Xiao Chen Returned Home

"Master, should I use Qi of Earth Sha for Body Tempering next, or Sword Qi Body Tempering?"

After recovering from his brief shock, Cao Youqian immediately steered the conversation toward cultivation.

Chu Feng said, "Temper your body with Qi of Earth Sha first. Sword Qi is far too overbearing; your little frame can't withstand it yet."

Cao Youqian nodded without objecting, then asked, "But Qi of Earth Sha is hard to find. Master, do you know where I can find any?"

Chu Feng paused, then shook his head. "I really don't know, but your ancestor does. Tonight, we'll pay him a visit and have him take you to find a place where Qi of Earth Sha gathers."

At the mention of his ancestor, a trace of disappointment appeared in Cao Youqian's eyes. He lowered his head and asked:

"Master, can't we ask someone else?"

Having lived two lives, Chu Feng could hardly fail to see what his disciple was thinking.

He smiled and explained, "You brat, even now you still don't understand the painstaking care your ancestor put into this..."

"Master, is that really true?"

After listening to his master's account, Cao Youqian froze on the spot. He had never imagined that his ancestor had secretly cared about him.

Chu Feng said, "Why would I need to lie to you?"

"Then let's visit Ancestor tonight."

Cao Youqian also wanted to see his ancestor. After all, his ancestor was the person closest to him in the entire Cao Clan.

Chu Feng said, "All right, but before that, let's have a little celebration."

"Sure!"

After nightfall.

Chu Feng took Cao Youqian to the Pill Dao Institute and found the Profound Fire Pill King.

"Qian'er, you're here! Come, let Ancestor have a look at you."

Looking at his precious great-grandson, who seemed like a whole new person, the Profound Fire Pill King was filled with emotion. This boy has finally grown up. I was right to entrust him to that brat Chu Feng back then.

"Ancestor."

Seeing his ancestor reveal his true feelings, Cao Youqian felt the gloom in his heart vanish in an instant.

Everyone soon sat down to chat.

The Profound Fire Pill King asked, "Little Feng, what cultivation resources have you come to this old man for this time?"

Chu Feng said, "Daqian has now completed the fire, wood, and water stages of Five Elements Body Forging. He needs Qi of Earth Sha for Body Tempering now. Pill King, you've seen and heard much; surely you know where to find some."

The Profound Fire Pill King stroked his beard. "This old man does know of a place where Qi of Earth Sha gathers."

"Qian'er, when will you start cultivating?"

"Naturally, the sooner the better. These days, if I go a day without cultivating, I feel uncomfortable all over," Cao Youqian said earnestly.

Hearing this, the Profound Fire Pill King couldn't help laughing aloud. "Hahaha, you brat, you really have made this old man see you in a new light. All right, tomorrow I'll take you and your master there."

Cao Youqian said, "Ancestor, you only need to take me. I'd also like to use this chance to gain some experience out in the world."

"All right."

The Profound Fire Pill King turned his gaze to Chu Feng, wanting to hear his opinion.

Chu Feng said, "That's naturally fine."

The Profound Fire Pill King said, "Then, Qian'er, spend tonight catching up with your ancestor."

"Mm."

Cao Youqian nodded.

Chu Feng stood and took his leave of the ancestor and his descendant, then flew toward the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

The next day, he slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up, just as he usually did.

Looking at the empty Miscellaneous Dao Institute, he suddenly found it a little unfamiliar.

"I wonder how Chen'er is doing now?"

The Great Liang Kingdom.

A secular kingdom within the territory of a holy land.

Since the Great Liang Kingdom had no king or marquis holding the fort, and its strongest expert was only at the Dao Integration Realm, its ruler had not been granted the title of marquis.

The capital of the Great Liang Kingdom.

The ruler of the Great Liang Kingdom personally led all the civil and military officials to the palace gates to welcome the honored guests from the Dao-Seeking Academy.

