It was night.
A black gale rose outside the Imperial Capital.
It dispersed in the air and quietly infiltrated the city through a special secret method.
The imperial cavalry patrolling at night couldn't detect the enemies hidden in the darkness at all.
"Jie jie jie, so it's a member of the Mittel family who broke through to Dou Ancestor."
Wu Ying searched in the city for a while and quickly obtained the intelligence he wanted.
Originally, he guessed it was someone from the Imperial Family, but he didn't expect it to be the Mittel family.
This business family was well-known in the Jia Ma Empire and had huge influence.
It was just that it was not famous for its military power. The strongest person, Hai Bodong, known as the Ice Emperor, was only a five-star Dou Emperor, far from peak Dou Emperor experts like Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan.
But why was it such a mid-level Dou Emperor who could surpass Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan and successfully break through to Dou Ancestor?
Wu Ying couldn't figure it out.
Even though Yun Shan had broken through now, Wu Ying knew clearly that if it weren't for his help with the secret method, he absolutely couldn't break through.
And now, although Yun Shan has broken through, he has also become his puppet. In comparison, it would be safer not to break through.
"Hai Bodong."
A gloomy voice sounded from Wu Ying's mouth.
He had ignored this person before and didn't even include him in the plan.
"It's getting more and more interesting."
Wu Ying actively came to the front gate of the Mittel family and wandered around. For safety's sake, he didn't enter the family to investigate.
After all, Hai Bodong had broken through to Dou Ancestor. If they fought, although he definitely couldn't beat Wu Ying, he would still be relatively difficult to deal with.
Wu Ying didn't want to expose himself now; he was still waiting to harvest behind the scenes.
On the roof of a high-rise building of the Mittel family, Han Feng and Yao Chen watched the sneaky Wu Ying outside the gate.
"Didn't expect to encounter someone from the Hall of Souls here."
A trace of coldness flashed in Han Feng's eyes.
Yao Chen stroked his non-existent beard and said: "Just a Dou Ancestor. It's not worth taking action now. Let's see who he can lead to."
Han Feng nodded.
Wu Ying, who had no idea he was exposed, was still flying out of the city while letting out strange laughter.
Yao Chen and Han Feng followed leisurely.
Under the nose of a Half-Saint and a nine-revolution peak Dou Venerate, Wu Ying's speed was no different from a snail.
The two saw Wu Ying arrive at the territory of the Misty Cloud Sect, then fly up the mountain until he disappeared into the top of the back mountain.
"The Misty Cloud Sect actually has connections with the Hall of Souls?"
Yao Chen said in surprise.
Could it be that Nalan Yanran and Pill King Gu He, whom they saw at the Alchemist Conference before, are both people from the Hall of Souls?
"Although we can't jump to conclusions yet, the Misty Cloud Sect indeed needs to be investigated."
Han Feng said seriously.
Originally, he just wanted to accompany his Junior Brother through the Three-Year Agreement, then bring everyone back to his side and celebrate the New Year happily.
Regarding the Misty Cloud Sect, he didn't want to bully others or interfere with anything.
But once the Hall of Souls is involved, everything is different.
Now, whether his Junior Brother fights the Three-Year Agreement or not, Han Feng needs to investigate.
Seeing his disciple's serious expression, completely different from the relaxed state a few days ago, Yao Chen knew that the Misty Cloud Sect was in trouble.
Speaking of hatred for the Hall of Souls, Yao Chen felt that even as a victim, he wasn't as intense as Han Feng.
Let alone the Hall of Souls, if he hadn't stopped him, this kid would probably have gone to settle accounts with the Hun Clan.
"Let's go back first. I've already marked him; he can't escape."
Yao Chen said.
Before the Three-Year Agreement begins, it's better not to let the Misty Cloud Sect be judged so quickly.
In case the entire sect is controlled by the Hall of Souls, then there's no point in fighting the Three-Year Agreement.
Han Feng followed Yao Chen's words and didn't take action now.
Anyway, it's just a Dou Ancestor; he can't escape their palms.
Returning to the Mittel family, Han Feng wasn't sleepy at all and practiced Dou Qi all night.
When the sun rose, he went up the mountain to practice boxing, finally suppressing a trace of anxiety in his heart.
Although his current cultivation far exceeds the original plan, the closer he gets to that goal, the more nervous he feels.
Han Feng didn't know how to describe it, but as Yao Chen said, everything can only be taken slowly.
Not only does breaking through to Dou Saint require an opportunity, but the Soul Cutting Plan also needs to wait for the next juncture.
