29: Xiaoyan and the Secret of Black Horn Region

The young boy remained unconscious for a full day and night. During this time, Xiao Chen, apart from necessary rest and cultivation, spent most of his time by the bed, using his soul power to warm his body and regularly feeding him some diluted qi recovery powder solution.

Under the nourishment of the refined soul power from the Spirit Nurturing Art, the young boy's vitality finally stabilized, no longer as weak as before.

On the evening of the second day, as Xiao Chen once again channeled a gentle wisp of soul power into the young boy's body, the boy's eyelids trembled slightly, and a faint groan escaped his throat.

"You're awake?" Xiao Chen's heart stirred with joy as he asked softly.

The young boy slowly opened his eyes. They were exceptionally clear, yet held a hint of wildness and wariness, with two faint sparks of fire flickering deep within his pupils. He looked around blankly, his gaze finally settling on Xiao Chen, mixed with confusion and caution.

"Who are you? Where is this?" The young boy's voice was hoarse and dry, but his tone possessed a composure unsuited for his age.

"My name is Xiao Chen. This is Black Flame City, the Mittel Auction House. You were injured, so I brought you back." Xiao Chen tried to make his tone as gentle as possible, "How are you feeling?"

The young boy struggled to sit up, but the movement aggravated his wound, making him gasp in pain. Xiao Chen quickly supported him, placing a pillow behind his back.

"Thank you for saving me," the young boy whispered his thanks, but the wariness in his eyes did not lessen. He subconsciously touched his chest, as if checking if something was still there.

"It was nothing," Xiao Chen smiled, offering a cup of warm water, "What's your name? And how did you get involved with the Blood Wolf Gang?"

The young boy took the cup, drank a few sips, and after a moment of silence, whispered, "My name is... Xiao Yan. I didn't steal their things; they tried to snatch something from me."

"Xiao Yan?" Xiao Chen's heart stirred. This name seemed to perfectly match the fire-attribute energy within his body. He asked nonchalantly, "What did they try to snatch from you?"

Xiao Yan looked up, his clear eyes meeting Xiao Chen's, as if trying to discern something from Xiao Chen's face. He hesitated before saying, "A... stone. A very ordinary stone."

Xiao Chen knew he was lying. Something that could cause such a commotion with the Blood Wolf Gang, even attracting the attention of the City Lord's Mansion, could never be an ordinary stone. But he didn't expose him; everyone had their secrets.

"I see." Xiao Chen nodded, changing the subject, "Your injuries haven't healed yet; you need to rest. It's safe here, so you can stay without worry."

Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Chen, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He could feel that this young man, not much older than himself, seemed to harbor no ill will, and... he possessed a very special aura that made him feel comfortable.

"Thank you," Xiao Yan thanked him again, his tone more sincere, "I will repay your kindness."

"No need to be polite," Xiao Chen waved his hand, "You should rest well first. I'll go get you something to eat."

Over the next few days, under Xiao Chen's meticulous care, Xiao Yan's injuries recovered quickly. He seemed to possess a self-healing ability far beyond ordinary people. The two also gradually became familiar with each other.

Xiao Chen discovered that although Xiao Yan was young, he was meticulous and highly vigilant, and seemed to have a deep understanding of the Black-Corner Region's situation. He never proactively mentioned his origins or that "stone," but whenever Xiao Chen asked about the customs, local conditions, or power distribution of the Black-Corner Region, he could explain it clearly and logically.

"In the Black-Corner Region, there is no law, only strength. The three great empires have no control here. The largest forces are the 'Black Emperor Sect,' 'Demon Flame Valley,' and 'Mad Lion Gang.' Black Flame City is considered a relatively orderly city on the outskirts of the Black-Corner Region because it has the City Lord's Mansion and several major merchant associations, but the hidden struggles never stop..."

"The Blood Wolf Gang is just a third-rate gang in Black Flame City, and it seems to have the shadow of the 'Mad Lion Gang' behind it..."

"Recently, the Black-Corner Region has been restless. I heard that a rare treasure has appeared near the 'Demon Flame Valley,' attracting many powerful experts, and even people from the three great empires have come..."

From Xiao Yan's narration, Xiao Chen's understanding of the Black-Corner Region rapidly deepened. He keenly caught several key pieces of information: Demon Flame Valley, the appearance of a rare treasure, and people from the three great empires!

Demon Flame Valley! This was exactly where the second incomplete diagram in his possession pointed! And the appearance of a rare treasure... could it be related to the Illusory Spirit Realm? The involvement of people from the three great empires indicated that the matter was definitely not simple!

"Xiao Yan, how much do you know about Demon Flame Valley?" Xiao Chen asked, feigning a casual tone.

