BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

The day passed slowly, and night eventually fell, draping the once-blue sky in a blanket of darkness adorned with countless shimmering stars.

Soon after, the sun rose from the eastern horizon, its gentle morning light filtering through the windows of a neat and spacious room.

Inside, two young men sat across from each other, with an elderly man—his white hair flowing and his figure slightly translucent—seated beside one of them. A pot of warm tea sat between them, a clear sign that they were engaged in a serious discussion.

"If you're the one to speak with them, there's no doubt they'll allow Xiao Yan to leave and fulfill the Three-Year Agreement," Yao Lao said, rubbing his beard in relief.

'An agreement you made me/him accept in the first place…'

The same helpless thought crossed both Xiao Hua and Xiao Yan's minds, though neither voiced it aloud.

"Is that all? I'm sorry, but I can't help much with the location of Heavenly Flames—they're extremely rare," Xiao Hua said, his tone calm.

As he spoke, he shamelessly brushed aside the fact that two Heavenly Flames were currently stored within his Mysterious Heaven Ring, hiding the truth behind a faint, carefree smile.

"It's fine. I suppose asking for the location of a wild Heavenly Flame was a bit much…" Yao Lao shook his head, realizing how unreasonable his request must have sounded.

After all, how could one simply stumble upon a Heavenly Flame? It was already a miracle that he had managed to acquire the wild Ghostly Poison Flame.

'It seems I've come to rely on Xiao Hua far too much…' The thought flashed through Yao Lao's mind as he reflected on his growing dependence on the young man.

The only possible lead he had was the Tager Desert, one of Xiao Yan's two future training grounds. He had once ventured into that vast expanse, driven by a rumor that a Heavenly Flame might lie hidden there. But no matter how thoroughly he searched, he was unable to find it.

He couldn't bring himself to ask Xiao Hua to embark on such a fruitless search, chasing rumors in a vast desert. In the end, he chose to say nothing and leave it to fate.

"While I don't know the location of a wild Heavenly Flame, I know someone possessed it." A faint smirk touched Xiao Hua's lips as he smiled mysteriously.

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows in confusion. Those who owned Heavenly Flames were either incredibly powerful or backed by an influential force. 'How does Cousin expect me to seize something like that with my current strength?'

Yao Lao, however, picked up on something. That subtle smile, the sharp glint in Xiao Hua's eyes—it sparked a sudden realization in his mind. His eyes widened, and a flash of emotion stirred deep within them.

"Could it be… the person you're referring to is…" Yao Lao's voice trembled, his expression darkening with sorrow and disbelief.

"It's the very person I was talking about," Xiao Hua nodded. He held his silence for a moment, observing Yao Lao's expression before continuing, "The Heavenly Flame he possesses is ranked fifteenth, the Sea Heart Flame."

"I see…" Yao Lao murmured, his voice tinged with a bitter edge. "It seems... time has granted him his own fortuitous encounter."

"Master, are you alright?" Xiao Yan asked, startled by the shift in his master's demeanor. The heaviness in Yao Lao's expression—deep sorrow and solemnity—was something Xiao Yan had never seen before.

The darkness in his master's voice, the shadow of pain that crossed his eyes, sent a ripple of unease through Xiao Yan's heart.

"I'm all right. Don't worry about me," Yao Lao said as he shook his head, quickly suppressing his emotions. He raised a hand, gesturing for Xiao Yan to ease his concern.

"Okay…"

Though he still had doubts, Xiao Yan nodded and stepped back. Yet the worry in his eyes remained, unable to fade as he continued to observe his master closely.

But more than worry, a growing curiosity stirred within him. Just who was this person they were talking about—someone who could evoke such sorrow and weight in his master?

Sensing Xiao Yan's unspoken question, Yao Lao sighed and said with a helpless smile, "You don't need to be curious for now. I'll tell you about him when the time is right. But as you are now… you're too weak. Knowing too much won't benefit you—it may even harm you."

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile at those words. As a mere Dou Zhe, he truly had no place among the world of Dou Huang experts—let alone figures like Yao Lao and Xiao Hua.

"Little fellow, don't underestimate yourself," Yao Lao said gently, sensing the discouragement in Xiao Yan's heart.

"The Flame Mantra you cultivate holds the power to create miracles. Believe in yourself. While others must rely on slow and steady cultivation, you only need to gather enough Heavenly Flames and refine them. If you succeed… surpassing even me, or that person we spoke of, won't be a mere dream—it will be your reality."

"Hu…" Xiao Yan let out a soft breath and gave a slight nod. With a faint smile, he said, "Hopefully."

Seeing the atmosphere settle, Xiao Hua spoke up with a light smile. "Actually, there is another place that comes to mind."

