Chapter 149: Xiao Xun'er: "Wow… Lu Bu, You're Really Amazing!"
"Oh, not at all, Mentor Geng Kong, you flatter me." Xiao Yan's voice drifted over from behind, and he walked up shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Xun'er.
As for Nalan Yanran, she had already gone to train in the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower. Her talent was considered decent within the Inner Academy, but her competition was Xiao Xun'er, so she had to work even harder than others.
To this, Xiao Xun'er only smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"With such a faction leader as ours, what else can we do?" Xiao Yan spread his hands helplessly, sighing with mock regret. "We can only fend for ourselves. After all, I'm still a fourth tier alchemist, right?"
Lu Bu: (ー`ー)
This brat really needs a beating!
"Hahaha…" Geng Kong laughed heartily. He found the subtle sparring between the two quite entertaining.
"Yes, Mentor, Xiao Yan is right." Xiao Xun'er smiled softly and said, "Actually, it's a good thing. Xiao Yan has made great progress in alchemy recently and should be breaking through to Dou Ling soon."
Xiao Yan chuckled but did not deny it. Over the past few days, he had ventured into the Black Corner Region and made some arrangements. During that time, he unexpectedly stumbled upon some valuable treasures. With those, his advancement to Dou Ling was practically guaranteed.
"Ahem… Xiao Yan, you're truly impressive." Lu Bu sighed dramatically, feigning amazement. "I didn't expect you to already be on the verge of becoming a Dou Ling while I'm only at the three star Dou Ling stage. What a terrifying cultivation speed!"
"What?! You've already reached three star Dou Ling?!" Xiao Yan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. The smile instantly disappeared from his face.
Lu Bu had only been a two star Dou Ling a week ago. How had he jumped another level in just six or seven days? Wasn't he afraid of unstable foundations?
It wasn't just Xiao Yan; even Xiao Xun'er and Mentor Geng Kong looked at Lu Bu with wide eyes, clearly in shock.
Lu Bu didn't say much. He simply channeled his Dou Qi, causing a brilliant azure glow to emanate from his body. The density of his Dou Qi was visibly more refined than Xiao Yan's.
"Well, I don't know how it happened," Lu Bu said with an exasperated shrug, looking rather troubled. "I was refining last night, and all of a sudden, I just broke through. It's quite strange, really."
Xiao Yan's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. How on earth did this guy cultivate? Back in the Jia Ma Empire, their cultivation levels had been roughly the same, with just a one or two star difference. Yet now, the gap between them was growing larger and larger!
Xiao Xun'er glanced at Lu Bu with a sharp gaze, clearly annoyed. Then, her expression shifted as her eyes sparkled mischievously, and a sweet smile bloomed on her face.
"Wow, Sect Leader, you're amazing!" Xiao Xun'er said in a voice brimming with admiration. "To reach three star Dou Ling in just one week, that's truly enviable. Unlike me, who's worked so hard to get to this point and is only at four star Dou Ling…"
As she spoke, Xiao Xun'er deliberately released her aura. The powerful presence of a four star Dou Ling immediately caught the attention of other disciples nearby.
Lu Bu's face darkened. She's doing this on purpose, isn't she?
Xiao Yan, on the other hand, burst into hearty laughter. Watching Lu Bu get flustered was more satisfying than his own breakthroughs.
But Lu Bu's lips curled into a cold smile. He glanced at Xiao Xun'er with a harmless grin and said, "No wonder you're so exceptional, Xun'er. Such cultivation speed truly leaves us in the dust."
"Oh, by the way, since you're so strong, how about we spar?" Lu Bu's smile remained gentle, almost innocent. "I've been practicing a new Dou Technique these days called Imperial "
Before he could finish, Xiao Xun'er's expression changed dramatically. She grabbed Xiao Yan's arm and quickly dragged him out of the Sacred Gate. Their retreat was hurried and somewhat panicked.
"Ha! You thought you could mess with me?" Lu Bu sneered triumphantly, walking away with a victorious smirk.
Geng Kong, who had been watching the entire exchange, was left bewildered. The interaction seemed complicated yet oddly simple at the same time.
Without paying much attention to him, Lu Bu turned and headed toward the Sacred Gate's alchemy room. After all, as the faction leader, he hadn't properly inspected his own establishment yet.
...
Outside, under a large tree, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er came to a stop.
"Xun'er, just now…" Xiao Yan frowned. Something felt off about her reaction, as though there was a hidden secret between her and Lu Bu.
