Chapter 163: Hehehe… Our Opportunity Has Come!
Han Feng let out a sigh of relief after receiving Protector Xuan's firm response. Luckily, before leaving Central Plains, he had managed to take a significant portion of his old master's inheritance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the resources to make so many promises.
"But for the sake of the Heavenly Flame, it's all worth it!" Han Feng's eyes sparkled with determination. As long as he could eliminate Jia Nan Academy's main forces, he would be able to march into their territory and reclaim the Fallen Heart Flame.
When that day came, everything would be his.
"Damn old man, why didn't you just hand over the Flame Mantra and all the treasures back then?" Han Feng muttered through clenched teeth. "If not for you, I wouldn't have had to cripple my own cultivation and start over!"
At that moment, Han Feng's expression shifted, and he abruptly looked toward the horizon.
Simultaneously, piercing alarm cries echoed throughout the Black Alliance stronghold. Jia Nan Academy was launching another assault!
"Those damned pests from Jia Nan Academy how persistent can they be?!"
"This time, we'll make sure they never leave Feng City!"
Two figures darted out like flashes of light. Clad in robes of gold and silver, the twin Gold and Silver Elders appeared, their faces filled with suppressed rage. Their seething hatred for the academy was clear they were itching to tear their attackers apart.
Compared to the furious twins, Han Feng's expression turned oddly delighted. The Sea Heart Flame within him trembled slightly, as if it sensed something exciting nearby.
A grin spread across Han Feng's face. Another Heavenly Flame!
Could it be that the boy who had been taken by the Fallen Heart Flame was still alive?
"If that's the case… excellent! Hahaha… My opportunity has arrived!"
Han Feng burst into manic laughter. No matter what it cost this time, he would ensure that Jia Nan Academy's forces were wiped out and that the Heavenly Flame became his.
"Who dares to challenge the Black Alliance?!"
As Jia Nan Academy's forces approached, a series of thunderous shouts erupted. One by one, figures with wings Dou Huangs and Dou Wangs rose into the air, confronting the academy's attackers from a distance.
"You Black Alliance scum dared to provoke Jia Nan Academy! Today, you'll pay in blood!"
At the head of the academy's forces, Grand Elder Su Qian wasted no time with further words. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed two powerful streaks of wild, devastating Dou Qi.
In an instant, the overwhelming attack from a Dou Zong level expert caused the expressions of the Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs on the front lines to pale. This single strike could obliterate them entirely.
"Su Qian, don't you feel ashamed, bullying those weaker than you?"
"We brothers are here. Let's settle this!"
Two loud roars echoed through the air. Two figures one in gold and one in silver appeared as if teleporting, standing firmly at the forefront of the Black Alliance's forces. It was the Gold and Silver Elders, who joined forces to intercept Su Qian's attack.
A series of muffled explosions followed. The Gold and Silver Elders wavered slightly under the force of the attack but remained unharmed.
"Hahaha… Su Qian, still as reckless as ever, I see!" Han Feng's mocking voice rang out as he appeared in midair, arms crossed and deep blue wings of Dou Qi slowly flapping behind him.
Over the past month, Jia Nan Academy had launched multiple offensives against the Black Alliance, each time trying to eradicate them.
But the Gold and Silver Elders, working together, could hold their ground against Su Qian, while Han Feng used the power of the Sea Heart Flame to dominate the academy's other experts.
This strategy left Jia Nan Academy helpless, forcing them to retreat every time.
If the academy moved all their peak Dou Huang experts, the Black Alliance would respond by threatening a counterattack against the academy itself, forcing Su Qian to return and defend their base.
"This time, your Black Alliance won't have another chance!" Su Qian declared coldly, his frustration clear after a month of constant stalling tactics from the Black Alliance.
"Ha! Su Qian, you overestimate yourself!" the Gold and Silver Elders sneered in unison.
Han Feng didn't respond. His gaze swept over the academy's forces until it landed on a familiar figure Lu Bu.
"Hahaha, Su Qian, you're quite generous, bringing me another Heavenly Flame under these circumstances!" Han Feng laughed gleefully, staring at Lu Bu as if he had already won.
