Chapter 38 Shocking Betrayal
Yao Chen returned and brought back many medicinal ingredients. He once more did as usual and taught Han Feng new alchemy techniques.
"Feng-er, what's wrong? You didn't study while master was out?"
Yao Chen took note of Han Feng's emotional change. It seemed something had happened.
Han Feng's heart jumped and he quickly shook his head. He was hesitating about whether or not to tell his master about that person who had called himself his uncle-master.
However, a shadow had fallen over his heart. Flame Mantra!
His master had always had doubts about him, otherwise why would he have taken the Flame Mantra away with him! He had already vowed in front of him not to go look at the Flame Mantra again, so his master should have left the Flame Mantra in that Heavy Iron Wood trunk. But he actually brought it away!
His master had never truly trusted him!
Han Feng was precisely at the rebellious age of youth, and having progressed smoothly ever since his youth, he was extremely arrogant inside. In his opinion, his master's lack of confidence in him was completely reprehensible. Never did the thought of how Yao Chen had raised him or how he had used his full effort to teach him cross his mind. Just how much had Yao Chen sacrificed for Han Feng?
The greatest example of that was how Xuan Yi had actually put aside her pride and expressed her affection for Yao Chen. However, in order to properly raise Han Feng, Yao Chen had actually decisively declined. Having missed that chance, how could someone as prideful as Xuan Yi once more be with Yao Chen?
After that it was also because of Han Feng that Yao Chen broke things off with the Flower Sect's number one beauty. It wasn't that he hadn't had feelings for her, but those feelings had moved him deeply in his heart, and if was too distracted by her then he wouldn't be able to focus all his attention on teaching Han Feng.
This was an absolutely perfect disciple. Yao Chen wanted him to truly grow to become strong until the point where he would shake the very heavens!
With Han Feng's intelligence, those things were all thing he had become aware of, but a shadow had fallen over his heart now. Yao Chen's sacrifices for him were pushed to the back of his mind while he focused completely on his resentment and hate.
But at this time, Han Feng still hadn't reached a point of no return. He still had a thought inside that as long as he asked, his master would definitely teach him the Flame Mantra.
But he just had to find an opportunity to show off his growth and that he had matured enough to learn the Flame Mantra.
Plus he still wanted to authenticate just how much of that so-called uncle-master Mu Gu's words were true.
Hundreds of thoughts spun in his head. But at this exact moment, Han Feng merely laughed and told Yao Chen about how he had caused a cauldron explosion at first. After failing that one time he said he then succeeded several times after. He then lowered his head and waited for Yao Chen to give him his criticism.
He was fully confident that as long as he put it that way that his master would no longer investigate any further or even doubt him at all.
As he expected, Yao Chen laughed heartily and patted his head. "Don't worry about it. What alchemist hasn't suffered some bitter failures? To be honest, I've always been a bit worried of your completely smooth progression. The day you run into a real obstacle you might end up stepping onto a demonic path. Come, I'll tell you about some details that you don't know about…"
You don't know about… that you don't know about… that you don't know about….
Those words rang over and over within Han Feng's mind.
So it was true that his master was not passing on every technique on to him. Was it really like his uncle-master had said? Teaching an apprentice everything would starve the master to death? Until the true juncture point arrived, his master would definitely not pass him his true inheritance?
At this time Han Feng was truly irritated with his master. He felt his master was being unfair to him. But it never occurred to him that even if Yao Chen was being selfish, so what? How could he blame Yao Chen for not always being honest with him? Furthermore, why would Yao Chen have to give him absolutely everything?
Perhaps there was only a fine line between good and evil. Deviate slightly from the path and end up on the path of the devil. Continue on the path and end up becoming a Buddha.
But for the moment he completely suppressed those evil thoughts in his heart and listened to what Yao Chen was saying. As he expected, Yao Chen spoke of exactly the same things that uncle-master Mu Gu had told him that night, however Yao Chen had left out many of the details. Even now he was still trying to hide things from him.
When he thought of that, it inevitably led him to doubt whether the previous alchemy techniques his master had taught him had also been lacking details. Why wouldn't he tell him those?
Han Feng might be making some wild conjectures inside, but on the outside he put on a completely natural expression of curiosity as he listened to Yao Chen speak. He didn't let Yao Chen see anything strange about him at all.
