Inside the main house, after several rounds of drinks, Xiao Yan put down his wine cup and his gaze fell on Lu Bo.
"Chief Lu, I'm new here and don't know much about Black Rock City yet."
Alliance Leader Han sent me here to guard against an invasion by the Jia Nan Academy.
Please tell me the situation here in detail, so I can have a better understanding.
Upon hearing this, Lu Bo quickly put down his wine cup and said seriously, "You're too kind, Elder Tang. It's only right."
He paused, gathered his thoughts, and then slowly began to speak.
" Elder Tang, Black Rock City is located in the southeastern part of Black-Corner Region, not in the core area, so the fighting here is not considered fierce."
There are more than a dozen powerful factions in the city, but only three are truly influential.
Xiao Yan picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and gestured for him to continue.
"Number one, naturally, belongs to my Black Rock Gang."
Lu Bo spoke with a hint of arrogance, but quickly concealed it.
"I am but a lowly Nine-Star Dou Wang, barely enough to keep things under control in Black Rock City."
The gang also has three elders at the Dou Ling level, and dozens of disciples at the Da Dou Shi level.
Xiao Yan nodded. Nine-Star Dou Wang was indeed a powerful figure on the edge of the Black-Corner Region.
"The second one is the Iron Sword Sect."
Lu Bo continued,
"The sect leader, Tie Wushuang, Five-Star Dou Wang ) who is skilled in swordsmanship. He has two Dou Ling ) elders under his command and more than thirty disciples."
Tie Wushuang is a straightforward and honest man who doesn't like to cause trouble, but he's not someone to be trifled with either. Over the years, he and my Black Rock Gang have kept to themselves and lived in peace.
The third one is the Blood Wolf Gang.
The gang leader, Lang Tu, is Four-Star Dou Wang). He is ruthless and cruel, and his subordinates are mostly desperate criminals.
However, since our strength is inferior to that of the Black Rock Gang, we've been suppressed for years and haven't dared to cause trouble.
As Lu Bo finished speaking, he picked up his glass, took a swig, and showed a hint of disdain on his face.
After listening, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment and asked, "What about the other smaller forces?"
Lu Bo waved his hand:
"Those are all opportunists, they side with whoever is stronger, they're not worth mentioning."
Rest assured, Elder Tang, in this small territory of Black Rock City, the Black Rock Gang is the one who calls the shots.
"With you here, no one will dare to bother you."
Xiao Yan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
However, he noticed that Lu Bo was only talking about the forces within Black Rock City and did not mention Jia Nan Academy.
"Chief Lu, what about the Jia Nan Academy? You couldn't have asked Alliance Leader Han for help for no reason, could you?"
Lu Bo's expression changed slightly, and he sighed.
" Elder Tang keen insight; I truly sought your help because of the Jia Nan Academy matter."
He put down his wine glass, the smile on his face gradually fading, replaced by a look of seriousness.
Here's what happened.
About two weeks ago, a newly established faction under my Black Rock Gang —the Flying Cloud Merchant Association —was escorting a shipment of supplies when they were attacked en route.
" The Flying Cloud Merchant Association?" Xiao Yan asked.
Lu Bo nodded:
"Yes. The president of the Flying Cloud Merchant Association is named Yun Fei. He is an Eight-Star Dou Ling. He joined my Black Rock Gang two years ago."
Their chamber of commerce mainly deals in medicinal herbs and frequently travels between Black-Corner Region and surrounding towns.
Two weeks ago, they were transporting a batch of rare medicinal herbs to Green Wood Town in the east, but they were intercepted en route.
Who did this?
Lu Bo gritted his teeth:
"The people from the Jia Nan Academy. A team of elite students, led by a mentor at the Dou Wang level."
The Flying Cloud Merchant Association of Commerce was almost completely wiped out; only a few fast-moving henchmen escaped to report the news. Even Yun Fei himself was killed.
Xiao Yan frowned slightly. The fact that Dou Wang- level instructor was leading the team indicated that Jia Nan Academy's counterattack was quite powerful.
"Chief Lu, did you investigate this later?"
Lu Bo nodded, a flash of anger crossing his eyes.
"Of course I investigated. I personally led a team to track them down and found their trail."
However, the opposing team consisted of three people: the mentor leading the team was at the Peak Dou Wang, and the other two were also Dou Ling.
Although I am not afraid, I cannot defeat them all by myself.
Moreover, they were elusive, moving from place to place after each shot. I chased them for three days and didn't even catch a glimpse of them."
He paused, then lowered his voice.
" Elder Tang, I'm worried that Jia Nan Academy isn't just targeting the Flying Cloud Merchant Association, but is also aiming to take down Black Rock City."
That's why they asked Alliance Leader Han for help. Although Black Rock City is not large, it is strategically located, serving as the gateway from the southeast to the interior.
"If Jia Nan Academy takes it, the Black Alliance will suffer a great loss."
Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully.
"Don't worry, Chief Lu. Now that Alliance Leader Han has sent me, I won't let Jia Nan Academy succeed."
Lu Bo was overjoyed and quickly picked up his wine glass.
"With Elder Tang's words, I'm relieved! Come, let me toast you!"
The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
For the next few days, Xiao Yan stayed in Black Rock City.
Lu Bo arranged a private courtyard for him in the backyard of the Black Rock Gang headquarters. The environment was quiet and secluded. He was served meals and water every day and was taken care of in a very meticulous manner.
Xiao Yan cultivated in the courtyard during the day, and occasionally went out for a walk to familiarize himself with the terrain of Black Rock City.
At night, she would stand by the window, gazing in the direction of the Jia Nan Academy, sensing Xiao Huohuo's presence through the bond between their souls.
He could sense that Xiao Huohuo's aura was growing stronger day by day.
