Chapter 225: "Your Wife and Children, I Shall Care for Them. Worry Not!"
Qing Lin's delicate face flushed once more, the familiar, intoxicating aura of Lu Bu enveloping her and leaving her lightheaded and weak at the knees.
Though she had been close to her Young Master in the past, those moments were limited to helping him apply medicine for his Burning Blood Art. Even though she had seen much and shared a bed with him during those moments, once the medicine was applied, her Young Master would immediately focus on cultivation, barely sparing her any attention. She had never experienced this kind of intimacy before.
In an instant, the "Junior Martial Sister" of the Heavenly Snake Palace Master and Grand Elder someone of the same generation as them was left completely flustered, unsure of how to respond.
Qing Lin had thought that after spending over a year apart from her Young Master, with all the knowledge and experience she had gained within the Heavenly Snake Palace, she had matured. But at this moment, she realized she was still the same timid little girl who didn't know what to do in front of her Young Master.
"Hmph, silly little girl…" Lu Bu chuckled softly.
"You're just bullying me, Young Master!" Qing Lin stammered, her hands pressing against Lu Bu's chest as her face turned crimson.
Lu Bu couldn't help but laugh. Though he was a man of great strength and character, he was not some reckless fiend who would pounce on Qing Lin the first chance he got. At least… not now.
That said, the dual cultivation method he had in mind might come in handy in the future. Surely, there would come a time when they could make use of it, right?
Thinking this, Lu Bu turned his palm over and produced a jade slip, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Qing Lin, come here. I want you to take a look at this."
"What is it?" Qing Lin asked curiously as she took the jade slip.
Lu Bu grinned slyly, anticipation building within him. Watching a girl blush from embarrassment was far more delightful than seeing her dressed up for an occasion.
Lowering her head, Qing Lin's eyes half closed as she infused the jade slip with her soul energy. She didn't notice the change in Lu Bu's expression as he watched her.
But as soon as she began reading the contents of the jade slip, her already flushed face turned as red as a blazing sunset. Her small mouth opened, but no words came out, leaving her stammering in silence.
Lu Bu couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to pinch her soft cheek. What a shame he didn't have a camera her current expression was absolutely adorable.
"Lu Bu, I need to talk to you… Oh, sorry," a familiar voice suddenly interrupted.
"Ah!" Qing Lin yelped softly, her body jolting like a startled deer.
"Y Young Master, I I'll go first. I'll find you later," she stuttered, then disappeared into the forest in a flash, her face still burning red.
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed as he turned to face the intruder, his expression growing dark. "Kid, you're dead."
Crack! Pop!
The sound of Lu Bu cracking his knuckles echoed ominously as an icy killing intent emanated from him, sending chills through the air.
"I have something to ask of you! While I'm out training, please look after the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan!" Xiao Yan blurted out quickly, speaking at a rapid pace to avoid Lu Bu's wrath.
"Huh?" Lu Bu's expression shifted, his aura calming slightly. "You're leaving for the Central Plains?"
This kid was currently only at the three star Dou Wang stage. Going to the Central Plains now would likely result in a series of beatings. Moreover, the Pill Tower Conference was still years away. Even if he went, he wouldn't be able to obtain another Heavenly Flame. So… what was this kid planning to do in the Central Plains? Get beaten up to train his endurance?
Seeing Lu Bu's focus shift, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had managed to redirect Lu Bu's attention.
"No, not the Central Plains," Xiao Yan said. "I'm not planning to head there yet. For now, I'm focusing on training here in the Northwest Continent and searching for more Heavenly Flames."
"You know as well as I do that Heavenly Flames are the best way for me to increase my strength," he added, shooting an annoyed glare at Lu Bu. This bastard had recklessly used his name, which might have already alerted the Soul Hall's pursuers.
"Do you think Heavenly Flames grow on trees?" Lu Bu scoffed, but then something clicked. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Wait a second. Did you just say you want me to look after the Nalan Clan and… Nalan Yanran?"
Lu Bu's eyes lit up instantly, completely ignoring Xiao Yan's mention of the Xiao Clan as he focused solely on Nalan Yanran.
Xiao Yan smirked, crossing his arms. "Lu Bu, are you forgetting something? Yanran's teacher is Yun Yun. Do you think she'll let you mess around? Besides, you already have Queen Medusa and the Heavenly Poison Sect's leader. Do you really think you can handle anything more?"
Lu Bu's expression darkened. He had to admit Xiao Yan had a point. He had gotten carried away for a moment and forgotten about the complications.
Though he wasn't particularly interested in Nalan Yanran initially, something about her had piqued his curiosity… ahem, a lapse in judgment.
"Got nothing to say, huh?" Xiao Yan chuckled, feeling victorious. This was precisely why he felt comfortable leaving.
Over the past month, Lu Bu had been busy refining pills at the Heavenly Snake Palace, while Xiao Yan had been doing the same in the Jia Ma Empire. Taking advantage of Lu Bu's absence, Xiao Yan had used the opportunity to showcase his alchemy skills and strengthen his connections.
