Advancing on Two Fronts

Two puppets, each the height of an ordinary person, stood silently in the center of the secret chamber.

Their bodies were an unusual dark crimson-gold, as though forged from molten core lava and divine metal from beyond the heavens. Amid their cold, hard metallic textures flowed a faint, flesh-like, eerie sheen, while countless fine red patterns were branded across them—the marks left by the tempering of Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

Their eyes were hollow and black, devoid of any spirit, yet their entire bodies emanated a palpitating pressure powerful enough to make even ordinary Nine-Star Dou Venerables' souls tremble.

Half-Saint Heavenly Demon Puppets!

Using the Half-Saint bodies of Soul Hall's two great Venerables as their foundation, supplemented by the souls of the two Venerables and dozens of rare materials, they had been tempered day and night for forty-nine days. At last, these two perfect killing machines had been created.

"Not bad."

Han Feng circled the two puppets, then reached out and tapped one on the chest, producing a dull metallic clang.

"Even dead, you can still serve my master's sect a little longer."

With a sweep of his sleeve, he stored both puppets in his storage ring. They had many uses. Whether left behind to guard the Sacred City or given to Xiao Yan and the others as bodyguards, they would make excellent trump cards.

After finishing everything, Han Feng stretched. The fatigue from his days of secluded refinement vanished, and he strode out of the secret chamber.

Rather than returning to his residence, he turned and headed straight for the Soul-Gathering Hall where Yao Chen was staying.

Within the Soul-Gathering Hall, pure soul energy had nearly condensed into substance, turning into a faint white mist that slowly drifted through the hall.

Yao Chen's soul body floated at the center of the Soul-Protecting Formation. Nourished by the Nine-Turn Soul-Reviving Pill and an immense amount of soul essence, his solid soul body was almost corporeal. He slowly breathed in and out, absorbing the surrounding soul essence. His aura was several times stronger than before, and he was only one final step away from his peak state.

Sensing Han Feng's aura, Yao Chen slowly opened his eyes, a gentle smile appearing on his aged face.

"Judging by how refreshed you look, those two puppets must have been successfully refined?"

"Of course." Han Feng smiled and sat on an energy-condensed stone stool opposite him. With a flick of his finger, a set of warm jade tea utensils appeared out of thin air. As boiling spiritual spring water was poured in, a crisp fragrance of tea immediately spread through the hall.

"Teacher, I came this time to discuss the arrangements for the future." Han Feng pushed a cup of fragrant tea wreathed in spiritual mist before Yao Chen, his expression losing its usual casualness and gaining a touch of solemnity.

Yao Chen lifted the teacup and lightly rubbed its rim with his fingers, looking at him with interest. "Oh? You brat, you've barely settled down, and you already have another plan?"

"Junior Brother Xiao Yan is now a Dou Master, and his foundation has been thoroughly tempered. But the Flame Mantra he cultivates is still only High Yellow Tier. Its rank is already restricting his cultivation speed." Han Feng said gravely, "Finding a Heavenly Flame for him must be placed on the agenda as soon as possible. After all, only by devouring Heavenly Flames can the Flame Mantra continue evolving."

Yao Chen slowly nodded, deeply agreeing. "You're right. This matter truly can't be delayed any longer."

"That is exactly why I came." Han Feng set down his teacup.

Han Feng looked at Yao Chen, a faint smile curling his lips. "How about you take Xiao Yan, Yaoxin, and Qing Lin to the Tagor Great Desert to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame?"

"Me?" Yao Chen was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised.

"Yes." Han Feng nodded firmly. "When searching for a Heavenly Flame, without an alchemy grandmaster like you there to guide them, they would likely take many unnecessary detours. Besides, the journey is long, so it will be a good chance to temper Xiao Yan and the others."

