Battle Through the Heavens: I Am Han Feng, Respect the Teacher and Value the Dao

"You will surely stand at the pinnacle of this entire continent someday. When that time comes, never forget that the foundation of this continent is formed by countless living beings."

Gu Xun'er nodded, seeming to understand but not fully.

By now, morning had passed, and the little shop's business was gradually picking up. Han Feng prepared to leave with the Little Girl.

"Sir, that was a wonderful speech, but you haven't paid for your tea!"

The waiter called out to Han Feng.

Gu Xun'er burst into laughter and quickly covered her face with her hand.

Han Feng smiled gracefully without seeming embarrassed, dropped a silver coin, and hurried away.

"Sir, I haven't given you your change yet!"

"Keep it."

Han Feng vanished into the crowd with Gu Xun'er.

"Mr. Han, I understand what you meant now. But you should spend more time tempering yourself in the Mortal World too!"

Gu Xun'er said with a smile.

Han Feng shook his head and muttered under his breath.

"I knew it. I've been detached from the Mortal World for too long."

After that, Gu Xun'er hurried back to Xiao Mansion to continue working on her secret gift.

Han Feng was also driven out of her room, as she said he was not allowed to peek.

Sitting on the rooftop with Ling Ying, Han Feng said, "To be honest, I'm quite puzzled. Why did the Gu Clan send Miss Gu to the Xiao Family?"

"Hm? Could it be that everything Mr. Han said earlier was made up?"

Ling Ying grinned unseriously.

Han Feng was helpless. What he had said earlier had been based on the fact that Gu Xun'er had already been sent to the Xiao Family.

If that fact were set aside, then naturally it would have been better for the Gu Clan to educate her themselves. This was practically pure free-range upbringing.

"Actually, the Clan Leader's intentions are probably similar to yours, Mr. Han. As a Dou God Clan, although the Young Clan Leader holds an extraordinary status, the pressure she must bear is not something ordinary people can compare to."

Ling Ying said, "The Clan Leader simply wants to give Young Lady a normal childhood."

Han Feng nodded. It seemed that great clans had their own troubles as well; every family had its own hardships.

"Of course, all of that is merely my speculation about the Clan Leader's actions. Mr. Han, just take it as a joke."

Ling Ying became evasive again. He was rather humorous.

Han Feng smiled and shook his head.

"By the way, Elder Ling, there's something I still need to tell you."

"Go ahead."

Han Feng glanced in the direction of Xiao Zhan's residence and said, "From now on, try not to involve yourself in the Xiao Family's affairs. Don't expose yourselves and let outsiders know that the Xiao Family is still connected to the Gu Clan."

"I would naturally keep such matters confidential. Besides, ordinary people probably wouldn't know anything about our Gu Clan like Mr. Han does."

Han Feng sighed.

"The Xiao Family may seem peaceful now, but if even the slightest conspicuous ripple arises, it will quickly draw the attention of those with ulterior motives."

Ling Ying frowned. "You mean... someone is plotting against the Xiao Family?"

Han Feng looked at Ling Ying with a faint, unreadable smile.

"Don't look at me like that. If the Clan Leader had such intentions, he would have sent me to act long ago."

Ling Ying retorted.

"In any case, please be more cautious, Elder Ling. Don't make a move so casually. You can also discuss it with the Gu Clan Leader. I believe that, for the current Xiao Family, survival is more important than inheritance."

"If you change your mind and decide to act in the future, please spare the lives of everyone in the Xiao Family."

Ling Ying looked at Han Feng, his tone somewhat teasing. "I'm rather curious about what force stands behind you."

"Starfall Pavilion shouldn't concern itself with such things, should it?"

"And I heard that Venerable Yao has gone missing?"

Han Feng remained expressionless.

"Yes. I killed him."

"Tch!"

Ling Ying clearly did not believe him and leaped down from the rooftop.

"Fine. I'll remember what you said. Please keep Miss Gu's matters confidential as well."

"I will."

The two men made a promise. Then Ling Ying slipped into the shadows and disappeared.

Han Feng was left alone on the rooftop, silently gazing into the distance, his eyes filled with deep sorrow.

Parting

Under the night sky, Xiao Mansion was brightly lit.

Perhaps because there was an additional happy occasion today, the entire Xiao Family drank and celebrated until dawn.

If Xiao Zhan's upcoming journey to the Imperial Capital went smoothly, it would mean that the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family would officially become In-laws.

For the Xiao Family, which had now fallen so far as to settle in Wutan City, this was undoubtedly uplifting news.

In comparison, although Han Feng's discussion with Xiao Zhan had served as a warning for the Xiao Family's future, it could not be made public.

Han Feng met quite a few core members of the Xiao Family at the banquet.

There were the First Elder and Second Elder, who were likewise high-ranking members of the Xiao Family.

There were also those Xiao Family boys who had yet to cultivate Dou Qi, but possessed limitless futures.

Han Feng quietly drank and ate as he watched the lively Xiao Family gathering, without joining in.

Xiao Yan, the star of today's banquet, wore a calm smile like a little adult as he politely responded to the praise of one elder after another.

However, though Han Feng did not take the initiative to involve himself, Xiao Yan walked over to him at an unhurried pace.

"Mr. Han, Xiao Yan thanks you once again for your guidance. Last time wasn't formal enough, so this time, I offer you a toast!"

Xiao Yan raised his cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp, then gestured to show that he had emptied it.

Watching the three- or four-year-old child deliberately assume a solemn manner that did not match his childish temperament, Han Feng could not help but smile.

"Good. I hope you continue striving and become the pillar of the Xiao Family in the future."

This time, Han Feng did not decline. He also drained his cup.

But the focus of the banquet had now shifted to Han Feng.

Everyone began growing curious about Han Feng's identity. Yet after asking around, they only learned that he was a friend privately received by the Clan Leader and had no special status.

Thus, the attention gradually dispersed.

Urged on by his clansmen, Xiao Yan took a sip of wine. His little face flushed red, and his laughter became somewhat uninhibited.

Han Feng took a small sip from his cup.

The Xiao Family's specially brewed Osmanthus Wine carried a trace of autumn night coolness, with a rich lingering sweetness that lifted one's spirits.

If this was a preserved craft of the Xiao Clan, then the true Osmanthus Wine might possess an entirely different flavor.

Han Feng was a food lover.

Perhaps the meals provided by the Xiao Family were also one of the reasons he had decided to stay an extra day.

Who could say?

Still, the Xiao Family kitchen had to be a mysterious place.

The banquet ended, and everyone dispersed.

Han Feng returned to his room to continue refining the gift he had prepared for Gu Xun'er. He continuously reinforced the engravings with Soul Power, increasing the number of times the booklet could be used.

He only stopped when he reached the limit that this piece of Azure Spirit Wood could withstand.

Finally, Han Feng engraved the character "Xun" on the booklet's cover and wrote a message:

"I hope this gift will make your childhood more colorful."

The time Han Feng would spend in Gu Xun'er's childhood was destined to be brief, so it was impossible for Gu Xun'er to develop particularly deep feelings for him.

Perhaps seven or eight years later, his image would become blurry.

But that did not matter.

Over the course of one's life, one would meet all kinds of people. Some would be remembered for a lifetime, while others might be forgotten the very next day.

What mattered was the time spent together.

That night, Han Feng did not cultivate again. Instead, he lay in bed and slept until he woke naturally.

The next morning, Han Feng got up and began packing his things.

It was time to set out. Today, he would leave the Xiao Family and begin the next leg of his journey.

After storing his baggage in the Nether Sea Storage Ring, Han Feng, once again dressed in Green Robe, walked out the door.

He made his way to Gu Xun'er's little house. The Little Girl had risen early today and sat on a small stool in the garden, resting her chin in both hands as she stared blankly toward the entrance.

When Han Feng appeared around the bend in the path, Gu Xun'er's eyes immediately lit up.

"Mr. Han!"

Han Feng looked at the little sprite waving at him from the garden, and his heart paused.

He had always been moved by the pure beauty in life. Gu Xun'er now gave him that long-lost feeling once more.

"Good morning, Miss Gu."

Han Feng entered the garden and greeted Gu Xun'er seriously.

"Good morning, Mr. Han."

Gu Xun'er imitated him and returned the greeting with proper form. Then she looked up at Han Feng, anticipation in her eyes.

"Would Miss Gu like to guess first?"

Han Feng took out the gift box and gently placed it in Gu Xun'er's hands.

Gu Xun'er weighed it in her hands. It was not light.

But judging by the size of the box, it was not large either.

What could it be?

Han Feng wore a smile as he quietly waited for Gu Xun'er.

After half a minute, the Little Girl carefully gave her answer. "Mr. Han, is it a book?"

Han Feng looked somewhat surprised.

"How did you guess?"

Seeing that she had guessed correctly, Gu Xun'er smiled excitedly and even hopped in place.

Then she eagerly took out her own gift box and said to Han Feng, "Sir, guess mine first. If you guess right, I'll tell you."

Han Feng accepted Gu Xun'er's gift box and pretended to think for a few seconds before saying, "Is it an ornament?"

Gu Xun'er's sly little fox-like smile froze at once, her mouth forming an O.

"Huh? How did you guess, sir?"

"Tell me about yours first."

Gu Xun'er did not hide it. "It's because... I like reading."

"Just that?"