NOVEL NEXT Chapter 390 Prometheus
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On the Dou Qi Continent, the difference between cultivation techniques mainly depends on four points.
Firstly, the cyclone's capacity to contain Dou Qi. Secondly, the difference in Dou Qi quality. Thirdly, the efficiency of absorbing heaven and earth energy and refining Dou Qi during cultivation. Fourthly, the smoothness and speed of Dou Qi circulation during combat.
Xiao Yan circulated his cultivation technique, feeling the abundant energy in his body and the power and speed of the new azure Dou Qi. He couldn't help but let out a heartfelt laugh: "Hahahahaha..."
"Succeeded?" Yao Chen's ethereal figure emerged from behind him.
"Yes, succeeded." Xiao Yan nodded excitedly.
Yao Chen also showed a relieved smile. After all, Flame Mantra had never been cultivated by anyone, and he didn't know if it would actually be effective...
Xiao Yan's success proved that this path was feasible. Although difficult, if he could continue down it, his future would surely be limitless, capable of growing to a level that even ancient races would not dare to underestimate!
He sighed, as if thinking of something, revealing a hint of sadness and sorrow.
He glanced at Xiao Yan, then perked up again... The past was in the past, and the new would be better.
He stretched out his palm and lightly patted Xiao Yan's shoulder: "Congratulations! Since it has been proven that Flame Mantra's potential is infinite, then your potential, having cultivated it, is also infinite!"
Yao Chen's words were soft, but they exploded in Xiao Yan's ears like thunder. This immense happiness almost made him lose control.
"Chirp..." The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python emerged, slithering onto Xiao Yan's shoulder, wagging its tail joyfully, seemingly happy for him as well.
"Speaking of which, you still have to thank this little fellow. It ate some of the flame energy just now, sharing the pressure for you," Yao Chen said with a chuckle.
Xiao Yan turned his head to look at the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, liking it more and more the longer he looked.
Look at these shimmering seven-colored scales, look at these agile and spirited eyes, look at this slender and graceful body curve...
"Speaking of which, Medusa is the title for every clan leader of the Snake People race. Little fellow, you don't have a name yet, do you?
"Since your scales are seven-colored, I'll give you a name. Let's call you Cai Lin... What do you think of this name? Cai Lin, Little Cai!"
Xiao Yan playfully poked the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python with his hand. The latter looked at him with adorable big eyes, actively rubbing its head against his finger.
"Looks like you're very satisfied too, so it's settled then."
Xiao Yan no longer paid attention to the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python. He circulated his Dou Qi once more. Although Flame Mantra's circulation route had become more complex, the time required for each cycle was shorter.
Just then, an azure flame suddenly emerged from his other shoulder, opposite where the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python was located.
The flame shifted and quickly condensed into a two-headed figure, somewhat plump, with short, thick limbs, wearing a pointed soft hat, and a monocle over its right eye... a Chibi Amon!
After being devoured by Flame Mantra, Qing Meng's spirituality was damaged but largely preserved, while the already scarce spirit of the original Azure Lotus Core Flame was completely extinguished.
Qing Meng became the only spirit among the Heavenly Flames, no longer in a Parasitic state, and like the Heavenly Flame Amon that had previously split off, it became an existence that was both a Heavenly Flame and Amon!
"Meng ya!" As soon as the Chibi Amon emerged, it let out a joyful cry.
"Holy crap." Xiao Yan was startled, pointing at the Chibi Amon in some bewilderment, "Tea... Teacher, what is this thing?"
Yao Chen also froze, unconsciously tapping the monocle over his right eye with the knuckle of his right index finger, a look of confusion on his face.
He said with some uncertainty: "This... seems to be a Fire Spirit."
"Fire Spirit?" Xiao Yan's brows twitched.
Yao Chen explained: "According to an ancient text I once saw, some Heavenly Flames with abundant spirituality can give birth to Fire Spirits.
"As the name suggests, a Fire Spirit is the spirit of a Heavenly Flame. It is when a Heavenly Flame develops sentience after thousands of years of evolution. The Fire Spirit is the Heavenly Flame itself and can freely control the Heavenly Flame.
"Fire Spirits are the best companions for Alchemists. If an Alchemist has the help of a Fire Spirit, their alchemy skills can often improve significantly.
"You are also an Alchemist. When refining medicine, have you ever found the melting of medicinal ingredients to be very tedious and mentally taxing?"
Xiao Yan nodded, "Indeed."
Yao Chen continued: "Alchemy is divided into three steps. The first step is refining medicinal ingredients, the second step is fusing medicinal ingredients, and the third step is activating the medicinal properties to form the final pill.
"Among these, the first step of refining medicinal ingredients requires constant concentration to control the heat, which is a great drain on the Alchemist's mind. This step alone accounts for almost half the difficulty of the entire pill refining process.
"However, because a Fire Spirit is the spirit of a Heavenly Flame, it naturally possesses extremely subtle control over the Heavenly Flame. It can help you control the heat, making the refining of medicinal ingredients much easier.
"With less mental consumption in the first step, you can approach the second and third steps in a better state, which will naturally greatly increase your success rate in alchemy and give you more confidence to advance to higher Alchemist ranks.
"Legend has it that Fire Spirits with extremely high spirituality can independently complete the first step, or even the second step, allowing the Alchemist to only need to perform the third step, using the wood attribute within their own soul to activate the medicinal power."
"What?" Xiao Yan showed a look of shock, looking at the Chibi Amon on his shoulder with undisguised ecstasy.
"Teacher, I, I am..."
