Chapter 203: Medusa: Come! Back to the Room with Me!
Behind the green robed elder, Qing Lin murmured softly. Ever since she arrived at Jia Nan Academy, she had often fantasized about meeting her young master. However, with constant battles at the academy and her teacher's seemingly hostile attitude toward her young master, she could only endure silently, planning to grow stronger so she could one day leave the Heavenly Snake Mansion and reunite with him.
But who would've thought that after leaving the Black Corner Region for only a short time, she would run into her young master head on?
"Who goes there?" The green robed elder barked coldly, his gaze flickering with suspicion. The moment the newcomer appeared, he sensed their strength a mere Dou Huang, barely having stepped into the Dou Huang realm for no more than a month. An inexperienced rookie, unworthy of concern.
Yet, what truly alarmed him was the newcomer's age. Upon closer inspection, he saw a dashing young man, no more than twenty years old. To reach such a level of cultivation at this age was extraordinarily rare so rare, in fact, that even his prized disciple Qing Lin, blessed with the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils, might not rival such talent.
For the first time, he doubted Qing Lin's innate gifts. Moreover, even with such talent, achieving this level of cultivation at such a young age would have required a powerful faction's resources. There was no way such accomplishments could be attained otherwise. This person must come from a significant background!
His mind raced, and the green robed elder grew cautious. Could this person have ill intentions?
"Young master!"
At that moment, a crisp voice of joy rang out. Behind him, his treasured disciple let out an excited cry, leaped forward, and dove into the young man's arms, inhaling his familiar scent greedily.
"Hahaha… Qing Lin, long time no see! I've missed you so much!" Lu Bu laughed, wrapping his arms around the girl who had thrown herself into his embrace.
The soft warmth of her body and her fresh, delicate scent filled his arms entirely. Lu Bu squinted his eyes slightly, a sense of sentimentality washing over him. "Qing Lin, you've grown quite a bit since I last saw you!"
"Of course!" Qing Lin tilted her head up from his embrace, a hint of pride in her voice. Back then, though she ate enough, she didn't eat well. Coupled with her lack of cultivation, she was weak and thin, appearing frail and small. It wasn't until she started following her young master that her situation improved slightly.
Cough, cough!
A cough infused with Dou Qi cut through the moment, spreading a faint but unsettling force that made one's blood churn.
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed, and the Green Lotus Core Flame roared to life, erupting into a spiraling inferno that shot into the sky.
The green robed elder's Dou Qi laced voice hadn't even reached Lu Bu before being burned into oblivion by the exotic flame.
"Hm? Is that… an exotic flame?" The green robed elder's eyes flashed with shock.
"Qing Lin, who's this old guy?" Lu Bu's narrowed eyes were filled with hostility. Though the elder's attack had been neutralized, his intent to interrupt Lu Bu's reunion with Qing Lin left him thoroughly displeased.
The green robed elder's expression darkened slightly. What an arrogant brat!
"He's my teacher, the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, known as the Jade Snake Sage," Qing Lin explained softly, still nestled in Lu Bu's arms.
"So, he's from the Heavenly Snake Mansion…" Lu Bu's eyes narrowed further. It seemed his earlier guess had been correct. The Heavenly Snake Mansion wasn't weak they even had a Dou Zun level expert. It seemed sparing the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor and Green Barbarian earlier was a relatively wise decision.
"Boy, tell me, whose disciple are you?" The Jade Snake Sage asked with a cold tone, his brow furrowing as he glared at Lu Bu, clearly displeased.
"Teacher, this is the person I told you about! My benefactor my young master!" Qing Lin exclaimed quickly, clinging to Lu Bu.
As she spoke, her body suddenly froze. In her excitement, she had just realized that her young master had already advanced to Dou Huang. His cultivation speed was shockingly rapid. Back when they parted ways in the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire, her young master had only been at the Da Dou Shi level. She had thought her own cultivation speed could keep up, but now she realized she was a whole realm behind him, hopelessly outpaced.
"Hm?" Hearing Qing Lin's words, the Jade Snake Sage's expression shifted. Wasn't this boy supposed to be some backwater bumpkin from the Jia Ma Empire? How could he possess such talent and cultivation?
The green robed elder suddenly realized how little he knew about the so called "young master" his disciple had spoken of. In fact, he knew next to nothing.
"Damn it… Could Bai Ya have lied to me?" The elder's eyes flickered with suspicion. But even so, he found the brat before him immensely annoying. No matter how he looked at him, he just didn't like him.
And since he came from some rural backwater, there was no reason to fear him.
The Jade Snake Sage's gaze grew colder and more dangerous. All his earlier caution dissipated. Now that he understood the boy's background, he felt no qualms.
A mere pauper from the wilderness what harm would come from killing him? As long as he was discreet and kept it from Qing Lin, who would ever know?
Lu Bu's eyes also narrowed. His soul senses, though not exceptionally strong, detected a faint trace of hostility from the elder.
