Battle Through the Heavens: I Am Han Feng, Respect the Teacher and Value the Dao

Preparations for the alchemy competition had reached the midway point, and the publicity campaign was in full swing. Han Feng felt it was time to send Jia Nan Academy a special invitation.

He wrote the letter himself, filling a large invitation with his handwriting. Soul Power was contained within every stroke; one look was enough to feel its overwhelming presence.

Once he had finished, Han Feng ordered someone to deliver it to Peace Town at once—the entrance to Jia Nan Academy.

Meanwhile, several leaders of major factions whom Han Feng had previously selected arrived in Maple City one after another, each bearing gifts and requesting pills from him.

The first person Han Feng received was Fan Lao, the Blood Sect Master.

The man was a newly risen Dou Emperor of the Black Corner Region, but his strength was extraordinary, and his Great Blood Transformation Technique had reached a masterful level.

His skin was dry and withered, and his pupils were blood-red. Yet the moment he saw Han Feng, he put on a fawning smile.

"Fan Lao of the Blood Sect greets the Medicine Emperor."

Han Feng remained seated and did not rise, merely nodding.

"Sect Master Fan, tell me directly what pill you seek."

"I wish to request a Rank 6 Imperial Pill. I have prepared all the ingredients. May I ask whether the Medicine Emperor can refine it?"

Fan Lao cupped his hands in salute and awaited Han Feng's reply.

"If you have the ingredients, I can naturally refine it."

Han Feng took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

"However, whether I am willing to act depends on Sect Master Fan's sincerity."

Fan Lao had come prepared. He handed Han Feng a gift list and a storage ring.

After glancing over them, Han Feng had a rough understanding of their contents.

He directly pointed out what interested him.

"Blood Spirit Ganoderma, a Rank 6 medicinal herb. This is quite good."

Hearing this, Fan Lao was immediately delighted. Could it be that the treasure he had offered happened to suit Han Feng's tastes?

"But it is still somewhat lacking if you wish to exchange it for an Imperial Pill."

Han Feng looked at Fan Lao and spoke calmly.

Those words instantly lifted the heavy stone in Fan Lao's heart again.

"What else does the Medicine Emperor require?"

Fan Lao asked tentatively.

"I will not make things difficult for Sect Master Fan."

Han Feng tapped the table and continued, "I have heard that within the Blood Sect's territory lies Blood Python Mountain, where there are many rare blood-attributed medicinal herbs. How about this? I will give Sect Master Fan a list of ingredients. As long as you gather them all, I will refine an Imperial Pill for you."

Han Feng quickly wrote out a list, flicked it with two fingers, and sent it flying before Fan Lao.

Fan Lao took the list and looked it over a few times. His tightly furrowed brows immediately relaxed.

"Good, good, good. Then it is settled. I shall send people to search for them at once."

Fan Lao rose and bowed once more.

"Medicine Emperor, I shall leave these ingredients with you for now. Once I have gathered everything, I hope you will refine this Imperial Pill for me."

"Easy enough. Bring me the items, Sect Master Fan, and I will offer you the Imperial Pill immediately."

Han Feng picked up the storage ring on the table and weighed it in his hand.

"I will not see you out."

Watching Fan Lao leave with a confident stride, Han Feng knew that the blood-attributed medicinal herbs would most likely be gathered.

With Fan Lao's current strength and status, he was not truly worthy of Han Feng's attention.

The only reason Han Feng had agreed to see him was because he had his eye on the Rank 6 Blood Spirit Ganoderma, as well as the rare blood-attributed medicinal herbs that might be hidden within the Blood Sect.

There were many methods for altering one's physique after birth, and each required different materials. Yet blood-attributed spiritual herbs were indispensable to every single method.

Han Feng intended to alter his physique when he broke through to Dou Zong, so the more blood-attributed spiritual herbs he had, the better.

Ideally, it should be done within a blood-attributed Blessed Land.

Han Feng remembered that there was a Heavenly Mountain Blood Pool in the Northern Region of the Central Plains, a place specifically meant for cultivators breaking through to Dou Zong.

When the time came, he would have to borrow that treasured land.

Returning to his thoughts, Han Feng summoned the next person seeking a pill.

Half a day passed, and Han Feng received all those who had come seeking pills.

Anyone who came to Han Feng generally wanted Rank 6 Pills.

Besides Fan Lao, two others also sought Imperial Pills, but because their offerings were not appealing enough, Han Feng politely declined them.

The remaining few were not seeking top-grade Rank 6 Pills like the Imperial Pill, so Han Feng's demands were much more relaxed.

Some rejoiced while others despaired. Han Feng did not concern himself with them. After having his subordinates see the guests out, he entered the Alchemy Room to refine pills.

These Rank 6 Pills would take him only half a month to finish.

By then, the alchemy competition should be about to begin as well.

Han Feng revealed an expectant smile and slowly shut the doors of the Alchemy Room.

Su Qian

Within Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, in an elegant and secluded ancient building, Su Qian sat before a broad redwood desk. His brows alternated between furrowing and relaxing as his naturally imposing eyes stared at the invitation spread across the table before him. It contained Han Feng's invitation for Jia Nan Academy to participate in the alchemy competition.

"What exactly is Han Feng trying to do?"

Su Qian could not figure it out no matter how much he thought about it.

