Chapter 285: Cleaning House

Just as the crowd in the hall began discussing how to deal with Xiao Yan and resist Jia Nan Academy, the Golden and Silver Elders, who had been sitting with half-closed eyes as if dozing, suddenly snapped their eyes open, their expressions shifting as they turned their gazes toward the southern sky.

At the very moment the Golden and Silver Elders' expressions changed, Han Feng also sensed it, his gaze shifting from the hall to the southern sky, where a vast number of powerful spiritual pressures were rapidly approaching—pressures Han Feng had felt four months ago and thus knew well.

During these four months, Han Feng had kept close watch on Jia Nan Academy, and the academy had previously launched an attack against him, though with little success.

In the hall, the Black Alliance's powerful figures stared in shock at the suddenly altered expressions of the Golden and Silver Elders and Han Feng; due to their lower cultivation, they lacked the acute perception of the three.

"Brother Han, what's wrong with the Golden and Silver Elders?" asked a black-robed elder of Dou Huang stature, cautiously.

"It seems someone doesn't intend to let us off so easily—they've come," said the Golden Elder in golden robes, rising from his chair with a cold laugh.

Hearing this, the crowd froze, then understood, their faces darkening as they all sensed the overwhelming presence of the approaching forces—especially the Dou Zong spiritual pressure at their head, which left them all grim-faced.

They had banded together precisely out of fear that Su Qian would retaliate, eliminating them one by one with his Dou Zong power.

"Those old bastards from Jia Nan Academy aren't inside the Inner Court this time! Without the Inner Court's sealing arrays to aid them, I'd like to see how they dare stir up trouble!" The Silver Elder shot to his feet—this was Feng Cheng, their territory, and they had plenty of tricks!

"Exactly! Why fear them on our own turf!"

"Let's go! Leave not a single piece of armor!"

Of course, most of them were secretly thinking that since they weren't inside the Inner Court, fleeing would be far easier if they lost.

Facing these men, each harboring hidden motives, Han Feng slowly furrowed his brows; through some mysterious resonance between his Heavenly Flames, he could faintly sense a familiar, scorching spiritual pressure among the vast multitude.

Han Feng's expression grew grave—he knew the younger brother who had once defeated him had arrived.

"They're here," Su Qian raised his gaze, icy sparks flashing in his eyes; his cold voice suddenly rang out in every ear: "All elders, mentors, and disciples of the academy—today, we wash away the shame of their attack on the Inner Court!"

"Yes!"

"Kill!"

Above the sky, a chorus of shouts echoed in perfect unison; then, a massive surge of spiritual pressure erupted, so powerful it shattered the clouds overhead into countless tiny white fragments, scattering across the heavens.

Whizz! Whizz! The sound of wind splitting filled the air—far off, dark figures streaked across the sky like meteors, accelerating toward the distant city of Feng Cheng, renowned throughout the Black Horn Region.

The immense spiritual pressure released by the Inner Court's forces made no effort to conceal itself; even before they arrived, the pressure had engulfed the entire city of Feng Cheng. In an instant, the once-bustling city fell utterly silent, every gaze turning toward the source of the pressure.

"Who dares invade Feng Cheng?"

Soon after the Inner Court's spiritual pressure enveloped Feng Cheng, a flood of figures burst from the sky above Han Feng's castle at the city's center, hovering unevenly in the air. At their forefront stood a man clad in Alchemist robes; his cold laugh, amplified by Spiritual Qi, rolled like thunder across the heavens.

Seeing the multitude of figures appearing in the sky, the city erupted in excitement. As lord of Feng Cheng, Han Feng's prestige here was unmatched—though in the Black Horn Region, all revered strength, and Han Feng's renown stemmed from his Pill Alchemy.

"Han Feng, you attacked the Inner Court before—today, let us settle this grudge once and for all!"

As soon as Han Feng appeared, the aged, booming voice of the Grand Elder rolled in from afar; then, figures finally emerged into the sight of countless onlookers.

In the sky, dozens of figures stood with Spiritual Qi Wings extended; upon the backs of massive Lion Griffins sat several Dou Ling-level warriors each.

In an instant, a vast oppressive pressure spread, engulfing heaven and earth, colliding with Han Feng's forces.

Han Feng narrowed his eyes, slowly scanning the arriving Inner Court warriors; after a moment, his gaze abruptly locked onto one figure—the very one he had "longed for day and night."

"Xiao Yan. It seems you've chosen to walk into death when paradise lay open before you. Today, you're not inside the Inner Court—I'll see how you escape from Feng Cheng!"

Han Feng's face twitched slightly; his dark voice echoed slowly across the heavens.

As Han Feng's words fell, lights flared across Feng Cheng—a massive array activated within the city. Not only that, but massive crossbows lined the city walls, all aimed squarely at Xiao Yan; these were the Magic Core weapons Han Feng had purchased over the past four months, each as powerful as a single Dou Ling strike.

After all, this was Han Feng's domain—its defensive strength was no small matter.

"Heh, haven't seen you in months, and you've grown even better at putting on airs," Xiao Yan smiled warmly, gazing at Han Feng's shifting expression. "You ran last time—wonder if you'll be so lucky today."

Hearing Xiao Yan's veiled taunt, Han Feng flew into a rage—and laughed bitterly. "Fine, fine! I'll see how you fight against my Black Alliance!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Suddenly, from every alley and street, countless armed men emerged, their faces fierce; many others activated Spiritual Qi Wings and soared into the sky.

Counting them, Feng Cheng's number of Dou Wangs rivaled that of Jia Nan Academy—and excluding Han Feng and the Golden and Silver Elders, the enemy had four additional Dou Huangs.

Merely this disparity in Dou Huang numbers could completely reverse the tide; Jia Nan Academy had dared not retaliate against Feng Cheng for four months because of these Black Horn Region Dou Huangs.

The guardians could not leave their posts to defend the Cang Jing Ge.

"Hehehe, don't think the Black Horn Region will forever be under Jia Nan Academy's heel!"

"Today, we'll shut Jia Nan Academy down for good!"

As Han Feng's shout rang out, the Black Horn Region's leaders—who had been waiting impatiently—roared in unison; then, massive spiritual pressures surged forth, their faces twisted into cruel grins as they stared at the Jia Nan Academy forces beyond the city.

They had once feared Jia Nan Academy's reputation, but after Han Feng shattered its invincible image four months ago, seeing the enemy's strength now inferior, many had grown arrogant.

Xiao Yan suddenly narrowed his eyes, a knowing smile forming on his lips. The moment he looked at Han Feng, the latter felt an inexplicable unease stir within him.

"How do I defeat your Black Alliance? Don't think you're the only one who can use Elixirs to recruit followers," Xiao Yan sneered, then used Soul Resonance—his voice echoed directly into Han Feng's mind: "Don't forget—we were trained under the same master."

"If you can do it, why can't I?"

Instantly, dust clouds erupted from three other directions—three major factions, long hidden around Feng Cheng, simultaneously led thousands of disciples above Dou Shi to encircle the entire city.

The spiritual pressures of three Dou Huangs locked onto the opposing Dou Huangs.

Seeing the banners of these three forces and recognizing their familiar Dou Huang pressures, even the Golden and Silver Elders' expressions changed.

"Lord Yin Gu of Tian Yin Sect, Chief Wu Tie of Kuang Shi Gang, and Su Mei of Luo Sha Men! You three are aiding Jia Nan Academy?!"

Su Mei, the only female Dou Huang, covered her mouth and laughed lightly: "Heh, if you can help Medic Emperor Han Feng form a Black Alliance, why can't we aid Jia Nan Academy?"

The burly Wu Tie roared: "Enough talk—we're siding with them today!"

Seeing Yin Gu and the others so resolute—even committing their entire forces to besiege Feng Cheng—Han Feng's face turned pitch black, yet he forced out a grim smile: "Three of you, I once had disputes with you, but enmity is better resolved than prolonged. If you leave today, I, Han Feng, will surely reward you with a Six Rank Pill."

Hearing this, Su Mei and the others sneered. Yin Gu, who had remained silent until now, spoke: "You've ruled the Black Horn Region for so long—you think we came here to avenge some petty grudge from years ago?"

"We've each received an Imperial Ultimate Pill as payment—to erase Feng Cheng from the Black Horn Region entirely."

Imperial Ultimate Pill!!

Upon hearing Yin Gu's words, Han Feng was the most stunned of all.

"Y-you've already learned to refine the Imperial Ultimate Pill?!" Han Feng's face turned pale as he stared in terror at Xiao Yan.

His greatest pride had always been his Alchemy talent—he believed himself more gifted than even his master, Medic Sovereign.

