Danzeng and Xiang Pang

A Pill for Xiang Pang

Jiang Feng gave Nie Hu no face at all, which left Nie Hu furious.

The people around them all watched the two-man show eagerly as well, but in the end, they felt Nie Hu's domineering air and did not dare speak.

Although the Nie Family was not some great clan, because Nie Hu held the post of town mayor, more than half the businesses in all of Zhushan Town bore his name. If one offended Nie Hu, it truly was hard to survive in Zhushan Town.

Jiang Feng had slapped Nie Hu in the face under everyone's gaze. Nie Hu was bound to remember this grudge.

Right now, everyone was very curious—just who exactly was Jiang Feng going to give this Meridian Opening Pill to, that he would not hesitate to offend Nie Hu?

In front of everyone, Jiang Feng suddenly turned and walked toward the two youths beside him.

The two were none other than Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan.

At this moment, the two of them were also guessing who Jiang Feng would give the Meridian Opening Pill to.

Everyone knew that here in Zhushan Town, Jiang Feng truly had no deeply close friends worth giving such a generous gift to.

Seeing Jiang Feng walk toward them, the two were just about to ask, only to see Jiang Feng hand the Ironwood box straight to Xiang Pang.

"Brother Xiang, I'll give this Meridian Opening Pill to you. You have now become a martial artist, and this pill is just right for you."

The moment Jiang Feng said this, the crowd instantly cried out in astonishment.

"What!!?"

Everyone's face was filled with disbelief!

"He... he actually... actually gave the Meridian Opening Pill to Xiang Pang!"

"This Xiang Pang has nothing besides a little talent, and he has no background whatsoever. Jiang Feng gave him such a precious Meridian Opening Pill—what is he after?"

"Exactly, I can't understand it! Nie Hu is at least the head of a town; at least he could keep him safe for a short while. As for this Xiang Pang, his cultivation can't compare to Jiang Feng's own, and his aptitude is a thousand miles away from his. Why would he give away such a valuable pill?"

"Could it be... could it be only because Xiang Pang helped him just now?"

"Other than that, I really can't think of a reason. If that's truly the case, then this Jiang Feng really is magnanimous!"

Under everyone's gaze, Xiang Pang froze in place, overwhelmed with shock.

"G-g-give it to me?" Xiang Pang asked in disbelief.

Jiang Feng smiled and nodded. "I have the intention to befriend Brother Xiang and Brother Zhuang. I wonder if you two would do me the honor? In the future, when Brother Zhuang becomes a martial artist, I will also be sure to give him a Meridian Opening Pill."

The moment Jiang Feng said this, everyone was thrown into turmoil.

Not only was he giving one away today, he even promised to give another away in the future. Who could still say that Jiang Feng was a beggar?

Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan looked at each other, the panic on their faces fading. The two replied at the same time, "For you, Jiang Feng, to think highly of us is our good fortune. The two of us would wake laughing even in our dreams. It's just that this Meridian Opening Pill is truly precious..."

"In that case," Jiang Feng cut them off, "then accept it. This Meridian Opening Pill is of no use to me. A valuable thing is valuable because it is used in the right place. In my view, this Meridian Opening Pill is perfect for Brother Xiang."

Jiang Feng's enthusiasm, combined with the fact that Xiang Pang had originally come for the Meridian Opening Pill, meant that in the end, he still accepted it with a heart full of gratitude.

As for Nie Hu's warning, Xiang Pang had no mind to worry about it. After all, to him, the Meridian Opening Pill was truly something that could only be met by chance and not sought. If he missed this opportunity, he feared he would never have another chance to obtain a Meridian Opening Pill in his lifetime.

By accepting the pill and making friends with Jiang Feng, given Jiang Feng's ability, perhaps he, Xiang Pang, would also be able to benefit.

Although Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan were hot-blooded and upright, it was not as though they did not know how to plan for their own futures. Befriending Jiang Feng did not betray their original hearts, and it could also bring endless opportunities for the future. Why not do it?

"Hmph!" Seeing that the Meridian Opening Pill had already fallen into Xiang Pang's hands, Nie Hu flicked his broad sleeve and left with Nie Xiaoyue.

Perhaps influenced by her father, when Nie Xiaoyue left, she also shot Jiang Feng a hateful look.

Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan took this scene in and were rather worried for Jiang Feng.

"Ah Feng, now that we've offended Town Mayor Nie, I'm afraid the days ahead for the three of us won't be easy," Xiang Pang said.

Jiang Feng grinned. "Relax. In my eyes, Nie Hu is nothing more than another Wei Changqing."

With Jiang Feng's current strength, he naturally had the ability to say this. In terms of power, Nie Hu was only a notch stronger than Wei Changqing. As long as Jiang Feng wished, he could casually cut him down right now. Don't forget, he still had fivefold strength that had yet to erupt.

