Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master.

There are always those who are blind to reason and insist on spouting nonsense.

Xiao Li: #!

"Nine Tribulations Heavenly Flame Hand!"

A giant hand of purple fire slammed down on the black bandit who had spoken, killing him instantly. It truly lived up to the saying, "He died because he talked too much."

"Hmm~ Not bad, let's go!" At this moment, Old Wang returned to Xiao Li's side, stroking his beard and saying with a smile.

Xiao Li was speechless. The teacher was good in every way, but he would always surprise you with something unexpected!

Since Elder Wang knew how to get to the Black Corner Region, Xiao Li didn't need to buy a map and just followed Elder Wang. Their destination this time was Xuan Ye City.

I've already found out along the way that an auction will be held in Xuan Ye City soon, and it's said that there will be some good stuff!

Xiao Li was looking at the Black List at this moment. The Black List was the list of strong people in the Black Corner Region. Unlike the list of strong people in other empires, which might be changed every ten or twenty years, the Black List could be changed at any time.

The Blacklist is far more competitive than any other empire.

Number one on the blacklist: Earth Demon Old Ghost (Dou Zong powerhouse)

Second on the Black List: Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect (Peak Dou Huang)

Ranked third on the blacklist: Old Man Eagle Mountain (Peak Douhuang)

. . . . . .

Ranked eighth on the blacklist: Ye Xuan of the Xuan Ye Sect (approximately a four-star Dou Huang).

. . . . . .

Ranked tenth on the blacklist: Medicine King Han Feng (Cultivation level suspected to be Dou Huang, Rank 6 Alchemist; Note: He is the disciple of Medicine Venerable, the number one alchemist on the continent!)

"Han Feng? Medicine Venerable?" Xiao Li muttered to himself. He didn't expect that Han Feng had already arrived in the Black Corner Region at this time. Judging from the time, he would probably be purged in a few decades.

Only a few decades have passed, and you're still just at the peak of the Dou Huang realm? Useless!

Xiao Li despised such beasts who betray their masters and ancestors.

Chapter 22 Xuanye City

"Teacher, look at the number ten on the blacklist, it's Medicine King Han Feng!" Xiao Li handed the information on the blacklist to Old Wang.

After reviewing the list, Elder Wang said, "Old Demon Earth Ghost is still number one. He was a Dou Zong expert back then, and he still is. Mo Tianxing and Old Man Eagle Mountain are both veteran experts."

This Han Feng? I've heard of him. Legend has it he's the adopted son and disciple of the Medicine Venerable, who imparted all his knowledge to him. But how come he's only a sixth-grade alchemist?

"Only?" Xiao Li was taken aback. Teacher, aren't you also a sixth-grade alchemist? Why do you look down on your fellow alchemist?

"Isn't that right? The Medicine Venerable is the number one alchemist on the continent. This Han Feng is probably much older than you, but you're already at the fifth rank while he's only at the sixth."

Is this really a disciple of the Medicine Venerable? I don't believe it. Besides, I find his cultivation level odd. Does the Medicine Venerable's disciple not even have the strength of a Dou Huang? Only ranked tenth?

Old Master Wang held Medicine Venerable, also known as Medicine Master, in high esteem, but what Han Feng was showing made Old Master Wang wonder if Han Feng was actually Medicine Master's personal disciple.

"Is there any explanation for this?" Xiao Li asked, puzzled. Although he roughly knew what Han Feng was like, he didn't know his teacher's opinion.

"Of course there is a story. The medicinal bath you have been using since you were a child was something I learned from the Medicine Venerable. Back then, I was severely injured by the Dou Huang of Ice River Valley and had to escape with great difficulty."

I collapsed somewhere, and when I woke up, I learned that it was the Medicine Venerable who had saved me. The Medicine Venerable not only healed my external injuries, but also gave me some pointers.

You are now sixteen years old, a two-star Dou Ling, and a fifth-grade alchemist. Besides your own hard work, you also have my support. The Medicine Venerable is much stronger than me.

