Half a month later!

When Yun Xiao emerged from a mountain range, he had already returned to his original appearance: coarse clothes and a wooden sword on his back. After all, not many people could recognize him in this guise.

In contrast, his previous appearances as the black-clad Yun Xing or Star were likely no longer unknown figures in the vast Southern Domain of the Tenglong Continent.

As for Yuyang City, it was now extremely far from Yun Xiao's current location. Moreover, those enemies who truly knew his original appearance, Xu Huang and Xia Yong, had already died before Thunder King Valley.

"This should be the territory of Sky Thunder Valley, right?"

Yun Xiao murmured as he looked at the outline of a large city in the distance. Then he looked back over his shoulder and remarked, "After all, they are all first-class forces on Tenglong Continent. The Killing Heart Sect wouldn't dare be so brazenly obvious in Sky Thunder Valley's territory."

In fact, Yun Xiao wasn't wrong in his assumption. The Tenglong Continent's four super forces and thirteen first-class forces all have their own territories. Although there are many grievances and even blood feuds among them, on the surface, not many will engage in open confrontation.

Because without absolute certainty, no one could guarantee that once a great battle suddenly erupts, it wouldn't be their own side that is eliminated, much like the two opposing forces, Wuyan Palace and Xuanyin Hall, among the four super forces.

The Killing Heart Sect specializes in hiding and assassinating, not being obvious on others' territories. However, Yun Xiao had witnessed the methods of this assassin sect and wasn't too relaxed in his vigilance.

"Hey, did you hear? In three days, Thunder City is hosting a grand auction event, and apparently, there'll be plenty of good stuff!"

"Tch, even if there's good stuff, can you afford it with your assets?"

"Can't I at least be there for the spectacle? It's said that this auction has even attracted people from Sky Thunder Valley!"

"Not only Sky Thunder Valley, it seems even Xiao and Chu families have sent people over, suggesting there's something in the auction that interests them."

"Is that so? Now I really must see what treasures they have!"

"..."

As Yun Xiao walked toward the city named Bianlei City, the surrounding chatter entered his ears, sparking some thoughts. He then reached to stroke Chi Yan, who was perched on his shoulder.

During this period, Chi Yan found quite some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the mountains to consume. Unfortunately, its unique bloodline makes advancing to the eighth rank not easy.

After all, scouring the mountains won't yield treasures like the Xuanyang Earth Pearl with special fire attributes. The stronger the bloodline of the Vein Demon, the harder it is to break through to higher ranks.

Therefore, Yun Xiao had been collecting some fire attribute Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to refine an elixir that could help Chi Yan break through.

Though refining a middle-level Earth Rank elixir still posed some difficulties for Yun Xiao, there was some chance of success. Unfortunately, a few key fire attribute materials were still missing.

Even though Yun Xiao killed the Spirit Fighting Commerce headquarter's Special Envoy Xia Yong and Yuyang City's Spirit Fighting Commerce branch Chairman Xu Huang, or even Liu Family Master Liu Qiguang, they were not Meridian Refining Masters.

As for the two Great Elders of Lushan City's Meridian Refining Masters branch, Wu Jia and Liang Li, they were genuine Earth Rank Poison Vein Masters. Their bodies mostly contained Pigeon Bone Poison, and it was best not to let Chi Yan consume those.

So Yun Xiao entered Bianlei City this time to see if he could find the main ingredients for refining the elixir. Upon hearing about the upcoming grand auction, he naturally grew interested.

To be honest, the elixir that Yun Xiao aimed to refine was rare even on Tenglong Continent. The pill recipe was handed down by the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, so finding the necessary materials wasn't easy on the Tenglong Continent.

According to Yun Xiao's knowledge, even Lushan City's Meridian Refining Masters branch might not have everything needed. The auction might present better opportunities.

However, after hearing some people's discussions, Yun Xiao realized that the auction might not go smoothly. If strong individuals from Sky Thunder Valley or the Xiao and Chu families came, Yun Xiao might not match their financial strength.

The Three Valleys, Xiao, Chu, and Zhao, are among the thirteen major forces. Yun Xiao had witnessed the talents and strength of the Killing Heart Sect, and even the Five Thunder Child of Sky Thunder Valley was slain in the Thunder King Main Hall, which made him less concerned.

If it was just someone like Ye Suxin or Li Qingran, Yun Xiao would not have paid much attention. But if strong individuals from those forces personally came, like the Seven Killings Guardian at the peak of the Seeking Origin Realm, he might have no choice but to flee.

