First Hearing of the Black Ranking

"So that's how it is. Looks like you have quite an extraordinary background too, Yunxiao, to have dealings with a Dou Ling-level strong person."

Listening to Lu Yunxiao's words, Mentor Ruolin said with a smile.

At that, Lu Yunxiao shrugged and merely smiled without speaking.

The guard unit had arrived, and all the teams were finally assembled.

Considering that the guard unit had just completed a long journey and that it was already afternoon, everyone decided to remain here for another day and set out again the following morning.

The next morning, dozens of Gryphon Beasts carried Jia Nan Academy's many teams as they sped toward the Black Corner Region.

Black Region Great Plains!

This was an incomparably vast plain. From here onward, they had officially entered the territory of the Black Corner Region.

"The Black Corner Region has a tangled web of factions. Only Dou Ling-level strong people can barely gain a foothold and protect themselves, though it is still difficult for them to rise to prominence. Dou Wang-level strong people can be considered local powers with a certain degree of influence. Only Dou Emperor-level strong people can truly command the winds and clouds in the Black Corner Region."

"There is a Black Ranking in the Black Corner Region. Every strong person on it possesses tremendous strength. The more famous ones include the Golden-Silver Elders, who rank first, though they have always kept their whereabouts hidden. The one with the greatest reputation at present is Medicine Emperor Han Feng, who ranks third."

"With his strength as a Dou Emperor and his identity as a Tier 6 Alchemist, Medicine Emperor Han Feng has gathered a large group of strong people beneath him. He now holds a position of great importance in the Black Corner Region. Even Jia Nan Academy cannot easily ignore his existence."

On the Gryphon Beast's back, Mentor Ruolin introduced the affairs of the Black Corner Region to Lu Yunxiao.

Lu Yunxiao indeed knew quite a bit about the Black Corner Region, even secrets unknown to others, but hearing certain details and specific circumstances from Mentor Ruolin undoubtedly made them feel more real and vivid.

"Medicine Emperor Han Feng... the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, and the Myriad Beast Cauldron from the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking both seem to be in his hands. Those are all good things."

Hearing Han Feng's name, Lu Yunxiao's thoughts stirred, and he could not help murmuring softly.

As a prime example of one who had betrayed his master and destroyed his ancestors on the Dou Qi Continent, Han Feng was also a well-known figure.

To avoid Venerable Feng, he had hidden in the Black Corner Region. He also had an unknown connection with Old Man Mugu of the Soul Hall, barely counting as an external lackey of the Soul Hall.

He had even cultivated an incomplete version of the Flame Mantra and coveted the Fallen Heart Flame beneath the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower in the Inner Court. In the Original Work, he had gathered a large group of strong people and led them to the Inner Court in an attempt to seize the Fallen Heart Flame, giving Xiao Yan the chance to fish in troubled waters.

Perhaps he could make use of that opportunity as well.

Moreover, the Sea Heart Flame and Myriad Beast Cauldron on Han Feng's person were truly tempting. At the very least, Lu Yunxiao already had his eye on them.

Once I have enough strength, I can harvest Han Feng. He's no good person anyway, so killing him would be no burden. And since he has ties to the Soul Hall, he deserves to die all the more.

Lu Yunxiao's thoughts turned. He and the Soul Hall were destined to be enemies, so as long as he had the ability, he would certainly do everything possible to eliminate anything connected to the Soul Hall.

Besides, Lu Yunxiao deeply despised such a beast who betrayed his master and destroyed his ancestors. Whether Old Yao was a good person or not was another matter, but he had treated Han Feng well. Yet for the sake of a cultivation technique, Han Feng had colluded with the Soul Hall and killed his own teacher. Such a dog was unworthy of living in this world.

As Lu Yunxiao pondered, his Lips moved slightly, making Mentor Ruolin beside him look at him curiously.

"Yunxiao, what are you muttering about?" Mentor Ruolin asked softly. Lu Yunxiao's voice had been too quiet for her to hear clearly.

"Nothing. Please continue, Mentor Ruolin." Lu Yunxiao came back to his senses. Looking at Mentor Ruolin, who was staring at him, he smiled faintly and spoke in a gentle tone.

Mentor Ruolin gave Lu Yunxiao a deep look before continuing, "Aside from those strong people who are publicly known, the Black Corner Region actually has many long-established factions. They tend to keep a low profile, but their strength is extremely formidable. Some sects even have Dou Zong-level strong people overseeing them. Even Jia Nan Academy must be fully on guard when facing them."

"Long-established strong people..." Lu Yunxiao murmured, and his thoughts drifted away once more.

At the foot of the Black Crag Mountain Range, the Jia Nan Academy group descended.

After flying for so long, they had finally left the Black Region Great Plains and truly entered the Black Corner Region.

The chaos of the Black Corner Region was indeed no exaggeration. While crossing the Black Region Great Plains, Lu Yunxiao had witnessed several outbreaks of unrest caused by bandits. On one occasion, those bandits had even launched a surprise attack while they were resting. Naturally, they were ultimately killed on the spot by Jia Nan Academy's guard unit.

Blood had splattered and flesh had flown everywhere. Many new students could not help vomiting. Such bloodshed right before their eyes was truly a major trial for these new students who had grown up in sheltered environments.

Perhaps Lu Yunxiao was the only one who had not reacted, because he had seen bloodier scenes before and had long tempered an unyielding mind.

Yet after they truly entered the Black Corner Region, such unrest became somewhat less frequent. They had not encountered any incidents for several days in a row, which put everyone much more at ease.

The Black Crag Mountain Range where they had landed was no longer far from Peace Town outside Jia Nan Academy. At the Gryphon Beasts' speed, they could reach it in about a day. Once they entered Peace Town, they would be truly safe.

Everyone swiftly and skillfully set up their tents and lit bonfires. A group gathered around, preparing dinner.

Lu Yunxiao sat atop a rock, turning the roasted meat in his hand over the crimson flames.

Mentor Ruolin sat beside Lu Yunxiao, watching his movements intently. She sniffed lightly, and a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes.

"It smells so good, Yunxiao. I never expected you to have this skill."

Mentor Ruolin could not help speaking. The roasted meat Lu Yunxiao was preparing gave off an enticing aroma, while golden grease slowly dripped from it, making it look exceptionally appetizing.

"I liked doing things myself when I was young. After doing it often enough, I naturally learned."

Lu Yunxiao looked at the roasted meat in his hand and felt that it was almost done. He sprinkled on his own specially made seasoning, took out a skewer, and handed it to Mentor Ruolin beside him.

"Mentor, give it a try. See how it tastes."

Mentor Ruolin accepted it with a smile, blew on it lightly, then parted her cherry lips and gently took a bite with her pearly teeth.

At once, rich meat juices burst in her mouth. An indescribable deliciousness swept across her tongue, bringing an ultimate experience.

"It's delicious!" Mentor Ruolin's beautiful eyes lit up as she said softly.

"Then have some more!" Lu Yunxiao smiled, handed her several more skewers of roasted meat, and began feasting heartily himself.

Just as they were happily eating, a faint rustling sound came from a secluded forest above Black Crag Mountain.