Yao Chen on the other hand was not at all on guard against Han Feng. Perhaps even if Han Feng's true heart was revealed to him at this moment he still would act as if he hadn't seen it.
This was his perfect disciple. Yao Chen had never had any suspicions towards him. Although they weren't related by blood, he had raised him ever since he was a baby. This was essentially as if he really was his child.
But a wild ambition always began with greed.
One month later, Yao Chen was busy refining pills when Feng Xian said he wasn't feeling well. He ate some medicinal pills and fell into a deep slumber.
Halfway through the night, Han Feng, who should have been deeply asleep, opened his eyes.
Silently getting out of bed, he looked over at the alchemy room where faint ripples of alchemy were being emitted. Yao Chen was refining a seventh tier medicinal pill and this used most of his focus. Han Feng knew that at this time he definitely wouldn't attract Yao Chen's attention.
And even if he did notice him, he wouldn't think much of it. Five miles away from the secluded valley they lived in was a concealed noble house. Due to proximity, they had had many exchanges. Over these few days Han Feng had deliberated associated with one of the noble daughters and had already gone out to meet her during the night many times. His master would naturally believe he was just making a lover's meeting again.
Towards this kind of matter, Yao Chen had only said a single thing to him: keep an appropriate distance in order to avoid hurting a young maiden's heart.
Han Feng had coldly laughed inside. That woman was just a subordinate he was using. Hurting her heart? His master's words were truly laughable.
People were simply like that; those that loved could love anything, whereas those whose hearts had obstructions would never be able to see anyone as pleasant to their eyes. Even a perfect image would seem full of faults to them.
Han Feng was completely obsessed with the Flame Mantra now. He was looking forward to what uncle-master Mu Gu had to say about it.
He arrived at the area behind the mountain. This place had been struck by Pill Lightning many times due to Yao Chen refining high grade medicinal pills there. Even the plants and trees had stopped growing. But there was one single strange tree that had managed to survive through all those lightning strikes. It had even evolved to become a Thunderbolt Tree and began to flourish. But now the leaves were a silver electric color. Occasionally they would also emit the aura of thunder and lightning.
Beside that tree was a proud and aloof black figure.
Han Feng looked over figure. He actually didn't trust this uncle-master of his, however he did believe he would be able flush out some truths from him that could benefit him.
For example… those 'details' his master wouldn't teach him.
And also... the Flame Mantra.
Han Feng hadn't wasted his time over the last month. He had made inquiries from those concealed noble families and heard that this Mu Gu truly could be considered his uncle-master. He had once paid his respects to his great-master, but in the end he was expelled.
Mu Gu was excited to see Han Feng arrive. Taking revenge on Yao Chen had been an impossible task. In the Light-Shadow Realm he had suffered the counterattack of the Three Scorpion Devil Ghosts and received heavy injuries. He had spent years before managing to heal them, and during that time Yao Chen had made so many connections that he had become as immovable as a mountain. And even ignoring his many connections, when it came to strength, Mu Gu could only helplessly laugh…
However, that Yao Chen who had never had any opening now had an opportunity for him to grab at.
Han Feng!
Mu Gu had never made a mistake when judging whether someone was capable of betrayal or not. A person like Han Feng really might have become a good person, but if he was enticed and a bit of disharmony was added while he was still maturing…
"As expected, you came."
"Yes uncle-master. Please accept this disciple's respects. Disciple had been disrespectful last time."
Han Feng smiled and bowed.
"Ah, it's really unfortunate that your master and I had some misunderstanding that couldn't be resolved. Perhaps you also know now that I was expelled from my master's door."
"Yes." Han Feng nodded. Only the truth could be the foundation for him to gain benefits from this uncle-master.
"Then tell me, do you know why I was expelled out my master's door?"
"This… disciple doesn't know."
"Back then I had used people to experiment for medicine. I also used a couple taboo ingredients. What do you think about that?"
Han Feng hesitated a moment. "If you didn't use others to experiment your medicines then how would you know what the medicinal strength was of new medicinal formulas? As for taboo ingredients…"
Mu Gu laughed heartily, "As I expected, it is you and I who are the same kind of person. It really is unfortunate that such a fine disciple like you actually ended up being taken by that old man Yao Chen. But if you are fine with it then I can teach you some of your uncle-master's techniques. I guarantee that they will be even more complete than your master's, without anything left behind."
"Yes, disciple accepts!"
Han Feng immediately kneeled and kowtowed three times to him as his master.
Mu Gu stared back at him blankly for a moment, his heart trembling slightly. This child's innate nature was actually so icy-cold… and that was after being raised by the extremely kind Yao Chen! If he had been with him instead… who knows just what kind of person he would have become!
But he still smiled brightly and repeated 'good' several times. The two of them were similar people. The thoughts they had inside would not be revealed outside.
Mu Gu and Han Feng's meetings were not sensed at all by Yao Chen.
He knew that Han Feng would regularly go out in the middle of the night, but he only thought this was just for a lovers' rendezvous. The vigor of a youthful man was something he just laughed at.
Who would have thought that while Han Feng truly did go out to meet his 'lover', he only stayed with her for a couple minutes before sending her away. He then spent the next four hours with Mu Gu studying all kinds of new alchemy. This was an entirely different alchemy than what Yao Chen taught him. It truly had its own marvelous effects, however it was truly harming to the heavens. However, Han Feng didn't care about that at all. To refine stronger medicinal pills naturally required a price. Precious medicinal ingredients were a price, and human lives could also be considered a price. Having to pay a price to heaven and earth was a principle that had existed since time immemorial.
The only thing that Yao Chen found strange was how quickly Han Feng was progressing.
He felt that it was time to suppress him a bit. Progressing too quickly wasn't necessarily a good thing. Even talent could be burnt out. Slowly building a roadmap and setting up a good foundation before setting out to advance was the true way to walk to further realms.
That was something that Yao Chen had sensed after reaching the Dou Zun class. He had felt that due to going overboard with the medicinal baths, his progression had been too radical, and so after reaching the Dou Zun class even his spirit and perception all had a barrier that made it difficult for him to advance even the slightest bit.
His goal now was to raise Han Feng to the class above Dou Zun - Dou Sheng!
As for him, perhaps in his entire life it would be hopeless for him to reach Dou Sheng. He could only pass on his hopes to his disciple.
Late into the night, deep behind the mountains, Han Feng was listening to Mu Gu's teaching as usual. This time Mu Gu's eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to ask, "Do you know why your master is so powerful?"
"The Bone Chilling Flame." Han Feng nodded. He naturally knew just how greatly a Heavenly Flame benefited an alchemist.
"Not bad. Of course it's also because of that medicinal cauldron of his… it's extremely marvelous, but I can't really see through it. After all, no one other than you is able to get close to your master when he refines."
Mu Gu's eyes were flashing as he said these words.
Han Feng's heart truly did sink. He wanted to say something, but after opening his mouth, the vision of that Flame Mantra scroll suddenly flashed in his eyes. A kind of nameless impatience rose within the deepest part of his heart and he didn't say anything. He merely agreed and nodded to what Mu Gu said.
Once a seed was firmly planted it would eventually ignite to become a wildfire that raged within the heart.
Mu Gu didn't say anymore on that topic. Now that a seed had been planted, all he had to do was wait for the time to harvest it. He smiled and continued teaching Han Feng his alchemy. The techniques he was teaching him were true arts without a single fake. But they had exceeded the limit that Han Feng could understand. Although Han Feng continued to learn them, that was just an empty understanding. That ended up burning up his potential talent and he gradually became imperfect.
Han Feng naturally wouldn't know this. Unless someone was trapped at the Dou Zun level for a long time, they wouldn't be able to sense this. Even if others told him, he still wouldn't be able to understand it.
The next day during breakfast…
Yao Chen looked at Han Feng and frowned. He instinctively could sense that Han Feng seemed to have begun straying from the correct path. But during this time he had greatly suppressed how quickly Han Feng was growing. He should have been slowing down and saving his talent. How did it end up getting even more burnt up?
"Feng-er, have you been secretly learning other alchemy techniques?" suddenly asked Yao Chen.
Han Feng was greatly alarmed. But he put on a natural clueless expression on his face. "What are you talking about master?"
"Uh, nothing." Yao Chen shook his head. Perhaps he had been overthinking. Han Feng shouldn't have any access to things he shouldn't be learning at this time. Those alchemy scrolls in the Heavy Iron Wood trunk were also completely fine for him to peruse.
