Just like that, after a day of flying, they reached Wu Tan City. Xiao Feng directly guided the flying eagle to the backside of the Xiao family manor, where he had specifically left a space for times like this.
They arrived early in the morning.
Right after they got down from the eagle, they were greeted by Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder, who was also Xiao Yu's grandfather.
"Feng'er, you're back so soon?" Xiao Zhan asked, slightly surprised.
The Grand Elder's sharp eyes swept over the two unfamiliar figures behind him. "And who might these two be?"
Xiao Feng stepped forward calmly and said, "Father, Grand Elder, let me introduce them. This is Qinglu… and this is Qinglin."
Qinglu bowed slightly with respect. "Greetings."
Qinglin nervously hid behind Xiao Feng, clutching his sleeve.
Xiao Feng gently placed his hand on her head and continued, "From today onwards, they will stay in the Xiao family."
Xiao Zhan frowned slightly. "Stay… as guests?"
Xiao Feng shook his head. "No. As family."
Both Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder were visibly shocked.
"As family?" the Grand Elder repeated.
"Yes," Xiao Feng said firmly. "I have already adopted them. Treat them the same way we treat Xun'er—no, even more closely if possible."
Hearing this, the two elders fell silent for a moment.
Although surprised, they fully understood Xiao Feng's importance. The Xiao family had reached its current position because of him.
Xiao Zhan let out a slow breath and nodded. "If it is your decision, Feng'er… then we will respect it."
The Grand Elder also nodded. "Since you have spoken, they will be treated as members of the Xiao family."
Qinglu's eyes turned slightly red upon hearing this. "Thank you… thank you…"
Qinglin peeked out and whispered, "Thank you…"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly, then said, "I will be leaving again soon."
"So soon?" Xiao Zhan frowned.
"Yes," Xiao Feng replied calmly. "I will be away for two to three years."
The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes. "When are you planning to return this time?"
Xiao Feng looked into the distance and said, "When I return… I will step into the Dou Wang realm."
Hearing this, both Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder were shocked—
But neither of them doubted him.
Xiao Zhan smiled proudly. "Good! My nephew should aim that high."
The Grand Elder nodded seriously. "We will wait for your return."
Before leaving, Xiao Feng took out ten flying Dou Techniques and handed them to Xiao Zhan separately.
"These are for the family," he said.
Xiao Zhan's eyes widened slightly. "Flying Dou Techniques… ten of them?"
Xiao Feng nodded. "Two are for Xiao Chen and Xiao Mai. The remaining eight can be distributed as you see fit."
He then took out several medicinal bottles.
"These are 4th and 5th tier pills. They will help around ten people break through to Dou Spirit and even Dou King."
Xiao Zhan took them with slightly trembling hands. "Feng'er… this…"
"It's nothing," Xiao Feng said lightly. "The Xiao family needs to grow."
After that, Xiao Feng turned toward Qinglu.
"During our flight, I checked your aptitude," he said calmly. "I wanted to be sure before saying anything."
Qinglu was slightly startled. "You… checked it during the flight?"
Xiao Feng nodded. "Yes. Your Dou Qi flow is stable, your control is decent, and more importantly… your soul strength is above average."
He paused for a moment before continuing,
"You have a fire attribute… and talent for alchemy."
Qinglu was stunned. "Me…? Alchemy?"
Xiao Feng nodded. "Yes. From today, you will follow Xiao Mai and learn."
He handed her a scroll.
"This is a High-Level Profound Fire Cultivation Technique—the Vermilion Fire Bird Technique. Along with it is a Flame Control Art similar to the Fire Elder's, but slightly modified."
Qinglu held the scroll with trembling hands. "This… is too valuable…"
"Use it well," Xiao Feng said. "With this, you should at least reach Great Dou Master or even Dou Spirit within three years."
He then added, "You're currently at the 4-star Dou Master level. Don't waste your potential."
Qinglu's eyes filled with determination. "I… I will not disappoint you."
Finally, Xiao Feng turned to Qinglin.
Before he could say anything, Qinglin rushed forward and hugged him tightly, crying.
"Brother… don't go…"
Xiao Feng gently patted her head. "Silly girl…"
"I'll be back," he said softly.
Qinglin shook her head, tears falling. "I don't want you to leave…"
Xiao Feng crouched down and looked at her gently.
"I can take you with me now," he said, "but I want you to enjoy this time first."
Qinglin sniffed. "Enjoy…?"
"Yes," he smiled. "After that, training will be hard."
He tapped her forehead lightly.
"I have created a perfect Plan for you".
"When you start practicing seriously, I'll focus on your physical cultivation and soul cultivation."
He continued calmly, "With your eyes, you can control snake-type magical beasts and use their Dou Qi to increase your strength."
Qinglin looked at him with teary but shining eyes. "Really…?"
"Of course," Xiao Feng said.
He stood up and added, "I'll send someone for you after a year."
Qinglin nodded reluctantly. "I'll wait for you, Brother…"
Xiao Feng smiled, then looked at everyone one last time.
"Take care of them," he said to Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder.
"We will," Xiao Zhan replied firmly.
Without hesitation, Xiao Feng turned around—
And with a leap, he mounted the flying eagle once again, disappearing into the sky.
On his way back to Canaan Academy, Xiao Feng was deep in thought.
Standing on the flying eagle, with the wind brushing past him, his eyes looked far into the distance.
"I can't always rely on others…" he murmured softly.
His mind slowly drifted toward an idea—
A city.
A city like Han Feng's Maple City… but far better.
"I want to build a place… where my people are safe," he said quietly. "A place where no one dares to touch my family."
The more he thought about it, the clearer his vision became.
This city wouldn't just be powerful—
It would be perfect.
A place where strength ruled, but not cruelty.
A place where talent could rise, even without background.
