To Evolve the Flame Mantra, He Had to Buy Beast Flames!

Xiao Yan answered, then unrolled the red scroll and read it, doing his best to pose as a beginner as he recited with practiced seriousness.

"The Flame Mantra, a Low Yellow Tier cultivation method, can gradually evolve by devouring flames, and the best choice to devour is a Heavenly Flame..."

"Heavenly Flames are spiritual creations nurtured by heaven and earth. Besides the heat of their flames, they possess many extraordinary abilities. Some control magma, some command ice and snow, some extend life and heal the dying and wounded. They may also possess deadly poisonous power or the power of divine beasts, and can even overturn the cycle of reincarnation..."

"As for the power of Heavenly Flames, a ranking that distinguished their relative strengths naturally came to circulate in the world."

"That's right. Your master's flame is the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, ranked eleventh on that list!"

Seeing that Xiao Yan had finally read that far, Yao Chen chimed in at just the right moment to make himself look more impressive.

"Twenty-third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, the Mysterious Yellow Flame... twenty-second, the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame..."

"But Heavenly Flames are extremely hard to find. Many people have never seen one in their entire lives, and in some remote regions, these spiritual creations have become legends."

Xiao Yan looked at the Little Bone Spirit Cold Flame in his arms, licked his lips, and said thoughtfully, "In that case, Master, I won't stand on ceremony."

With that, Xiao Yan resumed his seated cultivation without waiting for Yao Lao to react, following the Flame Mantra's cultivation route with practiced ease.

Yao Lao was also somewhat dumbstruck by the sight before him.

As the openly acknowledged number-one alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent, Yao Lao was also a powerful Dou Qi expert and could naturally see what set Xiao Yan apart.

He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be able to circulate the Flame Mantra so proficiently after studying it for only a few minutes. His talent truly was terrifying to such an extent.

While Yao Lao was making his assessment, Xiao Yan had already completed the first full circulation, transforming the milky-white Dou Qi throughout his body into pale yellow flames.

The flames corresponded to the cultivation method's grade: the deeper the color, the higher the grade; the lighter the color, the lower the grade.

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes and looked at the Little Bone Spirit Cold Flame, delight shining in his gaze. He beckoned with one hand and forcibly drew it into his body with his mind.

The moment the flame entered his body, it darted around like a gleeful child, charging recklessly through his meridians, utterly unruly.

At the same time, a peculiar force of scorching heat and freezing cold emerged, rushing straight toward the dantian at the center of all his meridians.

"Hmph, you unruly little thing. Let's see how I deal with you." Xiao Yan snorted coldly and activated the Flame Mantra, ruthlessly squeezing power from the flame.

In but an instant, the blaze surrounding the Little Bone Spirit Cold Flame weakened somewhat and gradually grew docile.

About two hours later, the flame had been whittled down further and further, while Xiao Yan's presence grew stronger and stronger.

Finally, at a certain moment, the flame vanished completely and became part of Xiao Yan's body.

The power digested by his Dou Qi remained only in his meridians and dantian, at his command from then on.

At the same time, Xiao Yan's presence changed.

One-Star Dou Zhe... two-star, three-star... Peak Five-Star Dou Zhe!

Besides that, the color of his Dou Qi flames grew increasingly rich.

The Flame Mantra's cultivation route changed as well, rising directly from Low Yellow Tier to High Yellow Tier.

Given the cultivation method's unique nature, it was in no way inferior even to a Low Xuan Tier method.

At that moment, Yao Lao, who had been watching Xiao Yan's cultivation progress, looked particularly excited. He exclaimed, "Good, good, good! I never imagined this Flame Mantra could really evolve."

In truth, Yao Lao had his own little scheme in having Xiao Yan cultivate the Flame Mantra: to use it to fuse three Heavenly Flames and resurrect himself.

Noticing Yao Lao's gaze, Xiao Yan stood up and met his eyes. In the end, they couldn't help smiling at each other.

In his previous life, shortly after he obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame, Yao Lao had confessed this idea to him.

It was only human nature, so Xiao Yan hadn't blamed him.

"Master, the imperial capital is right nearby. There should be plenty of Beast Flames there, shouldn't there? How about we go take a look?"

Xiao Yan kept fiddling with the Little Bone Spirit Cold Flame in his hand as he made the suggestion.

This flame was probably only a Child Flame, and its power level was just one grade above the Amethyst Winged Lion King's Beast Flame he had obtained back then. It wasn't all that strong.

If he wanted to improve now, he would probably need to absorb thousands more Beast Flames before he could make any progress.

"All right, let's go take a look. In any case, I have plenty in my collection. I can still afford a few mere Beast Flames."

Yao Lao stroked his beard with a smile and spoke casually.

He didn't mind Xiao Yan's spendthrift idea. After all, his reserves ran deep, and he had who knew how many medicinal formulas, as well as scrolls of Dou Techniques and cultivation methods, in his head.

Any one of those things picked at random was a priceless treasure. There was no need to worry about being unable to exchange them for Beast Flames.

Only after receiving Yao Lao's promise did Xiao Yan set his mind at ease.

After all, the imperial capital was right nearby. Who knew how many kinds of Beast Flames were inside? Perhaps there were even fifth- and sixth-rank Beast Flames.

Wouldn't it be a shame to miss them?

At the thought, Xiao Yan eagerly pointed at the seal over the cave entrance.

Yao Lao understood and pointed a finger from afar.

Unexpectedly, the thin film over the distant cave entrance shattered, gradually dissolving into specks of light and dispersing to reveal the colorful world outside.

Overjoyed, Xiao Yan walked out of the dark, damp cave into the sunlight, crossed the weed-choked plain, and breathed in the fresh air outside. He felt utterly refreshed.

"Master, hurry up and follow."

Xiao Yan beckoned, put on his black robe again, and called over his shoulder. Then his feet flicked into motion, and he sped off toward the imperial capital in a cloud of dust.

Yao Lao found the sight a little funny. Xiao Yan was already so grown up, yet he was still so impulsive.

But he said nothing more. His figure gradually turned indistinct, becoming a wisp of breeze that withdrew into the black ring on Xiao Yan's hand.

The imperial capital was as bustling as ever in the early morning. Crowds thronged the streets, peddlers had set up their stalls early, and their cries rose one after another in a lively clamor.

Xiao Yan strolled along the street, casually observing the shops on either side for a while before entering the imperial city at the end and heading straight for the tallest building there.

Beside an ancient-looking building, Xiao Yan stopped and looked up. The plaque bore the prominent words "Alchemist Guild."

Smiling, Xiao Yan climbed the steps one at a time, passed the guards on either side, and entered the guild hall.

Alchemist Guild, treasure-hunting area.

This was a marketplace for many people, and a vast treasure trove as well.

The things inside came in every strange variety, and some were not even known to others. As a result, people often obtained wondrous items here and changed their lives.

It was said that someone had once bought a scroll here and comprehended a High Xuan Tier cultivation method and its matching Dou Technique from it. He honed the cultivation method and Dou Technique to their peak over the years and ultimately became one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Yan walked through the area, observing everything.

His gaze swept over the dazzling array of items: the third-tier Windwalk Pill, the fourth-tier enchanted weapon Tiger God Blade, various low-tier Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills, and even some scrolls that were deliberately made to look mysterious.

After a long while, Xiao Yan fixed his eyes on a brown flame before him, a faint smile appearing on his face. After a moment, he walked over to it.

That flame... was a powerful Beast Flame.