Chapter 79: If You Can

Having obtained the Sea‑Heart Flame, what made Xiao Yan happiest was not that his strength leapt again to the Eight‑Star Great Fighting Master, but that he had already gathered three kinds of exotic fire and also secured the corpse of a Fighting Sect strongman, which could be used to forge a body for Yao Lao.

The new exotic fire created by the fusion of the Sea‑Heart Flame and the Azure Lotus Earth‑Heart Flame, because the Azure Lotus took on a blue hue, was named by Xiao Yan as Azure Lotus Ripple‑Heart Flame.

But the ingredients for forging the Bone‑Melding Blood Pill and the essence of a seventh‑rank demonic beast have not yet been found; if we wait until we reach Central Continent, we will lose Yao Lao's combat power, which is at least that of a Fighting Venerable.

Xiao Li knew very well Yao Lao's role in the early stage; if a Fighting Venerable assisted in the early stage, everything would be easy to handle.

"Yao Lao, Little Xiao Yan, if the materials for forging the body are incomplete, we could go to the Eight Gates' auction house; it might have them." Xiao Li pondered for a long time, and this was the only option he could think of now; Central Continent is unsuitable at this stage.

Xiao Yan nodded without any hesitation, "Second brother, how much money do we have? If it's not enough, I can refine pills."

"Money?" a strange expression appeared on Xiao Li's face. "Little Xiao Yan, haven't you yet understood the ways of Heijiao Yu."

Xiao Yan was startled, then twitched his mouth corner, "Second brother, you wouldn't…"

Xiao Li shook his head helplessly, "Silly kid, our sect has eight Fighting King‑level strongmen; you go to the Eight Gates for a serious transaction? Not to mention Yao Lao."

"Alright, once Yao Lao refines the Fighting Spirit Pill, we'll set out."

Three months later, counting the scattered days, there were still two years left before Xiao Yan's three‑year pact.

It was also thanks to Xiao Li constantly helping Yao Lao find the herbs to restore his soul; otherwise, refining nine fifth‑grade pills would certainly drain the vitality of Yao Lao, who was still a soul‑form.

…Eight Gates' base, Black‑Seal City

Xiao Li's arrival caused a chorus of gasps on the spot.

"Quick, run, the demon lord is coming."

"My leg is trembling, I can't move."

The voice of the person collapsed on the ground trembled; Xiao Li's previous slaughter of Han Feng's forces had already spread throughout Heijiao Yu.

Han Feng's faction numbered over a thousand from top to bottom, none escaped; even the core disciples abroad were singled out for pursuit, with the Yao three brothers leading the attack personally. No one would dare provoke such a ruthless figure.

In Heijiao Yu, Han Feng's network had already taken shape, but after Han Feng was seized by Xiao Li, no one dared utter a word.

Perhaps Xiao Li still didn't know that on the second day after he learned his nickname, the nickname "Blood Thunder" had turned into "Blood Slaughter."

Xiao Li's arrival prompted the Gate Master Yuan Yi to come out personally to greet him, and with utmost respect he escorted Xiao Li's party into the base.

Yuan Yi wasn't foolish; expanding the auction house to such a size showed his keen mind, and after he saw Su Mei behind Xiao Li and Yin Gu Lao and the others, he had already lowered his demeanor to the lowest.

He slightly flattering filled Xiao Li's cup with tea, and Yuan Yi, smiling, said, "I wonder what Master Xiao seeks at my auction house; I can open a backdoor for you to make a pre‑selection."

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face; Yuan Yi's demeanor made it impossible for Xiao Li to cause trouble now.

Xiao Li only cared whether the profit was in his hands.

"Gate Master Yuan, perhaps you haven't seen me before, but I am very familiar with the Eight Gates." Xiao Li squinted, his tone unfriendly.

Seeing the vague encircling intent of several Fighting King strongmen around him, Yuan Yi swallowed nervously, "Um, did our Eight Gates previously offend Master Xiao? I… I have no clear recollection."