Thanks to his reputation as a fifth tier alchemist, the Alchemist Association, the Xiao Clan, and the Nalan Clan had grown increasingly close.
While he wasn't as monstrous as Lu Bu, a fifth tier alchemist at his age was still a rarity, enough to make any major family in the Jia Ma Empire take notice.
As a result, the Xiao Clan's standing in the empire had risen significantly, rivaling the days when his grandfather, Xiao Lin, had been alive.
Nalan Yanran, of course, was well protected as Yun Yun's disciple and Yun Shan's grand disciple. No one in the Jia Ma Empire would dare touch her not even Lu Bu.
"Is that so?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming on his lips. "Xiao Yan, you know me well enough to know I don't go looking for trouble. I prefer to let trouble come to me."
Xiao Yan: "???"
"Nalan Jie… hehehe…" Lu Bu chuckled darkly, naming Nalan Yanran's grandfather. "I don't have to do anything. He'll come to me."
"You're dreaming," Xiao Yan sneered. "Do you think Old Master Nalan is that kind of person?"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course… maybe… probably…" Xiao Yan trailed off, sweat forming on his forehead.
Lu Bu cackled. Even Xiao Yan didn't believe his own words!
"So, what do you want from me, exactly?" Lu Bu asked, his tone growing serious again as he shifted focus.
"A deal!" Xiao Yan said quickly, sensing Lu Bu's dangerous aura returning. "I want to commission you to refine a Ground Demon Puppet for me. I've already gathered the materials."
"Oh?" Lu Bu's interest was piqued. "And what will you offer in return? Soul enhancing techniques?"
"No, I'm offering five eighth tier pill recipes," Xiao Yan replied. Though alchemists typically guarded their recipes closely, he and his teacher had little choice Lu Bu had already drained them of so much knowledge.
"Hmph, who cares about your recipes?" Lu Bu snorted dismissively. "I'll find better ones on my own."
"Then what do you want? And don't even think about asking for soul enhancing techniques!" Xiao Yan warned.
"Nothing much… Hmm?" Lu Bu suddenly paused, a thought forming in his mind. "Then how about this? Have Yao Lao give me a wisp of the Bone Chilling Flame."
"What do you need that for?" Xiao Yan asked, his eyes darkening as his voice deepened into Yao Lao's older tone.
"I don't know," Lu Bu admitted with a shrug. "Your recipes don't interest me, and I can't refine eighth tier pills yet. But I can't just do it for free, can I?"
Yao Lao was left speechless. This kid really couldn't bear to take even the slightest loss!
"Alright, I agree!" Yao Lao immediately relented. "But just a single wisp of the sub flame."
As he spoke, "Xiao Yan" raised his hand, and a faint wisp of pale white flame flickered to life in his palm. At the same time, the aura emanating from "Xiao Yan" weakened slightly.
Lu Bu extended his hand, capturing the flame and sealing it within his palm.
"Alright, I'll go find a quiet room," Lu Bu said, calling over a servant from the Heavenly Snake Palace to guide him. The servant, efficient and attentive, quickly led Lu Bu to a well prepared chamber.
The Heavenly Snake Palace Master, the Venerable Azure Snake, had already ordered that all of Lu Bu's requests be fulfilled to the best of their abilities. If they were going to forge an alliance, they might as well go all in.
...
In the southern region of the Northwest Continent, a faint wisp of light drifted aimlessly through the air, weaving its way through towering mountain ranges and dense forests. It had no clear destination, yet it continued on, seemingly fragile, flickering as though it might extinguish at any moment, but stubbornly refusing to fade.
Snap!
A pale, skeletal hand extended from the shadows and black mist, snatching the wisp of light.
"Xiao Yan..." a faint voice emerged from the wisp, as if there was more to say, but the message contained within ended there.
"Interesting," a voice laced with amusement replied from within the swirling black mist. "A message from the Northwest Continent… drifting all the way into the western border of the Central Plains?"
"Xiao Yan… if I remember correctly, the elders mentioned that the 'key' might be in his hands, right?" The speaker's eyes gleamed with interest, and a mischievous smile crept across his face as though he'd stumbled upon something particularly entertaining.
"Soul Cliff, what's that?" a second voice asked curiously, accompanied by a figure who materialized beside him. This newcomer brought with him a thick, nauseating scent of blood.
The one called Soul Cliff chuckled, lifting the wisp of light for the other to see. After a brief moment, the second figure furrowed his brow. "A message from the Northwest Continent? How did it end up here? It's practically at the borders of the Central Plains."
"Want to head over and check it out?" Soul Cliff asked with a grin. "We might as well take this chance to secure the 'key.' If we succeed, it'll be a major achievement."
"Didn't the Soul Hall lose an elder in the Northwest Continent recently? I heard it involved both the Lei Clan and the Gu Clan. Are you sure you want to go?" the other figure replied cautiously.
