"This…"
Xiao Yan had not expected Xun Er to deduce the general information about the Flame Mantra from just a few words.
Xiao Ting's reaction was also extremely quick; he immediately realized the difficulty of cultivating this technique.
For a moment, he did not know how to explain.
"That's a technique with the potential to evolve into Heaven-class." Xiao Yan's mouth felt bitter as he forced himself to explain.
"Heaven-class technique, Heaven-class technique—you're aiming too high!" Xiao Ting's eyes were full of anger and dissatisfaction. "How many Heavenly Flames would you need to devour to reach that?"
Xiao Yan could not answer. Xiao Ting turned to Yao Lao and asked, "Senior, Xun Er has explained soul realms to me. For you to survive by lodging in a ring, you must at least be at the Spirit realm in soul strength. In your prime, you should have been an eighth-grade alchemist."
"You have the strength and the connections. May I ask how many Heavenly Flames you have seen?"
Yao Chen moved his mouth but did not speak.
After obtaining the Flame Mantra, he had wanted to find another Heavenly Flame to study.
Yet even with his status as the continent's number one alchemist, searching for Heavenly Flames had only yielded vague information.
For an ordinary person to obtain even one Heavenly Flame was indeed extremely difficult.
"It seems that even for an eighth-grade alchemist, finding a single Heavenly Flame is incredibly hard." Xiao Ting looked back at Xiao Yan, fuming. "And you still want to find several Heavenly Flames to evolve a technique to Heaven-class."
Xiao Yan lowered his head, scolded into silence like a grandson and not daring to retort.
Xiao Ting's chest heaved. He turned to Xun Er. "Xun Er, does the force behind you have Heaven-class techniques?"
"We do." Xun Er blinked and answered honestly. "But Heaven-class techniques are not necessary to cultivate below Dou Venerate. They are extremely difficult to succeed with, and one lacks the strength to drive them anyway."
"Generally, below Dou King, ordinary cultivators are best off using Xuan-class high-level techniques for foundations. Those with outstanding talent use Earth-class low-level techniques."
"Once reaching Dou Emperor, one can switch to Earth-class techniques for even better foundation building."
"Only upon reaching Dou Venerate does one qualify to touch Heaven-class techniques."
The stages of technique cultivation also corresponded to the five major stages recognized by powerful cultivators.
By revealing this information, Xun Er had subtly disclosed the strength of the force behind her.
Only Dou Venerates qualified to cultivate Heaven-class techniques, but not all Dou Venerates actually did so.
A force that possessed Heaven-class techniques most likely had experts above the Dou Venerate level.
A suitable look of solemnity appeared in Xiao Ting's eyes. He took a deep breath. "Big Brother Yan, you heard her. Cultivating the Flame Mantra is simply a waste of time."
"A technique like this is only suitable for top heavenly prodigies from the most elite forces, who have powerful protectors and abundant resources."
"Listen to me—switch to a different technique."
At this point, Xiao Yan actually felt some regret. He wanted to become strong and win the three-year agreement, but the gamble was quite big.
However, helping Yao Lao regain a physical body required three Heavenly Flames, which could only be done by cultivating the Flame Mantra.
"Little Brother Xiao Ting, once this technique is cultivated, it cannot be switched to another." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, already prepared to be scolded.
Sometimes he felt like he was the younger brother, and Xiao Ting was more like an older brother than Big Brother or Second Brother.
"NANI!?" Xiao Ting trembled with anger.
"This matter is somewhat related to this old man as well." Seeing Xiao Yan looking timid and Xiao Ting furious, with the two brothers' bond so deep, Yao Lao spoke with a mix of helplessness and relief. "Xiao Yan is cultivating the Flame Mantra because he wants to help me regain a physical body."
"This old man has a method that can allow a soul body to regain a body and cultivate anew, but it requires three or more Heavenly Flames."
At this point, Yao Lao paused, then said seriously, "This old man possesses the Bone Chilling Flame. If Xiao Yan cannot find Heavenly Flames to devour, once he breaks through to Dou Spirit, this old man will let him devour this flame first. At the very least, it will evolve the technique to Xuan-class mid-level so he won't be dragged down by it."
"Before breaking through to Dou Spirit, with this old man's alchemy skills assisting him, even if he cultivates a Huang-class technique, his growth speed will not be inferior to ordinary geniuses cultivating Xuan-class high-level techniques."
"Moreover, this old man also knows about the Heavenly Flame in Jia Nan Academy."
"In the future, when we go to Central Plains, this old man will swallow his pride and find a few old friends to exchange for the qualifications to obtain Heavenly Flames."
"At the very least, raising the Flame Mantra to Earth-class will not be a problem."
Yao Lao was not willing to disregard Xiao Yan's future just for a very difficult opportunity for himself. He had already made plans.
Hearing him say this, Xiao Yan felt deeply moved. He thought that his teacher had already planned a path for him and spoke with a trembling voice, "Teacher, rest assured. Your disciple will definitely help you revive."
Xiao Ting showed a helpless expression and let out a long sigh. "Since things have come to this and the Flame Mantra cannot be switched once cultivated, I can only pay more attention to Heavenly Flame information for you in the future, Big Brother Yan."
"Little Brother Xiao Ting!" Xiao Yan was deeply touched.
The luckiest thing in his life was having a father who trusted him absolutely, two older brothers who cared for him unconditionally, and a younger brother who always protected him.
"Stop being sentimental." Xiao Ting raised his hand to cut Xiao Yan off and said seriously, "You shouldn't think about going out either. Focus on cultivating seriously."
"If you want to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame in Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, you need enough strength to enter it first."
"With your current two-star Dou Practitioner strength, it's completely insufficient."
Xiao Yan: Am I being looked down on and despised!?
"Senior Yao Lao." Just as Xiao Ting thought today's play had ended, Xun Er suddenly spoke. "Could you let me take a look at this Flame Mantra?"
Yao Lao restrained the faint smile on his face, his expression turning grave.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Ting's faces also became serious. They clearly had not expected Xun Er to be interested in the Flame Mantra.
"It's fine if you're unwilling. I'm simply curious how a technique that can evolve is cultivated." Xun Er smiled gently, her tone soft. "Moreover, it's only Huang-class low-level, yet once cultivated, one cannot switch to another technique."
"As far as I know, even Heaven-class techniques are not this overbearing."
A trace of understanding flashed in Yao Chen's eyes.
It was normal for Xun Er to care about these two points. Back then, he had been most curious about exactly these aspects of the Flame Mantra and had conducted various studies.
If he had not already been a Dou Venerate at the time and if the Flame Mantra did not have the restriction of being unable to switch techniques, he would have cultivated it himself long ago.
However, remembering Han Feng—who had betrayed him over this technique—he decided to politely refuse Xun Er's request.
But the next moment, Xun Er suddenly raised her hand and summoned a golden flame. "As an exchange, I can give Senior and Cousin Xiao Yan a promise."
"In the future, if Cousin Xiao Yan reaches the peak of Dou Venerate, I can gift him a mature child fire of this Heavenly Flame."
The flame was entirely golden and carried an imperial aura. It could directly burn Battle Qi and the energy of heaven and earth.
Yao Lao saw through the external characteristics of the golden flame at a glance, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
This was the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame!