Battle Through the Heavens: I Can Solidify All Talents

The Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame burned quietly, yet the terrifying pressure it emitted—a blend of icy cold and scorching heat—was not inferior in the slightest to the Bone Chilling Flame itself in Old Yao's hand.

It even seemed to surpass it faintly in purity and agility of energy, due to containing a trace of Xiao Qing's [Law of Fire]!

"Teacher, your Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame seems to have undergone some kind of transformation under the nourishment and enhancement of my constitution. It has improved tremendously!" Xiao Qing said as he deftly controlled the pale white flame in his palm, shaping it into all manner of forms.

Not only that, Old Yao could clearly sense that the essence of the Sub-Flame in Xiao Qing's hand seemed to be surpassing the scope of an ordinary Bone Chilling Flame.

If it remained in Xiao Qing's body for long-term nourishment and was continuously infused by the [Law of Fire], it might very well transform into an unprecedented new and powerful Heavenly Flame that belonged solely to him!

"This is... unbelievable!" Old Yao finally could not hold back his immense doubt and asked, "Qing'er, what kind of special constitution do you have? Not only can it suppress Heavenly Flames from birth, it can even empower a flame's offspring and transform it to such an extent?!"

Innate Fire Spirit Body!

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Qing decided to offer a name that could explain most of the abnormalities without exposing the core secret of the book.

"This disciple calls it... the Innate Fire Spirit Body."

That was not entirely a lie. [Innate Spirit Body] combined with [Law of Fire] could certainly be called an "Innate Fire Spirit Body."

"Innate Fire Spirit Body..." Old Yao muttered the name to himself. He fell silent for a moment, seemingly searching through his memories for related records...

Suddenly, Old Yao jerked his head up. His eyes flashed with sudden realization as he shouted, "Good!"

"What a fine 'Innate Fire Spirit Body'! Naturally close to all flames, controlling fire as easily as moving one's own limbs, even able to promote the evolution of flame seeds! Such heaven-defying traits truly live up to the words 'Fire Spirit'!" Old Yao clapped his hands in admiration, as if he had found a reasonable explanation for his disciple's extraordinary nature—one enough to shock the world.

Old Yao naturally thought of the phenomenon of Heavenly Flames developing intelligence. Some powerful Heavenly Flames could ultimately undergo Form Transformation into human beings, possessing wisdom no weaker than that of humans.

Looking at Xiao Qing's figure, which faintly resonated with the energy of heaven and earth, Old Yao's illusory body rippled lightly in the air, and countless emotions rose within him.

His disciple's constitution seemed born to be the spiritual sovereign of all flames!

If I had not personally confirmed that he is a flesh-and-blood human with a complete soul, I would truly suspect that my disciple is some primordial Heavenly Flame born at the dawn of creation, which underwent Form Transformation after endless years...

Old Yao pondered secretly, still finding it hard to believe.

After all, the ability to suppress all flames from birth was simply too inconceivable. Such status and traits completely surpassed conventional understanding.

Perhaps only a special constitution like Xiao Qing's, born carrying the fortune of heaven and earth, can explain all this. His very existence may represent some form of favor and manifestation of the path of 'fire' within heaven and earth.

Old Yao tried to comprehend the phenomenon with his vast knowledge.

Ordinary special constitutions may be powerful, but they could hardly possess such absolute suppression. The status of his 'Innate Fire Spirit Body' likely points directly toward the origin...

A thought surfaced uncontrollably. Could this be the 'Son of Heaven' occasionally mentioned in ancient texts, born bearing the fortune of heaven and earth? One who came into being in response to fate and carried some heavenly mandate?

At that thought, Old Yao's feelings grew even more complicated. He was overjoyed to have accepted such an exceptional disciple, yet he also felt a faint sense of reverence and a heavy responsibility.

Teaching such a disciple might not merely be a bond of master and student. It might also be karma that would draw him into a vast and turbulent era.

Old Yao gathered his thoughts and stopped dwelling on it. No matter what, Xiao Qing was his disciple, and that would not change. Whatever storms lay ahead, master and disciple would face them together.

