Chapter 200: No Problem, I Have a Plan
At Jia Nan Academy, within the Inner Academy, Grand Elder Su Qian kept the upcoming battle a secret from the students.
This matter had nothing to do with them. If the Dou Zuns and Dou Zongs failed, then the Dou Lings and Dou Shi would only add to the casualties without making a difference. Telling them would only spread panic.
Even Dou Wang instructors were forbidden from participating.
Instead, all Dou Wang level instructors were sent to the Outer Academy to guard it. Meanwhile, Wu Tianlang, the head of the Enforcement Squad, Vice Dean Hu Gan, and Elder Huo from the Alchemy Department three peak Dou Huangs had gathered in the Inner Academy alongside Su Qian, Lei Yi, and others to prepare for the battle.
With the elite forces gathered, the Outer Academy was left defenseless. To address this, Dou Wang level instructors were stationed there. Still, a few were kept in the Inner Academy to maintain order.
On a mountain peak in the rear of the academy, Lu Bu sat cross legged, overlooking the bustling Inner Academy.
Something was strange. The commotion caused by the pill lightning a few days ago was massive, yet Zi Yan hadn't shown up. What was going on?
Had something happened?
Lu Bu frowned as he realized it had been a while since he had last seen Zi Yan. This wouldn't do once this matter was resolved, he would have to find her.
"Lu Bu…" Medusa's alluring voice echoed in his mind, carrying a hint of curiosity.
"I don't understand. The Soul Hall hasn't wronged you. Why are you going to such lengths to fight them, even to the point of clashing with Dou Zuns?"
"Did you forget? I killed several of their Protectors," Lu Bu replied after a brief pause. "The people of the Soul Hall are arrogant and view everyone else as beneath them. In their eyes, anyone they target is already as good as dead. They expect submission, and resistance… well, that's even worse!"
"From start to finish, I've never provoked the Soul Hall. Everything I've done has been in self defense!"
Of course, that was only part of the reason. The other part lay beneath him the Dou Emperor's estate. His ultimate goal was the Emperor Tier Pill.
And wouldn't you know it? The leader of the Soul Clan, Hun Tiandi, also sought the Emperor Tier Pill.
This meant there was no room for reconciliation between him and the Soul Clan. The fight would continue until either Lu Bu or Hun Tiandi claimed the Emperor Tier Pill.
Moreover, Lu Bu had no intention of becoming just another soul in the Devouring Life Formation, nor would he allow any harm to come to the women he cared about.
If he failed to seize the Emperor Tier Pill, his backup plan was to retreat with all his women to the Dragon Island in the void, safely avoiding the aftershocks of a battle between two emperors.
"Plan for defeat before victory, and prepare for loss before gain."
Lu Bu had made it this far through caution and careful planning.
Since the Soul Hall was his enemy, there was no point in holding back. He might as well strike first. Besides, the Soul Hall possessed many things he wanted like their abundant soul essence.
"But… you've been meticulous in covering your tracks. The Soul Hall has no idea you exist," Medusa said, still puzzled. "To them, the only threats are Yao Chen and Xiao Yan. They don't even know you're involved."
Exactly. That was the result Lu Bu had been aiming for. He nodded slightly, pleased with himself. Xiao Yan was out in the open, attracting the Soul Hall's attention.
This wasn't immoral it was logical. Due to Xiao Yan's lineage and stance, his conflict with the Soul Hall and Soul Clan was already irreconcilable.
Thus, having an ally like Lu Bu was something Xiao Yan couldn't be happier about. He'd never betray Lu Bu by exposing his existence to the Soul Hall, as Lu Bu's presence was a trump card that could tip the scales in their favor at any moment.
Just like when they encountered those two Heavenly Protectors from the Soul Hall without Lu Bu, both Yao Chen and Xiao Yan would have been doomed.
In essence, Xiao Yan drew the enemy's fire while Lu Bu offered hidden support. This unspoken agreement was well understood by both sides.
"Still, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan know about you!" Lu Bu shrugged helplessly. "Even if Xiao Yan wouldn't betray me, withdrawing completely isn't an option. That crafty old fox Yao Chen wouldn't let such a valuable ally off the hook so easily."
If Lu Bu tried to back out, Yao Chen might start spreading tales across the continent about how Lu Bu had cleverly used him as bait to kill Protector Mu, Protector Xuan, and even two Heavenly Protectors.
With Yao Chen's influence as the continent's foremost alchemist, the story would spread within days. Even the outhouses of the Northern Wasteland tribes might echo with Lu Bu's "heroic deeds."
"Then let me deal with Yao Chen and Xiao Yan!" Medusa's killing intent surged. Anyone who dared to scheme against Lu Bu deserved to die!
"Are you sure?" Lu Bu asked coolly. "Yao Chen is the leader of Starfall Pavilion in the Central Plains. He has a four star Dou Zun friend and commands a group of Dou Zongs. His connections span the entire Dou Qi Continent."
