Above the azure sky, a gigantic griffin flapped its wings, soaring towards the distant horizon.
If one had keen eyesight, they would be astonished to discover that atop this untamed king of the skies, a figure stood with his hands behind his back, and the griffin showed no sign of resistance—truly unbelievable.
This handsome figure was none other than Lin Feng. Standing atop the griffin, gazing at the distant, faintly visible imperial capital, he couldn't help but feel a touch of homesickness.
"I wonder if Little Fairy Doctor will blame me for training for so long?"
A faint thought stirred within him. Lin Feng patted the glittering dance beneath his feet, and the king of the skies, receiving the signal, suddenly spread its wings, its speed increasing dramatically, leaving a black afterimage in the sky.
In the capital of Gama, within a market area in front of the Alchemist Guild, Lin Feng passed through.
People frequently recognized him as the most renowned genius alchemist in the Gama Empire, and the youngest elder of the Alchemist Guild. However, just as someone was about to step forward to make an acquaintance, their friend swiftly pulled them back.
Seeing their utterly bewildered expression, the friend quickly explained, "You idiot, didn't you see how hurried the Alchemist is, and how anxious he is?"
But this fellow truly was an idiot, still completely oblivious. Fortunately, Lin Feng had already moved forward, and his companion didn't say anything more.
Of course, in this bustling market, there were always some lone individuals, not very perceptive, who approached Lin Feng and greeted him.
"Lord Lin Feng, I am..." A fat, richly dressed middle-aged man swaggered forward, beaming at Lin Feng. He seemed to already envision Lin Feng's polite response, followed by drinks and conversation, and then Lin Feng concocting pills for him as their friendship deepened.
However, a polite voice suddenly rang in his ears, pulling him back from his reverie.
"Sir, I have urgent business today. If you need anything, please make an appointment at the Alchemist Guild!"
Lin Feng, while not giving this clueless fellow a hard time, didn't waste any more words. After leaving with a polite remark, he ignored him and continued walking towards his residence in the capital.
Watching Lin Feng leave without stopping, the smile on the fat, middle-aged man's face froze, and he stood there dumbfounded, unsure what to do.
The man who had been drumming earlier finally reacted, quickly thanking his friend profusely.
The man didn't seem to mind, simply waving his hand and muttering things like "it's what a friend should do." Until the man who had been drumming uttered a vague phrase containing something like "foot wash" or "full service."
The man, his previous indifference vanished instantly, his face flushed with excitement. He said nothing more than "no ceremony," and dragged the bewildered man in an unknown direction, causing the man who had just cleared his head to be bewildered again.
The other passersby, hearing this, exchanged knowing glances, then pretended nothing was amiss.
Ignoring the cryptic chatter, Lin Feng finally made his way through the crowd after walking for a while, finally stopping in front of a courtyard.
"Lin Residence!"
Looking at the familiar plaque, Lin Feng pushed open the door and entered. The familiar corridors, bamboo groves, and pavilions came into view.
Back home, Lin Feng's hurried pace slowed. Although he still couldn't suppress his longing for Little Fairy Doctor, he wasn't in a rush.
Walking along the familiar corridors, occasionally glancing at the rustling bamboo leaves in the wind, Lin Feng couldn't help but recall the leisurely chat he had with Little Fairy Doctor Qinglin here more than four months ago.
Although he vaguely remembered some of the memories, his steps didn't falter. After rounding another corner, Lin Feng heard two cheerful girl voices.
One was somewhat familiar, clearly Little Fairy Doctor's voice, while the other was somewhat unfamiliar, and a hint of doubt flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.
"Alright! I'll go in and see for myself."
He deliberately made some noise with his footsteps, startling the two people chatting happily inside.
"Brother Lin Feng!?"
Little Fairy Doctor's voice came with a hint of surprise, seemingly tinged with disbelief.
"Fairy."
He ran to open the door, and sure enough, the person he had been longing for appeared before him. Little Fairy Doctor was stunned for a moment, standing there unsure of what to do.
