The Heavens: Falling Ink From Douluo

Chapter 1649: Human Relationships Are Precious
"Valley Master Tang is very kind."

"I was wondering what Miss Tang wanted to talk to me about."

"After all, Burning Flame Valley has always been neutral."

"We will not participate in the conflict between the Heavenly Phoenix Clan and the Ancient Dragon Clan."

"Unlike forces such as the Starfall Pavilion, Flower Sect, Pill Tower, and Medicine Clan, which joined forces against the Soul Palace because of the existence of Elder Yao, although some of these forces had ulterior motives and were not really there for revenge, or rather, not just for revenge, it is undeniable that they were indeed fighting for revenge against Elder Yao."

"Burning Flame Valley has a very good reputation on the continent."

"Except for a very few enemies."

"Such as the Ice Valley or the Soul Palace."

"There are no other enemies."

"Inviting me rashly could easily leave others with bad impressions."

"But when I saw this manual..."

"All my doubts were then answered."

After taking his seat, Lin Chaoci adjusted the mask on his face.

The mask obstructs the view.

Rather than perception.

Tang Zhen is indeed a Dou Zun.

Based on Tang Zhen's current age.

He is expected to become a Saint in the future.

Even if I can't become a Battle Saint, I'm still confident I can become a Half-Saint.

Moreover, the Burning Flame Valley, with its vast resources, requires far less time than ordinary people to progress from the first to the ninth level. As long as Tang Zhen spends a few more decades advancing to the ninth-star Dou Zun level and then entering the next level, it will only take a hundred years at most for him to complete his Dou Qi accumulation and launch an attack on the Half-Saint level.

This is like a typical S-curve.

The novice driver was terrified as he drove for the first time.

They were afraid of crossing the line.

But for an experienced driver, especially one who frequently takes these kinds of turns, they don't even need to look. They just need to step on the gas and follow their instincts to easily and perfectly navigate the turn.

Therefore, from one star to nine stars.

This process is awkward and unfamiliar.

But it goes from one turn to nine turns.

As long as the supply of elixirs or other rare and precious materials containing energy is available, it's simply a matter of repeating this process over and over again.

The difficulty dropped suddenly.

It's just that the time requirement is a bit higher.

The workload is there.

There's nothing anyone can do about this.

Skipping levels isn't impossible, but it's like laying the foundation before building a house. The price of being lazy is that you might accidentally step into a hole and fall down later. Given a choice, no one would be lazy. This isn't just cheating others; it's clearly cheating yourself.

Therefore, some things cannot be rushed.

But in any case, Tang Zhen has a promising future.

However, no matter how promising his future may be, even if he becomes a Dou Sheng or even a Dou Di, his eyes will still be human eyes, unable to see through things, and he will not have evolved that function.

To see through things, you can only rely on your mental power.

This is what is known as perception.

However, his mental strength will be blocked by the Heart Demon Ring that Lin Chaoci currently possesses.

Therefore, even if Lin Chaoci sat in front of Tang Zhen.

Tang Zhen either couldn't see Lin Chaoci's specific appearance or he simply couldn't tell.

This result will not change due to distance.

Fortunately, whether or not we can see it is relatively secondary at the moment.

After hearing Lin Chaoci's speech.

After assessing Lin Chaoci's current mood.

Tang Zhen chuckled in response, then asked in a rather humorous tone, "While I am willing, I need someone with good eyesight to cooperate with me. Otherwise, it would be like flirting with a blind man. Judging from your age, you shouldn't be very old. If you don't mind, I'll take the liberty of calling myself 'this old man,' or even more shamelessly, 'young friend'... Since you've guessed what I'm up to, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. However, I'd like to know what abilities you possess, and what gives you the confidence to take this cultivation technique from my hands—a technique that's both important and unimportant... I hope you can enlighten me and resolve these doubts in this old man's mind!"

"I would not presume to offer guidance."

"You're too kind."

"To be honest, and I'm not afraid to offend you... this cultivation technique is useless to me, and it's also useless to the Xiao family, which is now in decline."

"The root cause of the Xiao family's decline lies in the depletion of its bloodline."

"The blessings bestowed by a virtuous person will last for five generations."

"The Three Transformations of Heavenly Fire is merely the development of bloodline."

"It cannot regenerate depleted bloodlines."

"To put it bluntly: if the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations had such powerful abilities, Xiao Xuan, the patriarch of the Xiao Clan back then, wouldn't have needed to fight to the death. Even if the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations were only useful to the members of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xuan would have had an abundance of time to break through. But if the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations were useful to everyone, including non-human magical beasts, then the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations would become the most top-tier cultivation technique on the Dou Qi Continent, without exception. Not to mention the Burning Flame Valley, even the Pill Tower or one of the Eight Ancient Clans wouldn't be able to hold onto it. This thing would immediately become a hot potato."

