Chapter 164: Action!
Han Feng was a man who either did not act at all or, once he decided to act, did so decisively and without hesitation. Just like when he betrayed Elder Yao, even when facing a teacher who had raised him, his poisoned dagger never wavered as it struck, even when the teacher was protecting him.
This revealed his cold and ruthless nature. To him, the only thing that mattered was himself. Anyone who could bring him benefits was a family member, while those who couldn't were enemies.
So, after gathering a group of people, Han Feng decided to act, and that very night.
…
The night seemed unusually dark, with a faint layer of clouds covering the sky, giving an overwhelming sense of oppression.
In the endless mountain ranges of Canaan Academy, tonight was eerily quiet. The beasts and fierce creatures seemed to sense danger and retreated without a sound, creating a strange stillness that made one uneasy.
Su Qian looked at Xiao Yi Xian, who was still in her advancement process, and raised his hand to compress the surrounding spatial energy, sealing off the area within ten meters to prevent any disturbances from affecting her progress.
After doing this, he slowly walked out of the small courtyard. Outside, several elders were already waiting, including many Dou Huang-level experts, and a large number of Dou Wang.
Clearly, Canaan Academy was not unaware of the movements from Han Feng's side.
"Great Elder, the alert level in both the inner and outer academies has been raised to the highest level. But… is this really necessary?" One of the elders asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
"Better safe than sorry," Su Qian replied, his tone low. "It's better to be cautious. Have all the students stay in their rooms and not go out. Also, temporarily seal off Peace Town. After a few days, we'll see if I've been overthinking things."
"Understood," the elder nodded and said, even without Su Qian's command, he would have issued the orders.
After they finished talking, Hu Qian's attention returned to the egg-shaped cocoon. He was quite interested in the subtle patterns on its surface, but with his current level, he could not make sense of it.
Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Su Qian gently stroked his white beard and said, "These patterns should be related to spatial power, but to understand them with our strength, we may not have much hope."
Spatial power could only be touched by those at the Dou Zong level, and mastering it required the strength of a Dou Zun.
The patterns likely had something to do with Xiao Yi Xian's bloodline, stemming from her innate talent. Trying to comprehend them was as difficult as creating a new technique. Without remarkable understanding and talent in spatial power, it was impossible.
"We're just observing. It's all right," Hu Qian said, nodding in understanding. "The conversation's over. I'll head back now. There are still plenty of matters waiting for me in the front yard."
Su Qian understood Hu Qian's meaning. The other man wasn't someone who liked to waste time. With a shrug, Hu Qian left, his Dou Qi wings spreading as he flew toward the outer academy. As the head of the outer academy, he couldn't afford to linger and chat with Su Qian.
Su Qian didn't stop him, but as he watched him leave, his expression grew darker. He hadn't acted as casually as he had in front of Hu Qian.
There was one thing he had not told Hu Qian: The two elders of Canaan Academy had gone into seclusion again. When in seclusion, they rarely paid attention to matters outside. Even if Su Qian, the head of the inner academy, tried to meet them, it was unlikely he would be allowed in, let alone ask them for help.
Both of the elders had reached the limits of Dou Zong, and their mastery of spatial power was profound. They could easily tear open space, and if they didn't want to be found, no one could locate them. Even messages would be impossible to send.
"These two old fools…" Su Qian muttered under his breath, his tone filled with a bit of resentment.
It was bad enough that the headmaster had become a figurehead, but even these two elder-level figures were acting this way. The entire academy seemed to be supported only by him. The pressure was something only he truly understood.
…
Demon Flame Valley.
Han Feng had been staying here recently. One reason was to liaise with various factions against Canaan Academy, and the other was that he didn't want to see Yao Yan. As the great Medicine King of the Black-Corner Region, no one could maintain their dignity in front of Yao Yan, let alone him.
But Yao Yan's strength, particularly his soul power at the Spiritual Realm level, made Han Feng feel utterly powerless.
