The book in his consciousness updated the information at the right time:
[Fire Control · Initial Stage (1/100): Your control over fire has entered a very high Realm; with a slight movement of your mind, you can wield fire like an extension of your arm, with exquisite precision.
The speed of absorbing and refining fire-attribute energy is greatly increased; resistance to fire and fire-attribute energy attacks is greatly enhanced.
Fire element affinity is slightly increased.]
‘Fire element affinity?’
Xiao Qing recited this brand-new term in his heart.
Subconsciously, he touched his chin; the flames dancing in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep contemplation.
This no longer seemed to be just a simple increase in control and resistance…
Affinity means that the relationship between Xiao Qing himself and the fire element, a basic energy between heaven and earth, has undergone a brand-new change!
Closer, more harmonious, and even…
Easier to understand its “emotions” and “Law”!
‘Is this…
an elevation in status?’
Xiao Qing quickly realized that the changes brought about by this Breakthrough were far more miraculous than he had imagined.
This was not just an accumulation of quantity, but a qualitative leap, opening a door to something more mysterious for Xiao Qing!
Xiao Qing’s mind sank into his body, and after a slight check, he was both surprised and delighted.
His cultivation, along with the [Talent] Breakthrough, had actually also risen to a Three-Star Dou Zhe!
The Dou Zhi Qi vortex was a full circle larger than before, spinning faster, and the Dou Qi contained within it had significantly soared in both quantity and quality.
What made Xiao Qing even more delighted was that for this two-star cultivation forcefully raised, the Dou Qi did not have the slightest feeling of instability or superficiality in the Foundation!
On the contrary, it was extremely condensed, and the Foundation was as solid as if he had Cultivated it step by step himself, or even better!
Every wisp of Dou Qi flowing through his Meridians carried a sense of substantial power, moving with ease and without any feeling of obstruction.
‘What an unexpected joy!’
Xiao Qing could not help but slightly raise the corners of his mouth.
Xiao Qing carefully estimated his current true strength.
Although he was only a Three-Star Dou Zhe, Xiao Qing could directly feel that relying on his pure Dou Qi, which far exceeded those of the same Rank, and his newly transformed Spiritual Grade [Fire Control] talent, even if he were to face a Dou Master expert who could condense a Dou Qi gauze, he was confident that he could face them head-on for a few moves without falling into a disadvantage!
Between a Dou Practitioner and a Dou Master, although it is not like the later major Realms which have a chasm-like gap, the difference still cannot be underestimated!
A Dou Master is stronger than a Dou Practitioner in terms of total Dou Qi amount, recovery speed, and the application of Dou Qi.
Xiao Qing knew clearly that his advantage at this moment lay in the quality of his Dou Qi and his extreme Fire Control techniques, which were enough to smooth out the gap between Ranks in a short time and burst out with astonishing combat power.
‘But after all, the storage of Dou Qi is far inferior to a real Dou Master.’
Xiao Qing thought calmly.
‘If I cannot end the battle quickly, after exchanging a few moves, once the Dou Qi is exhausted, I will be powerless and left to be slaughtered!’
Thinking of this, a flash of heat crossed Xiao Qing’s eyes, and his obsession with Cultivation Techniques deepened significantly.
If he could Cultivate a Profound Rank Low-level Cultivation Technique…
Relying on the Dou Qi quality and total amount far superior to Yellow Rank Cultivation Techniques, plus his Spiritual Grade [Talent], perhaps…
He could truly possess the strength to fight a low-star Dou Master head-on, or even defeat them!
Rumble—
Just then, an extremely loud sound suddenly came from Xiao Qing’s stomach, and an intense feeling of hunger surged into his heart, directly scattering his thoughts.
“So hungry…”
Xiao Qing held his instantly empty stomach.
He felt as if his body had been hollowed out, and he urgently needed to consume a large amount of food to replenish the consumed energy.
‘How come promoting a Spiritual Grade [Talent] feels like it’s about to suck me dry?’
