Breaking the Masked Man

"You're the one who should be paying attention."

Cai Lin glanced at Yao Yan sideways, then transformed into a streak of light and flew downwards.

The medicine was said to follow closely behind.

Upon landing, the two walked together toward Black Seal City, witnessing the local customs and practices of the Black Corner Region along the way, such as robbery. There was no sympathy for the weak here; the weaker one was, the more they were bullied. The strong liked to bully the weak because it was the least risky thing to do, even if the reward was small, it was safe.

Of course, you might occasionally encounter a ruthless character, the kind who pretends to be weak but is actually strong, and such people will undoubtedly suffer a terrible fate.

However, these troublesome matters obviously couldn't be directed at Yao Yan. He had no intention of pretending to be weak while actually being strong. Throughout the entire process, he exuded the aura of a Dou Wang level, and no one could enter within a ten-meter radius. Not to mention coming to cause trouble, very few people even bothered to look at him, for fear of attracting trouble, and they all kept their distance.

The guards at the city gate were also very perceptive. After realizing Yao Yan's strength, they didn't even dare to charge him a toll. They let Yao Yan into the city directly and respectfully introduced himself: "I am Shi Yu, an outer disciple of the Eight Doors. I am in charge of guarding the city gate today. If you have any needs, please let me know."

“Eight Doors? It just so happens that I also want to see your sect leader. Please pass on a message and say that a seventh-grade alchemist would like to see him and ask if he is available.”

Yao Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and then he used his soul power to transmit his voice. He had no interest in showing off at the city gate. A seventh-grade alchemist was enough to ignite the entire Black Seal City, or even the Black Corner Region. He did not want to make things that big. He came here only to gather some information. In addition, he also had the last fragment of the map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame!

In the original story, this fragment of the map eventually ended up in the hands of the Eight Doors of Black Seal City.

"……Yes!"

Upon hearing the telepathic message, Shi Yu was completely dumbfounded. Looking at the motionless crowd around him, he immediately realized that this was the alchemist's method. His voice trembled for a moment, and he quickly bowed to Yao Yan in response. Then, he instructed his subordinates to take good care of Yao Yan, and then angrily ran towards the city lord's mansion.

With the strength of a Battle Master, he runs with incredible speed and power.

……

Inside the City Lord's Mansion in Black Seal City.

An obese man was leaning back on a soft couch, his fingers constantly playing with his beard. His expression was somewhat solemn and troubled, as if he was worried about something. However, some things could only be thought about in his heart. He could not mention them to outsiders, and he could not even mention the slightest thing about them.

After all, places like the Black Corner Region are full of ruthless characters who will devour you without spitting out the bones. Once you are weak, countless wolves will swarm in and completely devour you.

"It's really troublesome..."

He sighed softly, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes.

This person was none other than Yuan Yi, the current head of the Eight Doors, a powerful figure who had reached the level of a two-star Dou Huang. His strength was among the bottom of the top ten in the underworld, but because of the title of Eight Doors, no one had any objections to it.

The Eight Doors have existed in the Black Corner Region for hundreds of years and are an old-established power. If you really trace their lineage, you can even go back to the time when Canaan Academy was founded.

Decades ago, two Dou Huangs, together with more than a dozen Dou Wangs, attempted to seize control of Black Seal City and take everything for themselves. In the end, they drew out the ancestor who had been in seclusion for many years and crushed them to death with a single slap. Since then, no one in the Black Corner Region has dared to provoke the Eight Doors.

However, what outsiders don't know is that after the ancestor made his move that time, he went into complete seclusion, and to this day, the soul jade pendant left behind by the other party has been shattered.

The Eight Doors are just a bunch of bullies now; if something really happens, they really can't withstand the pressure of being in the top ten of the blacklist!

But he had to keep up the act.

Only he himself knew the psychological pressure he was under. His mere two-star Dou Huang strength gave him no sense of security whatsoever. There were countless people in the Black Corner Region stronger than him. The so-called Black List was just something in the open; who knew how many old fogies were still alive in the shadows.

"Ugh, this is tough~"

Yuan Yi sighed deeply, and only when a hurried commotion came from outside did the worry on his face disappear, turning into a smile that resembled a smiling tiger, sending chills down one's spine. He then got up and walked towards the door, his aura as a two-star Dou Huang clearly visible.

He asked with a smile, "What's all the noise about? Didn't I tell you not to make noise while I'm cultivating, hmm?"

