A few days later, Xiao Feng once again shut himself inside the alchemy chamber.
This time, he replaced the ordinary Beast Flames used in his previous experiments with a genuine Sixth-Tier Beast Flame.
The quality of the flame immediately increased by an entire level.
Combined with the True Flame Manipulation Art and the naturally born sub-flames of the Fallen Heart Flame, the refinement process became much smoother than before.
After several more days of continuous experimentation...
A deep crimson flame slowly floated above Xiao Feng's palm.
Compared to the previous artificial flame, this one was far more stable.
The surrounding temperature rose noticeably, yet it remained gentle enough not to burn its owner.
After numerous tests, Xiao Feng finally obtained the result he had been hoping for.
This second-generation Artificial Heavenly Flame possessed approximately twenty to thirty percent of the Fallen Heart Flame's automatic tempering ability.
Although it still could not compare with a genuine Heavenly Flame...
It was already vastly superior to any ordinary Beast Flame.
A Fire Attribute cultivator who refined this flame into their body could continuously temper their Dou Qi throughout the day without consciously cultivating.
While the efficiency was only around one-fourth that of the genuine Fallen Heart Flame...
For ordinary cultivators, this was already a heaven-defying treasure.
Xiao Feng looked at the crimson flame dancing on his fingertip before finally nodding in satisfaction.
"This is enough."
"I don't have the luxury of continuing this project."
"If I keep perfecting it now, I'll only delay the other plans waiting for me."
"I'll continue improving it after I become stronger and have more free time."
With that thought, Xiao Feng carefully sealed away all of his research notes, formulas, and experimental records inside several specially crafted jade scrolls before placing them into his Storage Ring.
Only he knew how valuable those notes truly were.
If word of this invention spread across the Central Plains...
Countless great factions would undoubtedly fight to the death for it.
Having finally finished one of his major projects, Xiao Feng stretched his body before walking toward the Fire Faction's central courtyard.
This courtyard had gradually become the gathering place for everyone close to him.
Whether it was discussing cultivation...
Sharing meals...
Drinking tea...
Or simply relaxing after training...
Everyone would naturally gather there.
As Xiao Feng entered, several familiar figures were already seated around the stone table.
Lin Xiuya.
Han Yue.
Bai Cheng.
Jia Yun.
Beside them sat Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Liu Fei.
The moment they noticed Xiao Feng approaching, everyone greeted him warmly.
"You finally came out."
"We were beginning to think you planned to stay inside that alchemy room forever."
Han Yue smiled faintly.
Xiao Feng chuckled before taking his usual seat.
"I was finishing a research project."
"It took longer than I expected."
Servants quickly brought over freshly brewed tea and several light snacks.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
After exchanging greetings, everyone began talking about the recent events within Fire City and the Black-Corner Region.
The retaliation planned by Xiao Ding had been progressing surprisingly well.
Rather than openly declaring war against Maple City and the Eight Gates Auction House, Xiao Ding had chosen a far more calculated approach.
They intercepted several important resource caravans.
Captured strategic trading routes.
Destroyed hidden warehouses.
And repeatedly sabotaged business transactions without exposing Fire City's core forces.
The losses suffered by Maple City and the Eight Gates Auction House steadily increased with each passing day.
Although none of the attacks were fatal...
They successfully announced one message to the entire Black-Corner Region.
Fire City was not a faction that could be bullied without consequence.
Listening to these reports, Xiao Feng nodded approvingly.
"This is exactly what we wanted."
"We don't need to destroy them immediately."
"We only need everyone to understand that attacking Fire City carries a price."
The others also agreed.
At this moment, Jia Yun suddenly sighed.
"I have to admit..."
"I'm still a little unwilling."
Everyone looked toward her.
She glanced at Lin Xiuya before laughing bitterly.
"We endured months of hellish training..."
"We nearly died several times just to break through to the Dou King realm."
"Meanwhile..."
"Your two brothers swallowed a single pill..."
"...and immediately became Dou Kings."
