"She possesses a Heavenly Flame within her..."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock, his mind momentarily frozen as he struggled to process Yao Chen's words. For a moment, he was left speechless.
"Incredible… I never expected Cousin Xiao Hua to return, let alone bring someone who harbors a Heavenly Flame."
A mixture of astonishment and admiration flickered in his deep, ink-black eyes. He never once doubted Yao Chen's words, nor did he feel even a shred of envy toward the person Xiao Hua had brought.
Currently standing at the peak of Dou Zhi, Xiao Yan had already discussed with Yao Chen the Qi Method he would soon receive. Yao Chen believed the time for his breakthrough was drawing near, so he had no reservations about revealing the cultivation method he had chosen for him.
It was in that moment that Xiao Yan learned about the Flame Mantra—the arduous journey of seeking a Heavenly Flame, and the unimaginable danger of absorbing one. Moreover, Yao Chen finally explained why he wanted Xiao Yan to cultivate the Flame Mantra in the first place.
Xiao Yan was stunned to learn that the Flame Mantra contained a method to forge a body capable of housing a soul—essentially granting Yao Chen a chance at revival.
Yet, he had no hesitation in cultivating the Flame Mantra. Over the past few months, Yao Chen had guided him with unwavering dedication, and despite being the very reason for his past loss of strength, Xiao Yan felt nothing but gratitude toward him.
After all, the old man had never held back, wasting no time in imparting Dou Techniques and alchemy knowledge. Furthermore, if he succeeded in reviving him, he would gain an extraordinary backing—one that would grant him a sense of security as he journeyed across the Dou Qi Continent.
For his master's sake, there was nothing he wouldn't do.
"I wonder if I'll be able to find a Heavenly Flame after leaving the clan, once my Adulthood Ceremony is complete..." Xiao Yan mused inwardly, a fiery determination flickering in his gaze at the thought of obtaining such a priceless and formidable treasure.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Chen let out a soft chuckle. He was truly satisfied with his disciple—both in talent and in character.
Having suffered betrayal firsthand, Yao Chen had long since learned to guard his heart. He once believed that true bonds were nothing more than fleeting illusions, fragile things that time would eventually erode. To him, power had been the only absolute—the only thing that would never betray him.
Yet, no matter how deeply he tried to bury it, the ache in his heart refused to fade. He blamed himself for Han Feng's betrayal—for shaping him into a man consumed by ambition, only to cast him aside out of fear that his disciple's greed would bring more harm than good. He told himself that all he felt was cold anger, but deep down, the pain didn't stem from the betrayal itself.
Afraid of being wounded again, he had shut himself away. His heart had grown cold, his mind rigid, convinced that attachments were nothing but shackles—burdens that would only hinder him in the endless pursuit of strength.
But watching Xiao Yan over the past few months, he had begun to realize how wrong he had been.
Before Han Feng's betrayal, he had been indifferent to others, but never cruel. After it, he had become something far worse—a man who viewed relationships as disposable, someone willing to manipulate and discard anything, anyone, if it meant advancing his goals. Without realizing it, he had begun walking the very path that had led Han Feng astray.
And in doing so, he had forgotten.
Forgotten that before he was the renowned Yao Zun Zhe, the revered alchemist, he had once been a mere boy—one who had known warmth. A mother who had cared for him, friends who had laughed beside him, bonds that had once been unshakable… before his so-called clan had cast him aside.
For years, the weight of betrayal had shackled his soul, warping his beliefs. But now, standing beside this boy, he could feel those chains beginning to loosen. The fog that had clouded his mind was lifting, revealing a path he had nearly lost sight of.
He had never expected that someone extremely young like Xiao Yan would be the one to pull him back from the abyss.
And for that… he was grateful.
He was no longer merely a master guiding a disciple toward strength. No longer a teacher who saw growth as nothing more than a means to an end.
Now, he truly saw his student—not as a tool to be sharpened, but as a person, with his own hopes, worries, and dreams.
And this time, he would guide Xiao Yan not just to become strong, but to soar—unbound—toward a sky higher than he himself had ever reached.
