Yao Lao’s voice carried an indescribable complexity.
His gaze seemed to look through Xiao Qing, seeing long-buried events of the past.
Reminiscence, melancholy, and even a hint of imperceptible…
pain appeared on his face.
Once upon a time, he too had possessed such an enviable Bloodline…
“Is this what Senior is talking about?” Xiao Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he opened his palm once more.
With a slight thought, that strand of blood-red vital energy, emanating an ancient and noble aura, emerged again, slowly circling in Xiao Qing’s palm as if it were alive.
“This…
this really is the Dou Di Bloodline!” Yao Lao stared intently at that strand of vital energy, feeling its pure and ancient pressure, his face showing undeniable shock.
He would never mistake that unique aura permeating the air!
This was exactly what he once possessed and later lost—the Dou Di Bloodline!
Initially, when Xiao Qing made his Breakthrough and the Bloodline revived within him, only an extremely faint aura leaked out, and Yao Lao had thought his perception was mistaken.
After all, how noble and rare is the Dou Di Bloodline?
How could it appear in a youth from a small Family in such a remote place as the Jia Ma Empire?
In fact, Yao Lao’s Soul had long since awakened.
During these three months, whenever Xiao Qing began to Cultivate, the tides of worldly energy he triggered were simply too terrifying and pure.
Even while in a state of slumber, Yao Lao’s Soul would instinctively and autonomously absorb this escaping energy.
Although this energy was not as refined as that which was drawn directly into Xiao Qing’s body and purified by the [Law of Fire], it was still far purer and denser than ordinary worldly energy, thanks to the unconscious purification by the flame aura naturally emitted from Xiao Qing’s body during cultivation.
It was precisely after absorbing this high-quality energy for nearly a month that Yao Lao was able to fully awaken from his long slumber.
Upon awakening, Yao Lao discovered that this youth named Xiao Qing had an exceptionally keen Soul perception, actually possessing Soul power at the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm!
And he had long since noticed Yao Lao’s presence within the ring.
A subtle understanding had formed between the two: I know you’re hiding in my ring, you know I’ve discovered you, but neither of us speaks of it.
Yao Lao observed in secret, scrutinizing Xiao Qing’s Heart-Nature, character, and perseverance.
Xiao Qing, on the other hand, had been waiting patiently for this “grandpa” to lose his composure and reveal himself.
Thus, in this peculiar state of “mutual awareness without explicit acknowledgement,” the two spent over two months together.
It wasn’t until today, when Xiao Qing broke through to Dou Master and actively activated and displayed the Dou Di Bloodline, that this silence was completely broken.
Yao Lao’s decision to show himself was certainly partly due to his shock at the Dou Di Bloodline, but the deeper reason was Xiao Qing’s cultivation speed, which left even the well-traveled Venerable Yao dumbfounded and unable to comprehend!
This was simply not a cultivation scene that a normal person should have!
Who Cultivates by plundering worldly energy like a whale swallowing the ocean?
Who can soar from a three-star Dou Practitioner all the way to Dou Master in just three months?
Moreover, Xiao Qing was only cultivating the lowest-level Intermediate Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique!
It was as ridiculous as if the heavens were actively bestowing an empowerment upon Xiao Qing, forcibly raising his cultivation!
What Yao Lao found most inconceivable was that this “empowered” cultivation, far from feeling bloated or hollow, was instead terrifyingly condensed, heavy, and solid, with a Foundation so stable it was appalling!
By contrast, the Dou Qi that ordinary people painstakingly cultivated step-by-step appeared as “hollow” and flimsy as if built up by Medicinal Pills when compared to Xiao Qing’s cultivation!
In his long years of cultivation and experiences, when had Yao Lao ever seen such a freak?
This kid was simply born to shatter common sense!
‘Perhaps it’s some unknown, extremely powerful fire-attribute special Physique at work?’ Yao Lao could only speculate: ‘Yes…
the Dou Qi Continent is vast and boundless; it’s not surprising that some prodigies with Heaven-Defying special Physiques are born.’ Thinking of special Physiques, Yao Lao couldn’t help but sigh.