As he spoke, he glanced at everyone present and quickly pinpointed the source of the commotion: a Battle Master dressed in the robes of an outer disciple... He couldn't help but open his eyes slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "What is it?"

"Sect Master, two important figures just arrived at the city gate. One of them said he wants to see the City Master!"

Shi Yu quickly replied.

Yuan Yi was somewhat surprised, then looked Shi Yu up and down and asked, "See me? Now anyone can see me?"

"That important figure claims to be a seventh-grade alchemist!"

Knowing Yuan Yi's personality, Shi Yu didn't dare to keep him in suspense and quickly said...

"?!"

The moment the other person finished speaking, Yuan Yi's pupils widened slightly. He then flashed forward, grabbed Shi Yu by the collar, and said in a deep voice, his smile completely gone, "Tell me everything from beginning to end!"

Shi Yu nodded and then described the physical characteristics and words of the two people.

"Looks very young? Could he be an old monster? And a snake woman too... What a bizarre combination."

Yuan Yi muttered something to himself, his expression growing increasingly serious.

There was silence for a moment.

He reached out and straightened Shi Yu's collar, a smile returning to his face. He said, "You did well this time. From today onwards, you are an inner disciple of the Eight Doors. You no longer need to guard the city gates. Go to the auction house. I'll tell them tomorrow."

Shi Yu said excitedly, "Thank you, Sect Master!"

Yuan Yi waved his hand, and then wings of battle qi appeared behind him. He transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the city gate. He wanted to see what kind of person this seventh-grade alchemist was!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 132 Manipulating the Auction House

A streak of light rose from within the City Lord's Mansion, and in a short while, Yuan Yi landed halfway there, intercepting Yao Yan and Cai Lin who were heading towards the City Lord's Mansion.

After glancing at them for a few moments, he frowned slightly, then relaxed, a kind smile spreading across his face. He politely cupped his hands and said, "I am Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Doors. I came here to welcome you two distinguished guests. May I ask where you two are from?"

Yao Yan did not answer the other party's question. He looked to both sides and said softly, "There's no need to probe further. This is not the place to talk business."

“You’re right, please follow me.” Yuan Yi nodded and smiled in response. He then led Yao Yan and Cai Lin toward the City Lord’s Mansion. As for the rule that flying over Black Seal City was prohibited, it obviously did not apply to him, the sect leader.

This rule was initially established simply to distinguish whether the visitors were friends or foes.

The three of them quickly returned to the city lord's mansion.

As the maids brought tea and pastries, Yuan Yi's smile grew even warmer. He personally served the two tea, since this was his territory. Unless one of the visitors was a Dou Zong level expert, it wouldn't be difficult for him to keep them here. He wasn't afraid of them playing any tricks.

With his own safety assured, he naturally became more active. He carefully examined the two people, and after a moment, his gaze settled on Yao Yan, as the two were clearly in charge of this young man.

His eyes flickered slightly, and he tentatively asked, "By the way, the disciple who came to deliver the message said that you are a seventh-grade alchemist?"

"Pfft~"

Yao Yan didn't waste any words. He simply raised one hand, and with a slight movement of his battle qi, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, shimmering with golden light, suddenly surged from his palm. Instantly, a terrifyingly high temperature spread out, causing the temperature in the room to rise continuously. Moreover, the flame was filled with an indescribable ferocious aura, extremely violent.

"Strange fire?!"

Yuan Yi was undoubtedly a connoisseur. As the current head of the Eight Doors and ranked among the top ten on the Black List, he naturally knew Han Feng, the rising star of the Black Corner Region. He had also seen the strange fire in Han Feng's hands. Since Han Feng obtained the Sea Heart Flame several years ago, he had shown it off in front of them quite often, and it had almost become Han Feng's unique trademark.

Therefore, he gained some understanding of the strange fire, especially its extremely violent aura, which was unmatched by other flames.

Among all flames, the Strange Flame is like a supreme emperor, possessing absolute dominance.

"The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Strange Flame Ranking~"

Yao Yan explained to Yuan Yi in a low voice, then looked at Yuan Yi calmly and said, "Although the strange fire cannot prove my identity as a seventh-grade alchemist, most people who possess strange fire are alchemists. After all, apart from alchemists, other cultivators in this world would not be interested in it, much less refine it into their bodies."

Aside from those inherited exotic flames, ordinary people in this world don't have much interest in wild exotic flames. Most people would only use them to trade with alchemists and wouldn't choose to refine them themselves.

Because the risks and rewards are not proportional.

