Battle Through the Heavens: Oh no, I've become the succubus Xiao Yan!

The next morning, Xiao Yan was woken up by Yao Lao.

"Wake up, Xiao Yan."

An aged voice echoed in my mind, carrying an undeniable authority.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes groggily and saw Yao Lao's phantom floating by the bedside, his hands behind his back, looking like an examiner.

"...Teacher, it's barely dawn."

"It's getting late," Yao Lao snorted. "Get up. Don't linger in bed. Let me test the results of your three years of cultivation. Didn't you want to become my disciple?"

Xiao Yan sighed and sat up.

We talked until very late last night, and I used up a lot of my soul energy. I originally wanted to sleep a little longer. But Elder Yao is clearly not the type to wait for someone to wake up.

That's true. Although Yao Lao didn't say it explicitly last night, Xiao Yan could tell he was much more anxious than he appeared. How could someone who's been observing someone for three years not be anxious when they suddenly find someone they can trust?

"Circulate your battle qi first, let me take a closer look at your foundation." Yao Lao floated to the side, his phantom faint, but his eyes were sharp.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, no longer suppressing his power, and began to circulate his true fighting spirit.

The white battle aura flowed through his meridians, solid and pure. It was completely different from the seventh-level battle aura shown in yesterday's test; this was the battle aura of a true warrior, but its quality far surpassed that of ordinary warriors.

The old doctor's illusory figure moved slightly.

"This Dou Qi..." He frowned, moved closer, his shadow almost touching Xiao Yan's arm, "How can it be so pure? The Dou Qi of an ordinary Dou Zhe could not possibly have this density."

His soul power probed into Xiao Yan's body, carefully sensing the flow of Dou Qi.

One breath. Two breaths. Three breaths.

The old apothecary's expression changed from frowning to solemn, and then from solemn to puzzled. He was a little unsure.

"No," he murmured, "your meridians... how come they're almost twice as wide as an ordinary fighter's? The purity of your battle qi is also ridiculously high, it doesn't seem like battle qi at all..."

He looked up at Xiao Yan and guessed, "Do you have some kind of special physique?"

Xiao Yan had anticipated that he would ask this question.

"Teacher," he said, extending his right hand, palm up, "look at this."

A faint wisp of light rose from the palm of his hand.

It wasn't the white light of fighting spirit, but a real flame, pale red and warm, dancing in my palm like a newly blossoming flower.

The firelight was very faint, almost invisible. But in the dim morning light, that tiny flame stood out remarkably.

The old man's illusory figure trembled violently.

  

His eyes widened, his pupils contracted sharply, and he stared intently at the small flame in Xiao Yan's palm as if he were nailed to something.

To Xiao Yan's surprise, Yao Lao did not speak immediately.

His phantom was trembling slightly, but not from excitement.

It's because of... that flame.

Xiao Yan noticed that the flames in his palm seemed to be drawing in some way to Yao Lao's soul. Yao Lao's phantom uncontrollably veered towards the flames, as if it were being sucked in by something.

The old doctor himself also discovered it.

He took a step back abruptly, a look of shock flashing across his face, followed by a deeper tremor.

"This is... a strange fire, no, I've never heard of it on the Strange Fire Ranking."

His voice was trembling.

Shaking with a hint of excitement.

"Teacher?" Xiao Yan was a little worried about Yao Lao's condition. "Are you alright?"

The old doctor did not answer.

His illusory figure floated in front of Xiao Yan, almost touching the small flame, examining it carefully. His soul power frantically probed into Xiao Yan's body, searching layer by layer from meridians to dantian, from battle qi to bloodline.

Xiao Yan felt uncomfortable being stared at, but he didn't try to avoid it.

A very long time passed, so long that Xiao Yan thought Yao Lao would keep watching forever.

"I've never seen this kind of constitution before."

The old doctor spoke, his voice hoarse as if sandpaper had been rubbing against iron.

He raised his head and looked at Xiao Yan, his aged eyes filled with confusion and surprise.