"However, it's good that you don't desire the Heavenly Flame."
There was something different in Yao Chen's voice. Though subtle, Xiao Yan caught the shift—his tone was lighter, almost upbeat. The change left him slightly puzzled.
'Why the sudden change in mood?'
Instead of questioning it, he focused on the more pressing matter.
"Master, is there something wrong with the Heavenly Flame she possesses for you to say that?" he asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"The Heavenly Flame she possesses is called the Ghostly Poison Flame—the twentieth-ranked Heavenly Flame," Yao Chen said thoughtfully.
"Ghostly Poison Flame!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. The name alone sent a chill down his spine. "No wonder her aura feels so dangerous and chilling... So, she's a Poison Master."
Xiao Yan had always known about Poison Masters, and the thought of them left him uneasy. Though their status paled in comparison to that of an alchemist, they were still formidable—and undeniably dangerous.
As a citizen of the Jia Ma Empire, he had long been familiar with their infamous reputation.
To the west of the Jia Ma Empire lay the Chu Yun Empire, a nation infamous for its overwhelming number of Poison Masters—far surpassing any other empire in the North-West Region. Poison Masters flourished there, their influence deeply rooted in every corner of society.
In any city within the Chu Yun Empire, one could easily spot figures clad in the distinctive robes of a Poison Master. What's more, that empire openly embraced something that was unheard of in the Jia Ma Empire—the public sale of poison.
Beyond their notorious practices, the Chu Yun Empire had long been an aggressor, repeatedly launching invasions against Jia Ma Empire. Though they had been repelled each time, the price of victory had been steep, leaving deep scars upon the nation. Over time, the people of Jia Ma Empire had come to despise Poison Masters, treating them as enemies to be eradicated on sight.
For that very reason, Xiao Yan found himself genuinely surprised—Xiao Hua had not only befriended a Poison Master, but had brought her here.
"It's not so unthinkable. The more you see of the world, the more you'll realize that not all Poison Masters are evil—just as not all Alchemists possess noble hearts. In the end, it is human nature that shapes a person, not their profession."
Yao Chen understood Xiao Yan's apprehension. It was only natural—Poison Masters were feared, their methods ruthless, their reputation steeped in blood. But he had once known one himself, and he understood all too well that it was not the art of poison that determined a person's character, but the heart of the one who wielded it.
Letting out a faint, melancholic sigh, Yao Chen's ethereal figure drifted lightly from Xiao Yan's ring. His gaze settled on the white-clad figure atop the lion's back that have landed in the space that the clan prepared, lingering for a moment before shifting back to Xiao Yan. His voice was deep, carrying an undeniable weight of understanding.
"Besides… I can tell she didn't become a Poison Master by choice, but by necessity—forced into it by circumstances beyond her control."
"Unavoidable circumstances?" Xiao Yan's brows furrowed, puzzlement flickering in his eyes. He could sense that Yao Chen had noticed something unusual about the Poison Master. Did his teacher know her?
His gaze drifted back to Yao Chen, suspicion creeping in.
"Don't look at me like that." Yao Chen rolled his eyes, his tone laced with exasperation and disdain. "How could I possibly know that lass?"
Xiao Yan let out a sheepish chuckle, scratching his head awkwardly.
"What I meant," Yao Chen continued, his voice turning solemn, "is that it has to do with her unique presence. She possesses a special constitution—the Woeful Poison Body."
"Woeful Poison Body?" Xiao Yan's brows knitted even tighter. He had never heard of such a constitution before. He murmured the name under his breath, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Yao Chen nodded before explaining. He had once encountered a person with the Woeful Poison Body—a battle that had nearly cost him everything. Even with his strength at the time, victory had been a narrow and hard-fought one.
As Xiao Yan listened, his eyes gradually widened, disbelief settling in. His master, Yao Chen, had once stood at the very apex of the Dou Qi Continent, his prowess unquestionable. And yet, even he had barely triumphed against someone with this physique?
Though Yao Chen spoke of it lightly, Xiao Yan could grasp the deeper meaning within his words. His admiration and respect for his master swelled once more.
