Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

Even Su Qian, at the level of Dou Zong, was secretly astonished by the immense energy emanating from the purple cocoon.

He knew that Zi Yan was breaking through the fifth tier, equivalent to the Dou Wang level in human terms. In the Dou Qi continent, Dou Wang was considered a significant milestone. Only by stepping into the Dou Wang level could one be considered part of the 'strong' in the continent. In the Black-Corner Region, Dou Zong was rare, Dou Huang was a ruler, and Dou Wang were the top combat power of various forces. 

Even the elders of Canaan Academy were primarily at the Dou Wang level, showing just how valuable Dou Wang was. Su Qian himself had also gone through the Dou Wang stage, deeply understanding how terrifying the energy Zi Yan was currently releasing was. 

What kind of race is she?

A profound question lingered in Su Qian's mind, one he couldn't shake. 

At this moment, the rhythmically pulsating cocoon caused slight fluctuations in the surrounding space. The free energy in the air was completely absorbed into the cocoon with every pulse. Each beat made the cocoon glow brighter, and the suction force grew increasingly terrifying over time.

After a brief contemplation, Su Qian quickly formed seals with one hand. Jiang Yun could sense that the surrounding space seemed to be interconnected in some unique way. When Su Qian's palm suddenly pressed down, it felt as though the air in the entire space was being firmly pressed down, like invisible threads weaving a web tightly around the room.

"Zi Yan's advancement is too noticeable. To prevent causing a disturbance, I've added a seal to this room," Su Qian said as he turned back to the somewhat contemplative Jiang Yun.

Glancing curiously at Jiang Yun, who had just come to his senses, Su Qian didn't suspect anything, thinking it was only natural for a child to admire such advanced techniques.

"Zi Yan's advancement isn't without opportunities for you. Work hard and don't make the old man wait too long in the Inner Academy!" Su Qian encouraged, patting Jiang Yun's shoulder before slowly disappearing from the room.

Jiang Yun looked down at his hand, forming seals rapidly. If Su Qian were still there, he would find that it was a simple space-locking technique he had just performed, surprisingly well-executed by Jiang Yun, a mere seventh-stage Dou Qi user.

As Jiang Yun continued forming seals, his movements gradually slowed. At a certain point, he pressed a single hand down, feeling as if the entire space had changed.

"It seems... not that difficult!" A confused murmur echoed in the quiet room. If anyone heard it, they might end up wanting to beat him up out of sheer frustration.

Releasing the space lock, Jiang Yun wiped the sweat from his forehead. Studying space power at the Dou Qi stage was still too forced. 

"For now, focusing on cultivation is paramount. These techniques can be used against enemies, but cultivation is the key," Jiang Yun said softly, looking at his palm. He then walked slowly into the room. He had reached the seventh-stage Dou Qi, just two steps away from becoming a Dou Zhe. Only by reaching Dou Zhe could he learn various techniques. 

Taking advantage of the rich energy due to Zi Yan's advancement, Jiang Yun sat cross-legged in the room, forming seals with both hands and beginning his Dou Qi cultivation.

As Jiang Yun entered cultivation, the room suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of two heartbeats echoing, each strong beat indicating the owners' extraordinary nature.

Six months later!

In the room, Jiang Yun, who had been meditating with closed eyes, slowly opened his bright eyes. Feeling the abundant Dou Qi inside him, he had reached the ninth-stage Dou Qi peak, with his dantian filled to the brim, ready to break through to Dou Zhe at any time.

"Time to advance to Dou Zhe!" Jiang Yun said solemnly, sensing the increasingly active aura beside him. He knew Zi Yan was close to success. If he couldn't break through to Dou Zhe and gain the ability to refine medicinal herbs before she awakened, it would cause quite a ruckus.

Advancing to Dou Zhe had a probability of failure, with severe cases even leading to a regression in cultivation. This is where Qi Gathering Powder comes into play. Jiang Yun, with his innate Nine God Meridians and supreme talent, had extremely condensed Dou Qi and was unlikely to fail. Moreover, he had terrifying soul power as a backup. 

Thus, Jiang Yun was fully confident in his promotion. 

Without delay, Jiang Yun's hands formed seals, and his Dou Qi began circulating rapidly. Wisps of faint white Dou Qi gathered towards him continuously like an endless stream.

Forming a Dou Qi cyclone was the crucial step in advancing from the ninth-stage Dou Qi to Dou Zhe. Successfully forming this cyclone marked a true Dou Zhe. 

As Jiang Yun unleased the compressed Dou Qi in his body, rapidly absorbing the surrounding Dou Qi, his internal Dou Qi began expanding and flowing swiftly through his meridians.

His whole body turned into a funnel, madly absorbing Dou Qi around. The soul power relentlessly compressed the Dou Qi, leading to a higher quality, becoming more viscous. The absorption rate couldn't keep up with the compression. 

Sensing the slowing absorption, Jiang Yun channeled another wave of soul power, directing the Dou Qi through his meridians to the dantian, creating a vortex to enhance absorption. If not for Zi Yan's advancement, making the surrounding energy extremely dense, Jiang Yun might have been stuck due to a lack of energy.

