Departure

Since the Imperial Family hosted a banquet for Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yuan has not accepted any invitations from any other forces. He spends his days either teaching Xiao Yu how to cultivate Dou Technique at the Xiao Residence residence or discussing the future development direction of the Mittel Family with Ya Fei, and exploring their views in depth.

Besides that, he would also go to the Misty Cloud Sect to cultivate with Yun Yun, and occasionally give guidance to some elders and disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect. This gave him considerable prestige in the Misty Cloud Sect. As for the previous grudge between him and Yun Shan, no one was so tactless as to bring it up again.

After all, everyone has seen with their own eyes that the old sect leader is old and senile, and actually let the wolf into the house, causing many elders to be killed. If it weren't for Yun Yun pulling Xiao Yuan to stay in the Misty Cloud Sect, the Misty Cloud Sect's transcendent status in the Jia Ma Empire would probably be shaken.

Later, some elders even suggested that Yun Shan, the culprit, be removed from his position as sect leader, and that his remains not be allowed to enter the Gate of Life and Death where the sect's ancestors had passed away, so as not to defile the sect's ancestors.

Knowing that Yun Shan Yun Yun no longer be among the ancestral tablets of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yunyun simply found a scenic spot and buried him there.

As for Xiao Yuan, under the elders' embellishment, he became the leader of Yun Yun Sect, who was accepted as a disciple by the patriarch Yun Potian, and led the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect to correct the wrongs and eliminate the remnants of the sect who betrayed the sect, with Yun Shan as the leader. Now he can be considered the Grand Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yuan was both amused and exasperated by this, as Yun Yun had now become a junior in his grand-disciple hierarchy.

Furthermore, the Grand Elder, who was not even twenty years old, was quite embarrassing to behold.

But there was nothing they could do; Xiao Yuan had mastered all the advanced Dou Technique of the Misty Cloud Sect and even managed to steal away the sect leader.

However, this has somewhat salvaged the reputation of the Misty Cloud Sect. After all, not many people know the truth, and everyone is willing to give face to Xiao Yuan, the Grand Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, so they naturally won't try to be clever or spout some nonsense about the truth.

After all, in the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect, with Dou Huang expert like Yun Yun, still has great competitiveness. Now, coupled with Xiao Yuan's current high status in the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect's recruitment of disciples this year is even more lively than in previous years.

The only one who had reservations about this was Gu He, Guest Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, Sixth Grade Alchemist, Pill King Gu He.

In response, Grand Elder Xiao Yuan said: Grandmaster Gu He, you don't want to be unable to provide enough Medicinal Herbs for yourself when you are refining medicine in the future, do you?

You don't want to be branded a traitor and eliminated along with Yun Shan, do you?

After a series of simple and brutal threats and inducements, Gu He, no matter how bad-tempered he was, would not joke with his own life. So, he "voluntarily" stayed in the Misty Cloud Sect as Guest Elder.

Then he watched as Xiao Yuan refined a large batch of Sixth Grade Pill in his original alchemy Secret Chamber, and the quality of the pills was even better than the ones he had refined.

Gu He was completely speechless.

Compared to such a prodigy, it's no wonder I suffered a crushing defeat.

Having lost his temper, Gu He actually got along quite well with Xiao Yuan. They often discussed alchemy together, and while each gained something, Gu He also grew to admire Xiao Yuan more and more. They even addressed each other as brothers, with Xiao Yuan as the elder brother and Gu He as the younger brother.

This spectacle left Yun Yun completely bewildered.

As for how Misty Cloud Sect had unexpectedly become powerful in this way, Yun Yun felt as if she were dreaming.

However, since the sect needed to develop, she naturally couldn't leave it easily. Helplessly, she had to suppress her original plan to follow Xiao Yuan to explore the Dou Douqi Continent. Once Nalan Yanran came out of seclusion, she would immediately leave.

Although this is somewhat unfair to her disciple, no, if Nalan Yanran successfully emerges from seclusion, her strength will likely reach the Peak Dou Wang level, enough to control the Misty Cloud Sect. I haven't been a good sect leader during my tenure, so stepping down and making way for someone more capable is quite reasonable, isn't it? Yun Yun rested her chin on her hand, and with a flicker of her eyes, she had already made clear arrangements for Nalan Yanran, who was still suffering in the Gate of Life and Death.

Then, she looked at Xiao Yuan, who was instructing the disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect in the distance. He was wearing a blue and white robe of the Misty Cloud Sect, with lifelike cloud and sword patterns on the robe. In addition, Xiao Yuan had made a breakthrough in the past three months and was now Six-Star Dou Emperor. He had an extraordinary aura and really had the demeanor of a senior elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Whoosh! Suddenly, a blue light flew into the Misty Cloud Sect, and the surrounding air became much colder.

