Chapter Thirteen: Farewell Outside the City

  In the following days, Yu Feng used the same method to refine the remaining Iron Essence Mother into a smaller Qian Kun Ring. The space inside was slightly smaller than his, only about three feet in diameter, mainly because of insufficient materials.

  Although Li Xiang had not yet come into contact with the door of cultivation, Yu Feng wanted to refine it for him first, because he couldn't always stay by Li Xiang's side. Yu Feng also used the copper essence and jade essence to repeatedly purify them in the Nanming Fire Array, mainly because he wanted to refine a magic dao artifact, which had high material requirements. He was refining a magic soul-collecting bottle, although it was called a soul-collecting bottle, but he also added the Demon-Slaying Array and the Seven-Star Demon-Subduing Array inside.

  So this soul-collecting bottle can not only capture ghosts but also exorcise demons. After Yu Feng consumed all the materials, more than a month had passed. With nothing left to experiment with, he threw the evil spirit he captured at the Sun Manor into the bottle and locked it inside. The poor evil spirit was already driven mad by Yu Feng's experiments and now that it was out again, it was trapped in the soul-collecting bottle once more. It would have been better off being destroyed body and soul.

  Yu Feng didn't have any sympathy for it either, believing that evil deeds would inevitably lead to evil consequences. He also looked down on those so-called righteous and evil Taoist sects, thinking that the way of Tao was neither good nor evil in itself, but rather depended on how one used it - whether for good or for ill. In his view, there was no clear distinction between right and wrong, as even the most seemingly benevolent methods could be used to harm people, while the darkest arts could also be employed to save lives.

  Li Xiang practiced internal strength in a corner of the Spirit Gathering Array every day, and his cultivation grew rapidly. Although he was not at the center of the array, the spiritual energy at the edge of the array was still several dozen times thicker than outside, and its effect on Li Xiang's physical body was unimaginable.

  Although Li Xiang cannot absorb these spiritual energies on his own, being here every day has unknowingly allowed the true energy in his body to grow at a speed several times faster than that of an ordinary person. According to Yu Feng's estimation, if this large-scale spirit gathering array continues like this, Li Xiang will definitely enter the Pre-Heavenly realm within five years, not only will it be half a year less than the previously estimated ten years, but also his true energy and meridians will be more than twice as good as those of an ordinary cultivator.

  So Yu Feng decided to set up a small array for Li Xiang alone after he left, although he had to dismantle this large-scale spirit gathering formation. It wasn't that Yu Feng was reluctant to part with the jade stones used in the formation, but rather that such a large-scale spirit gathering formation would easily attract some evil spirits like mountain imps and ghosts once it was set up.

  These evil objects are extremely sensitive to spiritual energy, even clearer than the feelings of cultivators. Although Yu Feng had laid down a hidden array method long ago, this large-scale soul-gathering array was too powerful when activated, and the fluctuations in spiritual energy were too great. Despite the concealment of the array method, it couldn't hide from some nearby mountain demons and ghosts. In the past four months or so, after setting up the array, he had killed no less than a dozen or more ghosts that came to disturb him. However, two days ago, he used a soul-gathering bottle to capture a ghost, which would automatically transform into yin energy within the array method to nourish and supplement his own insufficient material foundation.

  At this time, the soul-gathering bottle had become a top-notch magic tool. If its material was even better and could absorb some yin energy, it would probably be instantly upgraded to a rare spiritual instrument in the cultivation world. However, over the past few days, Yu Feng's alchemy, ghost extermination, and other activities had satisfied Li Xiang's curiosity, also giving him a certain understanding of those cultivation matters. If he were to encounter a ghost now, Li Xiang would definitely not be as flustered as others.

  "A Xiang, take this ring and keep it safe for now. You'll need it after you've cultivated your skills. I won't tell you how to use it, but the method is in those sealed memories of yours. Although the space inside isn't very large, it will still make things more convenient for you in the future." Yu Feng handed over the ring he had refined for Li Xiang.

  "Thank you, Master! Hehe, it's not a big deal, as long as it can hold things, it's good." Li Xiang had already heard from Yu Feng that the legendary Qian Kun ring was extraordinary, and as soon as he received the ring, his eyes lit up with joy. He didn't expect his master to have also refined one for him.

  "You can recognize the owner of this ring by its blood later, I have added a lot of restrictions on it, if you don't die, others won't be able to open this ring, at most they can only destroy it, but if the ring is destroyed, the space here will also explode together, and others will not be able to take out the things inside." Seeing Li Xiang's excited look, Yu Feng reminded him of another sentence, afraid that he would forget later.

  "Understood, Master." Li Xiang listened and immediately bit his finger, letting his blood drip onto it. The Qian Kun ring flashed a ray of light and disappeared. Li Xiang knew that the recognition was complete, and he just had to wait until he reached the Pre-Heaven stage before he could use it.

