Fighting: I am Han Feng, I respect my teacher

Of course, discussing the fight against the Soul Clan is also a legitimate reason.

In any case, the key is to be able to communicate with the high-ranking members of the Yan Clan. If they can't even meet them, there's no point in talking about anything else.

Han Feng followed the guards deep into the Yan Clan's territory and finally saw what the Yan Clan was supposed to be like.

A dim spatial energy flowed, and Han Feng stepped out of the passage, where a bright and clear view suddenly appeared before him.

The entire fiery domain resembled a city forged from flames.

The sky was covered by pale red fiery clouds, and the temperature between heaven and earth was almost enough to make one's blood boil.

Wisps of crimson flames floated in the air, and every breath felt like inhaling scalding fire.

However, Han Feng did not show any discomfort. On the contrary, he felt a comfortable feeling of his fighting spirit flowing smoothly.

Red rocks covered the ground, and flames rose from the earth's veins from time to time, forming winding fire patterns that flowed with a mysterious rhythm underfoot.

The buildings on both sides of the street are mostly made of rock crystal, with upturned roof ridges and carvings of totems such as firebirds, burning suns, and blazing dragons.

Further away, a towering volcanic peak, resembling the throne of a fire god, spews forth dark red lava, reflecting across the entire fiery sky.

"This is truly the land of a tribe that reveres fire..."

Han Feng sighed softly.

Compared to the Yan Clan, the Burning Flame Valley is really nothing.

As you walk, you can occasionally see some Yan Clan disciples cultivating. They are either sitting cross-legged on scorching rocks or bathing in lava springs. All of them have solemn expressions, their bodies are surrounded by flames, and their fire-attribute battle qi is extremely rich.

Compared to the Burning Flame Valley, the Flame Clan's environment is more extreme and more suitable for fire-based cultivation; it is practically a natural land for fire spirits.

Of course, most of the people here are also fire-attribute cultivators. If they are not fire-attribute, they may be sent to live in the border areas.

This realm of flames is a treasure trove for fire-attribute cultivators, but for those of other attributes, especially wood and water, it is pure torture.

Soon, a magnificent palace came into view.

The main hall is towering, with the three characters "Yanxin Hall" hanging at the entrance. The characters are carved like fire knives, and the strokes exude a fiery aura, as if they are about to burst into flames at any moment.

Outside the main hall, there were two guards, both of whom were peak Dou Zun experts. Their auras were like churning magma, exuding an imposing presence without anger.

"Zhu Que of the Soul-Slaying Division requests an audience with the elders."

The guards announced the news loudly.

A moment later, the door slowly opened, and a strong aura of flames rushed out, as if stepping into an earth-fire furnace.

Han Feng stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the hall, his pupils slightly contracting.

This "Flame Heart Palace" is the council hall of the Flame Clan. The interior space is extremely spacious, with a dome that hangs high like an inverted fire. Nine holy flame lamps that never go out burn around it, and firebirds circling and fire dragons roaring in the light. They were formed by generations of powerful members of the Flame Clan using their own fighting spirit and heart fire.

In the main hall, all the high-ranking members of the Yan Clan were seated.

At the head of the group, a middle-aged man dressed in a crimson-gold robe with fiery red hair sat in the center.

His gaze was as intense as the sun; though he didn't move an inch, it exuded an oppressive aura that was hard to look directly at.

His aura seemed to resonate with the entire fiery domain; with each breath, it seemed to stir mountains and magma, and shake the void.

This person is none other than Yan Jin, the lord of the Yan Clan!

One of the top Dou Sheng powerhouses on the mainland.

Han Feng was shocked because he saw the other person in the hall. The resonance between their auras, even though he had never seen him before, made Han Feng certain that this person was the Yan Clan Chief, a Dou Sheng powerhouse at the late stage of the Eight-Star Dou Sheng!

I never expected to see him so directly...

"Are you the Flame Lord of the Soul Slaughtering Division, Vermilion Bird?"

Yan Jin spoke, his voice like rolling magma, deep and powerful.

"Zhu Que of the Soul-Slaying Division greets the Chief of the Yan Clan."

