Bloodbath Across the Black-Corner Region, Breaking Through to Dou Zong and Heading for the Central Plains! (Double-Length Chapter)

The affairs of the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-Person Empire had been settled, and Xiao Yi Xian had successfully fused with the Nether Poison Fire.

Lin Chen did not immediately set out for the vast Central Plains. Instead, he turned his attention back to that land where chaos and wickedness took root—the Black-Corner Region.

To him, this place still held an old score to settle. More than that, it was an excellent hunting ground for "nourishment."

Back then, his strength had not yet reached its peak, and his main objectives had been the Heavenly Flames and Jia Nan Academy, so he had not completely swept the region clean.

Now, he had reached Six-Star Dou Emperor, and Medusa, a Three-Star Dou Zong, was by his side.

It was time to thoroughly purge this filthy land.

He had two aims: first, to follow the path in his heart and use karmic fire to judge evil.

Second, to harness this vast energy and break through the Dou Zong barrier!

He brought only Medusa and Zi Yan with him.

Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin were still too weak, so they would be safer if they stayed in the Jia Ma Empire.

Zi Yan had insisted on coming along to "eat delicious things"—by which she meant the muddled energy within those evildoers.

So Lin Chen brought her along as well.

Skyfire Venerable's soul still needed to be nurtured, so he stayed behind at the academy.

Without alerting the higher-ups at Jia Nan Academy, the three left the Jia Ma Empire without a sound.

They set foot in the Black-Corner Region once more.

The air seemed even thicker with the stench of blood and violence than before.

Han Feng was dead, but the Black-Corner Region's chaotic nature had not changed.

If anything, the power vacuum had made the fighting and struggles for dominance even fiercer.

Lin Chen's first stop was not the central region. Instead, he went to several places he remembered.

His first stop was the Black Skull Tomb.

This faction, infamous for manipulating corpses and digging up graves, had a gloomy, terrifying lair.

The three descended straight above its main headquarters, making no attempt to conceal their powerful auras.

"Who dares trespass on the Black Skull Tomb?!"

The tomb master was a Five-Star Dou Emperor. He charged out with a group of elders cloaked in the aura of death, yin energy billowing around them.

Lin Chen could not be bothered to waste words. He did not even let Medusa or Zi Yan make a move.

His gaze turned cold, and Spirit Realm soul power became invisible spikes that swept out in an instant!

"Argh!"

The screams abruptly stopped.

The tomb master and several Dou Emperor elders, along with hundreds of core disciples below, had their souls crushed as if by an invisible hand.

The light in their eyes faded instantly, and their bodies crumpled to the ground.

Lin Chen used the Blood Scripture to draw out their blood, energy, and Soul Origins from afar.

They turned into pure streams of scarlet energy and flowed into him.

In the blink of an eye, the Black Skull Tomb's headquarters fell utterly silent, leaving only a ground strewn with shriveled corpses.

The Black Skull Tomb had been wiped out!

His second stop was the Blood Sect.

The sect's techniques were wicked, relying on drinking human blood to cultivate.

Its leader, Fan Lao, was a Six-Star Dou Emperor with a fearsome reputation, and every disciple under him was steeped in malice.

Lin Chen followed the same pattern and went straight to their door.

Fan Lao was shocked and furious at the sight, and tried to resist. "Lin Chen! Don't get too cocky!"

He unleashed the Blood Sect's secret art. Blood mist roiled around him, transforming into a sky full of blood-colored figures.

A foul wind rushed toward Lin Chen, as though it would gather into a sea of blood and swallow him whole.

Yet before Lin Chen's bloodthirsty Dou Qi, which carried a trace of Red Lotus Karma Fire, Fan Lao's blood art was like a rat meeting its natural enemy.

Lin Chen joined his fingers like a sword. A tightly condensed streak of dark-red sword energy, imbued with the essence of the Void-Splitting Sword Art, tore through the blood mist at lightning speed!

"Pfft!"

Fan Lao's protective blood aura split like paper, and the sword energy pierced straight through his heart.

The snarl froze on his face, disbelief filling his eyes.

His body rapidly shriveled, and his cultivation became nourishment for Lin Chen.

With their leader dead, the other Blood Sect disciples fled in every direction, their souls nearly scared out of their bodies.

But how could they escape Lin Chen's soul lock?

A short while later, the Blood Sect followed the Black Skull Tomb to its doom.

The Blood Sect had been wiped out!

His third stops were the Earth Flame Sect, the Eight-Fan Gate, and other factions that had once been friendly with Han Feng or were guilty of every imaginable crime.

