After leaving the Black-Corner Region, the convoy gradually slowed its pace. Traveling along the mountain road for nearly two hours, they finally arrived at their destination in the afternoon.
As they crossed over a mountain, a massive city built from pitch-black boulders came into view at the foot of the slope.
The square city gates swarmed with countless tiny black dots—people gathering and streaming into the dark maw of the city like ants.
"Hehe, Mr. Tiga, this is Black Mark City," Ma Yicheng said, standing atop the carriage and smiling at the ancient river beside him.
"Due to the two-day auction event, many forces and powerful individuals from nearby have rushed here. Every year, the auction features rare and extraordinary items."
"Last time, it was a volume of Earth-level dou techniques. The competing factions nearly came to blows right in the auction hall. If not for the organizers' iron-fisted control, it would have turned into a complete farce."
"Earth-level dou techniques…"
Hearing this, a strange glint flickered in Gu He's eyes.
As expected of a land where treasures from across the continent were traded. In the Jia Ma Empire, such high-level dou techniques were nearly impossible to find. Yet here, they were openly auctioned.
"Let's go."
With a wave of Ma Yicheng's hand, the convoy roared down the slope, kicking up clouds of yellow dust as they galloped toward the colossal city below.
"Black-Corner Region… I hope you won't disappoint me."
Watching the city grow larger in his vision, Gu He murmured to himself, a faint excitement stirring in his chest.
The convoy descended swiftly from the mountaintop, and within ten minutes, they approached the city gates. Their speed gradually slowed as they joined the queue of people waiting to enter.
Standing at the front of the carriage, Gu He gazed up at the towering black walls. His eyes traced the three large characters—Black Mark City—engraved above the gate before settling on the black-clad guards stationed below.
These men functioned much like city guards in the outside world, but with one key difference: every entrant had to pay a hefty entry fee.
Such an exorbitant toll would have sparked riots in the Jia Ma Empire, yet here in the Black-Corner Region, it was simply the norm.
"Get lost! Don't waste my time!"
Just as Gu He was taking in the unique atmosphere of the city, a furious shout erupted nearby.
Turning his head, he saw a bald man—impatient with the wait—violently shove a thin man in front of him.
"What—?"
Before the bald man could finish his sentence, the thin man spun around, a dagger flashing in his sleeve. The blade sliced through the air, aiming straight for the bald man's throat.
Fortunately, the bald man reacted quickly, jerking his neck back. The dagger missed its mark, sinking instead into the flesh just below his throat. Blood gushed out as a shrill scream tore from his lips.
With the bald man grievously wounded, the thin man twisted like an eel, slipping out of his clothes before vanishing into the nearby undergrowth.
"You bastard! I'll tear you apart!"
Eyes bloodshot, the bald man yanked the dagger free and charged into the bushes in a blind rage. Moments later, another scream echoed from the foliage—this one far more final.
Standing atop the carriage, Gu He listened to the fading cry and knew the bald man had met his end.
What astonished him was the sheer ruthlessness of the attack.
The bald man had been a two-star Dou Grandmaster, while the thin man was merely a Dou Master—a massive gap in strength. Yet the thin man had struck without hesitation, his movements swift and lethal.
Such cold-blooded cunning was staggering.
"Hehe, Mr. Tiga, in the Black-Corner Region, never judge someone by their appearance or superficial strength," Ma Yicheng chuckled darkly. "Every year, the corpses of those who make that mistake could fill an entire city."
"Mm."
Gu He nodded slightly. The scene had driven home the brutal rules of this land.
The skirmish was but a minor episode, drawing only passing glances from the crowd. No one spared it much thought.
The line inched forward, and after nearly half an hour, Ma Yicheng's convoy finally reached the gates. With practiced ease, he handed over a hefty bag of gold coins—along with a discreetly concealed smaller pouch.
The black-clad guard weighed the coins, his indifferent expression softening slightly. Without a word, he waved them through.
…
Once inside the city, Gu He parted ways with Ma Yicheng's group. After some inquiries, he found an inn to rest for the night.
After days of travel, he needed to freshen up and prepare for what lay ahead.
Tomorrow, his mission would begin.
No—not just a mission. A redemption.
Since fate had brought him here, it was only right to cleanse this lawless land.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Gu He believed this was his duty—to bring light to the oppressed.
His mind sharpened as he considered his first target.
In the Black-Corner Region, every major faction was steeped in sin. The hands of their leaders were drenched in blood, their crimes unforgivable.
Gu He's task was simple: make them pay.
And if he happened to collect some… compensation along the way, so be it.
One by one, the major factions flashed through his mind— Tianyin Sect, Wild Lion Gang, Black Skeleton Tomb, Blood Sect…
Soon, his choice was made.
"The Blood Sect."
A sect infamous for its bloodthirsty cultivation methods, requiring the devouring of powerful beings' blood to grow stronger.
Rumors said they abducted countless people daily, using them as blood cattle for their practices.
Their name alone was synonymous with terror.
"Time to purge them."
As the thought solidified, Gu He's mind drifted to the Hall of Soul's member's Souls he had absorbed.
Soon, the name Hall of Soul would echo throughout the Black-Corner Region.
…
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