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Yao Chen's deep, ancient voice echoed softly in the dim light as he gazed at Xiao Tian's slightly conflicted expression.
"Flame Mantra… though it's not ranked among the top-tier Di or Tian class Qi methods, it holds an extraordinary and unique power — the ability to devour flames to evolve, especially… Heavenly Flames," Yao Chen explained, his voice carrying a faint weight of hidden meaning.
His aged, cloudy eyes sharpened slightly, catching the quick flicker of nervousness in Xiao Tian's dark gaze. A subtle sigh escaped the old alchemist, and for a moment, the severe lines of his expression softened ever so slightly.
"I would like you to take the Flame Mantra, Tian'er," he urged gently, his tone both caring and faintly urgent.
Xiao Tian clenched his fists lightly at his sides. He wasn't just some naïve, wide-eyed boy. He knew very well why Yao Chen wanted him to accept this cultivation method. It wasn't just for Xiao Tian's growth — no, it was also the key to help revive Yao Chen, who was currently sealed and surviving within the mysterious bone ring.
Their relationship wasn't yet that of true master and disciple. Yao Chen's continued existence still hung by the thread of Xiao Tian's choices.
But despite all that, a faint, determined smile crept across Xiao Tian's lips, his black eyes shimmering with unwavering determination.
"Teacher, I'll take the Flame Mantra!!" he declared firmly, his voice ringing out without a trace of hesitation.
Yao Chen's brows lifted slightly in surprise, and then, a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Good… You are indeed brave, Tian'er."
With a smooth wave of his sleeve, Yao Chen conjured the ancient scroll, its parchment old yet pulsing faintly with warmth, a subtle fiery aura coiling around its surface.
"Practice it well," Yao Chen instructed with a faint nod, his ethereal figure slowly retreating back toward the bone ring. As he stepped closer to the ring's glow, Xiao Tian's sharp eyes noticed something strange — the ring's color shifted subtly, and the faint patterns etched into its surface rearranged themselves as if… hiding their previous form.
Ah, to avoid Xiao Yan's suspicion… Clever old man, Xiao Tian thought, a tiny smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.
Suddenly, a series of mechanical, echoing chimes resounded sharply in Xiao Tian's mind.
[Ding! System is renewing itself!!]
His eyes widened in shock as lines of blue-gold text flashed rapidly before his vision.
[Ding! Gifting Host: Devouring Plug-In]
[Ding! Gifting Host: Attributes Plug-In]
[Ding! Gifting Host: Mall Plug-In]
[Ding! Gifting Host: Relationship Plug-In]
[Ding! Gifting Host: Quest Plug-In]
An overwhelming surge of information poured straight into Xiao Tian's mind, faster than lightning, clearer than crystal.
Devouring: Devour anything to gain primary and secondary rewards.
Attributes: Use Origin Points to enhance strength, agility, perception, cultivation speed.
Mall: Spend Sky Points to buy techniques, pills, artifacts, rare materials.
Quest: Complete system-assigned tasks for Origin and Sky Points.
Relationship: Displays detailed data about friends, children, spouses, rivals, allies.
Xiao Tian's heart pounded fiercely in his chest.
This system… this is on a whole different level!!
His fingers tightened around the Flame Mantra scroll. Now, it wasn't just about cultivation. It was about evolving, devouring, and soaring far beyond what anyone — even Yao Chen — could imagine.
A sharp grin split across Xiao Tian's face.
"Alright, Teacher… I'll show you just how far I can go."
Without wasting another moment, Xiao Tian quickly sat cross-legged and opened the scroll, his eyes gleaming.
"System, claim all rewards!!"
[Ding! Congratulations to host for gaining Dou Qi × 3000]
[Ding! Congratulations to host for gaining Pill Knowledge ×2]
[Congratulations to host for reaching Dou Zhe 8th Star]
[Congratulations to host for gaining 7 Origin Points]
[Congratulations to host for gaining 500,000 Sky Points]
A continuous cascade of messages filled Xiao Tian's mind as if the heavens themselves were rewarding him.
He felt a massive surge of Dou Qi flood through his meridians, making his body tremble slightly. He was now a Dou Zhe, 8th Star, almost at the peak — just a little more, and he would break through to the 9th Star.
Another 500 Dou Qi would probably push me over the edge, he calculated swiftly, excitement flashing in his eyes.
Unable to hold back his glee, Xiao Tian called out loudly, "Master, how's my progression?!!"
In an instant, a translucent soul body materialized from the bone ring — Yao Chen's ethereal figure.
But the old master's eyes went wide the moment he took in Xiao Tian's aura. His mouth slowly fell open, stunned beyond words.
Seeing this reaction, Xiao Tian couldn't help but burst into loud laughter, clutching his stomach.
This only made Yao Chen's embarrassment deepen, his ancient face twitching slightly.
"Are… are you even human?!!" Yao Chen finally blurted, a strange mix of amazement and exasperation.
"Master, are you joking?!" Xiao Tian teased playfully, a mischievous grin dancing on his lips. "Can't you see for yourself?!!"
Yao Chen let out a long, weary sigh. He was truly overwhelmed. This disciple of his… was simply unbelievable.
After a moment to recover, Yao Chen coughed lightly and pulled out a thin piece of paper, handing it over.
"Xiao Tian, borrow some money and buy these ingredients. You're going to start learning alchemy," he instructed slowly.
On the list were:
Purple Bluegrass
Bone Washing Flower
Wood Attribute Monster Core
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in his eye. Without hesitation, he commanded silently in his heart, "System, buy 7 Purple Bluegrasses, Bone Washing Flowers, and one Wood Attribute Monster Core!"
[Ding! Purchased items for 21,000 Sky Points]
With a satisfied smile, Xiao Tian called out casually, "Teacher… I already have those ingredients."
As Yao Chen watched curiously, Xiao Tian reached into his dimensional space and began pulling out the items.
While he moved, a faint, subtle glow flickered briefly on Xiao Tian's forehead, the color shifting strangely — something that piqued Yao Chen's sharp senses. But the old master didn't ask about it. Instead, his focus remained on the unexpected appearance of the rare ingredients.
"How did you get these ingredients, and in such quantity?" Yao Chen asked cautiously, brows furrowing.
Xiao Tian's expression didn't change as he smoothly answered, "Well, I was exploring the nearby mountains when I stumbled upon a treasure chest! And… I also found a technique engraved in my mind. Thanks to that technique, I've been able to store treasures even without a storage ring," he explained smoothly, though inwardly, he knew it was a lie.
Yao Chen's eyes gleamed with amazement.
"A spatial technique, huh?!! Just how many surprises do you plan to give me, Tian'er?!!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying both admiration and faint disbelief.
Xiao Tian just grinned, his heart pounding with excitement.
Master, the surprises have only just begun…