If he wanted to secretly learn things from him… that was impossible. The Dou Zun Yao Chen was confident in that.
Time flew by…
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Yao Chen trained harder and harder, yet he was still unable to touch upon the barrier to Dou Sheng. But when it came to combat strength, Yao Chen was confident that he would be unrivalled below Dou Sheng.
Han Feng's growth over these three years had been a bit worrying to him. It was simply too quick and had broken out of the plan he had created for him to reach Dou Sheng. But since he wasn't able to keep him suppressed, Yao Chen actually let Han Feng grow explosively. As long as he properly nursed him in the future there would still be an extremely large chance. At the very least he wouldn't be like him and unable to even touch that doorway.
However, Han Feng had started to hate Yao Chen more and more. Originally towards the things Yao Chen was keeping from him he merely felt an angry sense of unfairness. But at this time it had developed into a fiery wrath.
The old geezer was still thinking of suppressing his growth!
As his hatred grew he forgot about all the things Yao Chen had given him. He only remembered those faults.
Of course, this was also instigated by Mu Gu. Despite the fact that Mu Gu was plucking sprouts in order to make them grow faster, to him it seemed Mu Gu was much better than Yao Chen who was suppressing his growth.
Han Feng had even started to believe that Mu Gu's interest in the Flame Mantra was completely innocent...
That old geezer was probably jealous of his talent and wanted to remain stronger than him, therefore…
That old bastard!
In Han Feng's heart he had already started to use such a name for Yao Chen.
But on the outside he still acted like a good disciple to Yao Chen. He had become even more refined and courteous, and compared to before he was even more obedient.
"Master, do you think I can look at the Flame Mantra now with my current level?"
Han Feng finally couldn't resist anymore and proposed this question to Yao Chen.
Yao Chen laughed and firmly shook his head. "That Flame Mantra isn't suited for you. Trust your master's judgment, the Flame Mantra… sigh, it's more accurate to say it isn't suited to any alchemist. The price is too great and the requirements are too high. If you really want to achieve your full potential then don't have any more thoughts towards the Flame Mantra."
Yao Chen had actually hesitated for a long time to make this decision.
With Han Feng's talent, he actually most likely would have managed to advance with the Flame Mantra. But the requirement of swallowing Heavenly Flames to increase the level was simply too great a price. Who could guarantee that Han Feng would be able to find all the various Heavenly Flames?
Even in the past dozen years Yao Chen had only seen a couple types of Heavenly Flames. Fate and karma were things that could not be controlled. As long as Han Feng cultivated on his own he would definitely be able to become a Dou Zun in the future, and if he was lucky, there was definitely a chance of him becoming a Dou Sheng. If he trained in the Flame Mantra then his fate would be up to the Heavens.
It was naturally more reliable to be able to control your own fate.
Although the Flame Mantra was strong… whether it was a blessing or a disaster was something even the Heavens weren't sure of. Yao Chen naturally didn't want his sole disciple to walk such a hazardous path.
Han Feng nodded very smartly. But inside he was filled with scarlet fury.
This act of his had driven himself sick over these three years. But he still had to keep it up. Mu Gu truly had spoken the truth; that old bastard really was jealous of his talent. Without the Flame Mantra he wouldn't be able to look down on everyone else.
Well then don't blame me for being heartless!
"Disciple won't bother master's refining anymore." Han Feng turned to leave. He rushed directly behind the mountain.
If he wanted to take the initiative to get in contact with Mu Gu then he would place a couple white pebbles beside the Thunderbolt Tree.
But this time Han Feng placed black pebbles. Black was definitely an ominous color.
Late at night, Mu Gu arrived at the Thunderbolt Tree. When he saw the black pebbles he was dazed for a long time before laughing loudly. His three years of investment had finally born fruit. This child's viciousness had already flourished. That seed he had planted three years ago had finally grown into a huge tree.
"Excellent, how vicious. Yao Chen, ah, Yao Chen. A generation's hero. Too bad you accepted an unfaithful disciple. But your misfortune is a blessing for me. Back then you stole my Flame Mantra. Now it's time to hand it over."
After muttering for a while, Mu Gu went straight towards the secluded valley Yao Chen lived in.
His figure was like a ghost as he travelled. With each step he collected the might of heaven and earth. The power of a Dou Zun suddenly erupted from him, drawing in heaven and earth's energy for his own use.
