CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117: INTIMIDATION_1

Seeing Qin Feiyang’s calm face, the black-robed elder was quite surprised. Are there still people in this world who aren’t afraid of death?

He took a step forward, almost teleporting, and in an instant, he was before Qin Feiyang. The two were practically face to face!

However, Qin Feiyang showed not the slightest fear, nor did he retreat a single step. He stared straight into the black-robed elder’s eyes and said, "Just say what you want to do. Don’t bother with these pretenses."

The black-robed elder was stunned. Was this boy really not afraid?

WHOOSH!

He retreated to the side of the alchemical fire, a sinister smirk playing on his lips. "You’re quite interesting, but you’re still going to die. Do you know why I’ve been hiding here?"

"Why?" Qin Feiyang frowned.

The black-robed elder said, "Have you ever heard of the Bloodfiend Pill?"

"What?!"

"The Bloodfiend Pill!"

The complexions of Qin Feiyang and his two companions changed drastically.

The Bloodfiend Pill had an astonishing effect—it increased one’s cultivation. Although it couldn’t cause one to break through a minor realm in an instant like the Vermilion Glazed Pill, with enough Bloodfiend Pills, one’s cultivation speed could multiply manifold.

However, refining the Bloodfiend Pill required two essential materials. And these two components were utterly horrifying!

Because they were human flesh and blood! Furthermore, the flesh and blood of ordinary mortals wouldn’t suffice, nor would that of beasts; it had to be the flesh and blood of Martial Artists!

Therefore, long ago, the first emperor of the Great Qin Empire had ordered the Elixir Formula destroyed. No Alchemist was permitted to refine Bloodfiend Pills ever again. Once discovered, the culprits and their families, down to nine generations, would be executed!

Who would dare defy the emperor’s might?

Since then, the Elixir Formula for the Bloodfiend Pill had been lost. Even the Bloodfiend Pill itself was gradually forgotten.

But later, a few Alchemists found the lost Elixir Formula for the Bloodfiend Pill and attempted to refine it. After all, there were many individuals with malevolent intentions. When the first emperor ordered its destruction, some had secretly preserved it.

But without exception, upon discovery, they faced universal condemnation and were hunted by all. In the end, none met a good fate! Even their relatives were implicated, each one meeting a brutal end. The bloody lessons made those Alchemists who harbored ill intentions too terrified to scheme further.

Could this man be asking because he was hiding here, refining Bloodfiend Pills? The thought occurred to them.

A sinister cackle escaped Zuo An. "I only need ten thousand more Bloodfiend Pills, and then I can ascend to become a Nine-Star War Emperor! At that point, who in all of Yan Province will be my match?"

"Then, the first people I will kill are those four old dogs of the Yan King, to avenge the enmities of the past!"

"HAHAHA..."

The black-robed elder laughed maniacally, his terrifying aura pressing down on the three of them until they could barely breathe!

"A Nine-Star War Emperor!"

"That means he’s currently an Eight-Star War Emperor!" Feng Ling’er and Lin Chen were aghast.

Not only was he incredibly powerful, but he also boasted of killing the Yan King. Just who was this man?

Qin Feiyang couldn’t help but frown. An Eight-Star War Emperor was far beyond his expectations. He couldn’t help but begin to wonder, Can the ancient castle even protect me?

"I remember now," Lin Chen exclaimed suddenly. "Eight years ago, an Alchemist named Zuo An was refining Bloodfiend Pills. Consequently, he was hunted down and killed outside Yan City in a joint effort by the imperial family, the Elixir King Palace, the Martial King Palace, and the Treasure Pavilion."

"Could it be that you are Zuo An’s Disciple, or a member of his family?" Lin Chen asked, his voice filled with shock and suspicion.

"Zuo An?" Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow.

Zuo An let out a dry cackle. "I didn’t expect any juniors to still remember my name. It seems I was quite famous back then!"

"That’s right, I am Zuo An!" the black-robed elder declared. Between his brows, there was less ferocity and more arrogance.

