Chapter 132: Flame Mantra and a Promise
"Xiao Yan, I promised you that once you broke through to Fighter rank, I'd give you a cultivation technique."
At the back mountain of the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City, Yao Chen's words made Xiao Yan light up with excitement. Grinning, Xiao Yan replied:
"Hehe, just hand me any Heavenly Rank technique. I'm not picky."
Hearing this, Yao Chen felt an overwhelming urge to smack Xiao Yan into next week.
"A Heavenly Rank technique? Do you think they grow on trees?" Yao Chen thought. Even among the top tier forces in Central Plains, such techniques were rare treasures. Aside from the ancient clans, who else could possibly produce a Heavenly Rank technique?
Suppressing his urge to hit the boy, Yao Chen sighed and said:
"I don't have a Heavenly Rank technique, but I do have one that's... unusual."
"Earth Rank?" Xiao Yan cautiously inquired. If it was an Earth Rank technique, he could accept that. After all, the Xiao Clan didn't have anything of that caliber.
"No," Yao Chen replied, shaking his head.
"Don't tell me it's Xuan Rank?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's excitement dimmed. He couldn't help but doubt Yao Chen's legendary prowess. "You can't even provide an Earth Rank technique? Stop pretending to be so amazing, then."
At this point in their relationship, Xiao Yan's feelings toward Yao Chen were only beginning to thaw. The animosity from earlier had turned into gratitude, but they hadn't yet reached the level of deep trust and camaraderie.
"It's not even Xuan Rank," Yao Chen said flatly, deciding to clarify everything. "The technique I'm offering is actually a Yellow Rank low tier technique."
The words hit Xiao Yan like a brick wall. His face contorted in disbelief. "Yellow Rank low tier? Are you serious? That's the lowest grade possible! Even the techniques in my clan aren't that bad!"
"Are you joking, Teacher? A Yellow Rank low tier technique? Did I hear that right?" Xiao Yan asked, staring at Yao Chen suspiciously.
"No joke," Yao Chen affirmed. "But this technique has a unique feature it can evolve."
"Evolve? Have you tried it yourself?" Xiao Yan's skepticism deepened.
He had studied this world thoroughly and had never heard of a technique capable of evolving. It sounded like pure fantasy.
"No, I haven't," Yao Chen admitted.
"Has anyone else practiced it?" Xiao Yan pressed.
"Not that I know of," Yao Chen said. "The technique, Flame Mantra, was something I discovered in ancient ruins. According to the description, it can evolve by absorbing Heavenly Flames. In theory, it could even ascend to the Heavenly Rank one day. But I'll be honest this is just conjecture. No one's ever tested it before. If you don't want it, I'll understand."
Yao Chen's spiritual form sagged slightly as he retrieved two scrolls from his Bone Flame Ring. One was red (Flame Mantra), and the other was black (an Earth Rank technique).
"Here are two techniques: Flame Mantra and an Earth Rank technique. The choice is yours, and I won't blame you no matter what you pick," Yao Chen said, a trace of disappointment in his tone.
Xiao Yan fell silent. He wasn't a fool and could sense Yao Chen's subdued expectations. Moreover, Yao Chen's description of Flame Mantra had been tinged with a flicker of hope a yearning to see its potential realized.
Finally, Xiao Yan stood, bowing respectfully.
"Teacher, you want me to choose Flame Mantra, don't you?" Xiao Yan asked solemnly.
Startled, Yao Chen sighed and admitted:
"Yes, I do. Only Flame Mantra can absorb multiple Heavenly Flames into a single body. And only Flame Mantra can fulfill the conditions for reviving me. That's why I hope you'll choose it. But I must be honest it's untested, and absorbing Heavenly Flames might be dangerous."
Yao Chen's frankness softened Xiao Yan's heart. Despite their master disciple bond, their relationship hadn't yet reached the point of life and death loyalty. Yao Chen's traumatic betrayal by Han Feng, who had colluded with the Hall of Souls, had left lasting scars.
Before Yao Chen could finish explaining, Xiao Yan interrupted. "If Flame Mantra might help revive you, then my choice is obvious. I'll take it. Besides, if absorbing Heavenly Flames doesn't work, I can always switch to another technique."
For a moment, Yao Chen was overwhelmed with emotion. His spiritual form seemed to shimmer with gratitude. Feeling this, Yao Chen shared the full story of Han Feng's betrayal with Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's fists clenched as he declared:
"If I ever get the chance, I'll ensure Han Feng pays for his treachery. He'll suffer a fate worse than death."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan added:
"But Teacher, don't mess with me, alright? You know I have that three year challenge with Nalan Yanran. Nearly a year's already gone by, and time is running out!"
Despite his words, Xiao Yan confidently took the red scroll containing Flame Mantra.
Seeing this, Yao Chen nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Trust me, Xiao Yan. With my help, you'll triumph in your three year challenge and humiliate Nalan Yanran."
With that, Xiao Yan began practicing Flame Mantra in earnest.
As Xiao Yan entered a meditative state, Yao Chen suddenly sensed spatial fluctuations around them. Alarmed, he prepared to act, but a calm voice echoed in his mind.
"Young one of the Medicine Clan, come have a chat."
Recognizing the voice, Yao Chen relaxed it was Xiao Tiance, the leader of the Xiao Clan.
In an instant, Yao Chen's spiritual form vanished, leaving Xiao Yan alone in his training.
Above the Xiao Clan's back mountain, the void rippled as Yao Chen's spiritual form appeared within a secluded space. Xiao Tiance stood there, his aura unfathomably deep, exuding a majestic yet approachable presence.
"Senior Xiao," Yao Chen greeted respectfully.
