Annexation

Quite a few days had passed since the Coming of Age Ceremony.

During this time, the Xiao Family had risen like the blazing sun in Wu Tan City, leaping to become the number one family in the city. As for the Gale Family and the Oba Family, their businesses continuously declined, their spheres of influence shrank by more than half, and their various assets were directly seized and absorbed by the Xiao Family.

Thanks to Lin Feng, the Xiao Family had not only launched Third Grade Pills during this period, but had also continuously introduced First and Second Grade Pills to seize the market. With the help of the Mittel Auction House, they swept through and opened up every market and channel within the city. Their reputation had even soared in several surrounding cities.

As for the people of the Gale Family and the Oba Family, Lin Feng did not wipe them out completely. He gave them time during these days to gradually transfer their few remaining assets and resources elsewhere. They no longer had the capital or ability to remain in Wu Tan City, so they could only go to smaller places and struggle on.

As for Liu Xi, Lin Feng had not heard much news about him either. However, after Xun Er secretly went out following the banquet that day, he had already guessed Liu Xi's fate.

Lust was a blade hanging over one's head. When that guy had spoken disrespectfully to Xun Er during the day, Lin Feng had known that he would not meet a good end. Even if Xun Er had not acted, Ling Lao, who was lurking in the shadows, would likely have dealt with the man who had insulted his young lady.

Thus, with no competitors left during this period, the Xiao Family became the number one family in the city and even showed faint signs of charging toward the position of a top force among the several surrounding cities.

Every member of the Xiao Family was delighted. Their cultivation resources had gradually increased, and the entire family displayed a flourishing, resurgent brilliance.

The smiles on Xiao Zhan's and the elders' faces had not faded these past few days. In particular, their praise for Lin Feng was endless. Through this incident, it was as though they had already seen the future scene of the Xiao Family becoming one of the Jia Ma Empire's top families.

The clan members also deeply respected and acknowledged Lin Feng, because they all knew that the family owed its current state entirely to him. Moreover, many of the medicinal pills they normally took for cultivation had been personally refined by Lin Feng.

Whenever anyone saw Lin Feng, they would sincerely greet him, "Hello, Feng Ge."

Some of the young women in the clan even gazed at Lin Feng with spring in their eyes, secretly casting flirtatious looks his way.

It was not just Lin Feng. Because of his performance at the Coming of Age Ceremony, everyone's impression of Xiao Yan within the clan had also greatly changed. They all addressed him as, "Third Young Master."

As for Xiao Yu, she often came looking for Lin Feng during these days, as though she wanted to dig out every secret he had.

"You always brush things off like this. Can't you be an honest kid for once?"

Lin Feng lay on a boulder in the Back Mountain while Xiao Yan cultivated ahead of them. Xiao Yu stood beside him, looking at him with dissatisfaction.

Her long, sexy legs looked especially dazzling beneath the sunlight. Lin Feng subconsciously glanced at them, then lay with a blade of grass in his mouth and his hands behind his head, staring at the sky. He let out a groan and said, "The weather is really comfortable. There are just a few too many mosquitoes around me."

Xiao Yu kicked up a small stone and sent it striking Lin Feng. "Your mouth reeks."

Lin Feng ignored her. He merely plucked a leaf and covered his eyes with it to block the slightly glaring sunlight. "Don't you have anything better to do than skip cultivation every day?"

Xiao Yu gave a cold snort. "A girl should rest properly during her vacation."

"You're so lazy. I really wonder how you got into Jia Nan Academy. Don't tell me you're at the bottom there."

"Lin Feng!"

Xiao Yu slapped Lin Feng's arm. When he opened his eyes, he saw the woman glaring at him with puffed cheeks. From this angle, her beautiful legs looked even more slender, while her chest was especially impressive.

Seemingly unaware of Lin Feng's gaze, Xiao Yu kicked him in the leg and said, "I'm one of the teacher's prized students, hmph."

Her pretty face was full of pride. Lin Feng did not want to discourage her and merely said indifferently, "Mm, I know."

That perfunctory tone made Xiao Yu feel irritated. This guy had become more and more annoying as he grew up.

If it weren't for the fact that you have some strength and talent, I couldn't be bothered with you.

Thinking this, she looked at Xiao Yan, who was cultivating ahead, then nudged Lin Feng with her foot and asked, "Hey, my teachers will be coming to recruit students soon. Are you going or not?"

Lin Feng merely said calmly, "Probably not. I have my own things to do."

The moment Xiao Yu heard that, she immediately said, "Why not? What could you possibly have to do? With your talent, the teachers would definitely be delighted. You'd be a top genius even after entering the academy. There are more resources there, and with your talent, you might reach Dou Wang or even higher within a few years."

Seeing how concerned she seemed about the matter—more concerned than he was—Lin Feng turned his head, let his gaze travel up those long legs, and looked at her pretty face with a smile. "Speaking of which, why are you so concerned? Are you that eager for us to attend the same academy?"

Lin Feng's words made her pretty face flush slightly, and her gaze involuntarily shifted elsewhere. She stammered, "I... Hmph, it's not like I want to attend the same academy as you. I-I only care because Uncle Xiao and the others value you so much, and for the Xiao Family's future. Otherwise, I couldn't be bothered."

Lin Feng found it amusing, but he did not say much. He merely said, "We'll see. I want to go out and gain experience on my own. If I change my mind later, then I'll go."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Yu immediately asked, "You're going out to gain experience alone? It's so dangerous outside. You'd be better off going to the academy."

"One must seek wealth amid danger. Flowers in a greenhouse can never truly grow."

Xiao Yu fell silent. Only after a long while did she ask, "Then when are you leaving? Do Uncle Xiao and the others know?"

Lin Feng said, "I mentioned it to Uncle Xiao and the others some time ago. They're worried about me, but they support my decision. As for when, it should be soon."

Xiao Yu looked at him. The young man lay lazily on the boulder, basking in the sunlight. The childishness had long faded from his face, replaced by maturity. He no longer seemed to be that little boy from childhood who got bullied and needed her help.

"Then why don't you wait until after the academy comes to recruit students before leaving?"

Xiao Yu suddenly spoke. Lin Feng looked at her in confusion and asked, "Why?"

"You... if you go off to gain experience, Xiao Yan and Xun Er won't get to see you for a long time. So... I just thought you should spend a little more time with them. Of course, if you're in a hurry, then forget it."

Sunlight spilled down, stretching their shadows long across the ground. Lin Feng did not speak, seeming to consider the matter.

"How much longer until recruitment?"

"Soon."

"How long is 'soon'?"

"Th-three months."

As though afraid that the time was too long, Xiao Yu's voice grew softer.

Looking at Lin Feng, she seemed to think he was about to refuse. Yet after a moment of silence, he said, "Alright."