Chapter 8: Beast Fire

The morning sunlight streamed in from the window, illuminating the young man practicing cross-legged on the bed, the swirling aura around him becoming more splendid, accentuating his extraordinary aura.

"Ah~"

After a night of meditation, Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. As he took a deep breath, the misty aura around him transformed into several long dragons that flowed into his body through his mouth and nose, nourishing his limbs and bones. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, indicating his gradual strengthening.

"Completely releasing the feeling of cultivation is really nice."

Yao Yan got up from the bed, moved his body, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips as he muttered to himself.

He could clearly feel the changes in his body, the feeling of getting stronger was very obvious.

After pondering for a while, he touched the position between his eyebrows.

He was also curious about the innate ability of the Swallowing Spirit Clan, but unfortunately, without Hun Huzi protecting him, he didn't dare to activate this bloodline power recklessly, so he could only let it sleep within his body.

However, with the night's cultivation, he could feel this power strengthening as well. Unlike the system of cultivating Dou Qi, it seemed to strengthen with the enhancement of the body.

This was obviously not something Yao Yan could figure out at the moment, so after thinking for a while, he gave up.

Like dreaming... Yao Yan inwardly complained, then pushed open the door, only to see a courtyard several times larger than before. In addition, many precious plants were planted inside, but most importantly, there was the spatial barrier around the courtyard, a power that only Dou Ancestor level experts could exert.

It was because of its existence that Yao Yan could cultivate without worrying about being detected by others.

"Young Master."

Accompanied by the distortion of space beside him, Yao Nong walked out respectfully and greeted.

Naturally, this was Yao Nong's mansion. As the patriarch of a major branch in Dan Ding City, he naturally had his own mansion in Dan Ding City. His strength had already reached the peak of Dou Ancestor, just one step away from Dou Venerate, but taking that step was incredibly difficult.

Yao Nong had been stuck at this level for decades.

Obviously, cultivating Dou Qi was far from being as easy as depicted in novels. Some people might not be able to take this step even until death.

Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate, just one word apart, yet a world of difference.

Yao Yan looked at him and said softly, "Is everything arranged?"

"The old servant publicly announced that Young Master has been accepted as a disciple, and exchanged a seventh-grade original pill from the Medicine Pavilion. This pill can reshape one's physique, so Young Master's re-cultivation of Dou Qi can be concealed. As long as no one of Dou Venerate level or higher probes, no one can detect the changes in Young Master's body."

Yao Nong nodded. He had arranged everything. Even if Yao Yan walked out now, no one would be surprised by his changes, unless someone dissected Yao Yan.

Yao Yan silently praised him. He deserved to be a Dou Ancestor expert valued by Hun Huzi. His efficiency in handling things was indeed remarkable.

"This is the seventh-grade beast fire prepared for Young Master, as well as the elixirs for assisting in refining."

Yao Nong took out several items from the spatial ring and introduced, "This seventh-grade beast fire is called Illusion Gold Fire, taken from a seventh-grade demonic beast, the Fire Scorpion Dragon Beast. It only exists within the husk of its offspring and is the companion fire of such beasts, capable of tempering the body, making it most suitable for Young Master's current stage."

Yao Yan's eyes lit up as he looked at the Illusion Gold Fire floating in mid-air. It had a golden color, resembling a ball of blazing magma rolling.

As an alchemist, how could he not be interested in the rare fire?

But the rarity of rare fires was not something you could ask for. Most alchemists could only choose beast fires. The current beast fire seemed more suitable for Yao Yan, but as for rare fires, those lacking in strength who coveted them would undoubtedly be courting disaster.

Yao Nong continued, "Young Master needs to nourish it with Dou Qi daily to increase its compatibility. In this way, when Young Master's cultivation reaches the Dou Master level, it can be refined."

Fire is inherently violent, even the gentlest beast fire is not so easy to refine. However, the companion flames of such demonic beast offspring are exceptional, as they can reduce the difficulty of refining through nourishment with Dou Qi, making it the most suitable beast fire for beginners.

"Thank you."

Yao Yan said solemnly, then raised his hand and stored these items in his spatial ring.

"This is what the old servant should do."

Yao Nong's expression remained unchanged. After a pause, he continued, "I wonder if Young Master still wants to go to the clan school. If not, you can stay here and cultivate."

"Stay here and cultivate until I reach the level of Dou Master, then we'll see."

Yao Yan didn't hesitate and said directly.

Since someone had paved the way for him, he naturally wouldn't seek trouble, especially since there was a limit to what the clan school could teach, especially now that teachers like Yao Nong had become his servants. Why waste time going to the clan school?

"Yes, the old slave knows what to do."

Yao Nong nodded in response.

With his words falling, the space around him distorted, and his figure disappeared directly from Yao Yan's sight.

Yao Yan watched him leave, then turned and walked back into the house, closing the door behind him once again.

Seclusion for cultivation.

...

Dan Ding City, Clan School.

"Have you heard? That loner, Yao Yan, has had a stroke of luck. He's been taken in as a disciple by Lord Yao Nong. It's really envy-inducing!"

"Your information is outdated. My father told me yesterday that Lord Yao Nong exchanged a seventh-grade original pill from the Medicine Pavilion using his contribution points."

"Really? What does Yao Yan have that deserves this? He's just slightly good-looking!"

A burly young man retorted, unable to understand why Yao Nong took an interest in Yao Yan. Although Yao Yan's talent as an alchemist was decent, his bloodline concentration was only third-grade, and his future path seemed limited. Was it necessary to invest so much effort in nurturing him?

"That's nonsense, Yao Hu. My grandfather wouldn't do such a thing!"

An angry little girl with braided hair pointed at the burly young man and scolded.

"Yeah, I misspoke. It should be that your grandfather found you a foster son-in-law, haha!"

"You're asking for it!"

Suddenly, the whole classroom became lively, filled with cheerful banter.

At the same time.

In a quiet courtyard behind the school, Yao Nong was drinking tea with Yao Shan. The two had known each other for decades, being old friends who knew each other inside out. With their cultivation, they could clearly hear the commotion from the school.

Yao Shan couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, then glanced at his old friend, unable to resist asking, "Are you really considering taking him as a son-in-law? Your granddaughter is eight this year, and they're only four years apart. It doesn't seem impossible."

As he spoke, he even began to calculate.

Yao Nong remained calm and replied, "I just think his talent as an alchemist is decent and want to find a successor. You know, my bloodline concentration isn't high either, and I can only stay in Dan Ding City for the rest of my life. Compared to the predetermined core members of the clan, Yao Yan is more suitable as my disciple."

Yao Shan was stunned, his smile fading, as he slowly said, "You still haven't forgotten about that incident from back then?"

"It's not that, but it's not important now. After all, so many years have passed, and we're both old, aren't we?"

Yao Nong chuckled softly, as if the past was just smoke and mirrors.

Yao Shan nodded, sighing, "Indeed, we're old. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Now, I just hope that there will be a few talented individuals among the younger generation. If one of them can be recorded on the clan monument, that would be even better."

His gaze turned towards the distant horizon, where a towering monument stood, representing the highest honor of the Yao Clan.

"..."

Yao Nong looked at the towering clan monument in silence, saying nothing.