"Brother, where are we going?" asked Lulu.

"That's a good question..." responded Xiao Feng. Lulu couldn't help but pout after getting such a response. Seeing her puff out her cheeks Feng couldn't help but go over and pinch them slightly startling her. Afterwards, she giggled and gave a bright smile towards Feng and took his hand, running straight out of the manor hand and hand. "This can't be appropriate..." he mumbled.

...

After walking out of the manor, Xiao Feng was completely dumbstruck at the bustling streets. All sorts of people and beasts nearly fill up the whole area, all kinds of stalls set up on the side with people bartling and yelling, laughing and screaming. He was only dazed for a moment, however, before Lulu broke him out of it, "brother! Do you still not know what to do? You said we are celebrating!"

"Uh..." before he could think of something, he heard loud shouts from around the corner. Curious, he grabbed his sister and pushed through the crowd of people. After making his way around the corner, he noticed a bunch of people crowding around in a circle cheering loudly. Getting closer, he could make out a few figures that were in the center. There was a man, who looked to be around his age of 17, surrounded by six other people that all looked to be about sixteen to twenty years old. When his eyes landed on the man leading those six people, Feng immediately frowned. This man was someone he had quite the impression of, as he was the one who gave him that poison and pushed his past self over the edge, Xiao Kao. Xiao Kao was a little shorter than Xiao Feng, at around 1.7 meters, along with blonde hair and dark blue eyes, somewhat resembling Xiao Feng. He had slightly longer arms, which made his slightly shorter legs and his arms contrast into something that didn't look quite right.

Looking over at the man who Xiao Kao's goons were surrounding, Feng's frown only got bigger. The man was covered in blood, with a silver monkey infront of him that was also beaten black and blue, with one of its arms dropping down to its side. When Lulu noticed the man and the monkey all bloodied, she let out a frightened shriek, and when her eyes fell on Xiao Kao's arrogant expression, she immediatley escaped from Feng's grasp and pushed through the crowd into the circle, and yelled at the top of her lungs; "XIAO KAO!"

"Hm? Ah, is that you Lulu?" when Xiao Kao saw Lulu, he quickly went and scolded the other five people surrounding the bloodied Silverback Ape and the young man, "what are you idiots doing!? Quickly, get out your first aid pills, ah, no, bring out a 100 year blood ginseng! Quickly, give it to this man immediately!"

"Huh? But, boss you sai-"

"What are you talking about? Give him the blood ginseng! Also, give him a few copper for his troubles. Everyone, disperse! Nothing to see here." After shoving a blood ginseng into the hand of one of the other five men, Xiao Kao turned around to Lulu with a bright smile on his face. Seeing this, Xiao Feng couldn't help but sneer in contempt at this shameless bastard. Seeing the huffing and puffing Lulu, he made his way into the circle through the slowly dispersing crowd. When Xiao Kao saw Feng, his eyes opened wide in shock, but quickly went back to his amicable appearance and made his way over to Lulu. "Lulu! I didn't know you were in town, here, come with me, I heard uncle talking about you turning 16 next month! Come with me, let's head over to the Sacred Pill Hall, let brother Kao buy you a gift in advance to celebrate you becoming a Contractor!"

"Hmph, she doesn't need you to buy her anything. We were heading over there ourselves, and you aren't wanted." said Feng in disgust. Tapping Lulu on the shoulder, he started walking towards the young man and his Silverback Ape."You-"

Before Xiao Kao could continue talking, Feng had already walked directly past Xiao Kao without giving him another glance. With a huff, Lulu followed along, only sparing Xiao Kao a look of utter disgust. After getting that look, Xiao Kao's eyes went cold. He looked over at Feng with contempt, then quickly nodded to the two young men beside him. Seeing this nod from their boss, the two lackeys had a cold smirk plastered on there face as they slowly walked towards Xiao Feng. Unknown to them, this was all caught in the attention of Feng. With a light smile, he made his way over to the bloodied young man acting no different. Snatching the 100 year blood ginseng from one of Xiao Kao's goons, Feng snapped it in half and tossed both pieces towards the young man and his Silverback Ape. Making eye contact with the young man, Feng signaled for him to take it and go.

