Chapter 92: Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art, Zi Yan, Lu Bu Is Here!
In the secret chamber, the Spiritual Flame surged, tightly wrapping around the pitch black vengeful spirit. Wisps of black mist floated out from the vengeful spirit as it was roasted by the flames.
Lu Bu was refining the negative emotions within the spirit to extract pure soul energy. However, even after an hour of effort, the vengeful spirit showed no change, its dark energy seemingly endless as it continued its silent roars.
"Too slow," Lu Bu muttered, shaking his head. "I'll just use the Devouring Ancient Symbol directly."
With that, his hand seals shifted, forming an array beneath him that suppressed the vengeful spirit. Meanwhile, the Devouring Ancient Symbol above unleashed countless black threads, which pierced into the vengeful spirit like sharp arrows.
"Roar!"
The vengeful spirit began to struggle violently, attempting to break free from the binding flames and array. However, its efforts were futile. The black threads rooted themselves deep within the spirit like tree roots, greedily absorbing its soul essence.
Faint radiance began to glow from Lu Bu's body as his aura slowly but steadily increased. Time continued to pass…
Mittel Family Territory – Mountain Villa
The two experts from the Heavenly Snake Mansion had completely settled down at the Mittel family's estate. The man often drank tea alone or occasionally chatted with Hai Bodong, while the graceful woman spent her days accompanying Qing Lin.
Their goal was simple: bring Qing Lin back to the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Initially, they had planned to investigate the destructive and ferocious aura emanating from Yun Lan Sect, but the aura had vanished before they even got close.
After some deliberation, they decided to head straight to the Mittel family to find Qing Lin.
Compared to confronting a powerful foe, securing the rare talent of the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils was far more important. This was a once in a generation genius and the ideal heir to their Heavenly Snake Mansion.
Despite their urgency, the two were careful not to act rashly. They wanted Qing Lin to willingly join them rather than forcing her to come along, as a coerced disciple could eventually rebel even if trained. Thus, their approach was gentle and measured.
Hai Bodong couldn't help but sigh as he watched the two Dou Zong experts humor Qing Lin's whims. He hadn't expected the little girl's talent to attract such attention, even bringing two Dou Zongs to his doorstep.
Given Qing Lin's connection to Lu Bu, Hai Bodong had sent word to Yun Lan Sect. That very day, Yun Shan and Yun Yun arrived to meet the two Dou Zong experts, with Jia Xing Tian joining shortly after.
The Heavenly Snake Mansion duo was stunned by the lineup, feeling immensely relieved they hadn't resorted to force earlier. Otherwise, while they might have escaped with their lives, it wouldn't have been without severe consequences and their mission would have been a complete failure.
They silently recalled the fate of their peers like Lu Man and the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor.
Though frustrated by Qing Lin's insistence on waiting, they reluctantly agreed, treating this delay as a rare vacation.
Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by.
Hai Bodong was growing increasingly anxious. Although the two showed no hostility, having two unknown powerhouses living under his roof made him uneasy, to the point where even sleep became difficult.
"Damn it… why hasn't Lu Bu come out yet?" Hai Bodong muttered irritably, pacing back and forth. "He better not stay in seclusion for a year or two…"
Just then, Hai Bodong abruptly stopped, his gaze snapping toward Yun Lan Sect. A familiar aura had suddenly appeared, surging explosively, climbing rapidly until it rivaled Yun Shan's own strength.
"That guy… he actually broke through to Dou Zong?!" Hai Bodong's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He had spent most of his life striving for Dou Zong, yet he hadn't even reached the threshold, while Lu Bu had already surpassed him.
"No… it's not Dou Zong," Hai Bodong quickly corrected himself. "It's the soul power of a seventh tier alchemist. Still…"
Meanwhile, the two Heavenly Snake Mansion experts exchanged shocked glances, their hearts filled with disbelief. Soul power rivaling their Dou Qi cultivation this was undoubtedly the hallmark of a seventh tier alchemist.
Such an individual would hold a status equal to their mansion's leader.
"A backwater like the Jia Ma Empire actually produced someone like this?"
"Once this is over, we should pay him a visit," the graceful woman said solemnly. "If we can win him over, he'll be a tremendous ally. Even if we can't, we must establish good relations."
"Agreed. Let's also send more personnel here. This Jia Ma Empire may be worth supporting."
"Very well."
At the royal palace, Jia Xing Tian stood atop a high platform, gazing toward Yun Lan Sect. He sighed softly. "It seems I invested too late. Otherwise, this master alchemist might've worked with the imperial family."
In the secret chamber of Yun Lan Mountain, Lu Bu glanced around in confusion as he slowly regained his senses. With a small rotation, his soul returned to his body. He hadn't even realized he had momentarily left it.
"My soul realm… it should now be at the latter stage of the Mortal Realm." Lu Bu nodded in satisfaction after a brief assessment.
The benefits of devouring the vengeful spirit were immense. He couldn't help but feel tempted to hunt down more Soul Hall protectors. A few more successes, and he might reach the peak of the Mortal Realm.
The Soul Hall protectors in the Chu Yun Empire, Jia Ma Empire, and Yan Empire undoubtedly held great rewards…
But it was just a thought. He didn't have a teacher like Yao Lao or the backing of an ancient clan girlfriend. If he provoked a Soul Hall elder, he'd be finished. It was wiser to remain cautious for now.
With these thoughts, Lu Bu left the secret chamber, only to find Yun Shan waiting outside.
Yun Shan quickly explained the situation: two Dou Zong experts had appeared in Jia Ma Holy City, unsettling not just the Mittel family and the imperial palace but also Yun Lan Sect.
Lu Bu frowned slightly as he listened, his expression darkening when Yun Shan mentioned the Heavenly Snake Mansion. There was no doubt they were here for Qing Lin.
Despite driving away Lu Man and the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor, the Heavenly Snake Mansion had sent reinforcements.
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Bu sighed. Qing Lin could grow stronger by staying with him, but she'd also thrive at the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Ultimately, he wouldn't force her to stay it was her choice.
"Let's go. I'll accompany you to the Mittel family estate," Yun Shan said with a smile.
"Don't rush, let's first deal with the thing on Senior's soul," Lu Bu said with a smile. It had already been more than ten days. If those two from the Heavenly Snake Mansion wanted to act, they would have done so by now. There's no need to hurry. Removing the thing on Yun Shan's soul was more pressing; the longer it stayed, the more dangerous it became.
Yun Shan was momentarily stunned by Lu Bu's words, then joy flashed in his eyes. Although the thing on his soul didn't cause him pain, its presence was incredibly unnerving.
"Alright."
Yun Shan replied and immediately let his soul emerge once again, his body glowing faintly.
Lu Bu extended his palm, and black light surged forth. Threads of devouring black energy shot out, wrapping tightly around the black shackle on Yun Shan's soul.
The black shackle flickered momentarily before it completely disappeared from Yun Shan's soul.
Yun Shan couldn't suppress his excitement; this cursed thing was finally gone!
"Let's go to the Mittel Family," Yun Shan said with a smile.
"Sounds good. Let's meet these experts from the Heavenly Snake Mansion."
Mittel Family Territory – Mountain Villa
Inside a room, Ya Fei frowned slightly, hesitating before she asked, "Qing Lin, why are you…?"
Qing Lin sighed softly. "Sister Ya Fei, I've thought about it for a long time. I can't help Young Master by staying by his side. I couldn't even qualify to watch this last battle…"
"So you're planning to leave Lu Bu?" Ya Fei mulled it over and eventually shook her head. She understood that going to the Heavenly Snake Mansion would allow Qing Lin to maximize her talent for cultivation, but if it were her choice, she would stay by Lu Bu's side no matter what.
Ya Fei had no great ambitions; as long as she could protect herself, that was enough.
"I… I don't want to be a burden, constantly relying on Young Master. I want to be able to help him too…" Qing Lin said softly, lowering her head in guilt.
"It seems you've made up your mind…"
"Yes, Sister Ya Fei… Hmm?" Qing Lin suddenly looked up, startled. That voice… it was unmistakably Young Master's!
Sure enough, Lu Bu was standing right in front of her.
"Y Young Master…?" Qing Lin stammered, shocked. Her mind went blank she wasn't prepared to confess her decision to him, yet here he was, standing right before her.
"Was all of that really what you were thinking?" Lu Bu asked with a gentle smile as he reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Y Yes…" Qing Lin's face turned bright red, her hands twisting together nervously, unsure of where to place them.
Even though she had made her decision, guilt weighed on her, making her feel like she had let him down.
"You know, you can still grow stronger while staying by my side," Lu Bu said with a grin. "Your Young Master is now a seventh tier alchemist. Helping you improve your strength isn't a problem at all."
"I hope you'll stay with me, but I won't stop you from going to the Heavenly Snake Mansion. Think carefully do you want to go there, or stay with me?"
"I…" Qing Lin's small face grew conflicted.
Lu Bu stayed silent, waiting for her decision. He truly hoped she would stay with him, but…
After a moment of hesitation, Qing Lin slowly shook her head, her expression resolute. "Young Master, I don't want to be a burden and follow you around aimlessly…"
"…Alright." Lu Bu sighed softly, a flash of disappointment crossing his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Young Master…"
"Will you come back?"
"I will!" Qing Lin said firmly. "I will definitely come back to you, Young Master!"
"Then you'll have to work hard." Lu Bu patted her silky hair with a smile. "My goal is far away it's to become a Dou Di. You'll have to work hard to catch up with me."
