Chapter 58: Minor Nirvana Golden Body Achieved!
In Stone Desert City, at the Sand Mercenary Group's training grounds, Qing Lin bit her finger nervously. Her green eyes shifted between Lu Bu, enveloped in azure gold flames, and Hai Bodong, whose body emitted waves of white frost.
A look of concern crept onto her delicate face. "It's been almost a whole day. Why isn't it over yet…"
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Before her words fully left her lips, the energy surrounding Hai Bodong suddenly erupted. A faint, ghostly cyan serpent mark appeared on his forehead. Violet energy surged upward, clashing against the mark, pushing and pulling in an intense battle.
After a brief stalemate, the buzzing intensified, and the violet energy swelled. It surged fiercely, completely expelling the ghostly serpent mark from Hai Bodong's body.
In that moment, an overwhelming aura burst forth, like the awakening of a slumbering lion, its dominance unparalleled.
"Hahaha! That damned seal is finally gone!" Hai Bodong laughed maniacally, his wild energy rippling outward with his booming voice.
The ground beneath him cracked and spiderweb like fractures spread out in all directions. However, the defensive array Lu Bu had laid down remained unshaken, holding firm.
"Hai Lao, keep your voice down! The young master is still cultivating!" Qing Lin's crisp, commanding voice rang out.
Hai Bodong's laughter came to an abrupt halt, as if someone had clamped a hand over the throat of a crowing rooster. His face flushed bright red from the sudden interruption.
"Qing Lin, I've regained my strength. I'm a Dou Emperor now!" Hai Bodong said seriously, deliberately unfurling his Dou Qi wings. He flapped them lightly, sending a sharp, icy gust of wind through the area.
"Oh." Qing Lin gave him a quick glance, nodded slightly, and then turned her gaze elsewhere.
"Oh?" Hai Bodong was dumbfounded. I'm a full fledged Dou Emperor standing before you, and all you can say is 'oh'?
It's a good thing I didn't take you as my disciple, or I'd be regretting it to my grave!
Sulking internally, Hai Bodong collected himself and shifted his focus to Lu Bu.
"Hmm?" His brows furrowed as he scrutinized Lu Bu. The azure gold flames surrounding Lu Bu had thinned, revealing his body. His clothing had completely burned away, and his exposed skin shimmered with a metallic, azure golden hue.
The faint sheen of light reflected off Lu Bu's body, giving it the appearance of a solid, polished bronze statue sturdy, heavy, and brimming with an imposing sharpness.
"This guy… how can his physical body be so powerful?" Hai Bodong muttered, his expression growing serious. Even as a newly restored Dou Emperor, Hai Bodong could feel an oppressive force radiating from Lu Bu's body. It was comparable to the pressure he'd feel from a sixth tier magical beast.
"Isn't this guy supposed to be an alchemist? A soul combat specialist? How…" Hai Bodong's lips twitched in disbelief. Has the world changed while I was in hiding?
At that moment, the azure gold flames gradually retracted, drawn into Lu Bu's body with every breath. His body shone even more brilliantly, the metallic glow becoming sharper and more pronounced.
Clang!
A resonant blast erupted. Startled, Hai Bodong reacted instinctively, raising his hands and shouting, "Frozen Ice Mirror!"
A dense wall of frost materialized before him, its glacial surface thick and sturdy.
Let's see how tough you are now! Hai Bodong sneered internally. This was a technique worthy of a Dou Emperor. Even a sixth tier magical beast might struggle to break through.
Lu Bu's azure gold fist sliced through the air with terrifying force, crashing into the ice shield with immense power.
Boom!
The explosive impact sent a gust of unrelenting energy tearing through the frost barrier. Lu Bu roared, his arm locking straight as he unleashed every ounce of force from his punch.
Crack!
The ice shield shattered instantly. Hai Bodong staggered back several steps, his face red with exertion as he steadied himself. Blood surged in his throat, and he swallowed hard to force it back down.
"Damn it…" Hai Bodong muttered, his face twitching as he struggled to keep his composure.
"Hai Lao, are you alright?" Lu Bu landed lightly on the ground, his tone filled with concern.
"I'm… fine!" Hai Bodong straightened himself, veins bulging on his forehead. "I'm the mighty Ice Emperor, after all. A single punch isn't enough to bring me down!"
Lu Bu frowned slightly. He couldn't decide if it was because his new Minor Nirvana Golden Body was underwhelming or if Hai Bodong was simply too powerful.
"At least my body's strong enough to start cultivating the Azure Sky Dragon Technique," Lu Bu muttered to himself. With the fragmented map and the Green Lotus Core Flame in hand, and now his enhanced physical body, his objectives in the desert were almost complete.
"Qing Lin, how long has it been since you were attacked?" Lu Bu asked.
"Including today, it's been ten days, Young Master," Qing Lin replied, her delicate brows furrowing as she counted on her fingers. A shadow crossed her face as she recalled finding Xiao Ling's corpse just a few days ago.
Her mood darkened. She had been deeply attached to the two headed Flame Spirit Serpent.
"In that case, we'll head to Salt City and pay the Mo Clan a visit. Hai Lao, what do you think?" Lu Bu suggested.
"I… I think I need to stabilize my newly recovered strength…" Hai Bodong muttered, awkwardly flapping his wings as he retreated toward Lu Bu's residence.
Lu Bu's expression turned peculiar, but he decided not to press the matter.
"Come on, Qing Lin, let's head out for a bit. We'll get something tasty to eat."
"Yay, let's go!"
Hand in hand, Lu Bu and Qing Lin left the Sand Mercenary Group's base, making their way toward the bustling center of Stone Desert City.
…
Salt City, located in the eastern region of the Jia Ma Empire, was a sprawling metropolis that rivaled Black Rock City in size. It was a renowned hub in the eastern provinces of the empire.
The Mo Clan held a dominant position in Salt City, not only due to its long standing presence but also because its elder, Mo Cheng, had once aligned himself with a powerful backer the Misty Cloud Sect.
In Salt City, few dared to challenge the Mo Clan, save for the Dou King level forces of the City Lord's Mansion.
This time, the Mo Clan was abuzz with activity as Mo Cheng's birthday celebration approached.
Inside the Mo Clan's estate, the head of the family was in high spirits.
"Haha, thank you, Ya Fei. Without your help, gathering these materials on such short notice would have been a nightmare," the patriarch said, bowing deeply. "If we hadn't managed, Elder Mo Cheng would have had much to complain about."
"You flatter me, Patriarch Mo," Ya Fei replied with a polite smile. "As a merchant, it's my duty to assist where I can."
"Since Elder Mo Cheng's birthday is in two days, why don't you stay with us for the time being? Let the Mo Clan host you properly."
"There's no need. The Mittel Trading Company has a busy schedule, and I barely have time to rest as it is," Ya Fei declined firmly.
"Very well," the patriarch said, clapping his hands. A servant approached, carrying a tray with a gold card on it. "Here's the final payment for our transaction."
Ya Fei accepted the card, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and took her leave.
The Mo Clan patriarch watched her departing figure, his gaze smoldering with desire.
"Tch, the Mo Clan…" Ya Fei muttered under her breath, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes. She decided it was best to leave Salt City and return to the capital the next day. The Mo Clan's behavior disgusted her.
Meanwhile, deep within the Mo Clan's fortress, Mo Cheng approached Mo Lan with a solemn expression.
(End of Chapter)
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