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**
Wei Yang shook his head. "I just made an attempt, that's all. I wouldn't dare say I can definitely see the issue."
However, Xiao Zhan expressed his gratitude. "Regardless, Mr. Wei is willing to help my son, which is already an immense favor. Yan'er, what are you waiting for?"
"Oh, oh." Xiao Yan quickly reacted and extended his hand.
Wei Yang placed his fingers on Xiao Yan's wrist, his eyes closing slightly as he remained silent in contemplation.
Xiao Zhan swept a sharp gaze around the room, and everyone immediately fell silent, not daring to make a sound.
A moment later—
"Try circulating your Dou Qi through your body. Let me see," Wei Yang instructed.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately sat cross-legged on the spot, closing his eyes while forming a series of mysterious hand seals in front of him. His chest rose and fell slightly, and with each breath, a perfect cycle was established.
Faint wisps of white Qi entered his body through his nose and mouth, nourishing his bones and meridians.
Wei Yang once again placed his fingers on Xiao Yan's wrist while simultaneously releasing his soul perception.
Very soon, Wei Yang made a subtle discovery.
As Xiao Yan meditated, the ancient, black ring on his finger emitted an extremely faint and almost imperceptible fluctuation before quickly falling silent again.
This minuscule fluctuation was completely undetectable to the ordinary eye, yet it was precisely captured by the ever-attentive Wei Yang.
At this moment, Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes. A faint white light flickered within his dark pupils—it was the Dou Qi he had just absorbed but had not yet fully refined.
He clenched his fists tightly, watching helplessly as that remaining trace of Dou Qi quickly dissipated into nothingness.
Again! It happened again!
This was the same, all-too-familiar sensation!
The inexplicable disappearance of Dou Qi, without leaving even a trace!
It had been nearly three years!
A flicker of rage flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes, but in front of so many people, he held back from cursing out loud. Instead, he raised his head and looked toward Wei Yang, his gaze carrying a mix of hope and bitterness.
Over the past three years, his father had sought out countless physicians and alchemists, yet none had been able to help him.
Failure had become a norm over these years. So even if Wei Yang turned out to have no findings, Xiao Yan wouldn't be surprised.
And yet, deep within his heart, there remained a sliver of hope.
"This condition…" Wei Yang finally opened his eyes and withdrew his hand. A deeply concealed trace of amusement flickered across his gaze.
Yao Lao, that old man… Was he awake right now, or was he still in a deep slumber, unconsciously absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi?
If he was indeed awake, then he was quite bold!
Absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi so brazenly, right in front of everyone—and even under his watchful gaze!
Did he truly hold the Jia Ma Empire in such low regard, even in his weakened soul state?
"Mr. Wei…" Xiao Yan parted his lips to speak.
"Mr. Wei, what do you think of my son's condition?" Xiao Zhan asked, his expression filled with anxiety.
"I have examined Brother Xiao Yan's condition," Wei Yang nodded slightly. "And I have indeed found some clues."
"You found something?!"
Both Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan's eyes lit up at his words.
The surrounding Xiao clan members also looked at Wei Yang in shock.
Over the years, Wei Yang was the first person who had been able to detect anything at all, even if he had only found a slight clue.
"Then—" Xiao Zhan started.
However, Wei Yang raised his hand. "I need to make some preparations. I'll return in three months."
With that, he didn't say anything further. He simply left those words behind and strode away.
"Mr. Wei, this—" Xiao Yan was anxious and wanted to say more, but Xiao Zhan stopped him.
Watching Wei Yang's departing figure, Xiao Zhan said, "Since Mr. Wei said he'll return in three months, we should just wait patiently."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan could only nod unwillingly, forcing himself to suppress his growing anxiety.
Xiao Zhan patted his shoulder in reassurance. "Yan'er, since Mr. Wei said he found some clues and needs time to prepare, that means there's hope, doesn't it? You've endured for three years already—what's another three months? Just be patient and wait."
"…Alright."
—
After leaving the Xiao Clan, Wei Yang departed Wu Tan City entirely.
Black wings spread behind him as he soared high into the sky, flying straight toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
He still needed to find that mysterious valley first.
According to the original story's description, that small valley should be located in the outer region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range near Qingshan Town, not far from where Thousand Medicine House gathered herbs. It shouldn't be too difficult to locate.
The reason he had deliberately told Xiao Yan that he had "found some clues" just now was intentional.
His goal?
To prepare for future interactions with Yao Lao.
After all, judging by the timeline, three months later would be just about when the main story officially begins.
His goal in approaching Yao Lao wasn't to covet Flame Mantra, but rather for something else.
For example, the systematic inheritance of alchemists from Tier 1 to Tier 7, the Poison Pill Method, and so on.
