Breaking the Masked Man

……

Meanwhile, in a secluded courtyard in Black Seal City, a middle-aged man in black robes narrowed his eyes, a solemn expression appearing on his face. He stared intently at the location of the City Lord's Mansion in the distance and said in a low voice, "I thought that old guy from the Eight Doors was dead, but I didn't expect him to still be alive. Judging from the signs, it seems that his strength has broken through again."

"Sect Master, should we leave first?" asked a man in black.

"There's no need. We're not participating in this auction. We can just watch the show... Don't you think this auction held by the Eight Doors is very similar to the auction held by our Black Emperor Sect? This familiar feeling... It seems that the Eight Doors is also planning to double-cross us. Hehe."

A cold smile appeared on Mo Tianxing's face. In a place like the Black Corner Region, there was no need to follow the rules. He was able to advance to the Dou Zong level in a short period of time by stealing from others. He attracted a large number of Dou Huang experts with valuable items and then took all the good stuff from them.

A fair trade is nothing compared to robbery; he not only wants to take back the auctioned items, but also the other party's life and fortune.

The Black Corner Region is a giant breeding ground for evil spirits, where the strong get stronger and the weak are destined to die.

"Father, do you mean that the Eight Doors holding this auction is a conspiracy?" A young man whose strength had just reached the Dou Huang level asked. This man was Mo Tianxing's biological son, Mo Ya, who had come out with Mo Tianxing to broaden his horizons.

"Most likely, otherwise the commotion wouldn't have been this big. I just don't know who they're trying to lure here. Quite a few powerful figures have been attracted this time, even the Gold and Silver Elders. If these two join forces, even I can't say we're guaranteed to win!"

Mo Tianxing spoke slowly, his tone heavy.

He had contact with those two old guys. The cultivation methods they practiced were extremely strange. Their battle qi could be fused together to unleash a combined technique, which could rival a Dou Zong expert for a short period of time, making them quite troublesome.

There was a pause.

He continued, "I'm not the only Dou Zong expert attracted here this time. From what I can sense, there are two more lying in ambush... Clearly, someone else has their eyes on the Breakthrough Pill, or perhaps, like your father, they've seen through the scheme and want to reap the benefits!"

His tone grew increasingly grave: "If things go wrong, you should leave first and not linger here. I have a feeling that many people will die this time, and perhaps the entire Black Corner Region will have to be reshuffled after this!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the two nodded in agreement.

……

the other side.

The two elders of Canaan Academy, like Mo Tianxing, were hiding in Black Seal City, preparing to participate in the auction. Both the Imperial Extreme Pill and the Breakthrough Pill were extremely attractive to them, so they risked coming here to participate in the auction.

These two individuals are also quite special. They are Hu Qian, the vice dean of the outer academy, and the third elder of the outer academy. Both of them are at the Dou Huang level, with the former having stayed at the peak of Dou Huang for several years.

"Dean, if the Grand Elder finds out that we snuck out this time, we'll definitely get a scolding."

The Third Elder of the Outer Courtyard said with a smile.

"Do you think that old guy doesn't know? He's pretending not to know. Actually, that old guy is quite interested in this auction, but he can't say it openly, so he can only use you and me to participate." Hu Qian raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, then pouted and said with a displeased expression.

The two had known each other for nearly a century and knew each other inside and out. Since Su Qian became the Grand Elder, his demeanor had become more and more formal. After all, a group of students and teachers were watching him, and he had to set an example. How could he knowingly break the rules? Therefore, it could only be that he, the Vice Dean, had made a mistake.

"You made a mistake and then blamed it on me."

Accompanied by a cheerful laugh, an old man in black robes slowly walked out from the side. The space around him rippled slightly, as if he had merged with the space itself. He stood in the void, clearly a true Dou Zong powerhouse.

This person was none other than Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Court of Canaan Academy, a genuine two-star Dou Zong.

"Greetings, Grand Elder!" Upon seeing this, the Third Elder of the Outer Court quickly bowed and paid his respects.

Hu Qian was not surprised by this at all, and even said sarcastically, "Ever since you broke through to the Dou Zong realm, you can walk so silently. If I didn't know you so well, I would probably be startled by you!"

Show off if you want!

It's just breaking through to the Dou Zong level, right? Once he gets the Breakthrough Pill, he can also reach that level.