Xiao Yan set off early in the morning to the Nalan Residence for the last day of treatment.
He felt that after today, absorbing the Dou Qi contained in the last bit of Searing Poison from Old Master Nalan, he could successfully break through to three-star Dou Spirit.
Such terrifying speed, ordinary cultivation definitely couldn't compare.
"Mr. Yan Xiao, you are here."
Nalan Yanran stood in front of the gate of her residence, waiting for Xiao Yan's arrival.
After yesterday's treatment, Nalan Jie had woken up this morning and could talk normally with people.
For the entire Nalan family, this was really something worth celebrating.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan simply nodded to Nalan Yanran, his attitude as plain as ever.
Nalan Yanran was also used to Mr. Yan Xiao's attitude towards her. Although she was a little annoyed in her heart, who let the other party be the only one who could cure her grandfather?
Coming to the room deep in the Nalan Residence, Xiao Yan heard a scolding voice coming from inside the door.
Nalan Yanran was slightly embarrassed.
"It's Grandfather lecturing Father. Mainly because Father's actions the day before yesterday were a bit too..."
Xiao Yan shook his head and coughed twice.
Although the scolding inside was fierce, it quieted down instantly after hearing the movement outside.
Hurried footsteps approached the door. Seeing it was Mr. Yan Xiao, Nalan Yanran's father immediately brought him in.
"Father, Mr. Yan Xiao is here. Today's treatment can begin."
"You just look forward to my suffering, don't you!"
Nalan Jie cursed, and at the same time, his body shrank involuntarily.
Hearing the word "treatment," the experience of the past two days really left too deep an impression on him.
"It's Mr. Yan Xiao. This old man hasn't thanked you for saving my life yet."
Seeing Xiao Yan, Nalan Jie's expression immediately became respectful and polite.
He had heard from Yanran that this Mr. Yan Xiao was the champion of this Alchemist Conference, refining a fifth-grade pill unprecedented in the history of the conference, becoming the biggest dark horse in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Most importantly, he also mastered a Heavenly Flame.
Having such a wonder at a young age is enough to show his extraordinary nature.
Xiao Yan's perception of Nalan Jie wasn't great either, but after all, he was a senior and a friend of his grandfather, so he still replied politely.
"Old Master Nalan can prepare. Let's not delay time today and proceed with the final wrap-up."
The corner of Nalan Jie's mouth twitched slightly.
"How about letting me finish breakfast first?"
Drag it out as long as possible.
Nalan Jie hadn't done enough psychological construction yet.
Really, the experience of the previous two days was too painful.
"No need. If you eat, you'll have to spit it out later."
Xiao Yan seemed not to understand the meaning in Nalan Jie's words and said straightforwardly.
"Don't worry, I prepared nutritional liquid for you. You can hold on."
"Father, don't delay Mr. Yan Xiao's time!"
Nalan Yanran's father urged from the side.
Seeing his father so timid, he was anxious for Xiao Yan.
Nalan Jie opened his eyes wide and glared at his son, then sat up with a look of hopelessness.
"Fine, fine, I won't delay time. Mr. Yan Xiao, please begin."
Xiao Yan was not polite at all, going up with a palm strike.
Subsequently, heart-piercing cries of pain rang out in the room.
————————————
Mittel Family.
Some families who had inquired about the exact news visited with gifts one after another.
Hai Bodong breaking through to Dou Ancestor was easy to know for those who paid attention to clues.
The situation in the Imperial Capital was changing quietly.
In Han Feng's room, a set of bright yellow armor was emitting dazzling luster in the flames.
The armor forged with the peak seventh-tier Heavenly Demon Phoenix skeleton had completely taken shape after days of ritual refining.
The gift for Xian'er is ready.
Han Feng smiled slightly and triggered the Nether Poison Fire in his body to confirm Lin Xian'er's situation at this time.
Everything responded well, and no emergencies were encountered.
Every time during regular checks, Han Feng would breathe a sigh of relief.
Although as long as she encountered danger, Han Feng would rush over immediately, knowing she was safe was always gratifying as a teacher.
When Junior Brother's Three-Year Agreement ends, it's time for everyone to gather and celebrate.
Since Han Feng began planning actions against the Hall of Souls, those he had brought with him since childhood had been practicing and growing in their respective territories.
Even Lin Xian'er, whom he separated from last, hadn't been seen for a long time.
Han Feng put away the Heavenly Phoenix Armor and continued preparing gifts for the others.
This busyness took most of the day.
At this time outside the gate of the Mittel family, a carriage drove slowly.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li got off the carriage and were led into the courtyard by people from the Mittel family.
