Chapter 284

Xiao Yan would never fight alone; besides the Inner Court's some Dou Wang elders and Elder Su Qian, the four newly promoted Dou Wangs—Lin Yan, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Yan Hao—all planned to go to Feng Cheng to avenge their earlier defeat!

In addition to these Dou Wangs, over a dozen Inner Court students and enforcers at Dou Ling peak and high-level Dou Ling would also join them.

Although Jia Nan Academy had many elders, all were merely Dou Wangs; those students with potential to reach Dou Huang typically left to carve their own paths in the world.

In contrast, the experts Han Feng had gathered from the Black Horn Region—leaders of various factions—all were Dou Huangs.

Elder Su Qian, though a Dou Zong, could be held back by the Silver and Gold Elders working together; otherwise, Jia Nan Academy would have already launched a siege against Han Feng.

"Elder, is everything arranged?" Xiao Yan looked toward Elder Su Qian nearby, a cruel smile on his face.

Hearing this, Elder Su Qian's eyes flickered with cold ruthlessness. Over the past two months, Xiao Yan had refined eight Imperial Ultimate Pills, and he and Jia Nan Academy split them fifty-fifty; the academy used three of those pills to hire three Dou Huangs from the Black Horn Region.

You Han Feng think you're so powerful, hiring Dou Huangs from the Black Horn Region with Imperial Ultimate Pills? Then I'll use your own method against you!

I'll hire a few Dou Huangs to surround and kill you in Feng Cheng!

This was precisely why Elder Su Qian had agreed to let Xiao Yan refine Imperial Ultimate Pills in the first place.

Su Qian nodded and said, "The sect master of Tian Yin Sect, Yin Gu Lao; the boss of Kuang Shi Gang, Wu Tie; and Su Mei of Luo Sha Men—all three once had conflicts with Han Feng, so they never answered his call. And all three are Dou Huangs."

"Tomorrow, when we besiege Feng Cheng, besides Jia Nan Academy, these three factions will jointly blockade Feng Cheng from all directions. We won't spare a single person from Feng Cheng—or any faction that once attacked Jia Nan Academy!"

Total annihilation! As Jia Nan Academy's senior elder, Su Qian, who had survived in this treacherous land, surely understood the principle of cutting the grass and rooting out the weeds.

Hearing Su Qian's ruthless words, Xiao Yan was deeply satisfied.

"I'll return to rest tonight. Tomorrow, Han Feng is mine." Xiao Yan spoke with absolute finality.

In Xiao Hall, Xiao Yu and the others had already been waiting in the hall for Xiao Yan's return.

For tomorrow's siege of Feng Cheng, four from Xiao Hall would join: Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Yu.

After months of cultivation, Hu Jia and Wu Hao had both reached Dou Ling; Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, after receiving Xiao Yan's Life-Spirit Pills, had also broken through to Dou Ling—now their cultivation realms surpassed even Clan Leader Xiao Zhan's.

"Remember, tomorrow be careful. Let the academy's elders handle the Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs—you focus on Feng Cheng's guards," Xiao Yan instructed.

"Yes, Young Clan Leader!" Xiao Ning shouted.

"You think I'm stupid? Don't worry—I'll avoid anyone stronger than me," Xiao Yu sneered.

Xiao Yan nodded, then returned to his room in peace. Every time he returned to his room, Xiao Yan passed the chamber where Xun Er had once lived; each time, a sense of loneliness welled up in his heart.

The beauty is gone; seeing her things stirs memories of her.

Xiao Yan slowly shook his head, suppressing his emotions. After this battle, he would return to Jia Ma Empire to visit his father and see how the Yan Alliance was faring.

He had been away from Jia Ma Empire for a year and a half—it was time to check on the Yan Alliance's status. If, in the future, he faced the Gu Clan, a powerful Yan Alliance could serve as a valuable backing.

After this, Xiao Yan's goals should be to seek the complete Three Transformations of Heavenly Flame in the Burning Flame Valley, and also, as his Ancestor had once said, the Yin-Yang Twin Flames could guide him to the other two Heavenly Flames he had once self-detonated to release.

Heavenly Flames! These were forever what Xiao Yan sought; with Heavenly Flames, he had everything!

Back in his room, Xiao Yan lightly flicked the white nai jie of the Heavenly Flame Elder. A soft hum—white light drifted out, and the weakened soul body of the Heavenly Flame Elder floated forth.

Xiao Yan took two items from his nai jie. One was a Five-Grade spirit liquid called Yang Hun Xian; though only Five-Grade, it could nourish a soul body.

The other was a pill—the Small Soul Black Purple Pill he had once obtained, which could enhance soul force and strengthen the soul body.

