"Didn't you say before that you needed to train in a place rich with wind attributes?"
Hai Bodong stroked his beard and said, "I recently heard about a natural perilous area. It's said to be an endless abyss connected to an extremely yin place, where cold winds rage all year round. Even Dou Emperor experts dare not venture deep into it. I believe it meets your training needs."
"Really?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng's eyes immediately lit up.
With a body as strong as a peak sixth-tier magical beast, ordinary storm forces couldn't harm him, let alone help him complete the fourth transformation of the Nine Transformations of the Swirling Dragon.
If it weren't for Xiao Feng's insufficient cultivation, he would've considered training directly in a spatial storm.
Now that Hai Bodong mentioned a place where even Dou Emperor experts could be harmed by the yin winds, Xiao Feng was naturally very interested.
"Of course it's true. Would I joke with you about something like this?"
As Hai Bodong spoke, he pulled out a map and tossed it to Xiao Feng, saying, "That endless abyss is located within the Izumo Empire and is considered a well-known forbidden land there.
This map was personally drawn by me, detailing the distribution of major cities and powers within the Izumo Empire. The area circled in red marks the location of that endless abyss."
Xiao Feng caught the map Hai Bodong threw, unfolded it, and gave it a quick look before nodding in satisfaction.
Setting aside Hai Bodong's strength, just his map-drawing skills alone would be hard to match even across the entire Jia Ma Empire.
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Hai."
After carefully storing the high-quality map, Xiao Feng first thanked Hai Bodong, then smiled and said, "By the way, I have another favor to ask of you."
"You really don't know how to be polite, do you?"
Hai Bodong couldn't help but laugh and curse, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, just say it."
"I'd like to ask Elder Hai to fully support Sister Ya Fei in taking over as the head of the Mittel family."
Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong's expression changed slightly, and he said, "You've got some nerve, kid, asking to swallow the entire Mittel family in one go!"
Ya Fei was already completely aligned with Xiao Feng. Having her become the head of the Mittel family was akin to handing the entire family over to Xiao Feng as part of her dowry.
"Elder Hai, I'm not someone who disregards the rules. I won't let you work for nothing."
As Xiao Feng finished speaking, he took out a white jade pill bottle and casually tossed it to Hai Bodong, saying, "Inside is an Imperial Extreme Pill—consider it a deposit. Once your cultivation reaches the peak of Dou Emperor, I'll give you a Zong-Breaking Pill."
"..."
Hai Bodong was slightly stunned at first, then quickly changed his tone, saying, "That girl Ya Fei is smart and capable. I also think she's very suitable to be the head of the Mittel family. Under her leadership, the Mittel family will surely reach new heights."
Seeing Ya Fei stunned by this unexpected gift, Xiao Feng laughed and patted her firm backside, saying, "Sister Ya Fei, aren't you going to thank Elder Hai?"
"Thank you for your support, Elder Hai. Ya Fei will not disappoint you."
Snapping out of her shock, Ya Fei quickly bowed to Hai Bodong.
Given Hai Bodong's status within the Mittel family, as long as he supported Ya Fei in becoming the family head, no one else would dare oppose it.
"Mm!"
Looking at Ya Fei's obedient and lovely demeanor, Hai Bodong nodded slightly and said, "Alright, go ahead with your business now. Stop disturbing me while I fish. During the family gathering tonight, I'll publicly announce your succession as the head of the family."
"Elder Hai, we'll take our leave then."
After leaving Hai Bodong, Ya Fei took Xiao Feng to tour her private courtyard.
It had to be said, Ya Fei's delicate jade-like hands were indeed beautiful, especially when she was touching things like dining tables, sofas, bed edges, and kitchen counters.
Since Ya Fei's strength was too weak, Xiao Feng, worried she'd be defenseless in danger, specially gifted her his bio-imperial armament, Esdeath.
Esdeath's strength was comparable to a peak Dou Emperor expert. Unless Yun Shan or a Soul Hall enforcer personally intervened, no one in the Jia Ma Empire could threaten Ya Fei's safety under her protection.
Additionally, Xiao Feng gave Ya Fei two Mo Steel Stone Puppets to serve as visible bodyguards.
With this setup, Esdeath, the true trump card, could remain hidden in the shadows, delivering fatal blows to enemies at critical moments.
...
The Next Morning
Awakened by Ya Fei's sweet morning call, Xiao Feng's mind instantly switched on, and he thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
After satisfying the greedy Ya Fei, Xiao Feng took a bath and changed clothes, cleansing himself of any lingering odors, then used his imperial arm Dimensional Matrix to teleport directly back to the Supreme Alliance headquarters.
At Xiao Feng's command, a few maidservants quickly went to summon Little Fairy Doctor and the others to the dining hall.
Because the Dimensional Matrix allowed long-distance teleportation, Xiao Feng would often return to accompany Little Fairy Doctor and the others for meals or outings whenever he had time during his travels.
Many times, Little Fairy Doctor and the others didn't even realize Xiao Feng had left Black-Corner Region for a journey—they thought he was secluded, crafting items!
After all, it was normal for Xiao Feng to disappear for days while refining puppets and artifacts.
Just as Xiao Feng was, as usual, having breakfast with Little Fairy Doctor and the others, Xiao Xun'er suddenly put down her chopsticks, her face showing reluctance as she said, "Brother Feng, I'm leaving."
"Leaving? Returning to Jia Nan Academy?"
Facing Xiao Feng and the others' confused gazes, Xiao Xun'er shook her head and said, "I'm not going back to Jia Nan Academy, nor to the Xiao family. Elders from my clan have sent someone to bring me back."
(－＂－)
Xiao Feng's sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he said, "Xun'er, if you don't want to go back, then stay. As long as Brother Feng is here, no one can force you to do anything."
Seeing Xiao Feng's protective stance, Xiao Xun'er's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of emotion. She then smiled and shook her head, saying, "Brother Feng, no one is forcing me. I want to go back on my own."
"You want to go back on your own?"
Hearing this, Xiao Feng's confusion deepened.
"Brother Feng, my current strength is too weak. I can't help you at all."
Xiao Xun'er glanced at Little Fairy Doctor, her jade lips parting softly as she said, "I don't want to just stay by your side as a pretty ornament, so I want to return to my clan, use their resources to become stronger, and come back."
(End of Chapter)
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