Some people are fearless and daring, seemingly daring to do anything. There seems to be nothing they wouldn't dare to do, and they'll stop at nothing to gain personal benefit.
Han Feng was undoubtedly such a person. For him, as long as it brought him tangible benefits, he wouldn't care about slaughtering a few cities, or even sacrificing the entire Black Corner Region. As an extreme egoist, he could even disregard the kindness of those who raised him, let alone those unrelated to him. Even if many died, he wouldn't blink an eye.
Half a month after Han Feng reached an agreement with the two Soul Envoys, the first force was annihilated. Not only were all its disciples wiped out, but its city was also completely destroyed.
No one, young or old, escaped alive, turning the city into a death trap.
The incident occurred extremely strangely, almost unnoticed by anyone. By the time outsiders discovered it, the city had become a bizarre ghost town, devoid of any sign of life. A city that once housed hundreds of thousands of people had vanished overnight; everyone, regardless of strength, had disappeared without a trace, leaving no trace of battle.
This bizarre scene terrified the first person to enter… However, a ruthless looting soon erupted within. After all, while the people were gone, the valuables remained. For the desperate outlaws of the Black Corner Region, death was never the most frightening thing; poverty was! "
The poor study literature, the rich practice martial arts"—this saying still held true in the Dou Qi Continent. For ordinary people, rapid cultivation required abundant resources.
Wanting to become stronger without becoming someone's lackey, the only way was through risk-free business.
Therefore,
slaughter became the dominant theme of the Black Corner Region.
...
When Yao Yan learned of the news outside, it was already the end of the month. He had been keeping a low profile, cultivating in the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, experiencing the burning sensation of the Fallen Heart Flame's heart fire. Now, even without resistance, the heart fire couldn't cause him any harm.
Moreover, with the power of the Fallen Heart Flame, he finally refined the last bit of stubborn spatial power within his body. At the same time, with the pure energy of the Demon Poison Spot, his Dou Qi also increased by another star, reaching the level of a six-star Dou Wang. He couldn't even suppress it.
Like water overflowing when full, the pure Dou Qi provided by the Demon Poison Spot was undoubtedly too vast for a Dou Wang. Even though he had carefully controlled it, the already fragile barrier was instantly pierced with the slightest effort.
When he returned to the courtyard, its interior was still sealed by Su Qian's spatial power. The phenomenon of Zi Yan's advancement showed no outward signs, nor did it cause any disturbance in the inner courtyard of Canaan Academy. Everything was as peaceful as ever, a stark contrast to the chaotic Black Corner Region outside.
"He's out of seclusion?" Su Qian looked at Yao Yan, who had just emerged from seclusion, his gaze shifting slightly as he scrutinized him. A hint of surprise flashed in his voice, because this kid
's strength had improved. Originally a five-star Dou Wang, he was now six-star?!
When did Dou Wang cultivation become so rapid…? Su Qian couldn't help but think of himself. Back then, he was considered a genius, reaching Dou Wang level in his early twenties, and later spending several years to reach Dou Huang. He vaguely remembered that it took him nearly eight years to break through from one-star Dou Wang to nine-star, averaging about one star per year.
That cultivation speed was already extremely fast.
But comparing himself to this kid, he couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. Fortunately, the other wasn't from the same era as him, otherwise, he would truly feel breathless.
"Having broken through to the next level, you'll naturally emerge from seclusion." Yao Yan nodded, then walked to Zi Yan's side and used his soul power to sense her condition. He found that her life force was constantly increasing, which reassured him. He then looked at Su Qian and said, "These past few days have been hard on you, Elder."
"It's nothing to call hardship. Don't forget, I picked Zi Yan up."
Su Qian glared at Yao Yan and said irritably. It wasn't that he was arguing with her, but Yao Yan's words, treating him like an outsider to Zi Yan, displeased him.
Yao Yan didn't argue with Su Qian and changed the subject, asking, "Has anything major happened in the Black Corner Region recently?"
"Some things have happened..."
Upon hearing this, Su Qian's expression suddenly became much more serious. His gaze towards Yao Yan flickered for a moment, and after a brief silence, he recounted how a city had suddenly become a ghost town.
