Sword Pointed at the Black-Corner Region

Sword Pointed at the Black-Corner Region

Two years had passed since the Wind-Lightning Pavilion and Yellow Springs Pavilion joined forces to attack Falling Star Pavilion.

To a Dou Venerable powerhouse, two years were merely the flick of a finger. After all, it was perfectly normal for Dou Venerables to enter seclusion for decades.

But for the current Falling Star Pavilion, those two years had been enough to bring earth-shaking changes.

The scars left by the great battle had been repaired, replaced by even grander and sturdier halls and pavilions. Chains of energy light crisscrossed between the floating islands, while the mountain-protecting grand formation personally designed and helped construct by Han Feng enveloped the entire Falling Star Pavilion. Its defensive power was sufficient to withstand the continuous attacks of several high-level Dou Venerables.

The atmosphere within the pavilion had also become entirely different.

The disciples no longer wore fearful, uneasy expressions. In their place were soaring fighting spirit and heartfelt pride.

The root of all these changes was the comet-like rise of the Young Pavilion Master, Han Feng.

Over the past two years, Han Feng had devoted all his efforts to pill refinement and the development of Falling Star Pavilion.

The Green Lotus Pill Hall built for him had become the most sacred place in Falling Star Pavilion. Vast quantities of precious medicinal ingredients were continuously sent inside, then transformed into bottles of premium pills that outside experts fought desperately to obtain.

From King Extreme Pills that stabilized the foundations of Dou Kings, to Emperor Extreme Pills that helped Dou Emperors break through their bottlenecks, and even Sect-Breaking Pills specially intended for Dou Sect powerhouses, all had practically become routine products within the pill hall.

With the support of these pills, the strength of Falling Star Pavilion's disciples rose rapidly. Within two years, the number of Dou Sect powerhouses in the pavilion had tripled, while Dou Emperors and Dou Kings sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain.

As for Falling Star Pavilion's two highest authorities, Feng Xian and Han Feng, their strength had also reached new heights.

Feng Xian had originally been at the peak of the four-star Dou Venerable realm, only a hair away from five stars. Yet after Yao Chen's disappearance, when Falling Star Pavilion had been battered by storms, he had been exhausted in body and mind, and his cultivation had nearly stagnated.

After Han Feng returned, he not only resolved the external threats but also refined a batch of eighth-tier Wind Spirit Boundary-Breaking Pills for him. Feng Xian consumed the pill and entered seclusion for half a year, successfully breaking through to become a five-star Dou Venerable, his strength greatly increased.

Han Feng's own progress was even more terrifying.

For someone with a perfected Spirit Realm soul, pill refinement was itself a form of cultivation. Through refining vast numbers of pills, his mastery over the Red Lotus Karmic Fire grew increasingly proficient. Moreover, he possessed the Nine Yang Divine Art, and his Dou Qi recovered far faster than that of ordinary people. He could refine pills while cultivating without wasting any time.

Half a year ago, he had entered seclusion once more. When he emerged, he was already a three-star Dou Venerable.

Apart from the rapid increase in his own strength, Falling Star Pavilion's external circumstances had also improved greatly.

Han Feng's titles of "eighteen-year-old eighth-tier grand pill refining master" and "one sword suppressing the two venerables of Wind-Lightning and Yellow Springs" had long spread throughout the Central Plains.

The current Falling Star Pavilion was no longer a juicy piece of meat that everyone sought to devour, but a colossal beast feared by all. The Pill Tower's cooperation with Falling Star Pavilion had become even closer. Elder Xuan Yi had sent people several times with precious medicinal ingredients and specifically requested exchanges with Han Feng on the art of pill refinement. Some factions that had previously maintained good relations with Falling Star Pavilion had also come one after another to pledge themselves and seek protection.

Even some solitary, reclusive powerhouses had been drawn over.

The most eye-catching among them was Iron Sword Venerable.

Iron Sword Venerable was a two-star Dou Venerable who had been renowned throughout the Central Plains for many years. He had been obsessed with the sword his entire life, arrogant by nature and disdainful of associating with any faction.

A year ago, he heard that Han Feng had easily defeated the Lightning Venerable with an unprecedented sword technique, so he came to Falling Star Pavilion alone.

He had not come to provoke anyone, but to seek a battle.

"I heard Your Excellency's swordsmanship is exceptional. Might Iron have the honor of witnessing it?"

In Falling Star Pavilion's martial arena, Iron Sword Venerable stood thin and gaunt, an ancient iron sword strapped to his back, his burning gaze fixed on Han Feng.

"Certainly."

Han Feng did not refuse.

He knew that words were useless for such pure battle fanatics. Only by making them submit in the field they were proudest of could he win them over.

During that battle, neither of them used Dou Qi. They competed only through sword moves and sword intent.

Iron Sword Venerable's swordsmanship was broad and forceful, immensely heavy. Every move carried the unyielding will forged through decades of relentless training.

Yet before Han Feng, it was riddled with openings.

Han Feng gripped the Green Lotus Sword. Rather than using the killing moves of Twin-Sleeve Green Snakes, he casually selected the most ordinary sword techniques from the Green Lotus Sword Song.

