"Hehehe,"
the Iron Protector chuckled again high in the sky, quite satisfied with Han Feng's arrangement. Not far away, Yao Chen, possessing Xiao Yan's body, watched the two's performance with a cold, expressionless gaze.
"Lin Feng, it's your turn!"
Yao Chen suddenly looked in a certain direction. The old man was shrewd and experienced; seeing Han Feng achieve the Dou Zong level, he knew he was no match.
Even if Xiao Yan used the Buddha's Fury Lotus, it would be difficult to deal with Han Feng, who also possessed a different kind of fire. However, he still acted decisively because he knew Lin Feng would not remain indifferent.
"Old Yao, your words have left me no chance to launch a sneak attack!"
Just as Han Feng and the Iron Protector were wondering what was going on, Lin Feng's figure appeared high in the sky near them. He stood on the void, without using any Dou Qi wings.
"How is this possible?! You actually reached the Dou Zong realm?!"
Han Feng was filled with disbelief. Even back then, under the tutelage of Yao Chen, the continent's number one alchemist, Lin Feng, at just over twenty years old, was only a Dou Huang level expert.
While it was partly due to him suppressing his cultivation and consolidating his foundation, the resources he received were unimaginable to this country bumpkin from the Northwest Continent.
"How could this guy advance to the Dou Zong realm at such a young age!"
Han Feng couldn't help but feel jealous and resentful. He couldn't even obtain the Burning Flame Technique, and now even a country bumpkin was surpassing him.
If he knew that Lin Feng had also advanced to the seventh-grade alchemist realm, and that with Lin Feng's perfected Mortal Realm soul power, he could reach the peak of the seventh-grade alchemist realm in no time if he went to the Central Continent, given the conditions there.
And Han Feng's foundation, he believed, was even stronger than Xiao Yan's after cultivating the complete Burning Flame Technique; how could Han Feng compare?
"Elder Yao, do you need me to deal with Han Feng?"
Since there was no chance for a sneak attack, he decided to stop pretending. Looking at Han Feng and Protector Tie, both of whom were two-star Dou Zong, Lin Feng waved his hand and said magnanimously,
"This beast can be dealt with by this old man himself!"
Yao Chen waved his hand slightly, rejecting Lin Feng's suggestion.
"Hahaha, Master, you've fallen to this state, yet you still maintain this arrogant attitude. It seems the heavens are against you today!"
Seeing that Lin Feng had indeed agreed not to interfere further, Han Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as we quickly deal with this old bastard, not only can our sect completely eliminate this major threat, but we can even forgo the Strange Flame."
Han Feng secretly plotted in his heart, "Canaan Academy may still have hidden Dou Zong experts. It seems I was too impulsive this time. As long as we capture this old bastard and obtain the Burning Technique, with the complete cultivation method, achieving the Dou Zun realm in the future will be a piece of cake for our sect's talent."
As for Protector Tie and the others, Han Feng had never considered them. In fact, he was even thinking about when he could kill and devour this dark thing to strengthen his soul power.
"It's a pity about the two elders, Jin and Yin, who are both at the Dou Zong level. However," Han Feng's regret was fleeting, "these two aren't truly loyal. If our sect shows signs of weakness, they might just flee on their own."
"Besides, they're just Dou Zong level guards. If I can get the Burning Technique and that old man's collection, reaching the eighth-grade alchemist realm will be a piece of cake. At that time, even Dou Zun experts will have to treat me with utmost respect!"
A flurry of thoughts flashed through Han Feng's mind, but he laughed strangely.
"Master, is this your new disciple? You entrust him with this technique so readily, aren't you afraid he'll betray you like I did?"
Facing Han Feng's provocation, Yao Chen ignored him. A pale white flame rapidly ignited in his palm, instantly spreading a chilling aura across the sky. This scene caused many elders from the Black Corner Region and Canaan Academy, who were already engaged in battle, to change their expressions drastically and quickly retreat.
"Hahaha, this familiar feeling!" Han Feng exclaimed in delight, then his expression changed, and he said viciously, "It's just a pity that it no longer has that power that seemed to freeze space!"
