After the Breakthrough
The celebration within the secluded cultivation grounds lasted for quite some time.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie's successful breakthrough into the Dou Zong realm was an enormous event for Canaan Academy.
At the same time, the Academy had also witnessed the birth of its youngest and first Seventh-Rank Alchemist.
For the senior elders, this day would undoubtedly be recorded in the Academy's history.
However, the person at the center of all this glory remained quietly seated inside the cultivation chamber.
Xiao Feng did not immediately leave after breaking through.
Instead, he continued sitting cross-legged, calmly consolidating his newly advanced cultivation.
Breaking through was only the beginning.
If one failed to stabilize the new realm, one's foundation could become unstable, affecting future cultivation.
Thus, Xiao Feng patiently circulated his cultivation technique.
The newly condensed Dou Huang Dou Qi flowed through every meridian.
His bones, muscles, organs, and even his soul gradually synchronized with the tremendous increase in strength.
Only after several hours did he slowly stop cultivating.
...
His eyelids trembled slightly.
Then—
They slowly opened.
Golden light flashed across his pupils before disappearing.
A powerful yet perfectly restrained aura surrounded him.
Xiao Feng slowly clenched his fist.
Crack...
The surrounding air immediately exploded with a crisp sound.
Feeling the tremendous power surging through every part of his body, Xiao Feng couldn't help but smile.
"So this is the true strength of a Dou Huang..."
He carefully compared his current strength with his former self.
After a brief moment of calculation, he reached a conclusion.
"If I were to fight my previous Dou King self now..."
"I could probably defeat four of my former selves without much difficulty."
This wasn't arrogance.
It was the enormous gap between the Dou King and Dou Huang realms.
Not only had his Dou Qi increased several times over, but its quality, density, and recovery speed had all undergone a complete transformation.
His physical body had also become much stronger after being tempered by Heavenly Lightning.
Combined with the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, his Peak Mortal Realm Soul, and his numerous Earth Rank Dou Techniques, even ordinary high-star Dou Huangs would have to treat him seriously.
Xiao Feng slowly stood up.
The heavy stone door opened.
Outside the chamber, several familiar figures were already waiting.
Dean Su Qian.
Fire Elder Huo.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie.
Guardian Elder Qian Mu.
The moment they saw Xiao Feng emerge, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
Su Qian laughed heartily.
"Haha! Congratulations, Xiao Feng."
"You've officially stepped into the Dou Huang realm."
Fire Elder Huo nodded proudly.
"Not bad."
"You've surpassed my expectations once again."
Guardian Elder Bai Lie also stepped forward.
"Congratulations."
"You've not only become a Seventh-Rank Alchemist but also a Dou Huang before reaching eighteen ."
"Your future is truly immeasurable."
Guardian Elder Qian Mu stroked his beard with a smile.
"Hahaha!"
"Looks like this old man will have to trouble you again in the future."
"When you become even more skilled..."
"Don't forget to refine another Chaos Purple Breaking Pill for me as well."
The old guardian laughed openly without the slightest embarrassment.
Everyone present burst into laughter.
Xiao Feng cupped his fists respectfully.
"If Elder Qian Mu reaches the bottleneck in the future..."
"I'll naturally refine one for you, just as I did for Elder Bai Lie."
"As long as I have the medicinal ingredients, I won't refuse."
Hearing that promise, Qian Mu laughed even louder.
"Good!"
"I'll remember those words."
Afterward, Xiao Feng turned toward Bai Lie.
He cupped his fists once more.
"Congratulations on successfully advancing to Dou Zong, Elder Bai Lie."
Bai Lie smiled warmly.
"It should be me thanking you."
"Without your medicinal pill..."
"I might never have stepped into this realm."
The old guardian sighed inwardly.
He had spent decades stuck at the peak of the Dou Huang realm.
Yet Xiao Feng had solved the problem with a single medicinal pill.
The difference between ordinary and high-rank alchemists was truly beyond imagination.
After exchanging a few more words, Bai Lie suddenly asked,
"Xiao Feng."
"Now that you've become a Seventh-Rank Alchemist..."
"Is there anything the Academy can do for you?"
The other elders also nodded.
Xiao Feng had contributed too much to Canaan Academy.
If he needed anything, they would naturally try their best to help.
Xiao Feng thought for a moment before answering honestly.
"There is one thing."
"I'll need a considerable amount of Sixth and Seventh-Rank medicinal herbs."
