Over the next few days, Xiao Feng's little expedition proved far more successful than he had initially expected. With Xiao Long's overwhelming aura and Zi Yan's natural affinity for magical beasts, recruiting powerful companions became remarkably easy.
What had started as a small group of four magical beasts quickly expanded into a respectable force of twelve.
Among these twelve, five were rank-five magical beasts, each possessing considerable strength and intelligence. The remaining seven were rank-four magical beasts, most of them at the peak or middle stages of the fourth rank. Such a lineup was already powerful enough to rival many medium-sized factions in the Black-Corner Region.
Even more importantly, among these twelve beasts, four possessed wood attributes.
One of them was a rank-five magical beast, while the other three were rank-four beasts. For Xiao Feng, this was an unexpected and highly valuable discovery.
As he looked at the four wood-attributed magical beasts, a brilliant idea suddenly flashed through his mind.
His eyes lit up instantly.
"This… could work perfectly."
Xiao Yi Xian noticed his expression and asked curiously,
"What are you thinking about now?"
Xiao Feng smiled.
"A way to make full use of their abilities—and perhaps help the academy even more."
He immediately gathered the four wood-attributed magical beasts together.
Years ago, when he had still been in the Outer Academy, Xiao Feng had handed over a Profound Rank wood-attributed cultivation technique specifically designed to accelerate the growth of medicinal plants and spiritual herbs.
That technique had since become one of the academy's most carefully guarded secrets.
Thanks to it, Canaan Academy no longer suffered from a shortage of low-grade medicinal resources. First-grade herbs and even many second-grade medicinal plants and fruits could now be cultivated in large quantities.
This had greatly benefited the academy's alchemy programs.
Students learning alchemy no longer had to worry excessively about wasting valuable ingredients during practice. The abundant supply allowed them to experiment freely and improve much faster.
As a result, the number of first-grade alchemists produced by the Outer Academy had increased significantly over the years.
Xiao Feng had long suspected that the academy's only slight success in this area was partly due to a lack of suitable wood-attributed cultivators.
After all, wood affinity was relatively rare.
Most of the academy's wood-attributed practitioners were students, with only a handful of instructors possessing the same attribute.
Because this cultivation technique was of immense strategic value, the academy had implemented strict measures to protect it.
Students permitted to learn it were bound by restrictive agreements and special seals that prevented them from revealing its contents.
Furthermore, once those students graduated from the Outer Academy, the academy elders would personally erase the relevant portions of the technique from their memories.
This ensured that the method could never be leaked to outside forces.
It was a drastic measure, but an entirely necessary one.
A resource-producing technique of this magnitude would undoubtedly attract the greed of countless factions if exposed.
As for why the Inner Academy had not fully embraced this method, the reasons were quite simple.
First, Inner Academy students were primarily focused on cultivation and combat. Their goal was to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
With the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower available, every moment spent cultivating there yielded tremendous benefits.
Compared to that, spending time farming medicinal plants was simply not worthwhile.
"Why spend hours tending herbs," most thought that "when the tower can double your cultivation efficiency?"
The second reason was even more important.
Many Inner Academy students came from prominent families, influential clans, or even powerful factions from the Central Plains.
Entrusting such an important secret to them would be far too risky.
Even if they had no ill intentions, the possibility of accidental disclosure could never be ignored.
Thus, only a select few individuals in the Inner Academy—typically orphans or those with exceptionally clean and trustworthy backgrounds—were permitted to participate in medicinal cultivation.
Even then, their numbers remained small.
As for the academy elders, they had little time to spare for such tasks.
Their responsibilities were simply too great.
They served as the academy's first line of defense, constantly patrolling the surrounding magical beast mountain range, protecting students, and maintaining security.
Moreover, for elders at their level, cultivation within the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower offered far greater returns than any time spent nurturing medicinal plants.
The efficiency simply could not be compared.
Thus, the elders had long since abandoned any personal involvement in large-scale herb cultivation.
Looking at the four wood-attributed magical beasts before him, Xiao Feng felt increasingly convinced of his idea.
