I Can Solidify All Talents: Battle Through the Heavens

Old Yao's tone carried the air of introducing a treasured artifact, but a clear trace of hesitation soon flashed through his eyes, as though he were wrestling fiercely with himself.

In the end, he seemed to make up his mind. His voice became low and complicated, carrying the weight of an almost-confession.

"However... this technique that can theoretically evolve without limit begins... at only the lowest Yellow Rank: Low-Grade."

Yellow Rank: Low-Grade!

Coming from the mouth of a Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmaster, those words carried an indescribable sense of absurdity and disparity.

This Burning Mantra had been obtained when Old Yao, along with his two friends Xuan Yi and Feng Xian, ventured into an Ancient Secret Realm and narrowly survived countless brushes with death...

Thinking of Xuan Yi, his confidante, a deeper complexity and guilt crossed Old Yao's illusory face. Having fallen to his current state, he truly had no face to meet her.

With that thought, Old Yao feared that the technique's low starting point would directly scare off his newly accepted outstanding disciple, so he hurriedly added, "But this technique's ability to evolve... even I, your teacher, cannot be completely certain that it is viable. After all, I have never seen anyone cultivate it before..."

"Still, I have an Earth Rank High-grade Fire Attribute technique here. It is absolutely reliable and will be enough for you to cultivate all the way to the Dou Zun realm without needing to replace it!"

However, Xiao Qing seemed not to have heard the words "Earth Rank technique" at all.

Xiao Qing's eyes lit up in an instant, gleaming with intense curiosity and interest as he stared fixedly at Old Yao. "A technique that can evolve by devouring flames? Teacher, may I take a look at this extraordinary technique?"

Seeing Xiao Qing take such a strong interest in that "unreliable" Yellow Rank: Low-Grade technique, a subtle delight rose in Old Yao's heart, as though his treasure had been recognized. Yet it was immediately drowned by even deeper bitterness.

So be it. If this Burning Mantra is proven unable to evolve in the future, or if evolving it proves too difficult, then even if this remnant soul of mine must completely dissipate, I will still find him a Heaven Rank technique and continue his path! Old Yao secretly swore to himself.

How could he know that, with his foreknowledge from the original story, Xiao Qing had long been certain that this Burning Mantra could definitely evolve!

At that moment, a faint sense of guilt even passed through Xiao Qing's heart for withholding what he knew, but he immediately suppressed it.

The Mysterious Book and his memories from his previous life were his greatest trump cards and secrets. He could never share them with anyone, not even Old Yao, his teacher!

"Ah!" Old Yao finally let out a soft sigh. His Soul Power stirred, and an extremely ancient-looking, somewhat tattered black scroll appeared in his hand.

This was the Burning Mantra, a technique that contained limitless possibilities and immense risks!

When he chose it, had he not also harbored the thought of using his disciple's strength to collect Heavenly Flames and help revive himself?

And the most difficult step in that resurrection method was gathering three different Heavenly Flames!

Xiao Qing solemnly accepted the scroll, unfurled it, and carefully read its description and its incomparably complex energy circulation route, one far beyond the reach of techniques of the same rank.

Though it was Yellow Rank: Low-Grade, its profundity was astonishing.

After a long while, the gleam in Xiao Qing's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He discovered that the circulation method of the Burning Mantra actually produced a marvelous resonance with the [Law of Fire] talent and Innate Spirit Body within him, as though they shared the same origin and possessed an extremely high degree of compatibility!

"Teacher!" Xiao Qing raised his head, unable to conceal his delight. Even his tone became much lighter. "This disciple has discovered that the Burning Mantra suits me perfectly! Its method of circulation seems to conform to some profound principle of heaven and earth, resonating with my own constitution. It is simply... simply as though it were tailor-made for me!"

Xiao Qing paused, deciding to reveal a little more information to make his case more convincing. "Teacher, you know that this disciple possesses a constitution with extremely high Fire Element Affinity."

"But you may not know that my constitution possesses an innate and powerful suppressive force against flames born between heaven and earth. Against ordinary flames, it holds absolute dominion!"

