Chapter 135: I Prefer Tails
The Medicine Sovereign was once the number one alchemist in Central Plains. He had won the championship of the Pill Tower's Pill Gathering and was unmatched in his alchemy skills, earning him widespread fame across the Dou Qi Continent. The Starfall Pavilion he founded became one of the Four Great Pavilions of Central Plains.
It was even rumored that had he accepted the offer back then, he would now be one of the Pill Tower's Three Pill Elders.
Regardless of whether these rumors were true, the publicly known facts alone were enough to demonstrate his influence. For someone of his stature to die from pill refinement backlash?
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the Medicine Sovereign would scoff at the idea.
Huo Qian frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "I've heard that the Medicine Sovereign was humble and low-key in life… How did he end up raising a disciple like Han Feng? Clearly, there are many secrets behind his death. And the only one who knows the truth is Han Feng—his sole direct disciple. Sadly, Han Feng's hiding here in the Black-Corner Region, and no one can touch him. In fact, even those who didn't get along with the Medicine Sovereign seem quite pleased to see Han Feng make a name for himself here."
"A sixth-tier alchemist still holds great sway in a place like the Black-Corner Region," Su Qian sighed, seemingly helpless.
Ordinary sixth-tier alchemists wouldn't come to such a chaotic place. Everyone knew that alchemists generally weren't great fighters, and this region was notorious for backstabbing and treachery. Unless an alchemist had lost their mind—or like Han Feng, was trying to hide from trouble—there was no reason to come here.
That's also why alchemists were so rare in the Black-Corner Region.
There was no Pill Tower here willing to protect them, or even provide shelter.
"You think these pills are connected to Han Feng?"
Huo Qian's eyes flickered sharply as he asked in a low voice.
"…Hard to say."
Su Qian shook his head slightly, unsure. If Han Feng was the one behind all this, his ambitions must be enormous—no one would go to such lengths otherwise. Royal Extreme Pills occasionally appeared here, but Breaking Sect Pills were extraordinarily rare. Every time one surfaced, it stirred up a bloody storm.
Huo Qian sneered. "Whatever he's planning, let's go at it head-on. If we win the pills, you leave immediately with them. I doubt anyone would dare chase you into Canaan Academy."
Su Qian didn't object. If they could obtain a Breaking Sect Pill, Huo Qian might finally break through to Dou Zong—which would be a great benefit to the Academy.
…
As all the powers gathered, so too did a certain breed of predator.
These people, like rats in the shadows, had keen senses for the scent of slaughter. They would quietly follow the trail, hiding in the dark until the perfect moment to reap the souls of the fallen. Soul Hall's envoys and protectors preferred these dirty tactics over open confrontation.
They waited for their targets to be at their weakest—then struck mercilessly for maximum gain.
"So many Dou Huangs… even a few Dou Zongs showed up. Interesting. Why don't we join the fun? A Dou Huang's soul is quite valuable. And if we're lucky enough to nab a Dou Zong's soul… we could be promoted to Protectors!"
From within a shadow, a pair of blood-red, chilling eyes flickered. A sinister voice laced with cold laughter echoed.
Another shadow slithered. "Jie jie… Let's take a gamble. Otherwise, who knows how many years it'll take us to become Protectors?"
Soul Hall's hierarchy was strict, divided into four levels.
At the bottom were the Soul Envoys—most were Dou Huang-level. For them, gaining power was simple: devour souls. Though this secret art had many side effects, including warped personality and mental damage, the lure of power was too much for any Soul Hall member to resist.
Above them were the Protectors—usually Dou Zong-level. They had more freedom and weren't bound to regular missions. Unlike Envoys, if they didn't meet their quotas, they wouldn't become the mission.
Above them were the Elders, at the Dou Zun level. They held vast authority, each overseeing a Disha Hall. The most elite were promoted to Heavenly Elders and governed the Tiangang Halls of Heaven, Earth, and Man.
And above them all—the mysterious Hall Masters.
To those below, Hall Masters were mere legends. Most had only ever met Elders—if they were lucky.
"Let's gather our people… I've trained a few pawns over the years. Jie jie~"
"I've got five or six myself. Let's use them all—let's bet big!"
"Good!"
…
A few days passed in the blink of an eye. As more and more powerful figures gathered, the atmosphere in Black Seal City grew increasingly tense. No one had expected so many strong cultivators to come. There were over a dozen peak Dou Huangs alone—some of whom had been missing for decades.
Among them, at least six were confirmed peak Dou Huangs.
Though the gap between Dou Huang and Dou Zong was massive, a group of Dou Huangs working together could still give a Dou Zong a serious headache. Especially those below five-star Dou Zong, who hadn't fully mastered spatial powers—it would be hard for them to crush Dou Huangs outright unless they had powerful Dou Techniques.
Realizing this, Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect immediately gave up any idea of showing himself.
…
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight lit up the sky, the previously quiet Black Seal City once again buzzed with noise. Countless people flooded toward the Eight Gates' auction grounds, like ants in a swarm. It was easily the most crowded it had been in years.
Meanwhile, inside the City Lord's Manor—
Yao Yan, seated cross-legged on a soft couch, slowly opened his eyes. A glint of strange green flame flickered past his pupils, and his aura surged violently. Qi and blood rolled throughout his body, power filling every limb, as if a single movement could shatter everything around him. The sensation of total control over such strength was intoxicating.
