"The Way of Heaven diminishes the excess to replenish the deficient..."
Xiao Fan read the Heavenly Dao Sutra, entering a state of profound enlightenment.
"Xiao Fan, what are you looking at?"
Huo Ling'er noticed Xiao Fan standing motionless and curiously tapped his shoulder.
Xiao Fan blinked, looking confused at Huo Ling'er.
"What just happened to me?"
"Huh?" Huo Ling'er was puzzled. "I called out to you, but you didn't respond. You were just standing there in a daze."
"How long was I dazed?" Xiao Fan asked.
Although confused by his question, Huo Ling'er answered seriously, "About half an incense stick's time."
"Only half an incense stick's time?" Xiao Fan was surprised.
Moments ago, he had been immersed in the Heavenly Dao Sutra, feeling as though he had spent days comprehending the principles of the universe.
Xiao Fan circulated his true qi and was shocked to find that his cultivation had indeed improved.
Realizing this, Xiao Fan looked at the Heavenly Dao Sutra in his hands with a newfound seriousness.
If such a short time of reading equated to days of cultivation, this sutra was undoubtedly priceless.
Xiao Fan pondered.
Why was such a precious text left in an inconspicuous corner?
Examining the sutra closely, he noted its unique paper. Although dusty and yellowed with age, the pages were undamaged.
"What are you looking at so intently?" Huo Ling'er peered over, curious about the text in Xiao Fan's hands.
"The Heavenly Dao Sutra? Xiao Fan, why are you reading this old book?"
"Old book?" Xiao Fan was taken aback.
If the Heavenly Dao Sutra was just an old book, nothing else in the world could be considered valuable.
Closing the sutra, Xiao Fan asked Huo Ling'er seriously, "Ling'er, do you know the history of this Heavenly Dao Sutra?"
"History? It's just an old book. What history could it have?"
Huo Ling'er was impatient, urging, "Xiao Fan, stop reading that old book. I found some cultivation techniques that are more suitable for you. Take a look."
Xiao Fan sighed inwardly. It seemed Huo Ling'er didn't know the sutra's background either.
With the Heavenly Dao Sutra in his possession, he had no interest in other techniques.
"No need, I'll cultivate with this Heavenly Dao Sutra," Xiao Fan said firmly.
"Huh?" Huo Ling'er thought she misheard him. "Xiao Fan, are you sure you want to cultivate with this Heavenly Dao Sutra?"
"Yes," Xiao Fan nodded.
"But it's not even a cultivation technique!"
Huo Ling'er was exasperated. "Just because it has the word 'Heavenly' in it doesn't make it powerful. It's just an old book full of vague theories."
"Unless its special paper and long history give it some collection value, it wouldn't even be kept in the royal library."
She tried to dissuade him. She didn't want Xiao Fan to waste his time on what she considered a meaningless text.
Having experienced the sutra's profound nature, Xiao Fan had a different view. While others couldn't see its depth, he was captivated at first glance, indicating a destined affinity.
Seeing Huo Ling'er's frustrated face, Xiao Fan decided to explain his mystical experience.
He trusted Huo Ling'er, and the sutra belonged to the royal family; he never intended to keep it for himself.
After hearing his explanation, Huo Ling'er was stunned.
"Really? You're not joking?" She still found it hard to believe.
Countless people had read the Heavenly Dao Sutra since the founding of the Heavenly Fire Kingdom, all dismissing it as pretentious nonsense.
How had it turned into a treasure for Xiao Fan?
Huo Ling'er flipped through the sutra, growing increasingly frustrated at its apparent lack of value. If not for Xiao Fan's serious expression, she might have torn it up.
Seeing Xiao Fan's determination, Huo Ling'er decided not to stop him. She planned to ask her father about the sutra's origins later.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Empress Huo Ling'er frowned at the sight of the Heavenly Dao Sutra. Even now, as an empress, she couldn't fathom its mysteries.
Had she not known that Xiao Fan's transformation was due to cultivating this sutra, she would still consider it worthless.
"Quick! Copy down these scriptures. The secret to the Demon Emperor's power must be in this Heavenly Dao Sutra."
Cultivators from all realms, watching the Haotian Mirror, hastily copied the sutra's text.
However, despite their efforts to decipher its mysteries, they found it just as Huo Ling'er had described: a book of pretentious nonsense.
The crowd was devastated. They had eagerly awaited the secret of the Demon Emperor's power, only to find it useless to them.
Only Xiao Fan could comprehend its value. To others, the sutra was indeed just an old book.
Even Empress Yaochi ground her teeth in frustration, unable to understand the sutra's profundity. This implied that Xiao Fan was superior to her, which infuriated her.
She consoled herself, believing that her Heavenly Emperor Sutra far surpassed the Heavenly Dao Sutra.
Miles away.
Empress Leng Ruoxue of the Northern Underworld watched the scenes with excitement. She knew her master Xiao Fan was exceptional. Seeing him as the mighty Demon Emperor, she regretted not witnessing his rise.
Now, she could finally witness her master's unparalleled brilliance, cheering him on like a devoted disciple.