Lying flat in the grass, the surrounding winds howled loudly. In the darkness, Xiao Yan dared not move an inch, fearing that some mysterious presence hidden within the dark might suddenly surge and strike. Without time perception in the darkness, Xiao Yan felt a faint sense of growing restlessness when the first beam of weak sunlight suddenly pierced through. The scene was as if a perfectly sealed egg had been gently cracked, and the warm light dispelled the darkness within. Following the arrival of the first ray, one after another beams of sunlight poured in, and the roaring winds gradually softened, eventually fading away entirely. Gazing at the now slightly brightening sky, Xiao Yan finally exhaled, easing his tension. He carefully rose to his feet, scanned the surroundings, and then spotted the merchant caravan already in motion several hundred meters away. He immediately began to move swiftly, heading toward it. As Xiao Yan was approaching the caravan, he spotted Domah's cheerful, round face. "Mr. Yao Yan, are you all right? I was quite worried when I couldn't find you earlier." Domah hurried forward, exhaling in relief. "I'm fine—just accidentally lost a bit of ground on the way." Seeing Domah's evident excitement, Xiao Yan nodded gently. Though this stout man had become anxious precisely because of Xiao Yan's strength, he still seemed relatively normal compared to some people in Black Angle. "You lost ground? That's quite fortunate for Mr. Yao Yan. If it had been someone less fortunate, they'd surely have gotten lost in the vast plain." Hearing this, Domah smiled with relief and said, "Mr. Yao Yan, please take a seat in the carriage. I'll gather up the scattered goods and then continue on our journey." Nodding, Xiao Yan watched the caravan beginning to pack up its belongings, said nothing further, and once again slipped into the carriage, settling into a meditative posture. Yet, he exhaled deeply, his eyes lowered, still carrying a trace of astonishment. In a soft murmur, he thought, "That's indeed the strength of the 'Spirit Palace'? Truly formidable." "Hmm... However, it's not exactly as you might imagine. I mentioned before that the 'Spirit Palace' has specific techniques tailored to counter soul-bodied beings. Moreover, soul-bodied beings cannot utilize qi at all. Those with unusual flames, especially those that have refined them into their life essence, fare better. When I first encountered the 'Spirit Palace' forces, it was precisely thanks to my Bone-Spirit Cold Flame that I managed to escape safely. Otherwise, my fate would have been no different from the one you just witnessed." The elder's voice rose gently. "Their attack methods... I feel they seem... to have moved beyond the realms of combat techniques and qi?" "Recalling that strange black chain, Xiao Yan slightly hesitated, for he also knew that while spirit bodies couldn't utilize qi, their exposure to qi damage was likewise reduced. Yet earlier, when he saw the chain wrap around the red spirit body, the reaction had been as if intense heat met ice—so vivid and striking it was astonishing. "Yes, when I first interacted with them, I had a similar sensation, though I never had the chance to explore it deeply. Now that I think about it, their attack methods truly differ from ordinary beings. I believe this is precisely why spirit bodies remain so helpless, like infants, in their hands," the Elder of the Medicine Sect mused. "But now, you needn't worry about this. As long as I remain out of sight, they should be unable to locate us within the short term. All you need to do is gradually strengthen your capabilities whenever they detect us!" Otherwise, the person we met earlier serves as a cautionary tale." The herbal elder spoke seriously. "Hm." After this unexpected encounter during the black storm, Xiao Yan felt the sense of urgency even stronger, and he was also growing increasingly concerned about those strange attack methods—after all, the unknown was always the most frightening. "However, we might be able to stay in Blackmark City for one day. Their auction should have what you need. The auctions in Blackangle Domain are no match for those in the Jima Empire. It would certainly be a refreshing experience. Though, have you brought enough money? In Blackangle Domain, without funds, one simply cannot move forward." The herbal elder smiled. "Uh... I think I still have around fifteen thousand gold coins. These come from the profits I earned selling healing medicines in Wutan City." Xiao Yan paused, then said. "Ten or twenty thousand..." the old pharmacist sighed, helplessly saying, "That should just be enough to keep you alive in Black Corner Domain. But if you want to auction off anything, well, that's out of the question." With a slightly embarrassed nod, Xiao Yan chuckled, "If I really have to, I'll sell some herbs and refine pills to auction—never have I heard of a pharmacist running out of money!" "You could also consider auctioning some companion amethyst crystals or those earth-fire lotus seeds. In Black Corner Domain, these