Xiao Qing complained faintly in his heart, and at the same time noticed the changes in the surrounding environment.
Inside and outside the cave, the heaven and earth energy had become extremely thin, as if it had been completely drained, and was now flowing back very slowly from further away to replenish.
‘It seems that this Breakthrough consumed not only Innate Spiritual Rhyme, but the energy required also reached a terrifying level.’ Xiao Qing felt a chill in his heart.
‘No, next time if I want to advance or Breakthrough again, I cannot choose here!’
‘It’s still too close to the Xiao Family, and the commotion is too big, making it easy to attract attention; I must find a more remote place with abundant energy.’
‘Let’s stop here for today; I’m so hungry I’m starving, getting back to eat is what’s important.’
Xiao Qing patted his famished stomach, jumped down from the bluestone, and left the cave with slightly hurried steps.
Xiao Qing walked back to the area where the Family lived, the setting sun stretching his shadow very, very long.
The hunger in his stomach was still intense, but a greater longing in his heart was churning at this moment!
‘It seems I need to plan my future Cultivation Techniques properly.’
Xiao Qing pondered secretly, frowning.
The Yellow Rank Intermediate “Mystic Fire Mantra” is still enough for the Dou Zhe, and even the early Dou Master stage, but with the improvement of strength and the evolution of the Spiritual Grade [Talent], it has already become his current shortcoming.
The Cultivation Technique Rank directly determines the speed, total amount, and recovery ability of Dou Qi Cultivation, which is crucial.
As his thoughts turned, a name naturally appeared in his mind—
Xiao Yan!
This nominal “younger cousin”, actually a “fellow countryman”, is only over three years old now, still a young child.
And about half a year later, that girl who is enough to change the entire Wutan City, and even affect the situation of the continent for countless years in the future, will be sent to the Xiao Family…
‘Gu Xun’er…’
Xiao Qing recited this name in his heart, a complex light flashing in the depths of his eyes.
Who wouldn’t like such a perfect partner with a deep background, who is wealthy enough to rival a nation, is “super rich”, and once she sets her sights on someone, will be “brain-dead in love only for you”?
Xiao Qing shook his head, very calmly facing this version of himself.
Sorry, he, Old Qing, is just a vulgar person; he might be able to rely on himself for delicacies, but when this fragrant soft meal is delivered to his mouth, how could he not eat it?
As for how to attract the gaze of this young lady of the Gu Clan from the originally fated Xiao Yan to himself…
Xiao Qing raised the corners of his mouth slightly, having already thought of a plan.
There are many ways, and it’s not to the point of using some low-class means.
‘Sneaking over the wall in the middle of the night to touch a little girl?’
Xiao Qing chuckled.
He, Xiao Qing, would not do such a thing!
Subsequently, Xiao Qing’s mind began to spin rapidly:
‘Similar age is an advantage; she is coming to Wutan City for the first time, and being unfamiliar with the place, her heart must be sensitive and uneasy.’
‘A first impression that is just right, not deliberate, but sincere, is crucial!’
Showing “Talent” and “Heart-Nature” far beyond his peers?
‘No, not too much, especially under the nose of the Gu Clan, but the occasionally revealed maturity and unique insights into things might make her feel surprised.’
Most importantly…
“Companionship” and “sense of security”; at the time when she is most lonely and needs friends the most, appearing as a gentle, reliable, interesting, yet not overstepping big brother, influencing her subtly…
‘And the Xiao Family…
perhaps I can take this opportunity to slightly improve my current situation; if I can get even a tiny bit of care from the young lady of the Gu Clan, many things will become much easier.’
Countless thoughts and preliminary plans outlined a vague contour in his mind.
Xiao Qing took a gentle breath, suppressing all these emerging distracting thoughts in his heart.
For now, it’s best to fill his stomach first, and then prepare for the “opportunity” that will come soon.
He gradually quickened his pace, walking in the direction of the Xiao Family Inner Academy, a brightness beginning to emerge in his eyes.
The future Wutan City would not be as peaceful as it was in the original timeline…