"As for safety, you needn't worry." Han Feng added, "I'll send orders to Mo Shan and invite the Heavenly Serpent Palace's Grand Elder to accompany them as guards. A One-Star Dou Venerable, a Six-Star Dou Ancestor, and Teacher's current soul power, which is comparable to that of a Dou Venerable—so long as they don't encounter an old monster at the Dou Sheng level, they can roam the entire Northwest Continent without fear."

Yao Chen stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before laughing heartily. "You brat, you've really thought everything through. Fine. It has indeed been a long time since I went out and about. I'll agree to it."

"And what about you?" Yao Chen pressed.

"I'm preparing to go to Holy Pill City."

"Holy Pill City?" Yao Chen raised his brows slightly in surprise.

"That's right." Han Feng explained, "There are two main matters for this trip. First is the matter of reconstructing Teacher's body. I already have a complete Dou Sheng skeleton. All that remains is a supreme medicinal pill capable of perfectly melding the divine soul and physical body. My soul has now reached the Late Heaven Realm, so I can attempt to refine a ninth-tier treasure pill, the Heavenly Soul Saint-Melding Pill. However, many of this pill's core ingredients are exceedingly rare. Even the Sacred City's treasury cannot gather them all. Looking across the continent, perhaps only an alchemist holy land like Holy Pill City might be able to collect them."

"Second," Han Feng continued with a light laugh, "I plan to refine a few more batches of Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pills and prepare one for each of Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Yaoxin as a life-saving trump card. This pill can buy a life in a critical moment. When they go out to gain experience in the future, I'll be able to worry less."

"The ingredients for the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill are manageable, but the most crucial main ingredient—a sixth-tier dragon-type magical beast core from one that died no more than seven days ago—is truly difficult to find. This time, I plan to gather several at once. After thinking it over, only Holy Pill City seems likely to have them."

Yao Chen listened quietly to this detailed plan and fell silent for a moment.

He looked at Han Feng before him, his aged eyes filled with gratification and pride.

After a long while, he nodded heavily and said only one word. "Good."

"We'll do as you say."

The master and disciple exchanged smiles.

With the plan settled, neither of them delayed any longer and immediately went their separate ways.

Yao Chen set off and summoned Xiao Yan, Yaoxin, and Qing Lin to the hall, announcing that they would be going to the Tagor Great Desert to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame and undergo training.

Upon hearing that he could leave to gain experience, and that they would be seeking the legendary Heavenly Flame to temper the Flame Mantra, fierce battle intent immediately ignited in Xiao Yan's eyes. He clenched his fists in excitement.

When Yaoxin and Qing Lin learned that they could travel together with everyone, their little faces were likewise filled with joy and anticipation.

There was also Yan Kong. When Xun'er heard that Xiao Yan was going to the Tagor Great Desert, she said that she wanted to go as well. Yao Chen did not think much of it and agreed.

Meanwhile, Han Feng passed through a spatial wormhole and silently appeared at the Falling Star Pavilion.

Feng Xian was drinking tea in a pavilion. When he saw Han Feng appear, he shook his head helplessly. "You brat, what are you arranging this time? Don't tell me you want to drag me off as cheap labor again?"

"Uncle Feng, I'll be brief." Han Feng got straight to the point. "I'm going out for a while, and it may take some time. I have other arrangements for Mo Shan as well. The Sacred City needs an expert to watch over it."

"So?"

"So, I'd like to ask Uncle Feng to pass along a message and have Iron Sword Venerable guard the Sacred City for a while." Han Feng smiled.

After hearing this, Feng Xian pointed at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "You really are something else. You want someone from the Falling Star Pavilion to guard your Sacred City. Fine, I'll tell him."

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Feng."

After arranging everything, Han Feng solemnly bowed to Feng Xian. With a flash, he vanished, leaving only an afterimage behind.

When he appeared again, he was already high in the sky beyond the Falling Star Pavilion's domain.

"Holy Pill City..." Han Feng murmured. "I hope this trip brings some unexpected gains."

As his voice fell, ripples spread through the space before him.

Han Feng stepped forward, and his figure disappeared into the distorted light.