The Black Emperor Pavilion, naturally, is exceptionally luxurious—designed to accommodate the powerful figures and leaders from the Black Corner Domain. When Xiao Yan and his two companions entered the vast main hall, which resembled a grand plaza, they couldn't help but marvel in quiet admiration. Indeed, the Black Emperor Sect's ambition was truly impressive. The hallmark of the Black Corner Domain is disorder—a fact that even within the Black Imperial Pavilion remains unrelenting. Given that this gathering brings together the majority of the Domain’s elite and powerhouses, tensions inevitably arise among these factions, each harboring mutual animosities. When they meet, conflict inevitably erupts. In the Black Corner Domain, the most effective way to resolve disputes is through direct, hands-on confrontation. Thus, within this vast hall, the crisp sound of metal clashing is frequently heard. Yet, while fighting occurs, these individuals clearly retain a measure of rationality, recognizing that this space belongs to its hosts. Minor skirmishes go unnoticed, but should a serious escalation occur—such as the demolition of a building—those hidden Black Imperial Sect masters would have to intervene immediately. Xiao Yan and his two companions stood at the grand entrance, gazing at the hall where fierce battles erupted from time to time, and listening to the crowd of onlookers erupting in cheers and applause. They couldn't help but shake their heads—this Black Angular Domain truly had no moment of peace. Not long after entering the Black Emperor's Pavilion, a graceful young maid with a refined appearance hurried over, bowed respectfully, checked their credentials, and then smiled warmly to inform them of their assigned accommodations. As the morning still held its early light, Xiao Yan did not feel the need to immediately return to his room, thus politely declining the maid's request to escort him back, sending her away instead. He then walked slowly with Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan, who was full of excitement from the lively atmosphere, toward the spacious hall. As they moved through the bustling hall, they found a table by the window and settled in. From this spot, they could clearly see the lush trees outside, and a gentle breeze blew in, softening the surrounding noise that had previously been so lively. Just as they had taken their seats, a maid arrived with great courtesy to serve them tea—such a thoughtful and impeccable reception, it was clear that the Black Emperor Sect had truly made every effort to welcome these powerful guests from all corners of the Black Corner Region. Xiao Yan sat in his chair, holding his teacup, yet his mind continuously recalled the gray-robed figure he had seen earlier. Due to the gray robe concealing his features, he could not see a single detail of the man's appearance. As for the subtle, almost imperceptible sense of familiarity he felt—this could only be attributed to his sharp spiritual perception. "That figure earlier had an unusual aura. Though he seemed quite weak, upon close attention, one could detect a distinct, uncommon resonance within him. This sensation had never before occurred to me. Nevertheless, I am certain that the gray-robed man is no ordinary figure—far from being merely what he appears to be." Observing Xiao Yan's slightly furrowed brow and thoughtful expression, Xiao Yixian seemed to intuit his thoughts and spoke softly. Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He too could sense that the gray-robed man was somewhat unusual, yet after careful consideration, he still couldn't recall among the people he had met anyone who evoked both a sense of unfamiliarity and familiarity at the same time. Moreover, under his soul perception scan, he found it difficult to detect the strength of the man's soul—something akin to a hazy veil obscuring and enveloping it. After prolonged contemplation, still without a clear answer, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly and murmured to himself, "Perhaps I've simply misjudged it." After offering himself such reassurance, he set the matter aside, returned his focus, and engaged in cheerful conversation with Xiao Yixian, while simultaneously paying close attention to the bustling hall. Though the hall was crowded and noisy, it was precisely here that he could gather the information he needed. And after listening intently for half an hour, Xiao Yan indeed picked up quite a few details. Among the numerous major powers attending the auction, besides the Mo Yan Valley, there were also several other established forces from Black Angle Domain, and even some powers from outside Black Angle Domain had received word of the event and dispatched strong contenders to Black Emperor City. During this period of attentive listening, Xiao Yan heard the name of a particularly familiar force—the Xiao Clan. At first, despite his composed demeanor, he was momentarily stunned, then offered a slight smile of surprise. He hadn’t expected that the force he had casually founded years ago, now bolstered by his second brother’s development and the support of Cana College, had earned the status of one of the top-tier powers in Black Angle Domain and thus qualified to participate in such a grand auction. "If the Xiao Clan is also joining this auction, they must be residing in the Black Emperor Mansion." Xiao Yan murmured to himself, yet he didn't immediately set out to seek something. With so many powerful figures gathered within the Black Emperor's City, although the Xiao Sect had developed rapidly, its foundational strength still paled compared to the established factions. Therefore, maintaining a more modest presence was beneficial. By staying in the background, Xiao Yan could serve as an unexpected asset should the Xiao Sect face unforeseen difficulties. As he inquired, he frequently heard about the so-called Bodhi Body-Saliva. It seemed the Black Emperor Sect had invested heavily in promoting this item—almost everyone except a few, like Xiao Yan himself, were familiar with it. This Bodhi Body-Saliva would undoubtedly be one of the most prized treasures unveiled during the upcoming grand auction. When speaking of this Bodhi Body Saliva, most people's words are filled with enthusiasm. Even if one doesn't mention the celestial and terrestrial spiritual essence of the Bodhi Mind behind it, the Bodhi Body Saliva alone is enough to make many people envious. After all, anyone who consumes it gains improved physical health—a benefit that holds significant appeal for nearly everyone, since no one truly believes their body is already strong enough to require no further enhancement. "It seems we've been rather slow to realize it," Xiang Yan sighed, with a sense of resignation, as he slowly regained his composure. "For so long, we've been searching tirelessly across the vast journey between the Chuyun Empire and the HeiJiao Domain—spending half a year on this very quest—yet still found nothing. Here, however, nearly every person knows what Bodhi Body Saliva is." Hearing this, the young physician also smiled slightly and said, "There are still three days until the auction begins. In those three days, I'm certain more factions and powerful individuals will keep arriving. Indeed, Blackhorn Domain is no match for Yun or Jiaema Empires—just the sheer number of these powerful figures speaks volumes." Xiao Yan nodded. Being close to the heart of the Continent, Blackhorn Domain also benefits from a unique atmosphere that draws countless black substances. Items that struggle to be sold or exchanged elsewhere can almost always be successfully converted here. Under such favorable conditions, Blackhorn Domain naturally far surpasses the more remote Yun and Jiaema Empires. "Then let's go. It's getting late. We should rest overnight. Tomorrow, I need to prepare some impressive pills to present at the auction—otherwise, what will I have to offer the other bidders?" Glancing out at the sky, Xiao Yan gently set down his teacup and smiled warmly at the two of them. "Yes." The young physician nodded slightly. The three of them rose from their seats, only to find themselves suddenly confronted by a commotion in the hall beyond. A large group of men, their faces stern and their demeanor impatient, were now advancing toward them with growing intensity. These imposing, fierce men naturally drew the attention of many in the hall, and soon a series of exclamations echoed through the room. "Hey, it's those奎狼帮 guys—always demanding money and never showing mercy!" "Huh, didn't expect even奎刹 himself to have come all the way to Black Emperor City. I heard he recently defeated a one-star Duke Emperor just a short while ago." "The entire奎狼帮 is made up of weaklings—somehow, this young man must have offended them. Today, he's going to have a tough time." "Little bastard! At the city gate, did you kill my Kuilang帮 people?"