In the hall, when Xiao Yan and Xiao Li arrived, they found that several people were already present, including even Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan. Su Qian sat quietly in the hall, observing Xiao Yan and Xiao Li as they entered, and offered a gentle smile. A diligent maid, already on the alert, respectfully placed two empty chairs at the front. The two walked slowly through the hall and then, without hesitation, sat down directly on the chairs, smiling warmly at Su Qian. "Senior Elder, have you any news about Elder Yingshan?" Su Qian nodded slightly and spoke calmly, "According to the latest intelligence, Elder Yingshan has already left the city. What's strange, however, is that he didn't conceal his movements at all—instead, he went out through the East Gate, where our spies are most active. I suspect that several powerful factions within the Black Emperor City have already received word of his departure." Hearing this, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly. What exactly did Elder Yingshan intend to do? Faced with this watchful situation, still maintaining such a high profile, even as a Douzong-level powerhouse, he found it quite troublesome to handle the countless greedy figures pressing in like waves. "Is he merely a decoy? Not his true self?" Xiao Li also frowned. "Among the observers, there are several strong contenders, yet even they feel a sense of awe simply by seeing the silhouette of the Ersi Mountain elder. If he were a substitute, wouldn't the Ersi Mountain elder have to go out and find another Douzong-level master? If that were the case, he could simply ignore everyone and leave right away. In the Black Angle Domain, there aren't many who would dare to stand in his way—especially with two Douzong-level masters present." Su Qian shook his head. "Does he really intend to face down all these watchful powers and strong contenders alone?" Xiao Yan pressed, his brows furrowed. "Given the elder's historically fierce and aggressive nature, it's not entirely implausible." Yet, Su Qian hesitated slightly at Xiao Yan's seemingly casual remark. Hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but roll his eyes. If that were truly the case, wasn't it a bit too arrogant? With his keen judgment, he certainly knew that among the cultivators attending the auction hall, there were no fewer than several Dao Sect masters showing strong interest in the Bodhi Body Transformation. While he might have felt confident and unbothered against ordinary competitors, he surely wouldn't have ignored these peers of equal standing. "Has there been any development from the Magu Yan Valley?" Xiao Yan lightly tapped the table and suddenly asked. "They've also learned of the Elder from Yingshan's departure. Currently, they're trailing behind him at a distance, and from the way it looks, it seems they don't intend to strike immediately," Su Qian replied. Xiao Yan nodded slightly, paused in thought, then slowly stood up and said in a steady tone, "Then let us set out. Wandering around here making guesses will do no good. It's better to follow Elder Yingshan and see what plans he has in mind. After all, I believe that Elder Yingshan, being so cautious, would never hand over such a precious item—Bodhi's transformed essence—as he has strong confidence in his own strength." "Agreed." No one objected to Xiao Yan's suggestion. Under the instructions of Xiao Li and Su Qian, the elders of the Xiao Sect and the Gan Nan Academy began gathering their belongings, quietly leaving the grand courtyard and swiftly exiting Black Emperor City, following the path of Elder Yingshan. In a council chamber of the Hei Huang Sect, Mo Tianxing listened silently to the scout's report, his expression impassive. After a moment, he gave a slight nod and waved him away. "I didn't expect the Rock Hawk to have indeed mingled with those people from the Xiao Sect... This is going to be troublesome. Now, on their side, they'll have two Dou-Zong cultivators—two strong forces." Behind Mo Tianxing, Qi Shan watched the scout depart, frowning. "If the Rock Hawk hadn't been acquainted with them before, then it must be that the people from the Xiao Sect transferred the techniques and arts they acquired at the auction to the Rock Hawk, thus forging an alliance between the two parties." Mo Tianxing nodded slightly, his expression somewhat displeased. He had originally believed that after the incident at the auction hall, a rift had been established between Xiao Yan and the Xiao Sect—yet now, it seemed they had come together. "Then what do we do? With them now allied, their strength has grown significantly. The Break-Sect Pill will be out of reach." "Meanwhile, Mo Ya couldn't help but grow slightly anxious. The Break-Realm Pill—despite his efforts, even the Qi Mountain couldn't produce it. So unless he could secure the one in Xiao Yan's hands, he might have no idea when—or even if—he'd ever see it again." "What's there to be anxious about? They've already formed a partnership. Can you really go and break it up now? Two Realm Masters—though I wouldn't dare to touch them myself. For now, just stay quiet and patient. Clearly, they're aiming at the Elder of E Jing Mountain. But that old man isn't exactly easy to handle. Securing the Bodhi Transformation Saliva from him won't be a simple task," Mo Tianxing said, his expression growing stern. After being scolded so firmly, Mo Ya had no choice but to swallow his growing resentment and remained silent, somewhat disgruntled. "Master, I think Elder Eyang of the Eyang Mountain has been acting rather odd. Given his cautious nature, he wouldn't have come out of the city so openly. He must also be aware that there are numerous powerful figures waiting for him just outside the city gates." Qi Shan furrowed his brows, speaking hesitantly. "This old man is always cautious and cunning—naturally, he wouldn't do something so straightforward." Mo Tianxing's face broke into a strangely intense smile, and he spoke softly. "Right now, let the various factions fight it out with Elder Yingshan— the more lives lost, the better." Upon hearing this, Qi Shan and Mo Ya exchanged a glance, then smiled in agreement. "Ah, if it weren't for my Black Emperor Sect having studied this matter for so long and still failing to extract any trace of the Bodhi mind from the Bodhi-attaining saliva, I certainly wouldn't have brought it up for auction at all." Gazing steadily toward beyond the Black Emperor City, Mo Tianxing's brow furrowed slightly, his tone cold and composed. "Nevertheless, regardless of whether we succeed or not, what matters is that we hold onto it— whatever the Black Emperor Sect cannot secure, no one else will be able to." "...On a small hillock, Xiao Yan and his companions watched from above as the forest path stretched out below. At one end of the path, an elderly man with gray hair seemed completely unbothered by the eerie atmosphere, walking steadily and calmly. Behind him, far away, figures darted and moved swiftly, their eyes burning with hunger, fixed intently on the old man's back through the gaps in the trees. Though their inner desires burned with increasing intensity, in the presence of the elderly man's formidable power, no one dared to make a single move—only following. Yet, as their hunger grew, this simple act of following might soon be enough to shatter their resolve against the allure of the Bodhi Body Transformation. Beside Xiao Yan, both Xiao Yan and Su Qian also furrowed their brows, equally puzzled by the old man from Eyu Mountain's actions. By common sense, once such a precious treasure was obtained, one would naturally depart swiftly from this turbulent area. Yet this old man—instead—was staging such an unusual performance. Could it be that he truly intended to stand alone and confront these numerous black-angled domain elites? "Su Qian spoke softly. Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping back down the forest path, finally settling firmly on the figure of the E Eagle Mountain elder. For some reason, he always felt something was off—everyone said this elder was cautious and cunning, yet his current actions seemed utterly at odds with those four words. As Xiao Yan's thoughts were still turning, the group that had been quietly following the E Eagle Mountain elder from a distance suddenly stirred, growing restless. Noticing this commotion, Xiao Yan turned his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly, and murmured, "So it is finally time to act."