Even so, his astonishment at the Woeful Poison Body did not fade. If someone as powerful as Yao Chen had struggled against it, just how terrifying was this constitution? A chill ran down his spine at the thought.
And yet… he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the girl burdened with such a fate.
To be born with a power so fearsome that it dictated her path, leaving her no choice but to walk the road of a Poison Master—was that not its own kind of tragedy?
"Regardless, Cousin Xiao Hua has returned. The clan will be lively again—especially since tomorrow is a special day."
Xiao Yan shook his head, shifting the topic with a faint smile. He then turned and made his way back to his manor, focusing on resting his mind and body in preparation for what lay ahead.
Tomorrow marked one of the most anticipated days for the younger generation of the Xiao Clan—the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. This ceremony was a pivotal moment for those who had reached the age of sixteen, as their futures would be shaped by its results.
...
For a clan to prosper and endure through the years, one factor was more crucial than any other—'vitality'. And the vitality of a clan lay in its younger generation, the 'new blood' that ensured its continued strength. Like a great machine, a clan could only run smoothly if new gears were constantly added to replace the old.
Thus, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a momentous occasion for every clan, and the Xiao Clan was no exception.
As one of the most powerful clans in the Jia Ma Empire, the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony drew attention from all corners of the empire. Many powerful forces paid close attention to the event, and those who maintained good relations with the Xiao Clan would naturally come to witness the ceremony firsthand.
After the events of the previous year and with prior notice from Xiao Hua, the Xiao Clan had decided to restrict access to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, allowing only those with official invitation letters to attend. This decision left many uninvited onlookers sighing in disappointment.
Of course, there were always those who entertained thoughts of sneaking in, but with the formidable strength of the Xiao Clan, only a fool would dare attempt such a reckless plan.
…
As the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, the Xiao Clan grounds stirred with life. Countless young members had risen early, eagerly preparing themselves for the grand event of the day.
On the vast, green-stone training field, a group of young boys and girls had already gathered. Unlike the spectators, these individuals were not merely here to watch—they were the chosen few, the ones deemed eligible to participate in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
A month prior to the ceremony, the clan had conducted a rigorous test to assess the Dou Qi levels of all potential candidates.
Only those who had reached 7 Duan Qi or higher were given the opportunity to enter the Dou Qi Hall after the ceremony, where they would be allowed to select a Qi Method to begin their true path as cultivators.
On the other hand, those who had failed to reach 7 Duan Qi were deemed unqualified. After the ceremony, they would be assigned to the clan's external properties—effectively exiled from the main lineage.
Unless they displayed extraordinary talent or exceptional bravery in the future, they would never have another opportunity to join the Xiao Clan's inner circle.
This was why the number of young men and women gathered here was so small, despite the fact that hundreds of young people should have participated in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
Normally, they should have been confidence as they have pass the test. Yet, their expressions remained tense and nervous. However, their unease didn't stem from the ceremony itself—but from the one watching it.
Their gazes flickered repeatedly toward the left side of the training field, where the clan's most distinguished members sat upon an elevated platform, their eyes quietly observing the event.
Their gazes, however, were fixated on a particular figure seated at the highest position in the center—a place of the highest authority.
There, a young man donned a black robe adorned with intricate red and blue embroidery, exuding both sophistication and status. His shoulder armor, decorated with metallic red and golden designs, added both a regal and battle-hardened presence.
From his elevated seat, he looked down upon the training field, his heterochromatic eyes—one a mesmerizing crimson, the other an elegant cyan—gleaming with an unreadable depth. A soft smile graced his lips, carrying an air of effortless confidence, while his handsome features and composed demeanor exuded an aura of nobility, grace, and an almost ethereal sophistication.
Beside him, seated to his left, was a woman as breathtaking as the moonlit sky. Draped in a flowing white gown, its delicate fabric shimmered beneath the sunlight, casting a gentle glow around her figure. From afar, she exuded an aura of tranquility, like a soft spring breeze that calmed the heart with its mere presence.
The crowd's reactions varied.
The young men looked upon the black-robed youth with admiration and respect, drawn to his composed demeanor, while they couldn't help but feel a subtle pull toward the white-clothed woman's ethereal beauty.
Meanwhile, the young women were utterly captivated. Their gazes lingered on the black-robed man, eyes filled with longing, cheeks flushed with unspoken admiration. Yet, alongside their infatuation, a flicker of envy arose as they glanced at the woman beside him, wishing—if only for a moment—that they could take her place.
Naturally, the black-robed young man and the white-clothed young lady were none other than Xiao Hua and Little Fairy Doctor.
Xiao Hua had come to attend the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, while Little Fairy Doctor had followed out of curiosity, eager to observe his clan.
Zi Yan, on the other hand, had already departed for the Magical Beast Mountain Range, accompanied by the Amethyst Winged Lion King and his cub.
The Lion King had followed under Xiao Hua's command, but upon discovering Zi Yan's unique ability—her astonishing talent for sensing natural treasures and the mystery of her origins—he found himself intrigued. In the end, he had no objections to accompanying her.
Ignoring the heated gazes from the young men below, Little Fairy Doctor's eyes swept across the training field before settling on a black-clothed young man seated alone under the shade of a large tree. His jet-black eyes held a quiet composure, his presence unassuming.
Her gaze narrowed as she examined him from head to toe, searching for anything remarkable. Ever since learning that Xiao Hua had refined an eighth-tier medicinal pill for him, her curiosity toward Xiao Yan had been piqued.
'There doesn't seem to be anything special about him… Hm? What's this?'
At first, Little Fairy Doctor found Xiao Yan disappointingly ordinary, a flicker of disinterest flashing in her eyes. Just as she was about to look away and shift her focus elsewhere, a subtle disturbance caught her attention.
Her sharp intuition, honed under Lady Azure's guidance, sensed an unusual presence lingering near Xiao Yan—something elusive, yet undeniably there. Despite her keen perception, she couldn't pinpoint its exact location, leaving her feeling uneasy.
Leaning closer to Xiao Hua, she whispered softly, her voice laced with caution.
"Xiao Hua… why do I sense a unique presence near your Third Young Master?"
Xiao Hua's expression remained calm as he glanced at her. Naturally, he understood what she was sensing—Yao Chen hiding within Xiao Yan's ring.
"Don't worry about him," Xiao Hua reassured her with a faint smile. "I've already met that old expert. He means no harm to Xiao Yan, aside from nudging him toward becoming his disciple."
Hearing this, Little Fairy Doctor relaxed slightly, though a trace of wariness still lingered in her eyes.
"If you say so..." Little Fairy Doctor nodded, the tension in her body gradually fading. She knew that Xiao Hua's perception was exceptionally sharp, far beyond her own. If he had already noticed and assessed the presence near Xiao Yan, then there was no need for her to dwell on it any longer.
Shifting the topic, she let out a soft sigh and murmured, "I thought there would be some hidden inheritance or extraordinary secret within your clan… after all, they managed to raise someone like you, Xiao Hua."
Her voice carried a faint trace of disappointment, as if she had expected something far grander from the Xiao Clan—a clan that had produced someone of Xiao Hua's caliber.
Hearing this, Xiao Hua couldn't help but shake his head with a helpless smile. This reaction… it's just like Mei Ling's.
A wave of déjà vu washed over him as he recalled how Sister Mei Ling, his sworn sister had reacted in the exact same way when she first discovered that the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City was nothing particularly special.
"Technically speaking, I wasn't truly nurtured by the clan," Xiao Hua admitted. "I was raised in Jia Nan Academy and trained under my master, Elder Huo, as well as Sister Azure."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of understanding flickered in Little Fairy Doctor's eyes. It all made sense now. With Xiao Hua's level of strength, it was clear that he had long surpassed the standards of an ordinary clan member.
"Is that why one of the Supreme Elders requested your participation and presence at the ceremony?" she asked, her tone thoughtful.
After all, someone of Xiao Hua's standing had no real need to take part in a Coming-of-Age Ceremony. His strength had already placed him far beyond the significance of such an event.
However, to silence those harboring ill intent—and to prevent unnecessary rumors from spreading that he wasn't truly part of the Xiao Clan due to his absence from the Adulthood Ceremony—Xiao Yang and the others insisted that he at least make an appearance.
"That's right," Xiao Hua confirmed, his tone calm yet firm. "Xiao Yang—or rather, the elders—are worried that my absence from the ceremony might spark unwanted rumors and give others an excuse to stir up trouble for the clan."
"That's absurd," Little Fairy Doctor scoffed, her voice laced with irritation. "Even if you were to leave the Xiao Clan one day, it would only be because they had grown strong enough for you to do so without concern for their safety."
A faint trace of anger could be heard in her voice as she let out a quiet sigh. The fact that the Xiao Clan's elders still harbored such concerns disappointed her. Did they truly lack trust in Xiao Hua, after everything he had done for them?
Besides, the Xiao Clan of today was no longer the weak force of the past, where their strongest member had is only at Da Dou Shi level. Now, they boasted three formidable Dou Huangs, several Dou Wangs, and a considerable number of Dou Lings.
Their power could rival—or even surpass—that of the Three Great Clans, the Imperial Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect. Even if those factions united, how could the ordinary forces of the Jia Ma Empire possibly contend with the Xiao Clan's strength?
"Unless… they're afraid that the Three Great Clans, the Imperial Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect might form an alliance against the Xiao Clan?" A glint of realization flickered in Little Fairy Doctor's eyes as she delved deeper into the matter.
"Nothing is certain. The elders must be worried about that possibility, which is why they insist on my presence—to deter such thoughts. That would also explain why they have been persistently pressuring Xiao Yang about this, forcing him to ask me to attend…"
Xiao Hua's lips curled into a faint, composed smile as he voiced his thoughts. His words trailed off toward the end, making them barely audible to Little Fairy Doctor, who failed to catch the latter part of his sentence.
Regardless, now that he had attended, he could simply leave for the Tager Desert once the ceremony concluded. That way, Little Fairy Doctor could begin the process of merging the Ghostly Poison Flame with her Woeful Poison Body.
As for the Green Lotus Core Flame—he might as well give it to Xiao Yan. It was of no use to him or anyone close to him, so it was better to let one of the novel's protagonists owe him a favor.
Once that was taken care of, he could finally focus on his own predicament.
He had already consulted Lady Azure regarding his Ninth Trial, but the answer had left him both shocked and speechless.
The amount of Lightning Strength required to initiate the final trial… was beyond enormous. It was an unimaginable and problematic hurdle.
'The required amount… exceeds that of hundreds of Nine-Colored Pill Lightnings combined…'
'According to Sister Azure, it is equivalent to twelve Black Demon Lightnings… meaning I must refine twelve ninth-tier pills…'
A bitter smile tugged at Xiao Hua's lips as he pondered the staggering requirement to initiate the Trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning.
Unlike Tier 8 and lower, ninth-tier pills were classified into three distinct grades: Treasure Pills, Mysterious Pills, and Golden Pills.
Only when an alchemist successfully refined a Treasure Pill would the Black Demon Lightning manifest, descending as a fearsome lightning tribulation. And that was merely the lowest grade among ninth-tier pills...
Refining a ninth-tier medicinal pill through conventional means was already an immensely difficult feat, but refining twelve of them using his unique pill refinement method was an entirely different challenge.
That was a task of unimaginable difficulty—one that would push his mental strength, soul, and wealth to their absolute limits.
Moreover, the Black Demon Lightning possessed such immense destructive power that even a Ban Sheng would hesitate to block it, fearing the consequences.
'And now, I have to withstand and absorb twelve of them… This Chaos Mantra—only a madman or a masochist would practice such a thing…'
Xiao Hua let out a wry smile at the thought. Still, if given the choice, he would much rather be called a madman than a masochist.
To cultivate the Chaos Mantra, one had to endure unimaginable suffering and pain—a reality he had long accepted. Yet, even knowing this, he couldn't help but feel a hint of resentment toward his past decision to choose it as his Qi Method.
'I wouldn't be surprised if my future descendants refuse to practice this technique…'
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