"Damn that guy… I hope your strength is as great as you say, or else... cough cough!" Han Feng thought bitterly, feeling a wave of heat surge inside him. He clutched his chest, coughing heavily, his breathing becoming erratic.
It took a while before it subsided, and his face twisted in a grimace.
"Damn that old man. If he had just taught me the 'Burning Decision' back then, none of this would have happened. What nonsense about having an improper mindset? My alchemy talent is far better than his!" Han Feng clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger and hatred. If Elder Yao had only given him the Burning Decision, he wouldn't have teamed up with the old man from the Mugu family, and everything that followed wouldn't have happened.
Elder Yao would still be his teacher, the revered Medicine King, and he wouldn't have fallen to the Black-Corner Region, humiliated by some unknown person!
Ultimately, it was all Elder Yao's fault.
But soon, Han Feng pushed this hatred deep inside and regained his calm. He tapped the table, and a figure soon appeared at the door. The person knelt respectfully in front of him and said in a deep voice, "What orders does the master have?"
"Have you found anything from the secret investigation? Don't tell me there's still no news!" Han Feng's cold gaze fixed on the person.
"We haven't fully figured out the situation within the Eight Doors, but we've confirmed one thing: the old gentleman definitely came from Black Seal City. He was accompanied by a woman known as the Snake Lady, whose strength is said to be comparable to a high-level Dou Huang!"
Han Feng's subordinate, Han Beng, lowered his head and continued, "The situation surrounding her remains unclear, but this part is certain."
"Snake Lady?" Han Feng furrowed his brow, his heart moved. He had an impulse to capture her and use her to threaten Yao Yan, but after a moment, he abandoned the idea. The way that person had behaved gave no indication that she was concerned about this Snake Lady. If he wasn't careful, it could backfire, and he might end up giving Yao Yan an excuse to eliminate him instead.
"What's Yuan Yi's attitude?"
Han Feng closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, staring at Han Beng, and asking.
"His attitude is cold. It seems he has completely sided with that person," Han Beng answered calmly, continuing his report. Those in their line of work were expected to remain emotionally detached and simply relay the facts without concealing anything.
"A fence-sitter, huh? Looks like the old ancestor of the Eight Doors is completely finished." Han Feng's gaze flickered, a cold smile forming on his lips as he spoke in a low voice.
If the old ancestor of the Eight Doors were still alive, Yuan Yi wouldn't be acting this way. The old man was once as famous as the head of Demon Flame Valley, and his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Fine. After this matter is settled, I'll settle things with him," Han Feng snorted coldly, before asking about the final matter, "What's been discovered inside the Inner Academy of Canaan Academy?"
"We don't have full details, but one thing is certain: there is a special place within the Inner Academy, called the Sky Burning Refining Tower. This tower is buried underground, and it contains a unique flame that can refine Dou Qi, accelerating cultivation. Every year, the top ten of the Inner Academy's strength rankings can enter the lowest level of the tower to undergo body tempering with the Origin Heart Flame, increasing their chances of advancing to Dou Wang…"
Just as Han Beng was about to continue, Han Feng suddenly interrupted.
"Is there really a heavenly flame?!" Han Feng stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with excitement and surprise.
As an alchemist, it was easy for him to deduce certain things from this information.
The Fallen Heart Flame, ranked 14th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, had similar effects to what Han Beng described. For those below the Dou Zong level, it was undoubtedly a treasure. It could significantly speed up cultivation, and its power could temper the body, enhancing one's talent several times over. Its value was immeasurable.
Unfortunately, Han Feng had been so distracted by the news of the Heavenly Flame that he hadn't paid much attention to Canaan Academy, never realizing that such a treasure was hidden within.
A greedy look flashed in his eyes as he thought to himself.
If he could devour it using the Burning Decision, he was certain that all of his hidden dangers would disappear, and his cultivation speed would increase dramatically. Breaking through to Dou Zong would be no challenge, and with a few more heavenly flames, even Dou Zun wouldn't be out of reach.
