People fight and become emperors in advance

Chapter 160 The Burning Technique, the Current Strength of the Group
The vast land stretched to the horizon, the inky wasteland blending seamlessly with the leaden sky. A thick sense of oppression lingered in the air, causing people to feel inexplicably irritable.

In the desolate wilderness, a dark shadow streaked through the air, moving with incredible speed like a ghost. Each landing produced a thunderous roar, the sound waves rippling outwards before gradually dissipating into the vast expanse of sky and earth.

The speeding figure suddenly looked up, revealing a delicate face tinged with weariness.

If Chen Xiao were here, he would definitely recognize that this person is none other than Xiao Yan, whom he has not seen for three years!

Xiao Yan glanced back at the empty plain, his brows furrowing slightly. He muttered to himself, "This godforsaken place is suffocating, but why can't I see a single person?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man's extremely weak voice rang in his mind: "Let's continue forward. We need to find a town and buy an accurate map. I know a little about the Black Corner Region, but not too much."

Xiao Yan nodded helplessly, but did not stop walking.

At this moment, the old doctor solemnly reminded him again: "Remember, in the Black Corner Region, mercy is a burden. Being soft-hearted here will only drag you into an abyss of no return. Here, everyone can be killed. Better to kill the wrong person than let one go. Deterrence is more effective than mercy."

Xiao Yan nodded and noted it down.

Yao Chen had reminded him of the same thing seven or eight times on the way, so he had to take it seriously.

After rushing for another two or three minutes, a small town finally came into Xiao Yan's view. He gradually slowed down and then slowly walked towards the town.

As expected of Yao Chen, Xiao Yan gained a deeper understanding of the atmosphere in the Black Corner Region after decisively killing a Dou Shi who was blocking the road and collecting road tributes.

To avoid trouble, Xiao Yan took out a black robe, put it on, and walked into the only tavern in town.

Taverns are places where all sorts of people mingle, and frequenting taverns is definitely a good way to get to know a new place.

After ordering a glass of strong liquor, Xiao Yan sat in a corner and listened intently to the discussions around him.

"Right now, the Purple Cloud Pavilion is truly at its zenith in the Black Corner Region. Even the Eight Doors are heavily promoting their auction."

"Of course. Since the destruction of Demon Flame Valley, the Black Corner Region has been dominated by the Purple Cloud Pavilion. Even the Black Emperor Sect cannot compare."

"I heard that last year, the Pavilion Master of Zixiao Pavilion summoned the leaders of all the old forces in the Black Corner Region, but did not invite the Black Emperor Sect. At that time, many powerful people thought that Zixiao Pavilion was going to make a move against them, and they secretly colluded to form a united front. Unexpectedly, Zixiao Pavilion had no interest in them at all, which is why we are in the current situation."

How did you find out about this?

“I have a cousin who is an elder of the Earth Flame Sect.”

"I see. I heard that this auction at Zixiao Pavilion will be the largest in two years. I wonder what good things will be on display."

"Of course, there are plenty. Zixiao Pavilion has been selling information for two years and has never made a mistake. They even claim that they will sell information about strange fires as long as you can afford the price. You can imagine how many treasures they have acquired."

A middle-aged man dressed in a black robe took over the conversation; beneath his robe was an emblem of the Eight Doors.

Since receiving Hai Bodong's message, Yuan Yi has taken it very seriously, sending hundreds of people to help spread the news within a thousand miles to ensure that everyone knows that Zixiao City is about to hold an auction.

With such a wide net cast, unsurprisingly, the message successfully reached the ears of Xiao Yan and his disciples.

Xiao Yan gripped his wine glass tightly, his breathing becoming slightly rapid with excitement.

"Calm down, let's get out of here!"

Yao Chen's voice rang out.

Xiao Yan regained his senses, tossed two gold coins onto the table, and quietly left the tavern.

After buying the map and arriving outside the town, Xiao Yan could no longer contain himself.

"Teacher, is there really news about a strange fire in the Purple Cloud Pavilion?"

"It's hard to say. The value of the Strange Fire goes without saying; it's something that all alchemists covet. It's strange that the Purple Cloud Pavilion, which has information about the Strange Fire, shows no interest in it. But whether it's true or not, it's worth the trip!"

Xiao Yan nodded emphatically, his desire for the strange fire reaching its peak.

More than a year ago, he had also obtained clues about the strange fire in the Jia Ma Empire. However, after going through great hardships to find the location of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, they discovered that the cliff wall deep in the magma was empty except for a section of root.

Clearly, someone beat them to it!
Missing out on a strange flame almost caused Xiao Yan to lose his composure.

After all, the Burning Technique he cultivates requires different kinds of fire to evolve.

Heaven knows how much effort the master and disciple put into improving the grade of the Burning Technique over the past three years, but even so, his Burning Technique has only reached the low-level of the Profound Rank.

It was precisely because the Burning Technique was of such a low grade that his cultivation speed was also affected. In order to win the three-year agreement, he had suffered more hardships in the past few years than in the original trajectory, which was why he was able to barely reach the level of a one-star Great Dou Master.

"Teacher is right. There must be alchemists in the Black Corner Region. If the Purple Cloud Pavilion really has news of a strange fire, even if it is true, it probably won't be that simple. Along the way, let's inquire more about the Purple Cloud Pavilion."

Having made up his mind, Xiao Yan immediately determined the direction and headed towards Zixiao City.

Along the way, the master and apprentice stopped frequently, constantly trying to find out more information indirectly.

However, as Xiao Yan gathered more and more information, he keenly noticed that Yao Chen suddenly fell silent, and his reaction was very strange.

He thought back carefully and realized that Yao Chen's change seemed to begin when he learned that Zixiao Pavilion had replaced Han Feng's Fengcheng.

"Teacher, are you okay?"

"It's alright, speed up and head to Zixiao City."

After a long while, Yao Chen's hoarse voice finally rang out.

That already weak voice seemed to have aged decades and become a hundred times weaker.

Xiao Yan didn't understand the reason, but Yao Chen's condition was obviously wrong, so he didn't dare to delay any longer and sped towards Zixiao City.

...

Zixiao Pavilion.

Chen Xiao sat cross-legged on the bed, watching the three portions of demonic beast blood in front of him dissipate into nothingness, his expression unchanged.

After watching it many times, you get used to it.

Consciousness sank into the mind, and the pre-requisite information had unsurprisingly been updated.

"Xiao Yan is almost here, and we can use the Burning Technique in advance."

[Burning Technique: Low-level Yellow Rank cultivation technique, available in advance.]

[Follow-up to advance payment: Complete any one of the following options.]

① Kill Yao Chen and seize it.

② Try to find a way to exchange for it.

③…】

Unlike the advance payment of follow-up payments many years ago, this time, several follow-up payments have been listed.

In short, whether it's by force or by deception, as long as they can obtain the Burning Technique from Xiao Yan and his disciples, they can complete the rest of the story.

【Do you want to advance payment? 】

Without hesitation, Chen Xiao nodded in agreement.

He never intended for Cao Ying to follow Xiao Yan's path, where she faced near-death experiences while devouring a different kind of fire. Without the protagonist's luck, she was like someone who would eventually get her shoes wet if she kept walking by the river.

The reason Cao Ying was asked to switch to the Burning Technique was essentially just to solve Little Fairy Doctor's poison problem and incidentally raise the upper limit of the demoness.

Now that the demoness has become one of us, it's only right that we help her resolve the hidden dangers in her cultivation technique.

After all, it wasn't easy for Chen Xiao to obtain the Burning Technique back in the Jia Ma Empire. At that time, he only had Hai Bodong, a Dou Huang powerhouse, by his side. If he pushed Yao Chen too far, no one would come out on top.

Now, the Black Corner Region has basically become their territory. Once Xiao Yan and his disciples enter, they cannot escape. Whether by means of literature or martial arts, obtaining things has become infinitely easier.

Reaching into his robes, Chen Xiao pulled out a black scroll.

After opening and browsing through it, Chen Xiao took out the fragment he had obtained from Han Feng again, spread it out, and compared it with the others.

After Cao Ying finished practicing with it, the incomplete scroll was returned to him and has been kept by Chen Xiao ever since.

The two scrolls were placed side by side, and Chen Xiao carefully compared them; the differences were immediately apparent.

The so-called incomplete scroll contained less than two-thirds of the complete technique, which explains why the aftereffects became more and more obvious as Han Feng's strength increased.

After observing for a long time and carefully considering how to contact Xiao Yan and his disciples, Chen Xiao put away the two scrolls and got up to walk towards Little Fairy Doctor's room.

Unlike a year and a half ago, Little Fairy Doctor no longer lives next to everyone else. Instead, she has built a small building in the center of the city, next to where the bamboo house used to be.

As her strength continues to improve, although she can still suppress the poison and prevent it from erupting for the time being, it is inevitable that Little Fairy Doctor's influence on the people and things around her is becoming greater and greater.

The most obvious thing is that the area within hundreds of feet of this small building is now sparsely covered with greenery, and people feel somewhat oppressed when they are in it.

