Ten Thousand Year Green Spirit Vine
With the affairs of the Jia Ma Empire settled, the family was now under the leadership of Hai Bodong and others, and a solid alliance had been formed with Medusa and the Alchemist Guild. Lin Ming had no more worries in his heart.
Three days later, the sky was high and the clouds were light. Above the Mittel Family, Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian, and Zi Yan stood against the wind. Below, the people seeing them off had complex expressions, with reluctance and eager anticipation.
"Lin Ming, the waters of the Middle Continent are deep; be cautious in everything you do!" Hai Bodong's voice was steady, carrying the concern of an elder.
Ya Fei, dressed in a stunning red gown, said softly, "Brother Lin Ming, take care."
Lin Ming's gaze swept over the crowd, and he nodded emphatically. "Everyone, take care! When I return, the name of Mittel will surely resound throughout the continent!"
Without lingering any longer, Lin Ming waved his sleeve, and three streaks of light shot into the sky, piercing through the clouds, resolutely heading towards the unknown and full of opportunities beyond the empire.
Leaving the territory of the Jia Ma Empire, Lin Ming already had a plan in mind and a clear route: head straight for the Black Emperor City of the Black Corner Region!
As a transmigrator familiar with the original story and keeping a close eye on things, I know that something crucial to Xiao Yi Xian will appear at the grand auction held by the Black Emperor Sect three months from now— the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva!
This item is one of the two key materials needed to control the Woeful Poison Body. Lin Ming had already calculated the timing; his departure was precisely to catch this auction.
Since they had plenty of time, the three of them didn't just rush through their journey. Instead, they would venture into the Mountain Forest along the way to look for any rare and precious treasures.
Xiao Yi Xian quietly followed beside Lin Ming, her white robes as white as snow. Her beautiful face appeared even more indifferent in the wind, and only when her gaze occasionally swept over Lin Ming's back did she reveal a trace of barely perceptible gentleness.
Zi Yan, like a wild horse, excitedly darted through the clouds, sometimes swooping down to startle a flock of forest birds, sometimes scooping up a few shiny stones from a valley, having a great time.
"Lin Ming, look at this, doesn't it look like candy?" Zi Yan held up a Crimson Crystal Stone containing fire-elemental energy, her eyes sparkling.
Lin Ming smiled, took the ore, and then, understanding what Zi Yan meant, immediately handed her a bottle of mild Medicinal Pill, saying, "This is the candy."
In response, Zi Yan immediately smiled, revealing her two little tiger teeth.
Thanks to Lin Ming's tireless efforts over the years in refining medicinal herbs for Zi Yan to consume as Sugar Pill, Zi Yan's cultivation has now reached the Peak Dou Emperor.
Zi Yan poured the Medicinal Pill out of the Jade Bottle, took them, and instantly beamed with joy.
This warm and cozy daily life eased the monotony of the journey. About seven or eight days later, the three passed through a Deadly Land called "Nirvana Bone Swamp". This place was shrouded in gray-black Death Qi all year round. The swamp was filled with the pale skeletons of various beasts and even humans. The air was filled with the smell of decay and despair, and even the sunlight seemed dim when it shone here.
"Such a dense Death Qi... This place is rather eerie." Xiao Yi Xian frowned slightly; her Woeful Poison Body was acutely sensitive to negative energy.
Lin Ming spread his Soul Power, carefully scanning this barren land. Suddenly, his expression changed, and his gaze locked onto the summit of Bone Mountain in the center of the swamp, formed by countless huge skeletons. There, a faint trace of life and Soul Fluctuation, incongruous with the surrounding deathly silence, could be seen and heard.
"There's something here." Lin Ming led the two women closer. The Bone Mountain exuded a chilling pressure that even an ordinary Dou Emperor would find difficult to withstand.
Zi Yan wrinkled her nose. "What's so interesting about a stinking pile of bones?"
Lin Ming did not answer. He manipulated his Dou Qi, transforming it into a large purplish-red hand, and carefully peeled away the surface layer of bones.
Pushing aside the Bone Mountain, a vine as thick as an infant's wrist appeared before them. The vine was emerald green, just like the finest jade. In addition, it had natural patterns on it, winding and twisting like small snakes.
"This is... the Ten Thousand Year Green Spirit Vine?" Upon seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian also displayed her erudition, a hint of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ming nodded, his eyes filled with joy, and said, "That's right, I didn't expect to encounter a key ingredient for refining the 'Bone-Regenerating Soul-Melding Pill' here."
Lin Ming then carefully placed the Ten Thousand Year Green Spirit Vine into a specially made Jade Box, sealed it layer by layer, and put it into his Storage Ring.
Having obtained this item, Lin Ming has now collected two of the three main ingredients for the Bone-Regenerating Soul-Melding Pill used to revive Elder Yao. Only the Snow Bone Ginseng remains to be acquired before he can begin refining it.
After acquiring the Ten Thousand Year Green Spirit Vine, the three quickly left the foul-smelling, unpleasant bone swamp and headed towards the Black Corner Region.
As the group walked, the Black Corner Region drew ever closer, and the chaos and Sectarian Qi in the air grew increasingly intense. The Law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, was vividly displayed here.
In just a few days, they encountered no fewer than five waves of ambushes. From bandits hiding in the sandstorms to traps disguised as caravans, and then to desperate criminals who directly blocked their way and robbed them, there were many Dou Wang and Dou Emperor among them. On one occasion, a Five-Star Dou Emperor led three low- Dou Emperor to set up a killing formation, attempting to surround and kill them.