Medusa hesitated, then replied coldly, "A mere four star Dou Zun. Given time, I'll surpass that. As for his alchemist network… my husband is in no way inferior to that so called Yao Chen."
"Hahaha…" Lu Bu burst into laughter, his mood instantly lifting.
He had once thought his feelings for Medusa were purely physical a mark of his baser instincts. But now he realized… she truly understood him, her words like honey. How could he not love her?
"Well said." Lu Bu nodded. "Yao Chen is no threat. The two of us could crush him effortlessly."
"Shall I take their heads now?" Medusa asked eagerly.
"But what about Xiao Yan?" Lu Bu spread his hands in mock surrender.
"Uh… is his identity special?" Medusa asked, confused. "He's just from a small clan in the Jia Ma Empire, right? At most, he has ties to the Nalan family, but so what? Even Nalan Jie is just a Dou Wang. One punch from our puppets would turn him into a bloody pulp."
"He has a girlfriend with Dou Emperor bloodline…" Lu Bu said meaningfully. "And her father is currently a peak nine star Dou Sheng, only one step away from becoming a Dou Emperor."
"…" Medusa froze, at a loss for words. After a long silence, she muttered, "Then let's fight the Soul Hall instead. They seem easier to deal with."
A peak nine star Dou Sheng… that had to be one of the strongest beings on the Dou Qi Continent. That was a realm she couldn't hope to challenge.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. One day, your husband will reach that realm too," Lu Bu said, gently stroking the smooth scales of the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python in his hands.
"Just a few years ago, you were still struggling to break through to Dou Zong. Did you ever imagine that you'd now be on equal footing with Dou Zuns?"
"We're no weaker than anyone else. The only reason they stand where they do is that they were born thousands of years earlier than us. Nothing more."
Medusa was silent for a moment before breaking into a soft laugh. "Husband, I'm starting to believe you really can become a Dou Emperor."
"What? You didn't believe me until now?" Lu Bu frowned, feigning anger. "You vixen, you're in for it tonight!"
"Come then~" Medusa giggled, her voice sweet and full of affection. "I've been waiting for you, my master~"
Lu Bu drew a sharp breath. That one word "master" set his heart ablaze, sending a wave of euphoria through him.
"Vixen, you've brought this on yourself…" he growled, ready to "punish" her thoroughly.
Suddenly...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
An earth shaking roar echoed through the sky as six figures whistled through the air. Their arrogant, swaggering demeanor, full of disdain, enraged everyone at Jia Nan Academy.
"What an audacious Soul Hall!" Lin Lao stood up abruptly and shouted furiously.
"Damn Soul Hall!" Lu Bu's face turned green with anger. Of all times, they had to show up now, interrupting his business.
Staring at the six figures in the sky, Lu Bu's eyes filled with a murderous glint. "Damn it! If I don't take care of you this time, I'll write my surname backward!"
With a flick of his hand, he grabbed a black robe and draped it over himself.
"Hmm… cough, cough… there, that's better." Adjusting his tone several times, Lu Bu gradually mimicked the voice of Elder Bai Lie.
Whoosh!
Behind him, a black shadow flickered, and an identical black robed figure appeared.
"Lu Bu, are you ready?" Elder Qianmu asked.
"Elder Qian, it's time to address me differently," Lu Bu said in Elder Bai Lie's voice, his tone calm.
"Haha... Let's go!"
In a patch of distorted space at the outskirts of the Black Corner Region, Qing Lin stood with the green robed elder, watching the faintly shimmering mountains in the distance the location of Jia Nan Academy's spatial barrier.
"Teacher, are those six figures... the Soul Hall?" Qing Lin asked, her voice uncertain as she gazed at the streaking shadows in the sky.
"Oh?" The green robed elder raised a brow in surprise. "Qing Lin, you even know about the Soul Hall?"
"Yes, I've heard about them," Qing Lin nodded. Though she hadn't seen them before, she recalled her young master mentioning their signature traits: eerie "jeering laughter," bodies shrouded in black mist, and sinister crimson eyes.
But… the two leading figures didn't fit that description. Why weren't they dressed in the same manner?
"Those two are Dou Zuns," the green robed elder explained, his tone grave. "They are exceptionally powerful and equal to me in strength."
"What?! Dou Zuns?" Qing Lin's face changed drastically. If Dou Zuns were attacking Jia Nan Academy, wouldn't her young master be in grave danger?
She knew her young master's strength was extraordinary and that he could hold his own against Dou Huangs and Dou Zongs. But… this was a Dou Zun!
"Teacher, can you help me rescue someone from Jia Nan Academy?" Qing Lin asked urgently, her voice filled with anxiety.