"According to what is recorded in the Burning Mantra, the slightest trace of extraordinary flame from heaven and earth that ordinary people must exhaust countless efforts and risk their lives to barely refine could perhaps... be easily absorbed and tamed by me!"

"So, the risks of the Burning Mantra are far lower for me than for ordinary people, while its benefits are limitless! It truly suits me perfectly!"

"Oh? Such a heaven-defying constitution actually exists?!" A stunning radiance burst from Old Yao's eyes as he cried out in astonishment.

He had already tried his best to overestimate Xiao Qing's special constitution, yet he had still underestimated it by far!

This was practically the perfect vessel born for the Burning Mantra!

Old Yao was just about to ask a few more questions when he saw Xiao Qing sit cross-legged without the slightest hesitation, holding the Burning Mantra scroll as he directly began converting his cultivation technique!

That decisiveness and ability to act shook Old Yao's heart once more.

He could only swallow back the words at his lips. His heart was filled with mixed emotions—gratitude for his disciple's trust and a warm current surging within him. The way he looked at Xiao Qing was filled with indescribably complicated feelings.

Accepting this disciple had been worth it!

After a long while, the aura fluctuating around Xiao Qing gradually stabilized. He slowly opened his eyes, having clearly succeeded in converting to the Burning Mantra.

Converting from a Yellow Rank: Mid-Grade technique to a Yellow Rank: Low-Grade one would normally cause the total amount of Dou Qi to contract and one's cultivation to drop.

During this conversion, his immense Dou Qi was compressed and refined to the extreme, nearly causing Xiao Qing to fall from One-Star Dou Shi back to Nine-Star Dou Zhe.

Fortunately, the foundation laid by the [Law of Fire] and Innate Spirit Body was simply too solid. He ultimately forced his realm to remain stable and did not fall back.

Xiao Qing carefully sensed the brand-new Dou Qi flowing through his body before saying to Old Yao, "Though it is Yellow Rank: Low-Grade, when this technique circulates, it is several times smoother and faster than the Yellow Rank: Mid-Grade Mystic Fire Art from before. The quality of the Dou Qi also seems to be a little purer."

After successfully converting his technique, Xiao Qing did not rush to stand. Instead, he continued familiarizing himself with the unique circulation route of the Burning Mantra.

"Good! Since you have successfully converted, then next, I will separate a wisp of the Bone Chilling Flame's source flame seed at the limit your current body can withstand, allowing you to personally test the Burning Mantra's special devouring and evolution properties!"

A sharp gleam flashed through Old Yao's eyes. He had already begun laying out an unprecedented path to greatness for Xiao Qing.

As he spoke, he raised his palm. With a soft pop, a cluster of pale white flames sprang to life.

The moment this flame appeared, the surrounding temperature plunged sharply. A thin layer of white frost instantly formed over the rocks, and a strange chill spread through the air.

Fortunately, Old Yao controlled the flame precisely, confining it within the space above his palm.

This was the Bone Chilling Flame, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking!

A strange flame in which extreme cold and extreme heat coexisted.

"So this is a Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Qing curiously examined the pale white flame. He could clearly sense the terrifying energy contained within it, yet the [Law of Fire] in his body sent him a clear perception—

This flame is beneath me!

With a thought, Xiao Qing slightly stirred a trace of the [Law of Fire] aura within his body.

In the next moment, an astonishing scene unfolded!

The Bone Chilling Flame, which had been burning steadily in Old Yao's palm, seemed to encounter its natural nemesis—an emperor ruling over all beneath heaven—and suddenly trembled!

The flame's volume abruptly shrank. From its original fist-sized mass, it instantly curled into a tiny, weak flicker, clinging tightly to Old Yao's palm as it trembled slightly, revealing an emotion of fear!

"Huh?! It really is just as you said! Your constitution can truly exert such a powerful innate suppression over Heavenly Flames!" Old Yao exclaimed again and again, utterly amazed. This was simply unheard of!

He no longer hesitated and carefully separated an even smaller wisp of Bone Chilling Flame from the main flame.

