.
"Swish!"
Hundreds of meters above the Devil Flame Valley, the void suddenly rippled, and immediately, a slender figure in a black robe appeared in mid-air.
Xiao Ling's movement through the air was like a meteor streaking across the night sky, silent yet carrying an irresistible aura.
The moment Xiao Ling's figure appeared, the guards of the Devil Flame Valley immediately fell into a murmur of discussion.
Their eyes were fixed on the suddenly appearing black-robed man, their faces a mixture of surprise and alarm.
"Look, who is that?" a young guard whispered, his voice trembling.
"I don't know, but judging by his ability to walk on air, he's definitely a Dou Zong-level expert!" another experienced guard replied, a serious look in his eyes.
"Oh my god, a Dou Zong! What's he doing here? Is he trying to harm our Devil Flame Valley?" The guard who spoke first, his voice growing even more nervous.
At this moment, a guard who looked older interrupted, "Don't panic. We in Demon Flame Valley are not easily overthrown. We have three elders at the peak of Dou Huang, each of whom is incredibly powerful."
"Indeed, there's also our Great Elder Fang Yan, whose strength has reached the level of a Half-Step Dou Zong. With three peak Dou Huang elders working together, even a true Dou Zong might not be able to gain an advantage," another guard added, his tone tinged with pride.
"Don't forget, we also have the Valley Master, who has been in seclusion for many years. His strength is unfathomable, and he's one of the best in the entire Black Horn Region," the older guard continued, his words filled with confidence in the Demon Flame Valley's strength.
"Indeed, Demon Flame Valley is the foremost power in the Black Horn Region, and not just anyone can challenge it." The young guard's panic gradually subsided after hearing his companions' words.
Although the guards of Demon Flame Valley were exceptionally powerful, facing such an unfathomable Dou Zong master, they could only look up to him with awe.
Just as Xiao Ling was about to cross the Devil Flame Valley's outer defenses, a powerful aura suddenly rose from within, like an invisible wave, instantly enveloping the entire valley.
This was the aura of Fang Yan, the Great Elder of the Devil Flame Valley. His power had reached the level of a Half-Step Dou Zong, and he was intimately aware of every movement within the Devil Flame Valley.
Fang Yan's figure, like a phantom, instantly appeared across from Xiao Ling, his eyes tinged with curiosity and wariness. He sized up the young Dou Zong master, secretly amazed at his youth and prowess.
Because Xiao Ling had employed camouflage, his appearance had undergone a profound transformation, making it difficult even for Han Yue, who knew Xiao Ling intimately, to identify him.
"I am Fang Yan, the Great Elder of the Devil Flame Valley. May I ask who you are? What brings you here at night?" Fang Yan's voice was steady and powerful, each word echoing across thousands of miles.
Xiao Ling stopped, standing steadily in the void. Facing the Great Elder of the Devil Flame Valley, his face was completely emotionless as he spoke without blushing or faltering,
"I am Tang San, from the Bashu Tang Sect. I have come to the Devil Flame Valley to negotiate a deal with your Valley, with no ill intentions."
Fang Yan's brows arched slightly. He could clearly sense the fluctuations of fire-attributed Dou Qi emanating from Xiao Ling.
This fluctuation was extremely pure, far surpassing any fire-attributed cultivator he had ever encountered. Even compared to the aura he exuded while practicing the "Flame Manipulation Technique," it seemed purer.
Furthermore, he had never heard of the so-called "Tang Sect." He considered himself somewhat familiar with the major factions in the Black Horn Region and even beyond, but the name "Tang Sect" was completely unfamiliar to him.
This filled Fang Yan with an irrepressible curiosity about Xiao Ling's identity and purpose.
Judging from the aura emanating from the young man before him, Fang Yan was certain that while this young warrior's strength might not be as great as the Valley Master's, he was certainly not a beginner Dou Zong, and his strength had reached at least the level of a three- or four-star Dou Zong.
Even a Black Horn Region giant like the Demon Flame Valley wouldn't easily become an enemy of such a mysterious figure.
