Early the next morning, after finishing breakfast, Han Feng set out again. He first went to the Miteer Auction House to buy some supplies and also intended to pay for the Heaven Origin Flowers.
"Mr. Han, you're back!"
Supervisor Gaton immediately came out to greet him.
"Supervisor Gaton, were you the one who delivered the Heaven Origin Flowers?"
"Yes, it was me. After Lady Ai Lin had the items delivered to our Desert City branch, I immediately transferred them to your residence."
Han Feng took out a card.
"Then let's settle the payment."
"This..." Supervisor Gaton gave a wry smile. "Lady Ai Lin didn't tell me how much it cost."
Han Feng was taken aback, then helplessly put his gold card away.
"Alright then, I'll go see her in person when the time comes."
"By the way, Mr. Han, we already have a lead on those medicinal ingredients you requested," Supervisor Gaton said.
"So soon?" Han Feng was surprised. It hadn't even been a month.
"Haha..." Supervisor Gaton said, a little embarrassed, "Actually, when I was using my family connections to find the ingredients, Lady Ai Lin found out. Then she also started to help. We just received news the day before yesterday, saying to ask you to wait another two days, and the ingredients will be delivered to Desert City soon."
Han Feng smiled and shook his head. "That woman..."
He hadn't paid a single cent, yet her service was so impeccable.
The next time they met, he would have to thank her properly.
Originally, their relationship was a simple monetary transaction, but since she didn't want money and even increased her investment, Han Feng couldn't be too stingy either.
Leaving the Miteer Auction House, Han Feng went for a stroll in the commercial street and bought some things to take home.
The ingredients would arrive in a few days, so there was no need for him to rush out. He would wait until he had refined the sixth-grade pill, then find and subdue the Green Lotus Core Flame in one go.
When Han Feng returned home, Ye Qingyun was washing the pots and bowls.
"Master?"
Seeing Han Feng return, Ye Qingyun was surprised. She put down the bowl in her hand, wiped her hands clean, and went to help Han Feng carry his things.
"Didn't you already leave?"
Han Feng put down the things he had bought and said, "Something came up unexpectedly. I'll leave after I'm done."
"Look, I bought these for you."
It was the first time he had bought something for his little maid, and he didn't know if she would like it.
But seeing Ye Qingyun's surprised expression, Han Feng smiled.
"I'll go back to my room first. You should also seize the time to cultivate. While I'm here for these two days, feel free to ask if you don't understand anything."
"Okay, thank you, Master," Ye Qingyun called out to Han Feng, her voice now carrying a bit more intimacy and a little less awe.
———
The days at home were very peaceful. The four of them had a very regular daily routine.
Han Feng wanted to take the family out for fun, but Ye Qingyun was still a bit timid.
Even though she had found a new spiritual anchor, the shadow of Desert City still loomed large in her heart.
Every day when she went out to buy groceries, she had to wear a headscarf, covering her beautiful face and long green hair tightly before she would go out.
Seeing this, Han Feng didn't force her, only saying that after he was done with his business, he would take them to visit other cities.
He could well understand that everyone had their own difficulties.
Let alone Ye Qingyun, wasn't he himself still afraid to return to the Falling Star Pavilion?
Such things could only be slowly mended by time.
On this day, as Han Feng was eating the delicious breakfast Ye Qingyun had made as usual, a visitor arrived at the main gate.
"Mr. Han, Mr. Han!"
Miteer Gaton shouted from outside the gate, his voice tinged with a hint of flattery.
"Coming."
Ye Qingyun took the initiative to run and open the door. Han Feng did not remain seated either but went out to greet them together.
"Supervisor Gaton, why are you so early today..."
After opening the door, Han Feng's words trailed off.
Next to Supervisor Gaton stood a woman with a graceful demeanor. She was dressed in a large red cheongsam with gold patterns, her golden hair tied up in a bun. Her eyes revealed a bewitching and moving expression.
"Lady Ai Lin?"
"Mr. Han, Ai Lin has taken the liberty of coming here today. I apologize for the disturbance."
Miteer Ai Lin curtsied to Han Feng, then glanced at Ye Qingyun and nodded with a smile.
"What disturbance? Please come in quickly."
Han Feng said, at the same time asking Ye Qingyun to prepare tea.
Seeing Ye Qingyun walk away, Ai Lin teased, "It's only been a few days, and Mr. Han already has such a beautiful lady by his side to add fragrance to his red sleeves. It's truly enviable."
"For Lady Ai Lin to grace us with her presence today is what makes others envious."
"Mr. Han can just call me Ai Lin."
The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked into the side room.
Ye Qingyun brought the freshly brewed tea, served it to the two of them, and then took the initiative to close the door and leave.
After taking a sip of hot tea, Han Feng and Ai Lin got down to business.
"Mr. Han, here are the ingredients you requested. I have prepared two portions of the common ones. As for the rare ones, I have only managed to get one portion for now. If you need more, I will go and prepare them again."