This wisp of flame possessed energy only comparable to some powerful Beast Flames, but its essence was still that of a Heavenly Flame. Its rank was far beyond that of Beast Flames.

"First, try to see whether you can smoothly refine this wisp of flame seed." Old Yao extended the tiny pale white flame toward Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing reached out to take it. His fingertips did not feel the slightest heat or cold, and he directly opened his mouth and swallowed the wisp of Bone Chilling Flame.

Almost the instant it entered his mouth, the power of the [Law of Fire] began operating on its own. Before that tiny Heavenly Flame could even struggle, it was completely tamed, refined, and fused into the Dou Qi of the Burning Mantra. The entire process was so fast that it left one breathless.

"This...?" For the first time in his life, Old Yao witnessed such a shocking and unreasonable refinement scene. He fell silent for a moment before asking in disbelief, "How... does it feel?"

"Seems like... it tasted a little cool, then a little warm?" Xiao Qing blinked and seriously gave his assessment after savoring the sensation.

"I'm asking about the technique! I'm not asking how it tastes!" Old Yao shouted, so angry that his illusory beard nearly stood on end.

This brat!

Xiao Qing chuckled and stopped joking. He quickly sensed the changes in his body, and an enormous surprise appeared on his face. "Teacher! The Burning Mantra has broken through! With just that tiny wisp of flame, it truly evolved! It is now a Yellow Rank: Mid-Grade technique!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Upon hearing that, Old Yao clapped his hands and laughed loudly, saying "good" three times in succession. His face was full of excitement and joy.

"Wonderful! It seems this technique truly can evolve! It was not an empty claim!"

Though he had long known the theory, seeing the miracle happen with his own eyes to his disciple was a shock and joy beyond words.

"Since that is the case..." Old Yao's smile faded, and his expression turned solemn. "The real test comes next—absorbing a Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame!"

"Although your constitution innately restrains Heavenly Flames, this Sub-flame contains far more energy than before, enough to rival some complete Heavenly Flames at the lower end of the rankings!"

"To ensure there are no mishaps, we cannot omit a single step of the proper process."

As he spoke, Old Yao stirred his Soul Power and took two jade bottles and a thumb-sized round object from the Bone Flame Ring.

When the stoppers were opened, a refreshing medicinal fragrance immediately spread out.

Two round, crystalline medicinal pills flew out. One was icy blue all over and emitted strands of cold air, while the other was gentle as jade, with a point of red light flickering at its center.

"These are a Tier 6 Medicinal Pill, the Ice Pulse Pill; a Tier 5 Medicinal Pill, the Heart Protecting Pill; and the Spirit Container for absorbing Heavenly Flames!" Old Yao handed the pills to Xiao Qing and explained in detail.

"The Ice Pulse Pill can protect all your meridians while you absorb the Heavenly Flame, temporarily and greatly increasing your tolerance for its burning. The Heart Protecting Pill, meanwhile, will protect your heart meridians and ensure that the Heavenly Flame's power cannot burn them and create a fatal danger."

"The Spirit Container can open an independent and absolutely safe tiny space within your Dou Qi vortex, specifically for containing and storing the source of a Heavenly Flame!"

Old Yao was currently able to maintain his soul state largely because he resided within the Bone Chilling Flame.

Separating a Sub-flame would consume a significant amount of Old Yao's Soul Power, but it remained within a tolerable range and would not affect his basic soul stability.

Fortunately, Old Yao was the master of the Bone Chilling Flame, so separating it was relatively controllable. If an ordinary person tried to separate an ownerless Heavenly Flame, they would instantly suffer a terrifying backlash.

Old Yao carefully held the separated pale white Sub-flame, roughly the size of a thumb, in his palm. The Sub-flame flickered slowly, emitting energy fluctuations dozens of times stronger than that earlier flame seed.

He held the Sub-flame before Xiao Qing and instructed him with an incomparably stern expression, "This is absolutely no game! Remember, first take the two medicinal pills. Only after their effects have fully spread and protected the vital parts of your body should you swallow and refine the Sub-flame! You must not be as reckless as before!"

