"Han Feng, how could you come up with such a childish scheme? These are my Demon Flame Valley Elders; how could they betray my Demon Flame Valley?"
Fang Yan looked at Han Feng, laughing after a brief moment of panic. It was unclear if he was trying to embolden himself or genuinely believed that the Demon Flame Valley people would not betray them.
"Really, now, First Elder Fang Yan? Haven't you noticed the struggle in the eyes of the people behind you? They want to live!"
Han Feng said with a smile, once again breaking through the psychological defenses of these Demon Flame Valley members. "You three are bound to die today if you keep clinging to this, but just because of your matters, you're dragging others down with you to their deaths. Will they be willing?
You are destined to die today, but others are not necessarily so. Are you so sure they're willing to pay the price for your momentary impulse?"
Han Feng pointed behind Fang Yan. Fang Yan instinctively turned to look, and the surviving Demon Flame Valley Elders shrank back, daring not to meet his gaze, a hint of struggle surfacing in their eyes.
"Make your decision! Escape is impossible."
As Han Feng spoke, the many experts who had accompanied him surrounded the Demon Flame Valley group, cornering them. The five Dou Emperors on the Black Ranking joined forces to encircle them. Fang Yan and the other two, whose vitality was severely damaged, couldn't possibly lead anyone away, let alone with Mo Tianxing, a Dou Ancestor, locking onto the area from a distance with his Qi presence.
This group from Demon Flame Valley had no path to the heavens and no escape underground. Just as Han Feng said, escape was impossible.
Han Feng looked with interest at the Demon Flame Valley experts behind Fang Yan and the other two, awaiting their decision. Given a choice, he still wouldn't attempt to kill Fang Yan himself, as this involved the aftermath.
Demon Flame Valley people making a move and him personally making a move were two different matters. If he acted personally, there would be no room for maneuver with the Old Ground Demon Ghost. Despite his outward indifference, he had been away from the Falling Star Pavilion for many years and, frankly, still lacked the courage to step into the Central Plains again.
"Ah... First Elder, I'm sorry."
A Demon Flame Valley expert let out a desperate roar, striking out with a Dou Qi ribbon towards Fang Yan. Simultaneously, the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers entangled Fang Yan's left and right arms, while Fan Lao, Yuan Yi, and the Ground Flame Sect Master tied down the other two Elders. It seemed Fang Yan was about to perish.
"Hmph! What utterly useless scoundrels, daring to defy their superiors!"
A cold shout came from the sky, accompanied by spatial fluctuations. Figures suddenly flashed across the previously calm sky, and Mo Tianxing, who was observing from a distance, instantly changed his expression.
Han Feng felt a blur before his eyes, and an inexplicable sense of danger assailed him. Subconsciously, he retreated step by step. As a white streak flashed, a chilling aura blossomed before everyone's eyes.
The Ground Flame Sect Master and the Eight Gates Master Yuan Yi, two renowned Dou Emperor experts on the Black Ranking, instantly turned into ice sculptures. The Gold and Silver Twin Brothers roared and retreated, while Blood Sect's Fan Lao's right arm was frozen solid and shattered completely as he retreated.
"Traitors shall be executed!"
An old man with flowing blood-red hair reached out and covered the back of the neck of the Demon Flame Valley Dou King who had just attacked. The man's body went limp, tilting forward and falling to the ground, utterly lifeless.
Considering this person was originally a Demon Flame Valley Elder and was forced into action, the Old Ground Demon Ghost allowed him a complete corpse. But for Han Feng and the others, he wouldn't be so courteous.
Han Feng and the others regrouped, looking remotely at the blood-haired old man. He floated in mid-air, his deep-set eyes calmly observing Han Feng and the others. Whenever his sleeves gently swayed with the wind, the surrounding space would subtly emit a faint fluctuation.
"Old Ground Demon Ghost!"
Han Feng looked solemnly at the old man before him. Despite his previous bombast, facing a Seven-Star Dou Ancestor genuinely put immense pressure on him.
Figures streaked through the void, arriving at the scene. The weakest among them were Dou Kings, none other than the remaining elders of the Demon Flame Valley. As this group appeared, even Mo Tianxing and others, who had been somewhat enjoying the spectacle, grew solemn.
As soon as this group of Demon Flame Valley individuals, whose bodies exuded a fierce aura, appeared, a crushing pressure descended from the sky. Han Feng and the remaining few gathered together, each one grim and ready.
"Han Feng, how dare you!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost stared at Han Feng's group, roaring with a cold laugh, "You seized my Demon Flame Valley's Flame of Life Transformation and even tried to harm my Elders. Do you intend to provoke an endless war with my Demon Flame Valley?!"
Han Feng slightly cupped his hands and chuckled, "Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost misunderstands. Han Feng has always held Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost in great respect, so how could I be at endless odds with the Demon Flame Valley?"
"Less nonsense! Hand over the Flame of Life Transformation, and offer healing pills and an apology to Fang Yan and the other two. For the sake of your teacher, I won't make things difficult for you."
The Old Ground Demon Ghost stared at Han Feng and coldly ordered. It wasn't that he didn't want to attack Han Feng, but this fellow before him truly held significant importance.
Han Feng was not an unknown figure. Before becoming the Medicine Emperor of the Black Corner Region, he was the renowned Medicine Saint's only disciple. Although the Medicine Saint suddenly perished, the Falling Star Pavilion he left behind was still one of the Four Pavilions of the Central Plains, with the Medicine Saint's close friend, the Feng Venerable, guarding it.
As Han Feng said, the Old Ground Demon Ghost dared not take him lightly, because if even a hint of news about an attack on Han Feng spread, the Feng Venerable would personally arrive in the Black Corner Region, and the entire Demon Flame Valley would be annihilated.
