"That bastard Han Feng actually dared to scheme against our Black Emperor Sect and the Demon Flame Valley. Our Sect Master has already issued an order to eradicate Feng City. Now, Elder Yun Yi is commanding me to bring back Han Feng's treasures to compensate for our losses. Do you have any objections?"
A middle-aged man, wearing a Black Emperor Sect Elder's robe, whose brows and eyes were strikingly similar to the Dou King who previously attacked the Black Emperor Sect Elders, picked up Han Beng. As their gazes met, Han Beng's eyes gradually became confused and vacant. Then, he led the man to Han Feng's treasure chamber.
A quarter of an hour later, a figure soared into the sky, leaving behind only a plundered treasure chamber. All of Han Feng's collected alchemy texts, cauldrons, numerous medicinal ingredients, and various treasures, accumulated over many years, were completely gone.
This day in the Black Corner Region was incredibly chaotic. Not only Black Emperor City and Feng City, but the same thing also happened in Blood Sect's Mu Zhi City and Eight Gates' Black Mark City. In short, almost all the forces that participated in the Heavenly Flame scramble were targeted.
The Black Emperor Sect had a Dou Emperor guarding it, making it the toughest nut to crack. Yan Qingshan and Zi Yan spent over an hour and carefully calculated, using the poisonous gas from Xiao Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body to concoct a poisonous smoke, which finally allowed them to achieve their objective in one fell swoop.
As for the other forces, at most, a Dou King was left behind to guard. With Yan Qingshan and Zi Yan's current strength, even ordinary Dou Emperors might not be their match, so how could these people stop them?
This plundering journey encountered almost no problems. The accumulated treasures of numerous forces over many years were all swept away by the two of them.
Just as they spread rumors in the Black Emperor Sect that Feng City and Demon Flame Valley had allied to deal with the Black Emperor Sect, the excuse Yan Qingshan left with these forces was that the Demon Flame Valley and the Black Emperor Sect felt uneasy about their alliance and were preparing to join forces to destroy Feng City and these other factions.
Thus began a grand chaotic curtain in the Black Corner Region. In just three hours, more than ten forces in the Black Corner Region, including Black Emperor City, Feng City, Mu Zhi City, Black Mark City, big and small, each with at least a Dou King in charge, had their strongholds broken into and their treasures plundered.
More crucially, as the magma in the northern part of the Black Corner Region spread further, a rumor quickly spread: that the three major forces were fighting fiercely underground, causing the magma eruption, and that many Dou Kings and Dou Emperors had all perished, leading to a reshuffling of the Black Corner Region.
These rumors ignited the ambitions of some people. Those who lingered in the Black Corner Region were not peace-loving individuals to begin with. Seeing so many forces plunge into chaos, factions that usually had grudges or conflicts with them, or simply wanted to profit, initiated even greater chaotic activities.
For a time, the entire Black Corner Region was engulfed in smoke and chaos, truly becoming a land of turmoil at this moment.
"This Eight Gates wasn't a wasted trip. The Dou Skill that the Wind Lightning Pavilion lost actually ended up in their hands long ago. Yuan Yi must have cultivated it already!"
Among a range of mountains in the Black Corner Region, Yan Qingshan put away a silver scroll after flipping through it. He then disguised himself again, transforming into the attire of a Demon Flame Valley Elder, though this set of clothes was a bit tattered and stained with blood.
After taking a pill, Yan Qingshan's appearance transformed to be strikingly similar to one of the Demon Flame Valley members who had previously accompanied Fang Yan. Coupled with his scorched appearance disguise, unless someone was very familiar with him, they probably wouldn't recognize him at all.
This Face-Changing Pill, after his improvements, had effects similar to a human skin mask, allowing the user to change their appearance and sculpt their face after taking the pill. There were, of course, differences between his appearance and the person he was imitating, but at this time, probably not many people would notice such obvious details.
