Word Count: 2,842 Words
******
The young lady on the back of the Amethyst Winged Lion King appeared to be in her early twenties. Her features were as exquisite as a painting, and her bright eyes resembled crescent moons. The wind lifted her clothes, outlining her enchanting figure. Her willow-like waist was so remarkably slender that it defied belief.
Yet this beautiful woman wore an expression cold as ice and snow. Her brow carried a trace of proud aloofness. Clad in white, she resembled a plum blossom standing proudly in the snow, radiating a cool indifference that kept people thousands of miles away.
This was Little Fairy Doctor, the possessor of the Woeful Poison Body whom Xiao Yan had met in Qingshan Town after leaving Wu Tan City. They had parted ways when Xiao Yan needed to continue his cultivation journey toward Jia Ma Sacred City.
What Xiao Yan never expected was that Little Fairy Doctor would appear in the Black-Corner Region, and moreover, she had just helped him intercept the fleeing Mister Silver.
"Damn you! Are you courting death?!" A flicker of silver light erupted as Mister Silver let out a furious shout. He unleashed a powerful palm strike, attempting to force back the Amethyst Winged Lion King blocking his path.
"Hmph." The Amethyst Winged Lion King gave a cold snort. Purple light erupted from its body as it flapped its enormous wings and charged straight at Mister Silver.
Boom!
A thunderous collision rang out when the Amethyst Winged Lion King massive front paw slammed down, colliding head-on with Mister Silver's attack.
Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. The Amethyst Winged Lion King had grown considerably stronger in the three years since they'd last met. Though it hadn't yet reached the peak of Rank 6, its powerful physical strength allowed it to match a peak Dou Emperor in close combat.
Nevertheless, Mister Silver was a veteran peak Dou Emperor. Even alone, he wasn't someone the Amethyst Winged Lion King could defeat.
Just as Mister Silver repelled the Amethyst Winged Lion King and prepared to flee, his face suddenly turned pale. His Qi and blood surged chaotically, and he coughed up a mouthful of blackish-red blood.
"Poison?"
Xiao Yan arrived instantly in a flash of lightning. Frowning, he didn't hesitate. He unleashed the Flame Splitting Tsunami, and the Heavy Xuan Ruler smashed down heavily on Mister Silver's head. Mister Silver's strength was reduced to less than a tenth after being poisoned. The terrifying flames broke through his Dou Technique defenses, and the Heavy Xuan Ruler crushed his head like a watermelon.
Xiao Yan looked up in surprise at Little Fairy Doctor hovering in mid-air with her Dou Qi wings. "Your poison has become much more potent. You can even poison a Dou Emperor now."
A breeze stirred Little Fairy Doctor's long hair. It seemed only when she saw Xiao Yan did the eternal coldness in her eyes melt a little.
"Do you have time right now? There's something I need to discuss with you," Little Fairy Doctor said quietly, her tone cool and subdued, as though she had a matter weighing on her mind.
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted slightly. "It's not your Woeful Poison Body erupting prematurely, is it?"
With his perfect Mortal State Spiritual Strength, he could naturally sense that Little Fairy Doctor's strength had increased very rapidly. In just three years, she had leaped from a Dou Master to a 1-star Dou Emperor.
There was no doubt that this speed was due to the unique nature of the Woeful Poison Body, which allowed her to absorb vast amounts of poison.
If not for the fatal nature of the Woeful Poison Body, just this advancement speed would make people drool with envy.
The problem was, he was still some distance away from becoming a 7th-tier alchemist, let alone having gathered any of the materials needed to refine the Poison Pill to suppress the Woeful Poison Body.
Little Fairy Doctor's expression dimmed slightly upon hearing his question. She had experienced much these past few years.
But knowing that Xiao Yan still remembered his promise to her, a trace of warmth arose in her heart.
To Xiao Yan's relief, she slowly shook her head and said, "The Woeful Poison Body hasn't erupted. I came to find you for another matter."
"That's good, then." Xiao Yan exhaled, then offered a grin before adding, "Wait for me here with the Lion King. I just need a little time to wrap things up."
"Roar~~"
From within the thick mane of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, a small Amethyst Winged Lion poked its head out and called out to Xiao Yan. Clearly, it hadn't forgotten the 'good person' who had once fed it pills.
"Oh, the Little Lion King is here too. You guys wait for me a moment." With that, Xiao Yan grabbed Mister Silver's corpse and flew back to the battlefield in Feng City.
…
After Han Feng was killed and the Gold Silver Elders were defeated, the so-called Black Alliance immediately fell apart like scattered sand. With the addition of Old Yin Gu and the other two Dou Emperors, along with Zi Yan, that human-shaped fierce beast, the Black Alliance's Dou Emperors were defeated one after another.
When Xiao Yan and Su Qian joined the battle, all the Dou Emperors and Dou Kings who had participated in invading Jia Nan Academy were executed. In the end, neither of the Gold Silver Elders escaped death; Mister Gold died at Su Qian's hands.
