As the group finally recovered from their shock, all four of them—except Xiao Yi Xian—quickly stepped forward with rare treasures in hand.
They carefully placed those items into Zi Yan's small palms, clearly trying to curry favor with her.
Most of what they offered were high-grade medicinal herbs, especially 4th and 5th tier plants.
There was no hesitation at all in their actions, as they remembered Xiao Feng's earlier words—that Zi Yan could absorb such materials directly without any harm.
Seeing the pile of fragrant herbs, and sensing no malice in their eyes, Zi Yan's expression brightened immediately.
Her large amethyst-like eyes curved into crescents as she happily accepted everything without the slightest guard.
Yet in the very next moment, right before everyone's eyes, she turned around and stuffed all those precious medicinal plants straight into Xiao Feng's hands.
Tugging at his sleeve, she said with a cheerful grin, "Make pills for me with these!"—her tone completely natural, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
No one objected, and in fact, no one even spoke, because it was painfully clear to all of them that her trust in Xiao Feng far exceeded anything they could match.
After a brief pause, Xiao Feng calmly took out a jade bottle and opened it in front of everyone; the instant the lid was lifted, a dense and rich fragrance spread through the courtyard, and with a faint smile.
he said, "This… is far more valuable. With the right auxiliary ingredients, I can refine pills that improve aptitude and greatly increase your chances of breaking through to the Dou King realm earlier."
"This… is called Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid," Xiao Feng said slowly, holding up the jade bottle as the rich fragrance continued to spread through the courtyard.
"The Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid takes a thousand years to mature into its current form, possessing the miraculous effects of cleansing marrow and refining bones. At the same time, because it contains pure Earth Power, there is a very small possibility that it can help those at the peak of their realm break through their barriers."
He paused slightly, letting his words sink in before continuing in a calm tone,
"So the sooner you gather the auxiliary ingredients… the sooner I can refine the pill. And once consumed—"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It can enhance your talent… and strengthen your physical body at the same time."
The moment those words fell—
Everyone present was stunned.
Bai Cheng stepped forward almost immediately, his voice slightly trembling with excitement.
"Xiao Feng… is this… is this really true?"
Jia Yun also couldn't hold himself back, his eyes filled with eagerness.
"If what you said is real… then this is practically a heaven-defying treasure!"
Unlike Lin Xiuya and Han Yue—
Who had strong family backgrounds to support them—
Bai Cheng and Jia Yun were different.
They knew their limits better than anyone.
Their families' strongest experts were only at the Dou Emperor level, and without extraordinary opportunities, that would likely be their own peak as well.
They were confident—
Yes—
That with enough time and effort, they could reach Dou Emperor in their lifetime.
But beyond that…
Their path would most likely end.
That was why—
They craved opportunities like this.
Anything that could push them further.
Anything that could change their fate.
Xiao Feng looked at their expressions and nodded slightly.
"What I said is true," he replied calmly.
"With this pill, your cultivation path will be much smoother—at least until the peak of Dou King."
He folded his arms and added,
"And after that… even without my help, you may still have a chance to step into the Dou Zong realm."
Hearing this—
Both Bai Cheng and Jia Yun clenched their fists tightly, their breathing becoming heavier.
"A chance… to reach Dou Zong…" Bai Cheng muttered under his breath.
Jia Yun lowered his head slightly, his voice firm.
"Even if it's just a chance… we'll take it."
Lin Xiuya and Han Yue exchanged a glance as well.
Though their backgrounds were stronger—
Even they couldn't deny the value of such a pill.
Xiao Feng then waved his hand lightly and passed them a list.
"These are the materials required," he said.
The four of them immediately gathered around and began examining the list carefully.
After just a few seconds—
Their expressions turned serious.
"Most of these are… 5th-grade medicinal materials…" Han Yue said softly.
Lin Xiuya nodded.
"Not easy to gather… but not impossible either."
Jia Yun's gaze suddenly stopped at one particular item.
"This… Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid…"
He looked up at Xiao Feng.
"This is listed as a 6th-grade material?"
Xiao Feng gave a small nod.
"Yes… but what I'm using is only the diluted form."
He glanced at the jade bottle in his hand.
"The true essence… is something far more valuable."
His eyes flickered slightly—
Recalling the pure liquid he had collected from the top of the stalactite.
"But even the diluted version…" he continued calmly,
"Is more than enough for what you need."
Hearing that Xiao Feng intended to use only the diluted Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid, none of them showed even the slightest dissatisfaction.
After all—
This treasure had been discovered and obtained by Xiao Feng himself.
Whether he chose to keep it, use it, or share it…
Was entirely his decision.
Yet instead of keeping everything for himself—
He not only shared the liquid with them…
But also offered to refine a heaven-defying pill that could solidify their foundation and enhance their talent.
Bai Cheng let out a slow breath, his voice filled with emotion.
"Xiao Feng… this kind of opportunity… even in the entire Dou Qi Continent…"
He paused, then shook his head.
"I'm afraid no one else would do something like this."
Jia Yun nodded heavily beside him.
"You're not just treating us as allies…" he said seriously.
"This… is something even close friends wouldn't easily give."
Even Lin Xiuya and Han Yue, who were usually calm and composed, fell silent for a moment.
Their eyes carried a rare hint of respect—
And something deeper.
In their hearts—
A single thought surfaced at the same time.
Meeting Xiao Feng…
Was perhaps the greatest fortune of their lives.
Without wasting any more time, the four of them quickly memorized the list of required materials.
