In the days that followed, Xiao Feng's life began to settle into a regular rhythm.
Because he had taken Fire Elder as his master, Xiao Feng did not have to attend theory and practical combat classes even after his leave ended.
Every morning, without fail, he went to the Alchemy Department to find Fire Elder and learn the art of alchemy.
Fire Elder was very pleased to see Xiao Feng's enthusiasm for learning alchemy and could be said to have taught him everything he knew.
With each passing day of study, Xiao Feng's skill in alchemy grew steadily, his understanding deepening with every lesson.
In this way, Xiao Feng spent his days studying alchemy and his nights cultivating, using Dou Qi to replace sleep.
Because he had a Fifth-Grade Peak Alchemist as a teacher, Xiao Feng never lacked the medicinal pills needed for cultivation, so his Dou Qi grew stronger at a rapid pace.
One and Half years later ,
Xiao Feng turns 12 years old just few weeks ago
The soft morning sunlight shone through the window onto the face of a youth who was still somewhat immature.
The youth had red lips and white teeth, thick black hair falling to his shoulders, and his fair face already hinted at his future handsomeness.
At this moment, the youth was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. Jade-green Dou Qi swirled around him, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeated the air.
Boom!
An invisible sound wave emanated from within the youth's body. Along with the sound, the youth slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of jade-green fire flashing through them.
"seven-Star Great Fighter!" Xiao Feng felt the dou crystal in his dantian, a smile appearing on his face.
In two years, from a Two-Star Dou Practitioner to a seven-Star Great Fighter, he had crossed over twenty minor realms.
Although this cultivation speed still couldn't compare to those geniuses of the Emperor Clans, it wasn't slow, right?
What's more, he was now not only a 7 Star Great Fighter but also a Fourth-Grade Peak Alchemist capable of refining the purple heart barrier breaking pill!
"The Inner Academy Selection Tournament is in six months. It's time to set off for the Inner Academy."
Xiao Feng thought to himself. As early as the last Inner Academy Selection Tournament, he had the opportunity to enter the Inner Academy.
However, because he only had the cultivation of a high-level Dou Master at that time, although he had a chance to enter the Inner Academy, he had no hope of making it into the top five.
But how could that be acceptable?
How could he miss the only opportunity to enter Cannon Academy's Library Pavilion?
So, at that time, he had no choice but to set aside his thoughts of participating in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament and continue to focus on his cultivation.
Now it was another Inner Academy Selection Tournament, and with his cultivation as a Seven-Star Great Fighter, it was enough to make it into the top five.
Thinking of this, a smile couldn't help but appear on Xiao Feng's face.
Having enough time to visit home and return, Xiao Feng decided to go to his hometown and bring some pills and cultivation resources to his family.
During these nearly two years, he had spent all his time on alchemy and went out to the Black-Corner Region to complete missions and hone his skills. Because of that, he obtained many resources and Dou Techniques, even though there were no Earth-Rank cultivation techniques available.
Xiao Feng thought this was enough for now, as Earth-Grade techniques—even in the Imperial Family or Cloud Mist Sect would not have then— so , it would do more harm than good at this stage.
Because of his success and growth , many clans men began sending their children to the college.
Apart from that, among the four companions who had come with him two years ago, two of them—Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai—had the talent to become alchemists. With Xiao Feng's guidance, they were able to reach the peak of First-Grade Alchemist and mid Second-Grade Alchemist levels. This was also because they had only reached Dou Master. Once they become Dou Grand Masters, they would be able to refine up to three or even four low-grade pills.
He was helping them because he thought that Xiao Yan and he would not be able to assist much once they reached Dou Huang or Dou Zong, as they would no longer be able to staying in the Xiao Family. They needed to grow stronger, so they need to vencher out to gain resources , experiences and mysterious opportunities , so Xiao Feng was trying his best to make the Xiao Family well-rounded in every field—for example, teaching Xiao Xan weapon-making techniques .