Chen Xiao walked into the small building and arrived at the room of Little Fairy Doctor.

Sensing that the surge of energy in the world was gradually subsiding, Little Fairy Doctor stopped her cultivation and then knocked on the door.

After receiving permission, Chen Xiao pushed open the door and entered, where he immediately saw Little Fairy Doctor sitting quietly on the bed.

In a year and a half, Little Fairy Doctor's strength made a qualitative leap, her appearance became more and more exquisite, her figure more and more slender, and the color of her three thousand silver hairs became deeper.

The only thing that remained constant about her was her gentle and virtuous temperament.

"How are you feeling today?"

Hearing Chen Xiao's question, Little Fairy Doctor chuckled: "As usual, there are no signs of an outbreak for the time being. There shouldn't be any problems within a year."

Since she broke through to the Dou Zong level, the two of them have repeated this conversation countless times.

Every time Chen Xiao came, he would ask the same question, and Little Fairy Doctor would repeat the same answer time and time again without showing the slightest impatience. Chen Xiao nodded slightly and smiled, "Then I can rest assured. After I meet with Xiao Yan, we can set off for Zhongzhou. If nothing unexpected happens, you will be able to condense the Poison Pill within three months!"

Of the materials needed to condense the poison pill, only a seventh-tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast core remains elusive.

But that doesn't matter anymore, Chen Xiao's advance payment period is very short now, and he can get advance payments at any time.

Even if something unexpected happens along the way, once you arrive in Zhongzhou, you can send people to hunt down the Heavenly Poisonous Scorpion Dragon Beast.

Therefore, Little Fairy Doctor is very, very close to condensing the poison pill.

A hint of anticipation flashed in Little Fairy Doctor's eyes. The Calamity Poison Body was like a mountain pressing down on her head, day after day for ten years, making her dare not relax for a moment.

Now, these days of immense pressure are finally coming to an end.

Only by resolving the problem of her afflicted poisonous body can she live as easily and freely as an ordinary person, and be able to laugh and play like Zi Yan and Cai Lin...

After chatting with Fairy Doctor for a while, Chen Xiao got up and went to find Cai Lin.

In the original plan, Cai Lin was to go to Zhongzhou together.

Unfortunately, plans can't keep up with changes, and due to some special reasons, this plan had to be temporarily shelved.

...

The next day.

Just as dawn was breaking, a figure dressed in black robes, looking travel-worn, arrived at the foot of Zixiao City.

Upon seeing the group of upright young guards at the city gate, Xiao Yan immediately sensed something was amiss.

“Teacher, this Zixiao City seems a bit different from the Black Seal City and other small towns we passed through on the way. These guards are obviously stronger, but their... ruthlessness doesn't seem to be as strong.”

"To become the leading force in the Black Corner Region, the Purple Cloud Pavilion must have some special characteristics, and this may be one of them," Yao Chen's voice rang out.

What they didn't know was that some of these guards were graduates of the Canaan Academy's inner court, while others were men sent by the Mittel family to help them. Naturally, they had a different temperament from those who mingled in the Black Corner Region.

Without arguing too much, Xiao Yan obediently paid the entrance fee before heading towards the towering building in the city.

At the same time, his demeanor subtly changed.

The Heavenly Rank Battle Technique, "Possessed by a Ghost," has already been activated!

They had already found out that the Purple Cloud Pavilion only sold information to experts at the Dou Wang level or above; without the strength of a Dou Wang, one was not qualified to be received.

Xiao Yan's current strength clearly does not meet the requirements.

Because it was so early, Zixiao Pavilion was almost deserted; apart from the reception staff, there were hardly any guests to be seen.

After a brief inquiry, Yao Chen quickly guided Xiao Yan's body to the window where information was being sold.

A sense of soul power swept across Xiao Yan's body, seemingly sensing his strength.

Immediately, a calm, aged voice came from inside the window.

"Don't look around or think too much, just write down your purpose."

As soon as he finished speaking, a piece of white paper was handed out through the window.

Upon hearing that somewhat familiar voice, Yao Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"It's him?!"

"Teacher, do you know this person?" Xiao Yan asked in his mind, somewhat puzzled.

"You've met him too, three years ago at the Mittel Auction House, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong! I never expected him to come to the Black Corner Region, and his strength has even reached the eight-star Dou Huang level. Moreover, the feeling I get from him is that he is no weaker than that guardian of the Gama Royal Family!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan suddenly understood.

He did indeed meet Hai Bodong back in Wutan City.

I even saw Yao Chen once at the Xiao family's residence on the night he appeared.

