Just like that, the plans Xiao Feng had carefully prepared slowly began taking shape.
The growth was not explosive—
But it was steady, stable, and extremely solid.
Within less than a year, the hidden forces under Xiao Feng had already successfully taken over a city in the Black Corner Region.
The city originally belonged to a Peak Dou King powerhouse who controlled several trade routes and underground markets nearby.
However—
Under the combined pressure of Xiao Feng's hidden forces, the transformed magical beasts, and the secretly stationed Dou Zong expert, the opposing faction collapsed surprisingly quickly.
Some surrendered.
Some fled overnight.
And the stubborn ones—
Quietly disappeared.
The newly controlled city was located relatively close to Canaan Academy, making supply transportation and communication extremely convenient.
At the same time—
It was positioned on the opposite side of the Black Corner Region from Maple City, the territory currently controlled by Han Feng.
This was intentional.
Xiao Feng had deliberately avoided expanding too close toward Han Feng's influence.
Not because he feared him—
But because killing Han Feng right now would create too many unnecessary complications.
Sitting inside his study room late at night, Xiao Feng calmly looked at the map before him while tapping his fingers lightly against the table.
In truth—
If he truly wanted to kill Han Feng now, he absolutely could.
With his current forces, secret guards, and preparations, eliminating Han Feng was not impossible.
However—
After killing him, the real problem would begin.
Soul Hall.
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed slightly at the thought.
Han Feng was not someone without backing.
If something went wrong—
Or if Han Feng possessed hidden escape methods—
The consequences afterward would become extremely troublesome.
Even if Xiao Feng successfully killed him, he currently lacked the strength necessary to properly seal and absorb the Sea Heart Flame safely.
And if he requested help from the academy elders or Fire Elder—
Then fire elder would inevitably learn about the existence of the strange flame.
At that point—
Xiao Feng knew himself too well.
He would not be able to stop himself from giving that opportunity to his teacher.
And that would completely disrupt several future plans.
Thinking this far, Xiao Feng slowly sighed.
Currently—
Patience was still more important.
Fortunately, he had already prepared alternatives for Fire Elder.
Previously, Xiao Feng had gifted him the Beast Flame of a Peak Rank 7 Magical Beast—
The Ice Flame Crane.
Its icy blue-white flames were somewhat similar in appearance to Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame.
Although far weaker than an actual Heavenly Flame—
It was still an extremely powerful beast flame.
And the effects were already obvious.
Fire Elder's alchemy abilities had improved significantly.
His pill condensation speed became more stable.
Even the success rate while refining higher-grade medicinal pills had increased noticeably.
Although Fire Elder usually tolerated mistakes calmly—
If he ever encountered an ownerless Heavenly Flame in the future…
Xiao Feng knew clearly—
His teacher absolutely would not give up the opportunity.
Thinking about Heavenly Flames again, Xiao Feng's gaze slowly deepened.
His true goal was still Xiao Yan.
More accurately—
The Flame Mantra.
And the future possibilities behind it.
According to the fragmented inheritance left behind by Beast Venerable—
There existed a theory.
If multiple flames with different properties were fused together properly—
The resulting flame might surpass the limits of ordinary Heavenly Flames entirely.
Especially when combined with powerful beast flames.
If Xiao Yan successfully collected several Heavenly Flames in the future—
Then perhaps Xiao Feng could attempt something unprecedented later.
Even his cultivation technique itself might evolve beyond its current limits.
However—
The more Xiao Feng studied the theory, the more flaws he noticed.
Simply absorbing a trace of a Heavenly Flame might allow someone to gain its attributes temporarily—
But evolving an entire cultivation technique likely required something deeper.
The true essence of the flame.
The natural fire energy surrounding the birthplace of the Heavenly Flame.
The environmental laws and elemental energy accumulated over centuries.
Those things might be the true key.
Which meant—
Even after taking a Heavenly Flame away, the original location itself might still contain massive value.
Thinking of this, Xiao Feng slowly muttered to himself,
"So… if a formation array could preserve the remaining fire essence…"
"…perhaps the energy could still be absorbed afterward."
The more he thought about it—
The more possible it seemed.
His eyes gradually brightened.
If successful—
Then even a Heaven Rank Low-Level cultivation technique might evolve further.
And with the support of his Beast Creation Physique…
Perhaps he truly could reach an unimaginable level in the future.
At minimum—
A Heaven Rank Low-Level technique was already enough to support cultivation toward Mid-Level Dou Saint.