"Fortunately, we made it."
The two came from the distant Rock Desert City, exhausted all the way, and finally arrived in the Imperial Capital before their third brother's Three-Year Agreement.
After learning the news of the arrival of his other two sons, Xiao Zhan immediately came out to welcome them.
"Ding'er, Li'er, you are here!"
"Father!"
Seeing Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li hurried forward.
Over these years, the two brothers had been establishing their own foundation in Rock Desert City, so they rarely went home.
Usually, they communicated by letter, so father and sons meeting was a rare thing.
"Not bad, both are big men now."
Xiao Zhan patted the shoulders of the two and said with gratification.
Back then, when Han Feng sent Xiao Yan to Rock Desert City, he met with the two and left matching cultivation techniques and pills.
Over these years, the two practiced hard and both broke through to Great Dou Master. Their strength was several times stronger than before.
"Where is Third Brother?"
"Him, he is still busy outside. He will be back in the evening."
"The Three-Year Agreement is coming soon. That kid is actually so big-hearted, not sharpening his spear at the last minute, but running outside to wander blindly?"
Xiao Li said.
"Don't underestimate your brother. His current strength is already more powerful than mine."
Also thanks to Han Feng's help, Xiao Zhan was now a cultivator at the Dou Spirit realm, but standing with Xiao Yan, he knew very well who was stronger.
"Oh? It seems that the teaching quality of Jia Nan Academy is quite high."
Big Brother Xiao Ding said with a smile.
Thinking back, the two were actually qualified to study at Jia Nan Academy, but those three years happened to be the time when Xiao Yan's Dou Qi degraded. Because they wanted to fight for a future for Xiao Yan and prevent him from being bullied in the clan, the two agreed and chose to go outside directly to work hard.
Facts proved that the brothers were also very talented.
At this moment, Nalan Residence.
Xiao Yan completed all the treatments for Nalan Jie.
The last wisp of black Dou Qi entangled with Searing Poison was slowly drawn out by Xiao Yan and stored in his body.
The sub-fire of the Fallen Heart Flame operated automatically and began to refine this ball of Dou Qi mixed with a lot of toxins.
"Alright, later refine some pills according to the recuperation prescription and recover slowly."
Xiao Yan got up.
"Can we ask Mr. Yan Xiao to refine pills?"
Nalan Yanran's father asked.
Xiao Yan shook his head.
"I have things to deal with these days. The grade of the prescription is not high. Just find someone yourself to refine it."
"Okay."
Nalan Yanran's father didn't dwell on it too much. He took out a storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.
"Mr. Yan Xiao, although you didn't ask for remuneration, we can't show no appreciation at all."
"This is just the first thank-you gift. If you have any requests later, my Nalan family will do our best to handle them for you!"
Seeing this, Xiao Yan did not refuse this gift again.
Leave early and be done with it. He was too lazy to argue with the other party.
"In that case, I accept it."
Xiao Yan put away the storage ring.
"Yanran, see Mr. Yan Xiao off!"
The two strolled out of the courtyard.
Nalan Yanran looked at Xiao Yan's covered profile, ripples slightly rising in her heart.
Although this person is a bit cold, based on the fact that he saved her grandfather, he looks quite pleasing to the eye.
If Mr. Yan Xiao pursues her at this time, she probably won't refuse, right?
Nalan Yanran thought.
However, such things are ultimately just a girl's reverie.
Xiao Yan didn't say a word of nonsense, walked quickly to the gate, nodded to Nalan Yanran, and walked out.
"Hey!"
Nalan Yanran reached out to stop him, but Xiao Yan had already walked away.
She put down her hand in annoyance, feeling very frustrated inside.
Am I so annoying?
Xiao Yan returned to the Mittel family. As soon as he entered the door, he found his two brothers standing in the courtyard looking at him.
"Father was right. Little Yan has grown up."
Just looking at the appearance, he was very different from the cynical look he used to have.
"Big Brother, Second Brother! Why are you here?"
Xiao Yan took off his mask and said in shock.
In the past few days, no one told him that Big Brother and Second Brother would also come.
"What? Not welcome us?"
Xiao Li stepped forward and punched Xiao Yan.
"Not at all. Just thought you had to manage the mercenary group affairs and might not be able to get away."
"No matter how busy we are, we have to come to your Three-Year Agreement."
Xiao Ding said.
"We promised you back then."
Xiao Yan's eyes became gentle and firm.
So many people came to accompany him.
Winning or losing seems no longer important.
Three-Year Agreement, come on!