the fiery heat remaining in the air, he was startled by the power of his attack.

With the enhancement of [Fire Control: High Grade], this originally ordinary Yellow Tier, Low-Grade Dou Technique probably rivaled, or even surpassed, some Yellow Tier, High-Grade Dou Techniques, didn't it?

If I caught someone off guard, this strike would be enough to severely wound or even kill a Nine-Star Dou Zhe!

Xiao Qing muttered inwardly, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

Even Mortal Grade Advanced has such power. Then what would Spirit Grade and Heaven Grade... be like?

Xiao Qing's eyes grew brighter, filled with anticipation and longing for the future.

Feeling the more than two thousand points of Innate Spiritual Rhyme remaining in his body, along with the sense that he was on the verge of another breakthrough, Xiao Qing did not hesitate.

Continue adding points!

With a thought, the Mysterious Book floating deep within his consciousness began turning without wind. The mysterious runes on its pages started flowing, and an invisible yet indescribable great power quietly emerged, instantly sealing and isolating the space within a radius of ten miles.

All sounds from the outside world suddenly vanished, as though even the wind had stopped drifting, turning this patch of heaven and earth into an independent domain!

At the same time, the natural energy within the sealed area seemed to have received the command of a supreme existence. With unprecedented obedience, it frantically gathered toward the cave and Xiao Qing.

An enormous amount of energy was compressed to the extreme, emitting a faint hum. In the end, it formed a fist-sized, dazzling white sphere of light, nearly solid in substance and radiating a palpitating energy fluctuation.

At that very moment, a strand of even purer origin separated from the spiritual radiance representing the opportunity for evolution and merged with the extremely compressed white energy sphere!

The next instant, the merged sphere of radiance seemed to find its target. Without any resistance, it easily entered Xiao Qing's brow and surged straight into the depths of his soul.

Buzz—

Xiao Qing immediately felt refreshed, as if a sweet divine spring had washed over him. Every trace of impurity in his soul was being purified and refined, becoming ever more extraordinary!

The fused energy did not stop there. It then surged throughout his entire body, merging into every piece of flesh and every meridian.

An indescribable sensation of comfort instantly spread through his body, as if the very source of his life had been nourished and elevated at this moment!

The sphere of light provided the massive energy required for advancement, while that miraculous spiritual radiance was the most crucial and fundamental element for pushing [Talent] from Mortal Grade to Spirit Grade. It was a fragment of law, a mysterious manifestation of a higher level.

In an instant, Xiao Qing felt as if his consciousness had broken free of the restraints of his body, wandering between heaven and earth and producing some mysterious, unknown resonance and fusion with his surroundings.

Xiao Qing was no longer merely absorbing energy. It was as if he had become part of heaven and earth, undergoing a leap in the level of life and an elevation of the soul.

A gentle yet profound warm current continuously washed over his body and soul, bringing an ultimate sensation akin to complete rebirth!

Xiao Qing involuntarily closed his eyes slowly, immersing all his attention in inner observation as he carefully experienced every subtle and miraculous change brought by [Talent] breaking through to Spirit Grade.

His understanding of flames was being overturned and reconstructed.

After a long while, Xiao Qing's eyelashes trembled slightly as he slowly opened his eyes!

Sizzle—

It was as if two tangible flames had ignited in the deepest depths of Xiao Qing's eyes!

Within his originally black pupils, crimson light faintly flowed.

Looking closely, it seemed that two tiny flames were truly burning quietly.

Wherever Xiao Qing looked, the temperature in the air seemed to rise by several degrees, carrying an invisible pressure.

Spirit Grade [Talent]!

Achieved!

Flame Control; Xiao Qing Planned to Live Off Gu Xun'er

The book within his consciousness updated its information at the right moment:

[Flame Control: Initial Grade (1/100): Your control over flames has entered an exceptionally high realm. With a mere thought, you can command fire as easily as your own limbs, with exquisite precision. The speed of absorbing and refining Fire Attribute energy has greatly increased; resistance to Flame and Fire Attribute energy attacks has greatly increased. Fire Element Affinity has slightly increased.]

Fire Element Affinity?

Xiao Qing repeated this brand-new entry in his heart.

He subconsciously touched his chin. The flames dancing in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep thought.

This no longer seemed to be a simple increase in control and resistance...

Affinity meant that Xiao Qing's relationship with fire elements, one of the fundamental energies between heaven and earth, had undergone an entirely new change!

Closer, more harmonious, perhaps even...

He could more easily understand its "emotions" and "laws"!

Is this... an elevation in status?

Xiao Qing quickly realized that the changes brought by this advancement were far more miraculous than he had imagined.

This was not merely an accumulation in quantity, but a leap in quality. It had opened a door to something even more mysterious for Xiao Qing!

Xiao Qing sent his awareness into his body and examined it briefly, immediately becoming both shocked and delighted.

His cultivation had actually risen alongside the breakthrough of [Talent], reaching Three-Star Dou Zhe in one go!

His Dou Qi Vortex had grown an entire size larger than before, spinning faster, while the Dou Qi within had undergone an obvious leap in both quantity and quality.

What delighted Xiao Qing even more was that the two stars of cultivation forcibly raised in this way did not feel in the slightest bit unstable or hollow! Instead, his Dou Qi was incomparably condensed, and his foundation was as solid as if he had cultivated it step by step himself—perhaps even better!

Every strand of Dou Qi flowing through his meridians carried a sense of substantial power. It moved with complete ease, without the slightest obstruction.

What an unexpected delight!

The corners of Xiao Qing's mouth could not help but curve upward.

Xiao Qing carefully assessed his current true strength.