However, these tricks appear laughable in the face of absolute power.
To deal with these people, Lin Ming only needed to throw a punch or a palm strike, the immense Dou Qi and a trace of Space Power contained within, to shatter the so-called killing formation and obliterate the ringleader into dust.
Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Gas is a death zone; wherever the gray-purple Poison Mist spreads, life is extinguished, and even the soul cannot escape its corrosive effects. After several swift and decisive actions, an invisible deterrent field seemed to form around Lin Ming and his companions, and no one dared to approach them easily anymore, instead contributing a considerable amount of "travel expenses."
Finally, about ten days before the auction began, a pitch-black city, like a prehistoric behemoth lying prostrate on a vast plain, came into view for Lin Ming and his companions.
The towering city walls, hundreds of feet high, were a dark brown, as if built from Congealed Blood and the passage of time. The walls were scarred and marked with countless battles. Above the city, countless powerful, cold, and violent auras intertwined and clashed, making the sky appear distorted and oppressive. The city gates were bustling with traffic, yet the order was strict, exuding a "peace" forcibly suppressed by force.
Lin Ming and his two companions disguised themselves, completely concealing their bodies under black robes. However, at Lin Ming's instruction, Zi Yan's aura as Peak Dou Emperor was not concealed and remained exposed. While others had to pay a hefty entrance fee to enter the city, Lin Ming and his companions entered the city easily without anyone daring to collect the fee.
Upon entering the city, one finds wide streets paved with Black Steel Rock, lined with shops selling a bizarre array of goods, from legitimate elixirs and weapons to stolen goods, intelligence, and slaves. Most pedestrians have fierce eyes and mixed auras, wary of one another, and the entire city is permeated with a sense of impending doom.
However, under Zi Yan's aura of Peak Dou Emperor, all of this was clearly irrelevant to Lin Ming and the others.
With the release of Zi Yan's aura, the commotion within a hundred meters of the three seemed to be suppressed by an invisible hand!
Those previously greedy, scrutinizing, and malicious gazes froze instantly, then transformed into horror and terror! Pedestrians on the street instinctively retreated, creating a vacuum. Several men who had previously looked lecherous and eager turned pale, their legs went weak, and they almost collapsed to the ground, scrambling and crawling behind the crowd, never daring to look up again.
Peak Dou Emperor! In this Black Corner Region, he is already a powerful figure capable of dominating a region!
"Hmph, they know what's good for them!" Seeing their reaction, Zi Yan proudly raised her head. Although she couldn't see clearly through her black robe, the excitement in her tone was obvious.
Lin Ming smiled slightly. With Zi Yan, this "little devil," openly releasing her pressure, it was enough to deter most of the ignorant scoundrels, saving a lot of trouble. He took Zi Yan's hand, gestured to Xiao Yi Xian, and the three of them walked calmly into the city under the clearing of this invisible circle of intimidation.
Wherever he passed, the crowds parted automatically, and those eyes hidden in the shadows became extremely wary, no one daring to easily spy anymore. The rules of Black Emperor City were displayed to the fullest extent at this moment—strength was the only pass.
At this moment, a very proactive broker stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Gentlemen, would you like me to arrange accommodations for you?"
Without hesitation, Lin Ming told the broker, "Find a quiet, high-class place to stay. Send over the detailed auction list as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, the broker immediately beamed and respectfully replied again, "Yes! Please follow me, sir!"
Arranged by the broker, the three checked into a high-end inn called "Tranquil Heart Courtyard" in the west of the city. The environment was quiet and the security was tight.
After settling into their lodgings, the broker accepted the Gold Coin from Lin Ming, his attitude becoming even more respectful. He said, "My lord, please understand! The auction will be held in ten days, personally presided over by Mo Tianxing, the Sect Master the Black Emperor Sect. The final three treasures include, firstly, the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva! This item is a divine object that Purified the body and stabilizes the foundation, with particularly potent effects on those with special physiques. It is said to have already attracted the attention of many powerful figures, including those from the Heavenly Snake Mansion, the Magic Flame Valley, and even Jia Nan Academy. The competition is bound to be fierce!"
As he spoke, he handed over a detailed list.
Upon hearing the confirmation of "Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva," Xiao Yi Xian's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly, her jade hands clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palms.
Unlike Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian didn't know about the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva beforehand. So when she heard this, she immediately looked at Lin Ming, her eyes filled with undisguised excitement and anticipation, as well as a deep-seated fear—the fear that her hope would be shattered once again.
Inside the Quiet Room, Xiao Yi Xian Doctor was still unable to calm down.
"Xiao Yi Xian, relax. There won't be any problems," Lin Ming immediately reassured her.
Over the next ten days, Lin Ming was not idle. Although his current strength should be fine, the meticulous Lin Ming wanted to achieve 100% and could not tolerate the slightest mistake.
The ten-day preparation period passed in the blink of an eye.
As dawn broke and the auction commenced, the atmosphere in the entire Black Emperor City suddenly reached its peak! Countless powerful auras, like ferocious Fierce Beasts awakening, erupted from all parts of the city, transforming into streaks of light that surged toward the most magnificent building in the city center— the Black Emperor Auction House, which resembled the maw of a giant beast!
A grand feast, gathering countless powerful figures from the Black Corner Region and surrounding areas, destined to be accompanied by bloodshed and strife, is about to begin! Lin Ming, along with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, followed the crowd into the heart of this storm.