Yao Chen was at a critical moment of a refinement. Feeling this huge killing intent his expression immediately changed. This killing intent could only be given off by an extremely powerful Dou Zun.
Without hesitation he scrapped that furnace of pills. His entire body's Dou Qi majestically arose. The Bone Chilling Flame exploded out towards that person outside.
The instant he saw it was Mu Gu he became dazed. Mu Gu had actually come here alone?
"Have you gone mad Mu Gu?
But thinking about it, that wasn't all that unexpected. If Mu Gu wanted other things done then perhaps there would be thousands of people who would follow him. But if he wanted to kill Yao Chen, then there would likely be not a single person who would help him. That was the level Yao Chen's fame had reached.
Of the high level pills that circulated within the Central Plains, over ninety percent had come from Yao Chen. If something happened to him then all those experts who had become accustomed to being supplied such high level pills would fly into a rage. Then there were also those experts he had built a friendship with from his medicinal pills. Although not all those friendships were a hundred percent true, at the very least they wouldn't harm him.
"I'm not mad. I'm here to reason with you. Since you still haven't trained in the Flame Mantra after all these years, how about you give it to me?" coldly said Mu Gu. At this time he also saw Han Feng walk over with a sword in his hand. Not even the slightest trace of an emotion could be seen on his face.
Yao Chen noticed Mu Gu's line of sight. Shifting his feet he protected Han Feng behind him. He was afraid of a sudden attack from Mu Gu hurting Han Feng.
Behind Yao Chen, Han Feng's expression changed multiple times. His heart began to jump and his right hand which was nervously holding the sword was covered with sweat.
Yao Chen looked back at him and smiled. "No need to worry."
He had noticed Han Feng was acting strange, however he attributed this to being affected by Mu Gu's Dou Zun level killing intent.
Han Feng nodded. He smiled a smile that was more ugly than a cry.
But under Mu Gu's attention, killing intent began to overflow from his heart. This old bastard, what was the point of acting at this time?
The Flame Mantra… for Mu Gu to care that much about this technique, it definitely must be extremely powerful. If he could obtain the Flame Mantra…
In any case, he had already learned most of the old man's alchemy. He had also learned much from Mu Gu. If he could also obtain the Flame Mantra, Han Feng was sure that in the future he would become an absolute paragon without a single rival under the heavens.
Mu Gu had been carefully paying attention to Han Feng's changes. Sensing that killing intent in Han Feng's heart, he started to attack Yao Chen.
"If you won't hand it over to me then I'll just take it by force!"
BOOM! When Dou Zuns fought, heaven and earth would shake.
However with a cold laugh, Yao Chen didn't even move. An even greater energy came out of his body and completely suppressed everything. Just this aura of his was enough to suppress Mu Gu.
Mu Gu turned pale with fright. "What, you've actually broken through…"
As he said this, Mu Gu cast a glance at Han Feng, telling him to take action.
At this time, Yao Chen was completely focused on suppressing him. It was the best moment for Han Feng to act.
However it was at this time that Han Feng actually coldly laughed and raising his sword. He didn't charge at Yao Chen, but instead thrust the sword straight at Mu Gu's stomach.
This truly startled Mu Gu. With his body locked in place by Yao Chen, he was unable to dodge. However he still managed to release a strand of Dou Flame towards Han Feng. Even if he was thrust through, Han Feng shouldn't even think of surviving.
Yao Chen had also not expected Han Feng to suddenly attack. Shouting out to be careful, he flew forward and took his spot to block Mu Gu's retaliation.
BOOM! Dou Flame exploded out. Underneath the Bone Chilling Flame, everything was frozen still and destroyed.
"Yao Chen, Han Feng… you two are truly vicious."
Mu Gu's face was completely ashen. The Dou Flame he had sent out just now was his life energy. Having it exterminated by the Bone Chilling Flame had injured his vitality. Now his strength sharply fell. For a short time he wasn't even as strong as a Dou Ling. He would need at least a year before slowly recovering from this.
At this time Mu Gu was filled with regret and hatred. Playing with fire, he had ended up burnt…
Yao Chen coldly laughed, "No matter how vicious we still aren't equal…"
With a light sound, Yao Chen's words were cut off. He turned his head back to look at Han Feng, not daring to believe his own senses.