"I want to continue refining high-rank medicinal pills."
"Only through repeated refinement can I steadily improve my alchemy experience."
The smiles on the elders' faces instantly froze.
Silence filled the courtyard.
The four elders exchanged awkward glances.
After quite some time...
Su Qian coughed lightly.
"Ahem..."
"About that..."
Fire Elder Huo rubbed his nose helplessly.
Guardian Elder Bai Lie looked toward the sky as if pretending not to hear.
Guardian Elder Qian Mu awkwardly smiled.
Seeing their expressions, Xiao Feng couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
Su Qian sighed bitterly.
"You should know..."
"Canaan Academy is different from those great factions."
"Our Academy is famous throughout the Dou Qi Continent because it accepts talented students regardless of background."
"We don't aggressively seize territories or exploit resources like the great sects."
"Our income mainly comes from tuition fees, donations, and the Inner Academy's resources."
Fire Elder Huo helplessly added,
"Most of the Academy's wealth is used to cultivate students."
"As for us elders..."
"We're actually rather poor."
Guardian Elder Bai Lie laughed bitterly.
"To be honest..."
"Other than our cultivation..."
"We don't possess many personal treasures."
Guardian Elder Qian Mu nodded in agreement.
"Even the medicinal herbs used for refining my Chaos Purple Breaking Pill..."
"Most of them came from your own collection."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng finally understood.
He couldn't help but smile wryly.
He had almost forgotten.
Unlike the great factions of the Central Plains, Canaan Academy was more like a gigantic educational institution.
Its resources were spread among countless students.
Naturally, even the senior elders weren't particularly wealthy.
Xiao Feng smiled gently.
"I understand."
"I wasn't asking the Academy to empty its treasury."
"If medicinal herbs become available in the future, just let me know."
The elders secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately...
This little monster wasn't planning to strip the Academy's treasury clean.
After a brief silence, Xiao Feng continued,
"Actually..."
"I do have a small favor I would like to ask of all of you."
The four elders immediately became serious.
"Go ahead."
Xiao Feng shook his head.
"Not now."
"It's not the right time yet."
"I'll explain everything in a few days."
"There are still several things I need to confirm first."
He naturally couldn't reveal his plan regarding Yun Shan, the Cloud Mist Sect, and the Hall of Souls just yet.
Only after everything was fully prepared would he explain it to the Academy.
The elders nodded.
Since Xiao Feng didn't wish to speak now, they wouldn't press him further.
Su Qian smiled.
"Whenever you're ready."
"Canaan Academy will support you."
Xiao Feng cupped his fists gratefully.
"Thank you, Dean."
After exchanging a few more words, Xiao Feng suddenly remembered someone.
A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
It had been more than a week since he entered seclusion.
Throughout this time...
He hadn't seen Little Fairy Doctor even once.
Thinking of her worried expression before entering cultivation, he couldn't help but miss her.
Without saying another word, Xiao Feng waved toward the elders.
"Dean."
"Teachers."
"Elders."
"I'll take my leave first."
Fire Elder Huo looked at his disciple's eager expression and immediately understood.
He laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"Go on."
"Don't keep your fiancée waiting."
The other elders also smiled knowingly.
Xiao Feng's ears turned slightly red.
Without another word, he immediately spread his Dou Qi wings.
Whoosh!
His figure shot across the sky like a streak of golden light, disappearing toward Little Fairy Doctor's courtyard.
Watching his departing figure, Su Qian smiled faintly.
"It seems..."
"No matter how monstrous a genius is..."
"He still has someone he longs to see first after leaving seclusion."
The four elders laughed together as Xiao Feng's figure vanished into the distance, eager to reunite with the person he had missed most.
Leaving the cultivation chamber behind, Xiao Feng no longer concealed his speed.
His newly advanced Dou Huang cultivation erupted as a pair of magnificent golden Dou Qi wings spread behind him.
Whoosh!
His figure streaked across the Inner Academy like a golden meteor.
Having visited the Library Pavilion countless times over the past year, every road and shortcut had long been engraved into his memory.
Furthermore, after everything Xiao Feng had contributed to Canaan Academy, no elder questioned his movements anymore.
The heavily guarded Library Pavilion had almost become another home to him.
Not because the Academy had become careless...
But because every elder trusted him completely.
Whether it was his character, loyalty, or countless contributions, Xiao Feng had earned everyone's respect.
