"You five are the only alchemists in this entire Wu Tan City. But don't let that get to your heads. There is much more to see and explore, so do not become satisfied. Make progress every day—even if it is just a little."
"Have all of you converted your cultivation techniques to the Profound high-level ones that I gave to the Xiao family that day?"
All five nodded in unison and said,
"Yes, Master Xiao Feng."
"Good. Now that you have done that, you will no longer need to change your cultivation techniques. It is more than enough for all of you to reach Dou Emperor. Even I cultivate this technique. As for Earth-rank techniques, I have not found any information about them yet, so we will leave it at that."
"Yes, it is true—even the Imperial Family and the Cloud Mist Sect only possess Profound high-level cultivation techniques."
He then looked at the three 1st-rank alchemists, apart from Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai.
"You three need to break through to Dou Grand Master as fast as possible. All three of you are currently at the 4th or 5th stage. With this cultivation technique, you will be able to reach the 9th stage much faster. After that, you will take these."
He tossed jade bottles to Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai, each containing three pills.
He told them,
"You both take these and break through to Dou Grand Master as soon as possible."
After saying that, he explained the three pills.
"The first one is the Qi Advancing Pill, which can help a peak Dou Master break through to Dou Grand Master without any lingering side effects."
"The second one is the Three Lines Green Spirit Pill, with three colored patterns visible on it. It can allow a Dou Grand Master to increase by three stars if lucky, or at least two stars guaranteed."
"The last one is similar to the Wind Spirit Pill, called the Fire Master Qi Pill. It can help fire-attribute users break through to the Dou Grand Master rank by two stars."
"With these three pills, both Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai will be able to reach the 5th-star Dou Grand Master faster. They will also be able to protect themselves and refine 3rd-grade or even 4th-grade pills if possible."
He then placed his hands on both of their shoulders.
"Only you two have good talent in alchemy in this family apart from me. So try to break through to Dou Grand Master as soon as possible."
After that, he dismissed the remaining three people, leaving only the three of them.
He then called them into his room and said,
"I have successfully refined a 5th-grade pill and have reached the level of a 5th-grade alchemist."
Both of them were shocked and happy, because the stronger Xiao Feng became, the better it was for the family.
They immediately congratulated him.
He then said,
"It will take about a week for both of you to become 5th-star Dou Grand Masters with the help of these pills. After that, I will put you through one month of hellish training."
"Don't be scared by the name, but it will truly help you. After that, you will be able to become peak 3rd-grade alchemists."
"Ge he from the Mittel family will also join us in that training."
"As you are using pills to forcefully advance your rank, there will be side effects. So this training will help stabilize your realm and Dou Qi within your body."
"And also, I have the 6th-grade alchemist experience book and his own pill formulas, which can be useful for water-type and lightning-type users up to the Dou Spirit rank."
"I will place them in our Xiao family's secret treasury, which only I, the four elders, and the clan chief can access."
"I have prepared a peak 4th-tier beast fire, and if possible, you may be able to obtain a 5th-tier beast fire if you are lucky. After you break through to Dou Grand Master, you will have good control over the beast fire and will experience rapid growth in alchemy."
Then he placed his fingers on their foreheads and passed the Yellow-rank soul cultivation technique and soul shield technique to both of them. He also placed some restrictions on them so they would not be able to reveal these skills to anyone.
Xiao Feng told them,
"This is a soul cultivation skill which can increase our soul realm. With an increase in soul realm, we can have better control in alchemy."
"Do not tell anyone about this. This skill is extremely precious and can benefit even a 7th-grade alchemist. Even the Alchemist Association's President, Fama, would not hesitate to kill our entire family just for this single skill."
Hearing this, both Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai broke out in cold sweat, feeling horrified.
President Fama was someone whom even the 6th-grade alchemist Gu He had to show respect to while speaking.
Yet—
Even such a person would kill for this skill.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, both of them nodded solemnly, fully realizing the importance of this cultivation technique.
"Ok, go on then, and quickly break through to Dou Grand Master. Then we will proceed," Xiao Feng said and waved them away.
He then went to the alchemy room to refine the pill for Xiao Yi Xian to obtain the wood attribute using the Green Lotus Core Seeds and started the alchemy.
He took out the Heavenly Dragon Phoenix Cauldron and placed it firmly before him.
Then, with a flick of his hand, his beast flame emerged once again, burning with a deep crimson glow.
He calmed his mind and began the process.
First, he preheated the cauldron, carefully controlling the flame so that the temperature rose evenly.
The beast flame roared slightly, but under Xiao Feng's precise soul control, it remained stable.
Then, he took out the medicinal ingredients one by one and placed them into the cauldron.
Each herb was instantly wrapped by the flame, slowly melting as the impurities were burned away, leaving behind only the pure medicinal essence.
The room gradually filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.
After refining all the supporting ingredients, he finally took out the Green Lotus Core Seed.
The moment it entered the cauldron—
A rich vitality spread out, mixed with a gentle but dense wood attribute energy.
Xiao Feng's eyes sharpened.
He carefully controlled the flame, ensuring that the vitality within the seed was not damaged while extracting its essence.
The process was slow and delicate.
Any mistake could destroy the entire seed.
Drops of sweat formed on his forehead as he maintained absolute focus.
Gradually—
The medicinal essences began to merge.
He guided them carefully, stabilizing the reaction and controlling the temperature.
The energy inside the cauldron began to fluctuate intensely.
"Condense…"
he muttered softly.
The liquid essence slowly gathered together.
The flame intensified slightly—
Refining it further.
A faint glow began to appear.
Then—
A rich medicinal fragrance burst out from the cauldron.
The pill was forming.
With one final surge of control—
The pill completely condensed.
A soft humming sound echoed within the cauldron as the pill stabilized.
Xiao Feng slowly reduced the flame.
Then—
He opened the cauldron.
A pill shot out, spinning gently in the air before landing in his hand.
It emitted a faint green glow, filled with vitality and a subtle wood attribute aura.
"…Success."
He looked at the pill carefully.
Its quality was stable, and the energy within it was pure.
This pill would allow Xiao Yi Xian to obtain the wood attribute.
Xiao Feng let out a slow breath. Another step Completed.
Then he started refining some other pills which he needed for the auction house and to use as payments.
Soon, he had created several peak 4th-tier pills such as the Triple Imprint Spirit Pill, Three Lines Green Spirit Pill, Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, and others.
As night fell, he freshened up in the pond near his residence and then headed toward the Mittel Auction House.
As soon as he entered, he was greeted:
"Sir! Are you here to buy or sell?"
Entering the Mittel Auction House, it was the same line, but spoken by a different person. However, they were still beautiful young women in the prime of their youth.
"Call Ya Fei over. Tell her Xiao Feng is here," Xiao Feng said to the young woman.
Identifying his identity, she immediately went to inform Miss Ya Fei and called for someone to escort him to the VIP room for discussion.
After he sat down in the VIP room, the servants began pouring tea for him. They informed him about the upcoming auction items and served food and wine.
After some time, Xiao Feng heard footsteps approaching quickly toward the room.
Even without using his soul force, he knew—
The person coming was Ya Fei.
Moments later, the door opened.
After seeing Xiao Feng, she immediately adjusted her appearance slightly and greeted him with a charming and alluring smile.
"Young Master Xiao Feng… it seems you have been quite busy," Ya Fei said softly, her voice smooth like silk.
She stepped forward gracefully, her movements elegant and captivating.
"I was beginning to wonder when you would visit me again."
Her eyes lingered on him slightly longer than necessary, carrying a subtle warmth and playful intent.
"Or… did you come here only when you needed something?" she added with a faint teasing smile.
Her presence filled the room with a gentle yet enchanting charm, making even the air feel slightly warmer.
Then Xiao Feng looked at her and gave a faint smile.
"Miss Ya Fei, it seems your charm has only grown stronger since the last time we met," he said calmly.
Ya Fei smiled playfully, her eyes carrying a teasing glint.
"Oh? Young Master Xiao Feng is praising me today?"
Xiao Feng shook his head lightly.
"I'm only stating the truth."
For a brief moment, the atmosphere softened.
But in the next instant—
His expression turned serious.
"Let's get back to business."
Ya Fei also straightened slightly, her tone becoming more professional while still retaining her natural charm.
"Of course."
Xiao Feng waved his hand.
Several jade bottles appeared on the table, each containing refined pills.
"These are for payment," he said calmly.
"Peak 4th-tier pills—Triple Imprint Spirit Pill, Three Lines Green Spirit Pill, Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, and a few others."
Ya Fei's eyes flickered with surprise as she examined them.
She smiled slightly.
"It seems Young Master Xiao Feng is quite generous."
Without wasting time, she clapped her hands lightly.
Soon—
Servants entered, carrying several sealed containers.
Ya Fei personally stepped forward and opened them one by one.
"This is what you requested."
As the seals were removed—
A wave of heat and energy spread into the room.
Inside—
Flames flickered vividly.
"There are two 5th-tier beast fires," she said.
"One is a Poison Fire Beast Flame, carrying both fire and poison attributes—rare and extremely difficult to control."
"The other is a Fire Tiger Beast Flame, fierce and explosive, known for its overwhelming offensive power."
She continued,
"Along with these, there are six 4th-tier beast fires… and ten 3rd-tier beast fires."
Each flame was sealed within a special crystal vessel, preventing any leakage of energy.
The entire room grew warmer as the flames revealed their presence.
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed them carefully.
"Good."
"These will be enough."
Ya Fei looked at him with growing curiosity.
"To gather so many beast fires at once… it seems Young Master Xiao Feng has quite an ambitious plan."
Xiao Feng did not deny it.
"I do."
With a wave of his hand, he stored all the beast fires into his storage ring.
The transaction was complete.
He paused for a brief moment, his expression calm on the surface—
But inside, his thoughts moved quickly.
I will be body tempering using my Strange Flame and beast fire…
Not just for myself…
But also for the younger generation of the Xiao family… and even the elders.
If their bodies are strengthened, their foundation will become much more stable…
Only then can the Xiao family truly rise again.
His eyes flickered slightly before returning to normal.
Outwardly, he simply said,
"I will need materials to refine pills that can stabilize the body and mind during high-intensity tempering."
"And also some ingredients suitable for refining beast-related pills."
"These will help in controlling and absorbing beast fire more efficiently."
Ya Fei observed him for a moment, sensing that there was more behind his request—
But she did not ask further. but remained silent.
After settling everything, Xiao Feng stood up.
"It's getting late," he said calmly.
Ya Fei looked at him with a faint smile.
"Leaving already, Young Master Xiao Feng?"
He nodded slightly.
"Yes. I still have matters to attend to."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"You can inform Ge He…"
"…that he is free to come and observe openly when I begin teaching the Xiao family members."
Ya Fei's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"Oh? You are allowing him to watch?"
Xiao Feng replied calmly,
"If he can learn something from it, it will benefit both sides."
After saying that, he turned and began walking toward the exit.
Ya Fei watched his back as he left, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"Interesting…" she murmured softly.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Feng stepped out of the auction house—
And disappeared into the night.