Chapter 143: Zi Yan's "True Nature" and Yao Chen's Plan with Xiao Yan
Holding the jade bottle, Zi Yan chewed the pills noisily, her pink cheeks puffed out as she glanced between Medusa and Lu Bu. Her expression was a mix of confusion and curiosity as she observed the tension between them. Quiet and obedient, she didn't make a fuss. If one ignored the sound of her munching, she would appear as a perfectly ladylike and adorable porcelain doll.
"Alright, I'm going to start cultivating!" Lu Bu clapped his hands in satisfaction and laughed. "Zi Yan, you can play around, just don't wander too far."
"Oh…" Zi Yan nodded, tilting her head to glance at Lu Bu and then at Queen Medusa.
"Your Majesty," Lu Bu said, turning to Medusa, "since you're not heading back for now, why don't you keep Zi Yan company?"
"…Understood," Medusa replied, frowning slightly. Although she found the suggestion a bit irritating, it wasn't unreasonable.
"And don't head west or north. There might be a four star Dou Zong moving around there," Lu Bu warned, referring to Mo Tianxing.
Mo Xian had mentioned that Mo Tianxing was currently leading a team in the northern region, searching for the entrance to the secret realm. Medusa's current state didn't allow her to contend with a four star Dou Zong, so caution was necessary.
"I understand!" Medusa huffed coldly. "Zi Yan, let's go. I'll look for some medicinal ingredients."
Zi Yan nodded her small head eagerly and followed Medusa into the forest.
Watching them leave, Lu Bu smiled and flipped his hand. Two scrolls, one black and one silver, appeared in his palm. The silver one contained Three Thousand Lightning Movement, while the black one held Emperor Seal Technique.
"Which one should I cultivate first?" Lu Bu muttered, rubbing his chin. Yesterday's battle was still fresh in his mind. The sudden burst of speed from the Dou Huang level opponent had momentarily made him lose track of his target a rare and dangerous moment for a seventh tier alchemist like him.
It was ridiculous. Whether it was due to the enemy's technique, attribute, or movement skill, the result was the same: losing his target meant defeat, no excuses. While he had easily turned the tables due to his overwhelming strength, this couldn't continue.
This time, it was just a Dou Huang. But what if the next opponent was someone of equal strength?
On top of that, aside from his Nirvana Golden Body, Azure Dragon Transformation Art, Green Lotus Core Flame, and his array skills, Lu Bu lacked any other offensive means.
As a refined alchemist, he was theoretically fragile: prone to illness, unable to lift heavy things, blown over by the wind, and prone to fevers if caught in the rain.
But as someone from modern China, Lu Bu also suffered from chronic insufficient firepower anxiety.
"This won't do. I don't know how to fight! I really need to master some battle techniques!" Lu Bu muttered. "Three Thousand Lightning Movement or Emperor Seal Technique… which one first?"
After some thought, Lu Bu made his decision: both.
A movement technique and an offensive technique wouldn't conflict with each other, and for someone with a relatively strong soul like him, cultivating both at the same time wasn't particularly difficult.
With his mind made up, Lu Bu unfolded both scrolls simultaneously. Vast amounts of information rushed into his soul.
Squinting slightly, Lu Bu absorbed the impact of the incoming knowledge. After a moment, he opened his eyes again and smacked his lips, murmuring to himself:
"The Emperor Seal Technique requires unblocking three specific meridians… Heh, no problem. My physical body can handle this easily."
"As for Three Thousand Lightning Movement's wind and thunder power… too weak. I can suppress and refine it without even needing a Heavenly Flame. Huh? This seems a bit too easy…"
As he muttered, Lu Bu circulated his Dou Qi. Azure light glowed in his palm, and faint silver light appeared beneath his feet as muffled thunder rumbled faintly around him.
…
Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the Inner Academy.
Zi Yan suddenly stopped mid flight, planting her small hands on her hips as she hovered in the air. "Ahahaha! I feel so full of power I want to fight someone! Wahahaha!"
