After Xiao Feng's words settled, the atmosphere in the training ground shifted from shock to curiosity.
He didn't rush. Instead, he glanced at the familiar faces gathering around and said calmly, "No need to crowd. I'll introduce her properly."
He turned slightly toward Xiao Yan first.
"Xiao Yan—my brother."
Xiao Yan stepped forward with a relaxed smile, cupping his fists slightly. "Sister-in-law, so you're the one he brought back. I'm Xiao Yan."
There was a hint of teasing in his eyes as he added, "Anyone who can stay by his side must be quite something."
Xiao Yi Xian returned the gesture gracefully. "I've heard of you. It's a pleasure."
Next, Xiao Feng gestured toward the elegant girl beside him.
"This is Xiao Xun'er."
Xun'er stepped forward, her movements gentle and refined. She gave a soft smile, her voice warm.
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian, welcome. I'm Xiao Xun'er."
Her gaze lingered on Xiao Yi Xian for a moment, as if quietly assessing her, before she added, "Anyone Xiao Feng acknowledges is naturally welcome here."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly, matching her calm aura. "Thank you. I hope we'll get along."
After that, Xiao Feng began introducing the others one by one—his clan brothers and companions who often trained together.
"This is Xiao Li… he specializes in speed techniques.""And him—Xiao Ning, strong in direct combat.""Xiao Mei… don't underestimate her control over Dou Qi."
Each of them stepped forward in turn, greeting Xiao Yi Xian with varying degrees of curiosity and friendliness.
Xiao Li grinned. "Sister-in-law, welcome!"Xiao Ning simply nodded, respectful but reserved.Xiao Mei smiled playfully, clearly intrigued.
Xiao Yi Xian handled each introduction with ease—calm, polite, and composed—quickly leaving a good impression on everyone.
Finally, Xiao Feng looked around at the group and said casually,
"That's everyone you'll be seeing often."
He then glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, a faint smile appearing.
"No need to hold back here. Just treat it as your own place."
The group exchanged looks, some still surprised, others amused—but one thing was clear:
Xiao Yi Xian had been formally acknowledged… not just by Xiao Feng, but by his entire circle.
Just as the atmosphere settled into a calm rhythm, a sudden commotion broke out at the entrance of the training ground.
A figure rushed in, her aura slightly unstable, her eyes locked onto Xiao Feng.
"Xiao Feng!"
The voice was filled with emotion.
Everyone turned as Xiao Yu pushed through the crowd without hesitation. Before anyone could react, she ran straight up to him and threw her arms around him tightly.
"I finally found you…!" she said, her voice trembling.
The entire training ground froze.
Xiao Feng stiffened slightly, clearly caught off guard. For a brief moment, a thought flashed across his mind.
Didn't she hate me after the hot spring incident…?
He had always assumed that what happened back then would have left only anger and resentment in her heart.
Yet now…
"Xiao Yu… what are you doing?" he asked, his tone unusually uncertain.
But she didn't let go. Instead, her grip tightened, her shoulders shaking as tears began to fall.
The moment Xiao Yu had heard about Xiao Yi Xian's status—about her being introduced as Xiao Feng's girlfriend—she hadn't hesitated for even a second.
Without thinking, she had rushed straight here.
"I don't care anymore…" she said, her voice breaking. "I like you, Xiao Feng! I've liked you for so long… longer than you think!"
Her fingers clenched tightly onto his clothes, as if afraid he might disappear.
"From the time you ignored me… from the time you argued with me… even after the hot spring incident—I tried to hate you, I really did!"
Her voice trembled, filled with suppressed emotions.
"But I couldn't! No matter how angry I was, no matter how much I told myself to stay away… my eyes still followed you, my thoughts still went back to you!"
Tears streamed down her face as she buried her head against his chest.
"I watched you grow stronger… watched you change… and somewhere along the way, you just… became someone I couldn't let go of!"
The entire training ground fell silent, everyone stunned by the raw honesty in her words.
"I was waiting… waiting for a chance to tell you," she continued, her voice softer now but even more painful. "But before I could… you already stood beside someone else…"
Her grip tightened once more.
"So what if I'm late?" she said stubbornly. "I won't give up just because of that!"
Even those who were just watching could feel it—this wasn't a fleeting crush.
This was something she had held onto for a long time… something she refused to let go of.