Furthermore, thanks to the Demon Flame Valley's connections with the Hall of Souls, the Old Ground Demon Ghost also knew that Han Feng had an unusual relationship with the Hall of Souls. From every aspect, he had grave concerns.
"Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost, First Elder Fang Yan and I competed with flames. Is it not reasonable for me, the victor, to take some things?"
A cold glint flashed in Han Feng's eyes. The Flame of Life Transformation was crucial to his attempt to evolve the incomplete Flame Mantra. Now that he had it, he absolutely wouldn't hand it over, even when facing the Old Ground Demon Ghost. "If Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost wishes for Han Feng to compensate the three Elders, just name your price.
Dou Spirit Pills, Mighty Huang Pills, Zong Breaking Pills, let alone these Rank Six pills, even Rank Seven pills, Han Feng is willing to offer, if this matter can end here, is that acceptable?!"
Han Feng's words astonished everyone present. This Han Feng was actually willing to pay such a price to keep the Flame of Life Transformation.
A Rank Six Dou Spirit Pill could directly raise a Dou King's cultivation by one star. A Mighty Huang Pill could raise a Dou Emperor expert's cultivation by one to two stars. A Zong Breaking Pill aided Dou Emperor experts in breaking through to Dou Ancestor.
These three types of pills were extremely rare Rank Six pills. The first two were one thing, but the third one, even a force like the Black Emperor Sect hadn't been able to collect. This showed the preciousness of the Zong Breaking Pill.
Yet, this Han Feng, for the sake of the Flame of Life Transformation, was not only willing to offer these three extremely precious pills but even proposed exchanging them for Rank Seven pills.
Rank Seven pills, treasures of this level, were greatly beneficial even to Dou Ancestors. Let alone in the Black Corner Region, they were quite rare even in the Central Plains.
Fang Yan and the other two elders knelt down, struggling, "Sect Master, the Flame of Life Transformation is the result of our lifelong cultivation, and Han Feng even tried to silence us before. Please, you must seek justice for the three of us!"
A flash of fervor passed through the Old Ground Demon Ghost's eyes. Fang Yan was a powerhouse second only to him in the Demon Flame Valley, having rendered great service. Moreover, this time, it wasn't just Fang Yan who suffered losses. All three of the top elders of Demon Flame Valley had their Flame of Life Transformation seized, damaging their foundation. He couldn't let them become disheartened.
"First Elder Fang Yan, you must have experienced many life-and-death situations in the Black Corner Region, haven't you?"
Han Feng said loudly, "The contest between you and me was not a sparring match; it could essentially be called a battle to the death. You lost, but I never directly moved to kill.
The seizure of the Flame of Life Transformation affected the foundation of the three Elders, but this wisp of flame has been away for a long time. Even if it were returned to you, you would still suffer a severe depletion of vital energy.
I am willing to offer three Mighty Huang Pills and three Zong Breaking Pills as a personal apology to the three Elders. Let this matter end here, is that acceptable?"
Han Feng produced several jade bottles, and an ethereal medicinal fragrance wafted out. Everyone's eyes were filled with fervor. Mighty Huang Pills, Zong Breaking Pills—these were treasures countless Dou Emperors yearned for!
The faces of the Demon Flame Valley members changed slightly, and even the three Elders, including Fang Yan, wavered a little. The items Han Feng offered could be said to be very sincere.
Although their cultivation realms were unstable after losing the Flame of Life Transformation, they hadn't completely fallen. After taking Mighty Huang Pills, their cultivation might not regress but advance, getting closer to Dou Ancestor. With the addition of Zong Breaking Pills, they might even break through to Dou Ancestor.
And the Flame of Life Transformation, after all, was just a Dou Skill they cultivated. Even if it was taken, they could still re-cultivate it.
"What if I say no?"
Surprisingly, this time, it wasn't Fang Yan or the other two who were being unyielding, but the Old Ground Demon Ghost. He slowly fixed his gaze on Han Feng. "Although I don't know what schemes you're plotting, if I compromise with you now, wouldn't the Demon Flame Valley lose all face?"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost instinctively felt that Han Feng's abnormal behavior was amiss. Han Feng was a ruthless and cunning individual; for him to be so sincere was truly out of character. There must be a problem here.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost, who somewhat understood Han Feng, knew that such a person couldn't be indulged, nor could he be allowed to achieve his goals at this moment. He didn't want to let Han Feng off today only for this bastard to come back tomorrow with a group of people and annihilate the Demon Flame Valley.
Han Feng coldly stared at the Old Ground Demon Ghost. The other party's attitude made him want to curse. "Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost, are you unwilling to negotiate?"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost said chillingly, "I still say the same thing: hand over the Flame of Life Transformation. It is a secret of my Demon Flame Valley, not to be leaked."
Han Feng suddenly turned towards Mo Tianxing and said, "Sect Master Mo, you just saw it. Han Feng's actions are absolutely sincere, but Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost remains relentless.
This old Senior hasn't vented enough of his anger and is determined to exterminate us! Both you and I know that among the older generation in the Black Corner Region, only Senior Old Ground Demon Ghost remains.
Whether it's your Black Emperor City or my Feng City, we are merely rising stars, yet we occupy significant interests.
It seems now that we have displeased the old Senior! I wonder if Sect Master Mo would lend Han Feng a hand? I am willing to offer Dou Spirit Pills and Mighty Huang Pills. I also have a saying: when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold!"
Han Feng's words caused a change in everyone's expression, especially those who had accompanied him and the people from the Black Emperor Sect. No one had expected Han Feng to remain unyielding; he was determined to stand his ground against the Old Ground Demon Ghost!