Chapter 4: Fire Cloud Art
"Fine blade!" Xiao Heng swung the crimson longblade with blue patterns a few times, feeling its weight and balance.
In the young man's hands, the blade lay like a dormant crimson beast. Its body, a deep red akin to congealed blood, shimmered with an eerie, profound hue, as if it had absorbed the ferocity of countless brutal battles. Nearly a meter long, the sleek, razor-sharp blade glinted with a cold light, silently recounting the blood it had tasted.
Most striking were the intricate blue patterns etched across its surface. These markings, writhing like living creatures, pulsed with faint azure light, both mysterious and unpredictable. They weren't mere forgings but resembled ancient, arcane runes or the enigmatic currents of a deep-sea abyss. Each line seemed to hold boundless secrets, beckoning the curious to unravel their mysteries.
The handle, a stark contrast of black and red, featured dark veins that protruded like blood vessels against a deep crimson base. Its texture was rough yet perfectly suited for a firm grip, as if crafted specifically for its wielder. About forty centimeters long, the handle was wrapped in tough black leather, adding a rugged, heroic flair while ensuring a secure hold. The leather's edges were slightly worn, hinting at the blade's storied past and countless swings through time.
Xiao Heng inspected every inch of the weapon, noting the absence of a slot for a magic core. This blade's grade must be high. It'll serve me well for a long time, he thought.
"This blade is exceptional," Yao Lao said. "I came across it by chance. Its grade is lofty, but its appearance is unassuming, like a second- or third-tier weapon. Use it freely without drawing unwanted attention."
"That ruler you mentioned—it suppresses Dou Zhi Qi, doesn't it? This blade doesn't have that feature, but I have a complete set of matching Dou Techniques, ranging from Low-Level Xuan Class to Low-Level Di Class. Saves you the trouble of hunting for others."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Xiao Heng said, bowing slightly.
"I'll pass them to you. The Low-Level Di Class technique might take some effort, but the others shouldn't be too difficult." Yao Lao tapped Xiao Heng's forehead, and a flood of information surged into his mind.
After absorbing the vast knowledge, Xiao Heng settled onto a large rock to cultivate the Mid-Level Di Class fire-attribute technique Xun'er had given him. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, armed with over a thousand gold coins borrowed from Xiao Heng, headed to the market to buy materials for refining Spirit Nurturing Liquid.
Xiao Heng's savings were double Xiao Yan's, thanks in no small part to pocketing some of Xun'er's allowance. The fire-attribute technique, named the Fire Cloud Art, was a Mid-Level Di Class technique. Its circulation pathways were exponentially more complex than those of a Huang Class technique. After five hours, Xiao Heng completed the initial cultivation, transforming his milky-white Dou Zhi Qi into a pale blue hue.
This pale blue wasn't the Fire Cloud Art's natural color but a reflection of Xiao Heng's innate flame. His Dou Zhi Qi reserves had also multiplied several times over. By his estimation, as a One-Star Dou Zhe, he could unleash a Low-Level Di Class Dou Technique three times before depleting his reserves.
As night fell, Xiao Heng opened his eyes to find a stunning young girl in green standing before him.
"Xun'er, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"I came to guard you, Xiao Heng-gege," Xun'er said, her delicate face inching closer, her large eyes fixed on him. "How's the technique I gave you?"
"It's incredible!" Xiao Heng replied, channeling his Dou Zhi Qi. A pale blue glow gathered in his palm.
"Why isn't it red? Did your Dou Zhi Qi mutate?" Xun'er asked, tilting her head.
"This," Xiao Heng said, igniting his Dou Zhi Qi. A blue flame flickered to life in his hand, dancing gracefully in the night's chilly breeze.
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In Xiao Yan's room, Yao Lao was demonstrating alchemy by refining Spirit Nurturing Liquid for the two disciples. When Xiao Heng arrived, he found Xiao Yan studying a black iron shard.
"What treasure did you pick up at the market this time?" Xiao Heng asked, amused.
"A Low-Level Xuan Class Dou Technique called Vacuum Palm," Xiao Yan said, explaining its effects. "When mastered, it can even suck blood from an opponent."
"Sounds practical," Xiao Heng said with a grin. "If your weapon gets knocked away in a fight, you could just pull it back with this."
While Xiao Yan fetched water, Xiao Heng used his soul perception to examine the iron shard. The Vacuum Palm seemed versatile for everyday use. By the time Xiao Yan returned, Xiao Heng had already lifted a wooden table in the room using the technique.
"Not bad comprehension," Yao Lao remarked. "With a bit more practice, you'll achieve the effects described in the technique."
After Yao Lao's demonstration, Xiao Heng returned to his room to familiarize himself with the Dou Techniques Yao Lao had imparted.
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Two months passed in a blink. Xiao Heng's cultivation reached the peak of Two-Star Dou Zhe. Within the Xiao clan, his innate flame had no targets to devour, stalling its growth and slowing his progress. However, he mastered all the Dou Techniques Yao Lao had given him, including the demanding Low-Level Di Class technique, though true mastery would require further refinement.
Due to a lack of funds and materials, Xiao Heng hadn't practiced alchemy hands-on, relying instead on observing Yao Lao's refinements alongside Xiao Yan. Determined to advance, he decided to venture into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. There, he would fight, gather herbs, cultivate, and refine pills, tackling all four aspects simultaneously. Whatever herbs he found, he'd use to attempt pill refinement.
Over the past two months, Xiao Heng had honed his fire control and learned to identify herbs of various grades. When Yao Lao learned of his plan to head to the Magical Beast Mountain Range alone, he gifted him a three-holed ordinary cauldron and imparted recipes and refining experiences for third-tier and lower pills.
"This cauldron can theoretically handle up to fifth-tier pills," Yao Lao said. "It's more than enough for you now. The experience I've given you is sufficient to make you a third-tier alchemist. Without my direct guidance, you might blow up the cauldron a few times or waste some herbs, but that's all part of the process."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Xiao Heng said, bowing deeply.
"Comfortable cultivation breeds no true experts," Yao Lao said solemnly. "I'm pleased with your resolve. Just remember: when you're out there alone, stay cautious and play it safe."
"Don't worry, Teacher. I value my life too much to be reckless!" Xiao Heng replied with a grin.
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The warm morning light illuminated the words "Wu Tan City" above the city gate. Xiao Yan and Xun'er stood at the entrance, bidding Xiao Heng farewell.
"Xiao Heng-gege, please be careful!" Xun'er said, her pretty face etched with worry.
"Don't worry. If I don't work hard, how can I ever be worthy of you?" Xiao Heng teased, gently patting her soft cheek.
"Xiao Heng-gege, what are you saying?" Xun'er blushed, her cheeks puffing out.
"Little Yan, if you're short on coins for herbs, just get that old codger to take you looting!" Xiao Heng called out. With a quick hug of Xun'er's slender frame, he burst into laughter and sprinted off.
From the black storage ring on Xiao Yan's finger came an indignant shout: "Treacherous disciple! Treacherous disciple!"
Leaving Wu Tan City behind, Xiao Heng headed straight for Qing Shan Town. Xun'er's a feast for the eyes, but not one I can indulge in yet. Time to find someone else for a little taste. Xiao Yi Xian's my first target, he thought, a sly smile creeping across his face.