Chapter 224: Qing Lin: Young Master, Please Don't~
"Zi Yan, can you tell me how you met the young master?" Qing Lin rested her cheeks on her hands, gazing at Lu Bu in the distance. Unable to contain her curiosity, she turned to Zi Yan beside her and asked.
"Of course I can!" Zi Yan giggled mischievously, her dark eyes swirling with playful thoughts before pointing at the silver puppet hovering in the sky. "Qing Lin, do you see that silver Earth Demon Puppet?"
"That puppet used to be a Four Star Dou Zong from the Black Corner Region extremely powerful!"
"Did you and the young master defeat it together?" Qing Lin's small face lit up with surprise. The aura emanating from that puppet was unlike any ordinary Four Star Dou Zong. Watching the puppet absorb pill lightning, Qing Lin guessed it must have been with Lu Bu for quite some time.
"Of course not! This story actually starts with the puppet's son!" Zi Yan laughed proudly, tilting her head with a playful grin.
Their first meeting... Ahem, that incident was somewhat embarrassing for Zi Yan. After all, she had tried to trick Lu Bu, only to end up falling into her own trap. It was best to keep that story to herself.
"Oh? Tell me quickly, Zi Yan!" Qing Lin urged, her curiosity piqued.
"Hmph, at the time, I brought Lu Bu treasure hunting, and we ended up encountering that puppet's son. Back then, Lu Bu was only at the Dou Ling stage, and I was already a Dou Wang!" Zi Yan boasted, her little face full of pride. Back then, her cultivation was a full realm higher than Lu Bu's. Thinking about it now, she still felt quite impressed with herself.
"That puppet's son was an Eight Star Dou Wang super strong but Lu Bu and I still managed to defeat him!" Zi Yan tilted her head back, giggling. "Lu Bu and I were unstoppable!"
Qing Lin listened intently, nodding repeatedly. It was the first time she'd learned about the young master's experiences after she had left his side.
Zi Yan recounted the tale animatedly, reveling in having such an attentive listener. Determined to impress Qing Lin, she made sure to glorify her and Lu Bu's adventures to the fullest. She then moved on to the story of their battle with Mo Ya and Mo Tian Xing, as well as Lu Bu racing across vast distances via teleportation arrays to rescue her.
Qing Lin listened with admiration, her hands propping up her cheeks. Zi Yan was so incredible. Unlike herself, who had always been a burden to the young master, she wished she had at least been at the Dou Wang or Dou Huang stage back in the Jia Ma Empire.
The two girls one narrating and one listening passed the time this way, occasionally glancing toward Lu Bu as he continued refining pills.
However, as time dragged on and Lu Bu showed no signs of finishing, Zi Yan, having finished her stories, grew restless. She ended up retelling them all over again to Qing Lin, though Lu Bu's alchemy process still wasn't complete.
Initially, Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa had stayed by Lu Bu's side. But seeing the protracted nature of his pill refinement, the two decided to return to the Jia Ma Empire temporarily.
Lu Bu's safety was of no concern, as Elder Bai Lie and the Azure Snake Elder were present. With a Dou Zun puppet and an Eight Star Dou Zong soul spirit at his side, no one would dare harm him.
However, the Snake People Tribe and the Poison Sect faced complicated matters. The battle against the Lion Underworld Sect had just concluded, leaving numerous benefits to be divided among allies.
Medusa knew her people well. The second commander, Black Venom, and the first commander, Chi Kun, were both hot headed and difficult to handle. Their subordinates were unruly and prone to conflict. While they had united against a common enemy before, with that threat gone, tensions between former allies could easily escalate into disputes.
If friction arose between the Poison Sect, Yun Lan Sect, and the Snake People Tribe, it would inevitably cause trouble for Lu Bu. Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian decided it was better to resolve their respective factions' internal issues quickly, sparing Lu Bu any future headaches.
Roughly half a month later, the thunderclouds that had loomed over the Heavenly Snake Palace finally dissipated, revealing the long lost sunlight and blue skies.
Shortly afterward, a streak of light shot into the distance as Elder Bai Lie departed with two Pure Mind Pills and three Lesser Boosting Pills, returning to the Jia Nan Academy.
The three Lesser Boosting Pills were intended for the academy's newly ascended Dou Zong experts, while the Pure Mind Pills helped calm the mind and enhance focus, making them invaluable for cultivation and alchemy. These pills were particularly beneficial to Elder Bai Lie, who constantly dealt with the fire poison of the Fallen Heart Flame during his duties.
However, Bai Lie had no intention of using them himself, deciding instead to give both pills to Elder Qian Mu. Since Qian Mu had taken over guarding the Fallen Heart Flame, Bai Lie had returned to overseeing the academy's library.
