Chapter 288: Black Alliance vs. Yuan Mansion
High above in the sky, the sound of rushing wind suddenly echoed, followed by numerous dark figures appearing in the distance. These figures rapidly approached, their speed creating wind pressure that carved visible trenches through the forest below, as if the very air was cutting through the landscape like water.
The overwhelming aura released by such a massive group of powerful individuals caused all the magical beasts in the surrounding mountains to shudder and whimper in fear. Even the more formidable high-tier magical beasts did not dare to make a sound. With their rudimentary intelligence, they instinctively understood that this immense force was capable of sweeping through the entire mountain range.
"We're almost at Di Yan City… no, it's been renamed Mo City by Yuan Mansion now. Everyone, stay alert!"
As the figures streaked across the sky, a cold voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Alliance leader, have you found out the strength of Yuan Mansion?" a figure asked, slowly emerging into view—it was Fan Lao, the sect master of the former Blood Sect.
"Yes, we've gathered enough information. Yuan Mansion is indeed home to many powerful individuals. Besides Mo Yu, the one who killed Gao Li, they have seven or eight Dou Kings. Moreover, the head of Yuan Mansion's Lion Hall, despite being a Dou King, managed to challenge a Dou Emperor. That's how Yan was defeated—he's either dead or missing," Han Feng replied, his gaze turning cold as he looked toward the distant mountains.
"Yuan Mansion is this powerful already? It's stronger than most top-tier forces," Fan Lao said with a slight frown.
Before joining the Black Alliance, his Blood Sect had only one Dou Emperor and three or four Dou Kings. Yuan Mansion, though newly risen, already boasted many powerful fighters, surpassing some long-established factions.
"I'm not entirely sure. Besides some Canaan Academy students and a few notable experts from the Black-Corner Region, the rest of Yuan Mansion's members seem to have appeared out of nowhere. Mo Yu comes from a small family in a remote empire, so he couldn't have relied on family support. To build such a force from scratch is impressive. If given more time, he might truly make a name for himself in the Black-Corner Region," Han Feng sneered.
"Haha, even though Yuan Mansion has many strong members, most are just Dou Kings. On the other hand, our Black Alliance is filled with Dou Emperors, and we have the Gold and Silver Elders, who together can rival a Dou Ancestor. With our combined strength against Yuan Mansion, they'll be crushed. Even if Canaan Academy tries to intervene, they won't make it in time," said Yuan Yi, a two-star Dou Emperor and former leader of the Eight Gates.
The Black Alliance was composed of Han Feng, the Gold and Silver Elders, the seven-star Dou Emperor Ban Lao, the four-star Dou Emperor Fan Lao, and Yuan Yi. With such a powerful group, attacking Yuan Mansion was like using a sledgehammer to crush a fly—it would be effortless.
"Still, let's not get careless. That kid Mo Yu is tricky. We should finish this quickly and cut off Canaan Academy's influence in the Black-Corner Region before they can react. Otherwise, if Yuan Mansion and the academy join forces, we'll be at a disadvantage," Han Feng said with a sinister smile.
"No worries. The two of us will take care of Mo Yu first. The rest of Yuan Mansion won't be a problem," the Gold and Silver Elders added.
Even these two, who could rival a Dou Ancestor when fighting together, felt wary of Mo Yu's terrifying talent. They knew it would be best to kill him while he was still growing to prevent future troubles. If Mo Yu were allowed to reach his full potential, he would become a dangerous foe.
"Thank you, both," Han Feng said with a smile, then turned his gaze to the horizon. The mountains were gradually disappearing, and in the distance, the outline of a city was becoming more and more visible.
"We're almost there," Han Feng said, his eyes gleaming with cold intent as his voice rang out for all to hear. "Di Yan Sect was supposed to join our Black Alliance, but Yuan Mansion destroyed them. Shouldn't we avenge them?"
"Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!" The roar of anger filled the sky, and the collective aura surged upward. The pressure they released was so intense that even the clouds above them shattered into countless fragments, scattering across the sky.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
In the distance, the dark silhouettes shot through the air like meteors, heading straight for the renowned city that stood in the Black-Corner Region.
The massive aura exuded by the Black Alliance was not hidden. Even before they arrived, the pressure from their presence enveloped Mo City, silencing the previously bustling streets. Everywhere, startled eyes turned toward the source of the overwhelming power.
Only a few days earlier, Yuan Mansion had launched a grand assault on Di Yan Sect, and now an even stronger force had appeared. It seemed Mo City had become quite a hot spot for conflict lately.
"Who dares to trespass on Yuan Mansion's territory!?"
Not long after the Black Alliance's aura blanketed the city, numerous figures shot out from the grand buildings at the city's center, hovering in the air.
The man at the front had a long, narrow scar across his face and wielded a sharp, gleaming sword. His voice, laced with sword energy, boomed across the sky like rolling thunder.
As the crowd below watched the figures appear, the city erupted into murmurs.
"It's Han Feng! Medicine Emperor Han Feng! What's he doing here? He doesn't seem to have good intentions."
"You shouldn't call him the Medicine Emperor anymore. I heard that after he repelled Canaan Academy's attack, he formed the Black Alliance with several powerful forces in the Black-Corner Region. He's now the Black Alliance's leader—Alliance Leader Han!"
"Alliance Leader Han? Why is he here with so many powerful people?"
"I heard Di Yan Sect was supposed to join the Black Alliance, but Yuan Mansion wiped them out. The Black Alliance must be here to settle the score with Yuan Mansion."
Many in the city speculated aloud. As Mo City's new rulers, Yuan Mansion had quickly risen to prominence in the past few days. In the Black-Corner Region, strength ruled, and Yuan Mansion's reputation came from its victory over Di Yan Sect.
