BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

It didn't take long for Xiao Hua and Yao Lao to witness Xiao Yan's breakthrough. After a few more minutes, a sudden change occurred within Xiao Yan's body, a change that both of them could keenly sense.

The Dou Qi inside him surged wildly, expanding at a rapid pace until it became visible to the naked eye. However, just as it seemed on the verge of losing control, Xiao Yan swiftly formed a hand seal. In an instant, the raging Dou Qi reversed course, flowing downward and condensing rapidly in his abdomen.

Though the resistance was far from weak, Xiao Yan's soul perception was extraordinary—even Yao Lao couldn't help but be impressed. Under such precise control, the Dou Qi's resistance was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It thrashed for a moment before being forcibly subdued.

When the compressed Dou Qi shrank to the size of a palm, it suddenly froze, ceasing all movement.

"Compress it again!" Yao Lao's voice rang out sharply the moment he sensed the stagnation.

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yan's brows furrowed tightly, and his closed eyes tensed. His control over the Dou Qi abruptly surged, reaching its peak. Then, with ruthless determination, he forcefully pressed down once more!

Bang!

A soft, muffled sound echoed from within Xiao Yan's body.

In the next moment, the stubborn resistance of the Dou Qi finally crumbled, leaving Xiao Yan completely drained.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as his body collapsed onto the ground, his chest rising and falling rapidly from exhaustion.

Lying on the cold floor of the cave, Xiao Yan once again felt the surge of vibrant energy—an exhilarating sensation he hadn't experienced in four long years.

A faint, satisfaction smile crept onto his face, growing wider with each passing second… until it bloomed into a chuckle, then hearty laughter, and finally, unrestrained, euphoric howls of joy.

He has reach Dou Zhe class!

...

Xiao Hua and Yao Lao simply watched in silence as Xiao Yan basked in the satisfaction of his breakthrough. They had no intention of interrupting, allowing him to enjoy the moment and catch his breath.

Naturally, Xiao Yan didn't linger in his success for long. Taking a deep breath, he quickly straightened his posture and sat cross-legged once more.

"Cousin Xiao Hua…?" Just as he was about to excitedly report his breakthrough to Yao Lao, Xiao Yan's eyes widened in surprise upon noticing Xiao Hua standing beside him.

He hadn't even sensed when Xiao Hua had arrived. Without hesitation, he quickly sprang to his feet and cupped his hands respectfully.

"Congratulations on successfully advancing to Dou Zhe, Cousin Xiao Yan." Xiao Hua stood with his arms behind his back, his expression calm as he nodded in acknowledgment.

"However, my matters can wait. Your master has something important to tell you." With that, Xiao Hua cast a meaningful glance at Yao Lao before stepping aside.

Xiao Yan scratched his head sheepishly, a grin tugging at his lips at Xiao Hua's sincere words. But as soon as he heard the mention of something important, his expression shifted—his eyes brightened with anticipation.

"That's right, Master! I've successfully advanced! Aren't I your proudest disciple?" Xiao Yan exclaimed excitedly, rubbing his nose proudly.

"There's no need to shout. Are you a child, declaring your first love for the whole world to hear?" Yao Lao smacked Xiao Yan lightly on the head, his tone scolding yet filled with warmth.

Xiao Yan chuckled sheepishly, but a moment later, he suddenly stretched out his hands with a fawning expression as he remembered something important.

"Ah, that's right, Master," he said with a grin. "Now that I've reached the Dou Zhe level, isn't it time for that Qi Method you mentioned—the Flame Mantra?"

"Impatient brat..." Yao Lao rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by his disciple's shameless eagerness. "Fine. Here it is."

As he spoke, Yao Lao extended his gnarled hand. With a subtle wave, a flicker of light shimmered in the air, and a black-colored scroll appeared in his palm.

"This is the Flame Mantra. But tell me—are you truly certain about practicing this Qi Method?" Yao Lao's voice softened, his expression serious. "You're not choosing this path just because of my situation, are you?"

"Don't worry, Master. I didn't choose to practice this thoughtlessly just because it's powerful," Xiao Yan said calmly.

