Over the past few days, winds had risen and clouds had surged across the Jia Ma Empire.
After news spread that Jia Xingtian had broken through to Dou Zong, the atmosphere throughout the imperial capital changed.
The Imperial Family's prestige soared, and the major factions came one after another to offer their congratulations. The mysterious alchemist who had refined the Sect Breaking Pill for Jia Xingtian also became the focus of everyone's discussions.
During this time, the two princesses, Yao Ye and Yao Yue, often visited the Xiao Clan residence. The sisters came every few days, either bringing precious medicinal ingredients or dropping by under all sorts of pretexts.
Lu Changfeng did not turn them away. After all, the Imperial Family had always been sincere, so there was no need for him to push them away.
That day, however, shortly after Yao Yue and Yao Ye left, Xiao Xun'er sat in the courtyard looking at Lu Changfeng, a somewhat reflective expression on her face. "Brother Changfeng, I never imagined your pill-refining abilities were so formidable."
"You actually helped Senior Jia Xingtian, Elder Jia, break through to Dou Zong. I really do see you in a new light."
Hearing this, Lu Changfeng smiled, walked over, and sat beside her. "It was only a Sect Breaking Pill. Nothing worth making a fuss over."
Xiao Xun'er shook her head. "That's no small matter. I know how difficult it is to break through from Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor to Dou Zong."
"To solve with a single pill a problem others couldn't solve in decades-there are hardly more than a handful of people on the entire continent with that kind of ability."
Lu Changfeng reached out and pinched Xiao Xun'er's cheek, his tone teasing. "Are you still worried now? Weren't you always afraid the Gu Clan would come looking for trouble?"
Xiao Xun'er's cheeks flushed slightly when he pinched her face, but what she felt in her heart was genuine. She thought her earlier worries might truly have been unnecessary.
A genius like Brother Changfeng was exceedingly rare even within the Gu Clan: a Seventh-Tier Alchemist in his early twenties who could also refine a special Sixth-Grade Pill like the Sect Breaking Pill.
Moreover, his own strength was unfathomable, and he could subdue a sixth-rank magical beast as his mount. Even among the Gu Clan's younger generation, someone like him would crush everyone.
Thinking of this, Xiao Xun'er felt much more at ease, and the stone that had been hanging over her heart slowly settled.
"I'm not worried anymore. You're so capable, Brother Changfeng. What do I have to worry about? Even if the Gu Clan really does send someone, I believe you can handle it."
Hearing her words and seeing her like this, Lu Changfeng nodded in satisfaction, then reached out and ruffled her hair.
After they chatted for a while, Lu Changfeng stood up, preparing to cultivate. "I'll go inside and meditate for an hour. Get some rest. If anything comes up, we'll talk after I come out."
Shortly after he finished speaking, Xiao Xun'er nodded obediently. "Mm, go ahead, Brother Changfeng. I'll bask in the sun here."
Lu Changfeng then entered his room, closed the door, and sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.
He closed his eyes and began circulating the Innate Dao Art. The Dou Qi within his body flowed rapidly along the art's prescribed pathways, and the surrounding worldly energy began gathering toward him, several times faster than before.
The effects of this Heaven Class cultivation art were truly astonishing. The improvement in his cultivation efficiency was plain to see.
Before long, Lu Changfeng sank into a state of deep cultivation, completely unaware of the world outside.
Not long after he entered his cultivation state, a sound came from outside the courtyard. Xiao Xun'er raised her head and glanced toward the courtyard gate, then heard someone knocking outside.
"May we ask if Lord Lu is home? We are Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong from the Mittel Auction House, here to pay Lord Lu a visit."
Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er stood up and walked behind the courtyard gate, asking through it, "Brother Changfeng is cultivating. What brings you here?"
Mittel Tengshan's voice came from outside. "We've brought some gifts to thank Lord Lu and would like to pay our respects in person."
"Since Lord Lu is cultivating, we'll wait outside until he finishes."
After he finished speaking, Xiao Xun'er thought for a moment before opening the courtyard gate.
Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong stood outside, with several attendants behind them holding gift boxes of various sizes.
When the two saw Xiao Xun'er open the gate, they hurriedly cupped their hands politely. "You must be Miss Xiao? Forgive our intrusion."
Xiao Xun'er nodded. "Please come in, both of you. But Brother Changfeng really is cultivating, so you'll have to wait a while."
Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong repeatedly voiced their agreement, then stepped carefully into the courtyard.
After finding somewhere to sit, they instinctively glanced toward Lu Changfeng's room. Its door was tightly shut, and not a sound came from within.
Hai Bodong could not help lowering his voice to ask, "Miss Xiao, does Lord Lu prefer quiet while cultivating? We won't disturb him, will we?"
Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er shook her head. "It's all right. Just stay quiet."
Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong immediately nodded, sitting in the courtyard without even daring to breathe loudly.
The attendants placed the gifts in a corner of the courtyard, then withdrew and waited dutifully outside. Xiao Xun'er returned to the stone stool and sat down. Seeing how cautious the two men were, she found it somewhat amusing.
Still, she said nothing more and merely sat quietly, waiting for Lu Changfeng to come out. Soon, Mittel Tengshan and Hai Bodong exchanged a glance, each seeing the same thought in the other's eyes.
Since Lord Lu is cultivating, we should just wait patiently. We came to thank him today anyway, so it doesn't matter how long we wait.
The courtyard was quiet, with scarcely a sound to be heard.
Xiao Xun'er then poured a cup of tea and sipped it slowly, wondering what expression Brother Changfeng would wear when he came out and saw these two. Inside the room, Lu Changfeng remained immersed in cultivation, completely unaware of what had happened outside.
The circulation of the Innate Dao Art grew ever smoother. Worldly energy poured endlessly into his body, and his strength advanced bit by bit toward a higher level.
Time ticked by, and the three people in the courtyard waited quietly.
Neither Mittel Tengshan nor Hai Bodong showed the slightest impatience. Instead, they felt that even being able to wait here was an honor.
After all, if they could establish a relationship with a Seventh-Tier Alchemist, any amount of waiting would be worthwhile.