At such a close distance, Han Feng could clearly sense that Lu Bu still carried the Green Lotus Core Flame. His Sea Heart Flame began to stir with excitement, eager to devour the Green Lotus Core Flame.
As for how Lu Bu had escaped the Fallen Heart Flame, Han Feng didn't care. Once he captured the boy, he would interrogate him thoroughly, extracting all the information he needed about the Fallen Heart Flame and preparing for its eventual acquisition.
Lu Bu chuckled, unfazed. "Han Feng, you're quite amusing. Do you really think you've won already?"
"Hehehe… Not only have I won, but I've already claimed victory over all of you from Jia Nan Academy!" Han Feng sneered. With a flick of his fingers, he crushed a black jade tablet.
Crack!
The instant the jade tablet shattered, the clear sky darkened inexplicably. The atmosphere grew oppressive, and the air itself seemed to tremble.
Su Qian and Xiao Yan's expressions darkened immediately. This ominous display could only mean one thing… the Hall of Souls had arrived!
"Hehehehehe… Han Feng, so you've finally called me out!"
A chilling, ghostly wail pierced the air. Everyone felt a shiver run down their spines as a mass of black mist materialized above them, casting a foreboding shadow over the battlefield.
Within the mist, a pair of crimson eyes glowed, cold and devoid of emotion, surveying the scene below.
"Protector Xuan, feel free to slaughter these people. Take as many souls as you like," Han Feng said with a smile, pointing toward Jia Nan Academy's forces. "Leave that pretty boy to me. Kill the rest!"
"Hehehe… Excellent. While most of them are just Dou Wangs, there are a few Dou Huangs among them… The quality of their souls is quite good. Hehehehehe…"
Protector Xuan scanned everyone from Jia Nan Academy as if he were a tiger surveying the rabbits in his territory. To him, it seemed as though everyone present was already in his grasp.
The academy's mentors and elders instinctively took a step back. This eerie figure what was it? Why was it so terrifying?
"Hm? That pretty boy's soul seems unexpectedly powerful and resilient. Hehehe… Protector Xuan's fortune has arrived!"
Boom!
A sudden surge of energy exploded from the black mist. The sinister, bone chilling force swept over the crowd like a blade, causing everyone's expressions to darken.
A Dou Zong expert?!
The Black Alliance had someone of this level?!
"Han Feng, finish this quickly and bring me that boy's soul!" Protector Xuan cackled maliciously.
"Of course!" Han Feng replied with a cold smirk, his gaze locked onto Lu Bu.
"Heh…" Lu Bu chuckled. "Han Feng, you've chosen the wrong opponent. I'm not the one you should be worried about!"
Behind him, Xiao Yan unfurled his Thunder Bat Sky Wings and stood shoulder to shoulder with Lu Bu. His eyes, cloaked in a faint white glow, glared fiercely at Han Feng. "Your opponent is me!"
"Kid, remember to leave his storage ring for me," Lu Bu said casually. He then turned to Su Qian. "Grand Elder, leave this Hall of Souls lackey to me. You handle the rest!"
"Hehe… Arrogant brat! Do you know how many have tried and failed to 'handle' me?" Protector Xuan sneered. The black mist around him surged violently, and with a sharp clang, an inky black chain shot out.
The piercing sound of the chain slicing through the air echoed as its tip glowed with a faint white mist from its sheer speed. Protector Xuan's crimson eyes remained cold and emotionless, as if he were simply crushing an insect.
Han Feng's smirk widened as his Dou Qi wings flapped. His figure vanished in a flash, aiming to capture Lu Bu and rip the Heavenly Flame from his body.
However, in the next moment, an overwhelming burst of energy erupted from Xiao Yan's body. His black bat like wings flared open, radiating a majestic aura.
"What?!" Han Feng froze mid attack, his movement disrupted. He stared at Xiao Yan in shock, unable to comprehend how this seemingly fresh Dou Ling could exude such a terrifying aura.
Protector Xuan also paused, startled by the sudden energy surge. He prepared to assist Han Feng, but
Clap!
"Protector Xuan, where do you think you're going?"
Lu Bu sneered, his fingers flexing as an invisible spiritual fire materialized in his palm. The flames traveled along the black chain, surging toward the misty figure.
"Argh! What is this fire?!" A pained howl echoed from within the black mist.
