Elder Yao smiled. "Enough with that glib tongue of yours. You've been cultivating in the back mountain for two months, yet you haven't mastered Flame Cloud Fist at all, and your cultivation hasn't improved either. And you still have the nerve to laugh!"
Xiao Yan could only nod and turn back to his training.
Just as Xiao Yan stepped onto the wooden stakes again, the system notification sounded.
No way, Yun Potian broke through again!
Name: Xiao Yan Age: 16 years and 6 months Strength: Nine-Star Da Dou Shi Alchemist Rank: Third-Tier Alchemist Cultivation Method: Flame Mantra (High Xuan Tier) Dou Techniques: Eight Extremities Collapse (High Xuan Tier), Mystic Divination Palm (Low Xuan Tier), Heaven Collapsing Technique (High Xuan Tier), Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler (Low Earth Tier), Flame Cloud Fist (Low Earth Tier) Summoned Powerhouses: Hai Bodong (Seven-Star Dou Emperor) Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Emperor) Yun Potian (Five-Star Dou King) Summoning Slots: 3/4 Heavenly Flames: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire Green Lotus Core Flame Item: Mysterious Heavy Ruler Summoning Talisman: One Intermediate Summoning Talisman Summoning Points: 4000 (can be exchanged for various items in the System Mall)
Xiao Yan sighed. For Yun Potian to reach this level without any cheats was already no easy feat.
No wonder even the Ancient Clan had heard of his name. It seemed he really had been quite formidable back then.
When Elder Yao saw Xiao Yan slacking off, he immediately said, "I saw you slacking off. Add another ten thousand punches right now!"
Xiao Yan: "..."
Within Maple City, songs and dancing filled the air.
People came and went inside, and the atmosphere was bustling. Because Han Feng had thrown a grand banquet, the people of Maple City had become cheerful as well.
This also showed Han Feng's authority over Maple City.
Han Feng, dressed in a blue ceremonial robe, stood above Maple City with wings formed from Dou Qi, welcoming the various factions attending the banquet.
Han Feng had his own purpose this time. Several groups of people who could form Dou Qi wings had already arrived; everyone attending the banquet this time was a Dou Wang-level expert.
Only when Yin Gu Lao, Su Mei, Tie Wu, and the others arrived did Han Feng personally greet them.
"Medicine Emperor, you look to be in excellent spirits. It seems your breakthrough to the Dou Zong realm is just around the corner!" Yin Gu Lao said with a smile.
"Hehehe, all of you seem to have improved as well. It looks like the Black-Corner Region's standing on the continent is only rising higher!" Han Feng casually echoed.
After inviting everyone inside, they took their seats in Han Feng's residence and looked up to see who else would arrive.
Yin Gu Lao was the first to speak. "I heard Xiao Sect is also on the guest list. What exactly does Han Feng mean by this?"
Su Mei said, "He probably wants to suppress those two outsiders and have us sit here to pressure them together."
Tie Wu shook his head and smiled. "I don't think so. After all, those two sect masters of Xiao Sect actually defeated the Gold and Silver Elders. Forget anyone else—just the three of us couldn't handle the Gold and Silver Elders."
Su Mei snorted, and Yin Gu Lao added, "More friends are always better, but having more enemies would be troublesome."
Just then, Fan Lao arrived with Fan Ling and a group of others.
Fan Lao first cupped his hands to everyone and said, "I arrived a little late. Please forgive me, everyone."
Han Feng smiled. "How could you be late? Sect Master Fan, please take a seat."
Fan Lao then led Fan Ling and the others into Han Feng's residence, while Fan Lao alone walked over to Yin Gu Lao, Su Mei, and Tie Wu's table.
Then he sat down.
"Sect Master Fan, how have you been lately?" Yin Gu Lao asked first.
Fan Lao angrily flicked his sleeve. "How the hell could I be doing well? That damn Xiao Sect has turned everything upside down. Several Dou Wang elders from my sect have already run off to Xiao Sect!"
Tie Wu smiled at this. "Sect Master Fan, perhaps they think Xiao Sect's two sect masters are powerful and want to find a stronger backer."
Fan Lao spread his hands helplessly. He did not dare say anything more. After all, this was not his gathering, and with his faction's strength alone, moving against Xiao Sect would be like smashing an egg against a rock.
The last long-established faction, the Eight-Fan Sect, also arrived. Its sect master, Yuan Yi, had built his fortune through the auction business, so he did not involve himself too deeply in conflicts between various factions.
Han Feng smiled at Yuan Yi. "Sect Master Yuan, you came a little late today, didn't you?"
Yuan Yi smiled. "Medicine Emperor, please do not blame me. I did not come empty-handed today."
After he spoke, the people behind him carried over a great many items. Yuan Yi continued, "Medicine Emperor, these are all medicinal ingredients. I believe you will not be willing to refuse them."
Han Feng sighed, then said, "Then thank you, Sect Master Yuan. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to speak."
With Han Feng's words, Yuan Yi sighed in relief, knowing his trip had not been in vain.
After Yuan Yi also took his seat, Han Feng continued waiting above.
No one needed to guess to know that he was waiting for Xiao Sect's two sect masters.
Suddenly, everyone felt a hint of chill beside them. Then an enormous figure coiled through the sky, nearly blotting out the moon.
Looking at the massive creature above, Han Feng hurriedly said, "This must be Sect Master White Fang of Xiao Sect. Please retract your true form!"
Fan Lao snorted coldly and said impatiently, "What does this mean? Do you not know the rules of Maple City? Are you trying to start a war with us?"
Tie Wu said, "They're newcomers, so it's perfectly normal for them not to understand that. Besides, the Medicine Emperor hasn't said anything. What do you mean by this?"
Seeing that the two were becoming hostile, Yuan Yi quickly changed the subject.
"This sect master of Xiao Sect is quite interesting, choosing such an entrance."
White Fang swept his gaze over the area from above. Only after finding no ambush did he shrink his body and fly down.
Hai Bodong suddenly appeared before Han Feng as well. Cupping his hands toward everyone, he said, "I am Hai Bodong, sect master of Xiao Sect. People call me the Ice Emperor. That is how you may address me."
"Ice Emperor, since this is our first meeting, let us take our time getting acquainted." Han Feng smiled and invited the two inside.
White Fang curled himself into a ball and said, "No need. I only came to take a look. Whatever you have to discuss, speak with Hai Bodong. I'll be leaving first!"
With that, White Fang vanished from where he stood. The terrifying aura he had emitted made everyone realize something.
This Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake, White Fang, was already infinitely close to the Dou Zong realm, perhaps even at the half-step Dou Zong stage.
Fan Lao said quietly, "No wonder they defeated the Gold and Silver Elders. It seems this snake played no small part."
This Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake alone is stronger than anyone present. It seems Xiao Sect came prepared, Yin Gu Lao thought to himself.
Once Hai Bodong had taken his seat, Han Feng sat down as well.
Hai Bodong quietly observed everyone present. None of them yet understood what Han Feng's purpose was in arranging this gathering.
Han Feng coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"Everyone, I do indeed have something I wish to discuss with you. But before that, I would like to say a few things about the matters between us."
Before you continue