Chapter 171: Unification of the Black Horn Domain

“Gentlemen, I am but the leader of the Blood Sect, a subordinate faction of Dragon Gate. The true host of this gathering is our master, Lord Xiao Xie, the Gate Master of Dragon Gate,” Fan Lao said with a smile.

“I heard your Blood Sect and the likes of the Heavenly Wolf Sect suffered a great setback in the Inner Academy of Jia Nan. Is this true?” The burly middle-aged man sneered. His relationship with Fan Lao was far from cordial, so he reveled in the latter’s misfortune.

Fan Lao ignored the taunt and continued with a pleasant expression, “This time, our Gate Master, Lord Xiao Xie, intends to bring the three powers—Heavenly Yin Sect, Rakshasa Sect, and the Wild Lion Gang—under the banner of Dragon Gate.” With that, he bowed respectfully toward Xiao Xie.

Only then did the three leaders shift their gaze to the young man seated at the head of the hall.

“Fan Lao, you’re growing more foolish with age! Does this boy think he can subdue all three of our forces?” The burly man scoffed.

“What a handsome young gentleman!” The alluring, voluptuous woman teased coquettishly.

“Cackling, are you playing games with us, Fan Lao?” the gloomy elder said coldly.

“If you will not submit today, then you shall die.” Xiao Xie opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing forth. His words were as chilling as a winter wind, and as he spoke, a terrifying aura rippled outward.

The three leaders felt their hearts skip a beat under the oppressive force emanating from Xiao Xie. All three were of the Dou Emperor class, yet even at their level, they felt crushed. This could mean only one thing: the man before them was a true Dou Ancestor.

“I’ll give you ten breaths to decide. Refuse, and you will die,” Xiao Xie said blandly, the killing intent radiating from him leaving no doubt that he was deadly serious.

A silvery laugh broke the tension. “Since Master Xiao is willing to accept the Heavenly Yin Sect, how could Su Mei refuse?” The seductive Su Mei smiled, feeling the undisguised threat. Surrounded by the likes of Fan Lao, Tian Ji, and with a Dou Ancestor present, she knew that survival depended on submission.

“We of the Rakshasa Sect will also yield,” the black-robed elder known as Yin Bone declared, following Su Mei’s lead without hesitation.

“Since the two of them have already yielded, the Wild Lion Gang will henceforth follow Dragon Gate as well,” the burly Yan Shi said gruffly. Though he seemed simple, he was shrewd enough to recognize that resistance was futile now that the other two powers had surrendered.

“Very good. Release your souls and allow me to imprint my mark. From this moment, you belong to Dragon Gate,” Xiao Xie said coolly.

“This... yes!” The three leaders’ expressions changed at his words. But feeling the aura of death enveloping them, they knew any refusal would result in swift slaughter. They had no choice but to surrender and abandon all thought of resistance.

“It is done. Henceforth, you are members of Dragon Gate.” Xiao Xie, seeing their ashen faces, produced three pills and tossed them over. “Enough with the long faces—these are Supreme Emperor Pills, a reward for you.”

“Supreme Emperor Pills!” The three leaders caught the pills instinctively, their faces registering utter shock. Even Fan Lao and Tian Ji looked on with envy.

The Supreme Emperor Pill was a pinnacle sixth-tier elixir, famed for its ability to raise a Dou Emperor by one or two stars within a relatively short period. Moreover, its residual medicinal power could temper and strengthen the user’s body, not to a miraculous degree, but enough to enhance their combat ability.

It was one of the most sought-after pills among Dou Emperors. The temptation of a one- or two-star increase in strength was simply irresistible—at their level, years could pass without the slightest improvement, so such advancement was rare indeed.

Any pill that directly increased strength was always coveted above all.

Thus, the three leaders made no effort to hide their astonishment. They had certainly dreamed of obtaining such a pill, but in the Black-Corner Region, perhaps only Han Feng was capable of refining one, and their relations with him were poor. He would never go to such lengths for their sake.

For Xiao Xie suddenly to toss each of them a Supreme Emperor Pill seemed almost unreal. Treasuring the pills as if they were the rarest of treasures, each leader carefully stowed them away, then bowed deeply to Xiao Xie. “Many thanks, Gate Master!”

“No need for thanks. Now that you are part of Dragon Gate, such elixirs are within my means to bestow. Fan Lao, Tian Ji!” Xiao Xie waved his hand.

“Your subordinates are here!” Fan Lao and Tian Ji stepped forward respectfully, awaiting his orders.

“Take these two Supreme Emperor Pills. Your strength is still lacking—use them to improve. Also, I want you two, together with Ying Ning and the five great powers, to unify the entire Black-Corner Region.”

“As you command!”

“We will not fail you, Gate Master!”

Fan Lao and Tian Ji accepted the pills with reverence.

...

In the blink of an eye, three more months passed. With the combined might of the five great powers, Fan Lao’s Dou Ancestor-level Skeleton Knight among them, the unification of the Black-Corner Region proceeded smoothly. Dragon Gate became the dominant force, and all others pledged fealty. As for Jia Nan Academy, upon learning that Dragon Gate was Xiao Xie’s creation, they gave their full support.

During these three months, Xiao Xie used the Fallen Heart Flame and his skills in alchemy to help Qing Lin and the Little Medical Fairy cultivate, boosting their abilities without harming their potential. Qing Lin had reached the peak of nine-star Dou Practitioner, while the Little Medical Fairy had attained eight-star Dou King.

Xiao Xie’s own power had soared to three-star Dou Ancestor, putting enormous pressure on Qing Lin and the Little Medical Fairy. Both had thrown themselves into cultivation with renewed vigor.

Now, with Dragon Gate ruling over all, the Little Medical Fairy would never again lack for poison. She was experiencing a true surge in strength. Unlike Qing Lin, who was Xiao Xie’s personal maid and only needed to tend to his needs, the Little Medical Fairy was both confidante and comrade. Her pursuit of power far surpassed Qing Lin’s—she could not allow herself to become a burden to Xiao Xie.

“Qing Lin, the Little Medical Fairy is in seclusion. I am going to visit the Jia Ma Empire. Would you like to come with me?” Xiao Xie asked, gently ruffling her hair.

“Wherever you go, young master, Qing Lin will follow!” she replied with bright resolve.

“You’re the sweetest.” Xiao Xie grinned, taking her small hand in his right while his left formed a seal. He shouted, “Reverse Spirit Summoning Technique!”

...

Within the cave of the Amethyst Winged Lion King in the Magic Beast Mountain Range of the Jia Ma Empire, the great lion basked lazily in the sun. Since being subdued by Xiao Xie, it had been summoned only to ferry him about or parade through the city, never allowed to display its true might—a galling fate for such a proud beast.

But lately, Xiao Xie hadn’t summoned it at all, granting a rare period of peace. Alas, that tranquility was about to end.

With a bang, a massive spirit summoning seal appeared, centering on the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Suddenly, two figures materialized.

“Zi Yue, long time no see!” Qing Lin threw herself onto the great beast’s back, burying her face in its soft purple mane—her favorite comfort.

“Master!” The lion’s face took on an almost human look of resignation as Qing Lin hugged it. Upon seeing the other figure, it immediately bowed in deference. The beast was nearly terrified. Though it had known Xiao Xie’s cultivation would improve quickly, in just half a year he had already reached the Dou Ancestor realm. This was...