But now, with the arrival of the Black Alliance, even stronger than Yuan Mansion, many were eager to see how this confrontation would unfold.
"Oh? It's Autumn Water, the Death Sword. I didn't expect you to reach Dou King level and join Yuan Mansion," remarked Ban Lao, standing next to Han Feng. He sounded surprised to see the famed swordmaster among Yuan Mansion's ranks.
The Death Sword had once been well-known throughout the Black-Corner Region. Many factions had tried to recruit him, but he had turned them all down—until now, it seemed.
"This is Yuan Mansion's territory. I suggest you leave immediately," Autumn Water responded sharply, ignoring Ban Lao's comment.
"Summon your leader. You don't have the qualifications to speak with me," Han Feng said with a cold smile.
"Han Feng, I didn't expect you to have the nerve to come to Mo City. Didn't the Grand Elder's last lesson teach you enough? Have you come here to die?"
As soon as Han Feng finished speaking, a clear, youthful voice echoed from deep within the city. Moments later, several figures appeared in the sky, drawing the attention of all below.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Figures rapidly flashed through the air, hovering just outside Mo City. A powerful aura spread across the heavens, enveloping everything below.
"It's Mo Yu, the leader of Yuan Mansion! And there's the heads and deputies of Lion Hall, Black Wolf Hall, and Tiger Hall. Looks like another major battle is about to break out."
The crowd in Mo City buzzed with anticipation. Since Yuan Mansion had established its base here, the city's residents had learned much about its internal structure, including the names and roles of its various hall leaders.
The more they learned, the more formidable Yuan Mansion seemed. Despite being a new force, it was already stronger than many long-established factions.
Now, seeing the aggressive Black Alliance and the grim, prepared leaders of Yuan Mansion, everyone knew that a confrontation was inevitable.
Han Feng's eyes narrowed as he scanned the Yuan Mansion leaders, eventually focusing on Mo Yu. A cold smile spread across his face as he spoke.
"I never thought a mere student from the Inner Academy would build such a large force in the Black-Corner Region. Aren't you afraid the higher-ups at Canaan Academy will find out and punish you? Why not join my Black Alliance instead? I can offer you a position as an elder, and we won't restrict your movements. What do you think, Mo Yu?"
Mo Yu laughed off Han Feng's lowly attempt to sow discord. "That's Canaan Academy's business. You don't need to worry about it. As for your visit today, it seems you didn't come with good intentions."
Mo Yu saw right through Han Feng's plan. Everyone knew about Mo Yu's connection to Xiao Yan, and with Xiao Yan presumed dead, Han Feng was now his enemy. Han Feng's offer was nothing more than an attempt to drive a wedge between Yuan Mansion and Canaan Academy.
Mo Yu saw through it easily, but as he observed the powerful figures standing beside Han Feng, his silver eyes narrowed. Han Feng had brought nearly all of the Black Alliance's strength, a clear indication of how seriously he was taking Yuan Mansion.
Mo Yu couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. Fortunately, he had prepared several trump cards in the past few days. Without them, going up against the Black Alliance without Canaan Academy's support would have been disastrous for Yuan Mansion.
"Hmph! You're asking for it, then. Di Yan Sect was supposed to join the Black Alliance, but you destroyed them. Today, I'll make you pay for that!" Han Feng's voice turned cold as he glared at Mo Yu. "I'll make sure to leave you with a whole corpse, out of respect for Canaan Academy."
"Black Alliance, hear my command!"
With a wave of Han Feng's hand, he barked, "Di Yan Sect was going to join us, but Yuan Mansion killed them. If we don't avenge them, who will ever dare to join us again? Show them no mercy—let them pay for their crimes!"
"Yes!"
With Han Feng's command, the leaders of the Black Alliance, who had been growing restless, unleashed their auras and stared menacingly at the Yuan Mansion group.
"Kid, it's your bad luck to cross paths with the Black Alliance. Maybe next time, you'll know better!"
With a sinister laugh, two figures, one gold and one silver, shot through the air like lightning. Their combined power was overwhelming as they closed in on Mo Yu from above, aiming a deadly strike at his head.
The watching crowd gasped. No one had expected the infamous Gold and Silver Elders to ambush a much weaker opponent.
As the terrifying claw attack closed in, Mo Yu didn't panic. Instead, a faint smile played on his lips, one filled with hidden meaning.
Han Feng's previously confident expression faltered as a sense of foreboding crept into his heart.
The next moment, a brilliant crimson light exploded in front of Mo Yu, and from within the flames, a red figure emerged.
"Boom!"
The crimson light revealed a red arm that shot forward, meeting the Gold and Silver Elders' deadly attack head-on. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, creating a web of cracks in the ground below.
"Bang!"
The red arm held the Gold and Silver Elders' combined attack at bay for only a moment before the two elders were forced back, their feet stumbling through the air as they retreated several steps.
The sudden turn of events left everyone frozen in shock. Even the Gold and Silver Elders, two of the Black-Corner Region's most feared figures, had been repelled.
Steadying themselves, the two elders looked up in shock, their eyes locked on the red figure. "Who are you? This is a matter for the Black Alliance—don't interfere!"
Under the elders' stunned gaze, the crimson light faded, revealing a towering figure made of fire, shaped like a human.
The figure was massive, resembling a small giant. Its skin was fiery red, its eyes empty save for a flickering flame, and most curiously, it emitted no aura at all.
As the onlookers below rubbed their eyes in disbelief, their jaws dropped.
"Is that… the Fire-Yao Puppet?"
(End of Chapter)
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