Early the following morning, Han Feng personally sent Gu Xun'er to the Ancient Saint City.
The Black Submerged Army in the distance was still in full battle array, as if they had never relaxed for hundreds of years.
"I will send you here."
Han Feng said to Gu Xun'er.
"En."
Gu Xun'er nodded gently.
"Mr. Han, will you come to the Gu Clan again?"
"Of course, I will find time to see you."
Han Feng said.
Although Clan Head Gu Yuan politely declined his proposal to join hands against the Soul Clan, since the other party tacitly allowed him to take Gu Xun'er away from the Gu Clan, it meant he did not dislike him.
Gu Xun'er waved to Han Feng and walked towards the Ancient Saint City.
The Black Submerged Army at the city gate had long seen Gu Xun'er. After she approached the city gate, they immediately placed their right hands on their chests and bowed in unison.
The reluctance in Gu Xun'er's eyes slowly converged, and a look of coldness and nobility appeared on her beautiful face.
Han Feng watched her enter the city gate, smiled gently, and the laws of space around his body began to fluctuate. In the next instant, he disappeared from his spot.
Returning to the flying spirit boat, Han Feng directly broke open a spatial wormhole and set the destination to the Northwest Continent.
"Departure."
With an order, the flying spirit boat submerged into the void and began spatial travel.
...
Northwest Continent, Sky Serpent Mansion.
"Remember to cultivate well after returning. Don't neglect the honing of Dou Techniques and Dou Qi because of your pupil technique."
Ye Qingyun urged her daughter, engaging in a parting conversation.
"I know, Mother."
Qing Lin waved goodbye to Han Feng and the others: "Uncle Han, Sister Xian'er, I'm going to the sect then."
Han Feng nodded and said: "The identity of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python is special. Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not release it."
"En."
Qing Lin remembered these words and walked towards the interior of the Sky Serpent Mansion.
"Respectfully welcome the Saintess back to the mansion!"
The members of the Sky Serpent Mansion said respectfully.
Han Feng and the other two stood in the distance watching this scene.
The little girl who followed Ye Qingyun back then had now transformed into the Saintess of a hegemon-level force in the Northwest Continent.
The fate between people is truly not something to be concluded lightly.
"Let's go back too."
Han Feng said to the two women.
Ye Qingyun and Lin Xian'er nodded and followed Han Feng into the void wormhole.
Feng City.
Deep in the bamboo forest, Han Feng cut open the exit of the spatial channel and walked out of the deep void with calm steps.
Behind him, Ye Qingyun and Lin Xian'er followed closely. After the three of them stepped onto the soil of the bamboo forest together, Han Feng waved his hand to close the spatial channel.
"We're home. Go inside and tidy up. I'll go see Teacher."
Han Feng said.
Under soul sensing, Yao Chen indeed had not left Feng City yet.
Han Feng came to the Xiao family and saw Yao Chen sitting in a courtyard. In front of him was a chessboard with black and white pieces all over it, giving a dazzling feeling.
"Teacher."
"You're back."
Yao Chen didn't look up, placing a white piece on the chessboard.
Han Feng walked opposite Yao Chen, picked up a black piece, and placed it next to the white piece.
The master and disciple did not speak further, seriously immersed in the chess game.
It took a full half-hour for this game of chess to come to an end.
"Teacher's skills are still superior."
Han Feng said with a smile.
Yao Chen waved his hand.
"Don't think I didn't see it. You brat were going easy on me."
"I just wanted to try a different way of playing. Didn't expect Teacher to see through it."
The black and white pieces quickly returned to their places, and the chessboard returned to its original appearance.
"Since you are back, it is time for Little Yan and me to set off."
Yao Chen said.
During the time Han Feng was out, Yao Chen chose to stay in Feng City to look after the Black-Corner Region for him.
After all, with a Half-Saint present, it was enough to suppress any incidents.
"Before leaving, I have a gift for Teacher."
"Oh? What is it?"
Han Feng took out a small ball of Demon Saint Essence Blood.
"This is... Essence Blood? What powerful energy!"
Yao Chen looked at the golden liquid in Han Feng's hand and said in surprise.
With his Half-Saint cultivation, he could actually feel the power of this item, which meant the essence blood in front of him was at least at the Dou Saint level.
"You went out for a trip and actually got this kind of treasure again?"
"Just a coincidence."
Han Feng laughed, then stated the origin of the item in his hand in a calm tone.
"Teacher, this is the essence blood of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint."
"Yellow Spring... Yellow Spring Demon Saint?!"
