Xiao Yan, covered in dirt and debris, leapt up again but was blocked before he could reach Yao Chen. A huge force pulled him back down to the ground.
Xiao Yan stumbled back two steps before regaining his balance. He no longer looked as crazed as before and looked at Li Xiu with confusion.
Li Xiu reminded him: "Since multiple attempts have failed to kill the opponent, I think you should focus on your recovered Dou Qi cultivation for now."
Xiao Yan's mind trembled as he suddenly remembered that he had regained his talent. He glanced uneasily at Li Xiu, wondering if his previous behavior had displeased him. After a moment of silent contemplation, he decided to ask Li Xiu about it.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan didn't sense any disgust in Li Xiu's expression, which allowed him to relax a bit. He respectfully bowed and said: "In that case, Your Excellency, I will go and try cultivating my Dou Qi first."
Li Xiu didn't say anything and just waved his hand. Xiao Yan gave a hateful glance at Yao Chen floating in the air before running down the mountain.
Li Xiu watched as Xiao Yan disappeared into the distance and sneered to himself.
Although Xiao Yan appeared to be a young teenager of fourteen or fifteen years old, Li Xiu knew that he was actually an adult soul from Earth in his previous life.
Through careful observation, Li Xiu had already figured out Xiao Yan's personality and character.
Having an adult soul from birth gave him a level of maturity and intelligence beyond his age, and coupled with the gift from Yao Chen, the three years of lost talent and enduring mockery gave him a good level of patience.
Li Xiu also recognized Xiao Yan's cunning and scheming nature. When Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement and when he attempted to kill Yao Chen earlier, Xiao Yan's eyes revealed a genuine hostility and killing intent. Li Xiu didn't believe that Xiao Yan was the type of person who easily forgave past grievances, and even the phrase "an eye for an eye" was not an exaggeration when describing him.
However, in the original plot, after Xiao Yan regained his talent, he not only easily forgave his family members who had repeatedly mocked and bullied him, but also gave up the opportunity to make Nalan Yanran his servant. Although part of the reason was the power of the Yunlan Sect at the time, it was mostly because he was afraid of displeasing Yao Chen and losing his greatest help in becoming stronger.
Xiao Yan was also adaptable and quick-witted. Li Xiu asked him to test whether his Dou Qi cultivation had returned to normal first, and Xiao Yan didn't sit still but ran down the mountain directly, leaving enough space for Li Xiu and Yao Chen to talk.
Some people may have received great opportunities but still couldn't become anyone important due to their own problems, but Xiao Yan was at least capable of being cultivated. Otherwise, he would not have stumbled and climbed all the way to the top of the continent to become a Dou Di with the help of Yao Chen.
Now, under Li Xiu's guidance, the situation has evolved to the point where Xiao Yan has lost the opportunity to rise that he would have instinctively obtained. Li Xiu intends to lead him down another path that will not suppress the fierceness and brutality inherent in him, but instead will magnify these qualities, turning Xiao Yan into a ferocious and bloodthirsty dog under his command.
Li Xiu withdrew his gaze from afar and turned to look at Yao Chen, who was as wary as facing a major enemy. He spoke slowly: "Yao Chen, don't be so hostile and defensive towards me. I just want to make a deal with you."
Upon hearing Li Xiu mention his name, Yao Chen's mind shook, and he became even more cautious. "You know my background, and it seems like you came straight for me. Who exactly are you?"
"I am called Li Xiu, and I am just an unknown person on this Dou Qi continent."
Li Xiu shrugged and spoke casually.
Yao Chen frowned upon hearing this, as he had never heard of this name before, and the expression on the person in front of him did not seem to be lying.
After a moment of silence, thinking that the other party would not easily reveal his identity, Yao Chen focused on the latter half of Li Xiu's words and asked cautiously: "What kind of deal do you want to make with me?"
Li Xiu pointed to Yao Chen and said: "It's simple, really. I just want you to teach me alchemy and the Flame Mantra."
Upon hearing the words "Flame Mantra," Yao Chen's eyes turned red, his expression turned fierce, and his voice became cold as he asked Li Xiu: "What do you want? What's your relationship with my wicked disciple Han Feng or the Hall of Souls?"
The Flame Mantra was something that Yao Chen accidentally obtained in an ancient cave in his early years. This technique was heaven-defying, allowing one to devour multiple types of Heavenly flames and have the possibility of constantly advancing, even reaching the peak of the Dou Tian level or even surpassing it.
Due to the incredible power of this technique, Yao Chen kept it a secret and seldom spoke about it with anyone, for fear of attracting powerful enemies who would try to snatch it away.
Yao Chen's current predicament, from being the top alchemist and a peak Dou Zun powerhouse in the Central Plains to his current desperate situation, was largely due to the Flame Mantra. So when Li Xiu suddenly mentioned it, it was no wonder that Yao Chen became so agitated.
Li Xiu remained calm, waving the storage ring in his hand and saying: "If I really had a connection with the Hall of Souls, why would I make a deal with you? I believe the Flame Mantra is inside this storage ring. As for your alchemy skills, do you think the Hall of Souls needs them?"
Yao Chen was speechless, and gradually calmed down.
The hidden storage ring was now in the hands of the other party. Although he was renowned for his alchemy skills, there were still alchemists in the Hall of Souls who were not much worse than him. The other party's actions didn't seem to have any relation to the Hall of Souls or Han Feng.
Yao Chen furrowed his brows and fell silent as he looked at Li Xiu. The other party seemed to be unusually aware of his background, but Yao Chen knew almost nothing about him. He felt completely powerless at this point.
After a while, Li Xiu broke the silence, fingering the storage ring in his hand and speaking in a cold voice: "Why think so much? Yao Chen, do you have any other choice? Or are you guarding against me trying to plot against you?"
Upon hearing these words, Yao Chen's expression couldn't help but change.
Indeed, besides a weak soul and his alchemy skills in his mind, what else did he have left? What was worth the effort of a powerful expert whose strength seemed to be far beyond his own before his death?
"I can teach you alchemy and also share with you all the insights I gained from the Flame Mantra over the years. But I want you to cultivate the Flame Mantra and use an Heavenly flame to refine a body for me in the future, helping me to resurrect."
Yao Chen finally let go of his guard and hostility towards Li Xiu, and spoke up.
"Of course, both parties in a trade should benefit. I will refine a Dou Sheng (Saint) body for you, and I hope you can teach me alchemy with dedication. After all, refining a body also requires considerable proficiency in alchemy."
Li Xiu agreed straightforwardly, while also giving a warning with implied meaning.
Yao Chen's expression changed again, and he squinted at Li Xiu, saying: "You don't seem surprised at all that the Flame Mantra can be used to refine a body and help someone resurrect..."
Li Xiu had no intention of hiding anything, and certainly didn't feel like explaining himself. He simply shook the storage ring in his hand and said offhandedly: "Yao Chen, you're becoming more and more transparent. If you stay out here any longer, I'm afraid even a Dou Di (Emperor) body won't be of any use to you."