A Greeting

A Greeting

Black-Corner Region.

This place on the northwestern frontier of the Central Plains was a lawless land on the Dou Qi Continent, chaotic beyond measure.

The air was always thick with the pungent stench of blood mixed with sulfur, while the sky remained shrouded in dark clouds year-round, oppressive and dim.

Han Feng stepped out of a spatial rift. The moment he appeared above this land, he sensed the naked chaos and malice emanating from the earth below.

If ordinary people came here, they would likely be swallowed whole in less than half a day, leaving not even bone fragments behind.

Yet in Han Feng's eyes, this was the finest foundation he could have hoped for.

Ignoring the conflict in the city below, he directed his gaze straight toward the center of the Black-Corner Region.

There lay a pure land spanning thousands of miles, enveloped by invisible energy.

Canaan Academy.

This ancient institution, as old as the Black-Corner Region itself, stood like an island amidst this chaotic black sea, stubbornly existing and bringing a trace of peace to its surroundings.

Han Feng knew that if he wished to act in the Black-Corner Region, he had to show Canaan Academy proper respect. He also had to pay them a visit.

It was both respect and strategy.

With a flash, he seemed to teleport directly outside Canaan Academy's energy barrier.

He did not force his way in. Instead, he hovered silently in the air as his gentle yet vast soul power slowly spread out, delivering a message throughout the academy.

"Han Feng of Falling Star Pavilion requests an audience with Grand Elder Su Qian."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of several important figures deep within the academy.

Canaan Academy, Elder Council Chamber.

The atmosphere was solemn.

Grand Elder Su Qian was listening to several elders report on recent developments, his brows tightly furrowed.

Ever since Wind-Lightning Pavilion and Yellow Springs Pavilion had joined forces to attack Falling Star Pavilion two years ago and failed, the Central Plains had appeared calm on the surface while undercurrents surged beneath.

And Han Feng, who had turned the tide single-handedly at the age of eighteen, had become a name no faction could avoid.

At that moment, Han Feng's gentle voice suddenly entered the ears of Su Qian and the several Dou Ancestor elders present.

"Han Feng of Falling Star Pavilion?!"

Su Qian shot to his feet, his face filled with shock.

"Why has he come? What is he doing in the Black-Corner Region?"

"Grand Elder, Han Feng..." The elder beside him also changed expression.

"He comes with ill intent! He's a ruthless man who dared confront Wind-Lightning Pavilion and Yellow Springs Pavilion head-on!"

Su Qian waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

He could sense the other party's soul power. Though gentle, the vastness and purity contained within it made even Dou Ancestor experts' hearts tremble.

This was no ordinary Dou Venerable.

Moreover, the other party had not barged in directly, but had first announced himself. That meant he at least observed proper etiquette.

"Open the formation. I'll go meet him."

Su Qian spoke softly, then vanished with a flash.

A slit slowly opened in the energy barrier outside the academy gates.

Su Qian, his beard and hair completely white, appeared before Han Feng. He cupped his hands in greeting and forced a polite smile onto his face.

"I did not know that Young Pavilion Master Han Feng would honor us with his presence. Please forgive us for failing to welcome you from afar."

As he spoke, he discreetly examined the young man before him.

Too young.

Dressed in white, tall and straight, with extraordinary bearing, he possessed a steadiness unlike that of a man barely in his twenties. His eyes were as deep as the starry sky, impossible to fathom.

Especially the faint Dou Venerable aura around him, which made Su Qian's heart tighten.

The rumors were true!

"You are too courteous, Grand Elder Su Qian."

Han Feng returned the salute as well. His attitude was humble, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

"I came here today because there is something I wished to inform the academy about in advance."

"Oh? Please speak, Young Pavilion Master." Su Qian grew even more wary. Making a welcoming gesture, he led Han Feng into the academy's reception hall.

Once host and guest had taken their seats and the maidservants had served tea, Su Qian slowly spoke.

"Why has Young Pavilion Master Han Feng, who has made such a name for himself in the Central Plains, taken an interest in my chaotic Black-Corner Region?"

Han Feng lifted his teacup and blew on it. He went straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"To be honest, Grand Elder, I came here to investigate the matter of my master, Yao Chen."

