Chapter 152: A Clash with Su Qian!
"Lu Bu!" Zi Yan's small face lit up with excitement. If Su Qian weren't present, she would have flown over and hugged him on the spot.
"Lu Bu?" Su Qian's face darkened as he watched Zi Yan's starkly different attitude toward himself and Lu Bu. The contrast was too much was there no justice in the world?
Looking at Zi Yan's cheerful expression, and then at Lu Bu's handsome face, Su Qian's internal fire blazed. No matter how he looked at Lu Bu, he just couldn't stand him!
Su Qian's expression stiffened as he turned to Lu Bu, who had just landed, and said coldly, "Lu Bu, is it? You've hidden your true strength to enter Jia Nan Academy. I suspect you have ulterior motives. Care to explain yourself?"
Lu Bu rolled his eyes. He had noticed Su Qian spying on him just yesterday morning. The elder's attitude had been fine back then so why the sudden change?
Zi Yan glared angrily at the old man. What do you think you're doing? Do you want me to beat you up?
"Well? Care to explain?" Su Qian huffed unhappily. Seeing Zi Yan's protective gaze toward Lu Bu only made him more annoyed.
"Hmm… explain, you say?" Lu Bu scratched his chin, then straightened his posture, his expression suddenly serious. "That's right I did come to Jia Nan Academy with a goal in mind!"
"Hmm? So you admit it?" Su Qian's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Lu Bu to shamelessly admit it so easily.
Zi Yan squinted her large eyes into crescents, munching on a pill she pulled out as she watched the scene unfold. She could already tell Lu Bu was about to mess with someone again!
"Exactly! I'm here to become a Dou Di!" Lu Bu flashed his teeth in an eerie smile, his voice dripping with mockery. "Heh heh… Jia Nan Academy hides a secret coveted by the entire continent, one that leads to becoming a Dou Di. That's why I, Lu Bu, am here!"
"As long as I obtain the hidden treasure, I'll ascend to Dou Di… Heh heh… Su Qian, you know too much now…"
As he spoke, Lu Bu snapped his fingers, and the Green Lotus Core Flame flickered to life at his fingertips. The eerie blue green flames cast shadows across Lu Bu's face, making his handsome features appear sinister and terrifying.
Su Qian rolled his eyes. Become a Dou Di? Jia Nan Academy doesn't even have a Dou Zun right now!
(Well, except for the dean, who's off somewhere acting crazy.)
"Hey, Elder Su Qian, what's with that expression?" Lu Bu said irritably. "I'm telling the truth you've got to believe me!"
"Enough nonsense!" Su Qian snapped. "Let's get to the point. I know your soul strength is extraordinary. If anything happens with the Fallen Heart Flame, I hope you can assist us."
Though he was technically asking for help, Su Qian's tone was curt, likely because of Zi Yan's favoritism toward Lu Bu.
No one believes the truth… Lu Bu sighed. But hearing Su Qian's request made his brow furrow. "Elder Su Qian, Heavenly Flames are not something to suppress forcefully. They should be handled with caution, not sealed away."
"Of course, I know that," Su Qian sighed heavily. He was well aware of this principle. However, the Fallen Heart Flame was vital to the Inner Academy's survival. Without a way to fully subdue it, what choice did he have but to manage it as best he could?
Thinking about it only fueled Su Qian's frustration. The academy's other senior elders, Qian Lao and Bai Lao, certainly had the strength to help. But those two stubbornly insisted that managing the Fallen Heart Flame was Su Qian's responsibility and outright refused to intervene.
Fine, then. I'll remember this. Next time, I'll make them suffer too!
"No, you don't understand…" Lu Bu muttered under his breath. Heavenly Flames were indeed mutually antagonistic but they could also coexist in harmony.
When one Heavenly Flame encountered another, its first instinct was to devour it to enhance its own strength. Without overwhelming power, using one Heavenly Flame against another would only provoke a greater backlash.
However, Lu Bu didn't explain further. Instead, he nodded in agreement. After gaining Zi Yan's favor, his next target was the Fallen Heart Flame and, more importantly, the Tian Huo Zun zhe sealed beneath it.
