Valley. This mysterious and powerful force lies deep within the mountains of the Black Horn Territory's northern reaches.
This vast valley seems a work of nature, carved from the mountain peaks.
Surrounding it are deep black rocks, known as Ink Mace Stone, so hard that even Dou Wang-level warriors struggle to break them.
The rocks gleam with a metallic sheen, leading one to suspect that the mountain itself is a vast mineral vein.
The headquarters of the Demon Flame Valley lies within this vein, and its power is far beyond the imagination of the outside world.
While the masters of the Demon Flame Valley are not listed on the Black Horn Territory's blacklist, this does not mean they are inadequate.
On the contrary, their strength is so great that they disdain to even participate in the so-called "blacklist" dispute.
Both the Demon Flame Valley and the Black Emperor Sect are time-honored factions within the Black Horn Territory, backed by Dou Zong-level masters.
The Demon Flame Valley is even more powerful than the Black Emperor Sect. The Demon Flame Valley's master, known as the Earth Demon Old Ghost, is a seven-star Dou Zong-level warrior.
In comparison, the Black Emperor Sect's leader, Mo Tianxing, was only a four-star Dou Zong.
The Devil Flame Valley boasted not only formidable figures like the Earth Demon Old Ghost, but also three elders at the peak of the Dou Huang realm. The chief elder, one of whom had even reached the Half-Step Dou Zong realm, was poised for a breakthrough at any moment.
At the edge of the Devil Flame Valley, atop a towering stone pagoda, a figure stood quietly.
Xiao Ling, clad in a long black robe, the hem swaying gently in the breeze.
Under the moonlight, his face appeared exceptionally stern, his deep eyes seemingly reflecting the vastness of the universe.
Xiao Ling's purpose in coming to the Devil Flame Valley was naturally to obtain the method for refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet.
However, unlike his previous plan, this was not a military solution, but a negotiation with the Devil Flame Valley.
Initially, Xiao Ling's plan was to kill the Earth Demon Old Ghost directly and then seize the wealth accumulated by the Devil Flame Valley over the years.
This method was both quick and efficient, and the rewards were undoubtedly enormous. The wealth accumulated over the years by the Demon Flame Valley was a colossal sum, a sum that even a wealthy alchemist like Xiao Ling could not help but be tempted by.
Furthermore, Xiao Ling coveted the six-star Dou Zong body of the Earth Demon Old Ghost. If such materials could be refined into a Heavenly Demon Puppet, its combat power would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Of course, Xiao Ling would not act on his own on such a crucial matter. Before setting out, he naturally informed Great Elder Su Qian of the matter.
Upon learning of Xiao Ling's plan, Su Qian was shocked and could hardly believe his ears. Without even giving Xiao Ling a chance to explain, he flatly rejected the risky plan.
In Su Qian's opinion, while Xiao Ling's combat prowess was exceptional among his peers and even those of his elders, far surpassing the average three-star Dou Zong,
he still felt a significant gap in strength compared to the Earth Demon Old Ghost, a seasoned veteran who had already reached the seven-star Dou Zong realm.
The old demon was not only the master of the Demon Flame Valley, but also a legendary figure of the same generation as Canaan Academy's president, Mang Tianchi. His combat experience and tactics far surpassed even Xiao Ling's current capabilities.
Furthermore, the Demon Flame Valley was teeming with powerful warriors. Even without the presence of other Dou Zong-level warriors, the combined siege of the numerous Dou Wang and Dou Huang warriors alone would pose a significant threat and threatening threat to Xiao Ling.
Su Qian worried that if Xiao Ling acted rashly, not only would he fail to achieve his goal, but he would also risk his life.
In Su Qian's eyes, only Elder Qianbai and Elder Er possessed the ability to counter the Earth Demon Old Ghost within the Black Horn Region.
Without Elder Qianbai's intervention, even if Canaan Academy's strength grew thanks to Xiao Ling's elixirs, a confrontation with the Devil Flame Valley would inevitably result in severe damage.
Su Qian's concerns were not unfounded. After all, everyone believed that Xiao Ling currently lacked the ability to confront the Devil Flame Valley head-on.
Fearing that Xiao Ling might act impulsively and rashly, Su Qian even considered summoning several elders who had already reached the Dou Zong realm to confine Xiao Ling to the Canaan Academy's inner courtyard, preventing him from even leaving the academy.
Xiao Ling felt helpless about Su Qian's concerns. Although he had previously stated to Su Qian that he possessed unique means to single-handedly confront the powerful forces of the Devil Flame Valley, Great Elder Su Qian, regardless, disapproved of his risky plan.
Xiao Ling understood Su Qian's concern. After all, he was only seventeen years old, had only recently ascended to the Dou Zong realm, and had yet to fully demonstrate his true strength. Naturally, it was difficult to believe he could single-handedly challenge a formidable force like the Devil Flame Valley.
Xiao Ling also couldn't immediately prove he possessed the means to defeat the Devil Flame Valley.
With his current abilities, while it wouldn't be difficult to expend some effort to deal with the Earth Demon Old Ghost, or even kill him, without employing his soul fighting skills, it was uncertain whether he could prevail against the numerous formidable figures of the Devil Flame Valley.
As for Xiao Ling's ultimate weapon against the Devil Flame Valley, it was undoubtedly the transcendental-level fighting skill "Ghost Possession." However, Xiao Ling would not employ this technique unless absolutely necessary.
After a thorough discussion, Su Qian learned that Xiao Ling valued a treasure within the Devil Flame Valley. After
personally testing Xiao Ling's strength and confirming that he could at least protect himself, Su Qian finally agreed to allow Xiao Ling to travel to the Devil Flame Valley.
However, before allowing him to go, Su Qian repeatedly reminded Xiao Ling that the trip was strictly for business purposes, that he must refrain from any aggressive behavior, and that he must ensure his own safety.
Xiao Ling ultimately had no choice but to agree to Great Elder Su Qian's arrangement.
First, what Great Elder Su Qian said made sense. The Demon Flame Valley was incredibly powerful, and indeed, a formidable opponent.
Second, while Xiao Ling coveted the body of the Earth Demon Old Ghost, what he valued more was the method for refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet.
Right now, Xiao Ling didn't urgently need a Dou Zong body, nor did he need a Heavenly Demon Puppet to ward off the lightning strikes from refining seventh-grade elixirs.
Furthermore, the Luoyan Empire still had the body of a Turtle Spirit Venerable waiting for him. Even if he did manage to refine an elixir of seventh grade or higher, the lightning strikes wouldn't be wasted.
As for the Heavenly Demon Puppet he planned to refine for Han Yue, the Dou Zun body he had obtained in the Demon Beast Mountains would be perfect.
However, if the people in the Demon Flame Valley weren't up to any ulterior motives, Xiao Ling would be willing to negotiate a deal with them. However, if the Demon Flame Valley wanted to harm him, Xiao Ling would show no mercy.
Xiao Ling paused his thoughts, took a deep breath, and gently adjusted his black robe, letting it flow even more elegantly in the night breeze.
Immediately, Xiao Ling began to walk deeper into the Devil Flame Valley.
As Xiao Ling gradually receded, his figure slowly blended into the nightscape of the Devil Flame Valley, leaving only his slender figure and his shadow, elongated by the moonlight.
His arrival might bring a new wave of change to the dominant power in the Black Horn Territory.
(End of this chapter)