BTTH: Auto Cultivation System

They arrived at the central plaza of the Chaos Gate's base, a vast open space where the essence of cultivation lingered in the air. In a calm yet commanding voice that seemed to echo throughout the entire Chaos Gate, Xiao Hua spoke, "All members who are not currently training, gather in the plaza at once."

A moments later, twenty figures emerged, darting gracefully across the rooftops, their movements swift and light. They landed before Xiao Hua, Xun Er, and Elder Su, cupping their hands respectfully as they greeted them.

"Greetings, Leader, Senior Xun Er, Elder Su!"

Each of the twenty cultivators stood proudly with a badge pinned to their chest. The badge was shaped like a gate, intricately inscribed with a lotus. The lotus bore two distinct colors—azure and gold—its base a pure pearl white, symbolizing both strength and purity.

Their Qi flowed smoothly, calm and controlled, a testament to their disciplined cultivation. It was hard to believe that these were the same individuals who, only five months ago, had been inexperienced new students upon entering the Inner Academy.

Sensing their progress, Xiao Hua's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Very good. It seems none of you have faltered in your training. The strength and Dou Qi radiating from your bodies speaks for itself."

The weakest among them had reached the level of a 5-Star Da Dou Shi, while the strongest had already broken through to a 2-Star Dou Ling. Their improvement was remarkable, considering that only months ago, the weakest had been a mere 2-Star Dou Shi, and the strongest, just a 5-Star Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Hua shifted his gaze toward the strongest member of the group. His eyes met a young woman with long, flowing black hair that cascaded like a waterfall, framing her soft and serene features. Though her beauty did not rival that of Xun Er or Li Mei, she was still regarded as one of the top ten beauties of the Inner Academy.

"I'm especially impressed with you, Xiu Ying," Xiao Hua said with a slight grin, his tone warm yet commanding. He recalled their first encounter vividly—meeting her at the outer perimeter of the forest, where she had approached him, eager to join the Chaos Gate after witnessing his match in the 'Fighting Arena' against the second-ranked member of the Strong Ranking.

At first, Xiu Ying had believed the fight was rigged. It wasn’t until she learned it had been a duel between a mere new student and the second-ranked powerhouse that she was left speechless. Upon investigating further, she discovered Xiao Hua's whereabouts, dwelling in the forest near their 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition,' which had taken her and her companions by surprise.

Determined, Xiu Ying immediately sought him out. When she found him conversing with an elder after his match, she approached without hesitation and asked to join the Chaos Gate, becoming the very first member to pledge her allegiance.

A bright smile spread across Xiu Ying's face as she lowered her head in a respectful bow. Her voice, soft yet confident, resonated like a melody. "It’s all thanks to you, Leader, and the immense Dou Qi this forest provides. Without it, my progress would have been much slower."

"Elder Su has requested that last year's batch join the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition,' and I want you all to participate," Xiao Hua declared, his sharp gaze sweeping over the twenty figures standing before him. "I know you've been following my rules, but as long as you don’t go overboard or mock them, it’s fine. Think of it as seniors guiding juniors, not the harsh treatment you yourselves endured when you first entered the Academy. Any questions?"

"None, Leader!" they responded in unison, cupping their hands with unwavering seriousness. Their expressions were resolute, for they owed much to the Chaos Gate. It was thanks to this group that their batch could stand toe-to-toe with senior students. Anyone daring to tarnish the reputation of the Chaos Gate would be swiftly dealt with—by them, before any formal punishment could even be issued.

Satisfied with their response, Xiao Hua turned to Elder Su, his tone respectful yet relieved. "Elder Su, it seems the issue of our batch not joining the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition' is resolved."

"Indeed, it was fortunate they heeded your words," Elder Su replied, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. He was deeply impressed by Xiao Hua's leadership and charisma. Despite the elders' previous efforts, the students had refused to participate, unwilling to dishonor the Chaos Gate's name by going against Xiao Hua’s guidance.

The loyalty and faith these young cultivators displayed toward Xiao Hua filled Elder Su with admiration. He marveled at how a boy, only seven years old, could inspire such unwavering devotion from these once-arrogant students. To command the respect and loyalty of those older and more experienced was no small feat, and Elder Su couldn’t help but be amazed by the young leader’s natural ability to unite and inspire.

