The unsuccessful Xiao Feng carried Little Lion, sat on Great Eagle, left the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and flew towards the Xiao Family.
The Coming-of-Age Ceremony was about to begin.
"Little Gray Gray, what Realm are you in now?"
Xiao Feng's sudden question made Great Eagle's crotch tighten.
"Master, why must a man make things difficult for another man?"
"I thought you would advance faster, and I could take you to ride a Phoenix, but now it seems you can only ride chickens and sparrows."
"A Phoenix... Phoenix?"
"You misheard."
Great Eagle said nothing, flapped its wings, and landed outside Wutan City like a streak of light. After saying, "Master, I need to go back and Cultivate," it hurriedly left.
"Is a Phoenix really that good to ride?" Xiao Feng looked at Great Eagle, which was almost a black dot, and thought of its cultivation, which was not even Dou Huang, and couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"No matter what, having motivation is good." Xiao Feng picked up Little Lion, "Come on, let's go home!"
Xiao Feng's return attracted many onlookers. Of course, most people were looking at the lion in his hand.
"Could that be a young Amethyst Winged Lion?"
"Don't say it, it really looks like it. I wonder what it's disguised as."
...
"Brother Xiao Feng, long time no see, I've missed you."
As soon as he entered the city, someone blocked Xiao Feng's path. It was Xiao Ning, also from the Xiao Family!
Over the years, Xiao Ning had relentlessly pursued Xiao Xun Er, constantly expressing his feelings. Even his carefully prepared surprises couldn't make that perfect girl show a hint of a smile. Thus, his hatred for Xiao Feng grew even deeper.
So when he heard that Xiao Feng had returned, he rushed out of the Family immediately.
In his opinion, how could such a useless person be worthy of the girl he admired?
Since you disdain me, I'll let you know how vulnerable the person you constantly think about is!
"Xiao Ning, what do you mean by stopping me?"
Xiao Feng was a bit confused, truly wondering how Xun'er had provoked this simple-minded cousin of his again.
"Beauty matches heroes, do you dare to come to the arena with me?"
"Oh, isn't the Coming-of-Age Ceremony about to start? Let's talk about it then." Xiao Feng waved his hand, avoiding Xiao Ning and continuing on his way.
Xiao Ning clenched his fists, staring fiercely at Xiao Feng's retreating figure. "There are still a few months left, I, Xiao Ning, can wait!"
Xiao Feng did not go directly back to the Xiao Family but went to the market and entered a jewelry store.
The jewelry here was not ordinary; all of it was inlaid with Demonic Cores, possessing various effects, and of course, without exception, they were expensive.
"Boss, how much is this hairpin?"
"Guest, you have excellent taste! This hairpin is made of Thousand-Year Cold Iron, and it is inlaid with a third-tier Cold Ice Python's Demonic Core. It is of great help to those who Cultivate ice attribute. Even if given to someone who Cultivates other attributes, it can still be used in the hot summer..."
"Never mind, I don't want this one."
Xiao Feng shook his head. Xiao Xun Er had a fire attribute, so he lost interest upon hearing 'Thousand-Year Cold Iron'.
His eyes scanned the counter. "Do you have any fire attribute accessories?"
"Yes! Of course, we do! Guest, look here!"
The shop owner was enthusiastic, recommending three or four types of accessories in a row, all starting with inlaid third-tier Demonic Cores. There was even a pendant embedded with a fourth-tier Demonic Core, which could be called the treasure of the shop!
Xiao Feng kept shaking his head, not because the accessories were not beautiful, but because they were too gaudy, suitable for figures like Yun Yun and Medusa. For his own wife to wear them, it would be somewhat inappropriate.
"How much is this one?" Xiao Feng suddenly pointed to a bracelet in the corner. It looked simple, with red ropes woven together, and a first-tier fire attribute Demonic Core in the middle.
"That one, three hundred gold coins."
"If you can sell it for two hundred, then package it up."
"Alright! Please wait a moment, honored guest."
Not long after, Xiao Feng headed towards the Xiao Family with the packaged bracelet.
