36: Jia Ma Empire

At the edge of the Tagor Desert, the wind and sand remained harsh, but the air already carried a hint of the moist atmosphere belonging to oases and human gathering places.

Li Ao stood atop a tall sand dune. His green robe flapped fiercely in the hot wind, and tears in the fabric revealed the bronze skin beneath, which shimmered with a black iron luster.

He gazed into the distance at the vaguely visible green outline belonging to the territory of the Jia Ma Empire. There were no ripples in his black iron-colored pupils, only a profound stillness.

The sense of power brought by the second layer of the Black Iron Hegemon Body had completely integrated into his limbs and bones, as natural as breathing.

The strand of 'Annihilation' rule power within his body was firmly bound and refined, no longer a hidden danger, but instead becoming unique nourishment for tempering his Physical Body.

The System's functions were mostly restored; although high-level items remained locked, basic scanning, analysis, and energy guidance were sufficient to handle most situations.

It was time.

He looked back one last time, gazing at the boundless golden sea of sand behind him.

His gaze seemed to penetrate space, seeing the Snake-People Clan outpost, and the stunning purple figure standing by the stone house window, whose forehead bore a cyan flame mark.

“Wait for me to return.”

He muttered softly, then turned, stepped forward, and his figure vanished beneath the dune like a ghost, leaving only a faint footprint that was instantly smoothed over by the wind and sand.

His speed was extremely fast. Supported by the second layer of the Black Iron Hegemon Body, the Thunder Sound Steps could maintain a state of near-ground flight for extended periods; even ordinary Dou Ling experts would find it difficult to capture his figure.

Several days later, a slightly lush oasis appeared before his eyes.

This was already the buffer zone between the Jia Ma Empire and the Tagor Desert, where caravans traveled and the place was a mix of all sorts of people.

Li Ao slowed his pace and entered the only decent-looking tavern in the oasis.

He needed to understand the latest developments in the Jia Ma Empire, especially news concerning Wutan City and the Cloud Mist Sect.

The tavern was still noisy, filled with the stench of sweat, cheap alcohol, and the crude boasting of mercenaries.

Li Ao's entry attracted quite a few glances.

His young face, simple attire (though he had changed clothes, it was still a common blue cloth shirt), and the seemingly ordinary sheathed long saber hanging at his waist made him stand out among this group of mercenaries who lived by the blade.

But no one dared to easily provoke him.

The pressure emanating from Li Ao, which was extremely restrained yet subtly gave off a heart-pounding aura, made these mercenaries who constantly danced on the edge of life and death instinctively sense danger.

He walked up to the counter and tossed out a gold coin. “Recent news, about Wutan City and the Cloud Mist Sect.”

The boss was a skinny middle-aged man with droopy eyelids.

He expertly pocketed the gold coin and lowered his voice: “Wutan City? Heh, something strange happened there.

That good-for-nothing Young Master of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan, somehow got incredibly lucky.

It's said he obtained a great Opportunity in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and his strength skyrocketed!

He came back and completely suppressed the Jiale Family and the Aoba Family! Even that Second Rank Alchemist, Liu Xi, ran away dejectedly!”

Li Ao's eyes flickered.

Had Xiao Yan's growth rate indeed accelerated due to his appearance? Was it due to pressure, or had Old Yaochen exerted his strength earlier?

“What else?”

“The other thing is the Cloud Mist Sect!” The boss lowered his voice even further, tinged with awe.

“Young Miss Nalan Yanran went into seclusion after returning from outside.

It's said that Sect Master Yun Yun is personally acting as her Protector!

Some speculate that the Young Sect Leader might be aiming to break through to the Great Dou Master level! Tsk tsk, a Great Dou Master before the age of twenty—the Cloud Mist Sect has a bright future!”

Nalan Yanran in seclusion? Breaking through to Great Dou Master?

Li Ao’s lips curved into a cold arc.

In the original work, she shouldn't have this level of strength yet.