"Enough."

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Old Yao glanced at the darkening sky and said to Xiao Qing, "Today's gains have already been immense. Do not be greedy for more. It is getting dark. Go back and rest well first, and stabilize your realm."

"Starting tomorrow, I will formally begin teaching you profound combat techniques, as well as... how to become a true alchemist!"

Old Yao needed time to process the successive shocks of the day and carefully plan the future path of this monstrous disciple.

"Alright, Teacher!" Xiao Qing nodded.

He had broken through repeatedly, switched cultivation methods, and Devoured a Heavenly Flame. His mind had remained intensely focused the entire time. Now that he relaxed, he truly felt a trace of exhaustion.

Xiao Qing drew the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame back into his body, bowed to Old Yao, then turned and headed toward the Xiao Family.

Old Yao's soul body also turned into a streak of light and reentered the black ring on Xiao Qing's finger.

The mountain forest returned to silence once more. Only the lingering energy ripples in the air told of how extraordinary the events here had just been.

The Pill Forms Three Patterns, Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill! Becoming a Tier 4 Alchemist!

Xiao Family Back Mountain, in a secluded corner rarely visited by anyone.

Xiao Qing stood tall and still atop a smooth boulder.

Before him stood a dark red Medicine Cauldron with an ancient appearance that nevertheless emitted a faint medicinal fragrance. Several herbs overflowing with medicinal aroma lay beside it, along with a green-glowing magic core. Most eye-catching of all was a spread-out pill formula.

These had naturally all been taken from the Bone Flame Ring, the private stash of Xiao Qing's "filthy rich" teacher, Old Yao.

After two months of alchemy practice, Old Yao had finally witnessed Xiao Qing's monstrous comprehension and his almost cheat-like ability to control fire. At last, he stopped hoarding his collection and generously supplied all the herbs and resources needed for practice, sparing Xiao Qing from having to run everywhere for ingredients like Xiao Yan had in the early stages of the original story.

[Pill Formula: Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill]

[Main Ingredients: One Century Blood Ginseng, three Life Spirit Grasses]

[Supplementary Ingredients: One Jade Marrow Ganoderma, three drops of Millennium Stone Milk, one Tier 3 wood-element magic core]

[Effect: Stabilizes one's foundational vitality. It gently and effectively replenishes and restores deficits in life vitality caused by severe injuries, overexertion, backlash from secret techniques, or damage to one's foundation. Its nature is mild, focusing on nourishing the origin and moistening the foundation of life in silence.]

[Suitable For: Physical weakness after recovering from severe injuries, vitality damage caused by cultivation deviations or qi deviation, depletion of life force after using forbidden combat techniques, and congenital or acquired vitality damage.]

[Refining Requirements: Requires a Tier 4 Alchemist or above, a soul realm at the peak of the Mortal Realm Initial Stage, extremely precise control over heat, and the ability to nourish the medicinal potency with real flame and Dou Qi for an extended period...]

[Refining Method: ...]

Xiao Qing's gaze swept quickly over the pill formula. Every word on it had long since been engraved in his mind.

After two months of Old Yao's wholehearted instruction and strict guidance, coupled with Xiao Qing's own powerful Soul Power at the peak of the Mortal Realm Mid-Stage and his extraordinary mastery of flames, his progress in alchemy had advanced by leaps and bounds. He could now already skillfully refine most Grade 4 medicinal pills!

Today, Xiao Qing was refining the Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill, which was crucial to his aunt Yan Qian!

Taking a deep breath and suppressing all distracting thoughts, Xiao Qing's gaze instantly turned sharp and focused.

Xiao Qing extended his right hand and casually flicked it--

Puff!

A pale white flame rose up, instantly wrapping around the Tier 3 wood-element magic core and suspending it in midair.

With the unique interwoven frost and heat properties of the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame, Xiao Qing applied his extremely precise control perfectly to the magic core.

Refining the magic core was the first step, and also a crucial one. He had to carefully scorch it with Heavenly Flame, removing its impurities and stimulating its purest wood-element energy.

