The burly man, having slunk away amidst the laughter of others, was followed by police cars led by Dao Dahai, sirens wailing as they arrived.
The five corpses had begun to decompose, emitting a foul stench.
Dao Dahai immediately ordered his men to take photos for evidence.
"Xiao Fan, thank you so much for this. Who knows how many innocent lives were lost at the hands of these five scourges. It's truly a cause for celebration that they've been eliminated!" Dao Dahai said, gripping Cheng Xiaofan's hand, his voice filled with emotion.
Cheng Xiaofan, with a hint of distaste, withdrew his hand.
Why would two grown men shake hands?
"We're all part of the same community, police and citizens alike. No need for such pleasantries!"
At this point, Cheng Xiaofan said with a smile, "You all busy yourselves here, I'm going back to rest!"
"Of course, of course. It's getting late, Xiao Fan. You go back and rest. Your health is important!" Dao Dahai said with great enthusiasm.
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was somewhat speechless.
With his thoroughly transformed body, he could go half a month without sleep without any ill effects.
He immediately mounted the Sky-Breaking Eagle and, with a chirp, soared into the sky, flying towards the rear mountains amidst envious gazes.
With Long Xingyun and Jiang Xueyan's current extraordinary strength, having them stationed at South Mountain Lake put Cheng Xiaofan's mind completely at ease.
What excited him particularly was the immense power of the dishes he had made in his space, capable of causing Long Xingyun and Jiang Xueyan to undergo a second breakthrough.
He would make another feast in his space another day and invite his own White Goddess, Shen Ruobing, Ye Shisan, and others to taste it, to see if there would be any miraculous reactions in them.
Of course, this was also a matter of serendipity!
It might not be effective for everyone.
Just like no matter how much he ate, he wouldn't achieve any new breakthroughs.
"Chirp—"
In no time, the Sky-Breaking Eagle carried Cheng Xiaofan back to the bamboo pavilion on the rear mountain.
He first used energy water to boil a pot of water, then brewed himself a cup of golden tea. After a few sips, he entered his space.
Inside, he took out a piece of blood beech wood, about as thick as an arm, intending to make some bracelets.
He had promised his own White Goddess and Shen Ruobing bracelets and couldn't break his word.
This piece of blood beech wood had completely petrified. A slight polish with sandpaper revealed its inner flesh, as red as pomegranate flowers in May.
Its grain was fine and exquisite, appearing very unique, like auspicious clouds swirling, filled with the glow of dawn, and possessing a strong sense of flow.
Under the light, it was extremely lustrous and translucent.
Blood beech wood that had completely petrified like this was extremely rare in the world.
It could even be said to be impossible to find.
Bracelets made from such blood beech wood were incredibly precious.
The piece of blood beech wood Cheng Xiaofan had could yield dozens of bracelets. Making more was fine; he could keep them.
The bracelets he intended to make would not only be beautiful adornments but also help regulate qi and blood, strengthen the body, and even serve as a means of self-defense.
He could make some of these bracelets with diverse bead shapes.
For example, apple beads, pill beads, dragon eye beads, pumpkin beads, barrel beads, flower petal beads, sky eye beads, and so on. He could give one to everyone in his family.
Using the power of his space, the beads made from it would have minimal material wastage. Even the smallest scraps could be made into beautiful chest chains, earrings, and so on.
If made by hand, nearly half the material would be wasted.
After designing each bracelet in his mind, Cheng Xiaofan immediately sat cross-legged on the ground in his space.
With a mere thought from Cheng Xiaofan, the spiritual energy in his space formed a massive vortex, spinning around him.
The completely petrified blood beech wood and a long strand of silk thread immediately levitated and swiftly entered the vortex.
Half an hour later!
Clink, clink!
Over fifty bracelets fell from the swirling vortex.
When Cheng Xiaofan opened his eyes and saw the pile of bracelets before him, his eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but feel delighted.
These bracelets were even more exquisite than he had imagined.
The dazzling beads exuded a profound sense of ancient weight.
The flowing, cloud-like patterns on the beads seemed to contain an unshakeable Dao heart. Wearing such a bracelet could bring enlightenment, tranquility, and understanding of the profound principles of the world.
"Heh, this is simply perfect!"
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but sigh, "What jade or agate? Compared to my petrified blood beech wood, they're all inferior!"
He first took out a watermelon-shaped bead bracelet and put it on his left wrist.
After making so many bracelets, Cheng Xiaofan felt a certain weariness. Unexpectedly, after putting on the bracelet, the fatigue vanished completely.
It even brought a sense of lightness to his entire body!
Looking at it from left to right, the bracelet seemed to have been born to adorn his wrist.
So, these bracelets were indeed rare treasures!
Cheng Xiaofan stored the bracelets in his space and then withdrew from it.
After finishing the cup of golden tea he had brewed on the table, he went to bed to rest.
Snore!
Just as he entered his dreams, Cheng Xiaofan transformed into a golden dragon and soared into the sky.
In the vast expanse of the starry sky, music seemed to emanate. Cheng Xiaofan followed the sound and saw a dragon boat sailing towards him from within the music.
He immediately leaped forward, landing on the dragon boat, and returned to his original form.
"Xiao Fan!" Bai Yiling emerged from the cabin, greeting him.
Cheng Xiaofan strode forward, pulled his White Goddess into his arms, and kissed her passionately, saying with a smile, "Zhang Yu saw you in his dreams tonight!"
Hearing this, Bai Yiling's face flushed, and she said in a soft, melodious voice, "I didn't expect to encounter you again on the dragon boat!"
"..." No need for further words.
In such cosmic encounters, one should not waste precious time on romance. They should seize the opportunity to cultivate.
Cultivation first, love second!
Cheng Xiaofan immediately carried his White Goddess into the cabin.
"Goddess, bring out your sixty-two forms of yoga tonight.
Only by practicing in various ways can one enhance internal energy!"
In the blink of an eye, a dragon and a phoenix intertwined, their roars and cries echoing.
The dragon boat swayed in the starry sea of clouds. Spiritual energy from the depths of the universe converged from all directions, forming a massive vortex centered around the dragon boat, constantly spinning, as if mirroring Cheng Xiaofan's use of space's power.
As if to complement the profound fusion of Cheng Xiaofan and Bai Yiling's souls, a celestial symphony of surging sounds emanated from the center of the vortex.
...
When he woke up, the sky was already bright.
Cheng Xiaofan leaped out of bed and went onto the balcony. He stretched his arms and kicked his legs, feeling a significant increase in newly generated strength within him.
In his dream, he had given Bai Yiling ten bracelets.
He asked her to give one each to his father and mother, and also one to Shen Ruobing.
Everyone close to him would receive a beautiful bracelet.