As a casual remark fell, a powerful soul pressure swept across the entire area, causing everyone present to feel a tremor originating from their very souls.
Han Feng, standing atop the sea of fire, was no exception. Struck as if by lightning, a soul force far exceeding his own power dragged him directly from the sky. The Sea Heart Flame that had been pulling him down instantly lost control, and even his previously prized soul force was now firmly bound to his body. In
that instant, Han Feng felt a sense of powerlessness, and his handsome face could no longer maintain its composure; a hint of horror surfaced deep in his eyes.
As the only disciple of the Medicine Venerable, how could Han Feng not know the realm of the soul? Soul force that could render even a peak sixth-grade alchemist like him powerless must be the power of a higher level of soul—the realm Han Feng had always pursued.
The Spirit Realm!
Only by reaching the Spirit Realm in soul power can one join the ranks of an eighth-grade alchemist. Similarly, only a soul power at the Spirit Realm can bestow unique spirituality upon pills, even transforming them into living beings!
From this point onward, an alchemist will truly enter the inner sanctum, becoming a master.
Han Feng, caught off guard, was utterly disheveled, nearly falling from the sky. Fortunately, he possessed considerable battle qi, allowing him to barely maintain his balance and stand firmly. However, his face was filled with jealousy and resentment as he stared intently at Yao Yan. He couldn't believe that the person before him possessed Spirit Realm soul power, and didn't even appear very old.
Why wasn't this person him?!
It was all that old man's fault back then. If he had been willing to give him the complete Burning Flame Technique, he wouldn't have fallen to this state, even now, his cultivation speed greatly reduced by the incomplete Burning Flame Technique. Despite possessing considerable cultivation talent, he could only cultivate slowly like a snail!
Sometimes, Han Feng really wanted to change his cultivation method. He had no shortage of Earth-rank techniques... but he was just unwilling to accept it!
Better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.
Ordinary Earth-rank techniques were simply not enough for him to reach the peak. In addition, some low-level mistakes he made when he was young had damaged his talent, making him no longer perfect. Now, only the Burning Flame Technique could allow him to defy fate and enhance his talent by constantly absorbing different flames. This was a boundless path to heaven.
Especially after refining a part of the Sea Heart Flame, that feeling became more and more obvious.
He had a premonition that once he could obtain the complete Burning Flame Technique, his future path would definitely not be limited to Dou Zun. He could even catch up with Dou Sheng or Dou Di!
"Block? Can you block it?"
With a light laugh in his ear, the terrifying pressure suddenly increased. Even though he had used all his strength, he still couldn't hold on. He was pressed to the ground by this soul force, and even his legs slowly bent, almost making Yao Yan kneel down.
Just as Yao Yan was considering whether to push harder, Han Feng actually knelt down before him, no longer resisting.
This scene stunned Yao Yan, his mind going blank for a moment before he reacted. His opinion of Han Feng immediately rose several notches; this man was definitely not as pathetic as described in the original story. Just this willingness to kneel before someone was something Yao Yan couldn't match.
The two elders, Jin and Yin, were also surprised to see Han Feng kneeling. They hadn't expected the legendary Medicine Emperor to be so pathetic.
The burly Dou Huang who hadn't left was also stunned, his Adam's apple bobbing, unsure how to describe his feelings.
Han Feng was oblivious to what outsiders thought. He only wanted to save his life, so he lowered his head humbly, admitting his mistake: "Senior, have I offended you in any way? If so, I am willing to pay any price. Please forgive me."
Someone with such soul power was no junior; this man was definitely an old monster. Kowtowing to an old monster was not shameful at all.
To act arrogantly in front of a stronger opponent is suicidal.
Han Feng, who had spent years in the Black Corner Region, hadn't had his mindset changed. He maintained a cautious and timid attitude; only by surviving could he have a future. What harm was there in bowing his head to an unknown eighth-grade alchemist?
As for so-called dignity… that depended on the person. He might have it in front of the weak, but in front of the strong, dignity was a joke.
"The dignified disciple of the Medicine Venerable, so pathetic! If your teacher saw you like this, I wonder what he would think," Yao Yan said, sizing up Han Feng before chuckling softly. He suddenly realized that not bringing Yao Lao along was a wise choice; otherwise, seeing this scene would likely have caused the latter's very soul to tremble.
His disciple, whom he had always considered everything, was so pathetic, lacking even a shred of self-respect. What had he taught him back then?
"Senior, do you have a grudge against that old man?"
Han Feng's eyes flashed, thinking he had found the key, and he probed.
"What a fine disciple..." Yao Yan thought to himself, but a cold smile appeared on his face. He said in a low voice
, "I suppose so. I came to the Black Corner Region just to pass through, but I never expected... to hear your name, Medicine Emperor. Your reputation is no less than that of your master back then." Han Feng's eyes flickered slightly, and he said sincerely, "It was my arrogance that led me here. Please forgive me, senior. As for that old man, I severed all ties with him back then. If you've come to settle scores with me, you've really come to the wrong person. In fact, I also harbor great resentment towards him. If he hadn't deliberately harmed me back then, how could I have ended up ruling the Black Corner Region?"
As he finished speaking, a hint of resentment appeared on his face. That expression was absolutely genuine, without the slightest pretense.
"But it's rumored that Venerable Medicine treats you like his own son," Yao Yan said softly.
"If he truly considered me his son, he wouldn't have kept it a secret. If Senior wishes to know the details, why not come into the manor for a chat? I can recount those events from back then." Han Feng's expression suddenly changed, and he spoke earnestly. At the same time, this was also to dispel Yao Yan's malice towards him.
If the other party continued to be so relentless, he would have no choice but to fight to the death. If he was truly pushed to the limit, he would even abandon this physical body to deliver a ruthless blow.
"Alright, then let's hear it~"
Yao Yan smiled, withdrawing the pressure of his soul power, and said calmly. Then, he led the two elders, Jin and Yin, into the manor.
Freed from Yao Yan's pressure, Han Feng quickly stood up, glanced at the burly Dou Huang still floating in the distance, narrowed his eyes with a hint of warning, and then turned to follow. He didn't expect that person to be able to help him in any way, but it was best if the other party kept everything that happened today to himself. Once even the slightest rumor spread outside... he wasn't one to be trifled with.
If he couldn't defeat the mysterious eighth-grade alchemist Yao Yan, couldn't he at least bully the 'old, weak, sick, and disabled' of the Black Corner Region?
Dare to utter a word, and he'd slaughter the entire city!
And those two Soul Envoys from the Soul Palace just
happened to have huge appetites! Several large beads of sweat trickled down the burly Dou Huang's forehead, his eyes filled with horror. Just who was this young man? How could he possess such strength? Even the Medicine Emperor Han Feng had been forced to kneel and bow his head. If this scene were to spread, the entire Black Corner Region would likely be shaken. However, he quickly realized the meaning behind Han Feng's last glance.
He glanced at the surrounding crowd and Dou Wang, silently feeling sympathy for a few seconds, because these people would inevitably die today. Han Feng wasn't a merciful person; if he hadn't possessed the strength of a five-star Dou Huang, he probably wouldn't have escaped today, let alone these weaklings.
"...Damn it." He pondered for a moment, then suddenly cursed under his breath, unsure whether to stay or leave.
...
At the same time, inside the mansion.
Han Feng, with an air of humility, recounted his past to Yao Yan, detailing how Yao Lao had 'tricked' him and even blaming Yao Lao for his current predicament. His ugly face perfectly illustrated the meaning of an ingrate. Yao Yan
listened calmly as Han Feng finished, a playful smile creeping onto his lips. He countered, "Are you sure the old man you're talking about is the same Yao Venerable? Although I haven't had much contact with him, Yao Venerable's temperament is considered good among alchemists. The one you're describing doesn't match him at all." "Senior
, you can know a person's face but not their heart. Everyone presents a glorious image to outsiders, and that old man is no exception. I've followed him since childhood and know his character and nature very well. What I said before was absolutely true, without a trace of falsehood, and I didn't deceive you, Senior!"
