Flame Yang Art

He would step on Xiao Yan when he was at his proudest, then offer encouragement and support when he fell from his pedestal.

That way, when his brother-in-law hit rock bottom, he would surely understand his painstaking intentions and fully acknowledge and submit to his elder brother-in-law. In the future, Xiao Yan would not be easily influenced by Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yan was still someone who repaid kindness, and he was also his brother-in-law. That was one reason why, after coming to the Dou Qi Continent, he had never entertained the thought of taking Xiao Yan's Burning Decision.

In Nalan Jie's courtyard, the emerald bamboo remained as before. A gentle breeze passed through, making the leaves rustle.

The rattan chair stood empty. Today, Nalan Jie was not resting in the courtyard as usual.

"Grandfather."

Nalan Chenfeng walked into the courtyard and called out.

"Chengfeng is here? Come in."

Nalan Jie's deep voice came from inside, carrying a trace of affection.

Nalan Chenfeng pushed open the door and entered.

The room was spacious and bright, simply furnished yet dignified. By the window stood a rosewood desk, with several yellowed books spread across it.

Nalan Jie was sitting beside the desk, holding a cup of hot tea. When he saw Nalan Chenfeng enter, he set down his cup and casually swept his gaze over.

Once he looked, however, he found it impossible to look away.

For a moment, Nalan Jie's old eyes, weathered by countless battles and storms, widened enormously. The teacup in his hand hung suspended in midair as his entire body froze.

"You broke through?"

Nalan Jie's voice was dry, carrying a trace of disbelief.

He had not deliberately sensed anything earlier, but with the perception of a Dou Wang, at such close range, he could keenly detect the completely different fluctuations of aura emanating from his grandson.

That was an aura only a Dou Zhe possessed.

"Yes, Grandfather. That Qi Gathering Powder was very effective. Otherwise, I could not have broken through so quickly."

Nalan Chenfeng bowed slightly. Without the slightest hint of pride, he answered modestly.

"I thought you brat would need to wait a while longer before breaking through. I never expected you to silently give your grandfather such a surprise!"

Nalan Jie set down his teacup, rose to his feet, and strode over to Nalan Chenfeng. His old eyes stared fixedly at his grandson as though he were looking at some kind of monster.

Three months ago, when Nalan Chenfeng had been at the eighth stage of Dou Qi, he had sought a high-quality Qi Gathering Powder from Master Qie Mi'er, the vice president of the Alchemist Association in the imperial capital, so that his grandson could break through sooner.

Yet in merely three months, his grandson had already broken through to the ninth stage of Dou Qi, successfully condensed a Dou Qi vortex, and become a Dou Zhe.

A Dou Zhe was the entry-level starting point of Dou Qi cultivation. In the eyes of a Dou Wang like him, such a person was no different from an ant.

But a ten-year-old Dou Zhe was another matter entirely.

Across the entire Jia Ma Empire, anyone who could advance to Dou Zhe before the age of fifteen was an exceptional genius, like Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, who had broken through at fourteen.

As for ten years old, he had never heard of anyone breaking through to Dou Zhe at that age. His grandson's cultivation talent would likely be outstanding even across the entire Dou Qi Continent.

"Now that I've become a Dou Zhe, I can cultivate a method. Master Allen just tested me, but unfortunately, I only have the fire attribute and do not qualify to become an alchemist."

Nalan Chenfeng looked up at the delighted Nalan Jie and revealed his Dou Qi attribute.

"Fire attribute... that is a bit of a shame, but it is nothing serious. Cultivate diligently in the future. Once you have strength, even those alchemists will treat you politely."

Nalan Jie paused before comforting him.

Dou Qi attributes were determined by the soul. Those who could become alchemists were one in ten thousand. His grandson had only fallen short by a little, which was indeed somewhat regrettable.

But one should know contentment. Chenfeng had broken through to Dou Zhe at ten years old and possessed such outstanding cultivation talent. The Nalan Clan had a worthy successor.

Perhaps before the Scorch Poison within his body completely erupted, he would live to see a new Dou Wang emerge from the Nalan Clan.

"Mm."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded.

In truth, he already had some ideas. Not being able to become an alchemist now did not mean he could not become one in the future.

On the Dou Qi Continent, if one could not refine medicine oneself, there would be many inconveniences.

"Since you have already broken through to Dou Zhe, then choose a cultivation method..."

"The ordinary Xuan Tier methods in the family's Dou Qi Pavilion surely would not satisfy you, you brat. You were in such a hurry to see these old bones of mine because you had your eye on your grandfather's collection, weren't you?"

As Nalan Jie spoke, he sat back down, lifted his teacup for a sip, and looked at Nalan Chenfeng with a faintly amused expression as a glint flashed through his old eyes.

No one paid a visit without a reason. He and this grandson had always been close, but ever since the boy's cultivation sessions had grown longer, their contact as grandfather and grandson had become much less frequent over the past year or two.

Yet it was precisely because of that that his grandson had advanced to Dou Zhe at the age of ten.

Young people had unstable temperaments and found it difficult to devote themselves to cultivation for long periods. Naturally, their strength would improve slowly.

"Grandfather, your insight is truly sharp. Your grandson does indeed wish to cultivate a good method."

Nalan Chenfeng did not hide it. He nodded openly and grinned.

The Dou Qi stage was the foundation of cultivation. What one cultivated then was called Dou Qi, while only after becoming a Dou Zhe did one cultivate true Dou Qi.

On the Dou Qi Continent, the grade of one's Dou Qi method determined the speed at which one cultivated and recovered Dou Qi, even affecting the height one could reach in the future. It was extremely important.

Dou Qi methods were divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang. Each tier was further divided into three subgrades: low, mid, and high.

When fighting opponents of the same realm, those who cultivated higher-grade methods recovered their Dou Qi faster and possessed greater combat strength.

A person with ordinary cultivation talent who chose a Low Huang Rank method might find it difficult to reach Dou Shi even in an entire lifetime. But with a Xuan Tier method, becoming a Dou Shi or even a Da Dou Shi would be much easier. That was the difference.

In the entire Nalan Clan, only his grandfather possessed a High Mystic Rank method. The methods stored in the family's Dou Technique Pavilion reached only Mid Xuan Rank at best.

A High Mystic Rank method and a Mid Xuan Rank method appeared to differ by only one small grade, but the actual gap between them was enormous.

High Mystic Rank methods were priceless and unavailable even throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Most Dou Wangs and Dou Emperors of the Jia Ma Empire cultivated methods of this grade.

As for Earth Tier methods above the Xuan Tier, there had never been any news of anyone cultivating one. Even the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Family might not possess them.

"You brat..."

Nalan Jie smiled, set down his teacup, and poured his soul power into the storage ring on his hand. A crimson scroll immediately flew out of the ring and floated in front of Nalan Chenfeng.

"This is a High Mystic Rank method, the Flame Yang Art. I seized it from a fire-attribute Dou Wang many years ago."

"Once cultivated to mastery, its Dou Qi becomes scorching and fierce. When circulated, it is like a volcanic eruption, with extraordinary power. If you can find suitable Beast Flame to refine, or use scorching objects as an aid, the power of your Dou Qi can increase even further."