would certainly generate some buzz. I'm sure countless strong practitioners specializing in fire-based cultivation techniques would be eager to secure them." The old pharmacist smiled. "Impossible! Those companion amethyst crystals are the very favorite food of the Sky-Devouring Python. Without them, what if the little creature grows restless? What then? And as for the earth-fire lotus seeds—there are only eleven, and I've already consumed one myself. I still feel they're not enough, let alone selling them off for auction?" With a roll of his eyes, Xiao Yan muttered. "Let's go with the pill-brewing auction after all. At least now, I can produce fourth-rank pills—fourth-rank pill-brewers, I'm sure, won't be as common as cabbage in the Black Angular Domain." Xiao Yan said with a slight frown. "Cabbage? That's a clever thought of yours. With your status as a fourth-rank pill-brewer, you'd be treated as a guest of honor wherever you join a faction, and your status would never fall below that of a Battle King." The Elder of Medicine chuckled. "Heh, that's good then." Smiling softly, Xiao Yan listened to the footsteps outside the carriage and, upon hearing them, ceased his conversation with the Elder, closing his eyes and gazing downward, as if meditating like an old monk. … Since that black storm, the caravan from Domah had never faced any further troubles. By noon the following day, greenery began to emerge along the edge of the monotonous black plain. The seasoned guards, upon seeing these scattered patches of green, could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. Once they passed beyond this vast plain, they would be much safer. Most cities today were dominated by powerful factions; as long as they paid these factions adequately, their goods would not be looted and their entire caravan slaughtered—such a wasteful, drastic measure these factions would surely not undertake. Of course, things were not entirely certain, otherwise the Black Corner Region would not live up to its reputation as one of the most turbulent areas. Inside the carriage, Xiao Yan lifted the curtain and gazed at the caravan slowly emerging from the black plain, feeling a sense of relief himself. "Hehe, this time we're lucky—no encounter with those brutal black bandits. My cargo is safe, and thankfully, there's been no serious casualties. That means we'll save quite a bit on compensation." Domar's plump face broke into several relieved smiles. Transporting goods across the Black Domain Plain is nearly like hanging one's head from one's waist—any misstep and one's life is at risk. After all, making a profit in the Black Angle Region isn't easy. "By the way, Doctor Yao, here's your payment. Though it falls short of what a Grand Combatant of your rank would typically earn..." Domar produced a pouch of gold coins from his coat and handed it to Xiao Yan, offering a wry smile. "Without Mr. Domar's guidance, I'd have struggled even after ten days to leave the Black Domain Plain. This sum should be more than sufficient." Xiao Yan didn't hesitate to accept the payment, took the coins, and weighed them—seeming to judge the amount, which appeared to be around five thousand gold coins. "Thank you, Doctor Yao." Domar nodded his thanks and, at the same time, passed over the finely rolled map in his arms, speaking softly, "I believe, for newcomers entering the Black Corner Domain, this is truly the most precious thing." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded slowly, without hesitation. "Heh, Mr. Yao Yan, I notice you're not that much older, yet your strength is so formidable—your cultivation potential must be outstanding. However, as you move through the Black Corner Domain, you'll need to remain vigilant. Don't let people easily detect that you're a newcomer; otherwise, you'll encounter numerous unnecessary complications." Domar smiled lightly. "Thank you." "... After exiting the Black Domain Plain, the caravan gradually slowed down. After another nearly two hours of winding mountain roads, they finally reached a mountain ridge in the late afternoon. At the foot of the ridge, a vast city composed of towering black stones emerged, its outline faint and indistinct. Dense clusters of small black dots—like ants—could be seen gathering at the city's four gates, flowing steadily into the city's immense dark mouth. Standing on the carriage, Doma gazed at the city below the mountain and smiled at Xiao Yan beside him. "Earth-tier Technique..." Hearing this rank, Xiao Yan couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. Indeed, no surprise—this was the very place where the continent's rare treasures were traded and sold, and techniques of this caliber were practically unheard of in the Gamma Empire. "Let's go," Doma waved his hand, and the carriage roared forward, stirring a trail of yellow dust as it sped toward the vast city at the mountain's base. "I hope it doesn't disappoint me..." Xiao Yan murmured softly, watching the city grow larger in his sight, a touch of curiosity and anticipation stirring within him.