Looking at Han Feng's expression, Yao Yan felt a strange sense of déjà vu. When he faced Hun Xuzi, wasn't he the same? When facing someone stronger than himself, he had to admit defeat when necessary. This wasn't something to be ashamed of; in fact, it made Yao Yan look at Han Feng with newfound respect.
The only thing Yao Yan disliked about Han Feng was his lack of principles. He even dared to harm Yao Lao, who treated him like a son.
Based on this alone, Han Feng might not even be considered human; the word "beast" would be more appropriate.
A person can be selfish, can compromise, and can even abandon dignity, but there are some things that should never be done.
Yao Yan narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said calmly, "Alright, then I'll await your good news... But you'd better not keep me waiting too long. I'm getting old, and my patience isn't what it
used to be. If you make me wait too long, don't blame me for not giving you a chance!" "I certainly won't disappoint you, senior. At most, I'll give you accurate information within a month," Han Feng said respectfully. As for what he was really thinking, only he knew.
"Good, I'll give you a month. Don't disappoint me. If you do well, I'll give you some benefits... You've been stuck at the sixth rank for a while now, haven't you? I have a spirit crystal that can help you quickly advance to the seventh rank~"
Yao Yan wasn't a good person either; he readily offered deceptive words without changing his expression, completely treating Han Feng like a fool.
"Spirit Crystals?!"
Han Feng's pupils contracted, and he looked at Yao Yan with wild joy, his tone becoming even more eager: "Senior, please rest assured, I will handle this matter perfectly!"
"Hmm~"
Yao Yan nodded, then slowly stood up, about to leave.
Seeing Yao Yan about to leave, Han Feng immediately tried to persuade him to stay: "Senior, do you have a place to stay? If not, why not stay in Feng City for the time being? It would also be convenient for me to report on the situation of Canaan Academy to you."
"Since you have so kindly invited me, I will reluctantly accept~"
Yao Yan's foot, which had just been raised, immediately came down, and sat back down steadily amidst Han Feng's somewhat constipated expression. His posture clearly showed that he regarded himself as Han Feng's ancestor, yet the other party dared not lose his temper and could only patiently serve Yao Yan, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
Han Feng lowered his head, concealing the cold glint in his eyes, and respectfully said, "I wonder if Senior has any requirements regarding your living arrangements?"
"Just keep it quiet. Also, let this old man see your collection from these past years. You've called yourself the Medicine King in the Black Corner Region for so many years; you must have accumulated quite a few precious medicinal herbs. I'm rather interested in them." Yao Yan directly revealed his true colors, showing no concern for Han Feng's reaction, and began his plundering like a miser.
Losing face?!
Not a chance. He was simply accepting Han Feng's offer.
"...Of course, no problem."
Han Feng's hand, hidden in his sleeve, was already clenched into a fist, even trembling slightly due to his emotional turmoil, but he firmly restrained himself, daring not to show the slightest dissatisfaction. Facing a powerful figure, he could only grit his teeth and accept any unreasonable behavior. Let alone some medicinal herbs, even his own wife, he could only watch helplessly as she was delivered to his door, even guarding the door for him.
However, Han Feng quickly became flustered. Yao Yan had actually set his sights on his medicine cauldron—the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, which he had painstakingly acquired. He was also filled with regret; why hadn't he kept the cauldron? He
had mainly underestimated his opponent, never expecting the newcomer to be so terrifying—an old monster who was very likely an eighth-grade alchemist. This person had even come looking for him because of his past relationship with Yao Lao.
Truly an undeserved disaster.
"You brat, to actually get the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, plus the Sea Heart Flame within you, you're incredibly lucky!" Yao Yan exclaimed, examining the cauldron before him.
As expected of one of the lucky charms in the original story, Han Feng's gift was undoubtedly far more valuable than that old geezer Xie Biyan's!
Both the Myriad Beasts Cauldron and the Sea Heart Flame are treasures coveted by alchemists. Even in the Central Continent, and even within the Medicine Clan, these two items are enough to make an eighth-grade alchemist's heart flutter. Yet, they both ended up in the hands of this brat, Han Feng.
