Jia Ma Holy City, also known as the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire.
Several hundred years of history had given this country, located in a remote part of the continent, a considerable foundation.
The top-tier academy renowned throughout the Dou Qi Continent, "Jia Nan Academy," would come to the Jia Ma Empire every year to recruit students.
The number of experts who had come from here was not small.
Perhaps the top experts of the empire were not so dazzling at present, being in a low point in the empire's history, but if the surrounding countries wanted to breach Jia Ma Holy City, it would be absolutely wishful thinking.
One could make this conclusion: as long as there was no major internal crisis, the Jia Ma Empire could last for at least another hundred years.
Unless something happened to Jia Xingtian, the peak Dou Emperor, the position of the Jia Ma royal family was unshakeable.
However, it was said that the current generation of the Jia Ma royal family's descendants was incompetent. Jia Xingtian had already chosen to give up on nurturing them and was instead selecting an heir from his grandchildren's generation.
None of this had anything to do with Han Feng. He landed in the imperial capital's square on a flying magical beast and once again walked into this city with a long history.
The last time he came here in his previous life, well, the city was no longer surnamed Jia.
Han Feng walked out of the flight plaza and asked a service staff member for the way to the Miteer Auction House.
"This place is much more prosperous than Desert City," Ye Qingyun remarked.
Lin Xian'er and Qing Lin nodded in deep agreement.
Even Black Rock City, which they had been to before and was also one of the ten major cities of the empire, was still very different from the Holy City.
Perhaps a random person asked on the street would be from some noble family or a high-ranking official.
The streets were very wide, able to accommodate several carriages traveling side by side, so it didn't feel crowded even with many people.
Occasionally, they would encounter a patrol team riding warhorses at a steady pace. The bloodstained weapons glinted with a cold light; the martial spirit of the imperial capital was very strong.
After crossing several streets, Han Feng and his group arrived at the headquarters of the Miteer Auction House.
Coming from the east, Han Feng vaguely sensed that this entire street seemed to belong to the Miteer family.
As expected of a family as rich as a country.
If one were to ask whose position was the most stable among the three major families in the imperial capital, it would undoubtedly be the Miteer family.
The Mu family and the Nalan family had to stand aside.
"Hello, I'm looking for Hai Bodong."
The receptionist was taken aback for a moment, then quickly bowed. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't know Hai Bodong. Is he your friend?"
"He should be living in your Miteer family's residence."
"Ah? Then... this way please, sir."
The receptionist led Han Feng and his group to the VIP reception room and then said, "Please wait a moment. I will go and ask my superior about Hai Bodong."
Hai Bodong's identity had clearly not been spread yet, but the receptionist's service attitude was not bad.
A few minutes later, that receptionist returned to her post with a look of surprise.
Hai Bodong seemed to be no ordinary person. Even the newly appointed Supervisor Ai Lin had decided to come out personally.
"Mr. Han, long time no see."
Ai Lin knocked on the door of the VIP room, a vision in a bright and elegant red dress.
"Ai Lin? You're here too."
Han Feng stood up, looking at the visitor with some surprise.
"Thanks to you, sir, I was promoted by a person of great importance."
Ai Lin chuckled lightly and curtsied to Han Feng.
"By the way, this is a gift for you."
Han Feng remembered something and took out a treasure box from his storage ring.
Ai Lin accepted it in surprise. She had thought that her promotion was the gift Han Feng had given her. She hadn't expected him to have prepared something else.
"Many thanks, Mr. Han. This is... a fifth-grade pill!"
Opening the treasure box, Ai Lin not only smelled the pill's fragrance but also noticed circles of tiny energy ripples vibrating from the pill.
"A Beauty-Retaining Pill. A small token of my appreciation."
Ai Lin swallowed.
She swore that this was definitely the most precious gift she had ever received in her life.
"I really don't know how to repay you, Mr. Han."
Moisture flowed in Ai Lin's eyes, full of coquettish charm.
"This is the gift I promised you. Why would it need repayment?" Han Feng said with a smile.
"Of course it needs to be repaid. I just don't know if Mr. Han is willing to give me the chance."
As Ai Lin spoke, the desire in her eyes seemed almost uncontrollable.
Han Feng smiled and shook his head, interrupting her spell.
"Alright, take me to see Old Sir Hai first."
Ai Lin lowered her head and hummed in agreement, turning around with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Please follow me, Mr. Han."
The group walked to the backyard of the Miteer Auction House and arrived at the family area through a small path.
"Mr. Han has just arrived in the imperial capital. Do you have a place to stay?" Ai Lin asked.
"Not yet."
Han Feng was waiting for her to make the arrangements.
"Then why don't you stay at the Miteer family's residence for now? There are still many empty rooms, and the location is not bad."
This was exactly what Han Feng wanted. He naturally nodded in agreement.
"Qingyun, you can take them to settle in later. I'm going to see a friend. It might take some time."
"Yes, Master."
Ai Lin pointed in the direction of a small path ahead.
"Mr. Han, Old Sir Hai is waiting for you there. I'll take them down first."
"Good."
Their relationship had gradually become more familiar, and there was no need to be so polite anymore.
Just now, Ai Lin had clearly shown some special affection for Han Feng. Although Han Feng had not accepted it, the atmosphere between them had become somewhat ambiguous.
Han Feng was a novice in matters between men and women, but his mind was very clear.
A Daoist companion was a very particular matter. Being well-matched was very important. Not only did their strength and potential have to be comparable, but they also needed to be able to help each other and grow and progress together.
Ai Lin clearly did not have that qualification.
No matter how beautiful she was or how strong her social skills were, she could not keep up with Han Feng's pace.
If he were to accept her affection, it would truly be harming her.
Han Feng was very clear on this point.
Walking down the small path, Han Feng arrived at a high pavilion.
Hai Bodong was there, brewing tea and enjoying the scenery.
"Old Sir Hai."
Han Feng called out.
Hai Bodong was taken aback, then quickly stood up and looked at Han Feng.
"Grandmaster Han, you're here!"
Hai Bodong was very happy and hurried towards Han Feng.
"Not bad taste. This place is well-arranged."
Han Feng looked at the natural scenery around and praised it.
This was the imperial capital where every inch of land was worth gold. The financial power of the Miteer family was evident.
"I estimated that Grandmaster Han would arrive in these two days, so I cleared a place and have been waiting for you."
Hai Bodong walked alongside him.
"This used to be my tea pavilion, but it was occupied by that fellow Teng Shan for many years."
"You've been away for so long, and you won't allow others to use it?" Han Feng joked.
"Haha, that fellow Teng Shan used to be just a little follower. I didn't expect him to be the patriarch of the Miteer family now."
Hai Bodong sighed with emotion.
"Things have changed."
The two arrived at the high pavilion. Hai Bodong raised a cup of hot tea and toasted Han Feng.
"Grandmaster Han, I toast you and thank you again for your help."
Han Feng smiled slightly and said nothing more after drinking the hot tea.
Turning his head, he took in the view of the imperial capital.
Autumn was nearing winter, and dusk had arrived.