The Chaos of the Black-Corner Region
"Sect Master!!!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost, Han Feng, and Mo Tianxing were locked in fierce combat when suddenly, from a distance, shouts echoed, and figures tore through the air. The elders of the Black Emperor Sect who had stayed behind rushed over after dealing with the disturbances in Black Emperor City. With their arrival on the battlefield, the situation finally began to stabilize.
"Elder Yu, why did you bring people over? Did something happen in Black Emperor City?"
Mo Tianxing saw that Elder Yu's state wasn't right. After joining forces with Han Feng to force back a wave of attacks from the Old Ground Demon Ghost, he retreated. Han Feng, seeing this, also quickly pulled back, almost getting caught by the Old Ground Demon Ghost who seized the opportunity to subdue him.
Though the Old Ground Demon Ghost spoke dismissively, he was actually quite wary of Han Feng's background. During their exchange, he paid extra attention, aiming to capture rather than kill him. In their three-way fight, his primary target for strong attacks was Mo Tianxing, but Mo Tianxing was a three-star Dou Ancestor after all; even if he couldn't defeat him, he wasn't so easily killed.
"Sect Master, the Soul Hall, in league with the Demon Flame Valley and Han Feng, plundered our Black Emperor Pavilion clean! They even said they'd destroy our Black Emperor Sect!"
Elder Yu urgently cried out to Mo Tianxing. Although the situation in Black Emperor City was now temporarily stabilized, the Black Emperor Pavilion's treasury had been completely plundered, and Black Emperor City itself suffered significant losses during the chaos. The Black Emperor Sect was definitely severely weakened this time.
"What did you say?!"
Mo Tianxing was instantly shocked upon hearing Elder Yu's words. The Black Emperor Pavilion's treasury was the Black Emperor Sect's largest source of funds. If it was plundered clean, their financial turnover would surely face problems.
At this moment, Han Feng, accompanied by the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers and others, also arrived beside Mo Tianxing and quickly said, "There must be something wrong with this matter, Sect Master Mo. You absolutely cannot listen to one side and believe it."
"Master!"
Before Mo Tianxing could finish speaking, several figures streaked across the sky again. Leading them was Han Feng's subordinate, Han Beng. He quickly approached Han Feng and said, "Master, Feng City's treasury has been plundered clean by the Black Emperor Sect elder, Yun Yi, and his men. They also said that the Black Emperor Sect and the Demon Flame Valley have joined forces to destroy Black-Ranking factions like Feng City. Now, Black Mark City and Mu Zhi City have been breached, and the other cities are in chaos. The entire Black-Corner Region is in disarray, with slaughter everywhere."
"Hahahaha…"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost burst into laughter. "They didn't come to report, but this Old Ancestor almost forgot! On my way here, I did see that the Black-Corner Region was indeed in a state of chaos. Your Black Emperor City and Feng City are the most chaotic places. It seems this time you've been targeted!"
"Old Ground Demon Ghost, are you behind this?!"
Mo Tianxing almost blacked out after learning of the losses from Elder Yu. The Black Emperor Pavilion, accumulated over many years by the Black Emperor Sect, had been ransacked. This included not only the Black Emperor Sect's own possessions but also items consigned by others. The Black Emperor Sect's losses this time were immeasurable.
Han Feng was also extremely enraged. Feng City was his base of operations. Countless precious medicinal herbs, as well as some notes and books, were left there. Although his most valuable possessions were still on him, the losses were still significant.
Both Mo Tianxing and Han Feng were furious and indignant, their gazes fixed on the Old Ground Demon Ghost. Both incidents mentioned the Demon Flame Valley, and they didn't believe this had nothing to do with the Old Ground Demon Ghost. However, they currently had no way to deal with this old fellow. A seven-star Dou Ancestor like the Old Ground Demon Ghost was a formidable expert even in the Central Plains, completely beyond what the two of them could handle.
