Cultivation Techniques are crucial after breaking through to the Dou Practitioner stage.
On the Fighting Qi Continent, Dou Qi Cultivation Techniques are divided into four Ranks and twelve levels, from highest to lowest: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow! Each Rank is further divided into initial, Intermediate, and Advanced levels!
The Rank of the Dou Qi Cultivation Technique one Cultivates is also key to determining future achievements. For example, someone cultivating a Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique will naturally be several times stronger than someone of the same Rank cultivating a Yellow Rank Advanced Cultivation Technique.
Xiao Li looked at these three scrolls of Cultivation Techniques, feeling the scorching aura emanating from them, which suggested their quality was not low.
It's important to know that the current Xiao Family is somewhat lacking in Cultivation Techniques; their clan-protecting Cultivation Techniques are only Profound Rank Intermediate. These are the Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique Furious Lions Rage Aura, the Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique Raging Tiger Lightning Art, and the Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique Fire Refining Incineration Art.
Among them, Xiao Li was very familiar with Furious Lions Rage Aura; his Elder brother Xiao Lin cultivated this Cultivation Technique.
Raging Tiger Lightning Art is the Cultivation Technique cultivated by the Family Head, Xiao Ting. This Cultivation Technique is already holding him back at his current Rank, but luckily, its Supporting Dou Technique, Lightning Tiger Seal, is also Profound Rank Intermediate.
In Xiao Ting's hands, its power is boundless. Raging Tiger Lightning Art is also ranked first among the three great clan-protecting Cultivation Techniques of the Family.
If Xiao Li hadn't become Wang Ming's Disciple, he would likely have cultivated the Fire Refining Incineration Art for now, and then added new Cultivation Techniques to the Family later.
Some might ask: as one of the four great Families of the Imperial Capital, and with a Dou King expert, why does the Xiao Family not even have a Profound Rank Advanced Cultivation Technique?
This is a subtle question. The Xiao Family's Legacy was broken, and many things were lost after they arrived in the Jia Ma Empire. Later, there were indeed some highly cultivated clansmen who emerged, but they never returned after venturing out into the Continent.
As for why they don't buy Profound Rank Advanced Cultivation Techniques, that's also a good question, and it comes down to luck. The Xiao Family has no industries to operate, so their funds are insufficient.
When the Mittel Auction House auctioned Profound Rank Advanced Cultivation Techniques, the Xiao Family happened to be broke. When the Xiao Family had money, there were no Profound Rank Advanced Cultivation Techniques available for auction. Their luck was truly unmatched.
The Xiao Family also has so many Disciples to nurture, which makes the Xiao Family quite poor at the moment. Perhaps they have some money, saving it for critical moments.
Among the four great Families, the Mittel Family is in business. Mittel Auction Houses are in major cities throughout the Jia Ma Empire. They monopolize many industries, and with the Ice Emperor, one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire, presiding over them, no one dares to touch the Mittel Family's cake.
The Mu Family has always been a lackey of the Jia Ma Empire's imperial Family. With the Empire's backing, they won't collapse for now.
The Nalan Family looks similar to the Xiao Family, but they have a close relationship with the Cloud Mist Sect. The current Nalan Family Head is an Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect.
(This is a secondary setting: this Elder Nalan is Nalan Jie's senior. At this time, Nalan Jie, like Xiao Lin, is a Dou Spirit.)
Among all the great Families in the Imperial Capital, only the Xiao Family seems a bit like a clown, always acting alone, relying entirely on the old man Xiao Ting for support.
"Teacher, can you introduce these two Cultivation Techniques?" Xiao Li asked.
Although Wang Ming produced three scrolls of unknown material, he divided them into two portions: a crimson scroll in his left hand, and two vermilion scrolls in his right hand.
"Hehe, the Cultivation Technique in this old man's left hand is called Nine Heavens Yang Art, an Earth Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique. It is also the Cultivation Technique this master currently Cultivates. It is divided into nine layers. When cultivated to Major Achievement, the Dou Qi becomes supremely rigid and Positive, possessing boundless power.
As for the two scrolls in this old man's right hand, they are a set: the Earth Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Technique Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Art and its Supporting Dou Technique, Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Hand.
It uses one's own Dou Qi flame as a cultivation objective in a 'nine tribulation' manner. With each tribulation broken through, one's Dou Qi flame undergoes a qualitative change, gradually transforming from 'Crimson Flame' to 'Purple Flame,' eventually reaching the ninth tribulation, where one's flame is no less than the Beast Fire of a Demonic Beast of the same Rank.
