Chapter 164: Han Feng (Seeking Subscriptions, Seeking Votes)

"All is ready; only the east wind is missing." Xiao Xie gazed at the invisible serpent of flame formed by the Fallen Heart Flame, musing silently to himself. Soon, as it broke free of its seal, he could devour it smoothly, and Canaan Academy would owe him a favor. Most crucially, Xiao Xie intended to use the Fallen Heart Flame as bait to lure those with ulterior motives; perhaps there would be unexpected surprises—maybe even another rare flame.

Outside the endless mountain range of the Inner Academy lay a city called Maple City. Though not large, it held a pivotal status in the Black Corner Region, simply because the Medicine Emperor Han Feng resided there.

Han Feng, the foremost alchemist in the Black Corner Region and already a sixth-tier alchemist, was held in high esteem by countless factions and powerful individuals. Indeed, a sixth-tier alchemist was rare across the continent; even ordinary Dou Emperor or Dou Sect experts would treat him with respect, for everyone knew the tremendous influence such a figure commanded.

Maple City was named for Han Feng himself—a distinction enjoyed by only a handful in the chaotic and blood-soaked Black Corner Region. Han Feng was one of those few.

At the very heart of the city was a bamboo grove, starkly different from the bustling marketplace outside. The grove was heavily guarded; ordinary folk could not even approach without being attacked indiscriminately. Many lost their lives to the bamboo grove’s guards each year, and so, despite its tranquil beauty, it was a forbidden place in the minds of many residents.

Deep within the grove stood a bamboo house, its lush green hue like jade, suffused with a gentle fragrance.

Inside, in a high room by the window, a man sat cross-legged, clad in an alchemist’s robe. On the back of the robe was a finely embroidered character for “Maple.” At this moment, the man was absorbed in a medicinal recipe, wholly focused.

In the midst of his concentration, the man suddenly raised his head, his sharp eyes shooting toward the distant northern horizon. There, he sensed a strange, vaguely familiar fluctuation of energy.

His eyebrows drew together. The man’s features were handsome; his lips, slightly thin, pressed tightly together with a hint of cold severity. Yet it was this very severity that lent him an unusual charm.

"This sensation?" He gently tapped his forehead with the scroll in his hand, murmuring softly.

Countless fragments of information flashed through his mind. After a long moment, the scroll tapping his forehead abruptly froze. His gaze, as brilliant as lightning, once more pierced toward the source of the energy fluctuation. His voice, tinged with surprise and confusion, muttered, "This seems to be the aura of a rare flame?"

His calm composure wavered in the face of this sudden energy surge. Narrowing his eyes, he lingered in thought, then slowly closed them. With a flick of his fingertips, a deep blue flame, as clear as a mountain lake, emerged mysteriously from within him, wrapping him in its embrace.

This blue flame was exceedingly strange—it looked like flowing water, yet the senses made clear it was a fire, not a pool.

As the blue flame soared, the man's soul power surged dramatically. What had been a vague sensing now felt as if the energy roiled right beside him—utterly distinct.

"A rare flame, indeed!" The deep blue fire abruptly withdrew, and the man stood, his gaze fixed with burning intensity on the distant mountains. After a moment, as if recognizing something, his brows knit again. He muttered, "The source of the energy seems to be the so-called Inner Academy of Canaan. Could it belong to them?"

Though he wielded immense influence in the Black Corner Region, Canaan Academy was a colossal force he would not lightly provoke. Yet, when enough benefit was at stake, caution would inevitably give way—such as the lure of a rare flame.

"Han Beng!" He turned suddenly, calling out in a deep voice.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a shadow flitted in like a ghost, kneeling on one knee. Though the voice was raspy, it carried respectful deference: "What are your orders, Master?"

"Take these tokens and notify the Earthfire Sect, Fan Gate, Blood Sect, and have their sect leaders come to Maple City within two hours. I need their assistance. These two tokens, you must deliver personally to that place—invite those two gentlemen as well." The man casually flicked several oddly shaped tokens toward the kneeling figure, who caught them with lightning speed. Just as he stowed them away, two more tokens—one gold, one silver—shot toward him.

Taking the special gold and silver tokens, the previously expressionless shadow revealed a hint of emotion, murmuring, "Even they? Ordinary people never see them. If you want to invite them, Master, you’ll have to offer something they truly desire!"

"Just do as I say. If I succeed, what they want won’t be a problem," the man waved dismissively.

"Yes!" Hearing this, the shadow hesitated no more, answered respectfully, and melted into the darkness, vanishing.

Watching his subordinate disappear, the man exhaled slowly, walked to the window, and gazed toward the distant mountains. Deep blue flames suddenly flickered in his eyes.

"Rare flame—I’ve searched for so many years, and now, it is hidden in those remote mountains. If I can obtain a second rare flame and refine it—" His perpetually cold face was suddenly swept by fanatic heat. Clenching his fist, he was about to speak when he suddenly grimaced, pressing his chest and coughing harshly; his breath grew erratic.

The coughing persisted for a while before fading. He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and muttered, "Damn that old man. If he’d let me practice 'Burning Decision,' none of this would have happened. That nonsense about an improper heart—my talent for alchemy surpasses yours!" His words dwindled to a whisper, but his clenched fist betrayed his rage and resentment.

Three hours later, twenty elders had been reduced to ten; only ten remained, along with Su Qian, still struggling to hold on.

"Ha-ha, Elder Su, it took some time to assemble our forces. Hope we’re not too late!" An aged, hearty laughter suddenly rolled across the sky. The voice, somewhat familiar, could only belong to Hu Qian, vice dean of the Outer Academy.

Seeing reinforcements arrive at this critical moment, Su Qian breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed today would not end in disaster.

As the Outer Academy's support reached the Inner Academy, far away in Maple City, countless influential figures of the Black Corner Region gathered in unison. Finally, led by the smiling man with the maple leaf embroidered on his back, a multitude of experts soared into the sky, unfolding their battle wings and speeding toward the Inner Academy across the mountains.

With Hu Qian and his companions joining, the Fallen Heart Flame was ultimately subdued by their combined force, and the invisible fire serpent was driven back into the Skyburning Refining Tower.

"Seal it!"

As the invisible fire serpent was forced near the Skyburning Refining Tower, Su Qian formed a seal with his hands and shouted. The cracked tip of the tower suddenly manifested a faint black membrane of energy, enveloping it tightly.

"We’ve won!"

Seeing the invisible fire serpent sealed once more, all the students erupted in cheers.

The elders, including Su Qian, also breathed a secret sigh of relief.

But none noticed that in the deep white eyes of the fire serpent, three tomoe had appeared.

"The east wind has arrived!" Xiao Xie smiled faintly, casting his gaze into the distance.

"Ha-ha, who would’ve thought the Inner Academy concealed such a rare flame? Elder Su Qian, you’ve kept it well hidden!" A booming laugh echoed from afar, shattering the jubilant mood.