"I have lived for hundreds of years and have seen countless geniuses, including the top bloodlines of the eight ancient clans. But your physique is unheard of."

He shook his head, his expression complex.

"However, I don't recognize him."

Xiao Yan was taken aback.

He had assumed that Elder Yao would immediately recognize the "Fire God Body," given Elder Yao's vast knowledge and the reputation of being the top alchemist in Central Continent. After all, the world was full of wonders. But Elder Yao actually said he didn't recognize it?

"You mean...?"

"Your physique is very special," said the old doctor, "so special that it exceeds my understanding. Your meridians are several times wider than ordinary people's, your battle qi is ridiculously pure, and you are born with the ability to condense real flames, and these flames..."

He glanced at Xiao Yan's right hand, which had already been withdrawn, his expression complex.

"This flame has a fatal attraction to my soul. In all my years, I've never encountered anything like it. It's something even more bizarre than a strange fire."

He remained silent for a while, as if searching through every clue in his memory.

"Among the eight ancient clans, the Xiao clan is known for its dual cultivation of thunder and fire, but they don't have this physique. The Yan clan is famous for its fire cultivation, but they don't have it either. The Gu clan, the Yao clan... they don't have it either."

The old man's thoughts flashed through his mind quickly.

He looked at Xiao Yan with burning eyes: "Your physique doesn't belong to any known bloodline inheritance. It's innate—or rather, it's special."

Xiao Yan's heart stirred.

It's actually quite reasonable that Elder Yao doesn't recognize the Fire God Body. The Fire God Body was something I obtained after transmigrating, so it's normal that Elder Yao wouldn't recognize it.

"Teacher," Xiao Yan said, "my constitution actually has a name."

The old doctor was taken aback: "You know?"

"Vulcan body."

Xiao Yan uttered those three words softly.

The old doctor's illusory figure trembled slightly.

"Vulcan Body..." he murmured repeatedly, his brows furrowed as if recalling something. "I think I've seen this name... on a fragment of some ancient text. But there's very little information about it, only a few words. Maybe I just misread it."

He shook his head: "But I have never seen this kind of physique before."

"Then, teacher, you've seen it now," Xiao Yan said. "The Fire God Physique is a gift from heaven. It's one in a million. People with this physique are born with an absolute affinity for and control over flames."

He paused and glanced at the old doctor.

"The Vulcan Body has three core characteristics. First, it has an absolute affinity for fire. No flame will repel the Vulcan Body, and it can be perfectly controlled by it from birth."

The old doctor nodded; he understood.

"Secondly," Xiao Yan continued, "the flames of the Fire God Body have a fatal attraction to strange flames. Because strange flames are just special kinds of flames."

"Just now, the teacher's spirit was uncontrollably drawn to my flames, right?"

The old apothecary was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I was once a soul entity at the Dou Zun level, and I also had a strange fire within me," he said, lowering his voice. "The small flame in your palm is so weak that it can almost be ignored—but my soul entity was still attracted to it."

He looked at Xiao Yan with burning eyes: "If even a strong person like me is drawn to your fire... what do you think will happen to those strange fires?" Yao Lao thought of a certain possibility.

Xiao Yan was startled.

Of course he knew the answer. But it was more convincing to let the old doctor deduce it himself than to say it out loud.

Different flames are the most violent and proud energies in the world. Each different flame possesses its own spirit and will not easily submit to anyone. Ordinary people who attempt to refine a different flame must rely on their strength to suppress it, facing a near-death experience.

However, if we say that the Vulcan Body has a fatal attraction to different flames.

Absorbing a strange fire is not about forcibly conquering it, but about directly attracting it.

Like moths drawn to a flame.

No, it's even more extreme than a moth drawn to a flame. A moth drawn to a flame is a biological instinct, but the attraction of a strange fire to a fire god's body is at a primal level. The flames of a fire god's body possess an irresistible allure to strange fires. When a strange fire encounters a fire god's body, it's like encountering its destined home; it simply cannot control itself.

