Black-Corner Region's Landscape

"Qing Lin has left too..."

Zi Yan pouted, lying face down on the Beast Taming Hall's desk in a state of utter dejection. The pills that usually tasted sweet and delicious now seemed bland and flavorless.

"Hall Master, why don't we accompany you down the mountain to play?"

Yuan Xue, who had already advanced to a Tier 6 Magical Beast, sat atop the Big Cat's head while dragging the Purple Nether Flame Sparrow along, asking softly as she arrived beside Zi Yan.

"Eh... forget it. If Brother Zimo finds out, you'll be punished again."

Zi Yan let out a long sigh, chewing on a pill out of boredom.

Her fellow disciples were busy heading down the mountain for training, the little apprentices of the Beast Taming Hall were either studying classics or practicing Dou Techniques and cultivation methods, Senior Sister Nalan hadn't emerged from her seclusion yet, and Uncle Yun Yun, who used to take her out to play, had recently gone to the Black-Corner Region...

"Eh? That's right, the Black-Corner Region!"

Thinking of the Black-Corner Region, Zi Yan's eyes lit up. She hadn't returned to the academy to take a look in so long since graduating; she wondered if those old men missed her!

Action followed thought; Zi Yan stood up and trotted toward Yun Zimo's office.

"You want to go back to the academy for a visit?"

Yun Zimo placed the book in his hand back on the shelf and turned to look at this younger sister who was already as tall as his chest.

"Mm-hmm, Brother, look, there's nothing going on in the alliance for the moment, and there are others watching over it, so let's just go back to the academy for a look..."

Zi Yan stepped forward and tugged on Yun Zimo's hand.

"Can we, Brother~"

Being subjected to Zi Yan's coquettish behavior made Yun Zimo's scalp tingle. He hurriedly nodded; this little demoness was truly unbearable when she pretended to be cute!

"I'll go make arrangements and report to the Sect Master. We'll set off as soon as I get back!"

Yun Zimo told Zi Yan to stay in his office and not run around, while he went to ask Yun Yun for leave.

"You really are a hands-off manager."

Dressed in form-fitting blue armor and a silver-moon white robe with blue whales embroidered on the cuffs, Yun Yun rubbed her forehead with a look of helplessness.

Ever since Yun Zimo took charge of the disciplinary affairs and purged the alliance with iron-fisted efficiency, no one dared to openly cross him, and he had become quite idle as a result.

He spent his days doing nothing, wandering off to who knows where, leaving minor matters to the elders while he strolled about, calling it "inspecting the public sentiment"!

"My little brother sent word that the Black-Corner Region hasn't been peaceful lately. Be careful, and since Zi Yan is still young, don't let her hurt people indiscriminately!"

Yun Yun reminded him softly. Zi Yan's mind wasn't fully mature, and she feared that if someone provoked her, she might cause a disaster in a fit of anger.

"Don't worry about the alliance; with us here, nothing will happen. Besides, with Teacher and Queen Medusa around, and Xiao Yi Xian and the others in the Chu Yun Empire, things are fine for now."

Just as Yun Zimo was about to leave, Yun Yun suddenly called him back. She formed a hand seal and left a cyan-green ring of light on his wrist, with profound and mysterious patterns entwining it.

"A Heart-Link Knot?"

Yun Zimo blinked. Was this...

"You are not allowed to flirt with others while you're out!"

The usually serious Yun Yun leaned in close and whispered.

"With this Heart-Link Knot, you can contact me at any time if something happens, so I won't be too late to save you."

Yun Yun's pretty face was inches away. Yun Zimo couldn't resist and gently pecked her, then lowered his head again under her stunned gaze.

"You... you really are!"

After a long while, Yun Yun blushed and lightly punched Yun Zimo. In broad daylight, this brat actually... actually...

"Sister, I'm off then."

Yun Zimo scratched his head and chuckled, and the way he smacked his lips made Yun Yun's pretty face turn even redder.

"Go early and return early!"

Watching the two figures, one large and one small, standing on the Purple Nether Flame Sparrow as it flew away from Misty Cloud Mountain, Yun Yun stood on the peak and murmured softly.

"Black Alliance!"

As Yun Zimo and the girl traveled from the Black Domain Great Plains, the most frequent topic they heard was this Black Alliance. It was said to be led by the Medicine Emperor Han Feng of Feng City, claiming that all members of the alliance were of one mind and would discuss major affairs together!

"It's getting more and more chaotic."

Yun Zimo quietly sorted through all the information. The Black-Corner Region of the past was merely chaotic due to individual conflicts, but now, various factions were fighting for territory and expanding their reach—especially the Black Alliance, which suppressed or annihilated anyone who refused to join them.

"Let's go to Xia Lan first!"

Cloaked in black robes, the pair, accompanied by their three pets, slowly traversed the chaotic Black-Corner Region. After killing a few blind fools along the way, they arrived before a city.

The Xia Lan Seal, cyan and white, shaped like the mist of the mountains interwoven into the character for "Xia," emerged from his palm. Yun Zimo stepped into the city under the stunned, fearful, and envious gazes of the people of the Black-Corner Region.

"They are from Jiuling City!"

"Sigh, nowadays, only Peace Town and Jiuling City in the Black-Corner Region haven't been touched by the war. I really wish I could get residency there!"

"Hah, stop dreaming. Better think about how to survive!"

The people of the Black-Corner Region looked at the heavily guarded Jiuling City, sighed, and stepped back into the chaotic Black-Corner Region behind them...

"Grand Commander!"

Inside Jiuling Palace, Ren Xia, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. He gripped his hand, and the Xia Lan longsword appeared in his palm, the cyan and white Xia Lan Seal upon it pulsing with a faint, rhythmic glow!

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The tolling of the Jiuling Bell erupted throughout Jiuling Palace. Eight figures, each exuding a distinct aura, flew in from various directions. The passing Xia Lan Order members were filled with confusion; it had been a long time since the Jiuling Bell had rung, and this was the first time all eight commanders had gathered at once!

"The Jiuling Palace is opening? The nine commanders are assembling!"

"Is a war starting?!"

The people of Jiuling City looked at the massive formation of Ren Xia and the others with uncertainty. The Jianan students interning here after graduation, the Jianan elders stationed in the city, and the secret agents of other factions all wondered what could have happened.

Ren Xia, now a Seven-Star Dou King, was beaming with joy as he jogged through Jiuling City. Behind him, the eight Xia Lan commanders exchanged bewildered glances; in over two years, this was the first time they had seen their Grand Commander so happy!

Meanwhile, Yun Zimo and his companions, who were strolling through the city, had run into a minor predicament.

"Apologies, but without a residency permit issued by Jiuling Palace, you cannot enter the city."

The Xia Lan members patrolling the city spoke softly. The two figures were clad in black robes and appeared suspicious; they lacked residency permits, and although they possessed Xia Lan Seals, the guards had never seen such marks before!

Yun Zimo was caught between laughter and tears. He had been the one to discuss and establish this city ordinance with Ren Xia, never expecting it to backfire on him today!

"Roar!"

The pet beside Zi Yan, which looked like a house cat, let out a growl. The phantom image of an Earth-Splitting Python Demon Tiger manifested behind it, and the aura of a Tier 6 Magical Beast instantly surged outward.

"Quiet!"

Zi Yan gently patted the cat's head. The little creature let out a dissatisfied meow before rubbing against her and settling down.

"A Dou Emperor!"

The people of Jiuling City were startled, circulating their Dou Qi as they stared fixedly at the two people and three beasts!

"Do not attack!"

"Grand Commander!"

Just as Yun Zimo was debating whether to notify Ren Xia, Ren Xia's voice arrived. Seeing Yun Zimo and his companion in black robes, along with the Xia Lan squad blocking their path, he immediately understood what had happened.

"Grand Commander! It was my negligence; I forgot that you had not yet been issued a residency permit."

Ren Xia jogged over with an apologetic expression. Ignoring the stunned Xia Lan squad, he bowed respectfully.

"Your Xia Lan Seal has not been registered in our records, which is why these new recruits did not recognize you. I ask that you do not blame them, Grand Commander!"

"Those who do not know are not guilty. I am pleased to see them strictly enforcing the city's laws."

Jiuling City was beginning to show the stature of a major power, and Yun Zimo felt a sense of joy—the same pride one feels when seeing their child finally able to stand on their own.

"You did well."

As Yun Zimo prepared to leave with Zi Yan, he suddenly turned back to look at the squad leader, nodding with a hint of appreciation.

"Are you the captain of the Seventh Squad?"

Mo Shou, the Fourth Commander in charge of the laws and punishments of Jiuling City, asked in a cold voice.

"Chen Gui of the Seventh Squad of the Xia Lan Order greets the Fourth Commander!"

Chen Gui was trembling, but he gritted his teeth and answered loudly.

"Report to the Third Hall tomorrow. Remember, do not be late!"