"Xiao Yan, he's very strong. I don't want to fight him," Xiao Xun'er said solemnly.
"Is this because "
"It's because I fought him once before you arrived at Jia Nan Academy." Xiao Xun'er cut him off with a serious tone.
"What?!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock. "Xun'er, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Seeing his concern shift, Xiao Xun'er secretly let out a sigh of relief. "No, not exactly. But the flames in my body became unstable, and I almost…"
"Damn it! Lu Bu dared to bully you?!" Xiao Yan exclaimed angrily, pulling Xiao Xun'er into his arms. He resolved to teach Lu Bu a lesson the first chance he got.
Leaning against Xiao Yan's chest, Xiao Xun'er's brows furrowed slightly. This couldn't continue. If Lu Bu brought up that incident involving the Imperial Seal Technique, he'd have her completely cornered.
No, she had to come up with a plan.
As her beautiful eyes glimmered with thought, Xiao Xun'er began plotting her next move.
...
Inside the Sacred Gate, Lu Bu emerged from the alchemy room in high spirits.
The Sacred Gate now had four alchemists: two third tier and two second tier. They weren't bad. Although their pill quality didn't meet Lu Bu's high standards, it was still passable.
Just now, Lu Bu had taken some time to guide them, offering advice and even updating some of the recipes for second and third tier pills.
The four alchemists were deeply grateful. Lu Bu's guidance had enlightened them, and the new recipes added to their work made their previously tedious duties much more engaging.
It was only natural. Lu Bu was a seventh tier alchemist, worthy of being called a master.
According to Yao Lao's criteria for Xiao Yan, a seventh tier alchemist was already qualified to go independent. For Lu Bu, guiding second and third tier alchemists was effortless.
Having wrapped up his tasks, Lu Bu prepared to head to the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower for training. Though the Devouring Ancient Glyph provided him with impressive cultivation speed, the tower could speed things up even more. Plus, the specialized cultivation chambers there offered more peace and quiet than his own room.
"Sect Leader, you're back!" A slightly awkward disciple greeted him warmly.
"Oh, it's you, Ah Tai. How's your recovery?" Lu Bu smiled. This was one of the members who had been severely injured during the previous conflict with the Bai Gang and Medicine Gang.
"I've fully recovered!" Ah Tai straightened his back and saluted, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Relax, don't be so serious…" Lu Bu waved his hand with a smile.
"Hehe…" Ah Tai scratched his head, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Anything interesting happen recently?" Lu Bu asked as they walked together.
"Well… I just got back from the Outer Academy, so I'm not sure about much inside. But I did hear some interesting news outside."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Word is, a seventh tier advanced pill called the Nirvana Pill has surfaced in the Black Corner Region. They say it can heal all injuries, practically granting rebirth."
"Also… Medicine Emperor Han Feng has claimed it as something his teacher left behind before his disappearance. He's even invited many top tier experts from the Black Rankings to help him retrieve it."
Hearing this, Lu Bu's smile gradually faded. A seventh tier advanced pill… the Nirvana Pill…
There were very few in the Black Corner Region capable of producing a seventh tier pill. Yao Lao was one. Lu Bu was another. As for Han Feng, his ability came from Yao Lao's teachings.
The Mountain Eagle Elder was also a possibility; he was said to possess a seventh tier Life Restoration Pill.
But none of that mattered. Where had this Nirvana Pill come from? And why was it causing such a stir?
In the Black Corner Region, everyone knew not to flaunt their wealth. A pill of this caliber could drive the entire region mad.
If someone had stumbled upon such a treasure, they wouldn't publicize it. Unless… someone was deliberately stirring the pot?
"Mountain Eagle Elder… Han Feng… Yao Lao…" Lu Bu pondered, his eyes gleaming. The Mountain Eagle Elder seemed unlikely it would be more valuable for him to keep the pill.
Han Feng wouldn't spread such news either; he wanted to seize it himself.
That left Yao Lao…
Lu Bu's eyes flashed with insight. He suddenly remembered Xiao Yan's whispered conversation the previous night. Yao Lao must have known about Lu Bu's presence; after all, his soul strength surpassed Lu Bu's.
"Xiao Yan… Are you trying to use me to fight Han Feng?"
Analyzing the situation, Lu Bu came to a conclusion, and a strange expression crossed his face.
"Ah, cunning Xiao Yan…" Lu Bu shook his head with a faint chuckle. He did intend to target Han Feng, but only after the Fallen Heart Flame went berserk.
(End of Chapter)
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