The Alchemy Workshop was a place in the Inner Academy specially set aside for students to try alchemy.
Two or three people sat in a circle, jointly refining a cauldron of medicinal pills.
This was their joint refinement method, and also the secret to quickly mastering the refinement of a first-grade pill.
The person in charge of the Alchemy Workshop was none other than Chen Xiaoyu.
She was currently in her room, organizing the knowledge she had learned today, while also thinking about how to express her intention to become a disciple.
"What does Elder Han like?"
"I can't just go directly..."
Chen Xiaoyu was a little conflicted. She was now in a state of limbo between moving forward and lying flat. Her mind recalled the first time she met Han Feng: he had presented her with an award, patiently answered her questions, and even agreed to her slightly impolite request.
Elder Han is a very gentle person, so how on earth should I ask him to be my master?
Chen Xiaoyu's heart was pounding, with both excitement for the crucial step she was about to take and anxiety about the fear of failure.
"Whatever, just charge forward, Chen Xiaoyu!"
She clenched her fists, cheering herself on.
———
In front of the courtyard gate, Cai'er and the others were packing their things, preparing to leave for Feng City today.
Han Feng was standing in the front yard waiting when he suddenly saw a figure running over from the small path in the distance.
"Chen Xiaoyu?"
Han Feng still remembered this little girl, the champion of the Black-Corner Region Alchemy Competition.
Watching her run up to him, panting, Han Feng asked, "Chen Xiaoyu, what's the matter?"
"Elder Han! Hah... Hah..."
Chen Xiaoyu took a few breaths, then spoke, "I... I want to become your disciple."
As her voice fell, Lin Xian'er, who had just walked out of the room, looked over.
Chen Xiaoyu immediately took out the apprenticeship gift she had prepared and bent down to offer it to Han Feng.
Han Feng blinked, stunned by this girl's directness.
"Chen Xiaoyu, what do you want to learn from me?" Han Feng asked.
"Alchemy!" Chen Xiaoyu replied without hesitation.
"Your lectures have benefited me greatly. I think you are a great alchemist, and I want to learn from you."
Hearing the young girl's evaluation of him, Han Feng smiled slightly, but still refused.
"Sorry, I currently have no plans to accept disciples."
The gentle voice poured ice on Chen Xiaoyu's ardent heart.
Her half-bowed body froze in place.
"Haha, sorry, Elder Han. I was a bit too abrupt."
Chen Xiaoyu used a smile to hide her embarrassment. Her peripheral vision caught sight of many people in the courtyard looking at her. Her feet felt like they were on fire, and she wanted to flee quickly.
"Chen Xiaoyu, you are a very talented child. I'm not accepting you, only because I don't have that much time to teach you right now."
Han Feng said, "I've been to your hometown, Heavenly North City. It's connected to the Pill Region. Do you have plans to go to the Pill Tower in the future?"
Chen Xiaoyu nodded.
The Pill Tower, the holy land for all alchemists. Of course she wanted to go.
Han Feng smiled. "Although there is no master-disciple fate between us, I can write you a letter of recommendation to recommend you to study at the Pill Tower."
"Really?"
Chen Xiaoyu's eyes lit up.
If she had a recommendation from a seventh-grade alchemist like Han Feng, her chances of entering the Pill Tower would be greatly increased.
Han Feng nodded, but then suddenly remembered that he didn't seem to have obtained the Pill Tower's verification of his seventh-grade alchemist qualification yet.
This was awkward. A sixth-grade alchemist, although he had some weight, was definitely not enough to recommend someone into the Pill Tower.
"Ahem, Xiaoyu, I think with your aptitude, you can totally join the Pill Tower on your own," Han Feng suddenly said with a serious face.
"Eh?"
Chen Xiaoyu was taken aback.
"My reputation in the Pill Tower might not be particularly good. You also know that I used to be an alchemist in the Black-Corner Region, so it's better if I don't write you a letter. I'd hate to delay your future instead of providing a recommendation."
Han Feng found an excuse.
Chen Xiaoyu gave Han Feng a deep bow.
"Elder Han, I don't know how others see you, but I think you are a great alchemist. I believe my classmates think so too."
After speaking, Chen Xiaoyu ran off.
"Goodbye, Elder Han!"
Watching the young girl disappear at the end of the path, Han Feng let out a breath.
What a nice girl.
"Master, why didn't you accept that big sister?"
Lin Xian'er had, at some point, come to stand beside Han Feng, her small hand clutching his sleeve.
Looking down at Lin Xian'er who had asked the question, Han Feng patted her head.
"She is different from you."
The faction behind Chen Xiaoyu was not weak, at least at the Dou Ancestor level.
Even if she didn't become his disciple, her future would certainly not be bad.
On the contrary, on Han Feng's path ahead, there were an unknown number of powerful enemies waiting.
Having boarded his warship, the storms they would experience in the future were definitely no small matter.
So Han Feng would not casually accept disciples. This was also a responsibility to the other party.
"I feel like that big sister is stronger than me," Lin Xian'er said innocently.