Su Qian's expression immediately turned solemn.

The disappearance of Venerable Yao was no longer a secret.

"The Soul Hall is the prime suspect in my master's disappearance. But the Soul Hall acts in secret and has left no traces in the Central Plains. After giving it much thought, I realized that all sorts of people gather in the Black-Corner Region. It is one of the intelligence channels of the entire continent, and perhaps I may find some clues here."

Su Qian nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Young Pavilion Master Han Feng's filial devotion is admirable. If there is anything the academy can assist with, you may speak freely at any time."

"Thank you, Grand Elder." Han Feng set down his teacup and finally revealed his purpose.

"It is simply that the Black-Corner Region is too chaotic, like a pile of loose sand. Searching for clues here would be like fishing a needle from the sea, far too inefficient."

"So," he raised his head and looked calmly at Su Qian, enunciating each word, "I intend to gather this loose sand together once more."

Gather it together?

Su Qian's pupils abruptly shrank to pinpoints.

The several academy elders present all gasped sharply.

Though he had said it lightly, everyone could hear the bloodshed and dominance behind those words!

Unify the Black-Corner Region?

Over the countless years, it was not as though no one had considered it, but all had failed. The waters here ran too deep, the various factions were intricately entangled, and behind them lay the interests of the great sects of the Central Plains. Whoever dared act rashly would become an enemy of the entire underworld.

And this young man before them actually wished to unite the Black-Corner Region through his own strength?

"Young Pavilion Master Han Feng, this matter... will not be easy." Su Qian's throat was somewhat dry.

"I understand." Han Feng remained calm. "That is why I came to visit you today, Grand Elder. I wish to give the academy a promise."

He raised one finger.

"First, I am unifying the Black-Corner Region only to establish order and seek my master. I will never touch Canaan Academy. The academy will remain the most respected sacred ground in this land."

Then, he raised a second finger.

"Second, once order has been restored in the Black-Corner Region, the new faction will willingly exchange what we have with Canaan Academy. When students venture out for training, we will guarantee their safety. For any medicinal ingredients or intelligence the academy requires, we will provide them as a priority. All I seek are records of certain ancient secrets in your academy's library, and... when needed, that we may become one another's most reliable allies."

When his words fell, the reception hall became so silent that a needle dropping could be heard.

A fine layer of cold sweat had already formed on Su Qian's forehead.

He understood.

Han Feng was informing him, not negotiating.

Backed by indisputable strength, he first politely drew the boundaries for peaceful coexistence, then presented an offer of cooperation Canaan Academy could not refuse.

A peaceful, orderly Black-Corner Region that was willing to cooperate deeply with the academy?

This was practically the external environment Canaan Academy had dreamed of for countless years!

As for how bloody Han Feng's unification would be, or how many people would die?

What did that have to do with Canaan Academy?

No matter how many of those scum in the Black-Corner Region died, Su Qian would not feel the slightest heartache.

Looking at the young man before him, whose gaze was calm yet who had already calculated the future of the entire Black-Corner Region, a profound sense of helplessness rose in Su Qian's heart.

This was a true hero of ambition.

Compared to him, those so-called heroes and overlords of the Black-Corner Region were nothing more than children playing house.

"I understand."

After a long while, Su Qian slowly uttered those three words, as though they had drained all his strength.

"The academy will not interfere in any matter concerning the Black-Corner Region. We would also be happy to cooperate with an orderly new neighbor."

He had made the wisest choice.

"Thank you, Grand Elder."

Han Feng's expression grew friendlier. Rising to his feet, he once more bowed to Su Qian as a junior.

"I have said all that needed to be said, so I shall not impose any longer. Farewell."

With that, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Su Qian and the others rose to see him off. They watched the white figure disappear beyond the academy gates, and for a time, everyone fell silent.

"Grand Elder, we just... agreed to it?" One elder could not help asking.

Su Qian gave a bitter smile.

"Disagree? Could you stop him, or could I?"

"The Black-Corner Region is about to see its skies change."

After leaving Canaan Academy's peaceful territory, Han Feng once again set foot upon the chaotic land.

He looked up at the dim sky, a cold curve lifting at the corner of his lips.

The greeting had been delivered.

So next...

It was time to begin the grand cleanup.