"Yes, I fear death—but I also want to see the peak. I know I can't reach it without your guidance. And even if this path doesn't go smoothly, I can always switch to another Qi Method."

With that, Xiao Yan reached out and firmly grasped the black scroll, a brilliant smile spreading across his face.

The moment his hand touched the scroll, it dissolved into a stream of light, transforming into pure information that surged directly into his mind.

Without delay, Xiao Yan sat down cross-legged, his expression focused as he began to process the torrent of knowledge pouring into his consciousness.

Yao Lao stood silently, his eyes slightly red and misted. He rubbed at them with the back of his hand, knowing deep down that his current condition played a part in Xiao Yan choosing this risky cultivation path.

A surge of emotion swelled in his aged heart. Lifting his gaze toward the sky, he let out a quiet sigh and whispered, "Rest assured… I'll definitely nurture you into the most outstanding Alchemist the world has ever seen…"

"Don't forget about me now…" Xiao Hua suddenly interjected with a teasing smile, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

"Can't you read the room?" Yao Lao shot Xiao Hua a cold glare.

"I can—and I have. I just don't care," Xiao Hua replied with a mocking smile.

That infuriating expression made Yao Lao genuinely want to smack the young man, but he let out a long, helpless sigh instead. His current strength simply wasn't enough to teach him a lesson.

The first Dou Qi transformation didn't take much time. Barely two hours later, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes from his cross-legged position.

Having cultivated the Dou Qi Technique, his entire being radiated vitality and vigor. His spirit was high, and his delicate features seemed to glow with a jade-like luster, refined and bright.

With a light smile, Xiao Yan could already feel the heightened sensitivity brought on by practicing the Qi Method.

"Looks like you've succeeded, Cousin Xiao Yan," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile.

"Yeah," Xiao Yan nodded, excitement dancing in his eyes.

"That's good," Xiao Hua replied calmly. "Now, let's talk about the reason I came here."

Xiao Yan didn't mind the shift in conversation. He knew Xiao Hua had come for a reason, and he was genuinely curious about the sudden visit.

"First," Xiao Hua began, "I've already handed your master the medicinal pill I promised. Follow his guidance carefully when refining it to ensure you receive its full benefits."

He nodded toward Yao Lao, who returned the gesture in quiet acknowledgment. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's smile grew even brighter, his excitement clearly showing.

"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Hua," he said, cupping his hands respectfully. His voice carried deep gratitude and appreciation.

A tier-eight medicinal pill—something even his father had likely never consumed—was now within his reach. Just imagining the surge in strength it would bring made his heart race with anticipation.

"Second," Xiao Hua continued, "I've recently learned more about the Flame Mantra, and I came here to give you this."

As he spoke, he retrieved a white jade bottle from his Mysterious Heaven Ring and handed it over.

"What is this, Cousin Xiao Hua?" Xiao Yan asked, taking the jade bottle and inspecting it curiously. He could hear a liquid sloshing gently inside.

"Amethyst Lion Birth Essence," Xiao Hua replied casually.

"Amethyst Lion Birth Essence?!" Yao Lao exclaimed in shock.

His voice was so loud that it startled Xiao Yan, causing him to fumble and toss the jade bottle into the air. With a swift reaction, he caught it just before it could hit the ground and shatter.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao and asked, "What exactly is this Amethyst Lion Birth Essence that surprised you so much, Master?"

Yao Lao exchanged a glance with Xiao Hua. Seeing that Xiao Hua gave a slight nod, indicating he didn't mind, Yao Lao proceeded to explain.

As Xiao Yan listened to the explanation—about the rarity of the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence and its connection to the Amethyst Winged Lion—his expression shifted dramatically, cycling from amazement to shock, then finally to a trace of fear.

"Cousin Xiao Hua, will I really be fine taking this? Wouldn't I become an enemy with the Amethyst Winged Lion?"

After all, the news that the Amethyst Winged Lion had become a Guardian Beast of the Xiao Clan had spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire.

Naturally, Xiao Yan couldn't help but worry. If he dared consume something so precious to the Lion King, wouldn't it put him in a very difficult position, especially considering the current relationship between the Xiao Clan and the Lion King?