"Fairy."
Seeing Xian'er's state, Lin Feng called out softly again, took a few steps forward, and gently embraced the bewildered Little Fairy Doctor.
"Brother Lin Feng... I..."
After nestling in Lin Feng's arms for a while, Little Fairy Doctor looked up, her eyes red and swollen, her appearance fragile and pitiful.
He reached out and smoothed the messy strands of hair on her forehead, then gently kissed it.
"Xian'er, I'm sorry for making you worry."
Lin Feng's voice carried a hint of guilt. If Lin Feng were strong enough, he wouldn't have had to leave Little Fairy Doctor alone in the capital. Even Qing Lin wouldn't have been forced to leave.
"Brother Lin Feng, don't say that," Little Fairy Doctor gently covered Lin Feng's mouth, "Brother Lin Feng has already tried his best. We are still young, and we will surely be the center of attention in the future."
Looking at the comforting Little Fairy Doctor, Lin Feng felt a surge of warmth in his heart. This was the person he was willing to fight desperately to protect.
"Ah," Little Fairy Doctor blushed, seemingly remembering something, and quickly got up from Lin Feng's arms. She pulled Lin Feng to the red-clad figure who had been watching, and introduced her.
"Brother Lin Feng, this is Sister Ya Fei, you've met her before." Without waiting for Lin Feng to ask why Ya Fei was there, Little Fairy Doctor explained.
"After Brother Lin Feng went on his training, I also entered seclusion. But four months alone can be boring. Sister Ya Fei happened to visit, and we became friends."
Little Fairy Doctor, who had been talking non-stop, calmed down and then, as if remembering something, looked at Lin Feng expectantly.
"Brother Lin Feng, guess what realm I've reached now?"
Seeing Little Fairy Doctor's eager expression, Lin Feng couldn't help but smile. He hoped she would always be so happy. Although this woman possessed a physique that most people dreamed of, this physique had ultimately brought her much suffering.
Even if Lin Feng hadn't obtained the Five Elements Sealing Technique, she had planned to cherish the time she spent with Lin Feng and Qing Lin, and secretly leave when the Calamity Poison Body was about to erupt.
"Then can our little princess tell me what realm you are in now?"
"Brother Lin Feng," she said coquettishly, her face slightly flushed. After calming down for a while, she said mysteriously to Lin Feng, "I'm already a three-star Dou Shi!"
Looking at the proud Little Fairy Doctor, Lin Feng smiled gently. It was rare to see Little Fairy Doctor like this. All along, she had been a quiet observer, watching him and Qing Lin play around, occasionally smiling softly.
Lin Feng had sensed her Dou Qi realm before entering the room, and also sensed her Five Elements Sealing Technique. It was still very stable, which was one of the reasons why Lin Feng was so happy.
"Ahem,"
just as Lin Feng and Little Fairy Doctor were interacting as if no one else was around, Ya Fei seemed to have a sore throat and coughed lightly.
Startled from their sweet nothings, the two realized there was someone else beside them. They exchanged an awkward glance and then smiled at each other.
Seeing that the young couple seemed about to lose themselves in their own world again, Yafei quickly spoke up, pulling them back to reality.
"Mr. Lin Feng, I am Yafei from the Mittel family. I met you at the celebration banquet that night, but I wonder if you remember me?"
Looking at the respectful Yafei, Lin Feng waved his hand. "No need to be so polite. It's rare for Little Fairy Doctor to have a friend by her side. You can just call me Lin Feng from now on."
"Mr. Lin Feng is indeed gentle, but I cannot be disrespectful." Seeing Yafei covering her mouth and chuckling, still softly addressing him as Mr. Lin Feng, Lin Feng knew that she was just feeling restrained by his identity as an elder of the Alchemist Guild.
Lin Feng didn't mind too much and then told the two about his experiences in the Monster Mountain Range.
Of course, he only told them the pleasant parts, and he didn't reveal any confidential matters.
"Speaking of the Monster Mountain Range, there's only one monkey and one pig."