If Founder Headmaster Mang Tianchi was excluded...
Then within the entire Canaan Academy, Xiao Feng's contributions were second to none.
He had supplied countless medicinal pills.
Brought back Earth Rank cultivation techniques and Dou Skills.
Helped several elders break through.
Strengthened the Fire Team.
Improved the Academy's overall strength again and again.
To many elders...
He had already become the Academy's greatest hope.
However...
None of those thoughts occupied Xiao Feng's mind.
He had only one destination.
The Fire Team Courtyard.
The place where the people dearest to him were waiting.
Several minutes later...
The familiar courtyard appeared before his eyes.
The fragrance of flowers drifted gently through the air.
Under the ancient trees, everyone had already gathered together.
Standing quietly in the center...
Was the person Xiao Feng had missed the most.
Little Fairy Doctor.
Her snow-white hair fluttered softly in the breeze.
Her beautiful purple-gray eyes reflected gentle warmth.
She was chatting with Qing Lin when she suddenly sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching.
She instinctively turned around.
Before she could react—
A golden figure instantly appeared before her.
Without saying a single word...
Xiao Feng stepped forward and tightly embraced her.
The sudden movement startled everyone.
Little Fairy Doctor's instincts almost caused her Dou Qi to erupt.
However...
The moment she sensed Xiao Feng's familiar heartbeat...
She immediately relaxed.
Instead of resisting...
She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.
She could clearly feel the longing hidden within his embrace.
One week.
To ordinary cultivators, a week was almost nothing.
But after becoming formally engaged...
Even those seven days had felt surprisingly long.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"You've finally come out..."
she whispered softly.
She gently patted Xiao Feng's back while her other hand softly stroked his shoulder.
"There..."
"I'm here."
"You've worked hard."
Feeling her warmth...
Smelling her familiar fragrance...
Only then did Xiao Feng slowly calm down.
For some unknown reason...
After leaving secluded cultivation...
The first person he wanted to see was her.
Nothing else mattered.
Only after several moments did he reluctantly loosen his embrace.
Little Fairy Doctor smiled teasingly.
"So..."
"You missed me that much?"
Xiao Feng scratched his head awkwardly.
"...Yes."
His honest answer immediately caused her smile to become even brighter.
"You fool."
Only then did Xiao Feng finally notice something.
The entire courtyard had become completely silent.
Turning around...
He discovered everyone was staring at them.
Lin Xiuya.
Han Yue.
Bai Cheng.
Jian Yun.
Liu Fei.
Qing Lin.
Zi Yan.
Xiao Qiao Lin.
Every member of the Fire Team was present.
Bai Cheng suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"So this is where Team Leader disappeared to after leaving seclusion!"
Lin Xiuya crossed his arms.
"I've learned something today."
"Our Team Leader can actually ignore everyone else."
Han Yue smiled gracefully.
"The moment you entered the courtyard..."
"You didn't even glance at us."
"You only had eyes for Sister Yi Xian."
Qing Lin covered her mouth while giggling.
"Big Brother ran so fast."
"I've never seen him this anxious before."
Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks became slightly red.
"Everyone..."
"Stop teasing him."
That only made everyone laugh harder.
At that moment—
Zi Yan suddenly sniffed the air.
"Hm?"
She blinked several times.
Then she walked around Xiao Feng once.
She sniffed again.
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at her curiously.
"What are you doing?"
asked Bai Cheng.
Zi Yan ignored him.
She leaned closer to Xiao Feng.
Sniff.
Sniff.
Sniff.
Then her beautiful purple eyes suddenly lit up.
"Stinky Xiao Feng!"
"You smell delicious!"
Silence filled the courtyard.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Xiao Feng looked confused.
"What?"
Zi Yan nodded repeatedly.
"You really do!"
"You smell much nicer than before!"
"It's warm..."
"It feels comfortable..."
"And... very delicious!"
As soon as those words left her mouth...
Everyone subconsciously looked toward Xiao Feng.
Only now did they realize...
There truly was something different.
Although there wasn't any obvious fragrance...
Standing near Xiao Feng gave people an indescribably comfortable feeling.
It felt warm.
Peaceful.
Refreshing.
Almost like standing beside a heavenly treasure overflowing with vitality.
Even Han Yue frowned slightly.
"...Now that Zi Yan mentions it..."
"I can feel it too."