"Oh?" The green robed elder raised a brow, intrigued. "That young master of yours, the one I've heard Green Barbarian mention? He's at Jia Nan Academy now?"
"Yes!" Qing Lin nodded repeatedly.
"Fine, I can help but on one condition," the elder said with a sly smile, stroking his white beard and narrowing his eyes. "After this, you are not to associate with him again."
"You are the Holy Maiden of my Sky Serpent Mansion, my personal disciple. Even the regular disciples must address you as their grandmaster. How can you lower yourself to serve someone else? Where does that leave me?"
"This…" Qing Lin's expression flickered with hesitation. Her young master had shown her great kindness, and she couldn't simply abandon him.
But if she didn't agree, he might lose his life!
Torn, Qing Lin struggled internally, her heart filled with turmoil.
Seeing her hesitation, the green robed elder chuckled. Once she cut ties with this young master for a while, she'd forget him. After that, it'd be simple enough to arrange for an "accident" to deal with him permanently. He truly had Qing Lin's best interests at heart, even if she didn't realize it yet.
After all, her Heavenly Snake Three Flower Eyes made her destined to be his disciple.
As Qing Lin wavered, the elder watched with a smile, refraining from rushing her decision. If the Soul Hall began their slaughter within Jia Nan Academy, there wouldn't be anyone left to save anyway.
"Jia Nan Academy, surrender Yao Chen to face death!"
As Qing Lin hesitated, Qin Tian roared, his voice thunderous. With a sweep of his sleeve, countless black chains surged out behind him, resembling ferocious dragons as they lunged toward the academy's spatial barrier.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clashing chains created earth shaking reverberations that struck fear into the hearts of anyone who heard them.
Qing Lin stood frozen. Despite her time at Sky Serpent Mansion, she had never witnessed a Dou Zun in action. The overwhelming aura left her speechless.
Boom!
But in the next instant, the chain dragons slammed into the void and shattered into pieces. In the blink of an eye, the countless chains dissolved into wisps of black mist, vanishing completely.
"A four star Dou Zun!" the green robed elder murmured gravely, his expression turning serious. Since when did Jia Nan Academy have such a powerful expert?
Qing Lin finally snapped out of her stupor, her face lighting up with joy. Jia Nan Academy had a Dou Zun on its side, meaning her young master was likely safe!
"Lin Hao, so you're here!" Qin Tian roared. With just one exchange, he already knew he was no match for the opponent.
But that didn't matter. He had anticipated this scenario he was prepared!
"Qin Tian, such audacity to provoke me?" The space twisted, and Lin Lao appeared, his expression dark.
"Hand over Yao Chen," Qin Tian sneered. "If not… keheheheh, I'll slaughter this pathetic academy!" His sinister laughter carried a murderous intent that filled the air.
"Old man, I'm right here!"
Before Lin Lao could respond, a black robed figure wearing a mask appeared, exuding a violent surge of soul power.
Qin Tian's heart surged with delight. As expected, Yao Chen couldn't bear to see young lives lost and had come out of hiding to protect Jia Nan Academy.
But then…
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several figures flashed forward two black robed individuals whose auras were barely acceptable, peak Dou Zongs, likely Bai Lie and Qianmu.
In addition, Su Qian, the grand elder of Jia Nan Academy, arrived with four peak Dou Huangs in tow.
Keheheheh… Qin Tian chuckled coldly. "So, Jia Nan Academy is determined to protect Yao Chen, huh?"
The number of opponents was slightly more than he'd expected, but it wasn't a problem. He had a plan.
He and Xiu Tu would hold Lin Hao at bay, while the three Heavenly Protectors engaged the two peak Dou Zongs and Yao Chen.
Meanwhile, the fourth protector would crush the four Dou Huangs and Su Qian with ease. With this setup, Yao Chen would be captured without issue!
"Hmm, Jia Nan Academy's strength is better than I expected…" the green robed elder murmured as he watched the scene from afar. With their current power, they were nearly on par with his Sky Serpent Mansion.
"Keheheh! You refuse to toast but insist on drinking poison. Xiu Tu, all Protectors attack!"
"Capture Yao Chen at all costs!" Qin Tian bellowed, wasting no time as he launched his assault.
"Do you think I'm just for show?" Lin Lao sneered. With a heavy stomp, his Dou Qi erupted, transforming into a massive, earth yellow dragon that roared and charged forward.
"Lin Hao, do you think I fear you?" Qin Tian roared in response. "Xiu Tu, fight with me!"
Boom! Boom!
Black mist surged as chains soared into the air. Together, Qin Tian and Xiu Tu lunged at Lin Hao.
Meanwhile, the four Heavenly Protectors, all at peak Dou Zong level, laughed menacingly as they turned their attention to Lu Bu and the others.
Keheheheh… "How dare you oppose the Soul Hall? Do you not know the meaning of death?"
"All these high quality souls will belong to us… keheheheh!"