Unlike students or elders, magical beasts had abundant time, natural affinity with the environment, and exceptional stamina.
They were perfectly suited for cultivating medicinal herbs.
Not only that, their wood-attributed energies were often purer and more vigorous than those of ordinary human cultivators.
If properly trained, they could likely outperform most students in the cultivation of medicinal plants.
"This is an untapped treasure," Xiao Feng said, his eyes gleaming.
He turned toward Xiao Yi Xian.
"With their help, the academy's medicinal production could increase several times over."
Xiao Yi Xian immediately understood.
"You want them to cultivate herbs?"
"Exactly."
He nodded.
"Not only would it benefit the academy, but it would also provide these beasts with a safe and stable role. They would have resources, protection, and a place to grow."
Xiao Feng turned and looked directly at the majestic Emerald Wood Spirit Turtle, the strongest among the four wood-attributed magical beasts. Its massive shell shimmered with deep emerald patterns, each line pulsing faintly with rich wood energy. Ancient and steady, it radiated a sense of wisdom that far surpassed ordinary magical beasts.
Among the four wood-attributed beasts, it was not only the strongest but also the most intelligent. As a rank-five magical beast, it possessed the ability to fully understand human speech and communicate its thoughts with remarkable clarity.
The Emerald Wood Spirit Turtle listened attentively, its ancient eyes fixed upon Xiao Feng without blinking.
For magical beasts, opportunities like this were exceedingly rare. In the wild, every day was a struggle for survival. Competition for territory, resources, and advancement was brutal. A single mistake could cost them their lives. Even powerful beasts could never truly relax.
But under the protection of Canaan Academy, things would be entirely different.
They would have a safe environment, abundant resources, access to medicinal plants, and, perhaps most importantly, a stable path for long-term growth.
When Xiao Feng finished explaining his proposal, he decided to reveal a little more of his capabilities.
With a flick of his finger, a wisp of brilliant flame appeared above his palm.
The flame danced like a living creature, radiating terrifying heat while remaining perfectly controlled. It was beautiful, yet every beast present could instinctively sense the immense destructive power hidden within it.
It was no ordinary flame.
It was a Heavenly Flame.
The surrounding magical beasts instinctively took a step back, their eyes filled with awe and fear.
Then Xiao Feng calmly added another revelation.
"I am also a sixth-tier alchemist."
Those simple words struck the beasts harder than any display of power.
A Heavenly Flame wielder.
A sixth-tier alchemist.
Either identity alone was enough to command immense respect. Combined, they were simply overwhelming.
The Emerald Wood Spirit Turtle immediately lowered its massive body, pressing its head respectfully toward Xiao Feng.
"If Master commands, we will devote ourselves fully."
Xiao Feng smiled, clearly pleased.
"This arrangement will benefit all of us."
The turtle then turned toward the other three wood-attributed magical beasts—a Verdant Vine Serpent, a Greenleaf Antler Deer, and a Jade Bark Ape—and patiently explained everything in terms they could fully understand.
It spoke of safety.
It spoke of resources.
It spoke of cultivation opportunities.
It spoke of the possibility of obtaining medicinal pills and even improving their bloodlines.
By the time it finished, all three beasts nodded vigorously in unison, their eyes shining with excitement and anticipation.
With these four wood-attributed magical beasts, Canaan Academy's herb production would undergo a tremendous transformation.
Previously, the academy had only been able to reliably cultivate first- and second-grade medicinal herbs in large quantities, with limited success in higher grades.
But now, with the assistance of these naturally gifted wood-attributed magical beasts, the academy could realistically begin cultivating third-, fourth-, and even fifth-grade medicinal herbs.
This would be a monumental advancement.
Not only would it greatly strengthen the academy's alchemy department, but it would also provide invaluable support for future generations of students, instructors, and elders.
The economic and strategic benefits alone were immeasurable.
As the thought crossed his mind, Xiao Feng felt deeply satisfied.
Sometimes, the greatest opportunities truly emerged from the most unexpected circumstances.
Without delay, Xiao Feng transmitted the specialized wood-attributed cultivation technique directly to the Emerald Wood Spirit Turtle.