He watched Elder Su depart from the Chaos Gate's base before turning his attention to the twenty members of Chaos Gate.

"Gather everyone below the Dou Ling level," he instructed. "I want you all to begin recruiting the rest to join the 'Fire Energy Hunting Competition' and repeat my words to them."

As the twenty students swiftly left to carry out his orders, Xiao Hua shifted his gaze to Xun Er. "Xun Er, I’ll leave this place in your hands for a while."

Xun Er's eyes narrowed slightly, already aware of his likely destination. "Are you heading to the Black-Corner Region, Big Brother Xiao Hua?" she asked.

It was no secret that the Black-Corner Region was the only place where he could find the rare training resources and medicinal ingredients not available within the Inner Academy.

"That’s correct," Xiao Hua confirmed with a nod. "I need a few more medicinal ingredients to refine a pill for my master."

"Then please leave the Chaos Gate matters to us," Xun Er said, her smile gentle but tinged with concern. A hint of worry flickered in her eyes.

"Don't worry about me," Xiao Hua said, his voice soothing as he offered her a reassuring smile. "I can handle a fight with a Dou Wang without breaking a sweat. There's no need for excessive concern."

He tenderly ruffled her hair, his face softening with affection. "Besides, Sister Azure will be with me, ready to assist if things get dire."

Xun Er nodded, her expression still showing concern. "Even so, be careful, Big Brother Xiao Hua."

-------

Four days later,

A lone figure, clad entirely in black, entered a small, dilapidated town. His appearance was concealed by his robe, leaving not even a glimpse of his face. The town’s plaque, though worn and battered, still bore the name "Obsidian Rock Town."

Unfazed by the bustling streets, the black-robed figure made his way directly to a nearby inn. The moment he stepped inside, the previously noisy establishment fell into an unnatural silence. It wasn’t a friendly gesture, but a cautious one. In the Black-Corner Region, where betrayal and death were constant companions, sizing up newcomers for any sign of hostility or danger had become second nature to the residents.

All eyes briefly lingered on the newcomer, measuring him, trying to sense his intention. After a few moments, the inn's customers resumed their lively conversations, though their vigilance remained intact. None of them could discern his strength, and in a place like this, that fact alone made him a figure to be wary of.

"Give me a room at the corner."

The figure stepped forward with deliberate, unhurried steps, approaching the counter where a fierce-looking man covered in scars stood. Without hesitation, the black-clad youth tossed a bag of gold coins onto the counter. His voice, disguised to sound deeper and rougher than his real tone, reverberated through the inn as he made his request.

The innkeeper glanced at Xiao Hua and scanned him to see whether he could get any sort of hint on his identity and strength.

He scoffed lightly when he failed to get any hints. He took the bag of coins and pointed towards the stairs. With an irritated voice, he speak to him. “Upstairs, on the right, the last room.”

Unbothered by the innkeeper's watchful gaze, the black-robed figure made his way toward the stairs with calm, measured steps. As he ascended, he could feel the innkeeper's eyes lingering on him, sharp and predatory—like a snake patiently watching its prey.

Though the figure could sense the weight of the man's scrutiny, he paid it no mind. Still, a sigh escaped him inwardly.

'This might become a bit troublesome,' he thought.

Entering the room, the figure's form suddenly shrank, his once imposing frame transforming into the size of a child. He slipped off the heavy robe, revealing a youthful face—peachy and innocent, yet marked by something far more unusual. His left eye glowed a deep crimson, while his right shimmered with a serene cyan hue, a stark contrast to his childlike appearance.

"Child, it seems there is something stirring in this town..." A melodious voice echoed in his mind as he moved toward the small, uncomfortable bed in the corner.

"I doubt it has any connection to what you discovered, Sister Azure. After all, no one here could have easily foreseen the opening of an ancient ruin," Xiao Hua responded with a calm indifference. Yet, beneath his composed exterior, his thoughts churned. He sensed the powerful auras of multiple Dou Wangs lingering in the air, stirring his curiosity about the tense atmosphere that enveloped this small town.