"This Old Ancestor will send you two on your way today and unify the Black-Corner Region!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost let out a sinister chuckle. He had stumbled upon a perfect opportunity, so how could he let it slip by? Now, he just needed to hold these two back, allowing the Black Emperor Sect and Feng City and other forces to crumble. Afterward, his Demon Flame Valley would seize control, asserting its dominance over the Black-Corner Region. If everything went according to plan, he would rule the Black-Corner Region, and with this overwhelming momentum, he could make these two become homeless dogs, constantly living in fear.
"Old Ghost, don't think too highly of yourself!"
Han Feng and Mo Tianxing both looked indignant but helpless. They could barely contend with the Old Ground Demon Ghost, but getting rid of this old fellow and escaping wouldn't be easy.
"Not good, Valley Master! The valley is under emergency!"
A figure streaked across the sky and appeared at this location. It was precisely the Dou Emperor expert left behind to guard the Demon Flame Valley. He had rushed here at the fastest possible speed. This Dou Emperor spoke concisely, "Valley Master, things are dire.
Rumors are rampant within the Black-Corner Region, the map of the valley's treasury has been leaked, and someone is even spreading rumors that you've been ambushed and trapped. Now, many ambitious individuals have infiltrated the valley, and even the Elder of Eagle Mountain, a Dou Ancestor, has appeared!"
"What?!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost immediately became enraged. His own home had been surrounded, and by a Dou Ancestor at that!
This situation seemed even more troublesome.
"Haha, Old Ghost, your own troubles aren't small either! It seems today, all of us have been plotted against!"
Han Feng laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over Mo Tianxing and the Old Ground Demon Ghost. "Black Emperor City and Feng City were ransacked. If this wasn't done by your Demon Flame Valley, then there's another force acting as a manipulator. Since your Demon Flame Valley also has problems, this matter can basically be confirmed. Old Ancestor Demon Flame, Sect Master Mo, today's situation has seen us all being used. How about we stop here and return to deal with our respective affairs?"
"I have no objections."
Mo Tianxing naturally agreed. He wished for nothing more than for this to end like this.
"But you must hand over the Life Transforming Flame!"
The Old Ground Demon Ghost wasn't so easy to talk to. He still held the advantage.
"Old Ancestor Demon Flame, don't forget, something has already happened to my Feng City and Black Emperor City. A little delay is fine for me, but right now, your Demon Flame Valley's treasury is still intact. If you go back late, there's no guarantee it will be. Are you sure you want to drag this out?"
Han Feng had invested so much, even his own treasury was robbed, so he naturally wouldn't show weakness at this time. He was determined to swallow that Life Transforming Flame.
"You're good, you're all good. This matter, this Old Ancestor won't let it rest just like this."
Suddenly, spatial fluctuations emanated from the direction of the Demon Flame Valley. The Old Ground Demon Ghost's face changed drastically. He cast a ruthless glance at Han Feng and Mo Tianxing, then swept away with the people of the Demon Flame Valley.
"Sect Master Mo, please accept these Mighty Huang Pills and Dou Spirit Pills."
Han Feng approached Mo Tianxing and handed him the Mighty Huang Pills and Dou Spirit Pills, keeping the more valuable Zong Breaking Pill for himself. Mo Tianxing had chosen to stand with him against the Old Ground Demon Ghost this time, so a reward was necessary, but giving too much at once wasn't good.
Mo Tianxing took them without a second glance and put them directly into his Storage Ring. After instructing his accompanying personnel to rest, he ordered everyone to return for reinforcements. Many of Han Feng's powerful experts, except for the rogue cultivators Gold and Silver Twin Brothers, also left one after another to deal with the troubles of their own forces.
Mo Tianxing and Han Feng stood on one side, gazing into the central region of the Black-Corner Region. "The only one in the Black-Corner Region capable of doing such a thing should be the Jia Nan Academy."
