With Hua Yu's assistance, all the experts in the Flower Sect who had reached the Dou Emperor level or above were transformed into demons by Xiao Feng—even the two hidden Supreme Elders were no exception.
After all, the Flower Sect's Qing Xianzi and Hua Xianzi were only intermediate-level Half-Saints. Even if they joined forces, they would struggle to withstand a single move from Xiao Feng.
Thus, the two quickly accepted reality and willingly accepted the demon King's Blood bestowed by Xiao Feng.
Perhaps because Qing Xianzi's cultivation was already on the verge of breaking through to the advanced Half-Saint level, after absorbing the demon King's Blood, her strength directly rose to the early stage of One-Star Dou Saint.
Meanwhile, Hua Xianzi, after absorbing the blood, broke through from intermediate Half-Saint to advanced Half-Saint.
If the two had initially submitted to Xiao Feng out of fear of his overwhelming power, then after experiencing the tangible benefits of the demon King's Blood, their submission became wholehearted.
Without Xiao Feng's gift, Qing Xianzi and Hua Xianzi might not have advanced their cultivation even after a century of arduous training.
After settling matters with the Flower Sect, Xiao Feng immediately set off for the Nether Sky Sect.
The Supreme Elder of the Nether Sky Sect, known as the Nether Sky Old Demon, was a seasoned advanced Half-Saint expert.
However, since the Nether Sky Old Demon was an unremarkable-looking old man, Xiao Feng did not treat him as gently as he had Qing Xianzi and Hua Xianzi.
In front of the entire Nether Sky Sect, Xiao Feng beat the Nether Sky Old Demon half to death before forcibly transforming him into a demon.
Even after absorbing the demon King's Blood and breaking through to the early stage of One-Star Dou Saint, the Nether Sky Old Demon still stood no chance against Xiao Feng, the progenitor of demons.
Unless the Nether Sky Old Demon's cultivation surpassed Xiao Feng's, the latter could erase him with a single thought.
After forcibly subduing the Nether Sky Old Demon, Xiao Feng proceeded to transform all the sect's Dou Emperor-level experts and above into demons.
With this, both the Nether Sky Sect and the Flower Sect had submitted to Xiao Feng, adding two Dou Saint-level generals to his forces.
---
Central Region of the Middle Continent: Roasting Fire Mountain Range
The Roasting Fire Mountain Range was quite renowned even within the Middle Continent, as it was home to the famous Blazing Flame Valley.
"Rip—"
A dark spatial rift tore open in the void, and Xiao Feng, clad in black martial attire, stepped out.
"Whoosh!"
First, he scanned the entire mountain range with his spiritual sense, quickly locking onto the Blazing Flame Valley's location. With a single step, he traversed hundreds of miles, appearing directly within the valley.
The Blazing Flame Valley, alongside the Ice River Valley and the Sound Valley, was known as one of the "Three Valleys." While it appeared to be on par with the other two, its true strength surpassed even that of the Flower Sect and the Nether Sky Sect.
The founder of the Blazing Flame Valley, the Blazing Flame Ancestor, was once one of the continent's five top-tier experts and had been close friends with the Xiao Clan's leader, Xiao Xuan.
Though the valley's power had waned since the Blazing Flame Ancestor's death, it still had a Dou Saint-level Supreme Elder overseeing it.
The moment Xiao Feng intruded into the valley's spatial realm, a red-haired elder appeared before him, warily asking, "Who are you, and why have you trespassed into the Blazing Flame Valley?"
This red-haired elder was none other than the valley's Supreme Elder, Huo Yun Lao Zu, whose cultivation had reached the mid-stage of One-Star Dou Saint.
"I am Xiao Feng. Greetings, Elder Huo Yun."
Given Xiao Xuan's friendship with the Blazing Flame Ancestor, Xiao Feng opted for a diplomatic approach rather than brute force.
"Xiao Feng? What is your relation to the Xiao Clan?"
Given Xiao Feng's youthful appearance and surname, Huo Yun immediately connected him to the Xiao Clan.
Before Xiao Feng could respond, a middle-aged man in black robes materialized before Huo Yun Lao Zu—Xiao Xuan's projected avatar.
"Huo Yun brat, do you still recognize me?"
When Huo Yun Lao Zu saw Xiao Xuan, his pupils shrank in shock. "Y-you… Elder Xiao Xuan?!"
Dou Saints had long lifespans, easily living for millennia. In his youth, when Huo was merely a Dou King, he had once met Xiao Xuan during the latter's visit to the valley.
Yun
"Indeed, it is I."
"B-but… didn't you already…?"
Xiao Xuan chuckled. "It's a long story. I did perish long ago, but my soul was preserved in the Heavenly Tomb. Later, by chance, this outstanding descendant of mine brought me out."
"To think I'd have the fortune of meeting you again after a thousand years… truly by the ancestors' blessing! Elder, please, come inside!"
In his youth, Huo Yun had witnessed sparring matches between Xiao Xuan and the Blazing Flame Ancestor, leaving him in awe of Xiao Xuan's prowess. He eagerly ushered Xiao Feng and Xiao Xuan into the reception hall, serving them the finest spirit tea.
With Xiao Xuan as the mediator, after some negotiation, Huo Yun agreed to pledge the Blazing Flame Valley's allegiance to Xiao Feng—under two conditions.
The first was that Xiao Feng heal his internal injuries.
Huo Yun's recent seclusion was due to a cultivation mishap. Any reckless exertion would worsen his condition, draining his lifespan.
Otherwise, with a Dou Saint overseeing it, the Blazing Flame Valley would never have been grouped with the Ice River Valley and Sound Valley as equals.
Xiao Feng readily agreed to the first condition. Once transformed into a demon, Huo Yun's powerful regenerative abilities would naturally heal his injuries.
The second condition was for Xiao Feng to marry Tang Huo'er.
Tang Huo'er was the only daughter of the current valley master, Tang Zhen. Huo Yun's intention was to solidify ties through marriage.
If Tang Huo'er bore Xiao Feng's children, he would no longer fear betrayal in the future.
After some hesitation, Xiao Feng accepted the second condition.
He wasn't opposed to political marriages, and Tang Huo'er was a beauty in her own right—this was no loss for him.
However, while he agreed to the marriage, Xiao Feng had no plans for an immediate wedding.
He intended to hold a grand ceremony for Tang Huo'er, Yun Yun, and the others only after he had broken through to the Dou God level.
(End of Chapter)