Xuan Ye City

"Teacher, look—number ten on the Black List, Yao Emperor Han Feng!" Xiao Li handed the Black List information to Old Wang.

After looking it over, Old Wang said, "That Old Ghost of the Earth Demon is still reigning at number one. He was already a Dou Ancestor Expert back then, and he still is now. Mo Tianxing and Old Man Ying Shan are both veteran powerhouses.

As for this Han Feng, Master has heard of him. Rumor has it that he is Venerable Yao's adopted son and disciple, and Venerable Yao taught him everything he knew. But why is he only a Rank 6 Alchemist?"

"Only?" Xiao Li froze. Teacher, aren't you also a Rank 6 Alchemist? Why are you looking down on your peers?

"Exactly! Venerable Yao is the continent's number one Alchemist! Han Feng is probably much older than you, yet you're already Rank 5 while he's only Rank 6?

Does that count as being Venerable Yao's disciple? I don't believe it. And I find his cultivation strange as well. Would Venerable Yao's disciple not even have Dou Emperor strength? Only ranked tenth?"

Old Wang greatly revered Venerable Yao, who was also Old Man Yao, but what Han Feng had displayed made Old Wang question whether Han Feng was truly Old Man Yao's personal disciple.

"Is there some reason for that?" Xiao Li asked curiously. Although he roughly knew what Han Feng's situation was, he did not know Teacher's opinion.

"Of course there is. The Medicinal Baths you used from childhood until now were learned by Master from Venerable Yao. Back then, Master was heavily injured by a Dou Emperor from Ice River Valley and barely managed to escape.

Master collapsed somewhere and only learned after waking up that Venerable Yao had saved me. Not only did Venerable Yao heal Master's external injuries, he also gave Master some guidance.

You are now a sixteen-year-old two-star Dou Ling and a Rank 5 Alchemist. Aside from your own hard work, you have Master's support. Venerable Yao is far more capable than Master.

With his level, isn't it strange that Han Feng is merely a Rank 6 Alchemist and might only barely be a Dou Emperor?"

"Uh, that makes sense." Xiao Li had experienced the power of Medicinal Baths combined with pills. With Old Man Yao's ability, the foundation he had laid for Han Feng should have been enough for him to become a Dou Sheng!

And yet, Mu Gu only needed to provoke him a little for him to rebel. For the sake of the Flame Mantra, he even stabbed his benefactor in the back, ruining the solid foundation Old Man Yao had built for him.

The Flame Mantra was indeed powerful, but it was a bit too costly to one's life. Xiao Li had no intention of taking that path. There were countless paths of cultivation; he did not have to cultivate the Flame Mantra.

Besides, Hun Tiandi's world-destroying disaster was right around the corner. Xiao Yan could deal with it. Xiao Li only needed to protect the clan in the early stages, play the role of an old grandpa, and tease Yun'er.

Risk his life? He would never risk his life in this lifetime! If he suddenly died again, he might really be gone for good.

As the master and disciple chatted, they arrived at Xuan Ye City. Xiao Li looked up at the enormous black city walls, his gaze sweeping over the three words "Xuan Ye City" at the center of the gate.

Before the words Xuan Ye City was the emblem of a black leaf.

"Li'er, let's go. Let Master show you what an Alchemist's network is!" Old Wang said with a faint smile.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? Alchemists naturally have their own network. Otherwise, why is there a rule across the continent that Alchemists should not be easily offended? Isn't it because an Alchemist's network is astonishing?

Ye Xuan and Old Man are old acquaintances. Since we learned that there is an Auction House this time, Old Man naturally has to see what good things are available."

Old Wang knocked Xiao Li on the head. This child was quite clever sometimes, but other times he was a little foolish.

"I just didn't expect Teacher's network to reach the Black Horn Region, and for Teacher to have acquaintances here," Xiao Li said, rubbing his head.

"Hmph! Don't look down on Old Man just because I'm only a Rank 6 Alchemist. If it weren't for that damned Ice River Valley, Old Man would at least be a Dou Ancestor Expert. I might even have become a Dou Zun."

Old Wang spoke angrily. The nightmare of his youth had ruined his future. If not for his good fortune, he would have died long ago.

"Then, Teacher, do you know any Dou Ancestor Experts? If we have a Dou Ancestor Expert, our trip to the Black Horn Region will be much safer," Xiao Li said with a grin.