Lin Chen trembled, stating firmly, "That’s impossible! Many people saw you die eight years ago. I was on the city wall watching at the time. Though I was young, I definitely wasn’t mistaken!"

"HAHAHA..."

"The world believed me dead, but they don’t know that I was fortunate enough to escape that calamity."

"At that time, I had intended to leave Yan Province, but my heart was unreconciled."

"They sought to kill me, and I had no complaints, for I had indeed committed a grave taboo. But why did they have to pursue my family as well?"

"I crave revenge! So I decided to remain in Yan Province, hide here, and continue refining Bloodfiend Pills."

"Eight years have passed. I’ve advanced from a Six-Star War Emperor to an Eight-Star War Emperor. Revenge is almost within my grasp!" Zuo An roared, his presence like that of a Demon King, sending shivers down their spines.

"What?"

"He broke through two minor realms in just eight short years!" Lin Chen and Feng Ling’er felt their scalps prickle with terror.

Over these eight years, how many people had perished at the hands of this demon?

Qin Feiyang frowned, looked at Lin Chen, and asked, "Zuo An was refining Bloodfiend Pills. This was such a major event, why wasn’t it reported to the Imperial Capital at the time?"

Eight years ago, he was still in the Imperial Capital and had never heard of this matter.

Lin Chen replied, "I heard the Family Head say that because Zuo An was supposedly dead, the Yan King and the others kept it secret and didn’t report it. After all, if such an incident in Yan Province came to light, they too would be punished."

As soon as he finished speaking, he frowned and exclaimed in surprise, "Wait, how do you know the Yan King and the others didn’t report it?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Feng Ling’er, momentarily stunned, also looked at Qin Feiyang with incredulity.

Zuo An, too, was sizing up Qin Feiyang. His pupils suddenly constricted, and he asked in alarm, "Could it be... you’re from the Imperial Capital?"

"From the Imperial Capital!" Feng Ling’er and Lin Chen were astounded.

Qin Feiyang’s heart clenched. How foolish of me! he cursed himself internally. Why did I ask such a stupid question? How am I supposed to explain myself now?

Perhaps I should play along with his assumption? A thought flashed through Qin Feiyang’s mind when he saw Zuo An’s terrified expression. He straightened his posture, took a step forward, and nodded. "That’s right. I am from the Imperial Capital!"

His nod sent a wave of terror through Zuo An, Feng Ling’er, and Lin Chen.

Seeing their reactions, Qin Feiyang pressed his advantage.

He took another step, his long hair whipping about, his demeanor imperious. "Not only am I from the Imperial Capital, but I am also a Prince of the Great Qin Empire!"

His words carried an immense, intimidating power!

Simultaneously, his entire aura underwent a dramatic transformation!

Previously, he carried the gentle air of a scholar, giving an impression of delicateness. But now, an imperial aura emanated from him!

In truth, this was his inherent nature. Raised in the imperial household, he had long cultivated this imperial aura. It was potent enough to influence even the feudal lords of the empire, let alone the three individuals before him. It was only after his expulsion from the Imperial Capital that he had suppressed this aura.

"A Prince!"

Zuo An and Feng Ling’er trembled from head to toe. The word ’Prince’ resonated endlessly in their minds.

They didn’t truly believe it. How could a Prince possibly be in Yan Province?

But that imperial aura was too genuine, too potent. It struck at their very souls, compelling belief.

Qin Feiyang took another step, now only three meters from Zuo An. He boomed, "Zuo An, you have slaughtered the innocent and refined Bloodfiend Pills! For such crimes, what punishment do you deserve?"

Zuo An’s hunched body shuddered. He stammered hastily, "I..."

Just then, Qin Feiyang executed the Smoke Step, instantly appearing beside Zuo An. He snatched the black elixir flame, and then vanished without a trace.

Naturally, he had gone to the ancient castle.

