Naturally, Xiao Zhan was deeply concerned.
In his past life, when this had happened, he had been terrified almost to tears.
"Elders, clansmen, thank you for visiting me. I'm feeling weak now, so please allow me to rest."
Hearing this, the Great Elder nodded.
"Alright, Xiao Yan, rest well.
I'll arrange for the younger generation to visit in turns, to keep you company."
Soon, the elders and Xiao Zhan left the small room.
When everyone was gone, Xiao Yan used his powerful soul perception to faintly overhear their conversation outside.
"This is no small matter," the Great Elder said. "Xiao Yan's cultivation has dropped to Dou Qi level 3 ..... a grave loss."
Another elder sighed. "At this fragile stage, it will take years, maybe longer, to recover, even if possible."
The Third Elder added, "I fear his talent might be permanently damaged."
"No matter what, we must heal Yan'er," Xiao Zhan's heavy voice rang out. "Even if it costs the entire clan."
Listening, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
He remembered .... in his past life, they cared at first, but as years passed and his strength never returned, their warmth faded.
He did not blame them.
People are like that .... drawn to benefit, avoiding loss.
After the voices faded, Xiao Yan sat up slowly.
There was no fear or panic on his young face, only calm .... the composure of one who had already mastered the grand picture.
Even in his past life, without help, he had risen from nothing to the peak of the universe.
Now, reborn, even with weakened strength, the experience of tens of thousands of years and the tempered heart of a true powerhouse returned with him.
Outside, sunlight filtered through lush trees, cicadas crying in the summer heat.
The dappled light fell upon the boy's face .....childlike yet mature, soft yet determined.
Xiao Yan gently touched the ancient ring on his finger and smiled faintly.
"It's only a little hardship. Nothing more."
In his previous life, after losing all Dou Qi, Xiao Yan's heart was consumed by panic and fear.
Especially after repeated failures to cultivate Dou Qi, all that remained was endless despair.
During the next three years, as his cultivation stagnated at Dou Qi level 3, the gazes of his clan gradually shifted from admiration to cold indifference.
Xiao Yan felt as if living were worse than dying; existence itself seemed meaningless.
Yet, it was during these three years that he truly tasted the myriad faces of the world.
They tempered his youthful arrogance, instilling a calm in him when approaching everything, and made him cherish every opportunity and every trace of human warmth.
One only learns to value something once it has been lost.
Though these three years brought no growth to his cultivation, they greatly strengthened his heart, planting a rock-solid foundation for his strong will.
Of course, all of this began with the black ring on his finger.
Without the three years of suffering brought by Yao Lao, Xiao Yan's personality might have grown arrogant.
Perhaps, after becoming a strong cultivator, the day of his downfall would have arrived sooner.
And without Yao Lao's guidance upon awakening, and the gift of the Flame Devouring Art, Xiao Yan's highest achievements might have only reached Dou Huang.
With some luck, he could have become a Dou Zong, but reaching Dou Zun would have been nearly impossible ..... let alone becoming the Flame Emperor.
Looking back, Yao Lao played an indispensable role in Xiao Yan's growth.
Reborn, Xiao Yan's insight now surpassed Yao Lao's by countless levels. Yet he certainly would not abandon the man who had treated him with such care.
Moreover, with Xiao Yan currently at Dou Qi level 3, despite possessing countless memories, he could not even refine a basic Grade One medicinal pill.
So…
Xiao Yan gently caressed the black ring, his eyes revealing a hint of reminiscence.
"Teacher, whether this is a new life or merely an illusion, let us, master and disciple, once again join hands and carve out a boundless future
!As his emotions surged, Xiao Yan's heart trembled slightly, and he could not help but speak aloud.
"Teacher, awaken!"
After his roar, the black ring remained motionless, appearing no more than an inconspicuous ancient ornament.
Staring at the unmoving ring, Xiao Yan's face stiffened for a moment before he exhaled lightly.
"You've absorbed so much of my Dou Qi. Even if you cannot regain much strength, you should have at least recovered some consciousness.
Otherwise, how could you have actively absorbed my Dou Qi?"