Chapter 158: A Humiliated Han Feng
As Yao Yan's light voice echoed through the air, an overwhelming soul pressure suddenly swept across the entire area, causing everyone present to feel a deep, bone-chilling tremor from their very souls.
Standing atop the sea of fire, Han Feng felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. A soul force far superior to his own yanked him down from the sky. The Sea Heart Flame beneath him instantly slipped out of control, and even the soul power he had always prided himself on was now sealed tightly within his body.
In that moment, Han Feng felt an intense sense of helplessness. His handsome expression could no longer maintain composure, and a flash of terror appeared deep in his eyes.
As the Medicine Sovereign's sole disciple, Han Feng understood soul realms better than anyone. The soul force that rendered him—a peak tier-six alchemist—completely powerless could only belong to someone of a higher realm. That was the level he had always aspired to reach.
Spirit Realm.
Only by entering the Spirit Realm could one step into the ranks of tier-eight alchemists. Only a soul of that level could imbue pills with true sentience—turning them into living beings.
That was the threshold to becoming a true master among alchemists.
In his haste, Han Feng was utterly humiliated. He almost crashed to the ground, and only his decent Dou Qi allowed him to barely stabilize. But his face was now full of jealousy and unwillingness. He stared at Yao Yan in disbelief—this youth, clearly young, actually possessed Spirit Realm soul power?
Why wasn't it him?
It's all that old bastard's fault! If only he had given him the complete Flame Mantra, he wouldn't have fallen this low. Now he was stuck with an incomplete version that slowed his progress to a crawl. Despite his strong talent, he had been forced to cultivate like a snail!
There were times when Han Feng had wanted to switch cultivation techniques. He had no shortage of tier-ranked techniques… but he was too unwilling.
Better to be a head among chickens than a tail among phoenixes.
Ordinary techniques wouldn't let him reach the peak. And due to youthful mistakes that had damaged his talent, his only hope now was the Flame Mantra—to devour heavenly flames and forcefully evolve his talent. It was a boundless path to defy fate.
Especially after refining part of the Sea Heart Flame, that path had only become clearer.
He had a strong hunch: if he could just obtain the full Flame Mantra, then the future held more than Dou Zun. Even Dou Sheng or Dou Di… he might touch those heights!
"Resist? You think you can resist?"
Yao Yan's amused voice rang out, and the pressure surged. Even with all his strength, Han Feng couldn't withstand it. He was forced down to his knees, unable to resist. His legs bent involuntarily beneath him.
Yao Yan briefly wondered whether to increase the pressure. Before he could decide, Han Feng suddenly knelt before him, no longer resisting at all.
The sight stunned Yao Yan. He blanked for a moment, then quickly recovered. Internally, his opinion of Han Feng rose several notches. This man wasn't as petty and arrogant as portrayed in the original story. The fact that he could throw away pride and kneel so easily already placed him far above many others.
The Gold and Silver Elders were equally surprised to see the so-called "Alchemy Emperor" kneel so readily.
Even the rough Dou Huang watching from afar was shocked. He swallowed nervously, unable to describe how he felt.
But Han Feng didn't care what others thought. Right now, he only wanted to survive. With a humble expression, he lowered his head and said respectfully, "Senior, if I've offended you in any way, I am willing to pay any price. I beg your forgiveness."
Someone who possessed such soul power couldn't possibly be a junior. Clearly, this was some ancient monster. Bowing to someone like that? Not a disgrace at all.
Pretending to be tough in front of the strong was suicide.
Despite years in the Black-Corner Region, Han Feng had never let his caution slip. As long as he survived, the future was still his. In front of an unknown tier-eight alchemist, bowing a little—what of it?
As for pride… that depended on who you were facing. Against the weak, sure—take pride. But against the strong? Pride was a joke.
"The esteemed disciple of the Medicine Sovereign, reduced to this? I wonder how your master would feel seeing you like this."
Yao Yan looked Han Feng over and chuckled lightly. He suddenly felt grateful that he hadn't brought Yao Lao along. If the old man had seen this, he might've exploded on the spot.
His once-prized disciple was now so spineless—not even a shred of dignity left. What had he even taught him?
"Senior, you bear a grudge against that old thing?" Han Feng asked, sensing a thread of opportunity and testing the waters.
Good little disciple, Yao Yan thought to himself with a smirk. Aloud, he responded coldly, "Something like that. I was only passing through the Black-Corner Region when I heard your name, Alchemy Emperor. Quite a lofty title—comparable to your master's, no doubt."
Han Feng's eyes flickered. He quickly bowed again, saying sincerely, "I was arrogant. Please forgive me, senior. As for that old bastard—I severed all ties with him long ago. If you're here to settle scores, you've got the wrong man. I hold no affection for him. If anything, I hate him. If he hadn't sabotaged me, would I have been forced to seek power in the Black-Corner Region?"
His face twisted with genuine-looking hatred. He didn't seem to be faking it at all.
"But rumor has it that the Medicine Sovereign treated you like a son," Yao Yan said mildly.
"If he truly saw me as a son, he wouldn't have kept so many secrets from me. If you'd like to hear the full story, why not enter the manor? I'll tell you everything." Han Feng said earnestly. This was both a show of sincerity and a strategic move—he needed to defuse Yao Yan's hostility. If Yao Yan remained this aggressive, Han Feng would have no choice but to fight back. And if forced, he'd go all out, even if it meant losing his life.
