At dawn the next day, the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, scattering the remnants of night. After bidding farewell to his friends and family, Liu Xi departed from Jia Ma Sacred City once again.
Three figures soared through the sky—their Dou Qi Wings spread wide, gliding effortlessly through the morning wind. All three were Dou Huang–level experts, and at such a realm, their flight speed far surpassed any flying beast. With Liu Xi's vast store of pills, a bit of Dou Qi consumption was hardly worth mentioning.
"Big Brother, are we heading straight to the Central Plains?" Zi Yan asked eagerly, her bright purple eyes sparkling with excitement.
Liu Xi smiled faintly and shook his head. "The Central Plains lies far beyond the Northwest Region. It's said that the only way to reach it quickly is through a spatial wormhole, and the only one in this region is located in a city called Tianya City."
"Then we're going to Tianya City now?" Zi Yan tilted her head curiously.
"Not yet," Liu Xi replied with a helpless chuckle. "We'll stop by Jia Nan Academy first. Tianya City is thousands of miles away from the Black-Corner Region. I'll ask the academy if they have any maps that chart the way there."
As he spoke, Liu Xi reached out and gently ruffled Zi Yan's hair. "If you can break through to Dou Zong soon, you might be able to take us there yourself. With your unique talent, it's not impossible."
Zi Yan pouted. "Hmph, that's easy for you to say! I just broke through to Dou Huang not long ago. I still don't understand how Sister Xian'er advanced so fast!"
At her words, Xiao Yixian only smiled softly. Yet, deep within her gray-violet eyes, a faint trace of bitterness lingered. Blessed by the Woeful Poison Body, and cursed by it as well.
After obtaining Xie Bi Yan's storage ring, Xiao Yixian had gained tremendous benefits. Within a short period, her strength had soared, and now she was a 9-Star Dou Huang, only a hair's breadth away from Dou Zong.
Sensing her mood darken, Liu Xi reached out and rubbed Zi Yan's head again, motioning for her to quiet down. "Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "Once we reach the Central Plains and find the 7th Rank Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast, its Monster Core will help you fully control your Woeful Poison Body. Your strength is vital to us."
Liu Xi himself had already reached 8-Star Dou Huang, and once the Fallen Heart Flame completely refined the Demon Poison Spot, he would gain enough energy to challenge the Dou Zong realm within a year.
Truly, that old scorpion Xie Bi Yan had been "generous to the end." Even in death, he'd left Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian gifts aplenty—his storage ring filled with poisons that had accelerated their growth immensely.
The trio did not rush their journey. Whenever they came across a mountain range rich with energy, they paused to explore—Zi Yan's natural treasure-sensing ability proving invaluable.
Their goals were twofold: first, to collect medicinal herbs for Zi Yan's growth; second, to find materials required for refining the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill.
And luck was on their side. They discovered numerous rare herbs—among them, one of the three primary ingredients for the pill, a thousand-year-old Green Spiritual Vine.
Unfortunately, that vine was guarded by a 7th Rank Bloodthirsty Heart Ape, a beast as savage as it was fast. The trio barely escaped with their lives, Liu Xi carrying both Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan under his arms, fleeing hundreds of miles using his bone wings before finally losing their pursuer.
Though each of them stood unrivaled among Dou Huangs, even they could not contend head-on with a 7th Rank beast—one whose power rivaled that of a Dou Zong.
And summoning Yao Tianhuo was out of the question. The old flame spirit's soul origin was precious—one reckless battle could cost him irreparable damage, no matter how much Soul Nurturing Saliva they had.
Unless faced with certain death, Liu Xi would never call upon him.
Still, this near disaster reminded him of one truth—speed meant survival. With a single beat of his bone wings, he could cross dozens of miles in an instant, leaving even that monstrous ape eating dust.
---
High above a vast blue sky, thunder rumbled faintly. A streak of white cut through the clouds—Liu Xi, his massive bone wings spread wide, suddenly came to a halt midair.
In one hand he held Xiao Yixian, in the other Zi Yan. His breath came slightly uneven; flying at such breakneck speed for hundreds of miles in one stretch had drained him considerably.
"Big Brother, that was so fast! So exciting!" Zi Yan cheered, her face glowing with exhilaration.
"Are you alright, Young Master?" Xiao Yixian asked, her tone filled with concern.
Liu Xi released them gently, allowing both to unfold their own Dou Qi Wings. Taking a 5th Tier Recovery Pill, he felt his energy swiftly replenish. Exhaling deeply, he said, "I'm fine. Just used a bit too much Dou Qi. Luckily that monkey isn't built for speed."
"Big Brother," Zi Yan giggled mischievously, "you could just carry us again! That speed was amazing!"
Liu Xi rolled his eyes. "Nice try. I'm exhausted, and you know it."
They continued onward cautiously. Whenever they sensed the aura of powerful beasts nearby, they detoured rather than risk provoking another 7th Rank creature.
Though the journey was long, the search for herbs turned the trek into a treasure hunt of sorts—every discovery like opening a chest filled with mystery and promise.
After more than a month of travel, the endless expanse of mountain ranges finally gave way to a vast, dark plain stretching into the horizon.
Liu Xi gazed ahead and murmured, "The Black-Corner Region... we've arrived."
---
At the same time, outside Jia Nan Academy, in Peace Town, a tall, rugged figure entered from the Black-Corner border. His clothes were tattered, his face unshaven and travel-worn.
After enduring repeated questioning by the Academy's law enforcement and registering his name, he was finally permitted to settle in the town.
He introduced himself as a relative of an Academy student—a claim not unusual, given the number of families with children studying there. The Academy had long established a process for such visitors.
Three days later, inside the Inner Academy, a young man with a plain face but a powerful aura was notified. Bearing the massive black ruler on his back, Xiao Yan, accompanied by his loyal companion Xun'er, made his way to Peace Town to meet the man claiming to be his kin—Xiao Li.
"Brother Xiao Yan," Xun'er said softly as they walked, her elegant green robe swaying lightly in the wind, her beauty calm and ethereal. "Second Brother Xiao Li arrived safely. You don't need to worry."
But Xiao Yan's expression remained tense. "Xun'er, Second Brother risked his life crossing the Black-Corner Region to find me. I fear… something's happened to the clan."
Before long, they reached a small wooden hut with a sign marked No. 638.
"This is it," Xiao Yan said, stepping forward to knock rapidly. "Second Brother! It's me—Xiao Yan!"
From within came a hoarse, sorrowful voice that Xiao Yan knew too well. "Xiao Yan… you're here."
Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man with weary eyes—Xiao Li, one of the few survivors of the Xiao Clan massacre, spared only because he had been leading his mercenary company outside the city that night.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he met his younger brother's gaze. His voice trembled with anguish and rage.
"Xiao Yan… the Xiao Clan… is gone!"
(End of Chapter)
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