Hoo~
He exhaled deeply, rose from the couch, and stepped outside. There, Cai Lin and Yao Lao's soul were already waiting.
For the past few days, Yao Lao had been maintaining order while Yao Yan cultivated. Thanks to the Devil Poison Spot, his strength had risen rapidly—with no side effects. The energy fused into him as if it were the result of years of cultivation.
It gave Yao Yan an idea: maybe he could develop a cultivation technique based on the Devil Poison Spot. Then he thought better of it—too demonic.
It reminded him of the devouring talent granted to him by the Spirit Devouring Clan's bloodline. That effortless feeling of power was dangerously addictive.
"You're finally out. Any later and the auction would've ended."
Yao Lao floated beside him, rubbing his chin with a smile. "You've broken through to five-star Dou Wang already? Your cultivation speed is unbelievable. It's like you level up as easily as drinking water."
Even with the Devil Poison Spot helping, Yao Yan's talent was simply monstrous. Energy alone meant nothing if the body couldn't absorb it—but Yao Yan's could.
"…Congratulations."
Cai Lin spoke after a long silence, her voice cold.
Yao Yan smiled and released his soul force. As it swept through the outside world, he sensed the many powerful auras gathering. The corners of his mouth lifted. "Looks like quite a few strong ones showed up this time~"
"More than just strong," Yao Lao's smile faded. "Some of them feel very familiar…"
Yao Yan blinked and looked to him for clarification.
Yao Lao didn't hide it. "Remember what I told you about Soul Hall? I haven't encountered them here directly, but I recognize the stench. This kind of gathering was bound to attract their attention. After all, when these strong ones fall, their souls make perfect targets."
He sneered. "Still the same after all these years—never learn their lesson."
Yao Lao had once lured and killed a wave of Soul Hall envoys and even drew out an Elder from a Disha Hall.
"Should we continue with the plan?"
Cai Lin's icy purple eyes flickered. She looked at Yao Yan and asked softly. Without realizing it, she had already started deferring to him for decisions.
Yao Yan thought for a moment, then smiled. "It's fine. At most, we'll get a couple of Protectors. They're just small fry. In fact, having them here helps. We can let them do some of the work, right?"
"Still as cunning as ever..." Yao Lao laughed.
"Just saving effort~"
Yao Yan chuckled.
Cai Lin said nothing. She silently handed Yao Yan a black robe, her expression cool as always. "Put this on. You're going to Canaan Academy soon—you shouldn't expose your identity here."
"Mm. Let's go. This auction's going to be quite the show."
Yao Yan nodded and took the robe, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. This would be his first real auction in this world. The ones in the Jia Ma Empire couldn't even compare.
Yao Lao smiled and returned to the Bone Flame Ring in a wisp of smoke. Cai Lin pulled her robe over her head and followed closely beside Yao Yan as they headed for the auction.
At the entrance, a disciple of the Eight Gates was already waiting.
Under his guidance, the pair followed a private internal path toward the auction grounds.
…
When Yao Yan arrived at the venue, the sea of people stretching to the horizon made him pause slightly. For a moment, he felt like he was back in a modern-day soccer stadium. A smile appeared on his lips, and his steps quickened.
This guy clearly enjoyed a good show—and today's drama would be glorious.
Led by the Eight Gates disciple, Yao Yan and Cai Lin soon arrived at a private room. In front of them was a massive crystal window that completely isolated them from the outside world—yet allowed a perfect view of everything.
Inside were two gorgeous maidens, dressed in high-slit cheongsam-style dresses that revealed long, pale legs. They were seductive to the extreme.
Perhaps because it had been a while since he'd seen legs like that, Yao Yan couldn't help but look a little too long. Only when Cai Lin coldly snorted beside him did he pull his gaze away, awkwardly clearing his throat. His eyes instinctively drifted to her enchanting purple serpent tail, and a hint of anticipation filled him.
"If you can't control your eyes, I'll gladly gouge them out for you," Cai Lin said icily.
"Theirs aren't as pretty as yours."
Yao Yan replied coolly, unfazed.
His response had no effect on her. She just gave him a cold sideways glance before elegantly sitting down.
"Haha, kid, your flirting is terrible. Want me to teach you a few tricks?" Yao Lao's gleeful voice echoed in Yao Yan's mind. The old scoundrel clearly enjoyed the show.
"Terrible? I thought it was fine~"
Yao Yan laughed and sat beside Cai Lin. He waved to the maids. "You may leave. We won't need you for now."
"Yes, sir~"
The two women bowed respectfully and slowly walked out, lifting their long legs with every step—clearly trying to tempt him. Working in these VIP rooms, their bodies were offerings. If they caught a noble's interest, their fates might change forever.
For beautiful women in the Black-Corner Region, survival required either strength—or selling their bodies.
Because that was the only bargaining chip they had—and their greatest weapon.
After all, what man didn't like beautiful women?
"Do you like their legs?" Cai Lin asked suddenly, seemingly offhand, her eyes drifting to the distance.
"Cai Die asked me that once…"
Yao Yan paused, then smiled. "You know how I answered?"
Cai Lin's face was cold. She clearly didn't care.
Yao Yan shamelessly leaned closer, his dark eyes reflecting her face. He whispered, "Actually, I like your Snake-People tails better than long legs~"
Cai Lin: …
Yao Lao: …
(END CHAPTER)
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