After Xiao Hua left the Inner Academy, he immediately activated his Golden Tribulation Body, using its power to amplify his speed. His movements became swift and fluid as he darted through the rugged terrain of the mountain range and forest that separated the Black-Corner Region from the Inner Academy. Cautiously, he avoided any signs of human activity, not wanting to attract unnecessary attention or interference during his journey.

Because of this cautious approach, Xiao Hua deliberately bypassed towns and cities, both large and small, in the Black-Corner Region. His focus remained on his destination, maintaining a low profile as he pressed onward. However, when they neared a certain area—a desolate, ruined city situated on the outskirts of a dense black forest—Lady Azure suddenly detected something unusual. A strong, yet subtle, spatial ripple emanated from the vicinity.

They turned around and entered one of the smaller towns situated a bit further from the foreboding area, seeking to gather information about the tattered city that lay just beyond the perimeter of the ominous black forest, which exuded a thick, poisonous mist.

This was precisely why they had ventured into Obsidian Rock Town instead of heading straight to a larger city, such as Black Mark City. The decision to come to Obsidian Rock Town was strategic; it was less conspicuous and provided a more discreet opportunity to uncover the details they needed about the enigmatic ruined city nearby.

"Indeed," Lady Azure agreed, her voice smooth as silk in his thoughts. "If anyone truly knew about the ruin, this town would already be crawling with Dou Zong and even Dou Zun."

Xiao Hua nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. Something was clearly amiss in this town, and while it might not directly concern him, it piqued his interest nonetheless. The Black-Corner Region was a dangerous place, but this sort of tension usually meant an opportunity—or a trap. Either way, he had to remain vigilant.

Hearing Lady Azure's casual remark, Xiao Hua frowned slightly, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure I’ll be fine? You mentioned this ancient ruin was created by a powerful Dou Sheng…"

"It’s fine," Lady Azure reassured him, her tone calm and confident. "From what I can sense, the ruin is sealing something dangerous, but all its energy is concentrated on maintaining that seal. Overall, it should be safe."

Xiao Hua wasn’t convinced so easily. He pressed, "Oh... However, there's more to it than that, right? After all, you sound confident about the ancient ruin, Sister Azure."

He knew too well that anything requiring a Dou Sheng's strength to seal must be unimaginably dangerous, and such places were always filled with deadly traps and ancient arrays. Naturally, he knew that there was a reason for her to be confident in safety and about the thing that being sealed.

Lady Azure let out a soft sigh of agreement before continuing her explanation. "Most ancient ruins slowly reveal themselves as the arrays hiding them weaken over time, allowing news to spread and forces to gather. But in this case, the array isn’t merely weakening—it’s breaking. The entity sealed inside has been relentlessly attacking the seal, causing the hidden ruin to surface prematurely. It will reveal itself forcefully, which will undoubtedly create a huge commotion."

Xiao Hua crossed his arms, furrowing his brows in thought. After a brief silence, he came to a conclusion. "I see. So, if the sealed entity has been continuously attacking the seal, it must mean its strength has drastically diminished. It won’t be at its peak."

"Exactly," Lady Azure confirmed, her voice steady. "And even if there’s any trouble, I can forcibly open a spatial tunnel to escape. My only concern is where it might lead. If the spatial tunnel is unstable, we could end up somewhere entirely unknown. The possible locations could range anywhere between the Jia Ma Empire and the Black-Corner Region."

Xiao Hua shook his head, dismissing her concern with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about that, Sister Azure. Jia Ma Empire is peaceful right now, and if we land in the Black-Corner Region, I can always call upon the First Elder and the others for protection. Either way, we’ll manage."

Lady Azure remained silent for a moment, then nodded approvingly. "Very well. With your confidence and my power, we should have little to fear. But always remain cautious—there's no telling what awaits us inside this ancient ruin."

Xiao Hua rubbed his chin, a sly grin spreading across his face. "The fact that so many powerhouses are gathering here is truly fortunate. It means they’ll likely be the ones dealing with whatever is sealed inside, while we can explore the ancient ruin freely."

