Chapter 87: The Hidden Treasure in the Black-Corner Region

When Lin Ran finished his cultivation, Lü Yi returned to their residence with Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin in tow.

The two girls looked a little pale, but the flush on their faces and the excitement in their eyes made them seem like they had just committed mischief and gotten away with it.

"Young Master, look!"

Seeing Lin Ran emerge, Xiao Yixian giggled and, as if presenting a treasure, took out a jade box from her storage ring.

As soon as the box was opened, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the room. A greenish-blue pill lay quietly within.

"Wind Movement Pill?"

Lin Ran was a bit surprised.

This Wind Movement Pill was a tier-five pill that could greatly boost one's speed for a short period. However, due to its time-limited effects and certain side effects, it was considered low-tier among tier-five pills and not very cost-effective.

How had these girls gotten their hands on such a pill?

He had given out plenty of combat-enhancing pills—speed boosters, strength amplifiers, even Dou Qi enhancers.

Both Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin had complete sets. Compared to those, this Wind Movement Pill was hardly noteworthy.

"They didn't buy it, sir."

Sensing Lin Ran's strange look, Lü Yi chuckled and explained, "They... snatched it. Ahem. I mean, it's their spoils of war."

Oh?

They'd only just arrived and were already pulling off robberies? Not bad. Quick learners indeed!

Seeing Lin Ran's amused expression, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin exchanged a glance, then gave awkward but polite smiles. Lin Ran couldn't help but laugh.

"Well done. In the Black-Corner Region, sometimes that's exactly what you have to do to survive."

"I trust you didn't leave any loose ends."

"Two attendants noticed something early on and fled, but I've taken care of them," Lü Yi replied softly.

Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin were momentarily stunned. Their expressions turned grim.

They understood Lin Ran's meaning all too well.

Without Lü Yi's intervention, those two attendants could've caused a great deal of trouble.

"Apologies, Young Master... Lü Yi-jie..."

Qing Lin lowered her head. "I thought using my Jade Snake Three Flower Pupils to control those with Dou Qi would be enough. I was careless."

"Me too. I didn't block off all possible escape routes," Xiao Yixian said, lowering her head as well.

They had expected a perfect hunt, only to nearly mess things up. Their pride turned to embarrassment.

They had come to claim credit, not get lectured.

"You've only just arrived in the Black-Corner Region and don't understand how things work here yet."

Lin Ran spoke calmly. "Here, the most inconspicuous people are often the most dangerous—the doormen, the carriage drivers, even street vendors. They're the most troublesome individuals in this city."

"Leaking information, exposing identities, poisoning... these underhanded tricks are the true killers."

"Still, you did well for your first time. Have Lü Yi take you around more. You'll learn quickly."

"Yes, Young Master."

Xiao Yixian withdrew the Wind Movement Pill reluctantly, and Lin Ran turned to Lü Yi.

She understood immediately and took out a roster from her storage ring.

"Since the last auction ended not long ago, the next one will be in about two weeks. This is a list of currently registered auction items, including some rare treasures from major forces. Please take a look."

"Mm."

Lin Ran took the list and examined it.

He had to admit, Black Seal City lived up to its name as one of the top cities in the Black-Corner Region. Even an ordinary auction here was leagues above what he'd seen in Black Rock City.

Though this was just the preliminary list, it already included many herbs, pills, weapons, and even Dou Techniques. While the levels weren't high, in a backward place like the Jia Ma Empire, these items were priceless.

Unfortunately, none of them were what Lin Ran needed.

He flipped through the list casually, not overly concerned.

With a Dou Venerate's storage ring now in his possession, his needs had significantly decreased. Not to mention he had a beautiful serpent woman gathering magic beast blood for him.

Of course, if more materials came his way, he'd gladly accept.

"Lü Yi, what's the usual grade for Black Seal auctions?"

Lin Ran's eyes lit up suddenly, and he asked with a slight smile.

Lü Yi was momentarily stunned before answering, "Black Seal auctions are among the top-tier in the Black-Corner Region. Regular auctions feature mostly tier-four and tier-five pills and Profound-level techniques."

"If a particularly rare treasure appears, Black Seal City will announce it ahead of time to stir interest and give potential buyers time to prepare funds. But such high-level auctions haven't happened for a while."

"I see."

Lin Ran understood and asked again, "What's the current power landscape in the Black-Corner Region?"

"Power?"

After some thought, Lü Yi responded seriously, "The Black-Corner Region has been carved up by various major forces. Aside from the special case of Jia Nan Academy, there are Blood Sect, Yin Ghost Sect, Mad Lion Gang, Rakshasa Gate, Earth Flame Sect, Eight-Gate Hall, Black Sovereign Sect, Demon Flame Valley... and not to forget the Medicine Emperor's Maple City."

"These sects have many Dou Huang experts. Some even have peak Dou Huang powerhouses like the Gold and Silver Brothers, who, when working together, can battle Dou Zong experts."

"Of course, the Black-Corner Region's true strength lies deeper. It's said that the founders of many sects haven't died. Their strength is at least Dou Zong level, and they've been cultivating for years—immensely powerful."

"Hiss..."

Lü Yi's words made Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin inhale sharply.

They looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

So many powerful experts, such a chaotic situation.

No wonder the Black-Corner Region was the most lawless and chaotic area in the Northwestern Continent.

Which empire nearby would dare to interfere? And which one could?

"A bunch of trash. Nothing to worry about. But the treasures hidden in this region are plenty."

Lin Ran chuckled and began recalling the treasures that had appeared in the original story.