Mo Shou said coldly before turning to leave, leaving behind only the stunned Chen Gui, who stood rooted to the spot in disbelief.

"Grand Commander, look—we have rebuilt Jiuling Palace in the city and divided it into nine halls, with each of the eight commanders overseeing one, each performing their respective duties to manage the affairs of Jiuling City."

Ren Xia introduced the current layout of Jiuling City to Yun Zimo.

"Isn't it nine halls?"

Zi Yan, standing beside Yun Zimo, blinked in confusion. There were nine great halls, so why were there only eight commanders?

"This Ninth Hall..."

Ren Xia clapped his hands lightly, and a series of ghostly figures flickered into existence before them.

"Zero!"

Clad in black robes and radiating a chilling, sinister aura, "Zero" knelt before Yun Zimo.

"Welcome, Grand Commander!"

"Zero," who had already broken through to the rank of Dou King, dispersed the dark-attribute Dou Qi swirling around him, revealing a face hidden behind a sinister mask.

The Master of the Ninth Hall, "Zero," was in charge of intelligence and assassination.

"Oh? Another Dou King?"

After helping "Zero" up, Yun Zimo scanned the area and discovered that there was actually another Dou King among "Zero's" subordinates!

"Xiao Li!"

This Dou King was none other than Xiao Yan's second brother, Xiao Li, whom he had met once back in the Tagor Desert!

"The Ninth Hall, Li, greets the Grand Commander!"

Xiao Li's voice seemed devoid of warmth, a stark contrast to the arrogant youth he had been in the desert all those years ago.

"Ever since his younger brother was killed by Han Feng, he has been like this..."

A year ago, Han Feng, leader of the Black Alliance, launched a surprise attack on Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yan, the younger brother of Xiao Li, unfortunately perished in the great battle. Following that, Xiao Li came to Jiuling City and joined the Ninth Hall, becoming an assassin under the command of Zero.

"Since joining the Ninth Hall, Xiao Li has exclusively taken on missions to assassinate members of the Black Alliance. Half a year ago, he broke through to the rank of Dou King by chance, and since then, he has slaughtered those who joined the Black Alliance to the point where they dare not show their faces."

Zero sighed as he looked at the cold, hollow-eyed Xiao Li. As the only assassin in the Ninth Hall with a lightning attribute, Zero had never actually held high hopes for him, yet Xiao Li had somehow become the top assassin in the hall with the best track record, even carving out the title of Ghost Li King in the Black-Corner Region.

"Xiao Li reached Dou King in half a year?"

Yun Zimo's gaze sharpened. Xiao Li's body was heavy with the aura of death, and a strange mark flickered faintly between his brows—it was indeed the Life-Devouring Pill!

"Xiao Yan is not dead."

Yun Zimo spoke softly, and a glimmer of light surged into Xiao Li's dull, lifeless eyes before instantly vanishing.

"In the name of the Xia Lan, Xiao Yan is not dead!"

Swearing an oath to the Xia Lan was the most devout belief of the Xia Lan Order. After more than two years of "proselytizing," no one in Jiuling Palace dared to joke about such a thing.

"Grand Commander, are... are you telling the truth?"

No one who joined the Xia Lan would ever question words sworn in the name of the Xia Lan, and Xiao Li was no exception. He was simply finding it hard to believe, as Jia Nan Academy had stated with absolute certainty that Xiao Yan had been consumed by the Heavenly Flame and had indeed fallen.

"You are a lightning cultivator; would you be easily struck dead by lightning?"

Yun Zimo countered with a question.

"..."

Xiao Li understood what Yun Zimo meant. Xiao Yan had built his foundation on fire and was a high-level alchemist; it was a fact that he had been consumed by the Heavenly Flame, but whether he was truly dead remained inconclusive.

"The roles of prey and hunter are never fixed."

Yun Zimo patted Xiao Li on the shoulder with an enigmatic expression.

"Do not let Little Yanzi come out only to find that his brother is nearly ruined!"

Flames finally ignited in Xiao Li's eyes. For the sake of Little Yanzi and the Xiao Clan, he had to pull himself together!

If you don't pull yourself together, how will you help me run errands...

Yun Zimo smiled and whispered in his heart. A lightning-attribute Dou King—this was excellent material for a vanguard!

"I will leave the matter of the Life-Devouring Pill for Little Yanzi to resolve. I am going to prepare a grand gift for Old Man Yao."

For a first meeting with Old Man Yao, a gift was indeed necessary, and that Medicine Emperor Han Feng would serve quite well...