Han Feng's victory over the three-star Dou Venerate Duan Hong at the Weapon Refining Conference became a hotly discussed event in the Nanli Empire at the time.
It was just that Han Feng had left the empire right at that time, so he had not felt this wave of public opinion.
But without a doubt, Han Feng had already become a new star in the Nanli Empire. Although no one knew where he came from, the Weapon Refining Conference had already helped him publicize his name.
An expert who could defeat a Dou Venerate was worthy of the Empress spending a great price to hire.
After Han Feng stood up, the other major families seemed to have finished their discussion. In the end, each family selected one person to go.
There was no choice. At this time, the Empress would definitely remember which families did not contribute to the empire, so someone had to go.
Even if it was just for show.
The faces of the next few people who stood up were not very good.
Obviously, they did not stand up voluntarily but were treated as abandoned items, thrown out by their families as scapegoats.
On the contrary, those factions that were not based in Zhuque City had a lot of leeway.
Because even if they didn't go, the Nanli Empress wouldn't do anything to them.
They were not in the center of the empire to begin with, so they naturally wouldn't have such close ties of interest.
Xiao Tianbao looked at Han Feng with gratitude.
Because of what Han Feng had just said, he had directly transferred his position to the Xiao family, which meant that he was representing the Xiao family in battle.
Wenren Jing's gaze towards Han Feng also carried a bit more warmth.
He thought to himself that he would tell his foolish son when he got back to cooperate more with Han Feng after entering the Purple Shattered Ruins.
The Empress saw that the number of people standing up in the audience was not increasing, and knew that this was probably the limit.
She scanned the entire audience and said, "On behalf of the hundreds of millions of citizens of the Nanli Empire, I once again thank you all for your contributions. You are not alone. I will not stand by and watch the soldiers charge forward. I will go with you to completely suppress this disaster."
The Empress's words ignited a flame in the hearts of everyone present.
Although the atmosphere was still heavy, everyone had hope.
The Empress would fight with them. They were not abandoned trash.
This was a glorious battle!
Some people secretly slandered in their hearts. The Empress's words were beautiful, but who knew what she would really do when the time came.
There were also some people with a cold glint hidden in their eyes. They didn't care if others were sacrificed, as long as it wasn't them.
Everyone was hiding their own thoughts. There was both worry about the battle at the border and scheming to profit from it.
After the Empress announced the dismissal, Wenren Jing brought Wenren Xuan over to greet Han Feng.
"Little friend Han Feng, this is my son, Wenren Xuan. Like you, he is going into the Purple Shattered Ruins. When the time comes, can I trouble you to take care of him?"
Han Feng nodded with a smile.
"Old sir, you're too kind. Brother Xuan's cultivation is no worse than mine."
Wenren Xuan bowed to Han Feng and said woodenly, "Brother Han, you were able to defeat Pavilion Master Duan Hong. You are even more powerful than my father."
Wenren Jing's face twitched.
Wenren Xuan's cultivation was not weak; he had already reached the six-star Dou Ancestor realm, almost catching up to his old man.
It could be seen that in terms of talent, Wenren Xuan was even stronger.
In his previous life, when Han Feng met Wenren Xuan, he was already an eighth-grade high-level alchemy grandmaster and a seven-star Dou Venerate expert.
This had already surpassed the historical records of the Wenren family.
Just now, Wenren Xuan was the first to raise his hand. Han Feng could see that he truly loved his country and was also a protector of his family.
Perhaps good people are rewarded. Not only did he not perish in the Purple Shattered Ruins, but he even went a step further after coming out, and even gained control of a Heavenly Flame.
His fortune was not shallow.
However, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer this time.
Han Feng thought to himself.
After a conversation, Han Feng and Wenren Xuan agreed to travel together before setting off, and to look out for each other after entering the Purple Shattered Ruins.
When Han Feng returned to his room on the treasure ship, a woman in neat clothes and wearing a feather-patterned mask was standing in front of the door. She handed Han Feng a letter.
The Empress invited him for a private meeting.
"Lead the way."
Han Feng followed the woman to a hidden cabin on the treasure ship. The Empress, in a red dress, was waiting there.
"Han Feng pays his respects to Your Majesty."
The Empress turned around and looked at the person before her.
She had investigated Han Feng's identity. His first appearance was in Red Feather City, where he was arrested by the officials for carrying an unknown soul body.
Of course, with Han Feng's cultivation, he must not have resisted, which was why he was taken away for routine questioning.
Otherwise, a mere Red Feather City could not have stopped this prodigy, Han Feng.
After that, he represented the Xiao family in the Weapon Refining Conference and defeated the Forging Heaven Pavilion's Pavilion Master, Duan Hong, in one fell swoop.
Duan Hong, as the leader of the four major artifact sects, was arrogant and had done countless illegal things in private. However, due to the lack of evidence and the fact that he was a three-star Dou Venerate, they had been unable to do anything to him.