And if his physique continued mutating…
Then even greater possibilities might exist.
Thinking this far, Xiao Feng subconsciously lowered his head and looked at his own hand silently.
Recently—
The changes in his body had become increasingly strange.
According to the records left behind by Beast Venerable, the Beast Creation Physique originally only enhanced affinity toward magical beasts.
Usually, only high-rank magical beasts would instinctively feel closeness toward its owner.
Yet now—
Even ordinary Rank 5 magical beasts reacted strongly toward him.
Some even instinctively submitted themselves near him.
It was completely different from the records.
Not only that—
Xiao Qiao Lin once told him something strange while blushing deeply.
Whenever she kissed him or stayed close to him for long periods—
She felt an unusual warmth and attraction spreading through her bloodline.
Even Xiao Yi Xian had gradually become far more physically affectionate recently.
Meanwhile, Xiao Feng himself noticed his appearance subtly changing every time he advanced in cultivation.
His features became sharper.
His skin smoother.
Even his natural aura grew increasingly attractive unconsciously.
Originally, he was already considered extremely handsome.
Now—
Even some female students inside the academy secretly became flustered merely from seeing him nearby.
At first Xiao Feng thought he was imagining things.
But after repeatedly observing others' reactions—
He realized something truly was changing.
"…Is this a mutation?"
"…Or something else entirely?"
Unfortunately—
The inheritance records contained no answers.
Thus, Xiao Feng temporarily pushed those thoughts aside.
The Central Plains likely possessed more complete ancient records.
Perhaps after arriving there later, he could investigate properly.
For now—
His priorities remained unchanged.
His newly established Yan City was developing extremely smoothly.
To outsiders—
The city's strongest guardian appeared to be only a Six-Star Dou Huang expert.
However secretly—
A genuine Dou Zong powerhouse continuously guarded the city from the shadows.
Combined with Xiao Feng's medicinal pill support, the city's overall strength rose rapidly.
Trade routes slowly stabilized.
Information networks expanded steadily.
And talented recruits continuously joined.
Everything was progressing exactly according to plan.
At the same time—
Xiao Feng also deliberately kept Xiao Ding and Xiao Li occupied with Black Corner Region affairs.
Although he wanted them to encourage and support Xiao Yan emotionally—
He also wanted them to remain physically distant from him for at least two years.
Because Xiao Yan still needed his tempering period.
He needed to suffer.
To experience isolation.
Pressure.
heart tempering
Only then would the future him develop the unshakable will necessary to walk the path ahead.
Thus—
Even without realizing it themselves, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li became increasingly busy with faction affairs, recruitment, intelligence work, and city management.
For at least the next year—
Neither of them would have time to leave the Black Corner Region easily.
And for Xiao Feng—
That was enough for now.
Over the past year, Xiao Feng's strength had advanced rapidly and steadily.
Relying on his terrifying cultivation speed, body tempering methods, soul cultivation, and endless medicinal resources, he had successfully stepped into the 7-Star Dou King realm.
Now, even Xiao Feng himself was beginning to hesitate.
Inside his room, he quietly looked at the jade bottle in his hand while flames flickered gently between his fingers.
Inside the bottle—
Was a medicinal pill capable of pushing him directly toward the Peak Dou King realm.
Xiao Feng softly muttered,
"If I consume this now, I can probably reach Peak Dou King within a short time…"
"But my cultivation speed is already terrifying enough."
"If my foundation becomes unstable, it will affect my future Dou Huang and Dou Zong breakthroughs."
Beside him, Xiao Qiao Lin gently leaned against the window while smiling faintly.
"Young Master is thinking too much again."
"With your body and soul strength, even if you advance quickly, your foundation is still stronger than most people."
Xiao Yi Xian also nodded softly while arranging medicinal herbs nearby.
"Your current control over Dou Qi is already far beyond ordinary Dou Kings."
"Even Elder Qian Mu praised your aura stability before."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng helplessly smiled.
"I know… but some things still need careful planning."
"In a few more days, after I finish stabilizing my current cultivation, I'll take the pill."
Over this period of time—
The entire Inner Academy had undergone enormous changes.
Especially the Fire Faction.
Its reputation had already spread throughout the entire Black-Corner Region.
Many people even secretly believed that the Fire Faction was already stronger than some medium-sized sects.
The main reason—
Was Xiao Feng.
Not only because of his terrifying cultivation and Sixth-Rank Alchemist identity…
But also because of the countless benefits he continuously brought to the academy.