Once Nie Hu left, another person came forward. It was none other than the Dragon Tower Master.

It was only natural for the Dragon Tower Master to come looking for Jiang Feng. The terrifying talent Jiang Feng had displayed today was already enough to shake the empire's imperial family. According to protocol, the Dragon Tower Master had to report it immediately.

"Tower Master," Jiang Feng called.

Toward the Dragon Tower Master, he felt he should still show some respect. At the very least, when he had been confronting Wei Changqing on the arena, the Dragon Tower Master had wanted to save him. As for before, the Dragon Tower Master had never had many dealings with Jiang Yunhai to begin with, and the few dealings they did have were limited to formalities. Apart from that, the Dragon Tower Master did not involve himself in power, interests, or disputes, and could be considered neutral.

Therefore, Jiang Feng ought to be polite to him.

"Heroes truly emerge from the young. Today, my eyes have been opened," the Dragon Tower Master said with a smile. "In terms of strength, I am not Wei Changqing's match, and naturally I am not yours either, so there is no need for you to be so courteous."

Jiang Feng smiled faintly in response.

"Jiang Feng, I will report the talent you displayed today to the imperial family as soon as possible. In addition, according to protocol, you can now enjoy an imperial stipend and no longer need to beg under the Qi Family's orders. For the related matters, you will need to make a trip to the Dragon Tower."

Although Jiang Feng had long known that he could enjoy an imperial stipend and no longer needed to beg, when those words came from the Dragon Tower Master's mouth at this moment, he still felt a weight lift from his chest. However, his goal was not merely to escape the fate of begging.

"Jiang Feng, today you killed Wei Changqing and offended Nie Hu. You will need to be more careful in the future. Although the Dragon Tower can guarantee your stipend, you also know that the Dragon Tower cannot interfere in struggles over power and interests."

"Thank you for the reminder, Tower Master."

"Very well. Fortune lies with you yourself; more words from me would be useless. I'll wait for you in the Dragon Tower." With that, the Dragon Tower Master turned and left.

The crowd dispersed. A small number of martial artists stayed behind to continue taking part in the martial artist group's matches, and some people came over to invite Jiang Feng to exchange moves, but Jiang Feng declined them all one by one and went off drinking with Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan.

Xiang Pang and Zhuang Yan were not from wealthy families, and Jiang Feng was even more penniless. So the three of them found a simple little tavern, sat down, and drank while chatting.

"Ah Feng, are you really going to seclude yourself in the Nie Mansion for half a month?" After several rounds of wine, Xiang Pang asked.

Jiang Feng nodded. His strength was sufficient now, but his cultivation and use of that strength were far from perfect. More importantly, he did not even have a cultivation method at the moment, so he had to find one suited to him as quickly as possible. Nie Hu's library might not have any upper-tier methods, but going to take a look would surely bring some gains.

"We can't help you much. We can only remind you of two things: be careful in everything," Zhuang Yan also said. "You just offended Nie Hu. Nie Hu definitely won't let you off. If you go to his mansion to enter seclusion at a time like this, he'll definitely find a chance to take revenge on you."

Zhuang Yan's words were not false. Jiang Feng had naturally considered it as well. If Nie Hu swallowed this loss and lowered his head just like that, then he would not be Nie Hu.

However, Jiang Feng was bold because his skill was great. With a fivefold burst of strength, it was enough for him to fight an expert of the Earth Martial Realm. A mere Nie Hu was not something he took to heart.

"Brother Xiang, it's you who needs to be careful while I'm in seclusion these next few days," Jiang Feng said, looking at Xiang Pang. "I gave the Meridian Opening Pill to you in front of everyone. That was truly ill-considered. I'm afraid Nie Hu might make a move against you while I'm in seclusion."

Xiang Pang nodded. "Don't worry. I'll take the Meridian Opening Pill tonight."

As long as the Meridian Opening Pill was gone, he believed Nie Hu would not do anything too extreme.

After the three had drunk and eaten their fill, they each went their separate ways.

Jiang Feng headed straight for the Dragon Tower. Although obtaining the Dragon Tower's certification would be of no help to his strength at present, he needed that certification!

The Dragon Tower was not inside the town, but built atop a mountain peak outside it. Standing within the town, one could see the golden tower standing on the mountain summit, shrouded in a layer of afterglow, extraordinarily magnificent.

When Jiang Feng walked along the main road, passed through the mountain forest, and arrived at the peak where the Dragon Tower stood, he looked down at Zhushan Town below and felt a heroic sense of standing above all other mountains. Perhaps this was the reason the Dragon Tower had been built here.

Looking at the Dragon Tower's lofty gate, Jiang Feng felt heroism rise in his heart.

Now, he finally had the qualifications to step into this high tower that symbolized status.