"Given his skill level, isn't it strange that Han Feng is merely a sixth-grade alchemist, with a cultivation level that's barely at the Dou Huang realm?"

"Well, that makes sense." Xiao Li had experienced the power of the medicinal bath combined with pills. With Yao Lao's skill, the foundation he laid for Han Feng was probably enough for him to become a Dou Sheng!

As a result, Elder Mu Gu rebelled at the slightest provocation, and even betrayed his master for the sake of the Burning Technique. The solid foundation laid by Elder Yao was also destroyed by his own actions.

The Burning Technique is indeed powerful, but it's somewhat life-threatening. Xiao Li doesn't plan to take this path. There are so many paths to cultivation, and the Burning Technique isn't the only one that matters.

Besides, the world-destroying disaster of the Soul Emperor is imminent, so let Xiao Yan handle it. He can just protect his family, be a grandfather, and tease Yun'er in the early stages.

Risk my life? I'd never risk my life in this lifetime! If I were to die in another thud, I might really be gone.

As the master and apprentice chatted, they arrived at Xuan Ye City. Xiao Li looked up at the massive, dark city wall and glanced at the three large characters "Xuan Ye City" in the center of the city gate.

There is a sign in front of Xuanye City that looks like a black leaf.

"Li'er, let's go. I'll show you what a pharmacist's network of connections is like!" Old Wang said with a faint smile.

"what?"

"What do you mean 'ah'? Alchemists naturally need to have their own network of connections. Otherwise, why would there be a rule on the continent that you can't easily offend an alchemist? It's because alchemists have amazing networks of connections."

Ye Xuan and I are old acquaintances. Now that I've heard there's an auction going on, I'll naturally go and see what good stuff is there.

Old Wang tapped Xiao Li on the head. This kid is sometimes quite clever, and sometimes a bit silly.

"I didn't expect that the teacher's network of connections has even reached the Black Corner Region, and there are people the teacher knows." Xiao Li said, scratching his head.

"Hmph! Don't underestimate me just because I'm only a sixth-grade alchemist. If it weren't for that damned Ice River Valley, I would at least be a Dou Zong expert, and maybe even a Dou Zun."

Old Wang said angrily that the nightmares of his childhood ruined his future; if he hadn't been lucky, he would have been gone long ago.

"Teacher, do you know any Dou Zong experts? With Dou Zong experts, our trip to the Black Corner Region will be much safer," Xiao Li said with a grin.

"Of course I know her. There's a Dou Zong expert I know at Canaan Academy, and there's one in the Central Region of Central State too! ...And she must be one too..."

Old Wang's last words were spoken very softly, as if he were talking to himself, and Xiao Li did not hear clearly what Old Wang said.

"Teacher, what did you say?" Xiao Li didn't hear what Old Wang said.

"It's nothing! Anyway, your teacher really knows a Dou Zong expert. You'll find out when you enter Canaan Academy. That old guy broke through to Dou Zong a few years ago. He was really lucky."

Old Wang waved his hand and said, "After all, a sixth-grade alchemist has a wide network of connections."

Xiao Li followed Old Wang. Bloodshed was rampant in the Black Corner Region, with fights and brawls happening everywhere, and even more bizarre scenes. The local customs here were truly "simple and honest."

Suddenly, Xiao Li smelled a strong medicinal fragrance, a blend of hundreds of different herbs, which wafted towards him, making his nose feel slightly uncomfortable. He then turned his head and saw a pharmacy with three large characters written on the signboard: "Mysterious Medicine Shop".

Old Wang walked in with his hands behind his back, and Xiao Li followed closely behind.

The pharmacy was very spacious, with neat crystal counters lining both the east and west sides. Inside the transparent counters were various kinds of medicinal herbs. At this moment, many people stopped in front of these counters, and noisy conversations lingered among them.

Xiao Li scanned the medicinal herbs one by one. There were herbs for refining the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, herbs for refining the Three-Pattern Clear Spirit Pill, and even herbs for sixth-order pills. But the prices were really high.

However, Xiao Li is not poor. Do you really think that he doesn't make money from refining pills? Now that the Xiao family is doing pill business in cooperation with the Mittel family, Xiao Li directly receives a share of the family's profits. He is not short of money.

