Chapter 130: When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do
The Black-Corner Region—this was one of the most infamous chaotic zones across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Due to its unique geographical position, this place had become the most lawless region on the continent. Countless fugitives ended up here, giving rise to the most savage rules of survival. Not only did it host powerful human cultivators, but many other races resided here as well. It was like a miniature version of the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Because of that, this place was entirely devoid of law or order. Only the rawest, most barbaric law remained: survival of the fittest.
Every day, countless powers and experts perished—while just as many new forces emerged.
It could truly be called a paradise for criminals.
…
After nearly a month of travel, Yao Yan and Cai Lin finally arrived at the edge of the Black-Corner Region. What greeted them was a vast, endless black plain. The dark soil stretched all the way to the horizon, forming a dividing line that completely separated the outside world from the inside.
"This is the Black Plains?"
Staring at the landscape, Yao Yan's expression, previously dulled from the long journey, suddenly lit up. After spending so many years in this world, he hadn't seen many unique places. The scenery before him was breathtaking—unlike anything from his previous life. He even faintly suspected this Black Plains might be a remnant battlefield from a war between ancient Dou Emperors.
Never mind the secret realm left behind by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor—just the terrain alone was abnormal. From 10,000 meters in the sky, he still couldn't see any trace of mountain ranges—eerily flat.
"Indeed. Only the Black-Corner Region has this kind of topography…"
Yao Lao's aged voice rang in his ears, with a hint of nostalgia, as if this place stirred many memories.
He paused, then added with a warning, "The Black-Corner Region is extremely dangerous. Don't trust anyone, even if they look weak. Underestimating them will only cost you. Anyone who survives here has their own means. And above all, show no mercy. Also—be especially cautious of one group: Soul Hall!"
"…Soul Hall?"
Yao Yan blinked, unsure how to respond—after all, that group was technically his own.
Yao Lao's voice turned heavy, his tone tense. "I don't know if your teacher ever told you about Soul Hall. But as an alchemist, you must be wary. They specialize in capturing powerful souls, and alchemists are their favorite targets. Back in Central Plains, I had several run-ins with them—and even clashed with them directly."
Yao Yan asked curiously, "And the outcome?"
"…I killed a few lackeys. As for the others, they're very difficult to deal with."
Yao Lao fell silent for a moment before giving his answer. With his strength at the time, ordinary enforcers were no threat—but the elders and reverends were cunning and utterly shameless. Killing them was nearly impossible.
After another pause, he added, "Chaotic places like the Black-Corner Region are exactly the kind of environment Soul Hall thrives in."
Yao Yan nodded and changed the subject, glancing at the Black Plains ahead. "Let's find somewhere to rest for a few days and ask around about your old disciple~"
Hai Xin Flame was one of his targets. He didn't know if Han Feng had already obtained it. If not, it could complicate things. But with Yao Lao's Bone Spirit Cold Flame already in hand, the Hai Xin Flame wasn't an absolute necessity.
Yao Yan's words sent Yao Lao into silence. After a long pause, he finally gave a soft "Mm."
Yao Yan ignored the now-mute old man and turned toward the stunning queen beside him. He took out a black robe from his storage ring and handed it over with a smile. "Put this on. This place isn't like the Jia Ma Empire. Your fearsome reputation means nothing here."
Cai Lin frowned slightly at the robe, her alluring voice tinged with a chill. "No need. I have my own."
As she spoke, she pulled out a mask and black robe from her own storage ring. Once donned, her entire figure and appearance were concealed, leaving only a short section of purple serpent tail exposed—gently swaying. Yet even that small portion carried an exotic beauty, making it hard not to stare.
The Medusa bloodline truly lived up to its allure—a perfect embodiment of the phrase "fatal beauty."
Yao Yan sighed inwardly and put his robe away, then pulled out a mask and wore it as well. His looks in a place like the Black-Corner Region could cause more trouble than he wanted. Who knew what kind of perverts might show up? If it were a woman, fine. If it were a man… that would just be disgusting.
Once both were dressed and concealed, they descended in altitude and began searching for a nearby city.
After half an hour, a modestly-sized settlement appeared in the distance.
"Let's go down."
Yao Yan spoke softly and flew toward the settlement with Cai Lin.
Their bold entrance naturally caught the attention of the local experts, though the strongest among them was only at the Dou Ling level. The moment they saw the Dou Qi wings behind Yao Yan and Cai Lin, their expressions turned respectful. No one dared show any disrespect.
"Greetings, my lords. How may I assist you?"
The speaker was clearly a long-time resident of the Black-Corner Region, with no lack of street smarts. Since the two hadn't attacked immediately, they clearly weren't here to cause trouble. After all, with their strength, they could have wiped everyone out with a single slap—no need for words.
In this place, strength was law. The strong owed no explanations to the weak. If they wanted to kill you in the middle of the street, you were expected to bend over and ask if the angle suited them.
Yao Yan hovered in midair, Dou Qi wings faintly trembling. Looking down, he asked indifferently, "I need an up-to-date map of the Black-Corner Region. Also, tell me everything you know about the Medicine Emperor."
"Yes, sir!"
The middle-aged man sighed in relief, wiped the cold sweat from his brow, calmed himself, and quickly produced a scroll from his storage ring. He raised it up with both hands. After Yao Yan took it, the man cautiously continued, "My lord… do you mean the Medicine Emperor Han Feng of Maple City?"