"If it's the Jia Nan Academy, I've already heard about it from Master, Cousin Xiao Hua," Xiao Yan said, raising his hands and waving them slightly, signaling his refusal. "That might put you in a difficult position, so there's no need to bring it up."

"Don't worry about that." Xiao Hua's smile widened. "I'll speak to them on your behalf—but there's one condition."

He raised a single finger and said, "You'll need to rank among the top ten in the Strong Ranking Grand Competition."

"Strong Ranking Grand Competition? Top ten?" Xiao Yan's expression stiffened slightly, his brows furrowing in confusion at the unfamiliar term.

Still, from the name alone, and the fact that it was connected to Jia Nan Academy, he could guess its meaning—it was likely a prestigious event to determine the strongest students within the academy.

Seeing that Xiao Yan had likely pieced everything together, Xiao Hua nodded in satisfaction.

"It's just as you're thinking. You must reach the top ten in the Strong Ranking Grand Competition—for only then will I allow you to refine the Fallen Heart Flame."

"Is that even possible? Would they really agree to something like that?" Although Xiao Yan's heart raced with excitement, his mind remained steady. His tone was filled with disbelief as he voiced his concern.

He understood all too well just how rare and valuable a Heavenly Flame was. Any faction in possession of one—regardless of their strength—would guard it with everything they had. Anyone who dared to steal it would be hunted to the ends of the continent, marked as a thief who had stolen a sacred treasure.

Xiao Hua, unbothered by the skepticism, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He wasn't offended by the question—in fact, he would have done the same thing in Xiao Yan's position.

"Let's start with the type of Heavenly Flame housed within Jia Nan Academy," he said calmly. "Then I'll explain why I'm confident the elders would willingly hand it over to you."

He then explained that the Heavenly Flame in Jia Nan Academy was none other than the Fallen Heart Flame. The revelation stunned both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao, but at the same time, it made sense—finally explaining the unusually rapid cultivation growth among Jia Nan Academy's students.

But what shocked them even more was Xiao Hua's next statement: he had discovered another Fallen Heart Flame—though it was only a seed flame, an immature version of the original.

Even so, the implications were significant. If there existed another flame that could be nurtured, then it would make sense for the academy to part with the first one—especially if the new flame, once tamed, would willingly settle within the academy rather than treat it with hostility.

"But if they're willing to give it away, why do I need to participate in the Strong Ranking Grand Competition and become one of the top ten?"

Xiao Yan's confusion was natural, his brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of the condition.

Yao Lao, however, immediately understood the reasoning behind Xiao Hua's seemingly roundabout approach.

"It's a test, isn't it? To make sure Xiao Yan has the strength to withstand and absorb the Fallen Heart Flame," Yao Lao said, his tone calm and knowing. After learning that the flame had already formed a Fire Spirit, he understood just how dangerous a mature Fallen Heart Flame could be.

"That's right," Xiao Hua nodded. "I'll leave the detailed explanation about Fire Spirits to Yao Zun Zhe, but the main point is this—you must place in the top ten to prove to me that you're capable of absorbing the Heavenly Flame without it devouring you instead."

"While the seed flame is much safer, it's also far too weak. It won't give you the full power and transformative potential of a Heavenly Flame. But the mature Fallen Heart Flame... that's a different story. If you succeed, your strength will rise to a whole new realm."

"How powerful will I become if I consume the mature Fallen Heart Flame?" Xiao Yan asked eagerly, unable to hide the anticipation in his voice.

Naturally, his heart was pounding with excitement. The wide smile on his face revealed just how thrilled he was.

Xiao Hua rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a contemplative look flashing across his face. "If I had to estimate… if you manage to swallow it while at the six-star Dou Ling stage, your strength will definitely soar to the peak of Dou Wang."

"Peak Dou Wang?!"

Xiao Yan involuntarily exclaims in shock, stunned by the sheer increase in strength a mature Heavenly Flame could provide.

However, his excitement slowly faded. After considering the difficulty of devouring such a powerful flame, his thoughts steadied. Now, he fully understood why his cousin insisted on testing him first.

"...What if I fail the test?"

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and asked, even though he already suspected the answer. Still, he felt compelled to hear it from Xiao Hua himself.

Xiao Hua raised his cup, intending to drink the tea brewed by the Little Fairy Doctor. As the cup neared his lips, his eyes sharpened, and he said flatly, "Find another Heavenly Flame."

'As expected...' A wry smile tugged at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips, and a wave of helplessness surged in his chest.

"It seems I have no choice but to pass the test," he said, his voice firm. A deep resolve surfaced in his eyes—he was determined to obtain that mature Fallen Heart Flame, no matter the difficulty.

