BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

It had been a week since they returned to Jia Nan Academy, having arrived two days after Xiao Hua and the others eradicated the bandits who ambushed them, along with finishing off the Jia Lie Clan. A week had passed since then.

Upon his return, Xiao Hua separated from the group and immediately sought out Elder Huo to announce his arrival. He shared the news of his success in alchemy and demonstrated his ability to refine fifth-tier pills using traditional refining methods.

Although Xiao Hua wished to showcase the 'Using Fire as a Pot' technique he had mastered, after being fiercely trained by Lady Azure, she advised against it. She believed it would be more convincing to Elder Huo if Xiao Hua used conventional methods to refine fifth-tier pills.

Elder Huo nodded in satisfaction at Xiao Hua’s growth in alchemy. Realizing there was nothing more he could teach Xiao Hua—who had already surpassed him in comprehension—he decided it was time to let him go his own way.

Xiao Hua knelt in gratitude, acknowledging Elder Huo's guidance in alchemy. Though much of his progress was due to his talent, the A-C System, and Lady Azure's teachings, Xiao Hua still felt deeply thankful for Elder Huo's assistance, no matter how small it seemed.

As the head of the Alchemy Department, Elder Huo’s approval made it easy for Xiao Hua to access and use the medicinal herbs stored in the academy’s warehouse without interference. This allowed him to refine pills for himself and the other members of the Xiao Clan present at the academy.

Xiao Hua had once considered teaching Elder Huo the 'Using Fire as a Pot' technique but was again stopped by Lady Azure. The reason was twofold: the immense effort and time required to master the technique, and the compatibility between the alchemist and the method.

The older one becomes, the harder it is to change one’s alchemy techniques. After using the same method countless times, mastery becomes second nature, making any change a daunting task. Furthermore, the version of the technique Xiao Hua had learned was far superior to the one used by Yao Lao and Xiao Yan.

Typically, the 'Using Fire as a Pot' technique is employed by fourth-tier or higher alchemists, who mold their soul into a cauldron to refine the ingredients. However, after the sixth tier, the pill-making process often leads to large energy shockwaves that are best contained within a high-quality cauldron.

However, the technique Lady Azure taught Xiao Hua allowed for the refinement of seventh-tier and higher pills by harnessing Spiritual Control to contain the massive energy shockwaves that occur during the refining process.

Xiao Hua’s ability to perform this technique stemmed from his Heavenly Lightning. Each strike of Heavenly Lightning increased his Spiritual Strength, fortifying his soul and bones, making the 'Using Fire as a Pot' technique a perfect fit for him. To contain such immense energy, one must possess extraordinary Spiritual Strength.

"Sister Azure," Xiao Hua asked curiously, "you once told me that Heavenly Lightning strengthens my soul and bones. What about Primordial Heavenly Flames and Celestial Ancient Frost? Do they offer any additional benefits when absorbed and refined?"

Lady Azure nodded and began to explain, "The benefits we bestow upon you are closely tied to your physical body and soul. The Heavenly Lightning strengthens your soul and bones, while the Primordial Heavenly Flames fortify your body. Meanwhile, the Celestial Ancient Frost expands the volume of your soul."

"Expands the volume?" Xiao Hua tilted his head in confusion.

"Yes. Essentially, your soul will become denser and will never be saturated, no matter how much energy it absorbs. Additionally, any impure energy that comes into contact with your soul will be immediately purified. The Heavenly Lightning then uses this purified energy to further strengthen your soul," Lady Azure explained.

"Why do I feel that the Heavenly Lightning and Celestial Ancient Frost synchronize better together than the Primordial Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Hua raised his brow in suspicion.

"Hmph! Do you think a soul strengthened by Heavenly Lightning and Celestial Ancient Frost could reside in an ordinary, unrefined body?" Lady Azure coldly snorted, stepping closer with a stern expression. "Moreover, the Primordial Heavenly Flames don’t just strengthen your body; they also purify the impurities within your blood and bone marrow, curing any toxins or poisons you may encounter."

"Ah... I'm sorry, Sister Azure." Seeing Lady Azure’s fury, Xiao Hua quickly apologized as he felt the temperature around him begin to rise.

"Hmph! Make sure you understand that!" Lady Azure huffed before glancing around, curiosity piqued. "So, what are you up to? Another date with your little lover?"

"Hahaha... As much as I'd love to, it's not for that," Xiao Hua laughed wryly. "I'm heading to register for the Inner Qualification Competition."

"I see. That’s certainly more important than a date with your little lover," Lady Azure teased, causing the corner of Xiao Hua's lips to twitch. She continued, "Especially since you're on the verge of breaking through to Dou Spirit. We wouldn’t want to cause trouble for your academy."

"Wow, Sister Azure, I’m truly touched that you care more about the academy than my well-being," Xiao Hua remarked with a wry smile, shaking his head.

He had been refining pills all morning, and before he knew it, the afternoon had arrived. The reason he hadn’t gone to register earlier was because the line had been unbearably long, and feeling deflated at the sight of it, he decided to return to his room and focus on refining instead.