Upon seeing the Gold Silver Elders killed, all cultivators in Feng City dropped their weapons and prostrated themselves on the ground. They didn't dare show the slightest resistance, fearing that the elders of Jia Nan Academy would take out their anger on them.
"Xiao Yan, conquering Feng City and letting Jia Nan Academy vent our anger so thoroughly this time... I must thank you on behalf of the academy." First Elder cupped his fists toward Xiao Yan. Undoubtedly, without Xiao Yan refining the Mighty Huang Pills and taking the lead in killing Han Feng, this battle might have been Han Feng's victory.
The figure within the black storm had possessed strength that even made Su Qian somewhat apprehensive. If that Dou Ancestor had joined the Black Alliance's side, Jia Nan Academy would likely have suffered terrible casualties.
Of course, Su Qian knew that Xiao Yan's story about the helper 'running off after not being paid enough' was certainly a lie. Yet he couldn't fathom what method Xiao Yan had used to make that Dou Ancestor withdraw.
Xiao Yan quickly waved his hand and politely said, "First Elder is too kind. As a member of the academy, protecting it is what I should do. However, if First Elder doesn't mind, I'd like Han Feng's storage ring. Of course, I don't need the Dou Techniques and Qi Method scrolls inside; I only want the pill recipes and his Heavenly Flame."
Hearing this, the First Elder burst into hearty laughter and waved his hand generously. "Since you killed Han Feng, it naturally belongs to you. You've refined so many pills for us and even gifted another Fallen Heart Flame to the academy. The academy has already profited considerably. The spoils from the Gold Silver Elders' storage rings and everything else in Feng City are yours as well."
"Then I thank First Elder."
In the end, these once-renowned experts of the Black-Corner Region joined the multitude of corpses hanging from the Death Spirit Tree in front of Peace Town.
And unbeknownst to anyone, Xiao Yan secretly 'looted the corpses,' collecting all soul bodies above the Dou King realm into his Soul Command Token, earning a huge fortune.
What delighted him most was that Han Feng's castle contained an herb warehouse filled with treasures and medicinal ingredients accumulated over his decade-plus of operations in the Black-Corner Region.
He even found two sets of ingredients for the Zong Breaking Pill, making his eyes light up with excitement.
After discussions, he took only the two sets of Zong Breaking Pill ingredients and all medicinal ingredients of tier 6 and above. All other ingredients were given to Jia Nan Academy to replenish what he had consumed during practice two months ago.
Naturally, this left Zi Yan quite displeased. She had contributed too; why didn't she get a share of the medicinal ingredients? Bullying a child, huh!
"Relax, I'm just holding them temporarily, not taking them from you. Refining a Body Transformation Pill requires quite a lot of ingredients," Xiao Yan said with a grin.
"Only a fool would believe you!" Zi Yan pouted and snorted coldly.
Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu walked in from outside. Xiao Ning asked, "Little Clan Leader, how should we handle such a large city as Feng City?"
At present, the entire Feng City could be said to be in a state of panic. Those living here were not just members of the Black Alliance; in fact, more were ordinary civilians. These civilians basically only knew how to live in the city and found it difficult to leave.
This wasn't unique to Feng City; even Jia Ma Sacred City and Wu Tan City required large workforces to maintain their operations.
These people were mainly engaged in farming, weaving, and other essential activities. Feng City wasn't just managed by Han Feng; it was also one of the leading cities in the Black-Corner Region for cultivating medicinal herbs.
The large quantities of low-grade medicinal ingredients needed for alchemy were obtained through cultivation by ordinary people.
And now, the leaders of all the factions in Feng City had been killed by Xiao Yan and Jia Nan Academy, so naturally, it was a case of 'a dragon without a head.'
"You want to incorporate Feng City into our Xiao Clan's territory?" How could Xiao Yan not know what Xiao Ning was thinking? This guy was becoming more and more shrewd, and his appetite wasn't small either.
Exposed immediately, Xiao Ning chuckled sheepishly and nodded.
"Swallowing this piece of fat meat isn't that easy. This is the Black-Corner Region, after all. Even if I can deter the surrounding factions for now, it's uncertain in the long run. We'd need to dispatch people to take over," Xiao Yan said.
Xiao Ning could only nod regretfully upon hearing this. If the Xiao Clan could control Feng City, it would have been an incredible boon.
"I never said we wouldn't take it."
! ! ! ?
Xiao Yan revealed a slight smile and said, "Of course, it's difficult to swallow the entire Feng City alone. The leaders of the Dark Sky Sect, Wild Lion Gang, and Luo Sha Gate haven't left Feng City yet, have they?"
"Indeed, they haven't. You mean to cooperate with them?" Xiao Yu asked uncertainly.
"Cooperation or otherwise, everything is negotiable. There's nothing that can't be agreed upon; it's just a matter of the right price."
…
In the main hall of the castle, the Amethyst Winged Lion King and Little Fairy Doctor sat quietly to one side, waiting for Xiao Yan to finish handling all matters.
Old Yin Gu and the other two exchanged glances. They all saw a hint of wariness and unease in each other's eyes.
