From the surface, it appeared that Mo Ya was forced by Xiao Feng's oppressive power to assist in assassinating Mo Tianxing.
In reality, however, Mo Ya had long grown tired of his father's control and deliberately used Xiao Feng to eliminate Mo Tianxing.
After all, the restriction Xiao Feng set in Mo Ya's Demon King bloodline prevented betrayal against him but didn't forbid self-destruction.
If Mo Ya were truly a filial son, he could have chosen to resist to the death instead of aiding Xiao Feng in assassinating Mo Tianxing.
After eliminating Mo Tianxing, the greatest obstacle, Xiao Feng also dealt with a few Dou Emperor elders who refused to submit. He then installed Mo Ya as the new leader of the Black Emperor Sect.
Once Mo Ya assumed the position, he rebranded the sect as the Black Emperor Branch of the Supreme Alliance, abbreviated as "Black Emperor Branch."
Under normal circumstances, such an action would provoke resistance from the sect's higher-ups. However, the stubborn dissenters had already been eliminated by Xiao Feng.
The remaining Dou Emperor and Dou King experts, having received the Demon King's blood from Xiao Feng, naturally dared not defy his will.
With the Black Emperor Sect's submission, the Supreme Alliance became the undisputed overlord of the Black-Corner Region.
Though the Supreme Alliance was still slightly inferior to the Jia Nan Academy, the academy's unique nature ensured it wouldn't interfere with the alliance's growth.
Moreover, Xiao Feng held the honorary elder position at Jia Nan Academy, making the academy and the alliance natural allies rather than adversaries.
After helping Mo Ya rise to power, Xiao Feng didn't forget his other goal in coming to the Black Emperor Sect: the Heavenly Demon Phoenix corpse in the sect's treasury.
At Xiao Feng's command, Mo Ya dutifully led him to the sect's treasury with utmost reverence.
Being a long-standing force second only to Jia Nan Academy and the Burning Flame Valley in the Black-Corner Region, the Black Emperor Sect's treasury housed numerous invaluable treasures.
In addition to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix corpse, comparable to a Dou Ancestor pinnacle expert, Xiao Feng discovered many other treasures he needed and claimed them all unreservedly.
After spending more than half an hour browsing the treasury, Xiao Feng left satisfied and returned to the luxurious courtyard Mo Ya arranged for him. There, he began studying the Heavenly Demon Phoenix corpse.
The corpse was massive, and though its flesh had shriveled to the point of being skeletal, it still spanned over ten zhang wide.
The most striking feature was the pair of gigantic wings on its back, now reduced to bare bones.
These bone wings appeared as if carved from jade, emitting a faint glow and containing a peculiar energy within.
After examining the corpse for a while, Xiao Feng summoned his Wind and Thunder Fury Flame and began extracting the residual Heavenly Demon Phoenix essence blood.
Using the extraction methods taught by Zi Yan in the original story, Xiao Feng successfully obtained pure Heavenly Demon Phoenix blood and a seventh-rank pinnacle magical core from the corpse.
As for the talons, fangs, and bone wings of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, Xiao Feng set them aside for future crafting purposes.
"With the Dou Ancestor expert's corpse and seventh-rank magical beast blood gathered, all I need now is the Bone Fusion Blood Pill," Xiao Feng mused, stroking his chin. "Xiao Yan and the others should already be at Jia Nan Academy by now. It seems it's time for me to return as well."
If the Heavenly Flame Venerable could be resurrected successfully, his strength would at least reach two-star Dou Venerate.
A force with a Dou Venerate expert stationed versus one without was worlds apart.
Even in the Central Plains, where strong experts were abundant, a force with a Dou Venerate expert could qualify as a first-rate power.
For instance, the renowned Four Pavilion forces each had only one Dou Venerate expert.
With the Tian Huo Venerable guarding the Supreme Alliance, Xiao Feng wouldn't need to worry about opportunists attacking his base during his absence.
Thus, after processing the Heavenly Demon Phoenix corpse, Xiao Feng spent half a day leisurely strolling Black Emperor City with Little Fairy Doctor and the others before heading to Jia Nan Academy with the three women.
Jia Nan Academy – Inner Court
In a tastefully decorated courtyard, Han Yue, her silver-white high ponytail glistening, was happily chatting with Xiao Xun'er, dressed in a light blue gown.
Han Yue befriended Xiao Xun'er with the intention of forming an all-female faction in the Inner Court.
Having just advanced from a freshman to a second-year student, Han Yue lacked the qualifications to recruit seniors stronger than herself, so she set her sights on the freshmen.
Xiao Xun'er, being not only the strongest freshman but also a stunning beauty, was naturally Han Yue's prime target.
Ordinarily, Xiao Xun'er would have ignored Han Yue's overtures. However, when Han Yue saw Xiao Yan and subconsciously mentioned Xiao Feng's name, it piqued Xiao Xun'er's interest.
Realizing Han Yue knew Xiao Feng, Xiao Xun'er became cautious and began probing their relationship.
Unaware that Xiao Xun'er viewed her as a rival, Han Yue candidly recounted her past encounters with Xiao Feng at the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Upon realizing her misunderstanding, Xiao Xun'er felt embarrassed and agreed to join Han Yue's newly established "Spirit Gate."
After spending some time together, Xiao Xun'er discovered she got along well with Han Yue. Lacking other friends in the Inner Court, the two gradually became close companions.
"Xun'er, is what you just said true? Elder Xiao Feng really did such things before?" Han Yue asked, her expression betraying her curiosity.
"Absolutely! Brother Xiao Feng used to be so childish. He even joked about me working hard in cultivation so I could one day cling to his coattails," Xiao Xun'er replied, covering her mouth as she giggled at the memory.
"Oh, you little rascal. So this is how you talk about me behind my back, huh?"
A teasing voice suddenly interrupted, freezing the smile on Xiao Xun'er's face.
Turning instinctively, she saw Xiao Feng, clad in golden-black battle gear, gazing at her with indulgence.
"Brother Feng!"
Unable to contain her emotions, Xiao Xun'er turned into a blur and flung herself into Xiao Feng's arms.
"Xun'er, it's only been a few months, yet you seem to have lost weight again," Xiao Feng remarked, measuring her slender waist with his hands. "Have you not been eating properly?"
"Not at all~ Xun'er just missed Brother Feng too much," she replied, rubbing her face against his chest affectionately, soothed by his familiar scent.
(End of Chapter)
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