"Sharp-tongued!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's eyes suddenly turned cold. With a flick of his five fingers, five sharp, chilling Dou Qi blasts erupted from his fingertips, carrying fierce winds, shooting directly towards Han Feng's head.
When the five cold glints were still about a zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) away from Han Feng, a figure suddenly flickered into existence. A formidable aura erupted like a volcano, and a burst of Dou Qi directly shattered and dispersed the five sharp, chilling Qi blasts.
Mo Tianxing's figure trembled slightly, then he let out a low groan and took a step back, appearing beside Han Feng. At the same time, the members of Black Emperor City also joined Han Feng's side.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost spoke in a deep voice, "Mo Tianxing, I still have some impression of you. Back then, you were merely a Dou Emperor, the Black Emperor of the Black Corner Region. Now you've become a Dou Ancestor. What, do you think this old man is useless, and you dare to contend with me?"
"Old Ancestor Ground Demon, Han Feng is right. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. I cannot stand by and watch you attack him today, otherwise, if the Medicine Saint's old friends investigate later, I won't be able to bear the responsibility."
Mo Tianxing's reason for intervening was simple: Han Feng's words truly held truth, the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold."
Currently, there was still a subtle balance in the situation. Han Feng's side, with the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers and Han Feng himself forming a trio, could not be easily defeated by an ordinary Dou Ancestor. The Black Emperor Sect had Mo Tianxing, a Three-Star Dou Ancestor, while the Demon Flame Valley had the Old Ground Demon Ghost, a Seven-Star Dou Ancestor.
The first two, if allied, could barely contend with the Old Ground Demon Ghost's side. The ideal state was for all parties to reach a reconciliation and avoid casual warfare.
But now, Han Feng and the Old Ground Demon Ghost were in a dispute. If the two sides clashed, Han Feng and his group were absolutely no match. And once this barely maintained three-way balance was lost, their Black Emperor Sect would be the most dangerous.
Mo Tianxing did not have Han Feng's background. If the Old Ground Demon Ghost wanted to deal with his Black Emperor City, he could only flee for his life with his son, because he was simply no match for the Old Ground Demon Ghost. In this situation, he could only choose to help Han Feng.
"Very well, you dare to interfere in my affairs. I see you don't want your Black Emperor City anymore."
The Old Ground Demon Ghost nodded slightly, and a ferocious killing intent surged in his deep-set eyes. As if sensing the Old Ground Demon Ghost's chilling killing intent, Han Feng, Mo Tianxing, and the many powerhouses behind them immediately became vigilant, their profound Dou Qi flowing slowly within them, ready to act at any moment.
They had already witnessed the Old Ground Demon Ghost's power. Upon his first move, two of the six Dou Emperors on the Black Ranking died, and one was injured. The Ground Flame Sect Master and the Eight Gates Master Yuan Yi perished, and Blood Sect's Fan Lao was severely wounded.
This time, to contend for the Heavenly Flame, Han Feng had utilized his connections cultivated over many years, inviting six of the top ten experts on the Black Ranking. Including himself, there were a total of seven Dou Emperors, plus numerous Dou King experts, making his force extremely formidable.
Although they lost many experts during the underground magma world's eruption, those who remained were almost the strongest among the strong.
The Gold and Silver Twin Brothers were both peak Dou Emperors, and their combined strength could barely be considered that of a low-level Dou Ancestor. Han Feng possessed many techniques and a Heavenly Flame, making his combat power no less than an ordinary low-level Dou Ancestor. Coupled with Mo Tianxing, a Three-Star Dou Ancestor, their four-person alliance could barely contend with the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
Two of Han Feng's side's seven Dou Emperors had died. There were still Fan Lao, a Five-Star Dou Emperor, and Elder Ban, a Seven-Star Dou Emperor, along with the Dou Kings and Dou Emperors from the Black Emperor Sect.
They could barely match the Demon Flame Valley. The situation was a four-to-six split, with Han Feng and Mo Tianxing's side having a forty percent chance of winning, but they never intended to truly fight.
"Han Feng, don't say that this Old Ancestor isn't giving you a chance."
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's voice was cold, laced with killing intent. "Today, you and Mo Tianxing conspired to scheme against my Demon Flame Valley. I won't waste words with you. You two, join forces and fight me. If you can force me back, then this matter is settled!
If you lose, I will not only reclaim the Life Trasforming Flame, but I won't be courteous with your Heavenly Flame either."
(Note: Flame of Life Transformation change to Life Transforming Flame)
The Old Ground Demon Ghost licked his lips, staring at Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame. The Demon Flame Valley had the character 'Yan' (meaning flame) in its name. Although the Old Ground Demon Ghost himself possessed an ice attribute, this didn't stop him from coveting a Heavenly Flame. The Sea Heart Flame, besides its fire attribute, also possessed a water-like essence, and he was skilled in ice.
Although water and ice were somewhat different, this was still an opportunity for him. It was a pity that Han Feng didn't inherit his teacher's Bone Chilling Flame, which was most compatible with his Old Ground Demon Ghost.
What truly matched him was this wondrous Heavenly Flame, rumored to be ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's words were full of arrogance and pride. Of course, with his strength, he had the qualifications to be so arrogant. In the current Black Corner Region, finding someone whose strength could rival his was indeed quite difficult.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost was a very old fellow, at least several hundred years old, and a powerhouse of the same generation as Mang Tian Chi, the Head of the Jia Nan Academy.
However, those of his generation had either unfortunately perished or left the Black Corner Region. Among the slightly younger generation, the strongest were low-level Dou Ancestors like Mo Tianxing, but with their strength, none could truly compare to the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost floated in the void, slowly stopping about ten meters in front of Han Feng and Mo Tianxing. His gaze, like a flickering ghost fire, stared at them as he calmly said, "Will you come together, or in turns?"
Mo Tianxing and Han Feng exchanged glances. Han Feng's hands ignited with the Sea Heart Flame, while Mo Tianxing released incredibly powerful Dou Qi, condensing it into a brilliant radiance.
While the two of them were about to confront the Old Ground Demon Ghost, the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers directly led their people to attack the numerous Demon Flame Valley experts.
Fang Yan and the other three elders hated the actions of these two bastards before. They flew to intercept, but were at a disadvantage. If they were at their peak, they naturally wouldn't fear the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers, but now, being in a weakened state and having lost their Life Transforming Flame, facing opponents like the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers inevitably left them feeling somewhat inadequate.
Fortunately, this time, the Demon Flame Valley had sent out all their experts. With many Dou Emperors and Dou Kings working together, they barely managed to maintain the situation.
"Have you decided?"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost folded his arms, looking down at Han Feng and Mo Tianxing. No sooner had his words fallen than a powerful Dou Qi blast suddenly tore through space and shot out.
"Hmph!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost snorted coldly, without any apparent movement. A pitch-black chilling aura surged out from within his body, and as soon as the Dou Qi blast touched the black chilling aura, it instantly froze, exploding into a pile of shattered ice with a crisp sound.
The Sea Heart Flame around Han Feng's body quickly gathered. He clenched his palm, and the deep blue flame rapidly condensed, finally solidifying into a deep blue trident that looked almost tangible.
Han Feng gripped the flame trident, which was more than two zhang wide. His confidence surged again. He glared coldly at the Old Ground Demon Ghost, muttering in his heart, "You ungrateful old fellow, since you're seeking death, I'll grant you your wish."
An immensely vast blue flame suddenly surged out from Han Feng's body, engulfing the sky. The flame then churned, crashing down like towering waves, finally completely pouring into the flame trident.
Such a vast influx of flame caused the flame trident to instantly grow several zhang in length. The scorching deep blue flame surged endlessly on it, and the rumbling sound of crashing waves echoed incessantly.
"Ocean Flame Trident!!!"
Han Feng roared, and the flame trident shot towards the Old Ground Demon Ghost with astonishing momentum, leaving a long vacuum trail in its wake. The flame tail, several zhang long, was like a comet streaking across the sky, carrying the terrifying power to shatter the earth.
"Now this is somewhat interesting. Thousand Illusions Profound Ice Spikes!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's ten fingers flickered. Densely packed black ice spikes mysteriously emerged from his fingertips, then shot out overwhelmingly towards the Ocean Flame Trident. Sharp whooshing sounds echoed in everyone's ears, making their scalps tingle slightly.
Sizzle…
Streaks of ice spikes were evaporated by the extreme temperature even before they touched the Ocean Flame Trident. However, the heaven-and-earth power the Old Ground Demon Ghost invoked this time was extremely unusual, and it contained powerful freezing energy.
The ice spikes were not just one or two, but a continuous stream, like a meteor shower. Streaks of ice spikes arrived one after another, finally successfully colliding with the Ocean Flame Trident. With sizzling sounds, the Ocean Flame Trident also shrunk by several sizes.
"Ice Condensation Sword Art!!!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's withered claw suddenly formed a hand seal, then he roared fiercely. As his roar fell, the many ice spikes quickly gathered together. In just a blink of an eye, they all melted and merged into a zhang-wide pitch-black ice sword.
As the ice sword formed, a chilling aura burst forth, resisting the high temperature of the Ocean Flame Trident. Its sharp tip, however, unceremoniously stabbed fiercely towards the trident's blade behind the Qi wall.
Boom~~~
A terrifying explosion brought with it a rain of fire, a relative storm where high temperature and coldness collided, and the power of ice and flame continuously radiated outwards, greatly affecting many nearby combatants.
"Ocean Heart Illusory Beast!"
Han Feng dared not hesitate in the slightest. With a movement of his hand seals, a shout emerged from his throat. Then, the vast sea of fire violently churned. The flames roared and swirled, finally vaguely condensing into a colossal deep blue beast.
The appearance of this giant beast instantly caused Han Feng's face to lose some color. Clearly, this thing consumed a considerable amount of Dou Qi.
This massive beast had a lion-like shape but possessed a huge scorpion tail. On its head, a deep blue horn shimmered with a faint blue glow. When the horn occasionally swayed, even the surrounding space showed faint black marks.
"Heh heh, you little brat do have some skill. With this strange beast, you are capable of fighting an ordinary Dou Ancestor, but this Old Ancestor is not ordinary."
Amidst the swirling white mist, the Old Ground Demon Ghost's figure appeared, still wielding a pitch-black ice sword. Its blade glinted with a sharp coldness, and he charged directly towards Han Feng.
"Old Ancestor, I think it's best for everyone to prioritize peace."
Mo Tianxing blocked the Old Ground Demon Ghost, circulating his Dou Qi and unleashing Dou Skills. Streaks of attacks continuously hammered out like a fierce storm. Han Feng volunteered to cooperate from the side, using the Ocean Heart Illusory Beast for auxiliary offense.
The two of them fought together, unleashing all their trump cards. The Old Ground Demon Ghost was actually unable to fully suppress them for a time, merely circling them with his ice sword.