Because of him, Having a pure Fire attribute, Xiao Feng also discovered Wood techniques during his missions in a cave , which could help cultivate medicinal herbs quickly by using Dou Qi of people having wood attribute . These herbs could be used as main ingredients for up to Third or Fourth-Grade pills and some could serve as auxiliary materials for Fifth-Grade pills, which he given to the Fire Elder for canaan academy future development.
Xiao Lou a wood attribute user , who came with him, also benefited from these techniques. Even Su Qian personally provided some resources for Xiao Fengs contributions and instructed him not to pass on this technique unless necessary. Although Third and Fourth-Grade herbs were not particularly useful to Dou Zong or Dou Huang, most people in Cannon College were ranked below Dou Wang, where a single pill could mean life or death.
With less time needed to cultivate herbs, it saved a lot of time, resources, and even lives.
Before heading to Fire Elder's residence, Xiao Feng had first visited the Xiao Family members, inviting some of them to accompany him on his trip home. Along the way, he also took the time to meet and get to know the new members of the Xiao Family who had joined this year. He exchanged pleasantries, shared a few cultivation tips, and subtly gauged their potential, ensuring that the family's younger generation would be well-prepared and confident during his absence.
Hearing this, Xiao Chen looked toward Xiao Feng. He had always been curious about him; back in the Xiao Family, Xiao Feng rarely mingled with others. After leaving the Xiao Family for so many years, Xiao Chen was one of the few who still knew him well, having entered Jia Nan Academy with him back then.
"Cousin Xiao Feng went to bid farewell to his teacher; let's head to the Flying Magical Beast and wait for him there," Xiao Chen explained.
When the Flying Magical Beast was about to reach Cannan City, Xiao Feng had left it alone and flown to his teacher's residence. After all, picking people up was something Xiao Chen could handle by himself—there was no need for both of them to come.
At Xiao Chen's explanation, the others nodded in understanding. They knew Xiao Feng had a teacher at Canaan Academy but had never found out exactly which one; they had simply never asked.
"All right, stop dawdling—move it." After a couple of steps, Xiao Chen glanced back and, seeing them still rooted in place, urged them on.
"Coming!"
…Fire Elder's residence hadn't changed at all—still that little courtyard built entirely of emerald-green bamboo.
Gazing at the quiet courtyard, Xiao Feng pushed open the gate and walked slowly to the room's door. Just as he was about to knock, the door opened, and Fire Elder's calm, steady gaze met his.
"You're here," Fire Elder said, reclining in his chair, eyes sharp yet gentle. "I've been expecting you. Remember to stay cautious on your journey back."
Fire Elder had long anticipated Xiao Feng's departure; having stayed away for over eight years had already exceeded expectations. Yet considering the boy was orphaned, it was understandable. There wasn't much left for Fire Elder to say. Over the years, he had taught his prized disciple everything there was to teach. This disciple had surpassed his master—truly, the student exceeded the teacher. All Fire Elder could do now was urge caution.
Xiao Feng nodded silently.
Leaving the courtyard, Xiao Feng glanced back at the house.
Hearing the commotion outside, Fire Elder sighed inside the house. "He's all grown up now…"
Partings are always tinged with sorrow. At Xiao Feng's speed, the run from Fire Elder's home to Canaan Academy wouldn't take long. A quarter of an hour later, Xiao Feng came into view in front of Xiao Chen amid countless envious and admiring stares.
"So, did you pick everyone up?" Ignoring the onlookers, Xiao Feng asked, seeing Xiao Chen waiting alone beside the Gryphon Beast.
"Got them—they're inside."
Xiao Chen pointed to the wooden cabin on the Gryphon Beast's back. The beast they'd borrowed came with a cabin; without it, staying perched on the Gryphon the whole way would have been fine, but others couldn't handle it.
"Good. Let's board—time to head home!"