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

Han Feng nodded solemnly, then said bluntly, "While traveling through the Central Plains with my Teacher, I happened to learn about the Eight Ancient Dou Di Families of the Dou Qi Continent."

Xiao Zhan's pupils suddenly contracted, though his expression remained unchanged.

Han Feng continued, "Through certain special sources of information, we learned that you are the current patriarch of the Xiao Clan among the Eight Ancient Clans."

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath.

"I don't know what you're talking about..."

"I'm merely a Dou Master, and you're talking to me about Dou Di?"

Xiao Zhan looked at Han Feng in confusion, seeming somewhat self-mocking as well.

Han Feng merely said calmly, "Patriarch Xiao, since I came here, I naturally have reliable information."

Xiao Zhan still said nothing.

"I came to the Xiao Family only to tell you that the Tou She Ancient God Jade—the jade fragment passed down through the Xiao Family—has already caught the attention of another group. If they come, they will not simply be here for tea and conversation."

Han Feng took a sip of tea and quietly waited for Xiao Zhan's reaction.

This was ultimately a matter for the Xiao Family. It was not convenient for him to interfere.

After a moment, Xiao Zhan finally sighed.

"Who are the people you speak of?"

By asking that, he had indirectly admitted that the Xiao Family was indeed the Xiao Clan.

Han Feng did not hide it.

"The Soul Clan. They have been at odds with the Xiao Clan for a thousand years. Now they have established the Hall of Souls and spread their net across the land. The Jia Ma Empire has Hall of Souls forces as well, so it will take them no more than around ten years to find this place."

Han Feng took another sip of tea, then suddenly thought of something. "If you were in the Imperial Capital, I'm afraid it would not even take ten years."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's fist abruptly tightened. His teacup shattered, and scalding tea streamed through his fingers.

"So that's how it is..."

No wonder Father had suddenly suffered grievous injuries and was on the verge of death, and why he had insisted that I lead the Xiao Family away from the Imperial Capital.

Those absurd events from the past now seemed to be linked by countless threads when he thought them over.

"The Hall of Souls is very powerful. Dou Lings and Dou Wangs are everywhere among them. Frankly, with the Xiao Family's current strength, you cannot protect the ancient jade."

Han Feng spoke without reservation.

"Are you here for the ancient jade as well?"

Xiao Zhan's breathing was hurried as he turned to ask.

"No. The ancient jade is useless to me. I merely came to remind Patriarch Xiao to make preparations as soon as possible."

Xiao Zhan nodded, and his impression of Han Feng improved considerably.

However, he did not reveal his thoughts, much less take out the ancient jade.

He must still have concerns. After all, it was the Xiao Clan's inheritance, the faith held in the hearts of the Xiao Clan's people.

As patriarch, he could not so easily hand over the family heirloom.

"Thank you, Mr. Han, for informing Xiao of this matter. I will remember this kindness deeply."

Seeing Xiao Zhan bow solemnly, Han Feng hurriedly rose as well.

"Patriarch Xiao, there is no need for this. I... once owed the Xiao Family a favor. I came this time to repay it."

Han Feng smiled. "This is a matter of great importance, so Patriarch Xiao should consider it carefully. But there is no need to worry too much. Han will always stand behind the Xiao Family. If trouble arises, I will certainly lend my aid."

Han Feng's words were exceedingly sincere. Knowing full well that the Xiao Family would face powerful enemies in the future, he still chose to protect them. Xiao Zhan could not help but be moved.

"I toast Mr. Han!"

Xiao Zhan raised his teacup and drained it in one gulp.

Han Feng returned the toast and drank a full cup as well.

"Please stay in Xiao Mansion for a few days, Mr. Han. Later, we shall have a proper drink together!"

Xiao Zhan usually had many affairs to handle, and now that he had learned this information from Han Feng, he could not afford to relax carelessly.

Although Han Feng had said he could protect the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan took it only as polite words.

People still had to save themselves. If they did not save themselves, even heaven could not save them.

The Xiao Family would not abandon their faith, but neither would they stubbornly cling to a dead end.

There would always be a way to resolve this matter.

After watching Xiao Zhan depart, Han Feng was led by a servant to a luxurious guest room near the patriarch's bedroom.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Han Feng decided to stay for a few days.

Though he had gained a new understanding of the Xiao Clan's overall strength today, his conversation with Xiao Zhan had gone rather well.

This Xiao Clan patriarch was not a rash man.

He was steady and generous, not rigid or old-fashioned. Other than his somewhat lacking cultivation, he was quite good in every other respect.

With nothing to do that afternoon, Han Feng left his room for a stroll.

He had not gone far when he saw a very young child sitting upright on an open-air stone platform in a small courtyard. The child's hands formed seals, and he appeared to be cultivating.

How old was he? He had already begun cultivating?

Han Feng watched from afar and found the child somewhat familiar.

Xiao Yan?

Judging by the timing, he should be about this age.