Xiao Tiance nodded slightly. "You've done well guiding Xiao Yan thus far. But the road ahead will only grow more treacherous. Let's discuss the next steps to ensure he reaches his full potential."
"Yao Chen greets the senior of the Xiao Clan."
Yao Chen bowed respectfully as Xiao Tiance smiled and gestured for him to rise.
"No need for excessive courtesy. I'm here to discuss a trade with you," Xiao Tiance said, his tone calm and measured.
"A trade?"
Yao Chen was puzzled. At this point, he couldn't think of anything he possessed that could possibly interest someone of Xiao Tiance's stature. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and his expression turned uncertain.
"Senior, are you referring to Flame Mantra?" he asked hesitantly.
"Indeed, it's about Flame Mantra. While Xiao Yan has already begun cultivating it, I'd like you to create a copy of the technique for me. In return, I promise this: if Xiao Yan fails to resurrect you in the future, I will ensure that one of the Xiao Clan's brightest talents cultivates Flame Mantra. I will personally see to it that your resurrection is pursued to the fullest extent."
Xiao Tiance's voice was calm but firm.
"Of course, I will not force you. If you agree to this trade, you'll not only gain the promise of resurrection but also a favor from me a favor from the Xiao Clan is not something to take lightly. Even if you wish for your parents to be honored within the Medicine Clan's ancestral hall, I can make it happen," Xiao Tiance added, his tone persuasive but without pressure.
This was an offer not made lightly. For Xiao Tiance, this was about hedging his bets. If Xiao Yan faltered or met an untimely end, the Xiao Clan could still prepare a backup candidate to cultivate Flame Mantra.
Should Xiao Yan fail, the ultimate fallback would be extracting the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade and using it to refine the lives of countless beings to create an Emperor Pill just as Soul Heaven Emperor had planned in the original timeline.
Yao Chen listened intently, his emotions a mix of temptation and hesitation. He understood all too well the value of Xiao Tiance's promise. A favor from the Xiao Clan's leader could open doors that were otherwise impossible to breach.
But the Flame Mantra was unique its potential unmatched. Parting with it wasn't a decision to be taken lightly.
Seeing Yao Chen's hesitation, Xiao Tiance smiled.
"No need to decide right away. If you're unwilling, I won't force you."
With that, Xiao Tiance made to dismiss Yao Chen, but the latter quickly called out:
"Senior, please wait!"
"Oh?" Xiao Tiance turned back, his expression patient.
Yao Chen sighed, conflicted. "Senior, your terms are impossible to refuse. However, I must remind you that Flame Mantra is untested. I've entrusted it to Xiao Yan, but I've also prepared safeguards in case anything goes wrong during his cultivation."
Xiao Tiance chuckled softly. "If Xiao Yan fails to cultivate it, then it's his fate. I won't hold it against you."
His tone was nonchalant, as though Xiao Yan's potential failure mattered little in the grand scheme of things.
For Xiao Tiance, Xiao Yan's ultimate value lay in his potential to reach the Dou Di realm. If that potential didn't manifest, Xiao Yan's existence was, at best, a fleeting chapter in a larger narrative.
After all, Xiao Tiance himself was already at the peak of Nine Star Dou Sheng. With the aid of advanced formations, he could easily overpower a dozen Nine Star Dou Shengs simultaneously. Numbers were irrelevant to him only the Dou Di realm held any true meaning.
If Xiao Yan couldn't reach that level, Xiao Tiance would explore alternative paths, including exploiting the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Jade or advancing through formation research to break through to the Great Thousand World.
Yao Chen, hearing the cold pragmatism in Xiao Tiance's words, quickly bowed.
"Rest assured, Senior. I've studied Flame Mantra extensively and have taken every precaution to ensure it won't harm Xiao Yan."
"Good," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile. "Do your best, but remember success or failure is ultimately determined by fate."
Yao Chen nodded. "Understood. I'll prepare a copy of Flame Mantra for you immediately."
Not wanting to risk offending the powerful elder, Yao Chen quickly returned and copied the technique. Before long, he handed over the scroll containing Flame Mantra.
Xiao Tiance accepted the scroll without examining it. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Yao Chen and said:
"If you ever require my assistance or wish to claim the favor I owe you, activate the Heaven's Will Token I gave you. No matter where you are, as long as you pour your Dou Qi into the token, I'll sense it immediately."
Yao Chen's face lit up with a rare smile. "Thank you, Senior. If I ever need help, I'll be sure to seek you out."
With a nod, Xiao Tiance disappeared, leaving Yao Chen in awe of the man's overwhelming presence.
Reappearing in the Xiao Clan's ancestral courtyard in Jia Ma Empire's capital, Xiao Tiance held the copied Flame Mantra. Over the past year, the Heaven's Will Tower a subdivision of the Xiao Clan had expanded significantly, establishing a foothold in both the Jia Ma Empire and the Black Corner Region.
The Xiao Clan had even sent several promising youths to Jia Nan Academy to pave the way for Xiao Yan's future enrollment, ensuring his safety and furthering the clan's influence.
In a secluded courtyard, Xiao Tian Ming approached with a grin.
"Brother Ce, did you get it?"
"Of course. I gave Yao Chen my word, and he handed it over," Xiao Tiance replied, holding up the scroll.
Excited, Xiao Tian Ming asked, "So, who will cultivate it? If Flame Mantra truly evolves by absorbing Heavenly Flames, it could revolutionize cultivation. Xiao Yan might find it challenging, but for the Xiao Clan, tracking down Heavenly Flames is well within reach. Shall I start searching for them?"
Xiao Tiance smiled and shook his head. "No rush. I'll study the technique first. As for the flames, I've already tasked Qing Lian with locating them. We'll have updates soon."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1