"Of course I do. There is a Dou Ancestor Expert in Jia Nan Academy whom Old Man knows, and there are some in the Central Region of Central Continent too! ...And she should be one as well..."

Old Wang's final words were very soft, as though he were speaking to himself. Xiao Li did not hear what he said clearly.

"Teacher, what did you say?" Xiao Li had not heard him clearly.

"Nothing! In any case, your teacher truly knows Dou Ancestor Experts. You'll find out once you enter Jia Nan Academy. That old fellow broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm a few years ago. What incredible luck he has."

Old Wang waved his hand. After all, a Rank 6 Alchemist had an extensive network.

Xiao Li followed Old Wang through the streets. Bloodshed was everywhere in the Black Horn Region. Brawls and bloody fights could be seen all around, and there were even more bizarre sights. The customs here truly were "simple and honest."

Suddenly, Xiao Li caught a rich medicinal fragrance. It carried the scents of over a hundred medicinal ingredients and rushed straight at him, making his nose feel somewhat uncomfortable. He turned and saw a Medicine Workshop, its signboard bearing three large words: "Xuan Medicine Shop."

With his hands behind his back, Old Wang walked in, and Xiao Li followed close behind.

The Medicine Workshop was extremely spacious. Neat crystal counters filled the area in every direction, and all sorts of medicinal ingredients were placed within the transparent counters. Quite a few people were stopping in front of them, while noisy conversations echoed throughout the shop.

Xiao Li examined the medicinal ingredients one by one. There were ingredients for refining the Purple Heart Breaking Barrier Pill, ingredients for refining the Three-Patterned Clear Spirit Pill, and even ingredients for Rank 6 pills. The prices, however, were truly high.

But Xiao Li was not poor. Did they really think he did not make money from refining pills? The Xiao Clan was now working with the Mite'er Family in the pill business, and Xiao Li directly received a share of the clan's profits. He did not lack money.

"Attendant, come here! Pack up this, this, and that—this whole row and that whole row!"

Xiao Li waved over a Medicine Workshop attendant and had him pack up the medicinal ingredients he had selected.

"Sir, these medicinal ingredients aren't cheap. The total comes to Five Million Gold Coins," the attendant said. He was a shrewd man and could tell from Xiao Li's manner that a large order had arrived.

"There are roughly Five Million Gold Coins on this purple-gold card. Keep the extra as a tip!" Xiao Li took out a purple-gold card. In the Jia Ma Empire, purple-gold cards were generally only held by Dou Wang experts, but as a Peak Rank 4 Alchemist, it was perfectly normal for Xiao Li to possess one.

"Certainly, sir! Please rest in the VIP Room first. Your medicinal ingredients will be delivered shortly!" The attendant immediately beamed when he saw the purple-gold card.

Xiao Li's actions naturally attracted the attention of some unwelcome people in the Medicine Workshop. Soon, a burly man nearly two meters tall walked up to him.

"Kid, Eldest Uncle here is short on gold coins. You... Urgh—"

Before the burly man could finish, Xiao Li kicked him into a twisted heap. He curled up and collapsed onto the ground.

"Why does every stray cat and dog think they can make a move against me? A Dou Master trying to rob a Dou Ling—do you think you're funny?" Xiao Li's expression was cold. He had encountered this several times already in the Black Horn Region. Were the people here all this amusing?

Since he dared to openly take out so much money, couldn't they use their brains and think about why?

Though the little incident surprised people, it did not cause much of a stir. After all, running into someone stronger than oneself was common in the Black Horn Region.

The Medicine Workshop attendant led Xiao Li and Old Wang to a VIP Room to rest.

"Hey! Attendant, call your shop master over. Tell him Huang Liang is looking for him." Old Wang suddenly stopped the attendant and ordered him to fetch someone.

"Esteemed Person, our shop master is very busy and generally does not come out. This lowly one may not be able to do it," the attendant said awkwardly. The master of Xuan Medicine Shop was an Elder of the Xuan Ye Sect, a Dou Wang expert with a terrible temper.

"Just tell him that. Then tell him Old Man is in a hurry and that he should hurry up and get over here!" Old Wang snorted. A trace of Dou Emperor aura spread out, making the attendant break into a cold sweat as he immediately ran off to carry out the task.