The Fortune Pill, on the other hand, was a mixed blessing. While it increased the likelihood of Dou Zong experts breaking through to the Dou Zun stage, it could only be used once in a lifetime. Unlike the Breaking Zong Pill, which could be used repeatedly, the Fortune Pill offered just one chance.
Even Elder Qian Mu, who had lingered at the Dou Zong peak for nearly a century, failed to break through. This highlighted just how slim the Fortune Pill's success rate truly was.
Still, Lu Bu prepared two Fortune Pills for the Heavenly Snake Palace. With several Dou Zong experts in the palace who had been stuck at the peak for decades, the pills offered a glimmer of hope.
When Lu Bu handed the pills to the Azure Snake Elder, the old man was so delighted that his eyes practically disappeared into his grin.
Although the Fortune Pill had a low success rate, it remained a massive temptation for Dou Zong experts at the peak. With two pills, the Heavenly Snake Palace had a decent chance of producing a new Dou Zun.
As a result, the Azure Snake Elder completely forgot about the storage ring from Lion Heaven. Who cared about a storage ring? Could it possibly compare to two Fortune Pills?
What he didn't realize was that the Fortune, Pure Mind, and Lesser Boosting Pills were all refined using the Heavenly Snake Palace's own materials. Lu Bu had made a profit no matter how one looked at it.
"Young master!" Qing Lin waved excitedly, unable to hide her joy. After so long, she could finally speak to Lu Bu!
Seeing this, the Azure Snake Elder and She Lin tactfully took their leave, not wanting to interrupt.
In the past, the Azure Snake Elder had viewed Lu Bu as the commander of the Black Corner Army a crafty and untouchable figure with a Dou Zun puppet at his disposal. While Lu Bu's presence brought many benefits, it also left the elder feeling endlessly annoyed.
But now… discovering that Lu Bu was a Seven Tier Advanced Alchemist changed everything. Such alchemists were as rare as phoenix feathers in the Northwest Continent, even rarer than some magical beasts.
Not to mention, Lu Bu was still so young. If he didn't meet an early end, becoming an Eight Tier or even Nine Tier Alchemist wasn't out of the question.
The elder's perspective shifted entirely. This wasn't about pushing the Saintess into a pit of fire; this was the Heavenly Snake Palace clinging to a golden thigh!
Suddenly, the young alchemist he once found irritating now seemed endearing.
Had he known Lu Bu's true identity earlier, the elder thought, he never would have acted so rudely.
Lu Bu, on the other hand, couldn't help but sneer. I actually preferred it when you were rebellious at least that felt honest.
The Azure Snake Elder, unfazed by Lu Bu's disdain, confidently took over She Lin's duties and shooed away onlookers, ensuring the young alchemist wouldn't be disturbed.
The former palace master She Lin had gone into seclusion to prepare himself for consuming the Fortune Pill and making a breakthrough to the Dou Zun stage.
Qing Lin blushed slightly, embarrassed by how her teacher could be so... "flexible" in handling situations. Pulling Lu Bu by the hand, she led him to another mountain peak, clearly unwilling to deal with that "annoying old man."
"Where's Zi Yan?" Lu Bu asked softly, holding Qing Lin's small, cool, and soft hand in his own. The touch left him feeling a bit distracted. Though he had been focused on refining pills, he had kept a little attention on Zi Yan and Qing Lin and knew the two had been inseparable for some time.
"She's sleeping in my room," Qing Lin said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth. Zi Yan was such an adorable and fun little girl. When she first started talking, she was so excited she babbled on for three days and nights without even feeling tired.
Not long after that, though, she ran out of stories to tell and fell asleep out of boredom while sprawled across Qing Lin's lap. Feeling sorry for her, Qing Lin had carried her back to her room to sleep more comfortably.
Thinking about it now, Qing Lin chuckled softly. Zi Yan might look like a little girl, but she certainly acted far beyond her years.
"Heh... So it's just the two of us now," Lu Bu said with a sly smile, his voice low and playful. His gaze toward Qing Lin grew increasingly deep and intense.
Qing Lin shivered slightly, her delicate face flushing a bright red. After being apart from the young master for over a year, the skinny, petite girl she used to be had now blossomed into someone with an alluring figure. Compared to Ya Fei, whom she had seen before, Qing Lin didn't think she was any worse.
"Young Master, no…" Qing Lin instinctively whispered in a soft, delicate voice, her heart both nervous and flustered. She was worried Lu Bu might act recklessly, especially since they were outside, but at the same time, she didn't want him to stop. After all, it was just the two of them here.
Lu Bu laughed helplessly. This little girl was surprisingly easy to tease.
"Qing Lin, who's this?" A male voice suddenly interrupted, shattering the tender atmosphere between the two.
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly annoyed, while Qing Lin's delicate brows furrowed deeply. Who was this idiot with no sense of timing?
The two turned their heads and saw a young man in white. He had a handsome face, carried a folding fan in his hand, and exuded an air of refinement and elegance, like a genteel nobleman.
The young man's gaze darkened as he looked at Lu Bu and Qing Lin holding hands. Anger flickered faintly in his eyes, and his expression was one of displeasure.
"Who's this guy?" Lu Bu asked, his tone tinged with curiosity. This young man didn't look like anything good at first glance.
"The former palace master's grandson," Qing Lin said, her brows knitting together slightly. "That former palace master is now the Grand Elder of the council."
"Oh?" Lu Bu was a little surprised. He recalled that in the original story, the council had tried to pair Qing Lin with the son of the former leader. Qing Lin, unwilling to comply, had run away to Central Plains.
And now…
"The Grand Elder and the council have been trying to pair me with him," Qing Lin said, clearly displeased as she pouted slightly. "He can't compare to even a strand of your hair, Young Master. Who'd ever like trash like him?"
"Haha, my Qing Lin is so charming," Lu Bu teased with a chuckle.
"Young Master, you're just making fun of me…" Qing Lin blushed, a mix of shyness and affection on her face.
The white robed youth couldn't maintain his composure any longer. Watching the two flirting so openly in front of him, especially when Qing Lin was the person he admired most, made his elegant demeanor crumble.
"Who are you, kid? How dare you cause trouble in my Heavenly Snake Palace "
"Shut up!" Qing Lin's expression turned cold, and she snapped. Raising her hand, she slapped him hard across the face.
A flash of light accompanied the slap, followed by a loud "SMACK!" The young man spun in the air twice before landing face first on the ground.
Lu Bu chuckled. This young man was about seven or eight stars into the Dou Ling stage not bad. For his age, reaching this level of cultivation was enough to be considered a prodigy.
Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing had only reached the peak of Dou Ling in their twenties thanks to the Fallen Heart Flame. Without such advantages, those two might not even match this young man's current achievements.
But compared to Qing Lin? He wasn't even close. Not only was Qing Lin far younger, but her cultivation had already reached Two Star Dou Wang. The speed of her progress, aided by her Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils, was simply terrifying.
Had Lu Bu not possessed the Devouring Ancient Talisman, this little girl might have surpassed him in no time.
"You… you dare hit me?" The young man clutched his face, trembling with rage. "Even my father's never hit me like this!"
"And so what if I hit you?" Qing Lin retorted coldly. "Your grandfather calls me 'Junior Sister,' and your father has to address me as 'Martial Uncle.' You think I don't have the right to slap you?"
It was true. Qing Lin was his senior in both status and cultivation.
Faced with both the reality of his lower rank and Qing Lin's overwhelming presence, the young man's face turned bright red with shame and anger. He couldn't say a word to retort.
"You… you… scoundrel!" Overwhelmed by humiliation and rage, the youth's temper flared. Pale blue Dou Qi erupted from his body, but
Smack!
A hand landed on his head, instantly suppressing his Dou Qi and forcing it back into his dantian. An elderly man with white hair appeared behind him, smiling as if nothing had happened.
"Haha, Junior Sister, please don't be upset. It's my fault for failing to teach him properly. I'll take him back immediately for punishment," the old man said, his tone apologetic.
"Senior Brother," Qing Lin acknowledged with a nod. She had sensed the elder's presence earlier using her Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils but had chosen to ignore him since he was keeping his distance. She hadn't expected his rash grandson to cause such a scene.
"Mr. Lu, we'll be taking our leave now," the old man said, grabbing his grandson by the hair and pulling him away.
"Haha, take care, Grand Elder," Lu Bu said with a smile. "Oh, by the way… the Azure Snake Elder has two Fortune Pills. He usually keeps that quiet."
The old man's eyes lit up. "Thank you for the information, Mr. Lu. I assure you, today's events won't happen again. Farewell."
The elder quickly dragged his grandson away, disappearing from sight.
"Grandfather, why are you "
"Shut up! If you ever bother the Saintess again, I'll break your legs!"
"But I "
"Quiet! The Fortune Pills could help me break through to Dou Zun, and that Mr. Lu made them! Show some respect. If you offend him or the Saintess, I'll be the first to cripple you!"
"But I'm your grandson!"
"Hah! What's a grandson compared to a benefactor?"
The youth: "…"
Meanwhile, back in the forest, Lu Bu wrapped an arm around Qing Lin, his hand gently stroking her slender waist as he chuckled softly. "Heh, little girl, looks like it's just the two of us again…"
"Young Master…" Qing Lin murmured shyly.
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30th, get 40% off your subscription and the purchase of the novel.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen