As a Dou Huang expert, he knew better than anyone that only a Dou Zong expert could do this.
"Your Excellency, spare my life. I can let bygones be bygones over what happened with my son."
Watching Xiao Ze approach, Fan Lao was terrified.
Before a Dou Zong expert, no matter how many tricks he had up his sleeve, they were useless.
"Now you're begging for mercy? Where was that thought before?" Xiao Ze's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You even wanted to hurt my fourth brother. You deserve to die!"
With that, Xiao Ze raised a hand and pointed. Fan Lao's face turned deathly pale as the aura of death filled him with despair.
He wanted to flee, but his heavily injured body had no strength left to resist. In the end, a single finger pierced his forehead, killing him beyond any doubt.
Staring at Fan Lao's corpse, Xiao Yan fell silent.
The Blood Sect's leader, who had vowed to hunt him to the ends of the earth, had died just like that. Sure enough, strength was the capital of pride.
Without strength, you were nothing.
"By the way, let me introduce you. These three are your sisters-in-law: Xiao Yi Xian, Yun Yun, and Qing Lin." After dealing with Fan Lao, Xiao Ze didn't forget to introduce the three women to Xiao Yan.
Killing someone was easy, but Xiao Ze wanted to crush his spirit, too.
At this, a bitter smile tugged at Xiao Yan's lips.
Compared to his third brother, his own life was a complete mess.
He had neither cultivation nor beauties—just an old man.
Still, at least he had come from another world. The memories of his past life were his greatest asset.
"Don't lose heart, young man. With me as your master, you may yet reach your third brother's heights. The world is vast. Don't let yourself be trapped by the present." Sensing Xiao Yan's low spirits, Yao Lao promptly offered some words of encouragement.
But it had to be said: Xiao Ze was the most monstrous talent he had ever seen. Even in the Central Plains, where prodigies abounded, Xiao Ze would have been renowned.
After all, there weren't many Dou Zong experts so young.
Seeing his fourth brother looking so glum, Xiao Ze patted his shoulder and comforted him. "Fourth brother, I have an Earth Tier Cultivation Method here that's just right for you."
Xiao Yan stared at the cultivation method being offered to him and paused. "You're giving it to me?"
He knew what an Earth Tier Cultivation Method was worth. The Three Thousand Lightning Movement auctioned by the Eight-Fan Gate had once drawn the covetous attention of many Dou Huang experts.
And now, his third brother had casually produced an Earth Tier Cultivation Method.
"You're my brother. How could I favor one of you over the other? Take it and keep it safe."
Xiao Yan's feelings were complicated, but he didn't refuse.
"I'll take you somewhere. I think you'll find it interesting." Xiao Ze surveyed the area, figuring out which way to go.
"Where?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
"Maple City."
One of the Black-Corner Region's most prosperous cities, Maple City was where Han Feng's estate stood. It was a gathering place for countless experts, alchemists, and merchants.
If Xiao Ze wanted to make a name for himself, Maple City was undoubtedly the best place to do it.
Besides, he despised those who betrayed their masters. Han Feng deserved to die a thousand deaths.
Han Feng.
The moment he heard that name, Xiao Yan flew into a rage. His eyes turned bloodshot, as if they were about to spit fire.
The spirit of Yao Lao inside Xiao Yan's Storage Ring was trembling with fury. That ungrateful traitor, Han Feng, was a thorn in his heart.
Betrayal by the person he'd trusted most—such pain cut to the bone. Given the chance, he would dig out Han Feng's heart and see if it was black.
No wonder both of them had been so stirred when Xiao Ze said he was taking them to Maple City.
After arriving in the Black-Corner Region, they had considered making a move, but they knew the difference in strength and hadn't dared act rashly.
What's more, with Han Feng's influence as a Sixth-Grade Alchemist, if he dared reveal his identity, the only thing awaiting him would be an endless pursuit.
So, even though they knew Han Feng was in Maple City, they had chosen to endure it.
Today, Han Feng was refining a Sixth-Grade Pill in Maple City, and the city was packed with people.
"Tsk, tsk, a Sixth-Grade Pill is a rare treasure. I never thought we'd be lucky enough to witness the refining process."
"If I could get my hands on a pill, I'd gladly follow His Highness Han Feng!"
"Stop dreaming. You think every good thing is going to fall into your lap?"
As the crowd murmured among themselves,
Han Feng finally finished refining the pill. He lifted a hand, and the cauldron lid flew open. A rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, stirring everyone's spirits and filling them with anticipation.
He collected a smooth, round pill in a jade bottle.
"A Sixth-Grade Pill—the Imperial Extreme Pill!"
Many Dou Wang experts, and even Dou Huang experts, had come at the news.
As its name suggested, the Imperial Extreme Pill was for Dou Huang experts. It had an effect similar to the Dou Ling Pill, allowing a Dou Huang expert to rise by one or two stars.
For Dou Huang experts, a pill like this held a deadly allure.
Cultivating at the Dou Huang level was exceedingly difficult. Ordinary cultivators might toil for a decade or more without advancing a single star, but an Imperial Extreme Pill could raise their rank on the spot. The temptation was undeniable.
Thus, the moment the Imperial Extreme Pill appeared, even the Eight-Fan Gate's leader and the mastermind behind the Black Seal City Auction couldn't hide their envy.
Holding the Imperial Extreme Pill, Han Feng was in high spirits. He looked down at the crowd and smiled faintly. "Everyone, those familiar with me know that if you want an Imperial Extreme Pill, you must join Maple City."
Han Feng truly was a crafty old schemer; his plan clicked into place with a clatter.
He also made the most of the influence an alchemist could command.
As soon as he spoke, several Dou Wang experts stepped forward from the crowd, along with one Dou Huang expert.
They had been independent cultivators, making a good living in the Black-Corner Region by robbing the robbers. But the price Han Feng offered was simply too tempting, forcing them to swallow their pride, bow their heads, and submit.
"We're willing!"
Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Han Feng's lips. The more experts he gathered, the more secure his position as Maple City's lord would become.
An Imperial Extreme Pill was a mere trifle to him.
In the end, Han Feng selected the Dou Huang expert.
"Thank you, Master Han. I'll devote myself to building up Maple City, even if it costs me my life." The Dou Huang expert eagerly accepted the jade bottle Han Feng handed him.
He was already a One-Star Dou Emperor. If he took this Imperial Extreme Pill, he was guaranteed to advance to Two-Star Dou Emperor, and might even reach Three-Star Dou Emperor!
Otherwise, why would a dignified Dou Huang expert bow his head, submit, and willingly live under another's roof?
It all came down to one thing: profit.
Just as the old man was about to find somewhere to take the Imperial Extreme Pill, several figures suddenly appeared in the sky.
"Who are you? How dare you fly higher than Master Han!" the old man shouted angrily.
The newcomers were Xiao Ze and his group.
By pure coincidence, they had arrived just as the Maple City ceremony was underway.
Everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to them.
There had always been a rule in Maple City: no one but Han Feng himself was allowed to fly above the city.
Yet these newcomers had broken the rule right in front of everyone, openly slapping Han Feng in the face.
"A mere Dou Huang, and you think you can stop me?" Xiao Ze couldn't be bothered to waste words with him.
He pointed, and the lackey of Han Feng—someone whose death was well deserved—fell.
Before you continue