Chapter 19: Grooming My Master Into a Dou Saint
"Hehe, young man, this 'Flame Mantra' you're speaking of I've never heard of such a thing," Yaochen said, regaining his composure as he feigned ignorance.
"Wow, you're pretty good at acting," Xiao Yan remarked with a playful smirk, his gaze flickering to Yaochen and then to Han Feng, whose face had grown visibly tense.
"You might be able to keep your secret, but your disciple here clearly cannot," Xiao Yan teased.
"The Flame Mantra is a mysterious technique that evolves by devouring heavenly flames. It starts as a mere yellow rank low tier technique but progresses with every flame consumed until it becomes a heaven rank technique," Xiao Yan said with a smile, watching Yaochen's face change again. "Am I correct?"
"How... how do you know all this?" Yaochen's composure finally cracked.
"Heh, my Xiao Clan boasts countless experts with extraordinary abilities. Do you really think learning about such a thing would be difficult?" Xiao Yan sneered. "I also know something else. This disciple of yours Han Feng has long coveted the Flame Mantra.
"Because you refuse to pass it on to him, he's begun harboring resentment. One day, when you're weakened, this disciple will strike like a venomous snake, betraying you!"
"That's nonsense!" Han Feng shouted, his face red with anger. "My teacher treats me like a son, and I revere him as my own father. How could I have such thoughts?!"
"Heh." Xiao Yan dismissed Han Feng's frantic outburst and turned back to Yaochen. "Old man, I'll ask you plainly will you accept me as your disciple or not?"
"And if I refuse?" Yaochen asked cautiously.
"If you refuse?" Xiao Yan's smirk turned sinister. Behind him, Wen and Wu unleashed their terrifying auras, their immense pressure causing the air to tremble. Even Yaochen, a peak Dou Zun, felt the strain, while Han Feng turned pale as a sheet, barely able to stand.
Xiao Yan's demeanor was calm, but his methods were ruthless. While he wouldn't stoop to the level of petty villains like Xiao Jian, who targeted the weak to vent their frustrations, he wasn't above using overwhelming force to achieve his goals.
In both his past and present lives, Xiao Yan had come to understand a simple truth: power dictated the rules. People only cared about strength and its effects on them, not about its origin.
Even if they did care, it wouldn't change the reality.
The world was inherently survival of the fittest. The weak, like Xiao Jian's victims, suffered because they lacked strength, while Xiao Jian himself suffered when faced with Xiao Yan's might.
The same principle applied to Starfall Pavilion. They could either hand over the Flame Mantra voluntarily or be forced to.
If the day came when Xiao Yan faced someone stronger, he knew he would also be at their mercy. This harsh truth had long been etched into his heart.
Yaochen sighed deeply, glancing between Han Feng and Xiao Yan. "It's not that I'm unwilling to teach the Flame Mantra, but the technique is far too dangerous.
"Each evolution requires devouring a heavenly flame a process that could lead to near certain death. Even a single heavenly flame is enough to risk one's life, and the number required to evolve the technique to heaven rank is unknown. Every step forward is like dancing on the edge of death.
"I don't know what your standing in the Xiao Clan is, but with two half saints as your guardians, it's clear your background is extraordinary. With the Xiao Clan's vast resources, you could easily obtain a suitable heaven rank technique. Why insist on cultivating such a perilous one?"
"Because only by mastering the Flame Mantra can I inherit the Dou Emperor's legacy!" Xiao Yan thought to himself. However, outwardly, he wore a different expression.
"Dangerous? What's so dangerous about it?" Xiao Yan challenged, his voice rising.
"When I devour low tier flames, I'll have half saint protectors by my side. When I grow stronger and begin devouring higher tier flames, I'll have Dou Saint protectors.
"Now tell me, what's dangerous about that?!
"What's so damned dangerous, huh?!"
Yaochen: "..."
Feng Xian: "..."
Han Feng: "..."
The three were left utterly speechless.
Xiao Yan wasn't finished. His voice softened, but his tone was resolute: "Master Yao, the Flame Mantra is a rare and priceless treasure, but its potential can only be unlocked by someone who is unyielding.
"I am willing to take on this risk. If I succeed, I will bring glory not only to myself but also to you as my teacher. Together, we will elevate Starfall Pavilion to unimaginable heights."
Yaochen stared at Xiao Yan, his emotions a mix of awe and hesitation. The boy's confidence, determination, and sharp wit were both impressive and terrifying.
"Alright," Yaochen finally said, his tone filled with reluctant admiration. "If you truly wish to learn the Flame Mantra, I will teach it to you. But remember, there will be no turning back."
