Zhou Changqing's current soul strength was considerable. After five months of grueling physical training—fainting and reviving, enduring repeated torment—his soul energy had grown immensely.
He wasn't even entirely sure how strong it had become. He recalled that the soul realms of the Dou Qi Continent were divided into four tiers: the Mortal State, the Soul State, the Heavenly State, and the final Emperor State.
The Soul State was impossible. Although Zhou Changqing had never encountered a Soul State soul, he was certain he hadn't reached it. Over the past five months, he hadn't experienced the kind of monumental, cliff-like metamorphosis that would signify such a breakthrough. Therefore, his soul was likely still within the Mortal State. Of course, it was definitely not the early stage; by his own estimation, he was probably in the late stage.
Though it was 'just' the Mortal State, the vast majority of people on the Dou Qi Continent never surpassed this limit. The Soul State was a realm only eighth-tier alchemists or Dou Sheng Saints could reach; even among Dou Zun Venerates, those with a Soul State soul were exceedingly rare. In other words, a late-stage Mortal State soul was already quite formidable, a level many Dou Zong Ancestors failed to achieve. Consequently, Zhou Changqing's spiritual perception was exceptionally keen, so much so that not even Medusa could easily evade his senses now.
Looking at Xiao Yan across the table, Zhou Changqing now understood why he hadn't been able to sense him earlier, only discovering his presence when he was right in front of him. There was only one explanation: Yao Lao, the former Medicine Venerate.
"Old Xiao, what are you doing here?"
Although Zhou Changqing knew exactly why Xiao Yan was here, he had to feign ignorance. The Flame Mantra and Yao Lao were his friend's greatest secrets. He wasn't some kind of divine oracle, and he had no intention of playing the part of an all-knowing prophet. He couldn't let Xiao Yan suspect that he knew anything, or the ship of their friendship might spring a leak.
Xiao Yan sighed. "It's a long story..."
He then gave a brief account of his experiences over the past year or so. After participating in the Jia Nan Academy's entrance examination, Xiao Yan had taken a leave of absence from Wu Tan City and traveled north, beginning his arduous training in the upper reaches of the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. He had since journeyed through several other cities. His strength had risen from the five-star Dou Zhe Practitioner he was when he left to his current level of a four-star Dou Shi Master. (Xiao Yan's cultivation level differs from the original timeline due to the butterfly effect caused by Zhou Changqing.)
While training at the edge of the desert, Xiao Yan had discovered news of a Heavenly Flame and followed the clues to the Snake-People Tribe.
"You know how it is, Old Zhou," Xiao Yan said, spreading his hands. "You know how irresistible a Heavenly Flame is to an alchemist like me."
"So you were there for what happened during the day?"
"I was."
Zhou Changqing was silent for a moment before giving him a thumbs-up. "You've got guts. The Pill King at least had the sense to bring two Dou Wang Kings and a Dou Huang Emperor with him, and he still fled in disgrace. But you, a guy who isn't even a Grand Dou Shi Master, dared to sneak into the heart of the Snake-People Tribe's territory to seize a Heavenly Flame? What can I even say? I never realized you were this crazy."
...
Xiao Yan looked like he wanted to say something but held his tongue. Although Zhou Changqing's words were laced with sarcasm, they were clearly born of concern. But his teacher was one of his greatest secrets, and he couldn't reveal it to him just yet. At the same time, Xiao Yan didn't want to lie to his friend, so he could only remain silent.
Zhou Changqing saw this and waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. You wouldn't have come here if you weren't confident. I still remember you saying before you left that if worse came to worst, you could just level the Jia Lie Clan and those other families yourself. You must have quite the ace up your sleeve.
"Everyone has secrets. You don't have to tell me, and I won't ask. I've got plenty of my own, after all."
"Thanks, Old Zhou."
"What's there to thank me for? Cut the crap."
"So, what's your plan now? Take it by force? Do you need my help?"
Hearing Zhou Changqing's question, Xiao Yan shook his head. "I'm not going to try and seize the Heavenly Flame anymore."
"Why not?"