His expression became complicated, and a trace of reminiscence and sorrow flashed in his eyes.
Yao Lao remembered a friend from the past, that woman with the Calamity Poison Body…
Didn’t she also rely on the incredible method of devouring lethal poisons to rapidly increase her cultivation?
And her Foundation was equally stable, with no side effects.
The world is vast, and there is no lack of wonders.
Suppressing his chaotic thoughts, Yao Lao looked at Xiao Qing with burning eyes, a solemn expression appearing on his lean face.
Yao Lao saw the youth’s immense potential and his perfect compatibility with the profession of an Alchemist.
“I observe that your Dou Qi attribute is fire with wood, where Yin and Yang aid each other, and wood fuels the fire.
This is excellent potential for becoming an Alchemist.” Yao Lao’s voice carried an authoritative certainty and a faint, imperceptible lure.
“As it happens, this old man was once a Grade 8 Alchemist with a modest reputation in the Central Plains.
With my attainments, I am more than capable of teaching you everything regarding the cultivation of an Alchemist and leading you to the Peak of the Pill Dao…” At this point, Yao Lao’s words paused slightly.
Although he was extremely confident in his alchemy skills, he was currently only in a Soul state.
To ask to take such a monstrous Prodigy as a Disciple made even Yao Lao, despite his thick skin, feel a slight tremor of nervousness and…
embarrassment?
But he eventually braced himself and, with a gaze full of sincerity and expectation, spoke the most crucial words: “Young Friend Xiao, I wonder…
are you willing to take me as your Master?” Yao Lao subconsciously stroked his illusory beard, his eyes filled with hope.
He truly hoped to take Xiao Qing under his wing.
What Senior of the Righteous Path wouldn’t feel a sense of fondness upon seeing a youth with a clean background, a seemingly steady Heart-Nature, and such peerless Physique and talent?
Of course, the Hall of Souls would probably love him too…
Furthermore, this kid’s Soul talent was simply perversely strong!
While still at the Dou Practitioner stage, his Soul power had already reached the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm.
After breaking through to Dou Master, it soared directly to the Peak of the Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm, just one step away from the Late Stage!
One should know that raising one’s Soul Realm is far more difficult than Dou Qi cultivation.
The Soul power of most Peak Dou Zong powerhouses on the continent only remains at the Late Stage of the Mortal Realm!
Yet Xiao Qing, a nine-year-old Dou Master, already had a Soul Realm approaching the Late Stage of the Mortal Realm!
What kind of appalling Aptitude is this?
Yao Lao was almost certain that if such an unpolished gem were placed in the Central Plains, even the Old Ancestor-level figures within that mysterious Little Pill Tower would be unable to resist and would scramble to take him as a Disciple!
At this moment, Yao Lao waited with great anticipation for Xiao Qing’s answer.
He believed that anyone aspiring to the path of an Alchemist could not refuse the personal guidance of a Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmaster.
Xiao Qing’s eyes flickered slightly, and his eyelids lowered as if he were carefully weighing the pros and cons, undergoing a fierce internal struggle.
He was silent for a moment, his face showing a perfectly timed bit of hesitation and reflection.
However, deep in Xiao Qing’s heart, the answer was already clear.
The Yao Lao before him was not only a former Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmaster but also a Venerable-level Soul body with rich experience and top-tier Cultivation Techniques.
Taking him as a Master was undoubtedly the best choice for himself at present, as he was in urgent need of high-level Cultivation Techniques, systematic alchemy knowledge, and a powerful guide.
As for the potential “Master-Disciple Karma” and future “bonds,” they seemed not unacceptable in the face of tangible benefits and guidance.
After a moment of silence, the trace of hesitation on Xiao Qing’s face completely faded, replaced by a sense of determination and solemnity.
Xiao Qing took a step forward, tidied his robes, and then performed a very formal and standard bow of discipleship toward Yao Lao’s Soul body floating in the air.
His movements were meticulous and filled with respect.
After finishing the ceremony, Xiao Qing raised his head, looking at Yao Lao with clear and serious eyes, and said in a clear and powerful voice: “Disciple Xiao Qing pays respects to Teacher!”