"Next, will be the most dangerous moment."
Yan Qingshan adjusted his breathing rhythm, making his heartbeat quicken to create an impression of having rushed back in a hurry. Then, he circulated his Dou Qi to perform his Wing Transformation Technique and swiftly flew towards the Demon Flame Valley.
"Who dares to cause trouble in the Demon Flame Valley?!"
Yan Qingshan's actions quickly attracted the attention of the Demon Flame Valley's powerhouses. The Demon Flame Valley was not like Black Emperor City; even if Fang Yan took away a large group of people, there were still many powerhouses, more than one Dou Emperor, and even a Seven-Star Dou Ancestor in secluded cultivation within.
"I am Wang Lin, the Elder in charge of the Outer Sect. I have an urgent order from the First Elder."
Yan Qingshan, disguised as Elder Wang Lin, urgently said, "Fellow Elders, quickly lead me to see the Old Ancestor! The three Elders were ambushed by Han Feng during the Heavenly Flame struggle and had their Flame of Life Transformation stolen. Han Feng used a Zong Breaking Pill to entice Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect to join forces. The First Elder and the others are now struggling to hold on. Without reinforcements, I fear their lives are in danger!"
The Fourth Elder of Demon Flame Valley, also a high-star Dou Emperor, quickly rushed over upon hearing the commotion and asked, "Wang Lin, what exactly happened in the north? Tell me in detail."
Yan Qingshan briefly recounted the fabricated events. "Fourth Elder, there's no more time to wait! The three Elders' combat power was greatly reduced after losing the Flame of Life Transformation, and they were besieged by people from the Black Emperor Sect and Feng City. If we hadn't detonated the underground volcano, we would have already lost our lives. Now they are surrounded by enemies, and only the Old Ancestor can rescue them. Please quickly take me to the Old Ancestor; I have evidence to prove everything I've said."
"Good, you come with me to see the Old Ancestor!"
The Fourth Elder of Demon Flame Valley, upon hearing this situation, dared not be careless. Mo Tianxing, Han Feng, and the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers were all powerhouses who could contend with or were themselves Dou Ancestors. If they joined forces against Fang Yan and his group, only the Sect Master of the entire Demon Flame Valley could provide assistance.
In the back mountains of Demon Flame Valley, within a cold mountain valley, many Dou Kings and Dou Emperors rushed over after receiving the news. Yan Qingshan, in the guise of Wang Lin, couldn't wait for the Fourth Elder to act and rushed forward, falling to his knees. "Old Ancestor, Old Ancestor, the First Elder is in danger! Please come out of seclusion and save him!"
Yan Qingshan's voice was extremely sorrowful and desolate, echoing through the valley. The faces of the numerous Demon Flame Valley Elders changed. The Old Ground Demon Ghost was not someone with a peaceful temperament. Being interrupted during his secluded cultivation like this, there was no guarantee he wouldn't kill out of rage, and they might even suffer collateral damage.
Boom…
The tightly closed stone door was suddenly enveloped by a cold aura, turning icy blue, and then it exploded. A figure appeared before Yan Qingshan at some unknown point. At this moment, a strong warning signal blared in his heart, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"Sect Master, I have a habit of carrying a Spirit Imprint Jade with me at all times. I witnessed the First Elder's attack with my own eyes. Now, Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect has been persuaded by Han Feng, and he has the Gold and Silver Twin Brothers as his aids. The First Elder and the others, I don't know if they are still..."
Yan Qingshan took out the pre-prepared Spirit Imprint Jade. A scene of interweaving light and shadow emerged. Originally, he had only intended to have the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent take a few pictures to stir up relations between a few forces later, but he didn't expect an unexpected gain, which made him decide to lure out the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
In a world of fiery red magma, Han Feng used the Sea Heart Flame to seize the Heavenly Fire Phoenix from Fang Yan and the other two, arrogantly saying, "Thank you for the gift." That expression of his made all the members of Demon Flame Valley furious.