"Tch… The Lei Clan's power lies in the northeastern Central Plains. How would they have gotten involved in the Northwest Continent?" Soul Cliff asked, his brow furrowing.
"Apparently, it's connected to Mang Tian Chi's Jia Nan Academy," the second figure said, stepping forward and inadvertently crushing something beneath his foot with a sharp crack.
"Pfft… the Lei Clan's influence? Don't make me laugh!" Soul Cliff scoffed, completely ignoring the noise. "At most, it's Mang Tian Chi's power at play. And that old fool is nowhere to be found these days. Nothing to worry about."
"And the Gu Clan?"
"You're actually afraid of the Gu Clan?" Soul Cliff sneered. With a quick motion, he kicked something nearby.
Thwack!
The severed head of a bloodied unicorn flew into the air, spinning as it arced before shattering with a sickening boom. White brain matter mixed with shards of bone sprayed across the forest, filling the air with a putrid stench.
"I'm out. I need to return to my clan and report," the other figure said flatly before vanishing into the forest canopy.
"Tch… coward," Soul Cliff muttered disdainfully. With a tap of his toes, he darted northward.
His curiosity burned. The "key" that the elders valued so highly what could it be? This was the perfect chance to find out. Not going would be a regret for a lifetime.
...
Two hours later
Two figures clad in black armor descended on the forest, their faces grim as they guided their four winged unicorn mounts to land.
"This should be the place."
"Let's be cautious," one said to the other, their eyes meeting briefly in silent understanding. With a pat to their mounts, they descended into the forest below.
What greeted them was a scene of carnage. Their eyes burned crimson with fury as they took in the sight before them: severed limbs, shattered bones of black armored soldiers, and mangled bodies of four winged unicorns scattered beneath the trees, half buried in the blood soaked soil.
Green headed flies buzzed incessantly, swarming over the piles of broken corpses.
"Curse Soul Cliff and Soul Hua! I'll tear you both apart!" the two Black Abyss soldiers howled in rage, their voices echoing through the forest.
...
Heavenly Snake Palace, within the sealed chamber
The eerie Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame burned quietly, its heat refining a silver corpse as a faintly menacing aura emanated from the body.
Creating a Heaven Demon Puppet wasn't difficult, especially with practice. By now, Lu Bu no longer needed to tread as cautiously as before. Of course, his earlier caution stemmed from the fact that he had only a single eighth tier magic core at the time. Now? This was Xiao Yan's material if something went wrong, it wasn't his problem.
"Senior Yao, is advancing to a Soul Realm Soul only possible through accumulating soul energy?" Lu Bu asked, controlling the flames as he spoke.
In the past, there had been no one to advise him on the intricacies of the soul realm. But now, with Tianhuo Zun zhe awake, he finally had someone to ask.
"Yes," Tianhuo Zun zhe replied. "A Soul Realm Soul is a transformation, an evolution that transcends the mortal and mundane. Many are stuck at this threshold, unable to progress. Those who manage to break through are without exception renowned powerhouses."
"The Soul Realm requires one to absorb soul energy to refine and transform their soul. Even among the ancient imperial clans, this step is unavoidable. Be it through rare treasures or painstaking absorption, this stage cannot be skipped," Tianhuo explained patiently.
Lu Bu frowned. "What if I refined a large amount of pure soul essence instead?"
His thoughts had already turned to the Soul Hall. Those soul essences were too tempting. If Void Devouring Flame could use them to ascend to the Soul Emperor level, why couldn't he use them to break into the Soul Realm?
"This..." Tianhuo hesitated. Despite his own attainment of the Soul Realm in life, he had never encountered something like pure soul essence.
"Lu Bu, from what I know, breaking into the Soul Realm requires soul energy refinement," Tianhuo finally said, choosing his words carefully. "This insight came from a powerful Spirit Clan expert."
"The Spirit Clan's understanding of the soul likely surpasses even the Soul Clan's," Tianhuo added.
"Tsk… troublesome," Lu Bu muttered, his brow furrowing. Could Void Devouring Flame's breakthrough to the Soul Emperor level have relied not just on soul essence but also secret techniques from the Soul Clan?
As they spoke, the silver puppet within the flames trembled violently, its aura suddenly spiking.
Lu Bu snapped back to focus, flicking a wave of energy toward the chamber door.
A moment later, Xiao Yan appeared, his face lighting up with excitement as he imprinted the puppet with his blood seal.
"Ha! Lu Bu, thank you!" Xiao Yan exclaimed joyfully. A peak Dou Zong puppet against anything short of a Dou Zun, he would now be unmatched.
"You're welcome," Lu Bu said with a gentle smile. "Xiao Yan, focus on your training. As for your wife and family, I'll take care of them. Worry not!"
Xiao Yan: "…"
The more you say that, the less reassured I feel. Maybe I should check on the Jia Ma Empire before heading out.
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