  "Ah Xiang, I have one more thing to tell you, in the near future, there will be great chaos, Master has traveled many places and found similar situations everywhere. The foreigners are not satisfied with their gains in Qing Dynasty and will continue to drag Qing into war to gain benefits, while the officials in the court are incompetent and the rulers are also incompetent. You and your family should make some preparations, do you understand?" Li Xiang said.

  "What's going on, the world will be in great chaos, Master, won't it? But Nanping is still fine, what preparations should I make?" Li Xiang was shocked to hear his master say such treasonous words.

  "No matter what, you have to make some preparations, I think the time won't be too long, listen, your family's foundation is all in Nanping, right? No matter what, when war breaks out, your family as a prominent household in the city will inevitably be affected, a clever rabbit has three burrows, let alone humans, no matter how you look at it, you still need to plan an escape route for your family." Seeing Li Xiang had none of that kind of thinking prepared, Yu Feng couldn't help but furrow his brow.

  "This is indeed the case, but there are so many people in my family, how can I withdraw at that time?" Seeing Yu Feng's slightly heavy tone, Li Xiang couldn't help but lower his head, afraid of being blamed by Yu Feng.

  "Haha, this is your family's affair, I'm just offering you some advice. When war breaks out, it may spread throughout the country, so anywhere can be affected. Don't think that big cities are safer, they're actually the source of chaos. From now on, you should start making preparations. First, you need to have reliable people by your side. This is relatively easy to do, either choose from within your family or find some orphaned children outside, but they must be loyal and trustworthy. After observing their character, you can selectively teach them martial arts, the earlier the better. These people will become a source of strength during times of war, and if used well, may even help keep your family safe."

  Secondly, you need to choose a safe place to evacuate to, which should be away from the war zone, have access to water sources, and have enough food for all of you to survive for an extended period. If you choose to hide in the mountains, it should be a location that is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and concealment is also crucial. If you are in a rural area, you need to ensure that you can receive timely information before chaos erupts and be able to evacuate quickly and safely.

  That's all I can say, the rest is up to you and your family to discuss. Anyway, your family doesn't lack those silver coins, having a way out in times of great chaos is more important than anything else. Although you're still young now and won't be fully in charge of family matters, eventually you'll have to take on these responsibilities. It's not bad for you to make some preparations within your power now. Yufeng said all this to Li Xiang in one breath, also worried that their family would encounter war and be completely unprepared.

  "Uh-huh, I'll discuss this with Father and he will probably agree." Li Xiang nodded and said.

  "Master doesn't require you to necessarily contribute to the country and its people in times of great chaos, but also doesn't hope that you'll be useless. When possible, don't hesitate to make a contribution to this world. Although cultivators emphasize transcending worldly affairs, they also prioritize cultivating their hearts. If you harbor guilt in your heart in the future, your cultivation journey will come to an end. Do you understand?"

  "Don't worry, Master. If I can help, I won't stand by idly. Master, are you planning to leave again after telling me all these things?" Li Xiang hastily replied. Upon hearing Yu Feng's words, he had already guessed that his master might have the intention of leaving again, but still hoped to hear a denial from Yu Feng's mouth.

  "Haha, you've also become clever now, knowing that Master might leave, this time Master goes out, don't know how long it'll take to come back, maybe we won't see each other in this lifetime, there's a possibility of that, after all, during the chaotic times of the country, variables are too great, Master can't guarantee to see you again. So from now on, you must work hard and take responsibility for yourself, do you understand?

  Yu Feng's heart was reluctant, but still told him the truth, originally he wanted to leave a book like last time, but this time it might be a permanent goodbye, no chance to meet again."

  "Master, I know you can't stay, but I hope you won't leave without saying goodbye like last time. At least let me host a farewell dinner for you." Li Xiang knew he couldn't keep him from leaving, but he was still worried that he would disappear again, just like last time, leaving only a letter behind.

  "Haha, don't worry, it won't happen this time, I'll definitely finish your wine before leaving, isn't that enough?" Yu Feng comforted Li Xiang.

  Spring breeze has blown by, outside the city is already a green landscape, children's laughter echoes from afar. The morning sunlight adds warmth to people's hearts, and the willows by the pavilion are swaying in the wind.

  Three days later, the Li family went out of the city and saw off Yu Feng in a pavilion.

  "Li Bo, although I am Ah Xiang's master, let's still address each other as uncle and nephew, in my eyes Ah Xiang is more like a younger brother, this title is also appropriate." Yu Feng took over Ah Xiang's wine and said to Li Lao Ye.

  "So I'll just call you wise nephew from now on, I know you're a great person, I can tell from the changes in Xiao Yang this year, although I don't usually pay much attention to him, but as his father, I still notice the changes in my own son, and I appreciate your kindness towards him, from now on, if there's anything you need, just come straight to us, treat our home like your own." said Old Man Li.

  "Uh-huh, next time I'll definitely come find you again and stay at your place for a while longer. Ah Xiang, come over here, I have something to tell you."

  Yu Feng later said to Li Xiang, Li Xiang heard and followed Yu Feng out of the pavilion, while Old Man Li also knew that Yu Feng had something to discuss with Li Xiang alone, so he didn't let everyone follow them out.