Black Corner Region

Several days later, Yao Chen led Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian, all of them clad in black robes, into the mysterious and dangerous Black Corner Region.

The moment they entered, a medley of scents washed over them—blood, decay, and all manner of strange spices.

The sight before them was breathtaking. A vast city stretched as far as the eye could see, its buildings rugged and chaotic. Towers and pavilions of all heights stood alongside ramshackle huts.

The streets teemed with people, a constant stream of all kinds of characters flowing past.

The stalls lining the streets were piled with all sorts of bizarre wares, from rare Magic Cores and sharp weapons to mysterious Dou Technique scrolls. They had it all.

Even the sky above the Black Corner Region seemed steeped in the darkness of the land, gloomy and oppressive.

Dark clouds hung low, as though a downpour might break at any moment.

Yao Chen's expression was grave as he carefully guarded Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian while they made their way through the crowd.

Xiao Yan's eyes widened as he curiously took in everything around him, his heart brimming with wonder at the unknown.

Xiao Yi Xian pressed her lips together, warily watching for any danger that might emerge.

In the Black Corner Region, survival was the only rule. The strong ruled, while the weak could only eke out a miserable existence in the cracks.

"Master, where are we going now?"

Xiao Yi Xian asked Yao Chen.

Yao Chen considered it for a moment, then spoke to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"First, we'll find a place to stay. After that, I'll find out where that wretched disciple of mine is."

"All right, Master."

With that, they came to an inn. Four large characters above the entrance read "Blood Fiend Inn."

The inn looked rather sinister. Time had stained its walls gray, and the vermilion paint on its doors had peeled away.

As they stepped inside, a medley of smells hit them: the rich aroma of strong liquor, the sharp sting of tobacco, and the stench of long-neglected rot.

The main hall was dimly lit. A few battered wooden tables stood haphazardly about, surrounded by all sorts of people, some with brutish faces, others with cold, sinister gazes.

Behind the counter, the owner had a cold yet shrewd look in his eyes as he toyed with his abacus.

Yao Chen and the others went up to him.

"Boss, we'd like three good rooms."

Seeing all three dressed in black, the owner figured they weren't regulars and decided to fleece them.

"One hundred gold coins per room."

The moment the owner named his exorbitant price, Xiao Yi Xian was the first to object. She snapped at him angrily.

"This place is a den of thieves! At those prices, three hundred gold coins could buy so many medicinal herbs!"

The owner, for his part, seemed unfazed. He replied casually,

"You don't know how dangerous the Black Corner Region is? Ours is the only safe inn around."

Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian still wanted to argue with the owner, Xiao Yan stopped her, figuring it was better to avoid trouble. With a smile, he took out the money and said to the owner,

"We'll stay. Here are three hundred gold coins. Take them."

The owner looked at the pouch Xiao Yan held out and decided they were easy marks. He raised the price again.

"It was three hundred just now. Now it's five hundred."

Xiao Yan frowned slightly and said to the owner,

"That's a bit dishonest, isn't it? We agreed on three hundred. Why are you suddenly raising the price?"

The owner acted as though he dared them to leave and sneered at Xiao Yan and the others.

"Take it or leave it! It's five hundred now, and soon it'll be a thousand. Have you even looked around to see if anywhere else in the Black Corner Region is as safe as this place?"

The owner's words set Xiao Yan's temper ablaze. Blue flames immediately sprang up around him, and the signature wings of a Dou Wang formed from Dou Qi unfurled behind him.

The owner was so terrified by his aura that he dropped to his knees. A few patrons who had been watching the show quickly turned away, not daring to look any longer.

The owner immediately pleaded with Xiao Yan and the others, his voice trembling.

"D-Dou Wang, sir! I was blind. I didn't know distinguished guests had come to my humble inn."

Xiao Yan glanced down at the two-faced owner and said disdainfully,

"Get up. Is it still five hundred gold coins for the rooms?"

"No, no! It's an honor for our inn to host you. Why would we charge you anything?"

Xiao Yi Xian was pleased to see Xiao Yan teach the two-faced owner a lesson. She called out to him,

"Then hurry up and show us to our rooms!"

Hearing Xiao Yi Xian speak, the owner hurriedly got up and led them to the inn's three finest guest rooms.

On the second floor, after showing them to their rooms, the owner hurried back downstairs, afraid that displeasing them might cost him his little inn.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian both hurried to Yao Chen's room, eager to hear what their teacher would have them do next.

Afraid the earlier incident might happen again, Yao Chen instructed them,

"You two stay here for now. It's best if nothing like what just happened occurs again. No one governs the Black Corner Region, and we don't want to attract the attention of any factions."

Xiao Yan lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong and said to Yao Chen,

"All right, Teacher. It won't happen again."

"I'll go gather information. You two stay here."

After saying that, Yao Chen left the room to gather information.

Yao Chen strode steadily through the bustling streets, his keen gaze peering out from beneath his hood as he quietly observed everything around him.

At times, he found a corner in a noisy tavern and sat down, appearing to listen idly to the drunken men's rambling. In truth, he sifted through their words for useful information.

At other times, he spoke in low voices with shifty street vendors, trading a few gold coins for the rumors they had to offer.

"I've finally got the whole picture. I'll go back and tell the two of them."

When he returned to the inn, Yao Chen called Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan to his room.

"I've learned most of what we need to know."

"There are four major factions in the Black Corner Region:

The Black Emperor Sect: An old-established power with deep roots in the Black Corner Region. A Dou Emperor expert sits at its helm, and its reach and influence are not to be underestimated. It takes part in the region's struggles over resources and the division of spoils.

The Blood Sect: Its leader, Fan Lao, is a Dou Emperor expert. The Blood Sect acts with ruthless cruelty and expands its power through bloody methods. It has quite a few powerful figures under its command, including Dou Wangs, making it a formidable evil faction.

Demon Flame Valley: It also possesses considerable strength in the Black Corner Region. The valley has Dou Emperor- and Dou Wang-level experts, and it competes and clashes with other factions. They often fight over cultivation resources, territory, and the like.

And Jia Nan Academy: Although Jia Nan Academy is located near the center of the Black Corner Region, it stands apart from the region's chaotic order. The academy has numerous instructors and students, among them many strong fighters. With its profound foundations, it is a special force within the Black Corner Region. It exerts a certain deterrent over the region's factions and maintains relative peace in its central area."

"That wretched disciple isn't part of any of these four major factions. He founded a faction of his own called 'Maple City.'"