The corner of Bai Cheng's mouth twitched.
"Don't remind me."
"I still haven't accepted it."
Even Han Yue couldn't help smiling helplessly.
"If I said I wasn't jealous, I'd be lying."
Lin Xiuya crossed his arms before shaking his head.
"At first, I was indeed frustrated."
"But after thinking about it..."
"I realized something."
"The pill only gave them the opportunity."
"They're still risking their lives."
"They only have three years to reach the Dou Huang realm."
"If they fail..."
"They'll die."
Hearing those words, everyone's expressions gradually became serious.
The atmosphere instantly quieted.
After a brief silence, Jia Yun clenched her fists.
"That's exactly why..."
"I don't want to fall behind anymore."
The others nodded one after another.
Instead of discouraging them...
The Xiao brothers' breakthrough had reignited everyone's determination to grow stronger.
During the past few weeks, all four of them had actively participated in the counterattacks organized by Xiao Ding.
Every battle.
Every ambush.
Every dangerous mission.
They threw themselves into it without hesitation.
Not only to help Fire City...
But also to sharpen themselves through real combat.
After all...
Only battles fought with one's life on the line could truly transform a Dou King into an expert worthy of standing at the continent's peak.
Watching everyone's determined expressions, Xiao Feng smiled inwardly.
This...
Was exactly the atmosphere he had hoped to create.
No complacency.
No arrogance.
Only an endless desire to become stronger.
Seeing the determination burning in everyone's eyes, Xiao Feng couldn't help but smile.
This was exactly the mindset he had hoped they would develop.
Talent alone was never enough.
A powerful expert was forged through countless battles, unwavering determination, and an unyielding desire to become stronger.
His friends had finally reached that stage.
Satisfied, Xiao Feng suddenly looked toward Bai Cheng.
"Bai Cheng."
"Hm?"
Bai Cheng immediately turned toward him.
Without saying another word, Xiao Feng took out a jade scroll from his Storage Ring and casually tossed it over.
Bai Cheng instinctively caught it.
Curious, he slowly opened the jade scroll.
The moment his Soul Power entered it, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"T-This is..."
His breathing became hurried.
An Earth Rank Mid-Level Earth Attribute Cultivation Technique!
He quickly continued reading.
Alongside it was an Earth Rank low-Level Earth Attribute Dou Technique that perfectly complemented the cultivation method.
For a long moment...
Bai Cheng simply stood there in stunned silence.
Even Han Yue, Lin Xiuya, Jia Yun, Liu Fei, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yi Xian looked over curiously.
Only after seeing Bai Cheng's shocked expression did they realize this was no ordinary gift.
Xiao Feng calmly explained,
"Canaan Academy's inheritance is already impressive."
"However, even the academy only possesses an Earth Rank Low-Level Earth Attribute cultivation technique and matching Dou Technique."
"The Earth Attribute has never been one of the continent's dominant elemental affinities."
"The strongest and most numerous inheritances have always belonged to Fire, Wind, and Lightning Attribute cultivators."
"Because of that, high-grade Earth Attribute techniques are considerably rarer."
He looked toward Bai Cheng with a faint smile.
"Among us..."
"Only you were still cultivating an Earth Rank Low-Level technique."
"The rest of us have already switched to Earth Rank Mid-Level or higher cultivation methods."
"So this belongs to you."
"You'll be able to display your true strength with it."
Bai Cheng lowered his head and stared blankly at the jade scroll in his hands.
His fingers trembled slightly.
He knew exactly how precious this gift was.
An Earth Rank Mid-Level Earth Attribute inheritance...
Even many first-rate factions in the Black-Corner Region would treat it as a family treasure.
Yet Xiao Feng had simply handed it to him without asking for anything in return.
For several seconds...
Bai Cheng remained speechless.
Finally...
He suddenly rushed forward.
"Brother Xiao Feng!"
Seeing the large man charging toward him with opened arms, Xiao Feng's eyelids twitched.