Han Feng bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant. Yan Jin nodded, his gaze quickly falling on the slowly rotating strange fire beside Han Feng.

A look of surprise flashed across his eyes: "This is... the Southern Bright Fire? And it seems to have fused with the power of other strange fires?"

Han Feng smiled and said, "Clan Chief Yan Jin has a good eye. This fire is indeed a fusion fire."

Several elders nearby looked on in surprise. Just then, a light flame wave quietly swept through the hall, as gentle as a spring breeze caressing willows, yet carrying an inexplicable power.

A woman's figure slowly emerged from the side hall.

She was dressed in red, with long hair flowing over her shoulders, skin as white as snow, and a red lotus mark between her brows that gave her a touch of ethereal beauty.

The woman's figure was graceful and composed, surrounded by a fiery spiritual aura that seemed intense but was not scorching; instead, it was as warm and gentle as jade.

When she entered the hall, many elders unconsciously restrained their expressions, and Han Feng was also attracted by the aura emanating from her—it was an aura different from the oppressive aura of combat techniques, more like the innate appearance of a fire spirit.

"I have met the Fire Spirit Fairy."

Han Feng said.

He learned the woman's identity from the information Gu Yuan gave him, and also learned that she preferred to be called Fire Spirit Fairy, not Fire Spirit Elder.

Huo Ling smiled, her eyes flickered, and her voice was soft and melodious, yet still authoritative: "Are you from the Soul Extermination Division?"

"Exactly."

"The spark you brought... is quite interesting."

Huo Ling glanced at Nanming Li Huo, then sat down in his seat, his number second only to the clan leader Yan Jin.

"The Vermilion Bird is the sacred totem of the Southern Li Empire. Are you connected to that place?"

From the head seat, Yan Jin spoke again.

Han Feng nodded.

"I once made a deal with the royal family of the Southern Li Empire. This fire was forged using the Vermilion Bird's legacy."

Yan Jin narrowed his eyes.

He could see the terrifying energy contained within the strange fire beside Han Feng.

The fusion of different flames is an extremely rare occurrence on the continent. Even he relied on his powerful cultivation to forcibly fuse different flames.

The flame before us clearly contains more than one fused strange fire, making it impossible to discern its true nature.

The Soul-Slaying Division truly lives up to its name...

"Tell me why you're here."

"Yan Jin said."

All the elders in the hall turned their gazes toward Han Feng.

Han Feng stepped forward and said:

"Elders, I have come here on behalf of the Soul Extermination Division, and I have only one request."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his expression calm: "The Soul Clan's ambitions have been revealed. Their accumulation over the past thousand years has never ceased. Now, not only do they covet the Spirit Clan and commit brutal acts against them, but they have also secretly infiltrated various parties, attempting to recreate the 'Cataclysm of Annihilation' of that year. If they are allowed to grow stronger, the Dou Qi Continent will surely be plunged into another bloodbath, and no race will be able to remain unscathed."

"As the Flame Lord of the Soul Slaughtering Division, my duty is to track down the Soul Clan and slay their henchmen. My purpose in coming to the Flame Clan this time is not for personal gain, but to find a way to fight together."

“I know that the Yan Clan has a profound foundation and many powerful figures. They are the true lineage of fire. Out of respect, I specially requested to visit the Yan Clan and wish to meet the heroes of the Yan Clan.”

Han Feng looked at everyone and opened his arms.

"This battle is not just a matter for one clan, but a responsibility for all living beings under heaven."

"Therefore, I earnestly request that the Yan Clan form a temporary alliance with our company, which can be either overt or covert, to share information and provide mutual support when necessary."

"If there are any doubts within the clan, I am willing to provide information on several of the Soul Clan's hidden strongholds as evidence in exchange for a chance to cooperate."

As Han Feng finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

The intense heat, like a furnace at the earth's core, seemed to hold its breath, with only the nine sacred flame lamps flickering gently, reflecting the solemn expressions on everyone's faces.

The Yan Clan's high-ranking members remained silent, seemingly pondering the truth of Han Feng's words, or perhaps weighing the pros and cons.

