Chapter 376: Preparations Before Leaving, The Primal Ancestral Thunder
After successfully crafting the Phoenix Bone Wings, Mo Yu was in a good mood and didn't leave immediately. Instead, he took out the ten claws of the Sky Demon Phoenix.
He gazed at the ten sharp, green-red spikes floating before him, each radiating a cold, menacing aura. Narrowing his silver eyes slightly, Mo Yu summoned the Vermilion Bird Sky Flame Thunder.
Taking advantage of his recent breakthrough in soul power, Mo Yu decided that he would forge his first seventh-grade weapon since his rebirth!
Three Days Later, Yuan Manor Hall.
The meeting hall of Yuan Manor, usually bustling with activity, was now filled with the top leaders of the manor. But what was unusual was the presence of an elderly man in black seated in the center—none other than Su Qian, the Grand Elder of the Inner Academy.
The people gathered here were all famous figures in the Black-Corner Region, each capable of causing tremors across hundreds of miles with a mere stomp of their foot.
However, no matter how much authority they commanded in the outside world, at this moment, all of them sat quietly, their gazes focused on the young silver-eyed man seated above.
A voice finally broke the silence. "Haha, Grand Elder, I apologize for making you come all the way here," Mo Yu said with a light laugh as he looked at Su Qian.
"It's no trouble. There isn't much happening in the Inner Academy anyway," Su Qian replied. As he gazed at Mo Yu, now standing strong and full of vigor, Su Qian couldn't help but feel emotional.
He remembered when Mo Yu had first entered the academy as a mere Dou Spirit student. But in just a few short years, Mo Yu had not only created Yuan Manor, the most powerful force in the Black-Corner Region, but even managed to kill the old devil Di Mo.
Su Qian had encountered countless geniuses at the Jia Nan Academy, but none were as monstrously talented as Mo Yu. He was likely the first of his kind, and perhaps the last.
After sighing inwardly, Su Qian's expression shifted slightly as he softly asked, "You didn't ask me here just to inform me that you're planning to leave the Black-Corner Region, did you?"
Mo Yu was briefly startled, then smiled and nodded. "You're right, Grand Elder. In a few days, I will indeed be leaving the Black-Corner Region."
As soon as he said this, the entire hall erupted in murmurs.
Xiao Li, Gu He, Yin Gu Lao, and other high-ranking members of Yuan Manor looked at Mo Yu in shock. As the core figure of Yuan Manor, Mo Yu's sudden decision to leave was startling news to them.
Yuan Manor had been Mo Yu's creation; he was its soul. How could they not be shocked by his departure?
However, Su Qian simply nodded in understanding and sighed, "You are the most extraordinary talent I have ever seen. This small Black-Corner Region is indeed too small for you. And considering your origins, only the Central Plains can truly match your potential."
Su Qian was, of course, referring to Mo Yu's heritage as a member of the Lei Clan.
Mo Yu, however, merely shook his head dismissively at the mention of his origins. He wasn't going to the Central Plains to return to the Lei Clan, but to become stronger. But he didn't feel the need to explain further.
Standing up, Mo Yu poured a cup of fragrant tea and handed it to Su Qian with both hands, smiling as he said, "Once I leave, I'll be counting on you, Grand Elder, to keep an eye on Yuan Manor."
Taking the tea from Mo Yu, Su Qian chuckled bitterly. "You're giving me quite a challenge. Yuan Manor's strength is now no less than the academy's. If you encounter an enemy too strong for Yuan Manor to handle, what can this old man do?"
Mo Yu smiled and said, "You're being too modest, Grand Elder. The academy must have some hidden masters, or it wouldn't have stood strong on the continent for centuries."
"Haha, as expected, nothing gets past you. Don't worry, I'll watch over Yuan Manor for you. Go to the Central Plains with peace of mind," Su Qian replied with a chuckle after sipping the tea.
"Thank you, Grand Elder," Mo Yu said, breathing a sigh of relief. He knew that the seemingly ordinary Jia Nan Academy hid incredible power. Beneath the calm surface of the Inner Academy were two nearly Dou Venerate-level elders.
These two half-step Dou Venerates were formidable even by Central Plains standards. With the academy's protection, Mo Yu felt much more at ease about leaving the Black-Corner Region.
"Cousin Mo Yu, if you leave the Black-Corner Region, what will happen to Yuan Manor?" Xiao Li asked.
Mo Yu turned to face the concerned leaders of Yuan Manor and smiled. "Don't worry, I'm just going to the Central Plains for some training. I'm not abandoning Yuan Manor."