"Wait—"
Before Bai Cheng could hug him, Xiao Feng's figure instantly shifted sideways.
Whoosh!
Bai Cheng hugged nothing but empty air.
Unable to stop himself, he stumbled forward several steps before barely regaining his balance.
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Then...
"Hahaha!"
Jia Yun burst into laughter first.
Even Han Yue covered her mouth, unable to suppress a smile.
Lin Xiuya laughed so hard that he nearly spilled his tea.
Qing Lin giggled nonstop.
Even the usually quiet Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help smiling.
Bai Cheng scratched the back of his head awkwardly before looking at Xiao Feng with a wronged expression.
"I just wanted to thank you..."
Xiao Feng looked at him with obvious disgust.
"If you really want to thank me..."
"Keep your distance."
"I'm not interested in being hugged by a grown man."
The moment those words left his mouth, the courtyard exploded with laughter once again.
Bai Cheng could only smile sheepishly.
Although everyone was laughing...
Deep inside, every one of them understood the significance of Xiao Feng's gift.
An Earth Rank Mid-Level inheritance.
Something that countless experts would fight bloody battles over.
Yet to Xiao Feng...
His friends were always worth far more than a cultivation technique.
After the laughter gradually subsided, Bai Cheng carefully stored the jade scroll inside his Storage Ring as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
Seeing his reaction, Xiao Feng merely shook his head.
To Bai Cheng and the others, an Earth Rank Mid-Level cultivation technique was a priceless inheritance.
But to Xiao Feng...
It wasn't something worth worrying about.
At least not for now.
The truly difficult thing was not Earth Rank techniques.
It was Heaven Rank techniques.
Those were the genuine treasures capable of supporting a top-tier powerhouse.
However, Xiao Feng wasn't in a hurry.
He still had plenty of time.
Once he eventually entered the Central Plains and displayed his talents as an Alchemist, Formation Master, and cultivator, obtaining Heaven Rank techniques would become much easier.
After all, the Central Plains was the true center of the Dou Qi Continent.
Countless ancient inheritances that were considered legends in the northwest region could be found there.
With his current talent and future achievements, many powerful factions would gladly exchange Heaven Rank techniques for his assistance.
And even if that plan failed...
Xiao Feng still had another option.
The Stone Clan.
One of the legendary Eight Ancient Clans.
Among the ancient clans, the Stone Clan was renowned for possessing a large number of Earth Attribute experts.
Their clan members cultivated powerful Earth Attribute techniques that had been passed down for countless generations.
If there was any faction on the continent that possessed multiple Heaven Rank Earth Attribute inheritances...
The Stone Clan would undoubtedly be among them.
Thinking of this, Xiao Feng silently nodded to himself.
If the opportunity arose in the future, he would naturally find a way to establish contact with them.
By then, obtaining a Heaven Rank Earth Attribute technique for Bai Cheng or future members of the Xiao Family would not be impossible.
Of course...
Those thoughts were still far away.
At the moment, an Earth Rank Mid-Level cultivation technique was more than sufficient for Bai Cheng.
Even many ordinary Dou Zongs spent their entire lives cultivating Earth Rank techniques.
Only after reaching the higher levels of the continent would Heaven Rank inheritances become a necessity.
Therefore, Xiao Feng wasn't worried in the slightest.
There was always a solution to every problem.
The only question was whether one was strong enough to reach it.
And Xiao Feng had complete confidence that by the time Bai Cheng truly needed a Heaven Rank technique...
He would already possess the ability to obtain one.
After settling Bai Cheng's matter, Xiao Feng's gaze shifted toward the two Fire Attribute cultivators among his companions.
"Liu Fei."
"Jia Yun."
"You two, come forward."
The two women exchanged puzzled glances before stepping in front of Xiao Feng.
Without wasting any time, Xiao Feng took out two jade bottles.
From the first bottle, he poured out two medicinal pills.
One was crystal blue, emitting a faint cooling aura.
The other was emerald green, with delicate medicinal patterns flowing across its surface.