"This junior only obtained them by chance. If senior takes a liking to them, how about I give them to you? After all, this junior cannot unleash the full power of this cauldron!" Han Feng suppressed his inner resentment and said very proactively, his generous manner truly impeccable.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Yao Yan naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony with Han Feng. They weren't even on his side, why be polite? He raised his hand and used his storage ring to take them in.
Shameless?!
Han Feng's breath hitched. Looking at Yao Yan, who wasn't even being polite, he almost ground his teeth to powder, yet he could only force a smile and say, "This Myriad Beast Cauldron only shines brightly in your hands, senior. It's a waste in my hands."
"Well said, you're quite sensible, lad. Consider this cauldron a return gift. It's been with me for some time now."
Yao Yan smiled and nodded, then took out the cauldron he used in the Jia Ma Empire and gave it to Han Feng as a token of exchange.
Han Feng had initially been somewhat expectant, but when Yao Yan presented the cauldron, he instantly realized he'd been tricked. This old monster clearly had no good intentions towards him, and the spirit crystals he'd mentioned earlier were likely fake. But he couldn't turn against him; he could only continue to smile obsequiously. However, he secretly vowed to keep this old bastard in the Black Corner Region forever. Did he really think no one in the Black Corner Region could deal with him?!
The Soul Palace members are most fond of alchemists with powerful souls, and this alchemist before him, possessing the soul power of the Spirit Realm, is one of their prey.
He believed that the two Soul Envoys were also extremely interested in him.
Just as the other party said, how could an alchemist not call for reinforcements!
He would give the other party a big surprise, making them regret provoking him.
However, these things could only be thought in his heart for now. He couldn't change anything now, and could only bite the bullet and respectfully welcome Yao Yan, this 'Japanese devil,' into the village, watching the other party plunder his treasures accumulated over many years. His heart felt as if it was being constantly torn apart by knives, causing him unbearable pain.
The gathering continued until evening before Yao Yan reluctantly left the treasure vault. He then turned his gaze to the storage ring on Han Feng's hand and chuckled, "I almost forgot, kid. Throw your storage ring over here so I can see if Venerable Yao left you anything good."
Han Feng finally couldn't hold back any longer. He could give up the Myriad Beast Cauldron, and he could even forgo the many medicinal herbs in the treasure vault, but his storage ring contained many things crucial to his life. How could he simply hand it over to Yao Yan to look at? He absolutely could not accept that.
"What, you don't want to?" Yao Yan frowned slightly, looking at Han Feng's hesitant expression, his voice slightly cold.
As his words fell, the two elders beside him, Jin and Yin, glared menacingly at Han Feng, seemingly ready to deliver a swift and decisive blow to teach him a lesson the moment Yao Yan gave the order.
"It seems Venerable Yao hasn't taught you how to handle this situation. The weak have no say in the face of the strong. If you don't agree, I will kill you, and your storage ring and the Sea Heart Flame within you will become mine." Yao Yan's tone was utterly cold, his expression one of absolute certainty.
"...Senior, it's best not to push your luck too far. I've been refining that Sea Heart Flame for a long time. If you really push me too far, I'll simply detonate it. Then, I believe you won't gain anything." Han Feng suddenly became more defiant. "
Then why don't you try and see if you can detonate the Sea Heart Flame in front of me?" Yao Yan stared calmly at Han Feng, certain that the other wouldn't dare risk his life.
Especially the death caused by igniting a strange fire—that would be a true annihilation of the soul, leaving no chance for reincarnation. Yao Yan didn't believe Han Feng would dare to be so ruthless; the fear between life and death was immense, and not everyone dared to face death.
"Junior... dare not, but there's really nothing left by that old man in my storage ring. If he had truly left me something back then, I wouldn't be in this state now."
Han Feng gritted his teeth, ultimately not daring to risk his life, and his tone suddenly softened as he spoke.
"I don't want to hear your nonsense. Will you give it to me or not?" Yao Yan said coldly, the powerful pressure of a Spirit Realm soul emanating from his body reappearing, enveloping Han Feng.
"...Give it to me!"
Han Feng's heart almost bled, but he suppressed the urge to fight to the death and handed over the storage ring in his hand.
