Chapter 76: The Deal and the Enemy's Movements!
Within the mountain villa on the Mitel family estate, Xiao Yan was pacing back and forth anxiously. Lu Bu had contacted him through a "call," saying there was a way to bridge the gap between him and Yanran Nalan Yanran, to be precise.
"Damn it, where is that bastard?!" Xiao Yan muttered, practically circling the guest room in frustration. There was only a week left, and he still had to prepare for the Alchemist Conference. Time was of the essence!
"Xiao Yan, you look like you're in quite the rush…" Lu Bu's teasing voice echoed as he strolled into the room.
Xiao Yan's lips twitched. This bastard always talks big when he has nothing at stake.
"Get to the point. What's the method?" Xiao Yan asked hurriedly.
"Have you heard of secret techniques? Methods that temporarily boost one's strength," Lu Bu said, lifting a teacup and sipping leisurely.
"Secret techniques?" Xiao Yan was taken aback but soon realized what Lu Bu was talking about. He was all too familiar with them Xun'er had once used such a technique back in Wu Tan City. The next day, her face had turned pale, and her energy was utterly depleted.
If he hadn't known the exact reason, he might have thought Xun'er was dealing with… a certain kind of monthly matter. Cough… Why would my mind even go there?
"You're saying you have a secret technique?" Xiao Yan quickly suppressed his errant thoughts and focused.
"Of course!" Lu Bu chuckled slyly. "But remember, power doesn't come from nowhere. You have to pay a price. My secret technique uses a Heavenly Flame as its core, so it's perfect for someone like you."
"But…" Lu Bu's grin widened. "What can you offer in return?"
"What do you want?" Xiao Yan's face darkened. He was bracing himself to bleed dry again. This bastard had already swindled the fragment of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame map from him. This was daylight robbery!
"I heard you recently obtained a black jade tablet. Let me take a look at it," Lu Bu said, his smile growing.
"You… how do you know about that?" Xiao Yan's expression turned strange. He had acquired that item in Black Rock City, trading it for a bottle of Burning Blood.
"I have my ways," Lu Bu replied with a mischievous laugh. "Well? Deal or no deal?"
Xiao Yan frowned. Ever since he had met Lu Bu, he had never gotten the upper hand in any transaction. Why would this guy trade such a precious secret technique for an old, dirty black jade tablet?
It wasn't possible! Lu Bu was far too cunning to ever strike an unprofitable deal.
And yet…
"Damn it. Do I even have a choice?" Xiao Yan clenched his fists in frustration. Lu Bu always managed to offer something he couldn't refuse.
Lu Bu simply smiled silently, patiently waiting for Xiao Yan's decision.
With a sigh of defeat, Xiao Yan raised his hand. A dusty, mud stained black jade tablet flew out and landed in Lu Bu's palm.
"I have one condition. I want to know what's inside this thing," Xiao Yan said firmly.
Lu Bu held the tablet up and examined it closely. It was nearly identical to the one he had acquired before, which he had already melted down and extracted the information from.
As expected, the tablet he had gotten earlier contained the first stage of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations.
"Deal," Lu Bu agreed with a chuckle. Without hesitation, he pressed two fingers to Xiao Yan's forehead.
A wave of cool energy surged into Xiao Yan's soul as countless streams of information flooded his mind. His eyes rolled back involuntarily as he processed the sudden influx.
Meanwhile, Lu Bu paid him no attention. The Green Lotus Core Flame emerged from his hand, its vibrant heat engulfing the black jade tablet.
These tablets were peculiar storage devices created by the Burning Flame Valley. Extracting their contents was simple just burn them. The heat would release the stored information.
As the Green Lotus Core Flame continued to heat the tablet, the room became unbearably hot. Even Hai Bodong, who was meditating in a nearby room, noticed something unusual.
Before long, Xiao Yan shook off the effects of the information surge, blinking his dazed eyes as he stared at the roaring green flames before him.
"What… what's happening?" he asked, still bewildered.
Before he could finish, the black jade tablet melted into a green liquid. Suddenly, a green glow erupted from the liquid, forming countless streams of text that eventually coalesced into five large characters: Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations!
"As expected!" Lu Bu's face lit up with delight. His hand reached into the green liquid, and a torrent of information surged into his mind. Closing his eyes, he absorbed the massive influx with a calm composure.
Xiao Yan's expression shifted. Just moments ago, Lu Bu had shared the first stage of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations with him. At first, he thought the guy was trying to scam him again, but now…
"This bastard. He's always profiting off me!" Xiao Yan grumbled under his breath.
After a long moment, Lu Bu finally opened his eyes. A satisfied smirk tugged at his lips.
"What was that?" Xiao Yan demanded.
"Exactly what you think: the second stage of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations," Lu Bu replied with a smug grin.
"What?!" Xiao Yan's face lit up with joy, but it quickly turned into a scowl as he realized the catch.
"Want it?" Lu Bu teased. "Bring me something in exchange!"
"…"
Xiao Yan's face twitched. His brief excitement evaporated in an instant. Why am I even happy about this?
"Well? Say something!" Lu Bu pressed. "Do you want it or not?"
"…I do. Name your price," Xiao Yan replied through gritted teeth. It pained him deeply to have to trade for what was essentially already his.
"If I recall correctly, the prize for the Alchemist Conference includes a pill recipe for the Soul Melting Pill, right?" Lu Bu said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I want that, and… I'll need your help refining a pill. Two conditions. How about it?"
"That's all?" Xiao Yan was stunned. He had expected Lu Bu to demand a seventh or eighth tier pill. The conditions seemed surprisingly reasonable.
In truth, Xiao Yan's participation in the Alchemist Conference was part of a deal with the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild. They had agreed to sponsor him with resources, and in return, he would compete on their behalf. The rewards weren't his main concern.
"Why do you even want that recipe?" Xiao Yan asked suspiciously.
"That's not your concern," Lu Bu replied with a shrug. In truth, his interest in the Soul Melting Pill was strategic he planned to use it as leverage to request Queen Medusa's assistance.
Restoring Yao Lao's strength to surpass its former glory was critical to defeating the Hall of Souls' Protector Wu. But doing so came with risks Yao Lao could become an unpredictable threat if his strength eclipsed Lu Bu's.
"I'll do it," Xiao Yan agreed, nodding without hesitation.
With a smirk, Lu Bu placed two fingers on Xiao Yan's forehead, transmitting the method for the second stage of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations.
After finishing the exchange, Lu Bu left. He had his own training to attend to.
In the hidden back mountain cave of Yunlan Sect, Yun Leng hesitated before a dark, shadowy entrance.
The higher ups had given him an assignment half a month ago, and he needed results soon or face severe consequences.
"Come in," a sharp, ethereal voice suddenly commanded.
Yun Leng shuddered, his hands trembling as he cautiously entered the pitch black cave.
Inside, two crimson lights floated in the darkness, exuding an aura of pure malice and terror.
"M my lord… I have leads on the targets," Yun Leng stammered.
"Speak."
"I suspect the ice attribute expert is the recently reemerged Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. His strength is formidable, so I didn't dare provoke him," Yun Leng reported, his voice trembling.
"And the boy?"
"I believe he is a young man named Yanxiao. He wields a Heavenly Flame and is a skilled alchemist. He frequently visits the Mitel family and seems to have a close relationship with Hai Bodong," Yun Leng explained nervously.
"Oh?"
The crimson lights flared brightly, filling the cave with an ominous glow.
(End of Chapter)
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