Origin Transformation Seal

Upon learning that Yao Lao's soul had not fallen dormant, Xiao Yan was overwhelmed with delight.

Since Yao Lao was awake, he must have understood Xiao Yan's current predicament.

With his knowledge, he might well be able to solve Xiao Yan's inability to break through to Dou Zhe.

However, to avoid arousing any unnecessary suspicion in Yao Lao, Xiao Yan still put on an expression of horror.

"Who's there!"

"Who's hiding in the shadows, playing ghosts and gods?"

Xiao Yan shouted sharply.

Ever since birth, he had played the role of a child to avoid shocking the world too much. Although he still seemed precocious, he had never let anything slip.

After ten years, he had long since honed his acting to an award-winning level.

Precisely because of that, even Yao Lao failed to spot any flaws.

Yao Lao assumed an inscrutable air, a hint of pride in his aged voice.

"Little fellow, stop looking. I'm inside the ring on your hand."

At those words, Xiao Yan raised his hand at just the right moment and looked warily at the plain, ancient black ring on his finger.

"Are you a man or a ghost? Why are you hiding in my ring?"

"You're quite a wary little fellow. But don't worry, I mean you no harm. Otherwise, you would have died a thousand times over by now."

As Yao Lao spoke, his illusory, transparent figure suddenly appeared above the ring.

Seeing such a frightened expression on Xiao Yan, who had been mature and composed since childhood, Yao Lao could not help feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Xiao Yan curled his lip and breathed a sigh of relief, though outwardly he still looked thoroughly indignant.

"Who knows whether you're telling the truth?"

Yao Lao chuckled. "You little fellow actually doubt my words? In my day, I was renowned throughout this continent. Are you even worth the trouble of deceiving?"

"Uh..."

Xiao Yan was momentarily at a loss for words, but he reacted even faster. His eyes darted, and he immediately bowed respectfully to Yao Lao.

"I spoke too freely just now. Please forgive me, Senior."

"It's just that I've failed to break through to Dou Zhe many times over the past year, and it's left me frustrated."

"With your magnanimity, Senior, I'm sure you wouldn't hold it against a green youngster like me."

Yao Lao laughed and scolded him. "You certainly know how to talk, little fellow. But aren't you curious why I suddenly appeared before you?"

As he spoke, a meaningful smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together and grinned.

"You're a senior of profound ability. Could it be that you appeared now because you noticed my problem and came especially to point me out of this maze?"

"Heh, you're quite thick-skinned, little fellow. But you really did guess right. I came out precisely to point you out of this maze."

Yao Lao looked Xiao Yan over and clicked his tongue in wonder. "The world truly holds every imaginable marvel. This is the first time I've ever seen a condition like yours."

"Consider yourself lucky, boy. If you hadn't stirred my curiosity, then with my temperament, even a Dou Zun expert would have had trouble persuading me to act."

"What? Even a Dou Zun expert would have trouble persuading you, Senior?"

Playing along, Xiao Yan opened his mouth wide, his face full of astonishment, giving Yao Lao all the admiration he could want.

Thoroughly pleased, Yao Lao stroked his beard and smiled. Standing with his hands behind his back, he said proudly, "Naturally. Never mind an ordinary Dou Zun-even a peak Dou Zun would have to show me some respect."

Xiao Yan immediately feigned excitement. "With such ability, Senior, surely my problem is no more than a trifle in your eyes."

"Heh, little fellow, there's no need to goad me with words. Since I've shown myself, I'm confident I can resolve your problem."

Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Yan with a half-smile. At his words, Xiao Yan scratched his head and gave an embarrassed grin, as though Yao Lao had seen through his little ploy.

Rather than immediately telling Xiao Yan the solution, Yao Lao next asked him a question.

"Boy, do you know the difference between a Dou Zhe and someone at the Dou Qi stage?"

Xiao Yan frowned and thought briefly before answering, "A Dou Zhe gathers energy into a vortex, can look within their own body, and can absorb Dou Qi and practice cultivation methods.

"Compared to the energy of the Dou Qi stage, the Dou Qi they absorb is more violent and more aggressive.

"Under those circumstances, even when I use the same Dou Technique as someone else, its power is naturally considerably weaker. That gap will even keep widening.

"What's more, cultivating at the Dou Qi stage is incredibly difficult. Someone who normally can't advance a single stage in a year or two can advance two or three stars within a year after breaking through to Dou Zhe.

"If I can't break through to Dou Zhe, I'll be fine in the short term, but over time, others of my generation will inevitably catch up, surpass me, and leave me behind."

After hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Yao Lao nodded in satisfaction.

It was good that he knew how to think things through. For someone Xiao Yan's age, that alone was already rare and precious.

"You're right!"

"The greatest difference between a Dou Zhe and someone at the Dou Qi stage lies in the energy they absorb. The Dou Qi absorbed by a Dou Zhe is far stronger than that of the earlier stage.

"However, there is actually no difference in their underlying origin. The Dou Qi absorbed by a Dou Zhe is simply the product of a qualitative change caused by continually compressing the energy of the Dou Qi stage. In essence, it is a higher grade of that same energy.

"That is also why the energy of the Dou Qi stage is gentle, while a Dou Zhe's Dou Qi is violent.

"The source of your distress is nothing more than your inability to practice cultivation methods, leaving your cultivation speed unable to match that of other Dou Zhe.

"And the fundamental reason cultivation methods cannot be practiced at the Dou Qi stage is that, before a Dou Qi Vortex has been formed, the meridians originally used to store that energy cannot withstand the more violent Dou Qi. Forcing yourself to cultivate it would instead inflict damage on your body that would be difficult to reverse.

"As it happens, although I cannot completely resolve your problem, I can enable you to practice cultivation methods."

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.

For him, this was undoubtedly already the best possible outcome.

At that thought, he bowed to Yao Lao with a solemn expression.

"Please teach me how to cultivate, Senior, and escape this predicament."

Yao Lao nodded slightly at the sight. His somewhat clouded eyes lingered on Xiao Yan, and he sighed deeply inwardly.

I hope I haven't misjudged someone again this time.

"Little fellow, since you sincerely seek my guidance, I shall give you a few pointers."

"From my observations, although you haven't broken through to Dou Zhe, the resilience of your meridians is no weaker than that of an ordinary Dou Zhe.

"So, based on your physical condition, I created a Secret Technique that can filter out the violent elements in Dou Qi to the greatest possible extent, transforming it back into the energy of the Dou Qi stage. That way, even without breaking through to Dou Zhe, you will still be able to practice cultivation methods."

After hearing Yao Lao's explanation, even with his steady temperament, Xiao Yan could not conceal the excitement on his face.

Still, he did not forget to thank the proud-looking old man before him. With a solemn expression, he said, "Thank you, Senior. Xiao Yan will remember your great kindness until his teeth fall out."

Yao Lao shook his head and gave an amused laugh, his expression showing little change.

Having roamed the continent for decades, he had long since grown accustomed to displays of ingratitude.

He himself had suffered a terrible loss because of it.

Wasn't choosing Xiao Yan nothing less than a staggering gamble?

With a faint smile, Yao Lao brought two fingers together and touched Xiao Yan's forehead.

The next moment, a surging wave of soul power carried the cultivation method for a Secret Technique into Xiao Yan's mind.

Secret Technique, Origin Transformation Seal!