However, upon entering the city, Yun Xiao decided to join the excitement of the auction at Bianlei City. With three days left before it began, he planned to take this opportunity to gather intelligence on certain aspects within the Sky Thunder Valley's domain.

After entering the city, Yun Xiao first found an inn to stay and then headed to a special place in the city known as the Shenxiao Sect, which was just a branch here in Bianlei City.

The Shenxiao Sect is one of the three sects, standing equal to the Killing Heart Sect, and it specializes in selling intelligence. Back when Yun Xiao killed Liu Yu, Liu Gen, and the two Great Elders of the Lushan City Association of Meridian Refining Masters, the information was sold to those two forces by the Shenxiao Sect.

The Shenxiao Sect doesn't care if you're one of the Thirteen Major Forces or a first-class force; as long as you pay, they will sell you the intelligence and have their own public relations methods, ensuring no one causes trouble for the Shenxiao Sect afterward.

The moment Yun Xiao stepped into the Shenxiao Sect, he sensed a peculiar aura in the main hall. There weren't many people inside, but rooms with small plaques lined up, making him quickly understand that everything was categorized.

Those purchasing intelligence at the Shenxiao Sect usually have their own purposes. For example, someone like the Liu Family Master might want to find their son's killer, or they might want to learn some secret tales of the continent, or perhaps inquire about a discovered treasure.

Ultimately, Yun Xiao spent money to learn about the distribution of major forces in the Southern Domain of Tenglong Continent, including strong individuals within those forces and their personalities, gathering all the information clearly.

Among them, the Spirit Fighting Commerce and the Killing Heart Sect were key focuses since Yun Xiao had some grudges with both. While the Spirit Fighting Commerce was not currently an issue, the Killing Heart Sect's Ye Suxin and the Seven Killings Guardian Zheng Qiming were likely still pursuing him closely.

It's undeniable that Shenxiao Sect's intelligence was comprehensive. In fact, the information Yun Xiao gathered about the powerful sects wasn't a secret; it's just that other loose cultivators or small family forces didn't have access to such extensive knowledge as the Shenxiao Sect.

Intelligence is invaluable to those in need but worthless to those who aren't, lying on the roadside, unwanted. However, everyone entering Shenxiao Sect likely has intelligence requirements, so charging high prices is expected.

Having obtained what he wanted, Yun Xiao exited, his gaze suddenly turning to a corner room. With a thought, he walked toward that corner.

"Artifact Appraisal!"

Yun Xiao looked up to see the small plaque above the secluded room with these four words. He instinctively touched his Waist Storage, and suddenly, a grey light appeared in his palm.

"Taking this opportunity, I can see what's special about the piece of cloth obtained from the Liu Family Master," Yun Xiao thought as he touched the cloth. Although unaware of its purpose, his intuition suggested it might hold unknown secrets.

The so-called Artifact Appraisal involves spending money to have the Shenxiao Sect appraise uncertain items. After all, in terms of accurate recognition and extensive knowledge, no sect or force can match Shenxiao Sect.

Yun Xiao wasn't short on money now, and since he was here, he figured he might as well take this opportunity to uncover any potential uses of the cloth. However, he didn't hold high expectations, believing none could surpass his own knowledge on the Tenglong Continent.

Of course, Shenxiao Sect's longstanding presence in Tenglong Continent might provide insights into artifacts unknown to Yun Xiao, illustrating the adage, "The stone from another mountain can polish jade."

Creak!

As Yun Xiao pushed the door open, he saw an elderly man with grey hair seated behind a wooden table. Seeing Yun Xiao enter, the man's previously closed eyes opened, revealing a kindly demeanor.

"Young friend, please take out your item!"

The elderly man wasted no time, not asking if Yun Xiao was here for artifact appraisal, extending a bony finger to point at the table. He knew that those entering this room likely came for appraisals.

"Old sir, could you look at this and tell me what it's good for?"

As the elder was so straightforward, Yun Xiao, too, was forthright, placing the cloth he had been holding onto the table. Upon seeing the cloth, a sharp light flashed in the elder's otherwise dull old eyes, stirring something in Yun Xiao's heart.

"May I ask, young friend, where did you get this piece of cloth?"

The sharp light in the elder's eyes vanished, replaced by a calm demeanor. However, his question revealed genuine interest in the cloth, which increased Yun Xiao's curiosity about the scrap taken from the Liu Family Master.