A few months ago, he had already rejected Han Feng once. His wording had been relatively tactful at the time, but the meaning of his refusal had been perfectly clear.

With Han Feng's intelligence, there was no way he would fail to understand.

So why was he holding an alchemy competition now and specifically inviting Jia Nan Academy to participate? He had never done anything like this before.

Could he be trying to show us goodwill?

The moment that thought surfaced in Su Qian's mind, he dismissed it.

Impossible. Impossible.

Su Qian had met Han Feng several times. The man appeared kind and amiable on the surface, but deep down, he possessed an arrogance and ruthlessness that could not be concealed.

Jia Nan Academy's spies had once reported that Han Feng had casually wiped out an entire town before framing someone else, all for the sake of obtaining a single medicinal herb.

A man so indifferent to life could never be genuine, no matter how convincing his act was.

Behind Han Feng's goodwill, there had to be a bloodied blade hidden away. He would strike only when he caught the scent of profit.

However, though Su Qian knew Han Feng's true nature, what troubled him was that this invitation was not easy to refuse.

At the same time the invitation was sent, the other major factions learned of it as well, and all turned their attention toward Jia Nan Academy.

If they declined now, it would mean that Jia Nan Academy feared the challenge.

At that point, it would be difficult to restore Jia Nan Academy's reputation as the leading power of the Black Corner Region.

That was right. In the Black Corner Region, Jia Nan Academy was the true leader.

Jia Nan Academy's first headmaster, Mang Tianchi, had established the academy's supreme position through sheer force, beating the Black Corner Region into submission until no one dared resist.

At the time, he could have taken the opportunity to pacify the Black Corner Region and establish a safe, powerful nation. Yet no one knew why he had not done so, instead allowing the various factions of the Black Corner Region to continue fighting and breeding chaos.

Perhaps he wanted the academy to maintain a sense of vigilance even in peace, or perhaps he simply had no interest in founding a nation.

In any case, Jia Nan Academy was the strongest force in the Black Corner Region. Even those long-established experts hiding in the shadows did not dare provoke it.

Unless Jia Nan Academy itself showed signs of weakness.

Su Qian sighed and wrote a reply accepting the invitation.

The headmaster was away and had not returned for a long time. As the First Elder, Su Qian bore the responsibility of managing and protecting the academy.

Whether for its reputation or its interests, Su Qian had to make a choice.

"Han Feng, let me see what tricks you intend to play this time."

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. Powerful heaven-and-earth energy repeatedly erupted from Han Feng's Alchemy Room, but he stored it all within the Green Lotus Sea Heart Flame for future use.

After refining all the commissioned pills, Han Feng opened the doors of the Alchemy Room.

Han Beng appeared immediately and reported the recent developments to Han Feng.

For example, the alchemy competition had been fully prepared and was merely awaiting its opening day.

For example, Jia Nan Academy had accepted the invitation and would bring students from its alchemy department to participate.

And which major factions had arrived with their people, among other things.

Han Feng listened as he walked. Once he felt he had heard enough, he had Han Beng notify the faction leaders who had commissioned pills. He himself headed for the bamboo grove to visit his disciple.

Half a month had passed since he last saw her. He wondered whether she had adapted to life here.

He quietly arrived at the Bamboo House. The courtyard was lively, with Lin Xian'er and the others practicing Dou Techniques while Medusa acted as a little instructor, pointing things out from the side.

After watching for a moment, Han Feng walked in.

The group of women immediately stopped what they were doing and turned toward him.

"Master!"

"Uncle Han!"

The two children ran over first and gave Han Feng a hug from the front and back.

Han Feng smiled and rubbed their heads. "Qinglin, those moves just now were pretty good. You looked quite spirited."

Although Qinglin had not yet begun cultivating Dou Qi, her small body mimicking martial stances was rather amusing.

"Xian'er, you have improved quite a bit this time. Did your Dou Qi break through as well?"

After sensing Lin Xian'er's body, he found that her Calamity Poison Body was very stable. It likely would not erupt again before she broke through to Dou Zhe.

What pleased him was that Lin Xian'er's Dou Qi cultivation had actually reached the sixth stage of Dou Qi.

At this rate, she would be able to condense a Dou Qi Cyclone and advance to Dou Zhe in another half year.

Having received Han Feng's praise, Lin Xian'er happily and shyly buried her head in his embrace.

"Do you still have any Foundation Building Spirit Liquid?"

"There is a little left, but not much."

"Then I will refine more for you tomorrow."

Han Feng smiled.

Since Lin Xian'er began cultivating, she had been using Foundation Building Spirit Liquid.

It was Yao Chen's exclusive formula. After Han Feng improved it, it became more suitable for children around five or six years old like Lin Xian'er. Not only could it speed up the condensation of Dou Qi, it could also assist in building one's foundation.

Though it was merely a Rank 2 Pill, its value was immeasurable.

"Have you adapted to living here?"

Han Feng looked at the women and asked.

Ye Qingyun and Cai'er both nodded, while Medusa alone seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"Han Feng, when are you going to refine my pill?"

"Find the ingredients first. I still need to study your problem."

Medusa directly took out two Rank 6 medicinal herbs and handed them to Han Feng.

"They are both yours. Pick one, and use the other to refine my pill."

Han Feng accepted them in surprise.

"You went out during these past few days?"

Medusa crossed her arms and raised her chin slightly.