Hearing Mo Yu's reassurance, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"Once I leave, Zi Huo will handle external affairs, while Cousin Xiao Li will manage internal matters. With the resources of the Black-Corner Region, Yuan Manor's growth is limitless. Perhaps in the near future, Yuan Manor will move to the Central Plains, and we will establish a stronghold there!"
"What? Move to the Central Plains?" Mo Yu's words shocked the entire hall once again.
The Central Plains was the heart of the continent, home to countless powerful individuals. Even first-rate forces like the Yunlan Sect and Mulan Valley from the Northwestern Continent were considered average in the Central Plains.
While Yuan Manor was powerful and dominated the Black-Corner Region, moving to the Central Plains would bring immense challenges and formidable enemies.
But as they looked into Mo Yu's calm, indifferent silver eyes, the high-ranking members of Yuan Manor felt their initial anxiety ease. After all, Mo Yu had built Yuan Manor from scratch in just three years, making it a dominant force. Who's to say what he could achieve in a few more years?
"Don't worry, Manor Master. I will work with Hall Master Zi Huo to continue growing Yuan Manor," Xiao Li said, firmly believing in Mo Yu. He patted his chest, showing his commitment.
Zi Huo, standing loyally behind Mo Yu with his red eyes never wavering, remained silent as always, his focus entirely on Mo Yu.
Seeing this, the other leaders of Yuan Manor exchanged glances and realized their master's plans. One after another, they respectfully wished Mo Yu a safe journey: "We wish you a safe trip, Manor Master!"
At that moment, Qing Lin, her expression changing slightly, grabbed Mo Yu's arm and said, "Master, I should go with you to the Central Plains. However, a few days ago, Sister Green Man sent a letter saying that the leader of the Heavenly Snake House is dying. If I'm willing to return, I can take over as the leader."
Mo Yu was momentarily surprised. He hadn't expected the Heavenly Snake House to be so determined about the Three-Flower Green-Python Eyes that they would offer such an opportunity to Qing Lin.
Looking at Qing Lin, Mo Yu asked, "Do you want to return?"
Qing Lin shook her head softly and said, "In my heart, I want to stay with you and take care of you, Master. That's my biggest wish. The Heavenly Snake House means nothing to me now. But I know you're destined for great things, so I want to go back, take charge of the Heavenly Snake House, and help you when Yuan Manor moves to the Central Plains."
Mo Yu felt a warm sensation in his heart at Qing Lin's words. Even Little Doctor Immortal, who was standing nearby, gained a new respect for this sometimes mischievous, sometimes charming girl who had always followed Mo Yu like a servant.
With a gentle sigh, Mo Yu patted Qing Lin's soft, silky hair and said, "You don't have to…"
But before he could finish, Qing Lin interrupted, her face resolute: "Master, I've already made up my mind. I don't have the strength of Sister Little Doctor Immortal. If I go to the Central Plains with you now, I'll only hold you back. It's better for me to return to the Heavenly Snake House, use their resources to grow stronger, and then help you expand Yuan Manor by merging with the Heavenly Snake House."
Hearing Qing Lin's determined plan, Mo Yu was taken aback but then smiled bitterly and said, "If that's what you want, then so be it."
He knew that Qing Lin's potential was limitless, and keeping her by his side might waste her talents. Since she was determined, it would be better to let her grow freely.
Perhaps the next time they met, Qing Lin would bring him a pleasant surprise.
"Thank you, Master," Qing Lin said sweetly when she heard Mo Yu agree.
"There's no need to thank me." Mo Yu lightly tapped her nose and then pointed to Zi Huo. "When you return to the Heavenly Snake House, I'll have Zi Huo accompany you. He'll stay with you until you've safely taken control, then he'll leave."
Qing Lin paused for a moment, then nodded after some thought.
She understood the reason behind Mo Yu's arrangement. No one could guarantee that the Heavenly Snake House's invitation wasn't a trap. If it was, Zi Huo's strength would be more than enough to ensure Qing Lin's safety.
Mo Yu was confident in Zi Huo's abilities. A year ago, Zi Huo had already been capable of killing peak Dou Emperors. Over the past year, his strength had only grown.
In Mo Yu's view, Zi Huo might now even be a match for lower-ranked Dou Ancestors.
After handling the matter with Qing Lin, Mo Yu hesitated for a moment before retrieving a red scroll from his beast ring.