Jia Nan Academy's forces immediately regained their morale. With the two eerie foes held at bay, it was time to take down the rest of the Black Alliance.
"Kill them all! Let's make them pay!" Su Qian roared.
"Kill!!"
In an instant, the battlefield erupted. The sky was filled with soaring Dou Qi and deafening war cries as the two sides clashed in a chaotic melee.
Lu Bu stepped forward. Boom! An immense aura burst forth from his body, rivaling even Xiao Yan's. It was majestic and imposing, like a mountain towering over the battlefield.
"Protector Xuan, is it? You're not getting away," Lu Bu said coldly, blocking the misty figure's path.
"Protector Xuan, deal with that brat, and I will reward you handsomely!"
Han Feng's low shout came from where he and Xiao Yan were battling. Blue and red flames interwove in their clash, generating waves of heat so intense that no one could approach the fight.
"Hehehe… In that case, I'll crush you first and take your soul!" Protector Xuan turned to Lu Bu, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice. "Your soul is far stronger than the others!"
"Tsk… All you Hall of Souls people are so arrogant, aren't you?" Lu Bu sneered, raising his right hand. The Green Lotus Core Flame erupted in a dazzling burst, forming a lifelike green fire wolf.
Howl!
The massive fire wolf, over ten meters long, howled to the sky before leaping into the air. Its fiery paws stepped across the void as it charged into the black mist.
Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions rocked the battlefield as the fire wolf tore through the mist. The intense heat from the Green Lotus Core Flame began to thin the once dense black mist.
"Get out of my way!"
Protector Xuan roared. With a clang, a massive serpent formed of black chains burst forth from the mist, its massive body lashing at the fiery wolf.
Boom!
A deafening explosion followed as the chain serpent and fire wolf collided, dispersing into a rain of glowing sparks and metal fragments. The shockwave rippled outward, forcing nearby fighters from both sides to retreat, fearful of being caught in the crossfire.
"Lu Bu is this strong? Isn't he just a student?!"
"Damn it… After this, I'm going into seclusion. This is too humiliating!"
"Me too! Either I burn out in the Sky Burning Qi Tower or starve there!"
Even Han Feng, in the midst of exchanging blows with Xiao Yan, felt a chill down his spine as he glanced toward the fight. The sheer magnitude of Lu Bu's clash with Protector Xuan was terrifying.
"Thank goodness I didn't rush in earlier. I'd be dead for sure!" Han Feng thought, breaking into a cold sweat.
From an outsider's perspective, the battle between Lu Bu and Protector Xuan seemed evenly matched. However, the thinning black mist revealed the truth Protector Xuan was taking significant damage.
In contrast, Lu Bu stood unscathed, his clothes unwrinkled and his hair immaculate.
This exchange clearly favored Lu Bu.
"Good kid, this Protector underestimated you!" Protector Xuan's furious and bitter voice echoed, the sound of his grinding teeth sharp enough to make one's scalp tingle.
Lu Bu sneered coldly, stomping his foot as a silver array gradually emerged beneath him. The formation stirred the surrounding spiritual energy, and Lu Bu poured his vast soul force into it. Above him, a massive silver skeleton materialized, its joints creaking ominously as its jaws opened and closed.
"Protector Xuan, are you sure it's just underestimation?" Lu Bu's smile turned grim, his killing intent palpable.
"What kind of monster is this kid?!" The black mist trembled violently, and Protector Xuan's crimson eyes shrank in fear as he cried out in shock. This was a soul attack if he were to take a direct hit, even if he didn't die, he'd suffer immensely!
From afar, where Xiao Yan was battling Han Feng, Xiao Yan couldn't help but twitch as he caught sight of the colossal skeleton conjured by Lu Bu.
That technique… he remembered it well. It had once caused his teacher, Yao Lao, no small amount of trouble, and Lu Bu had even conned a precious mid tier Earth rank technique out of him afterward. Thinking about it still made Xiao Yan's heart ache.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Xiao Yan let out a fierce shout, slamming his palm forward. The Bone Chilling Flame, no longer hidden, surged outward, sending Han Feng flying into the distance. Xiao Yan flapped his Thunder Bat Sky Wings and gave chase, determined to take advantage of Han Feng's moment of weakness.
