Chapter 148: Complimenting Xiao Yan? That Won't Do!
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Lu Bu held Medusa's soft, slender waist, savoring the incredible sensation, though his tone was filled with concern.
His clear gaze proved his innocence I, Lu Bu, am not a lecherous man!
Through the probing of his soul power, Lu Bu confirmed that Medusa's body had no abnormalities. The surging seven colored light was a natural phenomenon, likely something Medusa had triggered herself.
"My… Dou Qi is almost completely drained, and the Heaven Swallowing Python is beginning to fight for control over my body…" Medusa said, her voice slightly breathless. Her body began to grow warmer, and her previously cold, aloof tone softened into something delicate and tender, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Uh…" Lu Bu scratched his head. I understand the situation, but… why are you hugging me?
Though I'm not opposed to it, isn't this a bit improper? It's rather… embarrassing.
"It's not me… it's the Heaven Swallowing Python," Medusa said, biting her luscious red lips. As she spoke, a faint blush crept across her usually icy and proud face, making her appear unexpectedly shy.
"...Ssss…"
Lu Bu sucked in a sharp breath and immediately felt a wave of admiration. So much for my "not a lecherous man" persona! Medusa, in this state, was far too alluring!
Instinctively, Lu Bu raised his hand to gently caress Medusa's stunningly beautiful face. However, just as his fingertips were about to make contact, Medusa's lips curled into a smile so enchanting it could captivate the entire world. With a triumphant look, she gave a soft chuckle, as if declaring victory:
"Hmph… Men!"
Before her words even fully landed, the beauty in Lu Bu's arms shimmered, and a ripple spread through the air. The once soft figure disappeared, replaced by an adorable, tiny, seven colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
Lu Bu's face instantly darkened. She played me!
"Hiss hiss…"
The tiny Heaven Swallowing Python cheerfully flicked its tongue, wagging its small tail as it affectionately rubbed its face against Lu Bu, like a close friend reunited after a long separation.
Lu Bu helplessly poked the little Heaven Swallowing Python on its head, pulled out a Purple Crystal Source, and fed it. Satisfied, the snake wriggled back into Lu Bu's embrace and curled up to sleep again.
Patting the little python gently, Lu Bu glanced in the direction where Mo Tianxing had disappeared, letting out a cold chuckle. He had no doubt that Mo Tianxing would continue his efforts to explore the secret realm.
If Mo Tianxing wanted revenge, he would need strength! And the secret realm was likely the only place where he might obtain the power he desired.
There was no way Mo Tianxing would stick to slow, methodical cultivation. After all, he had witnessed both Lu Bu and Zi Yan's terrifying talents. If he paused his pursuit of the secret realm, his fate would be sealed.
Time was not on Mo Tianxing's side it was on Lu Bu's. In a few years, it would be Lu Bu and Zi Yan knocking on his door to settle accounts.
Lu Bu was supremely confident in his own cultivation speed and equally confident in predicting Mo Tianxing's choices. In the Black Corner Region, where strength was everything, chasing power was the only path forward.
"Lu Bu, um… what should we do now?" Zi Yan asked with a sheepish laugh, her expression a little guilty. After all, it was her disobedience that had attracted the Four Star Dou Zong.
Smack!
"Ah! That hurt!" Zi Yan held her head, looking pitiful as she pouted. Lu Bu had given her a sharp flick to the forehead it really hurt!
"We're going back to the Inner Academy!" Lu Bu said grumpily. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"
"…I know," Zi Yan mumbled, shrinking her head into her shoulders. How could it not be dangerous, being chased by a Dou Huang?
Wait… Dou Huang?
"Lu Bu, can we go back and grab that guy's spatial ring?"
Lu Bu: "…"
This greedy little brat!
"Let's go!" Lu Bu picked Zi Yan up, spread his Violet Cloud Wings, and flew off toward the direction of the corpse.
"Lu Bu, how did you appear earlier from the formation on the puppet's chest?"
"Oh, that? It's a teleportation array. The range isn't very far, though, so it's not very convenient. It's good for emergencies, but for long distances, spatial corridors are better."
"Spatial corridors?"
"That's a conversation for another time. You'll find out eventually."
...
Elsewhere in the forest, Mo Tianxing spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm, pulled several pills from his spatial ring, and swallowed them. After a few deep breaths, he barely managed to stabilize himself.
Beside him, Feng Elder wasn't faring much better. Though he hadn't faced Medusa directly, her initial attack had injured him. Worst of all… his younger brother had gone missing.
If nothing unexpected had happened… well, the unexpected had already occurred.
Feng Elder clenched his fists, suppressing the searing pain in his heart. In the Black Corner Region, he had long accepted the possibility of death. But now that the moment had come, the anguish was overwhelming.
"Sect Master, what should we do now?" Feng Elder asked, forcing down his grief. Survival was more important than anything else.
"The Black Emperor Sect has already lost four Dou Huangs, one Eight Star Dou Wang, and a Dou Huang affiliated with the Quilang Gang. These losses have been crippling," Mo Tianxing said, his tone low and somber. "If the Demon Flame Valley or any other force learns of this…"
Hearing this, Feng Elder broke into a cold sweat. Only now did he realize just how hollow their sect's strength had become.
With only one injured Dou Zong holding the fort, and just two Dou Huangs left one newly recruited and the other a medicinal alchemist the situation was dire. Even Feng Elder himself was a crippled Five Star Dou Huang.
"What should we do?" Feng Elder asked gravely. If the other factions learned of their weakness, they would certainly strike as one.
"Continue!" Mo Tianxing said darkly, his gaze venomous. "Once we've healed, we'll resume exploring the secret realm. I must obtain its treasures!"
"The only thing that can save us now is whatever lies beyond the spatial barrier!"
"As long as we can get inside, our strength will recover rapidly. The Black Emperor Sect will remain the Black Emperor Sect!"
Taking a deep breath, Mo Tianxing circulated his Dou Qi to heal his injuries.
"Yes!" Feng Elder replied, sitting down cross legged to begin his own recovery.
…
When Lu Bu and Zi Yan returned to the Inner Academy, night had already fallen. After preparing several bottles of pills for Zi Yan enough to keep the little glutton satisfied for a few days Lu Bu decided to focus entirely on cultivating his Dou Qi.
He had been stuck at the Two Star Dou Ling stage for over a week now, and the pace of his progress was simply unacceptable. He had to accelerate his cultivation!
With this in mind, Lu Bu entered his small pavilion. But as he passed the second floor, a soft conversation caught his attention.
"Han Feng, the so called Medicine Emperor… Xiao Yan, and his connection to the Medicine Elder…" Nalan Yanran whispered.
"Yes, he's my senior a senior who killed his own master!" Xiao Yan's voice was calm, but it carried a heavy killing intent. "One day, I'll end him myself!"
"Xiao Yan, you can do it. I believe in you," Xun'er said softly.
"That Han Feng was Medicine Elder's first disciple. He won't be easy to deal with. Xiao Yan, we have to be careful," Nalan Yanran warned.
"Indeed… That man possesses the Soul Ascension Technique personally taught by my teacher. His true alchemical rank is likely at the Seventh Tier. I'm no match for him yet!"
…
Lu Bu's steps paused for a moment. Han Feng had… the Soul Ascension Technique?
Lu Bu's brows furrowed slightly as he sifted through his memories deep within his soul. After a moment of thought, he shook his head. It was possible, but not certain.
Still… Han Feng was worth targeting!
Lu Bu's eyes gleamed with greed at the thought of Han Feng's Myriad Beast Cauldron. His current Flaming Cauldron was only a fifth tier medicinal cauldron. After prolonged exposure to the intense flames of the Green Lotus Core Flame and the energy surges from refining countless fifth and sixth tier pills, it had already sustained significant damage.
A few more uses, and it might very well explode.
With this in mind, Lu Bu climbed the stairs slowly, returning to his room to begin cultivating.
"Teacher, he must have heard us…" Xiao Yan smirked inwardly, holding the hands of Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er as he chuckled softly.
"I refuse to believe he won't take the bait…" Yao Lao's playful laughter echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. The old fox and the young fox had already started plotting against Lu Bu.
...
In the Medicine Emperor City, after several days of waiting, the intelligence gathered by the Blood Sect, Earth Flame Sect, and Sky Yin Sect was finally delivered to Han Feng.
However, Han Feng found it strange that there seemed to be no tension between the Black Emperor Sect and Jia Nan Academy. Not only did their territories not overlap, but the two factions also cooperated in several areas. There was no sign of the cutthroat rivalry or hidden currents Han Feng had expected.
At one point, Han Feng even suspected that the Blood Sect's intelligence had been inaccurate. But when reports from the Earth Flame Sect and Sky Yin Sect arrived, along with information from his own intelligence network in the Medicine Emperor City, all of them corroborated the same thing.
"This is strange…" Han Feng murmured, stroking his chin.
"Master, there's something I'm not sure if I should say…" Han Beng hesitated, his expression conflicted as if afraid to provoke his master's anger.
"Speak!" Han Feng frowned and barked.
"Yes, sir!" Han Beng immediately complied. "While gathering intelligence on the Black Emperor Sect, I noticed something unusual. Several of the Dou Huangs within the Black Emperor Sect have disappeared without a trace… no one knows where they've gone."
"So, they're making moves after all!" Han Feng's expression shifted to realization. But… who were they targeting?
Han Feng paced anxiously. For people in the Black Corner Region, the primary thorn in their side was none other than Jia Nan Academy. Yet, the intelligence had already confirmed that there was no animosity between the academy and the Black Emperor Sect.
As for targeting others… weaker factions wouldn't even be worth the effort, and stronger ones? Would Mo Tianxing dare provoke the old demon of the Demon Flame Valley?
He wouldn't dare!
"Could it be that Mo Tianxing, that sly old fox, is trying to suppress both me and Jia Nan Academy?" Han Feng considered another possibility.
The Fallen Heart Flame was something he had to obtain. But that flame was also vital to Jia Nan Academy. As an alchemist, Han Feng excelled at rallying allies. If things went according to plan, the entire Black Corner Region would descend into chaos, leaving everyone too preoccupied to pay attention to whatever Mo Tianxing was scheming.
"Tch… that old fox!" Han Feng scowled. Even though he could see through Mo Tianxing's strategy, what could he do about it? The only solution would be to give up on the Fallen Heart Flame but that was impossible.
In Han Feng's world, nothing mattered more than heavenly flames. The Burning Technique was paramount!
"Hmph… Once I acquire the Fallen Heart Flame and ascend to the Dou Zong level, I'd like to see what tricks you can still pull, old fox!" Han Feng's eyes gleamed coldly as he sneered.
"Han Beng, send a message…" Han Feng began to issue orders, a decisive tone in his voice. He was ready to seize the Fallen Heart Flame immediately!
He had to act before Mo Tianxing could complete his plans. Once Han Feng obtained the heavenly flame and broke through to Dou Zong, it would be Mo Tianxing's turn to suffer.
However, before he could finish his sentence, a subordinate rushed in, presenting Han Feng with a letter. Han Feng frowned in confusion as he unfolded it, but as he read, his expression quickly shifted to joy.
"Master…?" Han Beng called hesitantly, surprised to see such a rare expression on Han Feng's face.
"Hahaha… Nirvana Pill!" Han Feng laughed heartily, clutching the letter. "I can't believe such a thing has appeared in the Black Corner Region. Heaven is truly on my side!"
"I was just worrying about how to suppress my injuries after refining the Fallen Heart Flame, and now this blessing drops right into my lap!"
"Master…" Han Beng hesitated before asking, "Which one should we prioritize first?"
"Hehe… I want both the heavenly flame and the pill!" Han Feng declared, his laughter booming. "The Nirvana Pill isn't for improving cultivation, and its refinement takes time. It won't attract many powerful rivals. I imagine they'll gladly sell me some favors."
"So… I'll take it all!"
"Han Beng, instruct our agents to accelerate the plan to detonate the Fallen Heart Flame in the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower. Also, send a message to the Gold and Silver Elders… No, I'll handle this one myself!"
...
The night passed uneventfully.
In his room, Lu Bu floated amidst a collection of medicinal herbs. Under the influence of his Devouring Power, the medicinal essences fell into his body, instantly refined into Dou Qi and absorbed into the sea of Dou Crystals within him.
Unfortunately, as this was Jia Nan Academy, Lu Bu didn't dare to set up a Spirit Gathering Array. Additionally, the Dou Qi Continent lacked pills like Pure Essence Pills, Nirvana Pills, or Life Essence Pills from the Xuan Realm.
Otherwise, he could solve not only the issue of short range teleportation but also accelerate his cultivation speed significantly.
Creak~
Lu Bu opened his door and stretched lazily in the sunlight, descending the pavilion stairs at a leisurely pace.
"Hehe… Lu Bu, you're back?" A cheerful voice called out. Lu Bu turned to see a familiar face the unlucky mentor who had accompanied him on a prior mission.
"Uh… Good morning, Mentor," Lu Bu greeted him.
"I'm Geng Kong. Relax, no need to be so formal. After all, I owe you guys my life," the young instructor said with a laugh.
"Oh, understood," Lu Bu replied, nodding. Still, he couldn't help but wonder, What brings him to the Sacred Gate?
"Forgotten already?" Geng Kong laughed. "You suggested having Inner Academy mentors oversee the quality of pills produced by the student factions. Today happens to be my turn on duty."
"Oh, I see!" Lu Bu finally understood. "Thank you for your hard work, Mentor Geng Kong."
"Not at all. It's quite enjoyable here at the Sacred Gate," Geng Kong said with a hearty laugh, clearly in high spirits.
"Your Sacred Gate is truly brimming with talent. In your absence, Xiao Yan has been quite the asset. His alchemical skills are astonishing even better than those of some alchemy department students when it comes to refining fourth tier pills."
"And Wu Hao what a fighter! He's already made a name for himself on the Strong Ranking after just two months in the Inner Academy. Although he's ranked lower, his achievements put me to shame…"
Lu Bu: (¬_¬)
Complimenting Wu Hao or Hu Jia is fine, but Xiao Yan? That's where I draw the line!
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