Xiao Yan had spent many Soul Points to acquire the pill formula for the Small Soul Black Purple Pill from Hun Lao Gui; luckily, the Inner Court had abundant medicinal materials, or Xiao Yan would have struggled to refine even the Small Soul Black Purple Pill.

Not only the Small Soul Black Purple Pill formula—Xiao Yan exhausted his remaining Soul Points and traded several Six-Grade pills to obtain another pill formula: the Great Soul Black Purple Pill, a Seven Rank Low Grade.

From its name alone, it was clear this was the superior version of the Small Soul Black Purple Pill; its effect was identical, but it could enhance soul force in the Spiritual Force Realm: Commoner Full Completion.

There was no choice! The weakness of Xiao Yan's low-level Soul Decree was now fully exposed; his Soul Decree offered almost no help anymore, even though he had already perfected the Spiritual Heart Soul Gathering Decree, the effect was negligible.

Soul force enhancement relied entirely on the special soul force fluctuations emitted by the Soul Token, slowly increasing over time.

Relying only on the Soul Token's nourishment, Xiao Yan would need at least three to four years to reach Spiritual Force Realm: Commoner Full Completion before he could possibly activate the Soul Gathering Burst of the Spiritual Heart Soul Gathering Decree to break into the Spirit Realm.

Four years! This frustrated Xiao Yan greatly, so he turned to pills to boost his soul force.

Of course, if other Alchemists knew Xiao Yan could enhance his soul force so much in just four years, they'd probably gnash their teeth in envy.

Don't know how good you've got it!

Of course, even if Xiao Yan could refine Imperial Ultimate Pills, refining a Seven-Grade pill was no simple matter.

When the Heavenly Flame Elder emerged from the nai jie and saw Xiao Yan take out the Yang Hun Xian and the Small Soul Black Purple Pill, what shocked him most was Xiao Yan's youth!

"Y-you're only a Dou Wang?!" The Heavenly Flame Elder froze in place, staring at Xiao Yan—whose strength was only Six-Star Dou Wang and whose appearance looked no older than twenty—and he was stunned.

Had the world changed while he hid in the lava world? Had Dou Wangs now gained Dou Zong-level power?

Otherwise, how could he have infiltrated the lava world?

When the Heavenly Flame Elder sensed the Small Soul Black Purple Pill was Six-Grade High Grade and smelled the medicinal aroma emanating from Xiao Yan, he was even more awestruck.

What the hell! Is this guy really a Six-Grade Alchemist?!?!

The Heavenly Flame Elder knew Xiao Yan was an Alchemist, but if Xiao Yan were a Dou Zong or Dou Zun, a Six-Grade rank would be normal.

But this? This wasn't normal at all!

Master, the world has changed!

Seeing the Heavenly Flame Elder's expression of betrayal, Xiao Yan opened the lid of the Yang Hun Xian and said, "Heavenly Flame Elder, my cultivation level doesn't matter—what matters is that I can help you resurrect."

Hearing this, the Heavenly Flame Elder snapped back to reality. Indeed—Xiao Yan's strength didn't matter; what mattered was achieving the goal.

After slowly absorbing all the Yang Hun Xian, the Heavenly Flame Elder's previously ethereal soul force became solid. The instant the Small Soul Black Purple Pill touched his soul body, the pill instantly dissolved into a powerful soul wave that enveloped him.

The Heavenly Flame Elder exhaled deeply, as if freed from heavy burdens; though his soul force had not yet fully returned to peak, merely slowly absorbing the pill's medicinal power would be sufficient for recovery.

The Heavenly Flame Elder said, "Heh, great kindness needs no words of thanks. By the way, I still don't know how to address you."

Even seeing Xiao Yan was only a Dou Wang, the Heavenly Flame Elder dared not underestimate this youth—he knew Xiao Yan understood Soul Techniques and possessed immense soul force. Most importantly, he still needed Xiao Yan's help.

"Xiao Yan. I won't be arrogant—I'll call you Master Yao." Xiao Yan gestured respectfully; he understood his place now—this was no longer the time to negotiate with the Heavenly Flame Elder as an equal, for the man was the soul body of a Dou Zun.

"Very well. If you wish to cultivate the Five Wheel Fiery Method or need assistance, call me. I'll return to the nai jie to continue refining the medicinal power." After saying this, the Heavenly Flame Elder drifted back into the nai jie.

Tomorrow's battle against Han Feng, Xiao Yan had naturally prepared two strategies.

"Han Feng… you want my Burning Scripture? But don't I want your Sea Heart Flame? I've heard the Soul Hall has a way to strip Heavenly Flames—I hope the soul body of a Six-Grade Peak Alchemist can be traded for that method."

A flash of ferocity crossed Xiao Yan's eyes; publicly and privately, Xiao Yan had no intention of letting Han Feng live.

