As for this so-called "burning and elimination," honestly, Xiao Yan truly didn't want to give it up. After all, a cultivation technique that could evolve into a heavenly-tier one was incredibly appealing to him. On this vast continent of qi, whoever possessed a heavenly-tier technique essentially held the ticket to becoming a top-tier powerhouse. Yet, despite its strength, the success rate—only around twenty percent—was enough to make nearly everyone hesitate and step back. With his fingers tightly crossed, Xiao Yan's face showed a mixture of uncertainty and inner turmoil, his hesitation and concerns constantly intertwining. Watching him silently in silence, the Ye-Lao also briefly displayed a complex expression on his face. After a long pause, he softly sighed, "This is something only you can decide. I won't intervene too much. However, I'd like to ask one more thing—do you have any feelings for that young girl named Xiao Xun'er?" "Uh?" "Stunned by the seemingly boundless questions from the old doctor, Xiao Yan's face turned slightly flushed. He opened his mouth, hesitated for a while, and finally sighed, saying, 'Master, why did you suddenly ask such questions? Xun'er is my sister, right? What feelings do I have for her...?' The last sentence seemed a bit weak in his voice. "Hehe, since you find it hard to accept, it means in your heart, she's not simply just seen as your younger sister," the Elder of the Medicine Sect said, smiling faintly. His face turned slightly crimson, and Xiao Yan stammered, unable to find the right words. With a sigh, he spread his hands and said, "Master, what exactly do you want to say?" "I've been telling you all this just to help you clarify your feelings. Since you harbor some rather unkind thoughts toward her, you should also assess your own strength and potential." The Elder's expression grew serious. He chewed his lip, slightly puzzled, adding, "That girl's background is quite formidable. I can't quite understand how someone with such a strong background could have any connection with your small family. Yet even that connection can't bridge the gap between you two—your status difference is simply too vast. Even if she likes you, the people behind her will certainly not agree!" His eyes slightly narrowed, and the hands that had been folded together instinctively tightened. "This continent is a world where strength reigns supreme—strength brings dignity. You've clearly seen how Nasan Yanran treated you back then. She could look down upon you with condescension precisely because her background and strength surpassed yours!" Observing Xiao Yan's expression, Yao Lao sighed deeply, with heartfelt concern. "The power behind Xiao Xun'er is even more formidable than Yunlan Sect. Therefore, in their eyes, you're nothing more than a mere insect. Even though you possess exceptional talent in cultivation, they won't place much emphasis on you. Over the years, they've witnessed countless brilliant prodigies rise and fall. Only when you demonstrate a strength that truly commands their respect will you have a chance to achieve your aspirations." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and shrugged lightly, speaking softly, "Is it simply by mastering the 'Burned Decree' that I'll gain that kind of power?" "Actually, it's only when you successfully cultivate the 'Burned Decree' that such power becomes possible." The old physician shook his head, adding seriously. With a deep breath, Xiao Yan rested his hands on his chin, and the graceful girl's subtle expressions and laughter from days past slowly came to mind, her delicate, bell-like laughter echoing in his ears. Taking a long, steady breath, Xiao Yan smiled wryly, "My teacher has said so much—yet still expects me to remain uninvolved in my own choices?" "Ah, well..." The old physician rubbed the dry lines on his face, blushed slightly, and said with a touch of embarrassment, "Alright, I must admit I've been subtly encouraging you. But from my perspective, I truly hope you'll cultivate this 'Burned Will' technique." "You should know," he gestured with his hands, "that I'm currently only in a soul state, correct?" Xiao Yan nodded. "In normal circumstances, my current state should indeed be considered death. However, due to my soul strength being significantly stronger than that of ordinary people, I have managed to survive in this rather strange and unusual manner..." The elderly pharmacist chuckled to himself, a hint of bitterness in his smile. "I don't particularly enjoy this ethereal existence. I still have several tasks that must be completed personally, so I need to break free from this soul-state." "Teacher wishes to be revived?" Xiang Yan blinked, surprised. "It seems there's no known means in this world to bring the dead back to life, is there?" "Normally, that's true." "Nodding slightly, the herbal elder's eyes gradually warmed:" "However, according to some subtle references in the 'Burned Decree,' if the cultivation is successful, several complementary strange fires could be combined to forge a body capable of housing a soul—thus, when I gain such a new body, I would indeed be considered reborn in another sense..." "For all these years, I've endured the darkness within my ring, a darkness without light—my only hope was to one day encounter someone whose soul strength met the required standard. I'm truly fortunate to have finally found you." A subtle, almost imperceptible melancholy lingered beneath the herbal elder's weathered face. Master Yao gazed at Xiao Yan, whose dark, piercing eyes were fixed upon him, and offered a wistful smile. "Heh, just treat these words as idle chatter from an old man, I suppose. Honestly, I said I wouldn't interfere—yet here I am, talking nonstop. It seems I truly am... well, let's just say I'm not as steady as I thought." With a self-deprecating shake of his head, Master Yao extended his withered hands, and as he gently waved them, two slightly ethereal scrolls—one black, one red—materialized in his palms. "The red scroll is a lower-tier Earth-level technique of the Fire attribute. The black one is the scroll known as 'Burned Decree'..." Master Yao smiled, his weathered face softening slightly, and spoke softly, "Choose whichever one suits you best, considering your own circumstances. Just remember—no matter which one you pick, you'll always be my disciple. I won't hold it against you." Staring blankly at the two ethereal scrolls before him, Xiao Yan rested his hands on his chin, and only after a long while did he lick his lips, shoulders slumping with a lazy smile. "I do have a fear of death, but without strength, I lose my dignity. I don't want to endure Lan Yan Yan's humiliation a second time. Besides, if things truly come to that, I can always switch to another technique and make it work just as well." Shaking his head, Xiao Yan's refined face brightened with a radiant smile, and he reached out, grasping the black scroll firmly in his hands as the elderly pharmacist's slightly flushed and moist eyes watched on. As soon as his palms touched the scroll, it transformed into a steady stream of information, flowing directly into Xiao Yan's mind.