"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Something's really off about this. There's something wrong with Black Seal City. I just did a quick survey and found a powerful soul force at the location of the City Lord's Mansion. It should belong to a Dou Zong expert, and this person is definitely not that old guy from the Eight Doors. Clearly, someone is using the Eight Doors to set up a trap!"

Su Qian waved his hand, too lazy to waste time arguing with Hu Qian, and straightened his expression, speaking in a deep voice.

"Since it's been auctioned, the pills can't be fake. Why don't we try to bid for them? Then I'll see who dares to make a move against Canaan Academy!" Hu Qian didn't take it seriously. Instead, he was eager to try. There was no way he was afraid. Canaan Academy was a mountain in the Black Corner Region. Just those two old fogies in the inner courtyard were enough for them to stand tall and be proud of everyone else.

"It's hard to say. The name Canaan Academy alone might not be enough to deter those desperate criminals."

Su Qian shook her head and said slowly.

Hu Qian was no longer in the mood for jokes. Seeing Su Qian's solemn expression, he understood the gravity of the situation. After a moment's thought, he said, "...Let's see how things go. If things don't look good, we'll give up."

"That's for the best. I want to know who's behind the Eight Gates right now, and when did such a powerful figure appear in the Black Corner Region? He's only just arrived and he's already stirred up the whole region. I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse for Canaan Academy... And Han Feng from Maple City, that kid is also ambitious and not to be underestimated."

Su Qian said in a heavy tone that since Canaan Academy was established in the Black Corner Region, there were some things that could not be avoided, especially the competition among the major forces in the Black Corner Region. Rather than watching the Black Corner Region be unified, he hoped that the Black Corner Region would maintain the status quo.

"Han Feng? It's said that this kid is the personal disciple of that Medicine Venerable. I wonder why this Medicine Venerable's disciple would come to the Black Corner Region!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Qian seemed to understand Han Feng's words and frowned as he spoke.

"Rumor has it that Venerable Medicine's death was very suspicious. Han Feng is probably in the Black Corner Region to avoid being investigated. Venerable Medicine had quite a few friends back then..."

Su Qian's eyes flickered slightly, and she said in a low voice.

The Black Corner Region is a very special place. Due to its geographical location, it can be said to be the intersection of several major regions. As a result, no major power wants the other to control it. Therefore, a rule has been set to allow it to develop freely, and no one is allowed to interfere. In particular, experts at the Dou Zun level are not allowed to set foot in it.

This rule, established nearly a thousand years ago, continues to this day, leading to increasing chaos in the Black Corner Region, where even some forbidden items can appear.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 135 I Prefer the Tail

The Medicine Master was once the number one alchemist in the Central Continent and the champion of the Pill Tower's Pill Gathering. His alchemy skills were unmatched and he was extremely famous throughout the entire Dou Qi Continent. His Starfall Pavilion was one of the four major pavilions in the Central Continent.

There are even rumors that if he hadn't refused back then, he would be one of the three giants of Danta today.

Regardless of the veracity of these reports, the information revealed on the surface alone is enough to demonstrate his influence in Zhongzhou. And how could such an alchemist die from the backlash of alchemy?

Anyone with even a slight understanding of the Medicine Master would scoff at this.

Upon hearing this, Hu Qian frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "I've heard that this Medicine Venerable was quite low-key and humble in his lifetime. How could he have trained a disciple like Han Feng... It seems there were many secrets surrounding the Medicine Venerable's death, and the only person who knows the truth is Han Feng, his only direct disciple. Unfortunately, he's hiding in the Black Corner Region, so no one can bother him. Even those who were at odds with the Medicine Venerable back then are happy to see Han Feng make a name for himself in the Black Corner Region."

"A sixth-grade alchemist still carries considerable influence in the Black Corner Region," Su Qian sighed softly, seemingly quite helpless.

Ordinary sixth-grade alchemists wouldn't come to a chaotic place like the Black Corner Region. As everyone knows, most alchemists aren't particularly good at combat, and the Black Corner Region is notorious for its cutthroat competition. Unless an alchemist is out of their mind or like Han Feng, trying to avoid trouble, they would never choose to live in such a place.

This is why alchemists are extremely rare in the Black Corner Region.

In the Black Corner Region, no power like the Pill Tower is willing to stand up for alchemists or even provide them with protection.

"Do you think these pills have anything to do with Han Feng?"

Hu Qian's gaze shifted slightly, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he asked in a deep voice.

"……Hard to say."

