With the recovery of his Dou Emperor realm, Hai Bodong's aged face slowly rejuvenated. Although it wasn't fast, it was predictable that he had escaped the danger of his Dou Qi declining.
"Is Old Sir Hai a member of the Miteer family?" Han Feng asked in surprise.
The two had a long talk in the ancient map shop, and Hai Bodong revealed his former identity.
"That was a long time ago. I wonder how the Miteer family is doing now," Hai Bodong said with a smile and a sigh.
A person of his prominent status and proud nature, if he had been unable to break the seal and recover his cultivation, he probably would have stayed outside for the rest of his life, choosing to die in obscurity.
"After I came to the Jia Ma Empire, I did have some dealings with the Miteer family," Han Feng said. He felt it was quite a coincidence.
His previous dealings with Miteer Ai Lin were minor, but this time, saving a Dou Emperor expert of the Miteer family was no small matter.
A Dou Emperor expert was a symbol of a pillar of strength in any country. Even in the major factions of the Central Plains, it was impossible to casually send out a Dou Ancestor or Dou Venerate to handle matters; Dou Emperors were the main force.
The Jia Ma Empire was a bit remote, so a Dou Emperor was the ceiling.
Han Feng could foresee what a shock Hai Bodong's return to the Miteer family would bring to the country's upper echelons.
"The sixth-grade pill I refined before, your Miteer family helped me collect the ingredients. A young lady named Ai Lin helped a great deal."
Hai Bodong remembered this name.
"I will pay special attention to her when I go back. For her to be able to give Grandmaster Han a good impression of the Miteer family, she has rendered a great service."
When he had secretly visited Han Feng before, Hai Bodong had also seen Ai Lin. She was a very fine woman, fitting his impression of the perfect Miteer beauty.
What a pity. Grandmaster Han's strength was too powerful, and his status too lofty. Otherwise, with a talented man and a beautiful woman, he could have tried to matchmake them.
Hai Bodong felt regret in his heart. He knew that Han Feng was destined not to belong to the small Miteer family. Compared to the entire continent, the Jia Ma Empire was just a drop in the ocean.
Perhaps only the talent-rich lands of the Central Plains were the place for Grandmaster Han to truly showcase his abilities.
The two chatted for a while longer. Before parting, Han Feng took out a list of medicinal ingredients and handed it to Hai Bodong.
"These are the ingredients needed for the fifth-grade Spirit Recovery Purple Pill. This pill can restore some of the Dou Qi cultivation lost due to the seal problem. I think it's very suitable for you, Old Sir Hai."
Hai Bodong looked at Han Feng in pleasant surprise.
"Grandmaster Han... this, this..."
This pill was practically tailor-made for him. At this moment, Hai Bodong deeply felt how wonderful it was to have an alchemist friend.
"You should go back to the imperial capital and collect the ingredients first. I happen to have some ingredients that I need your help with as well."
Han Feng handed another list of ingredients for the Soul-Guiding Pill to Hai Bodong.
"The head of the Miteer family should be able to help me collect them, right?"
Hai Bodong quickly took the other list and guaranteed, "Don't worry, Grandmaster Han. Although I have been in seclusion for decades, the title of Ice Emperor was not obtained through falsehood."
"Haha, just do your best. Some of the ingredients on it are of a very high grade. It's fine if you can't find them."
Han Feng joked with Hai Bodong.
The seventh-grade Soul-Guiding Pill required a seventh-tier medicinal ingredient, the "Illusory Spirit Moon Vine," which was indeed quite precious.
Even with the Miteer family's influence spread throughout the Jia Ma Empire, it would not be an easy task to find a single stalk.
Moreover, Han Feng would not be staying in the Jia Ma Empire for long.
"About a month from now, I will go to the imperial capital to find you. Gather the ingredients for the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill first. As for my matter, just do your best."
Han Feng said seriously, "After all, I can't stay in the Jia Ma Empire forever. Even if I wanted to refine a pill for you, I wouldn't have the chance."
Hai Bodong nodded, but in his heart, he was determined to gather all the ingredients Grandmaster Han needed within a month, even if it meant depleting some of the Miteer family's precious collection.
Although a seventh-tier ingredient was precious, Han Feng's trust was even more so. If the Miteer family wanted to maintain contact with Han Feng in the future, they had to do their best in the limited time they had to prove to Grandmaster Han that they were also capable.
Leaving the ancient map shop, Han Feng glanced at the depths of the Tagor Desert. There was no unusual movement there.
He had snatched Queen Medusa. Logically, the Snake-People Tribe should have been making a move.
After a moment of thought, Han Feng turned and walked towards Desert City.
It was also time to prepare to leave in a month.
———
For a month, Han Feng stayed at home, consolidating his Dou Qi which had surged by two stars, and practicing some commonly used Dou Skills, such as the "Explosive Flame Step" which had kicked Medusa dozens of meters away, and the flame palm technique "Fierce Sky Palm" which had covered Medusa's entire body.
Although both were only Xuan-rank Dou Skills, when used by Han Feng, they definitely had the power of an Earth-rank Dou Skill, just without the flashy but impractical phenomena.
The further a cultivator progressed, the more they could actually control their power.
A fight between Dou Saint experts could tear the continent apart with a flick of a finger, or it could be as silent as moisturizing things, a great battle fought within a small courtyard at home.
For a month, Han Feng spent time every day teaching Lin Xian'er and Qing Lin, and occasionally giving pointers to Ye Qingyun. The days passed quickly.
The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python was still "hibernating." After Han Feng gave her some Spirit-Calming Grass, the little white snake slept even more soundly.
There was still no movement from the Snake-People Tribe, making Han Feng wonder if they had abandoned their queen.
Just the day before Han Feng was preparing to leave Desert City with his family, a mysterious person paid a visit.
Accompanying him was a burly middle-aged man.
"Grandmaster Han, I am the City Lord of Desert City, Baal. It has been a long time since I've seen you visit, so I have taken the liberty of disturbing you today."
"So it is City Lord Baal. I was planning to visit the city lord's mansion tomorrow before leaving Desert City. I didn't expect you to come today. Please, come in."
Han Feng said with a faint smile.
In fact, he did not hold this City Lord of Desert City in high regard. The last time, he had merely sent a subordinate soldier to invite him, from which one could already see a thing or two.
The generals guarding the border were mostly brave and proud, and this City Lord Baal was clearly such a person.
For such a person, Han Feng maintained basic respect, but he would never take the initiative to show goodwill or befriend them, let alone help them.
However, seeing his respectful attitude towards the mysterious person next to him wearing a conical hat, Han Feng vaguely guessed that the person's identity was not simple.
Out of politeness, Han Feng did not probe the other party's identity but asked directly, "And this is..."
Baal's expression turned solemn. Just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by the mysterious person with a raised hand.
The mysterious person took the initiative to take off his conical hat and remove his mask, revealing a face with a faint smile but full of majesty.
"I am Jia Xingtian, the humble ruler of the Jia Ma Empire. I have come uninvited today. I hope Grandmaster Han will not take offense."
Compared to Baal, this old man who claimed to be the ruler of the Jia Ma Empire was actually more polite.
Han Feng was as gentle as ever and replied, "The ruler has graced my door. How could I not welcome you? Please."
Baal looked proud. Just as he was about to take a step, he heard Jia Xingtian's voice, "Baal, you wait outside."
The City Lord of Desert City's face stiffened, and then he sheepishly withdrew his foot.