After planning the subsequent route for the Soul Execution Division fleet, Han Feng returned to Feng City alone.
The current Soul Execution Division could operate autonomously and did not need him to lead them all the time.
Unless they encountered dangers they couldn't solve, he would not move out.
Feng City Bamboo Forest. As soon as Han Feng returned to the small bamboo building, he heard his disciple's voice coming from outside the courtyard gate.
"Master, you're back."
Lin Xian'er had already come out of seclusion. She was holding some bamboo shoots just dug from the bamboo forest, seemingly preparing for today's dinner.
Han Feng nodded with a smile.
"How was the poison from the Mang Huang Ancient Region?"
"Pretty good. I have successfully refined it."
Lin Xian'er replied. As early as a few days ago, she had successfully refined the poison mist from the Mang Huang Ancient Region. Her Poison Art had advanced further, and her cultivation had also broken through, reaching the realm of a Four-Star Dou Ancestor.
"That's good. I have poison mist with stronger concentration here. I didn't give it to you before. Remember to come and get it after dinner."
Han Feng said.
The poison mist in the Mang Huang Ancient Region was something even Dou Venerate powerhouses had to guard against carefully. Although Lin Xian'er had the Woeful Poison Body, absorbing toxins that were too advanced all at once would also lead to "indigestion".
Hearing that there was stronger poison mist to collect, Lin Xian'er's steps became much lighter.
After eating the dinner made by Lin Xian'er, Han Feng handed the contained poison mist to her.
"After refining this time, you can go out for a walk. Just burying your head in cultivation won't work."
Han Feng said.
"Understood, Master."
Lin Xian'er nodded.
"Master, I heard there is a war on the border of the Black-Corner Region?"
Lin Xian'er asked suddenly.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Um, do you need my help?"
Lin Xian'er said with a smile.
Her Woeful Poison Body was the most suitable slaughtering physique to display on the battlefield.
The poison mist released could defeat opponents on a large scale.
"Do you want to go?"
Han Feng asked back.
If Lin Xian'er wanted to go to the battlefield to temper herself, Han Feng would not stop her.
Lin Xian'er nodded.
The Black-Corner Region was Master's territory. Since others dared to invade, as a disciple, she naturally had the obligation to protect it.
"Alright then. I'll tell the people in the army later. You can just go directly. But remember, stop when you've made your point."
Han Feng reminded her.
Although kindness to the enemy is cruelty to oneself, he didn't want Lin Xian'er's hands to be stained with too much blood.
"I will remember, Master."
Lin Xian'er responded very seriously.
She wasn't a homicidal maniac. Although the reputation of Poison Arts in the cultivation world wasn't great, it still depended on the person using it.
"Is that girl Qing Lin still in seclusion?"
Han Feng asked.
"Yes, she came out once before, saying that the magical beast this time is a bit difficult to deal with and requires more time to tame."
"Oh? It seems this Ancient Heavenly Demon Python has quite some weight."
Before, Qing Lin didn't have so much trouble subduing the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python.
"Maybe the Heavenly Demon Python is more ferocious."
Lin Xian'er said.
She had also seen that demon snake that day; it looked very terrifying.
If she didn't know that Qing Lin could definitely subdue it, she might not have agreed to let Qing Lin take the risk.
Han Feng nodded and didn't say anything more.
Like Lin Xian'er, he was full of confidence in Qing Lin.
With such a heaven-defying means as the Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils, even the most unruly snakes would be subdued properly.
The master and disciple chatted briefly for a few more sentences before returning to their respective rooms to rest.
The next day, Han Feng went to the City Lord's Mansion to handle some affairs, then went to the Xiao Residence and exchanged a few pleasantries with Xiao Zhan.
"Is Yan'er still in the Jia Ma Empire now?"
Xiao Zhan asked somewhat worriedly.
Han Feng smiled and said: "Still there. That kid obtained a powerful Dou Technique and is just using the materials from the Jia Ma Empire's treasury to practice."
The place where Xiao Yan saved the scene happened to be the battlefield where Jia Xingtian was stationed. Afterward, Jia Xingtian warmly entertained Xiao Yan immediately, serving good food and drink, offering good gifts and items, and even arranged a honey trap, with his own granddaughters going into battle personally.
If it weren't for Xiao Yan's high standards for himself, he might have brought a wife back this time.
The princesses of the Jia Ma Empire were someone the Xiao family couldn't climb up to in the past.
But now the identities were completely reversed, and it was Xiao Yan's turn to look down on them.
It wasn't that the two imperial princesses, Yao Ye and Yao Yue, weren't beautiful.
It was just that the status and potential of the two women didn't match the current Xiao Yan.
If there had been affection in the past, it would be fine; he could have helped them out for the sake of old times.
But the key was that there was no affection between them. Xiao Yan rushing to save the Jia Ma Empire from deep water this time actually made the Jia Ma Empire owe Xiao Yan a huge favor.