Han Feng took the storage ring, scanned it with his soul power to confirm that everything was in order, and then took out his gold card.
"I've really troubled you this time. Just deduct the amount from this."
"Mr. Han," Ai Lin suddenly said with a hint of grievance, "Are you being so polite because you look down on Ai Lin?"
"Business is business," Han Feng said seriously.
"Alright then."
Seeing Han Feng's firm attitude, Ai Lin had no choice but to take the gold card.
"Your arrival this time was a bit sudden. I was originally planning to prepare a gift to thank you," Han Feng said with a smile.
Ai Lin's originally somewhat dejected mood was instantly filled with pleasant surprise. She curved her lips and looked at Han Feng.
"I am looking forward to your gift, Mr. Han."
"However, please don't decide not to prepare it just because I came this time, Mr. Han."
Han Feng laughed.
"Don't worry. After I'm done with what I'm doing, I will definitely prepare a proper thank-you gift."
After their conversation ended, the two walked out of the side room.
Ai Lin did not disturb Han Feng any further but said that she would be in Desert City for the next few days and that he could find her if he needed anything.
After seeing Ai Lin off, Han Feng said to Ye Qingyun, "I'm going into seclusion to refine pills next. You don't need to worry about me."
"Yes, Master."
Walking into the seclusion chamber, Han Feng closed the main door.
The Myriad Beasts Cauldron flew out from the Ethereal Sea Storage Ring and landed steadily in the center of the secret chamber.
Taking out the storage ring Ai Lin had given him, Han Feng raised his hand, and the precious medicinal ingredients flew out one by one, suspended in the air in a row.
Han Feng ignited the Sea Heart Flame, and the water-like flames burned fiercely under the Myriad Beasts Cauldron.
The pill he was about to refine was called the "Guiyuan Vein Condensing Pill." It was a sixth-grade pill. Its effect was to condense special origin veins in the body, which not only protected the fragile meridians but also increased the efficiency of Dou Qi circulation in the body.
What Han Feng valued was the origin veins of this Guiyuan Vein Condensing Pill.
Having refined a Heavenly Flame before, Han Feng knew very well that the real danger was not capturing the Heavenly Flame, but swallowing this thing that contained terrifying energy and fighting it inside his body.
This was equivalent to exposing his most vulnerable parts to the Heavenly Flame.
Therefore, condensing origin veins and increasing the strength of the meridians in his body was very important.
Han Feng had long since memorized the formula for the Guiyuan Vein Condensing Pill. He sat down cross-legged, threw the first herb into the cauldron, and began to refine it.
Two days passed in a flash. In the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, a multicolored embryonic pill was slowly rotating.
Han Feng formed a seal with his hands.
"Condense!"
A massive amount of soul power surged into the Myriad Beasts Cauldron. The embryonic pill trembled violently, and the Sea Heart Flame surged up like a wave, enveloping the embryonic pill.
The entire secret chamber was filled with blue firelight. Han Feng clashed his palms together.
Buzz!
The embryonic pill was tempered to its limit and suddenly erupted with a yellow light.
A powerful energy ripple spread wildly in all directions. Fortunately, Han Feng had set up a barrier in the secret chamber beforehand. The energy hit the barrier in waves, causing no major damage to the outside world.
At this time, dark clouds had slowly gathered in the sky.
Han Feng's eyes suddenly opened, and he raised his palms to the sky.
"Pill release!"
Boom!
A pillar of yellow energy shot up into the sky, echoing the phenomenon in the heavens.
In Desert City, everyone was attracted by this strange phenomenon. They all exclaimed in amazement, wondering what was happening.
Some discerning people had already begun to have people investigate.
At the Miteer Auction House, Ai Lin stood on the roof, gazing at the pillar of yellow energy that shot up into the clouds, her eyes a little dazed.
"A phenomenon of heaven and earth, a sixth-grade alchemist..."
Even though she had repeatedly overestimated Han Feng's identity, he had still given her a big surprise today.
A sixth-grade alchemist!
A level that no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire could reach!
Even Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Guild, could only sigh in admiration.
In front of Han Feng's private courtyard, Supervisor Gaton ran panting to the vicinity. When he personally confirmed that the pillar of energy was coming from inside, he directly staggered and fell to the ground.
Goodness, he actually had the chance to see a sixth-grade alchemist in his lifetime.
Remembering his previous conversation with Han Feng, his humble attitude, his gentle words... Supervisor Gaton felt as if he were having a cranial orgasm. His chest heaved, and the expression on his face could only be described as fanatical.
He had to seize this opportunity to latch onto this big shot, and he wouldn't let go even if he died!
The city lord of Desert City was a veteran Dou Spirit.
He looked in the direction of Han Feng's private courtyard, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Who is this sacred person?"
As a warrior guarding the border of the empire, he would naturally be wary of anything beyond his control.
