Chapter 43: Yao Lao's Sigh – The Times Have Changed

Xiao Yan's talent was simply astonishing. Even for Yao Lao, an eighth-grade alchemist, the layered surprises left him stunned and awestruck.

Whether it was cultivating Dou Qi or learning Dou Techniques, Xiao Yan displayed unparalleled insight. In alchemy, he could perfectly harness his power on the very first attempt.

However, the "Burning Blood" was a fourth-grade potion!

After using it, the intense pain that typically followed was completely negated by Xiao Yan.

This frightening level of comprehension was the final straw that shattered Yao Lao's ability to remain composed.

Even though Xiao Yan knew the ingredients and had observed the finished product for some time, if he could deduce the formula's effects and devise a countermeasure with just a quick sniff and the raw materials, wouldn't this further prove his extraordinary perception?

This was precisely why Yao Lao felt utterly shocked.

Xiao Yan's rapid physical enhancement caused his body to start absorbing the surrounding natural energy at an incredible rate.

The strength of a five-star Dou Fighter began to break through again...

Seeing more and more natural energy converge, Chunying and the other three girls covered their mouths in astonishment.

They exchanged glances, placing the now-empty jade bottles beside the bed. Then, they lightly and gracefully stepped down from the bed and left the bedroom.

The next morning, Xiao Yan, refreshed, was practicing the "Stellar Transformation" and "Reincarnation Tribulation" techniques in the small courtyard.

The two techniques employed entirely different concepts of force, leaving Xiao Yan feeling that something was missing during his practice.

"Stellar Transformation" focused power on a single point, making it too rigid. After a strike, there would be a brief moment of powerlessness. If the blow failed, it could easily lead to a counterattack and defeat.

"Reincarnation Tribulation" fully utilized the principle of using the opponent's strength against them, making it too soft. It relied entirely on the opponent's power. If the opponent's attack was exceptionally strong or incredibly fast, exceeding the upper limit of borrowed force, it would also be restricted.

After pondering overnight, Yao Lao finally came to an epiphany.

In the past, he was always puzzled by Xiao Yan's self-cultivating physique, not understanding what kind of physique it was.

Now, although he still didn't know what it was, he had gained some insight into its characteristics.

A heaven-defying level of comprehension!

Xiao Yan's talent was unparalleled, allowing him to understand the essence of things from mere observations.

Trying to make Xiao Yan suffer seemed unrealistic.

With his spiritual sense extended from the ring, Yao Lao observed Xiao Yan once again enjoying the service of the young maidservants. He couldn't help but sigh, "The times... have changed."

The path he and Feng Xian took to become Dou Zun experts was fraught with difficulties and numerous life-and-death crises.

Although there were many geniuses of their time, without the same kind of grueling training they underwent, those geniuses either perished or ended up ordinary.

"Six-star Dou Fighter!" Xiao Yan clenched his fist, excitement flashing in his eyes.

He had only been cultivating with a formal technique for a few days and had already advanced so rapidly.

He believed that when he finally encountered the Green Lotus Core Flame or the Fallen Heart Flame, he would fuse with them effortlessly.

"This was all thanks to the effects of my 'Burning Blood.'"

After the maidservants left, Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile, "Teacher, you say that so shamelessly."

"If I hadn't sensed the violent medicinal power of the 'Burning Blood' and used the method of guiding it through my body with my years of Dou Qi cultivation experience, the Xiao Clan would have been woken by the sound of a pig being slaughtered for the whole night."

Damn it! With such heaven-defying comprehension, he even managed this! Yao Lao couldn't help but curse inwardly.

"I was just testing you," Yao Lao coughed lightly, "Without some hardship, how could you surpass others of the same rank? And how would you manage to fuse with exotic flames in the future?"

Xiao Yan simply smiled without replying. Fusing with an exotic flame as a Dou Fighter was indeed a life-threatening process, but what if he raised his strength to Dou Wang or Dou Huang first?

With a significant boost in strength, combined with a body-refining technique, the improved 'Burning Qi Method,' and enhanced auxiliary items, he refused to believe the result would be the same!

Yao Lao spoke seriously, "You've used up the 'Burning Blood.' If you want to maintain this cultivation speed, you'll need to buy more materials."

"With the 'Coagulating Blood Powder' I refined yesterday, this should be simple. I was planning to head to the Mittel Auction House anyway," Xiao Yan replied with a slight smile.

Yao Lao asked in confusion, "Doesn't your Xiao Clan have its own market? Why not sell it through them?"

"If I entrust the Xiao Clan to sell it, they might still be able to search for 'Burning Blood' ingredients for me, but for something like Beast Flame, the Xiao Clan can't do much," Xiao Yan shook his head.

Once he advanced to Dou Di, with the effect of the Dou Di bloodline, the entire Xiao Clan's strength would skyrocket.

Rather than fighting battles right now, it would be better to drink tea, nurture himself, and live a longer, peaceful life.

Besides, the Soul Hall had likely extended its reach to the Jia Ma Empire. Being a talent as brilliant as he was already eye-catching enough; there was no need to provoke the Soul Hall any further.

The Xiao Clan's tragedy could never be allowed to happen again.

Yao Lao slowly nodded, "What you say makes sense. Going through the Xiao Clan would involve many hands before it ends up at the Mittel Auction House anyway."

"After you leave the Mittel Auction House, I'll take you to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. It's time for you to receive the 'Heavy Xuan Ruler' technique."

"So soon?" Xiao Yan was a bit surprised.

Currently, he was only a six-star Dou Fighter. If he started learning the 'Flame Splitting Wave Ruler' now, even if his technique advanced to the Xuan Class Low Level, it might still be difficult to wield such an earth-class Dou Technique.

"Soon? Your rate of progress is what's fast. It's been less than ten days since you started cultivating your technique," Yao Lao said, somewhat speechless.

According to the cultivation plan he had set for Xiao Yan, it shouldn't have been this fast.

However, given the current pace, if he didn't bring out the 'Flame Splitting Wave Ruler' now, in a few more days, it might become meaningless to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan raised his hand to touch the flame mark hidden under his black hair: he was a natural genius.

After becoming a Dou Fighter, without any resources, he used a Huang Class Low Level technique to cultivate up to a four-star Dou Fighter within a few months.

Now, with a heaven-defying level of comprehension, if nothing drastically changed, he might as well be called a "genius in name only."

After instructing the maidservants to stay home and cultivate diligently, Xiao Yan left his house and headed straight to the Mittel Auction House.

Soon after, in the reception room of the Mittel Auction House.

In the tidy room, several jade bottles were neatly placed. Inside the bottles was the 'Coagulating Blood Powder' that Xiao Yan had refined.

The medicinal paste inside was a deep red color, emanating a rich and pleasant fragrance.

As he gazed at the jade bottles, Gu Ni, a second-grade alchemist, couldn't help but feel amazed at the high quality of this healing medicine.

Although the value wasn't exceptionally high, the sheer volume of 'Coagulating Blood Powder' in the room still represented a substantial profit for the Mittel Auction House.

"The old gentleman's alchemy skills are truly admirable. To produce so many high-quality healing medicines in just one day is something that can rival even some fifth-grade alchemists," Gu Ni praised earnestly, taking another deep look at the jade bottle in his hand.

(End of Chapter)