As for this so-called "Burning Decision", to be honest, Xiao Yan's heart didn't want to give up. After all, being able to evolve into a Heaven Rank cultivation technique was too tempting for him. On this vast Dou Qi continent, whoever possessed a Heaven Rank cultivation technique almost had a free pass to becoming a peak expert.
However, the method is powerful, but with a success rate of less than 20%, it's enough to make everyone hesitant.
His ten fingers were tightly clenched together, and Xiao Yan's face looked somewhat uncertain, with hesitation and distress entwining each other.
Quietly gazing at Xiao Yan in silence, Yao Lao's face also flashed a complex expression. After a long while, he softly sighed: "This kind of thing can only be chosen by yourself, I don't want to interfere too much either. However, I'd like to ask an extra question... do you have any feelings for that little girl called Xiao Xun'er?"
"Huh?" Xiao Yan was taken aback by Medicine Master's sudden question, his face slightly flushed as he opened and closed his mouth before finally forcing a wry smile. "Teacher, why are you asking this kind of question? Xun Er is my sister, what feelings could I possibly have for her?" The last sentence seemed to leave Xiao Yan feeling somewhat weak.
"Heh heh, little sister? You're also clear that you and she don't have any blood relation. That girl is only 15 or 16 years old now, but the young generation of the Xiao family already can't help but adore her. In the future when she grows up, it'll be even more so." As he spoke, Medicine Old Man glanced at Xiao Yan with a faint smile: "If you think about it, what would your feelings be if one day she's in another man's arms?"
A bitter smile froze on his face, Xiao Yan's eyebrows slowly furrowed, and he softly spat out a mouthful of air, saying in a low voice: "It seems... to be somewhat unacceptable."
"Heh heh, since you find it a bit hard to accept, then in your heart, she's not just simply treated as a little sister..." Yao Lao said with a smile that was not quite a smile.
His face turned red again, Xiao Yan was somewhat tongue-tied and couldn't say a word, helplessly spreading his hands, bitterly smiling: "Teacher, what do you want to say?"
"I'm telling you all this just to make you realize your feelings... Since you have some wicked thoughts about her, you should also consider your own strength and potential. The old man's face was slightly frozen, and he muttered with some doubt: "That girl's background is terrifying, I don't know how she would be connected to your small family with that background, but this can't fill the gap between you two. The difference in status between you and her is too great, even if she likes you, the people behind her will never agree!"
His eyes narrowed slightly, and Xiao Yan's palms that were clasped together involuntarily tightened.
"This continent is a world where strength is revered, with strength comes dignity. You also saw the attitude of Nalan Yanran back then, she was able to look down on you and mock you because her background and strength were stronger than yours!" Yao Lao sighed heavily as he looked at Xiao Yan's appearance.
"Xiao Xun'er's backing is even more terrifying than Yunlan Sect, so in their eyes, your status is like an ant, even if you have outstanding cultivation talent, they won't take it too seriously. After inheriting for so many years, they've seen too many stunning geniuses... Only when you show them the real power that makes them fearful will you be able to get what you want."
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and shrugged slightly, saying in a low voice, "Practicing this 'Burning Heart' will allow me to obtain that kind of power?"
"It should be said that only if you successfully cultivate 'Burning Decision' will there be a possibility!" Yao Lao shook his head and solemnly added.
He let out a soft sigh, and Xie Yan's palm supported his chin. The elegant girl's occasional smile and frown from the past slowly appeared before his eyes, her silvery laughter echoing in his ears.
Chang Chang let out a long sigh and Xiao Yan bitterly smiled: "Teacher said so much, yet still can't interfere with my choice?"
"Hmm..." The old man rubbed his dry, wrinkled face and smiled awkwardly, saying: "Alright, I admit I had some ulterior motives. But from my perspective, I really hope you can cultivate this 'Burning Decision'."
"You should know, I'm just a soul state now?" Yao Lao asked with a wave of his hand.
Xiao Yan nodded.
"My condition, by all accounts, should be considered dead, but due to my soul's power being much stronger than ordinary people, I have managed to survive in this strange and awkward way..." Yao Lao chuckled to himself, a hint of bitterness in his smile.
"I don't like these illusory days, I still have some things that must be done in person, so I need to get out of this spiritual state."
"Teacher wants to revive?" Blinking his eyes, Xiao Yan said in shock: "In this world, it seems that there is nothing that can bring the dead back to life, right?"
"Normally, that's true." He nodded, and Lao Yao's eyes suddenly became fervent: "However, based on some obscure introductions in 'Burning Decision', if the cultivation is successful, it seems that several mutually compatible hetero-fires can be used to forge a body that can accommodate the soul, and at that time, I, who have obtained a new body, can also be considered another kind of rebirth..."
"I have endured in the dark, endless abyss within the ring for so many years, all in the hope of one day meeting someone whose soul power meets my requirements. I am fortunate to have finally met you." A hint of indiscernible sorrow was hidden on Yao Lao's withered old face.
The old man gazed at Xiao Yan, who was staring back at him with a pair of dark eyes, and smiled bitterly: "Heh heh, just take these words as the idle chatter of an old man like me. Alas, I said I wouldn't interfere, but I still couldn't help myself from speaking too much. It seems that I really am..."
With a self-deprecating smile, Yao Lao stretched out his withered palm, and two faintly illusory scrolls appeared in his hands, one black and one red.
"The red scroll is a low-level fire attribute technique, the black scroll is that 'Burning Decision'... Old Yao smiled and waved his hand, his dry old face slightly softened, saying in a soft voice: "You choose for yourself, consider your own factors, as long as you remember, no matter what you choose, you are my disciple, I won't blame anything because of this."
Staring blankly at the two illusory scrolls in front of him, Xiao Yan's palm supported his chin, and after a long while, he licked his lips and shrugged lazily with a smile: "Although I'm somewhat afraid of death, without strength, there is no dignity. The humiliation from Nalan Yanran, I don't want to experience again. Besides, if things really don't work out, can't I just switch to another cultivation method?"
Xiao Yan shook his head, and a brilliant smile appeared on his clear face. He stretched out his hand and grabbed the black scroll from Yao Lao's slightly red and moist old eyes.
As soon as his palm touched the scroll, it transformed into a stream of information that poured directly into Xiao Yan's mind.