Since there was no rush, the group decided not to risk traversing the perilous God-Burying Swamp and instead took the main road back to Tianwei Academy.
About ten days later, they finally arrived. Gu Tengfeng went directly to the mission hall to report, while Yun Yiyi accompanied Lin Xian'er back to their quarters. Meanwhile, Ling Feng and Jiang Xiaofan headed to the East Court of Tianshu to rest before Ling Feng planned to go visit Yan Cangtian in the medicinal herb garden.
Though they couldn't confirm the death of the Demon-Masked Lord Lin Canglang and thus might not receive the demon-slaying mission reward, the trip was still fruitful. Jiang Xiaofan had obtained the Xuanwu blood, transforming him significantly. Ling Feng also acquired the Poison Fruit of Ten Thousand Evil.
Yan Cangtian would probably be ecstatic to see the Poison Fruit of Ten Thousand Evil.
Back at the East Court, Ling Feng enjoyed a long, refreshing bath. After a quick greeting to Jiang Xiaofan, he headed straight to the medicinal herb garden to find Yan Cangtian.
Having been gone for over ten days, Ling Feng wondered if Yan Cangtian was still in his study, absorbed in his research.
Upon arriving at the garden, Ling Feng noticed that everything was exactly as he had left it, covered in a thin layer of dust and spider webs. It seemed Yan Cangtian hadn't left his study at all during his absence!
Now I understand how Elder Yan managed to complete the Classic Formula of the Medicine King. His dedication is truly unparalleled! Ling Feng shook his head as he walked towards the study. Before he even reached the door, excited shouts echoed from within the courtyard.
"I found it! I finally found it! Hahaha..."
It was clearly Yan Cangtian's voice. Ling Feng smiled and quickly approached the study, gently pushing the door open.
Inside, Yan Cangtian stood with his hair disheveled, surrounded by piles of scattered books and scrolls. His eyes had dark circles, making him resemble a panda. Despite his half-step emperor's realm, which granted him boundless energy, even he looked exhausted from his relentless work.
Yan Cangtian was clutching a thick scroll, laughing heartily. "I finally found it! Hahaha! I found it!"
Ling Feng sighed and started to tidy up the room. "Elder Yan, what exactly have you found?"
"Ling Feng! You're back!" Yan Cangtian finally noticed Ling Feng and leapt from his pile of books, clapping him on the shoulder with glee. "Weren't you on a demon-slaying mission? How are you back so soon?"
Ling Feng frowned. "Elder Yan, it's been over two weeks! You think this was just yesterday?"
"Has it been that long?" Yan Cangtian pushed back his hair and chuckled. "Never mind that. Ling Feng, you've come at the perfect time!"
Given his status as a half-step emperor, Yan Cangtian's body had reached a state of purity and self-sufficiency, making it so that he required neither food nor typical sustenance. Otherwise, after such a long period without bathing or changing clothes, he would be in a dreadful state.
Even so, Ling Feng could see several spider webs in Yan Cangtian's hair. He must have been so engrossed in his work that he didn't even notice them forming on his head.
Ling Feng frowned slightly and gave a wry smile, "Elder Yan, perhaps you should take a bath first."
"No need for that!" Yan Cangtian, full of excitement, grabbed Ling Feng's arm and pulled him over to the cluttered desk. "Kid, after all my intensive research these past few days, I've finally found a way for you to safely infiltrate Heavenly Demon City without being an emperor-level expert!"
"Oh?" Ling Feng's eyebrows raised in surprise as he glanced at the books on the table.
They were books with titles like Encounters in the Demon Domain, Travels Through the Demon Realm, and Tales of Nanjiang... All related to entering the demon domain.
Moved by Yan Cangtian's dedication, Ling Feng felt a warm surge of gratitude. He looked up at Elder Yan, his heart brimming with respect.
"What are you staring at?" Yan Cangtian playfully punched Ling Feng in the chest, a smirk on his face. "Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"Yes." Ling Feng nodded earnestly. He now regarded Yan Cangtian as more than just an elder; he saw him as a lifelong mentor.
"Since the establishment of the Holy Tianbai Dynasty, which has ruled for 621 years, over sixteen centuries have passed. Throughout this time, Nanjiang has always been the domain of the demon race. Yet, human experts, for various reasons, have ventured into the demon domain and uncovered some of the secrets within the Shiwan Mountains.
"Most who have ventured into Heavenly Demon City and lived to tell the tale are emperors or even greater emperors. Such powerful individuals, capable of feats like flying and escaping almost any danger, could survive even if discovered by the demon race's top experts. Let's set them aside for now. Although I am a half-step emperor, the gap between me and a true emperor is vast, like heaven and earth."
Ling Feng pursed his lips, contemplating his own situation. Even with the despicable donkey and Elder Yan's protection, surviving in the demon domain seemed nearly impossible.
"Excluding those who could invade the demon domain through sheer force, only two non-emperor individuals have managed to enter Heavenly Demon City and return alive over the past thousand years."
"Only two?" Ling Feng's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. "Who were they?"
Yan Cangtian's expression turned mysterious. "The second person you should be familiar with. It was the late Medical Saint, Ling Hanyang!"
"My grandfather!" Ling Feng exclaimed in shock.
"That's right. Twenty years ago, a demon emperor in Heavenly Demon City fell gravely ill. The demon race sent one of their elites to bring your grandfather there for treatment. He agreed on the condition that neither the demon emperor nor his lineage would set foot in human territories during the demon emperor's lifetime.
"Afterward, the demon emperor recovered, and true to his word, he ensured that his people remained within the demon domain for the rest of his life. He even safely escorted the Medical Saint back to the Tianbai Empire."
As Yan Cangtian spoke, a hint of admiration gleamed in his eyes. "Even though it's been twenty years, I still can't help but respect your grandfather's courage. I must admit, I don't possess such bravery."
Ling Feng clenched his fists, a swell of pride rising in his chest. He remembered Ling Kun mentioning that despite his grandfather's exceptional medical skills, he had never practiced martial arts. The fact that a mere mortal dared to venture alone into the demon domain was truly commendable!
"Your grandfather deserved the title of Medical Saint," Yan Cangtian said, patting Ling Feng's shoulder and looking at him as if seeing the legendary Medical Saint.
Yan Cangtian had spent his life striving to surpass Ling Hanyang in alchemy. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to meet the Medical Saint before his passing, which remained one of Elder Yan's greatest regrets.