Setting Out Again

"It's fine, it's fine. Wait, you refined the Heavenly Flames?!"

Zhou Tong had just breathed a sigh of relief when his heart shot back into his throat.

Yao Feng smiled with an annoyingly smug expression, extending his palm. A cluster of dark yellow flames danced at his fingertips in the wind, radiating a heavy, solid sensation.

"Y-You refined it just like that?!"

Zhou Tong asked in astonishment. Wasn't devouring Heavenly Flames supposed to be fraught with unimaginable danger? Had everyone lied to him? What was going on here?!

Wang Dahu and his two brothers were equally shocked. Yet judging by their expressions, they probably knew very little about what Heavenly Flames even were. They had simply seen Zhou Tong's reaction and assumed Yao Feng had done something incredible.

"No need to be so surprised. You'll get used to it!"

Yao Feng patted Zhou Tong's shoulder with an air of maturity and sighed. Since Zhou Tong would be following him from now on, it was best to prepare him mentally.

Zhou Tong nodded blankly, still unable to recover from his shock. But it was hardly his fault. If an alchemist knowledgeable about Heavenly Flames had been present and witnessed Yao Feng devour one so effortlessly, he would probably have gone mad on the spot.

The warped space atop the stone platform had long since returned to normal. Yao Feng picked up a shattered piece of stone and gently crushed it between his fingers, reducing it to dust.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be Profound Yellow Stone, a rather rare material used in refining weapons. However, the energy in these fragments has long since dissipated completely, so they are worthless now."

Having finally regained his senses, Zhou Tong could only mutter to himself that the young master was freaking awesome. Seeing Yao Feng's actions, he composed himself and explained.

"Let's go. There's nothing else here."

Yao Feng dusted off his hands and rose to his feet.

"My lord, the three of us brothers have an impertinent request. We hope you will grant it."

At that moment, Wang Dahu and his two brothers dropped to one knee and spoke respectfully.

"What is it? Let's hear it."

Yao Feng smiled knowingly and asked softly.

"The three of us wish to pledge ourselves to you, my lord. We are willing to serve you with all our might, without hesitation or regret!"

"And why is that?"

"You saved our lives, my lord. We have no way to repay such kindness. We only hope that our meager strength may be of some use to you."

Yao Feng nodded. With a thought, a scroll appeared in his hand.

"This Black Fiend Tiger Formation is a Proficient Grade Advanced Dou Technique that requires three people to cultivate together. I'll give it to you now. If you can reach the Monster Mountain Range in the southern region of the Jia Ma Empire alive, I'll let you follow me. What do you say? Do you dare?"

Although the Black Fiend Tiger Formation had come from the system, Yao Feng could still make it appear in the form of a scroll if he wished, allowing him to pass it on to others.

"We will definitely accomplish whatever you command, my lord!"

"Get up." Yao Feng tossed the scroll to Wang Dahu and turned to walk out of the cave.

"Do not let the young master's kindness go to waste."

Zhou Tong softly reminded the three brothers before quickly following Yao Feng.

Once Yao Feng and Zhou Tong had gone some distance away, Wang Xiaohu moved closer. Looking at the scroll in Wang Dahu's hand, he asked curiously,

"Big Brother, what is this lord's background? He just gave us a Proficient Grade Advanced Dou Technique like it was nothing!"

"He is our savior!"

Wang Dahu said solemnly.

"Xiaohu, this time, all three of our lives were saved by him. You must remember that there is always someone greater out there. Some people begin where we can only hope to end. Our lord is one of those people. From now on, follow him wholeheartedly. It is better than drifting from place to place."

"Don't worry, Big Brother. I can see that. But we don't even know where the Jia Ma Empire is. How are we supposed to get there?"

"I have my ways..."

"Young Master, their talent is not particularly high. Why did you...?"

"Old Zhou, triplets are not common. Besides, that Dou Technique of mine can only be cultivated by people whose minds are in perfect harmony. If they fail the test, I can afford to lose one Profound Tier Dou Technique. But if they pass, three people working as one can be quite useful in a place like that."

Yao Feng chuckled as he explained. There were no high-level experts in the Monster Mountain Range. Even the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group that hunted Xiao Yan was only a Dou Master. If the Wang brothers made it there, they would practically dominate that region of the Monster Mountain Range. It would also make Yao Feng's future actions much more convenient.

"Wang Chao, City Lord of Black Tiger City, greets you, Senior!"

The moment they stepped out of the cave, a resolute-looking middle-aged man called out loudly.

"The City Lord of Black Tiger City? What is he doing here?"

Yao Feng looked at Wang Chao in confusion.

Wang Chao chuckled. He could naturally tell that Yao Feng was the leader of the pair. Though Yao Feng was only a youth, Wang Chao still spoke politely.

"Young Master, to be honest, Tianwu Martial Arts School has long been a major scourge in Black Tiger City. Unfortunately, they were too powerful, and the City Lord's Mansion alone could not take them down. Thanks to the intervention of the senior behind you, I finally had the opportunity to eliminate Tianwu Martial Arts School in one fell swoop."

"Oh."

Yao Feng nodded. Although he had not expected Wang Chao to act so swiftly, this was Black Tiger City's business and had nothing to do with him. Was there really any need for Wang Chao to make a special trip just to tell him this?

Seeing Yao Feng's reaction, Wang Chao smiled awkwardly and took out a Storage Ring from his robes, offering it to Yao Feng.

"This contains some of the wealth collected from Tianwu Martial Arts School's treasure vault. Please accept it, both of you."

Yao Feng sent his Soul Power into the Storage Ring and saw heaps of gold coins inside. He gave Wang Chao a strange look. This was the first time he had seen someone so eager to give away money. Adhering to the principle of never refusing free gifts, Yao Feng put away the Storage Ring and said,

"I will not interfere in the affairs of Tianwu Martial Arts School. City Lord Wang may handle everything as he sees fit."

"Ha ha, good, good! I have arranged a banquet at the finest restaurant in the city. Would the two of you honor me with your presence?"

Wang Chao laughed happily.

"We are in a hurry to continue our journey, so we will not trouble City Lord Wang. We can gather another time."

"Very well. Then I hope you will not refuse Wang's invitation again next time."

A trace of regret appeared on Wang Chao's face as he spoke with a touch of humor.

"Certainly."

Yao Feng replied politely, then turned toward the carriage waiting nearby.

When Wang Chao saw the powerful old man skillfully take control of the carriage, a flash of amazement passed through his eyes. He wondered which family this young master came from, to have an expert at least at the Dou Huang level driving his carriage whenever he traveled.

As the carriage slowly traveled away, Zhou Tong, seated at the front, suddenly laughed.

"I never expected Wang Chao to be so cautious. If not for you, Young Master, I still would not have understood."

"It is good to be cautious. At least it prevents mistakes." Yao Feng's voice came from inside the carriage. Suddenly, Yao Feng stuck his head out and looked at Zhou Tong. "Old Zhou, I thought you never laughed?"

"Ha ha, I came to serve as your guard, Young Master. If I smiled cheerfully right from the start, how could I intimidate anyone?"

"Hey, being so serious is no fun. Who knows how long this journey will take? If we all keep a straight face, wouldn't that be unbearably dull? How about this? I'll call you Old Zhou from now on. Tell me about your past, will you?"