The blue light fell beside Xiao Yuan; it was Hai Bodong, whose cultivation had broken through to the Eight-Star Dou Emperor.

Over the past three months, Xiao Yuan has found many pills from Yao Lao's prescriptions that would help Hai Bodong's condition. With the addition of a Imperial Zenith Pill, he managed to push Hai Lao to the level of Eight-Star Dou Emperor Huang. If he wasn't worried about Hai Bodong's weak Dou Qi, Xiao Yuan could have directly used pills to push Hai Bodong to the Dou Huang Peak. Once his Dou Qi is solidified and he has accumulated enough, breaking through to Dou Zong will be just around the corner.

Hai Bodong also exclaimed that he hadn't misjudged Xiao Yuan. If Xiao Yuan hadn't stopped him, Hai Bodong would have dragged Xiao Yuan to become sworn brothers.

"Hai Lao, why did you come to see me in such a hurry? Is there something you need?"

Xiao Yuan asked with some doubt.

"I received a message from Xiao Yu that Xiao Yan has emerged from seclusion. Also, there has been some conflict between the Black-Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy recently, so you need to return to the academy."

Hai Bodong spoke very quickly.

Two months ago, Xiao Yu returned to the academy to report for duty, escorted by Lin Xiuya and others.

After all, they are not Xiao Yuan, and they still need the cultivation speed of the Inner Academy.

Zi Yan stayed behind and found a lot of Medicinal Herbs for Xiao Yuan. He also ate a lot of secret pills. Now his strength has reached the Peak Dou Wang and he will soon advance to the next level.

"Black-Corner Region? Have they gone mad? Daring to challenge Jia Nan Academy?"

Xiao Yuan frowned upon hearing this. His good Corpse Brother Han Feng was now dead without a trace. But besides him, who else in the Black-Corner Region had that kind of power to lead a large group of people against the Jia Nan Academy? "Anyway, it's quite urgent, otherwise I wouldn't have made this trip in person."

Hai Bodong shook his head and said seriously.

"Okay, then I'll set off immediately."

Xiao Yuan suddenly frowned, then nodded, and in a flash, appeared next to Yun Yun.

"Sister Yun, things have happened suddenly, and I must Gate of Life and Death immediately. I have sensed that Nalan Yanran will emerge from seclusion within a year and a half. If I am not back by then, go directly to the Jia Nan Academy to find me. There are some pills I have made for you in this Storage Ring. Don't be reluctant to take them. Improving your strength is more important than anything else!"

Xiao Yuan handed a Storage Ring to Yun Yun, gave her some instructions, and then threw two more Storage Ring at Hai Bodong.

"Hai Lao, here's one Storage Ring for you, and please give the other to Ya Fei for me. I won't be going back home; I'm leaving now."

Xiao Yuan threw out two more rings. The next moment, he sensed Zi Yan's direction and his figure slowly dissipated like smoke.

Seeing Xiao Yuan leave in such a hurry, Yun Yun and Hai Bodong were somewhat taken aback. Wasn't this kid in a bit too much of a rush? "Zi Yan, let's go!"

Xiao Yuan's expression was serious. Before Zi Yan could say anything, he grabbed Zi Yan and transformed into a blue light, quickly flying towards the Chuyun Empire.

Long after the two figures disappeared, a mysterious black mist appeared.

"Huh? The speed is actually that fast?"

From within the black mist, a low, questioning voice rang out.

Three days later, on a mountain peak outside Heavenly Poison City, Xiao Yuan, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian met up.

With his gaze fixed on the vast city at the foot of the mountain, Xiao Yuan let out a soft breath and turned to Xiao Yi Xian beside him, whispering, "Have you made up your mind to come with me?"

"Yes, I've finished explaining things within the sect. And even if something happens when I return, it doesn't matter. I was able to establish the Poison Sect once, so I can certainly establish it a second time."

Xiao Yi Xian said nonchalantly that she had only started the Poison Sect on a whim, and it was gone once it was gone.

"Yes, let's hurry, something's happened at the Jia Nan Academy."

Xiao Yuan nodded, a hint of impatience appearing on his face.

"Good."

Xiao Yi Xian glanced at Xiao Yuan, who was clearly acting strangely, but said nothing. She simply nodded and followed Xiao Yuan toward the Jia Nan Academy.

High in the sky, three streaks of light streaked past like stars chasing the moon. Their astonishing speed attracted the attention of many powerful figures within the Chuyun Empire. However, after sensing the strength of the three auras, they all quickly abandoned the idea of going to investigate.