"The Fire God Body is to the strange fire..." Xiao Yan said slowly.

"It's like a naked beauty facing a burly man who's been holding back for twenty years," the old apothecary finished for him. "It should be even more exaggerated than that."

Xiao Yan: "..."

Wouldn't a Fire God Body turn someone into a succubus of strange fire?

The old doctor's expression was very serious: "I'm not joking. The attraction of the Fire God Body to the Strange Flame is just that—irresistible. When a Strange Flame encounters the Fire God Body, it's not a matter of whether it wants to submit or not; it's that it simply can't control itself."

He paused, then added, "That little flame you were burning just now wasn't even one ten-thousandth the size of a strange fire, yet it was already able to draw upon the strange fire within me. When you truly come into contact with a strange fire..."

His lips twitched.

"Those strange flames will probably pounce on you like a pervert."

Xiao Yan's lips twitched, and he was about to speak when Yao Lao suddenly frowned again.

"Wait a minute," he looked at Xiao Yan, "You said the Fire God Body has three core traits. Affinity and attraction to different flames, those are two. What's the third?"

Xiao Yan's expression became more serious.

"Thirdly," he said, "the flames of the Vulcan Body have a special effect on the soul."

The old man's illusory figure suddenly froze.

"A special attack on the soul?"

"Yes," Xiao Yan nodded, "The flames of the Fire God Body are far more damaging to the soul than to the physical body. Ordinary battle qi will be much less effective when it hits the soul, but the flames of the Fire God Body will cause many times more damage."

He looked at the old apothecary: "Teacher, you were just drawn to my flames not only because of the attraction to the strange fire, but also because of the shock and attraction to your soul. But what if I turned the tables and attacked your soul with my flames?"

The old doctor's expression changed.

He was a soul entity. He knew the weaknesses of soul entities better than anyone else: physical attacks were almost ineffective, most battle qi attacks were immune to soul entities, and only soul force attacks and a very few special energies such as strange fire could cause substantial damage to soul entities. At least for those below the Dou Zun level, this was an ironclad rule.

And the flames of the Vulcan Body are specifically designed to attack the soul?

What does this mean?

This means that Xiao Yan's flames are naturally the nemesis of soul entities.

"If this trait is true..." Yao Lao's voice trembled with excitement, "then when you encounter people from the Soul Palace in the future, their souls will be as fragile as paper in front of you."

Xiao Yan nodded.

The most troublesome element of the Soul Palace is its spirit entities. Whether it's the Guardians or Celestial Venerables, they are all in spirit form, making them difficult to harm effectively with physical attacks and ordinary battle aura. Except for a few exceptional members. However, the flames of the Fire God Body are specifically designed to attack spirits, making them a natural counter to the Soul Palace.

"So," Xiao Yan said, "the Fire God Body isn't just about the Flame Succubus. For a soul, it's more like... a natural enemy."

The old doctor remained silent for a long time.

He looked at Xiao Yan with a complex expression. Affinity, the allure of the strange fire, and the soul-specific attack—these three qualities combined meant that the word "genius" couldn't possibly encompass him.

This is a natural nemesis of the Soul Palace.

"Your physique..." Yao Lao took a deep breath, "was it specially made for you by the heavens to deal with the Soul Palace?"

Xiao Yan: "…………"

He suddenly felt that the name "Fire God Body" was too formal and should be called "Strange Fire Succubus Body" instead.

"Teacher," Xiao Yan said softly, "please don't get agitated, please sit down first."

"What am I supposed to sit on? I'm a soul, I can't sit!" Old Medicine was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet. Although his feet were ethereal and couldn't touch the ground.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh.

The old doctor glared at him, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.

It took a while for the old doctor to finally calm down.

He looked at Xiao Yan, his gaze shifting from excitement to solemnity.

Last night he only said "we'll talk about it tomorrow" and didn't mention taking on apprentices.

But today—the qualification verification is complete.

It's not just acceptable, it far exceeds expectations.