"So, even if you give it to me now..."

"It was of very little help to me."

"It will most likely have to wait until I enter the Heavenly Tomb."

"Greetings to our ancestor, Xiao Xuan."

"He has changed into the divine bloodline of the Xiao clan."

"Only then can this thing be used."

"But then again, if my strength is truly powerful enough to enter the Heavenly Tomb, then the ancient clans definitely won't be able to stop me. That means I can defeat Gu Yuan, a nine-star Dou Sheng, or at least make him unable to do anything to me. At that time, I won't need to change my bloodline. After all, what's strong is always the cultivator himself, not the so-called bloodline. Looking at all the Dou Di throughout history, every single one of them started from scratch. Even those with extraordinary backgrounds involving Dou Zun or Dou Sheng, their bloodlines are still those of ordinary people, not Dou Di bloodlines, and they don't have any clan markings to unlock."

Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to call it a "chicken rib" (meaning something that is not very useful or desirable).

"When it's usable, it doesn't meet the requirements."

"If it meets the requirements, there's no need to use it."

"Instead of giving me this, I'd rather have some resources that I can use."

"Of course, I know I don't have the right to be picky. The fact that you gave this to me for free is already a very generous and righteous thing to do. It shows that you have a better bottom line than the ancient clans who are still coveting our Xiao family's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade."

Lin Chaoci shrugged.

Xiao Xun'er was separated from the ancient clan.

Incidentally, the ancient clan also distanced itself from those high-ranking members who disagreed with suppressing the Xiao clan branch, including but not limited to elders, to avoid harming innocent people. This is similar to the distinction between hawks and doves. Generalizing from limited cases is never the right approach.

Therefore, this was beyond Tang Zhen's expectations.

Lin Chaoci did not accept the Heavenly Fire Three Mysteries Transformation.

Instead, they chose to refuse.

"Perhaps one day in the future, other members of our Xiao family will come to Burning Flame Valley with incomplete copies of the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations."

"If you are still willing to give at that time."

"Then let's give the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations to that person."

Anyway, I don't need it.

"I owe you a favor for no reason, and in the name of the Xiao family. Although the Xiao family will not deny this because of my status and position, and I am qualified to act on behalf of the Xiao family when I am out in the world, it is undeniable that this deal is not worthwhile."

"So, I hope you can forgive my choice."

"Forgive me for my rashness."

Lin Chaoci offered a polite explanation.

That's what they say, but that's not how things are. At the very least, Lin Chaoci didn't do anything wrong and doesn't need to be forgiven. Saying it's forgiveness is just giving Tang Zhen a way out.

Tang Zhen could naturally understand this point.

But it was precisely because he understood that he was somewhat surprised.

It should be noted that the Three Transformations of Heavenly Fire is a secret technique.

This kind of technique doesn't affect one's foundation, but only causes a period of weakness after use. Furthermore, it's applicable to cultivators of any level, even Dou Sheng. The effect of using the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations won't be weakened. A one-star Dou Sheng, with the blessing of the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations, can be comparable to a four-star Dou Sheng. This kind of secret technique with an astonishingly high margin for error is extremely rare, even in the world.

The reason it wasn't fought over by the eight ancient clans is simply because the members of the eight ancient clans possess secret techniques that allow them to activate the power within their clan markings to achieve a brief burst of power. The specific effect depends on the level of the clan markings. To put it bluntly, the eight ancient clans possess this innate divine ability, while the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations is merely a weakened version of an acquired secret technique. But regardless, this is a configuration at the level of a Dou Di descendant, something that would absolutely be fought over by outsiders.

In fact, many Warcraft creatures are also eyeing it.

Because the monster race is different from the descendants of the Dou Di.

Don't be fooled by the fact that their maximum potential is only at the Dou Di level.

For example, the upper limit of the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan is Dou Di.

The Soul Clan's upper limit is also Dou Di.

The two have different focuses.

If we define the individual strength of a Soul Clan Battle Saint in its normal form as 1, then the Battle Saint of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan at the same realm would be 1.3. It can be said that at the same realm, a more robust and resilient magical beast often has the advantage. However, after both sides reveal their trump cards, the individual strength of a Soul Clan Battle Saint who has activated their clan markings can often soar to 1.5, and it is not a problem for a Divine Bloodline to soar to 2. Although this burst and suppression are short-lived and cannot last, during the burst phase, the descendants of Battle Emperors will be stronger, and even top-tier magical beasts like the Taixu Ancient Dragon cannot afford to provoke them.