Not long after Han Feng defeated Duan Hong, this arrogant pavilion master had actually disappeared.
The Forging Heaven Pavilion claimed that he was in seclusion, but in the first-hand intelligence that Xue Yi had brought back, this Pavilion Master Duan Hong had disappeared along with the young pavilion master, Duan Tianci. It was very likely that they had met with misfortune.
Thinking about the feud they had with Han Feng, the Empress was suspicious as to whether this matter was related to Han Feng.
In addition, the old ancestor of the Xiao family had also quickly come forward, stabilizing the chaos of the four major artifact sects with his Dou Venerate status, causing the Forging Heaven Pavilion to have to seal their mountain overnight, not even participating in this imperial celebration.
All these matters were inextricably linked to this person, Han Feng.
The Empress wanted to continue investigating, but found that Han Feng had suddenly disappeared for several months, and she didn't even know where he had left from.
"Han Feng, what reward do you want? You can tell me now."
Han Feng thought for a moment and said, "I have heard that Your Majesty possesses a kind of flame that can completely purify the sinister energy in the Purple Shattered Ruins."
The Empress understood Han Feng's meaning.
"You want the imperial family's legacy flame?"
"I just want to understand it a little."
The Empress pondered for a moment, then said, "It's not really a secret. The legacy flame of the Sikong Imperial Family is the companion fire of the divine beast, the Vermilion Bird."
"It can completely incinerate the sinister aura in the Purple Shattered Ruins and is a powerful guarantee for the empire to guard the Purple Shattered Ruins."
The divine beast Vermilion Bird?
This divine beast, which had only been seen in historical atlases, was from an era far too long ago.
"Does Your Majesty's ancestor possess the bloodline of the Vermilion Bird?"
The Empress was silent. "The Sikong Imperial Family are merely followers of the Vermilion Bird and dare not claim to be its descendants."
"However, your wish may not be fulfilled. The legacy flame must have the imperial bloodline to be refined. On this point, I cannot help you."
"Understandable. It's not that I must have the imperial family's legacy flame. It's just that I may need Your Majesty's help in the future."
"What kind of help?"
"Help in dispelling the evil qi in the Purple Shattered Ruins."
The Empress nodded in agreement. Dispelling the evil qi was her duty as a member of the imperial family. Even if Han Feng didn't ask, she would help.
"I will do this even if you don't ask. You can make another request."
Han Feng shook his head and did not mention the reward again, only saying, "If we can successfully pacify the disaster in the Purple Shattered Ruins this time, Your Majesty can reward me based on my merits then."
The Nanli Empress had left a good impression on him. If possible, Han Feng wouldn't mind saving this monarch once.
But he couldn't guarantee it.
The unfathomable aura on the Empress's body blurred his perception. She must have reached the high-level Dou Venerate stage. A disaster that even she had to sacrifice herself to seal—could Han Feng, a mere five-star Dou Ancestor, really solve it?
Han Feng secretly guessed that the enemy he would encounter in the Purple Shattered Ruins might have reached the high-level Dou Venerate, or even the peak Dou Venerate level.
As for Half-Saint, it was generally unlikely.
If there really was a Half-Saint level existence in the Purple Shattered Ruins, then the Nanli Empire would definitely not be able to resist it. Even if the Empress sacrificed herself, it would be useless.
The current Han Feng would definitely not be able to solve it either, and would have no choice but to flee.
Although a Half-Saint had the word "half," it was still an existence that had touched the threshold of the Saint rank.
Even a nine-revolution peak Dou Venerate, in front of a Half-Saint, could only wait helplessly for death.
The gap was conceivable.
After bidding farewell to the Empress, Han Feng returned to his room.
He took out the Heaven Origin Flowers from his storage ring and began to improve his proficiency in the "Heaven Origin Finger."
If he could finish tempering the fifth finger before entering the Purple Shattered Ruins, it would increase his chances of winning.
Unfortunately, the number of Heaven Origin Flowers in his hand was not enough. He had originally thought of planting them in the Medicine Saint Valley first, but there was not enough time.
Han Feng planned to go to the Wenren family tomorrow to ask. After all, they were an alchemist family. Maybe they had a way.
The next day, Han Feng sought out Wenren Xuan early in the morning.
"Brother Xuan, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Brother Han, please speak."
Han Feng took out a Heaven Origin Flower.
"A fifth-grade Heaven Origin Flower. I need this medicinal ingredient for my cultivation. Does the Wenren family have a way to get it?"
"A Heaven Origin Flower? I remember there are some in our inventory. I wonder how many Brother Han needs?" Wenren Xuan asked.
"Probably thirty or forty stalks. The more, the better," Han Feng estimated his current progress and said.
Wenren Xuan nodded.
"I'll have people collect them when I get back. I'll hand them over to you, Brother Han, before we set off."
