The young man beside Shangguan Hong was named Shangguan Qingmu.
This Shangguan Qingmu was a genius disciple of the Divine Academy, as well as Shangguan Hong's nephew.
Even so, he wasn't among the very best at the Divine Academy.
Because the very best were those top geniuses who possessed a Spirit Body.
So, when he heard that Ling Fei might have a Spirit Body, his brow furrowed immediately.
After all, young men were always competitive. How could he be happy that some nobody who had suddenly appeared was about to climb over his head?
"Ling Fei? He looks quite handsome, but does he really have the Cold Essence Spirit Body?" To Shangguan Hong's left, a young woman in a mink coat blinked her autumn-water-like eyes. Her shapely brows arched as she stared curiously at Ling Fei, who was slowly walking down the street, and muttered to herself.
This young woman was named Shangguan Yurou, and she was none other than Shangguan Hong's daughter.
Having heard about the events in Longtan Town, she had come here with her father.
After arriving in Longtan Town, gathering some information, and learning what had happened, she too was filled with curiosity about Ling Fei.
A boy known to the world as a sickly weakling had killed a genius at the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering.
How could something like that not arouse one's curiosity?
On the street, Ling Fei and Huang Xiaoman walked slowly together in the direction of Ling's Medical Clinic.
"Looking at your aura, it seems a lot stronger than before!" Huang Xiaoman said, sizing up Ling Fei with a curious expression.
The Ling Fei of today had a deep and powerful aura, giving off an inscrutable feeling.
"Hehe, I've now reached the Mid Stage of Body Tempering Ninth Layer," Ling Fei said with a grin.
He looked at Huang Xiaoman beside him and thought to himself.
'If I become stronger than this girl in the future…'
'...she probably won't dare to be so aggressive with me anymore, right?'
Whenever he thought about how he was constantly being threatened by a woman shaking her fist at him, Ling Fei felt helpless.
'A proud man like me, how can I be treated like this?'
"You little punk, don't get cocky. I'm an expert at the Mid Stage of the Innate Realm. Even if you reach the Body Tempering Perfection Realm, I can still beat you up whenever I feel like it." As if she knew what Ling Fei was thinking, Huang Xiaoman raised an eyebrow and spoke in a threatening tone. For some reason, she was always in the habit of putting down the young man before her.
It seemed these days of bickering allowed her to forget all her worries and relieve her stress.
Over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to her daily walks down this street with Ling Fei.
"That's Huang Xiaoman. How could she be so intimate with that kid?" From the high tower, Shangguan Qingmu watched the boy and girl gradually disappear from view. His brows furrowed tightly, and a thick wave of jealousy washed over his handsome face as his fists clenched unconsciously.
From the looks of it, he and Huang Xiaoman had clearly known each other for a long time.
Shangguan Hong, however, wore a contemplative expression.
"My Lord, how do you plan to handle this matter?" Zhang Quan asked, his eyes flashing as he looked up.
He was very concerned about this.
Because it concerned Ling Fei's fate.
He really couldn't bear to see such a promising young man have his future ruined.
"This emissary has already investigated the ins and outs of this matter. It was indeed the Qin Mansion's fault, but Elder Ling's actions were a bit too ruthless," Shangguan Hong said, his gaze hardening. "No matter how you look at it, the Qin Mansion has many talented people serving in my Divine Guard Bureau. If we don't give them an explanation, I'm afraid the people of the Divine Guard Bureau will be disheartened."
"So, My Lord, you still plan to pursue this matter?" Zhang Quan frowned upon hearing this and said, "This child is a real talent!"
"You need not worry. This emissary will naturally handle it impartially," Shangguan Hong said.
"Yes." Hearing this, Zhang Quan nodded slightly. It seemed there was still some room for maneuver in this matter.
"The Empire places the utmost importance on nurturing talent. If this young man is truly someone special, then everything is negotiable," Shangguan Hong said, his eyes glinting.
"In that case, thank you, My Lord," Zhang Quan said, quickly bowing in gratitude.