Old Yao's soul body floated nearby in the air. He nodded and silently watched everything before him.

Within the embrace of the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame, the roughness on the magic core's surface gradually melted away. Strands of gray-black impurities were burned into nothingness, while what remained slowly became crystalline and translucent.

Once purification was nearly complete, Xiao Qing began multitasking. His powerful Soul Power surged forth, delicately guiding his own Dou Qi to slowly merge with and permeate the refined pure wood-element energy.

The process did not take long, but it required immense patience and precise control.

In the end, the magic core completely transformed into a small mass of viscous emerald-green liquid, radiating dense vitality and a fragrant scent.

Xiao Qing did not dare delay. He slapped the Medicine Cauldron with his left hand, flipping open its lid, while his right hand controlled the mass of emerald-green liquid and instantly sent it into the cauldron.

Next, Xiao Qing picked up the jade bottle containing Millennium Stone Milk and dripped several drops of milky-white stone milk, which emitted a rich, secluded fragrance, into the Medicine Cauldron.

Buzz--

Pale white flames instantly poured beneath the Medicine Cauldron. Under Xiao Qing's mental control, the size and temperature of the flames shifted constantly as they carefully extracted the medicinal essence of the Millennium Stone Milk and began its initial fusion with the previous wood-element liquid.

Afterward, Xiao Qing added the Century Blood Ginseng and Life Spirit Grass in turn. The two main ingredients were quickly refined before the Heavenly Flame, their essences perfectly extracted. Under Xiao Qing's masterful control of fire, they were refined into two masses of pure, dense plant essence that floated within the Medicine Cauldron.

What profound fire-control techniques! This is simply art!

Old Yao, watching from the side, could not help praising him repeatedly in his heart, his eyes full of admiration.

Xiao Qing's command over flames was no longer merely a technique. It was closer to an understanding of flame itself!

The exquisite refinement methods Xiao Qing displayed were not inferior even to some long-established Tier 6 Alchemists. In fire control alone, he could almost rival Old Yao at his peak!

Such Talent was truly terrifying!

At this moment, Xiao Qing was fully focused. His Soul Power was like countless tiny tendrils, sensing every minute change in the medicinal potency within the cauldron.

Xiao Qing guided the two masses of plant essence toward the wood-element liquid fused with stone milk, slowly bringing them together... The medicinal liquid in the cauldron gradually took on a greenish-brown color and released a refreshing fragrance.

Then, he added the final supplementary ingredient—the Jade Marrow Ganoderma.

The Jade Marrow Ganoderma had a mild medicinal nature and possessed tremendous compatibility and tolerance. Its addition caused the medicinal liquid, which had been somewhat "lively," to gradually become viscous and stable.

The most crucial moment had arrived!

Xiao Qing's expression grew solemn as he pushed his Soul Power and fire-control techniques to their limits. He carefully controlled the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame at just the right temperature, beginning the lengthy pill-nurturing process that would allow all the medicinal potency in the cauldron to merge and condense perfectly...

Time passed silently. The Back Mountain was filled only with the faint crackling of flames burning the air and the low hum from the Medicine Cauldron.

After a long while--

The Medicine Cauldron trembled slightly. The rich medicinal fragrance that had been spilling out abruptly drew inward, as though it had been completely absorbed by the pill.

Xiao Qing waved his right hand, and the pale white flames instantly returned to his body. He raised a hand and lifted the cauldron lid--

At once, an even purer herbal fragrance containing vast vitality spread out, instantly filling the entire small valley!

"The pill is complete!"

Xiao Qing gave a soft shout. His eyes fell upon the cauldron's interior, and immense delight instantly spread across his face.

At the bottom of the Medicine Cauldron lay an incomparably round, pale green pill. Its surface was smooth as jade, and a dense, endlessly vital green glow could faintly be seen within. Even more miraculous were the three exceptionally clear dark patterns on its surface, brimming with spiritual mystery!

"This is... a pill with three patterns?! A Three-Pattern Essence-Solidifying Pill!!"