"Mhm!" Qing Lin nodded earnestly, her determination shining brightly. She didn't fully understand what a Dou Di was, but she knew she would give it her all.
"Go, then."
"Yes… Goodbye, Young Master…" Qing Lin turned to leave but hesitated after a few steps. Blushing furiously, she came back to Lu Bu, tiptoed, and whispered shyly, "Young Master… could you… close your eyes?"
Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, Lu Bu complied, closing his eyes.
Qing Lin stood on her toes, leaned forward, and kissed him lightly on the lips. Then, red faced, she bolted out of the room.
"This girl… clearly doesn't just want to be a servant," Lu Bu chuckled to himself.
In the main hall, Yun Shan and Hai Bodong sat opposite the two Heavenly Snake Mansion experts, the atmosphere heavy and tense. Even Mittel Tengshan, seated nearby, felt suffocated.
Suddenly, an overwhelming soul pressure descended like a mountain, pressing down on everyone. The two Dou Zong experts from the Heavenly Snake Mansion leapt to their feet, their faces full of shock.
This soul pressure was identical to the one they had sensed before the unmistakable power of a seventh tier alchemist and it came from Qing Lin's direction. Could it be… the "Young Master" Qing Lin mentioned was this seventh tier alchemist?
Impossible! Could that alchemist be a young man?
Before they could dwell on it further, Qing Lin and Lu Bu appeared. The immense soul pressure radiating from Lu Bu confirmed his terrifying strength.
A seventh tier alchemist a true master and astonishingly, he was just a youth!
The two Dou Zong experts were utterly dumbfounded. A young man achieving such mastery in alchemy was almost beyond belief.
Lu Bu barely glanced at them, but his gaze carried an unmistakable warning: if they dared to mistreat Qing Lin, the Heavenly Snake Mansion would pay the price.
"Two Elders, Young Master and I have decided I will go with you to the Heavenly Snake Mansion," Qing Lin said softly, her gaze lingering on Lu Bu with tears in her eyes before she turned and left resolutely.
The two Dou Zong experts cupped their fists respectfully and said nothing more. They escorted Qing Lin into the sky, the three of them turning into streaks of light that disappeared over the horizon.
As they departed, Yun Shan, Hai Bodong, and Mittel Tengshan all breathed heavy sighs of relief. The presence of two Dou Zong experts had weighed heavily on them for far too long.
Yun Lan Sect – Sect Leader's Residence
"What? You want to go to Jia Nan Academy?" Yun Yun asked, looking at Nalan Yanran in shock. "What's your reason?"
What was this girl up to? Lu Bu was also heading to Jia Nan Academy was she trying to stir up trouble?
"Um… Xiao Yan is going there too," Nalan Yanran stammered, blushing as she lowered her head.
Xiao Yan… Yun Yun's eyes flickered in realization. So that's why…
"I see. When do you plan to leave?" Yun Yun asked after a moment's thought.
"Huh? Teacher, you agree?" Nalan Yanran exclaimed, astonished. She hadn't expected her teacher to approve.
"Going out to see the world isn't a bad idea," Yun Yun said calmly. "You're already one of the top talents among your peers in the Jia Ma Empire. Gaining experience outside won't hurt you, especially since you've done it before."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed joyfully.
"When do you plan to leave?" Yun Yun asked. She had already contacted Jia Nan Academy some time ago and felt it wouldn't be appropriate to make another appearance herself. However, having her teacher write a letter on her behalf should suffice. Surely, the face of a Dou Zong would still carry weight with Jia Nan Academy.
"In a few days!" Nalan Yanran replied. She had heard that Xiao Yan's childhood friend was also at Jia Nan Academy, and she wanted to get there early to meet her.
"Then speak with your teacher grandfather and have him write you a letter of introduction."
"Oh? Yanran is going to Jia Nan Academy?" Lu Bu's voice suddenly interrupted.
"…" Nalan Yanran's expression became a little unnatural. She had heard from Xiao Yan all about how her teacher had met Lu Bu. The story was both bizarre and strange.
"I have a suggestion," Lu Bu said with a smile. "Why not wait a few days and depart with Xiao Yan? That boy has feelings for you, but not too deeply yet. If you travel together and go through the Black Corner Region together, you might stand a chance of outshining his childhood friend."
Hearing this, Nalan Yanran's eyes lit up. That… actually made sense. It sounded much better than catching her love rival off guard!
"Then I…"
However, when Nalan Yanran looked up, she found that her teacher and Lu Bu had disappeared.
"Figures. Women forget their disciples when they have a lover," Nalan Yanran muttered grumpily, rolling her eyes. She turned and left to find Yun Shan.