"Hey buddy, come here! Pack this up! This one! And that one too, this row and that row, all of them!"

Xiao Li beckoned over a shop assistant from a pharmacy to pack up the herbs he had chosen.

"Sir, these medicinal herbs aren't cheap; they'll cost a total of five million gold coins." The pharmacy clerk was a shrewd man; he could tell from Xiao Li's demeanor that a big order had arrived.

"This purple-gold card has about five million gold coins in it. Consider the extra as a reward for you!" Xiao Li took out a purple-gold card. In the Jia Ma Empire, only Dou Wang level experts can usually hold purple-gold cards. As a peak fourth-grade alchemist, it is normal for Xiao Li to hold a purple-gold card.

"Alright, sir, please come and rest in the VIP room. Your medicinal herbs will be brought to you shortly!" The shop assistant beamed with joy upon seeing the purple-gold card.

Xiao Li's actions naturally attracted the attention of some uninvited guests in the pharmacy. Soon, a burly man nearly two meters tall came to Xiao Li's side.

"Kid, I'm short on gold coins, you... ugh—"

Before the burly man could finish speaking, Xiao Li kicked him so hard he was twisted into a pretzel and collapsed to the ground, curled up in a ball.

"How dare any Tom, Dick, or Harry attack me? A Dou Shi stealing money from a Dou Ling? You think you're funny?" Xiao Li's expression was cold. He had encountered this kind of thing several times in the Black Corner Region. Were all the people here so funny?

Since he dares to openly take out so much money, doesn't he use his brain to think about why?

Although the little incident was surprising, it didn't cause much of a stir, since kicking a hornet's nest is quite common in the Black Corner Region.

The pharmacy worker led Xiao Li and Old Wang to a VIP room to rest.

"Hey! Tell your shopkeeper to come here and say that Huang Liang is looking for him." Old Wang suddenly stopped the shopkeeper and ordered him to go and fetch him.

"Sir, our shop owner is very busy and usually doesn't come out. I might not be able to help you." The shop assistant was a little embarrassed. The shop owner of Xuanyao Shop was an elder of Xuanye Sect, a Dou Wang expert, and had a very bad temper.

"Just tell him that, and then tell him I'm in a hurry, and tell him to get over here quickly!" Old Wang snorted coldly, and a trace of Dou Huang's aura emanated from him, causing the shop assistant to break out in a sweat and immediately run off to work.

Chapter 23 Ye Xuan of the Xuan Ye Sect

"Teacher, is Huang Liang your pseudonym?" Xiao Li asked.

"Hmm. When you're out and about, you definitely can't use your real identity," Old Wang said calmly.

"Understood. Then, when I enter the Black Corner Region, I will be called Wang Li, and I will use this name when I go to the Central Continent in the future." Xiao Li said after thinking for a moment.

"Take my surname? You little brat, do you want to be my son?" Old Wang stroked his beard and laughed.

"You are my master, and also my half-father. My biological father passed away a long time ago, and my eldest brother raised me. After that, you accompanied me for a long time. It is no exaggeration to say that you are like a master and a father to me."

The only pity is that you're so old and don't have a wife to take care of you. Your disciple is willing to take care of you in your old age, hehe~ Ouch! Teacher, why did you hit me!

Xiao Li held his head and said, "At first, Old Wang was very satisfied and a little moved. He had taken on such a good disciple. How did he start talking so outrageously?"

Old Wang scoffed, "You make it sound like I'm unwanted. Back in the day, I... well, let's not talk about the past. I wonder how she's doing now?"

Xiao Li and Elder Wang did not have to wait long before a fierce-looking man, who was only five feet tall, walked in.

The man's eyes lit up the moment he saw Old Wang, and he immediately came to Old Wang and bowed.

The man before them was the owner of this Xuan Medicine Shop, named Zhuo Tian, ​​a Dou Wang expert.

"Master Huang! I apologize for keeping you waiting. It was my rudeness."

