Lord Can Ye watched Xia Feng disappear before him, showing no intention of stopping him.
The Nai Wei Grass was neither here nor there in terms of importance. It was more beneficial to owe Xia Feng a favor. This young man possessed immense talent; perhaps one day, when he broke through to the middle stage of Immortal Emperor, he would be chasing after him.
With this thought, Lord Can Ye vanished, returning to the Can Ye Sect.
"Lord Can Ye."
The four Immortal Venerables of the Can Ye Sect, along with three others who had arrived to watch the spectacle, bowed to Lord Can Ye.
"Mm," Lord Can Ye replied with a simple hum.
"Junior Brother, where is Xia Feng?" Lei Zhenghao asked, looking at Lord Can Ye.
"Gone," Lord Can Ye said flatly.
"You drove him away, didn't you? How could he possibly be your match?" Lei Zhenghao nodded, analyzing the outcome of their fight.
One was an early stage Immortal Emperor, the other a middle stage Immortal Emperor. The result of such a battle was a foregone conclusion. Clearly, Lord Can Ye had returned unharmed.
Lord Can Ye's mouth twitched upon hearing this. After a moment, he said calmly, "I had a slight advantage. The younger generation is indeed formidable."
"Junior Brother, is Xia Feng really that powerful? He could last so long against you?" Lei Zhenghao was clearly taken aback by Lord Can Ye's answer.
"How can you understand the strength of an Immortal Emperor?" Lord Can Ye boasted. He couldn't very well admit that he had barely managed a draw against Xia Feng thanks to his immortal artifact; that would be too embarrassing.
"Indeed. Junior Brother, did you retrieve the Nai Wei Grass?" Lei Zhenghao suddenly remembered the Nai Wei Grass. It was a treasure of the sect, something he relied on to stabilize his realm if he ever broke through to Immortal Emperor. Breaking through to the Immortal Emperor realm required both talent and opportunity; it was like trying to catch fish in a dry pot, a perilous endeavor. But one always had to have dreams. If he broke through one day and lacked the stabilizing effect of the Nai Wei Grass, causing him to fall back, it would be like chasing shadows, a joy that turned to dust.
"No," Lord Can Ye stated calmly.
"Junior Brother, this..."
Lei Zhenghao was stunned and didn't know what to say. He had been so boastful earlier, even declaring Xia Feng should await his doom. Not only did Xia Feng escape, but the Nai Wei Grass was also not recovered. And this was from an established middle-stage Immortal Emperor.
As if reading Lei Zhenghao's thoughts, Lord Can Ye said with a serious expression, "I am currently comprehending the late stage of Immortal Emperor and have no time to engage him. I intend to continue exploring the Great Dao. From now on, if Xia Feng comes to the sect to request anything, you are all to cooperate fully. Do not disturb me again."
With that, Lord Can Ye vanished from their sight. His words were clear: give Xia Feng whatever he asks for, and don't bother him anymore. The next time Xia Feng came, he might be a middle-stage Immortal Emperor, and then Lord Can Ye would be the one being chased, losing all face.
Lei Zhenghao and the others exchanged bewildered glances.
Xia Feng headed south and soon caught up with Lu Yanghua and Yu Shumin, who were on their journey.
Seeing Xia Feng suddenly appear, Yu Shumin rejoiced and exclaimed with surprise, "Young Master, you're back."
"Greetings, Young Master," Lu Yanghua also said with joy. Yu Shumin had told him about Xia Feng's instructions, anticipating a fight with Lord Can Ye. From their current appearance, it seemed the fight hadn't materialized.
"Mm, I've got the Nai Wei Grass," Xia Feng said softly as he landed on the white crane.
"Young Master, since you took the Nai Wei Grass, didn't Lord Can Ye chase after you?" Yu Shumin asked curiously. Lu Yanghua was also curious, wanting to know how Xia Feng managed to take the Nai Wei Grass.
"He chased after me, and we fought," Xia Feng described the encounter briefly and casually.
Lu Yanghua and Yu Shumin were speechless for a long time. An established middle-stage Immortal Emperor had only managed a draw against Xia Feng. They had no reason to doubt Xia Feng's words.
"Young Master, what are your plans now?" Lu Yanghua asked.
"I'm going back to Kongxu City first," Xia Feng replied. He needed to make arrangements in Kongxu City, as it would become his territory and a place to bring Xia Lin later. After settling matters in Kongxu City, he would return to the Pill Sect to refine the Hunyuan Pill, and then await the summons of the Eastern Emperor Bell.
"Young Master, are you planning to station yourself in Kongxu City?" Lu Yanghua inquired.
"Mm, Kongxu City will be my Kongxu City from now on," Xia Feng confirmed with a nod.
Upon receiving Xia Feng's affirmation, Lu Yanghua's expression turned serious. He stood up on the white crane and knelt before Xia Feng, sincerely pleading, "I implore Young Master to accept my Kaishan Sect. I wish to move the entire sect to Kongxu City and serve you with all my being." Lu Yanghua was a shrewd individual who knew how to pick the right patron. With Xia Feng establishing a permanent presence in Kongxu City, it would undoubtedly become the foremost city on the Tianxuan Continent. Xia Feng's reputation was just beginning to rise, and this was a crucial time to recruit. If he didn't pledge his allegiance now, he might never get the chance later.
Yu Shumin, standing beside him, added, "Young Master, Shumin has already told you before that she is willing to serve you for all eternity."
Xia Feng considered for a moment and then said, "Alright." Kongxu City needed significant development and indeed required a large influx of people. The prosperity of a city was greatly related to its population. However, not just anyone could enter Kongxu City; they needed Xia Feng's approval. After this incident, Lu Yanghua had earned Xia Feng's recognition. This was also his opportunity and fortune. The investment of five million immortal stones was not in vain.
Lu Yanghua and Yu Shumin's faces lit up with joy.
After another three months, Xia Feng returned to Kongxu City.
"Welcome back, Immortal Emperor."
As soon as Xia Feng arrived at Kongxu City, Leng Li and the others, along with a crowd, came out to greet him, including Yin Kangshun. Kongxu City had undergone a dramatic transformation compared to before. Everyone in the city wore smiles filled with confidence. Half a year ago, Xia Feng had announced his permanent residency in Kongxu City, and soon after, Yin Kangshun had arrived. He was an established late-stage Immortal Venerable, tasked with guarding Kongxu City. Everyone knew why Yin Kangshun was here; it was clearly due to Xia Feng. When Xia Feng had left Kongxu City previously, he had vowed to take Yin Kangshun's life. Now that Yin Kangshun was alive and in Kongxu City, the implications were clear.
"There's no need for such formalities. This is Lu Yanghua, the Sect Master of Kaishan Sect. He has decided to move his entire sect to Kongxu City," Xia Feng introduced Lu Yanghua to Leng Li.
Upon hearing this, Leng Li and the others' eyebrows twitched. The reputation of an Immortal Emperor was indeed extraordinary. These two, being the closest Immortal Venerables to Kongxu City, were naturally familiar with their reputations. Times had changed; they were now part of Kongxu City, a testament to the unpredictable nature of life.
After introductions, they all saw a spark of ambition in each other's eyes. The name of Kongxu City was about to resound throughout the Tianxuan Continent.