"I really wonder if you're even human… Do you even know what it means to become an alchemist?" Yao Lao couldn't help but speak up upon seeing that Xiao Yan wasn't as shocked or delighted as he had expected.
"Of course I do. But I remember alchemists typically require experienced masters to teach them hands-on. Since you're saying you can help me become one, then that must mean you're an alchemist yourself?" Xiao Yan tilted his head and asked.
"That's right." Yao Lao replied, with a hint of pride in his voice. "You've got decent talent. If I teach you personally, it won't be long before you become a top-tier alchemy master."
"Oh? Then, may I ask what grade of alchemist you were in your prime, Elder?" Xiao Yan's interest was piqued. He did find alchemy somewhat fascinating.
"What grade? I don't even remember anymore. Just know this—your so-called Pill King Gu He? He's nothing but a joke to me." Yao Lao waved his hand dismissively.
Xiao Yan didn't doubt it. Even in his soul state, this old man's soul strength was equivalent to a fifth- or sixth-grade alchemist. That meant he was likely even stronger in life—probably at least seventh-grade, maybe even eighth-grade. At such a level, someone like Gu He really would be nothing more than an ant.
"Heh heh, if you're interested in learning alchemy, then go ahead and formally become my disciple," Yao Lao said, striking while the iron was hot.
"Master, please accept your disciple's bow." Xiao Yan had no qualms about the formalities of apprenticeship. He knew the rules of the alchemist world—without becoming a proper disciple, no one would ever teach you everything they knew.
Besides… it was just a title. If the old man ever tried anything, he wouldn't mind killing another master, just like last time…
Yao Lao, of course, had no idea that this little guy, who had just entered the door, was already plotting a potential betrayal. If he had known, he would have kicked him out on the spot. Instead, he smiled with satisfaction as he watched Xiao Yan complete the disciple's rites. Even his tone became warmer. "Since you're now under my tutelage, I won't treat you unfairly."
"Does that mean Master has a gift for me?"
"Naturally. For a beginner, the quality of their cultivation technique is extremely important. What I'm giving you… is a very unusual one." Yao Lao grinned.
"An unusual technique? Don't tell me it's a Heaven-rank technique?" Xiao Yan asked curiously. To be honest, he didn't care much for cultivation techniques. Not only did he have some high-level ones in his memories, but the High Profound-rank fire technique Xun'er gave him was enough to last him until Dou Wang. Still, if this old man could really produce a Heaven-rank technique, that would say a lot about his former power.
"You think Heaven-rank techniques grow on trees?" Yao Lao's mouth twitched.
"Oh, so it's not Heaven-rank? Never mind, then." Xiao Yan lost interest immediately. If it wasn't Heaven-rank, then at best it was Earth-rank. And while Earth-rank techniques were priceless in the Jia Ma Empire, in the Central Plains, they weren't exactly unobtainable.
"You brat…" Yao Lao shook his head, half exasperated and half amused. "Relax. Even though it's not a Heaven-rank technique, it's far more bizarre than one. In terms of value, even a Heaven-rank technique might not compare!"
"More bizarre than a Heaven-rank technique?" Now Xiao Yan's curiosity was truly piqued. "What rank is it?"
"Low Yellow-rank."
"...And what's so special about it?" Xiao Yan frowned. A Low Yellow-rank technique, yet Yao Lao claimed it surpassed Heaven-rank ones? If the old man wasn't joking, then this technique had to be seriously unique.
"See for yourself." Yao Lao flipped his palm, revealing a black, phantom-like scroll that floated into existence. Xiao Yan hesitated, then reached out to take it. The scroll dissolved into light and surged into his mind, flooding his consciousness with strange information.
Xiao Yan quickly closed his eyes to absorb the knowledge. Moments later, he opened them, his expression filled with rare astonishment.
Yao Lao hadn't lied—this technique was indeed more bizarre than a Heaven-rank one. At the very least, Xiao Yan had never seen a technique in his past life that could evolve.
And the most shocking part—it evolved by devouring Heavenly Flames!
The more Heavenly Flames it consumed, and the higher their quality, the more powerful the technique would become.
Normally, a human body could only house one Heavenly Flame. There were rare exceptions—Xiao Yan himself had once suppressed several in his previous life through sheer strength—but that was only possible at the peak of the Dou Sheng realm. This technique, however, could allow even a weak cultivator to control multiple Heavenly Flames at once!
But it was also unimaginably dangerous.
Heavenly Flames were some of the most terrifying natural treasures between heaven and earth—each one nearly impossible to find. Devouring them wasn't just difficult; it was borderline suicidal. When Xiao Yan had refined the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame in his past life, he had nearly died in the process.
And while ordinary Heavenly Flames were weaker than the Purifying Lotus, his current self didn't possess the monstrous cultivation base of the Wrathful Saint.
From Xiao Yan's perspective, the technique had another major flaw—it started at Low Yellow-rank, the lowest grade possible, and could only be cultivated from the Dou Zhe stage onward. If someone didn't start using it from the beginning, they would have to completely abolish their Dou Qi to retrain it later.
And realistically, anyone without significant backing would never have the qualifications to acquire even one Heavenly Flame, let alone five. But those who did have the resources would already possess better cultivation techniques—why risk death for this one?
To evolve this technique into Heaven-rank, one would need to devour at least five Heavenly Flames… or directly consume one of the top four on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. But what faction could possibly gather five of them? And even if one could—wouldn't they already own Heaven-rank techniques by then?
"This really is… more bizarre than a Heaven-rank technique." Xiao Yan opened his eyes slowly, a glimmer of fervor flashing through them.
"This technique—I came across it by pure chance. I call it… Flame Mantra. Even with all my knowledge, I've never seen another technique like it. Whether you choose to cultivate it is up to you," Yao Lao said as he gazed at him.
"Honestly, only a madman could've created this. No sane person would ever attempt it." Xiao Yan fell silent for a while, then said, "But… who says I'm sane?"
"So of course, I'm going to cultivate it."
(End of Chapter)
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