Chapter 218: Take You All to Broaden Your Horizons (10,000 Characters Completed, Requesting Subscriptions)

"At the selection exam, I'll make you understand the gap between us!" Bai Shan reluctantly threw down a threat and left.

Seeing Bai Shan leave, Xiao Yan smiled warmly at Ruolin Mentor and said, "Thank you, Mentor, for stepping in to save me."

Ruolin Mentor shook her head and said, "Even if I hadn't intervened, you wouldn't have been in danger, would you?"

Ruolin Mentor realized she could no longer perceive Xiao Yan's cultivation level—she was a Five Star Da Dou Shi! In just over a year, how far had Xiao Yan's power advanced?!

Xiao Yan sighed helplessly and said, "You can't say that, Ruolin Mentor. If you hadn't shown up, I might've accidentally killed him—and that would've been a problem."

!!!!!!!!

Ruolin Mentor suddenly felt a chill run down her spine; though Xiao Yan looked pitiful and spoke softly, she believed he was serious.

If she hadn't been nearby just now, Xiao Yan might've killed him outright!

Ruolin Mentor carefully studied Xiao Yan and asked, "What's your current cultivation realm?"

Xiao Yan picked up a skewer, ate while saying, "I won't tell you. A man must maintain mystery."

Ruolin Mentor's eyes widened in shock. I'm your mentor, for heaven's sake!! Fine, I never taught you a single day anyway—might as well quit being your mentor.

Tired. Not caring anymore. Let whoever wants to, manage it.

"Fine, do as you wish. I'll submit your and Xun Er's names for the Inner Court Selection Exam in four months—no problem, right?" Ruolin Mentor sighed helplessly. Students grow up; you can't control them anymore.

Xun Er had qualified for the selection exam last year, but she gave it up to wait for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan shook his head and said, "Mentor, please also submit the names of Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, Xiao Meng, and Xiao Yueliang."

All the Xiao Clan members had been gathered under Ruolin Mentor's wing.

"Huh?" Ruolin Mentor frowned in confusion. "Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu are both Five Star Dou Shi—they could try. But Xiao Mei has low cultivation talent, let alone Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang, who've only been in the academy less than a year."

"They won't make the top fifty."

Ruolin Mentor was still a Yellow Class mentor; each mentor's rank depended not only on the number of students advancing to the Inner Court, but also on meeting a minimum quota within four years, with time limits—and too many failures would affect promotion.

So Inner Court slots were always chosen with extreme caution; this year was precisely Ruolin Mentor's critical period for promotion to Profound Class Mentor.

Xiao Yan gave a confident smile and said, "Relax, Ruolin Mentor—I, Xiao Yan, never lie."

Ruolin Mentor suddenly recalled how Xiao Yan had spoken the same way when he first entered the academy—and he'd actually delivered.

"You really want these few to join the trial?" Ruolin Mentor asked again.

"Ruolin Mentor, rest assured—once they survive my special training, entering the Inner Court won't be an issue," Xiao Yan chuckled.

Ruolin Mentor's eyes flickered with surprise—if Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang, who'd only been in the academy a year, could enter the Inner Court, that would be terrifying.

"Alright, since you're so confident, I'll trust you once," Ruolin Mentor said, unsure where her own confidence came from—but when she met Xiao Yan's gaze, she knew she'd made the right decision.

"Thanks, Ruolin Mentor. If you've nothing else, I'll be off," Xiao Yan said, skewer in hand, scampering toward Xun Er's pavilion.

"Hey, the boys' dorm is over there."

"I'm not staying overnight."

"Still not allowed!"

In the end, Xiao Yan couldn't escape Ruolin Mentor's intervention; he ended up sitting on the pavilion roof with Xun Er, gazing at the stars, eating skewers, chatting about the past, holding hands.

In the days that followed, Xiao Yan didn't slow down—he became even busier.

Xiao Yan wasn't just the Young Clan Leader anymore; he also had to teach Xiao Yu and the others cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, and he still had his own cultivation tasks.

The Demon Soul Severing Technique—a Earth Rank Advanced Grade Soul Technique—was still extremely difficult even for Xiao Yan's exceptional talent.