Liu Fei nodded.
"Me too."
"It feels..."
"...pleasant."
Jian Yun inhaled deeply.
"It isn't a smell."
"It's more like..."
"...an aura."
Bai Cheng scratched his head.
"I don't understand."
"But standing beside Team Leader somehow makes me feel relaxed."
Even Little Fairy Doctor blinked in surprise.
She had been too focused on Xiao Feng earlier to notice it.
Now that everyone mentioned it...
She indeed discovered a subtle change.
Xiao Feng himself frowned.
"What?"
"I smell different?"
Zi Yan nodded seriously.
"Very different."
"Before you smelled nice."
"But now..."
"You smell even better."
"I almost want to bite you."
Xiao Feng immediately took two steps backward.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
The courtyard instantly erupted into laughter.
After everyone finally calmed down...
Bai Cheng suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Team Leader."
"What happened during your seclusion?"
"Did everything succeed?"
Everyone immediately became serious.
Even Little Fairy Doctor looked at Xiao Feng curiously.
Xiao Feng smiled.
"It went fairly well."
"I successfully broke through to the Dou Huang realm."
Although everyone had already guessed it...
Hearing Xiao Feng confirm it personally still shocked them.
Lin Xiuya smiled bitterly.
"We finally become Dou Kings..."
"And you've already reached Dou Huang."
Bai Cheng sighed dramatically.
"You're really not planning to leave us any dignity."
Han Yue smiled helplessly.
"It seems catching up to you will only become harder."
Xiao Feng laughed.
"Don't compare yourselves with me."
"That's unfair to yourselves."
Everyone rolled their eyes simultaneously.
"Only you could say something like that."
Xiao Feng then continued,
"There is one more piece of good news."
"I've successfully refined my first Seventh-Rank medicinal pill."
The entire courtyard instantly fell silent.
Everyone froze.
Even Zi Yan stopped chewing the medicinal pill in her hand.
Liu Fei's beautiful eyes widened.
"...Seventh..."
"...Seventh Rank?"
Jian Yun swallowed unconsciously.
"Doesn't that mean..."
"You're already a Seventh-Rank Alchemist?"
Han Yue looked at Xiao Feng in disbelief.
"You succeeded?"
Xiao Feng nodded.
"I refined one successfully."
"But..."
He immediately shook his head.
"I still can't be considered a stable Seventh-Rank Alchemist."
"That refinement succeeded because I entered a rare state of enlightenment."
"I also discovered several mistakes in my previous methods during that state."
"If I refine another Seventh-Rank pill immediately..."
"I can't guarantee success."
"I'll need much more practice."
"I still have a long way to go before every refinement becomes consistent."
Everyone silently looked at Xiao Feng.
Their expressions became even stranger.
Normal alchemists celebrated for years after successfully refining even a single high-rank pill.
Yet Xiao Feng...
Was dissatisfied because he couldn't maintain a one hundred percent success rate.
Bai Cheng finally sighed.
"I suddenly understand."
Lin Xiuya nodded.
"No wonder we're still ordinary geniuses."
"And you're a monster."
Everyone burst into laughter once again.
Before anyone could continue—
"Stinky Xiao Feng!"
Zi Yan suddenly shouted again.
Without warning...
She leaped into the air.
Like a purple flash...
She landed directly on Xiao Feng's back.
"Hmph!"
"You hugged Sister Yi Xian first!"
"Now it's my turn!"
She wrapped her arms around Xiao Feng's neck tightly.
From another person's perspective...
The scene looked surprisingly harmonious.
Little Fairy Doctor stood gracefully beside Xiao Feng.
Zi Yan happily clung to his back.
Both girls had long since lost their childish appearances.
They were gradually maturing into elegant young women.
The warm afternoon sunlight illuminated everyone.
Creating a peaceful scene rarely seen within the cruel Dou Qi Continent.
Meanwhile...
Only two people remained completely unmoved.
Lin Xiuya.
And Bai Cheng.
Lin Xiuya frowned.
"I still don't understand."
"Why does everyone enjoy hugging?"
Bai Cheng nodded seriously.
"I'd rather fight ten battles."
Lin Xiuya looked toward him.
"Training after lunch?"
Bai Cheng grinned.
"Of course."
Seeing the two battle fanatics completely ignore the romantic atmosphere...
Everyone couldn't help but laugh even louder.
The lively courtyard was once again filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine happiness.