"What do you think Xiao Yan called us here for?" Tie Wu of the Wild Lion Gang asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, that Xiao Yan also wants this Feng City," Su Mei sighed softly. The fact that their three factions hadn't left even after the great battle made their intentions all too obvious.
Moreover, the reason the three of them initially agreed to assist Jia Nan Academy—besides the Mighty Huang Pills—was because they thought they could divide Feng City among themselves after Jia Nan Academy defeated Han Feng.
After all, there was no way Jia Nan Academy would take over Feng City themselves. So naturally, the unclaimed Feng City would belong to the three of them.
However, they hadn't expected that Xiao Yan would want it too. That man who could even kill Han Feng made them extremely wary.
Although their combined strength exceeded Han Feng's, there was no guarantee they could defeat Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan emerged from the medicinal warehouse with Zi Yan and the others. He first nodded to Little Fairy Doctor before saying, "Thank you for waiting, you three."
"May I ask why Medicine God Xiao has summoned the three of us?" Old Yin Gu, the eldest among them, spoke first.
Xiao Yan waved his hand and said, "Medicine God is just an exaggeration from the academy's students. You all have higher cultivation than me; just call me Xiao Yan."
"I won't beat around the bush. The reason I called you here is to discuss Feng City."
The three of them exchanged glances, instantly communicating through eye contact. Although they were wary of Xiao Yan, there was no way they would give up without trying.
"Everyone, I understand that in the Black-Corner Region, strength is everything. You all have renowned reputations here and are leaders of your respective factions. It's reasonable that you want Feng City. However, I, Xiao Yan, do not enjoy fighting and killing. There's nothing in this world that can't be negotiated, is there?"
Even Zi Yan gave him a sideways glance when he claimed he didn't like fighting and killing. Who was it that had just snapped Han Feng's neck and smashed Mister Silver's head with a ruler?
Xiao Yan continued, "I wonder if you three have heard of the Yan Alliance?"
"The Yan Alliance?! The alliance formed by the Misty Cloud Sect, the imperial family of the Jia Ma Empire, and the Snake-People Tribe?!" Su Mei exclaimed.
Old Yin Gu frowned and said, "I heard that besides those three factions, the Yan Alliance also includes a regional clan. It seems it's called the Xiao Clan. You… you're from that Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Yan sat in Han Feng's seat, patting his sleeves, and said, "I am Xiao Yan, the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan."
The three couldn't help but be shocked. They hadn't expected Xiao Yan to have such a background! If Xiao Yan were merely a student of Jia Nan Academy, they wouldn't be too worried, but the Yan Alliance had enormous influence. Not to mention the Misty Cloud Sect; just the fact that two nations had joined was enough to demonstrate its might.
That was definitely not something their three factions could afford to provoke.
"Little Clan Leader Xiao wants to recruit us into the Yan Alliance?" Tie Wu asked bluntly.
"No, no. I want your three factions absorbed under my Xiao Clan, to help manage Feng City." Xiao Yan smiled mildly.
Upon hearing this, the three's expressions immediately turned cold. He wanted them to become subordinate forces!
"Heh, Little Clan Leader Xiao, that's not a very funny joke," Su Mei said, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
"I'm not joking at all. I mean every word," Xiao Yan replied earnestly.
As soon as his words fell, the three instantly stood together, and the aura of Dou Emperors burst forth from their bodies.
"Roar!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King suddenly stood up. Little Fairy Doctor, sitting to the side, glanced at the three. Zi Yan grinned and rolled up her sleeves. The atmosphere in the main hall immediately became tense.
Xiao Yan raised his hand helplessly. "No need to be so tense. As I said, I'm not someone who enjoys fighting and killing. Can't we talk things over? Why resort to violence?"
"Hmph, if that's all Little Clan Leader Xiao has to say, then there's nothing more to discuss. Though my Wild Lion Gang isn't some major faction, we still have our pride," Tie Wu roared, a faint lion's roar emanating from his body.
"Hehehe, Little Clan Leader Xiao, there's no need to discuss this further. The matter of Feng City will resolve itself," Su Mei said with a chilling laugh.
Though Old Yin Gu remained silent, his gaze said it all.
Xiao Yan blinked and said, "Not even for a Zong Breaking Pill?"
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ? ? ?
"You, you, you, you can already refine the Zong Breaking Pill?!" Old Yin Gu, the one with the highest cultivation, exclaimed in a shrill voice.
Although the Mighty Huang Pill and the Zong Breaking Pill were both tier 6 pills, and many people called the Mighty Huang Pill a peak tier 6 pill, in reality, there was a huge difference in difficulty between the two.
Han Feng could achieve a 70% success rate in refining the Mighty Huang Pill but only a 30% success rate for the Zong Breaking Pill. The Zong Breaking Pill was already close to a tier 7 pill; generally, only 7th-tier alchemists would dare attempt it. 6th-tier alchemists basically wouldn't touch it.
Xiao Yan took out a jade bottle and said, "I haven't tried refining the Zong Breaking Pill yet, but I have successfully refined the Emperor Heaven Pill."
Hiss hiss hiss!! The 'pride' of the three faction leaders instantly dissolved like smoke on a breeze.