Seeing the the young man take away the blood ginseng and make his way out, Xiao Kao clenched his teeth in anger. Following which, was replaced with a smile as he watched his two little lackeys block Feng's path.

Looking at these two people blocking his path, Feng gave his most innocent smile and crossed his arms behind his back. "May I ask what you two require?"

"Hehe, well you see, us two brothers heard you say that you were heading to the Sacred Pill Hall, you see, you owe us money! Remember?" said the young man on the left. Hearing what he said, Feng was stunned for a moment. 'What kind of nonsense is this? At least come up with something better. My as well just ask for my money, sheesh. Sound like an idiot, even I feel bad for you.'

Keeping his innocent expression, "You see brothers... I don't have much money today. I won't be able to pay you, how about next week?"

"Hmph. You said you are buying a gift for Lulu? Master Kao will do that for you. Hand all you have, or else we will-"

"What a joke." Feng's smile immediately disappeared, as he rushed towards the two. Seeing Feng rush towards them, the two brothers were shocked. Before they could react, Feng had already planted his foot to the left of the one speaking, as his right leg shot forward like a whip towards his abdomen. With the sound of bones breaking, the unfortunate goon was shot backwards, his fate unknown as Feng's eyes shifted towards the second. Looking into the indifferent eyes of Xiao Feng, the other young man shuddered as he held up his palm and jumped backwards to get away from him. Space started to distort above the young man's palm, as a crystal began to take shape. Seeing this, Feng snorted and shot towards him like a bullet. Shoulder cocked, he threw his fist directly towards the fear stricken young man. Face meeting fist, the young goon flew backwards to the ground with a shriek and a shattered nose.

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Watching all this, Xiao Kao's face was distorted into something ugly. Lulu was deadpan, still processing what happened, and the other three goons were rushing over to the two downed members of their group.

Shooting Xiao Kao a look of contempt, Feng walked over to Lulu and dragged her off into the crowd.

"FENG TRASH! WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" Screamed Kao.

"Save it, cousin. By the way, that drink you gave me the other day, it tasted great." responded Feng, as he made his way through the crowd, laughing.

Hearing such a response, Kao's face distorted to become even uglier. Lifting up his palm, a purple crystal started to form as Kao chanted a few phrases under his breath. After about two breaths of time, a dark red eagle came into being hovering infront of Xiao Kao. The eagle had a wingspan of two meters, with a pointed beak, razor sharp talons, and crimson feathers covering its whole body.

"Bloodfire Eagle!" screamed someone in the crowd. No one knew who said it, but everyone in the crowd shifted their attention towards the eagle that just manifested next to Kao. Seeing the huge crimson eagle, the people surrounding Feng quickly dispersed. When Feng himself saw the eagle, his pupils contracted into needles. "Shit! You crazy bastard Kao!"

"Hahaha! Where's your beast, Feng?! Oh right! You're just a wastrel! It seems you actually can fight back, my, that brought me quite the surprise! But, that only justifies this! Cripple his arms and legs, go!" screamed Kao through manaical laughter. Hearing its master's command, the eagle darted directly towards Lulu and Feng. Seeing this massive crimson eagle shooting towards them, Feng quickly shoved Lulu to the side as he shot away from her. Kao only laughed harder in response as he controlled the eagle to directly shoot towards Feng.

"Damnit!" screamed Feng in a panic, without looking back he ran straight towards a nearby stall, seeing the stall owner vacate immediately in fear, Feng cursed in his heart as he dove straight over the stall and huddled behind as the Bloodfire Eagle slammed into the stall. wooden figurines and dolls flying all over the place, the eagle shrieked as its talon shot towards Feng's back. Before it landed, the eagle's talons started to become smouldering hot, and without any resistance they slashed straight across his back, tearing apart his clothes and leaving three long bloody gashes as the blood directly evaporated from the heat, barely missing his spine and nearly paralyzing Feng. Gritting his teeth through the pain, he was screaming in his heart as his back was on fire.

