Nanli Continent.
For ordinary people who wanted to go there, there was only one official road through the Nanling Mountains.
The Nanli Imperial Family had spent a huge price to open up this mountain road, allowing merchants to travel back and forth.
After all, not everyone had the ability to buy a transportation tool like a space boat, which cost millions.
Although the toll for the official road was not cheap, it at least provided safety. If one took other small paths and was caught by the Barbarian Tribe, they would be finished.
Han Feng was traveling on the official road in a carriage.
He had come from the Beast Region. There were no spatial wormholes to take along the way, so he had piloted the Void Great Hall, rushing all the way. Now that he was near the continent's border and saw the strict air guards, he finally put away the great hall and chose a compliant way to enter.
Nanli Continent, compared to the Northwest Continent, was more unified and prosperous.
The founding emperor of the Nanli Imperial Family was said to be a high-level Dou Venerate. Now, a thousand years later, although he had died of old age, the legacy he left behind still allowed the Nanli Imperial Family to occupy the supreme ruling position.
If not for the fact that the bordering countries were super factions like the Barbarian Tribe, the Beast Region, and the Shennong Mountain Range, the Nanli Imperial Family would probably have continued to expand.
Han Feng entered the city along with the carriage convoy. The first thing that caught his eye was a sky-piercing puppet standing in the center of the city. Nine empty monster core slots were installed on the puppet's limbs and various parts of its body. Before his soul power even got close, he could feel a powerful energy brewing within this killing machine.
"The weapon refining art of the Nanli Nation was shocking back then, and looking at it again now, it is still quite stunning."
Han Feng, who had just entered the path of weapon refining, could now see the extraordinary structure of this sky-piercing puppet.
With this puppet, which had the combat power of a three-star Dou Venerate, guarding the border city, even a first-class faction from the Central Plains would find it difficult to break through the Nanli border's defense line.
The Nanli Continent, where weapon refining was prevalent, also had more advanced urban infrastructure. The extended applications of weapon refining were everywhere. Even the walking carriages were installed with machine-assisted devices.
"I have to find a place to settle the people of the Golden Lion Tribe first."
Han Feng walked into a map shop and bought the most comprehensive map of the Nanli Continent.
His destination for this trip was the Purple Shattered Ruins.
The Purple Shattered Ruins were located in the southernmost part of the Nanli Continent, close to the Antarctic sea region. It was the most remote place in the Nanli Nation.
Like the Black Abyss of the Eastern Xuan Continent, the Purple Shattered Ruins was a forbidden area for humans. The magical beasts inside were affected by a special energy and became extremely violent. Even if their strength reached the seventh tier, they had no rationality at all, only knowing how to kill and destroy. Many cultivators from the empire had sacrificed their lives to guard this disaster-stricken land.
Currently, Han Feng did not know when the Purple Shattered Ruins would erupt. In his previous life, he had only heard his friend talk about it. As for the details, he still needed to explore them himself.
In this case, settling the Golden Lion Tribe in a town near the Purple Shattered Ruins could not only prevent the imperial factions from targeting outsiders, but also allow the Golden Lion Tribe members to monitor the situation in the Purple Shattered Ruins for him. If there was any unusual movement, he could arrive in time.
Putting away the map, Han Feng went to a restaurant to buy a lot of food, wine, and dry rations to send to the people in the Void Great Hall.
After resting in the city for one night, Han Feng continued on his way the next day.
"Little friend Han, you've arrived at the Nanli Continent."
It was Yao Tianhuo's time to be let out. He flew out of the jade pendant and looked at the city below.
The cities of the Nanli Nation were still very distinctive. The most obvious was that every city had a huge black tower, which was the unique energy supply method of the Nanli people.
"My Skyfire Rings were refined for me by a friend from the Nanli Nation. I wonder if he's still around."
"Tell me about it. Maybe it's on the way," Han Feng said.
"I think it's called... Red Feather City?" Yao Tianhuo said, a little uncertain.
Han Feng heard the name and pointed on the map.
"It's here, but unfortunately, it's not on the way. After I settle down the Golden Lion Tribe members, we can go and take a look."
"Ah? Actually, I don't necessarily have to go..."
"I'm actually a little interested in going. Your Skyfire Rings are refined with a lot of skill. I've been learning weapon refining recently, so I'd like to pay a visit."
Han Feng had three Dou Venerate puppets in his storage ring in standby mode, but his current weapon refining skills were not sufficient to repair them.
Now that he was in the Nanli Nation, he could visit some famous weapon refiners to learn from them, which would allow him to improve faster.
The weapon refining art in the Nanli Nation was very developed, forming its own unique system. Some special weapons were very complex, with interlocking parts, and only the weapon refiners of the Nanli Nation could refine them.
"That friend of mine only has a Dou Ancestor cultivation, but the weapons he refines are extremely compatible with me. He is indeed very powerful," Yao Tianhuo said with some nostalgia.
