Breaking the Masked Man

"I don't know much, but I do know that the Medicine Emperor was once the disciple of the number one alchemist in Central Continent. He appeared in Black Corner Region more than ten years ago, and his alchemy skills were unmatched. At a young age, he had already broken through to the sixth rank of alchemist, making him the undisputed number one alchemist in Black Corner Region. At the same time, his methods were extremely ruthless. In order to establish his own power, he contacted several Dou Huang powerhouses and wiped out the sects in Maple City at that time, leaving no survivors. As a result, he became famous and was unparalleled in his time!"

The middle-aged man paused, wanting to see Yao Yan's expression, but Yao Yan was wearing a mask, making it impossible for him to judge the other party's thoughts and emotions.

"Continue~"

Yao Yan said calmly.

The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "With the help of this momentum, the Medicine King has gained a foothold in the Black Corner Region. Moreover, with his status as a sixth-grade alchemist, he has connections with many forces in the Black Corner Region. Maple City is now more prosperous than before, and no one dares to provoke him. It is rumored that even Canaan Academy has to give him some face."

"That's all I know."

He looked at Yao Yan cautiously, not daring to utter a sound. Facing such a powerful figure, he had not a single evil thought.

"Thank you~"

Yao Yan nodded, casually tossing the other party a bottle of Grade 3 Qi-restoring pills. Before the other party could react, he and Cai Lin soared into the sky, flying towards a nearby city. At the same time, he chatted with Yao Lao in the Bone Flame Ring, teasingly saying, "It seems your disciple is doing quite well in the Black Corner Region. Medicine Emperor, tsk tsk, that title is truly domineering~"

"Boy, don't make fun of me... Alas, I never expected him to turn out like this. Back then, he clashed with me over the Burning Technique. He felt that I was unwilling to hand it over to him, so he joined forces with my former junior brother to severely injure me, leaving me in this state."

The old doctor's voice was low and somewhat weak, as if he had been holding it in for too long and was finally letting it all out to vent his emotions.

Yao Yan remained quite calm and said softly, "There are always some people in this world who are born rebellious, thinking that all good things should be theirs and can't stand the slightest grievance. They only take your kindness for granted, and if you go against their wishes, they will hold a grudge. These kinds of people are ungrateful wretches. You can only blame yourself for not seeing through their true nature. You should have just crushed them with a slap back then."

As he spoke, he also thought about his relationship with Hun Xuzi.

Compared to Yao Lao and Han Feng, his relationship with Hun Xuzi seemed more complicated. The other party had nurtured him entirely for his own benefit, even because of an experiment. But judging by actions rather than intentions, he had to acknowledge the other party's kindness in nurturing him... Yet he still wanted to crush the other party; some hatred could not be erased.

The memory of being used as an experimental subject and having my life and death at their mercy is still deeply etched in my mind.

How can one forget the agony of being slowly sliced ​​to death?

To be fair, the other party did teach him a lot, such as how to survive in this world!

Without him, he wouldn't have gotten to where he is today.

"Maybe~"

The old doctor sighed softly, seemingly unwilling to continue the conversation.

Yao Yan said considerately, "If you are reluctant to take action, I will do it."

"let's discuss it later."

After saying this, the old doctor disappeared, severing all contact with Yao Yan.

At this moment, Cai Lin, standing to the side, was facing Yao Yan with that unremarkable mask, just like when the two first met. Her voice was sweet and her tone was indifferent: "When do you plan to go to Canaan Academy? That place should be hard to sneak into."

“It may be difficult for others, but you seem to have forgotten that I am only seventeen years old this year.”

Yao Yan looked into Cai Lin's eyes and chuckled.

Cai Lin was taken aback upon hearing this, and then she thought of Yao Yan's age. A complicated look appeared in her eyes. Because of Yao Yan's strength and what he had done, she always habitually ignored his age. Who could be as monstrous as Yao Yan at the age of seventeen?

She immediately fell silent, clearly not wanting to discuss this topic with Yao Yan and give him a chance to show off.

Yao Yan continued with a smile, "However, I still need to think about whether to infiltrate. Before that, let's go to Maple City first. I want to meet this number one alchemist in the Black Corner Region... A sixth-grade alchemist dares to call himself number one? He's got some nerve!"

He inexplicably thought of a saying: "When the tiger is away, the monkeys reign supreme."