In the main hall, Xiao Feng paid his respects to the Family Head, Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan seemingly inadvertently glanced at the Little Lion at Xiao Feng's feet, and the hand holding the teacup involuntarily trembled.
"Is Xun'er still in seclusion?"
After learning about Xiao Xun Er's recent situation, Xiao Feng bid farewell to Xiao Zhan. After returning to his small courtyard, he kicked the Little Lion, which was circling his feet, to the side, pulled out a stool, and began to get busy.
He took out a fourth-tier Demonic Core from his storage ring, which was the same size as the one on the bracelet. Then, using his Soul Power as a knife, he continuously combed through the violent energy inside and finally carved a miniature Soul Gathering Formation within it.
This Formation could help attract more fire attribute Dou Qi, which would be somewhat beneficial to Xiao Xun Er's Cultivation.
Just as he finished everything, Xiao Yan happened to come over.
"Brother Feng, you're back without even saying hello?" Suddenly, his eyes shifted to the Little Lion nearby, and his face was full of shock, he hesitated, "Could this thing be the cub of the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"
"Yes, it is."
"Holy crap! Really? Didn't they say the Amethyst Winged Lion King is a Dou Huang Realm expert? You abducted its son?"
"Just kidding. This is another one, I just happened to run into it." Xiao Feng smiled, not intending to reveal his strength to Xiao Yan, fearing that he would rely too much and lose his desperate drive.
"Is that so?"
Xiao Yan was a bit skeptical but didn't dwell on it too much. "By the way, where's Qing Lin? Didn't she come back with you?"
"She went somewhere else. I'll bring her back later." Xiao Feng began to brew tea. "The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is about to be held. Do you have confidence?"
"Hehe, Dou Qi Seventh Stage." Xiao Yan said confidently, "Brother Feng, do you not trust me?"
Xiao Feng shook his head. "I was just wondering if you still needed medicinal herbs. Since you're so confident, then forget it."
"Hey, Brother Feng, why have you become so insidious now?"
"Oh? You're calling me insidious?"
"Bah, bah, bah! My Brother Feng is the most brilliant and mighty! If there are medicinal herbs, then you're also handsome and dashing!" Xiao Yan immediately changed his tune.
Watching Xiao Yanzi act like a rogue, Xiao Feng stopped teasing him and threw out another pile of medicinal herbs. He also knew that the Alchemist profession consumed the most resources, and no amount of things was ever enough to squander.
"Huo Huo, recently there have been rumors in the city about the Xiao Family's Alchemist. Is it you?"
Xiao Feng poured two cups of tea and slowly sipped it, looking at Xiao Yan, whose youthful face clearly flashed with a hint of panic.
"Hehe, young man, you guessed correctly."
Before Xiao Yan could speak, a phantom shadow floated out of his ring, sitting cross-legged in the Void Realm with a composed expression.
"Eh? Teacher, why did you..."
Xiao Yan was a bit surprised. In nearly a year, this was the first time Old Ya had voluntarily appeared, which caught him off guard. At the same time, that little bit of pride, where he was awesome but others didn't know it, also dissipated.
"My existence, I'm afraid he already knows. It would be rude to keep hiding and not meet." Old Ya shook his head, looking at Xiao Feng, who had been calmly drinking tea the entire time, and became even more certain of his guess.
"Hello, Old Mister." Xiao Feng stood up and bowed, pushing the other cup of tea towards Old Ya.
"I thought it was for me." Xiao Yan grumbled, pulling a chair over and sitting to the side.
"Huo Huo, why aren't you getting a seat for Old Mister?" Xiao Feng lightly chided.
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. "He's a Soul body, what does he need a seat for?"
Despite his reluctance, he still moved a stool for Old Ya and placed it by the table.
Old Ya smiled happily, floating gracefully onto the stool, his eyes still on Xiao Feng. "My disciple mentioned that you and he were born in the same year and month?"
Xiao Feng nodded, changing the subject. "Old Mister, my Brother Yan has been mischievous since childhood. If he ever disobeys, feel free to discipline him, no need to be polite."
"Hey, Brother Feng, how am I as bad as you say?" Xiao Yan was displeased.
The Little Lion on the side whined and came to Xiao Feng's leg. He picked it up and threw it into Xiao Yan's arms. "Take it out to play for a while. I need to have a few words with Old Mister."
Xiao Yan took Little Lion, saw Old Ya also nodding, pursed his lips, mumbled, and walked out.
"Youngster Xiao Feng, may I know how to address Old Mister?"
"It's alright not to mention this Old Man's name, just call me Old Ya. Little brother, you specifically kept this Old Man here, is there something you need?"
"Mainly to thank Old Mister for your guidance to my Brother Yan." Xiao Feng's expression suddenly became solemn. "The other matter is related to the Hall of Souls."
The Cloud Mist Sect was a first-rate power in the Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Feng was reluctant to see it vanish. The solution was simple: either kill Yun Shan or capture Protector Wu. However, without Protector Wu, the Hall of Souls might send another bird Protector, so more thought had to be put into Yun Shan.
Therefore, Xiao Feng set his sights on Old Ya.
"Hall of Souls!" Hearing these two words, Old Ya's form began to waver.
"Regarding the Hall of Souls, we'll discuss it later. I want to confirm something with Old Ya first: is there a way to control a Dou Zong?" Xiao Feng added, "Of course, with his cooperation."
"Dou Zong?" Old Ya was stunned. "If he's willing to cooperate, there's naturally no problem. But what exactly is this Hall of Souls you just mentioned?"
Old Ya wanted to know everything related to the Hall of Souls clearly.
"Previously, this youngster visited the Cloud Mist Sect and discovered that the former Sect Master Yun Shan was colluding with people from the Hall of Souls. This youngster plans to strike first. I wonder if Old Ya would be willing to lend a hand?"
Old Ya fell silent. Faced with the Hall of Souls, he instinctively wanted to avoid it. But ultimately, his strength was insufficient. To be fair, Old Ya's hatred for the Hall of Souls was no less than Han Feng's.
"How confident are you?" Old Ya asked.
"If it's just killing, then it's absolutely 100%." Xiao Feng tapped the table. "But to succeed, I still need Old Mister's strong assistance."
"First, tell me your plan."
"Lure away the Hall of Souls people, and control Yun Shan."
"Why not kill the Hall of Souls people?"
Xiao Feng shook his head. "A Dou Zong is insignificant to the Hall of Souls, but if the disappearance of this Dou Zong attracts the attention of the Hall of Souls, it might not be worth the trouble."
Hearing that Xiao Feng did not intend to target the Hall of Souls people, Old Ya shook his head. "Currently, the Hall of Souls doesn't know about my existence. I won't make a move. At most, I can help you refine a Medicinal Pill that can control a Dou Zong."
Xiao Feng smiled. "That's enough."
For the next month, Xiao Feng began searching for medicinal herbs everywhere, almost emptying the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and then, through the channels of the Mittel Auction House, he finally gathered all the Materials for this sixth-grade Medicinal Pill.
"The soul controlling pill, though called a Medicinal Pill, is essentially a deadly poison. The final step of its refinement requires the controller's Soul Power to be infused into it to complete the process. Once ingested, the Soul Power will fuse with the eater's Soul, and even a Dou Zong will have to obey obediently."
In the room, Old Ya took out the Black Demon, explained it to Xiao Yan, mentioned a few points to pay attention to, and then began the Pill Refining.
Xiao Feng stood on the other side, looking at the two who were like father and son, and couldn't help but smile from the bottom of his heart: This is the man worthy of a Dou Di's lifelong trust!
One medicinal herb after another was thrown into the Black Demon. Old Ya stared intently at the Medicine Cauldron, completely ignoring the people beside him.
Two hours later, Old Ya suddenly shouted, "Xiao Feng!"
Xiao Feng, who was already prepared, instantly split off a wisp of Soul Power and poured it into the Medicine Cauldron.
The strange flame churned; this was a power that even Soul Power feared.
Xiao Feng stared at the Medicine Cauldron, suddenly revealing a look of understanding.
"So that's how it is."