"What's his name?"
"Xiao Tianbao."
"His surname is Xiao?"
For some reason, Han Feng suddenly thought of the Xiao family in Wu Tan City.
Back then, in order to escape the Central Plains, the Xiao Clan had abandoned many things, and the clan had also split up and scattered.
The branch in Wu Tan City should be the main family, shouldering the responsibility of continuing the family line, protecting the Xiao family name, and the Tou She Ancient God's Jade was the proof.
As for whether there were other branches of the Xiao family in other parts of the continent, Han Feng was not clear.
Maybe there were, maybe there weren't.
But in any case, if the main family was in such a state, what could the branches do?
Arriving at the border city closest to the Purple Shattered Ruins, Han Feng landed.
"Jade Pass City."
It was a city with a long history. Although it was a border city, the legends it had left behind in the Nanli Continent were no less than those of the capital, "Zhuque."
It was said that this was a city that the evil beasts of the Purple Shattered Ruins could never step past. Back then, the founding emperor, Sikong Ming, had repelled the evil beasts for the first time at the gate of this city, driving them into the Purple Shattered Ruins and laying the foundation for the Nanli Empire.
But as time went by, and the seal on the Purple Shattered Ruins remained peaceful, more and more people began to lower their guard.
Naturally, not as many people were willing to stay in the harsh environment of Jade Pass City.
Han Feng came to the mountain range outside Jade Pass City and released all the members of the Golden Lion Tribe.
"You will live here from now on. Those who have transformed, follow me into the city. I have something to ask of you."
Han Feng summoned Jin Xi. She relayed his words, and all the members of the Golden Lion Tribe accepted the order.
The Golden Lion Tribe, having returned to nature, quickly occupied a territory in the mountain forest. Several transformed tribe members followed Han Feng into Jade Pass City.
"Keep an eye on the situation in the Purple Shattered Ruins at all times. If there is any unusual movement, crush the jade slip immediately to notify me."
After inquiring for information, Han Feng did not get any intelligence about any unusual movement in the Purple Shattered Ruins. So he had the several Golden Lion Tribe members act as his informants in the city and secretly develop their power.
This matter was a small thing for the Golden Lion Tribe, and the several transformed tribe members readily agreed.
After arranging everything, Han Feng left the city alone and arrived at the Purple Shattered Ruins, which was several hundred kilometers away.
The Purple Shattered Ruins were surrounded by heavily armored warriors, forming an impenetrable defensive layer. There were also two giant weapons similar to the sky-piercing puppet, placed in the north and west respectively, which were the directions of the Nanli Empire's cities.
Unfortunately, even such military strength could not suppress the subsequent evil beast disaster. In the end, it was the Nanli Empress who sacrificed her life to reseal the Purple Shattered Ruins.
Han Feng did not get any closer, just watched from afar for a moment. After leaving a spatial coordinate on the spot, he turned and left.
His strength was still a bit weak now, but Han Feng was already very satisfied with the growth of his cultivation.
In more than two years, he had advanced from a six-star Dou Emperor to a three-star Dou Ancestor, his soul realm had broken through to the initial Spirit Realm, and he had re-condensed a physique with unlimited potential, solving the problem of his body's aptitude.
The future was a smooth path. There was no need to pull up the seedlings to help them grow, just for the sake of temporary speed.
Han Feng only needed to cultivate step by step now. After finding and refining a Heavenly Flame, his cultivation would naturally skyrocket.
Right now, besides cultivating high-grade Dou Skills, the only way to increase his combat power in a short period of time was to refine some powerful tools.
On the one hand, Han Feng could accumulate the energy of heaven and earth and the power of lightning tribulations by continuously refining pills.
On the other hand, he could also improve his attack, defense, and speed by refining weapons.
He already had the golden saber [Extreme Lion] as an attack weapon, so he could consider a long-range weapon.
He didn't have any defensive armor for the time being, so he could look for some.
He could also get a tool to increase his speed.
In addition to the above, if the three puppets in his storage ring were repaired, Han Feng would have three one-star Dou Venerate-level helpers. Together, they could completely resist a two-star Dou Venerate, or even a three-star Dou Venerate, equivalent to a sky-piercing puppet.
Thinking that he had so many treasures but was unable to turn them into strength because his weapon refining skills were still low, Han Feng became even more motivated to learn weapon refining.
On the way back, Han Feng did not land in Jade Pass City again, but headed straight for Red Feather City.
In the now-empty Void Great Hall, Han Feng studied the "Weapon Refining Legacy." He would get up to relax after a period of time, practicing the Dou Skills he had commonly used in his previous life.
Flying all the way like this, he arrived at Red Feather City.
Han Feng let Venerate Skyfire out.
"Have we arrived at Red Feather City?"