However, although the honey trap didn't work, Xiao Yan didn't refuse the treasures and unceremoniously took some collections from the royal treasury.
He was now practicing the Flying Dou Technique "Heavenly Goose Nine Row Wings" in the imperial capital, using a pair of flying wings from a Rank 6 magical beast preserved in the royal family.
Han Feng saw Xiao Yan's situation through the puppet and let him do as he pleased.
After hearing Han Feng's words, Xiao Zhan's heart finally settled down.
"This brat doesn't even know to come back and report he's safe."
Xiao Zhan stroked his beard. Although he was scolding with his mouth, the smile on his face betrayed his true emotions.
After learning that Xiao Yan saved Nalan Yanran, the corners of Xiao Zhan's mouth rose unconsciously, feeling much happier overall.
Back then, Nalan Yanran, a junior, came to break the engagement, almost making him unable to step down from the stage.
If an elder had come to break the engagement, Xiao Zhan might have found a reason to agree. After all, at that time, the Xiao family and the Nalan family were indeed not well-matched. If the Nalan family kept their word and the marriage was completed smoothly, it would be the Xiao family's blessing. If they wanted to terminate the engagement, it was also reasonable.
But a junior discussing it with him, what kind of propriety was that?
If he agreed, he would be terminating the agreement made by the two elders back then with a junior; spreading it out would be disrespectful to the ancestors.
If he didn't agree? Hehe, at that time, did the Xiao family have the strength to disagree?
Nalan Yanran handled this matter with too much youthful arrogance, thinking she could solve everything by herself.
This might be a common problem in the growth process of young people, all feeling they have grown up and don't need elders to restrain them.
Thinking they can bear all responsibilities.
Little did she know that a withdrawal of engagement back then would evolve into all the subsequent events.
Thinking of his son, Xiao Zhan laughed again.
Perhaps young people should be arrogant.
I wonder if, after Yan'er saved Nalan Yanran this time, she would feel regret and then fall in love with my son.
Xiao Zhan fantasized.
To be honest, if Nalan Yanran wanted to marry into the Xiao family now, Xiao Zhan wouldn't object.
After all, that girl indeed had extraordinary looks. If Yan'er couldn't control himself, it would be excusable.
But now was different from back then. If Nalan Yanran had married into the Xiao family back then, Xiao Zhan would have felt indebted to her and would consider things from Nalan Yanran's perspective more.
But now, indebted? Hehe, if Yan'er finds a wife in the future, Xiao Zhan will definitely be happy to see it happen.
Han Feng didn't know the beautiful dream in Xiao Zhan's heart. He came here just to report safety for Xiao Yan and check on the Xiao family's situation by the way.
The development of the Xiao family was still very good. Although there were internal conflicts among the Xiao clan disciples before, they were all minor squabbles. Now with Xiao Yan as an outstanding benchmark, the young disciples in the clan began to follow suit.
The general path was as follows:
Work hard in cultivation, complete the assessments in the family, and break through to High-Level Dou Practitioner at least before the coming-of-age ceremony.
Continue to sprint after the coming-of-age ceremony, participate in the recruitment assessment of the Black-Corner Region academies, and strive to be admitted to Canaan College.
Enter Canaan College, finish three years of compulsory courses, complete the graduation tasks assigned by the college, and obtain graduation qualifications.
After that, continue to participate in the Inner Academy assessment competition. Those who can enter the Inner Academy will enter for five years of latent cultivation; those who fail will go home to find a job.
The Inner Academy was basically the highest academic qualification most young people in the Black-Corner Region could pursue.
Students coming out of the Inner Academy were basically at Dou Spirit cultivation. Breaking through to Dou King in the future was almost a certainty.
In recent years, more and more Xiao family disciples were qualified to enter the Inner Academy, which also illustrated from one side that the Xiao family was getting better and better.
Leaving the Xiao Residence, Han Feng strolled in the city, personally inspecting the local sentiment.
Returning this time might really be his last moment of peace here.
The war with the Hall of Souls had already started and couldn't be stopped easily.
Next, Han Feng would go to the Central Plains to preside over the overall situation and gradually carry out the plan against the Soul Clan.
He couldn't determine the specific time, but in his previous life, the first target the Soul Clan attacked was the Spirit Clan among the eight ancient clans.
This was also the next ancient family Han Feng prepared to visit.
However, to persuade the other party, one must possess stronger strength than them.
Four-Star Dou Saint was not enough to defeat the Spirit Clan, which held the name of the eight clans, even if the Spirit Clan was just at the bottom of the eight clans.
Han Feng conservatively estimated that he had to break through to at least Five-Star Dou Saint to be sure of winning.
At dusk, Han Feng returned to the bamboo forest to rest. Qing Lin ran out of her room at this time.
"Uncle Han, you're back."
The charming girl ran to Han Feng and said happily.
"Out of seclusion? Tamed the Heavenly Demon Python?"