Although he was only a Three-Star Dou Zhe, Xiao Qing could clearly sense that with Dou Qi far purer than those of the same rank, along with his newly transformed Spirit Grade [Flame Control] Talent, he was confident that even against a Dou Shi capable of condensing a Dou Qi Veil, he could exchange several moves head-on without falling behind!

Although the gap between Dou Zhe and Dou Shi was not as insurmountable as the gaps between higher major realms, it was still not to be underestimated!

Whether in total Dou Qi reserves, recovery speed, or the use of Dou Qi, Dou Shi were superior to Dou Zhe.

Xiao Qing understood perfectly well that his current advantage lay in the quality of his Dou Qi and his ultimate control of flames. It was enough to bridge the difference in rank for a short time and unleash astonishing combat power.

But my Dou Qi reserves are still far inferior to those of a true Dou Shi.

Xiao Qing thought calmly.

If I can't end the fight quickly, then after exchanging several moves, once my Dou Qi is overly depleted, I'll have no strength left and can only be slaughtered by others!

At that thought, a trace of blazing desire flashed through Xiao Qing's eyes, and his obsession with obtaining a cultivation method deepened considerably.

If he could cultivate a Xuan Rank: Low-Grade cultivation method...

With its Dou Qi quality and reserves far exceeding those of Yellow Tier cultivation methods, combined with his Spirit Grade [Talent], perhaps...

He would truly gain the strength to fight a low-star Dou Shi head-on, or even defeat one!

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle—

Just then, an extremely loud sound suddenly came from Xiao Qing's stomach. A powerful wave of hunger surged into his heart, directly scattering his thoughts.

"I'm so hungry..."

Xiao Qing clutched his suddenly hollow stomach.

He felt as if his body had been completely emptied out and desperately needed a large amount of food to replenish the energy it had consumed.

Why does advancing a Spirit Grade [Talent] feel like it nearly drained my entire body dry?

Xiao Qing grumbled inwardly, while also noticing the changes in his surroundings.

The natural energy inside and outside the cave had become extremely sparse, as if it had been completely drained away. It was now slowly flowing back in from farther away to replenish the area.

It seems this advancement consumed more than just Innate Spiritual Rhyme. The energy it required was also terrifyingly immense. Xiao Qing's heart turned grave.

No, if I advance or break through again in the future, I can't choose this place anymore!

This place is too close to the Xiao Family. If the commotion is too great, it will easily attract attention. I need to find somewhere more remote and rich in energy.

"That's enough for today. I'm so hungry my chest is practically stuck to my back. Going home to eat comes first."

Xiao Qing patted his growling stomach, jumped down from the bluestone, and hurriedly left the cave.

Xiao Qing walked back toward the area where his family lived, the setting sun stretching his shadow long behind him.

The hunger in his stomach remained intense, but an even greater desire churned within his heart at this moment!

It seems I need to carefully plan out my future cultivation method.

Xiao Qing pondered in secret, his brows knitting together.

The Yellow Tier, Mid-Grade Mystic Fire Art was still sufficient for Dou Zhe and even those newly entering the Dou Shi stage, but as his strength rose and his Spirit Grade Talent evolved, it had already become his current weakness.

The rank of a cultivation method directly determined the speed of Dou Qi cultivation, its total reserves, and its recovery ability. It was of utmost importance.

As his thoughts turned, a name naturally surfaced in his mind—

Xiao Yan!

This nominal "younger clansman," his actual fellow transmigrator, was only a little over three years old now, still just a child.

And in about half a year, the girl who would be enough to change all of Wutan City and even affect the continent's situation for countless years to come would be sent to the Xiao Family...

Gu Xun'er...

Xiao Qing spoke the name in his heart, a complicated glint flashing through his eyes.

Who would not like such a perfect partner—someone with a powerful background, wealth rivaling a nation, "absurdly rich," and once she set her sights on someone, would become completely lovestruck for that one person alone?

Xiao Qing shook his head and faced this side of himself with complete honesty.

Sorry, but he, Xiao Qing, was just an ordinary man. He might be able to earn delicacies through his own efforts, but with such fragrant, ready-made support being delivered right to his mouth, why would he not accept it?

As for how to draw the attention of this young lady of the Ancient Clan away from the originally destined Xiao Yan and toward himself...

The corners of Xiao Qing's mouth rose slightly. He had already thought of a plan.

There were many methods. He did not need to resort to any lowly tricks.

Sneak over walls in the middle of the night to touch a little girl?

Xiao Qing chuckled.

He, Xiao Qing, would never do such a thing!

Then Xiao Qing's thoughts began racing:

Being close in age is an advantage. It's her first time coming to Wutan City, and she's unfamiliar with the place and everyone in it. She must feel sensitive and uneasy inside.

A first impression that is timely, sincere, and not overly deliberate is crucial!

Show "Talent" and "character" far beyond those of children his age?

No, I can't overdo it, especially under the eyes of the Ancient Clan. But occasionally showing maturity and unique insight into things might make her feel surprised.

Most importantly...

"Companionship" and "a sense of security." When she was at her loneliest and needed a friend most, he would appear as a gentle, reliable, interesting, yet respectful older brother, subtly influencing her over time...

And the Xiao Family... perhaps I can use this opportunity to slightly improve my current situation. If I can receive even the slightest bit of care from the young lady of the Ancient Clan, many things will become much easier.

Countless thoughts and preliminary plans sketched vague outlines in his mind.

Xiao Qing took a soft breath and suppressed all the distracting thoughts rising within him.

For now, he had better fill his stomach first, then prepare for the "opportunity" that would arrive before long.