66: Survival Rules of the Black Corner

In the dark alley, the air seemed to solidify, filled with killing intent and the smell of blood. The front and back escape routes were sealed by three experienced and ruthless Black-Corner Region mercenaries. Their eyes were like hungry wolves staring at their prey, full of greed and cruelty.

The leader, a sinister man at the Peak of a nine-star Great Dou Master named Blood Butcher, was somewhat famous in the outskirts of Black Seal City for specializing in ambushing newcomers. He looked at the seemingly clumsy xuan heavy ruler in Xiao Yan's hand and the scorching Dou Qi swirling around its blade, his greed growing. This ruler was definitely no ordinary item!

"Kid, remember in your next life, in the Black-Corner Region, only by being low-key can you live long!" Blood Butcher sneered, no longer wasting words. He stomped his foot on the ground, his figure darting out like a leopard. A short sword, gleaming with a faint light, shot out like a venomous snake's tongue, directly at Xiao Yan's throat! Its speed was extremely fast, and its angle was tricky!

The other two eight-star Great Dou Masters also attacked simultaneously. One swung a heavy axe at Xiao Yan's back, while the other threw several poisoned darts carrying a foul wind, sealing off Xiao Yan's dodging space to the left and right!

The three cooperated tacitly, clearly accustomed to such acts of murder and robbery.

Facing this deadly situation, Xiao Yan's eyes were icy cold. In the Black-Corner Region, mercy was cruelty to oneself! The Dou Qi within his body surged. He stomped with his explosive step, his figure not retreating but advancing, actually moving to meet Blood Butcher's frontal attack!

"Seeking death!" Blood Butcher saw that Xiao Yan dared to confront him head-on, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. The short sword's momentum became even more urgent!

However, just as the short sword was about to stab Xiao Yan, the xuan heavy ruler in Xiao Yan's hand moved!

There was no fancy Move, just the simplest, most direct horizontal sweep! On the ruler's body, the scorching fire-attribute Dou Qi erupted, transforming into a condensed arc of flame!

"Clang—!!!"

The short sword and the xuan heavy ruler collided violently!

The deafening sound of metal clashing was ear-piercing!

The sneer on Blood Butcher's face instantly froze, replaced by extreme horror! He only felt an indescribable immense force transmit through the short sword. This force was also mixed with a violent and scorching 異種鬥氣 (variant Dou Qi), instantly breaking through the Dou Qi defense of his arm!

"Pfft!"

Blood Butcher's tiger's mouth (the web between thumb and forefinger) split open, the short sword flew out of his hand, and he himself was sent flying back at a faster speed than he came, as if struck by a stampeding giant elephant. He slammed heavily against the alley wall, spitting out a large mouthful of blood, his aura instantly wilting!

One ruler! With just one ruler, Blood Butcher, a nine-star Great Dou Master at his Peak, was severely wounded and defeated!

Almost at the same time, Xiao Yan seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. Before the momentum of the xuan heavy ruler's horizontal sweep had completely dissipated, his wrist twisted strangely, and the heavy ruler, carrying an irresistible force, swung fiercely backward!

"Bang!"

The heavy axe that was aimed at his back, along with its owner, was directly sent flying by this fierce counter-strike, crashing into the alley wall on the other side. The sound of bones shattering was clearly audible, and it was clear he wouldn't survive.

As for the few poisoned darts, Xiao Yan didn't even bother with them. The Dou Qi around his body surged outwards, forming a faint fiery vortex, which deflected the darts, causing them to clatter into the wall.

In a flash of lightning, the attack disintegrated; one dead, two severely wounded!

The alley was eerily silent, with only the heavy, terrified gasps of Blood Butcher and the other fortunate eight-star Great Dou Master who had not died.

Xiao Yan stood holding the ruler, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground, dark red flames slowly flowing across its body. His hood had slipped off during the fierce battle, revealing his still youthful but resolute and stern face. He looked calmly at Blood Butcher, who was slumped on the ground, his eyes filled with fear, and walked towards him step by step.