In the Black Horn Territory, a land of the survival of the fittest, only strength can earn respect. Here, the law of survival of the fittest is fully demonstrated.
However, as the Grand Elder of the Demon Flame Valley, and now that the Valley Master is in seclusion, he is the one in charge of the Demon Flame Valley. Even if his
cultivation level is not as high as others, he cannot afford to lose his momentum. "Trade?" Fang Yan asked in a slightly hoarse voice. "My Demon Flame Valley has never traded with outsiders. I wonder what treasures, Master Tang San, do you have that are worthy of our Demon Flame Valley's efforts?"
Xiao Ling's gaze swept over Fang Yan. He could sense that although he maintained a polite appearance, his eyes concealed scrutiny and vigilance.
Xiao Ling did not intend to waste too much time with Fang Yan here; he had more important things to attend to.
"Elder Fang Yan," Xiao Ling's voice was calm, yet tinged with an undeniable firmness. "I've come to the Demon Flame Valley not to chat with you, but to discuss something important with your Valley Master."
"Don't worry, the bargaining chips I offer will definitely benefit your Demon Flame Valley."
Fang Yan's eyes flickered with displeasure upon hearing this. No one in the Black Horn Region had ever dared to request an audience with the Valley Master so directly.
But Xiao Ling's strength and attitude forced him to reconsider. He knew that anyone who could speak in such a manner must have something to rely on.
"Sir Tang San, the Valley Master is not someone who can meet with just anyone." Fang Yan's voice remained steady, but a hint of seriousness had crept into his tone. "But since you have something important to discuss, I, Fang Yan, am not unreasonable. Please follow me, and I will arrange a meeting with the Valley Master."
Xiao Ling nodded without further comment, following Fang Yan to the Demon Flame Valley's reception room.
On the way to the reception room, Fang Yan began to chat with Xiao Ling, trying to get more information about this mysterious Dou Zong from the conversation, "Mr. Tang San, I see from the aura emanating from you that you must be practicing a fire-attributed technique."
Xiao Ling smiled slightly. He didn't intend to reveal too much, but he also didn't want to arouse the other party's suspicion, so he casually said, "Elder Fang Yan has a good eye. I am indeed practicing a fire-attributed technique."
"Oh? What sect or school is that from? My Demon Flame Valley is also quite knowledgeable about the fire-attributed cultivation method. Perhaps we can exchange a few ideas." Fang Yan continued to ask.
A sly glint flashed in Xiao Ling's eyes. He knew the other party was testing him, so he blurted out, "I'm learning the Tang Sect's unique martial art, the 'Xuan Tian Bao Lu'. It's an extremely advanced technique, and it can't be taught to anyone other than core Tang Sect disciples."
"Tang Sect?" Fang Yan pondered, a hint of doubt in his voice. "In my impression, there doesn't seem to be any such force. Mr. Tang San, could you elaborate on the origins of your Tang Sect?"
Xiao Ling smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated the question. He knew that the "Tang Sect" he had casually fabricated didn't exist in this world, but to hide his true identity, and with a hint of mischief in his heart, Xiao Ling didn't avoid the topic.
"Elder Fang Yan, although the Tang Sect is not well known to the outside world, it has an extremely high reputation in certain specific fields." Xiao Ling answered calmly, trying his best to make his tone sound natural and confident. "Our Tang Sect excels in refining medicine and manufacturing hidden weapons. We don't often show up in the outside world, so it's normal that we are not well known to the public."
"I see. I am ignorant." Fang Yan smiled slightly, hiding his embarrassment. "Sir Xiao Ling, please wait a moment. I will go inform the Valley Master and arrange your meeting."
Xiao Ling nodded in understanding.
Fang Yan stood up, gestured to Xiao Ling, then turned and left the reception room, preparing to go to the training room of the Earth Demon Old Ghost to report the situation.
Xiao Ling sat quietly in the reception room, sipping tea, waiting for the meeting with the Valley Master of the Demon Flame Valley.
(End of this chapter)