"That's right, it's that one. One of the peak powerhouses closest to Dou God in the recent ancient history of the Dou Qi Continent."
Yao Chen's breathing stopped for half a second.
He didn't know much about that Yellow Spring Demon Saint; after all, he was just a figure written in history books, and the introduction about him was only a few strokes.
But undoubtedly, that was a powerhouse standing at the apex of the continent.
Nine-Star Dou Saint!
"You brat have really good luck!"
Yao Chen couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
How long has he been out? Just went around in a circle and actually got the essence blood of an ancient peak powerhouse?
"Tell the truth, did you know about this thing long ago?"
"Really didn't! The essence blood has always been stored in the inheritance stone tablet of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan. It was just opened by me this time."
"How did it get involved with the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python again?"
Yao Chen was stunned.
Han Feng smiled and told Yao Chen about his general experience this time.
"Hiss..."
After hearing this, Yao Chen unconsciously sucked in a breath of cold air.
"No wonder you were out for so long this time. It turns out you did such an earth-shattering thing."
The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python was one of the three major families in the Beast Region, equivalent to the top forces in the Central Plains, like the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls.
As soon as Han Feng made a move, he precisely controlled the key node, subdued Yao Ming, and then manipulated the entire Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan.
With his own strength, he subverted the regime of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python.
Fortunately, this battle took place in a relatively short time, and all insiders were sealed in the Nether Python Mountain Range, so the influence spread out was limited.
Otherwise, the Beast Region would probably be in great chaos.
"You'd better keep this essence blood for yourself. Whether I break through to Dou Saint or not actually doesn't have that important of an impact on the overall situation."
Han Feng's current strength far exceeded his own.
This could be seen from how easily he pacified the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan.
The opponents he could solve, he could solve by himself. For those he couldn't handle, Yao Chen couldn't be of much help now either.
"That's not how you say it. Teacher breaking through to Dou Saint is very important for the overall situation."
Han Feng laughed: "There are still about ten years in the future before the battle against the Soul Clan begins. But before that, someone is needed to manage the Falling Star Pavilion, expand the power, and enhance the strength."
"I cannot be this person. Teacher, you are the most suitable."
"Why?"
"If I am exposed too early, the Hall of Souls will focus its target on the Falling Star Pavilion."
Han Feng said.
"I will lead the Soul Execution Division to develop in the dark and attract the attention of the Hall of Souls. But on the surface, we still need a Dou Saint to preside over the overall situation."
"Teacher, for this position, only you are competent now."
After all, among other seniors with qualifications, none had the assurance of advancing to Dou Saint within ten years.
Moreover, the work of developing the Falling Star Pavilion and presiding over the overall situation should start as early as possible.
"Alright then. Since you put it this way, if I decline again, it would be a bit hypocritical."
Yao Chen accepted the Demon Saint Essence Blood.
The master and disciple looked at each other and smiled.
"By the way, how did your trip to the Nanli Empire go?"
"Huh?"
"Huh what? In the process you just talked about, this aspect was skipped directly. Tell me, who did you meet?"
A gossipy smile appeared on the corner of Yao Chen's mouth.
"This... just a friend."
"Not as simple as just a friend, right?"
Han Feng smiled helplessly, then sighed with relief and said to Yao Chen.
"Teacher, I haven't started a family or established a career yet. Will I disappoint you?"
"Disappoint is not the word. After all, your future road is still long. Look more, choose more. A Dao companion is a major life event. Even if you are already a Dou Saint, you still cannot choose casually."
A good Dao companion can give you a lot of help on the cultivation path, at least not drag you down.
If the difference in identity, status, and strength between the two is too large, and the stronger side cannot protect the weaker side well, it is very likely to result in tragedy.
Yao Chen recalled his youthful years.
It wasn't that he hadn't liked anyone, but every relationship seemed to end before consummation.
"She is a very formidable woman, and also a very excellent emperor."
Han Feng spoke.
Yao Chen smiled gently.
"Actually the ruler of a country? I remember the Nanli Continent is a unified region. Remarkable."
"She is indeed remarkable. Diligent in governance, humble in accepting advice. At critical moments, she is willing to sacrifice her life for the country, completely lacking that arrogance of an emperor. Of course, there are also domineering parts."
Han Feng remembered Sikong Chan trying to use force on him twice and shook his head with a chuckle.
"As for talent, not worse than me. She is currently in seclusion breaking through to Half-Saint. If successful, the future will be smooth."
Yao Chen listened to Han Feng say these things seriously and patiently. After he stopped, he laughed: "Sounds like a nice girl."
"Does she like you?"
A rare awkward expression appeared on Han Feng's face.
"Probably... she likes me, right?"
Such boastful words are indeed hard to say, especially regarding men and women.
Han Feng criticized silently in his heart.
"You're quite confident, huh?"
Yao Chen teased.
"She is the ruler of a country; what kind of handsome men hasn't she seen?"
Han Feng's looks were indeed not bad, but compared to a top-notch handsome man like Yao Chen, he was still a notch inferior.
"Teacher, isn't a handsome man like you also alone now?"
Yao Chen's body shook slightly, and his face turned visibly red.
"You brat!"
"I am unwilling to look. If you really want an extra mistress, I tell you, it's a matter of minutes!"
"Teacher, don't get excited. But speaking of which, Teacher, you are also quite confident."
"Sigh..."
Yao Chen pretended to hit him, and Han Feng tactfully pretended to dodge.
"Since she likes you, then why are you so conflicted?"
Yao Chen asked.
Han Feng was silent for a moment and did not answer quickly.
"Could it be that she doesn't look good?"
"Quite good-looking."
"Do you have a portrait?"
Han Feng narrowed his eyes and glanced sideways at Yao Chen.
"No."
"Yo, still treating it as a treasure?"
Yao Chen was amused.
"Then what is it because of?"
Han Feng sighed. Actually, he didn't have an answer in his heart either.
Saying to wait until the overall situation was settled and the future was peaceful before considering personal matters was actually just a reason, an excuse.
The real reason had not yet surfaced.
Those who enter the world are destined to seek no original heart.
Thinking back to what the Buddha Venerate said to Han Feng back then, it still seemed correct now.
"If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it."
Yao Chen's expression was somewhat silent, even carrying a bit of seriousness, completely devoid of the casual joking just now.
"In matters of feelings, there is never a forever correct choice."
"If you want to pursue perfection, the final result might be like me, all alone."
Yao Chen's eyes were slightly dazed.
He was reviewing his life, but always felt like something was missing, missing something very important, carrying huge regrets.
"Teacher, do you... also have the same feeling?"
Yao Chen laughed at himself.
"The feeling cannot be the same. Everyone has their own reasons. Just sometimes, maybe even oneself can't see clearly."
"In short, since you can't figure it out, don't overthink it. Work hard on the things at hand."
"As for starting a family and establishing a career as you mentioned, according to the current situation, it does seem a bit early to say."
If the battle against the Soul Clan is won in the future, that would naturally be best.
But if it fails, do we let the loved ones around us die one by one?
Or let children be enslaved by the Soul Clan at an age suitable for venturing out on their own?
From this perspective, Han Feng's resistance to starting a family and establishing a career seemed to have reasons.
But this was an outsider's explanation and could not dissect Han Feng's own heart.
Yao Chen patted Han Feng's shoulder and said nothing more.
The master and disciple stood together in the courtyard, watching the gradually setting sun, enjoying the tranquility of this moment.
"Teacher, I still haven't figured out this problem... Senior Brother!"
Xiao Yan walked in while looking at a scroll, but as soon as he looked up, he saw Han Feng standing next to Yao Chen.
He quickly threw the scroll down and ran towards Han Feng.
"When did Senior Brother come back?"
"Just now."
Yao Chen gently hit Xiao Yan's forehead.
"Making a racket, don't know to knock on the door!"
Xiao Yan touched the bump on his head aggrievedly.
The force was really not light!
"Alright, I'm ready to take Little Yan and set off. Go back and busy yourself with your things."
Yao Chen waved his hand.
"Are we going to the Falling Star Pavilion?"
Xiao Yan's eyes widened, somewhat excited.
Actually, as early as half a month ago, he had agreed with his family and was ready to set off.
But Yao Chen chose to stay in Feng City, saying he was worried, so he waited until now.
"Little Junior Brother, after going to the Falling Star Pavilion, remember to work harder. You also have a Junior Sister whose realm is higher than yours now."
Xiao Yan laughed: "Junior Sister, ah, I remember. It's that small one at the gala."
The corner of Han Feng's mouth twitched slightly.
"Little Junior Brother, when you see Little Junior Sister, you must absolutely not say that."
She will beat you to death.
Mu Qingluan's attitude towards Xiao Yan was already relatively average. If she heard Xiao Yan speak rudely to her again, he would probably have a hard time.
Xiao Yan touched his nose awkwardly.
"I know, Senior Brother."
"Teacher, then I will take my leave."
Han Feng said.
"En."
Yao Chen nodded gently.