Lin Chen was like the god of death walking among mortals. Wherever he went, anyone burdened with deep karmic sin—as sensed by the Red Lotus Karma Fire—could not escape his judgment.

Sometimes, he killed them instantly with a soul attack.

Sometimes, sword energy swept through them.

Sometimes, he merely flicked a finger, and a blossom of Red Lotus Karma Fire fell.

It burned entire mountain strongholds and caves, along with the evildoers inside, purifying them and leaving behind only pure energy.

Medusa and Zi Yan followed behind him, with hardly any need to lift a hand.

Medusa remained composed. She had long since grown used to Lin Chen's ruthless decisiveness.

When she did act, her seven-colored Dou Qi swept across like a bolt of silk.

She easily dealt with stragglers and anyone who tried to launch a sneak attack.

Zi Yan, meanwhile, ran around excitedly, relying on her keen sense for energy.

She dug rare medicinal herbs and energy-rich Magic Cores out of the factions' treasuries.

Then she offered them to Lin Chen like treasures, her little face brimming with a "praise me" expression.

Lin Chen's undisguised, thorough purge, sweeping through the region like a storm, was like a boulder dropped into the Black-Corner Region.

It sent waves surging in every direction!

The news spread like a plague, and panic swept across the region at astonishing speed.

The remaining major factions, such as Demon Flame Valley and the Kui Wolf Gang, along with countless lone villains and wanted criminals,

set aside their old grudges for the moment, driven by sheer terror, and joined forces of their own accord!

They knew that if they did not stand together, they would be picked off one by one!

Countless vicious figures poured out from every corner of the Black-Corner Region, converging on Black Emperor City in the central area.

Their numbers quickly reached a staggering total: dozens of Dou Emperors, over a hundred Dou Kings, and countless Dou Lings and Da Dou Shis!

A mass of darkness, their murderous auras soaring, they resembled an army made up of nothing but evil.

They hoped to rely on their overwhelming numbers for one last desperate struggle.

They even fantasized about killing Lin Chen, then dividing up his Heavenly Flames and secrets.

Dark clouds gathered above Black Emperor City, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Countless gazes—some vicious, some terrified, some crazed—stared fixedly at the three figures slowly approaching in the distance.

"Lin Chen! You've gone too far! The Black-Corner Region isn't a place where you can run wild!"

Earth Demon Ancestor of Demon Flame Valley, a veteran expert with one foot in the Dou Zong realm, forced himself to appear composed and shouted sharply. His voice still carried a faint, barely perceptible tremor.

"Everyone, attack together! Kill him! Otherwise, we're all dead!"

Someone urged them on hysterically, trying to smother his fear with madness.

"Right! Kill him! Take his Heavenly Flames and his women!"

Obscene insults mingled with the clamor, laying bare the rabble's true colors.

Lin Chen looked at the densely packed "allied army" before him, as thick as locusts sweeping over the land, its auras chaotic and muddled. His eyes held nothing but icy mockery and indifference.

To his Spirit Realm soul, the karmic sins within these people shone as clearly as lamps in the night.

He stopped, then slowly rose into the air, standing shoulder to shoulder with Medusa and Zi Yan.

"Looks like you chose the stupidest path. Fine—it saves me from having to hunt you down one by one."

He stopped holding back. He spread both hands, and a dark-red domain far more terrifying and concentrated than the one he had unleashed in the Jia Ma Empire erupted around him!

"Boundless Blood Sea, karmic fire burns away sin!"

"Open!"

"Rumble—!"

This time, it was no longer an incomplete domain!

The complete Blood Sea Domain unfurled, instantly covering all of Black Emperor City and a vast stretch of land beyond its walls!

The sky turned a disquieting dark red, and the thick, viscous stench of blood nearly became tangible, suffocating everyone.

Countless phantom wraiths sank and surfaced in the domain, howling.

Their shrieks struck directly at the soul, madly assaulting the minds of everyone burdened with sin!

Within the domain, every enemy felt as though they had fallen into the abyssal depths of a blood sea!

Their movements slowed several times over!

Their Dou Qi flowed sluggishly, as if bound by invisible chains!

The weaker Dou Lings and Da Dou Shis could not even scream before their bodies exploded, turning into nourishment for the domain!

Even Dou Wang experts could barely protect themselves, much less take a step!

"W-what is this cursed thing?!"

"My Dou Qi! I can't move it at all!"

"No! My soul... it hurts! Let me go!"

"Help!"

Screams, wails, and pleas for mercy rose one after another.

But they were soon swallowed by the wraiths' howls and the power of the domain.

The allied forces of Black Emperor City instantly fell into chaos, their morale utterly shattered.