At times, his sword was like a spring breeze brushing willow branches, nimble and graceful, effortlessly dissolving his opponent's thunderous assaults. At other times, it was like the setting sun over a great river, vast and majestic. With a single thrust, it caused heaven and earth to resonate.

After barely thirty exchanges, Han Feng flicked his sword tip forward and stopped it firmly against Iron Sword Venerable's brow.

Iron Sword Venerable froze in place, his entire body rigid as cold sweat streamed down his forehead.

He had lost—lost utterly and completely. He had not even touched the corner of Han Feng's robe.

"Your sword has form but no intent. You only know bitter training, but you do not know what the Dao is." Han Feng sheathed his sword and spoke calmly. "A sword is used to kill, but it is also a path to question one's heart. Your heart is still where it once was."

Those words struck Iron Sword Venerable like a bolt of enlightenment, leaving him rooted to the spot. Only after a long while did he give Han Feng a deep bow.

"I have been taught."

From that day onward, Iron Sword Venerable remained at Falling Star Pavilion and became a guest elder. Han Feng kept his word, frequently discussing swordsmanship with him and providing him with many pills. Within a year, this sword fanatic had faintly shown signs of breaking through to the three-star realm.

Thus, Falling Star Pavilion now openly had three Dou Venerable powerhouses stationed within it: Feng Xian, Han Feng, and Iron Sword Venerable.

At the main peak of Falling Star Pavilion.

Han Feng and Feng Xian stood together, looking down at the mist-shrouded scenery below, where immortal cranes soared through the air.

"Xiao Feng, you've worked hard these past two years." Feng Xian looked at the disciple beside him, now half a head taller than himself, his eyes filled with emotion and gratification. "Without you, Falling Star Pavilion would not be in such a favorable position today."

"Uncle Feng, you're too kind. I only did what was my duty." Han Feng smiled and looked into the distance, his expression calm and profound.

Feng Xian looked at his steady profile and could not help sighing. "The pavilion is stable now, but that old fellow Yao Chen is still nowhere to be found. The Soul Hall acts too secretly. Even the Pill Tower has been unable to uncover anything. It truly is..."

At those words, Han Feng turned around and patted Feng Xian's shoulder reassuringly. "Uncle Feng, there is no need to worry so much. Teacher is blessed by fate. I believe he is still alive, merely waiting for a suitable opportunity to appear. If we charge about the Central Plains like headless flies, we may instead alert the enemy."

"Then... what do you mean?" Feng Xian asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Rather than being trapped in the Central Plains, it would be better to step beyond it." A depth and sharpness wholly unsuited to his age flashed through Han Feng's eyes. "I intend to make a trip to the Black-Corner Region."

"The Black-Corner Region?" Feng Xian was greatly startled, his brows tightly furrowed. "That place is a chaotic land beyond anyone's control, filled with all sorts of people. What are you going there for?"

Han Feng looked at him and smiled confidently.

"Precisely because it is chaotic, we have an opportunity. I intend to unite the entire Black-Corner Region and forge it into a sharp blade beyond Falling Star Pavilion—a fortress-like base."

He paused, then slowly laid out the reasoning he had long prepared. "First, the Black-Corner Region is the intelligence hub of the Northwest Continent. People from every walk of life gather there, and information flows most freely. Establishing a force there would make it far easier to uncover news of Teacher than searching the Central Plains like fishing for a needle in the ocean."

"Second," Han Feng continued, his gaze growing ever more distant, "Falling Star Pavilion's reputation has risen greatly, and as we expand, we also need a channel to bring in fresh blood and handle certain inconvenient matters. The Black-Corner Region is undoubtedly the best choice."

"Besides, Canaan Academy in the Black-Corner Region," Han Feng added as if in passing, "has quite a bit of fresh blood. Building a good relationship with them would bring nothing but benefits to Falling Star Pavilion's future."

After hearing Han Feng's clear, farsighted analysis, the worry on Feng Xian's face was gradually replaced by shock and approval.

He looked at the young man before him, whom he could no longer regard merely as a junior, and felt countless emotions stir within him.

Yao Chen, Yao Chen, you truly accepted an extraordinary disciple.

"As long as you have a plan." Feng Xian nodded heavily, light rekindling in his eyes. "Xiao Feng, whatever you want to do, go and do it without restraint!"

"I'll be here in the pavilion, so there is no need for you to worry. But you must be careful in all things out there."

"Rest assured, Uncle Feng." Han Feng felt relieved when he saw that Feng Xian agreed.

"While I am away from the pavilion, crush this talisman if anything urgent occurs." He handed over a jade talisman engraved with a green lotus mark. "No matter where I am, I will return within half an hour."

"Go." Feng Xian accepted the jade talisman and carefully put it away.

"Mm."

Han Feng said no more and gave Feng Xian a deep bow.

Then he turned, transforming into a brilliant streak of sword light that shot into the sky, tore through space, and vanished beyond the horizon in an instant.

The purpose of this journey was simple.

First, he would go to the Black-Corner Region and claim the territory.

Then, he would wait quietly for the winds to rise.