Alchemists are fascinated by exotic fires because they need them to refine pills. However, for ordinary cultivators, refining exotic fires offers almost no benefit other than using them in battle. Wouldn't it be better to exchange them for a combat skill of Earth Rank or higher than risking one's life refining exotic fires?

Yuan Yi watched as the azure flame in Yao Yan's palm gradually lost its heat and aura. The skillful manipulation of fire was impossible to fake. He couldn't help but say, "I believe what you say. An alchemist would not lie about their rank, and this matter cannot be faked. Since you have revealed your identity, you obviously want to cooperate with me. May I ask how I should address you?"

"You can call me Mr. Medicine."

Yao Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and he spoke softly.

"Mr. Medicine?!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yi muttered something to himself, then smiled and said, "I wonder if there's anything Mr. Yao can help me with?"

His tone was extremely polite; respect was the bare minimum when facing someone who was very likely a seventh-grade alchemist.

"I'm looking for a fragment of a map. If you can find it, I can give you a Breakthrough Pill."

Yao Yan set a price. Facing the people of the Black Corner Region, it was impossible to lower the price. Moreover, compared to the value of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame Fragment Map, a Breaking Sect Pill was obviously nothing. As for whether this matter would cause trouble in the Black Corner Region, he didn't care much. He had already obtained three of the four fragments. As long as he could force out the last one, he was confident that he could get it. What annoyed him the most was that it hadn't appeared yet.

Breakthrough Pill?!

Yuan Yi's breath hitched. He stood up abruptly, his eyes burning as he stared at Yao Yan. He knew that his father had been stuck at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Huang realm until his death, never having taken that step. The effects of the Breakthrough Pill were enough to make any Dou Huang powerhouse obsessed. If this news were to spread, all the Dou Huang powerhouses in the entire Black Corner Region would go crazy.

At this moment, he completely believed Yao Yan's identity as a seventh-grade alchemist. After all, even the Medicine Emperor Han Feng could not successfully refine the Breakthrough Pill. Although this pill appeared to be a sixth-grade pill, its effects were actually more precious than some seventh-grade pills, and it was extremely difficult to refine. Han Feng had failed to refine it several times, leaving those who sought the medicine empty-handed.

This matter caused quite a stir back then, and even powerful figures at the Douhuang level had heard about it.

"This is a record stone of the incomplete map. If you can find it, the Breakthrough Pill will be yours."

Yao Yan extinguished the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame in his palm, then took out a recording stone from his storage ring and threw it to Yuan Yi. At the same time, he took out a bottle of Breakthrough Pills and placed it on the table next to him, seemingly unafraid that the other party would go crazy for it and rush over to snatch it.

Because Cai Lin had already released the aura of a nine-star Dou Huang, that heavy pressure landed directly on Yuan Yi.

Sensing the intense aura of danger, Yuan Yi suddenly looked at Cai Lin. His attention had been focused on Yao Yan, and he hadn't noticed that the person in front of him was also a peak Dou Huang expert. The extreme killing intent he exuded indicated that many people had died at his hands.

Yao Yan raised his hand, signaling Cai Lin to suppress his aura, and said with a smile, "I have heard about the rules of the Black Corner Region, but I like to follow the rules. I wonder if Sect Leader Yuan would be willing to take on this business."

“Yes, Black Seal City is in a special location, at the intersection of several major regions. Moreover, our Eight Doors is an old power in the Black Corner Region, with connections to all the major powers in the Black Corner Region. Gathering intelligence is easy for us. As long as this fragment of the map is in the Black Corner Region, I will definitely be able to find it!”

Yuan Yi confidently assured him that he would obtain the Breakthrough Pill no matter what, because only by reaching the Dou Zong realm could he have a true sense of security.

The title of Dou Huang may seem glamorous, but in reality, it is easily extinguished. In a place like the Black Corner Region, a Dou Huang-level strength offers no sense of security whatsoever. Yet, he still has to stand at the highest point, guarding the vast estate of Black Seal City.

"Then when Sect Master Yuan finds the incomplete map, this Breakthrough Pill will surely be presented to him with both hands."

Yao Yan nodded, and then, under Yuan Yi's reluctant gaze, he put away the Breakthrough Pill. At the same time, he took out two other bottles of pills and continued, "Two Imperial Extreme Pills... It is said that Black Seal City holds an auction every year. I wonder if it is possible to hold one more time."

"Using these two pills as the grand finale would be acceptable, but it's still lacking something. If we could use the Breakthrough Pill..."