Lin Xiuya folded the paper carefully and said,
"We'll gather everything as fast as possible."
Han Yue added softly,
"Once we have the materials… we'll return immediately."
Bai Cheng clenched his fist with determination.
"No matter how difficult it is… we'll get them."
Jia Yun simply nodded, his expression firm.
Soon—
The four of them left together, heading out in different directions to collect the required ingredients.
The courtyard gradually fell silent.
Only Xiao Feng and Xiao Yi Xian remained.
And on Xiao Feng's back—
Zi Yan was still clinging to him like a lazy little sloth, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her face resting against him as she slept peacefully, completely unconcerned with everything that had just happened.
Xiao Feng glanced back slightly, feeling her steady breathing, and shook his head with a faint smile.
"This girl…"
Xiao Yi Xian covered her mouth lightly and chuckled.
"She seems to trusts you greatly just what did you do to her. "
Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, Xiao Feng didn't know how to respond for a moment.
A slightly awkward smile appeared on his face as he scratched his cheek lightly.
"…It's not exactly like that," he said after a pause.
Xiao Yi Xian raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, a faint teasing smile forming on her lips.
"Oh? Then what is it like?"
Seeing her expression, Xiao Feng could only let out a helpless sigh.
"Alright… I'll tell you."
He shifted his posture slightly, making sure Zi Yan—who was still clinging to his back like a sleepy little animal—was comfortable, before continuing.
"It happened during my closed-door cultivation…"
"I was in the middle of refining pills… when suddenly I sensed something strange outside my room."
He paused, recalling the scene.
"At first, I thought it was just some disturbance… but then I heard someone at the window."
Xiao Yi Xian leaned slightly closer, listening carefully.
"When I looked up—"
Xiao Feng continued, a faint smile appearing on his face,
"There she was… a small girl with purple hair, lying by the window, staring straight at the pill in my hand."
Xiao Yi Xian blinked.
"…Just like that?"
Xiao Feng nodded.
"She kept sniffing the air… like she had locked onto the scent."
A hint of amusement appeared in his tone.
"She said the pill smelled good… and asked if she could have a bite."
Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but laugh softly.
"That really does sound like her…"
Xiao Feng shook his head.
"At that time, I didn't know who she was. I just thought she was some strange kid with a powerful background."
He glanced back slightly at Zi Yan.
"But then… she started taking out medicinal herbs to trade with me."
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened slightly.
"She tried to trade with you?"
"Not just that," Xiao Feng said.
"She told me about a hidden treasure… and insisted on making a deal."
He let out a soft chuckle.
"And that's how everything started… from the Snow Demon Ape… to the Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes.
"So… she followed you because of the pill… and stayed because of the deal?"
Xiao Feng thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly.
"…At first, maybe."
He looked at the sleeping Zi Yan again, his expression softening just a little.
"But now… I don't think that's the reason anymore."
Zi Yan shifted slightly in her sleep, hugging him a bit tighter, as if responding unconsciously.
Xiao Yi Xian smiled faintly at the scene.
"Seems like you've picked up quite an interesting companion during your training."
Remembering something important, Xiao Feng suddenly spoke up,
"Oh right… there's one more thing."
Xiao Yi Xian looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"
Xiao Feng replied calmly,
"Zi Yan… she's actually the adopted granddaughter of Dean Su Qian."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian was slightly surprised, but she quickly nodded.
"I see… no wonder her status feels so special," she said softly.
Then she added thoughtfully,
"I'll let the others know later. It's better if they understand her identity properly."
After that, Xiao Feng carefully carried Zi Yan to his room.
He gently placed her on the bed, adjusting her position so she could sleep comfortably.
Seeing her curl up slightly like a lazy kitten, he shook his head faintly with a small smile.
Soon after, he turned and walked toward Xiao Yi Xian's room.
The moment Xiao Yi Xian saw him enter—
Her thoughts instantly went chaotic.
Why is he here…?
At this time…?
Her face flushed red almost immediately as all kinds of wild thoughts started running through her mind.
She lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with her fingers, and asked shyly,
"Xiao… Xiao Feng… why are you here…?"
Her voice became softer and softer.
"…What are you trying to do?"
Seeing her reaction, Xiao Feng was momentarily confused.
Then he quickly realized—
She had completely misunderstood him.
He sighed helplessly and said,
"I just came here to rest for a while… that's all."
Hearing this—
Xiao Yi Xian froze.
A trace of disappointment flashed across her face.
So… that's all…?
Her expression dimmed slightly as she looked down, a faint sadness appearing in her eyes.
Am I… not attractive enough…?
Seeing her reaction, Xiao Feng immediately understood what was going on.
Without saying anything further—
He stepped forward, grabbed her hand gently, and pulled her into his embrace.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened in surprise.
As she was held close, her heartbeat instantly sped up.
Xiao Feng leaned slightly closer and whispered softly near her ear,
"We're only fourteen right now…"
His voice was calm but firm.
"After we turn sixteen… or seventeen…"
He paused slightly—
Then continued in a low voice,
"I will definitely make you my woman."
His warm breath brushed lightly against her ear.
Xiao Yi Xian's face turned completely red—
Like a ripe tomato.
She puffed her cheeks slightly, embarrassed and flustered.
"W-Who wants to be your woman…!" she said shyly, her voice trembling.
But despite her words—
She gently leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Don't forget what you said…" she murmured softly.
"…And don't leave me."
Xiao Feng didn't say much.
He simply nodded.
Holding her gently, he softly kissed her forehead and face, tightening his embrace just a little.