Xiao Yan was born with twice the Soul Force of others; he'd assumed mastering Soul Techniques wouldn't be hard—but this Earth Rank Advanced Grade Soul Technique still blocked him.

Three months passed, and Xiao Yan hadn't even touched the threshold of entry—it was a brutal slap to the face of this genius.

Though stuck on the Soul Technique, Xiao Yan's cultivation realm had risen one star thanks to the Burning Decree, reaching Two Star Dou Ling.

Even though the Burning Decree hadn't upgraded to Earth-Class Mid-Level, the speed of Dou Qi condensation had still increased significantly—within three months, Xiao Yan advanced one star.

"Y-you let go, you big pervert!!" Xiao Yu clutched her skirt, blushing furiously, tears welling in her eyes as she glared at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan gripped Xiao Yu's ankle, lifted it up, and admired her leg. "Sister Xiao Yu, you've gotten arrogant—daring to challenge me?"

Xiao Yu bit her lower lip, believing her three-month brutal training had granted her massive growth—enough to trouble Xiao Yan—and she challenged him.

The result was the same as before: easily subdued, publicly humiliated.

As Xiao Yan admired the scene before him, a slightly cold voice came from behind: "Brother Xiao Yan."

!!!!!!

Xiao Yan immediately released his grip, raised his hands in surrender, and turned to Xun Er. "Xun Er, you're free today to come to the Dou Technique Hall?"

Xun Er's large, watery eyes glanced at Xiao Yan, captivating him. "I came to bring you something. Here—it's what you asked for."

Xun Er pulled a parchment from her storage ring and handed it to Xiao Yan. He instantly perked up, unrolled it, and saw a clear route marked—a map.

"With this map, no trouble," Xiao Yan murmured, studying the details.

Xiao Mei asked hesitantly, "Brother Xiao Yan, are you going somewhere?"

"Heh, not just me—I'm going. The annual auction in Black Horn City is in two days. If I went alone, I could fly there. But if I bring you, I need a precise map," Xiao Yan smiled.

Hearing Xiao Yan planned to take them to the Black Horn City auction, Xiao Ning and the others lit up with excitement.

"Ooooh!! An auction—I've never been to one!"

"Yeah, I've never even been to the Miter Pai Mai Chang in Wutan City."

Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang, the younger ones, had never even attended an auction—they were ecstatic.

"You've trained hard these past few months, or I wouldn't dare take you to the Black Horn Region—it's not exactly reputable," Xiao Yan put on the Young Clan Leader's demeanor and lectured earnestly.

"I'm taking you to broaden your horizons—see what a major auction house looks like. Also, let you experience the brutality of the Black Horn Region firsthand. Don't wander off once we're there—you've heard of the Black Horn Region, right?"

Mentioning the Black Horn Region, the earlier excitement among them instantly cooled.

After all, they'd lived at Jia Nan Academy long enough to understand what the Black Horn Region was like.

But Xiao Yan wasn't just taking his clan members for sightseeing—he'd heard rumors that this auction would feature an Earth-Class Body Technique for sale.

Xiao Yan didn't own many Dou Techniques; aside from the Demon Soul Severing Technique, still in learning, the Eight Extreme Shatter, Furious Lion Roar, and Burst Step were all fully mastered.

With Xiao Yan's current strength, he really should upgrade his Body Technique to a higher rank; an Earth-Rank Body Technique would be just right.

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and teased Xun Er with a flirtatious glance: "If Xun Er wants anything, Brother Xiao Yan will buy it for you."

Xun Er covered her mouth and giggled softly. "Then Xun Er won't be polite."

"Uh… don't buy anything too expensive, or I'll have to sell myself."

Two days later, a carriage appeared before a vast city built from blackened massive stones, its silhouette faintly emerging; at the four city gates, countless tiny black dots—like ants—could be vaguely seen surging into the city's massive dark maw.

On the carriage's driver's seat, two figures clad in black robes scanned their surroundings with sharp gazes.

From the bloodstains and sword cuts beside the carriage, it was clear this journey had been anything but peaceful.

