C131 Grey Wolf Village

"The Scarlet Flame ranks 105th on the Alien Flame List."

"A bottle of dragon blood can be used to relax tendons, strengthen bones, enhance innate talent, and craft medicinal pills."

"Thank you for participating."

"Two great finds."

Ning Qi smiled as the needle whirred into motion.

It finally came to a halt on the Scarlet Flame, a mere millimeter from landing on "Thank you for participating." Ning Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations on obtaining the Scarlet Flame."

Ning Qi safely tucked it away, thinking that if he acquired another Alien Flame, it would be perfect for Yue and Zuo Linger to use.

The group proceeded cautiously, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of a Demonic Beast ambush.

"Chief, with Lord Chi Yan gone, how should we respond if other Dragon Clan masters or Demonic Beasts attack our village?"

A hushed voice came from one of the chief's subordinates in Grey Wolf Village.

"Zhang San, Lee Si, you'll accompany me to Black Wind Mountain to inform Lord Black Wind of the situation. I'm sure he'd welcome the addition of another village under his control," the chief said with a sneer.

Fear flickered across the faces of the two Peak Grand Battle Masters beside him. "Lord Black Wind?"

"If you're scared, I can take others with me," the chief said, casting a chilling glance their way.

Quickly, they responded, "Chief, we're not afraid."

Before long, they came upon a small village.

Surrounded by massive stones, the village's defenses were robust enough to fend off lower-tier Demonic Beasts. Carvings of the Scarlet Flame Dragon adorned the stone walls, not for decoration but as a declaration of the village's allegiance to the Scarlet Flame Dragon's power, a warning to any would-be aggressors.

"Chief, was the sacrifice successful?"

At the village gate, the remaining villagers inquired anxiously.

The chief of Grey Wolf Village, with a grim expression, brushed past them without a word. His subordinate shot the villagers a warning look, signaling them to hold their questions.

"The chief looks troubled. Could Lord Chi Yan have reprimanded him?"

"It's best not to speculate amongst ourselves."

The villagers standing guard at the entrance of Grey Wolf Village murmured among themselves.

"Wang Dafu, come here. What's the situation?" one of them asked, grabbing the last person in line—a portly middle-aged man.

The man, Wang Dafu, sneaked a peek at the village chief, making sure he wasn't being watched, before whispering, "Lord Chi Yan has been murdered! And Faang Guhang has turned his back on Grey Wolf Village. He's sided with the man who killed Lord Chi Yan. Keep this quiet; the chief is furious."

"Lord Chi Yan is dead? What's going to happen to our village now?"

The news sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

Suddenly, someone gazed into the distance with suspicion. "Wang Dafu, if Faang Guhang has betrayed us, why is he approaching? And there's a stranger with him."

Wang Dafu spun around, his face draining of color. "The man leading Faang Guhang is the killer of Lord Chi Yan! They must be planning to seize our village! Quick, alert the chief!"

"He's just a youth—could he really have killed Lord Chi Yan?"

The villagers were stunned by the revelation.

Immediately, one of them dashed off to find the village chief. "Chief, Faang Guhang has arrived!"

The village chief of Grey Wolf Village's expression turned grave. "What are you saying? Faang Guhang is here?"

"Yes, Chief, and there's an unfamiliar face with him. Wang Dafu claims he's the one who killed Lord Chi Yan!"

"We need to check this out!"

The chief hurried back to the village entrance with his men. Upon seeing Ning Qi, his expression darkened, a hint of urgency in his eyes. "Shut the gate!"

The villagers heaved the massive stone door shut, but the chief's aide voiced his concern, "He's got a Demonic Beast with him; this gate might not hold!"

"Arm yourselves with bows and arrows! We must protect the village at all costs!"

The chief commanded with a roar.

He and a few of his men took positions on the stone wall, calling out to Ning Qi, "Halt! Or we won't hesitate to defend ourselves!"

Hundreds of villagers, bows and crossbows in hand, took aim at Ning Qi and his companions.

Ning Qi gestured for them to halt. "Stay here," he commanded.

Unfazed by the threat of arrows, Ning Qi knew Faang Guhang and the others weren't equipped to handle them. Releasing Purple, he mounted the creature and soared into the sky, surveying the people of Grey Wolf Village from his elevated vantage point.

"I've come to announce that Grey Wolf Village is now under my control. Henceforth, I am your village chief," Ning Qi declared with an icy tone.

"What? He wants to be our chief?"

"He slew Lord Chi Yan; imagine if he were our chief."

The villagers who had seen Ning Qi battle the Scarlet Flame Dragon were a mix of emotions—some faces lit up with joy, yet they quickly averted their gaze when the current chief's eyes fell upon them, bowing their heads in shame.

"Chief! What do we do?"

"Do we fight him to the end?"

The chief's loyal followers were visibly anxious.

"My lord, if it's money you want, it's yours. If it's women, take your pick. But surely, there's nothing in this poor village to catch your eye. Please, spare us any trouble," the Grey Wolf Village chief pleaded, his voice steady despite the rage he held back.

Ning Qi simply smiled and shook his head. "I only wish to be chief. I desire nothing else."

"Then forgive my lack of hospitality! Fire!" he bellowed.

A smattering of arrows flew toward Ning Qi, effortlessly deflected by Purple's wings.

The village chief's face twisted in shock as he scanned his people. Among the hundreds, only his closest allies had loosed their arrows, the rest wavering, unable to meet his gaze.

"Is this mutiny?" he roared.

Seizing the moment, Faang Guhang called out, "Brothers and sisters, Liu Jin blurs the line between personal gain and our welfare, sacrificing our children's lives for his own safety. He's lorded over us without a shred of humanity. Do you truly wish for him to remain your chief? Lay down your bows, open the gates, and welcome us!"

Upon Faang Guhang's remarks, a wave of hesitation washed over the faces of the villagers in Grey Wolf Village.

"What are you doing? Do you have a death wish?" Zhang San barked as he seized a villager by the collar. When the villager still hesitated to loose an arrow, Zhang San punched him, sending him flying. The villager let out a pained scream and crumpled to the ground, motionless.

"Zhang San! You've gone too far!" Wang Dafu exclaimed in fury.

"Open the gate! Let Faang Guhang and his group in!"

"Yes! Open it!"

That was the spark that set off the powder keg. The crowd, filled with righteous anger, turned on Zhang San, their accusations flying. The majority lowered their bows, and some moved to swing the stone gate wide open.