Yao Tianhuo yawned. Before Han Feng could nod, he saw the guards at the city gate suddenly surround them.
"Unknown soul bodies are not allowed to appear within Nanli's borders. Gentlemen, please come with us."
Han Feng looked at Yao Tianhuo in confusion.
Yao Tianhuo was also completely bewildered.
Adhering to the principle of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do," Han Feng did not make things difficult for these guards. After arriving at the government office, an official began to question them.
"Name?"
"Han Feng."
"Where are you from?"
"The Northwest Continent."
"Cultivation?"
"Dou Ancestor."
"Dou Ancestor?"
The person asking the questions suddenly stopped his brush and looked at Han Feng in shock.
On the other side, the person questioning Yao Tianhuo was the same.
"What! A nine-star Dou Ancestor?"
Yao Tianhuo yawned listlessly. He really didn't want to bully this group of juniors, so he decided to play along.
"Are you sure you weren't captured by him?"
"I'm sure."
Yao Tianhuo nodded.
"Alright then."
The official stopped asking questions and took Yao Tianhuo out.
Han Feng had also come out by this time, listening to the official's earnest explanation.
"Lord Han, soul bodies in the Nanli Empire are all required to be registered because they are easily involved in human puppet cases. You are from the Northwest Continent, so you may not be familiar with this. Please forgive us for the offense just now."
Han Feng nodded amiably. "Human puppet cases? What is that?"
"It's about some evil weapon refiners who, thinking of taking a shortcut, use physical bodies and soul bodies to create puppets. This method is extremely fast and its power is not bad, but it is extremely vicious and is prohibited by the Nanli officials."
"I see."
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Han Feng left with the registered Yao Tianhuo, at ease.
"This ring is quite pretty."
Yao Tianhuo looked at the "identity tag" on his hand and chuckled.
"Let's go, let's find your old friend."
Han Feng had asked the official earlier for a map of Red Feather City, and then began to search.
"The Xiao family."
Han Feng looked at the area of the Xiao family on the map. It was quite large; it could be considered a prominent family in the city.
Yao Tianhuo floated leisurely behind Han Feng.
The two arrived at the main gate of the Xiao family and sent in a visiting card.
"Little brother, do you know Xiao Tianbao?"
"That's our Xiao family's ancestor. What's your business?"
Han Feng pointed at Yao Tianhuo.
"This is Senior Yao Tianhuo. He is a friend of your ancestor and has come to visit an old friend."
"Wait a moment. I have to report this to the clan leader."
The Xiao family guard was a little stunned when he heard that he was a friend of the ancestor. After inviting Han Feng and the other in, he immediately went to report.
They were both Xiao families, but there was indeed a gap.
Han Feng walked around in the courtyard. He saw that a random person walking by was at the Dou Master level. Occasionally, he would encounter a few Dou Grandmasters, which was not strange at all.
Yao Tianhuo sat on a rocking chair, rocking back and forth, and sighed, "This place is completely different from when I came before. The Nanli Empire is developing really fast."
"After all, it's been several hundred years," Han Feng said with a smile.
Any country, as time passes, will always develop.
The two waited in the courtyard for a while, and then a middle-aged man with the gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger walked in.
"Xiao Feng greets you two distinguished guests. The ancestor already knows of your arrival and will be out shortly. Please wait a moment longer."
Han Feng nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Yao Tianhuo showed a look of melancholy.
He had been dead for so long, and he could finally see an old friend.
This old man, who was usually lively, was actually a little nervous at this moment.
Han Feng stood silently on the side, lost in thought.
"Tianhuo, I'm here!"
At some point, an old man with a hunched body, looking close to death, suddenly appeared outside the door.
When he saw Yao Tianhuo, he immediately waved his hand happily and greeted him.
"You old fellow, you're still alive!"
Tears glistened in the corners of Yao Tianhuo's eyes. He jumped up directly from the rocking chair.
"You! How did you become a soul body!"
Xiao Tianbao's smile immediately disappeared as he said in shock.
"Ah, it's a small matter, not worth mentioning. Aren't I living well now?" Yao Tianhuo said with a look of indifference.
Xiao Tianbao shook his head. "Still stubborn. How did you die even earlier than me? Really..."
"And this is..." Xiao Tianbao looked at Han Feng.
Han Feng smiled and bowed.
"I am Han Feng. It is a pleasure to meet you, Senior Xiao."
"Hello, hello."
Xiao Tianbao was an extremely easygoing and optimistic old man. He smiled and nodded at Han Feng.
"Gentle as jade, humble and polite. What a fine young man... Is he your disciple?"
After a few words of praise, Xiao Tianbao turned his head and suddenly asked Yao Tianhuo.
"I wish I had such a disciple!"
Yao Tianhuo looked helpless.
"Unfortunately, little friend Han is my savior. I still have to repay him!"