Only now did they realize they had been tricked by Xiao Yan!!

Driving from Peace Town to Void Black Seal City took exactly two days, and those two days were extremely dangerous.

Robber bandits, thieves disguised as ordinary people, even demons lurking in the shadows to prey on travelers.

And Xiao Yan and Xun Er never lifted a finger the entire time—not even a single warning word—just watched them perform.

Only then did they realize this was Xiao Yan's test: to make the five of them cross half the Black Horn Region and reach Void Black Seal City using only their own strength, while Xiao Yan acted as the examiner!

If they couldn't even enter or exit the Black Horn Region, they had no right to enter the Inner Court—better not go and embarrass themselves.

"Young Clan Leader, we've arrived at Void Black Seal City," said Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang, who were driving the carriage.

Hearing Xiao Meng and Xiao Yueliang's words, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, sitting on either side of the carriage, and Xiao Ning, standing atop the carriage watching behind, all exhaled in relief.

"The Black Horn Region truly is lawless."

"Young Clan Leader's training is no joke—if it had been three months ago, I'd be dead in the Black Horn Region."

Inside the carriage, Xun Er gently shook Xiao Yan. "Brother Xiao Yan, we've reached Void Black Seal City."

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes; the moment he did, he saw Xun Er's smiling face. He stretched and said, "Then let's get off the carriage. I just hope this auction doesn't disappoint me."

All of them put on black cloaks, hiding their faces with hoods. This attire was mainstream in Void Black Seal City—over half the people dressed this way.

"Young Clan Leader, we've found out. The largest medicinal dealer here is Qian Yao Fang. The auction is hosted by Ba Shan Men, which governs Void Black Seal City. The leader of Ba Shan Men is said to be extremely powerful, ranked among the top ten on the Black List of the Black Horn Region," Xiao Ning whispered.

Xiao Yan furrowed his brow. "What's the Black List?"

Xiao Ning replied, "It's similar to the Top Ten Strongest of the Jia Ma Empire, but rumor has it the top ten of the Black Horn Region's Black List are all Peak Dou Huang."

"The first and second are too mysterious to know much about, but rumors suggest they might be Dou Zong-level experts. The third is also an extraordinary powerhouse—rumored to have long surpassed Peak Dou Huang and is exceptionally skilled in Spirit Refining, hailed as the number one Pill Alchemist in the Black Horn Region. Most people respectfully call him the Pill Emperor, Han Feng," Xiao Ning mused.

"Han Feng?" Xiao Yan had indeed heard that name—Hun Lao Gui had once told him that a certain Alchemist in the Black Horn Region was after the Fallen Heart Flame, and that man was Han Feng.

"A Peak Dou Huang isn't even a threat to Jia Nan Academy…"

After a moment of thought, Xiao Yan said, "Let's go to Qian Yao Fang first. See if there are any rare medicinal materials."

As they walked slowly along the street, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the shops on either side—but what left him speechless was that within this short stretch of less than a hundred meters, before they'd even finished walking, he'd already witnessed at least ten brawls, even knife fights with bloodshed. For a city like this, only one word could describe it: chaos!

If these people had been stronger, Xiao Yan would've used his Soul Command to collect the Spiritual Souls of the dead on the spot.

Following Xiao Ning's directions, the group soon arrived at Qian Yao Fang.

Stepping into this imposing medicinal shop, a wave of over a hundred different medicinal scents immediately hit their noses.

Inside the shop, the space was vast, with neatly arranged crystal display cabinets stretching in all directions. Inside the transparent cabinets lay all manner of medicinal materials. At these counters, many people had paused, their noisy chatter echoing throughout.

"Not bad," Xiao Yan murmured.

Having seen Mei Du Sha's treasury and Yun Lan Sect's Medicinal Hall, Qian Yao Fang naturally couldn't astonish Xiao Yan much.

But Xiao Ning and the others were dazzled—they'd never seen so many medicinal materials at once.

The prices at Qian Yao Fang matched its reputation in the Black Horn Region—most medicinal materials cost three times the normal market rate. No wonder crime was rampant here; at these prices, how could an ordinary person afford anything?

