A flame phoenix a foot in size cried as it flew in circles, plants dried and started to burn as the temperature increased in the area.
A young man flashed a double handed incantation, causing the phoenix to fly to him disappearing in a flash of heat.
The hot wind caused the young man's clothes to flap violently, however, the young man had a content expression, this young man was Xiao Shan!
Xiao Shan grasped the fire phoenix technique, allowing him to use it many times over with his current cultivation base, in training this technique he managed to break through the 4th level of qi condensation, increasing the power of the technique.
As the technique dissipated Xiao Shan analyzed himself quietly, his face brimming with excitement, "so efficient! with my current cultivation I can use this technique around 20 times, my pool of spiritual energy really increased this time".
Xiao Shan clenched his fist, this increase of power made him feel like if he desired so he could split a mountain in half, boil down an ocean, he felt his heart beating frantically.
After a brief moment Xiao Shan frowned, he took a deep breath, "this feeling is really strange, I need to calm down", he returned to his cave abode, sitting in his meditation chamber to stabilize his mind.
As he meditated energy around the room quickly entered his body, this startled Xiao Shan for a moment, usually it took a bit more time to start absorbing spiritual energy, but with this recent breakthrough it seemed much easier now.
Xiao Shan took another deep breath, he tried to relax, he knew the excitement of the breakthrough would eventually run its course, after all he was still at Qi Condensation, 4th level, there were many disciples at much higher levels, never mind Foundation Establishment elders.
Eventually his mind was calm as a serene lake, he opened his eyes slowly, "practicing this art helped me increase my pool of spiritual energy and break through the next level, however, I get the feeling it will take very long for the next level if I just keep practicing like this".
Xiao Shan sat cross legged, thinking about his current situation, he suddenly felt a burning desire to get stronger, however, this was strange as his main objective on joining the sect was to find his master, he had the sensation that this feeling was a bit foreign to him, however, after thinking for a bit he just let it rest.
He stood up and left the cave abode to go to the cultivation pavilion, although he had the hang on cultivation and techniques he felt he was still lacking on finer details, grabbing some cultivation manuals from the pavilion would be helpful to clear up some of his doubts.
As he walked through stone paths around the mountain that separated the Bao domain where his cave abode was located and the cultivation pavilion, he saw other disciples, some ignored him, others looked down on him.
Xiao Shan did not care for any of this, other than his Senior brother Da He, he cared little for other disciples, they were of little consequence, if they did not bother him naturally Xiao Shan would just let it pass.
However, just as he was midway a group of disciples were gathered in an area.
"Senior brother Chen Kang's cultivation is truly heaven defying! breaking two levels in just a month, who else can compare?", said a disciple fawning over a young man in white robes, the young man looked ordinary, however, he carried a refined air, his white robes were embroidered with golden threads on the cuffs denoting his status.
"Even Ancestor Chen Fan praised senior brother's foundation, senior brother's future is limitless!", said another disciple excitedly.
A female disciple stepped closer. "Senior brother, I've been practicing the meditation technique you mentioned last month. Perhaps you could check my progress?".
Xiao Shan barged into this group looking absent minded, internally he was thinking how to advance in the fire phoenix technique.
The crowd suddenly grew silent as he passed through, conversations dying mid sentence. Xiao Shan barely noticed.
"Impertinent junior, quickly offer greetings to senior brother!", said a disciple who blocked Xiao Shan's path with a frown.
Xiao Shan's thoughts were interrupted by this. He blinked and glanced around looking a bit disoriented, he noticed the hostile stares surrounding him. A dozen disciples seemed to be circling around him, all eyes on him with hints of disapproval.
Chen Kang lifted his hand to stop the other disciple, "isn't this Junior brother Xiao Shan I have heard so much about recently?", the other disciples looked at Xiao Shan as they narrowed their eyes.
"Uh?", Xiao Shan looked at Chen Kang, he appeared to be at the 5th level of Qi Condensation, however, he felt the other party's cultivation was somehow lacking.
"You dare to disrespect senior brother!", the cultivator blocking Xiao Shan's path screamed in surprise.
As all eyes locked on Xiao Shan, a strange idea flashed in his mind, however, this idea was far too arrogant and foreign to him, he narrowed his eyes, this strange impulse had been bothering him since the breakthrough, after a breath's worth of time he relaxed and cupped his hands.
"This disciple is indeed Xiao Shan, greetings Senior", Xiao Shan greeted Chen Kang who then smiled back nodding with approval.
"I apologize but this junior has certain urgent matters to attend", Xiao Shan tried to leave hurriedly, however, the cultivator blocking his path moved in stubbornly.
Xiao Shan was not surprised as he quickly patted his bag of holding, bringing out his identification jade slip, making sure to show the Bao clan mark, "this is a clan matter, I hope senior wouldn't make it hard on me, elder Bao Yan wouldn't be happy if I delay too much", he held the jade slip expressionless.
The cultivator blocking his way stood dumbfounded, he did not expect Xiao Shan to bring in this connection to the Bao family.
With a cough Chen Kang looked at the cultivator blocking Xiao Shan's path, "of course we wouldn't dare to delay junior brother in his matter, do send my regards to Elder Bao Yan", with a wave of his hand causing everybody to clear a narrow path.
As Xiao Shan tried to leave the other disciples gave him stares, they were not happy and felt Xiao Shan had disrespected their senior brother.
Seeing this Chen Kang spoke with a sigh, "let it be, this is a matter of giving face to the Bao clan", then he grinned slightly as he looked at Xiao Shan's back leaving, "however, I wouldn't be surprised if something were to happen to this junior outside of the sect..."
Xiao Shan paused for a moment, it was obvious this was a thinly veiled threat, however, he immediately continued to leave.
