"Kid, so what if I siphoned off your Dou Zhi Qi for three years? I'll find a way to make it up to you!" A translucent figure drifted out from the black ring in Xiao Yan's hand—an old man with white hair.
"Do you have any idea what these past three years have been like for me? You'd better give me a damn good explanation!" Xiao Yan snarled, his voice thick with resentment.
"Draining your Dou Zhi Qi was a last resort. But I can make it right!" the ghostly elder said, unfazed.
"I can teach you the art of alchemy. Within a year, your Dou Zhi Qi will reach the minimum standard to pass the coming-of-age ceremony. More importantly, I can make you strong." The old man spoke with confidence, his words carrying a weight that demanded attention.
"So, you're an alchemist, then?" Xiao Yan asked, his tone skeptical.
"Indeed!" the elder replied with a nod.
"Then, pray tell, old man, what tier alchemist are you? How do you stack up against that Pill King Gu He?" Xiao Yan pressed, his eyes narrowing.
"Tiers? Bah, I've forgotten such trifles. As for Gu He, that sixth-tier alchemist? In my presence, he's no more than a stray dog or a broken tile!" The elder's tone was flippant, almost playful.
"You forgot your tier?" Xiao Yan asked, incredulous.
"Got a problem with that?" The elder's voice carried a sudden edge, his presence looming larger.
"I'd wager you're at least an eighth-tier alchemist, right, Senior?" Xiao Heng chimed in from the side, his voice calm but probing.
The elder's gaze snapped to Xiao Heng. "Almost forgot about you. How'd you know I was siphoning Xiao Yan's Dou Zhi Qi?"
"Just a guess," Xiao Heng said with a shrug, his expression unshaken. "Stories about spirits possessing people aren't exactly rare."
"A guess, huh? And you're not afraid I might seize one of your bodies?" The elder leaned closer, his eyes boring into Xiao Heng.
"I'm guessing you won't." Xiao Heng's voice was steady, though he kept one thought to himself: With Xun'er here, this old codger wouldn't dare try to possess anyone. Besides, I trust Yao Lao's character.
"Congratulations, you guessed right!" The elder chuckled, drifting back to Xiao Yan's side.
"As for whether I'm eighth-tier, we'll get to that later. But I've noticed your soul strength is impressive, kid. Fire-attribute Dou Zhi Qi, with a touch of wood attribute too. You're a fine seedling for alchemy." The elder's gaze lingered on Xiao Heng, appraising him.
At that moment, Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with an idea. "Old man, how about this? You teach both me and Heng-ge, and we'll call it even for draining my Dou Zhi Qi. Sound fair?"
"Not a bad plan. Teaching one is teaching, teaching two is no different!" the elder mused.
"Right? You just said Heng-ge's a good seedling!" Xiao Yan pressed, sensing an opportunity.
The elder fell silent, his eyes flicking between Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng. After a moment, he said, "Hmph… you're not expecting me to teach this little lady too, are you?"
"My bad, my bad! Forgot about Xun'er!" Xiao Yan said quickly, scratching his head.
"Old sir, you can just teach the two of them," Xiao Xun'er said, her tone respectful. Her perception far surpassed that of Xiao Yan or Xiao Heng, and she could sense the elder's immense value. From the fact that he only drained Xiao Yan's Dou Zhi Qi for three years, it's clear he's not the type to possess anyone.
"Now this young lady has manners," the elder said, a faint smile of approval crossing his face.
"Don't look at me like that," Xiao Heng said, catching the elder's glance. "You know the Xiao clan's situation, old sir. Without latching onto a big tree like you, what else am I supposed to do? I wouldn't dare go to Gu He for alchemy lessons."
The Yun Lan Sect is terrifying. Can't afford to mess with them! Xiao Heng thought, shaking his head.
"Fine, fine, I'll teach you both!" the elder declared, his tone heavy, as if he'd just made a life-altering decision. "Now, kneel and take me as your master!"
"Master? What's that about? I thought this was just compensation!" Xiao Yan said, bewildered.
Thwack! The elder delivered a swift knock to Xiao Yan's head.
"You think you can get my teachings for free, you little freeloader?" the elder growled.
Xiao Heng, on the other hand, didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees with a thud, kowtowing three times in quick succession. "Heng has drifted through half a life, regretting never meeting a true master. If you, sir, do not disdain me… ahem, sorry, wrong script."
"Disciple pays respects to Teacher!" Xiao Heng said solemnly.
"Now that's a proper disciple. Get up!" the elder said, clearly pleased.