Yet even Medic Sovereign could not refine the Imperial Ultimate Pill at age twenty!

And now, this younger brother—dozens of years his junior—had Alchemy talent equal to his own!

"The Burning Art, it must be the Burning Art! A complete Burning Art can enhance Alchemy! It must be!" Han Feng looked half-mad; he could not accept this fact.

Seeing that the three Factions of the Sky Yin Sect had also surrounded Feng Cheng from all sides in the distance, the Grand Elder no longer delayed.

"Everyone, back then these fellows raided the Inner Court and nearly destroyed it in a single stroke. Such a great grudge must be repaid, and today is the time to settle this feud once and for all. If you don't want to slink back in disgrace again, then give your all!" Su Qian's breathing had also grown somewhat heavy at this moment, his eyes tinged with a trace of blood. When had their Jia Nan Academy ever been raided? And during his tenure as Grand Elder, such a thing had actually occurred—how could he not be furious?

Now with the addition of a powerful ally like Xiao Yan, washing away the shame was no longer far off!

Hearing Su Qian's great shout, the faces of those Inner Court powerhouses also instantly flushed red. The frustration in their hearts was no less than Su Qian's. In the past, although the Black Horn Region had constant minor skirmishes, no one dared to provoke Jia Nan Academy like this. Yet four months ago they had suffered such a great loss—if they did not take revenge, the other Factions of the Black Horn Region would no longer take the Inner Court seriously. To them, this was absolutely a disgrace!

Wave after wave of formidable Spiritual Pressure spread out. Combined with the three Dou Huangs—Yin Gu Lao and the others—and the Dou Wangs among their ranks, Jia Nan Academy's side now clearly held an edge over Feng Cheng.

"Xiao Yan, I'll leave Han Feng to you. He is a key figure. If he manages to break free from you, he could very well decide the outcome of this Battle. So, no matter what, you must hold him off until I defeat the Gold and Silver Elders!" Su Qian turned his head and said to Xiao Yan with extreme gravity: "Therefore, your importance is unmatched by anyone!"

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, saying to Han Feng, "Come up to the Sky to fight. You want my things—am I not also after your Sea Heart Flame?"

Xiao Yan's gaze, however, slowly locked onto Han Feng above the city. Using Soul Resonance, he sent a thread of sound audible only to the two of them, thin as a gossamer thread.

"Today I shall cleanse the household!"

His brow twitching slightly, a glint of venom flashed through Han Feng's eyes. He slowly raised his palm, pointed it at Xiao Yan from afar, and then clenched it violently!

"Little junior brother, no matter what, you won't leave this place today!"

A sinister smile tugged at the corner of Han Feng's mouth. He then tilted his head slightly, and his faint voice echoed across the Sky, shattering the taut, saber-rattling atmosphere once and for all!

"Kill them, show no mercy!"

The great Battle was on the verge of erupting. Regardless, the entire Feng Cheng was now surrounded, and Jia Nan Academy clearly had no intention of making peace with the Black Alliance's Faction. They also knew they had no choice.

The Gold and Silver Elders moved first. Their vigorous Dou Qi intertwined, and the two figures overlapped as if merged into one, transforming into a streak of light that shot violently toward Su Qian. As their silhouettes swept across the Sky, even the air let out bursts of low sonic booms. For these two old fellows to have become the strongest in a chaotic land like the Black Horn Region, they naturally possessed abilities beyond ordinary men. Such a display was simply comparable to that of an ordinary Dou Zong powerhouse.

Watching the Gold and Silver Elders, whose target was extremely clear, Su Qian also let out a cold laugh. He had clashed with these two fellows several times before. Although the two could fight him to a standstill through their tacit coordination, that was only temporary. He was confident that as long as no one interfered in their Battle midway, he would surely be able to deal with these two old fellows.

Apart from Su Qian's Dou Zong-level Battlefield, the most important Battlefield was naturally Xiao Yan and Han Feng.

"Little junior brother, as long as you're willing to hand over the complete 'Burning Art' to me, I can give you the entire Feng Cheng. Aren't you also an Alchemist? I can also give you many high-grade Spirit Stone Formulas. As long as you agree to me, no matter what conditions you raise, I can agree to them! How about it?" Han Feng spoke.

Xiao Yan revealed a sunny smile: "Once you're dead, all of these will naturally be mine."

(End of this chapter)