Rest and Recuperation

"He's just a spoiled young master. There's no need to take him to heart."

Seeing Nalan Yanran's reaction, Yao Feng chuckled and spoke with an easygoing air.

"He's only a two-star Dou Zhe, so naturally he poses no threat to you. But behind him is the Mite'er Family, and they hold considerable influence in the Imperial Capital. Why don't you come to our Nalan Family instead? At the very least, the Mite'er Family wouldn't dare cause trouble for the Nalan Family."

"There's really no need. With Old Zhou by my side, nothing will happen to me."

Yao Feng smiled and reached out to gently pat Nalan Yanran on the head. Seemingly realizing that the gesture was too intimate, he awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Nalan Yanran's face reddened, but she found it difficult to say anything. The old man following Yao Feng was far stronger than Elder Ge Ye and was probably at least a Dou Ling. The strongest member of the Mite'er Family was only Mittel Tengshan, a Dou Wang. He naturally would not step forward for the sake of some junior. Looking at it that way, Yao Feng truly had no need to worry too much about the Mite'er Family.

With that thought, Nalan Yanran realized she had even less reason to ask Yao Feng to go to the Nalan Family. She could only remind him, "The Hidden Dragon Ranking begins in three days. I'll register you, so you have to come then!"

"Don't worry. See you in three days!"

Yao Feng waved and quickly melted into the crowd, with Zhou Tong following close behind him.

Nalan Yanran stared in the direction Yao Feng had vanished, suddenly feeling as though something were missing from her heart. It felt strangely empty.

"Yanran, let's go. The Nalan Family Head is still waiting for us."

After taking one last deep look in the direction Yao Feng had disappeared, Nalan Yanran silently made up her mind, then turned and headed in another direction.

Seeing this, Elder Ge Ye sighed inwardly and hurried after her.

"Young Master, that little girl looked quite nice. Why didn't you go home with her?"

Zhou Tong followed closely behind Yao Feng, his face full of regret as he asked gloomily.

Looking at Zhou Tong's expression, like someone who had failed to witness a juicy spectacle, Yao Feng's eye twitched. He said irritably, "I have my own plans!"

"Your own plans~, oh~, the melon isn't ripe yet. Just wait a little longer."

Old Zhou grinned lewdly, wearing an expression of sudden realization.

Seeing Zhou Tong's appearance, Yao Feng suddenly asked, "Old Zhou, do you know the next line after 'Before my bed, the moonlight shines'?"

"Huh? What bed?"

"Then what about 'The waterfall plunges straight down three thousand feet'?"

"Young Master, what's wrong with you?"

Zhou Tong scratched his head, growing puzzled as he looked at the suddenly strange Yao Feng.

"You really don't know?"

Yao Feng asked again, unwilling to give up. His eyes were fixed tightly on Zhou Tong's expression; even the slightest change would not escape his notice.

"Know what? Young Master, what's gotten into you?" Zhou Tong asked, on the verge of tears. Did I push the Young Master too far? That shouldn't be it! He wasn't really angry, was he? Didn't he enjoy it a little too?!

"Nothing. Where's the Griffin Beast? Why don't I see it?"

Yao Feng waved his hand, secretly thinking that he must have been overly sensitive. It seemed that gossipmongers existed in every world; even fantasy worlds could not escape them.

"The Griffin Beast? I let it go while you were talking to that little girl. Young Master, you must have been so engrossed in your conversation that you didn't notice. You—"

"Shut up!"

Yao Feng shouted in mock anger. He had once thought Zhou Tong was too serious, but now it seemed he had been hasty. This old man was clearly a complete goofball!

Zhou Tong obediently shut his mouth, but a trace of grievance flashed through his eyes. Seeing that expression on an old man with a grizzled beard made goosebumps rise all over Yao Feng's body. He shuddered instinctively and slapped Zhou Tong.

Then he hurriedly put some distance between them, afraid that anyone might realize they were together.

A short while later, Yao Feng stood before an inn. He touched his pocket, then turned to look at Zhou Tong behind him.

"Innkeeper, two superior rooms, and bring us some of your signature dishes!"

Understanding immediately, Zhou Tong entered the inn and tossed a bag of gold coins onto the counter. A rough estimate put the number at around ten thousand.

Seeing Zhou Tong spend so extravagantly, the plump innkeeper behind the counter hurriedly put on a smile. He tucked the money pouch into his robes, walked out from behind the counter, and greeted them.

"My lord, this way please. I'll arrange everything for you!"

"Young Master, please!"

Zhou Tong bent at the waist and extended a hand, looking somewhat comical.

"Old Zhou, you've really unleashed your true nature."

Yao Feng gave a dry laugh and squeezed out the words through clenched teeth before walking inside without ceremony.

"Young Master, this way please."

The innkeeper was no fool either. He immediately led Yao Feng forward.

Inside a room on the top floor, the innkeeper bowed slightly and said, "Young Master, this is the finest room in our inn. Through the window, you can not only enjoy the beautiful distant mountain range, but the Alchemist Association is also fully visible nearby. If you need anything, just call out, and our attendants will handle it for you."

"Fine, you can leave now."

Yao Feng swept his gaze around the room. Its furnishings were quite exquisite, and a costly stick of dragon saliva incense burned on the table, filling the room with a faint fragrance. Sitting within it, even his mind inexplicably calmed.

"Very well. If you need anything, simply instruct one of the attendants. The other room is next door, and Young Master may go there as you please."

Yao Feng nodded and lazily reclined in a chair. After traveling for nearly a month, he could finally rest.

"Young Master, I'll be next door. Just call if you need anything."

Old Zhou spoke softly. A month of traveling meant little to him, but now that he had the chance to rest properly, he naturally would not refuse.

Yao Feng waved his hand and half closed his eyes, reclining lazily in the chair as drowsiness washed over him.

A moment later, a faint strange odor drifted over. Yao Feng sniffed, then lifted his clothes and smelled them.

"Attendant, bring a tub of hot water!"

"Ah~, so comfortable~"

Yao Feng slumped in the wooden tub, his face slightly flushed by the curling steam. A hot bath washed away all the exhaustion from a month of travel. He curled up, leaving only his head above the water as he enjoyed the rare comfort.

Half an hour later, the water gradually cooled. Yao Feng sat upright and flipped his hand, causing a jade bottle to appear in his palm. A single drop of jade-green liquid fell from it, and the entire tub of water was immediately dyed a pale cyan.

Looking at the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid that was nearly gone, Yao Feng sighed inwardly. As expected, cultivation really consumes resources!

Pouring all the remaining Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid from the jade bottle into the tub, Yao Feng sat cross-legged and formed a special hand seal. The Dou Qi within his body began circulating along a particular route. Threads of cyan airflow seemed to be drawn in through his pores. After circulating once through his body, they flowed into his Dantian. Flecks of cyan light clung to his meridians, making them appear even tougher.

As his cultivation rose, the effects of the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid became less and less apparent. However, Yao Feng had expected this. After all, this Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid was only something Xiao Yan had used during his early cultivation. Now that Yao Feng was already a four-star Dou Zhe, it truly had little effect.

(I saw you again, Big Boss Cabbage (☆∀☆). Thanks, boss. Also, one more round—when playing Honor of Kings, don't curse at people, because you can't imagine what someone who's really bad at the game looks like when they're seriously playing. ｡°(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)°｡ Said I wouldn't cry, but my stockpiled chapters are almost gone. Back to writing (⌯꒪꒫꒪)੭ु⁾⁾ I'm eating dirt now.)