Jiang Long and The Dinner with Xia Lan

Jiang Hai entered a huge hall. The whole architecture was supported by 18 thick pillars, and each pillar was carved with runes in the shape of many ancient beasts such as Dragon and Phoenix. The runes above them gave a golden sheen and illuminated the entire hall. The roof of the hall was dome-shaped. There were paintings of Rivers and Mountains. The tall mountains looked majestic, the endless seas looked alive.

In the central position of the hall, was a huge platform. Above which chairs were placed at various seating positions in a U shape and most of them were filled at the moment. At the end of the platform, there was a black throne. It was the position of the Patriarch of the Clan.

At this moment, a middle-aged man who looked about 30 years old was sitting on the Patriarch's position. He was, of course, none other than the Patriarch of Jiang Clan, Jiang Long. He looked ferocious, was tall, and had a bulky build, was clad in a dark blue robe. His eyes were sharp enough to puncture the air itself. He had sharp features as if chiseled with a blade. The atmosphere that he radiated made everyone difficult to breathe.

This was the breath of a true leader, he was someone who has accumulated it through hardships and hard work in a long period of time while leading his clan through thick and thin.

"My Lord, a clansman that has just returned from the Chaotic Forest made some serious discovery." Jiang Hai respectfully spoke to the Patriarch and his voice echoed inside the hall.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Long lifted his eyelid and looked at Elder Hai, who felt as if he was stabbed by a sword through the center of his forehead to the back of his head.

"Speak." Jiang Long spoke. Then he closed his eyes once again.

"Yes. Jiang Hou found the odd movement of Fleeting Cloud Sect inside the Chaotic Forest..." Elder Hai explained everything that Jiang Hou discovered.

"..." Everyone remained silent for a few minutes after listening to what Elder Hai said.

"Fleeting Cloud Sect." Jiang Long Spoke in a very heavy tone, chewing each and every word slowly. He opened his eyes at once. The pressure radiated from him suddenly multiplied exponentially. It made everyone tremble and his momentum was still climbing. Just when everyone couldn't support anymore, he withdrew his pressure and once again closed his eyes.

"Notify Elder Yun and tell him to investigate the matter thoroughly. I must know everything as soon as something is discovered." Jiang Long said with a calm tone and then remained silent, indicating that the meeting was over.

"As you command." Elder Hai bowed and left the hall.

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Han Feng returned to his house after buying everything needed for today's feast. After taking a bath, he started cleaning everything and then started preparing for cooking.

Flaming Rabbit was a Level-1 Magical Beast. It was found on the outskirts of Chaotic Forest in a very large quantity. It was very delicious and also helpful in Cultivation, especially for cultivators in the Body Refining Realm.

After the preparation was done. He went to the underground wine cellar in his backyard to get some wine.

As soon as he entered the cellar, a rich and mellow aroma hit his face. He took a deep breath of the mellow aroma inside the room. He felt that his mood became better.

In the cellar, there were few small pots inside the room, filled with wine. He quickly removed the gourd from his waist and filled it to the brim.

"Aah...Finally, nothing better than this to quench my thirst." Han Feng gave a long sigh and started chugging wine like water.

"Nice and mellow. Unfortunately not much is left." He muttered bitterly looking at the empty cellar with a little melancholy.

This was where his father used to work. Just last year it was completely filled, but now it was so empty. Just like his heart. He never saw his mother so he was totally dependent on his father since his very first memory. After his father's death, his heart shattered and formed a void that couldn't be filled.

Han Feng chugged another mouthful of wine from his gourd and tucked it to his waist then walked back.

He came to the kitchen and started cooking the flaming rabbit. The way he cooked it, the wine was also a necessary ingredient.

He was just finished with cooking the food when the main gate of the courtyard was knocked twice. Then it was pushed open and a slim figure quickly entered through the crack.

A girl wearing a white-long skirt with small flowers embroidered across the borders was standing in front of Han Feng. She looked like a fairy descended from the moon. Han Feng stared at the beautiful picture.

"Hey! Something smells delicious." It was, of course, Xia Lan who just entered while taking a deep breath, smelling the aroma of various spices in the air.

"You are here at last. Let's go inside, eh? I have prepared everything according to your appetite." Han Feng also recovered quickly and gestured her to move inside. He deliberately left the door unlocked as he knew she would be coming today so he wasn't surprised when she entered.

"No, I want to gaze at the stars. It has been a while since I got free time, let me exploit it to the fullest." Xia Lan said while looking up at the sky filled with countless twinkling stars, clearly lost in her thoughts.

Han Feng looked at her silently without disturbing her. They used to watch stars for a very long period of time, sometimes throughout the whole night without speaking or talking about anything. In perfect solitude, under the blanket of darkness embroidered with millions of stars.

"Come on, hurry up!" After Xia Lan had her moment, she shouted once again at Han Feng.

"Okay just wait a minute." Han Feng turned around and went inside. Then one after another he put chairs, table,s and the food in the backyard and arranged it properly. After that, he lit up the lamps and hung them at various places in his backyard.

"I can't wait anymore." Xia Lan sat on one of the bamboo chairs and quickly picked up her share of roasted Flaming Rabbit and started eating it with great gusto.

"Just as I remembered. Perfect!" Xia Lan said delightfully with shining eyes.

"Glad that you liked it." Han Feng said while smiling as he too started eating while drinking wine, only a little at this time just to better accompany her.

In this way they both ate silently while occasionally looking at the sky, full of stars like small fireflies. Even after they finished eating, neither of them spoke. They enjoyed the silence of the night.

"It's time I head back. Here, a gift from me in order to thank you for your hospitality." Xia Lan said while smiling then she stood up and handed him a small bottle.

It was a crystal bottle which was totally opaque. A small-black lotus was carved on the cork that sealed it perfectly. Han Feng knew what that lotus meant. It was a symbol of her grandfather's Alchemy product. That is to say that inside it was a drug made by her grandfather.

"Lan, I can't accept this. You have already helped me with the sword and this is simply too precious." Han Feng said quickly and pushed her hand away.

"Just take it. It is Bone Nurturing Pill that I didn't use and now it is useless to me. Besides, you can always invite me to more food." Xia Lan said lazily and threw the bottle towards him as she saw Han Feng's unwillingness to take it.

Xia Lan was at the Peak of Foundation Establishment Realm that too just at the age of 16. It was amazing even for the top talents to achieve this.

Han Feng was tangled for a while but then he accepted it. She was right, he needed it the most at this moment. This can help him breakthrough to the 7th Layer Body Refining Realm.

"Sigh. Okay, tell me whenever you want to eat... I will cook." Xia Feng said with a slight smile and silently noted this favor in his heart.

"Nice. I will bother you pretty soon then. Take care." Xia Lan laughed and walked towards the exit. Soon disappearing into the darkness of the night.

Han Feng looked towards the sky for a long time then suddenly sighed and went back to clean the table.