Among them, the Poison Pill Method was the most important and something Wei Yang absolutely had to obtain.
Regardless of whether he could find the Ghostly Poison Flame in the future, or whether that flame could help Xian'er fully control her Woeful Poison Body, he still needed to secure the Poison Pill Method first to ensure peace of mind.
Wei Yang narrowed his eyes. With the storyline about to unfold, he began formulating his plans for the future.
The Green Lotus Core Flame—since he had no intention of using it himself, he could hand it over to Xiao Yan in exchange for some benefits from Yao Lao.
For example, Mid to High-Level Earth-Grade techniques and Dou Techniques.
These were things Yao Lao likely had in abundance and would be willing to trade in exchange for a Heavenly Flame.
Wei Yang knew himself well.
Though his talent was good, it was only relatively speaking.
In a small place like the Jia Ma Empire, he could dominate with his abilities, but in Central Plains or the entire Dou Qi Continent, he wouldn't be considered particularly outstanding.
So if he wanted to accomplish something great in the future, relying solely on diligent cultivation wouldn't be enough.
He needed to leverage his knowledge of the storyline to secure opportunities for his own growth.
For this reason, Wei Yang didn't mind making some choices that might seem self-serving.
There was nothing wrong with that.
After all—"If one does not act for themselves, the heavens and earth will punish them."
For example, taking the Green Lotus Core Flame, which originally belonged to Xiao Yan, and trading it with Yao Lao for benefits.
For example, claiming the cliff cave opportunity for himself.
For example, robbing Gu Te.
He did these things without a shred of guilt.
But he was also self-aware—he knew which things he couldn't touch.
Because decades later, Hun Tiandi would attempt to destroy the world.
As the saying goes—"In times of chaos, demons will rise."
Wherever a Child of Fate appeared, disaster would inevitably follow. This was a universal rule.
And Xiao Yan was the one born to face the calamity.
Wei Yang wasn't arrogant enough to think he could replace Xiao Yan. He didn't believe that even if he took Xiao Yan's place, he could accomplish the same things.
Following behind, acting as support, and taking advantage of opportunities—that was fine. But being the main protagonist? Forget it.
At least he wasn't in Martial Universe, where the Devil Emperor existed.
But even so, the Hun Clan's threat was almost on par with the Fiend Clan.
So in the end, it was better to let Xiao Yan have the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Using it to trade with Yao Lao for what he needed would be a win-win.
As for things like the cliff cave opportunity, which wouldn't significantly impact Xiao Yan's growth, he could take those without issue.
Wei Yang had no intention of refining the Green Lotus Core Flame himself. First of all, he wasn't particularly impressed with its power.
Second, this Heavenly Flame was a key factor in Xiao Yan's early-stage growth.
While planning for himself, Wei Yang also made sure not to interfere too much with Xiao Yan's development.
This was, in a way, a safeguard—both for himself and for all living beings.
A backup plan.
Otherwise, decades later, when Hun Tiandi sacrificed countless lives, if Xiao Yan failed to grow properly…
And if Wei Yang himself couldn't stand against Hun Tiandi, then everyone would perish together.
If someone was so blinded by selfishness that they believed they could replace Xiao Yan, single-handedly confront Hun Tiandi, and save the world…
If they deliberately targeted Xiao Yan, robbed him of his fated encounters, even took his women…
That would be a truly irresponsible act.
Wei Yang could never do such a thing. He wouldn't be able to justify it to himself.
This wasn't about being righteous or saintly. It was about his own principles.
He had never considered himself a good person, but when it came to a world-ending catastrophe, he couldn't afford to take things lightly.
The fate of billions of lives—who would dare to mess around with that?
These weren't just meaningless numbers in a story.
They were real lives.
Just because you steal Xiao Yan's fate, it doesn't mean you will become another Xiao Yan.
Some successes cannot be replicated.
And yet…
Now that he had arrived in this world, Wei Yang wasn't satisfied with merely being a silent bystander, a nameless character.
He had his own pride.
His own ambitions.
He also wanted to climb higher—to witness the view from the peak.
So, he had to balance his actions—ensuring Xiao Yan's growth while also securing the opportunities he needed.
As for Xiao Yixian…
Wei Yang never considered her to be Xiao Yan's fated chance. She was never really Xiao Yan's woman in the first place.
In the original story, she was just an ambiguous figure in Xiao Yan's life. Whether she was there or not wouldn't significantly impact him.
In fact, during Xiao Yan's growth, Xiao Yixian was someone he had to help, not the other way around.
Besides, he wasn't a babysitter.
As long as he ensured the big picture remained on track, that was enough.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind—
Whoosh!
Wei Yang's black wings flapped, and his entire figure transformed into a streak of black-red light, swiftly cutting through the sky.
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