With Lady Azure’s guidance, Xiao Hua would have an unparalleled advantage. While others would blindly stumble through the ruin’s dangers, he could navigate around hidden traps and seize treasures undetected.

"If there’s one thing that concerns me, it’s the possibility of a strong Dou Zong joining the fray..." Xiao Hua muttered, his grin fading into a frown. "Not to mention the strength of the magical beasts that could be inside, and the possibility that the ruin might restrict the cultivation levels of those who enter."

"You don’t need to worry about that," Lady Azure replied, her voice brimming with confidence as she crossed her arms and gave a casual shrug. "I can easily raise your strength to make you eligible to enter, and I have several spiritual arrays that can hide your presence from even the keenest of senses."

Xiao Hua raised a brow, suspicion creeping into his expression. "Why do I get the feeling you’re more excited about entering this ruin than I am, Sister Azure? What are you plotting?"

Lady Azure chuckled, her smirk playful yet revealing. "Simple. I have a keen sense for medicinal ingredients, and I can already detect a variety of rare and wondrous herbs inside that ruin. The sheer potential of what’s hidden there amuses me greatly!"

Xiao Hua pursed his lips into a thin line, feeling a mix of reluctance and curiosity. The thought of risking his life just to satisfy Lady Azure's amusement didn't sit well with him, yet he couldn't help but be intrigued. After all, if something had caught her attention, it must indeed be extraordinary.

"If it's enough to captivate Lady Azure," he mused silently, "then the medicinal ingredients within must be of an incredibly high grade." She had mentioned a variety, which meant there could be a treasure trove of rare herbs, each more valuable than the last.

But amidst his thoughts of the potential fortune awaiting them, there was one thing that weighed on him more than anything else—the hope that among these ingredients, he might find what he needed to refine the pill for his master, Elder Huo. That was his true goal, after all.

With a soft sigh, Xiao Hua resigned himself to the adventure ahead. "Let’s hope this gamble pays off."

"It will, but first you have to handle the current situation," Lady Azure’s mischievous smile hinted that she knew exactly how this would unfold.

Xiao Hua, of course, understood perfectly what she meant. Even now, the sensation of three pairs of eyes watching their room from a nearby dark alleyway was unmistakable.

"One of them has the coin pouch I gave the innkeeper. That confirms the innkeeper’s involvement," Xiao Hua said, his voice cold and indifferent. He had suspected as much when he saw the fierce glint in the innkeeper's eyes as he entered the inn. Anticipating foul play, Xiao Hua had instructed Lady Azure to place a spiritual imprint on the bag of coins before he tossed it onto the counter.

As expected, the innkeeper had scurried to the back after Xiao Hua went upstairs, meeting with the three figures currently watching from the shadows. Judging by their behavior, this was a well-rehearsed routine.

"It seems I won’t be having dinner tonight..." Xiao Hua muttered softly. Lady Azure, overhearing his words, nodded with a gleeful smile, clearly enjoying his mild frustration.

Knowing the kind of predators that lurked in this region, Xiao Hua prepared for the inevitable. These people had likely preyed on numerous travelers before, and their sudden interest in him was nothing new. The challenge now was to handle them swiftly and silently—before drawing the attention of any powerful forces in town. The presence of multiple Dou Wang experts meant he couldn’t afford to be reckless.

'I only wanted a brief rest before heading to the ancient ruin, yet now I have to deal with this troublesome situation...' Xiao Hua thought to himself with a resigned sigh.

He could simply leave, of course, but doing so abruptly would make him appear suspicious. In the tense atmosphere of Obsidian Rock Town, that would only invite further scrutiny—especially from those factions boasting Dou Wangs, which would be far more troublesome to handle.

Reluctantly, he accepted that he had no choice but to stay. However, he would not sit idly by. He began to prepare several medicinal pills to counteract whatever poison the innkeeper would undoubtedly lace his dinner with. His movements were swift and calculated, each action betraying the long-practiced precision of someone well-versed in the art of alchemy.

"This night won't be as peaceful as I had wished," he muttered, his eyes flashing with determination.

----|

In the dim, narrow alleyway, three men stood, their eyes locked on Xiao Hua’s room with a predatory gaze. The greed in their expressions was unmistakable, each one practically drooling over the potential prize that awaited them inside.