Medusa gave a cold snort and unleashed the full force of her Three-Star Dou Zong aura.

Her immense pressure sent a shock through the Dou Emperors still able to struggle.

With a wave of her jade-like hand, seven-colored Dou Qi transformed into a dazzling yet deadly rain of light.

As if alive, each ray struck with pinpoint accuracy at the Dou Emperor experts trying to organize a counterattack or flee.

Wherever the seven-colored light passed, the Dou Emperors' defenses split like paper. They were pierced through in an instant, either dead or wounded!

Zi Yan let out an excited shout. Though her figure had not changed, the terrifying power of an Ancient Dragon Bear had erupted within her.

She charged straight into the chaotic enemy ranks like a tiger among sheep.

Her tiny fists looked harmless, but every blow carried enough force to shatter mountains and split the earth. Even the air exploded!

The Dou Kings and Dou Lings were toys before her, easily sent flying with a punch.

Bones snapped and tendons broke; the dead and wounded piled up.

She even had time to grab the incoming clumps of Dou Technique energy, pop them into her mouth like candy beans, and chew them up.

The surviving enemies watched in terror, their souls nearly flying out of their bodies!

Lin Chen, meanwhile, was the absolute ruler of this blood-sea domain.

He strolled across the sea of blood, unhurried, as though taking a walk in his own back garden.

Red Lotus Karma Fire danced at his fingertips. Every time he flicked one out, an eerie lotus of flame bloomed.

It purified the enemies in an entire area, along with their sins, reducing them to nothingness.

The murderous sword intent of Yuantu and Abi slashed in every direction, taking lives silently and unseen.

He was more like an efficient reaper, madly devouring the pure energy and life origins constantly produced within the domain.

The Blood Scripture churned at an unprecedented pace, refining this immense "nourishment."

Lin Chen could clearly feel his aura surging rapidly as he slaughtered his way through the enemy ranks.

He swiftly broke through the Six-Star Dou Emperor threshold and pressed on toward Seven-Star, Eight-Star... all the way to the peak of Nine-Star Dou Emperor!

The sturdy Dou Zong barrier appeared clearly to his senses, like a towering wall stretching across his path.

When Medusa's seven-colored light shattered the last Dou Emperor who had stubbornly resisted,

the enemy's howls finally fell silent across all of Black Emperor City, and the energy accumulated within Lin Chen reached its peak!

He hovered in the center of the domain, his black robe moving without wind, blood-red light gleaming in his eyes.

"Break!"

His low shout exploded like a thunderclap!

The power he had accumulated to its limit surged like a breached dam, slamming into that sturdy barrier in one final, most violent assault!

"Boom—!!!"

A terrifying aura far beyond the Dou Emperor level erupted from Lin Chen's body, shooting straight into the clouds!

The dark-red domain in the sky seemed to have been violently stirred, churning madly.

It grew deeper and more concentrated!

The energy of heaven and earth within a hundred-mile radius answered its call, surging toward him.

It formed a colossal vortex of energy that poured into Lin Chen's body!

"Crack!"

A sound like something breaking rang out deep within his soul.

The Dou Zong barrier shattered!

One-Star Dou Zong!

An immense sense of power instantly filled his entire body. His limbs and bones felt as though they had undergone a complete cleansing.

Every cell brimmed with explosive strength.

His soul power rose with it, and his perception and control of the energy of heaven and earth reached an entirely new level.

At a thought, the space around him rippled faintly.

The Blood Sea Domain slowly receded, but the majesty of a newly ascended Dou Zong spread outward as if it were tangible.

It sent a shiver through the very souls of every surviving creature in the Black-Corner Region.

As far as the eye could see, Black Emperor City had become a silent wasteland of ruins. No life remained among the broken walls and rubble.

The so-called allied forces had vanished without a trace, becoming nothing more than stepping-stones on Lin Chen's path to the Dou Zong realm.

Medusa watched Lin Chen, whose aura had grown deeper and more restrained after his breakthrough. A barely perceptible flicker passed through her pale violet eyes.

Zi Yan came bouncing over and curiously poked Lin Chen's arm.

"Wow, Lin Chen, you seem different! It feels like you've gotten... even stronger!"

She scrunched up her little nose, struggling to describe it.

Lin Chen gave a slight nod. As he felt the surging power within him, his heart remained as still as an ancient well.

The Black-Corner Region was clear. His business here was done.

It was time to head for the far more tumultuous Central Plains.

He returned to Jia Nan Academy and collected Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, who had been eagerly awaiting him.

When they learned that Lin Chen was about to leave for the Central Plains, the two girls were both excited and, naturally, a little nervous.