At that moment, Xiao Feng instinctively glanced toward Xiao Xun'er.
Their eyes met.
Xun'er didn't say anything—but her gaze held a quiet, meaningful depth. There was a trace of helplessness in it, as if saying, Brother You've really gotten yourself into trouble this time…
It was calm, understanding… yet slightly amused.
Xiao Feng could only give a faint, resigned look in return.
But suddenly—
Xiao Yu pulled back slightly, her eyes red but determined. She wiped her tears roughly and stared at Xiao Yi Xian.
"If it's for him…" she said firmly, "I'm willing to compete."
Her voice steadied, filled with stubborn resolve.
"I'll challenge you … for his love."
The words fell heavily.
The training ground went silent once more.
This wasn't just an emotional outburst anymore—it had turned into a direct challenge.
Xiao Yi Xian looked at her quietly for a moment. There was no anger, no mockery—only calm understanding.
Then, she gave a faint, composed smile.
"If that is what you wish…" she said softly, "I won't refuse."
Xiao Feng sighed lightly, rubbing his forehead as if already feeling a headache coming.
"…You two really know how to make things troublesome."
But despite his words, the tension in the air only grew stronger.
What started as a simple introduction… had now turned into something far more complicated.
Around them, the Xiao clan members could no longer stay quiet.
"Did you hear that… she confessed in front of everyone…""And she's challenging Xiao Yi Xian too…""This is getting interesting…"
Some whispered in shock, others in excitement.
Xiao Ning crossed his arms, watching the scene with a complicated expression before muttering, "Tch… he really knows how to cause trouble wherever he goes."
Not far away, an elder with a stern yet experienced gaze—Xiao Yu's grandfather—stepped forward slightly, his eyes lingering on Xiao Feng.
His voice was calm, but carried weight.
"Young man," he said slowly, "feelings are not something to be played with."
His gaze sharpened.
"If you accept someone's heart, then treat it seriously. Don't let sincerity be repaid with neglect."
The words weren't loud—but everyone heard them clearly.
Xiao Feng didn't respond immediately, but his expression grew a little more thoughtful.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan leaned slightly toward Xiao Xun'er, unable to hide his grin.
"Well… this is new," he whispered. "Our brother might end up with two girlfriends at this rate."
Xun'er glanced at him sideways, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You seem quite entertained."
Xiao Yan chuckled softly. "Wouldn't you be? This kind of scene doesn't happen every day."
Xun'er didn't reply, but her eyes returned to Xiao Feng—still carrying that same quiet, knowing look.
At the center of it all, Xiao Feng stood surrounded—one girl clinging to him with tears, another watching calmly with quiet strength—
—and the entire clan witnessing the beginning of something far more complicated than anyone expected.
Xiao Feng let out a slow breath, then his expression hardened slightly as he looked around at the increasingly noisy training ground.
"That's enough."
His voice wasn't loud—but it carried clearly across the entire area.
The whispers instantly began to die down.
He gently but firmly loosened Xiao Yu's grip and stepped forward, placing himself at the center.
"Everyone, back to your training."
There was a natural authority in his tone now—no longer casual, but commanding.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
"You heard him," Xiao Yan said with a smirk, clapping his hands lightly. "Show's over. Get back to work."
That broke the tension.
The surrounding clan members quickly began dispersing, though many still glanced back curiously.
Xiao Feng then turned to his close circle, his gaze sweeping across each of them.
Once the training ground returned to order, Xiao Feng didn't linger.
He glanced toward his closest circle and spoke calmly, "You all—come with me."
Without waiting, he turned and walked toward a quieter section of the training area.
Those he called immediately followed—
Xiao Yan, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Xun'er—along with the five alchemist members.
They stopped in a secluded courtyard.
Xiao Feng turned around, his expression calm but serious.
"I've made a breakthrough."
The group immediately focused.
"I'll be attempting to refine a fifth-grade pill."
A ripple of shock spread—especially among the alchemists.
But before anyone could speak further, Xiao Feng continued,
"I've also spoken with Xiao Zhan."
His gaze swept across them.
"I'll be taking part of the Xiao family's top ten… to Canaan College."
A brief pause.
"Xiao Ding. Xiao Li. Xiao Yu… and a few others."
The selected ones straightened slightly, their expressions turning serious.
But then—
Xiao Feng's gaze shifted toward Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Mei.