"My Xian'er is not worse than anyone," Han Feng corrected.
Lin Xian'er smiled happily.
"Let's get going."
After the small interlude of the apprenticeship request, Han Feng left the Inner Academy with the women.
Arriving at Feng City, Han Feng returned to the small bamboo building after a long absence.
He had ordered his subordinates to renovate it well before, but in the end, he hadn't had many days to come back and live in it.
The treasure-storing secret chamber underground had also been left unused, and no treasures had been put in it so far.
Fortunately, the rooms were as clean and tidy as ever. The servants came to clean every day.
Seeing Han Feng return, the Maple Forest Guard immediately came to report.
Han Lie reported to Han Feng on the work of the past half a year, including the targets he had been asked to monitor closely. He picked out the important points to report, and submitted the rest to Han Feng in written form.
Han Feng quickly scanned through it with his soul power. He didn't really care much in his heart.
However, one item did make his gaze linger for a few seconds.
The Gold and Silver Elders had both advanced to Dou Ancestor.
"Those two old fellows are really lucky. They actually both succeeded in breaking through."
A Dou Ancestor Pill could only increase the chances of advancing to Dou Ancestor; it could not guarantee a breakthrough.
The fact that the Gold and Silver Elders could both advance showed that they had some strength themselves.
With their fusion secret technique, even if they were only at the one-star level, they could fight against a three-star or even a four-star Dou Ancestor after fusing.
After all, during their Dou Emperor days, they could already fight against an initial-stage Dou Ancestor after fusing.
Unfortunately, the cultivation conditions for this secret technique were too harsh. He had let Medusa and Cai'er try it before, but in the end, their cultivation levels were too different, so the fusion failed.
"The Gold and Silver Elders don't have a faction affiliation at the moment. If I invite them to join Feng City, then Feng City's strength will be further enhanced. Even if I'm not around for a long time, Feng City won't have to fear the Black Emperor Sect or the Demon Flame Valley in terms of military strength."
Thinking this, Han Feng immediately had a subordinate send out a letter, inviting the Gold and Silver Elders to Feng City for a chat.
"Those two old fellows are not people who submit easily. There will inevitably be a fight then."
Taking a sip of spirit tea, Han Feng continued to read the intelligence.
Three members of the Maple Forest Guard had broken through to the Dou King realm, and twenty had broken through to the Dou Spirit realm. The team's strength had been greatly enhanced, and their control over Feng City had gradually deepened.
In the recent year, Feng City's income from pills had exceeded one hundred million gold coins.
The cooperative relationship between the Rakshasa Gate and Feng City had deepened. The gate master, Su Mei, often visited Feng City to request an audience with Han Feng.
Han Feng remembered that he seemed to have promised Su Mei a request before, but unfortunately, he had not been in Feng City, making her trips in vain.
He had wronged her.
Han Feng immediately called for a Maple Forest Guard and had him go and invite the Rakshasa Gate Master to be a guest in Feng City.
It's not good to owe favors.
Han Feng decided to take advantage of the time he had and repay it as soon as possible.
Continuing to read, Han Feng found that the Heaven Origin Flowers he had asked them to collect had also been gathered, enough for him to cultivate the subsequent "Heaven Origin Finger."
After a short while, the Maple Forest Guard brought the Heaven Origin Flowers stored in the treasury.
Thanks to the dedicated care of a specialist, the energy of the Heaven Origin Flowers was well-preserved and had hardly been lost.
Han Feng quickly finished reading the intelligence. Seeing that there were no other important matters, he went back to his room to cultivate.
He had already cultivated the "Three Fingers Cover All Life" to perfection.
Now he could casually send out hundreds of imprints to lock onto targets.
Han Feng took out a Heaven Origin Flower and began to temper his finger.
The next finger was an extremely offensive move.
Four Fingers Shatter the Firmament.
After consuming more than twenty Heaven Origin Flowers, Han Feng finally completed the tempering of his fourth finger.
He opened his palm, and a destructive aura began to brew.
The surrounding energy continuously gathered towards his palm. With this move from Han Feng, an ordinary five-star Dou Ancestor would definitely be killed instantly.
Even a six-star one could not escape death.
A peak Earth-rank Dou Skill, infinitely close to the Heaven Rank. When all five fingers were refined and became one, it would truly display the style of the "Heaven Origin Finger."
Putting away the remaining Heaven Origin Flowers, Han Feng prepared to take them back to the Medicine Saint Valley to cultivate.
The energy of heaven and earth there was richer. Perhaps it could even increase the medicinal properties of the Heaven Origin Flowers.
"Unfortunately, there's no one for me to test my moves on."
Han Feng was a bit lonely.
Although he had several Dou Venerate level puppets, without using his secret technique, soul skills, or the Red Emperor Armor, and just fighting the enemy with Dou Qi, Han Feng was not yet so exaggerated as to be able to fight a Dou Venerate.
Moreover, sparring with puppets didn't feel as satisfying as sparring with a real person.
If they were damaged, he would have to repair them himself.