Of course, he had another reason for distancing himself from Lu Bu's Dark Demon Howl its soul targeting nature was far too dangerous for Yao Lao to remain nearby.
"You… the Bone Chilling Flame?! How can this be?!" Han Feng's shrill scream rang out, his voice filled with terror, as if he had just seen a ghost.
And in truth… he had.
It was the ghost of the master he had murdered.
"Hehehe…" Xiao Yan's sinister laughter echoed. "Han Feng, prepare to die!"
A crimson and a white flame surged forth from his palms as he launched his attack on the panicked Han Feng.
…
"Protector Xuan, you're doomed… Hehehe, Dark Demon Howl!"
Lu Bu sneered coldly, forming a hand seal as the massive silver skeleton behind him slowly opened its jaw.
SCREEEEECH!
A piercing sonic explosion erupted from the skeleton's maw, creating waves of devastating energy ripples across the air.
"Not good!"
The black mist trembled violently as Protector Xuan let out a panicked scream, feeling a bone chilling cold wash over him.
In desperation, he howled toward the sky, summoning countless black chains to form a massive, impenetrable shield. At the same time, the flowing black mist solidified, and countless chaotic and dazed souls emerged, acting as barriers before the mist.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The piercing soundwaves swept through everything, instantly penetrating the shield of chains and obliterating the souls summoned by Protector Xuan. The rippling energy then slammed into the solidified black mist.
"Ugh…" Protector Xuan grunted, his body flung backward as the chain shield shattered and the dense black mist thinned considerably. Through the fading mist, a vague silhouette of a man could be seen.
"Damn brat… You've forced my hand! I'll rip out your soul and torment you for eternity!" Protector Xuan's voice was filled with venom as he roared in fury, clearly having suffered greatly from Lu Bu's attack.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The thinning black mist thickened once more, spreading outward to cover an area several dozen meters wide. The size of the mist now rivaled Fan Lao's infamous Sea of Blood.
"Hehehe… Kid, you think you're the only one who knows how to use formations?"
Protector Xuan sneered as the overwhelming black mist surged upward. Moments later, horrifying, anguished screams rang out.
Within the mist, countless spectral souls appeared, their faces twisted in terror as they desperately struggled to escape. However, without exception, every soul was dragged back into the mist, devoured.
"Ten Thousand Souls Devouring Spirit Formation, activate!"
Protector Xuan's shrill cry rang out, and the spectral souls' eyes turned blood red. Like ravenous ghouls, they began tearing at each other, gnawing and devouring one another. The sound of flesh and bones being chewed was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.
"Fiendish souls, huh…" Lu Bu's lips curled into a grin. "Protector Xuan, you're truly a generous man. A great benefactor, even!"
"HAHAHA… Lu Bu, sticking with you is proving to be the best decision I've made. Opportunities like this just keep coming!" The voice of the Heavenly Flame Ancestor, Yao Tianhuo, echoed in Lu Bu's mind, filled with excitement. Refining such fiendish souls would bring immense benefits to his restoration.
Meanwhile, Protector Xuan remained oblivious to the danger as he continued to revel in his perceived advantage. With a triumphant laugh, he formed a hand seal and barked out an order to his creation.
"Attack! Kill that brat!"
The rolling black and red mist surged forward, coalescing into two massive, towering fiendish spirits. Their bodies were muscular, and their grotesque faces were formed from countless twisted, screaming visages.
Su Qian, observing from afar, turned pale as he realized what was happening. "Damn it! This bastard is creating fiendish souls! If he loses control, those things will slaughter everyone here!"
Even as he spoke, the black and red mist continued to churn violently. The malicious energy it radiated was so intense that those standing too close couldn't help but feel an uncontrollable urge to kill, their minds clouded by rage and bloodlust.
"Lu Bu, did you see that? He just gave us a treasure trove!" Yao Tianhuo's delighted voice sounded again.
"Hehe, indeed. What a stroke of luck," Lu Bu replied with a smirk, rubbing his chin as he stared at the fiendish spirits.
"Kid, you're dead!" Protector Xuan's vengeful laughter echoed from within the mist as he commanded his fiendish creations to charge at Lu Bu.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen