Battle in the Alley

"Damn it!" The Hook-nosed Man, who had thought the item was already his, heard Yao Feng's voice and slammed his clenched fist heavily onto the table.

"Two million and fifty thousand!"

"If you've got the nerve, then keep bidding!" the Hook-nosed Man growled through gritted teeth.

"Brother, you are truly wealthy and generous. I admit I cannot compare, so I'll let you have it!"

Yao Feng smiled smugly after his scheme succeeded and called out loudly.

"Brother Feng, you're so bad!"

Seeing what Yao Feng had done, Yao Ling could not help but laugh. It seemed Yao Feng really was not one to suffer losses. He had just been tricked by the people next door, and now he had paid them back.

"Bad men are what women love, hehe!"

Yao Feng shot Yao Ling a teasing look, making her blush as she glared fiercely at him.

"Hehe, brat, I don't care who you are. If you dare provoke me, Li Xie, I'll show you why flowers are so red!"

"Two million and fifty thousand gold coins, going once!"

"Two million and fifty thousand gold coins, going twice!"

"Two million and fifty thousand gold coins, going three times!"

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest upstairs for acquiring the Phoenix Blood Essence Stone. Please wait a moment; someone will deliver it to your room. I now declare this auction officially concluded. See you next season!"

"We should go too!"

Yao Feng rose to his feet. With matters here settled, all that remained was to wait for Yao Qi's people to return with news of Xiao Yan. Then, Yao Feng would travel around the continent and officially begin his check-in journey.

Leaving through the VIP passage meant they did not have to squeeze through the crowds. After exiting the auction house, Yao Feng led Yao Ling back toward the Yao Clan. Along the way, they encountered quite a few people heading for Yaotian City. It seemed Yaotian City was rather popular in the surrounding region.

In a somewhat secluded valley, Yao Feng looked at the long road still ahead and could not help sighing. When he had the chance, he definitely needed to get a magical beast as a mount. If he had to rely on his own two feet every time he traveled, it would be far too miserable.

"Ling'er, let's rest for a while. We've been traveling for half the day. Aren't you tired?"

Yao Feng sat down wearily on a large rock and beckoned Yao Ling over.

"Ling'er isn't tired!" Yao Ling revealed a smile and answered softly, adding silently, As long as I'm with Brother Feng, Ling'er will never be tired.

"Hehe, brat, you've got good taste. You picked such a beautiful place for your grave!"

A cold voice came from behind them. Yao Feng abruptly turned around and saw the Hook-nosed Man he had encountered once at Yaotian City's gate standing not far away. Two attendants stood behind him, one on each side.

"You? What do you want?" Yao Feng frowned. He could not see through the aura of any of the three men, so they were clearly no ordinary people. Though he had someone secretly protecting him, he did not want trouble finding its way to him.

"Brat, weren't you quite arrogant at the auction? What, have you already chickened out? Hahaha!"

"Heh, just you?" Yao Feng sneered.

"Hahaha! With my strength as a seven-star Dou Zhe, dealing with a two-star Dou Zhe and a little girl who's only a one-star Dou Zhe would take just one hand! Behind me are two Dou Huangs. With them here, no one can save you! Now hand over that Beast Flame, then kowtow to me three times. I might even spare your lives!"

"Sure, I'll give it to you. But do you dare take it?"

Yao Feng's eyes darted as Demonic Flame swiftly appeared in his right palm. The blazing black flame burned fiercely, even raising the surrounding temperature slightly.

"Y-you actually refined it."

Li Xie's expression changed. A hint of viciousness flashed through his eyes, along with a trace of wariness. To refine a Beast Flame in such a short time, one either possessed heaven-defying talent or a heaven-defying treasure. Either possibility showed that the youth before him was extraordinary. But since things had come this far, as long as he killed them all, no one would know he had done it.

With that thought, the killing intent in Li Xie's eyes surged.

Naturally, Yao Feng, standing opposite Li Xie, could sense the change in him.

Yao Feng snorted inwardly. You want to kill me? That depends on whether you have what it takes.

Profound Tier Dou Technique—Eagle Strike!

Li Xie roared, curling his hand into a claw. A faint green glow radiated from it as he swiftly clawed toward Yao Feng's throat.

Absorbing Palm!

Dou Qi rapidly circulated into his palm, and a powerful suction force suddenly pulled at him, causing Yao Feng's body to sway slightly.

"Damn it, I forgot that Absorbing Palm can only be used against people of the same level or lower."

Yao Feng's expression shifted repeatedly before he made an immediate decision. Instead of weakening, the suction in his hand intensified. At the same time, a surge of Dou Qi burst from beneath his feet—it was the Profound Tier Dou Technique, Explosive Steps.

Yao Feng shot toward Li Xie at incredible speed. At the same time, his palm turned pitch-black, flames coiling around it. It was the Yellow-tier Dou Technique, Burning Fire Palm, but this time, Yao Feng was using Demonic Flame to activate it. Its power was far greater than before.

In an instant, the two clashed and immediately separated. Yao Feng shook his right hand. It felt as though his palm had been pierced through, waves of excruciating pain flooding into it. The gap of five stars truly was not something that could be casually overcome.

Li Xie's expression was no better. His hand trembled slightly. That burst of extreme heat had nearly turned his eagle claw into a roasted chicken claw. Even now, recalling it made his heart palpitate.

"Brat, it seems I underestimated you. But you won't have another chance."

A bloodthirsty gleam appeared in Li Xie's eyes. A savage aura erupted from his body, his pupils turning vertical as the aura of a magical beast emerged.

Watching Li Xie's temperament undergo such a drastic change, Yao Feng's eyes flashed with surprise. The original story had briefly described the countless races scattered across the continent. In the north were the Barbarian Tribe, said to possess limitless strength and the ability to merge with beast souls. In the south were highly intelligent advanced magical beast clans, as well as strange and vicious dark races. It now seemed that, aside from the Ancient Void Dragon, Heavenly Demon Phoenix, and Nine Nether Underworld Python clans, races that had never appeared in the original story were beginning to emerge as well.

Seeing Li Xie's surging aura, Yao Feng's face also grew solemn. The gap between their realms was considerable. One careless mistake, and he would likely be defeated.

"Take this—Heavenly Eagle Strike!"

Li Xie's body lifted slightly off the ground as his claw-shaped hand lunged toward Yao Feng. He was far faster than before.

Thunder Flood Dragon Transformation!

Yao Feng shouted softly. One-horned lightning flood dragons suddenly burst from his palms, flying toward Li Xie with unstoppable momentum.

Li Xie merely sneered. His claw seals shifted rapidly, and green light flashed. The lightning flood dragons' bodies gradually began to dim.

"Playing with flood dragons before my Heavenly Eagle Clan? You truly don't know the meaning of death."