He gently rubbed the scroll for a moment, then handed it to Xiao Li, saying, "Once I'm gone, please have someone deliver this scroll to the Jia Ma Empire. Make sure it's given directly to my cousin Xiao Yan. It's a battle technique that I'm sure he'll love."
The red scroll was none other than the Blazing Flame Technique, a mid-tier Earth-level technique Mo Yu had obtained from the Demon Flame Valley's lair. It could fuse hundreds of beast fires into a single Transmuted Flame, which was incredibly close to the power of a Heavenly Flame.
However, since Mo Yu specialized in lightning techniques, this battle technique wasn't useful to him. Instead, he thought it would be a perfect gift for Xiao Yan.
Xiao Li solemnly accepted the red scroll, though he didn't know its contents. Still, he nodded earnestly.
After making all the necessary arrangements, Mo Yu dismissed the others. Only he and Zi Huo remained, standing together in a quiet courtyard of Yuan Manor.
Seated on a stone chair, Mo Yu gazed at the towering figure of Zi Huo standing nearby like a pillar of iron and said, "Zi Huo, I'm counting on you to look after Yuan Manor in the future."
"Don't worry, boss. Zi Huo won't let you down!" Zi Huo said, thumping his bronze chest like steel, the sound ringing out like a gong.
Mo Yu nodded, reassured. Then, with a swipe of his finger across his beast ring, a green-red pair of gauntlets and a jade bottle appeared on the stone table beside him.
Picking up the gauntlets, Mo Yu handed them to Zi Huo and said, "Try these on."
Without hesitation, Zi Huo put on the gauntlets. Instantly, a terrifying aura of violent power surged from his body, sweeping through the courtyard.
When he spread his fingers, green-red bone spikes protruded from his fingertips, each one sharp and deadly, like the talons of a vermilion phoenix.
"This is the Phoenix Fist Gauntlet. I just finished crafting it. I promised I'd make you a weapon, and this is it," Mo Yu said with a smile.
Given Zi Huo's strength, combined with the Phoenix Fist Gauntlet, a weapon made from the claws of the Sky Demon Phoenix, he could even kill a low-ranked Dou Ancestor.
"Thank you, boss!" Zi Huo exclaimed, clearly thrilled with the new weapon. He practiced a few powerful punches with it before gratefully thanking Mo Yu.
"You're welcome," Mo Yu replied, chuckling. Then he tossed the jade bottle to Zi Huo. "This green-red liquid is for you. It will help you in your cultivation."
Zi Huo curiously opened the bottle, and in the next moment, a surge of wild energy rushed into his body through his nose.
Feeling the powerful energy, Zi Huo's reaction wasn't one of fear but of joy. He activated the bloodline of the Savage Lion within him, quickly refining the energy.
As the energy was absorbed, Zi Huo's already massive body grew slightly larger, and his aura became even more ferocious and wild.
"Boss, what kind of treasure is this? It's incredible! I just took a single breath, and I feel like my physical strength has increased significantly," Zi Huo said with a broad grin, scratching his head. "Since I'm a magical beast in human form, the stronger my body, the stronger I become. If I refine all of the liquid in this bottle, I might even break through to the Dou Ancestor level. But this treasure is too valuable. You should keep it for yourself, boss."
Mo Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise.
From the moment he obtained the green-red liquid, knowing that it enhanced physical strength, Mo Yu had believed it would be beneficial to Zi Huo. But he hadn't expected it to have the potential to push Zi Huo to the Dou Ancestor level.
Then again, this was the life essence of an almost eight-rank Sky Demon Phoenix. Such powerful energy made Zi Huo's breakthrough seem reasonable.
Smiling at Zi Huo's humble offer to give back the liquid, Mo Yu said, "This is for you. No need to be modest. Once you break through to the Dou Ancestor level, I'll feel much more secure leaving Yuan Manor in your hands."
With Zi Huo at the Dou Ancestor level, even someone as powerful as Di Mo wouldn't be able to stand against him.
Hearing this, Zi Huo carefully stored the jade bottle in his storage ring, then patted his bronze chest again and promised to watch over Yuan Manor.
Mo Yu smiled, but then, as if remembering something, he hesitated before retrieving a dark yellow lightning source from his palm. The lightning radiated a primal, ancient energy.
Looking at the ancient lightning in his hand, Mo Yu turned to Zi Huo, the towering and ferocious figure standing before him, and said solemnly, "Zi Huo, today, I will entrust you with the Primal Ancestral Thunder."
(End of the chapter)
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