Overlord of Heaven and Earth

"Gu Feng, why on earth didn't you go for the test?" As soon as Gu Feng drew near, a fellow servant, with whom he usually had a rather amicable relationship, inquired with a face full of curiosity.

Gu Feng flashed a smile at the man, feigning nonchalance. His eyes casually swept around the vicinity. He noted that apart from a handful of servants casting curious glances his way, the rest didn't even deign to give him a second look. The huge weight that had been hanging over his heart immediately plummeted to the ground. He had been deathly afraid that someone might have caught sight of the small medicine cauldron that had been floating moments ago. If anyone were to ask, he truly wouldn't have the faintest idea how to respond. He was absolutely certain that this peculiar small medicine cauldron was anything but ordinary. Such a remarkable item naturally had to be kept for his own, and there was no way he could let others in on its existence.

"Hehe, don't you know my capabilities? Given that, wouldn't it be a complete waste of time to go for the test?" Gu Feng's right hand seemingly moved forward in a casual manner, precisely blocking the slightly bulging pocket. Then, he replied with a simple and sincere smile.

This servant didn't notice Gu Feng's subtle gesture at all. Even if he had, at this moment, being brimming with excitement, he wouldn't have paid it any heed. "Gu Feng, do you know? In a month's time, Gu Qi is going on an expedition with the first team of the family's source - beast hunting group!" Gu Di, the servant engaged in conversation with Gu Feng, exclaimed, his eyes ablaze with excitement as he looked at Gu Feng.

"Yeah, didn't Elder Gu mention that before?" Gu Feng responded absent - mindedly, his eyes still roving around, constantly on the alert lest someone had noticed the earlier incident.

"Hehe, there's something else you're in the dark about! Elder Gu just announced that this time when Gu Qi goes on this expedition, he can take a servant along to attend to and look after him. And the servant who tags along with Gu Qi will be rewarded with ten days' worth of source power upon their return!" Gu Di chuckled, his eyes twinkling with unrestrained excitement. He continued, "Just one trip, and you can get a ten - day source - power reward! With ten days' source power, just imagine how many things you could buy! If only Gu Qi would choose me this time! Hey? They're starting to make the selection! Me! Young Master Gu Qi, pick me!"

Gu Feng was slightly taken aback. Watching Gu Di, who was shouting at the top of his lungs and dashing forward, he shook his head in resignation. He didn't jostle and push forward like the other servants because at this very moment, his mind was completely preoccupied with the mysterious medicine cauldron he had just acquired. Gu Feng was already firmly convinced in his heart that this mysterious medicine cauldron was no run - of - the - mill item. Just the fact that it could float on its own was sufficient proof of its extraordinariness.

"What on earth is this thing? It seems I really need to go back and study it thoroughly." Gu Feng stood solitary in the servant area, musing to himself, completely oblivious to the fact that at this moment, everyone's eyes were fixed intently on him.

"Hey, you over there! Yes, you, the servant!" Gu Feng, who was deeply immersed in his thoughts, suddenly felt an eerie hush descend upon the surroundings. He couldn't help but be startled. Just as he looked up in bewilderment, he saw Gu Li pointing directly at him, bellowing in his distinctively hoarse voice.

Seeing that Gu Feng was still standing there like a statue, Gu Li felt a twinge of oddness in his heart. Which of the other servants wasn't vying tooth and nail to rush forward? But this fellow, not only did he not move an inch forward, but he also had his head bowed, completely lost in his own thoughts. The empty space around him was conspicuously prominent.

Perhaps precisely because Gu Feng was so different from those servants who were vying for the chance to accompany Gu Qi on the expedition, Gu Qi didn't even spare a glance at those who were scrambling and quarreling heatedly. Instead, he singled out Gu Feng, who hadn't joined in the commotion. This immediately dampened the spirits of those servants who had been arguing vehemently.

"Yes, it's you! Hurry up and come here!" Gu Li once again pointed at Gu Feng, who was still in a daze, waving his hand vigorously and shouting at the top of his voice.

"Oh." Gu Feng snapped back to reality, quickly gathered his wits, responded, and trotted briskly towards Gu Li.

"Deacon, what are your instructions?" Gu Feng ran up to Gu Li, bowed deferentially, and inquired.

"Get yourself prepared. In a month, you'll be accompanying me on an expedition." Before Gu Li could utter a word, an arrogant voice piped up.

Gu Feng didn't even need to look up to know who the owner of this arrogant voice was. Gu Qi hadn't chosen those who had been desperately pushing and shoving to go, but instead had picked him, who hadn't even entertained the thought of going. Glancing at the murderous looks in the eyes of the surrounding servants, Gu Feng felt a profound sense of helplessness.

"Forget it. If I have to go, then so be it. Anyway, there's still a month. In this month, I should be able to figure out this mysterious medicine cauldron." Gu Feng pondered for a moment, reckoned there was no real harm in it, and then promptly bowed to Gu Qi and replied, "Very well."

Gu Qi tilted his chin upwards, wearing an air of haughtiness. He cast a disdainful glance at Gu Feng, let out a dismissive "hmm" from his nostrils, and then promptly ignored Gu Feng, resuming his preoccupation with the long sword he had just obtained.

In fact, the incessant bickering and racket of those servants had been driving Gu Qi to the brink of exasperation. Just at that moment, he had caught sight of Gu Feng standing in the distance, and that was why he had chosen him as his attendant for the journey.

"Alas, what a pity."

"Yeah, Gu Feng's luck is simply unbelievable."

"I get it now! So Gu Feng was standing there alone just now to catch Young Master Gu Qi's attention!" A servant who fancied himself clever suddenly exclaimed.

"Exactly! Why on earth didn't I think of that trick? I'm so stupid!" Upon hearing this, the other servants all wore expressions of sudden realization, filled with profound regret, lamenting why they hadn't thought of such a ploy.

Hearing their remarks, Gu Feng felt a mix of annoyance and amusement in his heart, but he couldn't be bothered to explain. At this moment, he was eagerly anticipating the disbandment so that he could rush back and delve into the study of this mysterious medicine cauldron.

"Alright, the selection is made. All those who aren't eligible for the reward, disperse!" Seeing that Gu Qi had made his choice, Gu Li waved his hand towards the crowd and announced.

Those who were not in line for the source - power reward immediately lost interest and dispersed in all directions. Soon, only the young lads and lasses who were set to receive the source - power reward remained on the scene.

Gu Feng had been fixated on the mysterious medicine cauldron all along. As soon as he heard the order to disperse, he immediately hastened towards the small, dilapidated house allocated to him by the family, turning a deaf ear to Gu Di's shouts from behind. When he had been standing beside Gu Li earlier, Gu Li's eyes had seemed to sweep over his bulging pocket. Although he hadn't paid it much mind, Gu Feng still thought it prudent to be cautious. This mysterious medicine cauldron was undoubtedly a rare item. If it were to be snatched away by the family members, he would surely regret it bitterly. So, he simply ignored Gu Di's persistent calls.

"Creak~" Gu Feng gently pushed open the rickety wooden door, slipped into the room, and then quietly closed the door behind him.

"Whoosh~" In the dimly lit small room, a soft glow suddenly emerged. Gradually, the light grew brighter. On closer inspection, it turned out that the solitary kerosene lamp in the room had been lit. Although the light was feeble, it was sufficient to illuminate this tiny, dark room of merely a few square meters.

Gu Feng casually surveyed the room, and the meager furnishings came into full view. There was a shabby, tattered single bed with a quilt haphazardly folded on it. However, the quilt was riddled with holes, and every now and then, wisps of cotton wool would poke out. Leaning in for a whiff, one could detect a faint musty odor emanating from the tattered quilt.

Gu Feng wrinkled his brow. It wasn't that he was too lazy to wash the quilt; rather, even if he did, it would never dry! You see, Ziyun Country was perilously close to the frigid Arctic region. The sun was a rare sight throughout the year. Not only was it difficult to dry a quilt, but even drying clothes could take days, or even a week. The family had only provided this one set of bedding. If he washed it and hung it out to dry, he might well be left without a quilt to cover himself for a month. If that were to happen, he'd surely freeze to death at night!

Shifting his gaze, aside from this rickety wooden bed, the only other item in the entire room was a relatively intact small wooden table. On the table, apart from a set of servant's attire, there was only that kerosene lamp.

Gu Feng plopped down on the edge of the bed, removed the clothes from the wooden table and placed them on the bed, clearing the surface of the table. Then, with great care, he retrieved the mysterious medicine cauldron that had been quietly nestled in his pocket and gently set it on the table.

By the faint light of the lamp, Gu Feng finally got a clear look at the mysterious medicine cauldron. The entire cauldron was a deep, earthy brown in color, and he had no idea what kind of metal it was crafted from. But Gu Feng was certain that it wasn't any of the common metals like iron, steel, or copper. Instead, it was some strange, exotic metal he had never seen before, nor even heard of. This metal was truly peculiar because under the illumination of the lamp, the deep - brown cauldron emitted a faint, golden glow, creating a striking contrast with its base color.

"Deep - brown material, yet it emits golden light under light? Amazing." Gu Feng marveled as he carefully examined this extraordinary medicine cauldron, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Before long, Gu Feng's attention was drawn to the intricate patterns engraved on the mysterious medicine cauldron. What was engraved on the patterns were indeed flowers, but they were all sorts of strange and exotic flowers and herbs that Gu Feng had never laid eyes on before. Some resembled foxtail grass, yet had a flower blooming at the tip; some were like roses, but with no fewer than ten black fruits hanging from them; some were shaped like coral, but were covered in white leaves; and some were like apples, adorned with all manner of strange patterns on their surfaces...

"This is a medicine cauldron, so could the things engraved on it... all be medicinal herbs?" Gu Feng muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on this mysterious medicine cauldron, which was densely engraved with strange flowers and herbs.

Without further ado, Gu Feng reached out and picked up the kerosene lamp on the table, bringing it closer to the mysterious medicine cauldron to get a better look at the engraved patterns. Despite the fact that the strange flowers and herbs on the mysterious medicine cauldron were densely packed, in his eyes, they were crystal - clear. Every edge, every corner, and even every vein on the flowers and plants was plainly visible, not the least bit blurred despite the small size of the medicine cauldron.