Xiao Li calmly took a sip of his tea without speaking; beside him, Yin Gu Lao grasped his meaning and coldly said, "Gate Master Yuan, you truly are one who forgets many favors; weren't you aware that your men seized our branch earlier?!"

Yuan Yi opened his mouth wide, "Who? Me?"

I, a peak Fighting King, would let someone raid your Fighting Sect's branch?

What are you joking about? I, who runs an auction house, would dare offend the biggest force in Heijiao Yu?

A cold bead of sweat rolled down Yuan Yi's forehead; being shrewd, he had roughly understood Xiao Li's meaning and said, "Everyone, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I truly know nothing about this. If Master Xiao requires any compensation, I am willing to double it!"

"Also, as long as you tell me who did it, I will personally bring his head and apologize at your door!" Yuan Yi said without hesitation. In short, he could not afford to offend Xiao Li; even the two‑star Fighting Emperor‑level fifth‑grade alchemists were dead, and he didn't think he was stronger than Han Feng.

Seeing Yuan Yi's sincere face, Yin Gu Lao's tone faltered; it was the first time he saw someone even more shameless than himself, truly absurd.

When the crowd's gaze returned to him, Xiao Li's emotionless eyes looked at Yuan Yi.

"Originally…" Xiao Li paused, and cold sweat broke out on Yuan Yi's back.

"I intend to annihilate your Eight Gates."

Hearing this, Yuan Yi nearly fell to his knees before Xiao Li, "Master Xiao, no, no, I will definitely find the culprit; tell me whatever compensation you need."

Xiao Li said nothing, merely twirling his tea cup, his psychological tactics as slick as a thief.

Beside him, Yin Gu Lao slapped a sheet of paper onto Yuan Yi.

"Within one month, gather all the items listed, or our sect's Fighting Venerable senior will wipe out your Eight Gates!"

Yuan Yi, terrified, took the list, and at first glance his vision went black.

"Three seventh‑rank herbs!"

"Essence of a seventh‑rank demonic beast!"

Yuan Yi gasped a cold breath, his face mournful, "Master Xiao, even if you sold my Eight Gates, it wouldn't amount to that much."

The Fighting King corresponds to the fifth rank, yet Xiao Li was demanding seventh‑rank items; regardless of whether Yuan Yi possessed such wealth, even as a Fighting King he could not produce Fighting Sect‑grade material.

Yuan Yi pleaded poverty, but Xiao Li was unrelenting, "Then sell the Eight Gates to me."

Originally Xiao Li intended only to provoke Yuan Yi, but unexpectedly the latter's eyes lit up at the suggestion, "I could join the Thunder Sect."

Xiao Li and the others exchanged glances, as if the only choice that couldn't backfire had been taken by this guy.

"It can be, it can… just…"

Yuan Yi ripped his own garment open, revealing a red lining for his birth year.

"Master, I have drifted half a life, only regretting that I never met…"

Xiao Li quickly stopped Yuan Yi; that remark was not appropriate to say.

Seeing that Xiao Li did not oppose him, Yuan Yi became somewhat excited; he had just realized he could choose to join, which would not only avoid loss but also gain a Fighting Sect‑level backing.

"Master, I should be able to obtain the essence of that seventh‑rank demonic beast, and I'll figure out a way to get the three herbs, perhaps by traveling to Central Continent. If you trust me, I am willing to go personally."

Yuan Yi understood clearly; he needed a token of allegiance.

Thanks to reader 20200602193010557 for the reward, thanks to Xiu Shen Yang Xing's reward, thanks to reader 20240416092153840 for the reward, thanks to Jue Nian Wei Du boss for the 10,000 starting point coins reward!

Sorry, everyone, I forgot my key when I went out today and was locked out for several hours, so the update was a bit slow; truly sorry.

(End of Chapter)