As Yao Lao's disciple, Han Feng's talent is beyond doubt. Otherwise, he would not have been able to raise his strength to half-step Dou Zong by cultivating the incomplete Burning Technique. Although this is a future achievement in the original work, just based on this point alone, his talent is definitely not weak. No wonder he was highly praised by Yao Lao.

Unfortunately, Han Feng had serious character flaws. He was impatient for quick success and profit, and at a young age, he liked to take the wrong path and seek quick results, which completely wasted his talent. As a result, he was still unable to break through to the Dou Zong level even in his fifties. It can be said that he played a good game terribly.

In the end, he made it impossible for him to survive in Zhongzhou, so he had no choice but to come to a place like Black Corner to show off.

Ironically, this kid actually felt quite proud of it.

Cai Lin's eyes flickered slightly, and she asked in a low voice, "His relationship with that old gentleman..."

"That old bastard is an ingrate who was raised from childhood. Back then, he conspired with outsiders to ruin him into what he is now."

Yao Yan was concise and to the point; he knew that Yao Lao didn't like discussing this topic.

Cai Lin nodded slightly, not asking any further questions, showing respect to the old doctor. In this respect, she still possessed the sensitivity a woman should have, knowing that no one likes others discussing their painful past.

"Black Seal City!"

Yao Yan looked at the map in his hand and quickly found a familiar word. This city, which appeared in the original work, was under the jurisdiction of the Eight Doors. The Eight Doors was an old power in the Black Corner Region with considerable strength and foundation. Its most famous feature was its annual auction, which attracted countless powerful people.

He said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity the auction is over this year, otherwise we could have looted a bit!"

"...You really do adapt to local customs!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Lin was speechless for a moment, rolled her eyes at Yao Yan, and said.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do!"

Yao Yan's lips curled up, a hint of excitement in his eyes, and he laughed loudly.

P.S.: We're entering the mid-term stage. I forgot to ask for leave yesterday, sorry.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 131 The fox pretends to be the tiger's power

With an accurate map, Yao Yan and Cai Lin no longer needed to wander aimlessly across the Black Domain Plains like two headless flies.

After about half a day, the two flew out of the Black Domain Plain. The scenery before them gradually became more vibrant, and they could even see some mountain ranges. After flying over the continuous mountain ranges, a huge city made of black boulders came into Yao Yan's view.

The city was quite large; viewed from above, it was clearly no smaller than any of the major cities in the Gama Empire.

At the city's four gates, one can see countless tiny black dots, like ants, gathering and surging into the city's gaping maw, as if welcoming all who come.

"We've arrived. If the map that person gave us is accurate, this should be Black Seal City."

Yao Yan gradually slowed down, looking at the distant city with great interest, and spoke to Cai Lin beside him.

Cai Lin wasn't particularly interested in this. Unlike Yao Yan, who was a 'worldly' young master, she, as the current Medusa Queen, had seen far more and fought far more opponents than Yao Yan. In her eyes, the Black Seal City in front of her was nothing special.

Yao Yan continued, "The force that controls Black Seal City is called the Eight Doors. The sect leader, Yuan Yi, is ranked among the top ten on the Black List and is a senior Dou Huang powerhouse."

The map that the man gave Yao Yan contained detailed information, especially highlighting the major forces with Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) in charge. Those who could be recorded by the gang were naturally the top people in the Black Corner Region. These people might not be anything special in the prosperous Central State, but outside of the Central State, they were undoubtedly absolute kings.

Don't underestimate the value of a Dou Huang. Even among the top-tier forces and imperial clans in Zhongzhou, a Dou Huang can hold a certain status. Not to mention, in some remote places, becoming a king or a hegemon is an easy thing to do.

This might also be why Han Feng chose Black Corner Domain.

Because this place is chaotic enough, it has people from all kinds of sects, and because of its geographical location, good things often flow in, such as Earth-rank fighting skills and various precious magic cores and medicinal herbs, which even Han Feng covets.

"Just a Dou Huang?"

Cai Lin parted her red lips slightly, her eyes turning cold, with a hint of restlessness. Perhaps it was because she had spent too much time with Yao Yan that her standards had risen. She really didn't take a mere Dou Huang seriously. Moreover, with her current strength, she didn't need to care about anyone below Dou Zong, especially with that freak Yao Yan by her side.

If the opponent is given enough strength to prepare, they could probably replicate the scene from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect at any time.

"The Dou Huang here may be different from the Dou Huang you know. Don't underestimate them."