As the Bloodfire Eagle flew up and was on its way back down and started to screech, its screech was cut off midway as a black shadow flashed across the sky, disappearing along with the Bloodfire Eagle.

Witnessing this, tear stricken Lulu, maniacal Kao, and all the surrounding witnesses went silent. A tyrannical aura surged through the surroundings as everyone felt as if a boulder had been placed onto their backs, forcing everyone but a few stronger bystanders, including Lulu, to their knees. Cold sweat dripped down Kao's forehead, as he struggled to look towards where his eagle disappeared in fear. Standing directly infront of him, was a man standing at around 2.2 meters, with a dark, scruffy beard, shaven head, and bloodshot brown eyes. Beside the man, a pitch black panther that stood up to the man's shoulders, and pinned under its blade like claws was the Bloodwing Eagle, heaving in agony.

When the crowd saw this man, everyone let out a resounding gulp as they kept their heads down, not daring to meet his gaze. That was everyone, except Lulu. Who upon seeing this man, was immediately joyous, but quickly whipped out a few herbs from her pouch as she directly ran towards the bloodied Feng.

Kao was completely filled with terror while looking at this man. "Uncle I-"

Smack

With a resounding slap from the man, Kao went flying backwards nearly ten meters as he was smashed into a wall, turning it into rubble. The Bloodwing Eagle turned into a streaking light as it returned to Kao's Gaia Crystal as he instantly lost consciousness.

With a low grunt, the man signaled to the panther to pick up the now unconscious Kao. Following which, the bear like man turned towards the crowd, and in a voice that resounded directly into everyone's ears, said; "Regarding this incident, I, Xiao Rongleng, apologize on behalf of these two hooligan youngsters. Any and all damages will be paid by the Xiao Family, disperse."

With a simple sentence, any and all bystanders had no refutes, and immediately dispersed. Looking over at Feng, the man, Rongleng, threw over a medicinal paste which was caught by Lulu, who immediately applied it.

"Lulu, take Feng over to the main house. The patriarch wishes to speak with him."

Xiao Rongleng, without sparing another glance at Kao who was now being dragged by the panther, made his way towards the main house of the Xiao Family himself.

...

After about thirty minutes of being treated by Lulu, Feng was able to walk again with the aid of Xiao Rongleng's medical ointment. Hearing the name Xiao Rongleng, Xiao Feng barely had to look into his memories before he became cold from head to toe. The man known as 'Xiao Rongleng' is one of the 14 Great Generals of the Scarlet Beast Kingdom, as well as Xiao Feng's uncle. He is known to be ruthless to his enemies, and more ruthless to his kin. When he isn't working as one of the Great Generals of the kingdom, he is often one of the Xiao Family's martial arts trainers. Xiao Feng himself, having not been able to contract a Gaia Crystal, took martial arts extremely seriously, as seen by how those two goons of Kao were dispatched instantly dispite having contracted Gaia Crystals. Xiao Rongleng is by far the most ruthless when he teaches, and the scars from the training are deeply imbedded into the memories of Xiao Feng.

...

Getting the order to return to the main house from Xiao Rongleng, Xiao Feng was slightly worried. His mother left the manor at the same time he did, so she should have been able to make it to the main house of the Xiao Family to see Feng's father already. And with his uncle Rongleng's speed when riding his panther, the time checks out as well. Being summoned back immediately, Xiao Feng was slightly worried. Especially when Xiao Rongleng was sent.

Regarding these thoughts, Xiao Feng just shook his head and put them aside. Giving a smile to Lulu to assure her he was alright, they made their way to the main house of the Xiao Family to meet with Xiao Feng and Lulu's father, the Xiao Family Patriarch.