The Actor

Infected by Xiao Yan's calm demeanor, Wu Hao gradually calmed down as well. "So what do we do now?"

"Make some preparations, naturally. I need to break through to Dou Master before I can be sure of this."

The two entered the forest and casually found a secluded spot. Xiao Yan sat cross-legged and took out a pill.

This time, it was a proper medicinal pill. It was the third-grade Qi-Boosting Pill Fire Elder had given him, which could help increase one's cultivation at the Dou Master stage.

But the situation was urgent. Xiao Yan could only choose to take the pill now and rely on its energy to forcibly sense the opportunity to break through to Dou Master!

"One incense stick's worth of time should be enough. I'm going for it!"

Xiao Yan slapped the pill into his mouth and entered a cultivation state, frantically driving his Dou Qi vortex while recalling the insights Lin Xiuya had taught him:

"Xiao Yan, the cultivation principles for Da Dou Shi, Dou Master, and Dou Zhe are the same: compress Dou Qi. A Dou Master gathers Qi into liquid, while a Da Dou Shi condenses liquid into crystals."

"The danger of a breakthrough lies in absorbing a massive amount of energy in a short time and converting it into Dou Qi. If either the body or the vortex cannot bear the burden, failure—or even a drop in level—is possible."

"Of course, compared to breaking through from Dou Qi to Dou Zhe, this is much easier. At least for you, there's basically no need to consider the possibility of failure..."

Dou Qi flowed around Xiao Yan's body, sweeping up the fallen leaves around him. Once he was ready, he gradually dissolved the medicinal power of the Qi-Boosting Pill. The released energy instantly became Dou Qi that Xiao Yan could absorb.

After only a moment, Xiao Yan's Dou Qi vortex slowed after absorbing some Dou Qi, yet the pill's medicinal power had not fully dissolved!

But that was exactly what Xiao Yan wanted. Energy and Dou Qi ran wildly through his body, bringing cramp-like pain to every part of him, and the pain only grew worse.

"Hold it down! Hold it down! I absolutely can't fail!" Just as Xiao Yan was nearing his limit and could not help wondering whether he had been too reckless, the Dou Qi vortex, already running at its limit, seemed to cast off its burden and began absorbing again!

Xiao Yan relaxed slightly. He knew he had succeeded. He had forced out the breakthrough opportunity that should have come naturally, though he had nearly botched it.

The Dou Qi vortex spun again. The Dou Qi within his body was like floodwater released from a dam—no longer scattering in every direction, but rushing straight toward his dantian. The vortex accepted it all without distinction, yet no matter how much Dou Qi entered, it showed no visible change.

To accelerate the completion of his breakthrough, once the pressure in his body eased slightly, Xiao Yan began absorbing the free energy of heaven and earth from outside.

Watching from the side, Wu Hao could feel the energy continuously being drawn in for Xiao Yan's breakthrough. It even stirred up a whirlwind that fluttered their clothes! He was somewhat surprised. Compared with what he had seen before, Xiao Yan's breakthrough was making quite a commotion—and hadn't he taken a pill too?

"Rustle—rustle..."

Amid the wind, Wu Hao sharply picked out the sound of footsteps mixed within it. Their luck was terrible—they had to run into someone at a time like this!

Wu Hao got up and rushed in that direction. No matter what, he could not let the other party disturb Xiao Yan!

But before Wu Hao had taken more than a few steps, he heard the newcomer speed up as well. The other party was no fool. He had clearly realized someone was cultivating and recognized a fine opportunity to profit from it.

When Wu Hao blocked his path, the two stopped almost in unison. But upon seeing the man's face, Wu Hao could barely suppress the shock and anger in his heart!

This man was actually their original target on this trip! That black mole covering half his face was impossible to mistake! Of all times, they had run into him now!

Wu Hao had thought that if it were only a Dou Zhe, he could risk his life to hold him back. Who would have thought he would encounter this guy? He was a Dou Master!

"You..."

Wu Hao still wanted to speak and buy some time, but the black-moled man had already seen through his strength. Why would he give Wu Hao a chance to put on an act? Before Wu Hao could finish, he stepped forward and charged straight at him.

He wanted to quickly deal with the person cultivating behind him! It was not every day one encountered an idiot cultivating in the wilderness while breaking through.

Wu Hao hardened his resolve. The opponent was so fast that he could barely see him, yet he still stood directly in his path.

Even if I can only hold him for an instant! Then I'll hold him for that instant!

Seeing that the other party actually did not dodge, the black-moled man felt no particular emotion. He merely quickened his steps. After killing the cultivator, he could not be bothered to deal with this fellow, but since Wu Hao was so eager to die, he would send him on his way first!

The two had not been far apart to begin with. The black-moled man practically arrived before Wu Hao the instant he stepped out!

"Die!"

The only thing Wu Hao saw clearly was the black-moled man's cruel expression. He knew he might die, but he did not retreat a single step!

Just as the black-moled man swung an arm at Wu Hao, who had raised a defensive stance, a fiery-red figure shot out from behind Wu Hao and slammed fiercely into him. The fiery-red figure landed steadily afterward, while the black-moled man was knocked flying and rolled several times before stopping.

"Xiao Yan! You're done!"

Wu Hao had instinctively closed his eyes in that instant, but the sensation he had imagined never came. When he opened them, he saw Xiao Yan, his entire body wrapped in Dou Qi.

No! More accurately, it was not wrapped around him. Xiao Yan's fiery-red Dou Qi clung smoothly to the surface of his clothes like flowing water. At a glance, it looked as though he were wearing a crimson robe. It was the most iconic ability of the Dou Master stage—the Dou Qi Veil, which comprehensively enhanced a Dou Master's strength, speed, and defense.

Caught off guard by Xiao Yan's attack, the black-moled man climbed up from the ground and summoned his own Dou Qi Veil. Yet compared to the one on Xiao Yan's body, his was far too dim.

The black-moled man inwardly groaned. Not only had he failed to gain anything, he had instead run straight into trouble. And from the difference between their Dou Qi Veils, he quickly understood that the technique Xiao Yan cultivated was certainly far superior to his own Yellow-Tier Technique!

Their earlier exchange had indeed caught the black-moled man off guard, but Xiao Yan had also acted at the last possible moment. Neither had gone all out, yet the black-moled man's arm was already somewhat fractured.

Rather than press his advantage, Xiao Yan exchanged a glance with Wu Hao. The two pushed off the ground and ran in another direction.

The black-moled man stared dumbfoundedly. He had formed a deadly feud with the two of them and thought he was facing certain doom. Who would have expected them to ignore him completely?

"I only slept for two days. Has the Black-Corner Region's atmosphere changed this much?"

On the other side, Xiao Yan and Wu Hao headed toward Mountain Forest Town again.

"Don't be so stupid next time. He could've slapped you to death in a second. Why didn't you run?"

"..."

"What a pity. We let that guy go. He'll definitely leave now."

"No choice. Saving someone came first."

"Wu Hao, let me ask you something. With our current outfits and builds, which faction in the Black-Corner Region do we resemble?"

"Why are you asking that?"

"I'm planning to do this..."

The two quickly returned to the tavern from before. After entering, they asked the owner and learned that the Wei Brothers were still there, while the Blood Sect's young sect master had yet to arrive. This time, the two went upstairs with ease of mind.

Arriving on the second floor, they found the Wei Brothers' room. Xiao Yan politely knocked on the door. The laughter and joking inside fell silent, followed by a "Come in." Xiao Yan and Wu Hao pushed open the door and entered. Xiao Yan glanced at the sack containing Hu Jia in the corner of the room, then smiled and spoke to the two men in a hoarse voice:

"Brothers Wei, I happened to hear of your happy occasion earlier, so I prepared a modest gift and came to offer my congratulations. You two won't take offense, will you?"

Xiao Yan had only just broken through, and he could not fully conceal his aura. The two easily saw that he had merely entered the Dou Master stage, so they did not take him too seriously. After all, they were both four-star Dou Masters.

Still, Xiao Yan's arrival was too strange, making them suspicious. Yet one did not strike a smiling face, so they decided to probe Xiao Yan's intentions first.

"So that's how it is. But the two of us did not know you before this. Why would you suddenly come to give us gifts? We truly don't understand..."

"Hehe, there's no need for you two to be so cautious. Please take a look at the gifts first. We can discuss the rest afterward."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan took out two boxes.

"These are two Blood-Replenishing Pills that I refined. They can replenish blood lost from wounds and the like. I imagine they should be of some use to you two."

The pills truly were somewhat useful to the two men, but Xiao Yan's purpose was naturally not the wine itself. He merely waited for them to take the bait.

"What? You're an alchemist, sir?"

"Indeed!"

The Wei Brothers immediately became much more enthusiastic and hurriedly invited Xiao Yan to sit. The two showered him with praise for quite some time. To put them at ease, Xiao Yan even demonstrated his soul power on the spot, and the atmosphere among the three became even more harmonious.

Once the mood had eased somewhat, Xiao Yan finally said, "I naturally came to seek a favor from you two this time. Of course, I won't have you work for nothing..."

The Wei Brothers raised their brows. They knew he had finally reached the main point and quickly said they were all ears.

"I wonder whether a Mystic Tier technique would be enough to ask for your help..."

"A Mystic Tier technique!"

The Wei Brothers' eyes widened in unison. Their pupils soon filled with endless fanaticism and greed, though they quickly forced themselves to suppress it with reason.

"Sir, please speak freely. What do you need the two of us to do?"

Xiao Yan said in a completely unconcerned tone, "It's nothing major. I merely forgot to mention earlier that I come from—the Black Skull Tomb!"

"Black Skull Tomb!" The two were startled at once and could not help mobilizing their Dou Qi, but Xiao Yan merely remained motionless and composed.

"What? You two don't want the Mystic Tier technique anymore?"

The Wei Brothers' Dou Qi stalled. They also understood what he wanted them to do. The Black Skull Tomb was a major faction that had always been at odds with the Blood Sect. Then again, it would be more accurate to say that no factions in the Black-Corner Region got along!

People from the Black Skull Tomb had come to find two members of the Blood Sect and offered such a price. Did it need to be said what they wanted?

"Why are you two hesitating? How long would you have to climb in the Blood Sect before obtaining a Mystic Tier technique? I won't hide it from you. Several factions on our side have joined hands against the Blood Sect. You two are merely pieces on the board. Will you sink with the Blood Sect, or seize the chance to board the Black Skull Tomb's great ship? Think carefully..."

This left the two even more shocked. It was actually aimed at the Blood Sect? If this were true, then perhaps this really was an opportunity to get away safely...

After exchanging a glance, the two gradually dispersed their Dou Qi. The huge weight in Xiao Yan's heart also lifted. Since they had not chosen to attack, the matter was nearly settled.

"It seems you two have made the right choice."

The Wei Brothers did not deny it. By putting away their Dou Qi, they had made their decision. Yet they had just been Blood Sect disciples who had rendered great merit, and in the blink of an eye they had become spies planted by the Black Skull Tomb. For a moment, they did not know what to say.

Xiao Yan moved closer to them. Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions—joy, greed, fear, longing. All sorts of feelings intertwined, and their minds had already become somewhat unguarded.

But Xiao Yan still had to administer the final dose of medicine!

"Oh, right, brothers. By the rules, the technique can only be given to you after the matter is done and you return to headquarters. But I can let you inspect it in advance, so you won't have any doubts."

Before they could react, he took out a scroll and tossed it to the taller one.

Then he tugged at the shorter one's head, signaling for him to lean closer. "Your first task is to follow the Blood Sect's young sect master first..."

The taller one caught the scroll and eagerly immersed his mind in it. But after taking only one look, he cried out, "High Mystic Tier!"

At the same time, the shorter one, who had not been listening to Xiao Yan at all and had been staring fixedly at the scroll, nearly popped his eyes out at those words! He felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head.

He thought, High Mystic Tier, it's actually High Mystic Tier! We've struck it rich, we've struck it rich! Hm? That can't be right. Does the Black-Corner Region even have Earth Tier techniques? I heard even those Dou Emperors use High Mystic Tier techniques. Why would they give this to me...

"Eh... Did I drink too much... Why do I feel... a little lightheaded..."

"Thud... thud..."

"Splat!"

The strange sound of something hitting the ground jolted the taller one back to his senses. What followed was even more piercing—the sound of Wu Hao, who had been playing the attendant all along, grabbing Hu Jia, smashing through the window, and jumping out.

Before he could react to what had happened, he saw a bizarre scene. The Black Skull Tomb envoy, who had just reached a cooperation agreement with them and even paid an advance, was charging toward him. Behind him stood someone who looked very much like his brother...

Except he had no head.