The most famous among them—
Were the Ice-Cold Cleansing Pills.
These medicinal pills ranged from Third to Fifth Rank and possessed an astonishing effect.
Not only could they remove the Fire Poison accumulated from cultivating inside the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower—
They also left almost no medicinal residue inside the body.
The moment these pills appeared, the entire Inner Academy went crazy.
Even elders personally came to request them.
And because Xiao Feng possessed the Spirit Plant Cultivation Technique, combined with the assistance of Fourth and Fifth Rank Magical Beasts—
The growth speed of medicinal herbs inside his garden became frighteningly fast.
Inside the hidden medicinal garden behind his courtyard—
Large amounts of Fourth and Fifth Rank medicinal ingredients were already growing everywhere.
Even some low-level Sixth Rank medicinal plants had begun sprouting successfully.
The dense medicinal fragrance alone could make ordinary cultivators feel refreshed.
However—
What shocked everyone the most was that not a single Magical Beast below the Sixth Rank could detect the existence of those herbs.
After months of experimentation—
Xiao Feng had successfully created a concealment formation specifically for medicinal gardens.
The formation completely sealed the medicinal aura from lower-ranked Magical Beasts.
Only experts like Xiao Qiao Lin could vaguely sense something unusual.
Even Elder Bai Lie once sighed emotionally,
"With this formation alone, Xiao Feng's value already exceeds countless Formation Masters."
Because of the stable supply of medicinal ingredients—
Both the Inner and Outer Academy no longer lacked low-level medicinal herbs.
Countless students benefited greatly from this.
At the same time—
The people around Xiao Feng had also advanced rapidly.
Xiao Yi Xian had already reached the Peak Dou Ling realm.
With her current accumulation, she could break into the Dou King realm anytime she wanted.
However, under Xiao Feng's advice, she continued suppressing her breakthrough to temper her body and soul further.
As for Zi Yan—
She had reached the Peak Dou King level.
Because Xiao Feng continuously refined strange medicinal pills using rare ingredients sent by the Han, Lin, and Liu Clans—
Zi Yan practically treated high-grade pills like snacks.
Sometimes she would directly swallow an entire pill before sleeping for several days.
After waking up—
Her first sentence was always:
"Xiao Feng! I'm hungry again!"
Even Xiao Feng began feeling headaches from the amount of medicinal ingredients she consumed.
Because of these huge amount of helps and resources
xiao feng also placed some profound level fighting and cultivation skill in the inner academy and profound low level ones in the outer academy
because of that The elders of the Academy became extremely grateful toward him because of this achievement and his help.
Some elders had even proposed directly appointing Xiao Feng as an academy elder.
Xiao Feng himself did not mind.
However, Su Qian rejected the proposal immediately.
"He hasn't even graduated yet."
"Wait another year."
"After graduation, he will directly become an Elder and Vice President of the Alchemist Committee."
Hearing this, many elders could only sigh helplessly.
As for Han Yue, Lin Xiuya, Bai Cheng, and Jia Yun—
All four had already reached the Peak Dou Ling realm.
Their cultivation speed shocked countless students.
The main reasons for their rapid growth were obvious:
First—
They cultivated soul techniques and body tempering methods together with Dou Qi.
Second—
They intentionally suppressed their breakthroughs while preparing for the special body tempering opportunity reserved for the Inner Academy's top competition participants.
Xiao Feng fully supported this decision.
Because he already had another plan in mind.
Once their foundations reached perfection—
He intended to let them consume a special medicinal pill capable of further increasing talent and aptitude during their Dou King breakthrough.
As for Qing Lin—
Her progress was even more shocking.
From a weak little girl who had barely entered cultivation—
She had now reached the 8-Star Dou Grand Master realm.
And the terrifying part was—
She mainly cultivated only soul power and body strength.
Her Dou Qi cultivation itself was secondary.
Inside the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, her Dou Qi underwent constant refinement and tempering.
Meanwhile, her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils continued evolving steadily.
Her soul realm had already reached the Peak Middle Mortal Realm.
Xiao Feng estimated that once she stepped into the Dou king realm—
She would naturally break into the Late Mortal Realm.
As for Xiao Feng himself—
His soul strength had already reached the Late Mortal Realm Peak.
He could vaguely sense the threshold of the Spirit Realm.
Perhaps after reaching the Mid or High Dou Huang stage—
He would finally step into the true Spirit Realm.
And once that happened—
His alchemy, formations, soul techniques, and combat ability would all undergo another terrifying transformation.