"A city turned into a ghost town overnight?" Yao Yan was also taken aback, feigning surprise. This method was truly ruthless; it didn't seem like something the people of the Black Corner Region would do. Could it be the Soul Hall?
It seemed only the Soul Hall in the Black Corner Region had this ability—to turn a city into a ghost town without alerting anyone.
After all, for many, ordinary low-level cultivators were worthless, unless they cultivated specific demonic arts. Others wouldn't indiscriminately kill innocents because it was pointless. However, the Soul Hall was clearly an exception. For the Soul Hall, souls were the most valuable thing, and the souls of ordinary people naturally fell into this category.
According to Yao Lao, the Soul Hall had secretly carried out many such massacres in remote areas.
"This matter has caused quite a stir, and the entire Black Corner Region is in chaos. However, the Breakthrough Pill you auctioned has calmed down considerably recently, because it fell into the hands of Demon Flame Valley. Demon Flame Valley is an established power in the Black Corner Region, boasting two peak Dou Huang experts alone. Not many forces in the Black Corner Region dare to provoke Demon Flame Valley,"
Su Qian said calmly, stroking his white beard.
Although Canaan Academy doesn't intervene in power struggles, its intelligence network is quite strong; it receives firsthand information on everything happening in the Black Corner Region, big or small.
Yao Yan shook his head and retorted, "I don't think so. On the contrary, I think this is the beginning of chaos. I've heard of the Demon Flame Valley before. It's said that its first sect leader has gone into seclusion. Before that, he was a four-star Dou Zong level expert. Now that so many years have passed, it's hard to say whether he's still alive... Now that the Demon Flame Valley has obtained a Breakthrough Pill, I think some forces might get restless."
"Perhaps~"
Su Qian didn't care. He wouldn't pay attention to the outside world's turmoil, as long as these things didn't affect Canaan Academy.
Yao Yan spoke up, "I plan to go out and see if there's a chance to destroy Demon Flame Valley."
"?!"
Su Qian stared at Yao Yan in shock. He hadn't expected him to suddenly say something like that. With Yao Yan's strength of a five-star... six-star Dou Wang, what gave him the audacity to say such a thing? But then he remembered Yao Yan's identity as a seventh-grade alchemist and frowned. "Don't you think it's too risky? With your strength, what if those people have malicious intentions? How will you deal with them?"
A seventh-grade alchemist with the strength of a six-star Dou Wang was enough to make many people take risks, and even some external forces might get involved.
Besides,
Yao Yan's identity was also a big problem. Wasn't he worried about his information being exposed?
"This must be your first time facing a seventh-grade alchemist," Yao Yan smiled, a powerful soul force instantly surging from between his brows. This soul force, having entered the Spirit Realm, was almost tangible, radiating an invisible pressure that enveloped Su Qian.
Su Qian's pupils constricted slightly, staring at Yao Yan in disbelief. Was the soul force of a seventh-grade alchemist really that terrifying?
He had heard about the soul realms of alchemists before, but he had never witnessed it firsthand, nor experienced it personally. How could he know that the soul force of a seventh-grade alchemist could reach such a terrifying level? That pressure, even for a two-star Dou Zong, made him feel somewhat suffocated.
"...What level has your soul realm reached?" Su Qian asked after a moment of silence.
"Around the high-level of the Spirit Realm, still a bit short of the Great Perfection, but dealing with ordinary five- or six-star Dou Zong shouldn't be a problem,"
Yao Yan said frankly. Actually, he was being somewhat modest, mainly because soul power wasn't good for combat, and he didn't understand soul fighting techniques. If he encountered cultivators with Earth-rank fighting techniques, he would definitely suffer losses. This was the difference between soul power and Dou Qi.
The strength of soul power lay in perception and control, while Dou Qi focused on destructive power!
Yao Yan's frankness undoubtedly left Su Qian feeling dejected. He had cultivated for nearly half his life, yet he was still inferior to an eighteen-year-old 'kid'. This feeling was truly indescribable.
"Go if you want,"
Su Qian waved his hand weakly, clearly not wanting to say anything more to Yao Yan. He felt that this kid had come specifically to Canaan Academy to humiliate him. Compared to him, what had he done all these years at Canaan Academy? The most talented students of all time paled in comparison to Yao Yan, showing no distinguishing features.