Without much thought, 'Yao Chen' picked up the ink brush placed next to him and brought the white paper in front of him.

After a moment's deliberation, he finally wrote down the four characters 'Han Feng's life or death' under Xiao Yan's somewhat surprised gaze.

Although the outside world hailed the Purple Cloud Pavilion as something extraordinary, Yao Chen remained skeptical and would not rashly inquire about the strange fire.

In addition, he really wanted to know if Han Feng had really perished.
Yao Chen's feelings towards Han Feng are now very complex.

He poured countless efforts into Han Feng, raising him like his own son, but the result was a huge disappointment.

It was precisely because of this incident that Yao Chen developed a deeper suspicion of human nature, and before accepting Xiao Yan as his disciple, he secretly tested him for a full three years...

Inside the room, Hai Bodong put away the paper and looked at the four large characters on it, a look of surprise and doubt immediately appearing on his face.

"Wait a moment, I cannot make this decision."

Without saying a word or caring what the people outside might think, Hai Bodong quickly got up and went to Chen Xiao's room.

In the past few days, Chen Xiao had already told them in advance that if anyone inquired about Han Feng or the strange fire, he would personally receive them.

Upon hearing Hai Bodong's reply, Yao Chen already had his answer.

The entire Black Corner Region knows that Han Feng had already perished more than two years ago, but Hai Bodong did not give a direct answer, which clearly indicates that there is something fishy going on.

Yao Chen took a deep breath, his heart filled with complex emotions.

"Teacher, what about Han Feng..."

I'll tell you later.

Yao Chen shook his head slightly, and his soul perception was quietly released.

He was startled and quickly withdrew his soul perception.

He sensed that, besides Hai Bodong, whom he had already met, there were four other powerful individuals in the Zixiao Pavilion.

Among them were two experts at the Dou Zong level.

One is a five-star, and the other is a two-star!
There were two Dou Huang experts, one at the peak of Dou Huang, and the other in a strange state. Even with his soul perception, he couldn't detect the other person's exact star level.

Among these people, the peak Douhuang expert, whose soul power had reached the peak of the mortal realm, almost discovered his probe.

It should be noted that Yao Chen is the number one alchemist in Zhongzhou. Even though he is in extremely poor condition now, less than one-tenth of his peak, it is still not something an ordinary person could discover if he wanted to investigate secretly. Only those with soul power at the peak of the mortal realm could detect the anomaly.

Just as Yao Chen was sighing inwardly, soft footsteps came from inside the room through the window.

Soon, a young man dressed in a golden robe came to the window and sat down.

He flipped his hand, and a jade bottle appeared in his palm.

Through the seal on the bottle opening, one could see that a transparent soul was hidden inside.

It seemed that it hadn't seen the light of day for a long time; an expression of discomfort appeared on the face of the spirit, and the worry in its eyes was clearly visible.

As he looked at the jade bottle pushed in front of him, Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

Yao Chen's reaction was completely unexpected to Xiao Yan.

Yao Chen had always given him the impression of being omniscient and knowledgeable, as if he had everything under control.

This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a distraught scene.

"Welcome to Zixiao Pavilion. Han Feng has perished, with only his soul remaining. This is the answer you seek: a fifth-tier magic core, a fifth-grade pill formula, or perhaps a high-level Xuan-rank combat skill. This is the reward for answering your question."

A clear, familiar voice came from inside the window.

But soon, his attention was diverted to the price.

Is such a high price to pay for just answering one question?

Isn't that a bit too much of an appetite?

However, Yao Chen's reaction once again surprised him.

Yao Chen didn't haggle at all, nodded slightly, and took out a pill formula from his storage ring and handed it over.

He doesn't have a fifth-tier magic core on him right now.

The high-level combat techniques that Yao Chen collects are all those with commendable advantages, like the Eight Extremes Collapse.

In comparison, while fifth-grade pill formulas are equally precious, he has none of these things in abundance. In fact, he only needs to spend some time to create a batch.

"I wish to exchange this soul body with the Pavilion Master. What price would I be required to pay?" Yao Chen asked in a low voice, glancing at the jade bottle so close to him.

If he could, he would prefer to put it away directly.

Unfortunately, the person behind the window dared to so brazenly place the jade bottle in front of him, clearly unafraid that he would try to snatch it.

Judging from what Yao Chen sensed, the Zixiao Pavilion did indeed have the confidence to be so arrogant.

With two Dou Zong experts in charge, even without experiencing the immense losses during the Yunlan Sect's three-year agreement, he would still have to be cautious, let alone now.

(End of this chapter)