Though subtle, Lu Bu caught it immediately. So, this elder had ill intentions after all.
"Cough, cough… Elder Bai Lie of Jia Nan Academy greets the Jade Snake Sage!"
At that moment, a ripple in the air distorted the space as Elder Bai Lie, clad in black robes, stepped forward.
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, relaxing slightly. There was no life or death grudge between him and the Heavenly Snake Mansion. This Jade Snake Sage wouldn't go so far as to pick a fight with a Dou Zun over a minor matter.
"Bai Lie… Is this your disciple?" The Jade Snake Sage asked, retracting his hostility as if nothing had happened.
As Lu Bu had predicted, the elder wouldn't escalate the situation. Fighting a Dou Zun over something so trivial wasn't worth it he didn't think this "pretty boy" was worth that level of trouble.
"Haha… You're mistaken, Senior," Elder Bai Lie chuckled. "I'm not worthy to be his teacher. He's my benefactor. Without Lu Bu, I wouldn't have succeeded in advancing to Dou Zun it might have taken me years, if not decades."
What!?
The Jade Snake Sage's expression stiffened. What kind of person was this boy?
His earlier apprehension returned, his gaze toward Lu Bu now filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
"Haha… Elder Bai Lie, you flatter me," Lu Bu said humbly, waving his hand with a smile.
Bai Lie chuckled but said no more. He couldn't reveal Lu Bu's true identity after all, he had just killed a Dou Zun from the Hall of Souls. Exposing him now would be too dangerous.
Qing Lin's bright eyes sparkled with delight. "Young master is still as amazing as ever!"
She had never forgotten that her young master was a sixth tier alchemist. Judging by his current abilities, his rank must have advanced even further!
"So, Qing Lin, will you come with me?" Lu Bu asked with a cheerful smile. While he didn't know much about her unique eyes, he was well aware of how to help her improve her strength.
With his current rank as a seventh tier alchemist, helping Qing Lin grow stronger would be a breeze.
At his words, Qing Lin's eyes lit up with excitement. She had always dreamed of staying by her young master's side!
The Jade Snake Sage's gaze darkened as the hostility he had just suppressed flared up once more. This was no small matter someone trying to whisk away his disciple right under his nose? That alone was enough reason to destroy this insolent boy!
Elder Bai Lie twitched at the corner of his mouth. Lu Bu… this guy really was… something else. Bai Lie found himself at a loss for words, unable to find the right adjective to describe Lu Bu. To brazenly try to take someone's disciple in front of their teacher it was as if he didn't even see the Jade Snake Sage as a threat!
Lu Bu gently cupped Qing Lin's delicate face, his eyes full of anticipation as he looked at her. The reason he had initially agreed to let Qing Lin go to the Heavenly Snake Mansion was twofold. Firstly, he had been too busy to care for her properly, and secondly… he knew nothing about the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils.
So, he had let Qing Lin leave to learn how to use and develop her unique talent at the Heavenly Snake Mansion.
But now? A mere Heavenly Snake Mansion wasn't worth his concern. If needed, he could stroll into their domain with the Heavenly Demon Puppet and Earth Demon Puppet in tow, armed with pills in one hand and the puppets in the other. Surely, the Heavenly Snake Mansion wouldn't dare refuse to hand over the secrets of the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils.
"Well… Young Master, I still need to continue training with my teacher," Qing Lin said after a moment of silence. "Once I've trained enough and can venture out on my own, I'll come find you, okay?"
As she spoke, her eyes turned slightly red. She didn't want to part with him, but the gap between their strengths was still too wide. She didn't aspire to surpass her young master, but she couldn't let the gap remain so vast. She needed to close the distance as much as possible. With her Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils, she believed she could do it!
Hearing Qing Lin's choice to stay, the Jade Snake Sage's expression finally relaxed. At least he was a competent teacher Qing Lin had chosen to remain with him. As for the latter half of her words… the Jade Snake Sage chose to ignore them. That part didn't matter.
"Alright…" Lu Bu said with a hint of disappointment. "By the way, did you receive the pills I had sent to you?"
"Yes, yes! The Yin Yang Mystic Dragon Pill I already took it!" Qing Lin chirped excitedly, her joy evident. She knew her young master hadn't forgotten her!
"Haha… So Bai Ya and Green Barbarian were obedient for once," Lu Bu chuckled.
The Jade Snake Sage's expression shifted as he listened to their exchange. As expected, Green Barbarian and Bai Ya had hidden quite a bit about this boy. Once he returned, he would make sure to get to the bottom of this.
"Alright…" Lu Bu sighed and flipped his hand, producing a jade token. He placed it into Qing Lin's palm and said, "Stay here and train well. If anyone from the Heavenly Snake Mansion dares bully you, crush this jade token. I'll bring people and flatten the Heavenly Snake Mansion!"
"Hmph! Arrogant brat!"