After a moment, an elder on the left, with white hair and beard but eyes that blazed with fire, spoke in a deep voice: "The Soul Clan is indeed hateful, but the Soul Extermination Bureau was established in secret and has a complicated history. Although you speak righteously, who can guarantee that what you say is true? How much value does the 'intelligence' you speak of have?"

Another middle-aged elder spoke up, saying, "Moreover, the Yan Clan is not one to fear war. If the Soul Clan dares to make a move, our clan will naturally fight back. Why should we form an alliance with your clan in secret? Who knows if you have other plans behind your back?"

The tone wasn't exactly hostile, but it didn't hide any wariness either.

Han Feng was not angered by the other party's wariness. Instead, he smiled slightly and said calmly, "I completely understand your concerns. That is why I chose to visit you proactively rather than act in secret."

He took out several more scrolls from his bosom, and with a gentle lift of his hand, the scrolls flew into the air and unfurled on their own.

With a flash of light and shadow, maps of Soul Clan strongholds, outposts, and portraits of figures appeared amidst the fiery clouds atop the palace.

"These are images of the Soul Clan's massacre that our company discovered from various locations."

In the scene, the people of the Soul Palace are harvesting the souls of cultivators from all over the world, causing widespread suffering and misery.

"Wait, isn't this the Soul Palace?"

An elder interrupted Han Feng.

"This is indeed the Soul Palace."

Han Feng said.

"Since it's the Soul Palace, it's something that can't be discussed openly. What's there to talk about?"

The elder, hot-tempered, said impatiently.

Han Feng looked at the elder, his gaze calm.

"Not presentable?"

"Elder, I think you must know who is behind the Soul Palace."

Even so...

At this moment, Fairy Fire Spirit suddenly spoke up: "Elder Li."

Upon hearing Huo Ling speak, the elder's arrogance instantly diminished, and he muttered a couple of things before falling silent.

"Our Yan Clan is naturally paying attention to what the Soul Palace is doing, but haven't you Soul Extermination Division always handled these matters very well? If I'm not mistaken, these places have already been pacified by you, haven't they?"

"Fire Spirit said."

"The Fire Spirit Fairy is right, but the implications of this matter are not as simple as you all imagine."

Han Feng continued.

"The reason why the Soul Palace risked becoming an enemy of the world and carried out large-scale killings was actually to collect soul essence to help a nine-star Dou Sheng powerhouse in the Soul Clan advance to the Emperor Realm soul."

Upon hearing Han Feng's words, the expressions of the Yan Clan members all darkened.

"Nine-Star Dou Sheng, you mean Void Devouring Flame?"

The secrets known by the Fire Spirit Fairy are of the same level as those known to Yan Jin, the patriarch of the Yan Clan, and are of the highest caliber.

Clearly, Gu Yuan had made many preparations in advance.

Han Feng nodded.

“Once the Void Devouring Flame advances to the Emperor Realm Soul, our danger will become even greater. At that time, it will not be a matter of whether the Flame Clan is willing to take action, but rather that even if we join forces, we may not be able to defeat the Soul Clan.”

"Aren't your words a bit too encouraging of others?"

The Yan Clan elder couldn't help but speak again.

Before a real fight, or rather, before a crushing defeat, no one is willing to admit their weakness.

Han Feng looked at the other party, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "In that case, I am willing to use myself as a bargaining chip to fight against you elders and see if I have boosted their morale or if you have underestimated us."

Chapter 451 Showdown with Flame Ember

A powerful aura erupted from the Flame Clan elder, pressing down directly on Han Feng.

"You said it yourself!"

A cold smile appeared on the lips of the Yan Clan elder.

"I really want to see what makes Suzaku of the Soul Extermination Division so formidable."

The Soul Slaughtering Division is a secretive force, and many people are unaware of its true strength.

Although the Yan Clan had heard some rumors, they were equally curious about the specific combat strength of the Soul Extermination Division.

Therefore, this is a good opportunity to test the skills of the Flame Lord Vermilion Bird and also to explore the true strength of the Soul Slaughtering Division.