Compared to Cai Lin's arrogance, Yao Yan remained extremely calm. He was well aware of the gap between Dou Huangs. To put it bluntly, a Dou Huang who cultivated Earth-rank techniques could easily overpower a Dou Huang who cultivated Profound-rank techniques. If Earth-rank Dou skills were added, their combat power would skyrocket, and fighting beyond their rank would be commonplace.

The Black Corner Region is not like the remote Gama Empire. Earth-rank combat skills are not rare here. The Black Seal City in front of us has auctioned off Earth-rank combat skills several times.

Yao Yan could not believe that the leader of the Eight Gates had never tried to cultivate Earth-rank techniques or combat skills.

"Differentiation? In my eyes, there's only the difference between the living and the dead."

Cai Lin glanced at Yao Yan and said indifferently, her tone filled with aloofness and disdain. It wasn't that she was arrogant, but rather that with her companion soul, she was naturally superior to most cultivators, and her combat power was extremely terrifying, far more than just one plus one.

"You're really suited to the Black Corner Region..." Yao Yan thought to himself upon hearing this, then waved to Cai Lin and said, "Go down. Black Seal City is a no-fly zone. If we fly in like this, we'll be attacked."

On his first day in the Black Corner Region, he didn't want to cause any big trouble and attract the attention of the Soul Hall. Given how much his teacher valued him, he estimated that the Soul Hall protectors in this area had already made their moves, and there might even be some elders secretly involved.

Yao Yan did not want to meet with Hun Xuzi before properly dealing with the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Besides, he also needs to continue cultivating the Burning Technique. He needs to devour another strange fire, or even two strange fires, to verify the prospects of the Burning Technique. Otherwise, given Hun Xuzi's personality, he is very likely to cripple his fighting spirit and start over. As for the damage to his body... for a ninth-grade alchemy master, is that a big deal?

"It's not wrong to keep a low profile. Your strength isn't enough to allow you to run rampant in the Black Corner Region. Besides, this place isn't as simple as you think. There should be a Dou Zong among the Eight Gates of Black Seal City..."

The smiling voice of the old man echoed in Yao Yan's mind. In this short while, he had adjusted his emotions. As a Dou Zun powerhouse, he was not so fragile.

"Dou Zong?"

Yao Yan was somewhat surprised to hear this, as he had never heard of such a thing before.

The old doctor smiled and explained to Yao Yan, "Do you know why the Dou Zong is the standard by which a force in the Dou Qi Continent is measured and whether it can be considered a first-class power? It's mainly because of lifespan. The difference between Dou Huang and Dou Zong, besides strength, is their lifespan. If a Dou Zong expert doesn't encounter any accidents, living for six or seven hundred years is not a big problem. In fact, if they take some longevity pills, living for over a thousand years is not impossible. On the other hand, a Dou Huang only lives for two or three hundred years. The difference is so great that you can imagine."

There was a pause.

He continued, "Besides that, there is the use of spatial power. The Dou Qi Continent is so vast that even a Dou Zun expert would not dare to say that he has traversed every inch of its land. Only by mastering spatial power can one shorten the gap between two places, allowing oneself to travel to other places in one's lifetime, communicate with other forces, and even construct spatial wormholes!"

"I have heard about this matter."

Yao Yan was no stranger to this knowledge; the herb farmer had explained it to him before.

The old doctor smiled and said, "In that case, some questions can be easily deduced. In a place like the Black Corner Region, ordinary forces change very quickly. Even forces with a Dou Huang in charge are still like this. Only those with a Dou Zong can survive here for a long time. This is the true foundation of a force."

"You're right, sir. If the Eight Doors only had one Dou Huang, how could they dare to hold an auction in a place like the Black Corner Region?"

Yao Yan responded, agreeing with what Elder Yao said. If the Eight Doors didn't have a Dou Zong in charge, the items he auctioned would have attracted Dou Zong experts to rob them. And in a place like the Black Corner Region, there are no rules. The only way to gain respect is through sheer strength!

Might makes right.

He casually relayed Yao Lao's words to Cai Lin, and the words "Dou Zong" undoubtedly stung Cai Lin's nerves, making her previously indifferent expression become more serious. Clearly, the Dou Zong level was quite significant and could put considerable pressure on her.

"Don't worry, if anything really happens, I'll protect you."

Yao Yan looked at his sister-in-law, who was wrapped up tightly beside him, and patted his chest to assure her.