Chapter 96: Symbiosis and Plunder

"The three-year agreement is about to begin!"

"This time, since leaving the small valley, it has already been a year and a half."

"There's about a year left until the three-year agreement!"

Wei Yang gazed towards the direction of the Jia Ma Empire, the same way they came from. In his heart, he couldn't help but think of the mysterious technique in Yao Lao's hand, Burning Determination (Fen Jue).

Presumably, Xiao Yan has already started practicing Burning Determination by now. 

The so-called technique that can be upgraded: Burning Determination. Essentially, it's just a kind of plundering—a plundering of the Heavenly Flames. Simply put, there doesn't seem to be much technical content; it's just a brute-force plundering. It involves directly devouring the source energy of the Heavenly Flames and using that to promote one's progress and elevate the practitioner's Dou Qi realm.

Thus, in the original story, Xiao Yan used Burning Determination to devour Heavenly Flames, rapidly boosting his cultivation realm. This essentially amounted to a crude, domineering form of plundering. By using the source energy of the spiritual objects of heaven and earth, the Heavenly Flames, one achieved self-fulfillment. To put it bluntly, it's not so mystical and profound; essentially, it's a plundering behavior.

Just like the ancient Emperor Tuoshe, who was essentially a Heavenly Flame that grew by devouring the other twenty-two types of Heavenly Flames to fulfill himself. In nature, if any two Heavenly Flames encounter each other, they would also devour one another to evolve and grow. This is where the advantage of practicing Burning Determination lies. However, the power of the Heavenly Flames afterward completely depends on the user's Dou Qi realm and its abundance.

Moreover, if one wishes to use the Heavenly Flames, the user needs to utilize their Dou Qi as the energy to drive the Heavenly Flames. Practitioners of Burning Determination benefit from the ability to exhaustively plunder the source of the Heavenly Flames in one go, using it to achieve their own advancement. 

Other people who refine the Heavenly Flames, like Wei Yang, generally derive more subtle and long-term benefits from them. For instance, after Wei Yang refined the Black Sun Flame, he used the power of the Heavenly Flame to temper his body, resulting in a metamorphic transformation and enhancement of his aptitude. However, the source energy of the Black Sun Flame was not absorbed by Wei Yang.

With enough opportunities, it could become stronger than its owner, Wei Yang. Wei Yang drives the Black Sun Flame using his own Dou Qi as a kind of motivational energy. The power of Dou Qi, combined with the energy of the Heavenly Flame, can result in an additive effect, which can be equivalent to one plus one equaling two, greater than two, or even less than two.

For example, Gu Xun'er, who possesses a strand of Golden Emperor Incinerating Flame within her body. Its power is immeasurably greater than Gu Xun'er's own Dou Qi capability. If she encounters life-threatening danger, she can unlock the seal and release this flame, even without having to supply Dou Qi as driving energy, the flame's power is enough to protect her or eliminate foes.

The Black Sun Flame is similar in that its source energy hasn't been depleted. If Wei Yang ever faces danger or loses the ability to fight, the Black Sun Flame can autonomously release its prowess as a Heavenly Flame to protect its master, without needing Wei Yang's Dou Qi as driving energy. It becomes Wei Yang's life flame, akin to the life beast fire within a magical beast. It can grow alongside Wei Yang but also independently, potentially surpassing its master. The relationship between both is symbiotic and mutually beneficial. When Wei Yang and the Black Sun Flame confront enemies, it's like both are jointly combating them.

Looking down at the black flame in his hand, Wei Yang softly analyzed in his heart. Whether to fully devour and plunder it all at once to enhance oneself or to coexist symbiotically—it's hard to say which is better or worse. It's all a matter of perspective.

This is an advantage that others can only dream of, unless one is the owner of a special constitution like the Three Mysterious Green Snake, or someone with the Doom Poison Body or the bloodline of a Dou Emperor, which are abnormal constitutions.

Burning Determination is like an unconventional cheat, but the price for this cheat is a life full of peril and calamity. It's not suitable for those who aren't resilient enough. Plus, it consumes Heavenly Flames quite extensively.

"Time flies; I've reached the Seven-Star Dou King level. This stage of the Dou King is also nearing its end," Wei Yang reflected. It didn't seem to him that much time had passed, but in the blink of an eye, he was already approaching the peak of the Dou King realm.

Reaching the Dou King level and advancing further on requires persistence and gradual improvement, irrespective of how good your talent and techniques are. The methods for rapid advancement are limited. 

The Dou Ling Pill is one such method, as is consuming other natural treasures. Wei Yang is also part of these limitations. He previously pushed himself in cultivation, spending a whole year training with a near-Heaven rank compatible technique, accumulating progress bit by bit, advancing from Three-Star to Six-Star. Breaking through to Seven-Star was only feasible this time because of the successful absorption of the Heavenly Flame, combined with the chance evolution of his technique. Otherwise, it would have taken several more months.

After all, transitioning from mid-level Dou King to high-level Dou King has a substantial threshold. Essentially, anyone prior to the Dou King level, if they have the right techniques and resources, and adequate talent, could reach Dou King. After Dou King, including Dou Emperor, without special opportunities, you'd need to rely on enduring effort to accumulate and advance over time.

As for the Dou Zong realm, it cannot simply be piled up with resources. Dou Zong is a major threshold, involving the initial contact with spatial forces. This requires extremely high demands on soul, aptitude, and comprehension. Dou Zong presents a massive gap that has trapped countless peak Dou Emperors their whole lives. No matter how exceptional one's aptitude might have been in youth, when facing this gap, one must bow their head. 

Becoming a Dou Zong strong requires immense talent and comprehension, irrespective of how many years one waits out. Wei Yang himself felt a little uneasy, unsure of how long he might be stuck. If luck isn't on your side, getting stuck for three to five years could feel as easy as a game. It wouldn't be surprising at all.

After all, aptitude can be hard to pin down. Some might have great intrinsic talent, but if they lack comprehension, it still won't work out. Training might progress quickly initially, but later stages could see others catching up and surpassing them, which isn't unusual.

Intrinsic talent, ample resources, and decent techniques might allow you to reach Dou Emperor quickly. With some perseverance, Dou Zong might be hopeful too. But as for Dou Zun, it's exceptionally challenging. This involves soul, comprehension, and a sense of spirituality—vague and nebulous traits.

Of course, that applies to ordinary people, not those with special constitutions or those who rely on the bloodline power of a Dou Emperor to advance. However, special constitutions and bloodline power can sometimes become a shackle.