Xiao Feng's eyes sharpened.
"I'll take in orphans… and those with talent but no backing."
"They'll work for me… and in return, I'll give them what no one else can—resources, protection, and a future."
He let out a faint smile.
"For them, it's far better than struggling alone… or even working under the elders of Canaan Academy."
After all—
He was already a 5th Rank Alchemist.
And a 4th Grade Spirit Formation Array Master.
In terms of these professions alone, he had already reached a level that very few in the entire northwest continent could match.
"The only thing holding me back… is my cultivation level," he muttered.
His fingers tapped lightly on the eagle's back.
"If I reach the Dou Emperor realm…"
A faint, confident smile appeared on his face.
"I'll stand at the very peak."
The wind howled louder as the flying eagle sped forward—
And within Xiao Feng's mind, the blueprint of a future empire had already begun to take shape.
After a few days of journey, Xiao Feng finally reached the Black Corner Region. Within a few hours, he arrived at Peace Town and went to see his Xiao family members.
As he walked toward their residence, he casually scanned the surrounding Outer Academy students.
"Hmm… their strength has increased quite a bit," he muttered. "Looks like the environment here really forces people to grow."
Not stopping for long, he headed straight to Xiao Li and Xiao Ding's rooms.
"First Brother, Second Brother, I'm back," Xiao Feng said as he entered.
Hearing his voice, both of them immediately turned around.
"Feng'er!" Xiao Ding smiled. "You finally came back."
Xiao Li also walked forward with a grin. "You've been gone for quite a while."
Xiao Feng nodded and sat down. "Tell me, how have things been here?"
Xiao Ding spoke first, "Because of your name and fame, no one dares to provoke us. It's been peaceful… almost too quiet."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "That's good. Peace is better than unnecessary trouble."
Xiao Li, however, laughed and said, "Peaceful? It's boring!"
He stretched lazily and continued, "Just cultivating every day was driving me crazy, so I joined the Disciplinary Committee."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Xiao Li nodded. "Yeah. I help maintain order in Peace Town, protect the new students, and I can also take missions to earn contribution points and rewards."
He then leaned closer and lowered his voice slightly.
"And After Some Training… I Able to do something interesting."
Saying that, he flicked his finger.
A small flame appeared—blue mixed with red—dancing lightly on his fingertip.
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Strange flame…"
Xiao Li grinned. "I can even use it to boil herbs now."
Xiao Feng immediately became serious.
"Keep this a secret," he said firmly. "Other than those who already know, no one else should find out."
Xiao Li was slightly stunned but nodded. "Alright."
Xiao Feng continued, "I'm currently researching how to enhance flames using the energy of heaven and earth. Once I get results, I'll tell you."
Hearing this, Xiao Li's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes," Xiao Feng replied calmly. "Also, I'll send you some fire and lightning attribute herbs and treasures. They'll help both your cultivation and the growth of this flame."
Xiao Li clenched his fist excitedly. "Good! I knew following you would never be boring."
Xiao Feng then looked at both of them.
"With the cultivation techniques, pills, and array formations I left behind… how far have you progressed?"
Xiao Ding replied, "We've both reached Peak Dou Master."
Xiao Li added, "And even without pills, we can break through to Dou Grand Master within two months."
Xiao Feng nodded in satisfaction. "Good. That's exactly what I expected."
He leaned back slightly and said, "I also have a plan I want to discuss with you."
Both of them became serious.
"I plan to build a city near Peace Town," Xiao Feng said calmly.
"A city?" Xiao Ding was surprised.
"Yes," Xiao Feng continued. "A place under our control. We'll start by recruiting graduating students."
Xiao Li's eyes lit up. "That sounds interesting."
"For now," Xiao Feng added, "we'll focus on Outer Academy students. Once I become stronger… and reach 6th Rank Alchemist…"
He paused slightly.
"I'll start pulling people from the Inner Academy as well."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Xiao Li let out a low whistle. "You're planning something big…"
Xiao Ding smiled. "But if it's you, Feng'er… it will definitely succeed."
Xiao Feng simply smiled faintly.
"This is just the beginning."
He then leaned forward slightly, his tone turning more serious.
"We need more… to protect our Xiao family from the powerful forces in this region."
Hearing this, Xiao Li's playful expression disappeared, replaced by a sharp look.
"You're right. The Black Corner Region isn't like outside… strength is everything here."
Xiao Ding also nodded. "Even if people fear us now because of your name, that won't last forever. Once stronger factions appear, they won't hesitate to test us."
Xiao Feng tapped his finger lightly on the table.
"That's exactly why I want to build our own power."
He continued calmly,
"A city is just the foundation. What we really need… is influence, strength, and loyal people."
Xiao Li crossed his arms. "So what's the plan?"
"First," Xiao Feng said, "we gather talents—especially those without backing. Those people are easier to win over and more loyal once they're given opportunities."
"Second, we strengthen ourselves. You two must break through to Dou Grand Master as soon as possible."
"Third…"
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"We need deterrence."
"Deterrence?" Xiao Ding asked.
"Yes," Xiao Feng replied. "Something—or someone—that makes others think twice before targeting us."
Xiao Li smirked. "You mean you."
Xiao Feng chuckled lightly. "For now, yes. But that's not enough."
He stood up slowly and walked toward the window.
"In the future, our Xiao family won't just rely on one person."
"We'll have Dou Spirits… Dou Kings… and even higher."
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
Xiao Ding took a deep breath. "Then we'll follow your lead."
Xiao Li grinned. "Yeah. If anyone dares touch our family…"
A faint killing intent flashed in his eyes.
"They'll regret it."
Xiao Feng turned back, a calm but confident smile on his face.
"Good."
"Because from now on…"
"We're no longer just surviving in this region."
"We're going to dominate it."