This is out of control, that's weird.

Soul Palace: "If you don't nerf it, is it even playable? Game designers, take a look."

He is absolutely suited to be Yao Chen's disciple.

"Yan'er," he said, his voice no longer trembling, but steady and powerful, "Last night you asked me why I didn't come out earlier, and I said it was because I couldn't believe it."

He looked into Xiao Yan's eyes.

"But now, your talent far exceeds my imagination. The Vulcan Physique, the Flame Succubus, and the Soul Special Attack—these are the most incredible talents I have ever seen in my hundreds of years of life."

He paused.

"I, Yao Chen, have only ever taken one disciple in my entire life. One of them was Han Feng, who betrayed me."

His voice trembled slightly.

"If you are willing, you will be my last disciple. From now on, I, Yao Chen, will impart all the knowledge I have acquired in my life."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Morning light streamed in through the window, illuminating the two figures. An old man and a young boy, one a silhouette, the other a real body. But the atmosphere was completely different from the night before.

Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao.

The old apothecary's illusory figure was very faint, as faint as a wisp of smoke that might dissipate at any moment. But his eyes were real. They held solemnity, expectation, and a touch of cautious probing and fear.

He was afraid. Afraid of being rejected again, afraid of being betrayed again.

But he still spoke up.

Because he chose to believe. And at the same time, he hoped that there really was someone who could help him take revenge.

Xiao Yan rolled off the bed, knelt down, and respectfully kowtowed three times.

"Disciple Xiao Yan greets Master!"

The three heads hit the ground with a dull thud.

The old doctor's illusory figure flickered.

He looked at the child kneeling in front of him, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just stretched out his illusory hand and gently pressed it on Xiao Yan's head.

The hand was ethereal, devoid of warmth and weight. Yet, Xiao Yan could sense a faint surge of soul power emanating from above, carrying an indescribable warmth.

"Okay," said the old doctor, his voice soft but steady. "Good child."

Just three words.

But Xiao Yan sensed the weight in those three words.

---

After kowtowing, Xiao Yan stood up and rubbed his knees.

"Master, what are your plans for teaching me next?"

The old apothecary floated to the window and looked at Xiao Li chasing chickens in the courtyard outside. His expression was complicated as he pondered for a while.

"Let's talk about the cultivation method first," he turned around, "What are you practicing now?"

"I haven't started cultivating yet," Xiao Yan said.

The old apothecary took out a yellowed scroll from his ring.

The scroll was small, about the width of a palm, yellowish all over, with worn edges, and looked unremarkable. But Xiao Yan knew that this thing was more valuable than the entire Xiao family combined.

"This is the incantation."

The scroll slowly unfurled in the old doctor's illusory hand, its surface densely covered with ancient characters, emitting a faint glow.

Xiao Yan looked at the scroll, not pretending not to recognize it. He had already mentioned the Burning Technique last night, so there was no point in pretending anymore.

"I said last night that Han Feng betrayed you for the Burning Technique," Xiao Yan said, pretending not to know the effects of the Burning Technique. "But I only know the name, not its specific abilities."

The old man nodded. Last night, he had pressed Xiao Yan about how he knew the Burning Flame Technique, and Xiao Yan said that some things couldn't be explained. Although he had his doubts, he didn't press further. Now that he was going to take on a disciple, he naturally had to make things clear.

"The Burning Technique is a cultivation method that can evolve."

"evolution?"

"That's right. Ordinary cultivation techniques are either Yellow Rank or Profound Rank, with a fixed upper limit. But the Burning Technique is different; it can evolve by absorbing different kinds of flames. Each time it absorbs a different kind of flame, the Burning Technique's level will increase."

Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan with burning eyes: "Theoretically, the Burning Flame Technique has no upper limit. As long as you can find enough different flames, it can keep evolving until it reaches the Earth Rank, the Heaven Rank, or even beyond the Heaven Rank."