When he finally reached the registration counter, he noticed a young woman working behind it. As he was about to ask, she looked up, surprised. “Student Xiao Hua, why are you here? Your name has already been registered by Student Xiao Xun'er.”

Xiao Hua blinked in surprise, and the woman behind the counter smiled knowingly. “It seems she didn’t mention it to you. But considering how busy you’ve been with refining pills, she probably didn’t want to disturb you.”

Nodding in understanding, Xiao Hua left the counter and made his way to the spot that held special meaning for both him and Xiao Xun'er. It was their private sanctuary at Jia Nan Academy, where they often discussed their future and shared their dreams. It was also where Xiao Hua had once promised Xiao Xun'er that they would always be together.

After a short run, Xiao Hua arrived at their usual spot and found Xiao Xun'er elegantly seated under the familiar tree, with two cups of warm tea prepared in front of her. She had been waiting for him after taking care of his registration.

"It seems I've kept you waiting, Xun'er." As Xiao Hua approached, his gaze softened, and an affectionate smile spread across his face.

Xiao Xun Er turned at the sound of his voice, her eyes lighting up with a tender, beautiful smile. "Not at all, Big Brother Xiao Hua. Xun'er knew you’d come out in the afternoon, especially since you’ve been so excited about the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition."

"Haha..." Xiao Hua laughed sheepishly, rubbing his nose in embarrassment. "Well, I have my reasons for wanting to enter the Inner Academy."

Their playful banter continued, filling the air with lighthearted warmth. Time slipped by unnoticed until they realized the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the academy. Instead of leaving, they stayed, sitting side by side, watching the sunset together as it bathed them in its gentle light.

----

Jia Nan Academy is divided into two distinct realms: the Outer Academy and the Inner Academy.

In the Outer Academy, competition is scarce, allowing the presence of many with exceptional talent. However, for those who seek to ascend to greater heights, Jia Nan Academy has established the Inner Academy—a place where only the strong have a voice.

The Inner Academy is the true heart of Jia Nan Academy, shrouded in mystery. Its location remains unknown even to most students and instructors of the Outer Academy. This secrecy is paramount, for the Inner Academy houses countless treasures and rare medicinal ingredients. But the most coveted of all is the Heavenly Flame in their possession, ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking: the Fallen Heart Flame.

In the world of alchemists, the Fallen Heart Flame is known by another name that commands attention: the Training Cheat Machine! Though it may lack the offensive power of other Heavenly Flames, the Fallen Heart Flame possesses a unique ability that ignites the desire of all practitioners—it accelerates one’s cultivation, tempering their Qi and refining their bones.

Because of this, Jia Nan Academy has sealed the Fallen Heart Flame, which has developed a Fire Spirit, within the 'Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.' Here, the Flame’s essence can be invoked by those who draw near, allowing them to absorb its power to strengthen their Qi Paths and refine their Dou Qi. Through this method, the academy has forged countless geniuses throughout its history.

As a result, the Inner Academy operates without traditional training or classes. Instead, as long as one possesses enough 'Fire Energy,' the currency of the Inner Academy, they are permitted entry to the 'Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower,' which surpasses any standard training regimen. Each week, the academy organizes a collective entry into the tower—a practice that, if any, could be considered their training curriculum.

What truly sets the Inner Academy apart from the Outer Academy is the intensity of its competition. While the Outer Academy nurtures talent, it pales in comparison to the Inner Academy, where the environment itself is designed to cultivate strength. This is a place where only the strong thrive, and the system here exists for one purpose—to groom powerful people!

There are several pathways to gain entry into the Inner Academy. On occasion, when an Elder encounters a disciple with exceptional cultivation talent during their travels, these individuals may be granted the opportunity to become students of the Inner Academy—provided they pass the rigorous examinations required.

Additionally, those from special departments such as the Alchemist Department, the Law Enforcement Unit, and other specialized divisions can also secure a place within the Inner Academy. Over the years, these various channels have led to a steady accumulation of talent, resulting in nearly a thousand students within the Inner Academy.

For most, however, the primary means of entry is through the academy’s renowned Inner Academy Qualifying Competition, often referred to simply as the Qualifying Competition. This fierce contest determines the final fifty candidates who earn the right to train within the Inner Academy, where their potential can truly be unleashed.

----|

Two months had passed since the registration for the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition, and the event had finally begun two days ago. Now, on the final day, the most anticipated clash among the strongest contenders was about to unfold, with five outstanding students from the Outer Academy vying for victory.

Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Checking his A-C System, he noted with satisfaction that he had upgraded his ACP Rate twice since the competition began. Now, he gained 20 ACP every 6 hours and had accumulated 800 ACP. A wry smile crossed his face as he pondered when he could afford another Primordial Heavenly Flame, which cost a staggering 500,000 ACP. He could only hope the System would be kind enough to grant him a free ticket like before.

“Today marks the last day of this Qualifying Competition, huh?” Xiao Hua muttered as he stood up, beginning to prepare himself for the day ahead.

Lady Azure appeared behind him, her voice laced with teasing. "What’s the matter? Is the Qualifying Competition too dull for you?"