Behind her, Queen Medusa froze, her face darkening as she watched Zi Yan's wild laughter. Just moments ago, this little girl had been demure and sweet in front of Lu Bu. What was going on?
Sensing Medusa's confusion, Zi Yan turned and looked at her, grinning mischievously.
"Zi Yan, what are you…?" Medusa asked with a frown, puzzled.
"Hehe, men like cute and well behaved girls," Zi Yan said with a wave of her hand, her tone full of "experienced" wisdom. "So of course, I have to act ladylike in front of Lu Bu!"
"Never mind that, let's go fight someone!" Zi Yan giggled, rubbing her small, delicate hands together. "I know there's an ugly big bug nearby that's hoarding something good and won't share it with me. Sister Medusa, let's beat it up and take its treasure!"
With that, Zi Yan excitedly swung her small fists, ready for action.
Medusa's face darkened further. She had thought this girl was a sweet, obedient little doll. Who knew she was actually a troublemaker eager to cause chaos?
Still, Medusa had come here with a purpose and couldn't afford to get too carried away.
"Ahem… Zi Yan, I'm here to gather medicinal ingredients," Medusa said with a light cough, pulling out a list written by Lu Bu. Most of the items were already crossed off, but a few were still missing.
"Let me see, let me see!" Zi Yan bounced over, craning her neck to peek at the list in Medusa's hand. Pressing against Medusa's chest, she barely managed to get a look.
"Hmm… I think I saw that Soul Revival Fruit over there once. It's guarded by a nasty big snake," Zi Yan said, pointing northwest.
"Zi Yan, Lu Bu specifically said there might be a four star Dou Zong in that direction," Medusa warned, frowning. A four star Dou Zong was tricky; she couldn't defeat one, though escaping would still be possible. But if she had to protect Zi Yan at the same time…
"Oh, don't worry. It's not that far! We'll just take a look, and if there's trouble, we'll run!" Zi Yan said dismissively, clearly unbothered by the potential danger.
"Come on, let's go!" Zi Yan tugged on Medusa's sleeve, pouting.
Medusa sighed, then smiled faintly. Zi Yan had a point. If things got dangerous, they could always retreat. After all, what kind of sensible strong cultivator would engage in a life or death struggle without a good reason?
"Fine. Let's go, Zi Yan," Medusa said, her cold and elegant face softening into a mesmerizing smile.
…
Elsewhere, in the Inner Academy.
Bai Cheng held two scrolls in his hands, his expression a mix of hesitation and helplessness.
Bai Cheng was a rising star on the Inner Academy's power rankings. In the original story, he had once vowed to challenge Xiao Yan, though at the time Xiao Yan was either busy training or recovering and hadn't responded. Later, in the rankings tournament, Bai Cheng faced Zi Yan and was nearly crippled by her.
"Investigate the Inner Academy's movements… How am I, just a student, supposed to do that?" Bai Cheng grumbled, rubbing his temples. His gaze shifted to the second scroll.
It was entirely blue, resembling the color of ocean water. However, holding it in his hand, Bai Cheng felt a scorching heat emanating from it. He had no doubt that if the seal on it were broken, it would unleash an immense and terrifying power.
"Wait for an opportunity to place this into the magma beneath the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower…" Bai Cheng's eyelid twitched. Neither task seemed remotely doable.
…
Meanwhile, in Xiao Yan's room within the Sacred Gate of the Inner Academy.
Xiao Yan opened his eyes slowly, a pair of black wings with silver lightning patterns stretching behind him. Fine arcs of electricity crackled softly as he moved.
"Not bad… Heh, Lu Bu really came through at the right time," Yao Chen's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. "With this flying technique, our odds against Han Feng have greatly improved!"
"Teacher…" Xiao Yan muttered, his tone somber. "What's your plan for dealing with him?"
"That man is a peak Dou Huang. He could crush me with just one finger. And with his deep roots in the Black Corner Region, if he rallies his allies… the consequences could be unimaginable."