A trace of amusement surfaced in his eyes. Meeting an old acquaintance again, he had not expected the other party to still be such a little brat.

Han Feng quietly approached. After observing for a while, he found that Xiao Yan was still at the stage of sensing Dou Qi and had not truly entered cultivation.

Still, it seemed he was close.

Han Feng raised his hand and placed it atop Xiao Yan's head, murmuring softly at the same time:

"Gather breath in the left palace, veil spirit over filth;

Raise and lower, seize the pivot, circle the source in the right pool."

The Four-Character Foundation Method entered Xiao Yan's ears in a special manner without disrupting his state of comprehension.

The next second, Xiao Yan seemed to receive sudden enlightenment. Following the four-character mantra, he sensed strands of Dou Qi within the air.

Xiao Yan hurriedly recalled the cultivation formula he had previously memorized, changed his hand seals, and began condensing Dou Qi.

Strands of Dou Qi flowed toward Xiao Yan from all around, but extremely little of it was absorbed into his body.

Time slowly passed.

At last, buzz!

Xiao Yan felt a warmth in his abdomen.

In the next instant, the first wisp of Dou Qi appeared in Xiao Yan's young Dantian.

Dou Qi, First Stage!

Chapter 6: Little Girl

Xiao Yan was overjoyed. After being reborn, he had finally experienced the power of "Dou Qi" for the first time.

From this day onward, he, Xiao Yan, had stepped onto the path of cultivation!

"Steady your breath and finish cultivating!"

Just then, a steady voice rang out, interrupting Xiao Yan's daze.

"Oh!"

Xiao Yan hurriedly calmed his mind, changed his hand seals once more, and concluded his cultivation.

Han Feng also withdrew his hand, looking at the little fellow with satisfaction.

As expected, he was gifted and intelligent. At the age of three or four, he had already sensed Dou Qi. His future would surely be limitless.

Once Xiao Yan finished cultivating, he immediately turned to look at the person behind him.

"You..."

Xiao Yan did not know this man, but recalling the kindness of his teachings just now, he hurriedly jumped down from the stone and gave Han Feng a deep bow.

"This junior is Xiao Yan. Thank you, Senior, for your guidance!"

Han Feng smiled. "You were already close to entering the path. I merely gave you a slight push."

"Senior, who are you?"

Xiao Yan lifted his bright, lively eyes and looked at Han Feng.

"My surname is Han. I am a friend of your father's."

The affairs of his previous life had now all become drifting smoke and clouds.

Thinking of Xiao Yan's tragic experiences in his former life, Han Feng shook his head.

In this life, just be a happy, gifted young man.

"You have just broken through to the first stage of Dou Qi. There is no need to rush into cultivating. You may go share the good news with your father."

"Hehe, Uncle Han, then I'm going to find my father!"

Xiao Yan waved at Han Feng and ran toward the gate.

Clearly, he could not contain his excitement and was eager to share the joy of his success with his family.

Han Feng smiled faintly. Perhaps Xiao Yan would become the first person he changed after his rebirth.

The Yan Zun who had fought to the death without retreating a single step would become a genius young master cherished by his family.

Han Feng felt inexplicably happy. This would be the first step of change, but it would certainly not be the last.

That evening, Xiao Zhan hosted a banquet for Han Feng, and the two drank a great deal.

Since Han Feng had helped Xiao Yan cultivate, Xiao Zhan seemed even friendlier toward him.

Their conversation ranged from family matters to affairs of the world. Xiao Zhan showed great expectations for his son Xiao Yan's future, saying that he would surely become someone who made him proud.

After eating and drinking their fill, Han Feng returned to his room.

After resting for a while, Xiao Family servants brought him hot water. There was even a large bathing tub scattered with flower petals, its fragrance especially refreshing.

Xiao Zhan's hospitality was thorough, and Han Feng did not refuse. He took a hot bath to wash away the smell of alcohol.

However, just as Han Feng was enjoying the soothing petal-infused water, a faint energy fluctuation caused him to abruptly open his eyes.

"This is..."

Han Feng seemed uncertain. Sea Heart Flame suddenly ignited within his pupils, and his spiritual perception expanded severalfold.

Buzz!

That faint energy fluctuation came again.

This time, Han Feng sensed it clearly.

"Heavenly Flame!"

Whoosh!

Han Feng swiftly draped himself in a bathrobe. Without time for further preparations, his figure vanished from the spot as he flew toward the source of the Heavenly Flame's fluctuation.

Buzz, buzz!

The Heavenly Flame's fluctuations were extremely faint, but they had indeed been exposed.

For a heavenly treasure such as a Heavenly Flame, ordinary people could not possibly detect it. It could only be discovered when it took the initiative to reveal its aura.

Could it be that this fallen Xiao Family still concealed a Heavenly Flame?

Han Feng's expression shifted uncertainly as he arrived at the source of the Heavenly Flame's fluctuation. It was a separate little residence, with especially beautiful surroundings and even a garden.

The person living inside should have quite some status.