Yet their eyes shone with determination, and they declared without hesitation that they would follow him.

As he was packing, Lin Chen suddenly heard a disciple report:

--Miss Xun'er of the Xiao Clan and Ancient Clan had arrived at the academy two days ago and was now waiting in the Inner Academy bamboo grove.

His heart jolted, and his hands stopped moving.

Since their last parting at the Xiao Clan, the two had kept in touch through soul transmissions, but they had never seen each other again.

Now, just as he was about to set off, she had arrived. Her thoughtfulness stirred a warm feeling in Lin Chen's heart.

He hurried toward the bamboo grove, without even telling Medusa, who was traveling with him.

Deep in the bamboo grove, a gentle breeze passed through, and the leaves rustled softly.

Xiao Xun'er stood quietly among them in a pale green dress, its hem swaying lightly in the breeze.

Her ethereal, elegant presence blended seamlessly with the grove, like a green lotus that had strayed into the mortal world.

Hearing footsteps, she turned to look.

A glimmer of light instantly filled her clear eyes, and her normally composed face softened into a faint smile.

"I just got here, and you're already leaving again."

Xun'er's voice was gentle, with a hint of barely concealed delight. Clearly, she had already learned of his plans from Great Elder Su Qian.

Lin Chen walked up to her. Looking at the girl's breathtaking face so close to his, he felt his Adam's apple bob.

"I meant to tell you before I left. I didn't expect you to arrive first."

As he spoke, he instinctively reached out and gently took Xun'er's cool fingertips in his hand.

Xun'er's body stiffened slightly, but she did not pull her hand away.

Instead, she gently squeezed his hand in return, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

Neither needed to say much. The warmth entwined between their fingertips had already revealed the feelings in their hearts. They were only one frank admission away from becoming a couple who shared the same feelings.

"The journey to the Central Plains is long, and danger lurks everywhere."

Xun'er gazed up at him, her eyes full of concern.

With her other hand, she took a smooth, translucent green jade slip from her sleeve and gently placed it in his palm.

"This jade slip contains a Soul Imprint from the Ancient Clan. If you ever face a life-or-death crisis, crushing it might help you escape."

Lin Chen closed his hand around the jade slip, sensing the potent, concealed energy within.

He could also understand the worry she had hidden behind the gift.

He stepped forward and drew Xun'er gently but firmly into his arms.

The girl's delicate, fresh fragrance lingered beneath his nose, quieting every restless stir within him.

"Once I've established myself in the Central Plains, I'll come find you in the Ancient Clan."

Lin Chen's low voice sounded by her ear, serious and unwavering.

"Next time we meet, I won't make you wait."

Xun'er nestled against him and nodded softly.

Her voice trembled a little. "All right. You... must take care of yourself."

She lifted her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest.

Feeling his steady heartbeat, she seemed to want to carve this warmth into her memory.

After a while, they slowly parted.

Xun'er raised a hand to straighten his collar, her gaze clear and bright.

"Go. I'll be watching as you carve out a world of your own in the Central Plains."

Lin Chen gave her a long look and tucked the jade slip close to his body.

Then he turned and strode away.

He did not look back, yet he could clearly feel the gaze behind him following his retreating figure.

Until he disappeared at the far end of the bamboo grove.

Before the Space Wormhole leading from Jia Nan Academy to the Central Plains, silver light turned slowly.

It radiated profound spatial fluctuations.

Lin Chen (One-Star Dou Zong), Medusa (Three-Star Dou Zong), Zi Yan (Peak Sixth Tier, comparable to a high-level Dou Emperor), Xiao Yi Xian (Peak Dou Ling, Woe Poison Body newly formed), and Qing Lin (Da Dou Shi, Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils beginning to manifest) were all ready to go.

Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, Su Qian, and the others had come to see them off, making for quite a grand scene.

"Master Lin, the road ahead in the Central Plains will be treacherous. Please take great care!"

Jia Xingtian said solemnly.

"Lin Chen, don't you go getting cold feet over there. Show them the mettle of our Northwest Continent!"

Hai Bodong still had the same fiery temper.

"Master, Jia Nan Academy will always be your friend."

Great Elder Su Qian spoke sincerely.

Lin Chen gave everyone a slight nod.

His gaze swept over this land, which held so many memories. Though he felt a longing for Xun'er, he was even more resolute about the road ahead.

"Let's go."

He stepped forward first and disappeared into the Space Wormhole's shimmering silver light.

Medusa, Zi Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin followed close behind, entering one after another.

Spatial ripples surged violently, then gradually subsided.

The five of them vanished completely into the depths of the wormhole!