After breaking through to Dou Zhe, everyone gained the ability to practice cultivation methods. The Radiant Sun Art he had kept tucked away could finally show its true worth.
Xiao Fan opened his system panel and looked it over.
[Strongest Supporting Character System] (Pidan) Host: Xiao Fan Level: 3 (181400) Strength: One-Star Dou Zhe Cultivation method: Radiant Sun Art Dou Techniques: Yellow Tier Low Grade Fire Cloud Palm (effortless mastery), Profound Tier Low Grade Suction Palm (proficient), High Profound Tier Eight Extremes Collapse (proficient), Profound Tier Low Grade Dragon-Shocking Steps (major accomplishment) Items: Low-Grade Storage Ring, First-Rank Blood-Refining Pill, Third-Rank Wood-Type Magic Core Main quest: None
The practice of Dou Techniques and cultivation methods was divided into four stages: beginner, proficient, major accomplishment, and effortless mastery.
Over the past year, the system had triggered very few quests and barely made its presence felt. He had learned most of his Dou Techniques from Yao Lao alongside Xiao Yan. Fortunately, his regular sparring sessions with Xiao Yan also increased his proficiency in those techniques. Otherwise, he might not have reached his current level of mastery.
"Ding! Host has successfully advanced to Dou Zhe. A new main quest has been triggered!" "Xiao Yan's talent has returned. This assessment will surely shock the Xiao Clan, and a new main storyline will begin afterward."
Hearing the system's voice, Xiao Fan grew excited. It seemed his advancement to Dou Zhe would bring a major change to the system.
After a moment's thought, Xiao Fan closed the system panel first. He told Yao Lao and the others that he had successfully broken through to Dou Zhe and demonstrated his newfound strength. Only after returning to his room did he open the system again.
[Strongest Supporting Character System] (Pidan) Host: Xiao Fan Level: 3 (181400) Strength: One-Star Dou Zhe (11000) Cultivation method: Radiant Sun Art Dou Techniques: Yellow Tier Low Grade Fire Cloud Palm (effortless mastery), Profound Tier Low Grade Suction Palm (proficient), High Profound Tier Eight Extremes Collapse (proficient), Profound Tier Low Grade Dragon-Shocking Steps (major accomplishment) Items: Low-Grade Storage Ring, First-Rank Blood-Refining Pill, Third-Rank Wood-Type Magic Core Main quest: As a supporting character, you should clear every obstacle out of Xiao Yan's path ahead of time! Leave Wutan City! This tiny city is holding you both back! Advancement gift pack (unclaimed)
Seeing that there was also an advancement gift pack, Xiao Fan immediately chose to claim it.
"Ding! You have obtained a Green Lotus Core Flame Map!" "Ding! You have obtained a Jia Nan Academy Admission Invitation!" "Ding! You have obtained the Shadowless Mask. Once you put it on, no one will be able to discern your origins!" "Ding! You have obtained the weapon, the Thousand-Flame Spear!" "Ding! You have obtained +100 Dou Qi!"
The string of notifications left Xiao Fan stunned. Since the system had appeared, when had it ever given him such generous rewards? And this main quest-I know I'm a supporting character, but do you have to push me like this?
Clear obstacles out of Xiao Yan's path ahead of time, too? This is going too far!
Even a production team's donkey wouldn't be worked this hard.
Complaints aside, the rewards this time were truly generous, worth more than his entire previous year of arduous cultivation. Moreover, his strength seemed to have been converted into numerical values as well. Now he could tell at a glance how far he was from his next breakthrough.
Xiao Fan inspected his newly acquired items.
The names of the Green Lotus Core Flame map and the Jia Nan Academy admission invitation made their purposes obvious. What puzzled him, however, was that he had never practiced the Flame Mantra. What did he need a map to the Green Lotus Core Flame for?
"Pidan, a map to a heavenly flame is useless to me. I haven't practiced the Flame Mantra, and I can't steal Xiao Yan's opportunity either!" Xiao Fan asked with a frown.
"The host's Chaos Flame Body can devour any flame for cultivation and absorb its essence without damaging its source. Thus, the host can seek out these heavenly flames and absorb their energy."
The system's answer astonished Xiao Fan. "You mean I can absorb a heavenly flame's energy first, weakening it without affecting its growth? The heavenly flame will still exist, and I can increase my strength, too?"
"Yes. The host's Chaos Flame Body is favored by the fire element. Heavenly flames are the finest nourishment for you."
The system's answer confirmed Xiao Fan's suspicions. In that case, couldn't I get to those heavenly flames I know about ahead of Xiao Yan and devour them, turning them into my own cultivation? Then, when Xiao Yan subdues them later, it'll be easier for him, too. And I can use the heavenly flames to cultivate.
At that thought, Xiao Fan understood why he was called a supporting character. Even his physique was essentially a danger filter for Xiao Yan. Just thinking about it left him feeling bitter.
He stopped agonizing over his role as a filter. Xiao Yan was a decent fellow, after all. Once he unified the Dou Qi Continent, wouldn't Xiao Fan, as his senior fellow disciple, be free to roam wherever he pleased? That thought eased his distress, and he began inspecting the other items.
Shadowless Mask: Without form or face, without shadow or trace. When worn, it conceals your identity and strength. Thousand-Flame Spear: Its shaft is like a sweeping rainbow, indestructible. Increases the wielder's fire damage by ten percent.
Seeing the properties of these two items, Xiao Fan already had his future adventures planned out. With the mask on, who could recognize me?
After examining the system's new items, Xiao Fan began considering what he should do next.
The system clearly wanted him to leave Xiao Yan ahead of time and strike out on his own. But he had become Yao Lao's disciple and had yet to formally begin learning alchemy, and now he had to leave? How was he supposed to learn, then...? At that thought-
"Pidan, can you make me an Alchemist?"
"The system exists to make the host the strongest supporting character across all worlds. Becoming a mere Alchemist poses no challenge at all."
Only then did Xiao Fan realize it. The system normally made its presence felt so little that he never even thought of this cheat.
Now he was certain: the system was his greatest cheat for growth.
With the system's help, I can lay the groundwork for Xiao Yan ahead of time. Surely I can help him unify the Dou Qi Continent sooner. If all else fails, I'll become a Dou Di, destroy the Hall of Souls, and bring Xiao Yan over to serve as alliance leader. That should count as helping Xiao Yan unify the Dou Qi Continent... right?
Since the system could help him become an Alchemist, and all the cultivation methods and Dou Techniques he practiced came from the system, he could leave Xiao Yan early and venture out to gain experience. He just needed a good excuse.
Right, tomorrow is the clan's assessment for its sixteen-year-old disciples. Once it's over, I can use that as an excuse to leave. Thinking of what would happen at tomorrow's assessment, Xiao Fan began cultivating with a smile.
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