Receiving Disciples, Ten-Thousandfold Returns: Starting from Battle Through the Heavens, Episode 19

If it were anyone else, gathering a complete set of the Nine Profound Flame Transformations would be nearly impossible.

Since ancient times, countless incomplete cultivation techniques and Dou Skills had been passed down across the Dou Qi Continent for all sorts of reasons. Incomplete Dou Skills like this were far from uncommon.

Naturally, the difficulty of collecting a complete set was easy to imagine.

But it was clearly different for Qin Hao. His system possessed a return function. Perhaps after taking disciples in the future, he could obtain the complete Nine Profound Flame Transformations through the system's returns—or even a powerful secret art surpassing the Nine Profound Flame Transformations.

After suppressing his thoughts, Qin Hao contacted the two elders. Before long, he appeared before Elders Qian Mu and Bai Lie once more.

"Have you chosen?"

Seeing the three scrolls in Qin Hao's hands, Su Qian asked from the side.

"Yes, I've chosen."

Qin Hao nodded, then handed the scrolls to the two elders. They were protected by restrictions and still needed Elders Qian Mu and Bai Lie to unlock them.

Bai Lie did not waste any words. After taking the scrolls, he formed a special hand seal. Soon, the seals on all three scrolls were completely released, and he handed them back to Qin Hao.

"Thank you, Elder Bai."

After glancing through their contents, Qin Hao revealed a satisfied expression. Once he mastered these three Dou Skills, his strength would clearly rise to another level.

"Alright. If there is nothing else, you may leave."

Qian Mu waved his hand as he spoke.

Su Qian did not linger either, directly leading Qin Hao out of the library pavilion.

After returning to the Inner Academy, Qin Hao told Su Qian about his plans. This time, he clearly would not be back within ten days or half a month.

"What? You want to follow the Outer Academy's recruitment team to the Northwestern Region?"

Su Qian looked surprised upon hearing Qin Hao's plan.

"That's right. Ever since entering the academy, I've spent most of my time cultivating here and have barely ventured out for experience. This time, I can follow the academy's recruitment team and gain some experience."

Qin Hao spoke.

"I see. That's true. You should indeed go out and see the world. Blindly cultivating in seclusion is not a long-term solution. Besides, with your current cultivation, along with the protection of the Twin-Winged Scarlet Qilin King—

"As long as you do not provoke those old monsters in the Northwestern Region, few people will be able to threaten you."

After hearing Qin Hao's explanation, Su Qian pondered for a moment before nodding. He clearly supported Qin Hao's decision.

"If you truly encounter a powerful enemy, do not fight recklessly. Your safety must come first."

Su Qian warned him once again.

"I understand, Grand Elder."

Qin Hao immediately bowed. Even without Su Qian's reminder, he would naturally prioritize preserving his life.

After Su Qian gave Qin Hao some more advice regarding matters to watch out for during his travels, Qin Hao finally left.

After leaving Su Qian's residence, Qin Hao did not return to his own quarters. Instead, he went directly to a courtyard not far away.

"Qin Hao, you're here!"

An elderly man in red robes appeared before Qin Hao. Upon seeing him, his face filled with warmth and enthusiasm.

"Greetings, Elder Huo."

Qin Hao immediately bowed upon seeing him. This person was none other than Elder Huo of the Inner Academy's alchemy department, once the finest alchemist in Canaan Academy.

Although Qin Hao's current status was vastly different from before, and both his strength and alchemy skills had surpassed Elder Huo's, Qin Hao showed no hint of disrespect before him.

This was because Qin Hao's previous self had achieved so much not only due to the academy's nurturing, but also because this man had given him the greatest assistance.

Though they had never formally become master and disciple, they shared the substance of such a relationship.

Qin Hao had possessed considerable talent in alchemy, but talent was only the foundation for becoming an alchemist. The most crucial thing was inheritance.

Nearly all of his previous alchemy skills had come from Elder Huo. Even the beast flame he possessed had been obtained with Elder Huo's help.

It was no exaggeration to say that Elder Huo had been the previous Qin Hao's greatest benefactor. Now that he had been reborn in another body, he naturally inherited this karmic bond. Since he had now risen to prominence, he naturally would not forget the kindness Elder Huo had shown him.

"Alright, no need to be so polite. Come in. What brings you here this time?"

Looking at Qin Hao before him, Elder Huo felt deeply moved.

Qin Hao's alchemy talent had once stirred his appreciation for talent. As they interacted more and more, Qin Hao's personality had also increasingly suited his tastes. Thus, although they had never formally acknowledged each other as master and disciple, Elder Huo had still taught Qin Hao nearly everything he knew.

Although he had long believed that, given Qin Hao's talent, surpassing him in alchemy would only be a matter of time—

He had never expected that day to arrive so quickly. Qin Hao had not only surpassed him, but had also become a sixth-tier alchemist capable of refining pills like the Emperor's Extreme Pill.

Along with his shock, Elder Huo could not help but feel emotional, comforted, and proud.

"Elder Huo, I came this time mainly to thank you. I owe my current achievements to your past guidance.

"These are some alchemy inheritances I obtained this time. They should be of help to you. Please accept them as a small token of my appreciation."

With a flip of his hand, Qin Hao produced a brand-new scroll. It contained some materials he had organized from Cang Xuanzi's alchemy inheritance.

It included alchemy inheritances from the first tier through the seventh tier.

He had not given Elder Huo Cang Xuanzi's complete alchemy inheritance. It was not because Qin Hao was stingy, but because even giving him an eighth-tier alchemy inheritance would be useless.

