After stepping out of Qiayao Fang, looking at the steady stream of people passing by the main street, Xiao Yan gently exhaled and then turned to smile at the young physician by his side. "It seems we didn't come empty-handed. I never thought we'd actually hear about the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva right here." The young physician smiled softly, her heart slightly stirred—among the three conditions required to control the厄难toxic body, the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva was the most difficult to find. Now that she had learned of it here, if she could secure it during this auction, she would be only a short step away from mastering the toxic body. "Still, securing the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva during this auction won't be an easy task," she mused, frowning slightly as she recalled what Master Yan had previously mentioned, and sighed. Though perhaps the single drop of Bodhi essence might not captivate many strong contenders or powers, the subsequent mysterious Bodhi Mind is enough to drive any individual mad. Thus, securing the Bodhi essence during this bustling auction, where so many powerful forces are present, would certainly not be an easy feat. "Let's do our best—should we fall short, we'll have to resort to some less visible actions," Xiao Yan said, spreading his hands with a calm smile. Back when he sought the fragmented map of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, he had quietly eliminated the Blood Sect's junior master, taking the treasure by force. In Black Corner Domain, such acts of covert killing to seize a prize are nearly commonplace. Xiao Yan knew well that in Black Emperor City, others harboring the same ambitions as himself would surely not be few. Therefore, even if someone successfully bids for the Bodhi essence, truly carrying it away without genuine skill and strength would prove exceedingly difficult. Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yixian also paused slightly, while Zi Yan looked thoroughly excited, clearly enthusiastic about such matters. "Of course," Xiao Yan smiled, then added thoughtfully, "this is the final measure we've employed. For now, we still need to follow the established procedures. Once we secure a place to settle, I'll have to prepare some high-level elixirs myself—otherwise, how could we compete in bidding during the auction? Based on my assessment, I believe Black Emperor Sect will likely not sell the so-called Bodhi Body-Saliva in gold coins. Instead, they probably intend to trade it for other valuable items, since such a rare item is simply too precious to be adequately measured in coin." "What's the point of all these formalities now? I promised you I would help you control the Eran Du Poison, and I will surely fulfill that promise." Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, then smiled warmly. The young physician gently bit her lower lip, nodded slightly, and remained silent, murmuring softly to herself, "I'll never forget this kindness. One day, we'll repay each other with life for life." Suppressing the thought that had just surfaced in her mind, the young physician smiled and glanced around the street, softly asking, "Then, where shall we go next?" "Let's first head to that so-called Hei Huang Pavilion. The Black Huang City is currently overflowing with people; we need to find a place to settle down before we can begin preparing the pills." Xiao Yan said after a moment's thought. "But aren't we going back to Hei Huang Pavilion? That old man was from the Black Huang Sect. Wouldn't it be awkward to go there?" The young physician hesitated. "Don't worry. With our current strength, as long as the Master of the Black Huang Sect isn't a fool, he won't come after us simply because of this small matter." Xiao Yan smiled calmly. Seeing that Xiao Yan was determined, the young physician merely nodded casually—she had only given a slight reminder. As for the so-called Black Emperor Sect, she didn’t feel particularly intimidated. As a Douzong-level master, she was well capable of making her way across the entire Continent of Qi; it would take more than just a Black Emperor Sect to make her feel truly uneasy. With the young physician showing no reservations, Xiao Yan casually asked a passerby for directions to the Black Emperor Pavilion and then led the two of them steadily toward the city center. When Xiao Yan and his two companions arrived at Hei Huang Pavilion, the area was already bustling with people. With their keen eyes, they immediately recognized that the individuals gathering there were all of considerable strength. "Indeed, this is a place specially designed to welcome the strong—those who can enter here are no ordinary people," Xiao Yan thought, his heart stirred as he scanned the figures passing by. Within this span of less than a hundred meters, he sensed two Dou Huang and seven Dou Wang-level warriors alone. Of course, there were also others with slightly weaker abilities, likely attendants of various faction leaders. A few hundred meters away from the Hei Huang Pavilion, a protective human wall had been established by Hei Huang Sect. In the open space between the wall, an elderly man dressed in blue robes stood smiling. This man appeared to hold a high position within the sect, and whenever visitors from various factions passed by, they would greet him warmly before entering. Xiao Yan and the other two followed a group of people, just as they were about to enter. At that moment, an elderly man in a blue robe stepped forward with a warm smile, his eyes sweeping over the three of them before he politely asked, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the reception area of He Huang Sect for honored guests. Do you have any credentials?" "Rock Xiao is merely an up-and-coming youngster, having only recently entered the Black Apex Region. I heard that the Black Emperor's City is hosting a grand auction, so I've come to see what's happening," said Xiao Yan, smiling slightly as if sensing the elder in blue robes' attentive gaze. "Ah, how could someone who holds the seal of my Black Emperor Sect be just an unknown name? That's quite a joke, Rock Xiao," chuckled Che Cheng. Naturally, he didn't believe Xiao Yan's words—at least, in his perception, the seemingly young man before him was at the very least a Duke-level cultivator, and as for the two women behind him, even with his keen eyes, he couldn't gauge their true strength. "Che Elder, may I enter?" With so many people passing through, Xiao Yan didn't wish to stay any longer. After a few polite exchanges, he smiled and asked. "Of course, Rock Xiao. Once you enter the Black Emperor's Hall, someone will guide you to your quarters!" Carry smiled and nodded, then leaned slightly to open a passage behind him. Xiao Yan smiled gently, took a step forward, and entered the hall, followed closely by Xiao Yi and Zi Yan. Just as the two had stepped inside, a sudden voice rang out from behind them. "Master Fangyan of Magu Flame Valley is here!" The unexpected announcement caused several people to pause, turning with a touch of surprise toward the distant group swiftly approaching. At the forefront of the crowd, an elderly man with simple attire and red hair strode confidently toward them, his movements steady and powerful. "I didn't expect the delegation from Magu Flame Valley to be led by such an old master as Fangyan." "Ah, I suppose they must be after the Bodhi Body Transformation as well. Otherwise, with Master Fangyan on the verge of reaching the Douzong level, he wouldn't have made such a long journey just to come here." "There seems to be quite a spectacle this time. Already, numerous top-tier factions have gathered within the Black Imperial City, and there are many powerful cultivators vying for that supposed Bodhi Body Essence. One can only wonder how many strong contenders will fall in this battle." As the red-haired elder came into view, murmurs of excitement rippled through the crowd surrounding Xiao Yan. "Is this indeed the delegation from the Magi-Flame Valley?" Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, a touch of astonishment flashing across his gaze. He could sense that the Grand Elder of Magi-Flame Valley had reached the pinnacle of the Battle Emperor rank, and even had a strong presence nearing the Battle Sovereign level—such prowess was comparable to that of Han Feng from years past. Shifting his gaze to the elders standing beside the red-haired figure, he noticed several older men with composed, detached expressions, all of whom were at the Battle Emperor level, no weaker than the fourth Elder Xiao Yan had defeated just a few days prior. "It's no wonder the Magi-Flame Valley can stand up to the Cane Academy—indeed, their strength is truly formidable." Observing the lineup of the Magi-Flame Valley, a look of surprise flickered across Xiao Yan's face as he murmured to himself. "That figure at the very end, dressed in gray robes, seems rather unusual," said the young physician suddenly, in a low voice, while Xiao Yan was still pondering. His gaze swept once more over the senior elder speaking warmly with the Black Emperor Sect's Car Elder, yet a coldness flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes before he turned and strode directly toward the Black Emperor Pavilion.