First Meeting Xiao Yi Xian!

"Young Highness, what brings you to the Mite'er Family today?" Teng Shan asked with a bow toward Jia He.

Jia He chuckled. "I came to see Ya Fei. I didn't see her at the Grand Auction House."

Teng Shan was slightly startled, but he was an old hand and concealed his emotions well. He smiled. "So that's why. Your Highness, please follow me."

Jia He followed behind Teng Shan and walked into the Mite'er Family estate.

Walking beside Jia He, Teng Shan explained, "Ever since Ya Fei suddenly began cultivating diligently more than a year ago, she gradually stopped going to the auction house. Her strength has also improved greatly this past year, so I allocated some of the family's resources to her."

"She has certainly lived up to expectations. She now spends all day cultivating in her room, and a few days ago, Ya Fei broke through to the Da Dou Shi realm," Teng Shan said.

Jia He was somewhat surprised. When he had last seen Ya Fei, she had only been a Dou Zhe. Yet after a year, she had become a Da Dou Shi.

Although the Qi Scripture could improve a cultivator's talent, effort was still necessary. Without hard work, even the finest talent would be wasted!

It was clear that Ya Fei treasured this opportunity.

Before long, Teng Shan led Jia He to the rear of the estate and stopped before a door.

"Young Highness, this is Ya Fei's room. I won't disturb you any further. Please," Teng Shan said with a smile before turning and leaving.

Watching Teng Shan's retreating figure, Jia He chuckled inwardly. Patriarch Teng Shan truly knows how to read the room.

Jia He then raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it's something important?" A cool voice came from inside the room.

"It's me," Jia He said calmly.

Upon hearing Jia He's voice, a faint rustle came from within. Then, with a creak, the door opened from the inside, and Ya Fei appeared before him.

The instant Ya Fei saw Jia He, a trace of delight flashed through her eyes. She then asked, "Why are you here?"

Jia He smiled. "Won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Hearing that, Ya Fei quickly stepped aside. "Come in."

After Jia He entered, Ya Fei closed the door and walked to the table to pour him a cup of tea.

"I only came out of seclusion not long ago. Tomorrow, I need to head to the border with people from the Alchemist Association, so I thought I'd come and see how your cultivation has been going," Jia He said, looking at Ya Fei.

"To the Empire's border? Did something happen?" Ya Fei asked.

She had not inquired about news from the outside world for a long time, so naturally, she did not know what had happened at the border.

"A group of poison masters from the Cloudrise Empire have been poisoning the Empire's citizens at the border. I'm taking some alchemists there to have a look," Jia He said.

Ya Fei's pretty face immediately tightened with worry. "Is it dangerous?"

Jia He smiled. "No. I've already broken through to the Dou Emperor realm."

An overwhelmingly powerful pressure instantly spread out from Jia He's body.

Ya Fei parted her red lips slightly. They had not seen each other for more than a year, yet Jia He had already broken through to Dou Emperor?

Back when Ya Fei had met Jia He at the auction house, he had only been a Dou Wang!

Thinking of this, Ya Fei felt somewhat dejected.

Seeing the faint loneliness on Ya Fei's face, Jia He immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

Ya Fei sighed. "I originally thought that rising from Dou Zhe to Da Dou Shi in a year was already quite good, but compared to you, it seems like it amounts to nothing."

"Cultivation is about taking one step at a time. There is no point in comparing yourself to me. Cultivation is not merely about cultivating strength; you must also cultivate your heart. On the path of cultivation, you must press forward without hesitation," Jia He said as he looked at Ya Fei.

Ya Fei nodded. "Mm, I understand. I was just getting too hung up on it."

Then Ya Fei looked at Jia He and asked, "Can I go with you to the border this time?"

Jia He looked at Ya Fei. "What would you do at the border?"

"Cultivating in the clan for the past year has been rather dull. I want to go out and see the world. Since you're heading to the border anyway, I thought I'd go with you," Ya Fei said.

Jia He considered it for a moment. "The border is nothing like the Imperial Capital. The conditions there are harsh."

"I'm not afraid. Didn't you say it yourself? Cultivation is about cultivating the body and the heart. I'll treat it as a round of experience," Ya Fei said firmly, looking at Jia He.

Jia He looked at Ya Fei and nodded. "Fine. In that case, come with us tomorrow."

Ya Fei immediately smiled at his words.

The next day.

Jia He and the others gathered at the Imperial Capital's aerial transport station. Since most of those traveling this time were alchemists and had not reached the Dou Wang realm, they could not form wings from Dou Qi and fly there. Riding flying magical beasts was the best option.

Flying from the Imperial Capital to the northeastern border would take roughly four days.

Magical Beast Mountain Range, Green City.

This was the city attacked by the poison masters of the Cloudrise Empire. Faint dark-red bloodstains could be seen across the city, which was covered in green stone.

A cold wind howled, and the air was thick with the scent of blood.

The enormous flying magical beast circled down over Green City before landing in the central square.

Jia He and the others slowly disembarked from the flying magical beast, while Ya Fei stayed close at Jia He's side.

For this journey, Ya Fei had deliberately changed into a fitted black outfit that allowed for easy movement. She looked both valiant and alluring, and the natural seductiveness on her face could not be concealed by her clothes.

However, after stepping down from the flying magical beast, Ya Fei slightly furrowed her brows.

There was not a single person in the entire city, making it seem exceptionally empty. When the cold wind blew, the nauseating stench of blood made her face turn pale.

The alchemists who had come along also frowned.

Mitchell looked at Jia He and said, "Your Highness, most of the citizens slaughtered in the city have already been burned. A few were rescued, but they are still at death's door."

"Where are the survivors?" Jia He asked.

"They seem to be in Green Mountain Town, not far outside the city," Mitchell said.

"Have them take the antidote pills and head to Green Mountain Town first. We'll take a look around the city," Jia He said.

Mitchell nodded and had two elders lead the Alchemist Association's alchemists toward Green Mountain Town outside the city.

Jia He then led Ya Fei and Mitchell deeper into the city.

Not long after they began walking, the three arrived at a medicinal herb shop.

Jia He clenched his hand, condensing Dou Qi into a palm that seized a medicinal herb from the counter.

The instant the herb came into contact with his Dou Qi, a muffled hiss sounded. Flames surged from Jia He's palm, burning the herb into nothingness!

"As expected, it's highly poisonous," Jia He said calmly.

Mitchell said in alarm, "Has the poison of the Cloudrise Empire's poison masters reached such a terrifying level?"

"This poison likely contaminated the herbs while it was spreading. Killing cultivators at the Da Dou Shi realm would not be a problem," Jia He said.

Ya Fei patted her chest upon hearing this. "Good thing you had me take an antidote pill before we came."

Just then, Jia He suddenly sensed a concealed aura flash past.

"Who's there?" Jia He shot forward, spotting a shadow at a corner.

With a sweep of his sleeve, a streak of Dou Qi instantly burst forth!

Boom! The corner of the wall was blasted apart.

Ripples of Dou Qi sent a black-robed figure flying, smashing it viciously into the wall.

Pfft!

The black-robed person spat out a mouthful of blood and went still.

Jia He walked up to the black-robed figure and pulled back the hood, his expression instantly turning surprised.

Beneath the black robe was an exceptionally beautiful girl. Her pale face carried a fresh, ethereal air.

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Second update!

It's a little late, and I'm too tired. I'll make it up to everyone tomorrow with five extra updates. Don't wait up, my respects!