Damn, brother, we're supposed to be in this together, and you're out here playing smart! Xiao Yan thought, exasperated.
"Disciple pays respects to Teacher!" Xiao Yan followed suit, bowing reluctantly.
"Mhm, good!" The elder stroked his translucent beard, nodding in satisfaction.
"Then, Xiao Heng-gege, I'll leave you three to talk. I'll take my leave," Xun'er said with a gentle smile.
"I'll come find you later," Xiao Heng replied, returning her smile.
After Xun'er left, the elder spoke again. "That little girlfriend of yours is no ordinary girl. Oh, and you two can call me Teacher or Yao Lao."
"She's special, no doubt. Xun'er just gave me a cultivation technique," Xiao Heng said, pulling out a crimson scroll.
"Let me see that!" Yao Lao took the scroll, with Xiao Yan leaning in curiously.
"Good heavens, a Mid-Level Di Class technique!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, awestruck. Such techniques were the stuff of legends in their backwater town.
"Have some ambition, will you?" Yao Lao said, rolling his eyes.
"We're stuck in a small pond; what do you expect?" Xiao Heng said with a wry smile.
"Mhm, this technique is solid. I don't have anything better to offer at the moment, but I do have a rather… unique technique," Yao Lao said, his tone turning mysterious.
"What kind of unique technique?" Xiao Yan asked, intrigued.
"It's a Low-Level Huang Class technique, which I've named the Flame Mantra," Yao Lao said. At this, Xiao Yan's face darkened, while Xiao Heng remained unfazed.
"Old man, I'm starting to think you're taking us for fools, peddling some low-tier nonsense," Xiao Yan said, his voice dripping with skepticism.
"Quiet down and listen!" Yao Lao snapped.
"It may be low-level now, but this technique can evolve by devouring Strange Flames, with a theoretical ceiling of High-Level Tian Class!" Yao Lao explained, his voice brimming with confidence.
"Teacher, tell us about Strange Flames," Xiao Yan said, his curiosity piqued.
"Strange Flames are unique flames with extraordinary properties, far surpassing the flames conjured by Dou Zhi Qi." Yao Lao gave a brief overview of the twenty-three known Strange Flames, their origins, and their powers.
"Take a look—this is the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, ranked eleventh on the Strange Flame List." A cluster of eerie white flames flickered in Yao Lao's translucent hand.
"You said these Strange Flames are dangerous. Did you die trying to absorb one while practicing the Flame Mantra?" Xiao Yan asked, a sudden realization dawning.
"Die? Hah! Nonsense!" Yao Lao barked.
"I never practiced the Flame Mantra myself. The evolution part? That's what the technique claims," Yao Lao admitted.
"You haven't even practiced it, and you're hyping it up like that?" Xiao Yan said, skeptical.
"If I didn't talk it up, would you bother cultivating it?" Yao Lao shot back.
"Oops, didn't mean to let that slip," Yao Lao said, feigning embarrassment as he covered his mouth.
"I believe in this evolving technique, Teacher," Xiao Heng said calmly.
"Oh? So you'll cultivate the Flame Mantra?" Yao Lao asked, his tone probing.
"Nope!" Xiao Heng replied without hesitation.
"Let little Yan take this one. He's tough—built to withstand explosions," Xiao Heng said with a grin.
"Well said, 'built to withstand explosions'!" Yao Lao roared with laughter, while Xiao Yan sulked, realizing he'd been volunteered as the guinea pig.
"You really don't want it?" Yao Lao asked Xiao Heng again.
"I've got this." Xiao Heng flipped his palm, and a blue flame bloomed in his hand, flickering with an otherworldly glow.
"Is that a Strange Flame?" Xiao Yan asked, wide-eyed.
"Doesn't seem like one. It's not Fire Cloud Water Flame or Sea Heart Flame," Yao Lao said, scrutinizing the fire.
"No need to guess. This is my innate flame, with properties somewhat akin to the Void Devouring Flame," Xiao Heng explained.
"Hard to pin down, but since it's your innate flame, it's no harm to you. To outsiders, just call it a beast flame," Yao Lao advised.
"Got it!" Xiao Heng nodded.
"Since you've got your cultivation technique sorted, I'll give you some Dou Techniques. As for weapons, I've only got a ruler and a blade. Which do you want?" Yao Lao asked, turning to Xiao Heng.
"I'll take the blade," Xiao Heng said.
"Here you go. It's got a bit of blue to match!" With a flash of white light, a crimson longblade adorned with blue patterns emerged from the black storage ring and landed in Xiao Heng's hand.