That sword in Han Feng's hand had been thrust deep into his stomach. A powerful poison immediately erupted within his body. The Devil's Snare Seven Star Powder was one of the poisons that was fatal even to a Dou Zun!
"You… why?"
Immediately Yao Chen understood that Mu Gu's gaze at Han Feng hadn't been to harm him…
And Mu Gu's saying of 'how vicious' was also because…
A twisted craziness covered Han Feng's face.
"Haha, HAHA, you old bastard, you're asking me why?! What about the Flame Mantra? Take out the Flame Mantra! You don't use it! Why won't you hand it to me?!"
Looking at Yao Chen's face, Han Feng immediately began to feel his heart ache and hesitate.
In the end, the vicious side of his heart prevailed though. Since he had already taken action, he had to see it to the end.
Han Feng shouted madly and reached towards Yao Chen's chest. He knew that the Flame Mantra was always kept by him on the robes of his body.
Yao Chen sorrowfully smiled. Only an idiot would raise a tiger, yet he had ended up raising a tiger in a human's skin! He had always thought of Han Feng as a perfect disciple…
Perfect…
Haha, now he understand that that was a complete joke, a joke that had been played on him for over ten years.
Vicious! Vicious! Absolutely vicious!
"You must be dreaming if you want the Flame Mantra!"
BOOM! The Bone Chilling Flame in his body suddenly erupted and ignited his whole body.
Mu Gu saw this and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha, Yao Chen, a day like this has also come for you. Good apprentice-nephew, quick, the Flame Mantra isn't something so easily burned. Keep stabbing him; hack him to death! The Bone Chilling Flame is about to go out, quick!"
At this time the craziness on Han Feng's face had weakened. His hand was trembling and it seemed he didn't have the strength to keep going. However in the end he still let out a wolf-like howl and slashed off Yao Chen's head!
A tumbling sound came from the ground…
Then everything quieted down.
Han Feng quickly reached into Yao Chen's robes and grabbed out the Flame Mantra. However what it read was 'Lower'. This was actually only half the whole scroll, and it was the lower half!
"What, you old bastard, even in death you're still toying with me!"
Han Feng went completely made. The Dou Flame in his hand went berserk and turned Yao Chen's body to ashes in just an instant. From within those ashes were several treasures that couldn't be destroyed.
There were rings, one which was the Storage Ring Yao Chen used while the other was the ring that Feng zun-zhe had given him as a keepsake.
Taking the rings, inside the Storage Ring were countless precious medicinal ingredients that were absolutely priceless. As for the keepsake, to Han Feng it was absolutely useless. He threw it away and it landed on the distant ground.
The other things were all treasures so Han Feng collected them all. He then turned to look at Mu Gu and actually laughed nastily. "Uncle-master, this disciple will send you on your way."
Mu Gu's expression changed. "You, you forgot all the good things I gave you? I've always been supporting you! How could you forget?"
"Haha, uncle-master, you're just joking."
Han Feng coldly sneered and raised his sword. But just at this time a burst of whistling came from the side, the sound of experts rushing directly over there.
Yao Chen was the Falling Star Pavilion's pavilion chief. Considering how importantly Feng zun-zhe looked upon Yao Chen, how could he not send people to protect him in secret? Even with Yao Chen's great strength he couldn't be excepted from that protection.
Han Feng shot a profound glance at Mu Gu and actually quickly rushed out. He didn't even bring that Black Demon Cauldron in the refining room.
Mu Gu struggled up. Bangs and cracking sounds rang out from within his body. He was using a technique that would destroy his own body and devastate his own cultivation realm in order to forcibly restore a bit of his energy. He rushed miserably in the opposite direction of Han Feng, disappearing in an instant…
Shortly after, a couple experts descended into the valley. They saw a litter of ashes on the ground. Never in their wildest imaginations would they guess that those ashes were actually Yao Chen.
"Could it be that the pavilion chief went out to chase after the invaders?"
"That's possible. The pavilion chief's strength is without compare. Hmph, we're just here to help take care of the valley."
Those experts were completely confident in Yao Chen. They immediately went to go check out some secret places, each using their own techniques to hide themselves as well.