As for this Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Hand, its power is immense, comparable to an Earth Rank Intermediate Dou Technique. This master also uses it. When cultivated to Major Achievement, a mere wave of the hand can split mountains and crack stones, overturning rivers and seas."
Wang Ming introduced the Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques in his hands to Xiao Li, which greatly surprised Xiao Li. Are Sixth-Rank Alchemists that rich?
Earth Rank Low-Grade is one thing, but he even has Earth Rank Intermediate? Don't tell me, you, this Sixth-Rank Alchemist, even have Seventh-Rank Pill Formulas or even Eighth-Rank Pill Formulas!
Xiao Li carefully examined the two Cultivation Techniques in Old Wang's hands, pondered for a moment, and chose the Earth Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Technique Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Art.
For his current stage as a one-star Dou Practitioner, an Earth Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Technique was more than enough, already surpassing countless Dou Practitioners. Moreover, the Supporting Dou Technique Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Hand seemed quite appealing.
At least in the Jia Ma Empire, the Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Hand can guarantee fighting above one's Rank.
"Teacher, I choose the Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Art!" Xiao Li said, walking to Wang Ming's right side.
"Heh, Little Fellow, you have good judgment and aren't overly ambitious. For your current level, an Earth Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Technique is already top-tier; there's no need to pursue a higher Cultivation Technique.
Even if there were a higher Cultivation Technique, you wouldn't be able to Cultivate it. Here—it's yours."
Wang Ming smiled and nodded. He was very satisfied with Xiao Li's choice and handed the Cultivation Technique Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Art and its Supporting Dou Technique, Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Hand, to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li opened the Earth Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Technique Nine Tribulation Heavenly Flame Art and quickly immersed himself in it.
The Dou Qi in Xiao Li's body began to circulate in the direction described in the Cultivation Technique, quickly completing a grand cycle.
Xiao Li felt his Dou Qi becoming purer, with both its quality and quantity rapidly increasing.
"Disciple, open your mouth!"
Just as Xiao Li was immersed in cultivation, he suddenly heard his teacher's voice. Xiao Li didn't know why he should open his mouth, but he figured it was right to do so; his master wouldn't harm him, right?
Xiao Li opened his mouth, and two Elixirs appeared in Wang Ming's hand, which he directly tossed into Xiao Li's mouth.
Xiao Li naturally felt two smooth spheres enter his mouth, then melt instantly, flowing down Xiao Li's throat.
Having taken Qi Gathering Powder before, Xiao Li naturally understood that his teacher had given him two more Elixirs.
As soon as he took the Elixirs, Xiao Li felt a difference. He could perceive the surrounding fire-attributed heaven and earth energy more clearly, and his absorption speed increased significantly.
'It must be because of those two Elixirs. I cannot let down Teacher's efforts; I must Cultivate!'
Xiao Li once again entered immersive cultivation. Wang Ming watched his Disciple fall into deep cultivation, then sat in a chair and sipped his tea.
"Third-Rank Elixir Spirit Awakening Pill, Third-Rank Elixir Fire Gathering Pill. With these two Elixirs, Lier's cultivation should proceed more smoothly. Hmm, not bad~
With Lier's talent, if he is properly nurtured, becoming a Dou Zong is a certainty. As for Dou Venerate, he still needs careful cultivation."
Wang Ming muttered to himself, then took out an ancient scroll from his storage ring.
"Fifth-Rank Peak Elixir Spirit Origin Foundation Establishment Pill, it seems a bit unworthy of Lier, and the Millennium Spirit Origin Fruit is too difficult to find. How about a change?
Sixth-Rank Advanced Elixir Profound Origin Foundation Establishment Pill. This old man has the Purple Gold Profound Origin Ginseng on hand, and the Mittel Family should have the other auxiliary herbs. That Hai Bodong wouldn't dare not give me Face.
With the Profound Origin Foundation Establishment Pill as the main ingredient, supplemented by a medicinal bath made from Fifth-Rank Elixirs, continuous use for five years will surely forge a Venerate Foundation for Lier!
It's a pity this old man has the Pill Formula for the Seventh-Rank Peak Elixir xuanpu foundation establishment pill, but this old man cannot refine it, alas~ I wonder if this old man can make further progress in the remaining years of his life?"