Everybody's mood recovered and kept praising Chen Kang, "brother is right, that junior is too arrogant! eventually he is going to mess with somebody who is not as compassionate as senior brother", a disciple continued.
Xiao Shan kept walking towards the pavilion, he felt the ill intent the group had, however, what surprised him was the thought he had, he shook his head, he wanted to keep a low profile wanting to avoid unnecessary problems.
Perhaps if his cultivation was higher the situation would have been different, as different thoughts raced in his mind he had arrived to the pavilion.
As he stood in front of the cultivation pavilion he noticed how busy it was, disciples hustled and bustled by, many coming and going from the adjacent mission pavilion.
Before he got inside an unfamiliar voice called out, "fellow disciple Xiao Shan!", Xiao Shan looked around to find an unfamiliar young man hailing at him.
"Fellow disciple, master instructed me to bring him back to his pavilion", Xiao Shan frowned as the young man got close.
The young man cupped his hands in a greeting, "ah, master Bao Yan follower Zhao Yi greets young master Xiao Shan".
Xiao Shan was startled for a bit, however, Zhao Yi brought out a jade slip and offered it.
Xiao Shan hesitantly grabbed the jade slip, sending some spiritual energy to it caused a voice to run in his head, "Xiao Shan my boy, come to my Bao flame pavilion, I have something important to show you"
Xiao Shan stood pensively, although the contents of the jade slip seemed like an invitation, the voice had a commanding tone, likely this is something he couldn't reject outright.
Sighing, Xiao Shan handed back the jade slip and signaled Zhao Yi to guide him.
Zhao Yi then guided Xiao Shan to Bao Yan's pavilion.
As they walked Xiao Shan wondered what elder Bao Yan wanted him to see, while the invitation took him by surprise he had a good impression of him so he did not hesitate much.
Zhao Yi and Xiao Shan eventually made it to a pavilion, the entrance gate had pillars carved with auspicious beasts, the beasts seemed to be alive and looking at any visitors. At the top of the gate the words "Yan Pavilion" could be seen in golden letters.
Zhao Yi brought him through the gardens into a separate building, this building looked like a small 2 floor pagoda.
Inside an old man in red robes was standing in wait with his hands behind his back.
"Xiao Shan greets Elder Bao Yan", Xiao Shan cupped his hands in a greeting.
Bao Yan looked back and nodded, Zhao Yi lowered his head and left.
Bao Yan looked at Xiao Shan closely, "Good! it seems you have advanced to 4th level of Qi condensation, how did you like my Bao family's fire phoenix art"
"Powerful! however, I'm having a bit of trouble seeing how to take the next step", replied Xiao Shan, Bao Yan let out a laugh, "Good! this old man can give you some pointers, however, I called you here to check into something important".
Xiao Shan stood quietly, he was not sure what elder Yan was referring to.
"Have you ever had your spirit root tested?", Bao Yan asked, Xiao Shan stood silently for a moment "No..." he replied.
"Come, I have an artifact to test it out, we use it with every disciple when they start their cultivation journey", Bao Yan walked into the pagoda building.
Xiao Shan followed, he knew a bit of spirit roots, he did not know what type of spirit root he had but knowing it would help him greatly decide his next step.
As they reached the center of the room a pillar held an octagonal board, Xiao Shan found the design of the board strange, odd geometric shapes with black and white patterns filled the artifact.
Xiao Shan felt excited, however, a light chill ran over his spine as he kept looking at the device, "elder... how does this work?... it is my first time", he said a bit sheepishly, however, deep inside he held concern.
Bao Yan chuckled, "this device takes in some spiritual energy, it will strip it into its bare essence, revealing the elemental affinity of your spirit root".
Xiao Shan thought for a bit, Bao Yan gave a light cough as he did a single handed incantation, pointing to the board as a light ray coming from his finger entered the artifact. "Pour in spiritual energy into the board".
Xiao Shan gritted his teeth, he knew it would be hard to reject, so he extended his hand and poured his energy into the board.
The board hummed as it vibrated imperceptibly, it then flashed a couple of times before three small lights materialized on top, the lights started to condense into flames as the board started to hum loudly, Bao Yan looked at the board intently as the flames finished condensing.
Bao Yan then flashed an incantation, causing the small flames to fly into his hands.
Bao Yan examined the red, yellow and blue flames with his divine sense. His face expression changed a few times, but it was hard to tell if that signaled something good or bad.
Eventually Bao Yan closed his palm, extinguishing the flames, "Good! it seems you have a strong affinity for fire element, as shown by the flames", he said with a chuckle.
Xiao Shan relaxed for a bit, he then thought how this explained his cultivation progress upon learning the fire phoenix art.
He then cupped his hand and lowered his head, "thank you elder! now my cultivation path looks much clearer!", Bao Yan waved his hand, "it is all good, you can return to your things, later I will give you some pointers on the fire phoenix technique".
Xiao Shan's eyes brightened, "many thanks!", he then walked politely out of the pavilion, leaving Bao Yan by himself.
Bao Yan sighed, "triple elemental strong affinity... but why are the Fenghua turning a blind eye to this matter?", after a moment Bao Yan shook his head, "no matter... this means this boy is most likely a piece in somebody else's board"
He chuckled, "then why not steal it?", Bao Yan grinned.
As Bao Yan walked back to his abode he paused for a moment, "3 affinities is the limit of the Prismatic Origin Board...", his body trembled imperceptibly, "3 affinities is already extremely rare, I doubt there is more, only freaks like the Fenghua patriarch have them...", after a moment he kept walking back, "no matter, only the Fenghua have an artifact to detect up to 5 affinities, if he really had them the Fenghua would have already acted", Bao Yan spoke to himself as he disappeared into his pavilion.