Han Feng asked with a smile.
"En."
Qing Lin nodded and shared the details of subduing the Ancient Heavenly Demon Python with Han Feng.
This subjugation was not simple. Although the Ancient Heavenly Demon Python was only at Rank 7, the combat power it erupted could compare to a Rank 8 magical beast.
Qing Lin successfully subduing it was worth praising.
Han Feng patted the little girl's head. Qing Lin closed her eyes, gently rubbing against Han Feng's palm, and emitting a pleasant sound from her mouth.
"Speaking of which, Qing Lin, if you release all the magical beasts you control now, you could probably fight against an ordinary Dou Venerate, right?"
Han Feng said.
Just the Ancient Heavenly Demon Python subdued this time had the power to contend with a Dou Venerate. Plus the previous Nine Serene Deep Ground Python and various other powerful snake magical beasts, although Qing Lin's apparent realm was only Dou Emperor, she actually had combat power at the peak of Dou Ancestor.
If an ordinary Dou Venerate's soul power wasn't up to par, they might really be counter-killed by Qing Lin.
"Don't know. Haven't fought against an expert at the Dou Venerate level."
Qing Lin said.
Actually, she didn't know where her limit was now either.
Anyway, in the Sky Serpent Mansion, among the disciples, no one was her opponent anymore. Even some elders couldn't defeat Qing Lin's magical beasts.
"Then how about going to the battlefield at the border with your Sister Xian'er this time to gain some experience?"
"Battlefield?"
Qing Lin had been in seclusion during this time and wasn't aware that fighting had already broken out on the border of the Black-Corner Region.
"En, the enemy alliance is not small this time; they even found a Dou Venerate to sit in command. At that time, maybe you can test your limits."
Han Feng said.
Qing Lin nodded.
"Then this time, I will properly test the power of a hundred snakes coming out together."
"But Uncle Han, I can't guarantee that I will definitely win."
Qing Lin added subsequently.
After all, it was her first time challenging a Dou Venerate. This was a powerhouse at the level of her teacher. In the past, Qing Lin wouldn't even dare to think about it.
"Don't worry about the consequences. Besides you two, I have arranged other helpers. Just do your best."
Han Feng patted Qing Lin's shoulder to make her relax.
"I'll have someone give you the intelligence on that Dou Venerate later. Now let me tell you briefly."
"Where is your Sister Xian'er?"
Han Feng looked into the house and didn't find Lin Xian'er's aura.
"She went to the city to buy things."
Qing Lin said.
"Alright, then I'll tell you first."
Han Feng nodded.
"That Dou Venerate is the Supreme Elder of the Sky Thunder Sect in the Northwest Continent, titled Sky Thunder Venerate."
"Sky Thunder Sect?"
Qing Lin's eyes lit up.
"I know; Teacher told me about this sect!"
Han Feng smiled: "That saves trouble. True, your teacher should have educated you about some top forces in the Northwest Continent."
"The Sky Thunder Sect is good at using thunder Dou Techniques and can change the surrounding weather. When fighting him, pay attention not to fly too high."
If entering the clouds, the combat power of the Sky Thunder Venerate could rise another level. For a cultivator like Qing Lin whose body defense was lacking, it would be a very dangerous thing.
"En, I'll remember."
Qing Lin nodded.
Actually, she had only heard Gong Wan mention the sect Sky Thunder Sect. Sky Thunder Venerate was a powerhouse who broke through to the Dou Venerate realm decades ago, with extraordinary strength.
But compared to a sect with a long heritage like the Sky Serpent Mansion, the Sky Thunder Sect was still a notch inferior.
The Northwest Continent was vast, but the ranking of powerhouses was limited to the ranks of mid-level Dou Venerates. Super forces like the Sky Serpent Mansion and the Lion Nether Sect could rank in the top three, and their sect masters were all Four-Star Dou Venerates.
The inferior sects were below Three-Star Dou Venerate, concentrated around One or Two Stars.
The peak of the Northwest Continent was equivalent to the level of the Four Pavilions in the Central Plains.
About half an hour later, Lin Xian'er returned to the bamboo forest.
She went out to buy some daily necessities and some materials needed for the trip.
"Master, you came back very early today."
Lin Xian'er said upon seeing Han Feng already in the house.
"Isn't it because you are going to the front line soon, so I had to come back early to explain some things?"
Han Feng looked at his disciple.
"I've already explained some precautions to Qing Lin just now; she will tell you then."
"Ah? Is Qing Lin going too?"
Lin Xian'er asked in surprise.
She thought she was going alone.
"Qing Lin is going this time aiming for the opponent's Dou Venerate. Xian'er, see if you want to intervene then?"
Han Feng said with a smile.
Lin Xian'er blinked, then laughed.
"Since Qing Lin has this intention, then of course I will keep her company."
Wearing the Sky Phoenix Armor, her strength could also clash with a Dou Venerate.