Although slow, it is indeed growing.
That resonance from the depths of his soul told him that Xiao Huohuo was undergoing a transformation.
"Wake up soon," he murmured. In any case, he had no special feelings for the Jia Nan Academy.
He could only help Xiao Huohuo take care of the Jia Nan Academy to the best of his ability.
However, the situation within the Black Alliance is uncertain. If Han Feng truly intends to confront them head-on, he has no way to object right now.
Despite his evenly matched victory against Elder Ban, Xiao Yan could sense the strength of Han Feng and the Gold and Silver Elders.
They are the Black Alliance's strongest fighting force.
Xiao Yan remained in Black Rock City, not entirely trusting Lu Bo's intelligence, cultivating while simultaneously investigating the situation.
On the fifth day, something unexpected happened.
That evening, Xiao Yan was meditating cross-legged in the courtyard when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.
He opened his eyes and saw Lu Bo stride into the courtyard, his face grave.
" Elder Tang, something's happened!"
Xiao Yan stood up, his gaze calm. "What's wrong?"
Lu Bo took a deep breath and said quickly:
"One of my patrols was attacked in the mountains to the east."
The leader was a hall master of the gang, Five-Star Dou Ling, with more than a dozen brothers under his command.
Just now, only one seriously wounded brother escaped back to report that they were surrounded and in critical condition!
Xiao Yan frowned.
" Jia Nan Academy?"
"It must be them!"
Lu Bo gritted his teeth and said, "That group of people are elusive, always targeting our patrols. This time, I'm going to go myself and wipe them all out!"
He started to walk out.
Xiao Yan raised his hand to stop him.
"Chief Lu, wait a moment."
Lu Bo was taken aback. " Elder Tang?"
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "You stay in the city. I'll go alone."
"What?" Lu Bo's eyes widened. " Elder Tang, you're going alone?"
Xiao Yan waved his hand and said calmly:
"A bunch of Dou Ling and Dou Wang can't stop me. But you, if you go, and they use a diversionary tactic to launch a sneak attack on Black Rock City while you're away, that would be a real problem."
Lu Bo's expression changed, and he realized the seriousness of the problem.
" Elder Tang is right. I acted impulsively."
He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Then I'll Elder Tang. I'll stay in the city to strengthen defenses and ensure the enemy has no opportunity to take advantage."
Xiao Yan nodded, and with a flash, he disappeared from the courtyard.
Xiao Yan left Black Rock City and traveled eastward at high speed.
He moved with incredible speed, like a black lightning bolt under the cover of night, cutting through the woods and over the hills.
The wind whistled in my ears, and the surrounding scenery rushed past.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he arrived at the mountain forest.
From afar, he could hear the sounds of fighting and screams.
Xiao Yan concealed his aura and approached silently.
Deep in the woods, in a clearing, a dozen Black Rock Gang members were surrounded.
They were covered in blood, some already lying on the ground, their fate unknown. The remaining few stood back to back, desperately trying to fend off the attacks from around them.
Those who besieged them wore uniform blue robes with the Jia Nan Academy emblem embroidered on their chests.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a cold and stern face, holding a long sword, and exuding an aura of the Peak Dou Wang.
Behind him were two assistants at the Peak Dou Ling, and more than a dozen students at the Da Dou Shi level.
Xiao Yan hid in the shadows, observing the battle.
The Black Rock Gang won't last much longer.
The hall master was covered in wounds, his left arm hanging limply at his side, clearly broken. He shielded the disciples behind him, his eyes filled with despair.
"Brothers, hold on! The gang leader is coming to our aid soon!" he shouted hoarsely.
"Hold on?" The Jia Nan Academy leader sneered. "Your guild leader is probably too busy taking care of himself right now. Even if he came, he couldn't save you!"
He waved his hand. "Take them down! Leave no one alive!"
The trainees responded in unison, and their offensive intensified.
The Black Rock Gang's disciples were suffering repeated defeats and were on the verge of total annihilation.
Xiao Yan knew it was time to make a move.
But he couldn't really fight the people from the Jia Nan Academy to the death.
He needs to save people, but he cannot kill them.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and his Soul Power slowly surged within him.
The next moment, he flashed into the battlefield like a black lightning bolt!
Who goes there?!
The Jia Nan Academy leader's expression changed, and he swept his longsword horizontally, unleashing a sharp sword aura towards Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan neither dodged nor evaded, but instead raised his hand and struck out with a palm!
"Bang!"
The sword energy collided with the palm wind, unleashing a muffled boom. The sword energy was shattered, but Xiao Yan's figure remained motionless.
The team leader's pupils contracted sharply!
" Dou Emperor?!"
He sensed the terrifying aura emanating from Xiao Yan, and a chill ran through his heart.
"Withdraw!"
He made a quick decision, waving his hand to lead the students in a rapid retreat.
Xiao Yan did not pursue them, but simply stood in front of the Black Rock Gang members, coldly watching them.
"Go back and tell your people that I'm in charge of Black Rock City, so don't come here to die."
The team leader's face turned ashen. He gritted his teeth and led his men away into the depths of the woods.
Xiao Yan turned around and looked at the Black Rock Gang disciples who had survived the ordeal.
The hall master struggled to his feet and bowed deeply to Xiao Yan.
"Thank you... thank you so much for saving my life, sir..."
Xiao Yan waved his hand.
"No need for formalities. Are you still able to leave?"
The hall master nodded, then shook his head.
"I can still walk, but several of my brothers are too badly injured, I'm afraid..."
Xiao Yan glanced at the wounded on the ground, took out a few pills from his pocket, and tossed them to the hall master.
"Give it to them; it will save their lives."
The hall master accepted the pill, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"
Xiao Yan didn't say anything more, and led them slowly towards Black Rock City.