Warmth

Above the azure sky, a gigantic Griffon beat its Wings as it flew toward the distant horizon.

Anyone with sharp enough eyesight would have been astonished to discover that atop this proud and unruly king of the skies stood a figure with his hands behind his back. Yet the Griffon showed not the slightest sign of resistance, a truly unbelievable sight.

That handsome and dashing figure was none other than Lin Feng. Standing on the Griffon's back, he gazed at the enormous Imperial Capital city faintly visible in the distance, unable to suppress a touch of homesickness.

I wonder if Xiao Yi Xian will blame me for being away training for so long?

As those thoughts drifted through his mind, Lin Feng patted Xuan Wu beneath his feet. Receiving the signal, the king of the skies abruptly spread its Wings, its speed suddenly increasing as it left behind a black afterimage in the sky.

Jia Ma Imperial Capital, within a Marketplace before the Alchemist Guild, Lin Feng made his way through the crowds.

From time to time, someone recognized him as the Jia Ma Empire's most renowned young genius alchemist, the youngest elder of the Alchemist Guild. Yet whenever someone was about to approach him in hopes of making his acquaintance, a friend beside them would quickly grab and stop them.

Seeing the utterly confused look in their eyes, they hurriedly explained, "You idiot, can't you see that the esteemed Alchemist is in a rush? Look at the anxiety on his face!"

However, this fellow truly was an idiot and remained completely clueless. Fortunately, Lin Feng had already moved on, and his companion said nothing more.

Of course, in this bustling Marketplace, there were always some people who were alone and lacked discernment. One such person stepped forward to greet Lin Feng.

"Lord Lin Feng, I am..." A plump, richly dressed middle-aged man strutted forward with a broad smile on his face. He seemed already to be imagining Lin Feng's polite reply, the two of them drinking and chatting merrily, and Lin Feng refining pills for him once their friendship had deepened.

Then a courteous voice suddenly sounded beside his ear, pulling him out of his fantasy.

"This gentleman... I have urgent business today. If you need anything, please make an appointment at the Alchemist Guild."

Although Lin Feng did not put on a cold face for this oblivious fellow, neither did he waste words on him. After leaving behind a relatively polite response, Lin Feng ignored him and continued toward his residence in the Imperial Capital.

Watching Lin Feng leave without pausing, the smile on the plump middle-aged man's face stiffened. He stood there blankly, unsure what to do.

Seeing this, the previously clueless man finally understood and hurriedly thanked his friend repeatedly with a grateful expression.

That man did not think much of it and merely waved his hand, muttering that it was only what friends should do. That was until the clueless fellow mentioned some vaguely suggestive words involving "foot washing" and "the full package."

The man immediately lost his previous calmness. His face flushed red as he repeatedly said there was no need to thank him, then dragged the clueless fellow toward some unknown destination, leaving the man who had just seen the light utterly confused once more.

The other passersby present exchanged glances, discovering the suggestive looks in one another's eyes before pretending nothing had happened.

Ignoring the inexplicable words being spoken around him, Lin Feng walked for a while before finally passing through the crowded Marketplace. After proceeding a little farther, he stopped before a courtyard.

"Lin Mansion!"

Looking up at the familiar plaque, Lin Feng pushed open the gates. Familiar corridors, bamboo groves, and courtyard pavilions came into view.

After returning home, Lin Feng's hurried footsteps slowed. Though he still could not suppress his longing for Xiao Yi Xian, there was no longer any need to rush.

As he walked along the familiar corridor, occasionally raising his eyes toward bamboo leaves rustling in the wind, Lin Feng could not help recalling the leisurely conversations he had shared here with Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian over four months ago.

Though memories filled his mind, his steps did not stop. After turning another corner, Lin Feng heard the cheerful voices of two Young Girls.

One was somewhat familiar and clearly belonged to Xiao Yi Xian. The other was unfamiliar, and a trace of confusion flashed through Lin Feng's eyes.

"Fine. I'll know once I go in and take a look."

He deliberately made some noise with his footsteps, startling the two people chatting happily inside.

"Brother Lin Feng?!"

Xiao Yi Xian's voice came with surprise, seeming to carry a hint of disbelief.

"Xian Er..."

She hurriedly trotted over and opened the door. When the person she had longed for day and night truly appeared before her, Xiao Yi Xian froze in place, unsure what to do.

"Xian Er..."

Seeing Xian Er like this, Lin Feng softly called her again. He stepped forward and gently pulled the at-loss Xiao Yi Xian into his embrace.

"Brother Lin Feng... I..."

After nestling in Lin Feng's arms for a while, Xiao Yi Xian raised her head and looked at him with reddened eyes. Her frail appearance was enough to stir anyone's pity.

He reached out to smooth the disheveled strands of hair before Xiao Yi Xian's forehead, then lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

"Xian Er, I'm sorry for making you worry."

There was a trace of guilt in Lin Feng's voice. If he had been strong enough, he would not have needed to leave Xiao Yi Xian alone in the Imperial Capital like this. Qing Lin would not have been forced to leave either.

"Don't say that, Brother Lin Feng." Xiao Yi Xian gently covered Lin Feng's mouth. "Brother Lin Feng has already worked very hard. We're still young. One day, we'll surely become the center of everyone's attention."

Looking at Xiao Yi Xian comforting him, warmth welled up in Lin Feng's heart. She was the person he would fight desperately to protect.

"Ah," Xiao Yi Xian suddenly seemed to remember something. Her face reddened as she hurriedly rose from Lin Feng's embrace. She pulled him over to the red-clothed figure who had been watching from the side and introduced her.

"Brother Lin Feng, this is Sister Ya Fei. You've met her before." Without waiting for Lin Feng to ask why Ya Fei was here, Xiao Yi Xian explained everything at once.

"After Brother Lin Feng went out to train, Xian Er also entered Secluded Cultivation. But being alone for four months was boring, and Sister Ya Fei happened to come visit. After seeing each other several times, we became friends."

As Xiao Yi Xian continued talking without pause, her emotions gradually calmed. Then, as though remembering something, she looked at Lin Feng expectantly.

"Brother Lin Feng, guess what level I've reached now?"

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's expression practically begging him to praise her, Lin Feng could not help but smile. He hoped she could remain this happy forever. Although this woman possessed a physique countless people dreamed of, that very physique had ultimately brought her endless suffering.

If Lin Feng had not obtained the Five Elements Sealing Technique, she had even planned to cherish the time she had with Lin Feng and Qing Lin. When the Calamity Poison Body was about to erupt in the future, she would quietly leave alone.

"Then can our little princess tell this humble one what level you've reached now?"

"Brother Lin Feng," she coquettishly called out, her face flushing slightly. After calming herself for a moment, she mysteriously told him, "I'm already a Three-star Dou Shi!"

Looking at the proud Xiao Yi Xian, Lin Feng smiled gently. It was rare to see her like this. All this time, she had quietly watched from the side as he and Qing Lin played around, occasionally smiling softly.

Lin Feng had already sensed her Dou Qi level before entering. He had also checked the Five Elements Seal on her body, and it remained very stable. That was one of the reasons he was so happy.

"Ahem."

As Lin Feng and Xiao Yi Xian interacted as though no one else was present, Ya Fei, standing nearby, lightly coughed as if something were caught in her throat.

The affectionate pair were startled awake, only then remembering that there was still another living person beside them. They exchanged embarrassed looks, then smiled at each other.

Seeing that the young couple seemed about to sink back into their own world, Ya Fei hurriedly spoke and pulled them back.

"Mr. Lin Feng, I am Ya Fei of the Mite'er Family. We met once on the night of the Celebration Banquet. I wonder if you still remember."

Seeing Ya Fei's respectful expression, Lin Feng waved his hand. "There's no need to be so polite. It's rare for Xiao Yi Xian to have a friend to keep her company. Just call me Lin Feng from now on."

"Mr. Lin Feng truly is gentle, but I cannot possibly be disrespectful." Ya Fei covered her mouth and laughed, yet still addressed him as Mr. Lin Feng. Lin Feng knew that she was still somewhat restrained by his status as an elder of the Alchemist Guild.

Lin Feng did not mind much. He then began telling the two of them about some of his experiences training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Naturally, he only chose the pleasant parts to recount and did not reveal any confidential matters.

"Speaking of which, there was a monkey and a pig in the Magical Beast Mountain Range..."