Han Feng arrived at the competition venue by carriage. At first glance, it was spacious and grand.
Upon closer inspection, there was an open-air stone stage, elevated seating for spectators, and the floor was decorated with exquisite ores. The main building in the distance had clearly been renovated, with a huge character for "Feng" that was domineering and majestic, showcasing the style of Feng City.
"Is this a bit too ostentatious?" Han Feng remarked.
"Only in this way can it reflect your status, City Lord. You are the only seventh-grade alchemist in the entire Black-Corner Region!"
"Alright then."
Han Feng nodded. The competition was about to begin, and he didn't want any more trouble. Ostentatious it was.
After a tour of inspection, Elder Liu introduced the details of the design and the arrangements for after the competition began.
Han Feng made a few small suggestions, but overall, he was very satisfied.
Three days later, the team from Jia Nan Academy arrived in Feng City.
Han Feng personally went out of the city to welcome them. The leader of the opposing group was Elder Huo from the alchemy department, a fifth-grade alchemist and a Dou Emperor expert.
"Elder Huo, I trust you've been well since we last met."
"Medicine Emperor."
In public, Elder Huo couldn't afford to be impolite. Although the Great Elder had told him to be careful of Han Feng, the man was now the host and was being so enthusiastic.
Elder Huo clasped his fist in a salute, appearing quite courteous.
"Welcome, teachers and students of Jia Nan Academy, to be our guests in Feng City. Rest well today. I look forward to your performance in the competition tomorrow."
Han Feng looked at the team behind Elder Huo and said a few simple words of encouragement.
These students were not involved in too many of the secrets of the Black-Corner Region and did not know much about Han Feng's affairs. Now, seeing his gentle and refined appearance, a good impression immediately formed in their hearts.
He was a seventh-grade alchemist, after all, a role model on their path forward. They didn't expect him to encourage them in person.
"I heard that the top three in this alchemy competition will have a chance to receive the Medicine Emperor's guidance."
"The first prize is even the formula for a sixth-grade Dou Spirit Pill. This is a priceless breakthrough-type pill. The Medicine Emperor is actually willing to take out such a treasure to teach others?"
It was impossible for these students not to be excited. They had never had such rewards in the academy.
After having the Maple Forest Guard lead the participating team to the designated inn to rest, Han Feng walked and talked with Elder Huo.
"The Medicine Emperor has really gone all out this time."
Elder Huo had Jia Nan Academy behind him, and he had come this time with the mission to probe Han Feng, so he did not back down.
"After all, it's the first time we're holding it, so it has to be a bit grand. If the rewards aren't tempting, how can we make the students of Jia Nan Academy willing to participate?"
Elder Huo asked curiously, "What is the purpose of the Medicine Emperor holding this alchemy competition? Could it be that you have taken a fancy to the students of my Jia Nan Academy?"
Han Feng smiled lightly. "What, does Jia Nan Academy not allow its students to graduate?"
Hearing this, Elder Huo smiled helplessly.
That's right. Their Jia Nan Academy was, in the end, just an academy.
After the students graduated, they were free to go where they pleased.
If someone really wanted to join Feng City, Jia Nan Academy had no right to stop them.
"Elder Huo, let's not talk about recruiting talent for now. I did indeed invite you all here this time because I have something to discuss."
"Oh?"
Elder Huo raised his eyebrows, his expression becoming serious.
Was it time to get to the main point?
Han Feng gathered his thoughts for a moment and said, "What do you think would happen to the Black-Corner Region if I were to join Jia Nan Academy?"
Elder Huo was stunned.
He was dazed for more than ten seconds before he looked sharply at Han Feng.
"Is the Medicine Emperor joking with me?"
If a seventh-grade alchemist were to join Jia Nan Academy, then it went without saying, the situation in the Black-Corner Region would probably become as silent as it was when Headmaster Mang Tianchi was present.
One must know that the appeal of a seventh-grade alchemist was extremely powerful. Inviting a Dou Ancestor expert was a piece of cake.
So even if Han Feng himself had not reached the Dou Ancestor cultivation level, no Dou Ancestor expert would underestimate him.
Looking at Han Feng's serious eyes, Elder Huo felt that the situation was slightly out of control. This was not something he could handle alone.
"If the Medicine Emperor is willing to condescend, my Jia Nan Academy would naturally welcome you. However, this matter is of great importance. I still need to discuss it with the Great Elder."
"Naturally. After all, the impression I left on Elder Su Qian is probably not too good."
Han Feng said frankly, an attitude that surprised Elder Huo.
"It might be a slight misunderstanding, but the Great Elder does indeed have a slight prejudice against the Medicine Emperor."
Elder Huo said this to give him a heads-up.
"In his opinion, since Su Qian had warned him to be careful of Han Feng, it was clear that he was interpreting Han Feng's actions with hostility."
So Han Feng would most likely not be able to get past the Great Elder.
"It's no matter. I'll talk to him personally later," Han Feng said with a slight smile.
"Hmm?"
Elder Huo was clearly taken aback, and then his soul power spread out slightly.
"Great Elder!"
"Old fellow Huo, it seems your soul perception is far inferior to the Medicine Emperor's."
Su Qian walked down from the sky with a displeased expression. He had heard the entire conversation between Han Feng and Elder Huo just now.
He hadn't expected Elder Huo to be so easily fooled by Han Feng.
Could it be that the status of a seventh-grade alchemist had also made him feel a sense of respect?
"Elder Su, since you've come, why not use the main gate? Do you think I don't welcome you?"
Han Feng looked at Su Qian, and his soul power vibrated slightly.
Su Qian, who was descending in a grand manner as if appearing before mortals, suddenly felt a pressure like a mountain. His expression changed, and he jumped down directly from mid-air.
Bang!
The heavy sound of landing sent out a circle of airwaves, and the dust on the roadside was kicked up.
Su Qian, enveloped in dust, was in a somewhat unsightly posture.
"Elder Huo, when you came in through the main gate just now, did you see the sign prohibiting flying during the competition?"
Elder Huo nodded with some embarrassment.
If he said he hadn't seen it, it would be a great disservice to his soul power as a fifth-grade alchemist.
"I did indeed see it."
Han Feng spread his hands and said to Su Qian, who had walked out of the dust, "You see, Elder Su, only by coming in through the city gate will you know what rules to follow."
Su Qian coughed twice and looked at Han Feng with a slightly puzzled gaze.
How did he do that?
He was clearly just a Dou Emperor, yet he had made him, a Dou Ancestor, suffer a setback.
Just now in mid-air, that mysterious force had already made him unable to control his body, to the point where he couldn't even maintain an elegant posture to land, making a fool of himself for no reason.
"I encountered some matters on the road and was delayed for a moment. Since I was late, I wanted to visit the Medicine Emperor directly," Su Qian casually made up an excuse.
Han Feng said seriously, "When you come to Feng City in the future, Elder Su, it would be better to use the main gate. Today it was me who was here. Otherwise, if the Maple Forest Guard were to treat you as an enemy, that would not be good."
Su Qian's brow twitched slightly.
If you hadn't interfered with my concealment just now, I wouldn't have been discovered.
Elder Huo, who was also a Dou Emperor, didn't notice either, did he?
Of course, since he had done something against the rules, Su Qian also realized that he was in the wrong, so he said with some annoyance, "Sorry, I will next time."
Han Feng smiled and shook his head.
"Elder Su, I heard you have some misunderstandings about me. How about we have a good chat today?"