The territory of the Chuyun Empire was no smaller than that of the Jia Ma Empire, so even at the speed of Xiao Yuan and his companions, it took them two full days to reach the border of the Chuyun Empire.

Since there were only three of them traveling to the Black-Corner Region this time, Xiao Yuan and the others naturally did not need to ride flying beasts. Their speed was much faster than those things. If it weren't for the large group accompanying them, Xiao Yuan would not have chosen that method of travel, which he considered rather slow.

The three stopped at the border of the Chuyun Empire, took out a map to identify the direction, and then sped through the sky without stopping, heading quickly toward their distant destination.

Although the Chuyun Empire is almost ten thousand miles away from the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Yuan and his two companions are no ordinary people. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yi Xian are both Dou Huang expert. Although using Douqi Wings to travel consumes a lot of Dou Qi, it is not a big problem with Xiao Yuan's many pills to restore Dou Qi. As for Zi Yan, she basically hangs on Xiao Yuan, so she doesn't have to exert much effort.

During the journey, Xiao Yi Xian clearly sensed that Xiao Yuan possessed a power that would occasionally conceal their aura, but since Xiao Yuan didn't say anything, she didn't feel comfortable asking what was going on.

After running frantically for a month, the endless mountain range finally disappeared from the horizon, and a vast, dark plain stretching to the horizon appeared in the view of Xiao Yuan and his companions, like a huge black curtain covering the ground.

Looking at the somewhat familiar, vast black plain, Xiao Yuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "We've arrived in the Black-Corner Region."

Seeing Xiao Yuan's relaxed expression, Xiao Yi Xian smiled slightly, gazing at the vast black plain, and murmured softly, "Is this the Black-Corner Region?"

Xiao Yuan had passed through the Black-Region Great Plains several times before, so he was quite familiar with it. When he arrived at the plains, he breathed a sigh of relief. Once he crossed the plains, he would be able to enter the Black-Corner Region.

After relaxing for a while, Xiao Yuan pulled Xiao Yi Xian along to continue their journey.

At Xiao Yuan's speed, the three of them only spent two hours crossing the Black-Region Great Plains, which was much easier than the two or three-day journey they had undertaken the first time.

After crossing the Black-Region Great Plains, Xiao Yuan gradually slowed down. This Black-Corner Region was a melting pot of all sorts of people, and countless powerful figures were hidden in this vast area. If he continued to travel recklessly as before, he would likely attract a lot of unnecessary trouble. After all, the people here were all hardened criminals who lived on the edge of death. As long as there was enough profit, no matter who you were, they would definitely pounce on you and take a bite.

Following the route in his memory, Xiao Yuan led Xiao Yi Xian and the other person at a low altitude. When they passed through some cities in the Black-Corner Region, they would dismount and walk through them. While passing through the cities, they would also linger in some auction houses and pharmacies to see if they could find the materials they needed.

"Did you shake them off?"

After entering a pharmacy, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly asked in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan was not surprised that Xiao Yi Xian had noticed something amiss, and simply shook his head.

"No, I dare not shake him off. That person is very strong. If I shake him off, I am worried that he will go after the Xiao Clan. So I can only make my aura faint along the way so that he cannot pinpoint my exact location, but I also cannot let him lose me."

Xiao Yuan remained calm, seemingly browsing information about the surrounding Medicinal Herbs, but in reality, he was communicating with Xiao Yi Xian through telepathy.

Actually, there were still some things he hadn't told Xiao Yi Xian.

This time, it's likely Heavenly Guardian. According to Yao Lao's perception, his strength has reached the Peak Dou Zong. Even with the help of Yao Lao, Xiao Yuan wouldn't dare say he could easily kill such a powerful figure.

However, Xiao Yuan was not afraid of him. What really troubled Xiao Yuan was that this Heavenly Guardian might have something like a jade slip that could summon the Hall of Souls Elder. If he really attracted Dou Zun expert, he would definitely be finished!

Therefore, he went to great lengths to keep the people from the Soul Hall occupied while ensuring his own safety.

Jia Nan Academy has two Peak Dou Zong experts, and Xiao Yan, who now possesses three different types of Heavenly Flames, making him a walking nuclear bomb manufacturing machine. If Yao Lao's soul power assists them, and they combine Yao Lao's Heavenly Flames with their own three different types of Heavenly Flames, making a total of seven Heavenly Flames, even Dou Zun expert would be blown to death! The only thing to worry about is that the aftershocks of the explosion might also kill Xiao Yan.

With Xiao Yuan's speed, he was confident he could pull Xiao Yan out of the center of the explosion.

However, could Xiao Yan conjure a seven-colored Flame Lotus in his first real battle? Xiao Yuan didn't know, but if it really came down to that, he would have to take a gamble.