Seeing that Xiao Yan didn't falter in the face of the challenge, nor shy away from the danger of devouring the Fallen Heart Flame, Yao Lao gave a silent nod, a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze. Though he remained concerned Xiao Yan might be pushing himself too hard, he would be there to guide and protect him every step of the way.

Xiao Hua shook his head with a quiet sigh, a trace of resignation flickering in his eyes. He often felt it when reading the novel—there was something subtly different about the bond between Xiao Yan and Yao Lao. Compared to other heroines, their connection radiated a strangely romantic atmosphere.

"Anyway, this is something I've nearly forgotten about. It's been sitting in my storage ring for a long time," Xiao Hua said, casually shifting the mood.

He retrieved a black, broken jade piece and tossed it nonchalantly toward Xiao Yan. Caught off guard, Xiao Yan fumbled slightly before managing to catch it after a few awkward attempts.

Once it was in his hands, he examined the jade closely. Its surface was rough, speckled with fine granules, and faint cracks etched across it like veins of time.

As his fingers brushed over the uneven surface, a strange sensation began to stir within him. It wasn't something he could pinpoint, but deep in his blood, he felt a faint tremble… as if something long-lost had been returned to him—something that belonged to him by right.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Xiao Hua asked, a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah… but what is it?" Xiao Yan nodded, honest yet puzzled as he stared at the enigmatic piece of jade in his palm.

"Yao Zun Zhe, what do you think?" Xiao Hua asked, his gaze shifting toward Yao Lao, who was now staring intently at the jade piece.

Noticing his master's focused expression, Xiao Yan turned slightly to his left and held the jade out toward him.

In a probing tone, he asked, "Master, do you recognize this?"

"Ah… I've seen this kind of strange storage device before," Yao Lao nodded slowly, his voice thoughtful.

"Storage device?" Xiao Yan raised his brows in surprise, curiosity rising in his heart.

'What could be sealed inside something like this… and why does it make my blood stir so strangely?'

"Ke ke, that's right," Yao Lao chuckled.

"If this is what I think it is, then this kind of jade storage device is likely a masterpiece from the Burning Flame Valley on the Dou Qi Continent. They're the only force known to possess a technique that allows jade to be used as a storage medium. Moreover, if you hold this jade for a while, you'll notice a faint warmth—this is a unique mark left on items crafted by the Burning Flame Valley."

"I see…" Xiao Hua nodded casually, feigning ignorance even though he already knew what the jade contained.

After all, he already possessed his own secret technique and had no need for another. Especially now—his bloodline had been transformed by the Lightning Beasts, rendering the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change useless to him.

"Burning Flame Valley? What's that?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask, feeling a bit lost upon hearing the unfamiliar name.

As someone who had never stepped beyond the borders of the Jia Ma Empire, it was only natural he knew nothing of the world outside.

Xiao Hua and Yao Lao exchanged a glance and let out helpless chuckles. They had momentarily forgotten that among them was someone who had always remained in this small corner of the world—unfamiliar with anything beyond the Jia Ma Empire.

Yao Lao turned to him and explained calmly, "Burning Flame Valley is a well-known faction on the Dou Qi Continent, famous for its cultivation of fire-attributed Qi Methods. They specialize in fierce, offensive techniques and are known for their aggressive combat style. Because of that, they've carved out a unique reputation for themselves."

"That's… incredible," Xiao Yan muttered in awe, his eyes wide with amazement.

"In terms of strength, they far surpass the Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Hua added with a smile. "They have at least two Dou Zongs within their ranks, and their leader is a powerful Dou Zun."

"Dou Zun?!" The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. After a long moment of silence, a bitter laugh escaped his lips. "That level… really feels like a dream from where I stand right now."

He truly has been stuck in one corner of the world if the powerful Misty Cloud Sect, which dominated the Jia Ma Empire was only mediocre on the Dou Qi Continent…

"Ke ke, don't overestimate the Misty Cloud Sect," Yao Lao chuckled, smacking his lips with visible disdain. "While they may boast a Dou Huang and a few Dou Wang experts, they're nothing when compared to the first-rate factions in the Dou Qi Continent. Misty Cloud Sect is merely a second-tier faction at best."

"Well, they still seem like a towering presence to someone like you—a mere Dou Zhe," Xiao Hua added with a laugh, noting the bitter smile on Xiao Yan's face. "Cousin Xiao Yan, the Dou Qi Continent is vast. There are as many strong individuals as there are clouds in the sky. What you've seen so far is just a tiny corner of this enormous world.