Finally, Xiao Yan spent 800,000 Gold Coins on a main ingredient for a Five-Grade Elixir, then left, disappointed.

"It's even much larger than Miter's Heavenly-Class Auction Hall."

Standing on the crowded street, Xiao Yan looked up at the colossal auction hall before him and couldn't help but exclaim in awe. When he'd first seen Miter Clan's auction headquarters in the Jia Ma Empire's capital, he'd been impressed by its scale.

Now, arriving in Void Black Seal City, he realized just how vast the world was—and that the Jia Ma Empire was merely a weak, backwater empire in the Northwest Region.

At the entrance of the Void Black Seal Auction Hall, dozens of grim-faced men in black martial attire, swords at their waists, scanned the flowing crowds with hawk-like eyes. From the faint aura leaking from their bodies, five were clearly Dou Shi, and the rest hovered at the Peak Dou Zhe level.

Even the gatekeepers were Dou Shi-level—clearly, Ba Shan Men's strength was truly formidable.

"This auction has so many people," Xiao Yu frowned, pressing close to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan stood in the center, guarding Xun Er, while Xiao Ning and the two other males formed a protective circle around them, shielding them from the crowd.

Following the flow into the corridor, the light grew dimmer. Walking straight to the end, a colossal auction hall suddenly appeared before Xiao Yan's eyes, making him inhale sharply.

This auction hall was far larger than any Xiao Yan had ever seen before. The dense rows of seats and the auction platform, almost entirely constructed of brilliant crystal, made one's eyes spin.

"I should've gotten a VIP card—sitting up front would've been better," Xiao Yan grumbled.

He'd just learned that anyone who spent over a million Gold Coins at an auction received a VIP card—granting not only a front-row seat but also a VIP entrance with no queue.

Xun Er smiled. "As long as I'm with Brother Xiao Yan, it doesn't matter where we sit."

As Xiao Yan and the others sat in the regular seats chatting, a pale-faced, handsome young man in black robes in the front VIP row frowned at Xiao Yan.

"Young Sect Master, what's wrong?" asked an equally pale old man beside him, speaking softly.

At this, the pale-faced young man slowly withdrew his gaze.

"Nothing. I just feel this guy is strange—I somehow have this odd… sense of wariness toward him." As he spoke, Fan Ling himself chuckled and shook his head.

"Heh, Young Sect Master, you must be mistaken. Though our Blood Sect's Cultivation Method is extremely icy, naturally fearful of extreme flames, such levels of flame are possessed by hardly anyone in the entire Black Horn Region," the old man chuckled.

"Maybe it's just my imagination."

Fan Ling nodded and stopped overthinking, turning his gaze toward the crystal platform and murmuring softly: "I wonder if that rumor is true—if it is, Father said no matter the cost, we must obtain it!"

"Heh, Young Sect Master, rest assured. The Sect Master has already made secret preparations—even if the item falls into someone else's hands, they won't get ten miles beyond Void Black Seal City!" the old man sneered.

"That's perfect." A cold smile curled on the young man's lips as he slowly closed his eyes, waiting quietly for the auction to begin.

As Fan Ling closed his eyes, Xiao Yan suddenly looked up toward Fan Ling's direction—his Soul Force had certainly sensed someone watching him.

But Xiao Yan glanced once and dismissed it—Fan Ling's strength wasn't even worth his attention.

When Xiao Yan and Xun Er, Xiao Yu, and the others chattered for nearly an hour and a half, a clear bell tone slowly rang out across the venue.

Hearing the bell, Xiao Yan fell silent and looked up at the glittering crystal platform.

There, a white-haired old man resembling an auctioneer stood smiling.

Xiao Yan's expression turned peculiar—he had never attended an auction not hosted by Ya Fei, and now it was some strange old man instead; the contrast was stark.

"Finally starting—hope there's still some surprise left."

Gazing at the massive venue packed to bursting, Xiao Yan murmured softly, dark eyes holding a trace of anticipation.

For some reason, he felt this auction would bring something utterly unexpected.

(End of Chapter)