Old Yao, who had floated in the air and watched closely throughout the entire process, could no longer contain himself. He cried out in shock, his illusory face filled with astonishment!

A Three-Pattern Spirit Pill!

It was a symbol that the pill's medicinal potency had been extracted and condensed to the limit of its current grade!

Though this pill was still Grade 4, its actual effect could likely rival some Tier 5 Medicinal Pills!

Its effectiveness in replenishing depleted life vitality would far exceed expectations!

To Old Yao, Xiao Qing had simply been born to shatter the common sense of alchemists!

He truly learned as soon as he was taught, understood with the slightest hint, succeeded with every refinement, and could even exceed expectations!

It gave Old Yao a solid taste of the indescribable sense of achievement and inexplicable exhilaration that came from teaching an unrivaled genius. When he unintentionally recalled the hardships of learning alchemy in his own youth, he could not help feeling somewhat ashamed of himself.

Seeing Old Yao's shocked expression, Xiao Qing could not help laughing softly.

Then, Xiao Qing carefully used a jade pill spoon to remove the still-warm Three-Pattern Essence-Solidifying Pill, which contained immense vitality. He quickly placed it into a jade bottle he had prepared beforehand and sealed it tightly to prevent the medicinal potency from dissipating.

Holding the warm jade bottle in his hand and feeling the tangible presence of the pill within, Xiao Qing's heart was filled with indescribable joy and reassurance.

"With me here this time, Aunt Yan Qian definitely will not pass away so early like she did in her original fate!"

Meanwhile, Old Yao's shock gradually transformed into deep gratification and joy.

Seeing the heartfelt smile on his disciple's face because he could save a loved one, Old Yao became even more certain that he had truly not misjudged him.

Monstrous Talent was certainly rare, but such sincere filial devotion and kindness were the qualities that were truly precious!

Xiao Zhan's Anxiety and Unease; A Mysterious Figure Delivers a Medicinal Pill

Night was as dark as ink as it shrouded the Xiao Family.

Deep within the Inner Academy, in the main hall of the clan leader's residence, only a dim oil lamp was lit. It cast Xiao Zhan's exhausted figure into a long shadow upon the cold wall.

Xiao Zhan sat alone in a broad chair, his eyes tightly closed. Yet he was not resting; his brows were deeply furrowed.

Compared with three months ago, his face was clearly much more haggard, and the dark circles beneath his eyes were plain to see.

His wife, Yan Qian, had long since fallen asleep in her room. Yet her breathing was weak and unsteady. Whenever he heard it, Xiao Zhan felt as though an invisible hand were clenching his heart, leaving him anxious and unsettled.

As Yan Qian's condition grew worse by the day, Xiao Zhan's feelings of helplessness and panic also increased day after day.

On countless nights, Xiao Zhan had come alone to this silent main hall and sat here until dawn, as though only this silence could barely contain the worries he had nowhere else to place.

Xiao Zhan had nearly gathered all the main and supplementary ingredients needed for the Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill to treat Yan Qian. He had spent enormous wealth and effort, and now only the final supplementary ingredient remained—the Jade Marrow Ganoderma!

He had heard that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group of Green Mountain Town had fortunately found one in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Zhan had immediately sent someone with a handwritten letter and a large sum of money to purchase it. It was estimated that they would obtain it soon.

However, the greatest difficulty lay before him: refining a Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill required at least a Tier 4 Alchemist!

To ensure success, it would be best if he could invite a Tier 5 Alchemist to act!

Because Xiao Zhan only had one set of ingredients!

Yet the rules for requesting an alchemist's services were extremely demanding. One had to prepare three sets of ingredients and offer a staggering reward.

Even after exhausting everything he had, Xiao Zhan had only barely managed to gather enough for one set of ingredients...

At this thought, deep bitterness appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.

Had it really come to the point where he had no choice but to call in the favor left behind by his father, Xiao Lin, the former Dou Wang and old clan leader of the Xiao Family, who had once dominated the land?

But... after so many years, would that esteemed Tier 5 Alchemist still acknowledge the friendship he once shared with Father?