In the back mountain, Yun Yun and Lu Bu walked side by side. Yun Yun glanced at Lu Bu's profile, her brows furrowing slightly. Her red lips parted slightly as if to speak, but then she hesitated and closed her mouth again.
"Is there something on your mind, Sister?" Lu Bu asked with a gentle smile, stopping to look at Yun Yun.
Yun Yun froze momentarily, deliberating before finally asking, "Lu Bu, with your current strength, why do you still want to go to Jia Nan Academy?"
To be honest, Yun Yun found this decision puzzling.
"Hmm… well…" Lu Bu smiled slyly. "I'm going there to use someone at the academy to help me cultivate a Dou Technique."
"A Dou Technique…?" Yun Yun's face showed a hint of confusion. What kind of Dou Technique required this much effort?
"A Heavenly Rank Dou Technique!" Lu Bu whispered softly into Yun Yun's ear.
Qingtian Dragon Transformation Art, a profound martial skill requiring the energy of the Ancient Dragon race for cultivation. Across the Dou Qi Continent, Lu Bu had no choice but to rely on the Void Ancient Dragon clan.
The only Void Ancient Dragon wandering outside their clan was Zi Yan. However, even with her, the results weren't guaranteed. Still, Lu Bu planned to try.
His trip to Jia Nan Academy had clear priorities: Zi Yan was the first goal, the Fallen Heart Flame the second, and, if possible, he'd even consider acquiring the Sea Heart Flame as a backup.
"Wh What?"
Yun Yun's face immediately changed at his words. A Heavenly Rank Dou Technique?
Lu Bu nodded slightly. Staying at Yun Lan Sect wasn't an option. His goal was to become a Dou Di. A single victory wouldn't allow him to slacken.
Let's not forget: decades later, Hun Tiandi would initiate mass slaughter. Xiao Yan, with his habitual lateness, couldn't be relied upon. Moreover, waiting for others to act was never Lu Bu's way. Relying on others was even less so!
"Alright. Just be careful," Yun Yun said softly, nodding. But then her brows furrowed again. "And what about Medusa? How do you plan to handle her?"
As she spoke, her gaze grew intense, as if demanding an explanation.
"I'm planning to separate her soul from the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. Medusa is too troublesome," Lu Bu replied calmly. He reached into his robes and pulled out the tiny Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. "For now, Medusa is suppressed by the python and can't come out."
Yun Yun lowered her gaze to the small snake lying in Lu Bu's palm, fast asleep, its tiny body rising and falling gently. A bubble of snot formed on its nose as it snoozed away blissfully.
This… definitely didn't look like Medusa.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Yun Yun concluded that Medusa would never behave like this.
"I'm not interested in Medusa. What I'm interested in is this Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python," Lu Bu explained. "It's an ancient magical beast. Once it matures, its power will rival that of an eighth tier magical beast."
"This little thing… is that strong?" Yun Yun's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the peacefully sleeping python.
Eighth tier magical beasts were equivalent to Dou Zun level entities utterly terrifying.
"Alright. Just make sure to write back," Yun Yun said with a sigh. Clearly, she couldn't stop Lu Bu from leaving. She had even hoped…
Her face flushed slightly, and she turned her head to the side. "When do you plan to leave?"
"In the next couple of days," Lu Bu said. The demonic relic of the Demon Saint in the Black Corner Region was a prize he absolutely could not miss.
Yun Yun sighed lightly, then stepped forward and hugged Lu Bu gently. "Lu Bu, the Black Corner Region isn't like the Jia Ma Empire. I… I won't be able to help you there. Please be careful."
"Don't worry, Sister. I know," Lu Bu said with a nod.
The next night, a streak of light shot skyward. Lu Bu gazed down at Yun Lan Mountain, taking a deep breath before turning and flying into the night, heading toward the Black Corner Region.
Qingtian Dragon Transformation Art, the Demon Saint Relic, the Fallen Heart Flame Lu Bu is coming!
"He's gone…" Yun Yun murmured softly, her tone tinged with loss.
"He has lofty ambitions. It's hard to expect him to stay in a remote place like the Jia Ma Empire," Yun Shan said with a shake of his head, sighing. "Disciple, leave the sect matters to me. Focus on cultivating. Next time you meet him, don't let it be a meeting where you can't even catch up to his shadow."
"Yes, Teacher!" Yun Yun's expression turned serious, and she responded firmly. She didn't want to become a burden to Lu Bu. Besides… Medusa was stronger than her!
Yun Shan chuckled, rising into the air and flying toward the royal court to meet Jia Xing Tian.
Now that he had broken through to Dou Zong, with Hai Bodong's return, the royal guardian beast Youhai Dragon Beast fully healed, and even the Lionheart Marshal Nalan Jie recovering from illness, perhaps it was time for the Jia Ma Empire's borders… to shift.
The resources my disciple needs for cultivation can come from the neighboring empires!
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen