Xiao Feng had not returned to his courtyard for nearly three months.
Yet despite his long absence, the supply of medicinal pills to the Inner Academy had never once diminished. This only increased the admiration and respect everyone had for him.
So when word spread that Xiao Feng had finally returned, people from all over the Inner Academy—friends, allies, and acquaintances alike—quickly came to greet him.
The usually quiet courtyard soon became lively and bustling.
Xiao Feng greeted each of them warmly, exchanging smiles and brief words. To those he knew well, he spoke personally; to others, he simply nodded in acknowledgment. Even that small gesture was enough to make many students feel honored.
After catching up with everyone, Xiao Feng invited a select few for a private meeting.
Those present were Han Yue, Lin Xiuya, Bai Cheng, and Jia Yun.
Aside from them, only Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan remained in the room.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Xiao Feng got straight to the point.
During the next hour, he calmly recounted everything that had happened during his journey—his successful advancement to a sixth-tier alchemist, his plans to establish a new faction in the Black-Corner Region, and his alliance with the magical beasts of the mountain range.
By the time he finished, the room had fallen into complete silence.
Everyone stared at him as though he had just announced he intended to conquer the continent next week.
Lin Xiuya was the first to recover.
"...Are you sure you only left for three months?" he asked. "It sounds like you've lived three lifetimes."
Bai Cheng nodded seriously. "I left the academy for a week once and only came back with a cold."
That immediately caused laughter to erupt.
Zi Yan proudly puffed out her chest. "That's because Xiao Feng is amazing!"
"Clearly," Han Yue said dryly. "The rest of us have apparently been wasting our time."
Xiao Feng could only smile helplessly.
Then, with a clap of his hands, he said, "There's someone I'd like you all to meet."
The door opened, and the Qilin Queen gracefully entered.
The moment she stepped inside, the entire room went silent once again.
Her beauty was breathtaking, and the regal aura she naturally exuded made everyone instinctively straighten their backs.
Lin Xiuya and Bai Cheng exchanged a glance before simultaneously giving Xiao Feng a thumbs-up.
"Brother," Lin Xiuya said solemnly, "your talents truly know no bounds."
Bai Cheng nodded. "Alchemy, cultivation, faction building... and apparently this too."
Xiao Feng rolled his eyes. "Can you two be serious for once?"
"Not in a situation like this," Bai Cheng replied immediately.
Even Han Yue and Jia Yun, both renowned beauties in their own right, could not help but compare themselves to the Qilin Queen.
After a moment, Jia Yun sighed softly. "This is simply unfair."
Han Yue, usually composed, actually nodded in agreement.
"I rarely admit defeat in anything," she said. "But in this... I concede."
The Qilin Queen smiled gracefully, while Xiao Yi Xian simply chuckled.
After the introductions and a few more jokes, the conversation turned serious. Han Yue and the others updated Xiao Feng on the recent happenings within the Inner Academy, including changes in factions, new student rankings, and the academy's current state.
Once that was done, Xiao Feng leaned forward.
"I have a proposal for you two," he said, looking at Han Yue and Lin Xiuya.
Both immediately became attentive.
"Although I can now reliably refine third- to fifth-tier pills, I still need extensive practice with sixth-tier medicinal pills. The ingredients for such pills are both rare and expensive."
He paused before continuing.
"So, I would like your support. If your families can provide me with three complete sets of ingredients for a sixth-tier pill, I will guarantee at least one successful pill for high-level sixth-tier formulas. For lower-level sixth-tier pills, I can guarantee two successful pills from three sets."
The room instantly grew quiet.
Even Han Yue and Lin Xiuya were visibly stunned.
A sixth-tier alchemist willing to offer such terms was practically unheard of.
Moreover, both of their families, though influential in the Central Plains, only had Dou Zong-level ancestors. Neither family possessed a sixth-tier alchemist of their own.
Such an opportunity was simply invaluable.
Han Yue was the first to respond.
"Are you serious?"
Xiao Feng smiled. "Have I ever made empty promises?"
Lin Xiuya laughed. "No. But you do have a habit of making impossible promises and then somehow delivering on them."
That drew another round of laughter.
Without hesitation, both Han Yue and Lin Xiuya agreed.
They knew this was not merely an investment—it was an extraordinary opportunity.
Xiao Feng then added, "You can also invite younger members of your families to train here. The Inner Academy offers excellent resources, and I would be happy to help guide them if needed."
This only further delighted them.
As for Bai Cheng and Jia Yun, Xiao Feng turned to them next.
"Your families may not be able to provide sixth-tier ingredients as easily, but if you can supply three complete sets of ingredients for Dou King or Dou Emperor pills, I will refine them for you."
Both were momentarily speechless before smiling gratefully.
They understood perfectly.
Xiao Feng did not need their help nearly as much as he needed Han Yue's or Lin Xiuya's. Yet he was still offering them a way to contribute and benefit, ensuring that their friendship remained one of equals.
Bai Cheng stood up and clasped Xiao Feng's shoulder.
"Brother, if you keep being this generous, I may actually start believing you're a saint."
Zi Yan snorted. "A saint who steals all the good food."
"That's called resource allocation," Xiao Feng replied solemnly.
The room erupted in laughter once more.
In the end, the meeting concluded with everyone feeling excited about the future.
As they left, Lin Xiuya shook his head and sighed dramatically.
"Every time I meet Xiao Feng, I feel like I've accomplished absolutely nothing in life."
Bai Cheng patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. We can be useless together."
"Comforting," Lin Xiuya said dryly.
And once again, the courtyard was filled with laughter.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Han Yue suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Oh, right," she said, turning back toward Xiao Feng. "There's been a girl coming here every day for the past several days asking to see you."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow. "A girl?"
