Chapter 67

Regarding this so-called "Flame Decree," to be honest, Xiao Yan really did not want to give up. After all, a cultivation technique that could evolve into a Heaven Rank was too tempting for him. On this vast continent of martial arts, whoever possessed a Heaven Rank cultivation technique almost had a pass to becoming a peak expert.

However, although the cultivation technique was powerful, the less than 20% success rate was enough to make anyone hesitate.

Interlocking his fingers tightly, Xiao Yan's expression was somewhat uncertain, hesitation and distress constantly entwining.

Silently observing the silent Xiao Yan, Old Medicine's face flashed with a complex expression. After a long while, he sighed softly, "This is something you have to decide for yourself. I don't want to interfere too much, but I have one more question... Do you have any feelings for that girl, Xiao Xun'er?"

"Eh?" Xiao Yan was taken aback by Old Medicine's out-of-the-blue question. His face turned slightly red, and after a moment, he finally laughed bitterly, "Why are you suddenly asking such a question, Teacher? Xun'er is my sister, what kind of feelings could I have for her?" The last sentence seemed to make Xiao Yan feel a bit weak.

"Hehe, a sister, huh? You know very well that you two have no blood relation. That girl, at just fifteen or sixteen, has already made the young generation of the Xiao family fall in love with her. Just imagine what it will be like when she grows up," Old Medicine glanced at Xiao Yan and smiled faintly, "If you think about it, how would you feel if one day she were to be embraced by another man?"

Xiao Yan's bitter smile froze, his brows slowly furrowed, and he let out a light breath, whispering, "It seems... hard to accept."

"Hehe, since you find it hard to accept, it means that in your heart, you don't just see her as a sister..." Old Medicine said with a half-smile.

Xiao Yan's face turned red again, and he stammered, unable to speak. He shrugged helplessly and laughed bitterly, "What exactly are you trying to say, Teacher?"

"Talking to you about all this is just to help you recognize your feelings... Since you have some rather wicked thoughts about her, you should also consider your own strength and potential for development." Old Medicine's face turned serious, and he smacked his lips, somewhat puzzled, "That girl's background is quite terrifying. I don't know how someone with her background ended up with your small family, but it doesn't bridge the gap between you two. The difference in status is too great. Even if she likes you, the people behind her would never agree!"

Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yan's interlocked hands involuntarily tightened.

"This continent is a world where strength is paramount. With strength, you have dignity. You saw how Nalan Yanran treated you. She could mock you from a high position because her background and strength were greater than yours!" Old Medicine sighed earnestly, looking at Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Xun'er's background is even more terrifying than the Yunlam Sect. In their eyes, you are like an ant. Even with your outstanding cultivation talent, they wouldn't pay much attention. They have seen too many brilliant geniuses over the years... Only if you can show them a strength that makes them wary, will you have a chance to achieve your desires."

Xiao Yan touched his nose, shrugged, and said softly, "Cultivating the 'Flame Decree' will give me that kind of power?"

"More accurately, only if you successfully cultivate the 'Flame Decree' will you have a chance!" Old Medicine shook his head and added solemnly.

Sighing lightly, Xiao Yan propped his chin with his hand, and the clear smile of the elegant girl slowly appeared in his mind, her silver bell-like laughter echoing in his ears.

Taking a long breath, Xiao Yan laughed bitterly, "You said so much, but you still claim not to interfere with my choice?"

"Hehe..." Old Medicine rubbed his withered old face and laughed awkwardly, somewhat embarrassed, "Alright, I admit I did have some ulterior motives, but from my perspective, I really hope you will cultivate the 'Flame Decree.'"

"You should know that I am currently just a soul state, right?" Old Medicine asked, spreading his hands.

Xiao Yan nodded.

"According to the norms, I should be considered dead. However, because my soul strength is much stronger than that of ordinary people, I have survived in this strange state..." Old Medicine laughed self-deprecatingly, with a hint of bitterness in his smile.

"I don't like this illusory life. I still have some things I must complete personally, so I need to leave this soul state."

"Teacher, you want to be resurrected?" Xiao Yan blinked, surprised, "In this world, there seems to be nothing that can resurrect the dead, right?"

"Under normal circumstances, that's true." Nodding, Old Medicine's eyes suddenly became passionate, "However, according to some obscure descriptions in the 'Flame Decree,' if cultivated successfully, it seems that a few mutually complementary异火 (strange fires) can forge a body capable of housing a soul. At that time, with a new body, I could be considered reborn in another way..."

"I have persisted in the darkness of the ring for so many years, all in the hope of one day meeting someone whose soul strength meets the requirements. I was lucky to finally meet you." A trace of barely noticeable sorrow was hidden on Old Medicine's withered old face.

Old Medicine looked at Xiao Yan, who was staring at him with a pair of black eyes, and smiled bitterly, "Hehe, consider these words as the ramblings of an old man. I said I wouldn't interfere, but I couldn't help talking too much. It seems I really am..."

Shaking his head self-deprecatingly, Old Medicine extended his withered hand, and with a slight shake, a black and a red scroll, both somewhat ethereal, appeared in his palms.

"The red scroll is a low-grade Earth Rank fire attribute cultivation technique, and the black scroll is the 'Flame Decree'..." Old Medicine smiled, his withered old face softening slightly, and he said softly, "Choose for yourself, considering your own factors. Remember, no matter what you choose, you are still my disciple, and I won't blame you for it."

Staring blankly at the two ethereal scrolls in front of him, Xiao Yan propped his chin with his hand. After a long while, he licked his lips, shrugged, and laughed lazily, "I'm a bit afraid of death, but without strength, there is no dignity. I don't want to suffer the humiliation from Nalan Yanran again. Besides, if it really doesn't work out, I can always switch to another cultivation technique later."

Shaking his head, a bright smile spread across Xiao Yan's handsome face. He reached out, and in Old Medicine's slightly red and moist eyes, he grabbed the black scroll.

As his hand touched the scroll, it transformed into a stream of information, flowing directly into Xiao Yan's mind.