"Call..."
High above the heavens, Xiao Yan stood proudly in the void, a fanatical look on his face. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the surging Dou Qi within his body. After a long while, Xiao Yan's mind gradually calmed down.
"So this is the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor? Indeed, there's a significant difference compared to the early stage!"
Xiao Yan murmured to himself, a hint of amazement in his voice. Compared to Early Six-Star Half-Emperor, Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor was indeed quite different.
As the saying goes, a small difference can lead to a huge difference. Although the strength of Early Six-Star Half-Emperor and Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor may seem to be only one step apart, the gap between them is as wide as a chasm.
An ordinary Early Six-Star Half-Emperor would likely find it impossible to raise their strength to the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor through simple cultivation without any external aids. It would probably take several years or even decades.
Measuring the gap between the two in terms of time, a century would be an apt description.
Of course, for someone like Xiao Yan, it has only been half a year since he last broke through to the Early Six-Star Half-Emperor. In just half a year, he broke through from the Five-Star Half-Emperor to the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor. This kind of cultivation speed is terrifying and can only be described as defying the heavens!
It should be noted that for an ordinary person to cultivate from the Mid Five-Star Half-Emperor to the mid-stage of a six-and-a-half-star emperor would probably take at least a hundred years. However, Xiao Yan has now broken through from the Mid Five-Star Half-Emperor to the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor in just half a year.
This astonishing speed of cultivation is simply beyond the reach of ordinary people!
"Hehe, kid, not bad. In less than half a year, you've broken through from the Mid Five-Star Half-Emperor to the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor. At this rate of cultivation, even among the top forces on the continent, you'd probably rank among the best."
The void beside him distorted slightly, and Gu You's figure gradually materialized. He looked at Xiao Yan with a mocking smile, and a hint of amazement appeared in his pair of old eyes that were gleaming with a sharp light.
Even he hadn't expected that Xiao Yan could break through from the Mid Five-Star Half-Emperor to the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor in just half a year. This was truly astonishing!
"Hehe, Elder Gu, please don't make fun of me. I know my own limitations. Compared to those people you mentioned, my strength, which I gained solely through external means, does have a somewhat opportunistic aspect. Otherwise, how could I have improved my cultivation so much in just half a year?"
Upon hearing Gu You's words, Xiao Yan shook his head and sighed.
He knew perfectly well how he had acquired his cultivation level. Although others might see him as a rare genius, in his own eyes, he had only grown to this point by relying on external aids.
This isn't just because he broke through from Five-Star Half-Emperor to Six-Star Half-Emperor. After all, how much of Xiao Yan's strength and cultivation came from his own dedicated practice?
Almost none.
Relying on various opportunities and his own cultivation technique, the Flame Mantra Technique, Xiao Yan has always been on the path of searching for various powerful Heavenly Flames. Perhaps in the eyes of others, Heavenly Flames are the most domineering and fierce forces in this world. However, for Xiao Yan, they are the source of his strength and the foundation of his cultivation. It can be said that without Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan would not have come this far.
"Hmph, you brat, why belittle yourself? Yes, almost all the strength you possess now comes from external sources. Even your cultivation at the Middle Six-Star Half-Emperor was bestowed upon you by that woman named Leng Bingshuang..."
Seemingly seeing through Xiao Yan's thoughts, Gu You let out a cold snort to express his dissatisfaction with Xiao Yan's dejected appearance. At the same time, his words were meant to provoke Xiao Yan.
"But don't forget the immense pain you endured while absorbing the Heavenly Flames to gain power. That level of pain would be enough to turn an ordinary person to ashes. The fact that you were able to persevere and undergo a transformation is enough to prove yourself. As long as your efforts are proportional to your rewards, nothing else matters."
Gu You stared intently at Xiao Yan before him and spoke solemnly. At the same time, Xiao Yan's expression shifted between light and shadow as he pondered Gu You's words.
"The way you gained power was indeed a shortcut, but at the same time, wasn't the pain and danger you endured many times, even dozens of times, greater than others? Looking across the world, has anyone ever put themselves in danger simply because of cultivating Dou Qi? I'm afraid, apart from you who cultivates the Flame Mantra, there won't be a second person like you!"
Hearing Gu You's words, Xiao Yan's emotions finally stabilized, and a resolute look flashed in his eyes.
Indeed, what Gu You said was true. Effort and reward should always be proportional. Even the scions of those great families relied on the resources of their families to achieve such rapid cultivation.
As for Xiao Yan himself, being alone outside, he had to find all sorts of ways to obtain everything he needed. Xiao Yan didn't have any so-called cultivation resources; he was simply searching for any method that could improve his strength. Compared to the disciples of those families, Xiao Yan's strength was even more hard-won.
"Hehe..."
With this thought in mind, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle. The distracting thoughts in his mind were cast aside, and his emotions returned to normal, restoring him to his peak condition once again.
"Haha, Elder Gu, don't worry, I understand what you're saying. There's no true right or wrong on the path of cultivation. In the end, only the strong can grasp the truth. It seems I was overthinking things. As long as I'm worthy of my strength and have no regrets, no one will delve into the source of my power."
Nodding, a relieved smile appeared on Gu You's aged face. In this world, strength ultimately reigns supreme. Without strength, you're not even worth a pile of dog shit; at least, nobody dares to step in dog shit...
"Let's go, let's get to our destination first. The Ancient Ruins are about to open, and I'm afraid quite a few powerful figures will gather here this time. This is actually a good thing, it will broaden your horizons and let you see the world of Dou Di powerhouses. That level is not something that can be compared to ordinary ones!"
Gu You sighed softly, then turned around and transformed into a ray of light that merged into Xiao Yan's body. Xiao Yan nodded solemnly. After witnessing the power of several Dou Di experts, he became increasingly fervent about the so-called Dou Di level. He wondered when he would be able to reach that level himself!
Thinking of this, a fiery light welled up in the depths of Xiao Yan's eyes. Dou Di, the level that truly allows one to be among the strong on this Origin Martial Continent. He believed that one day, he would definitely reach that level, or even go further and become stronger!
However, for now, Xiao Yan can only focus his energy on the present. The path to becoming a strong person must be taken step by step. Ultimately, one must walk the path steadily and surely on their own!