Zhou Changqing was stunned, a look of disbelief on his face. Medusa was powerful, yes, but with Yao Lao's abilities, it wasn't an impossible task, was it? It would just take some effort.
Xiao Yan looked at Zhou Changqing with a helpless expression. "What other reason could there be? I can't just abandon you in this nest of snakes for a Heavenly Flame, can I?
"Speaking of which, I haven't even asked you yet. How did you get captured by the Snake-People? What happened to you over this past year?"
???
Question marks popped up over Zhou Changqing's head. He pointed at himself, baffled. "Captured? Which one of your eyes sees a captive?
"Look around!" he said, gesturing smugly around the room. "A luxurious bedroom! Does a captive get this kind of treatment? I'm living quite comfortably here, I'll have you know."
"Then why are you with the Snake-People?" Xiao Yan was puzzled. He knew Zhou Changqing's background quite well, and there was no way he should have any connection to the Snake-People Tribe. If he wasn't a captive, what other possibility was there? The Snake-People's hatred for humans was infamous.
"Ahem..."
Zhou Changqing cleared his throat twice and offered a sly hint, "Have you forgotten about my knack for weapon refinement?"
"You mean..."
Xiao Yan's mind spun, and he quickly formed a guess.
"That's right! Exactly what you're thinking!"
"The benefits my weapon refinement skills can bring are self-evident. Especially since, in just one year, I can now forge Tier-4 Magical Weapons.
"You've used the weapons I've made before, so you should understand how much of a power boost a Tier-4 Magical Weapon can provide. You know what that represents.
"With a skill like this, wouldn't I be treated as an honored guest wherever I go?" Seeing that Xiao Yan was filling in the blanks himself, Zhou Changqing nodded decisively.
He couldn't very well admit that he'd had the bad luck of running into Ling Sha on a mission, gotten beaten into submission, and only secured his place in the tribe by pledging his refinement skills, could he? That would be far too embarrassing.
"Hiss... Incredible!"
With his guess confirmed, and hearing that Zhou Changqing could now forge Tier-4 Magical Weapons, Xiao Yan couldn't help but gasp in shock. What he'd said back then had come true! He never expected his friend to actually blaze a new trail with weapon refinement and even develop it to the fourth tier!
A Tier-4 Magical Weapon! This was on a completely different level from the Treasure-grade weapons and Tier-2 Magical Weapons back in Wu Tan City.
It was safe to say that in Zhou Changqing's hands, the art of weapon refinement was already taking shape! He was almost halfway to establishing an entire new discipline!
Weapon refinement was not like alchemy. Never mind that Xiao Yan himself was now a second-tier alchemist capable of refining third-tier pills; that didn't make Zhou Changqing's ability to forge a Tier-4 weapon any less remarkable. The alchemy system was well-established, and he had Yao Lao's guidance, so his achievements weren't surprising.
Weapon refinement was different. It wasn't popular or systemized on the Dou Qi Continent. Most practitioners were mere blacksmiths, not true weapon refiners.
As far as Xiao Yan knew, Zhou Changqing was the only person who had ever walked this path. As a pioneer, being able to craft weapons matching his own cultivation tier was already astonishing.
The true progenitor of weapon refiners?!
My brother is about to make history!
Xiao Yan marveled at his friend's astounding talent, and at the same time, his eyes burned with envy.
If only he could master both alchemy and weapon refinement...
But after a moment's thought, he dismissed the idea. Alchemy already consumed a great deal of his energy. Setting aside the question of whether he even had the aptitude for it, if he were to take up weapon refinement, he would have no time left for cultivation.
Besides, to learn weapon refinement, he would have to become Old Zhou's apprentice. Why else would someone teach you the very foundation of their livelihood? Because you're good friends? Because you have a pretty face?
And the thought of apprenticeship felt... strange. He couldn't quite accept it.
The idea of calling Zhou Changqing 'Master' made him cringe with shame.
Given that their relationship already involved them jokingly calling each other father and son, this would make things far too awkward.
They'd probably never be able to hang out comfortably again.