From this day forward, he named it Xiao Su.
The turtle accepted the name with obvious pride.
Xiao Feng also imparted a soul communication technique, allowing Xiao Su to better understand complex instructions, coordinate with others, and maintain clearer communication with him.
He then repeated the process for the other three wood-attributed beasts, ensuring each received both the cultivation method and the soul technique.
This would allow them to work efficiently and intelligently, far beyond the limitations of ordinary magical beasts.
Once that was done, Xiao Feng laid out the operational framework.
"All medicinal plants you cultivate will be divided equally. Fifty percent will belong to you, while the remaining fifty percent will belong to me."
The beasts immediately brightened.
This was an extraordinarily generous arrangement.
Not only would they gain a stable environment and cultivation resources, but they would also directly benefit from their own labor.
Xiao Feng continued.
"If you require medicinal pills, you may place orders through Xiao Su. Your share of the herbs can be used as payment for pill refinement."
At these words, the excitement among the beasts grew even greater.
For magical beasts, medicinal pills were treasures beyond compare.
They could accelerate cultivation, heal injuries, purify energy, and even improve bloodlines.
Such opportunities were nearly impossible to obtain in the wild.
As for the non-wood-attributed magical beasts, Xiao Feng had equally important roles prepared for them.
The flying beasts would serve as rapid transportation units, enabling swift travel between Canaan Academy, the Black-Corner Region, and other distant locations.
Their speed would be invaluable for communication, supply transport, and emergency response.
The powerful land beasts would assist in training Inner Academy students, serving as sparring partners and combat instructors under controlled conditions.
This would provide students with realistic battle experience against genuine magical beasts without the usual life-threatening risks.
Some of the more disciplined and trustworthy beasts would be assigned as guardian beasts, protecting important areas such as medicinal gardens, resource warehouses, and academy perimeters.
Their presence alone would serve as a powerful deterrent.
And this was only the beginning.
Xiao Feng's ambitions extended far beyond the academy.
He intended, one day, to establish his own city within the Black-Corner Region—a city strong enough to stand independently amidst the chaos and danger of that lawless land.
To accomplish that, he would need manpower.
Or, more accurately, beast power.
These magical beasts could become the foundation of that future city's military strength, logistics network, security forces, and economic infrastructure.
Naturally, Xiao Feng had no intention of exploiting them unfairly.
"Those who work diligently and contribute greatly," he said, his voice steady and confident, "will be rewarded accordingly. Cultivation resources, medicinal pills, advanced techniques, and opportunities for further growth will all be available."
Then he dropped a revelation that sent shockwaves through the entire gathering.
"I can refine medicinal pills capable of improving bloodlines."
Silence.
Then chaos.
Every magical beast capable of understanding human speech froze.
Their eyes widened.
Their breathing quickened.
A moment later, the entire forest erupted into excitement.
Even those beasts that could not fully understand the words could sense the sudden frenzy among their companions.
For magical beasts, bloodline was everything.
It determined their potential, their growth limits, and their chances of reaching higher realms.
Most magical beasts, regardless of effort, would remain forever trapped below the sixth rank.
Only those with exceptionally pure or powerful bloodlines could hope to break through that natural barrier.
But Xiao Feng's words offered something extraordinary—
A chance to transcend their innate limitations.
A chance to evolve.
A chance to climb beyond the shackles imposed by birth.
The reactions were immediate.
The Moon-Howling Wolf King let out an excited howl.
The Ironclaw Mountain Bear pounded its chest.
The Sky-Wing Thunder Hawk spread its wings in exhilaration.
Even the usually calm Xiao Su could not fully hide the excitement in its eyes.
To magical beasts, this promise was worth more than any treasure.
It was hope itself.
Seeing their reactions, Xiao Feng smiled faintly.
He had successfully planted the seeds of loyalty, ambition, and unity.
With proper guidance, these magical beasts would become far more than mere subordinates.
They would become trusted allies, valuable partners, and perhaps one day, the cornerstone of a powerful new force that could shake the entire Black-Corner Region.