Chapter 43: Xiao Chen Returns Home
"Master, should I temper my body next with Earth Fiend Qi or with sword qi?"
Cao Youqian, after a brief moment of shock, immediately steered the conversation toward cultivation.
Chu Feng said, "Start with Earth Fiend Qi. Sword qi is too domineering — your body's not ready to handle it yet."
Cao Youqian nodded without arguing, then asked, "But Earth Fiend Qi is hard to find. Master, do you know where to get it?"
Chu Feng paused, then shook his head. "I actually don't. But your great-grandfather does. Tonight, we'll visit him and have him take you to a place where Earth Fiend Qi gathers."
When Cao Youqian heard the words "great-grandfather," a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He lowered his head and asked,
"Master, can't we ask someone else instead?"
Having lived two lifetimes, Chu Feng could easily read what his disciple was thinking.
He smiled and explained, "You still don't understand your great-grandfather's good intentions..."
"Master, are you serious?"
Cao Youqian was stunned after hearing his master's explanation. He had never imagined that his great-grandfather had been silently caring for him all this time.
Chu Feng said, "Why would I lie to you?"
"Then let's go visit Great-grandfather tonight."
Cao Youqian also wanted to see him. After all, among the entire Cao family, the one closest to him was that very same great-grandfather.
Chu Feng said, "Alright. But before that, let's have a little celebration."
"Okay!"
After nightfall—
Chu Feng brought Cao Youqian to the Alchemy Academy to find the Xuanhuo Alchemy King.
"Qian'er, you're here. Come, let your great-grandfather take a look."
Looking at his completely transformed beloved great-grandson, the Xuanhuo Alchemy King was filled with emotion. This kid had finally grown up. Entrusting him to Chu Feng back then was clearly the right decision.
"Great-grandfather."
Seeing his great-grandfather's genuine expression of affection, the gloom in Cao Youqian's heart instantly vanished.
The group quickly sat down for a casual chat.
The Xuanhuo Alchemy King asked, "Xiao Feng, what cultivation resources do you need this time?"
Chu Feng replied, "Da Qian's Five Element Body Tempering has already completed fire, wood, and water. Now he needs Earth Fiend Qi. With your vast knowledge, I'm sure you know where to find some."
The Xuanhuo Alchemy King stroked his beard and said, "I do indeed know of a place where Earth Fiend Qi gathers."
"Qian'er, when do you want to start your training?"
"The sooner, the better. I feel uneasy if I don't cultivate even for a day," Cao Youqian said seriously.
Hearing this, the Xuanhuo Alchemy King couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, you've really impressed me. Alright, I'll take the two of you there tomorrow."
Cao Youqian said, "Great-grandfather, you can just take me. I'd like to use this opportunity to train myself while I'm out."
"Very well."
The Xuanhuo Alchemy King turned his gaze to Chu Feng, wanting to hear his thoughts.
Chu Feng said, "That's perfectly fine."
The Xuanhuo Alchemy King said, "Then Qian'er, you should spend the night reminiscing with your great-grandfather."
"Mm."
Cao Youqian nodded.
Chu Feng stood up, bid the two farewell, and then flew off toward the Miscellaneous Dao Academy.
—
The next day, he woke up as usual around mid-morning.
Looking around at the now-empty Miscellaneous Dao Academy, he suddenly felt a bit unused to the quiet.
"I wonder how Chen'er is doing right now?"
—
The Daliang Kingdom.
A secular nation within the territory of a sacred land.
Because the Daliang Kingdom had no marquis-rank powerhouse guarding it — its strongest being merely a heaven origin realm expert — its ruler had not been granted the title of marquis.
Capital of Daliang.
The King of Daliang personally led the entire court of civil and military officials to the palace gates to welcome a group of esteemed guests arriving from Wendao Academy.
For the Daliang Kingdom, Wendao Academy was an existence far beyond their reach.
Yet none of the officials felt the slightest displeasure at waiting here. On the contrary, excitement was written all over their faces.
After all, Wendao Academy had never before held a disciple recruitment ceremony in the Daliang Kingdom.
In the past, the noble children of Daliang who wished to participate had to travel to the neighboring Wei Kingdom.
After all, the Wei Kingdom's Marquis Wen of Wei was a Nirvana Realm powerhouse, and their suzerain.
Just as the ministers were filled with joy—
Several figures descended from the sky.
The King of Daliang was the first to speak. "We humbly welcome the envoys of Wendao Academy."
The nobles behind him echoed in unison, "We humbly welcome the envoys of Wendao Academy!"
"No need for formalities."
A calm voice responded from the sky.
Only then did everyone raise their heads and see four or five figures descending from above.
The King of Daliang stepped forward and asked, "May I have the honor of knowing your name, Envoy?"
Elder Huang from the Foreign Affairs Institute naturally recognized the man before him — he was the uncle of Junior Brother Xiao. A warm and gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Huang Hong. No need for such courtesy, Your Majesty."
The moment he said this, everyone present was stunned.
None of them had expected that someone from a mighty power like Wendao Academy would speak so courteously to their king.
But the King of Daliang knew his place and did not dare to put on airs in front of this man.
"Envoy, you honor us. I have already prepared a banquet in the palace. Please, come inside."
Elder Huang's gaze fell on Xiao Chen, who stood nearby.
Everyone in the court, having long honed sharp political instincts, immediately noticed that this young man's identity was anything but ordinary.
Among the crowd, only one middle-aged man wore a puzzled expression upon seeing the youth.
The young man felt incredibly familiar to him.
But for the moment, he couldn't quite place why.
Naturally, Xiao Chen sensed the man's gaze.
He looked carefully and recognized him as his father.
But there was not a trace of warmth in Xiao Chen's eyes.
For as long as he could remember, this man — his so-called father — had never looked at him with affection, nor had they shared any meaningful interaction.
Back then, had it not been for his mother's efforts — even offering her dowry — he wouldn't have had the chance to travel to the Wei Kingdom and participate in the Wendao Academy entrance trial.
Without that chance, Xiao Chen would never have achieved what he had today.
Liu Yue'er noticed the change in her senior brother and said, "Uncle Huang, it seems Senior Brother Xiao is a bit tired. We'll skip the palace banquet."
Elder Huang said calmly, "Very well. Find a place to rest first. We'll join you shortly."
He understood well that Xiao Chen's return this time was purely to visit home. Since he was eager, Elder Huang was happy to help make it easier.
"Farewell, Uncle."
Xiao Chen gave a slight bow to Elder Huang, then, under the gaze of all present, flew off with Liu Yue'er toward home.
Elder Huang watched their figures recede into the distance, then turned to the Daliang officials and said,
"I'm also feeling a bit weary. Let's skip today's banquet. Three days from now, the recruitment ceremony will begin in the imperial palace. Just bring your disciples then."
The reason Wendao Academy chose to hold a recruitment ceremony in the Daliang Kingdom—
Was primarily because Xiao Chen, the divine body disciple, was from this land.
Wendao Academy wanted to test the waters and see if there were any other promising seedlings here.
After all, the awakening of divine bodies and bloodlines could be tied to heritage.
Before anyone could reply, Elder Huang turned and left with his disciples, leaving the officials of Daliang standing in the wind, bewildered…
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