The Jade Snake Sage could no longer remain silent. He had already found Lu Bu unbearable, and if it weren't for Qing Lin being present, he would have taught this boy a lesson long ago. But now, hearing such outrageous words, he couldn't hold back anymore.
With a cold snort, the overwhelming aura of a Dou Zun erupted from his body, instantly distorting the space around them. The sky seemed to sink, pressing down so heavily that breathing became difficult.
"I'd like to see what ability you have to destroy my Heavenly Snake Mansion," he said coldly.
A four star Dou Zun!
Elder Bai Lie's face changed drastically. This level of power wasn't something he, a newly ascended Dou Zun, could hope to withstand.
"Hahaha… What a lively scene!"
Just as Lu Bu was preparing to unleash his soul power, a loud laugh echoed across the area.
The Jade Snake Sage's mountainous aura shattered instantly.
"Who's there?" he barked, his expression fierce.
"Lin Hao, Deputy Commander of the Black Submerged Army, greets the Eighth Commander!"
The loud voice ignored the Jade Snake Sage entirely as a shadowy figure appeared in front of Lu Bu, followed by two Black Submerged Army soldiers riding four winged unicorns. The soldiers clasped their fists respectfully and saluted.
The Jade Snake Sage's face turned pale, then green, then white as he stared at Lu Bu, utterly speechless. Moments ago, he had been scolding this boy for being arrogant, and now, a four star Dou Zun had appeared to greet him as a subordinate.
Though the Jade Snake Sage was relatively secluded, even he had heard of the famed Black Submerged Army of the Gu Clan. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Could this pretty faced boy truly be from the Gu Clan?
Lu Bu glanced at Lin Hao in front of him, his mouth twitching slightly. Is this my grand entrance as a dragon king returning home?
"Please rise, Lin Hao. We're not in the army right now, so there's no need for formalities," Lu Bu said calmly. Then, turning to the Jade Snake Sage, he asked with a half smile, "Jade Snake Sage, do you still think I'm arrogant? Do you believe I can destroy your Heavenly Snake Mansion?"
The Jade Snake Sage's eye twitched, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. Forget the Gu Clan even the Black Submerged Army alone could obliterate several Heavenly Snake Mansions with ease.
"Young Master, don't scare my teacher," Qing Lin said with a playful pout. Her tone carried a hint of laughter. Now her teacher wouldn't dare harbor any ill will toward her young master.
With her Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils, Qing Lin's ability to sense emotions was extraordinarily sharp. She had noticed her teacher's hostility toward her young master earlier, but now? He wouldn't dare.
"The Heavenly Snake Mansion wouldn't dare bully me. I'm their martial ancestor, after all! Don't worry, Young Master," Qing Lin said proudly, giving the Jade Snake Sage a way out.
The Jade Snake Sage nodded slightly, taking a step back without saying a word. His eyes glimmered with suppressed fury. Once he returned, he would turn the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor into snake soup!
If it weren't for that foolish snake, how could he have ended up in such a passive position today? While he couldn't act against Lu Bu, the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor would face his wrath. He'd beat it within an inch of its life!
"Good…" Lu Bu smiled softly, patting Qing Lin's head.
"I'll head back to the Heavenly Snake Mansion now. Goodbye, Young Master," Qing Lin said, letting go of Lu Bu. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She vowed to train hard, grow stronger, and one day catch up to her young master so she could travel the world by his side.
"Goodbye." Lu Bu waved, watching Qing Lin disappear from sight. With Lin Hao and the Black Submerged Army's reputation, the Heavenly Snake Mansion wouldn't dare mistreat her. The forced marriage plot from the original story wouldn't happen now.
"Thank you, Elder Lin!" Lu Bu clasped his fists in gratitude.
"Hahaha… Eighth Commander, there's no need for such courtesy. Your rank is higher than mine in the army it's my duty," Lin Hao replied with a laugh. "And besides, even without the army, your status as a seventh tier alchemist is enough to command the respect of a Dou Zun."
Lu Bu chuckled, returning the gesture. Out of consideration for Lin Hao, he decided not to trouble Xiao Xun'er too much in the future… unless she provoked him again. Then, well… he wouldn't hold back.
"Now that this matter is settled, I'll take my leave," Lin Hao said. "Eighth Commander, if you ever visit the Eastern Region, the Gu Clan would be honored to have someone of your talents!" With that, he vanished into the horizon with the two Black Submerged Army soldiers.
Lu Bu shook his head with a wry smile, then noticed Elder Bai Lie had left at some point.
Buzz, buzz, buzz…
Suddenly, a flash of colorful light appeared, and Medusa emerged in a form fitting purple gown. Her beautiful face wore an expression that was both teasing and cold as she softly asked, "Husband, did you enjoy meeting your little lover?"
"Hmm… I'd say it was a pleasant meeting," Lu Bu replied with a small smile.
"Is that so?" Medusa's face darkened, her teeth grinding in anger. "Come! Back to the room with me!"
"I want to see just how 'pleasant' you're feeling!"
(End of Chapter)
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