Buzz~
A powerful soul fluctuation surged from the Bone Flame Ring. Clearly, hearing that name had stirred uncontrollable emotions in Yao Lao. Especially hearing it confirmed by someone else—grief washed over his soul like a tide.
Cai Lin sensed the fluctuation. Her cool, elegant eyes flickered as she glanced at Yao Yan's ring finger. She already knew the old man was hiding in there.
Could this Medicine Emperor Han Feng be related to him?
Yao Yan quickly suppressed the soul fluctuation and nodded. "Yes. Tell me everything you know."
"I don't know much. I only know the Medicine Emperor was once the disciple of the top alchemist in Central Plains. He showed up in the Black-Corner Region over a decade ago and quickly became famous for his unmatched alchemy. At a young age, he became a sixth-tier alchemist—the undisputed number one in this region. His methods were ruthless too. He allied with several Dou Huang experts and wiped out the sect that once ruled Maple City—leaving no survivors. That's how his fame spread."
The man paused, trying to gauge Yao Yan's expression—but the mask made that impossible.
"Keep going~"
Yao Yan's tone was calm.
The man hesitated, then continued, "With that momentum, he established his foothold in the region. As a sixth-tier alchemist, he made connections with many local forces. Maple City is now more prosperous than ever. No one dares provoke him. Rumor has it… even Canaan Academy gives him face."
"That's all I know."
He lowered his head cautiously, not daring to breathe too loudly in front of someone like Yao Yan.
"Thanks~"
Yao Yan nodded and casually tossed him a bottle of third-tier Qi Recovery Pills. Before the man could react, he soared into the sky with Cai Lin, heading toward the nearest city. At the same time, he chatted with Yao Lao in the Bone Flame Ring, teasing, "Looks like your disciple's doing pretty well in the Black-Corner Region. 'Medicine Emperor'… tsk, that's quite the title~"
"Brat, don't mock me... Sigh. I never expected him to turn out like this. Back then, he fought me over Flame Mantra. Thought I was withholding it. He ended up joining forces with my former junior to wound me and left me in this state…"
Yao Lao's voice was heavy and full of helplessness. He had kept this bottled up too long—it all came spilling out.
Yao Yan remained composed and replied softly, "Some people are born ungrateful. They think everything good in life is owed to them. If you don't give them what they want, they turn on you. All your kindness is seen as expected. The moment you deny them, they bear a grudge. Such people are just untrainable mutts. You simply failed to see his true nature. Should've crushed him from the start."
As he spoke, his thoughts drifted to his own relationship with Hun Xuzi.
Compared to Yao Lao and Han Feng, his connection with Hun Xuzi was even more twisted. The man had raised him as a tool—maybe even an experiment. And yet, despite everything, Yao Yan still had to acknowledge that debt… even though part of him wanted to kill Hun Xuzi. Some hatred couldn't be erased.
Being treated like an experimental subject, his life toyed with at will—those memories were still deeply carved into his mind.
How could he forget that agony?
Still, Hun Xuzi had taught him much—like how to survive in this world.
Without him, Yao Yan wouldn't be where he was now.
"Perhaps…"
Yao Lao sighed again, clearly not wanting to discuss it further.
Yao Yan thoughtfully offered, "If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll do it for you."
"We'll see when the time comes."
And with that, Yao Lao cut off the connection.
At that moment, Cai Lin, now wearing her featureless mask, looked just like she had the first time they met. Her voice soft and aloof: "When do you plan to go to Canaan Academy? That place won't be easy to enter."
"For others, maybe. But did you forget? I'm only seventeen."
Yao Yan smiled as he looked into her eyes.
Cai Lin was momentarily stunned. She remembered his age—and her gaze became complicated. Because of his strength and everything he had done, she always forgot just how young he actually was. Who else at seventeen could be this monstrous?
She fell silent, clearly unwilling to let him brag more.
Yao Yan continued with a grin, "But before that, we're going to Maple City. I want to meet this so-called number one alchemist of the Black-Corner Region... Sixth-tier and already calling himself emperor? That's bold~"
He suddenly thought of a saying: "When the tiger's away, the monkey becomes king."
As Yao Lao's disciple, Han Feng's talent was undeniable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached half-step Dou Zong with a flawed version of Flame Mantra. That alone was enough to prove his potential—no wonder Yao Lao once admired him.
But his temperament was a mess. Impatient, greedy, always chasing shortcuts—he wasted his entire talent. Even in his thirties, he still hadn't broken through to Dou Zong. A wasted genius.
In the end, he was forced to flee Central Plains and come to a place like the Black-Corner Region to show off.
And yet, he was proud of it.
Cai Lin's eyes flickered as she quietly asked, "What's his relationship with the old man?"
"A white-eyed wolf raised from childhood. Joined outsiders to ruin him."
Yao Yan kept it brief. He knew Yao Lao disliked talking about it.
Cai Lin nodded slightly, not pressing further—showing the old man due respect. She had the emotional sensitivity of a woman. She knew no one liked others discussing their painful past.
"Black Seal City!"
Yao Yan spotted a familiar name on the map. This city appeared in the original story. It was under the control of the Eight Gates—one of the oldest and most powerful factions in the Black-Corner Region. Its annual auction attracted countless experts.
He clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Too bad this year's auction is over. Otherwise, I could've done a little looting~"
"…You really do adapt quickly to your surroundings."
Cai Lin rolled her eyes at him.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do!"
Yao Yan grinned, eyes full of excitement, and laughed heartily.
(END CHAPTER)
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