With Chu Feng's help, both Zhang Tianyi and Jiang Wushang successfully refined the Martial Immortal Mushroom. Like Su Rou and Su Mei, Jiang Wushang broke through two consecutive levels, advancing from the fourth level of Heaven Martial to the sixth level of Heaven Martial.
Zhang Tianyi was even more impressive — he broke through three consecutive levels, going from the fifth level of Heaven Martial all the way to the eighth level of Heaven Martial, reaching the same true cultivation level as Chu Feng currently possessed.
However, by the time the two of them had successfully refined the Martial Immortal Mushroom, Chu Feng was utterly exhausted. His face had turned from white to purple, as though he were gravely ill.
"Haha, very good, excellent. This Martial Immortal Mushroom finally produced remarkable results."
"Although Xiao Mei, Xiao Rou, and Little Brother Wushang didn't break through as quickly as Senior Brother Zhang, there's still a considerable amount of medicinal power lingering in their bodies that hasn't been fully absorbed yet. Once they digest that power, I believe they'll be able to break through again."
"On top of that, with those martial medicines, within a year you can all reach the peak of Heaven Martial. It's not even impossible that some of you might touch upon the Martial Lord Realm."
Right now, Chu Feng was genuinely happy. Being able to use his own abilities to help the people closest to him make such tremendous leaps in cultivation filled him with pride and satisfaction.
Protecting someone wasn't about erecting as many barriers against danger as possible — it was about granting them the ability to face danger themselves. Rather than relying on his own strength to shield his loved ones, it was far better to give them the strength to protect themselves.
This was precisely why, even while pushing his own cultivation higher, Chu Feng had always kept Su Rou and the others in mind. And when he finally had the means, he hadn't hesitated for a moment to come and help them.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, great kindness needs no words of thanks. I, Zhang Tianyi, will carry today's debt in my heart forever." Looking at Chu Feng, who had grown so haggard from helping him, Zhang Tianyi felt a sour ache in his chest. This man, always so tough and stoic, couldn't keep his eyes from reddening at the edges.
"Big Brother Chu Feng, I, Jiang Wushang, will follow you for the rest of my life." Jiang Wushang, the noble young prince of the Jiang Dynasty, was brimming with gratitude beyond words.
"If we're brothers, there's no need for such talk. If our roles were reversed, you'd do the same for me," Chu Feng replied with a faint smile. Though helping them had genuinely drained his body, Chu Feng took joy in it.
"Alright, enough talking. Drink this bowl of medicinal soup first, then get some proper rest." Su Rou brought a steaming bowl of soup over to Chu Feng. As she spoke, she scooped up a spoonful and held it to his lips.
Chu Feng wasn't hungry at the moment, but he knew this was a special broth laced with healing medicine. Besides, Su Rou had brought it to him personally — he couldn't possibly refuse. So he took a mouthful.
"Wow, what an amazing soup! There's no trace of medicinal taste at all — it's pure, rich meat flavor." After swallowing, Chu Feng couldn't stop praising it, because the soup truly was delicious.
"Of course it's delicious. My big sister made it for you herself," Su Mei chimed in from the side with a beaming smile.
"Xiao Rou has skills like this too? Haha, then I'd better have a few more gulps!" At those words, Chu Feng's delight deepened. He took the bowl directly and chugged it down in several big swallows until it was completely empty.
After finishing the medicinal soup, Chu Feng lay down for a sleep. Nourished by his powerful Divine Thunder, he rested for only a brief two hours before his complexion had nearly fully recovered.
Chu Feng didn't sleep long. Once his color had returned, he immediately set out, accompanied by the two beauties Su Rou and Su Mei, and the two brothers Zhang Tianyi and Jiang Wushang, heading toward Tai Kou's residence.
He had to secure the opportunity to enter the Thousand-Year Ancient City, and Tai Kou was his only hope.
Tai Kou's residence was situated in one of the most scenic territories within the Four Seas Academy. But the structures within it were another story entirely — there wasn't a single decent palace to be found, only a humble little thatched hut.
It wasn't that the Four Seas Academy was being stingy, refusing to build Tai Kou a grand palace. The truth was that Tai Kou had a peculiar temperament and wouldn't allow the Academy to construct anything for him. He had built this little straw hut with his own hands.