Arrival at the Black-Domain Great Plains, First Hearing of Han Feng

The Black-Corner Region is not far from the Jia Ma Empire.

Starting from the Imperial Capital, even at the speed of Flying Boat, it would only take a few days to reach the gateway to the Black-Corner Region, the Black-Domain Great Plains.

Riding in the Flying Boat, Xiao Yan has had some free time these past few days.

Including the time spent traveling from the desert to the Imperial Capital.

The combined time for both legs of the journey was more than half a month.

Xiao Yan didn't waste any time. He had already learned the second Soul Chain of the Void Soul Prison, Soul Chain, and made considerable progress in the third Soul Prison. He expected to master this remarkable Soul Dou Skill soon.

In addition, the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler Dou Skill was already close to mastery, and now he has truly mastered it, making each move incredibly powerful.

He once cleaved the clouds in two with a single stroke from his Flying Boat, which aroused even greater awe and worship from the others on Flying Boat.

Standing on the edge of the Flying Boat, Xiao Yan looked down at the plain shrouded in black mist and thought to himself, "Now my physique is comparable to that of Tier 7 Magical Beast. After absorbing the energy of the Nether Poison Flame, I am not weak among Tier 7 Magical Beast."

In terms of Soul Power, even without having truly cultivated it, it has already reached the Upper-Middle Seventh Grade, stronger than the physical body, yet it won't cause the physical body to collapse. This progress is quite appropriate.

The only thing holding us back is actually our cultivation level.

Six-Star Dou Huang is not bad, but in the Black-Corner Region, he is not even considered top-tier.

Fortunately, once you reach the Black-Corner Region, you'll definitely be able to collect a large number of high-grade Beast Flame or fire-attribute Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Riches.

Then your cultivation level won't be a hindrance anymore.

Moreover, if I could obtain either the Fallen Heart Flame or the Sea Heart Flame Heavenly Flames, given the absorption efficiency of my Fire Spirit Body, I might be able to break through to the Dou Zong!

Xiao Yan felt a surge of heat in his heart.

Boom!

A piercing thud followed, sending up a blast of air and billowing dust.

Two Flying Boat landed on the Black-Domain Great Plains.

From a high vantage point, one can see numerous tribes enclosed by fences, each living in a separate community on the plain.

These tribes looked very rudimentary, not even as small as Green Mountain Town; they were clearly just small villages.

However, the villagers in this village are all at least Dou Zhe or even Dou Master.

As the Flying Boat landed, these people came out of their residences and secretly observed and sized them up.

They stood guard at the entrance to the Black-Domain Great Plains, observing every cultivator who came. If the cultivator was powerful, they would humbly prostrate themselves; if the cultivator was weak, they would show a friendly side, waiting for the enemy to lower their guard before striking them deadly.

The Flying Boat stopped, Xiao Yan stepped off first, followed closely by Hai Bodong.

Upon landing, these people looked at Xiao Yan's obviously expensive clothes and their eyes lit up. One of them, who seemed to be the most prestigious, was the first to step forward.

"Sir, my name is Mao Luo. I have some reputation in this tribe. Please feel free to tell me what you need!" The man with the pointed mouth and monkey-like face rubbed his hands together, smiling obsequiously.

Xiao Yan glanced at him and asked directly, "Do you have a map of the Black-Corner Region? The more detailed the better, and there's a reward for a good one."

Mao Luo hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, yes, sir, please wait a moment, I'll go get it right away!"

Mao Luo immediately set off, leaving Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong behind. Instantly, the other members of the tribe looked at Xiao Yan with greedy eyes, and wicked thoughts began to sprout in their hearts. However, when they saw Hai Bodong, who exuded the aura of a powerful figure just by standing there, they immediately backed down.

The tribes that managed to survive in this Black-Domain Great Plains must possess many skills, but their ability to judge character is certainly remarkable.

Soon, Mao Luo returned with several somewhat worn sheepskin scrolls.

He handed all the scrolls to Xiao Yan and waited quietly.

Xiao Yan took the maps and found that the records were fairly clear. By combining these maps, he could get a general understanding of the entire Black-Corner Region.

After checking his memory and confirming that the information on the map was correct, he generously took out a small bag of gold coins from his Storage Ring and tossed it to Mao Luo.

Mao Luo took the bag of gold coins, his eyes gleaming. "Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Xiao Yan then inquired about the situation, "Tell me some common knowledge about the Black-Corner Region, things you need to know, and the various forces involved, etc."

Having witnessed Xiao Yan's generosity, Mao Luo naturally wouldn't refuse and told him everything he knew.

For example, Black-Seal City, which is not far from here, is going to hold an auction soon.

For example, if a primeval forest is inhabited by a powerful magical beast, do not go there lightly.

Until the very end, he brought up the Black Ranking of the Black-Corner Region, his eyes filled with fear.

"The Black Ranking is similar to the list of the top ten strongest people in various empires. However, due to the chaotic situation in the Black-Corner Region, the Black Ranking is updated much faster."

The auction I just mentioned, held in Black-Seal City, was organized by Yuan Yi, the Chief the Eight-Fan Sect, who ranked tenth on the Black Ranking.

Besides these, the top ten strongest individuals on the Black Ranking also include...

Finally, of the top three powerhouses on the Black Ranking, the first and second rarely appeared and were little known, but the third had a great reputation throughout the entire Black-Corner Region.

This is because he is a Peak Sixth-Grade Alchemist and a peak Dou Emperor expert, ruling Feng City, and no one in the Black-Corner Region dares to disrespect him.

"What's his name?" Xiao Yan asked deliberately.

Mao Luo out, "Han Feng, though outsiders usually call him Maple Emperor."

After Mao Luo finished speaking, he observed Xiao Yan's expression, waiting for the subsequent reward.

However, Xiao Yan remained motionless for a long time, seemingly communicating with someone.

He rubbed his hands anxiously, not daring to urge them.

Then Hai Bodong suddenly spoke up, "Young friend, what's wrong? Have you thought of something?"

Xiao Yan shook his head and casually said, "It's nothing."

He took a bag of gold coins from his Storage Ring and tossed it to Mao Leng.

Mao Leng was overjoyed, while the other members of the tribe cast envious and jealous glances at him.

Xiao Yan didn't understand. After getting the information he wanted, he took Hai Bodong back to the Flying Boat.

After briefly explaining to those around him that he had something to do and that the Flying Boat would be stopping there for a while, he returned to his room.

Sitting on the bed in the room, Xiao Yan released his Soul Power to isolate the entire room, and then looked at the Bone Flame Ring on his finger.

"Teacher, you've finally decided to come out? You wouldn't have shut yourself away for so long just because I gave you a little setback, would you?" Xiao Yan said helplessly.

The Yao Lao's Soul Body floated out, unusually devoid of any playful or joking demeanor.

He lowered his head, his expression dejected. "Yan'er, after all this time, do you know why your master became Soul Body and ended up in this little ring?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and he immediately understood that Yao Lao was planning to reveal his secrets to him.

He wasn't in a hurry, listening as the Yao Lao slowly recounted his past.

"You just heard about that so-called Maple Emperor, who's ranked third on the Black Ranking. He... is the culprit who caused me to fall to this state!"