In the bamboo courtyard, that burly figure slowly emerged.
He was an elderly man, tall and broad-shouldered, who, despite his advanced age, still exuded a sense of awe.
He wore a gray robe, his hair was gray, and his face was old, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, with a scrutinizing light.
This was none other than Elder Ban, the veteran Dou Emperor- level expert from the Black-Corner Region, whom Han Feng had mentioned.
Xiao Yan met his gaze without flinching.
Elder Ban stared at Xiao Yan for a moment, then suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
"Not bad, kid. You managed to remain unmoved under my pressure; you've got some skill."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"You flatter me, senior."
Elder Ban waved his hand, said nothing more, and turned to walk back to the back of the bamboo house.
Upon seeing this, Han Feng smiled and warmly invited Xiao Yan and Fan Lao into the bamboo building.
"Come, come, please come in. Sect Leader Fan is a regular customer, but this is Brother Tang's first time here. Please be sure to try my fine tea."
The bamboo house looks much more spacious inside than from the outside.
The first floor is a reception room, which is decorated very elegantly.
Bamboo tables and chairs, bamboo screens, several landscape paintings hanging on the wall, and a bronze incense burner in the corner, from which wisps of smoke rise, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance.
Han Feng invited the two to sit down and personally brewed tea.
"This is top-grade cloud and mist tea that I brought back from Central Plains. Only a few kilograms are produced each year, and I can't even bear to drink it myself."
Han Feng brewed tea and said to the two with a smile:
"It is an honor to have Sect Leader Fan and Brother Tang grace us with their presence today, so we must naturally prepare a feast to entertain our distinguished guests."
Xiao Yan picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
Upon tasting the tea, a refreshing sweetness spreads across the tongue; it is indeed a fine tea.
But his mind was not on the tea at all.
Although Han Feng appeared gentle and refined, spoke politely, and had the demeanor of a gentleman.
But Xiao Yan could sense that beneath that gentle exterior lay a ferocious beast that would devour anyone it wanted.
Those narrow eyes, with their occasional flashes of light, carried a chilling, calculating quality.
For the sake of profit, the other party can abandon everything, or turn their back on you in an instant.
" Brother Tang, I've never heard of you before. With such strength, you shouldn't be so unknown."
Han Feng put down his teacup and asked casually.
Xiao Yan remained completely calm, having already prepared his explanation.
"To my shame, I encountered some misfortunes a few years ago and was hunted down. I had no choice but to hide in this Black-Corner Region. However, I've been healing my wounds and haven't been out much."
As Xiao Yan spoke, his gaze met Han Feng's, and he continued:
"I came out of seclusion this time because I heard about the changes in the Black-Corner Region, which is why I rushed to Maple City. I hope you two will take good care of me during this trip."
Han Feng's eyes lit up. Alone and powerful, wasn't this a ready-made thug?
"Oh? That's great. What our Black-Corner Region lacks most are strong individuals who can both fight and withstand attacks."
Han Feng's face was beaming with joy, he seemed very happy.
He paused, a Sisi hesitation on his face, before continuing to speak to Xiao Yan:
" Brother Tang, would you be willing to join us? The reason I've gathered everyone here is because of the recent events in the Black-Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy."
Xiao Yan drank his tea in silence, appearing completely at ease.
Han Feng and Fan Lao exchanged a glance, Fan Lao spoke up from the side:
" Brother Tang has been in seclusion for a long time, so you may not know that Jia Nan Academy, relying on the support of powerful figures from the continent, has been imprisoning Heavenly Flames all these years."
We were entrusted by Maple City to jointly seize the Heavenly Flames, but we never expected that Jia Nan Academy would do such a wasteful thing, and instead start to kill the people of our Black-Corner Region.
They plunder our resources, slaughter our people, they don't even treat us like human beings!
Fan Lao spoke with righteous indignation, as if Jia Nan Academy were an unpardonable tyrant.
Xiao Yan sneered inwardly.
He witnessed the battle firsthand and knew the truth.
It was clearly the people from the Black-Corner Region who took advantage of the chaos to try and seize the Heavenly Flames, but they were utterly defeated by Xiao Huohuo.
Now they're turning around and blaming Jia Nan Academy as invaders?
But he remained expressionless, only slightly frowning.
"Is this really true?"
"Absolutely true!"
Fan Lao slammed his fist on the table and said angrily:
"Over the years, the Black-Corner Region has repeatedly tolerated us, but Jia Nan Academy has gone even further, sending people to attack various forces in our Black-Corner Region."
How many people have died in my Blood Sect!
That Elder Qian is arrogant and domineering; he doesn't take us seriously at all!
"So, the reason Medicine Emperor Han has summoned everyone this time is to..."
"That's right!"
Han Feng picked up the conversation, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"We must unite and fight against the Jia Nan Academy! They've gone too far; we can't stand idly by any longer!"
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"Is Medicine Emperor Han planning to form an alliance?"
Han Feng's eyes lit up, and he looked at Xiao Yan with approval.
" Brother Tang is indeed wise. That's right. Although our Black-Corner Region has many strong individuals, they fight individually and are a disorganized mess. They are no match for the Jia Nan Academy."
Only by uniting and working together as one can we stand against them.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the bamboo forest.
"Three days later, the leaders of all the major forces in the Black-Corner Region will Maple City."
At that time, I will propose forming an alliance to jointly fight against the Jia Nan Academy.
"If Brother Tang is willing to join, I Han Feng, will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment.
Join the alliance?
This is a good opportunity.
If we can infiltrate the Black Alliance, we can keep track of their movements immediately and provide support for the Jia Nan Academy.
Xiao Huohuo is still Fused Heavenly Flame at the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and it's unknown when he will wake up.
Before he woke up, Jia Nan Academy was fighting alone.
If the Black Alliance could be weakened from within, or at least its intelligence could be obtained, it would be a great help to the Jia Nan Academy.
Although Xiao Yan didn't have much affection for the Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Huohuo was willing to risk his life to protect the Inner Academy, and Xiao Yan was also willing to help him continue to protect it.
"Since Medicine Emperor Han thinks so highly of me, then I shall respectfully accept your offer," Xiao Yan said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Han Feng was overjoyed.
"Great! With Brother Tang joining us, our chances of winning have increased even more!"
Fan Lao was grinning from ear to ear, as if he could already see the day when the Blood Sect would rise again.
The three chatted for a while longer before Fan Lao got up to take his leave, inviting Xiao Yan to accompany him to the Blood Sect's base there.
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, and then the two bowed to Han Feng to take their leave, and left the bamboo forest together.
Upon returning to the Blood Sect's base in Maple City, Fan Lao personally arranged a superior room for Xiao Yan.
" Brother Tang, please stay here comfortably for the next few days. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"Thank you Sect Leader Fan."
Fan Lao waved his hand and laughed:
"No need to thank me. From now on, we're in the same boat."
Xiao Yan smiled but didn't reply.
After Fan Lao left, Xiao Yan closed the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to regulate his breathing.
He must be in top form for the league conference three days from now.
Otherwise, given the nature of those people in the Black-Corner Region, they would probably turn on him on the spot if they discovered that he was not strong enough.
He chose to join the league, not to start as a lowly soldier.
Xiao Yan closed his eyes, and his Soul Power slowly circulated within his body.
The Bone Spirit Cold Flame and the Green Lotus Core Flame circulated through the meridians, nourishing every inch of flesh and blood.
His current training is solely to maintain his peak condition.
Time ticked by, second by second.