The beginning of chaos!

"He will!" A mysterious smile curved Jiang Yun's lips. Clearly, he had everything well in hand.

Ordinary alchemists would stop harboring ambitions for another Heavenly Flame once they possessed one. Han Feng, however, cultivated the Flame Mantra. He would certainly use every means available to collect Heavenly Flames, and would never abandon that obsession merely because he had broken through to Dou Zong.

Su Qian could not quite understand why Jiang Yun was so confident. Was this simply how a Grand Alchemist thought? Still, all he could do now was choose to trust him.

After settling their plans, Su Qian and Jiang Yun immediately returned to the Inner Academy and began laying their pieces across the Black-Corner Region.

Jia Nan Academy moved swiftly. Before long, Jiang Yun met the men who would carry out his plan in a valley.

Three men in blue robes stood quietly a short distance away. They were around thirty, with similar features and faces steeped in menace. Their eyes swept casually over their surroundings, but inwardly, they remained intensely vigilant.

"The fame of the Yao Brothers has thundered in my ears. Since you accepted Jia Nan Academy's invitation, there is no need to be so wary. Our academy would hardly stoop to such underhanded methods and expend all this effort over three Dou Wangs."

A calm voice drifted over from nearby. A hazy figure approached from the distant sky at incredible speed. Before his words had even faded, he suddenly appeared before the three men, as though he had crossed space itself.

"You..." The Yao Brothers stared at the newcomer, their eyes filled with horror.

Their first impression of Jiang Yun was that he was young-astonishingly young. He probably was not even eighteen. Had he even undergone his coming-of-age ceremony?

Their second impression was strength. Overwhelming strength, beyond anything they could defeat. The speed he had displayed while approaching had already left them far behind in the dust. Now he merely stood quietly before them, yet his gaze alone nearly suffocated them, making their entire bodies tremble.

And that faint spatial force surrounding him-was that not something only a Dou Zong could control? Even the spatial fluctuations surrounding their mortal enemies, the Gold and Silver Elders, were not this powerful.

Such a young expert... Had Jia Nan Academy already become this terrifying?

Seeing the three men cowed, Jiang Yun mused inwardly that this use of spatial force was quite intimidating. With his current control over it, he could also walk through the air for brief periods.

However, he would not waste it that way. By using spatial force to augment his movement technique, he could achieve an effect akin to instantaneous movement. Among those of the same level, absolutely no one could surpass his speed.

Hmm... Glancing at the three trembling men before him, he added inwardly, And it can frighten people, too!

"My name is Jiang Yun!" With the three men still unable to recover their wits, Jiang Yun had to break the tense atmosphere first.

"Our respects, Young Master Jiang!" The Yao Brothers hurried forward to greet him, not daring to put on airs. Although Jiang Yun was young, his aura alone made them tremble. He was unquestionably an extraordinarily dangerous man.

"No need for such courtesy. Since you accepted the invitation, I assume you are considering agreeing to the deal?" Jiang Yun raised a hand slightly. An invisible surge of spatial force flowed out, and the Yao Brothers felt their bodies straighten, preventing them from bending forward to bow again. Their shock deepened.

Astonished by Jiang Yun's strength, the eldest of the Yao Brothers stepped forward and cupped his hands with a bitter smile. "Because we offended the Gold and Silver Elders, every step we take in the Black-Corner Region is a struggle. Since Jia Nan Academy is willing to strike a deal with us, we will do everything in our power."

Although all three were Dou Wangs, no faction in the Black-Corner Region was willing to take them in for fear of the Gold and Silver Elders' strength. Their lives were anything but easy. Not only did they have to survive in the chaotic Black-Corner Region, they also had to evade the Gold and Silver Elders' pursuit.

Jia Nan Academy's willingness to deal with them had already surprised them. At the same time, they came to a realization. Only an overlord like Jia Nan Academy could afford to disregard the Gold and Silver Elders.

Jiang Yun nodded. One reason he had chosen these three was that they were among the few people without ties to any faction.

"Maple City has been recruiting experts on a massive scale in the Black-Corner Region. It is already showing signs of becoming the sole dominant power, and there are faint indications that it intends to move against Jia Nan Academy. That is hardly a good development!"

Jiang Yun spoke slowly, watching the Yao Brothers all the while.

Hearing his words, the three men felt a sudden chill of alarm. Was Jia Nan Academy going to move against Maple City?

That was their first thought. They did not dare consider anything deeper. When immortals fought, mortals suffered, and such a clash was not something insignificant Dou Wangs like them could meddle in.

They had misunderstood one thing. It was not Jia Nan Academy that intended to move against Maple City, but Jiang Yun who intended to move against Han Feng. However, Jiang Yun would not explain the distinction.

