A chilling sound echoed within the bamboo forest, followed by the appearance of two crimson eyes from within the black mist. These eyes seemed to possess a soul-devouring magic; if an ordinary person were present, their soul would likely be devoured.
"Hmph!"
Han Feng showed no mercy to these scumbags, waving his hand and unleashing the undisguised aura of a two-star Dou Zong.
"Iron Protector, you think you can play tricks on me?"
"Hehehehe!"
Sensing the powerful aura emanating from Han Feng, the Iron Protector, hidden within the black mist, narrowed his eyes sharply, then let out another eerie, hehehehe laugh.
"Mr. Han Feng truly lives up to his reputation as a disciple of the Medicine Venerable. Even after a arduous period of rebuilding, he has reached the Dou Zong realm in just a few decades. I wonder if the Medicine Venerable would regret this in the afterlife!"
"Condensing Fire into Form—Sea God Halberd!"
"Does Protector Tie think my strange fire is only good for refining pills?"
Yao Chen is a perpetual source of pain for Han Feng. Sometimes, alone at night, he has regretted his actions.
If he hadn't been misled by Elder Mu Gu, with his talent and Yao Chen's affection, perhaps he would already be at the peak of the Dou Zong realm or even the Dou Zun realm!
However, if anyone thinks Han Feng feels he has made a mistake, they are sorely mistaken. It's simply that he feels he's not doing as well as he used to. Ask yourself, how can someone who would kill his own mentor simply because of outsiders' instigation think he has done something wrong?
"No, I did nothing wrong! It's all your fault, you old bastard! Since you abandoned all your confidantes for me, why won't you even give me a mere cultivation technique? You old bastard, you deserve to die by my hand!"
A brief moment of regret was followed by a frenzied roar of resentment. Of course, all of this was vented in the dead of night, when he was alone. At this moment, the ugly mask was subtly pointed out by the Iron Protector, and Han Feng immediately lost his composure. His Sea Heart Flame condensed into a weapon shape, which he wielded with unparalleled skill. It seemed the two were about to break off all pretense of civility.
"Hehehe,"
however, the Iron Protector seemed to have some trump card, continuing to laugh strangely, seemingly utterly fearless. Of course, as Han Feng was an excellent partner who had helped him achieve many successes, the Iron Protector refrained from further provocation.
"Mr. Han Feng, I did indeed misspoke just now. However, Mr. Han Feng didn't invite me here just to argue, did he?"
Sensing the way out offered by Protector Tie, the shrewd Han Feng naturally seized the opportunity to end the topic, putting away his strange fire and speaking in a mysterious tone.
"Protector Tie, I invited you here today because I want you to do a big deal!"
"Hehehe, Mr. Han Feng, just tell me what you need me to do. As long as you offer enough soul power, there's no place in this Northwest Continent that my Soul Palace members can't go!"
The black mist rose and fell, seemingly responding to Protector Tie's arrogance.
"I wonder if Protector Tie is interested in accompanying Han Feng to Canaan Academy?"
"He's just a mere two-star Dou Zong, yet he's so arrogant. I've seen plenty of Dou Zun experts back in the day. Oh well, he's just cannon fodder anyway. Let him be arrogant for a while!" Although he harbored contempt and murderous intent, Han Feng's face remained unchanged, with a smile on his face, appearing as a refined gentleman.
"Heh heh heh, Canaan Academy, huh? In the Black Corner Region, who doesn't know its formidable reputation? Especially in recent years, several powerful forces have been destroyed and their temples shattered because of conflicts with it. Moreover, the founder of Canaan Academy is said to have already reached the Dou Zun level. Although he has been elusive for years, who knows if he has left behind any special methods?"
Upon hearing the name Canaan Academy, Protector Tie hesitated for a moment, which was uncharacteristic of him, before speaking. Although shrouded in black mist, Han Feng could detect a hint of apprehension in his tone, and couldn't help but despise these rats in the gutter even more. Even if they had reached the Dou Zong level, they were still nothing but cowards.
"So, what does Protector Iron mean?"
"Hehehe, Canaan Academy, if I'm not careful, I might perish there. So, I'll have to pay more!"
"Protector Iron, please name your price. As long as Han Feng can do it, I'll agree!"
Han Feng waved his hand, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he thought, "Whatever the price, it all depends on whether you're alive to keep it!"
"Two soul bodies at least at the initial Dou Huang level, or the soul of a sixth-grade alchemist. Of course, if Mr. Han Feng finds it difficult, providing a large number of low-level Dou Wang or even Dou Ling soul bodies is also acceptable. Hehehe..."
Protector Iron, shrouded in black mist, revealed a look of wild joy. His two scarlet eyes trembled, and even the black mist could not hide it.
"Hehehe, Han Feng is indeed my lucky star! As long as this mission succeeds, my performance targets for the next few years will be met ahead of schedule!"
"Iron Protector, your price is a bit too high!"
Han Feng seemed to be too disappointed by Iron Protector's offer. He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, his expression somewhat unpleasant. This was noticed by the two scarlet eyes, which then laughed even more arrogantly.
"Hehehe, Mr. Han Feng, this is the price my Soul Hall always charges." Ignoring Han Feng's unpleasant expression, Iron Protector's next words were even more ruthless. "Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to tell Mr. Han Feng in advance. Even if the mission fails, my Soul Hall will still collect the full fee for any business it undertakes! How about it, Mr. Han Feng, think it over carefully!"
"Iron Protector, you..."
Although it wasn't the first time he had cooperated with the Soul Hall, Han Feng was still angered by its shameless style. Of course, having already sentenced Iron Protector to death in his heart, he wasn't truly angry. However, feigning a troubled expression was effortless for the shrewd Han Feng.
"Very well!" As if he truly needed Protector Tie's intervention, Han Feng sighed helplessly before speaking, "I agree to Protector Tie's conditions. Please, Protector, give it your all."
His tone was almost strained, eliciting another strange laugh from Protector Tie.
"Rest assured, Mr. Han Feng. Don't you know my character?" Ignoring Han Feng's disdainful gaze, Protector Tie now appeared quite sincere. "Besides, even if Mr. Han Feng doesn't trust me, surely he trusts the reward you've offered?"
"In that case, I'll trouble Protector Tie in three days!" Han Feng gave a slight bow.
"Hehehe..."
(End of Chapter)