Chaos abounded in Black Seal City

Counterintuitive as it might seem, even somewhere as chaotic as the Black-Corner Region had great cities where crowds surged and people jostled shoulder to shoulder.

Black Seal City, the destination of Yun Congxin and his companions, was one such city. Its local overlord was the Eight Gates, and the famous Black Seal Auction House was one of its properties.

Rather than calling the Black Seal Auction House Black Seal City's landmark, it would be more accurate to say that the Eight Gates had wrapped the dumpling of Black Seal City just for that little saucer of vinegar—the auction house. The Black Seal Auction House stood at the very center of the city. It could be seen from any corner of Black Seal City, and every road through the city inevitably passed it.

"What a magnificent sight..."

Even Gu He, who was accustomed to the splendor of the Mittel Auction House in the Imperial Capital, could not help marveling when he saw the Black Seal Auction House.

The auction house's outer walls were built entirely of Obsidian. This stone was a natural glass, and although black, it reflected sunlight. It was noon, and under the blazing sun, the Obsidian walls perfectly demonstrated what it meant to be a riot of colors in black. Beautiful without dazzling the eyes, they lent the entire auction house an air of luxury and majesty.

Dozens of men guarded each entrance to the auction house. Even the weakest among them was a Dou Shi, while their leaders were high-star Da Dou Shi—the sort who could become clan heads if dropped into Wutan City...

Even the doormen were so formidable. That alone showed the strength of the Eight Gates, and, even more clearly, how much it valued the money tree that was the Black Seal Auction House.

Yun Congxin, Xiao Yu, and Gu He each wore a loose black robe and stood well away from the crowds, looking at the Black Seal Auction House with no intention whatsoever of entering.

They had just made inquiries. The grand auction Yun Congxin had long been anticipating would take place in seven days. They had arrived early.

Yun Congxin frowned and spent a good while digging through his memories before finally working out the timing.

Although the Xiao Clan's move had cost them some time, compared with the original story, Yun Congxin had skipped the time spent being hunted and trekking across the map on this journey—they had come straight here on a Flying Magical Beast.

With those gains and losses accounted for, Yun Congxin and his companions had actually arrived a little earlier than in the original story.

"What now? Shall we find an inn to stay at first?" Gu He suggested.

"What?" Yun Congxin had not been listening closely. He was watching an impromptu street boxing match. The two combatants had rapidly escalated from brawling to fighting to the death, every punch striking flesh as blood and torn flesh flew.

"I said, should we find somewhere to stay first?" Gu He repeated helplessly. "We've seen fights to the death like this practically every day since we got here. Aren't you tired of watching them?"

Yun Congxin chuckled. "This one's a little different. Look at that fellow. Blood-attribute Dou Qi. The Cultivation Technique he cultivates is rather strange. I haven't figured out its workings yet."

It was rather embarrassing, but Yun Shan had spent his entire life curled up within the palm-sized Jia Ma Empire. His knowledge could not begin to compare with that of a powerhouse like Yao Lao, who had truly roamed the Dou Qi Continent. Yun Congxin had only recognized that something was wrong with the blood-attribute fellow's Cultivation Technique through his own deductions, not the memories Yun Shan had left behind.

The fight to the death ended quickly. Gu He frowned as he watched the victorious blood-attribute fellow slit the dead man's throat and greedily drink his blood, a hideous sight.

Xiao Yu, meanwhile, looked frightened and clung to Yun Congxin's arm.

As for Yun Congxin, he had finally begun to make sense of it.

"A Cultivation Technique from the Blood Sect?" he guessed.

Such deadly street fights were as commonplace as everyday meals in the Black-Corner Region. Few passersby even spared them a glance. Someone like Yun Congxin, who stopped to watch, was the odd one out instead.

"What are you staring at?!" The man raised his head, his face covered in blood, and snarled.

Seeing that watching the show had landed him in trouble, Yun Congxin did not hesitate. A soundless wind blade flashed past and took the man's life. Yun Congxin crooked a finger, and a nimble current of wind slipped the storage ring from the man's hand and carried it over to him.

"Let's go find an inn." Rummaging through the man's storage ring, Yun Congxin easily found the Cultivation Technique he wanted. He casually tossed the ring away as he spoke.

After the three of them left, another fight of modest proportions broke out over the storage ring, despite its tiny storage space.

That was the Black-Corner Region. Elsewhere, this would be called chaos. Here, it could only be called daily life.

"Innkeeper, we'd like rooms." Arriving at an inn that also belonged to the Eight Gates, Yun Congxin walked up to the counter and spoke.

"How many guests, and how many rooms?" the innkeeper asked without even looking up.

"Three rooms. Three people."

"Ten Gold Coins per room per day. How many days will you be staying?"

"I haven't decided yet. Let's start with a month." Yun Congxin tossed a card onto the counter as he spoke.

The innkeeper looked up. At the sight of the card before him, his haughty attitude instantly vanished without a trace.

With a fawning smile, he said, "Your esteemed presence brings radiance to our humble establishment. Our Sect Master has ordered that all guests holding second-tier VIP status or higher at the Black Seal Auction House be exempt from room charges. These lowly eyes failed to recognize a towering mountain. Forgive my discourtesy, please forgive me."

Arrogant at first, deferential afterward—the thought was laughable.

Naturally, the innkeeper's attitude had changed so dramatically because Yun Congxin had tossed him a first-tier VIP card. Its holders were either powerhouses of Dou Wang rank or above, or fifth-tier Alchemists or higher. Upon arriving in Black Seal City, Yun Congxin had immediately posed as an unaffiliated cultivator with merely Dou Wang strength and gone to the auction house to have treasures appraised, precisely for this convenience.

"Mr. Yun, why are the inns here all so expensive?" Xiao Yu asked quietly, puzzled.

The innkeeper, who was leading the way ahead, heard her and hurried to explain. "You may not know this, miss, but the establishments run by our Eight Gates are unlike anyone else's. As long as you are our guests, your safety within our premises is absolutely guaranteed! Neither the thieves and thugs on the streets nor the bandits passing through dare stir up wind and waves here. Naturally, our prices are a little higher. Look at those Dou Shi friends by the entrance. Without sufficient funds, we couldn't provide such strong, attentive protection, could we?"

"The inns in the Black-Corner Region are terribly chaotic. Never mind the shady establishments that fleece their guests—with an actual blade—even ordinary inns are a jumble of fish and dragons, with plenty of dangerous men staying in them. Apart from these few inns under our Eight Gates, which establishment doesn't usually have a few freshly dead unfortunates in the rubbish heap by its back door? Which one isn't stained with blood?"

"Of course, with your strength, you have no need of their protection. You must have chosen us for some peace and quiet. Have I guessed correctly?"

"The Black-Corner Region has no shortage of lunatics who don't value their lives. Even if they're as weak as mosquitoes, being constantly pestered by such insects is unpleasant all the same."

"Here, I can guarantee that those annoying insects will never disturb you. The Eight Gates will provide our guests with a pleasant stay, as though they were outside the Black-Corner Region altogether."

"Your three rooms are just ahead. This way, please."