Xiao Yan, who was gnawing on a piece of roasted meat, paused at the question, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise in his eyes, and vaguely said, "Demon Flame Valley? That's one of the most dangerous places in the Black-Corner Region. It's said to have terrifying flame demonic beasts inside, and many natural fire poison traps. Ordinary people who go in are just asking for death."

He paused, then looked at Xiao Chen: "Big Brother Xiao, why are you asking about this? You're not thinking of going to Demon Flame Valley, are you? It's too dangerous!"

Xiao Chen smiled: "Just curious. With my strength, how could I dare to go to such a place."

Xiao Yan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but a hint of worry was hidden deep in his eyes.

That night, as Xiao Chen was cultivating the Spirit Nurturing Art, he suddenly felt a faint energy fluctuation coming from the adjacent room. His heart stirred, and he quietly released his soul perception.

He saw Xiao Yan sitting cross-legged on the bed, his hands forming a peculiar seal, and the faint red flame mark on his brow glowed slightly. The thin fire-attribute energy in the air was slowly gathering towards him. He seemed to be trying to cultivate some kind of cultivation technique, but his aura was very weak and extremely unstable, clearly severely restricted by the seal within his body.

Xiao Chen did not disturb him, silently retracting his perception. He became even more certain that Xiao Yan's identity was far from simple, and he was very likely connected to a Heavenly Flame or a powerful fire-attribute faction.

A few more days passed, and Xiao Yan's injuries had basically healed. That day, he found Xiao Chen, his expression solemn.

"Big Brother Xiao, my injuries have healed. Thank you for your care these past few days; it's time for me to leave."

Xiao Chen was not surprised. A young boy like Xiao Yan couldn't stay here forever. He asked, "Where are you going? Do you have a place to go?"

Xiao Yan shook his head, his eyes firm: "I'm going to a place to retrieve what belongs to me. As for where... I can't say."

Xiao Chen pondered for a moment, then took out a money bag and several bottles of pills (power storing pill and qi recovery powder) from his 懷, handing them to Xiao Yan: "Take these; you'll need them on the road. The Black-Corner Region is dangerous, so be careful."

Xiao Yan looked at the money bag and pills, his eyes slightly red. He bit his lip, did not refuse, and took the items, bowing deeply to Xiao Chen: "Big Brother Xiao, Xiao Yan will never forget your kindness! If there's an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay you handsomely!"

With that, he turned and left without any hesitation.

Xiao Chen stood at the doorway, watching Xiao Yan's slender figure disappear into the dim streets of Black Flame City, a hint of emotion in his heart. This mysterious young boy, like a stone thrown into a lake, had created a ripple in his calm (relatively) life, and then left in a hurry.

He didn't know what Xiao Yan's future held, but he had a premonition that they would meet again.

After seeing Xiao Yan off, Xiao Chen's life returned to normal. He went to the market to scout for treasures during the day and cultivated and refined pills at night. The resources in Black Flame City were indeed abundant; he successively found some ores and medicinal herbs containing good energy, and his energy pool slowly grew to [400 / 10000].

At the same time, he also began to consciously inquire about news regarding Demon Flame Valley and the "appearance of a rare treasure." Sure enough, various rumors circulated in the market: some said an ancient ruin had appeared in Demon Flame Valley, some said a high-level demonic beast had fallen and left behind a treasure, and even more, it was rumored that a new Heavenly Flame had been born!

The truth of these various pieces of news was hard to distinguish, but what was certain was that Demon Flame Valley had indeed attracted a large number of powerful experts recently, and the atmosphere in Black Flame City was becoming increasingly tense. One could often see powerful-looking, hurried outsiders.

"It seems I must go to Demon Flame Valley as soon as possible." Xiao Chen made up his mind. The clues to the Illusory Spirit Realm and the news of the Heavenly Flame all pointed there; he couldn't miss it.

But Demon Flame Valley was fraught with danger. With his current strength, going rashly would be courting death. He needed greater strength, and he also needed some helpers or... special preparations.

"Perhaps it's time to pay a visit to Captain Mo Chen." Xiao Chen thought of the stern young man who had helped him out that day. People from the City Lord's Mansion should be better informed; perhaps he could get some useful information from him.

Just as Xiao Chen was planning his next move, the manager of the Mittel Auction House brought an unexpected piece of news.

"Young Master Xiao Chen, Miss Ya Fei has sent a secret letter." The manager handed over a sealed scroll.

Xiao Chen took the scroll, opened it, and found only a short sentence inside:

"The time is ripe. Three days from now, when the 'Black Storm' rises, meet at the 'Withered Bone Inn' in the west of the city."

Ya Fei was finally going to act! And the meeting place was chosen in the chaotic west of the city?

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed. He knew that the real test was about to begin. He was about to personally wade into the troubled waters of Black Flame City!