Xiao Feng did not slow down even after leaving the Flame Spirit Arena.
The noise and whispers that erupted behind him gradually faded as he walked farther away.
His expression remained calm and steady. As if the battle that had just taken place… had never been worth his attention.
By the time he returned to his mansion, the atmosphere around him had completely changed.
The moment Xiao Feng stepped through the courtyard gate, the outside world seemed to be cut off entirely.
The lingering tension, the spreading discussions from the arena—all of it vanished, leaving behind only quiet stillness.
A gentle breeze passed through the courtyard, stirring the leaves of the spirit plants.
Faint strands of spiritual energy flowed steadily through the air, guided by the formations beneath the ground.
Everything here was perfect for cultivation.
Xiao Feng's gaze swept across the courtyard once, but he didn't see Huo Xin or those two inner disciples.
This was not surprising.
Inner disciples each had their own cultivation, responsibilities, and tasks within the sect.
Aside from assigned duties, they would not remain idle within the mansion like servants waiting for orders.
Only the menial disciples stayed behind to manage routine matters. The other inner disciples could be summoned when needed.
Without wasting time, Xiao Feng stepped forward.
As he entered the inner hall, one of the menial disciples immediately noticed his return and hurried over, bowing respectfully.
"Senior Brother."
Xiao Feng nodded slightly, "Call the two inner disciples from Medicine Peak."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
The menial disciple did not ask further questions. He turned and left quickly, moving to carry out the order.
Xiao Feng walked deeper into the hall and sat down calmly.
His posture was relaxed, yet naturally upright, carrying a quiet authority that did not need to be displayed.
The courtyard returned to silence once more.
After a short while, footsteps approached from outside.
The two inner disciples arrived together, entering the hall with respectful expressions. The moment they saw Xiao Feng seated inside, both of them cupped their hands.
"Senior Brother."
Their tone was cautious, yet attentive.
Xiao Feng did not dwell on formalities. His gaze rested on them briefly before he spoke. "Where can I obtain medicinal herbs within the sect?"
The question was simple, direct, and devoid of unnecessary explanation.
The two disciples exchanged a brief glance before one of them stepped forward, his posture straightening slightly as he began to answer.
"Senior Brother, within the sect, there are generally two primary methods to obtain medicinal herbs and related materials," he said in a careful, measured tone.
Xiao Feng remained silent, indicating for him to continue.
"The first method is through the sect's official resource hall," the disciple explained.
"It maintains a complete and stable supply of medicinal herbs, pills, beast materials, and various cultivation resources. The quality is strictly verified, and availability is consistent."
He paused briefly before continuing, choosing his words with care.
"However, all items within the resource hall require contribution points to exchange. The values are fixed by the sect, and there is no room for negotiation.
Because of this, most disciples reserve it for rare materials or large-scale needs. For regular use, it is generally considered inefficient due to the cost."
Xiao Feng's expression did not change, but the option had already been dismissed in his mind.
He didn't have any contribution points, not his careless master tell him how to obtain them.
"The second method is through the internal marketplace," the disciple continued, his tone becoming slightly more natural.
"It is operated by the disciples themselves. Items can be freely bought and sold, including medicinal herbs and other resources. Their prices are not fixed and depend on negotiation between both parties.
Transactions may be conducted using spirit stones, materials, or barter. The sect does not interfere, as long as order is maintained."
Silence followed as the explanation ended.
Xiao Feng lowered his gaze slightly, the decision already formed.
Without another word, he raised his hand and took out a sheet of paper, placing it on the table before him.
Then, picking up a brush, he began to write.
The names of medicinal herbs appeared one after another, aligned neatly in structured rows, forming a list that carried both clarity and intent.
When Xiao Feng finally finished writing, he did not look up as he extended the sheet forward.
"I want to collect these herbs as soon as possible."
The disciple stepped forward quickly and received it with both hands.
"Yes, Senior Brother," he replied, his tone steady, though the respect within it had deepened.
Before the words had fully settled, Xiao Feng raised his hand once more. A storage pouch appeared in his palm, and without any pause, he tossed it toward them.
The disciple caught it instinctively. What he sensed inside was unmistakable—spirit stones, dense with pure spiritual energy, gathered in significant quantity.
Even without counting, the estimate formed instantly.
At least one thousand low-grade spirit stones.
His fingers tightened slightly around the pouch, while the other disciple glanced toward him, understanding immediately from his reaction alone.
Xiao Feng had already prepared everything.
"We understand, Senior Brother," the disciple said again, this time with deeper respect. "We will complete this task as quickly as possible."
Xiao Feng gave a slight nod. "You may go."
The two disciples did not linger. Turning immediately, they left the hall with swift movements.
Silence returned in the courtyard once more.
/
On the other side, Zhou Li and Zhou Yan hurried all the way toward core area of sect without stopping.
The further they ascended, the quieter the surroundings became, and even the flow of spiritual energy in the air grew denser and more refined.
Ordinary disciples rarely stepped into this region, and those who did would instinctively lower their voices, as though fearing to disturb the calm that lingered here.
After a short while, the towering outline of a mountain peak appeared before them.
The mountain stood tall and solitary, its slopes wrapped in faint mist, while the spiritual energy around it flowed in a steady and controlled manner.
Compared to the bustling areas of the inner sect, this place felt far more restrained, yet the faint pressure hidden within that restraint made it clear that this was not a place where one could act freely.
Passing through the entrance of the peak, the two followed the winding stone path upward until they reached the main courtyard at the summit.
Zhou Li slowed his steps slightly as they approached the main hall.
This time, he did not act rashly. Stopping before the closed doors, he raised his hand and knocked.
The sound was not loud, but clear enough to echo within the quiet courtyard.
After knocking, he did not speak further. Instead, he stood there patiently, his earlier agitation already suppressed, his posture returning to composure.
Zhou Yan stood quietly beside him, and didn't dare to interrupt.
A brief silence followed between them, until a voice sounded from within the hall.
"Come in."
The voice was unhurried, calm, carrying a faint ease that made it difficult to discern any emotion within it.
Zhou Li pushed the doors open and stepped inside, with Zhou Yan following behind.
Within the hall, a young man was seated at the main position.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, dressed in simple yet refined robes. His features were sharp and well-defined, his eyes deep and steady, carrying a faint glimmer of intelligence that did not reveal itself fully at first glance.
There was no obvious aura fluctuation around him, yet the more one looked, the more it felt as though his presence was quietly controlling the entire place.
He leaned slightly against the back of his seat, one hand resting loosely on the armrest, his posture relaxed, almost casual.
However, that very ease gave off a different kind of pressure—not oppressive, but subtle, as though everything was already within his grasp.
You have to know that not everyone could take a whole mountain peak as his residence, unless he is a True disciple or Elder.
It could be know that this young man was not simple.
He is Zhou Tian, a True disciple of Heavenly Dao Sect and also elder brother of Zhou Li.
As the two entered, he did not react immediately. Only after a brief moment did he slowly raise his head, his gaze falling on them with calm focus.
His eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary, as if taking in more than what was visible on the surface.
Then, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"What brings the two of you here?" His tone was light, almost conversational, as though they had not come in haste at all.
Despite the ease in his voice, there was an underlying sharpness hidden beneath it, making it difficult to respond carelessly.
Zhou Li cupped his hands. "Big Brother."
Zhou Yan followed, "Senior Brother Zhou."
Zhou Tian gave a slight nod, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest in an unhurried rhythm.