Ding Dong!
"Congratulations! You made Yao Tianhuo become Zi Yan's servant, subverting the original storyline. Reward: 78 attribute points to distribute."
Maple City—formerly an obscure settlement—was now one of the most renowned cities in the Black Corner Region.
Its fame didn't come naturally. Over twenty years ago, a Dou Huang-level alchemist seized power and renamed it Fengcheng, or "Maple City," after himself. That man was none other than Han Feng.
Above the city's skyline, two streaks of light—one golden, one violet—ripped through the sky, drawing the gaze of all within the city. The brilliant arcs flew directly over the city gate, alarming the guards stationed below.
"No flying is allowed over Maple City! Land immediately or be executed!" a guard shouted, voice trembling with nervous authority.
But his warning fell on deaf ears.
The golden and violet lights soared past, ignoring the command as they descended above the towering City Lord's Mansion.
Inside the mansion, the commotion outside drew swift attention. A middle-aged man stood in the main hall, his sharp eyes gazing upward.
Though he looked barely thirty, his tightly pursed lips and solemn demeanor gave him a stern aura. Long black hair draped over his shoulders, and the faint scent of medicinal herbs clung to his body like a natural perfume. On his green alchemist robe gleamed a golden cauldron emblem with six etched lines—marking him as a sixth-rank alchemist. Embroidered on the back was a single word in elegant script: Maple.
This was Han Feng, the City Lord of Maple City.
His gaze sharpened as he looked skyward. "The Taixu Ancient Dragon… and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King!"
High above, two colossal magical beasts hovered—one purple, the other blazing gold. Zi Yan's majestic dragon form radiated an overwhelming pressure, while the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's presence was enough to raise the temperature of the city by several degrees.
"Level Seven… no, Level Eight!" Han Feng's expression darkened.
He could tell instantly: the Lion King had reached Level Seven, equivalent to a Dou Zong. But the golden dragon's aura dwarfed even that. It was the pressure of a true Dou Zun!
Han Feng, despite being at the peak of Dou Huang and possessing the Sea Heart Flame, knew he could only barely contend with an early Dou Zong. And yet… seated atop those mighty beasts were two humans.
To ride such legendary creatures—they couldn't be ordinary.
"Could they be from one of the Eight Ancient Clans?" Han Feng wondered.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. Even the most prestigious prodigies from the ancient tribes of Zhongzhou couldn't dream of taming the top-ranked Taixu Ancient Dragon.
With growing apprehension, Han Feng clasped his hands respectfully.
"I am Han Feng, the Medicine King. My apologies for not welcoming you to Maple City earlier. I hope you'll forgive the oversight."
His words were polite, yet calculated—meant to assert status while giving face. He even invoked his title, hoping to deter hostility.
But Ye Feng's response was cold.
"Hand over the Heavenly Flame… and I'll spare your life."
Han Feng's eyes narrowed. "The Heavenly Flame is a treasure I risked everything to obtain. You expect me to give it up so easily?"
"You've got one cup of tea. Five seconds. If you refuse, I'll let my mount retrieve it herself."
Han Feng clenched his jaw. "I'm a sixth-rank alchemist. I may only be a Dou Huang, but I have powerful friends in Zhongzhou. You might even know them."
Ye Feng scoffed. "So what? I'm a tenth-rank alchemist."
Han Feng froze.
"Tenth... that's impossible. Even the three grand elders of Danta only reached the eighth rank. A tenth-rank alchemist requires a Spirit Emperor soul!"
He was sure Ye Feng was bluffing.
"Enough talk," Ye Feng said, voice cold. "Last chance. Will you hand over the Sea Heart Flame or not?"
Han Feng hesitated. Though he doubted Ye Feng's claim, he couldn't ignore the overwhelming aura Ye Feng radiated—stronger even than that of Yao Zun, his former master, Yao Chen.
"I'll count to three. Zi Yan, be ready."
"Yes, Master."
"One—"
"I'll do it!"
Han Feng's expression twisted with regret as he summoned the flame. The vibrant cluster hovered in his palm, radiating searing heat. He stared at it for a moment, unwilling.
But in the face of death, he chose life.
With a deep sigh, Han Feng handed the Sea Heart Flame over to Ye Feng.
"...Sir, do you have any other commands?" His tone was cautious—fearful, even. He wanted nothing more than for this nightmare to end.
Ding Dong!
"Congratulations! You coerced Han Feng into surrendering the Sea Heart Flame, altering the original storyline. Reward: 3,600 attribute points to distribute."
Ye Feng smiled. "Since you're so obedient, I'll let you live. In fact, I'll give you a gift."
"A gift?" Han Feng blinked. "What kind of gift?"
"You've been searching for your teacher, Yao Chen, haven't you?"
Han Feng's eyes widened. "You know where he is?"
Ye Feng nodded. "He's sealed inside a black ring."
"A ring?"
"Yes. The ring is with someone named Xiao Yan, from Wutan City's Xiao Clan. He's currently enrolled in Jia Nan Academy—goes by the alias Yan Xiao."
"...Xiao Yan… Yan Xiao!" Han Feng muttered, fists clenched.
He had learned a fragment of the Flame Mantra technique but lacked the complete version. And worse—he had betrayed and killed Yao Chen. If Yao Zun found Yao Chen before he could finish the job...
Han Feng said nothing more. After giving a few orders to his subordinates, he quickly departed the City Lord's Mansion and rode toward the Jia Nan Inner Court.
From a nearby hill, Ye Feng and Ya Fei watched him leave.
"He's a Dou Emperor. If he finds Xiao Yan… won't he kill him?" Ya Fei asked, frowning in concern.
Ye Feng grinned, a mischievous light in his eyes. "That's what makes this fun."
He turned to watch the fading figure of Han Feng.
"Let's see if Xiao Yan really has the aura of a protagonist. Without a Heavenly Flame… what can he do against the Medicine King?"
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