"Master, what was that hand-seal technique you used earlier?" Yang Fan asked eagerly.
He'd clearly seen Yao Lao's power surge instantly—allowing him to eliminate Sarlas in mere seconds.
"Yuan Qi Explosion Decree!"
A technique created by his great-grandfather, it temporarily boosted one's Dou Qi realm through layered hand seals.
"Hehehe—" Yao Lao chuckled. "You little rascal—I'll teach you someday."
He knew exactly what Yang Fan was thinking.
Temporarily boosting Dou Qi was essentially overdrawing from one's Dou Qi core—a move that left the body weakened afterward.
It was a double-edged sword.
For experts, it was manageable—but for someone like Yang Fan, who hadn't even reached Dou Zhe yet, such strain could damage his cultivation foundation.
"Thank you, Master!"
Yang Fan silently committed Yuan Qi Explosion Decree to memory.
…
Back at their lodging, Yao Lao sealed the room with Dou Qi and pulled out the hard-won 3,000-year water-attribute soul bone.
"Master… maybe rest first?" Yang Fan urged.
He desperately wanted to become a Dou Zhe—more than anything—but after the battle, Yao Lao's soul had grown visibly weaker.
"A single Qi-Gathering Powder? That's child's play," Yao Lao insisted.
Delay invites disaster.
Yang Fan's vortex formation had already been postponed for over ten days. No more waiting.
Immediately—
Yao Lao retrieved the Black Demon Cauldron and the ingredients: Ink Leaf Lotus, Snake Saliva Fruit, Spirit-Gathering Grass.
"Watch closely—this is a Tier-4 Qi-Gathering Powder."
He refined deliberately—not for speed, but so Yang Fan could observe every detail.
Midnight began the refinement. Dawn marked its end.
When Yao Lao placed the pill in Yang Fan's palm, it felt almost too heavy to hold.
This tiny pill had cost Yao Lao a soul-draining battle—and Sarlas's life.
To claim he wasn't moved would be a lie.
"Swallow it quickly."
The pill slid down his throat—
Instantly, warmth surged through him, like a lost child finally returning home, rushing toward his Dou Qi core.
"Focus. Hold your breath. Use the method I taught you to form the vortex."
Yang Fan sat cross-legged, guiding his Dou Qi inward with his mind.
Yao Lao had warned that forming the vortex felt like herding unruly children—requiring immense patience.
But Yang Fan felt no resistance.
All thanks to the Qi-Gathering Powder.
Success!
Without any struggle, his Dou Qi underwent qualitative transformation.
His core had grown larger, denser—his Dou Qi now richer, more robust.
"I'm a Dou Zhe?!"
With a thought, crimson Dou Qi flickered before him—purer, hotter than ever.
"Congratulations, little one," Yao Lao smiled, exhaustion forgotten. "You're now a true Dou Zhe."
This meant Yang Fan could finally learn cultivation techniques—and become an alchemist.
"Thank you, Master!"
Overwhelmed, Yang Fan threw his arms wide for a hug—then remembered he couldn't actually embrace a soul.
The room fell silent.
After a long pause—
"Master," Yang Fan said, eyes gleaming, "now that I'm a Dou Zhe… isn't it time for my cultivation technique?"
Yao Lao pulled a fiery-red scroll from his ring.
"Flame Cultivating Art—a fire-attribute Earth-Tier low-grade technique, perfect for you."
Though "low-grade," it was the best—and most suitable—technique in Yao Lao's possession.
On the Dou Qi Continent, this scroll alone could spark wars between cities.
"Wait… that's not right," Yang Fan frowned. "What about the Flame Mantra—the one that evolves?"
At those words, Yao Lao's expression grew unreadable. He fell uncharacteristically silent.
"Don't back out—you promised!" Yang Fan insisted.
"What Flame Mantra?" Yao Lao deflected. "This Earth-Tier technique is what suits you best."
Truthfully, Yao Lao had taken Yang Fan as a disciple not just for his talent—but for his own hidden agenda.
He wanted to rebuild his physical body.
To do that, he needed both a Bone-Reforging Blood-Melting Pill and a vessel capable of housing his soul.
According to obscure notes in the Flame Mantra, if cultivated successfully, one could forge such a vessel by fusing multiple compatible Heavenly Flames.
Originally, Yao Lao had intended for Yang Fan to practice this very scripture.
But over the years, he'd come to see Yang Fan as more than a disciple—he'd grown fond of him, and wiser.
Heavenly Flames?
Did they even exist in Douluo Continent?
Even if they did, who could possibly tame them?
Heavenly Flames were chaotic, destructive forces—rarely seen in centuries. And even if found, who could guarantee successful absorption?
Yao Lao himself had nearly died swallowing the Bone Chilling Cold Flame…
Meeting Yang Fan's unwavering gaze, Yao Lao sighed. "The Flame Mantra can evolve—that's true. But its evolution requires devouring Heavenly Flames."
Without evolution, it was merely a Yellow-Tier low-grade technique—far inferior to Flame Cultivating Art.
"For you, Flame Cultivating Art is the best choice."
"But didn't you say it can also devour beast flames?" Yang Fan pressed.
He didn't know if Heavenly Flames existed here—but beast flames surely did.
I owe my master a hug…
"Master, stop hiding things. Give me your best."
Yang Fan's relentless pleading finally made Yao Lao relent.
From his ring emerged a black scroll—ancient, profound, like a bottomless abyss.
"The red one is Flame Cultivating Art. The black is Flame Mantra. Choose."
Yao Lao expected hesitation.
Instead, Yang Fan grabbed the black scroll without a second thought—ignoring the Earth-Tier technique that could've sparked wars on the Dou Qi Continent.
Yao Lao fell silent.
Yang Fan had chosen the hardest path—one fraught with peril… yet brimming with hope.
A bright smile lit Yang Fan's face as he reached out, slowly unrolling the scroll under Yao Lao's glistening, slightly reddened eyes.
As his palm touched the parchment, it dissolved into a stream of information—pouring directly into his mind.
Like Dou techniques, cultivation scrolls were inscribed with soul energy. Merely opening it granted complete mastery of its contents.
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