Tier-seven pills like Yin Yang Dragon Pill, Rebirth Pill...

Earth-rank Dou Techniques like Three Thousand Thunder Movement, Six Harmonies Body Technique, Shadow Skill, Flame Manipulation Art, Soul Fusion Method...

Even the corpse of the Sky Demon Phoenix, Bodhi Form Transformation Saliva, and fragments of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame map—all treasures that would tempt even a Dou Venerate!

Unfortunately...

These treasures were all extremely well-hidden.

In the original story, even the auctions that sold them didn't disclose the sellers' identities. Lin Ran had to give up on any idea of tracking them down to steal directly.

If he startled the snake and scared off the big fish, the loss would be too great.

But just because they were hidden didn't mean they couldn't be lured out.

"Since Black Seal hasn't had any high-profile auctions lately, I'll give them one."

Lin Ran smirked, took out a golden-patterned token from his storage ring, and tossed it to Lü Yi.

The token glowed with six dazzling golden ripples—it was the Pill Tower's certification for a tier-six alchemist!

"Go to Eight-Gate Hall and speak to Yuan Yi. Then spread the word."

"At the next auction, several Mighty Huang Pills and Breaking Calamity Pills will be up for sale. There may even be a tier-seven pill. Tell those trash to get their wealth ready—it's time to bleed them dry!"

"What?!"

Mighty Huang Pills, Breaking Calamity Pills, and even a tier-seven pill?!

Lü Yi was shaken. Even in the Black-Corner Region, these pills were extremely rare. And Lin Ran was planning to throw them all out at once?

Was his background truly that deep?

But then she remembered: both she and Bai Ya had each received one of those pills before.

Not long ago, in the Tager Desert, Lin Ran had even refined a tier-seven pill and gifted it to Queen Medusa—Lü Yi had seen it herself.

Pills that others considered priceless were casually handed out by him.

Her master's foundations had long surpassed her imagination.

"Yes, Young Master."

With newfound reverence, Lü Yi carefully stored the token, bowed respectfully, and retreated.

Inside the room, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin blinked at Lin Ran. Their dazed expressions were so adorable that Lin Ran couldn't help but chuckle and swat their backsides.

"What are you staring at? Go cultivate. I'm about to refine pills."

"If Lü Yi hadn't been there today, you two would've been in big trouble. Go reflect and train."

"Yes, Young Master."

Qing Lin's face turned crimson as she hurried out of the room.

Xiao Yixian, bold as ever, let out a playful sound and even rubbed against Lin Ran's palm with a mischievous smile. Lin Ran's mouth twitched.

This little rascal was getting bolder. If he lost control, things could really go sideways.

Even Yun Yun and Medusa couldn't handle his passion.

With her current strength as only a high-ranking Dou Shi, Xiao Yixian would be utterly overwhelmed if he went all out.

After kicking the cheeky girl out, Lin Ran sat cross-legged once again.

But this time, he didn't continue studying the Imperial Seal Art or Great Annihilation Technique. Instead, he waved his hand, taking out dozens of jade boxes from his storage ring.

Each box exuded a rich medicinal aroma—clearly not ordinary herbs.

These were medicinal ingredients!

They had been the old man's private stash. His ring didn't contain many high-tier pills, but he had a good collection of rare ingredients.

Most of them were for refining Mighty Huang Pills, Breaking Calamity Pills, and other pills used by Dou Huang-level experts—clearly prepared for his clan's younger generation.

But now, they had fallen into Lin Ran's hands.

This was why he had told Lü Yi to prepare for the auction with those pills.

Yes—Lin Ran was going to refine them on the spot!

His resources were deep, but not infinite. The pills he had handed out and used were already running low. Refining a new batch would replenish his stock.

Better yet, it made full use of these ingredients.

Raw herbs, even rare ones, were still just raw materials. Their value was limited unless refined.

Unrefined herbs often couldn't be fully absorbed and might even contain toxic elements that harmed the user.

Besides, this would help warm up for refining the Heavenly Dragon Blood Pill.

"Let's start with the Breaking Calamity Pill."

Looking at the herbs before him, Lin Ran muttered, having made up his mind.

The ingredients for Mighty Huang and Breaking Calamity Pills overlapped a lot.

But compared to the peak tier-six Mighty Huang Pill, the high-tier tier-six Breaking Calamity Pill had more appeal in the Black-Corner Region.

There were many peak Dou Huang experts here, most of them aging and unable to break through to Dou Zong.

More importantly, they were usually sect leaders or elders—the wealthiest individuals in the region.

Everyone knew that advancing from Dou Huang to Dou Zong had a low success rate and carried great risk. A failed breakthrough could lead to internal injuries or even rank regression.

That was every Dou Huang's nightmare.

Even a slight setback could cost them years of cultivation.

For those who were already running out of time, the Breaking Calamity Pill was a last lifeline. Despite its 10% success rate, countless peak Dou Huangs had staked everything on it.

Plus, failing didn't cause rank regression, making it even more desirable.

Targeting the right customers was how one squeezed out the most profit.

Lin Ran's gaze swept across the snowy white jade boxes. He exhaled softly and calmed his mind.

With a flick of his finger, the massive Solar Cauldron appeared out of thin air, crashing to the ground with a low, resonant hum.

Lin Ran immersed his consciousness. He reviewed the Breaking Calamity Pill's refining process and key points one last time.

Then he opened his eyes, a blue flame flickering in the darkness. It surged into the Solar Cauldron.

Pill refinement began.

(End of Chapter)