"But the Jia Nan Academy has no reason to do this. If they wanted to unify the Black-Corner Region, they could have done so many years ago."
Han Feng understood the hidden power behind the Black-Corner Region. The current Jia Nan Academy had lost many of its older generation experts, and its strength was roughly on par with the Black Emperor Sect. However, if its true foundation were to be unleashed, even the Demon Flame Valley wouldn't be able to resist.
"I thought the same. Just now, Elder Yu and the others mentioned the Soul Hall. Alchemist Han must have some information, right?"
Mo Tianxing probed cautiously. He didn't believe that those who came to deal with his Black Emperor Sect would be bored enough to frame others. There must be a connection between Han Feng, the Demon Flame Valley, and the Soul Hall.
"The Soul Hall is one of the strongest forces in the Central Plains, with countless experts and even a Dou Sheng (Dou Saint) presiding over it. They have many branch halls, and there's one near the Black-Corner Region. The Soul Hall's experts are divided into several ranks: Protectors are Dou Ancestor, and Venerables are Dou Venerate."
Fear and apprehension flashed in Han Feng's eyes before he continued, "This incident indeed seems like the work of the Soul Hall. They constantly gather souls from all over the continent, especially the souls of powerful individuals. To obtain enough souls, slaughtering villages and towns is a common occurrence. They frequently ambush powerful individuals, instigate conflicts, and even national wars."
"So, it's more likely to be the Soul Hall then."
Mo Tianxing's expression was also grim. Being targeted by such a massive force with a Dou Saint was no simple matter.
Han Feng shook his head. "This matter is probably not simple. I still have some connections within the Soul Hall. Let me find someone to investigate and see if it was a rogue act by a Soul Hall branch. During this time, the Black-Corner Region will likely be in great chaos, but it's also our opportunity. Let's join forces to suppress this chaos, then merge our forces to resist the Demon Flame Valley.
I've already found a breakthrough opportunity. As long as I can break through to the Dou Ancestor realm, the Old Ground Demon Ghost will no longer be a threat to us."
"Since that's the case, Alchemist Han, I'll leave this matter to you."
Mo Tianxing stared at Han Feng for a while before nodding, agreeing to Han Feng's suggestion of joining forces. To be honest, he didn't want to get further entangled in this matter, but neither the Old Ground Demon Ghost nor Han Feng had any intention of reconciling. In this situation, he had to take a side. Han Feng, as a sixth-grade alchemist, had many good things at his disposal, which could bring him more benefits. On the other hand, he couldn't get any benefits from the Old Ground Demon Ghost. Moreover, in a place like the Black-Corner Region, who would believe a promise not to cause trouble? He naturally chose to help Han Feng.
After Mo Tianxing and Han Feng reached a consensus, they flew away, soaring through the air. Han Feng watched Mo Tianxing leave, the smile instantly vanishing from his face.
Han Feng bowed deeply to the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers. "I ask both sirs to make a trip to the Demon Flame Valley. That Elder of Eagle Mountain won't be a match for the Old Ground Demon Ghost. I'd like to ask the two of you to invite him to Feng City to take charge of the overall situation."
"Alchemist Han is too polite. Our brothers will make the trip."
The Gold and Silver Twin Brothers quietly accepted the Mighty Huang Pills Han Feng offered, then transformed into two streaks of light and swiftly headed towards the Demon Flame Valley.
"This shifting situation, who orchestrated this scheme? Han Feng has truly learned a lesson this time."
Han Feng stood atop a high point, gazing at the chaotic and smoke-filled Black-Corner Region. After coldly uttering these words, he departed from this volcanic valley that had become the burial ground for many powerful experts, taking Han Beng and others with him.
At this time, the Black-Corner Region was in complete disarray, filled with slaughter everywhere and conflicts among all factions.
With the deaths of numerous Dou Kings and two Black-Ranking Dou Emperors, the entire situation in the Black-Corner Region was bound to undergo significant changes.