Han Feng said sincerely, his deceptive expression even reminding Yao Yan of himself.
This man was undoubtedly a master of acting.
"Fine, just a dead man, nothing to bother with. I happened to hear of your name while passing through the Black Corner Region, so I came to see you. It's a pity your strength seems a bit lacking, but the strange fire within you is quite good. Would you be willing to give it to me?" Yao Yan mimicked Hun Xuzi's tone, threatening him with a cold expression.
Han Feng's expression changed upon hearing this. His worst fear had come true. Facing someone far stronger than himself, fighting to the death was obviously the most foolish thing to do, as it was no different from throwing his life away. However, he absolutely could not agree to hand over the strange fire, because the Sea Heart Flame was related to his future.
Especially since it was now closely linked to the Burning Technique, separating it from his body would inevitably bring him a huge backlash. Not only would his strength regress, but his body would also suffer great damage. In the future, let alone advancing further, his strength might very well regress to the Dou Wang realm.
In such a case, it would be better to fight the person in front of him.
Yao Yan looked at Han Feng, whose face showed hesitation, and asked in a low voice, "What, you're unwilling?"
As the words fell, the pressure of a Spirit Realm soul enveloped Han Feng, as if gravity had increased several times over, making even breathing extremely difficult.
Han Feng clenched his fists, but finally endured it, revealing a smile, and said in a low voice, "How could I be unwilling? It's just that I've been refining this Sea Heart Flame for many days. If I forcibly separate it, it will inevitably cause me damage, which I really can't bear. I hope you can understand, senior... However, if you really want a different kind of fire, I know of a place where there is a different kind of fire, and that fire is definitely ranked higher than the Sea Heart Flame!"
"Oh? Tell me about it~"
Yao Yan cooperated, showing interest, and pressed on.
"Senior, have you ever heard of Canaan Academy? I was with that old man back then, and he mentioned that Canaan Academy might possess a rare flame, ranked very high. However, that old man possessed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and wasn't interested. That's why I chose to come to the Black Corner Region. Later, I accidentally obtained the Sea Heart Flame..."
Han Feng's eyes flickered slightly as he revealed some secrets.
Many people knew that Canaan Academy possessed a rare flame, such as Hun Xuzi, who knew precisely that Canaan Academy possessed the Fallen Heart Flame. However, for them, the Fallen Heart Flame wasn't very valuable, and Canaan Academy's background was not simple. Those with sufficient strength wouldn't risk provoking the Thunder Clan elder for a rare flame.
Only those who didn't know the true extent of the danger would set their sights on Canaan Academy.
Even if they could obtain it, could they really keep it? Did they
really think that Thunder Clan elder was indifferent?
The original story didn't involve any attack on Xiao Yan because Xiao Yan was a student of Canaan Academy, and it wasn't something he stole. Otherwise… you could try and see if the elders of the Lei Clan were really that easy to deal with.
"Canaan Academy, I've heard of it. It's extremely famous even in the Central Continent, and many people have studied there. I don't want to easily provoke such a force… Since this information comes from you, you're responsible for bringing out the strange fire and handing it over to me. Otherwise, I'll have to start with you."
Yao Yan hesitated for a moment, then his eyes flashed with a fierce light as he continued to stare at Han Feng, giving him a "I've got you cornered" look. After all, not taking the easy way out and instead provoking the uncertain Canaan Academy was clearly not the intelligence of a villain.
"…This junior will do his best." Faced with Yao Yan's coercion, Han Feng had no right to object and bowed in response.
He paused.
He added, "If we encounter an invincible opponent, could you possibly offer some assistance, senior?"
"I am an alchemist; fighting and killing are not my forte. Besides, you are also an alchemist; surely you could call for reinforcements?"
Yao Yan frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.
Damn old man, you just wait… Han Feng suppressed his killing intent and obediently said, "This junior will certainly handle this matter well and give senior a satisfactory answer!"
(End of Chapter)