"Mo Tianxing, Han Feng, these two little dogs, their audacity is quite something. It seems the Old Ancestor hasn't come out of seclusion for many years, making them think our Demon Flame Valley is easy to provoke."
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's enraged voice spread throughout the entire Demon Flame Valley. The thunderous roar resonated continuously within the Demon Flame Valley, and the lingering echoes, like Sanskrit chants, caused people's minds to tremble.
Yan Qingshan secretly glanced up. The Old Ground Demon Ghost was a blood-haired old man wearing a skeleton-yellow robe. His face was also gaunt, almost skin and bones. At first glance, he looked like a skull. His deep-set eyes emitted a faint glow, like ghost fire, revealing a hint of eeriness and gloom.
As the Old Ground Demon Ghost raged, his aura unconsciously radiated outwards. The strong wind almost knocked Yan Qingshan to the ground, and the swirling storm tore through the clouds.
The Old Ground Demon Ghost's voice once again spread throughout the entire Demon Flame Valley, and then countless auras soared into the sky. "Heed my command! All those above Dou King in the Demon Flame Valley, gather here within ten breaths and follow this Old Ancestor to the battlefield to save them!"
"Old Ancestor, that northern region, I just... cough cough... am quite familiar with it. Let me lead... cough..."
Yan Qingshan spoke in a weak, hurried pant, but before he could finish, he spat out a large mouthful of blood, clearly indicating his injuries were not light.
"You are a meritorious official of my Demon Flame Valley. Fang Yan didn't misjudge you. As for the rest, I, the Old Ancestor, forbid you from worrying too much. You stay in the valley and recuperate well."
The Old Ground Demon Ghost waved his hand, and a token landed in Yan Qingshan's hand. "With this Old Ancestor's token, go to the treasury and retrieve healing medicine, the best healing medicine. My Demon Flame Valley will not mistreat its meritorious officials. As for the others, follow me to the battlefield!"
At the Old Ground Demon Ghost's command, everyone in the Demon Flame Valley assented simultaneously. Numerous figures rapidly ascended into the sky, and under the protection of the Old Ground Demon Ghost's spatial power, they swiftly headed towards the northern part of the Black Corner Region.
"The Old Ground Demon Ghost, he's indeed a formidable figure of his generation. It's just a pity that I am not a member of the Demon Flame Valley, so I must disappoint the Old Ancestor's kind intentions."
Yan Qingshan looked at the token in his palm, a smile playing on his lips. The Old Ground Demon Ghost's actions had given him more opportunities. Originally, he had planned to act under false orders, but now he genuinely had a real order.
Inside the strictly guarded stone cave of the Demon Flame Valley, Yan Qingshan, with Zi Yan whose appearance had been altered, turned left and right. It appeared as if Yan Qingshan was leading the way, but in reality, Zi Yan was guiding him.
Yan Qingshan's current identity was a Demon Flame Valley Elder, who had received an order from the Old Ground Demon Ghost to go to the treasury to retrieve pills. This order was, of course, no problem, but to avoid suspicion, he dared not choose to have someone else lead the way. After all, the treasury was a critical location for the Demon Flame Valley, known only to elders. If the elder he was impersonating were to ask for directions, wouldn't that create a flaw in his disguise?
However, he had a clever plan. Zi Yan's talent was astonishing; she could locate the treasury, and once the location was confirmed, reverse-engineering the path would not be so troublesome.
Yan Qingshan walked along until he finally arrived before a seemingly ordinary stone chamber. Several guards stood watch here, and he vaguely sensed three Dou King and one Dou Emperor aura.
The numerous powerhouses taken by the Old Ground Demon Ghost were only those who could move freely or were in secluded cultivation on a daily basis in the Demon Flame Valley. Elders like these, guarding important places, would not be mobilized unless the Demon Flame Valley faced a life-or-death situation.