After receiving Lu Bu's promise, Su Qian glanced at Zi Yan, who was still staring intently at Lu Bu, and left in a huff, too frustrated to say another word.
"Zi Yan, let's go inside. I'll make you something delicious," Lu Bu said with a smile.
"Yay! That old geezer is gone no one will bother us now!"
"Uh…" Lu Bu froze, his face twitching slightly. Why does that sound so… inappropriate?
…
In the Black Corner Region, within a hidden chamber in Medicine Sovereign City.
The room was brightly lit with whale oil lamps and luminous pearls, casting the space in a soft glow free from any unpleasant odors.
Seven or eight figures were gathered inside, led by none other than the infamous Medicine Sovereign, Han Feng. Seated at the honored guest spot to his left were two elderly figures clad in gold and silver robes, their expressions cold and indifferent.
Han Feng glanced around the room at the assembled individuals: the Yin Bone Elder of the Sky Yin Sect, Tie Wu of the Mad Lion Gang, Su Mei of the Rakshasa Sect, Fan Lao of the Blood Sect, and Teng Xiao of the Earth Flame Sect.
These people were all ranked within the top ten of the Black Ranking. Most were five or six star Dou Huangs. While not a match for Jia Nan Academy's core strength, they were more than capable of creating chaos before the academy's elders could respond.
"Heh… everyone here knows the plan," Han Feng said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "Our target is Jia Nan Academy. There's no need for direct confrontation just cause enough disruption to keep them occupied."
"For the sake of secrecy, I hope everyone will remain here in Maple City for a few days."
The group remained silent, nodding in agreement. They had already negotiated their fees with Han Feng and understood their objectives.
As for potential retaliation from Jia Nan Academy? Please. Han Feng is the one stealing from them. Let them deal with him first.
Besides, would Jia Nan Academy dare to gamble their students' lives against the scum of the Black Corner Region?
"How long will this take?" Su Mei asked, pursing her lips. Normally, she would have teased Han Feng in private, but in the presence of the Gold and Silver Elders, whose auras were overwhelming, she didn't dare to act out.
Han Feng smiled. "My spies are ready. Within a week, Jia Nan Academy will descend into chaos. Then, looting and plundering your specialty will be up to you."
The corners of the group's mouths curled into wicked grins. For them, this was high praise indeed.
"Fan Lao, how's the search for the Nirvana Pill going?" Han Feng asked.
Fan Lao, a four star Dou Huang, was the weakest among them in raw power. However, his sinister techniques and vicious methods made him as dangerous as any five star Dou Huang.
"No luck yet," Fan Lao said grimly. "The only clue we've found is a lingering trace of its alchemical aura."
Han Feng's expression darkened. Both the Nirvana Pill and the Fallen Heart Flame were critical to him.
"Keep searching," Han Feng ordered. "Once we secure the Fallen Heart Flame, we'll focus all our efforts on finding it!"
…
Late at night, the Inner Academy fell into its usual calm. Even the most energetic students quieted down, immersing themselves in cultivation.
Yet, in a secluded pavilion, two students met secretly: Bei Jing and Lei Na.
The moment they saw each other, they both froze in mild shock.
So this guy is also one of the master's pawns?
"Senior, the master's orders are clear. We have seven days to deploy the item into the tower," Bei Jing said cautiously. "Do you have a plan?"
Generally, pawns like them were forbidden from making contact. However, Han Feng's impatience had forced them to break protocol.
Lei Na gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with determination. After a moment, he sighed. "The master's demands are too harsh. There's no way we'll make it out alive."
"…"
Bei Jing fell silent, then sighed as well. "Then let's not run. We knew this was coming when we were chosen as pawns…"
"You create chaos on the third floor. I'll handle the rest," Lei Na said firmly.
"Understood!"
As they parted ways, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.
It was Lu Bu.
"I didn't expect to gain so much from eavesdropping…" Lu Bu's lips curled into a sinister smile. Should I give them a little push?
Hah… What a tempting dilemma.
(End of Chapter)
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