The night was short. Those who were asleep awoke from their dreams, and those who were diligently cultivating finished their sessions and rose. The moment they pushed open their doors and windows, they were surprised to find that the wind in the Black-Corner Region today was unusually fierce.
"Black Ranking expert Yan has fallen!"
"The Blood Sect is in ruins, slaughtered by Chen Xiao of the Purple Firmament Pavilion, not even a chicken or dog left alive."
"The Black Skull Tomb is gone too."
"The Black Emperor Sect intervened, but ended up losing more than they gained."
"Old Eagle Mountain Man managed to escape after paying a huge price, his whereabouts unknown."
"Demon Flame Valley, the three great elders were injured and fled!"
Shocking news spread like wildfire, causing panic throughout the Black-Corner Region. Whispers of shock and speculation filled the streets and alleys.
The Black-Corner Region had always been a place where the strong preyed on the weak. Countless nameless individuals died every day due to schemes and battles, their deaths as insignificant as a butterfly landing on a branch.
In contrast, the fall of experts above the Dou Wang level was like a mountain collapse. Especially with so many falling in a single night, it was enough to completely change the landscape of the Black-Corner Region.
For the cultivators at the bottom, it was still manageable. Whether it was the former Purple Firmament Pavilion or the current one, as long as there was a Dou Wang expert in charge, it was enough to make them fearful.
But for the established powers, they had to start seriously considering their options.
From the Kui Wolf Gang and the Beast Taming Gate to the current Blood Sect and Black Skull Tomb, in less than a year, four established powers had been removed. The rise of the Purple Firmament Pavilion was terrifyingly sharp.
...
Eight Gates Sect.
Yuan Yi, who had returned to Black Seal City, still felt a lingering fear. He was incredibly grateful that he hadn't gotten involved in the ambush last night. Otherwise, the Eight Gates Sect might have followed in the footsteps of the Blood Sect and the Black Skull Tomb.
After contemplating in his room for a long time, Yuan Yi finally summoned his trusted elder.
"For the near future, tell the people below to keep a low profile. The auction will also be postponed to be held once every three months, avoiding the times when the Black Emperor Sect and the Purple Firmament Pavilion hold their auctions."
"Understood, but... Sect Master, avoiding their edge like this isn't a long-term solution. We need to find a way," the elder nodded and replied.
"Wait! Just because Mo Tianxing can't do anything about the Purple Firmament Pavilion doesn't mean the Demon Flame Valley can't. We'll wait until they decide the victor, then we'll act accordingly."
Hearing this, the elder felt somewhat helpless.
While Yuan Yi's actions didn't offend either side, they also didn't gain any benefits, like a cluster of grass on the wall.
However, it did fit the style of this Sect Master. If he truly had the courage for a big gamble, the Eight Gates Sect wouldn't be in its current awkward state.
Fortunately, from what happened last night, Yuan Yi's personality didn't seem to be entirely a bad thing.
The old man said no more and immediately bowed and withdrew.
...
Heavenly Yin Sect.
Sect Master Yin Gu Lao had also just returned from attending the auction in Black Emperor City. His reaction was quite similar to Yuan Yi of the Eight Gates Sect.
The slight difference was that Yin Gu Lao didn't choose to wait and see, but instead placed bets on both sides.
"Great Elder, from now on, for every auction held by the Purple Firmament Pavilion, send someone to show their face. If you see something good, just follow the rules and bid."
"As for the Demon Flame Valley, if someone secretly sends people to contact us, treat them with courtesy and don't offend them. For the near future, announce to the outside world that I will be in secluded cultivation until they decide the outcome."
"Yes!"
...
In Black Emperor City.
The Thousand Medicine Shop was just a force that survived by relying on the Black Emperor Sect. It wasn't large, incomparable to established powers like the Eight Gates Sect.
But it wasn't small either. The Thousand Medicine Shop had some reputation within the Black-Corner Region, and its Shop Owner was even a high-level Dou Wang, and before Little Doctor Immortal and the others came to the Black-Corner Region, she was the most well-known and strongest woman in the Black-Corner Region.
At this moment, Shop Owner Yao was in a private discussion with an old man wearing an alchemist's robe.
"Shop Owner, are you really deciding to bet on the Purple Firmament Pavilion?"