Unless it's a supreme dragon or phoenix like Feng Qing'er.

Based on the differences in the level of life.

To suppress.

In general, humans tend to be more reserved, and their true strength is uncertain until they reveal their trump cards. Orcs, on the other hand, tend to be more conventional. When they make a move, they appear genuinely strong, but this strength is predictable and easily understood.

Therefore, Tang Zhen could not understand Lin Chaoci's thoughts.

To put it bluntly, even if you have two Battle Saints by your side...

Those two Dou Sheng were also corpses.

There is no possibility of cultivation.

But no one would complain about having too much food, too big a house, or too strong. As the saying goes, "a skill is never a burden." The Heavenly Fire Three Transformations isn't some kind of technique or fighting skill that you need to practice frequently. It's just a secret technique, similar to the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Technique. You only need to absorb a few flames. Strange flames are naturally the best choice, but beast flames are also acceptable, as are other ordinary flames. This allows you to advance one or more minor realms in battle. The current limit is six minor realms. This is the record Xiao Xuan created back then. Xiao Xuan consumed three kinds of strange flames and temporarily raised himself from a two-star Dou Sheng to an eight-star Dou Sheng. Although the effect becomes less and less noticeable as you go on, because the step from nine-star Dou Sheng to Dou Di is too difficult, let alone the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations only raising him by six minor realms. Even if Xiao Xuan's strength were increased a hundredfold, he still wouldn't have any chance of winning against a Dou Di.

Therefore, even if Xiao Xuan, a nine-star Dou Sheng, uses the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations, he is still a nine-star Dou Sheng. At most, he is more powerful among nine-star Dou Shengs. Moreover, at Xiao Xuan's level, the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations can no longer be simply called the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations, because the enhancement effect of the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations has been superimposed with the enhancement effect of the Xiao Clan's clan mark. This calculation of six minor realms is inaccurate.

But anyway.

The Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Fire are all laid out before you.

If you don’t take it, you won’t get it.

You should accept it too.

However, despite saying that, Tang Zhen subconsciously looked at Lin Chaoci with higher regard. After all, knowing what one needs and doesn't need is certainly a good quality, but being able to harden one's heart, ignore the benefits offered to one's face, firmly believe in the path one has chosen, and know that human relationships are more valuable than secret techniques is an even more precious quality and a sign of foresight.

"If this child is truly a member of the Xiao clan."

"The Soul Clan is likely to suffer a great loss."

After personally seeing Lin Chao off.

Back in his room, Tang Zhen leisurely commented.

This immediately piqued Tang Huo'er's curiosity.

With the mindset of asking questions when you don't understand, and considering the relationship between her and her father, Tang Huo'er asked directly, "Why do you say that?"

"The Three Transformations of Heavenly Fire are very precious, aren't they?"

Tang Zhen did not answer his daughter's question directly.

Instead, he changed the subject.

Answer questions with questions.

Tang Huo'er nodded, not understanding.

The Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Fire is the ultimate technique of the Burning Flame Valley.

Nature is precious.

"No, you're wrong."

"What is precious is never the Three Transformations of Heavenly Fire."

"It's because our Burning Flame Valley, even after more than a thousand years, still cares so much about the Xiao Clan, and is even willing to give them our secret techniques to help them rise to power!"

"This bond is dwindling with every bit of it we give it."

"Let me give you an example and you'll understand."

"Suppose that one day he is being hunted down by the Soul Clan and has nowhere to run, and he comes to our Burning Flame Valley for refuge, if he does not take the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations, even if it is only because our Burning Flame Valley's founding ancestor and their Xiao Clan's last patriarch Xiao Xuan are close friends, our Burning Flame Valley cannot refuse him entry. This is our Burning Flame Valley's bottom line. Otherwise, it would be an insult to our ancestor's face, and his disciples and grandchildren would be unfilial and disrespectful, bringing shame upon our ancestor."

"But if he takes the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations."

"We could easily decline."

"Or adopt an attitude of being unrelated."

At this point, Tang Zhen sighed.

Tang Huo'er looked on in astonishment.

He said in a deep voice, "There's a saying among the people: good steel should be used where it's needed most. He doesn't want the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations because he wants to drag our Burning Flame Valley onto his bandwagon, adding an extra layer of insurance for that Xiao family, whose whereabouts are unknown. This way, when the Xiao family is truly in danger, our Burning Flame Valley will have to be dispatched to their aid, no matter the cost. This is far more valuable than the Heavenly Fire Three Transformations..."

　Please subscribe.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)