To the Great Liang Kingdom, the Dao-Seeking Academy was an existence far beyond its reach.

None of the officials felt the slightest displeasure at waiting there. Instead, every one of them wore an excited expression.

After all, the Dao-Seeking Academy had never held a disciple recruitment ceremony in their Great Liang Kingdom before.

In the past, disciples of Great Liang's royalty and nobility who wanted to attend a recruitment ceremony had to travel to the neighboring Great Wei Kingdom.

After all, Marquis Wen of Wei was a Nirvana Realm expert, and the Wei Kingdom was the Great Liang Kingdom's suzerain state.

Just as the officials were filled with delight,

Several figures descended from the sky.

The ruler of the Great Liang Kingdom was the first to speak. "We welcome the honored envoys of the Dao-Seeking Academy."

The royalty and nobility behind him followed, calling out in unison, "We welcome the honored envoys of the Dao-Seeking Academy."

"Dispense with the formalities."

A calm voice came from the sky.

Only then did everyone raise their heads to see four or five figures descending from above.

The ruler of the Great Liang Kingdom stepped forward first. "May I ask how I should address you, honored envoy?"

Elder Huang of the External Affairs Institute naturally knew that the man before him was Martial Nephew Xiao's paternal uncle. A smile as warm as a spring breeze appeared on his face.

"Huang Hong. Your Majesty, there's no need for such ceremony."

At those words, everyone present was stunned.

They had not expected a major power like the Dao-Seeking Academy to be so courteous to their ruler.

The ruler of the Great Liang Kingdom, however, knew his own standing and did not dare put on airs before the man.

"You're too kind, honored envoy. I've already prepared a banquet in the palace. Please come inside."

Elder Huang turned his gaze to Xiao Chen, who stood beside him.

Everyone present who had spent years moving among the court had long since cultivated a pair of fiery eyes with golden pupils.

At a glance, they could tell that the young man before them was no ordinary person.

Only one middle-aged man in the crowd looked puzzled when he saw the young man.

The young man gave him a very familiar feeling.

But for the moment, he couldn't put his finger on what was familiar.

Xiao Chen naturally sensed that gaze.

He looked closely and saw that the man was his father.

At the sight of his father, there was not the slightest hint of closeness in Xiao Chen's eyes.

For as long as he could remember, this father of his in name had never given him a second glance, and they had had nothing to do with each other in their daily lives.

Back then, if his mother had not fought hard for him and even put up her dowry, he would not have had the chance to go to Great Wei and take the Dao-Seeking Academy's assessment.

Nor would he, Xiao Chen, have achieved what he had today.

Liu Yue'er noticed that something was amiss with Senior Brother Xiao and said, "Martial Uncle Huang, it seems to me that Eldest Senior Brother is a little tired, so we won't attend the palace banquet."

Elder Huang said calmly, "All right, then find somewhere to rest first. We'll be there shortly."

He knew that Xiao Chen had come back this time to visit home. Since Xiao Chen was eager to return, he, as an elder, was naturally happy to grant him the favor.

"Martial Uncle, we'll take our leave."

Xiao Chen bowed slightly to Elder Huang, then took Liu Yue'er and flew toward his home under everyone's watchful eyes.

Elder Huang watched Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er depart, then turned to the people of the Liang Kingdom and said:

"This old man is a little tired too, so we'll dispense with today's palace banquet. The disciple recruitment ceremony will begin at the palace in three days. You only need to bring the disciples from each family."

The reason the Dao-Seeking Academy was holding a disciple recruitment ceremony in the Liang Kingdom

was chiefly that the Liang Kingdom had produced a Divine Physique disciple like Xiao Chen.

The Dao-Seeking Academy wanted to test the waters here and see whether there were any promising talents.

After all, awakening a Divine Physique also had a certain connection to one's bloodline.

Before anyone could reply, Elder Huang turned and left with the disciples under him, leaving the people of the Liang Kingdom in disarray in the wind...