Xiao Hua sighed, turning to face her. "It can’t be helped, Sister Azure. As you know, after the first day, my opponent on the second day surrendered the moment he realized he was facing me..."

Lady Azure burst into laughter, her amusement clear. "Hahaha! It’s no surprise. After what you did to your opponent on the first day, I’d be more shocked if anyone dared to challenge you."

On the first day of the Qualifying Competition, the preliminary rounds saw a hundred students battling one-on-one, each vying for a place among the top fifty. This intense format continued into the second day, where the competition further narrowed the field, selecting the top twenty candidates for the Inner Academy.

From the very beginning, Xiao Hua made a name for himself. His overwhelming strength and formidable speed struck fear into the hearts of the other competitors. So much so that by the second day, his opponent chose to raise the white flag rather than face him in combat.

Xiao Hua smiled wryly, feeling a mix of exasperation and boredom. “Whatever. I just hope today I find an opponent who won’t bore me.”

"And what if the one you face today is Xiao Xun Er?" Lady Azure teased, knowing full well that the chances of him wanting to fight Xiao Xun Er were slim. Despite this, she couldn’t resist poking fun at him. "What would you do then, child?"

As expected, Xiao Hua deflated at her remark and replied, "I’d surrender, but I’ve got a feeling Xiao Xun Er would surrender first just to stop me from doing so..."

"Fufufu. No matter how powerful you are, you can't resist that little lass, huh?" Lady Azure giggled, clearly amused by how Xiao Hua, despite his overwhelming strength, seemed utterly powerless before Xiao Xun Er. She smiled and mused, "It's no wonder the other students struggle against you. Despite your Dou Grandmaster cultivation base, both you and Xiao Xun Er possess the battle potential of peak Dou Spirits."

"True. I was surprised by just how strong she has become," Xiao Hua nodded, his smile warm with admiration. Xiao Xun Er’s growing strength was a reassuring sign—her power would give her a stronger voice within the Gu Clan. After all, the ancient clans were steeped in tradition, often resistant to change or the influence of others.

Xiao Hua’s thoughts lingered on Xiao Xun Er's cultivation and strength. He knew that she had completely surpassed the version of herself from the original novel. Now, he wondered what kind of changes this would bring to the story, especially once the Gu Clan became aware of her newfound prowess.

Fortunately, they remained oblivious to Xiao Xun Er's true strength for now. But how long would this secrecy last? And would the Gu Clan truly wait for him to grow stronger?

These questions brewed within his heart, fueling his anxiety about the uncertain future. While he admitted that he shouldn't rely too much on the novel's plot—knowing that his presence had already caused a significant butterfly effect—he found it hard to resist using it as a guide.

'Whatever the case, I needs to become strong. Otherwise, I won’t be able to unlock these two functions,' Xiao Hua thought silently, glancing at the System. His eyes fell on the two locked functions that had piqued his curiosity from the beginning.

These two functions, which he had temporarily set aside, were the Soul Function and the Reincarnation Function. Though they were locked, he could still read their descriptions and the requirements to unlock them. The System stated that he needed to complete this world to unlock these functions.

This made him ponder deeply on the meaning of "complete this world." He understood that "this world" referred to the world of Battle Through the Heavens, the Dou Qi Continent. However, what troubled him was what the System considered as the criteria for the world to be complete.

'Does reaching the level of Dou Di signify the completion of the world? Or is it only after defeating Hun Tiandi that the world is considered complete?' Xiao Hua mused silently. He believed that with enough power, he could defeat Hun Tiandi once he reached the Dou Saint level. However, if the System required him to reach Dou Di to complete the world, then he faced two daunting options.

The first option involved collecting all the Tou She Ancient God's Jade from the eight ancient clans and using them to open the Tou She Ancient God Mansion, where he could retrieve the Origin Qi and absorb the Tou She Ancient God's Origin Qi. This path, though formidable, seemed nearly impossible. Gathering all the Tou She Ancient God's Jades from the eight ancient clans would require a level of cooperation and coordination that seemed beyond reach. It was only after the Hun Clan caused the disappearance of the Shi, Ling, and Yao Clans that the remaining clans united, and even then, it was a desperate alliance.

The second option was to use the A-C System to purchase the Origin Qi directly from the Shop Function. This method would allow him to achieve his goal as soon as he reached Dou Saint, bypassing the need for the Ancient God’s Jade. However, this plan also had its own significant hurdle—the astronomical price of the Origin Qi. He had checked before and found that the price was a staggering 1,000,000 ACP! That was a five percent of the twenty million ACP required for the Heavenly Lightning Bloodline which already near impossible to achieve.

Both paths were fraught with challenges, leaving Xiao Hua contemplating which would be more feasible.

'No matter which path I choose, the difficulty of obtaining the Origin Qi is absurd...' Xiao Hua thought helplessly, facepalming in frustration. He left the room, feeling his energy slowly draining away as the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him.

As he departed, Lady Azure watched him intently, her gaze deep and unreadable. Silently, she returned to his body, her thoughts hidden from all but herself. Whatever weighed so heavily on her mind remained a mystery, known only to her.