He was gambling! If the ancient castle’s divine skills were great enough to save him, the elixir flame would be his. But if the ancient castle couldn’t protect him, he would have no choice but to accept his fate.

Once the elixir flame disappeared, black smoke surged in, instantly engulfing the bottom of the chasm!

"Damned whelp, get out here and face me!"

Within the black smoke, Zuo An was momentarily stunned. Then, with an enraged roar, his terrifying aura erupted skyward. Under the impact of his aura, the black smoke rapidly ascended and dispersed.

His face was savage, his eyes emitting an eerie green glow. He looked exactly like a man-eating demon, terrifying to behold!

Feng Ling’er and Lin Chen were also violently snapped back to their senses. Forced back by his aura, they coughed up blood repeatedly, their faces as pale as paper!

"Little beast, don’t think you’re safe just because you’re hiding!"

"The Netherworld Demon Flame has already acknowledged me as its master. With a single thought, I can reactivate it, unleash its dreadful heat, and incinerate you in an instant!" Zuo An cackled menacingly.

But the next second, his expression changed drastically. He gasped, "How is this possible?"

To his horror, he discovered he had lost all connection with the Netherworld Demon Flame! He couldn’t even sense its location, let alone reactivate it! It felt as if something was severing the connection between him and the Netherworld Demon Flame!

"How can this be?"

"Impossible!"

"It must be an illusion!"

"Yes, this is an illusion! I’ll wake up soon!"

As he muttered in disbelief, he frantically slapped his own face, the sounds echoing sharply.

「Inside the ancient castle.」

Hearing Zuo An’s voice, Qin Feiyang heaved a long sigh of relief.

Then, he surveyed the ancient castle, muttering to himself, "Even an Eight-Star War Emperor cannot sense the ancient castle’s existence. Uncle Yuan, this ancient castle you left me... what kind of divine artifact is it exactly?"

「Outside.」

Seeing Zuo An acting like a madman and completely ignoring her and Lin Chen, Feng Ling’er whispered, "Let’s use this chance to escape!"

Lin Chen nodded.

The two retreated stealthily. But just as they reached the stone wall and prepared to climb, Zuo An abruptly looked up, his bone-chilling gaze fixing on them.

They froze instantly, unable to move a muscle!

Zuo An walked towards them step by step, his voice grim. "Make that little whelp come out and hand over the Netherworld Demon Flame, and I’ll spare your lives!"

Feng Ling’er turned to face him and shook her head. "I barely know him. Besides, I have no idea where he is now."

Lin Chen hurriedly chimed in, "That’s right! We’ve only known him for a few days. We don’t know anything about him. Lord Zuo, please be magnanimous and release us!"

"Release you?" Zuo An let out a series of chilling laughs, like the hooting of a night owl, incredibly eerie!

Suddenly, he stopped and looked at Lin Chen. "Are you from Yan City?"

"Yes, yes! I’m from the Lin family of Yan City," Lin Chen nodded.

Zuo An’s eyes gleamed. "I recall that eight years ago, outside Yan City, among those who besieged me, there was an ancestor of your Lin family. Is he still well?"

Lin Chen forced a laugh. "Our ancestor is well. Thank you for your concern, Lord Zuo." But his laugh was unnatural, uglier than a sob.

Zuo An smirked. "In that case, I should indeed ’take good care’ of you. You’re an Alchemist too, aren’t you? If you agree to become my Disciple, I’ll spare you."

Lin Chen’s expression changed. He quickly said, "Thank you for your generous offer, Lord Zuo, but I am already a Disciple of the Elixir King Palace. Besides, my aptitude is poor; I’m not worthy of being your Disciple. You should seek someone else!"

Zuo An tempted, "And what if I said that if you merely nod, not only will I bestow upon you Bloodfiend Pills, but I will also give you the little beauty beside you? Would you agree then?"

Hearing this, Lin Chen’s eyes suddenly lit up with a predatory gleam.

Meanwhile, Qin Feiyang, hiding within the ancient castle, frowned.