Xiao Feng handed one of each to Liu Fei and Jia Yun.
"This blue one is the Ice Heart Pill."
"It protects your consciousness."
"If you encounter intense mental pressure or your mind is affected by flames, illusions, or violent emotions while refining the flame, this pill will keep your mind clear and allow you to make the calmest decisions."
He then pointed toward the emerald-green pill.
"This is the Pulse-Protecting Pill."
"It protects your meridians."
"The flame you're about to refine is far stronger than any ordinary Beast Flame."
"If your meridians cannot withstand the impact, this pill will greatly reduce the damage."
The two girls carefully accepted the pills.
Just as everyone wondered what they were for...
Xiao Feng slowly took out another jade bottle.
The moment the bottle appeared, everyone present immediately felt the surrounding temperature rise.
Inside the transparent jade bottle floated two crimson flames.
Unlike ordinary Beast Flames...
These flames possessed an indescribable spirituality.
The moment the crimson flames appeared, the entire courtyard fell silent.
Everyone present instinctively fixed their eyes on the jade bottle.
None of them were strangers to the value of a Heavenly Flame.
After all, they had personally witnessed Xiao Feng's terrifying growth after obtaining one.
His alchemy had advanced by leaps and bounds.
His combat strength had increased far beyond cultivators of the same realm.
Even his cultivation speed and Dou Qi refinement had become astonishing.
It was no exaggeration to say that a Half part of Xiao Feng's overwhelming strength came from possessing a genuine Heavenly Flame.
Precisely because they understood its value, they were even more shocked by the treasure before them.
Although these were only artificial flames and nowhere near comparable to a true Heavenly Flame, they still possessed a fraction of its miraculous properties.
To ordinary Fire Attribute cultivators, even obtaining one would be a fortune that countless people on the Dou Qi Continent could only dream of.
Even Han Yue, whose attribute opposed fire, could sense that these flames were extraordinary.
Xiao Feng looked seriously at Liu Fei and Jia Yun.
"These are Artificial Beast Flames that I personally created."
"They are far superior to ordinary Beast Flames."
"They possess a portion of the characteristics of a genuine Heavenly Flame ."
"Besides greatly increasing the power of Fire Attribute Dou Qi..."
"They can also automatically temper your Dou Qi while residing inside your body."
"Although the tempering effect is only a fraction of the real Fallen Heart Flame..."
"It is enough to accompany both of you all the way to the Dou Zong realm."
"Even after reaching Dou Zong, they will still provide some assistance."
Hearing those words...
Liu Fei and Jia Yun stood frozen.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
An artificial flame...
With the characteristics of a Heavenly Flame?
Such a treasure...
They had never even dreamed of possessing one.
Xiao Feng continued his explanation patiently.
"When refining it..."
"Take the Pulse-Protecting Pill first."
"Only after your meridians are protected should you begin refining the flame."
"If, during the refinement process, your consciousness begins to blur or the flame attempts to influence your mind..."
"Immediately consume the Ice Heart Pill."
"It will stabilize your consciousness."
"Do not rush."
"The refinement may take several days."
"I'll personally watch over both of you during the process."
The two women nodded repeatedly, carefully memorizing every instruction.
After hearing Xiao Feng's explanation...
The expressions of everyone else gradually changed.
Lin Xiuya looked at the jade bottle with obvious longing.
Bai Cheng swallowed unconsciously.
Even the usually calm Han Yue couldn't hide the envy in her eyes.
Finally, Jia Yun noticed their expressions and couldn't help laughing.
"It seems we're being envied."
Lin Xiuya sighed dramatically.
"Can you blame us?"
"First Bai Cheng receives an Earth Rank Mid-Level cultivation technique..."
"Now you two receive artificial flames comparable to miniature Heavenly Flames."
"I suddenly feel like I'm no longer Brother Xiao Feng's favorite."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Bai Cheng nodded seriously.
"I agree."
"I also want one."
Han Yue smiled helplessly.
"I wouldn't mind one either."
Xiao Feng shook his head with a bitter smile.
