Meanwhile, at the Feng family residence.
As soon as Feng Huo returned to the Feng family, Feng Lanyue inquired about the assessment. Although Feng Huo was not particularly willing to share, she did not hide the details of the alchemy assessment and truthfully recounted what had happened. She was curious to see how Feng Lanyue would react.
Upon hearing Feng Huo’s account, Feng Lanyue was visibly surprised and exclaimed, “Heimu! It really is him!”
“Do you know him?” Feng Huo asked, somewhat puzzled.
“You don’t need to worry about my affairs. The family head has instructed that we should try to maintain good relations with this person,” Feng Lanyue replied indifferently.
“I… understand,” Feng Huo said, her expression cooling slightly.
“Do you know what the royal family and the Zhou family have been up to recently?” Feng Lanyue then asked.
“The royal family and the Zhou family have been in close contact, but there hasn’t been any significant movement,” Feng Huo answered.
“No movement is for the best!” Feng Lanyue’s expression hardened slightly. Despite her young age, she exuded the demeanor of someone in a position of authority. “Alright, if anything happens, I hope Sister Feng Huo will inform me immediately.”
“Of course,” Feng Huo nodded slightly, then turned and walked out. She paused at the door, thinking to herself, “Hmph, she’s not even the family head yet, and she’s already giving me orders.”
With that, Feng Huo strode away.
Feng Huo’s slight pause did not escape Feng Lanyue’s notice. Her gaze sharpened, and she sighed with a cold tone, “Feng Huo, I know you have issues with me. If it weren’t for your usefulness to the family, the Feng family would never tolerate you!”
Meanwhile, news of Lin Xiao’s situation had also reached Meng Ying, who then relayed it to an elderly man.
This elderly man was a figure from the royal family, the strongest warrior in the Lanlan Empire, a Martial Venerate at the ninth level—Grand Empress Dowager Meng Xi.
With the appearance of a frail old woman, she sat weakly on an ancient wooden chair in a secret chamber within the palace. Her wrinkled lips moved slightly as she spoke:
“The Feng and Chen families are making such a grand show of marrying their heirs. It seems they must have some hidden cards up their sleeves.”
“Our royal family has not produced anyone capable of reaching the Martial Venerate level for many years. As long as I am still here, we can handle the Feng and Chen families. But if I were to pass away, given the ambitions of those two old fellows, the royal family’s position might be in jeopardy!” She shook her head slowly and let out a helpless sigh.
“Grandmother, you will surely live as long as the southern mountains,” Meng Ying said beside her.
“Even a Martial Emperor has a finite lifespan, let alone me. There’s no need to comfort me. I know my situation well. If I cannot break through to the Martial Monarch level, I probably won’t last more than a few years.”
She shook her head and said to Meng Ying, “Therefore, for the royal family to maintain its legacy, we must continuously absorb talent and not become complacent.”
“If this person had not appeared, Ye Yu would have been the best candidate. However, this person’s talent is likely no weaker than Ye Yu’s, if not stronger. If we can win him over, we should do so with all our might. If there are any signs of trouble, we must eliminate him before he rises.”
“Yingying understands!” Meng Ying nodded immediately.
“By the way, how is the progress on the assassination of Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue?” Meng Xi’s slow voice sounded again.
“Since the marriage was announced, Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue have remained within their families, and there has been no opportunity. Moreover, even within their families, both are protected by strong experts in the shadows. It’s very difficult to make a move,” Meng Ying replied somewhat helplessly.
“This is what I expected. Feng Youyu and Chen Wendao would never allow anything to happen to them at this time. Eliminating either of them would be difficult, and doing so would inevitably provoke a counterattack. It’s not the best strategy. Let’s wait and see what the two families’ next moves will be,” Meng Xi said.
“Yes, Grandmother!” Meng Ying nodded.
…
Within the Spirit Controller Alliance, there was a tranquil mountain forest, a place of utter silence, located within the city yet resembling a secluded mountain retreat.
At this moment, a man of peerless beauty, like an immortal descended to earth, stood quietly in a pavilion by a green lake.
This man was none other than the famous Ye Fenghua, the leader of the Spirit Controller Alliance. After several failed attempts to seize spiritual energy over half a year ago, he had been recuperating in the royal city.
Upon hearing Le Zheng Hongmao’s report, Ye Fenghua couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
“It’s been a long time since such a talented spirit controller has appeared,” Ye Fenghua sighed deeply. “Even I, as I am now, would find it difficult to refine tenfold Nine Flame Wood. This Heimu possesses both extraordinary talent and such a unique method. He is no ordinary individual. No matter the cost, we must try to win him over.”
Ye Fenghua had essentially issued an order. Le Zheng Hongmao nodded with a smile. This was why he had informed Ye Fenghua—he too hoped that such a prodigy would join the Spirit Controller Alliance.
However, Ye Yu, who stood with them, was not pleased. He harbored some hostility toward Lin Xiao.
Ye Yu’s reaction naturally caught Ye Fenghua’s attention. He glanced at Ye Yu and said, “Xiao Yu, Heimu will likely be a formidable rival for you. Although the Spirit Controller Alliance wishes to recruit him, I still hope you won’t lose to him.”
“Of course, I also have great confidence in you for this alchemy competition,” Ye Fenghua added.
“Uncle, rest assured. I will not disgrace the Ye family name!” Ye Yu said solemnly, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. His face showed determination, with a hint of anger beneath the surface.
Ye Fenghua nodded slightly and waved his hand. “Good, you may leave now.”
“Then I won’t disturb Uncle and the Vice-Alliance Leader any longer!” Ye Yu turned and left the lakeside pavilion.
“His temperament still needs work,” Ye Fenghua shook his head slightly as he watched Ye Yu leave.
Le Zheng Hongmao nodded in agreement.
While various parties were secretly discussing matters, Lin Xiao and Wen Renliang had already made their way back to their room.
Inside the room, Lin Xiao was not concerned with the discussions. He was indifferent to the fact that his information had been relayed back to others. After all, he was wearing a mask and had altered his aura.
Moreover, he had come to the royal city with the intention of making a big splash.
“Haha, Brother Heimu, you’ve truly brought great honor to our Linshui City branch. I never expected you to have such astonishing talent in refining medicinal herbs. Your alchemy skills must be equally impressive,” Wen Renliang said with a beaming smile, continuously praising Lin Xiao along the way.
“Refining Nine Flame Wood was thanks to the spiritual energy. In the alchemy competition, I’ll do my best to make it into the top ten,” Lin Xiao said indifferently. This was also to reassure Wen Renliang, though his ambitions went far beyond just the top ten.
“I believe you can make it into the top ten!”
Wen Renliang nodded emphatically. Even if it was due to the spiritual energy, refining tenfold Nine Flame Wood was no small feat. Moreover, if Lin Xiao could use spiritual energy to refine tenfold Nine Flame Wood, he could also use it to produce high-grade pills. Wen Renliang now had full confidence in Lin Xiao.
The top ten was within reach!
As he looked at Lin Xiao’s calm expression, Wen Renliang suddenly thought of something and turned to him with a serious expression.