However, since this grandmaster alchemist was refining pills openly in the city, he was probably not a sneaky person.
The city lord of Desert City ordered his subordinates to investigate the specific situation of that grandmaster alchemist, such as when he entered the city, who his companions were, who he was close to on a daily basis, and so on.
Apart from the many people in Desert City who were attracted by the phenomenon, there was also some fluctuation in the ancient map shop outside the city.
An old man walked out of the underground secret chamber, shaking off the frost from his body. He looked up at the pillar of yellow energy in the city that reached into the clouds.
His old eyes narrowed slightly, and Hai Bodong murmured, "A sixth-grade alchemist..."
He closed the door of the ancient map shop tightly and walked towards Desert City.
In the secret chamber, Han Feng held the sixth-grade Guiyuan Vein Condensing Pill, a faint smile on his face.
With this, plus the two jugs of Ice Spirit Cold Spring he had unexpectedly obtained, his equipment for refining the Heavenly Flame was complete.
All he needed to do next was to find the Heavenly Flame.
With one less thing to worry about, Han Feng stored the pill in his storage ring and opened the door of the secret chamber.
Outside the secret chamber, Ye Qingyun was protecting Lin Xian'er and Qing Lin behind her, looking at the secret chamber with some worry.
She had never seen such a commotion before; it was even more intense than tearing down a house.
Lin Xian'er, however, was very calm. She looked up at Ye Qingyun and said, "Auntie Ye, don't worry. Master will definitely be fine."
The door of the secret chamber opened at this moment.
Han Feng walked out unharmed. Looking at the three people not far away, he said with a smile, "Sorry, the commotion was a bit too big."
"As long as you're alright."
Ye Qingyun breathed a sigh of relief. The two little ones behind her ran towards Han Feng.
"Uncle Han, you're so amazing!" Qing Lin looked at Han Feng with admiration, her emerald-green pupils turning into a strange shape, making her look extremely cute.
Han Feng patted Qing Lin's head in surprise. Pupils that could change shape, what strange talent was this?
However, the change was indeed very slight, so Han Feng didn't see anything unusual.
"Of course Master is amazing!"
Lin Xian'er continued to praise Han Feng without thinking, a proud look on her face.
Qing Lin clapped her small hands and laughed "wah wah."
"Master, it seems like a lot of people have come outside."
Ye Qingyun walked over at this moment and reported to Han Feng.
"I know."
Han Feng nodded to Ye Qingyun, indicating that he would handle it.
"All of you go and stay in your rooms. I'll go and see those people outside."
Han Feng said to the three of them and then walked alone to the main gate.
After opening the main gate, a large crowd had gathered outside. On one side were the people from the Miteer family. Supervisor Gaton stood at the forefront with a majestic air, showing no weakness in the face of the equally imposing Desert City army.
Ai Lin was currently talking with the leader of the army.
Seeing Han Feng walk out the main gate, the group of people immediately looked at him.
"Grandmaster Han, I am the commander of the Desert City army, Yang Guan."
The officer who was talking with Ai Lin immediately stepped forward and clas-ped his fist in a salute to Han Feng.
"Commander Yang."
Han Feng nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"If you have anything to discuss, you might as well choose a representative to come forward. Crowding in front of the door like this is a bit of a hindrance to travel."
Yang Guan immediately ordered the army to clear the area and then return on their own.
On the Miteer family's side, only a few people were left.
"Grandmaster Han, the city lord would like to invite you to be a guest at the city lord's mansion," Yang Guan said to Han Feng.
"Tell him I will pay a visit when I have time."
Yang Guan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Then I will go back and report."
After Yang Guan left, Supervisor Gaton solemnly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Han Feng.
"Grandmaster Han, I didn't expect you to be a sixth-grade alchemist."
"Supervisor Gaton, you don't have to be so polite."
Han Feng said, then looked at Ai Lin.
"What, are you scared too?"
Seeing Han Feng joking with her, Ai Lin chuckled softly and then said, "Of course. A sixth-grade alchemist, there's no one like that in the entire Jia Ma Empire."
"Mr. Han really gave me a big surprise."
Han Feng shook his head. "Alright, it's getting late. You should go back quickly."
Ai Lin curtsied to Han Feng and then left with Gaton.
"Grandmaster Han, if you need anything, be sure to find our Miteer firm!" Supervisor Gaton waved enthusiastically.
Watching the two of them leave, the smile on Han Feng's face faded.
"Come out."
He said to the shadow on the side.
Hai Bodong slowly walked out and looked at Han Feng. "I didn't expect you to be a sixth-grade alchemist."
When Han Feng saw Hai Bodong, he frowned and said, "Are you the owner of the ancient map shop?"
He still had a deep impression of this unconventional old man.
"It is indeed this old man."
Hai Bodong bowed to Han Feng and then said, "I have a matter that I would like to ask for Grandmaster Han's help with."