"In exchange for this, I gave them a Body Transformation Pill and a few other medicinal pills to help him and his cub," Xiao Hua said with a casual shrug, the corner of his lips curving faintly into a small smile.

"It's not a complete loss, though—he agreed to become the Guardian Beast of the Xiao Clan." He added with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"I see… That's a relief," Xiao Yan said, visibly more at ease now that the Xiao Clan's relationship with the Amethyst Winged Lion wouldn't be jeopardized. Still, confusion lingered in his eyes. "But… why are you giving this to me?"

Noticing Xiao Yan's uncertainty, Xiao Hua calmly explained his reasoning.

"Flame Mantra evolves through the absorption of Heavenly Flames, but that doesn't mean it's restricted to only them. It can also evolve by using other flames. One of them is Beast Flame—a type of flame uniquely possessed by certain Magical Beasts and usually extracted from their bodies."

"Although it won't cause a significant evolution like a Heavenly Flame would—since such an advancement requires immense energy—it can still raise its level. From Low to, perhaps, Middle-Level."

"While the effect might not be very notable, it is far more helpful to you as it allows you to raise the quality of your refinement far better than the normal agglomerated flame of Dou Qi. It is more helpful to you as you don't have Heavenly Flame right now…"

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with understanding and excitement. Although a small part of him was disappointed that the Flame Mantra would only advance by one level, he couldn't deny the immense value it would bring him as an Alchemist.

If one could shorten the time needed to refine medicinal ingredients and enhance the quality of refinement, then it was undoubtedly a great benefit—especially for someone like him.

"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Hua!" Xiao Yan cupped his hand and give his gratitude to Xiao Hua.

Under normal circumstance, absorbing a Beast Flame such as the Purple Flame would require extensive preparation. However, with the Earth Spirit Body Nourishment Pill, his physical body would be strengthened to the point where he could endure the wild and violent nature of the flame—even as a mere Dou Zhe.

"There's one more thing I want to give you," Xiao Hua said, retrieving a black token from his storage ring. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it casually toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan caught the black token and examined it with curiosity.

It appeared to be forged from an obsidian-like material, so dark that it seemed to devour all surrounding light. Yet, upon closer inspection, its surface revealed an otherworldly depth—like a boundless universe sealed within. Faint stars and swirling galaxies shimmered in its dark core, as if the token itself held a fragment of the cosmos.

On the front of the token bloomed three exquisite lotuses, each radiating a distinct aura.

The first was a golden-green lotus, vibrant and brimming with life, exuding a majestic and destructive energy.

The second was a sky-blue lotus, calm and ethereal, as if it held dominion over the endless skies and flowing rivers.

The final lotus was royal-purple, deep and enigmatic, its petals touched with a faint shimmer of starlight—as though it had been born from the vast cosmos itself.

Turning the token over, Xiao Yan found a single word carved into the back in elegant, flowing script—'Chaos.' 

Despite its simplicity, the character carried immense weight, as though it could command the heavens and tear through the natural laws. The writing was majestic and solemn, filled with a pressure that made the soul tremble slightly, yet it also exuded a strange, divine allure—as if it embodied the origin of all creation.

Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his eyes instinctively drawn to the word. For a moment, it felt as if his gaze was trapped by it. With great effort, he managed to tear his eyes away and turned to look at Xiao Hua, his expression tense.

"Cousin Xiao Hua… what is this?" he asked, his voice tight with unease, unable to completely mask the nervous astonishment he felt.

"This is the Chaos Heaven Token," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile. "I know you'll be traveling the around the Dou Qi Continent, so consider this a little insurance for your safety."

"If you ever find yourself in grave danger, just poured your Dou Qi into it. It will unleash a destructive strike I've sealed inside. But keep in mind—it can only be used three times. After that, it becomes nothing more than a useless trinket."

Xiao Yan's heart trembled slightly upon hearing that the token contained three of Xiao Hua's personal attacks. Once he regained his composure, a question surfaced in his mind.

"Destructive strike? Just how destructive are we talking about… for you to describe it that way?" he asked, a nervous edge in his voice.

