Cultivating the Flame Mantra

In an instant, Xiao Yan felt his head suddenly swell. Only after a moment did he recover, astonishment written across his face.

"What an exquisite Secret Technique! Senior, did you create this yourself?"

Yao Lao smiled calmly and stood with his hands behind his back.

"This Secret Technique was merely something I created on a whim. What is there to make such a fuss about?"

"Given enough time, never mind a mere Secret Technique—I could even create an Earth Tier Cultivation Method."

"Your talent is extraordinary, Senior. I truly admire you."

Xiao Yan spoke with heartfelt admiration.

Had Han Feng not stabbed him in the back, Yao Lao's talent and brilliance would have made becoming a Dou Sheng and a ninth-grade alchemist well within his reach.

Seeing Xiao Yan's sincere expression, Yao Lao's lips curved slightly, and he secretly basked in the praise.

"Although the Origin Transformation Seal I created can indeed filter the volatile elements out of Dou Qi, don't celebrate too soon, brat.

"Those volatile elements won't dissipate after being filtered out. Instead, they'll assault every inch of your flesh. That violent power will make cultivation so agonizing that you'll wish you were dead.

"So before you begin practicing the cultivation method, you'd best prepare yourself!"

At this point, Yao Lao's expression grew solemn.

Xiao Yan nodded earnestly, but inwardly, he was bursting with excitement.

I can finally practice a cultivation method. It certainly hasn't been easy!

Then he turned his gaze back to Yao Lao and said with a playful grin, "Senior, I have no way to repay your great kindness. Do you have any children or disciples? If you don't mind having me, I'd be willing to care for you in your old age."

Yao Lao couldn't help rolling his eyes.

How could he fail to see that this brat Xiao Yan was climbing straight up the pole he had been offered? Receiving a cultivation method wasn't enough for him-he wanted to cling to Yao Lao's powerful coattails, too.

However, in this life, Yao Lao hadn't spent three years absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi as he had in the original story.

Without that three-year-long trial, he naturally wouldn't take Xiao Yan as his disciple upon their very first meeting, as he had in the original story.

Only after looking Xiao Yan over several times did he say with feigned indifference:

"Very well. Since you're sincere, I'll give you this opportunity and let you serve as my nominal disciple for now.

"Whether you receive my true teachings will depend on your future performance."

Xiao Yan couldn't help grumbling inwardly.

This butterfly effect just keeps getting bigger.

Still, I'll take it. A nominal disciple is still a disciple.

After respectfully bowing to Yao Lao to acknowledge him as his master, Xiao Yan looked at him, his eyes shifting craftily.

Since I've already accepted you as my master, old geezer...

Shouldn't you cough up some gold?

After all, your disciple is absolutely desperate to improve.

You wouldn't want to end up with no one to avenge you or resurrect you, would you?

Heh heh heh!

The sudden change in Xiao Yan's expression made Yao Lao's lips twitch. That laugh, in particular, involuntarily brought back some rather unpleasant memories.

Had he not practically watched Xiao Yan grow up with his own eyes, he would have suspected the brat was an envoy from the Hall of Souls.

That laugh sounded as though it had been cast from the very same mold.

"Master, since I've just become your disciple, shouldn't you give me a little something as a welcoming gift?"

Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together and asked expectantly.

Naturally, he hoped Yao Lao would give him the Flame Mantra, but he also understood something very clearly.

He hadn't undergone Yao Lao's trials as he had in the original story, so Yao Lao might not pass the Flame Mantra directly to him as he had there.

"Heh, you slippery little rascal!"

Yao Lao stroked his beard with a smile. In truth, he had already considered this question when he created the Origin Transformation Seal for Xiao Yan.

Taking Xiao Yan as his disciple was a huge gamble to begin with. Since that was the case, why keep looking ahead and glancing back?

"Brat, since you've put it that way, I certainly won't be stingy."

As he spoke, Yao Lao turned his hand palm-up and raised it.

Two scrolls, one red and one black, instantly appeared above his palm.

"These are..."

Xiao Yan stared fixedly at the two scrolls above Yao Lao's palm. The faint sound of him swallowing could even be heard.

Yao Lao lifted his hand slightly and said, "This red scroll contains a Low Earth Tier cultivation method. With it, you'll have more than enough to become a powerhouse who commands a corner of the continent. As for this black scroll..."

When he mentioned the black scroll, Yao Lao's voice turned bitter, and a complicated expression crossed his face.

"This black scroll is called the Flame Mantra. It's merely a Low Yellow Tier cultivation method, but this method... can continually evolve by devouring heavenly flames. In theory, it could even reach High Heaven Tier."

At those words, Xiao Yan's breathing quickened.

The Flame Mantra!

Yao Lao really brought out the Flame Mantra!

Seeing Xiao Yan so excited, Yao Lao hesitated for a moment before offering a warning.

"Although the Flame Mantra is extraordinary, I must still warn you.

"I obtained this cultivation method by chance many years ago. It evolves by devouring heavenly flames, but heavenly flames are creations of heaven and earth that embody both destruction and violent fury.

"Back then, I merely absorbed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, and its torment nearly killed me. If you practice this Flame Mantra, I fear your chances of success will be less than twenty percent."

Yet Xiao Yan shook his head, his gaze resolute.

"Master, you needn't say any more. I choose the Flame Mantra!"

Yao Lao's gaze sharpened.

"Are you certain? You should know that even an Earth Tier Cultivation Method can make you a formidable powerhouse, and without any risk."

Xiao Yan answered him with nothing but absolute conviction.

"I'm certain!"

Xiao Yan smiled brightly and reached out to seize the black scroll. "An Earth Tier Cultivation Method may be good, but I need to become even stronger. So this Flame Mantra..."

"Who else but me!"

Xiao Yan knew very well who his future enemies would be, so ever since transmigrating, he had been desperate to grow stronger.

Although Yao Lao knew nothing of this, the resolve on Xiao Yan's youthful face inspired a trust he couldn't resist.

Perhaps...

This time, I really have bet on the right person!

"Very well. Let me join you in one final bout of madness!"

On the mountain behind the Xiao Clan's estate, Xiao Yan's hoarse screams of agony echoed through the hills.

Veins bulged across his face like little writhing snakes.

His features seemed to bunch together from the pain, distorted and hideous, like those of a vicious ghost.

Faint traces of blood seeped from the tiny pores in his skin.

Yao Lao's illusory, translucent elderly figure floated in midair as he silently watched the scene, murmuring to himself.

"Brat, you must hold on. If you can't endure even this much pain, you can forget about devouring heavenly flames in the future."

Xiao Yan understood this as well. Despite his consciousness already blurring, he kept his teeth tightly clenched.

He formed seals with both hands, using the Origin Transformation Seal while circulating the Flame Mantra within his body.

Under the Flame Mantra's influence, the Dou Qi between heaven and earth flowed endlessly into his body. After being filtered by the Origin Transformation Seal, it transformed back into incomparably pure Dou Qi, continuously strengthening his body and physique.

His cultivation speed was now several times faster than it had been before he practiced the Flame Mantra.

This was precisely why Xiao Yan would rather grit his teeth and endure excruciating pain to cultivate the Flame Mantra.

After all, the Flame Mantra was currently only a Low Yellow Tier cultivation method-the lowest tier of all.

Several hours later!

Xiao Yan's prolonged laughter rang across the mountaintop.

"Hahahaha! I did it! I actually did it!"

He sprang to his feet. Although he hadn't broken through, his aura was noticeably stronger than before.

His bloodshot eyes, in particular, now seemed to gleam with an intimidating edge after he had endured unimaginable pain.

Watching from the side, Yao Lao's expression softened.

He knew that Xiao Yan had already taken a crucial step on his long road of cultivation.

And this would undoubtedly shape his entire life!