Otherwise, unless the Black-Corner Region faced unification, Jia Nan Academy would not interfere in the conflicts between its factions.

With two Nine-Star Dou Zongs holding the fort, it could afford to be that overbearing!

"There is a wisp of Heavenly Flame inside this. I want you to draw the Gold and Silver Elders into pursuing you, then let them discover 'by accident' that you possess a Heavenly Flame. You must flee all the way to Demon Flame Valley! The bigger the commotion, the better!"

There was another faction in the Black-Corner Region capable of opposing Maple City as it stood now: Demon Flame Valley. It was a threat as well. Ideally, this operation would catch both sides in one net. At the very least, Han Feng had to die.

"These are two fifth-grade Berserk Blood Pills. Taking one will double your strength, but the effect lasts only an hour. Afterward, you will be weakened for half a month. These are to help you!"

"Once the job is done, each of you will receive a Dou Ling Pill!"

Jiang Yun tossed the Fire-Gathering Furnace and a jade bottle to the Yao Brothers as support. Otherwise, he feared the Gold and Silver Elders would beat them to death before they even reached Demon Flame Valley.

Once news of this treasure suspected of containing a Heavenly Flame spread, the Yao Brothers would undoubtedly become the target of every arrow.

As long as Han Feng saw the Fire-Gathering Furnace, Jiang Yun was certain he would venture even into Demon Flame Valley.

"Three Dou Ling Pills!"

By now, the Yao Brothers were already stunned by Jiang Yun's promised reward. Dou Ling Pills-and three of them! These were treasures capable of raising a Dou Wang's strength by one star.

The three men fell into thought. The reward was generous, but the danger was immense.

Soon, a ruthless glint appeared in the eldest brother's eyes. Inwardly, he was already leaning toward accepting!

If Jia Nan Academy was moving against Maple City, did that mean the Gold and Silver Elders would be finished as well? They would no longer have to hide here and there. They could eliminate their mortal enemies and obtain three Dou Ling Pills. It would truly be two blessings arriving at their door together.

A moment later, Yao Er and Yao San could not resist prodding their eldest brother from behind. Great risks came with great rewards. For the sake of their future, they felt it was worth staking everything!

After reaching an agreement, the three accepted Jiang Yun's pills and the Fire-Gathering Furnace, then vanished into the vast sea of trees. Though the plan was fraught with danger, they had ultimately chosen to accept it.

Jiang Yun watched their retreating figures, his deep gaze turning toward the distance. A breeze stirred, and a fallen leaf drifted slowly past his eyes. A murmur escaped his lips.

"The wind is rising!"

The Black-Corner Region was a land of chaos on the Northwest Continent. Countless factions filled it, making it a paradise for the strong and a hell for the weak.

Demon Flame Valley, the Black Emperor Sect, Maple City, the Heavenly Yin Sect, the Rakshasa Gate-these factions had usually kept to themselves. Although friction existed in the shadows, on the surface, they maintained an appearance of peace.

Over the past year, as Maple City continued to expand, the atmosphere in the Black-Corner Region had gradually grown tense. Wind and rain seemed poised to descend, and the region resembled a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

Today, the spark arrived, setting the entire Black-Corner Region ablaze!

Three days earlier, someone had seen the Yao Brothers being pursued by the Gold and Silver Elders, during which a strange flame had been revealed. More importantly, the Gold and Silver Elders appeared to have been burned by the strange flame the brothers released, allowing them to escape with their lives.

At the time, countless people in the distance had heard the Gold and Silver Elders roar.

"A Heavenly Flame?!"

In an instant, news of the Heavenly Flame sent the entire Black-Corner Region into an uproar.

Heavenly Flames were exceedingly rare divine treasures born between heaven and earth. They were immensely precious to fire-attribute experts, especially alchemists. Every alchemist dreamed of possessing a Heavenly Flame.

Even for those who were not alchemists, a Heavenly Flame remained an extraordinarily precious divine treasure, worth enough to exchange for other rare treasures. Even in the Central Plains, where experts gathered like clouds, Heavenly Flames were exceptionally scarce.

The news that the Yao Brothers might possess a Heavenly Flame immediately drew the attention of the entire Black-Corner Region.

Maple City.

As Han Feng listened to Han Beng's report, his expression immediately grew serious. He stared at him with burning eyes. "Are you certain it is a Heavenly Flame?"

Han Beng's heart tightened, and even breathing became difficult. He was a trusted subordinate cultivated by Han Feng and possessed the strength of a Dou Wang, yet he had never seen Han Feng like this. He resembled a fierce tiger that had hungered for more than half a year, capable of tearing any prey to pieces.