"The first strike is enough to annihilate a powerful Dou Huang and reduce everything within a fifty-meter radius to dust," Xiao Hua replied casually, giving a light shrug.

"The second will obliterate a hundred meters and carries enough force to kill an ordinary Dou Zong. As for the third…" He paused slightly before continuing, "It can level everything within two kilometers—and holds the power to kill even elite Dou Zongs."

Xiao Hua's tone remained calm and detached, as if he were simply commenting on the weather rather than describing terrifying levels of destruction.

But for Xiao Yan, it was different. His mind went blank, too stunned to react as he listened to Xiao Hua's description.

"Will something happen… for you to give me this, Cousin Xiao Hua?" he asked quietly, a trace of unease in his voice.

He could sense something was off. Xiao Hua wouldn't offer such powerful protection for no reason. It felt like something major was looming—something serious enough that Xiao Yan might truly need this level of insurance.

Xiao Hua closed his eyes and took a slow breath before opening them again. His expression turned solemn.

"It's related to your master, so I can't say much," he said, his voice calm but firm. "What I can tell you is this—I won't be in the Jia Ma Empire when it happens. That's why I'm giving you this token. If you're planning to travel and forge a body for your master, having protection like this will be essential."

"I see…" Xiao Yan nodded slowly, a sense of clarity settling in. He couldn't find fault in Xiao Hua's reasoning. After all, to evolve his Qi Method and restore Yao Lao's body, he would have to journey far and face many unknown dangers.

Though Yao Lao was powerful, he wasn't invincible—especially not in his current form as a disembodied soul. There would undoubtedly be threats even Yao Lao couldn't fend off. In such moments, the Chaos Token could be the only thing that kept them alive.

The future remained uncertain, but knowing he had Xiao Hua's protective token—and his master's guidance—gave Xiao Yan a deep sense of reassurance amidst the unknown.

'Well, it's also because the Xiao Clan will soon face an attack from Yun Shan, and your father will be kidnapped by the Hall of Souls... But this isn't something either of us should know just yet. Which is why—no matter what you do—you won't be able to avoid this fate.' 

Xiao Hua murmured silently in his heart.

He clearly understood that his presence alone would not be enough to deter the Hall of Souls—a terrifying faction that had endured for hundreds of years. Sooner or later, they would strike. Whether Yun Shan wanted to or not, he would be forced to act on their behalf.

He also knew that once he defeated the two Protectors the Hall had sent, they would not simply retreat. Instead, they would send more—perhaps two, or even three more Protectors—to seize the Tuo She Ancient God Jade.

And if they failed to find it, they would most certainly kidnap Xiao Zhan, who undoubtedly knew of its whereabouts.

"Well then, I won't disturb you any further. Since you've just broken through and begun practicing the Flame Mantra, it's best you rest for now," Xiao Hua said gently, advising Xiao Yan with a calm tone.

"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Hua, for both the precious pill and the protective token."

"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Hua—for both the precious pill and this protective token." Xiao Yan cupped his hands respectfully, his voice filled with heartfelt gratitude. Aside from his master, Xiao Hua had become his greatest support, and he couldn't be more thankful.

Xiao Hua gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Sensing that Yao Lao still had things to discuss with Xiao Yan, he didn't linger.

Without another word, his figure blurred and vanished, like mist dissolving into the wind, leaving only Xiao Yan and Yao Lao atop the quiet cliff.

...

As Xiao Hua's figure vanished into the distance, a wave of admiration and awe flickered once again in Xiao Yan's eyes. The sheer strength Xiao Hua possessed was something that both inspired and humbled him.

Letting out a quiet, envious sigh, Xiao Yan murmured, "Strength truly does earn respect…"

"Don't dwell on it too much," Yao Lao said with a faint smile, stroking his beard. "Everyone walks their own path at their own pace. What matters more is the direction of your journey, not the speed."

"Even your cousin had to endure countless hardships before reaching his current level. People only see the brilliance of one's achievements, never the suffering that lies beneath. So instead of feeling envy, focus on walking your own path steadily."