At the forefront was a rugged man, his muscular chest exposed with a jagged scar running diagonally across it. His eyes burned with malice, and he tapped his fingers impatiently against the wall. Behind him, a tall, gangly figure with arms so long they reached his knees loomed in the shadows. Beside him was a rotund man with a protruding belly, scratching it absentmindedly as he waited for their next move.

Each of the men bore a tattoo on their right shoulder—a baboon’s skull. This marked them as members of the notorious Devil Baboon Gang.

Despite the comical and almost ridiculous name, the gang was infamous in the Black-Corner Region, a name that sent shivers down the spine of anyone familiar with their deeds. Entire villages had been razed with their people slaughtered, the women and children sold to the Blood Sect to be used as cultivation resources.

The Devil Baboon Gang wasn’t to be taken lightly. At the helm of this vicious group was a 9-Star Dou Wang. Beneath him, the gang boasted nine Dou Ling as executive enforcers, while their ranks swelled with over twenty Da Dou Shi and Dou Shi members. While they weren’t considered a top-tier faction, they were still a powerful second-rate force in the Black-Corner Region.

The skinny man scoffed lightly, turning to the fat man beside him with a glint of disdain in his eyes. "Fatty Bao, is your informant truly reliable this time? I don’t want a repeat of last time when that so-called source of yours claimed they were weak, only for us to run into a powerful Dou King and drag trouble to the boss!"

"Heh heh. No need to worry, Brother Hei Jin," Fatty Bao replied with a grin, trying to ease the tension. "This time’s different. That useless informant is already six feet under. This innkeeper has been working with me long before I joined the Devil Baboon, and we’ve already snagged a few treasures and gold coins together."

"I couldn’t care less about your past," Hei Jin snorted coldly, rolling his eyes. "What matters is getting the wealth from the people in that inn, whether it’s treasure or gold." A cold glint of greed flashed in his eyes as he cast a sweeping gaze over Xiao Hua's room and the entire inn.

"It's fine. I’ve already been inside and checked their strength myself," the rugged man interjected calmly. "None of them are beyond a 5-Star Dou Ling with the strongest only a 4-Star Dou Ling. If we bring a few more of our brothers, we can easily deal with everyone in that inn, especially when they have been poisoned."

"Yes, Third Commander Yu!" Fatty Bao and Hei Jin nodded in unison, responding with the utmost respect.

Standing before them was none other than Yu Zhou, the Third Commander of the Devil Baboon, a 6-Star Dou Ling known for his ruthless efficiency.

Their group had caught wind of the tantalizing news spreading through the region, and their boss was eager to claim a share of the treasure, too tempting to resist. However, wary of any hidden dangers, he ordered Yu Zhou and his squad to scout the area, ensuring no powerful forces threatened their plans before he made his move.

Unfortunately, what they discovered crushed their hopes. The strength of the forces that had gathered in the town far exceeded their own. It was clear—taking even a small slice of this coveted "cake" was impossible. Reluctantly, they sent word back to their boss, expecting him to withdraw. Instead, he sent a Storage Ring and his orders were chilling: if they couldn’t claim the treasure, they would ensure no one else could enjoy it either. Chaos would be their answer.

Yu Zhou absentmindedly touched the Storage Ring on his finger, his thoughts drifting to the deadly contents inside. The poison pills stored within could unleash a deadly gas upon impact, lethal to Dou Ling practitioners and below, while even Dou Wangs would suffer agonizing pain, if not death, from the venomous fumes.

‘The boss's methods are truly ruthless,’ Yu Zhou thought with a shiver. ‘To shift his focus and weaken the strong forces here the moment he realized he couldn’t claim the treasure...’ He felt a deep chill at his boss's cunning, grateful beyond measure that he wasn’t on the receiving end of such brutality.

"Let's head back to the inn. We’ll strike during the dead of night when no one will dare to interfere," Yu Zhou commanded coldly as he turned and strode deeper into the shadowy alleyway.

Hei Jin and Fatty Bao exchanged a glance but remained silent. There was no objection to be made. Without a word, they followed closely behind, their figures melting into the darkness.