Gale Shadow Illusory Spirit Flower, the Greatest Opportunity

(PS: Thanks to Dugu Qiubai for the reward! An extra chapter!)

The four soon returned to the Dean's Office and shut the door behind them.

Feng Xiaotian walked up to Ji Xuan, dropped to one knee, and solemnly said, "Holy Son, Feng Xiaotian is willing to follow you and await your commands from this day forth!"

This time, he had no hesitation whatsoever. It came entirely from the heart.

Ji Xuan's absolute strength had completely won him over.

Dean Feng looked at his grandson, then at Ji Xuan, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Spirit Hall had sent people numerous times in hopes that the Five Element Academies would submit.

Aside from Elephant Armor Academy, which belonged to the Elephant Armor Sect, the other four elemental academies had all clearly refused.

But now... his grandson had joined Spirit Hall, which was no different from tying the entire Feng Family and Godwind Academy to Spirit Hall.

He did not know whether this would prove to be a blessing or a curse...

"Brother Feng, there is no need for this." Ji Xuan reached out and helped Feng Xiaotian up. "Since you have chosen to follow me, I naturally will not treat you poorly."

As he spoke, Ji Xuan brushed his right hand across the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch at his waist, took out an exquisite Jade Box, and held it out before Feng Xiaotian.

"Holy Son, what is this?" Feng Xiaotian asked in confusion.

"Open it and see."

Feng Xiaotian accepted the Jade Box as instructed and gently opened it.

Inside was a pale blue flower. Its five petals were as thin as cicada wings, while its stem was entirely translucent, with faint pale-blue energy flowing within.

Ji Xuan explained, "This is called the Gale Shadow Illusory Spirit Flower. Consuming it will not only greatly increase your Soul Power, but also improve your affinity and control over the Wind element."

Ji Xuan paused before continuing, "With your current Level Thirty-Eight Soul Power, it should conservatively raise you by three levels."

"What?!" Dean Feng and Feng Xiaotian cried out at the same time, their faces full of shock.

It could directly raise Soul Power?!

Worry appearing on his face, Dean Feng respectfully bowed to Ji Xuan. "Holy Son, forgive my presumption, but does this have any side effects? This concerns my grandson, and I hope Your Highness understands."

"Dean Feng, rest assured. This is an Immortal Herb with the effect of strengthening one's foundation and replenishing one's essence. Not only does it have no side effects, it can further solidify his foundation."

Dean Feng was secretly astonished upon hearing this.

The Feng Family was considered a powerful noble house in the Heaven Dou Empire, yet he had never even heard of such a supreme treasure!

Was Spirit Hall's foundation truly this profound?

They could casually bestow such a treasure upon a follower?

This Holy Son was likely far more extraordinary than he had imagined...

Perhaps Xiaotian following him was not a bad thing after all.

"In that case... I can rest easy." Dean Feng let out a breath, then turned to Feng Xiaotian. "Xiaotian, hurry and thank the Holy Son!"

Feng Xiaotian quickly stepped back and gave a solemn bow. "Thank you, Holy Son!"

"No need for formalities." Ji Xuan changed the subject. "Brother Feng, absorb the Immortal Herb now. Simply swallow the entire plant."

"Yes."

Feng Xiaotian immediately sat cross-legged, took the Gale Shadow Illusory Spirit Flower from the Jade Box, and swallowed it without hesitation.

In mere moments, a faint blue glow began to rise around him, while his Soul Power aura steadily climbed...

After a long while, the blue light around Feng Xiaotian flared brightly. Wind element surged around him, sending the documents in the office flying everywhere.

Dean Feng hurriedly acted to steady the situation.

Once the light faded, Feng Xiaotian opened his eyes. Feeling the surging power within his body, disbelief filled his face.

He had truly broken through to the Level Forty bottleneck.

Not only that, but his perception of the Wind element had become exceptionally sharp. It was as though he could resonate with every faint breeze in the air.

Was this the transformation brought by an Immortal Herb?

He rose to his feet and bowed deeply to Ji Xuan once more. "Thank you, Holy Son, for granting me a new life!"

Ji Xuan nodded slightly and said, "I gave you this Immortal Herb to make up for the Soul Power Levels you previously fell behind in."

"Though your talent is excellent, you invested too much of your energy into Self-Created Soul Skills. You have neglected the fundamentals in pursuit of the trivial."

"Before the age of twenty-five is the golden period for a Soul Master's cultivation.

"Once you break through to Soul King and gain a deeper understanding of the Wind element, refining the Gale Magic Wolf Chain Slash will yield twice the results with half the effort."

Feng Xiaotian's expression tightened, and he solemnly replied, "I will follow the Holy Son's teachings!"

At this moment, Dean Feng stepped forward and asked with concern, "Xiaotian, how do you feel?"

"Grandfather, I have broken through to Level Forty. After absorbing a Soul Ring, I may even rise another one or two levels. Moreover, my control over the Wind element is stronger than before."

"Good, good, good." A gratified smile appeared on Dean Feng's face.

He then earnestly instructed, "Xiaotian, since you have chosen to follow the Holy Son, you must remain utterly loyal and cultivate diligently. Do not disappoint His Highness's expectations."

Feng Xiaotian nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Grandfather. I understand."

"Holy Son." Dean Feng turned to Ji Xuan, his tone respectful. "I was offensive earlier, and I ask for your forgiveness. It is Xiaotian's fortune to have earned your favor."

"Xiaotian will be in your care from now on. Should the Feng Family be of any service, please do not hesitate to ask."

At this moment, Dean Feng had completely come to terms with it.

Rather than stubbornly clinging to the old ways, it was better to go with the flow.

If Xiaotian could build a good relationship with this mysterious Holy Son, it might be a rare opportunity for both the Feng Family and Godwind Academy.

"Dean Feng, rest assured. Since Brother Feng has chosen to follow me, I will naturally take responsibility for him."

Ji Xuan took in the change in Dean Feng's demeanor and nodded faintly.

After a pause, he continued, "However, please keep this matter secret for now."

"Of course." Dean Feng quickly agreed.

"Holy Son, I will take you to your residence first."

"Thank you for the trouble, Dean Feng."

Dean Feng personally arranged a quiet, elegant, standalone courtyard for Ji Xuan's residence.

After settling them in, Dean Feng said to Ji Xuan, "Holy Son, please rest here for a few days. I will personally take Xiaotian to obtain his fourth Soul Ring."

"Wait."

Just then, Ji Xuan seemed to recall something. With a flip of his left hand, he took a piece of Ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber from his Soul Tool.

He still had several pieces stored in his Soul Tool. They were useless to him now, and he had nearly forgotten about them.

"Holy Son, what does this mean?" Feng Xiaotian and Dean Feng looked at him in confusion.

Of course, they recognized Whale Rubber, but was this not used for...

"After melting it at a high temperature and consuming it, it can significantly strengthen a Soul Master's physical constitution and the toughness of their Meridians," Ji Xuan explained.

"You have already consumed an Immortal Herb, and your physical constitution has improved greatly. If you absorb this piece of Whale Rubber as well, then absorbing a Soul Ring below Ten-Thousand-Year should not pose much of a problem."

Feng Xiaotian's breathing grew noticeably hurried.

According to the common understanding of the Soul Master World, the limit for a fourth Soul Ring was only around Five Thousand Years.

By His Highness's words, would his fourth Soul Ring be able to approach Ten-Thousand-Year?!

Dean Feng was even more excited. A fourth Soul Ring exceeding the conventional age limit could lay a firmer foundation for his grandson's future!

"Your Highness's great kindness will never be forgotten by the Feng Family!" Dean Feng bowed deeply, his tone sincere.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Feng Xiaotian also offered his solemn thanks.

"No need for formalities. Absorb the Whale Rubber now before setting off."

As Ji Xuan spoke, a blaze of scorching flame suddenly rose from his palm.

"This..." Neither of them had expected Ji Xuan to be capable of controlling the fire element as well?!

Under the astonished gazes of the grandfather and grandson, the Whale Rubber rapidly softened... until it finally turned into a mass of thick liquid that gave off a peculiar fragrance.

"Consume it and circulate your Soul Power to refine it." Ji Xuan controlled the melted Whale Rubber as it hovered before Feng Xiaotian.

Feng Xiaotian swallowed it as instructed and immediately felt a warm current spread through his limbs and body.

He promptly sat cross-legged and guided this power with all his strength to strengthen himself.

Dean Feng stood to the side, his admiration for the Holy Son's methods growing ever deeper.

It seemed that Xiaotian following him truly was the Feng Family's greatest opportunity.

Dean Feng looked at Feng Xiaotian, seated cross-legged with his eyes shut, his gaze filled with anticipation.