"When you eventually step onto the broader continent, I believe you'll come to love its magnificence and excitement. But remember this—no matter where you go, your own strength is the key to gaining respect."

"You're right, cousin. The strong devour the weak—that's a rule that governs this entire world," Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, a soft laugh escaping his lips.

Then, shifting the conversation, he pointed at the jade piece in his hand. "Back to our original topic—Master, do you know what's inside this?"

Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Hua. Only after seeing him give a small nod did he speak. "Use fire to burn it."

"The things crafted by Burning Flame Valley are always peculiar. To access what's inside, you need to burn the jade with flame. As a rule of thumb, the more heat-resistant the jade is, the more valuable the item sealed within," Yao Lao added with a light smile.

Xiao Yan flipped the broken jade piece in his hand, examining it carefully with a scrutinizing gaze. Though he felt a hint of hesitation, he never doubted Yao Lao's words.

A purple flame surged to life in his palm. Instantly, it enveloped the jade piece, lifting it slowly to eye level and transforming it into a small, flickering fireball.

Tiny tendrils of purple flame licked at the surface of the jade, yet what puzzled both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao was that the jade showed no reaction at all. Despite being engulfed in flame, it remained completely unmoved—silent and still.

"This is…" Xiao Yan blinked in surprise, shifting his gaze toward Yao Lao with a questioning look.

No matter how one looked at it, the Purple Flame possessed a remarkably high temperature—far superior to ordinary Dou Qi flames. And yet, the jade piece remained completely unaffected. If what Yao Lao said was true—that the more fire-resistant the jade, the more precious the item hidden within—then…

"Ah… I originally thought it was just some ordinary object. I didn't expect it to be a big catch." A flicker of surprise flashed across Yao Lao's face as he observed the jade, still untouched within the flame.

"It seems we'll need your cousin's help for this one…" Yao Lao said with an awkward smile, glancing over at Xiao Hua.

Xiao Hua shook his head, feeling slightly helpless to the two of them. He knew that Yao Lao asked him because he doesn't want to spend his energy to open the inside of the jade piece.

After all, his current state is where energy drop of energy is precious, so he preferably doesn't want to use any in case of emergencies. He has expected this, so he didn't mind about it.

He raised his hand, and an elegant emerald-green flame instantly rose between his fingers. With a gentle flick, the flame shot forward, merging smoothly with the purple-colored fireball.

The moment the green flame touched the purple one, it devoured it effortlessly, extinguishing the violet fire without the slightest resistance. The emerald flame then coiled itself gently around the jade piece, encasing it in its intense, radiant heat.

Watching his own flame get devoured in an instant, Xiao Yan felt a deep sense of awe stir within him. The heat radiating from the emerald-green flame was clearly far stronger than that of his own Purple Flame.

"Master… is that what I think it is?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with admiration.

"That's right. It's a Heavenly Flame," Yao Lao nodded, his eyes narrowing as he studied the green flame closely. "Judging by its appearance and the aura it emits… this is the Life Spirit Flame—ranked fifth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."

"Heavenly Flame?! And ranked fifth at that!"

Xiao Yan was once again left in awe, stunned by his cousin's incredible fortune and strength. To think that Xiao Hua possessed a Heavenly Flame not only stronger than his master's, but also superior to the one held by Jia Nan Academy—it was simply beyond belief.

What's more, he recalled that one of his companions also wielded a Heavenly Flame. That meant, within their group, there were now two people in possession of such extremely rare treasure and terrifying power. The realization left him both shocked and humbled.

However, what Yao Lao didn't reveal to Xiao Yan was the strange discrepancy he had sensed in Xiao Hua's flame.

The Life Spirit Flame was known throughout the continent for its life-nurturing properties. Unlike other Heavenly Flames, it lacked a destructive nature and was famed for its ability in life power rather than destruction.

And yet… with his keen senses and vast experience as a top-tier alchemist and powerful expert, Yao Lao could clearly detect something unusual. This particular Life Spirit Flame carried an intense, destructive undertone—a force that felt like a deadly execution strike, hidden beneath the façade of life energy.

What puzzled him further was the faint presence of lightning energy interwoven within the flame—an element not associated with the Life Spirit Flame at all.

Still, since Xiao Hua had chosen not to mention anything, Yao Lao silently buried his doubts deep within his heart.

After all, Xiao Hua had been helping his disciple earnestly—there was no reason to doubt his intentions. More importantly, Xiao Hua had even agreed to assist in forging a new body for him. If anything, Yao Lao felt grateful and deeply trusted him.

'Besides… he'll soon surpass me as an alchemist. There's no need to mention this details simply because they felt strange,' Yao Lao mused silently, his gaze lingering on the flickering emerald-green flame.

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