The difference between the two was simply too great.
Yao Yan glanced at Zi Yan, then took out two more drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk from his storage ring, saying, "If Zi Yan experiences any energy deficiency during her advancement, please apply these two drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk to it."
This was just in case; the energy of heaven and earth in the Black Corner Region was not abundant. If her advancement failed due to insufficient energy, the consequences would be dire.
"...You're really willing to part with it."
Su Qian stared at the Earth Core Tempering Milk Yao Yan handed him, stunned, and couldn't help but say.
He knew very well how precious this item was; to put it bluntly, even some Dou Zong-level experts would make a move for it.
Yao Yan smiled and teased, "We can't let a child suffer, can we?"
"???"
Su Qian clearly hadn't expected Yao Yan to say that and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"Elder, see you again in a while." Yao Yan had no intention of idle chatter. He cupped his hands and said,
"I see you again." Wings of battle qi appeared behind him, and with a slight tremor, he soared into the air, transforming into a streak of light and speeding towards the Black Corner Region. Su Qian watched Yao Yan leave, muttering to himself, "Looks like this kid wants to turn the entire Black Corner Region upside down!"
With Yao Yan's powerful soul force, how many of the publicly known powerhouses in the Black Corner Region could be his match? Including the Demon Flame Valley; if that old man were dead, they might really be wiped out this time.
He felt no sympathy for them; few of the forces in the Black Corner Region were good people.
"I seem to have forgotten something..."
Su Qian suddenly remembered something and muttered to himself.
Hu Qian: ...
...
...
Black Seal City.
Nearly a month later, when Yao Yan returned, Black Seal City was even more bustling than before. The streets were teeming with people, and the number of powerful figures mingling among them had increased significantly. Yet, the order had actually improved; even some Dou Huang-level experts obediently followed the rules, daring not to overstep their bounds in the slightest.
"It seems Cai Lin has managed things quite well..."
Yao Yan, mingling in the crowd, took in everything and couldn't help but smile knowingly. He had kept Cai Lin behind precisely for this reason. In terms of controlling power, Cai Lin was undoubtedly more qualified than many others; her queenly position wasn't given lightly.
Soon, Yao Yan entered the City Lord's Mansion and saw Cai Lin, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. Perhaps because it had been almost a month, a hint of resentment flashed in Cai Lin's eyes. Her red lips parted slightly, carrying a cold and alluring curve, and she sneered, "Young Master, your trip is over, and you've finally returned~"
"I didn't go on a trip; I went to take care of important business." Yao Yan remained unfazed, completely unmoved by Cai Lin's sarcasm. Like a sponge, he allowed the other to pierce him without causing the slightest ripple.
"So, your important business is over?"
Cai Lin clasped her hands on her lower abdomen, her slender and alluring waist swaying slightly as her beautiful figure approached Yao Yan, her eyes coldly questioning him.
"Stop fooling around... Elder Yao, how long do you intend to keep watching this show?" Yao Yan interrupted Cai Lin's venting of resentment, glancing at the shadowy spot to the side. He said irritably, the other party's ability to conceal his presence was only good for fooling laymen; with his spiritual realm soul power, Elder Yao was no different from standing there naked.
"Hehe, I'm not watching a show, I just noticed you haven't seen each other for a long time and didn't want to disturb your reunion." Elder Yao stroked his white beard and said with a smile.
"You're really good at sweet talk, Elder Yao."
Yao Yan gave Elder Yao a thumbs up, feeling that this old man's tongue was quite sharp; no wonder he was the Venerable Yao who stirred up trouble in Zhongzhou back then.
"How was it? Did it go smoothly? Did you find any news about the Fallen Heart Flame?" Elder Yao's smile faded, and he stopped joking with Yao Yan. Instead, his tone became serious as he asked in a deep voice, because if the Fallen Heart Flame really existed, then the day of his resurrection would be drawing ever closer.
As for Han Feng… he chose to ignore him for the time being. Clearly, Elder Yao hadn't decided whether to kill this wicked disciple.
Yao Yan nodded, giving an affirmative answer: "Yes!"