After taking stock of the various materials obtained from the underground cavern beneath Crimson Rock Mountain yesterday, Lin Feng finally rose. He washed up, opened the door, and stepped out, intending to call Zhang Fangzhou and the others for breakfast.
Opening the door, he was greeted by bright sunlight. It was already late morning; absorbed in his thoughts earlier, he hadn't noticed the time—likely past nine o'clock.
"Boss Lin is out!!"
"Hmm, Big Brother has finished his cultivation. Manager Qi, please."
Lin Feng had just stepped outside his door when he heard Yao Wangtian and Zhang Fangzhou's voices coming from the neighboring courtyard. He paused slightly, thinking, 'Manager Qi? What's he doing here?'
As he wondered, light footsteps approached. Xu Rong called from outside, "Boss Lin, may we come in?"
"Come in. The door's unlocked."
After Lin Feng's response, the gate was pushed open from outside. Four figures entered. Leading the way, alongside Zhang Fangzhou, was Qi Minghe.
Lin Feng stepped forward to greet him, smiling. "Manager Qi, what brings you here?"
Qi Minghe chuckled warmly. "Haha, Lin Feng. I heard about yesterday's events and came specifically to see you—are you alright?"
"Thank you for your concern, Manager Qi. I'm fine." A flicker of warmth touched Lin Feng's heart as he shook his head with a smile. He gestured inside. "Manager Qi, please, come in."
The five returned to the house and sat around the round table in the main room. Zhang Fangzhou retrieved a food box from his spatial ring and placed it on the table. "Big Brother, we bought you breakfast. Eat it while it's hot?"
He was proving to be a remarkably dutiful follower. The three had risen early but dared not disturb Lin Feng while he cultivated. After waiting for some time, they had gone out specifically to buy breakfast. On their way back, they happened to meet Qi Minghe. Learning that Lin Feng hadn't emerged yet, Qi Minghe had waited with them in their quarters. The moment Lin Feng opened his door, they heard and came over.
"Hmm, leave it there. I'll eat later." Lin Feng nodded. With a guest present, it wouldn't be polite to eat alone.
Qi Minghe smiled broadly. "Lin Feng, did you know you're now the hero of Qingyun City? Haha… yesterday, single-handedly vanquishing that savage demon beast in the square, wielding both flying sword and Extraordinary Fire… it was truly awe-inspiring! It's a pity I couldn't witness it firsthand…"
Lin Feng gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Please, Manager Qi, don't tease me. Hero of Qingyun City? I don't deserve that title… And I certainly didn't fight that beast alone yesterday. It was only because City Lord Lei and the others battled it for so long first that I got the chance for a final strike…"
"But it's true, Boss Lin! You really are a hero!" Before Qi Minghe could respond, Yao Wangtian interjected excitedly. "You wouldn't believe it! Earlier, when we went out for breakfast, we heard everyone talking about you!!"
"Oh? Really?" Lin Feng was momentarily surprised, then understanding dawned. Yesterday's events had been too momentous; it was unsurprising the whole city knew. His own performance had been rather eye-catching—both the flying sword and the Extraordinary Fire were extraordinary treasures. Now that both were exposed, such a stir was inevitable.
Ideally, Lin Feng would have preferred to keep these secrets hidden. But he was no longer the powerless, vulnerable lone cultivator he once was. He now possessed significant strength and had the backing of the Myriad Treasures Building. He didn't need to worry excessively about covetous eyes from local cultivators.
Moreover, the title 'hero of the people' resonated pleasantly within him, satisfying a small, deep-seated heroic complex.
After chatting a bit more about yesterday's events, Qi Minghe brought up another matter. "By the way, Lin Feng, regarding those advanced artifact forging materials you requested… I've submitted the request upwards. Head Office has responded, saying they will prepare them as soon as possible. I estimate they might arrive within the next few days."
"Really?" Lin Feng felt a surge of genuine pleasure. "Thank you so much, Manager Qi."
Qi Minghe waved a dismissive hand. "Just a small effort, no need for thanks. Well then… I won't disturb you further. If you need anything from me or the Myriad Treasures Building, don't hesitate to ask."
"Alright. Take care, Manager Qi."
After seeing Qi Minghe out, Zhang Fangzhou and the other two mentioned wanting to explore the city and left. Lin Feng returned to the house alone to finally eat his breakfast. However, he had barely finished when, through the still-open door, he saw his three companions returning—and they weren't alone.
Zheng Kai, Changgong Xiaojing, and Kou Tingting had arrived with them.
"Big Brother, we ran into Young Master Zheng and the others on the road, so we came back…" Zhang Fangzhou explained as he ushered the group into the house.
"Hmm." Lin Feng nodded, offering a welcoming smile to Zheng Kai and the others. "Everyone, please, have a seat."
"Lin Feng, so this is your place?" Zheng Kai sat down unceremoniously beside Lin Feng, his eyes scanning the room with a hint of curiosity. "Why are you living in the commoner district? Isn't it inconvenient being so far from the bustling district? How about… I gift you a place in the bustling district?" he added, half-jokingly.
Lin Feng chuckled, waving his hand. "No need. I'm perfectly comfortable here."
Changgong Xiaojing watched Lin Feng chatting easily with Zheng Kai, her gaze flickering with complex emotions. It wasn't that her heart fluttered for him, but a pang of sympathy stirred for his background. Zheng Kai hadn't asked about Lin Feng's 'family' because, on their way over, he'd casually inquired of Zhang Fangzhou and the others. The answer was clear: Lin Feng lived alone, with no signs of other family members ever having resided here. In short—Lin Feng was an orphan. Such a background inevitably evoked sympathy.
'He's lived here alone all this time? Zhang Fangzhou said he even worked at a small artifact shop before? Earning just a handful of spirit stones a month… How did he manage to cultivate? Thank goodness he later met that senior master who took him as a disciple… But Father and the uncles all say he's a Level 4 Artificer with an Extraordinary Fire. Only I know his Molten Rock Fire is newly acquired… so… does that mean he has another Extraordinary Fire? What kind of person is he? Why do all the things he does seem so unbelievably incredible…'
Her thoughts drifted back to their first encounter: her anger over him 'snatching' her Skybloom Grass. Then meeting him again in the brothel, her opinion of him plummeting to its lowest point. But yesterday's trip to Crimson Rock Mountain had completely overturned her understanding. And later, right here in the city, witnessing his domineering, decisive annihilation of that ferocious beast—a beast even the City Lord, her father, and the others combined couldn't defeat…
Changgong Xiaojing's thoughts wandered further and further. Lost in contemplation, she began to stare blankly.
"Xiaojing… Xiaojing!"
Kou Tingting, seated beside her, noticed Changgong Xiaojing had been staring intently at Lin Feng for quite some time. Surprised, she gently nudged her friend.
"Huh?"
Changgong Xiaojing snapped back to reality, immediately feeling embarrassed by her lapse. She stole a glance at Lin Feng, relieved to see he was still engrossed in conversation with Zheng Kai and seemed unaware of her staring. She let out a small, silent sigh of relief…