Entering the cultivation chamber, Xiao Yan leaned against the door, his originally rosy complexion suddenly turning pale. Due to consuming the Wind Speed Spirit Pill before cultivation, it caused a sudden increase in the flow of Dou Qi, but when the cultivation was interrupted, the drawbacks of the Wind Speed Spirit Pill became apparent. The slow circulation of Dou Qi made him feel weak all over. In the previous exchange with Reina, Xiao Yan had immediately used the Buddha’s Anger Lotus. One reason was to establish his authority, and the other was that his weakened Dou Qi was not enough to last long against Reina.
Glancing at his tattered robe, Xiao Yan let out a sigh, still feeling a bit shaken. If Reina’s attack had been a few moves faster, he might have suffered a severe injury. However, the Buddha’s Anger Lotus had demoralized Reina first, achieving the intimidating effect he needed. This was all due to a bit of luck.
Coughing lightly, Xiao Yan slowly walked to the black stone platform, struggling to sit cross-legged. After taking several deep breaths, he formed the cultivation hand seal and entered a meditative state once again, circulating his Dou Qi to slowly recover.
After nearly three to four hours of cultivation, the weakness in Xiao Yan’s body gradually dissipated, and the sluggish Dou Qi caused by the Wind Speed Spirit Pill also began to normalize. Once his condition was restored, Xiao Yan took another Wind Speed Spirit Pill and entered seclusion for further cultivation. From what Liu Fei had said, she seemed to have a rather formidable cousin, and Reina’s respect for this cousin suggested that his strength far exceeded hers. Although he had the advantage today due to Elder He’s favor, he likely offended that woman. Such a seemingly peaceful but extremely arrogant woman would not understand the concept of de-escalation. To avoid future troubles, Xiao Yan needed to quickly enhance his strength.
In the world of cultivation, time passes unnoticed. The incident on the third floor had already taken place nearly five days ago, and during these five days, Xiao Yan’s name had spread throughout almost the entire Heavenly Flame Tower among the students. A single, terrifying Fire Lotus had rendered Reina, a four-star Dou Ling, combat-incapable, showing no mercy to Liu Fei, the Snow Fairy of the Inner Academy. Despite his harsh action, he received minimal punishment from the normally strict Elder He. These strange events made Xiao Yan the most talked-about topic in the Heavenly Flame Tower.
Of course, while sharing these tales, many students couldn’t help but feel admiration. Not only did Elder He treat Xiao Yan kindly, but the terrifying Fire Lotus that incapacitated Reina was enough to make them revere him. In the Heavenly Flame Tower and the entire Inner Academy, strength is always respected. Due to Xiao Yan’s display of the Fire Lotus, some admirers of Liu Fei dared not challenge him. Otherwise, how could he have remained undisturbed in seclusion for five days after offending Liu Fei? Nevertheless, the deterrent effect Xiao Yan sought was indeed achieved.
In the spacious third floor, people moved about, creating a lively atmosphere, with occasional battles breaking out. Outside these circles, curious onlookers gathered. In the area of the advanced cultivation chambers, passersby couldn’t help but glance at one particular chamber marked as occupied. Their gazes were filled with curiosity and a bit of awe. Over the past few days, almost everyone on the third floor knew that this chamber belonged to Xiao Yan, the newcomer who defeated Reina, a four-star Dou Ling, with a single Fire Lotus.
Many students came to see him, but since Xiao Yan hadn’t left the chamber after the battle, they had to leave disappointed. For ordinary Dou Zhe or even Dou Shi, a day of cultivation might require food, but as Dou Qi grows stronger, so does the ability to endure hunger. By the level of a Great Dou Shi, while they can’t ignore all food, in a closed-door cultivation state, their body consumes the least, and going without food for five or six days, aside from some weakness, doesn’t cause much harm. So, those who came to see Xiao Yan had to leave, not knowing how long he would remain in seclusion.
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening drew attention. When they saw the room number, they were stunned, and their gazes immediately heated up. The bustling corridor grew quiet, and all eyes fixed on the opened door. Under the gaze of the crowd, a black-robed youth emerged calmly. Seeing the attention, he frowned slightly, shook his head, and left the chamber, heading towards the entrance to the fourth floor of the Heavenly Flame Tower.
After seven days of cultivation on the third floor, Xiao Yan’s progress was almost unbelievable. Though he had the aid of the Wind Speed Spirit Pill, the Azure Fungus Fire Essence, and the Heart Flame’s tempering, he felt he was nearing the peak of a seven-star Great Dou Shi. At this rate, he might soon touch the threshold of an eight-star rank and break through.
Excited by his progress, Xiao Yan was ready to continue cultivating when he suddenly realized that after nearly seven days of adapting to the Heart Flame’s tempering, the third floor’s Heart Flame was no longer sufficient, forcing him to interrupt his cultivation and leave the chamber.
Since the third floor’s Heart Flame was no longer enough, he had to proceed to the fourth floor. Otherwise, his cultivation speed would sharply decrease.
Under the watchful eyes, Xiao Yan disappeared down the corridor. Observing his path, the crowd whispered in surprise.
“He seems to be heading to the fourth floor?”
“Uh, isn’t the fourth floor for those with Dou Ling strength? I don’t think Xiao Yan has reached that level yet.”
“Who knows? He defeated Reina, so maybe he can enter the fourth floor?”
The crowd exchanged puzzled looks and sighed, shaking their heads.
Ignoring the whispers, Xiao Yan turned a corner and saw the entrance guarded by tower mentors. Hesitating slightly, he approached.
“You need Dou Ling strength to enter the fourth floor. Those who don’t meet the requirement are prohibited,” a mentor said lazily as Xiao Yan approached.
“Uh?” Xiao Yan paused, looking surprised, then smiled bitterly. He hadn’t expected the fourth floor to have such strict requirements. Could he only stay on the third floor?
But thinking about the now insufficient Heart Flame, he felt a headache coming on.
“Y-you are Xiao Yan?” Another mentor, who was examining him, suddenly asked in surprise.
Hearing this, the first mentor looked up, recognized the familiar face, and recalled Elder He’s instructions, asking, “Are you the Xiao Yan who had a conflict with Reina a few days ago?”
Seeing the mentors’ surprised expressions, Xiao Yan hesitated, then nodded. “Since I don’t meet the requirement, I’ll continue on the third floor. Sorry to disturb you, mentors.”
“Wait!” The first mentor stopped him, smiling. “Elder He instructed us to allow you to enter the fourth floor without following the rules. So, please go ahead.”
Xiao Yan was taken aback, then grinned. If he could enter the fourth floor, he could soon reach the eight-star rank. “Thank you, Elder He and mentors.”
“Don’t mention it. Your rank may not be there, but your strength qualifies you,” the mentors said with a light smile.
“Alright, go down. After a few days in seclusion, eat something before you start. Otherwise, your body won’t hold up.”
“Thank you, mentors.” Xiao Yan bowed and hurried into the passage, disappearing around the corner under the astonished gazes of the crowd.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage