The next morning, inside the cave.
Shi Quan Shen Pan sat on a slightly smooth rock with his legs folded, eyes tightly closed, gently breathing. It was unclear whether he was resting or cultivating, but a faint reddish mystical energy slowly wrapped around his body, emitting a faint crimson glow. From this sight, he exuded a kind of ethereal, immortal-like aura.
Qing Yan was nearby outside the cave entrance, looking for some dry branches and leaves to use as firewood. The pitch-black forest night from the previous evening had instilled a deep fear in Qing Yan, who had lived in Jingdong City for five years. Even knowing that there was a nearly invincible old monster by his side, the fear brought by the unfamiliar environment still deeply affected Qing Yan's mind, making it difficult for him to sleep the entire night.
Turning to look at the cave entrance, struggling within his heart, Qing Yan sighed after a while and obediently carried a bundle of firewood and headed toward the cave entrance.
He had completely dispelled thoughts of running away.
First, Shi Quan Shen Pan's almost perverse strength had left Qing Yan utterly shocked. The burst of power from the previous night was something Qing Yan had never felt even from three of his teachers. Even if he gave himself two days to escape, Qing Yan had reason to believe that Shi Quan Shen could still capture him effortlessly on the third day. Moreover, with his divine awareness covering the surroundings for a full 24 hours, even a few minutes of concealment was impossible, making escape utterly infeasible.
Furthermore, Qing Yan's early morning discovery plunged him into complete despair: the place he was at was essentially the inner region of the Shou Ri Forest! The magical beasts living in the inner region of the Shou Ri Forest all possessed strength above the fifth rank! What did this mean? For example, any magical beast here could, with a sneeze, severely injure or even fatally harm Qing Yan! In such circumstances, trying to escape alone was basically a death sentence.
"But it's also such a relief. That so-called 'Yan Technique' seems quite impressive. If it can really be cultivated, it might be a good thing after all."
Qing Yan comforted himself, though the curve of the smile at the corner of his mouth looked rather forced. Soon after, his brows started to furrow tightly, puzzled questions continuously swirling in his mind.Qingyan could only hear a soft voice continue:
"But why me? That 'Flame Technique' is so important to him, why must he teach it to me? Besides, with my kind of physique, I shouldn't even be his choice..."
The ultimate fire body is a type of supreme physique — a constitution most naturally suited to fire-based cultivation techniques. This was exactly Qingyan's body. As Shiquan Shen had said, it could be considered a rare natural gift, with an extraordinary bone structure. With such a physique, once Qingyan touched a fire-based cultivation technique, his progress would undoubtedly be twice as effective for half the effort. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a "once-in-a-century talent." In the history of human settlements, any cultivator with an ultimate physique would inevitably become a renowned figure, standing at the pinnacle of all cultivators.
As for Qingyan, he was incredibly lucky, since he possessed not just one, but two ultimate physiques. However, this fortune turned into a misfortune for him! His silver hair represented the Supreme Moon, which belongs to the cold element — a type of ultimate water body! And as the saying goes, water and fire are incompatible, creating a situation of mutual restraint. Therefore, whether Qingyan cultivated fire-based or water-based techniques, his progress was always twice as slow as an ordinary person. What should have made him a genius turned him completely into a mediocre figure, unable even to match ordinary people. Even if the so-called 'Flame Technique' were an unparalleled cultivation method, it should have had no effect at all. So then, what could be the reason? What was his goal?
Could it be that he could solve the problem with my physique?
Suddenly, Qingyan felt a spark of inspiration and a sense of anticipation in his heart. After all, Qingyan was at an age that craved competition and greatness. Although the disappointments over the years had gradually dulled his edge, this anticipation always lingered in his heart, always hoping that one day he could soar to the skies and enjoy the envious gazes of others.
Yet, this anticipation seemed far from success...
Having pondered all this, Qingyan had already placed the fire materials in a dry corner of the cave. As he turned around, he noticed that Shiquan Shen had already stepped out of his cultivation state, watching Qingyan with a faint smile, seemingly lost in thought.Noticing that Qingyan was paying attention to him, Shiquan Shen smiled and asked, "Kid, seeing that you're thinking so seriously, have you made up your mind?"
"Made up my mind? What other choice do I have? Do I even have a choice?"
Seemingly clinging to his own principles, Shiquan Shen did not dare to make any moves against himself, but Qingyan did not hold back either, replying coldly.
"Hehe, I don't like forcing people. If you don't want to learn, I don't want to teach. If you decide to give up now, I can send you back to Jingdong City immediately, and I will never trouble you again."
Shiquan Shen's words seemed to carry ulterior motives. He propped his chin with his right fist, squinting his eyes with a look of conviction, and slowly chuckled as he continued:
"However, this technique seems capable of solving the major problems in your constitution. Are you still going to give up?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Qingyan's eyes instantly shone with a burning light, and his voice became hurried.
"Hehe..." Shiquan Shen's smile carried the feeling of a perfectly executed plan. After a long pause, he spoke deliberately, word by word:
"In other words, the 'Flame Art' can completely remove the restraints of your two extreme constitutions, allowing you to truly step onto the path of cultivation that belongs to geniuses!"
"Hoo hoo..."
A heavy breath escaped, carrying a sense of heat that made Qingyan's blood begin to boil, and his body trembled slightly.
Everyone has a dream of becoming a hero, especially in a world that respects only the strong! Who doesn't want to stand at the peak, enjoying the admiration and envy of everyone? To become one of the powerful in the world and strive for recognition across the land?
Seeing Shiquan Shen's smile, Qingyan's eyes reddened with excitement. In a hoarse and dry voice, he replied:
"The 'Flame Art', I want to learn it!"