"You think I don't want to give one to everyone?"
"The problem isn't me."
"The problem is yours attributes."
Everyone became quiet.
Xiao Feng explained,
"This artificial flame was created using Fire Attribute Beast Flames."
"It can only be safely refined by cultivators who possess a sufficiently strong Fire Attribute."
"Liu Fei's Fire Attribute is naturally compatible."
"Jia Yun cultivates pure Fire Attribute Dou Qi."
"So they meet the requirements."
He then looked toward Han Yue.
"Your Ice Attribute naturally conflicts with fire."
"If you forcefully refine it..."
"Instead of helping you..."
"It will only damage your cultivation."
Han Yue nodded in understanding.
Xiao Feng then looked toward Bai Cheng.
"As for you..."
"Your Earth Attribute is extremely stable."
"Although Earth can support Fire to a certain extent..."
"Your affinity isn't sufficient."
"Forcing the refinement would only waste this treasure."
Finally, he looked at Lin Xiuya.
"And you."
"Wind can certainly strengthen flames."
"But your Wind Attribute cultivation technique isn't compatible with storing a permanent flame inside your body."
"However..."
"If I can obtain the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, ranked seventeenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, things might be different."
"That Heavenly Flame possesses both Wind and Fire attributes."
"If I can thoroughly study its nature and successfully understand its origin, I may be able to create an Artificial Wind Spiritual Flame or a Wind spiritual seed suited specifically for Wind Attribute cultivators."
"At that time, you might be able to enjoy benefits similar to what Liu Fei and Jia Yun will receive."
Hearing this, Lin Xiuya could only shake his head with a helpless smile.
"Brother Xiao Feng..."
"Just seeing one genuine Heavenly Flame in my lifetime is already considered a blessing."
"We Have already possess two."
"But finding another Heavenly Flame?"
He laughed bitterly.
"Where on the continent are we supposed to find one so easily?"
The others couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Heavenly Flames were treasures born from heaven and earth.
Each one was unique.
Countless Dou Zongs and Dou Zuns spent their entire lives searching for one without success.
Yet Xiao Feng merely smiled.
"You never know."
"The Dou Qi Continent is vast."
"As long as it exists somewhere in this world..."
"There's always a chance we'll find it."
"I will create an artificial Wind spiritual seed..."
"I'll naturally save one for you."
Lin Xiuya laughed.
"Then I'll patiently wait."
Xiao Feng smiled.
"I won't let any of you fall behind."
"Your opportunities will come one by one."
Hearing those reassuring words, the slight disappointment in everyone's hearts disappeared.
They all knew Xiao Feng well.
If he said he had plans...
Then sooner or later, he would make them a reality.
At that moment, Jia Yun suddenly stepped forward.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Brother Xiao Feng..."
"Thank you."
Without waiting for his response, she gave him a quick, friendly hug before stepping back.
It was the embrace between comrades who had fought and grown stronger together.
Immediately afterward...
Liu Fei also walked over.
Unlike Jia Yun...
She didn't say a word.
She simply wrapped both arms gently around Xiao Feng.
Her embrace lasted slightly longer.
It wasn't forceful...
Nor was it merely one of gratitude.
There was a tenderness within it that only someone paying close attention could notice.
It was an embrace carrying feelings far deeper than friendship.
Han Yue quietly raised an eyebrow.
Lin Xiuya coughed awkwardly and looked away.
Even Jia Yun blinked twice before smiling knowingly.
Only Xiao Feng himself remained completely oblivious.
In his eyes...
Both hugs were simply sincere expressions of gratitude from trusted companions.
He smiled helplessly and lightly patted both of them on the shoulders.
"Alright."
"If you truly want to thank me..."
"Then refine these flames successfully."
"Growing stronger is the greatest repayment you can give me."
The two women nodded firmly.
"We won't disappoint you."
With that, Xiao Feng smiled in satisfaction.
The stronger his companions became...
The greater their chances of surviving the turbulent future that awaited them all.