"Old Yan, a decision must be made. Our Thousand Medicine Shop's strength is average. Before, in this Black Emperor City, we gave the Black Emperor Sect so many benefits every year just to be able to settle down here. But now, the Black Emperor Sect can no longer protect us. The matter between the Purple Firmament Pavilion and the Black Emperor Sect is not over. Instead of being caught in the crossfire in the future, it's better to make plans early and shift our focus to Purple Cloud City in advance. Perhaps, with this opportunity, our Thousand Medicine Shop will have a chance to develop to the level of the Eight Gates Sect!"
"But that person from Demon Flame Valley..."
"I trust my judgment. Although Earth Demon Ancestor is strong, he hasn't shown himself for many years, and the Demon Flame Valley is stagnant. On the other hand, you should have seen the power displayed by the Purple Firmament Pavilion last night, Old Yan. Even now, it already surpasses the Black Emperor Sect, and it has great potential in the future!"
"I understand. I'll have people start transferring things slowly."
...
Northern Black-Corner Region, Demon Flame Valley.
As the name suggests, their headquarters were located within a massive valley.
This valley seemed to have been excavated directly from a mountain peak. The surroundings were covered in deep black rocks that faintly shimmered with a metallic luster. These were Ink Steel Stones, extremely hard, and even Dou Wang experts would find it difficult to shatter them. Looking at the dense black rocks, it seemed that this mountain range was a mineral vein.
Setting up their headquarters here, and no one daring to covet it, showed the strength of the Demon Flame Valley.
At this moment.
Fang Yan and the other two had carefully detoured and finally returned.
Stepping into the valley, it was visible to the naked eye that these three highly-ranked elders of the Demon Flame Valley let out long sighs of relief.
We're finally back safely!
They all believed that now that they were here, even if Chen Xiao had ten times the guts, he would absolutely not dare to come and offend them.
"Three Elders, are you all well?"
Sensing the three people's auras, a large group of people immediately surged out from within the valley. Their strength was all above Dou Wang.
Looking at the pale faces of Fang Yan and the other two, the leader asked with concern.
"Stop the nonsense, quickly go and invite the Earth Demon Ancestor!" The Second Elder replied with a gloomy face.
Fang Yan also nodded: "On the way back, we already learned the fate of the Blood Sect and the Black Skull Tomb. Even the Black Emperor Sect paid a huge price, which is why Chen Xiao temporarily stopped. Since we made a move, this grudge cannot be resolved. Moreover, that Chen Xiao has a close relationship with Su Qian of Jia Nan Academy. This hatred is even more irreconcilable. We must invite the Ancestor out to preside over the overall situation!"
As early as on the way back, the three of them had already reached a unanimous decision. Now, they were just informing the elders of this matter.
Fang Yan and the other two held high positions of power in the Demon Flame Valley, and their words carried immense weight. No one dared to raise the slightest objection to the decisions they made, let alone openly question them.
As soon as the words fell, everyone stopped delaying and rushed towards the secret chamber where the Earth Demon Ancestor was in seclusion.
As their steps continuously approached that mysterious forbidden area, the whispers and discussions within the group were like throats being choked by an invisible large hand, gradually weakening from the initial murmuring until they completely disappeared.
The surroundings fell into a dead silence. Everyone held their breath, which showed how much the Earth Demon Ancestor's prestige had accumulated over the years, causing everyone to feel endless fear from the bottom of their hearts.
After some trekking, finally, a group of people arrived in front of the tightly shut secret chamber door.
In an instant, everyone knelt down in unison, the sounds of their kowtows rising and falling, exceptionally clear in the silence.
Fang Yan pressed the mechanism in front of the secret chamber door, his voice trembling but firm: "Reporting to the Ancestor! The Demon Flame Valley is being coveted by a strong enemy, and dangers lurk everywhere. We humbly request the Ancestor to quickly come out of seclusion and preside over the overall situation!"
The rest also shouted in unison: "Please, Ancestor, come out of seclusion!"
The shouts of the crowd gradually dissipated, and the surroundings fell into a suffocating silence.
Just as everyone was feeling anxious, the long-silent secret chamber suddenly trembled. A terrifying and vast aura surged out like a raging tide, as if an ancient fierce beast that had slept for eons had suddenly opened its eyes, carrying a destructive pressure that churned and surged in the air.
Suddenly, a cold snort came from within the secret chamber. A hoarse, ancient voice, carrying a chilling anger, exploded: "How dare you disturb this old man's seclusion, Fang Yan, if you can't give a decent explanation..."