"Let's go. We'll see what makes him so extraordinary," Shangguan Hong said with a wave of his hand before turning around.
"Yes!" Zhang Quan nodded.
Then, atop the high tower, with a flash of light and shadow, two silver-white Profound Eagles circled down.
Immediately, Shangguan Hong and the others mounted the eagles' backs.
SKREEE!
A long cry rang out.
The two Profound Eagles, with wingspans of three to four meters, took flight into the sky.
Their direction was precisely that of Ling's Medical Clinic.
...
"Ling Fei, I'm leaving now." At the entrance of Ling's Medical Clinic, Huang Xiaoman said her farewell to Ling Fei.
"Okay, see you tomorrow," Ling Fei replied out of habit.
Over the past twenty-some days, he had grown accustomed to the girl's company.
At least, returning from his cultivation sessions was no longer as boring as it used to be.
'My cultivation has reached the Mid Stage of Body Tempering Ninth Layer. Among those in the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering, I shouldn't be too far behind now. Next, I need to properly comprehend the True Dragon Visualization Image. As long as I train hard, I will definitely become strong in the future.' Full of anticipation, Ling Fei walked into the medical clinic.
"Adoptive Father, Xue Xi, I'm back!" As Ling Fei entered the clinic, he saw Elder Ling and Xue Xi.
"Brother Ling Fei, there were loud rumbling noises just now, and Dragon Pool Mountain collapsed! Are you okay?" Xue Xi asked, hurrying over with graceful steps.
Although they were some distance from Dragon Pool Mountain, they could still see the high mountain's avalanche.
It was only because her adoptive father told her not to worry that the little girl hadn't already run off toward Dragon Pool Mountain.
Elder Ling, standing beside them, was very calm.
"I'm fine." Ling Fei's brows raised slightly. He then looked at his adoptive father and said, "Adoptive Father, I've already reached the Mid Stage of Body Tempering Ninth Layer."
"Good. Keep working hard and strive to enter the Innate Realm soon," Elder Ling said with a smile.
"Yes." Ling Fei nodded firmly. "I will."
"You're amazing, Brother," Xue Xi said, blinking her clear and bright, gemstone-like eyes. "Brother, you will definitely become a powerful expert in the future."
"Xue Xi, as long as I become strong, no one will be able to bully you in the future," Ling Fei said, his gaze flashing with determination.
'If I become strong, who would dare to have designs on Sister Xue Xi?'
He truly didn't want a repeat of what happened with Qin Hong.
Just imagine, if his adoptive father hadn't been strong enough, wouldn't Sister Xue Xi have been forcibly married to Qin Hong?
"Does that mean Xue Xi will be a princess protected by her brother?" Xue Xi blinked, her face full of anticipation as she gave a playful smile.
The feeling of being protected by her brother made her feel especially happy.
She would never forget the way Ling Fei had decisively rejected Qin Hong when he came to propose marriage.
"Of course," Ling Fei said with a shrug. "In your brother's eyes, you are a princess."
SKREEE!
Just then, a long cry rang out.
Elder Ling looked up, his brow twitching slightly as he gazed into the distant void.
Then, his expression returned to normal.
"Two giant eagles!" Ling Fei's brows arched. Looking up, he spotted two silver giant eagles flying toward them from the void.
On the giant eagles, there were several figures.
"Those are Profound Eagles!" At that moment, on the street, Huang Xiaoman, who was about to head home, also heard the cry and immediately looked up.
When she looked up, her brow immediately furrowed, and a grave expression appeared on her beautiful face.
These Profound Eagles' auras had actually reached the Innate Realm.
Their presence was even stronger than hers; they had clearly reached the Perfect Innate Realm.
'They're heading for Ling's Medical Clinic! Could it be people from the Divine Guard Bureau?' After seeing the Profound Eagles' flight path, Huang Xiaoman's face filled with worry.
Then, her long, slender legs moved, and she rushed toward Ling's Medical Clinic.
The arrival of the Divine Guards would undoubtedly determine Ling Fei's life or death.
How could she not be anxious?