The Dou Qi swelled, filling most of his meridians to the limit. 

"Almost there," Jiang Yun thought, his hands moving even faster. The Dou Qi converged in his lower abdomen, gradually forming a unique black and white cyclone. 

Jiang Yun focused his mind, using soul power to compress the Yin-Yang Dou Qi cyclone in his abdomen. Despite the strong resistance, Jiang Yun forcefully suppressed it with his overwhelming soul power. 

When the cyclone shrank to the size of a palm, it suddenly solidified and began rotating in a set direction. Simultaneously, a powerful energy burst from Jiang Yun's body. 

He had achieved the Dou Zhe realm!

A dizzying moment later, Jiang Yun found himself back in the Qingtian Tower. With the experience from last time, he waited calmly. 

Soon, the tower spirit's body materialized. 

"Senior Qingming!" Jiang Yun greeted politely, thinking of his grandfather in the Evil Spirit Clan, wondering how he was doing. 

"Half a year and you've grown taller and stronger." 

"In half a year, Yun'er, you've reached Dou Zhe. Not slow at all," Qingming analyzed Jiang Yun with a smile that hadn't faded since his arrival, partly influenced by Jiang Hong. 

"Dou Qi is more violent than Ling Qi, and it tempers the body. In the past six months, I've pushed my body's limits for my age," Jiang Yun said, elated. Not only was he close to refining the Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame, but he also felt Qingming's elder-like care.

"Good. To reach the pinnacle, you can't neglect any area!" Qingming praised, seeing a promising future in the young boy's insight. 

"Grandpa Qingming, now that I'm a Dou Zhe, can I try absorbing the Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame?"

"Yes, but you need one more thing - a cultivation method."

Jiang Yun nodded. "I've read some Dou Qi techniques, mostly of the Yellow Grade. Though it's a glimpse, I noticed similarities between these techniques and Ling Decisions in the Great Thousand World. I think I can cultivate Ling Decisions here by merely converting the energy."

"You're right. Cultivation methods in any world aim to harness energy," Qingming affirmed, reminding him, "However, at your current stage, don't choose a method that's too advanced."

Jiang Yun nodded. Appropriate cultivation techniques and Dou Skills for each stage were crucial. Dou Zhe stage required Xuan-grade, or low Di-grade techniques, with Xuan-grade skills for critical fights. 

Jiang Yun then sat cross-legged, searching his mind for a suitable Ling Decision, a God-level one akin to Di-grade techniques, called Crimson Fire Treasure Key. 

The first conversion wouldn't take long, so after an hour, Jiang Yun opened his bright eyes. After refining the technique, he seemed more spirited, his young face glowing with a jade-like luster.

"Boom—" 

A swirling black and white cyclone hovered in his palm. On the Dou Qi continent, the deeper the Qi color, the higher the technique's level. What did his pale white yet blackish Qi indicate?

"The Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame is indeed powerful!" Qingming, understanding Dou Qi basics, sighed.

Jiang Yun stored his Dou Qi, looking up at Qingming.

Qingming nodded, seriously saying, "The Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame, even as a subsidiary of the main body, can severely injure a Supreme Being. It was suppressed with Jiang Ya's help. Though its essence was wounded, we must be cautious."

"Even a slight error could cost you your life. Do you still want to try?"

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, thinking of Jiang Hong, the tribe members who died before him in despair, and Zi Yan. His determination showed on his face. "I understand, but I have reasons to become stronger and the resolve to succeed!"

"Follow me."

Jiang Yun followed Qingming to the tower base. Nearing their goal, the air grew hot, feeling like it could burn one to a crisp.

Qingming continued, pulling Jiang Yun along. Sweating profusely, Jiang Yun felt like he was soaking wet. He gritted his teeth, following Qingming.

After a seemingly endless walk, Jiang Yun's clothes were thoroughly soaked.

"You've passed my test!" said a gentle voice. A cooling energy washed over Jiang Yun, reviving him.

Looking up, he saw a large sealed stone platform with black-and-white fire entwined, chained by massive energy chains, tiny flames covering the base layer, with heat reaching four floors up the tower.

"See that? It's the Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame. If you couldn't handle that heat, I wouldn't let you try refining it!" Qingming scooped a flame, which burned in his hand.

"Let's go." Qingming pulled Jiang Yun back.

Jiang Yun glanced at the Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame, resolved to refine it someday.

Jiang Yun watched the tiny flame. If the sealed flame was a boulder, this was a grain of rice – a stark difference but suitable for him now.

"I'll begin," Jiang Yun said. He threw the flame into his mouth. 

Instantly, burning pain coursed through him, almost making him convulse. The flame scorched his organs and meridians. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Yun sent the flame to his dantian. Entering the dantian, it had no resistance left.

Accelerating his Qi circulation, Jiang Yun refined the Sacred Heavenly Demon Flame, making his Qi more condensed. The flame now sat at his dantian's center, rotating black-and-white Dou Qi around it, refining incoming Qi and increasing his bond with it.

Thanking readers for support!