"Hmm, take me to see Ye Xuan. I heard his auction items are quite good this time. Let me see just how good they are." Old Wang's tone was indifferent, as if he didn't take Zhuo Tian seriously at all.

That makes sense. Not only is Elder Wang a Dou Huang expert, but he is also a sixth-grade alchemist. What qualifications does a Dou Wang have to flaunt in front of Elder Wang?

"So you're looking for the sect leader. Master Huang, please come with me. And who is this young man?" Zhuo Tian also noticed Xiao Li. Judging from his aura, Xiao Li's cultivation was not weak. He must have some connection with Master Huang.

"He is my disciple, don't ask so many questions, just lead the way," Old Wang said calmly.

"Yes! Master Huang, please follow me." Zhuo Tian led Elder Wang and Xiao Li out of the Xuan Medicine Shop and came to the Xuan Ye Sect.

Xuan Ye Sect

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Xuan Ye Sect, Zhuo Tian led Elder Wang and Xiao Li inside without the guards even trying to stop them.

This Zhuo Tian is not only an elder of the Xuan Ye Sect, but also has intricate connections with the sect leader Ye Xuan. If Elder Zhuo Tian brings people into the sect, nothing will definitely happen.

Zhuo Tian led Elder Wang and Xiao Li to the sect's reception hall.

"Master Huang, please wait here with your disciple for a moment while I go and invite the sect leader," Zhuo Tian said, cupping his hands in greeting to Elder Wang.

"Go."

"Yes! Someone, bring some tea!" Zhuo Tian called out to his servants, then left.

"Teacher, what are you planning to do? Weren't we supposed to be here to check out the auction? Why are we here at the organizer's place?" Xiao Li asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Hehe, you don't understand. You must have heard on the way that the auction has announced that there are good things to be had, including not only Earth-rank cultivation techniques and fighting skills, but also Grade 7 pills."

"As for me, I don't want to waste too much money auctioning with those desperate people. I'll just come here and buy directly from the organizers," Old Wang said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Huh? Doesn't this break the rules of the auction house?" Xiao Li asked in surprise.

"Rules? What rules? This level of auction house has no rules in front of me. Even if it does have rules, they are meaningless in front of Huangji Dan," Old Wang said arrogantly.

"Well, this Dou Huang is really completely under your control."

In about half the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea,

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and the newcomer's aura was much stronger than Zhuo Tian's.

"Elder Huang! Elder Huang! I never expected that you would visit me again after ten years!" A deep voice rang out.

A middle-aged man dressed in a black robe walked in. He looked rather thin, which contrasted sharply with his deep voice, but his aura was truly terrifying. Was this a four-star Dou Huang?

"Ye Xuan, it has indeed been a long time since we last met. I heard that your Xuan Ye Auction House is about to open, and you have some good stuff. Let me see what you have to offer," Old Wang said, stroking his beard. Unlike his conversation with Xiao Li, his tone was icy when he spoke to Ye Xuan.

"I knew you meant it. The list is here, please take a look," Ye Xuan said with a smile.

"Hmm." Old Wang took the list in his hand and examined it carefully. Xiao Li also came over to take a closer look.

"Hmm~ Magic core weapon, medicinal herbs, flying combat skills, Xuan-rank combat skills, Xuan-rank cultivation techniques... Hmm? Low-level Earth-rank fire-attribute combat skill, Heavenly Fiery Slash! That's something."

A seventh-grade elixir, the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill? There really are seventh-grade elixirs? But I've never heard of this pill before. Also included is the Earth-rank mid-level lightning attribute cultivation technique, the Thunderclap Mirror, and its accompanying combat skill, the Awakening Thunder Technique!

"Hiss—Ye Xuan, the items you auctioned this time are all quite good! Grade seven pills and a mid-level Earth-rank cultivation technique! Aren't you afraid that other forces, driven to desperation, will raze your Xuan Ye Sect to the ground?"

Old Wang was also greatly shocked; these things were truly outrageous.

“The auction house has its own rules. Elder Huang should know where I come from. Apart from that old demon in the Black Corner Region, I’m really not afraid of anything.”