Yao Yan caught it with his soul power, then forcefully dispersed the soul imprint on it, causing Han Feng's face to pale slightly. Yao Yan, however, smiled and said, "As expected, you are quite wealthy. No wonder you are revered as the Medicine Emperor by the people of the Black Corner Region. This storage ring alone is worth a fortune."
He commented that the Nether Sea Storage Ring in front of him was one of the high-level storage rings that were highlighted in the original work, and even a Dou Zong expert might not possess one.
Adding the Sea Heart Flame and the Myriad Beast Cauldron, Han Feng's net worth was definitely greater than that of some seventh-grade alchemists. The
Black Corner Region was indeed a very nurturing place, able to fatten Han Feng up to be so robust.
But now, all of this would belong to Yao Yan. He had no shame in taking it by force, after all, he was robbing a rich man, and a rich villain at that.
"...Senior is too kind." Han Feng practically squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in high-level storage rings. I'll take a look at it and return it to you." After saying this, Yao Yan unceremoniously put the ring into his pocket, showing no intention of returning it. He then turned and led the two elders, Jin and Yin, towards his residence.
Han Feng suppressed his discomfort and accompanied the other party to his residence. After settling him in, he returned to the main hall with a gloomy face. What greeted him was none other than Kuang Zhan, one of the Dou Huangs of the day.
True to his name, Kuang Zhan was indeed somewhat rugged, with his bare upper body even covered in chest hair.
"Is it cleaned up?!"
Han Feng looked at the newcomer, his face still grim, his tone almost unable to suppress his killing intent as he coldly inquired.
Kuang Zhan nodded, then frowned and said, "Those who knew have all been dealt with, but what about Wang Jun? Is there any chance his arm can be stitched back up?"
"He only lost an arm, he won't die,"
Han Feng said coldly. He wasn't in the mood to treat the other's injury right now, because his mentality had been shattered by Yao Yan. He had almost fought to the death several times, but he had suppressed it each time, because fighting now would only result in certain death. It was better to endure for now and wait for the Soul Hall people to arrive.
Thinking of this, his expression softened slightly. He looked at Kuang Zhan and said calmly, "These next few days, you will be in charge of looking after that senior. You must meet any of his needs. I have to go out for a while, at least three to five days, at most ten days. I will definitely return."
"Who exactly is that person?" Kuang Zhan finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.
"Who is it..."
Han Feng's eyes flickered. He wasn't sure who the other person was. Back when he was working alongside that old man, he didn't remember the other person having offended any powerful enemies. However, one thing was certain: many eighth-grade alchemists disliked him. As the saying goes, rivals are enemies. The greater the reputation of the Medicine Venerable, the more dissatisfied and even resentful those old monsters who were also eighth-grade alchemists would be. This naturally led to conflict.
Not to mention the old man Mu Gu, who had cooperated with him back then, was said to be Yao Chen's fellow disciple, and he looked down on that old man, his tone full of contempt.
"This matter is none of your concern. Just keep an eye on him." He didn't say anything more, coldly throwing down a sentence before getting up and leaving. He planned to visit the two from the Soul Hall that very night. He had been feeding them quite well recently, and it was time to do something for them.
Perhaps he would also have to unite with some Dou Zong experts from the Black Corner Region. Han Feng believed that the collection of an eighth-grade alchemist was enough to make any Dou Zong expert's heart flutter.
...
The courtyard of the mansion.
Yao Yan watched the streak of light soar into the sky, his gaze shifting slightly. He knew Han Feng had gone to fetch reinforcements. His humiliation of Han Feng was intended to drive him to a dead end, and Han Feng had been extremely cooperative. For him, the Soul Palace was undoubtedly the best partner.
For others unaware of the situation, a calculated attack could easily have led to their deaths at Han Feng's hands.
However, this clearly didn't include him. The Soul Palace was like home to him; he even somewhat hoped Han Feng would bring its members, saving him the trouble of searching for them.
"...Soon. After dealing with these matters, I should go see the Soul Clan."
Yao Yan's gaze was wistful as he looked at the bright night sky, his mind filled with memories of the past few years. He couldn't help but sigh softly. He knew that once he returned this time, the next time they met might be many years later, and by then, everything might have changed.
(End of Chapter)