Xiao Yan Without the Flame Mantra

Xiao Yan, what was Xun'er supposed to do with you?

Forget it. She would treat him as an older brother...

Xun'er sighed softly, sorrow lingering between her brows. In the end, she could not get past the feelings she held for him.

Ling Ying stood nearby and took in every trace of his young lady's lonely, conflicted expression. He immediately guessed that Xiao Yan was the source of her troubles.

Deep down, Ling Ying was rather pleased.

Xiao Yan might carry the Xiao Clan's bloodline, but that bloodline had declined, and his strength was unremarkable. With the Divine-Grade Bloodline his young lady had been born with, the two were worlds apart. They were never a match.

If she could let go of her feelings, it would be better for her.

He stepped forward, bowed, and asked quietly, "Young lady, should I retrieve the Xiao Family's Ancient Jade...?"

"No. I don't want to make things that ugly between us."

"Understood."

Xun'er fell silent for a moment, then quickly composed herself and gave her instructions.

"Elder Ling, send word to the Gu Clan at once. Ask the family for a selection of top-tier Cultivation Methods and high-level Dou Techniques, along with plenty of rare Medicinal Pills and cultivation resources."

"The Douluo Continent that Senior Lu Chuan mentioned has something as wondrous as Martial Souls. It must also hold countless treasures and opportunities yet to be revealed.

"We need to prepare every resource in advance and be ready for anything, so we can seize those opportunities the moment they appear."

She recalled the two yellow Spirit Rings floating around Zhu Zhuqing when she summoned her Martial Soul.

Her instincts told her that obtaining Spirit Rings would come at a steep price.

"Yes, young lady."

Meanwhile, at Xiao Yan's residence.

Yao Lao withdrew his Soul Force and regarded Xiao Yan, who was soaking in Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid, with an amused look.

"Little Flame, it seems your childhood sweetheart is leaving you behind. Care to tell me how you feel?"

Enduring the pain coursing through his body, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose with a rueful smile. There was a hint of acceptance in his voice.

"Teacher, please don't tease me. You said yourself that Xun'er's background is beyond anything I can imagine. A country bumpkin like me isn't worthy of her. Right now, all I want is to grow stronger as soon as possible and bring you back to life."

Yao Lao stroked his beard with approval.

"Good. A true powerhouse shouldn't be held back by romance. Once you've grown strong, you'll have plenty of women to choose from."

As he spoke, he found himself recalling his romantic exploits of years past.

Back then, Yao Chen had roamed the Dou Qi Continent, blessed with extraordinary talent and a resounding reputation. He had never lacked admirers, and in his travels, he had met countless gifted, beautiful women.

Unfortunately, he had been young and foolish, too obsessed with Alchemy. He had let quite a few wonderful women down. Ah...

After who knew how long, Xiao Yan finally finished refining all the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid.

He let out a long breath and looked at Yao Lao with determination.

"Teacher, please teach me Alchemy. Brother Lu is bound to have plenty of valuable things. He might even have a way to bring you back to life. I need to grow stronger and go out searching for treasures, or I won't have anything to trade when the time comes."

Yao Lao nodded. He thought more highly of Xiao Yan than ever, but he remained wary. After all, Xiao Yan's soul came from another world. No one could tell what truly lay in his heart.

He had once been betrayed by the disciple he trusted most, leaving him dead with only a wisp of Remnant Soul. He had no wish to go through that again.

He had originally planned to give Xiao Yan the Flame Mantra early, so Xiao Yan could gather three Heavenly Flames and refine a body to resurrect him.

But after hearing that the merchant from another world might have an opportunity to revive him, he put that plan aside.

He said slowly, "There's no rush. Alchemy isn't something you can learn overnight. Take your time. Once you reach the Dou Zhe rank, I'll give you a High-Level Earth-Rank Cultivation Method to help you cultivate."

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. He immediately dropped to his knees and bowed.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

On the Douluo Continent, the following morning.

Feeling refreshed, Lu Chuan checked out with Zhu Zhuqing and hired a Carriage to take them to nearby Suotuo City. He planned to buy some Spirit Awakening Stones at the main Spirit Hall there.

After crossing that threshold the night before, their relationship had progressed rapidly. Now they sat nestled close together.

From time to time, Lu Chuan told her little-known tales from the Dou Qi Continent, along with things he knew about the Heavenly Flames and Magic Beasts of the Battle Through the Heavens World.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned quietly against his shoulder and listened closely. A faint softness never left her cool features, and she entrusted herself completely to the man beside her.

After a moment's thought, she asked softly, "Brother Lu, if I cultivate the Shadow Prison Art, can I form a Qi Spiral using only Soul Power?"

Lu Chuan gently stroked her hair and answered honestly, "You can form one, but its foundation would be much weaker. It wouldn't be nearly as solid as a Qi Spiral formed with pure Dou Qi."

After a pause, he offered a suggestion. "I'll take you to the Battle Through the Heavens World later. Forming your Qi Spiral there would be much safer and better for your future cultivation."

Zhu Zhuqing nestled a little closer to his shoulder, her voice soft and gentle.

"Thank you, Brother Lu."

Lu Chuan slipped an arm around her waist and smiled faintly. "You don't need to thank me."

Even so, Zhu Qing would still have to pay a price to travel to the Battle Through the Heavens World. Now that she was with him, he certainly wasn't going to make her give up Soul Power.

That left Spirit Bones and Immortal Herbs. Once he had the Spirit Awakening Stones, he would ask Yao Lao whether there was a way to cure the poison in Dugu Bo and the others.

Then he would trade for everything in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

But he only knew the few Immortal Herbs that had appeared in the anime. He knew nothing about the rest, so he would have to get an Immortal Herb Illustrated Catalog from Little Scumbag or Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Seeing Lu Chuan lost in thought, Zhu Zhuqing knew better than to disturb him.

As the woman at his side, she knew when to act and when to leave him be.

So she let Lu Chuan lean against her while opening the Shadow Prison Art to study it. She knew nothing about Meridians or Acupoints yet, but memorizing them early would help her cultivate faster later.

After more than half a day's travel, the Carriage slowed and came to a steady stop in the middle of a street in Suotuo City.

Lu Chuan stepped down with Zhu Zhuqing and looked around.

Suotuo City was far more prosperous than Wutan City.

Wutan City in the Battle Through the Heavens World had an old-fashioned, conservative air, more like an ancient city.

Suotuo City on the Douluo Continent was entirely different: livelier and more open, with a style blending modern and Western fantasy influences. It was ahead by more than a single measure.

After a quick look at the surrounding streets, Lu Chuan led Zhu Zhuqing straight toward Spirit Hall, the most conspicuous building in the city.

Several guards in standard-issue armor stood at Spirit Hall's entrance, their eyes sharp.

They gave Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing a brief glance. Sensing the steady fluctuations of Soul Power around them and confirming they were registered Soul Masters, the guards let them through without a fuss.

The two entered the hall and passed the deacons and Soul Masters going about their business. Before long, they found the Black-Clothed Bishop in charge of Suotuo City's Spirit Hall.

The Black-Clothed Bishop was seated inside, handling official business. When he saw Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing approach, their bearing caught his eye. With a friendly expression, he spoke first.

"Are you two here to collect your Spirit Master Subsidies? Come register over here."