Solar True Fire

"Teacher, is that cultivation method really as powerful as you say? Don't try to fool me."

Xiao Yan was still somewhat skeptical. Medicine Elder had made that cultivation method sound unparalleled in the world; before the so-called Flame God Art, even Heaven-tier cultivation methods were like cabbages by the roadside, not worth mentioning.

"Why would I fool you? This is your—"

Medicine Elder panicked internally and nearly let something slip. He was worried Xiao Yan would think he was deceiving him and decide not to learn it. If that happened, it would all be over. That fellow was furious enough that he might really tear him apart alive.

"Cough, cough! This is your only chance to defeat Nalan Yanran. In short, just cultivate properly. That Nalan Yanran is the disciple of Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect. She's a Dou Emperor, with connections everywhere. If you don't work hard, surpassing her won't be easy."

Though his words sounded grave, Medicine Elder did not actually take Nalan Yanran seriously. In his view, with the cultivation method Yang Chen had given them and the many matching pill formulas, Xiao Yan could cultivate steadily in Wutan City for three years and easily surpass Nalan Yanran.

The Flame God Art was simply too terrifying. To command all flames under heaven—what kind of concept was that? After studying it for only a few days, Medicine Elder could already feel that his control over the Bone Spirit Chilling Flame had improved considerably.

One had to know that he had lost his physical body, and even his soul had not recovered to its peak. Yet even under such circumstances, his control over a Heavenly Flame had improved. If he returned to his peak and even regained a body, Yao Chen hardly dared imagine it.

In short, after merely studying the Flame God Art for a few days, Yao Chen already felt terrifyingly powerful.

And if Xiao Yan began cultivating it from the Dou Qi stage, then by the time he reached the peak of the Dou Practitioner realm, Medicine Elder felt he might be able to contend with a Da Dou Master and exchange a few moves. If he went all out, even a Da Dou Master would have to give him their full attention.

At this point, Yao Chen still believed he had stumbled upon an enormous bargain and landed an excellent deal. He had no idea that Yang Chen had secretly given Nalan Yanran a helping hand as well.

Although Nalan Yanran's foundational cultivation method could not compare to the Flame God Art, it was still the foundational inheritance of a god. At the very least, once cultivated to profound levels, it could rival a Heaven-tier cultivation method.

But Nalan Yanran held the advantage in cultivation level. If Yao Chen did not bring out some real skill and force Xiao Yan's potential out, winning the match would probably be difficult. Otherwise, Xiao Yan might not even be able to successfully take the Heavenly Flame from the snake people.

"Teacher, I'll work hard!"

Having finally endured the Fire Refining Grand Array, Xiao Yan crawled out from the ruins of the formation and spoke weakly. Medicine Elder merely smiled and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. As if recalling something, he said with a light chuckle.

"Oh, right. There's something Teacher forgot to tell you."

"What is it?"

For some reason, seeing the smile on Medicine Elder's face made Xiao Yan's heart tighten. A chill rose from the soles of his feet, shot up his spine, and rushed straight to the top of his head.

Medicine Elder gave a sly laugh, his eyes seeming to glint with a trace of malicious amusement. He patted Xiao Yan earnestly and said.

"It's nothing. You just broke through to the fourth stage of Dou Qi last night, so I specially let you rest today. The new lesson that was originally scheduled for today has been moved to tomorrow."

"A new... new lesson? Wh-what kind of thing is it? Gulp! It can't be another torturous cultivation method like this, can it?"

Upon hearing that there would be a new lesson tomorrow, Xiao Yan's legs began to tremble. He swallowed unconsciously and asked with an awkward expression.

"Don't worry. It's very simple. You'll just use this grand array to cultivate every day at noon."

Though the smile remained on Medicine Elder's face, Xiao Yan felt increasingly uneasy. He had the vague sense that something was wrong and asked doubtfully.

"How is that a new lesson? Isn't it still using this Fire Refining Grand Array to culti—"

Before he could finish, Xiao Yan's brows suddenly furrowed. He stared at Medicine Elder suspiciously, hesitation showing on his face.

"No, Teacher. I remember you saying that the various elemental energies between heaven and earth change. During the day, fire-element energy is more active, especially when the sun is out. At noon..."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan's lips began to tremble. Noon was the time when fire-element energy was strongest during the day. If the Fire Refining Grand Array was activated then, the pain of being scorched would surely rise to another level.

Over the past few days, Xiao Yan had only just gradually adapted to the flames' current temperature. Especially after breaking through yesterday, he had felt much better today. Yet today had turned out to be a day of rest?

"That's right. You'll activate the grand array at noon to cultivate. Oh, and you must cultivate beneath the blazing sun. Otherwise, you won't be able to draw even a trace of Solar True Fire to temper your body."

Even Medicine Elder's tone was somewhat complicated. Solar True Fire was not a flame recorded in the great ancient tomes, but its power absolutely surpassed most Heavenly Flames.

A couple of days ago, while studying the Flame God Art, Medicine Elder had tried it out in idle curiosity and nearly set his soul ablaze. Had he not cut off the hand seal immediately, half his soul might have been burned away.

Most importantly, according to the Flame God Art's records, as one's strength increased and one's comprehension of the Flame God Art deepened, the Solar True Fire's power would increase as well.

It could be said that this was equivalent to obtaining in advance a Heavenly Flame that would continuously grow stronger alongside one's cultivation, one ranked far above the Bone Spirit Chilling Flame.

All one could say was that the greatest dividing line in life truly lay in the amniotic fluid of one's mother's womb.

If he had possessed such an uncle back then, his parents would not have been driven out of the Yao Clan, and he would not have endured so many hardships.

It would be a lie to say he was not envious, but when he thought of the torment Xiao Yan had suffered, Yao Chen felt somewhat more balanced.

Of course, if Yao Chen knew that another Heavenly Flame was waiting for Xiao Yan to claim it, his heart would probably be soaked through with jealousy.

"Kid, don't fail to appreciate your blessings. That's Solar True Fire. If you can endure it, then when you break through to the Dou Practitioner realm, you might obtain a trace of it. Though it may not compare to the Heavenly Flame in my hands for now, it will definitely benefit you greatly."

Seeing that Xiao Yan still seemed somewhat disdainful, as if he thought a trace of Solar True Fire was too little, Medicine Elder gritted his teeth in envy and said.

"Do you think it's too little? If there were more, you'd be burned out of existence before anything else. Enough. Hurry back and cultivate with the Heavenly Fire Spirit Liquid."

Medicine Elder waved his hand and dove directly into the storage ring, leaving only Xiao Yan behind. With anxious anticipation in his heart, Xiao Yan began that night's cultivation.