It seemed his appearance had also instilled a sense of urgency in this arrogant Young Sect Leader.

“Is there anything else? About... a person who uses a saber?” Li Ao asked.

He wanted to know how far the 'reputation' he left behind in Wutan City and Sand Scorpion Town had spread.

The boss paused, thought carefully, and shook his head: “A master with a saber? I haven't heard anything special.

There are only a few famous saber users in the Jia Ma Empire, and none of them have made any moves recently.”

Li Ao nodded, asking no further questions.

It seemed his previous actions had not yet attracted widespread attention. This suited him perfectly.

He turned and left the tavern, finding a quiet spot in the oasis to rest while quickly making calculations in his mind.

Xiao Yan was stirring up trouble in Wutan City, Nalan Yanran was in seclusion at the Cloud Mist Sect, and undercurrents were surging between the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family and the three major Families...

The waters were already starting to get muddy.

And he was the one who was going to completely turn these waters upside down!

His goals were clear:

First, seize the Green Lotus Core Flame.

This required Medusa to fully recover or even complete her evolution, so he could not rush it.

But he could first gather relevant intelligence and auxiliary Materials.

Second, increase his strength as quickly as possible.

The second layer of the Black Iron Hegemon Body was only the beginning.

He needed stronger Cultivation Techniques and resources.

The Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire, the treasuries of the various Families, and even the Royal Family's Secret Realm could all be his targets.

Third, meet those 'Sons of Destiny' and 'Important Characters.'

Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun, Ya Fei... these people were all tied to tremendous Opportunity and Luck.

Crushing them and seizing their Opportunities was the best way to rapidly grow stronger.

Fourth, investigate the truth behind the alternate dimension and the 'breath of gui xu.'

This might involve the secrets of the System and even his Transmigration, and could not be ignored.

With his thoughts clear, Li Ao did not linger.

He ascertained the direction and sped toward the nearest large city in the heart of the Jia Ma Empire—Blackrock City.

There was a branch of the Alchemist Guild there, where he might find some information about restoring his Origin and Heavenly Flames.

His figure swiftly traversed the area between the desert and the oasis, like a silent specter.

Several days later, the tall city walls of Blackrock City were already in sight.

However, just as he was about to reach the city gates, he frowned slightly.

The atmosphere at the city gate was somewhat off.

The number of soldiers guarding the city had clearly increased, and every one of them looked tense, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The flow of people entering and exiting the city formed long queues, undergoing strict inspections.

On the city walls, one could even see several cold, gleaming siege crossbows pointed downward.

The air was permeated with a faint, not yet completely dispersed scent of blood, and a trace of... familiar cold, sinister energy fluctuations?

Li Ao slowed his steps, blending into the queue, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings.

[System, scan the energy residue ahead.]

[Ding! Scan complete. Traces of dark-attribute Dou Qi residue detected, energy level approximately Peak Great Dou Master. Residue is recent, no more than twelve hours old. 87% similarity to the residual energy found during the attack incident involving Hai Bodong in the database.]

Hai Bodong?

The former Ice Emperor, a Dou Huang expert now living in seclusion in Blackrock City?

He was attacked?

Li Ao's eyes narrowed.

In the original work, Hai Bodong was only targeted by the Hall of Souls in the Late Stage.

At this point in time... was it a butterfly effect triggered by his presence? Or had the Hall of Souls advanced their timeline?

Regardless of the possibility, it meant that the situation in the Jia Ma Empire was far more complicated and dangerous than he had anticipated.

The Hall of Souls... had that massive power, hidden in the shadows and coveting Souls, finally begun to bare its fangs?

The curve of Li Ao’s lips grew even colder.

It seemed Blackrock City wouldn't be boring.

He raised his head, looking at the tall city gate, and a hint of bloodthirsty excitement flashed in his black iron-colored pupils.

The storm, it seemed, had arrived earlier than he expected.

And this suited him perfectly.

His saber was already hungry.