"Yes, Teacher! This disciple understands!" Xiao Qing also put away his playful attitude and nodded solemnly.

Xiao Qing first refined the Spirit Container into his Dou Qi vortex, then swallowed the Ice Pulse Pill and Heart Protecting Pill in succession.

The medicinal pills melted the moment they entered his mouth, instantly transforming into two powerful torrents of medicinal energy that surged into every part of his body.

A thin layer of icy blue frost crystals visibly condensed over Xiao Qing's body at a rapid pace, while a powerful chill spread from within him, effectively neutralizing the coming high temperature of the Heavenly Flame.

At the same time, a gentle yet steadfast warm glow radiated from Xiao Qing's chest like the strongest shield, firmly protecting his heart within.

The Tier 6 Ice Pulse Pill and Tier 5 Heart Protecting Pill had already taken effect!

"Quick! Now! Swallow the Sub-flame and circulate the Burning Mantra!" Seeing that the medicinal effects had fully spread, Old Yao immediately shouted, his tone hurried and tense.

Xiao Qing did not dare delay. He took the flickering pale white Sub-flame, drew a deep breath, and directly swallowed it!

Once the Sub-flame entered his body, the imagined violent impact did not immediately arrive.

The innate suppressive force of the [Law of Fire] still existed, leaving the Sub-flame somewhat "tame" despite its enormous energy.

It began circulating along the route of the Burning Mantra. What it brought was not unbearable searing pain, but a slight swelling ache as his meridians were filled and expanded by vast energy.

Xiao Qing merely frowned lightly before circulating his technique at full force, guiding the powerful Heavenly Flame energy into his Dou Qi and pushing the Burning Mantra toward a higher level of evolution...

Old Yao, who stood at the side in full concentration and was ready to intervene and save him at any moment, stared dumbfoundedly, his face filled with disbelief.

That... was it?

What happened to the extreme danger?

What happened to nine deaths and one life?

The Heavenly Flame Sub-flame that could reduce even Dou Wang and Dou Emperor experts to ashes was absorbed so obediently?

Other than a slight frown, there was practically no reaction?

Old Yao: "???"

Where was the process?!

Where was the heart-stopping, perilous refinement process?!

Why was it as easy for him as drinking cold water?!

The Burning Mantra successfully evolved to Xuan Rank Mid-grade!

Xiao Qing carefully felt the Dou Qi within him, now several times more powerful and surging like rushing rivers. A powerful sense of relief and satisfaction rose naturally in his heart.

The gap between Xuan Rank techniques and Yellow Rank techniques truly was like heaven and earth. Whether in total Dou Qi, recovery speed, smoothness of circulation, or explosive power, there had been a qualitative leap!

Now, not only had the Burning Mantra successfully advanced into a Xuan Rank technique, but Xiao Qing's cultivation had also risen with it, breaking through to Three-Star Dou Shi in one stroke! And this was still under the condition that he had absorbed a Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame belonging to Old Yao.

Old Yao was the master of the Bone Chilling Flame, and when he separated the Sub-flame, most of the source energy still remained within the main flame.

If it had been one of those wild, ownerless Heavenly Flames containing a complete source, the terrifying energy within it might have allowed Xiao Qing to soar directly to Peak Dou Shi in a single breath!

Old Yao could see it clearly from the side. Xiao Qing was merely circulating his technique normally, yet the speed and scale at which he absorbed the surrounding natural energy had become several times more terrifying than before!

That energy vortex had nearly become tangible, releasing a low howl.

This was clearly the astonishing effect brought about by the evolved Xuan Rank Mid-grade Burning Mantra.

"This... this kind of terrifying cultivation efficiency!" Though he had already expected it in his heart, seeing it firsthand still left Old Yao dumbstruck once more.

It was not that he looked down on Dou Shi, but was this the kind of cultivation phenomenon a Dou Shi should possess?

It was simply unheard of!

With a thought, Xiao Qing summoned a pale white flame that leaped from his palm.