"Very well, let's hear it."
Yao Yan smiled, withdrew his soul pressure, and walked toward the estate with the Gold and Silver Elders.
Freed from the oppressive pressure, Han Feng quickly got up. He glanced at the rough Dou Huang hovering nearby and narrowed his eyes slightly, sending a silent warning. Then, without another word, he followed Yao Yan into the manor. He didn't expect that man to help him—but he certainly hoped he'd keep quiet. If even a whisper of this got out…
Well, he might not be able to touch Yao Yan—but the other "weaklings" of the Black-Corner Region were a different matter.
If anyone dared talk… he wouldn't hesitate to slaughter a city.
After all, those two Soul Hall envoys had quite the appetite.
The rough Dou Huang began to sweat. Who the hell is this kid? Even Han Feng had to kneel to him! If word of this got out, the entire Black-Corner Region would be shaken.
Then he understood Han Feng's final glance. Looking around at the crowd and the other Dou Wangs, he felt a pang of sympathy. After today, they'd all likely be dead. Han Feng wasn't known for mercy. If he himself weren't a five-star Dou Huang, he probably wouldn't get out either.
"Damn it…" he muttered. He didn't know whether to stay or run.
…
Inside the manor.
Han Feng wore a humble expression as he recounted his past, putting all the blame on Yao Lao. He painted himself as a victim of betrayal, casting his teacher as a manipulative old man who ruined his future. His tone and expression perfectly illustrated the phrase "white-eyed wolf."
Yao Yan listened with a calm smile. As Han Feng finished, he said with mild sarcasm, "Are you sure that 'old bastard' you described is the Medicine Sovereign? From what I've heard, he had one of the better temperaments among alchemists. Your description doesn't seem to match."
"Senior, people often wear masks. That old bastard was no exception. I grew up under him—I know who he really was. I swear everything I've told you is true. I wouldn't dare lie to a senior like yourself!" Han Feng insisted, wearing a look of sincere devotion.
A master liar, Yao Yan thought. Quite skilled at playing roles…
"Forget it. He's already dead—no need to dwell on it. I only stopped by the Black-Corner Region and heard of you, so I came to see. Your strength is a bit lacking, but the heavenly flame inside you… not bad. Are you willing to hand it over?"
Yao Yan used Hun Xu Zi's tone—cold, distant, and threatening.
Han Feng's expression darkened. His worst fear had come true. In front of someone who far outclassed him, fighting to the death was stupid. It was suicide. But giving up his heavenly flame? Impossible.
The Sea Heart Flame was bound to the Flame Mantra. Removing it would cause severe backlash—downgrading his strength, even crippling his body. He'd fall all the way back to Dou Wang. That was worse than death.
In that case, he'd rather risk everything.
Yao Yan watched Han Feng's hesitation, eyes turning cold. "What? You don't want to?"
At that moment, Spirit Realm soul pressure once again pressed down on Han Feng. It felt like gravity had suddenly increased tenfold—he couldn't even breathe properly.
Han Feng clenched his fists tightly… then slowly let go. With a forced smile, he said, "How could I be unwilling? It's just that the Sea Heart Flame has been refined deeply into my body. Removing it would cause massive damage. I'm not sure I could survive it. But… if senior truly desires a heavenly flame, I know of a place that holds one far superior to mine!"
"Oh? Do tell~" Yao Yan said, feigning interest.
"Senior, have you heard of Canaan Academy? Back when I was with that old bastard, he mentioned that the academy might house a heavenly flame. It ranked very highly. But since he already had the Bone Chilling Flame, he wasn't interested. That's also why I came to the Black-Corner Region in the first place. By chance, I acquired the Sea Heart Flame…"
Han Feng's eyes flickered as he shared some confidential information.
In truth, many people—like Hun Xu Zi—already knew Canaan Academy housed the Fallen Heart Flame. But for true elites, it wasn't all that valuable. Besides, Canaan Academy had powerful backing. No one at their level would pick a fight with the Thunder Clan just for a flame.
Only ignorant fools would target Canaan Academy.
Even if you got it—could you keep it?
You really think that Thunder Clan elder won't step in?
In the original story, he let Xiao Yan go because Xiao Yan was a student of the academy—and didn't steal it. Otherwise? Try it. See what happens.
"Canaan Academy… yes, I've heard of it. Quite famous, even in the Central Plains. Many elites studied there. I'd rather not provoke such a power. But since the tip came from you… you'll be the one to retrieve the heavenly flame for me. If not, I'll take it from your body instead."
Yao Yan's gaze turned savage, staring coldly at Han Feng.
Why go after a risky flame when you can just take the one in front of you?
"…I'll do my best," Han Feng bowed again, completely powerless to resist.
He hesitated, then added, "If I run into someone I can't handle… would senior lend a hand?"
"I'm an alchemist," Yao Yan replied coldly. "Not a brawler. You're an alchemist too—don't you know how to call in favors?"
Damn you, old bastard… just wait. Han Feng forced down his rising fury. "Understood, senior. I will complete this task and bring you a satisfactory result!"
(END CHAPTER)
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