Chapter 254: Leaving the Black Army, Heading to the Central Plains!
Southwestern Region of the Central Plains, Black Army Camp.
Neighhhh!
The sharp cry of a four winged unicorn echoed outside the camp as a squad of Black Army soldiers rode in on horseback, entering the campgrounds.
"Hahaha… That battle was so satisfying! Those Soul Clan brats were nothing but a joke!" Sixth Commander Shen Song laughed heartily, his armor shattered and torn, but his spirit still lively and brimming with energy.
"If they were such pushovers, then why do you look so beaten up?" scoffed Gu Luan, who stood nearby with a look of disdain.
Hearing this, Shen Song's expression turned a bit awkward. But he quickly shrugged it off You're older than me, so fine, you win.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang out from the depths of the camp. A wave of scorching heat surged into the sky. Shen Song and Gu Luan exchanged a glance, their expressions immediately shifting.
"Could it be… the Grand Commander has successfully advanced?"
"It's possible… Wait, no, something's off!" Gu Luan frowned, realizing the direction was wrong. "That came from Lu Bu's quarters!"
"Really?" Shen Song's pupils shrank as he immediately took off into the air. At the same time, the other commanders and numerous soldiers of the Black Army all flew toward the source of the commotion.
For the soldiers of the Black Army, Lu Bu was both respected and admired. He had repeatedly showcased his strength and wisdom, resolving dire situations and even saving them from the Scattering Energy Mist. To the soldiers, Lu Bu was practically a hero who had given them a second chance at life.
Through his abilities and actions, Lu Bu had earned their loyalty and reverence, even without possessing the Gu Clan's bloodline or Dou Di ancestry.
Swish swish!
Several streaks of light pierced the sky as Gu Yao, Gu Zhen, and a few others appeared not far from Lu Bu's quarters. The stone house glowed with an eerie greenish blue light, and the terrifying heat distorted the surrounding air.
Some of the Black Army soldiers instinctively retreated as the scorching temperature seared their skin and caused their Dou Qi to fluctuate uncontrollably.
"So… the Grand Commander's Dou Qi attribute is fire?"
"You're just now realizing this?"
"Well, yeah! The first time he fought, he used dragon techniques. Later, he mostly relied on his soul powers. He barely used his Dou Qi, okay?"
"Haha… That's true…"
"This isn't ordinary fire it's likely a Heavenly Flame!"
"Definitely. Only a Heavenly Flame could produce this level of power!"
The Black Army soldiers murmured among themselves, but before they could finish, the entire stone house turned red hot, and the rocks began to melt into magma, dripping down in fiery streams. The heat wave became even more violent, forcing the soldiers to retreat further.
BOOM!
A tremendous burst of energy erupted into the sky, and the onlookers instinctively stepped back again, putting even more distance between themselves and Lu Bu's quarters.
"What is this… Is he…" Gu Yao and Gu Zhen exchanged astonished glances.
"No wonder he's been in seclusion for so long…"
"Turns out the Grand Commander wasn't just switching cultivation techniques he's also breaking through to the Dou Zong realm. That explains everything!"
Amidst the swirling greenish blue flames and molten magma, a figure sat calmly, exuding a powerful aura. His presence was like a sea of fire, fierce and unrelenting.
"So, this is the Xiao Yan who fought Hun Yu to a draw?"
"He's just a Dou Zong doesn't seem all that impressive."
"Haha… If it weren't for that mysterious Lu Bu stepping in, this Dou Huang kid would've been dead in Hun Yu's hands!"
"..."
Not far away, a few members of the Medicine Clan observed the commotion from the Black Army camp. They occasionally whispered to each other, most of them expressing disdain.
A mere Dou Zong as the Black Army's Grand Commander? How ridiculous.
If I were there, I could do it too!
Yao Ling, however, kept her eyes half closed, ignoring her fellow clansmen's chatter. She had long since stopped paying attention to their foolish remarks.
"Could I have been wrong…" Yao Ling muttered to herself. She still had a hunch that the "Soul Palace" attackers from that night had been the Black Army in disguise. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find any evidence.
So frustrating!
Within the Black Army camp, Lu Bu's wild energy gradually subsided, returning to his body. The earlier display of extraordinary power faded as though it had never happened.
Clenching his fists, Lu Bu could feel the overwhelming flow of Dou Qi surging through him. Now, I can definitely take on Hun Yu. Even without using every trick I've got, I'm confident I could win.
Of course, if Hun Yu activated his clan's bloodline mark, Lu Bu would still need to resort to all his tools, barring his puppets, to secure victory.
"Hahaha… Everyone, no need for such an enthusiastic welcome. I'm flattered huh?" Lu Bu laughed heartily, feeling elated after his breakthrough.
However, his laughter abruptly stopped when he sensed another powerful aura. Turning, his gaze landed on a figure in the distance.
Xiao Xun Er stood there, her expression calm, as if nothing had happened.
"Four star Dou Zun…" Lu Bu's face darkened instantly. Didn't they say that Dou Zun cultivation slows down with Dou Di bloodlines? Where is it?
He glanced at Gu Yao nearby and noticed that he was still stuck at one star Dou Zun.
"…Alright, I take it back. It does slow down after Dou Zun," Lu Bu muttered to himself, visibly annoyed.
"Thank the heavens… The Grand Commander has finally reached the Dou Zong realm…" Yang Hao was on the verge of tears.
"It's not even you who broke through. Why are you so emotional?" Lin Xiu snapped.
"Would you prefer being beaten by a Dou Huang or a Dou Zong?" Yang Hao retorted.
"Hmm, fair point. Wait hold on! You got beaten by him?" Lin Xiu suddenly caught on, his eyes lighting up as he pressed for details.
Yang Hao: "…" Why can't I keep my mouth shut?
Inside the meeting hall, Xiao Xun Er, Gu Yao, Gu Zhen, and Lu Bu each sat on their respective chairs.
"What do you need from us?" Xiao Xun Er asked flatly. She was clearly irritated at having her time taken away from cultivation.
"I'm planning to leave here and head to the Central Plains," Lu Bu replied. He was annoyed by Xiao Xun Er's tone, but since he wasn't Xiao Yan, he held back. I'll just beat up Xiao Yan later to vent.
"Hmm?" Gu Yao and Gu Zhen were both taken aback.
"It's exactly what it sounds like," Lu Bu said, rolling his eyes. "I can't stay here forever. I'm not interested in working for the Gu Clan indefinitely."
Hearing this, Gu Yao and Gu Zhen exchanged awkward glances. This guy… Helping the Gu Clan isn't something just anyone gets to do, you know!
"Here's the command token. I'm giving it back." Lu Bu pulled out the Black Army Grand Commander's token, tossed it in the air, and set it down on the table.
"No need. Keep it," Xiao Xun Er said calmly. "Whether the Black Army has you as their commander or not makes no difference. Your presence doesn't really matter."
"…If your father wasn't Gu Yuan, I'd have already beaten you up!" Lu Bu's eye twitched, but he decided to let it go, too lazy to argue with her.
"Ahem… Grand Commander, unless you're defeated in battle, no one can take your position," Gu Zhen coughed lightly, worried they might actually start fighting.
"Gu Zhen is correct," Gu Yao nodded. "Unless I defeat you myself, I won't take back the Grand Commander title."
"Fine, suit yourselves," Lu Bu sighed, rolling his eyes. "In that case, I'll be off. See you around."
"Huh? Grand Commander, leaving so soon? Won't you let us send you off?"
"No need. I'm in a rush to meet my sweetheart. No point wasting time with you bunch of rough guys. See ya!" With that, Lu Bu waved dismissively and disappeared without a second thought.
Lu Bu left without a word. By the time most of the Black Army realized he was gone, he had already vanished.
When Gu Luan heard the news, she couldn't help but sigh. At one point, she had entertained the thought of being with Lu Bu. Handsome, powerful, talented, skilled in alchemy, and humorous he was the perfect husband in every way.
But… the man was a shameless womanizer. Gu Luan knew she wasn't a celestial beauty like the lady of the clan, but she also couldn't accept sharing her love with others.
On a mountaintop, a somewhat delicate looking man slowly opened his eyes, his brows furrowed in displeasure.
"Big brother, you didn't sense the Earth Core Soul Marrow on Xiao Yan?" asked a blue haired woman beside him in a soft voice.
"It's not there… Could I have been wrong?" Yao Tian's expression darkened slightly, his frustration growing. He felt an urge to capture the boy and interrogate him. "How could a poor boy from a fallen clan resist the temptation of the Earth Core Soul Marrow?"
"Could it really not be on him?"
"Brother Yao Tian, then shall we…" On the other side, Yao Yi made a throat slitting gesture, his expression filled with malice. He still firmly believed that the three people from that night were members of the Black Army.
Yao Tian frowned deeply before shaking his head. "Forget it. If we can't find any clues on him, then it's a waste of time to keep pursuing him. Don't forget this person isn't easy to deal with!"
"Let's continue searching elsewhere!"
"…Understood!"
In a city in the southwestern region of the Central Plains, Lu Bu stepped into a spatial wormhole. With a wave of his hand, a silver white spatial ship appeared, floating within the wormhole.
Lu Bu turned slightly, his gaze sweeping toward a distant mountain peak before letting out a cold chuckle. Stepping onto the ship, he vanished into the depths of the wormhole.
Northwestern Continent, Near the Border of the Central Plains
Boom!
A column of violet brown flames exploded into the sky, erupting with incredible force.
"Hahaha! The Snow Soul Pill really lives up to its reputation as a seventh tier pill it's extended my progress for half a year!" Xiao Yan floated in mid air, his back adorned with wings of violet brown flame. He threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Not bad, not bad. You've made excellent progress, reaching five star Dou Huang," Yao Lao's voice echoed from within Xiao Yan's mind, filled with approval.