"Many thanks."
Wenren Xuan was a hands-on person. After bidding farewell to Han Feng, he immediately began to work on collecting the Heaven Origin Flowers.
Han Feng was unfamiliar with the people and places in Zhuque City. Seeing that Wenren Xuan was so attentive, he didn't worry about it anymore.
Returning to the hotel, Han Feng began to refine pills, preparing to have more bargaining chips for the upcoming trip to the Purple Shattered Ruins.
It wasn't until the evening that Han Feng had time to talk to the two girls.
"We have to set off in two days. I'll send you back to Jia Nan Academy tomorrow morning. Then we'll go our separate ways."
Zi Yan and Medusa nodded.
They had heard about the dangers in the Purple Shattered Ruins and did not intend to drag Han Feng down.
Leaving was the wise choice.
The night passed without a word. Han Feng had been refining pills all night. This morning, he took advantage of the rising sun to absorb the spiritual energy blowing in from the world, nourishing his soul power.
At this time of day, the effect of cultivating the "Soul Art" was the best.
Han Feng would usually meditate at this time for half an hour every day.
He could stay up late, but he couldn't not wake up early.
Zi Yan climbed out of bed, her eyes sleepy. Yesterday, her sense of responsibility had exploded, and she had injected a large amount of void energy into Han Feng's spatial spirit stone, which could support one more teleportation of the Void God Stele.
Medusa's expression was calm. Ever since she had recovered her mature body, her temperament had become much more stable than at the beginning.
Speaking of which, Han Feng quite missed the Medusa from that time.
She was so full of fun.
"This is a seventh-grade Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill. It can give you a chance to be reborn after being broken, which can be considered a second life."
Han Feng handed the pill to Medusa.
"We have known each other for several years. Now it is time to part. I hope you can lead the Snake-People Tribe to find a suitable home for you, but just don't kill wantonly."
Medusa looked at the pill in her hand, which had a dragon qi soaring from it, and her heart was slightly moved.
Seventh-grade...
An unexpected gift.
"You be careful too. I've heard how dangerous the Purple Shattered Ruins are. I don't know what you're trying to do, but... stay alive."
Han Feng was a little surprised that Medusa would say such a thing to him. He shook the Void God Stele and smiled, "I won't die in a place like that."
"Uncle, I'll wait for you to come back and refine pills for me. The pills refined by others are not as delicious as yours."
Zi Yan expressed her reluctance in her own words.
Han Feng patted her head.
"You little glutton."
Zi Yan pouted. She was not a little glutton!
"Alright, I'll send you back now," Han Feng said.
The two women nodded and stood on either side of Han Feng.
The Void God Stele was activated, and a void crack very naturally opened in the room.
Han Feng grabbed the hands of the two women and crashed into the void crack.
The next second, the three of them appeared at the location of Jia Nan Academy.
"Zi Yan, hurry back to the academy. Medusa, we'll meet again."
Han Feng bid farewell to the two women, then didn't linger. His body submerged into the void crack, and the next second, he was back at the hotel.
Jia Nan Academy.
Zi Yan and Medusa looked at Han Feng, who had disappeared before them, in silence.
Although they didn't want to admit it, they really couldn't keep up with Han Feng's pace. If they could help him, perhaps they wouldn't have to leave at this time.
The thought of Han Feng going to the Purple Shattered Ruins to face a huge crisis, while she retreated to the rear, made Medusa feel an inexplicable sense of frustration.
"Medusa, are you going back to the Snake-People tribe?"
"Yes."
"Can you take me with you to have a look?" Zi Yan proposed.
"No."
Medusa decisively refused.
"Why? You're not in the Jia Nan Academy. I'll be all alone. It's so boring."
Medusa was silent.
"I can take you, but you can't cause trouble, and you can't steal the ingredients in the tribe."
Zi Yan patted her small chest.
"I'll be very obedient."
Medusa rolled her eyes.
You, obedient? The sun would rise from the west first.
However, she didn't care about Zi Yan's little naughtiness. After all, they had been friends for so long.
"Are you sure you'll be fine if you don't go back to Jia Nan Academy?"
"It's fine, it's fine. I've been out for so long. That old man Su Qian won't be worried."
Zi Yan pushed Medusa. Because she was not tall enough, she could only reach Medusa's hip.
Medusa slapped away Zi Yan's mischievous little hand.
"You'd better go and tell Elder Su Qian, lest Han Feng blames me later."
"No need~"
"If you don't go and tell him, I won't take you."
Medusa crossed her arms, looking as if she had her in the bag.
"Hmph!"
Zi Yan put her hands on her hips and glared at Medusa.
"Fine, I'll go! You're not allowed to leave without me!"
Medusa nodded and watched Zi Yan go to report to Su Qian.
"You little brat," Medusa cursed with a smile, her tone gentle.