Su Qian shook his head slightly, unable to give a precise answer. If it was indeed Han Feng who caused the commotion, then the other party's intentions must be extremely ambitious, otherwise he wouldn't have made such a grand gesture. The Imperial Extreme Pill occasionally appears in the Black Corner Region, but a pill like the Breaking Sect Pill is extremely rare, appearing only a handful of times, and each time it appears, it causes a bloodbath.

Hu Qian sneered and said, "Whatever his plans are, let's be open about it. If we can really get the pills, you can just leave with them. I don't believe anyone will dare to chase us into Canaan Academy."

Su Qian did not object upon hearing this. If Hu Qian could obtain the Breakthrough Pill, he might be able to break through to the Dou Zong level, which would be a good thing for Canaan Academy.

……

Just as various forces were gathering, a group of reapers who liked to hide in the shadows also arrived after hearing the news.

They are like rats in the gutter, with a keen sense of smell. Whenever they detect killing, they sneak up and hide in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to harvest the souls of a group of powerful individuals. Rather than direct confrontation, the Soul Envoys and Protectors of the Soul Palace prefer to play dirty tricks.

To maximize revenue, strike hard when the target is at its weakest.

"I didn't expect so many Dou Huang experts to gather here, and even several Dou Zong experts have come. Interesting. Why don't we join in and take advantage of the opportunity to harvest some? The souls of Dou Huang experts are quite valuable. If we have the chance to obtain the soul of a Dou Zong expert, we can also be promoted to Protectors!"

From the shadows, a pair of blood-red eyes, filled with a chilling intent, slowly shot out, followed by a hissing sound that sent shivers down one's spine, tinged with a cold laugh.

A dark figure moved about, chuckling strangely, "Heh heh, let's take a gamble then, otherwise when will we ever become protectors?"

The Soul Palace has a strict hierarchy, divided into four levels.

The lowest-ranking Soul Envoys are mostly at the Dou Huang level. For the people of the Soul Hall, increasing their strength is extremely simple; they only need to devour the souls of others. Although this secret method has many side effects, even affecting one's personality and character, the allure of powerful strength is irresistible to any member of the Soul Hall.

Above the Soul Envoys are the Guardians. Guardians mostly possess the strength of a Dou Zong and can act freely. They do not have mandatory tasks on a daily basis, unlike Soul Envoys, who become part of the mission if they do not collect enough souls within a specified time.

The Venerable Elders are elders at the Dou Zun level, each possessing immense power and presiding over a region's Earthly Fiend Hall. The most outstanding among them are bestowed the title of Heavenly Venerable and preside over the Heavenly Gang Halls of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

Above that is the Palace Master.

Such figures are merely legends to those below them; most of them have only met the Venerable Elder, and some are even only worthy of meeting the Dharma Protector.

"Then let's mobilize the manpower... I've cultivated quite a few seeds over the years, hehe~"

"I have five or six too, let's all join together and take a gamble!"

"it is good!"

. . . . . .

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. As more and more powerful figures gathered, the atmosphere in the entire Black Seal City gradually became heavy. No one expected that so many powerful figures would gather this time. The number of peak Dou Huang experts alone reached double digits, and even many old guys who had disappeared for decades appeared.

Among these people, there are as many as six experts at the peak of the Douhuang realm.

The difference in strength between Dou Huang and Dou Zong is indeed huge. However, if the number of Dou Huang reaches a certain level, even Dou Zong experts will feel a headache. In particular, Dou Zong before the fifth star level cannot fully utilize the power of space and it is difficult to launch an overwhelming attack on a peak Dou Huang expert unless they possess powerful Dou Techniques.

Upon realizing this, Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect instantly lost all interest in showing himself.

……

The following day, as the first rays of dawn shone down from the sky, Black Seal City, which had been silent all night, became noisy again. At the same time, countless people flocked to the auction house of the Eight Gates like ants. The number of powerful people gathered there was the largest in recent years.

At this moment, inside the City Lord's Mansion of the Eight Doors.

Sitting cross-legged on the soft couch, Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A strange blue flame flashed by, causing his aura to surge several times. His surging blood and qi flowed throughout his body, and terrifying power filled his limbs and bones. It was as if he could shatter everything around him with the slightest movement of his body. The feeling of that great power returning to his body was truly mesmerizing.

"Whoo~"

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, then slowly rose from the soft couch, pushed open the door and went out, only to see that Cai Lin and Yao Lao's souls were already in the hall.