Black Mark City
"As expected of a Heaven-class Dou Technique, its power is indeed as terrifying as the legends say. To think that such devastation could be unleashed with just one strike." Li Xiao shrugged, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the surrounding area.
Cough, cough, cough!
Suddenly, a series of harsh coughs echoed from within the sand. Focusing his attention, Li Xiao spotted the figure of the Hall of Souls' Protector who had earlier boasted about his own strength.
The Hall of Souls Protector's body was in shambles—bones shattered, and blood spewed from his mouth like a fountain. The intense pain wracking his body made him tremble, and his once arrogant face now bore a look of terror as he stared at the man not far from him.
Had he not reacted in time and used all the captured soul entities to form a defensive barrier that absorbed most of Li Xiao's earlier attack, he would have been dead by now!
Protector Tie, a Four-Star Dou Ancestor and a Human-level Protector of the Hall of Souls, had been defeated with a single strike. If word got out, few would believe it.
"Who... who are you?" Iron Protector gasped, his breath ragged and face contorted with pain. He tried to stand, only to realize his leg bones were broken, leaving him utterly defenseless.
"I am Li Xiao, the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion."
At those words, Protector Tie's pupils shrank to pinpoints, and his expression morphed from one of anger to abject fear.
The Heaven Ascending Pavilion? How could he not know? It was a force that even his own superior, the Heavenly Venerate Zhai Xing, regarded with reverence.
He never imagined he would encounter someone of this caliber today.
Protector Tie crawled forward, his voice filled with respect, "I didn't realize who I was dealing with and spoke out of turn. Please accept my deepest apologies."
Li Xiao, his eyes half-closed, observed the groveling Protector Tie. It was amusing to see how quickly this person, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, turned so timid upon learning his identity.
"No harm done," Li Xiao replied, placing one hand behind his back. "With your strength, you should be able to walk again after resting for half an hour. Next time, be sure to know who you're dealing with before making a move. You're lucky it was me this time—if it had been someone else, you'd already be dead."
Protector Tie nodded repeatedly, fully aware of the terrifying power the man before him possessed. He also recalled that Zhai Xingr had warned them all: if they ever encountered Li Xiao, they must humble themselves. If they somehow offended him, they should do whatever it took to mend the relationship, even if it cost them their lives.
After all, Li Xiao was rumored to hold something that could lead to the breakthrough to Dou God. Although Zhai Xing hadn't disclosed this information to the Hall Master, it was clear he intended to claim the credit for himself.
Protector Tie forced a smile onto his sinister face, then pulled out a purple-black card from his robes, presenting it with both hands.
"The Pavilion Master is absolutely right. I will be more cautious next time. I've long admired the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, and meeting you here today means I can die without regrets. Here is a token of my respect—one million gold coins, a small gesture of my esteem."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Li Xiao's expression remained stern as he took the card, lightly tapping it against Protector Tie's cheek. "What are you trying to do? Do you think I, as the Pavilion Master, am someone who cares for mere wealth? Do you dare to test me with this?"
Protector Tie's heart trembled with fear.
But… hadn't Zhai Xing specifically mentioned that the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion had a special fondness for money? He had advised them to use gold to smooth over any conflicts if the opportunity arose, or at the very least, to leave a favorable impression.
Why then, did reality not match his expectations?
Li Xiao tossed the card with a million gold coins into Zi Yan's hands, saying nonchalantly, "This money isn't for me. It's for Zi Yan as compensation for the mental distress you've caused. Understood?"
"Ah..." Protector Tie swallowed hard, standing dumbfounded.
Li Xiao had no interest in wasting any more time on him. The priority was reaching Black Mark City. He grabbed Zi Yan's arm and boarded the carriage, leaving the scene behind.
Protector Tie lay on the ground, feeling as if he had been given a second chance at life. His admiration grew as he thought, "As expected of the Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion—so magnanimous, so forgiving… heh heh heh…"
In the Black-Corner Region, there were no laws, only one rule: the law of the jungle. In other words, the strong prey on the weak. Here, the weak had no right to survive.
After several hours of travel, Li Xiao and Zi Yan finally arrived at their destination: Black Mark City.
Black Mark City was one of the many cities in the Black-Corner Region and also the headquarters of the Eight Gates. However, Li Xiao had no intention of interfering with the rules here. He was solely interested in acquiring what he came for at the auction.
The city was bustling with vendors, operating without any rules. Public displays of violence, even against innocent women, were commonplace in the Black-Corner Region. Such acts were so frequent that no one batted an eye.
Even if someone were to assault a woman in broad daylight, no one would intervene.
Of course, it was crucial to pick the right target. Otherwise, the consequences could be quite dire.
In the Black-Corner Region, women could sometimes be more dangerous than men. The reason was simple—they survived here not just by their looks.
At the Black Seal Auction House, dozens of men clad in black, armed to the teeth, patrolled the premises. Their sharp, eagle-like eyes constantly scanned the crowd entering the auction.
Anyone causing trouble here would be swiftly dealt with—killed on the spot, with no chance to beg for mercy.
Li Xiao glanced around at the dozens of Dou Master-level guards. It was impressive that the auction house in Black Mark City employed Dou Master as gatekeepers, but compared to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, the difference was like night and day.
"Get out of the way!"
A sudden shout from behind caught Li Xiao's attention. Turning around, he saw a group of men in blood-red robes approaching, their demeanor fierce and murderous. Anyone in their path was either pushed aside or killed on the spot with brutal efficiency.
Li Xiao's eyes briefly flickered over the white-haired Dou Spirit at the center of the group. According to the original plot, this should be Fan Ling, the young master of the Blood Sect.
Fan Ling was notorious for his cruelty, arrogance, and depravity. He took pleasure in torturing and killing women, making him one of the most reviled figures in the Black-Corner Region.
Fan Ling's gaze settled on Li Xiao, taking in the sight of the masked man before shifting to the woman who had fallen at his feet.
A cold smile curled his lips. "In your next life, be more careful."
"No, young master! I was wrong, I was wrong!" The woman pleaded desperately, but Fan Ling was unmoved. He casually gestured with his fingers, and one of his guards grabbed the woman by the head, dragging her into a nearby alley where she was mercilessly executed with a single stroke.
Zi Yan frowned deeply, anger flashing in her eyes. "These people are so ruthless and cruel!"
"The Black-Corner Region follows its own rules. Let's go," Li Xiao said calmly. His expression remained indifferent. Everyone who came to this place had their reasons, and those fleeing to the Black-Corner Region didn't deserve sympathy.