Sighing, Han Feng took out the twenty-four Sea-Calming Beads and began his daily refinement.
He refined one every day, without any pressure. He was almost finished refining them now.
An ordinary person simply did not have such powerful soul power to directly control twenty-four Sea-Calming Beads.
That was why Duan Hong had chosen to let the human puppets share the burden. They had to be human puppets, because only human puppets retained a relatively complete soul power.
If they were ordinary puppets, Duan Hong would have had to expend his own soul power to control them, which would have been even more difficult.
However, Han Feng was not worried at all that his soul strength was not enough. In fact, after refining the Sea-Calming Beads, his soul power had actually improved a little.
The Spirit Devour secret method had played a large role in this. He really had to thank Pavilion Master Duan Hong for the assist.
The eighth-grade, mid-level spirit artifact, the Heaven Suppressing Hammer, was also refined by Han Feng along the way. This weapon could increase his attack power and could play a role in certain situations.
He had almost finished studying the "Heaven Refining Hand" and the "Soul Forging Art." The "Soul Forging Art" could barely be considered an advanced "Soul Art," mainly enhancing the tenacity of one's soul power.
This "Heaven Refining Hand" was something special. It could actually refine some things that the human body could not normally digest.
For example, iron blocks.
Using just the entry-level "Heaven Refining Hand," Han Feng could smelt a third-grade iron ore into iron essence, and the efficiency was much faster than roasting it with fire.
Moreover, Han Feng could control the shape of the iron ore refined by the "Heaven Refining Hand," making it more suitable for some fine manufacturing work.
If he were to shape it directly with his soul power, the difficulty would be much greater.
Of course, this was not difficult for Han Feng; it was just that he could see the difference between the two.
After cultivating the "Heaven Refining Hand" to great perfection, he could give birth to a kind of Dou Qi with extremely strong control. If it was injected into the subtle parts of a person's meridians, it could indeed "cripple their cultivation."
This was mainly aimed at cultivators above the Dou King level.
As for those below Dou King, they didn't need the "Heaven Refining Hand," because they hadn't yet integrated their Dou Qi into their four limbs and bones to communicate with their internal world.
As long as their Dou Qi crystal was destroyed, their cultivation would naturally be crippled.
"What a sinister move."
Han Feng shook his hand, dispersing the crimson "Heaven Refining Hand" Dou Qi.
In Duan Hong's memories, he had vaguely seen many people suffer this poisonous hand, but they dared not speak out in anger.
The cruel places in the cultivation world were very cruel. The weak were prey to the strong; it had always been this way.
A few days later, Su Mei of the Rakshasa Gate came to visit.
More than a year had passed, but she was still at the nine-star Dou King realm and had not been able to break through to Dou Emperor.
Her aura was a bit thicker, but her progress was not significant.
When she saw Han Feng, an indescribable grievance could be seen in the depths of her eyes.
A year ago, Han Feng had said that if she came to Feng City to find him for alchemy, she would be given priority. As a result, she had made trips in vain for a whole year.
"Gate Master Su, it's been a long time. Your complexion is even better than before."
Su Mei laughed charmingly. "Many thanks for your praise, Lord Medicine Emperor. This little woman is overwhelmed."
"Alright, I promised you before that I would give you priority in refining a pill. If there's anything you want, you can bring it up now."
After the pleasantries, Han Feng cut to the chase.
Su Mei immediately stated her request.
She wanted a pill that could help her break through to Dou Emperor faster.
"In this Black-Corner Region, only a Dou Emperor expert can sit firmly on their throne. This little woman has spent the past year exhausting all my efforts just to protect the Rakshasa Gate from being annexed."
Han Feng nodded and wrote down some medicinal ingredients on a piece of paper.
"Gate Master Su, go back and collect these ingredients. It's best to gather them all within a month. If you're late, you might have to wait until I come back next time."
Su Mei's heart skipped a beat. You, the City Lord of Feng City, are going out again?
She quickly took the list of ingredients, not daring to be negligent.
"Then this little woman will go back and collect them now. May I ask, about how many portions of the ingredients does the Medicine Emperor need?"
Han Feng smiled, not making things difficult for her. "Two portions will be enough. If you really can't find the rare ingredients, one portion is also fine. In short, try to deliver them within a month, so I can refine the pill for you."
"Okay."
Su Mei breathed a sigh of relief. If it was only two portions, then it was fine.
This was also thanks to the fact that she was looking for Han Feng. If she had gone to the Black Emperor Sect to find that other sixth-grade alchemist, the ingredient share would probably have been three to four portions.
What's more, this time Su Mei didn't even find the pill formula herself. It was all thanks to Han Feng's guidance.
If it were any other alchemist, how could they have such profound knowledge and generous attitude?
Su Mei looked up at Han Feng, then quickly lowered her head and left the main hall gratefully.
At this very moment, two streams of gold and silver light suddenly appeared above Feng City.
Han Feng instantly stepped out of the main hall and looked at the two people in the sky.
"The Gold and Silver Elders."
"Medicine Emperor, as you invited, we two brothers have come!"