But soon, Han Feng calmed himself. He knew that to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, he would have to deal with Yao Yan first. Otherwise, everything was for nothing.
Yao Yan was not to be underestimated.
With that thought, Han Feng narrowed his eyes and whispered, "It's time to act."
With that, he stood up and pushed the door open, preparing to rally everyone and strike at Canaan Academy today. After all, the time for his agreement with Yao Yan was drawing near. If he didn't bring back the Fallen Heart Flame quickly, Yao Yan would surely turn his attention to his Heavenly Flame. If that was taken from him, his strength would drop to Dou Wang, or even Dou Ling.
If his strength dropped that much, he wouldn't just have trouble dealing with Yao Yan—he might not even be able to stay in the Black-Corner Region.
Since he had decided to act, Han Feng wouldn't wait any longer. Tonight would be the night!
The strong men he had gathered for this operation were many, and they were all well-known powerful figures from the Black-Corner Region. Among them, there were seven Dou Huang experts, plus the newly promoted Dou Zong, Mo Tianxing. Their combined strength was enough to wipe out most of the forces in the Black-Corner Region. Even Canaan Academy would be a challenge.
"Has the Medicine King finally left seclusion? I thought we'd have to wait a few more days~"
With a coquettish laugh, a seductive woman with a curvy figure walked in, swaying her hips and covering her mouth with a smile.
The woman was Su Mei, the head of the Rakshosa Sect, a powerful Two-Star Dou Huang. She had come because of the promise of the Huang Ji Dan. She had missed out on the auction in Black Seal City, and the pills had already been divided, including the crucial Breaking Sect Dan, which had fallen into the hands of Demon Flame Valley.
But in the face of such a powerful force as Demon Flame Valley, no one dared to rob them as they had before. With four high-level Dou Huang experts and an unfathomable ancestor in seclusion, no one dared to have any other ideas.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sect Leader Su," Han Feng said with a faint smile.
Su Mei was extremely seductive, with a body that was both fiery and curvy, but Han Feng wasn't interested. He knew how dangerous she was. Despite her Two-Star Dou Huang strength, her record was impressive. She had killed three high-level Dou Huang experts, and no one knew how many others had died at her hands.
But anyone who could stand their ground in the Black-Corner Region as a woman had to have some serious ability and means.
If he only saw her as a beautiful woman, he would definitely suffer a great loss.
"I'm honored to wait for the Medicine King's appearance." Su Mei covered her mouth and smiled lightly, her gaze seductive as she looked at him.
However, this charm didn't seem to have much effect on Han Feng.
"Have you seen enough, Sect Leader of the Blood Sect?" Han Feng turned his head and smiled.
With the words spoken, a slightly feminine man stepped out from behind the corner, his gaze cold and sharp. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he said, "There's nothing worth looking at. What concerns me more is the master you mentioned. We've been here for a few days now, and I wonder if there's a chance to meet this Seven-Star Alchemist you speak of."
"There will be a chance. Before that, I need to trouble you all to accompany me to Canaan Academy to retrieve something," Han Feng said softly.
As he spoke, several figures appeared nearby, all strong allies he had gathered for this operation. The leader among them was Mo Tianxing, a newly promoted Dou Zong, his injuries fully healed.
"Accompany you? No problem. But don't forget what you promised us," Fan Lao said, his eyes dark with a hint of menace.
Canaan Academy was renowned, but it couldn't stop the rise of the powerful forces from the last hundred years. People always forget, and the shock Canaan Academy brought to the Black-Corner Region had long since faded. Moreover, with the older generation nearly gone, who still remembered how terrifying Canaan Academy truly was?
"Don't worry, I'll fulfill my promises after this matter is finished. Including the Breaking Sect Dan you want. I'm sure you saw it in Demon Flame Valley. How's its quality? You know it well. My master's alchemy skills are just as good as my teacher's. If this mission goes well, there might even be extra rewards!"
Han Feng began making empty promises, lying without any hesitation. If he couldn't make it through this, he would have no future.
(END CHAPTER)
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