In Xiao Yan's mind, Yao Chen remained silent for a while before speaking in a low tone: "Han Feng is extraordinarily gifted, and I taught him with great care for decades. By all rights, he should have achieved even greater success. Do you know why he remains a sixth tier alchemist despite all this time?"
Without waiting for Xiao Yan to reply, Yao Chen continued, "It's because he dissipated his Dou Qi and started over from scratch. To cultivate Burning Flame Manual (Fen Jue), he had to completely destroy his original cultivation base. That's why his current strength has never reached its full potential."
Xiao Yan felt his mouth dry up. A man who had to rebuild his cultivation from nothing had still managed to ascend to the peak of the Dou Huang realm. That kind of resilience and talent spoke volumes about the extraordinary nature of his senior brother.
"Don't belittle yourself," Yao Chen said calmly. "Han Feng has cultivated for over fifty years to reach this level. His achievements are not entirely unexpected."
"Let's return to the main issue," Yao Chen said, bringing the conversation back on track. "The Burning Flame Manual Han Feng cultivates is incomplete. He stole it from me. Just like you, he has an insatiable desire for Heavenly Flames and for the secrets of the Burning Flame Manual."
Xiao Yan clenched his jaw. "Teacher, we absolutely cannot expose these two things. It's too dangerous. Let's not forget, Han Feng is in league with the Hall of Souls!"
Half of Yao Chen's misfortune could be attributed to Han Feng's betrayal. The other half rested squarely on the Hall of Souls. If Yao Chen's existence were revealed, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"That's why we need a third option," Yao Chen said as a flash of light appeared before Xiao Yan. A jade box materialized out of nowhere, and Xiao Yan instinctively reached out to catch it, startled.
"This is a seventh tier high grade pill, the Nirvana Pill, inspired by the concept of a phoenix's rebirth," Yao Chen explained. "This pill can heal all hidden injuries in the body, essentially granting someone a new life. That's why it's called Nirvana Pill."
"Han Feng's body is riddled with internal injuries from cultivating the incomplete Burning Flame Manual. He desires this pill more than anyone else."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with excitement. This would force Han Feng to pay any price to obtain the pill!
But then he hesitated.
"How do we involve Lu Bu in this?" Xiao Yan asked after thinking for a moment. Han Feng's strength and influence were far beyond what he and Yao Chen could handle. They needed someone to act as a scapegoat and Lu Bu seemed like the perfect candidate.
"That boy, Lu Bu, isn't he eager for a way to elevate his soul?" Yao Chen chuckled slyly, his voice resembling that of an old fox. "Han Feng happens to have that knowledge."
"What? He really does?" Xiao Yan was stunned. He already knew from Yao Chen how significant the Soul Elevation Method was.
Of course, given Han Feng's status as someone comparable to Yao Chen's "adopted son," it made sense. Xiao Yan wasn't surprised by the existence of such a technique. What concerned him, though, was letting Lu Bu profit from it.
Xiao Yan and Yao Chen had planned to be the opportunistic third party, reaping all the rewards without spending a dime. If Lu Bu got his hands on the technique, their efforts would be wasted.
No way!
Absolutely not!
"Of course, he doesn't have it," Yao Chen scoffed. "If he did, he wouldn't be stuck where he is now."
"Then how "
"I'm Yao Chen, the Medicine Venerable. If I say he has it, then he has it. Who would dare question me?"
"Heh… well, in that case…" Xiao Yan smirked slyly, his expression resembling that of a scheming fox.
…
In the northern region of the Black Corner Domain
In the vast expanse between endless mountain ranges and sprawling forests, three figures flitted back and forth. Sometimes they exchanged powerful blows; other times, they unleashed pinpoint strikes.
Before them loomed an invisible barrier, radiating a primordial and ancient aura that struck fear into their hearts.
Mo Tianxing had no time to marvel at the barrier. Normally composed, his patience had long since worn thin after repeated failed attempts to breach it.
Bang!
