Chapter 160: Power Up
In the stillness of the night, deep within a canyon shrouded in black mist, eerie wails echoed from time to time.
Beneath the cold moonlight, shadowy figures could be seen moving through the fog. Their stiff, shuffling movements were nothing like those of the living—more like walking corpses. These figures wandered aimlessly throughout the canyon, densely packed and lifeless. The entire place felt like a land of the dead—like an underworld from the Nine Nether Hells, filled with a terrifying, grim atmosphere.
Whoosh—
From a distance, a blue streak of light streaked through the sky and came to a steady halt above the canyon. It was Han Feng. At this moment, his once-handsome face was twisted with rage, clearly unable to contain his fury. His cold gaze swept over the deathly canyon as he growled, "You two, come out!"
"Jie jie... Someone's angry tonight. Don't tell me someone in the Black-Corner Region actually dared offend the great Alchemy Emperor?" came a hoarse, eerie laugh. A red-eyed figure emerged from the mist, locking its crimson gaze on Han Feng.
Another tall, burly shadow followed, his voice dry but eager: "So? Need us to wipe someone out for you?"
They had worked quite well with Han Feng recently—massacring two entire cities. The tens of thousands of souls and corpses they reaped had earned them promotions within the Soul Hall. So now, they viewed Han Feng in a favorable light, even hoping to continue their cooperation.
If they could wipe out another seven or eight cities, they might even glimpse the "Elder Realm"…
The mere thought made their blood boil with excitement.
"No. It's already drawn too much attention. We can't continue. That old bastard once told me: the Black-Corner Region has its own rules. If we go too far, we'll attract some serious trouble!" Han Feng shook his head, voice heavy.
Slaughtering a city once or twice was fine. Any more, and you'd catch the eye of some real old monsters. Even without looking far, that mysterious 'tier-eight' alchemist was already a huge headache.
Thinking of that, he looked at the two and continued, "But I've got something better. A big job. Do you two have the guts for it? If not, go ask your division's Elder—see if he's interested in hunting a tier-eight alchemist with Spirit Realm soul power!"
"?!"
The two figures stiffened. Their crimson eyes flickered with shock as they stared at Han Feng, as if wondering if he was joking.
There were four known levels of soul realms: Mortal, Spirit, Heaven, and Emperor.
Most people remained in the Mortal Realm all their lives. Only alchemists had a chance to elevate their souls to Spirit Realm or beyond. And without exception, those with Spirit Realm soul power were key targets of the Soul Hall. The Medicine Sovereign had been one of them.
The stronger the alchemist, the stronger their soul—and the more valuable. One such soul was worth more than millions of ordinary ones.
"A soul like that in the Black-Corner Region? You trying to fool us?" the red-eyed figure asked warily. His tone grew serious. Anyone with Spirit Realm soul power was likely a high tier-seven alchemist, or even tier-eight. Why would someone like that show up in a place like this, let alone come into contact with Han Feng?
"Of course not. I don't know why he came, but he sought me out—seems to have a grudge with my old teacher. Heard my name and came right for me…" Han Feng ground his teeth, thinking back on the humiliation of kneeling like an ant, begging for his life.
That image made his face twist with hatred. His eyes became bloodthirsty, like a wounded beast ready to lash out.
"Oh? Looks like you suffered quite the loss, jie jie~" the red-eyed figure laughed mockingly.
"…I didn't come here for you to laugh at me!" Han Feng growled.
"We can't promise anything yet," said the second figure, more calmly. "We don't know how strong this person is. Someone with a Spirit Realm soul is likely no weaker than a Dou Zong. That's trouble."
Yes, Spirit Realm souls were valuable. But could they kill someone like that? If they miscalculated and ended up dead instead, that would be the real joke.
"What about your Elder…" Han Feng began but was immediately cut off.
"Forget it. The Elders don't step into the Black-Corner Region. There are rules between them. Besides, our Elder must remain stationed at the branch hall. No way he's coming just for one target," the red-eyed one said coldly, crushing Han Feng's fantasy.
"Then what's your plan?!" Han Feng asked darkly.
Without the Elder, their side could only gamble—that the target wasn't as powerful as expected. But that was a dangerous bet.
"We can test him first. If he's targeting you in the Black-Corner Region, he probably isn't that strong—likely not even a Dou Zun. Maybe a Dou Zong at most. With your status, you can gather some Dou Zong allies… let them take the risk."
The red-eyed man's voice was ice-cold. He preferred to let others die first. No matter who won, he would be the one to collect the soul. No real loss.
And if the two sides both got injured, he could swoop in for the kill. Perfect.
"Dou Zongs in the Black-Corner Region…" Han Feng frowned. He'd interacted with very few over the years. He couldn't think of any powerful enough to go against Yao Yan.
Sensing Han Feng's hesitation, the red-eyed figure helpfully offered, "The ancestor of Demon Flame Valley isn't weak. Try luring him."