Fire Decree is now Quasi Heavenly Rank, and Sea Heart Flame is ranked fifteenth among the Strange Fires; though not very high, it should be enough to push Fire Decree another half-step forward.

Xiao Yan took the Soul Token from the Bone Flame Ring; tomorrow's battle would require collecting many Spiritual Souls—the Soul Bodies of Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs were worth substantial Soul Points.

Early the next morning, before dawn, Jia Nan Academy was shrouded in killing intent; a large flock of Lion Griffins waited at the landing area, and all students below the Dou Ling level sat atop them.

Everyone at the landing area had already assembled; though Jia Nan Academy's numbers were few—only dozens—they were all at least Dou Ling, half of them Elders at Dou Wang level; this force was far from weak.

"The Tianyin Sect and two other factions have secretly moved troops, surrounding Feng Cheng from three directions—we will strike straight through the front gate," Su Qian told all the Elders.

Su Qian had carried out all these preparations in secret; even Xiao Yan's pill alchemy had been conducted in a sealed chamber, protected by a Barrier, to prevent any leak of information.

Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh, his eyes glinting. "Today, we will catch Han Feng completely off guard!"

Moments later, the Grand Elder abruptly waved his hand and strode forward toward the exit; behind him, all the Elders and students followed with feverish zeal.

Such a large force marching through the Inner Court naturally caused a great commotion; even if Han Feng had learned of it by now, it was already too late.

Ignoring the myriad glances around them, Xiao Yan's group headed straight for the Inner Court's exit, passed through the dense forest, and saw the hidden Spatial Gate already open—continuous low roars of Lion Griffins echoed as they flew through.

The massive Lion Griffins darkened the sky like a black cloud, flying toward Feng Cheng.

At the same moment, in Feng Cheng of the Black Horn Region.

In these past four short months, Feng Cheng had changed beyond recognition; due to Han Feng's earlier assault on Jia Nan Academy, several Dou Huang factions, fearing retaliation, relocated their headquarters here, turning this small town into the most renowned City in the Black Horn Region, now gradually revealing its prosperity.

At the city's very center stood a grand estate, its imposing, domineering aura surpassing every other structure in the city—it served as both Han Feng's residence and the meeting place for the major factions.

Inside the estate, in an extremely spacious Hall, numerous figures sat within; seated at the highest position at the head of the room was none other than the Pill Emperor, Han Feng!

Just beside Han Feng sat the Gold and Silver Elders, the strongest in the Black Horn Region; below them were the leaders of the various factions in the Black Alliance—each of these leaders could shake the entire Black Horn Region with a single stomp; yet in this setting, even these mighty figures could only sit as subordinates.

The atmosphere in the Council Hall was slightly joyful; Han Feng at the head seat wore a smile of delight.

"I won't waste words on unnecessary details. All of you responded to my call and joined me in attacking Jia Nan Academy—if we do not stand united, we will be picked off one by one by Jia Nan Academy."

"I, Han Feng, shall take responsibility: beyond the Elixirs I previously promised you, here are some Six-Grade Healing Pills—my gift to you all as a token of joining the 'Black Alliance.'"

Han Feng nodded to his subordinate; trays were brought forward, each holding several Elixirs.

Hearing Han Feng's words, all the faction leaders' faces lit up with greedy delight. Though they were reluctant to join the Black Alliance and be bound by it, they would gladly do so if a Six-Grade Peak Alchemist could brew pills for them.

"Jia Nan Academy has tyrannized for years. I, Han Feng, hereby promise: any Dou Huang who kills a Jia Nan Academy Elder shall receive one Imperial Ultimate Pill brewed by me!"

"Whoever captures Xiao Yan shall receive a reward I guarantee will satisfy you."

No sooner had Han Feng finished speaking than the Dou Huangs in the Hall grew restless.

The Imperial Ultimate Pill—a deadly temptation for any Dou Huang!

"Hah! Just a Dou Wang brat, relying only on his Strange Fire. Don't worry—we'll join forces and capture him easily."

Seeing the nods, Han Feng knew what they were thinking, yet he said nothing in rebuttal; he indeed coveted Xiao Yan's Strange Fire—but what truly interested him was Xiao Yan's complete version of the "Fire Decree" Cultivation Method!

Yet Han Feng had not anticipated that while he schemed against others, others were scheming against him—and today, too!

At this moment, Feng Cheng was silently surrounded from all directions.

Meanwhile, as Xiao Yan and the Grand Elder and others flew out of the Inner Court toward Feng Cheng, a streak of Purple Light shot rapidly from afar, flying into the skies above Peace Town, aiming straight for Jia Nan Academy.

"Stop! Flight is forbidden in Peace Town. Entry to Jia Nan Academy requires formal procedures," Jia Nan Academy's enforcers blocked their path.

"I'm here to find someone—is Xiao Yan here?"

(End of Chapter)