"According to reports gathered from several sources, the Gold and Silver Elders were indeed briefly forced back by a strange flame while pursuing the Yao Brothers. However, our men are still investigating whether it was a Heavenly Flame!" Not daring to delay, Han Beng quickly relayed everything he had learned.

"Useless!" Han Feng's brows furrowed. With an angry rebuke, he sent a blast of energy flying.

Bang-!

"Urgh-!" Han Beng was instantly sent flying, spraying a mouthful of blood without the slightest ability to resist. Yet he dared not complain. Trembling, he knelt and begged for mercy.

"I deserve death!"

"Hmph! Where have they fled now?" Seeing this, Han Feng gave a cold snort.

"Judging by their route, toward Demon Flame Valley!"

"Demon Flame Valley?!" Han Feng's startled voice rang out. Then his expression changed, and he roared, "Gold and Silver Elders, you have ruined my plans!"

Whoosh-! A sharp sound cut through the air. Han Feng had already vanished, but his cold, emotionless voice continued to echo through the hall.

"Han Beng, notify all the honored retainers. Have them gather at Demon Flame Valley immediately. If any dare not come..."

"They can wait for me to refine them into medicinal slaves afterward!"

In a mountain forest on the outskirts of Demon Flame Valley, three blood-covered figures beat their Dou Qi Wings, racing toward the valley.

"Heh, you three ants certainly know how to run!" A sneer came from behind them. Two elderly men with similar features, one wearing gold robes and the other silver, followed closely, rapidly narrowing the distance.

At this moment, faint scorch marks marred the Gold and Silver Elders' white beards. Their eyes brimmed with towering killing intent as they stared at the Yao Brothers. It seemed the rumors had not come from nowhere.

"Second Brother, Third Brother, Demon Flame Valley is right ahead! We can only stake our lives on one final gamble!"

The eldest of the Yao Brothers shouted as he looked toward Demon Flame Valley, now close at hand.

The three brothers exchanged glances and nodded resolutely. They took out a pill the size of a longan and swallowed it. Instantly, a terrifying power exploded within their bodies.

"Go-!"

Feeling the power surge inside them, the three could not help groaning. However, the danger behind them quickly brought them back to their senses. With a shout, their speed suddenly doubled, and they charged toward Demon Flame Valley's territory.

"This is bad-!" The Gold and Silver Elders' expressions changed. They stirred their Dou Qi and unleashed a palm strike at the three men.

"Young Sect Master, we miscalculated! They have high-grade pills. We cannot let them escape!"

More than a dozen figures lurked in the shadows, hoping to reap the fisherman's reward. However, when the Yao Brothers erupted with power, one of them, dressed in an alchemist's robe, immediately grew anxious.

"Attack!" Mo Ya was also a decisive man. At his shout, the dozen or so figures behind him attacked together. Countless Dou Techniques descended, striking the route the brothers had to take.

Bang! Bang! Bang-!

Countless explosions rang out, accompanied by the sound of shattering rock. The Yao Brothers stared grimly at the Black Emperor Sect members blocking their path.

"Young Sect Master Mo, we brothers have never offended the Black Emperor Sect!" Yao Da's expression was ugly, his brows tightly furrowed as he watched the group warily.

Inwardly, however, he was growing anxious. The Black Emperor Sect's men have already appeared. Where are those fellows from Demon Flame Valley? People are running wild right outside your doorstep. At least make a sound!

Could it be that Demon Flame Valley's people have no interest in a Heavenly Flame?

"Young Sect Master, I can sense an extremely dense fire-attribute power on Yao Da. There is no mistaking this power. It is a Heavenly Flame. They definitely possess a treasure connected to a Heavenly Flame."

The alchemist beside Mo Ya was Qi Shan, the Black Emperor Sect Chief Alchemist. At this moment, he stared at Yao Da with blazing eyes, as though he wished to swallow him alive and strip him bare.

He was already extremely close to becoming a Sixth-grade Alchemist. If he obtained this Heavenly Flame, that rank would no longer be an extravagant dream. In the future, he could even aspire to become a seventh-grade alchemist.

At Qi Shan's words, the Yao Brothers' expressions immediately "changed drastically," and the surrounding atmosphere grew even heavier.

Now, with another Peak Fifth-Grade Alchemist vouching for it, this Heavenly Flame had to be real!

"Huff..." Heavy breathing sounded from countless places in the shadows. Clearly, those drawn here were by no means limited to these few people.

Having received confirmation from his sect's alchemist, Mo Ya's eyes immediately lit up. With a friendly expression, he addressed the Yao Brothers. "You three inadvertently offended the Gold Silver Elders back then. I imagine it was an unintentional mistake. If you join the Black Emperor Sect today, I, Mo Ya, am willing to act as mediator and resolve the grudge between you."