"Don't... don't kill me! Gold coins... storage ring... they're all yours!" Blood Butcher struggled to Move backward, pleading incoherently, his former arrogance completely gone.

Xiao Yan stopped in front of him, bent down, and picked up the storage ring and short sword he had dropped. His Soul Power casually swept over them. Inside, apart from some gold coins and low-level Medicinal Pills, there wasn't much of value. His gaze fell on Blood Butcher, and his voice was cold: "Black Storm Canyon, how much do you know?"

Blood Butcher clutched at this like a drowning man, quickly saying: "Kn-know! That's the Blood Sect's territory. It's rich in several rare Ores and Demonic Beasts, but the environment is extremely harsh, with Black Storms that can tear apart a Dou Spirit raging all year round! The Blood Sect has a stronghold there, guarded by a Dou Spirit Elder named Fan Lao... It's said that some time ago, there seemed to be abnormal energy fluctuations deep within the canyon, possibly indicating the emergence of some treasure, which attracted many people, but most went and never returned..."

Fan Lao? Dou Spirit Elder? Abnormal energy fluctuations?

Xiao Yan silently noted it down. It seemed he had to go to Black Storm Canyon.

He no longer paid attention to Blood Butcher's pleas. He turned around, the xuan heavy ruler dragging on the ground, emitting a chilling scraping sound, and walked out of the blood-soaked alley step by step.

He would show no mercy to those who tried to kill him. This was the Law of the Black-Corner Region, and it was the Dao of survival he had to adapt to.

It wasn't until Xiao Yan's figure completely disappeared at the alley's entrance that Blood Butcher and the other surviving mercenary collapsed to the ground as if exhausted, cold sweat already soaking their clothes. They looked in the direction of the alley entrance, their eyes filled with lingering fear and disbelief.

That young man... was he really a Great Dou Master? That power, that combat awareness, it was like a monster!

After this battle, Xiao Yan had initially established his reputation in the outskirts of Black Seal City. At least, for a short time, no short-sighted cats or dogs would dare to easily provoke this 煞星 (baleful star) carrying the black ruler.

Xiao Yan found a relatively secluded and seemingly sturdy stone house to rent, setting up a simple warning Restriction. He sat cross-legged inside, inventorying the spoils of war he had plundered from Blood Butcher and the others. Although the harvest wasn't great, he at least had some starting capital.

"Teacher, what do you think of Black Storm Canyon?" Xiao Yan asked in his mind.

Yao Lao's illusory figure floated out, pondering: "A harsh environment means opportunities and risks coexist. That Fan Lao is merely a low-tier Dou Spirit. With your current strength, combined with the Heavenly Flame and the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler, you might not be unable to contend. As for those abnormal energy fluctuations... they might be worth investigating. However, before that, you need to adjust your state to its Peak, and it would be best if you could get a more detailed map and special items to resist the Black Storm."

Xiao Yan nodded heavily. He understood that in the Black-Corner Region, any adventure had to be thoroughly prepared, otherwise, it was just suicide.

He took a few Medicinal Pills to restore his Dou Qi, began to meditate, digest the insights from the recent battle, and simultaneously planned his trip to Black Storm Canyon.

The path to becoming stronger was fraught with thorns; only a will forged in blood and fire could break through and advance!

And in the shadows of the stone house, a pair of hidden eyes silently noted Xiao Yan's whereabouts, then quietly disappeared. The waters of the Black-Corner Region were far deeper and murkier than they appeared on the surface. Xiao Yan's arrival was like a stone thrown into these muddy waters, destined to stir up ripples.

At the same time, within Tagor Royal City, Li Ao slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his dark iron-colored pupils. The half-month deadline was fast approaching. Cloud Mist Sect, Hall of Souls... it was time to bring things to an end!

Storms were brewing simultaneously in both locations, awaiting the final moment of eruption!