"So that's how it is."
After listening to Yao Lao's explanation, Xiao Yan suddenly understood.
But soon, he realized what an outrageous thing he had just done.
A two-star Dou Fighter, daring to casually touch that unknown entity, causing the Heavenly Flames to enter his body. If Yao Lao hadn't awakened in time today, he would likely have been burned to death by the Heavenly Flames.
"Fortunately, you were here, Teacher. Otherwise, I would have been in real danger today!"
Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and bowed in gratitude once more.
"Hehe, it's not that serious, actually. I would have naturally awakened in another year or two anyway. Today, I woke up early due to the fluctuations of the Heavenly Flames and helped you refine them. It's just that your fate wasn't meant to end here."
Yao Lao nodded with a faint smile, feeling somewhat curious about Xiao Yan.
After just a brief interaction, he had noticed some unusual aspects.
This child before him showed no trace of childishness; instead, he seemed as steady as an adult, his emotions too composed.
Over the years, he had seen many young prodigies, all of whom carried a certain arrogance. Even those with the best upbringing might not show it outwardly, but it was impossible for them to have no pride in their hearts.
Yet this young man before him truly had none.
In fact, Yao Lao vaguely sensed that Xiao Yan seemed to be carrying some burdens in his heart.
At such a young age, what could he have experienced to make him grow into the person he is now?
Yao Lao couldn't figure it out, but he wasn't in a hurry. This wasn't his first time taking on a disciple or mentoring one, so he naturally had experience. He just hoped that this time, he wouldn't misjudge the person!
"I see that the Cultivation Method you're practicing is only Xuan Rank Intermediate. For a Dou Fighter, it's naturally sufficient. However, as my disciple, a Xuan Rank Intermediate Cultivation Method is a bit too ordinary. I have an Earth Tier Low Level Technique here; make do with it for now. Once you break through to Dou Grand Master, I'll pass on an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Method to you."
As Medicine Venerable, the number one Alchemist in Central State, Yao Lao's collection naturally spoke for itself.
But since Xiao Yan already had a Xuan Rank Intermediate Cultivation Method, trying to make him practice the Flame Mantra now—even though Xiao Yan already had Heavenly Flames to devour and advance the technique—would be completely disadvantageous for him personally. Yao Lao naturally wouldn't bother with such a futile effort.
"Why can't I start with an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Method right away?"
Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
"If you don't mind being chased down and attacked by Dou Ancestor experts, I don't mind passing on an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Method to you."
Upon hearing this, a somewhat teasing smile appeared on Yao Lao's face as he joked.
"Uh, you have a point."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
He had been too focused on thinking about the benefits of an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Method and forgot how eye-catching such a thing would be.
Whether it was the amount of Dou Qi absorbed during cultivation or the pure Dou Qi fluctuations emitted during battle, both would be enough to expose the exceptionally high grade of the Cultivation Method.
An Mysterious Rank High Grade Cultivation Method was already somewhat insufficient for Dou Emperor experts.
Generally speaking, to cultivate to the Dou Ancestor level, one must at least possess an Earth-Rank Cultivation Method.
However, an Earth Tier High Level Technique would not only attract Dou Ancestors but also stir the interest of some Dou Venerables.
Although such powerful individuals are unlikely to be encountered in the Jia Ma Empire, even a Dou Emperor would be enough to give Xiao Yan a headache.
An Earth-Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Method, on the other hand, is different. As long as Xiao Yan keeps a low profile, he can easily disguise it as merely a Mysterious Tier High Level Technique. Many direct lineage descendants of influential families on the continent start their cultivation journey this way, which could actually provide Xiao Yan with some protection.
"Then I ask you, Teacher, to pass on the technique. However... Teacher, I have a question. Is it truly impossible for a person to cultivate two different cultivation methods?"
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, feeling it would be a pity not to cultivate the Fire Origin Art.
After all, the Dou Skill paired with the Fire Origin Art, the Fire Origin Sword Canon, would be more effective with the support of its corresponding cultivation method.
"You're quite greedy. A person only has one Dou Qi Vortex, which is the place where Dou Qi is stored. If you cultivate two different cultivation methods, it might be manageable if their attributes are similar. But if they differ significantly, the two types of Dou Qi will clash within your body. Forget about continuing your cultivation—if you survive, I'd praise you for having a tough life."
As Yao Lao spoke, he even gave a thumbs-up.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan fell silent.
His main concern was that if Yun Yun came to check on him and discovered that the talented disciple she had just taken in had been lured away by an old man, it would undoubtedly hurt her deeply.
However, he also knew that under the looming threat of the Hall of Souls, he had to seize every opportunity and make the most of every resource.
Only by doing so could he rise quickly and defeat Hun Tian Di!
"Alright, then I'll rely on you, Teacher, to pass on the technique!"
Xiao Yan quickly made up his mind, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a solemn tone.
"Focus your mind!"
Upon hearing this, Yao Lao's expression also turned serious. His ethereal finger then pointed at the center of Xiao Yan's forehead.
In the next moment, a dark red glow flashed briefly, and a massive stream of information, carried by Soul Power, entered Xiao Yan's mind.
His head throbbed with pain, and it took an unknown amount of time before the discomfort began to subside.
In his mind, the content of the new cultivation method appeared as clear as if it had always been part of his memory.
"Spirit Flame Tempering Qi Technique?"
Xiao Yan murmured softly.
Seeing this, Yao Lao smiled faintly and calmly explained:
"This Spirit Flame Tempering Qi Technique is a powerful cultivation method I once practiced for a period. Although it is only an Earth-Rank Low-Grade Cultivation Method, its ability to enhance cultivation speed is no less impressive than some Mid-Rank Earth Class techniques!
Cultivating this technique involves using a specific method to condense and concentrate Dou Qi, supplemented by Soul Power, to form a Spirit Flame that can temper the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, thereby accelerating cultivation speed.
Moreover, once this Spirit Flame is formed, it can be used in combat to ignite the opponent's Dou Qi to a certain extent, weakening their attacks—a highly effective function.
For a lucky brat like you who possesses Heavenly Flames, this technique is even more suitable. The Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire already contains the souls of myriad beasts, so you won't even need to form a Spirit Flame."
"Simply use your own Soul Blood as the foundation, refine it into the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire, making it completely merge with you. Then, follow the methods in the cultivation method to control it, and you can use the Heavenly Flames in place of the Spirit Flame. This way, the efficiency of this cultivation method in tempering Dou Qi will likely approach that of an Earth Rank High Grade method!"
"Earth Rank High Grade?"
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up!
This was simply too amazing!
But what about the Flame Mantra?
Never mind, let's enjoy this first. He had at least five years to wait for the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, so there was no need to rush into cultivating the Flame Mantra now. In five years, he might even have enough time to advance to Dou Spirit. By then, he could switch to the Flame Mantra and use the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire, cultivated over five years, to advance the method before devouring the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame. Wouldn't that be perfect?
With this thought, Xiao Yan felt reassured.
"Then I'll start switching cultivation methods right away!"
Xiao Yan said excitedly.
"Hey, hey, what are you thinking? I just absorbed your Dou Qi, and your cultivation is still unstable. If you rashly switch cultivation methods like this, your cultivation might even drop further. It's better to stabilize your foundation first before making the switch!"
Yao Lao was startled by his reckless disciple's actions and hurriedly stopped him from such a dangerous move.
"Oh, right. Then let's head back first."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan calmed down and decided to follow Yao Lao's advice, taking things slowly and step by step.