Chapter 5: I Want a Heavenly Flame
The butler had just turned to leave when Han Feng was struck by an ominous premonition. He had a feeling that if he didn't meet this visitor personally, a great calamity would befall him.
This was why Han Feng felt such a sudden sense of foreboding. Just as the butler took a step, Han Feng called out to him.
"I need to know who this person is and which faction they represent," Han Feng muttered to himself. "Only then can I calm this restless heart."
"Han An, did the visitors state their faction? What brings them here?" Han Feng's majestic voice resonated from the pill refining room.
"The man said he comes from the Hall of Souls and is seeking medicine," Han An replied respectfully.
Bang!
No sooner had Han An finished speaking than the door to the refining room burst open. Han Feng stood in the doorway, his brows slightly furrowed.
A look of surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly concealed it. He looked at Han An and asked in a deep voice, "Which faction did you say they are from?"
Han An was startled by Han Feng's sudden appearance. Hearing the question, he immediately bowed. "The other party claimed to be from the Hall of Souls."
Swoosh!
Before Han An could even finish his sentence, Han Feng had vanished from the doorway, heading straight for the main gate.
Han Feng was shocked. Why would people from the Hall of Souls come looking for him? And to do so openly was completely out of character for the secretive Hall of Souls!
Yet, he did not doubt the visitor's identity. Han Feng understood that the Hall of Souls was a mysterious, terrifying, and powerful force. No one dared to impersonate them unless they were tired of living.
Of course, the possibility couldn't be entirely ruled out. But regardless of whether it was true or false, Han Feng had to see for himself.
If it was true, fine. But if it was false? Then Han Feng would exact a terrible price without the Hall of Souls needing to intervene. Anyone who dared to deceive him would pay with their life.
Han An watched as his master left so quickly he was a mere blur. He was shocked. What kind of organization was this Hall of Souls? Why did the master act so strangely upon merely hearing their name?
Creak!
The gates of the Han residence swung fully open. Han Feng stood there, his sharp gaze sweeping over An Bufan and the Hun Clan's Four Demon Saints.
He immediately felt a chill run down his spine. Their aura was as deep and unfathomable as the abyss. Han Feng knew instantly that he was no match for any of these five.
At this moment, Han Feng had no doubts about their identities. What a joke! Would such terrifying powerhouses need to impersonate members of the Hall of Souls? There was no need at all.
Although he didn't understand why these five were operating so openly, unlike the usual style of the Hall of Souls, Han Feng only needed to know one thing: they were stronger than him. That meant they were right, no matter what they did.
"This humble one, Han Feng, greets the five esteemed lords." Han Feng bowed slightly, showing exceptional respect.
"You are Han Feng? Yao Chen's disciple?" An Bufan's star-like gaze fell upon him.
"Yes, my lord!" Han Feng replied without hesitation.
Under that gaze, Han Feng felt completely exposed, as if he were naked before them with no secrets left. For Han Feng to feel this way meant that this person was terrifyingly strong.
"You are very good!" An Bufan offered his evaluation.
"Thank you, sir!"
...
Inside the main hall of the Han residence, Han Feng respectfully welcomed the five guests. He couldn't very well let them stand at the entrance unless he had a death wish.
Although he didn't know their specific identities, it was best to be respectful.
"Han Feng, do you know the purpose of our visit?" An Bufan asked directly upon entering the hall, dispensing with pleasantries.
Han Feng shook his head. "This humble one does not know."
Since plotting against his teacher, Yao Chen, many years ago, Han Feng had not been in contact with the Hall of Souls for a long time. If not for the appearance of these five people, he might have forgotten about the organization entirely.
Therefore, he had no idea why they had come.
Were they seeking medicinal pills? That was impossible. Han Feng was merely a Tier 6 Alchemist. Such alchemists were common enough in the Hall of Souls; there was no need for them to seek out the "Medicine King" of the Black-Corner Region for pills.
They must have other business.
"Han Feng, I have come to borrow something from you," An Bufan stated, looking at him.
"Borrow something?" Han Feng murmured, puzzled.
What could the Hall of Souls possibly lack that they needed to borrow from him?
Could it be... his head?
The thought made Han Feng break out in a cold sweat. If they wanted his life, he had no way to escape their terrifying strength.
An Bufan seemed to see right through his thoughts and smiled. "Do not worry, I am not here to borrow your head."
"Phew..."
Han Feng exhaled a long breath, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He smiled awkwardly. "My lord, what is it that you wish to borrow?"
In Han Feng's view, as long as it wasn't his life, anything else was negotiable. He cared for nothing but his own survival.
"I want to borrow your Heavenly Flame!" An Bufan said slowly, without hesitation.
After speaking, his sharp gaze locked onto Han Feng, waiting for his response.
If he refused? Then An Bufan would have no choice but to kill him.
If he agreed? Then Han Feng's life could be spared.
"Heavenly... Heavenly Flame?" Han Feng's voice trembled.
He never expected that the other party would come for the Heavenly Flame. He truly hadn't seen this coming!
He indeed possessed a Heavenly Flame: the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. It was a treasure he had obtained after enduring countless hardships and sacrifices.
Now, these five people had come to his door, demanding the Sea Heart Flame he had worked so hard to obtain.
How could Han Feng possibly accept this?