Chapter 35: Demanding the Sea Heart Flame, Han Feng Retreats

With a mixture of apprehension and anticipation, Han Feng watched the young figure on the chair slowly speak: "I want the Heavenly Flame you possess—the Sea Heart Flame."

Hun Cang did not beat around the bush, getting straight to the point. No sooner had he finished speaking than he noticed the smile on Han Feng’s face stiffen, his eyes twitching slightly.

Protector Xuan looked up, his face filled with shock and astonishment. The Hall Master had summoned Han Feng here just for the Heavenly Flame he possessed? Would he be willing to give it up? With this doubt in mind, Protector Xuan turned to look at Han Feng. At this moment, the smile on the latter’s face gradually vanished, replaced by a grave expression.

Han Feng looked at Hun Cang, forcing a very reluctant smile to his lips: "Hall Master, you are truly fond of joking. I have heard that you are also an alchemist; surely you must understand how important a Heavenly Flame is to an alchemist, right?"

"Do I look like I am joking with you?" Hun Cang remained expressionless, his index finger rhythmically tapping the armrest of his chair, producing a crisp "tap-tap" sound.

In the silent hall, this sound was no different from a death knell, striking at Han Feng’s heart with every beat. The smile on his face twitched again, and he clenched his fists tightly, saying, "My Lord, I obtained this Sea Heart Flame through immense hardship."

Hun Cang said indifferently, "What does that have to do with me?"

As the words fell, Protector Xuan couldn't help but grit his teeth, silently sighing to himself that Young Master Cang lived up to his reputation; he never considered how others felt when he spoke. However, compared to other members of the Hun Clan, Young Master Cang was actually quite kind. Otherwise, if he had truly wanted to seize the Sea Heart Flame, he wouldn't have wasted so many words—he would have simply taken it by force. Could Han Feng really have the strength to seek revenge against the Hun Clan?

Han Feng took a deep breath and said with a helpless tone, "Your words are reasonable, my Lord."

Having said this, Han Feng formed seals with his hands, and a wisp of flame emerged from within his body, slowly manifesting and hovering before him. The moment the flame appeared, the temperature in the hall rose rapidly. Protector Xuan and Hun Xiaoqiang instinctively stepped in front of Hun Cang, assuming a defensive posture.

"No need," came Hun Cang’s voice from behind. The two men paused, exchanged glances, and silently retreated to the sides.

Hun Cang watched Han Feng with an indifferent gaze. Based on his impression of Han Feng from the book, he knew very well that the man was not the type to act on impulse. Even if pushed like this, he would choose to endure, waiting for a future opportunity to bite back. However, given Han Feng’s status, it was unlikely he would ever get his wish.

"My Lord, this is the Sea Heart Flame." With a gaze full of reluctance sweeping over the blue flame, Han Feng knelt on the ground and said respectfully.

Hun Cang curled his finger, and the Sea Heart Flame, guided by some unseen force, drifted toward him. After glancing at it, he swept his gaze over the kneeling Han Feng and said, "You may go."

"Yes, thank you, my Lord, for your mercy in sparing my life." Han Feng dared not hesitate; he stood up, lowered his head, and backed out of the hall. Once outside, he immediately summoned his Dou Qi wings and took flight.

Compared to before, his cultivation, which had been near the peak of the Dou Huang realm, had already dropped by several levels, and it was still falling. *Dammit, I must find other flames as soon as possible, otherwise the rank of my Fen Jue will drop back to the lowest level...* Han Feng thought, not daring to look back at the Hall of Souls. Having dealt with the Hall of Souls, he knew very well that these people were particularly interested in souls, especially those of alchemists. Because an alchemist’s soul was more powerful than an ordinary person’s, he dared not delay, fearing that the young man might change his mind.

*This is too much bullying! Don't let me run into you again!* Thinking of Hun Cang, the hatred in Han Feng’s eyes nearly turned physical; he clenched his teeth so hard his face became distorted.

...

Inside the hall, Hun Xuan and Hun Xiaoqiang were still looking toward the entrance. After a two-second hesitation, Protector Xuan asked, "Hall Master, should I go and kill him?"

"No need," Hun Cang replied coolly.

Protector Xuan hesitated, then added, "Hall Master, that Han Feng has an organization in the Black-Corner Region called the Black Alliance. If he is allowed to..."

"I said no need," Hun Cang emphasized again.

Protector Xuan immediately fell silent.

"You two may return now. Protector Xuan, I am very satisfied with what you did this time. When I have the chance to return to the clan, I will mention it." As he watched Hun Xuan walk out, Hun Cang added this remark.

Hun Xuan was overjoyed and hurriedly turned back to express his gratitude: "Serving you is my duty, my Lord."

*Dammit, he actually snatched the credit! I was the one who made contact with the Lord first!* Seeing this, Hun Xiaoqiang felt a pang of jealousy. If the Hall Master were to put in a good word for him before the Clan Leader, wouldn't his strength and status rise rapidly? *No, it’s just a Heavenly Flame, right? I will work hard to find one in the future, too!* Hun Xiaoqiang made up his mind.

Returning to his room, Hun Cang sealed the Sea Heart Flame just as he had the Green Lotus Core Flame. "Once I get Yao Chen’s Bone Chilling Flame, I will have three Heavenly Flames." Looking at the two flames of different colors, a curve formed on Hun Cang’s lips. This was the advantage of foresight. Xiao Yan had taken three years to obtain his first Heavenly Flame, but how long had it taken him? With two in hand, the third was already within reach.

"I didn't expect Han Feng to be so decisive," Hun Cang thought, recalling the scene. He had assumed he would need to intimidate him more. As for Protector Xuan’s warning, Hun Cang didn't take it to heart. What kind of trouble could a mere Han Feng cause? He had the entire Hun Clan standing behind him. If he hadn't been worried about causing some accident that might accelerate the plot, killing Han Feng would have been a trivial matter.

It didn't matter much anyway. He had a younger brother; once he finished dealing with the Misty Cloud Sect and Nalan Yanran, the task of killing Han Feng could be handed over to him. Young people shouldn't be too comfortable.

"I wonder what stage Xiao Yan is at in his training?" Having not seen Xiao Yan for a while, Hun Cang actually found himself missing him. "I haven't interfered too much, so he should be progressing normally according to the plot. This way, I don't have to worry about my 'dear' father getting wind of things early and obtaining the half-finished Emperor Pill."

Hun Cang then contemplated the Jia Nan Academy and muttered, "Xiao Mei and the others should have arrived by now. I should find an opportunity to go there myself."

According to the method of switching cultivation techniques, after practicing the Zhen Fen Jue, even with the support of three Heavenly Flames, his strength would undoubtedly suffer a cataclysmic drop. At that point, he might be able to use Xiao Yu and the others to sneak into the Jia Nan Academy as a student. Once he was inside the Inner Academy, he would have the chance to come into contact with the Fallen Heart Flame in a legitimate way.

"I shouldn't rush, though. The Fallen Heart Flame possesses a certain level of strength; even someone like Han Feng, who is at the half-step Dou Zong level and possesses the Sea Heart Flame, would suffer. I must at least restore my strength to the Dou Wang or Dou Huang realm before taking action. After that, I can consider the Burning Flame Valley and the Pill Tower, and then..."