While Yao Chen and Han Feng, master and disciple, were engaged in their fateful duel, Iron Protector and Lin Feng were also facing off, but the two of them were acting rather strangely.
"Damn it, how is this possible? This guy is actually a mid-level Dou Zong!"
Within the thick black mist, Iron Protector's body trembled involuntarily. He had originally planned to take this kid to a less crowded place and then give him a good beating. After all, this was not only a Dou Zong expert, but in his perception, his soul power was also unfathomable.
All the signs were enough to indicate that the young man in front of him was the newly promoted sixth-grade peak alchemist of Canaan Academy, a monster with a talent hundreds of times stronger than Han Feng.
Just as he was about to use the Soul Palace's unique eerie laughter technique—hehehe—to intimidate Lin Feng, he did not expect that a powerful aura would suddenly erupt from his body. Instantly, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead!
"Heh, Master, this Protector hails from the Soul Palace, where Dou Zun are as numerous as clouds, and even half-Saints and Dou Shengs abound. Today's incident is merely a misunderstanding. Master, could you please allow this Protector to leave Canaan Academy? I will surely repay you handsomely in the future!"
Protector Tie spoke nervously, his scarlet eyes flashing nervously.
"Damn brat, if this Protector manages to escape this time, I will definitely report your matter to Elder Zun."
As if he had thought of something, in Lin Feng's eyes, those scarlet eyes suddenly bobbed up and down like two bouncy balls.
"Hehehe, judging from this kid's soul power, even the Venerable Elder would be satisfied. Perhaps this Protector will even receive a major promotion. Maybe even surpass the long-lost Protector Heron!"
Speaking of Protector Heron, Protector Iron felt a pang of doubt. "That guy's cultivation level is far higher than mine. How could he disappear without a trace in the Jia Ma Empire, that weak little country that doesn't even have a Dou Zong!"
Thinking of this, Protector Iron felt a sharp pain in his heart.
"It's all that damned Han Feng's fault! If he hadn't invited me into this mess, I wouldn't be so subservient to this kid!"
"Five Elements Barrier!"
Just then, a soft shout brought Protector Iron back to his senses. He quickly looked around and discovered that, centered on the kid opposite him, the surrounding area seemed to be gradually isolating itself from the outside world.
"What terrifying spatial manipulation!"
Seeing this, Iron Protector's pupils constricted sharply. However, strangely, Iron Protector seemed to possess some trump card that could save his life, remaining completely still!
"Iron Protector, is it? I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Would you be willing to answer?"
After setting up the barrier, completely isolating this place from the outside world, Lin Feng smiled slightly and asked.
"You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say next will represent my attitude towards you."
Lin Feng thought to himself, "The original version of those words swept the globe—a Miranda warning!"
As Lin Feng finished speaking, the black mist surrounding Iron Protector turbulently, as if it were about to brew some top-tier fighting technique.
Watching this, Lin Feng didn't move, but instead observed with some curiosity. As the saying goes, skill breeds boldness. Not to mention the Dragon Emperor's bloodline protecting him, Lin Feng's own mid-level Dou Zong strength alone meant that unless a Dou Zun intervened, who could instantly kill him?
"Master Lin Feng! I know I was wrong. Please tell me your conditions, and I will do my best to fulfill them!"
Seeing this, Lin Feng was caught off guard and paused for a moment.
"This guy!"
"However," Lin Feng put his hands behind his back and slowly began to think, "this Protector Tie is only at the level of a two-star Dou Zong. Even if I absorb and refine his soul power, he's still far from breaking through to the Spirit Realm. In that case, it's better to spare his life and keep him as a spy within the Soul Palace!"
While considering the role of Protector Tie as a spy, Lin Feng didn't let his guard down, keeping most of his attention focused on Protector Tie, who seemed to have truly surrendered.
"Damn it, this brat is truly cunning. Even with this protective stance, he hasn't let his guard down." Iron Protector inwardly grumbled. "Fine! I'll abandon the idea of a sneak attack for now. With this brat's intermediate Dou Zong level, even a sneak attack might not be enough to seriously injure or kill him. On the contrary, that would deprive me of my chance to escape."