"If I could get a few more of these… hehe…"
"Don't even think about it," Yao Lao said flatly. "The Snow Soul Pill isn't as restrictive as pills like the Dou Ling Pill or the Huang Ji Pill, but its effects diminish with repeated use."
"Fine…" Xiao Yan replied with a sheepish smile, then shifted the topic. "Teacher, should we head to the Central Plains now?"
"Not yet," Yao Lao responded. "Five star Dou Huang isn't enough to gain a foothold in the Central Plains. What you need now is combat find people or magical beasts to fight and solidify your cultivation. Also… you need to start preparing the Huang Ji Pill."
"Once you stabilize at six or seven star Dou Huang, it won't be too late to leave."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan pressed his lips together, suppressing his impatience.
He understood that strength was essential. Without it, forcing his way to the Central Plains would only bring humiliation. He still vividly remembered the arrogance of the two Black Army commanders, Yang Hao and Ling Quan, from his days at Jia Nan Academy.
"Don't worry, it won't take long… Xun Er, wait for me!" Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly and took a deep breath, his determination resolute.
Within the Bone Spirit Ring, Yao Lao stroked his beard and chuckled. Good disciple, be patient. Your teacher will ensure you soar to the heavens!
Swish!
A scroll spiraled through the air, landing in front of Xiao Yan.
"Seven Core Pill? Teacher, what's this?" Xiao Yan asked in surprise.
"It's an auxiliary pill sixth tier," Yao Lao explained with a smile. "When consumed, it sharply enhances your sensitivity to fire attributed Dou Qi and significantly boosts your soul perception for one hour. The effects will fade afterward, but… if you're lucky, the enhancement might become permanent."
"You've just broken through, so this recipe will be good practice for you."
"Teacher, why haven't I heard of this pill before?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled. He vividly remembered the pill recipes that Lu Bu had taken from his teacher, but this one…
"Are you trying to bring up Lu Bu?" Yao Lao snorted. "That kid thinks he's emptied my stores? He's overestimating himself…"
"Hehe… Teacher, as expected, you're the best!" Xiao Yan grinned.
Jia Ma Empire, Black Mountain Palace
Xiao Yi Xian lightly flicked her jade like fingers, and a scroll appeared in her hand. Her usually clear and melodious voice carried a hint of seriousness. "Central Plains Pill Region… This scroll contains all the information I could gather about the Central Plains and the Pill Region."
Before Lu Bu left, he had only mentioned one destination: the Pill Region of the Central Plains.
When Xiao Yi Xian began investigating, she quickly realized the enormity of the region. It was no smaller than the Northwestern Continent and was teeming with powerful individuals. In the Pill Region, Dou Zongs were as common as weeds, and Dou Zuns were everywhere. Only high level alchemists carried any influence.
Furthermore, while the Pill Region was dominated by the Pill Tower, countless smaller factions surrounded it. Though outright wars were rare, the rivalries and power struggles were fierce.
Beyond the Pill Region, the Central Plains was home to powerful factions collectively known as "One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions," each led by Dou Zun level powerhouses. Their influence far surpassed anything in the Northwestern Continent.
"Let's head there," Medusa said, her cold and beautiful face breaking into a faint smile. "I trust he'll find a way to reach us."
"Hehe… just three more months," Yun Yun said with a soft laugh, her voice tinged with anticipation. "Sisters, we should start preparing."
Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa glanced at Yun Yun. Of course, you don't have to worry you've got a teacher helping you. We're not so lucky.
"Are you bringing your disciple on this trip?" Xiao Yi Xian asked. "Didn't Xiao Yan say he was heading to the Central Plains as well?"
"Yan Ran is still in the Life and Death Gate and won't be out anytime soon," Yun Yun replied flatly. "Whatever happens between her and Xiao Yan is none of my concern."
To be honest… things had been awkward between Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran ever since Lu Bu and Xiao Yan got tangled up in their lives.
"Hehe…" Xiao Yi Xian chuckled, slyly. And you had the nerve to tease Medusa about her age aren't you the one who looks older?
"What are you laughing at?" Yun Yun snapped, annoyed. She reached out to grab Xiao Yi Xian, her hand glowing with silver light. The space around her rippled as she made her move she, too, had reached the Dou Zong realm.
"Giggle…" Xiao Yi Xian laughed as she gracefully deflected Yun Yun's attack with a wave of her sleeve, channeling her own spatial power to neutralize the blow.
Medusa sat quietly, watching the two spar with an amused smile. If only Lu Bu were here… Leaning against him, sipping wine, and watching them fight it'd be perfect.
But just then, Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun abruptly stopped. They turned their gaze toward Medusa.
"Uh… What are you two planning?"
"Hehehe… Come here, Your Majesty!" Yun Yun mimicked Lu Bu's sinister laugh, reaching out toward Medusa with a mischievous grin.
(End of Chapter)
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