Comforting Little Flame

Half a year later, Xiao Yao watched as Xiao Yan's cultivation gradually regressed. It had already fallen to the ninth stage of Dou Qi.

One day, as Xiao Yao walked along the road, he heard some people discussing Xiao Yan.

"Have you heard? That genius youth Xiao Yan's Dou Qi has regressed for some unknown reason. Tsk, tsk. In just half a year, his cultivation has fallen to the ninth stage of Dou Qi."

"Who knows? Maybe his talent was too monstrous, and even the heavens couldn't stand it, so they sent down punishment and turned him into this."

"Forget it, let's stop talking about it. Maybe his cultivation will recover after a while. He's only eleven or twelve, after all. He's still young."

Xiao Yao paid them no more attention and headed toward his father's residence. When he reached the door, he knocked. "Father, it's me, Xiao Yao."

The door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious gray robes, his face stern.

"Yao'er, you're here."

Xiao Yao nodded, entered, and sat in the chair opposite Xiao Zhan.

"Father, what is Xiao Yan's current condition?"

"Yao'er, over the past half year, I have hired physicians one after another at great expense, even alchemists, yet none of them found any abnormalities in Yan'er's body." Xiao Zhan's face was filled with guilt and worry.

"Yao'er, if you have the ability, help Yan'er. Or if you have time, keep him company and talk with him. Since his Dou Qi began to regress, no one has dared approach him. He has become utterly dispirited. I'm afraid he'll fall into ruin because of this."

"Father, I will properly guide Xiao Yan and help him pull himself together. He will not remain so dispirited." Xiao Yao paused before continuing.

"Father, I can solve Xiao Yan's problem, but it will take more than a year and a half. I guarantee that his talent will not be buried because of this. On the contrary, after going through this, his mindset will transform, and he will become more mature and steady."

"Yao'er, is that true? Can you really resolve Yan'er's Dou Qi Regression? As long as it can be resolved, even two or three years would be fine.

Yao'er, go ahead and do it without worry. If you need anything, just tell me." Hearing Xiao Yao's words, much of the worry on Xiao Zhan's face faded, replaced by anticipation and trust.

Xiao Yao nodded to show that he understood. He knew that helping Xiao Yan recover his Dou Qi this time would not only be a test for him, but also an opportunity.

Xiao Yao promised his father that he would give it his all and would not disappoint him.

"Father, rest assured. I will do everything I can." After saying that, Xiao Yao stood and left the room.

He already had a plan. Within a year and a half, he would be able to successfully refine a medicinal liquid that enhanced soul power.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan sat in his chair, thinking of how he had searched for so many solutions for Yan'er over the past half year without finding the slightest clue. Since Yao'er had a way to resolve this matter, he could finally relax a little. He only hoped it would succeed.

Xiao Yao then arrived at Xiao Yan's courtyard and saw him idly lying on the grass with a blade of grass in his mouth, his eyes closed as a ray of sunlight fell over the boy.

"Little Flame, you look quite carefree," Xiao Yao teased.

Hearing Xiao Yao's teasing, Xiao Yan opened his eyes in delight and immediately sprang to his feet. He tightly gripped Xiao Yao's shoulders and asked hesitantly, "Brother Yao, have you... thought of a way to solve the abnormality in my body?"

When Xiao Yan saw that Xiao Yao could not answer for a long time, his heart gradually sank to the bottom. He released his grip and took several steps back, a flash of disappointment and confusion passing through his eyes.

He lowered his head and secretly mocked himself. Am I really going to be like this for the rest of my life? After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and tried to calm the turmoil in his heart.

"Brother Yao, I know this may be difficult for you." Xiao Yan's voice was low but resolute. "But I truly do not want to give up like this. I still have many things to do. In the future, I want to leave the Gama Empire and see this vast world."

Seeing the determination in Xiao Yan's eyes, Xiao Yao stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said softly, "Little Flame, don't worry. I won't abandon you.

We're biological brothers. In fact, we're also fellow townsmen. You should have noticed when I brought out those drinks and delicacies before.

So how could I possibly leave you behind at a time like this?"

Xiao Yan raised his head, hope shining in his eyes. He tightly grasped Xiao Yao's hand and said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Yao. With you here, I'm not afraid anymore."

Xiao Yao smiled and nodded. Then the two of them sat on the grass together and began discussing how to resolve the abnormality in Xiao Yan's body.

Seeing confidence return to Xiao Yan's eyes, Xiao Yao casually swept his right hand toward the ground. Five bottles of second-grade Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid appeared out of thin air.

Xiao Yan's heart immediately filled with joy. He smiled at Xiao Yao and asked, "Brother Yao, what's inside those five jade bottles on the ground?"

"These five bottles of medicinal liquid will be enough for your cultivation over the next three months. Remember, the liquid can only be used for medicinal baths. Do not drink it, or your meridians will not be able to withstand its domineering medicinal power, and then..."

"And then what?" Xiao Yan's voice suddenly rose, and a trace of urgency appeared in his eyes.

"At best, your meridians will be shattered. At worst, your body will explode and you will die," Xiao Yao said calmly, as though he were merely stating a fact.

Xiao Yan froze upon hearing this. He stared wide-eyed at Xiao Yao, his heart filled with shock and confusion.

He could not understand why these seemingly ordinary medicinal liquids possessed such immense power, much less why they could not be consumed directly.

"Brother Yao, are... are you sure?" Xiao Yan's voice trembled slightly, and unease and fear showed in his eyes.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Yao could not help but curl his lips into a smile. "Little Flame, don't worry. This medicinal liquid is mild and balanced, making it suitable for medicinal baths.

If you use the Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid for a medicinal bath after training, when your body is exhausted, you can quickly absorb its effects and strengthen your physique. However, the Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid is only effective for those at the Dou Qi stage."

Xiao Yan carefully picked up the five bottles of spiritual liquid from the ground, cherishing them like precious treasures. He looked gratefully at Xiao Yao and said, "Brother Yao, don't worry. I definitely won't remain dispirited like this."

Seeing the confidence shining from Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao smiled. "Cultivate well. Your Brother Yao will definitely help you solve this problem. Within three years, I will successfully resolve it for you."

In the days that followed, although Xiao Yan's cultivation slowly regressed, the amount of Dou Qi his body could contain surpassed what it had been before.