Han Yue nodded, a faintly amused smile appearing on her face.
"She's one of the new students who recently entered the Inner Academy through this year's competition. She said you once saved her brother's life, and she wishes to personally thank you."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng paused for a moment.
He quickly searched his memory, and soon a scene surfaced—his trip to the auction house, the encounter with a wounded young man, and the black-clothed girl who had been desperately worried for her injured brother.
He remembered the young man's severe chest injury and the gratitude in the girl's eyes after he had helped them.
After a brief moment, Xiao Feng described her appearance.
"Was she wearing black? Sharp, intelligent eyes, and carried herself with a rather calm demeanor?"
Han Yue nodded immediately.
"That's her."
Zi Yan tilted her head curiously. "Another beautiful girl?"
Before Xiao Feng could answer, Bai Cheng sighed dramatically.
"At this point, I think beautiful women are just automatically drawn to him."
Lin Xiuya nodded solemnly. "It's a terrifying natural phenomenon."
Xiao Feng shot them both a glare.
"Can you two stop making everything sound suspicious?"
"Not when the evidence keeps piling up," Bai Cheng replied with a grin.
Even Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but smile faintly, though she gave Xiao Feng a look that was both teasing and mildly inquisitive.
Han Yue covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Well, regardless of your... impressive reputation, she's currently waiting outside."
Xiao Feng sighed helplessly.
"Then I suppose I shouldn't keep her waiting."
Zi Yan immediately perked up.
"I want to see her too!"
"You just want to watch the drama," Xiao Feng said.
Zi Yan grinned unashamedly. "Exactly."
That only caused everyone to laugh again as Xiao Feng shook his head and made his way toward the courtyard entrance, curious to meet the mysterious young woman once more.
After the meeting ended, everyone gradually went their separate ways to attend to their own matters.
Xiao Feng, accompanied by Han Yue, walked out into the courtyard. As they reached the outer pavilion, Han Yue turned to him with a faint smile.
"Wait here for a moment. I'll bring them over."
Xiao Feng nodded and took a seat by the stone table outside. He casually poured himself a cup of tea, the fragrant steam rising gently as he waited.
Not long after, Han Yue returned, bringing two people with her.
One was a young woman around Xiao Feng's age. She wore a graceful expression, her features delicate yet spirited. The other was a tall, broad-shouldered young man. His body was sturdy and powerful, with several faint scars visible on his face, giving him a rugged appearance. A subtle but unmistakable aura of killing intent lingered around him, evidence of someone who had experienced true battles.
After leading them over, Han Yue smiled knowingly.
"I'll leave the three of you to talk."
With that, she quietly departed.
The young woman stepped forward first and offered a respectful bow.
"Greetings, Senior Xiao Feng. My name is Liu Fei, and this is my elder brother, Liu Qing."
Xiao Feng looked at them carefully before a flash of recognition crossed his eyes.
"I remember now. We met outside the auction house, didn't we?"
Liu Fei nodded immediately, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Yes, Senior. A year ago, during an expedition, my brother was gravely injured. Later, when we encountered trouble again near the auction house, you saved his life using a medicinal pill. We have never forgotten your kindness."
Xiao Feng waved his hand lightly.
"It was merely a small matter. Anyone in my position would have done the same."
Liu Qing, however, stepped forward and clasped his fists deeply.
"To Senior, it may have been a small matter. To me, it was the gift of a second life."
His voice was firm and sincere.
"If not for you, Senior, I would not be standing here today."
Xiao Feng quickly gestured for him to rise.
"There's no need for such formality. If you truly wish to thank someone, thank your sister. She was the one who never gave up on you."
Liu Qing glanced at Liu Fei, and for once, the usually stern young man revealed a faint smile.
"That much is true."
Liu Fei crossed her arms and huffed.
"At least you know."
Xiao Feng chuckled softly at their interaction.
After taking their seats, the conversation flowed naturally.
During their discussion, Xiao Feng learned that Liu Fei and Liu Qing were both from the Central Plains, much like Han Yue. Their family resided near the jurisdiction of the Burning Flame Valley, making them part of a region filled with powerful factions and experts.
"That area is quite prosperous," Xiao Feng remarked.
Liu Fei nodded.
"It is. However, compared to the truly great factions of the Central Plains, our Liu Clan is still considered modest."
Xiao Feng smiled. "Even so, being able to nurture talents like the two of you is already proof of your family's strength."
Liu Fei blinked, clearly pleased by the compliment.
"Senior Xiao Feng truly knows how to make people happy."
Before Xiao Feng could respond, Liu Qing sighed.
"Don't praise her too much, Senior. She'll become impossible to deal with."
Liu Fei immediately glared at him.
"And as if you're easy to deal with?"
Watching the siblings bicker, Xiao Feng could not help but laugh. Their interactions reminded him of how close genuine family could be—always quarreling, yet deeply caring beneath it all.
Liu Fei then turned serious once more.
"Senior, my brother and I came today not only to thank you, but also to formally repay your kindness. If there is ever anything you need from us, just say the word. As long as it is within our power, we will not refuse."
Liu Qing nodded firmly.
"My life belongs to Senior from this day forward."
Xiao Feng nearly spat out his tea.
"Let's not be so dramatic. I'm not recruiting personal bodyguards today."
Liu Fei laughed, while even Liu Qing looked slightly embarrassed.
Xiao Feng set down his teacup and smiled warmly.
"If you truly wish to repay me, then simply become stronger. The stronger you are, the more opportunities there will be for us to cooperate in the future."
Both siblings nodded seriously.
To them, Xiao Feng was not merely a benefactor, but someone worthy of deep respect and admiration.
And thus, amidst tea, laughter, and lighthearted conversation, a new friendship quietly began to take shape.