Having made his decision, Iron Protector completely submitted. However, the black mist still shrouded him, making him unfathomable.
"This protector,"
"Master, you may simply call me Protector Iron!"
At this point, the black mist surrounding Iron Protector seemed to rise slightly, as if the Iron Protector within was very confident in this identity.
"Oh, Protector Iron, is it!" Lin Feng didn't pay attention to these trivial matters and slowly took two steps forward. "Protector Iron wishes to spare his life under my hand. I wonder if you have anything in exchange?" "
This..."
Protector Iron, who had only hoped to scare Lin Feng away with the reputation of the Soul Palace, was stunned when he heard Lin Feng's words. He had never expected Lin Feng to ask such a question.
"Does Master need a soul body?" After hesitating for a moment, Protector Iron extended a large hand shrouded in a black cloak from the black mist, and a soul bag exuding an evil aura slowly appeared.
"As an alchemist, Master, you must know how difficult it is to improve one's soul. And if one devours the souls of others, the progress is much faster than the self-growth of one's soul power."
"This soul pouch contains the souls of three Dou Huang and six Dou Wang experts. If you absorb them, Master's soul power will be sufficient to refine sixth-grade pills. Presumably, you will make a great leap forward."
Protector Tie slowly tossed the soul pouch into Lin Feng's hand, his sincerity evident, seemingly unafraid that Lin Feng would change his mind.
"Damn brat, you stole my soul pouch! One day you'll regret it!"
As if thinking of something, Protector Tie chuckled inwardly.
"Damn brat, go ahead and absorb these souls! I, the Protector, don't believe anyone can resist the temptation of a rapid increase in soul power, especially a genius alchemist like you!"
"However," the Iron Protector thought slyly, "without the Soul Palace's special refining method, the chaotic consciousness accompanying these souls when they're devoured will, even if it doesn't kill you, make it impossible for you to refine pills in peace afterward!"
"Iron Protector, this soul pouch, speaking of which, seems to have originally been my spoils of war. If you don't have any other treasures to exchange, then I still can't spare your life!"
Lin Feng flipped his hand, storing the soul pouch in the storage ring where Yao Tianhuo was hiding, and handed it over for him to refine. As for the Iron Protector's inner thoughts, Lin Feng had some guesses, but no matter how hard the Iron Protector racked his brains, he couldn't possibly imagine the Fallen Heart Flame's restraint on souls!
All he could say was, "Thank you for nature's bounty! Give me a dozen more of this malice!"
"You—"
Iron Protector was utterly shocked that Lin Feng could be so shameless. The black mist trembled violently, revealing his utter despair.
However, after a moment of rage, a sense of panic began to creep into Iron Protector's heart.
"Damn it, am I really going to die here today? I finally found out about Yao Chen. If I can bring him back to the sect, I will receive a huge reward. Even if I don't become a Dou Zun, I will definitely reach the level of a high-level Dou Zong."
"Right, I can give this greedy guy the Soul Hall's exclusive fighting technique. It is a fighting technique specially passed down by the higher-ups. Once he has mastered it, he will be unable to hide his aura when he tries to master a higher-level fighting technique. At that time, the elders can kill him. That will be another great achievement! Hehehe."
Thinking of this, Protector Tie couldn't help but laugh strangely again. The black mist trembled violently again. He frowned as he looked at Lin Feng. "Is this guy out of his mind?"
"Master, I still have a Soul Hall's unique fighting technique for targeting soul bodies. If I hand it over to you, I wonder if you can spare my life?"
Protector Tie was not stupid. Having learned from his previous experience, he became more cautious this time.
"Hahaha, Protector Tie, you can inquire about my reputation. I am an alchemist. Without a reputation, no matter how skilled I am, who would dare to commission me to refine pills?"
Hearing this, Protector Tie nodded. "That makes sense. These arrogant fellows are indeed very trustworthy!"
After hesitating for a moment, Protector Tie still tossed out several scrolls exuding an evil aura.
(End of Chapter)