Before the words finished, a tangible icy killing intent had already spread out. The people in front of the door felt an invisible pressure suddenly descend from above their heads. The blood in their bodies almost froze, as if they had fallen into a bone-chilling cold pool.
Fang Yan's body was tense, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He buried his head deep in his chest, not daring to breathe heavily.
Under that chilling pressure, he dared not hide anything. From the moment he stepped into the Black Emperor Sect's auction, to the appearance of the Bodhi Transformation Saliva which triggered the snatching, and then to the failed interception operation, all the details were poured out like beans from a bamboo tube, without any reservation.
After he finished speaking, the scene was as silent as an abyss. The suffocating silence only lasted for a brief moment.
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind, carrying anger, tore through the air like a tangible force, penetrating through the tightly shut stone door. It was like an invisible heavy hammer, smashing fiercely onto Fang Yan, causing him to be sent flying back like a kite with a broken string before he could even let out a scream. He spat out blood and fell heavily several feet away.
"Idiot!"
Inside the secret chamber, the Earth Demon Ancestor cursed.
It was rumored that the Bodhi Transformation Saliva contained clues about the Bodhi Heart. How precious was that? When such an important item appeared, Fang Yan did not inform him in advance.
That was one thing, but without informing him, he was so foolish as to directly go and intercept it...
Such foolish behavior left the Earth Demon Ancestor speechless.
Could it be that Fang Yan and the other two really thought that with their strength, they could compete with Mo Tianxing and the Old Eagle Mountain Man?
The so-called half-step Dou Zong was still not a Dou Zong in the end. Even if the three of them joined forces, they could not compare to a true Dou Zong expert.
Outside the door.
Fang Yan, who had taken a blow, did not dare to retort, even though he didn't know why the old ancestor was cursing. Was it because his seclusion was disturbed, or because he had provoked a strong enemy?
Getting up from the ground, Fang Yan lowered his head, waiting for the Earth Demon Ancestor to preside over the overall situation.
Under Fang Yan's anticipation, finally, a meaningful cold laugh came from the secret chamber.
"Su Qian of Jia Nan Academy, a puppet that can suppress the Old Eagle Mountain Man, and a low-star Dou Zong... This time, the Black-Corner Region has welcomed a new force that cannot be underestimated."
The ancient voice carried a hint of mockery, each word like an ice pick piercing into everyone's ears.
The Earth Demon Ancestor, who had been in seclusion for a long time but had been unable to break through, got up from the stone bed in the secret chamber and became somewhat interested in this.
He knew Su Qian. This person was a small follower of Mang Tianchi, the dean of Jia Nan Academy. He was unremarkable and not worth mentioning.
As for the other female Dou Zong mentioned by Fang Yan, he had never heard of her, but he didn't care either.
In the eyes of the Earth Demon Ancestor, women were nothing more than beautiful skeletons, no different from men.
However, the mysterious puppet that Fang Yan mentioned, which could completely restrain the Old Eagle Mountain Man, made the Earth Demon Ancestor very tempted.
Because he also possessed a method for refining a Heavenly Demon Puppet, and he had prepared a lot of materials for it, but for some reason, he hadn't been able to refine it.
In the depths of his being, the Earth Demon Ancestor had a feeling that Chen Xiao's puppet seemed to have some connection with him.
It was even possible that it was a Heavenly Demon Puppet refined using the same method!
If that were the case, killing Chen Xiao, seizing the puppet, and then studying it carefully would definitely be of great help to him.
As he thought this, a cold light flashed in the Earth Demon Ancestor's eyes, and he no longer delayed for a moment.
His figure shot up from the stone bed like a ghost. With a fierce wave of his wide sleeves, an invisible wave of air exploded.
The next moment, accompanied by a rumbling sound, the heavy secret chamber door, as thick as a mountain, trembled violently and was easily lifted open as if it were made of paper.
"Welcome, Ancestor, out of seclusion!"
"Welcome, Ancestor, out of seclusion!"
The shouts outside the door echoed through the sky, reverberating through the valley.
-----------
This high quality machine translation is powered by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
To read the full translation, as well as more than 444+ fanfic and original translations or request new translations, check out: https:// randomtranslator.com/
You can also join the RandomTranslator community on Discord to connect with other readers: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------