Xiao Yan nodded silently to himself. In the original story, the Burning Technique eventually evolved to a level beyond the Heavenly Rank, and now, combined with the Fire God Body, it was a perfect match.

"But the Burning Technique also has a fatal flaw," Yao Lao changed the subject, "its initial level is very low—only the low-level Yellow Rank. Before it absorbs the strange fire, the power of the Burning Technique is not even as good as your family's Yellow Rank technique."

"Moreover," he looked at Xiao Yan, "the process of devouring the strange fire is extremely dangerous. Strange fire is the most violent energy in the world. If you are not careful, you will be backfired. At best, your cultivation will regress; at worst, you will be reduced to ashes."

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "But I have the Fire God Physique."

The old doctor was taken aback, then he smiled.

"Yes, you possess the Fire God Physique," he nodded, "and it's not just about affinity; your Fire God Physique has a fatal attraction to different types of fire. For others, refining different types of fire is about conquest, but for you, it's about..."

He considered his words carefully, his expression subtle.

"It's a temptation. The strange fire will actively draw near to you; all you need to do is accept it. The Burning Technique combined with the Fire God Body..."

His eyes lit up.

"This technique is practically tailor-made for the Fire God Physique! When others use the Burning Technique to devour strange flames, they're gambling with their lives. But if you use the Burning Technique to devour strange flames, the strange flames will probably rush towards you!"

Xiao Yan's lips twitched: "Master, your analogy..."

"That's just how it is," Yao Lao said matter-of-factly, "a succubus of strange fire, truly deserving of the name."

Xiao Yan took the scroll, and he could feel the ancient and fiery aura emanating from it.

Burning the incantation.

In the original novel, this cultivation technique is the foundation of Xiao Yan's rise. He evolves from the low-level Yellow Rank all the way to surpassing the Heaven Rank, undergoing a complete transformation with each different kind of strange fire he absorbs.

Now, combined with the Vulcan Body, its evolution speed and potential will far exceed those of the original work.

"From today onwards, begin practicing the Burning Technique," said the old medicine master. "I will teach you how to begin the practice."

"Okay." Xiao Yan nodded.

The old apothecary looked at him and suddenly added, "Also, don't tell anyone about the Burning Technique."

Xiao Yan looked into Yao Lao's eyes and nodded seriously.

"Master, I understand."

Xiao Yan could still distinguish between these things.

The old doctor's gaze softened somewhat.

"Okay. From today onwards—"

He looked out the window; the sun had risen fully and was shining into the yard. Xiao Li had finally caught the chicken and was proudly showing it off to Xiao Ding.

"From today onwards, I will teach you cultivation, I will teach you alchemy, I will teach you everything I know."

He paused, and his voice softened.

"This time, I won't misjudge people again."

As Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao's illusory figure and his aged yet resolute eyes, a warm feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

In the original novel, Yao Lao appeared when Xiao Yan was at his most desperate. The bond between master and disciple was gradually built through countless life-and-death experiences together.

As for where the despair came from, that's none of your business.

But this time is different.

This time, the old doctor observed him for three years. Three years of silent observation, three years of caution, three years of hesitation, and finally, he chose to believe him.

He also chose Yao Lao.

It's not about passively accepting, but actively choosing.

"Master," Xiao Yan said, "you can't be mistaken."

The old doctor snorted, but the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Stop saying nice things, start cultivating yourself, starting today."

"Yes."

He's still a proud little old man.

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

Xiao Li ran across the yard with the chicken in his hand, and Xiao Ding chased after him, shouting, "Put it back! That chicken is for tomorrow!" The leaves of the old locust tree rustled in the wind.

Everything was normal.

But Xiao Yan knew that from this day forward, everything would be different.

Vulcan Body, Flame Succubus, Soul Special Attack, Burning Technique, Medicine Master.

With these five things put together, Soul Palace, are you ready?

Hehehehehehehe.

Although Xiao Yan felt he could never shake off the title of "Succubus of Different Flames" for the rest of his life. Oh, and also, the nemesis of the Soul Palace.