This was because comprehending eighth-tier alchemy required one prerequisite: a Spirit Realm soul.

Given Elder Huo's talent and current age, unless he encountered some truly heaven-defying fortune capable of changing his fate, the peak of the Mortal Realm would already be the limit of his soul realm.

And a Mortal Realm soul could at most become a seventh-tier alchemist, even under ideal circumstances.

Elder Huo was currently a fifth-tier alchemist, and among fifth-tier alchemists, he stood at the very top. With this inheritance, Qin Hao estimated that becoming a sixth-tier alchemist would not be difficult for him. But whether he could advance to the seventh tier would likely depend on fate and opportunity.

"What!? An alchemy inheritance!?"

Elder Huo froze upon hearing Qin Hao's words. A conflicted look appeared in his eyes—shock, delight, and hesitation all mixed together.

That Qin Hao had obtained a powerful alchemy inheritance was practically an open secret. After all, the changes in Qin Hao before and after had simply been too great.

Chapter 33: Excited Elder Huo! Thrilled Zi Yan!

For an alchemist, few things were more alluring than a high-tier alchemy inheritance.

Especially for someone like Elder Huo, who had been trapped at a bottleneck for so long without being able to break through.

The reason Elder Huo had remained stuck at the peak of the fifth tier was not merely his own aptitude. More importantly, he lacked the guidance of a higher-tier alchemy inheritance.

He had never expected Qin Hao to come this time specifically to give him an alchemy inheritance. His feelings were easy to imagine.

"Elder Huo, ever since I entered the Inner Academy, you have always taken great care of me. In alchemy, you taught me almost everything without reservation. So don't overthink it. Please accept it."

Qin Hao could naturally see Elder Huo's inner conflict. Without further nonsense, he spoke directly.

"This... very well. In that case, this old man will not stand on ceremony. I shall shamelessly accept it."

After hearing Qin Hao's words, Elder Huo's expression shifted. He quickly made his decision and reached out to take the scroll Qin Hao offered.

"You overstate it, Elder Huo. You earned all of this yourself."

Qin Hao hurriedly replied.

Elder Huo was overwhelmed with emotion and excitement. He had never expected his past actions to receive such generous recompense.

After all, he had cared for Qin Hao simply because he appreciated his talent. He had almost never considered receiving anything in return. He had merely felt that Qin Hao was gifted and conducted himself in a way that suited his tastes.

Perhaps this was what they meant by flowers refusing to bloom when carefully planted, while willows flourished when casually stuck into the ground.

Elder Huo immediately began examining the scroll's contents with barely concealed impatience. Before long, his entire mind was completely drawn into what it contained.

Qin Hao did not disturb him.

More than a quarter of an hour passed before Elder Huo finally withdrew his attention. His face was flushed, and his breathing had become somewhat hurried. Clearly, his emotions were surging.

"Seventh-tier... It is actually a seventh-tier alchemist's inheritance, and such a complete, exquisite seventh-tier alchemist's inheritance! Wonderful, truly wonderful! With the guidance of this inheritance, breaking through the bottleneck of a fifth-tier alchemist and becoming a sixth-tier alchemist will no longer be a problem!

"Even the legendary seventh tier may not be entirely beyond reach in the future! Qin Hao, this old man will remember this kindness!"

After forcibly calming his excitement, Elder Huo spoke again.

Although he had guessed that the alchemy inheritance Qin Hao gave him would not be ordinary, he had never imagined it would be a seventh-tier alchemist's inheritance—and not an ordinary one at that.

This was absolutely a true top-tier seventh-tier alchemist's inheritance. Its value was simply immeasurable.

"You overstate it, Elder Huo. You earned all of this yourself. I merely borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha, that is all. There is no need for this.

"I plan to travel outside for a while soon. I hope that by the time I return, Elder Huo, you will have successfully entered the ranks of sixth-tier alchemists."

Qin Hao said with a smile.

"Hahaha, good! Then I'll borrow your auspicious words!"

Elder Huo replied cheerfully. Like Grand Elder Su Qian, he then gave Qin Hao some advice about matters to watch out for while traveling.

After leaving Elder Huo's place, Qin Hao went to find Zi Yan once again.

"Qin Hao, you've come out of seclusion!"

Zi Yan's eyes immediately lit up when she saw Qin Hao. She hurriedly spoke, and a fervent gleam appeared in her eyes as she looked at him, as if she were gazing upon some peerless treasure.

Zi Yan had naturally noticed the repeated pill-forming phenomena that had appeared throughout the academy. Due to her bloodline, her desire for high-tier medicinal pills had nearly reached an obsessive degree.

Now that she had learned Qin Hao had refined so many sixth-tier pills, she was naturally extremely excited.

Back when the two of them had explored the Magic Beast Forest together, she had also been entitled to a share of Qin Hao's gains.

"Yes. This is what I promised you."

Seeing Zi Yan's expression, Qin Hao naturally understood what she was thinking. Without wasting words, he took several bottles and jars from his storage ring. They were precisely the items he had prepared for Zi Yan.

There were sixth-tier medicinal pills among them, as well as some pellet medicines condensed from high-grade medicinal herbs.

Without exception, all of these pills and pellets were related to stimulating one's bloodline.

"Whoosh..."

The instant Qin Hao took them out, he felt his hands become empty. The items had already appeared in Zi Yan's hands, moving so quickly that even Qin Hao had nearly failed to react.

Then Qin Hao saw Zi Yan eagerly open the containers and begin examining them.

"Not bad, not bad. These pills and pellets are far more powerful than the previous ones! This is wonderful! Once I finish eating these, perhaps I'll finally be able to grow up completely!"