A silver beam of energy smashed into the barrier with immense force, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The fierce backlash hurled Mo Tianxing and his two companions away, yet the barrier remained completely unaffected.
"Damn it…" Mo Tianxing's face was grim, his expression frozen like an icy winter. His chilling aura silenced the two subordinates behind him, who didn't dare breathe too loudly.
A grieving Mo Tianxing was already unstable after losing his son. A furious Mo Tianxing was downright murderous.
Swish!
At that moment, a figure with deep red flame wings streaked across the horizon, speeding toward them.
Hearing someone approach, Mo Tianxing's eyes burned with rage. He raised his hand like an eagle's claw, sharp silver light flashing as the surrounding space instantly froze, trapping the newcomer in place.
"Patriarch, it's me!" the person shrieked in panic. Mo Tianxing's killing intent subsided slightly as he recognized Qi Shan, the chief alchemist of the Black Emperor Sect and a renowned sixth tier alchemist.
"What is it?" Mo Tianxing asked, suppressing his fury.
"I believe I've identified the source of that rainbow colored poison," Qi Shan said hastily, fearful of testing Mo Tianxing's already strained patience.
"Speak!" Mo Tianxing's eyes flashed coldly as he barked the command.
"It's the venom of the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python!" Qi Shan quickly retrieved a weathered, yellowed tome from his storage ring.
"Patriarch, the details are recorded here," Qi Shan explained, pointing to a section of the book.
Mo Tianxing narrowed his hawk like eyes and began reading. Simultaneously, he summoned a small vial of rainbow colored venom and carefully compared it to the description in the tome.
Moments later, his face darkened further. Clenching his teeth, he muttered, "Such a rare and ancient magical beast should have gone extinct long ago. Why… why did it kill my son?"
The three men standing nearby wisely remained silent, knowing better than to interject.
Mo Tianxing's mind raced. Could it be that Lu Bu from the Inner Academy wasn't the one who killed his son? Could someone else be behind this?
Frustrated, Mo Tianxing massaged his temples. He should have gathered more information earlier. Now that everyone involved was dead, he had lost all his leads.
"Qi Shan, mobilize everyone to search for any information about the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python alive or dead, I want it!"
"Yes, Patriarch!"
With that order, Mo Tianxing turned his focus back to the mysterious barrier. This was his priority now.
"Let's continue," Mo Tianxing commanded coldly. He was still young. Losing one son didn't matter he could always have another. As a Dou Zong, his lifespan far exceeded that of ordinary people. He had all the time in the world to raise a new heir.
…
Beneath a waterfall
Countless shadows flickered across the lake, accompanied by bursts of lightning that flashed and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Lu Bu's expression was calm and focused. His hands formed intricate seals, each one leaving faint afterimages before disappearing just as quickly.
Whoosh!
The wind stilled, and the waters calmed.
Silver light flickered beneath Lu Bu's feet as a green energy seal gradually coalesced in his palm, radiating immense power.
"This really isn't too difficult…" Lu Bu muttered, smacking his lips. With a casual flick of his wrist, the energy seal dissipated. From the moment he started training until now, only two days had passed, and he had already succeeded.
"Could it be that I, Lu Bu, am a genius?" Lu Bu stroked his chin thoughtfully. That seemed like the only logical explanation!
"Ah, whatever…" Lu Bu waved his hand, and a black robed corpse appeared. It belonged to the Dou Huang who had momentarily escaped Lu Bu's lock on during their previous battle.
The man had been a six star Dou Huang, proficient in lightning based Dou Qi. Lu Bu planned to use his body to refine a new puppet. Yuan Yi, his previous puppet, had only been a two star Dou Huang no longer sufficient.
"Now, where did those two run off to?" Lu Bu murmured, scanning the area with his soul perception. Neither Medusa nor Zi Yan was anywhere to be found.
Shaking his head, Lu Bu decided to focus on his crafting. With their strength, it wasn't likely that anything would dare provoke them. Better to let them handle themselves while he worked.
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