"I understand, Master. You don't need to worry," Xiao Yan replied with a gentle smile. "I'm neither greedy nor arrogant. I'd rather lay a solid foundation than chase after hollow, fleeting power."

Seeing that Xiao Yan had truly grasped the essence of his teaching—and was able to resist the temptation of pursuing power blindly—Yao Lao nodded with satisfaction. With that gratified expression still on his face, he began to speak about the next steps of their journey.

"We'll head to the Magic Beast Mountain Range next to begin your training. It will likely take at least a year," Yao Lao said calmly.

"A year…" Xiao Yan murmured under his breath.

"That's right," Yao Lao nodded, stroking his beard. "After that, we'll make our way to the Tager Desert. That place is particularly well-suited for cultivating fire-affinity techniques."

"You'll train there for another half a year. Coincidentally, your older brothers are in that region. They can guide you to suitable training spots."

Xiao Yan nodded slowly, absorbing the information and etching every word into the depths of his memory.

As he thought about his two older brothers—those who had remained by his side when he lost his talent, shielding him from mockery and treating him with unwavering kindness—a warm, genuine smile spread across his lips.

He had to admit, aside from Xiao Hua, his father, and the two Grand Elders, his elder brothers had always been there for him. Even before they left the clan to establish their own faction in the Tager Desert, they had offered nothing but support.

'I've received help from so many people… I don't think I can ever thank them enough,' Xiao Yan thought, chuckling softly as joy flickered in his eyes.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he raised his head and asked, "Master, if I recall correctly… didn't you once say that there's a Heavenly Flame hidden within Jia Nan Academy?"

Yao Lao arched a brow, a slight concern surfacing in his gaze. "Didn't you say you didn't want to put your cousin in a difficult position?"

He had indeed mentioned before that, according to certain information he'd obtained, a Heavenly Flame was rumored to be hidden within Jia Nan Academy. But after Xiao Yan expressed his reluctance to trouble Xiao Hua with such matters, Yao Lao hadn't brought it up again—until now.

Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan replied in a mildly irritated tone, "I'm not talking about taking the Heavenly Flame. I'm asking about the type of flame. Didn't you say the one in Jia Nan Academy can help accelerate my cultivation? So why don't I just enroll in Jia Nan Academy?"

Yao Lao stroked his beard thoughtfully. After a brief pause, he nodded. "That's a solid plan. However, once you enter that place, leaving temporarily becomes quite troublesome. Make sure to apply for leave in advance if you ever need to go."

Even Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang only returned to the clan once a year, which showed how strict the academy was with allowing students to leave.

"Don't worry, Master. Cousin Xiao Hua is an elder of Jia Nan Academy—an important one at that. If he speaks on my behalf, I doubt the academy would refuse," Xiao Yan said with a proud grin spreading across his face.

Yao Lao sighed and shook his head at Xiao Yan's smug expression. Still, he couldn't deny that with Xiao Hua's status, a leave request would likely be granted without issue.

"In any case, there are still a few months left before Jia Nan Academy begins its enrollment," Yao Lao continued. "Until then, I'll use this time to teach you more about alchemy and help you perfect your Octane Blast."

"I understand. I'll also ask Cousin Xiao Hua if he knows any places where Heavenly Flames might be found," Xiao Yan nodded before turning to walk away.

Now that Yao Lao had agreed to continue teaching him alchemy, he knew he needed to search for several medicinal ingredients to begin refining pills in earnest.

His heart beat with anticipation at the thought of the eight-tier medicinal pill Xiao Hua had refined for him—it was an incredible treasure that many could only dream of.

Yet beneath that excitement lingered a faint sense of unease. The fact that Xiao Hua had entrusted him with such a powerful protective item could only mean one thing—he knew something terrible was on the horizon. Otherwise, there was no reason to offer something so precious.

'I just hope it's not something that will involve the Xiao Clan…'

Xiao Yan silently prayed that his clan would remain untouched by whatever storm was coming.

Unfortunately, fate had already been set in motion.

The future disaster would not come because of Xiao Yan or Xiao Hua—but because of the Xiao Clan's ancient past and the treasure that is on their hands.

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