"You four… are not coming now."
The words landed heavily.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Xiao Ning frowned slightly, while Xiao Mei looked a bit disappointed.
Xun'er, however, remained calm, simply watching him.
Xiao Feng didn't soften his tone.
"You're strong—but too young "
Silence.
"This trip isn't for experience. It's for standing among the strong."
He looked directly at them.
"If you go now, you'll only be holding yourselves back."
Xiao Yan smirked faintly. "So we didn't meet your standards, huh?"
Xiao Feng met his gaze. "No, you have just meet the standards"
Then he added,
"but just wait for Two more years."
Everyone paused.
"Train properly for two years. Strengthen your foundations. Break through further."
His voice remained steady.
"After that… you can join me at Canaan College."
This time, no one argued.
Xiao Ning clenched his fist slightly. "Fine… then I'll make sure I qualify by then."
Xiao Mei nodded seriously. "I won't fall behind!"
Xiao Yan chuckled, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes. "Two years is more than enough."
Xiao Xun'er simply smiled softly. "We'll catch up."
Xiao Feng gave a small nod.
Then his gaze returned to the others.
Xiao Feng looked at everyone one last time, his expression turning serious.
"I'm going into seclusion."
The words immediately caught their attention.
"I'm going to refine a fifth-grade pill… and train at the same time," he continued calmly. "I'll be gone for about two months."
A brief silence followed.
Two months of seclusion—for both alchemy and cultivation—was no small matter.
Xiao Yan folded his arms, a faint grin appearing. "Looks like you're serious this time."
Xiao Xun'er nodded gently. "Be careful."
Xiao Ning simply said, "We won't waste the time you've given us."
Xiao Feng gave a small nod.
"Good. When I return… I expect results."
He didn't say much more.
A simple farewell was enough.
"Take care of yourselves."
After dismissing them, Xiao Feng turned and walked toward his private courtyard.
Xiao Yi Xian followed quietly.
Once inside, the atmosphere became calm again.
Xiao Feng stopped and turned toward her.
"I'll be leaving for a while," he said.
Before she could respond, he waved his hand—several jade bottles, herbs, and cultivation resources appeared on the table, each emitting faint energy fluctuations.
"These are for you."
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes flickered slightly.
Then, Xiao Feng took out a storage ring and handed it to her.
"There's gold and resources inside. Buy whatever you need."
His tone was simple, as if it was nothing important.
Xiao Yi Xian looked at the ring for a moment before taking it, a soft smile forming.
"You're quite generous."
Xiao Feng shrugged lightly. "You'll need it."
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"I'll be back in two months," he said.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded gently. "I'll be here."
That was enough.
Xiao Feng turned, stepped out into the courtyard, and without hesitation—
Whoosh!
His figure shot into the sky, Dou Qi wings spreading as he flew away.
Far from the Xiao clan…
Deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
The familiar valley came into view—the same quiet place where he and Xiao Yi Xian had once rested before.
He landed lightly.
The surroundings were calm, filled with natural energy—perfect for seclusion.
"Let's begin…"
Xiao Feng sat down, waved his hand, and summoned his cauldron.
He didn't rush into high-level refinement.
Instead, he started with low-level pills.
Flames rose steadily as he refined batch after batch—restoring his rhythm, stabilizing his control, perfecting every detail.
Time passed.
Failures… adjustments… improvements.
Each attempt sharper than the last.
Only after stabilizing his condition did he finally pause.
With a flick of his hand, a scroll appeared.
A faint wind-like aura seeped from it.
"Fifth-grade… Wind Walking Pill."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
This pill allowed users below the Dou Ancestor level to greatly enhance their speed and movement—almost like shifting through the wind itself.
A high-level support pill.
Also… extremely difficult.
He opened the scroll slowly, carefully reading every detail—the flame control, the timing, the merging of ingredients.
No mistakes allowed.
A single error… and everything would collapse.
Xiao Feng closed his eyes briefly, recalling every step in his mind.
Then—
He opened them again.
A sharp glint flashed across his gaze.
The flame in the cauldron rose once more—this time, far more intense.
"Let's see… if I can succeed."
The valley grew silent.
Only the sound of flames… and the beginning of a true fifth-grade refinement echoed within it.
And far away—
The Xiao clan trained harder than ever.
Because when he returned—
Everything would change.