"Haha, thank you, Master!" Xiao Yan clasped his fists in gratitude, his face lighting up with a genuine smile.
From afar, Han Feng clenched his fists, his eyes flickering with malice. "You little brat... You may have won this time, but one day, I'll make you pay."
Looking at Xiao Yan's confident and refined face, Yaochen sighed deeply, finally agreeing to his request.
Within the Star Realm, the atmosphere was serene and self contained.
This small world, constructed from meteoric star energy, was not worth comparing to the vast Xiao Realm. Yet, it was roughly the size of a city and capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people.
In the central Star Realm, Xiao Yan sat idly on a chair, staring at the skies above with a bored expression.
"With your Dou Qi talent, you're more than qualified to be my disciple. But if you want me to teach you alchemy, I must first assess your alchemy talent," Yaochen said with a trace of helplessness, watching Xiao Yan lounge like a young master.
Letting this brat into the Starfall Pavilion was this a blessing or a mistake?
"Alchemy? No problem at all." Xiao Yan glanced at Yaochen and chuckled. "Master, how about I refine a pill? You can pick the tier."
"Just refine something. I'll observe," Yaochen replied indifferently, though a faint displeasure flickered in his heart.
Alchemy demanded focus and dedication. Without these traits, even the most gifted individual would struggle to achieve greatness in this craft.
"Hehe, then I'll give it a try."
Xiao Yan grinned, standing up. His playful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp focus.
With a wave of his hand, a cauldron appeared on the open space outside the pavilion.
Although this cauldron wasn't among the legendary top tier Heavenly Cauldrons, Yaochen's experienced eyes could tell it was more than capable of refining eighth tier pills.
With a flick of Xiao Yan's finger, a wisp of azure flame leapt into the cauldron.
Boom!
Under Xiao Yan's control, the azure flame surged, filling the cauldron with roaring intensity.
With another motion, several materials floated into the cauldron: an earthy yellow magic core, an inky black spiritual herb, and a verdant stalk of grass.
The ingredients included:
A magic core from an earth attributed dragon type magical beast.A century old Mo Ling Zhi (Inky Spirit Mushroom).Qingxin Grass (Serene Heart Herb).
"This… is for refining a fifth tier pill, Earth Dragon Pill!" Yaochen's eyebrows rose, his expression turning serious.
If Xiao Yan succeeded, it would mean he possessed the skill level of a fifth tier alchemist.
At only fifteen years old, being a fifth tier alchemist was nothing short of monstrous!
The azure beast flame wrapped around the materials, refining them into multiple glowing spheres of energy.
"Such soul strength!" Yaochen's face changed again.
The soul strength emanating from this young man was comparable to that of an ordinary seventh tier alchemist.
Fifteen years old, Nine Star Dou Huang, soul strength of a seventh tier alchemist without even possessing a Heavenly Flame yet!
For the first time, Yaochen's calm eyes burned with excitement.
"With this talent, if I train him for just a year, he could definitely become a seventh tier alchemist," Yaochen thought, his heart pounding.
A sixteen year old seventh tier alchemist!
Even with Yaochen's vast experience, having seen countless prodigies, this revelation stirred his emotions.
"No wonder someone like him could earn such favor in an ancient family like the Xiao Clan," Yaochen murmured, though he remained unaware that Xiao Yan's prominence was largely due to Xiao Xuan's influence.
But even without this connection, Xiao Yan's terrifying talent alone was enough to tempt Yaochen.
After a full day and night of effort, a pill the size of a dragon's eye, glowing a rich earthy yellow, finally formed within the cauldron.
"Retrieve!"
With a burst of Dou Qi, Xiao Yan pulled the pill, fragrant with medicinal essence, from the cauldron, holding it in a Dou Qi barrier.
"Master, how's my handiwork?" Xiao Yan said with a grin, presenting the Earth Dragon Pill to Yaochen.
"Excellent! Excellent!"
One glance was enough for Yaochen to discern the pill's fine quality. His gaze toward Xiao Yan now carried an almost fanatical admiration, as if staring at a rare, dazzling treasure.
"Oh, my precious disciple! Your talent has surpassed my wildest expectations. Do you have any requests for your teacher?" Yaochen asked, his old face beaming like a blooming flower.
"Not much, really." Xiao Yan smiled mischievously. "Just one thing: I hope my teacher can reach Dou Saint level soon and become a ninth tier alchemist."
"Otherwise…" Xiao Yan's grin widened as he teased, "If I go around telling people you're my teacher, it'll be so embarrassing for me if you're not strong enough!"
Yaochen: "..."
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