Flame Manipulation Technique

Ling Tian pondered for a long time before finally deciding, "I really want to cultivate the Heaven Devouring Codex, but it needs to be cultivated from the mortal plane to achieve its maximum potential. It also requires many types of low-tier and high-tier flames to upgrade it to the next level. So, I should cultivate The Eternal Flame Meditation technique. It will improve based on my cultivation. Even though it doesn't have as many uses as the Heaven Devouring Codex, it is still the best option for me."

While thinking about all this and having decided on which one to cultivate, Ling Tian began learning the Eternal Flame Meditation technique along with other techniques he hoped would prove useful in the future.

He immersed himself in his studies, mastering several related techniques simultaneously.

Time continued to pass, and it was now the hundredth year since Ling Tian was born into this world.

He was seen sitting on his bed, meditating.

There were no traces of time left on him despite the many years that had passed. He opened his eyes and looked at his hands.

Just then, a flame materialized on his palm. While gazing at it, Ling Tian said, "I have cultivated the Eternal Flame Meditation technique for more than 80 years, and I have reached the peak of the Immortal realm in terms of technique mastery. But it can't be further improved before I break through to the Divine realms."

After more than eighty years of relentless cultivation, Ling Tian ascended to the Saint realm with the abundant resources and support of his clan.

However, despite his impressive progress, he found himself at a dead-end, unable to break through to the elusive Divine Realm.

Recognizing the need for a stable and solid foundation, Ling Tian decided to temporarily shift his focus away from direct cultivation and explore other paths that could enhance his understanding and abilities.

He began with formations, diving deep into the ancient scriptures that his clan collected throughout its history.

Hours turned into days, and days into months as he carefully studied the intricacies of various formations.

Ling Tian dedicated himself to mastering the art, creating intricate patterns that could manipulate spiritual energy in ways that were both defensive and offensive.

His dedication bore fruit as he became proficient in crafting formations that could protect his clan and enhance their cultivation environments.

Next, Ling Tian turned his attention to blacksmithing. He saw this ancient craft as a means to create powerful weapons and artifacts that could aid him and his clan in their cultivation journey.

Under the guidance of master blacksmiths, he learned to forge metals with precision and imbue them with spiritual energy.

His workshop became a place of constant activity, the rhythmic sound of hammering metal echoing as he forged swords, spears, and armor.

Each piece was a masterpiece, reflecting his growing skill and understanding of how physical objects could channel and enhance spiritual power.

Not stopping there, Ling Tian delved into the art of arrays.

These intricate, mystical designs held the power to alter reality, create barriers, and even manipulate time and space.

Ling Tian's mind buzzed with possibilities as he studied ancient scrolls and practiced drawing arrays. He became adept at inscribing complex symbols and connecting them to form powerful array formations.

His arrays could conceal entire areas, trap enemies, and enhance cultivation speed. The clan's estate was soon dotted with these arrays, providing both protection and a spiritual boost to its inhabitants.

In his pursuit of holistic knowledge, Ling Tian also explored other professions such as rune crafting, beast master techniques, cooking, and winemaking, etc.

Each profession added a new dimension to his understanding of the world and cultivation.

Runes provided him with another layer of power, allowing him to inscribe magical symbols onto items for various effects.

Beastmaster techniques taught him to communicate with and control spirit beasts, further expanding his arsenal.

Cooking and winemaking, though seemingly mundane, brought him joy and relaxation, and he found that creating dishes and brews with spiritual ingredients could significantly boost his and his clan's cultivation.

He started enjoying drinking wine as a hobby.

A thousand years passed in this manner, each day filled with learning, practicing, and perfecting. During his three hundredth year of cultivation retreat, Ling Tian finally broke through to the Divine Realm.

The breakthrough was monumental, accompanied by a surge of power that transcended anything he had experienced before. With his newfound strength, he realized that his foundation, now solid and vast, was ready for even greater challenges.

Having reached the Divine Realm, Ling Tian turned his focus to refining his flame control technique. This skill had always been a part of his arsenal, but he knew that to truly master it, he had to elevate it to the divine level.

He immersed himself in the study of flames, experimenting with different types of spiritual and elemental fires. His hands became familiar with the feel of each flame, understanding their temperaments and how to control them with precision.

"I have finally raised this technique to Divine. Flame control techniques are truly a necessity for side professions; nearly all side professions need a flame manipulation technique to get started."

He contemplated whether he should venture out from the clan again like old times or continue cultivating peacefully until he reached a high enough realm to traverse the heavens.

'Father said that even though our clan is one of the strongest, there are still our enemies out there, and one of them might assassinate me during my travels. With the resources of my clan, there is no need for me to go out and put myself in danger again just for fun. I will continue cultivating here until I can make a name for myself out there.'

Having made his decision, Ling Tian continued his cultivation retreat.

Five thousand years passed, and Ling Tian paused his cultivation upon hearing news about a God Monarch realm expert.

Apparently, this expert, known as the Monarch of Eternal Nights, had discovered his wife was having an affair with a member of his enemy sect. Enraged by this news, he coughed up divine blood and collapsed. 

His wife fled from Eternal Night Palace to the Six Paths Sect, where the Six Paths Emperor, also a God Monarch, had put a green hat on the Monarch of Eternal Night.

Ling Tian found this news amusing and laughed heartily when he first heard it. He asked his clan members to keep him updated on news from Eternal Night Palace. Afterward, he resumed his cultivation retreat.

Another five thousand years passed, bringing more news about the Monarch of Eternal Night. This time, the son of the Six Paths Emperor had snuck into the Eternal Night Palace, seduced all three of the Monarch's daughters and took them away. 

Though many doubted he could accomplish this in a single night, the three ladies were indeed gone. The method he used remained his secret.

Upon receiving this news, the Monarch of Eternal Night was so furious that he coughed up divine blood and ignited another war with the Six Paths Sect.

However, as both powers were equally matched, the war ended in a stalemate after a few hundred years. The Monarch of Eternal Night became the biggest joke of the Divine realm for a long time.

Ling Tian laughed at first, then sympathized with the Monarch.

"Sigh, my first love also left me for a rich guy back in my past life, and now he's been cuckolded by the Six Paths Emperor."

Ling Tian stayed silent for a moment in tribute to the Monarch of Eternal Night. Then he continued his cultivation retreat.

Time continued to pass, and Ling Tian eventually reached the God Emperor realm after so many years that he lost track of time.

"I have reached the God Emperor realm, equal to my ancestor, so I think I'm good enough to roam the world now without the protectors following me everywhere. But I have to hide my cultivation realm; I don't think other clans will be happy to see such a young God Emperor and might even gang up on our clan to kill me."

He reduced his cultivation fluctuations to the beginning level of God King.

"Good, there are already a few geniuses my age who have reached the upper mid-level of the God Monarch realm, so I won't attract that much attention. The worst would be a few assassination attempts."

Ling Tian ceased his cultivation and left his room to meet with his father. As he walked, he remembered the news he had heard from his good friend Han Ming of the Han clan.

This clan was on equal footing with the Yuan clan. Han Ming had shared news about an ancient ruin that had recently been discovered, and many people were heading there to try their luck. He had asked Ling Tian if he was going to join them.

Han Ming and Ling Tian had met long ago at a gathering of many high-ranking clans and sects. They had hit it off from the start, despite Han Ming not being the heir of the Han clan, but merely the son of one of their elders. Ling Tian did not look down on him but became friends with him.

Ling Tian and Han Ming have been to many ruins or mystique realms for explorations with their other friends.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, Ling Tian arrived at his father's study. He knocked twice on the door.

"Come in," came the response.