"Hmm, you little rascal have really stumbled upon a treasure. To actually encounter a Fire Spirit even rarer than those Heavenly Flames ranked higher on the Heavenly Flame list... I'm almost jealous of your luck," Yao Chen said with a hint of envy.
"With its help, it will be much easier for you to subdue other Heavenly Flames in the future. It seems that 'Flame Mantra' and you are truly a perfect match. You are simply the destined one for this cultivation technique."
Hearing Yao Chen's description, Xiao Yan became even more excited.
With his quick mind, he immediately had some ideas: "Teacher, since a Fire Spirit can independently complete the first and second steps of alchemy, can it also do the third step?"
Yao Chen said with a wry smile: "Good boy, already thinking about how to be lazy? If the Fire Spirit could independently do all three steps, what would we need you, the Alchemist, for?"
"I'll be in charge of collecting the pills!" Xiao Yan joked.
Yao Chen shook his head: "Do you still remember the most basic condition to become an Alchemist?"
"The soul has a wood attribute within fire."
"Exactly. The third step of pill refining requires the Alchemist to use that trace of wood energy in their own soul to activate the medicinal power within the refined ingredients. And where would a Heavenly Flame get wood energy?"
"Is there no Heavenly Flame that has wood within fire? For example, Teacher, your Bone Chilling Flame has ice within fire, and my Azure Lotus Core Flame is fire and earth attributes..." Xiao Yan asked.
Yao Chen raised an eyebrow, "In that case, there really is such a Heavenly Flame."
"What Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Yan's eyes sparkled.
Yao Chen smiled and replied: "The Living Spirit Flame, ranked fifth. It doesn't possess combat power, but it has endless life force.
"It often doesn't exist in the form of fire, but rather transforms into the shape of medicinal ingredients and takes root in the soil.
"It is said that as long as the seeds of medicinal ingredients are thrown into it, the seeds will quickly sprout and grow into medicinal ingredients that can be used for alchemy. It is the Heavenly Flame every Alchemist dreams of."
Xiao Yan's eyes showed anticipation, "There's actually such a peculiar Heavenly Flame."
Yao Chen flicked Xiao Yan's head, "You shouldn't even think about that kind of Heavenly Flame for now... The Living Spirit Flame also has a characteristic: it can extend the lifespan of its holder. Once it appears, it will cause Old freaks of the Dou Saint level to fight over it."
The struggle of Dou Saint... Just thinking of that scene, Xiao Yan couldn't help but shiver.
However, he still held onto a glimmer of hope. After all, a person must have dreams, what if they come true?
"Hehe..." He looked at the Chibi Amon with shining eyes, fantasizing about a day when he could free his hands and the Heavenly Flame would automatically refine pills.
"Meng..." The Chibi Amon shrank back. Xiao Yan's gaze made him a little scared.
"You must grow up quickly! One day, after I get the Living Spirit Flame, the heavy responsibility of alchemy will be yours! You were formed from the Azure Lotus Core Flame and you like to say 'Meng', so from now on, I'll call you Qing Meng." Xiao Yan happily gave it a name.
Yao Chen couldn't help but pour cold water on him: "There's one thing you need to pay attention to. Although Fire Spirits are capable assistants to Alchemists, once they gain true intelligence, they might want to pursue freedom and refuse to be controlled, thereby retaliating against their master."
"No way?" Xiao Yan was startled.
"Don't think that's impossible. No creature is willing to be enslaved. So, if you don't want such a hidden danger, you can also erase its intelligence and turn it into an ordinary Heavenly Flame," Yao Chen said seriously.
Xiao Yan looked at Qing Meng, a hesitant expression on his face.
"You decide for yourself. Just don't regret it in the future," Yao Chen said softly.
Xiao Yan hesitated for a long time, but ultimately decided to keep the Fire Spirit: "Possible retaliation is a future matter. At least for a long time to come, it will be my good helper. Moreover, as long as enough affection is cultivated while it is still ignorant, the less likely future retaliation will be."
Yao Chen nodded, seemingly agreeing with Xiao Yan's point of view.
"Oh, right. Since the Fire Spirit can help me with alchemy, can it also help me circulate my cultivation technique? My Dou Qi is mixed with the power of the Azure Lotus Core Flame, so it should be able to control that too, right?"
Xiao Yan thought of another idea...
If it could, then this would simply be an automatic AFK cultivation technique!
He rubbed his hands, appearing extremely excited.
"Uh, theoretically speaking, it should be possible..." Yao Chen said with some uncertainty.
...He had a headache from the strange and novel ideas his disciple often suddenly came up with.
"Come on, let's try it, Qing Meng!"
Xiao Yan reabsorbed Qing Meng into his body, then circulated his cultivation technique.
After one cycle, he summoned Qing Meng and asked: "Did you remember clearly?"
Qing Meng sat on Xiao Yan's shoulder, feeling the noticeably different and much more complex advanced Flame Mantra circulation route compared to the initial one. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
He propped his chin with his short, thick right hand, his expression slightly bewildered. Qing Meng vaguely felt that he seemed to have made some error... as if he had conveyed the wrong information to someone.
However, with his memory and intelligence greatly diminished, he quickly pushed that thought to the back of his mind.
"Did you remember? If not, should we try again?" Xiao Yan coaxed.
"Meng ya..." Qing Meng leaped slightly, then sat down with a plop, re-entering Xiao Yan's meridians, driving the Dou Qi to circulate along the Flame Mantra path.
"It worked!" Xiao Yan excitedly waved his fist, cheering for his brilliant idea.
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