"You're targeting Demon Flame Valley now?!" Han Feng narrowed his eyes, not buying the sudden suggestion.
"Just a side interest~" the figure admitted freely.
As their power grew, so did their ambition. Stronger souls had far better value. Dou Zong-level souls were worth a fortune—whether for Hall contribution points or personal consumption.
"…Fine. I'll try. I was already planning to make a move on Canaan Academy. I've heard Demon Flame Valley doesn't get along with them. Maybe I can use that."
Han Feng's eyes gleamed with malice. He was already out of options. Either he gambled… or he lost everything. He knew Yao Yan wouldn't show mercy.
And these two? He knew Soul Hall operatives never helped out of kindness. They'd never offer aid in a snowstorm—only throw you deeper into the pit. To them, "friendship" was worthless. Only profit mattered.
On that point, he was no different—so he understood them perfectly.
"Canaan Academy…" the red-eyed figure hesitated. The branch hall Elder had once warned them not to act against the academy. The reason was unclear, but he couldn't justify stopping Han Feng now either.
If Han Feng died—fine. He could collect his soul. A tier-six alchemist's soul and the Sea Heart Flame? Quite a haul.
No downside whatsoever.
As for why Han Feng was targeting Canaan Academy, he didn't care. Soul Hall only cared about souls.
Han Feng gave them a final glance, then turned and left. He'd only come to give them a heads-up. He knew these two wouldn't be able to resist. A Spirit Realm soul was a fatal temptation for Soul Hall members. All he had to do was push Yao Yan into revealing his strength, and they'd act on their own.
Just as he expected, moments after his departure, the two began discussing the mysterious alchemist.
"Should we inform the Elder? A Spirit Realm soul is enough to make him break the rules once," said the burly one coldly, his eyes filled with greed. If he were strong enough, he'd kill Yao Yan himself and devour the soul.
I wonder what it would taste like…
"If we tell the Elder, what do we get?" the red-eyed one sneered.
His rising power had bloated his ambition. He didn't want to remain a mere Protector. Elders had far more authority and freedom. If he could devour a Spirit Realm soul, he might reach that level.
"We can't take him down on our own," the other said seriously. He hadn't lost his rationality.
"How would we know if we don't try? Let Han Feng test him first. If it fails, we can always call the Elder."
"Fine!"
…
Ten days passed in a flash.
During this time, Yao Yan lived quite comfortably in Han Feng's manor. Han Feng served him obediently, fulfilling every demand without delay. Yao Yan, for his part, constantly pressured him to act against Canaan Academy. Whether it would alert the academy… he didn't really care.
What, you thought Yao Yan—a half-Hun Clan member—was a "good guy"?
At his core, Yao Yan was just as self-serving as the rest. He just had a few lines he wouldn't cross—a lingering trace of his previous life's principles that slightly distinguished him from others.
"Senior, I've convinced a few Dou Huangs from Demon Flame Valley. They agreed to help breach the Inner Academy… though we're still investigating the flame's location," Han Feng reported respectfully, not daring to lift his head. He looked just like a loyal lackey.
Yao Yan lounged in the arms of one maid, while two others massaged his legs. Eyes half-closed, he listened lazily. Once Han Feng finished, he muttered, "Then investigate. Tell me when you have results. If you can't find it… don't blame me for being heartless."
Bastard, Han Feng cursed silently, forcing a smile. "Understood!"
With that, he withdrew to prepare for the operation. The deadline Yao Yan had given was drawing near. As for escaping… where could he go? Outside the Black-Corner Region, Central Plains still had many people looking for him.
You really think the Medicine Sovereign had no friends?
His death was shrouded in mystery. Plenty of people wanted answers. If not for his quick escape, Han Feng would already be dead.
Once Han Feng left, Yao Yan finally opened his eyes, a thoughtful glint in them. Originally, his plan was to mimic Xiao Yan's route—pretend to be forced into refining the Fallen Heart Flame. But now, he realized that wasn't necessary. The flame still needed time to burn through its seal, and he didn't have time to wait.
Forget it. You can fool them for a while, but not forever, he thought, beginning to form a new plan.
With that, he lost all interest in luxury.
He waved the four maids away and sat cross-legged on a soft couch. From his storage ring, he pulled out a Dou Ling Pill and swallowed it. Soul force erupted from his brow, sealing the room from all outside senses.
It was time to push his power from six-star Dou Wang to nine-star in one go.
His Dou Qi had already stabilized—it was time to advance again. While risky and a bit rushed, his Spirit Realm soul would help him control it. His body could handle the strain too—he'd built a solid foundation over the years.
The Dou Ling Pill melted instantly, flooding his body with refined energy. At the same time, the surrounding energy of heaven and earth rushed toward him, making his aura surge.
His Dou Qi flowed rapidly, becoming stronger with each cycle. His progress accelerated.
The barrier between Dou Wang stars seemed to vanish. In mere breaths, he leapt from six-star to seven-star—and continued pushing toward eight-star.
(END CHAPTER)
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