Ao Tuo did not have the luxury of wasting his time by standing and cursing the Misty Cloud Sect. Every second saved was precious. He posted a task ordering all tier-2 and above alchemists to prepare for the battle.
Moreover, Ao Tuo decisively spread the message that he would refine a fourth-tier pill for anyone participating in the battle.
His statement aroused both fear and joy in the hearts of the mercenaries in the city. In a matter of seconds, the Black Rock City boiled.
Ao Tuo's announcement was like a sword hanging over people's heads. A warning that if anyone tried to harm an alchemist, the association would hunt him down like a dog.
Yet, many ambitious people wanted to take advantage of this golden opportunity. It is not every day you get a chance of acquiring a fourth-tier pill.
Soon, more than fifty mercenaries gathered outside the alchemist association's building. The strongest among them was an 8-star Dou Spirit, while the weakest was a Dou Practitioner.
Among them, some clever people wanted to fish in troubled waters. Xiao Yan was also among them. He wore a black overcoat and blended with other people. No one could recognize him unless they looked carefully. But, who would care about a 2-star Dou Master?
"Teacher, what do you think?" Xiao Yan curiously spoke in his mind.
Yao Lao, who was resting inside the black ring on Xiao Yan's index finger, woke up after hearing his disciple's question.
He thought for a moment and said, "Either the association has found a precious treasure, or they have encountered a formidable enemy."
"In both the cases, it is a chance for you," Yao Lao continued. "Okay, now for a while, don't disturb me," his old voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind.
Before he could reply, a commotion occurred in the front.
Ao Tuo came out of the building, and six masked men stood behind him. He raised his head, looked at the mercenaries standing in front of him, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
Everyone present here had some secret calculations in their heart; even Ao Tuo was the same. Although his offer of refining a fourth-tier pill looked generous; yet, it wasn't. He concealed it from everyone that they were up against Misty Cloud Sect. Otherwise, how many would still choose to stay after learning about it is not certain.
After all, Misty Cloud Sect is not only one of the most powerful factions in the Empire; they also have a fifth-tier alchemist, Gu He, sitting in the sect.
There was no comparison between a fifth-tier and a fourth-tier alchemist.
If the mercenaries present learned about it, it would be a miracle if they didn't turn their swords at Ao Tuo. Even a fool knows how to choose between a fifth-tier and fourth-tier alchemist.
Ao Tuo didn't waste any time, and he gestured everyone to start moving. His short and chubby physique radiated a frightening murderous aura. No one dared to question him and followed him.
...
"At the same time, on the other side."
Xiao Ning stood in front of Xi Yian to protect her. He treated himself like a shield.
Even Xiao Ning didn't have confidence in front of a Dou King.
The masked Dou King stood silently, and mockery flashed in his eyes. He raised his hand and made a gesture.
'He is sending a signal; are there more hiding secretly?' Xiao Ning's expression changed as he saw the latter's movements.
The next moment, six similarly clothed men flashed out of the forest; they formed a circle with Xiao Ning as its center and surrounded him.
'Sure enough,' Xiao Ning's face turned ugly after seeing them. 'A Dou King, six Dou Spirits! What a luxurious lineup. If I survive today, I will kill each one of them,' he secretly made up his mind.
Xiao Ning secretly controlled his dou qi and was ready to attack at any moment.
The masked Dou King sat on a rock nearby and said, "It is time to end this farce." Thick killing intent radiated out of his body as he gestured the six Dou Spirits.
After seeing the situation getting worse, Xiao Ning made the first move. A green-golden-colored fire appeared in his palm, and he separated it into four orbs of flame.
The four fire orbs grew in size and formed four flame pythons. The pythons circled around Xiao Ning, giving him the look of a fire deity.
Xiao Ning separated a part of his mental strength to control one of the fire pythons and formed a ring of fire around Xi Yian to protect her.
He waved his hand, and the other two fire pythons flew towards the masked Dou Lings and attacked them. Xiao Ning knew that it was not sufficient to defeat them, but it was enough to buy him some time.
An aura akin to a wild beast radiated out of Xiao Ning's body as he rushed forward to fight the remaining four masked Dou Lings. A pair of golden wings appeared on his back as he bolted towards them.
Facing four Dou Lings head-on; Xiao Ning didn't dare to hold back and displayed all techniques. His every move was a killer.
A terrible battle broke out! A battle capable of changing the continent's future! A war that would cause a bloodbath, killing millions of creatures.
Yet, no one knew about it. One thing's for sure, all the forces involved in setting up a trap for Xiao Ning will be deemed as sinners of the Dou Qi continent. But that's for the future.
...
A gigantic dragon claw, a golden figure raising his fists appeared behind Xiao Ning. He displayed his strongest methods and attacked ferociously.
Moreover, the remaining flame python circled him, forming a defensive barrier. In addition, Xiao Ning's figure also turned golden.
Yet, one after another bloody wounds appeared on his body. In no time, his golden body got covered in red.
Xiao Ning was fully occupied with four Dou Lings, and he didn't have the time to pay attention to the remaining three enemies.
The only thing which prevented Xiao Ning from falling in dispair was that the masked Dou King had no intention of attacking him.