However no one noticed that in a brush not far away was an ordinary looking ring. It was emitting a glimmer of white flame light, a trace of the Bone Chilling Flame's seed. If they used their spirits to look then they would have seen the flame seed had actually wrapped around a spirit, Yao Chen's spirit. Just at this moment the Black Demon Cauldron suddenly transformed into black smoke that floated over to that ring and also faded away along with the Bone Chilling Flame's seed.
Half a month later…
Those expert Falling Star Pavilion's guards all began to panic. The pavilion chief had yet to return and even the pavilion chief's disciple had vanished.
They sent back a report in a panic and the entire Falling Star Pavilion was set into motion. Feng zun-zhe became furious, and all of the Central Plains became furious along with him!
Several years after this… countless experts had searched for news of Yao Chen throughout the lands. However they didn't find a single thing.
It was just like how Han Shanshan had disappeared back then. Any trace of Yao Chen had completely disappeared.
On a certain day, a young married woman arrived at that mountain valley. This woman was the person who had been meeting with Han Feng late at night as lovers. By this time she already married and had a brilliant innocent girl by her side.
"Mom, did that Yao zun-zhe in your stories really live here?"
The woman laughed and recalled her memories. She nodded; yes, it was precisely here.
When she was young she hadn't understood what was happening. She had really thought that had been true love. Now when she thought back to it she really felt it was laughable.
She brought the girl along for a walk when the girl suddenly let out a laugh of delight. "Mom, look, I found something good."
A ring shined brightly in her hand.
"Oh, it actually hasn't rusted at all. It must be made of some good material. You're right, it really is something good."
"Mom, can I keep it?"
"Of course you can. It's yours now."
The girl was delighted. Now she had a ring she could wear every day!
Ten years later, the girl had grown up and started cultivating. She noticed the ring had a secret effect that could actually increase the perception of her spirit. Unfortunately the increase was extremely minute, and over time, even that slight amount gradually faded.
As the months passed, that ring was passed from person to person. Who knew just how many owners it ended up having. But the hidden spirit within the ring never once awakened.
Springs passed and autumns came in an unending cycle.
On one day, a ripple came from the hidden spirit sleeping deep within the depths of the ring. A particular Spiritual Strength was transmitted to it. It was just like a few ripples were coming from the middle of a vast lake.
The spirit that had been sleeping for an incredibly long time finally began to awaken. His Spiritual Perception spread outside the ring. He finally became aware of the outside world again.
And when he sensed this familiar world, he also saw who the new owner of the ring was.
It was a black-haired youngster with intelligent black eyes that looked like stars.
He managed to learn a little bit of information as he sensed around. This youngster seemed to be called Xiao Yan.
He examined this youngster for a long time from within the ring. His weak spirit laughed. This youngster seemed to have a powerful spirit. Perhaps he could teach him alchemy and let him help him to be reborn.
"I hope this time that these eyes of mine won't be blind again."
That spirit quietly warmed up and became silent once more.
Perhaps at this time he didn't know that while he watched, he was paving the path for a legend. This youngster called Xian Yan would be the future pride of his life.
Sometimes legends were simply born by accident.
Footnotes:
Devil's Snare Seven Star Powder (曼陀七星散): Devil's snare, 曼陀 (man tuo), aka as jimsonweed or Datura Stramonium, a highly poisonous plant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura_stramonium
Check out Feng zun-zhe talking about some past events about Yao Lao with Xiao Yan:
A slight mention of Yao Lao's relation with the Flower Sect:
Chapter 38 of the BTTH manga has a slight reference to Yao Chen's death by his disciple here.
Chapter 99 of the BTTH manga tells a story of Yao Chen's relationship with Han Feng. The details aren't exactly the same, but the result is similar.
Chapter 143/144 of the BTTH manga shows Yao Lao with the Black Demon Cauldron and Han Feng's memory of killing him. On a side note, I love how furnace and cauldron are translated to stove and pot in the manga ^.^
Final thoughts:
Yao Chen/Yao Lao is my favorite character in BTTH, so translating this prequel that focuses on him was extremely exciting. Now that it's complete, it's a bit bittersweet since I loved this novel so much and I'm sad that it's over. But I'm also glad to have finished it and offered my own contribution to the light novel translation community.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about either this novel or any questions you may have about BTTH. For example, why is the Green Lotus Core Flame also translated as the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame in the manga or why it is called Essence Flame in the manga?