Chapter 32:
When Lu Bu returned after putting away the puppet, all the remaining members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, except for Hemon, were already lying on the ground, bleeding from all their orifices, dead with wide open eyes.
"Feel better now?" Lu Bu gently held Xiao Yi Xian's hand and asked with a smile.
"Mm…" Xiao Yi Xian nodded, subtly pulling her hand away.
"What's your plan now?" Lu Bu asked casually, not taking her rejection to heart.
"I plan to train in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for a while," Xiao Yi Xian said as she looked into Lu Bu's eyes. "Will you welcome me?"
Lu Bu was taken aback for a moment. He vaguely remembered that Xiao Yi Xian had once discovered a secluded valley filled with medicinal herbs and abundant natural energy.
"Together with me?" Lu Bu asked. Currently, he was traveling with Xiao Yan, and having Xiao Yi Xian join them could complicate things. If possible, he'd prefer to keep her from meeting Xiao Yan.
"No, but I'll take you to a good place," Xiao Yi Xian said with a soft smile. She pulled out a small bamboo flute, placed it to her lips, and began playing a sharp yet rhythmic tune.
"What's… this for?" Lu Bu asked, confused.
"My companion," Xiao Yi Xian said with a smile. "Come on, let's go meet her."
With that, she jumped up, leaping from building to building until she reached the tallest point in Qingshan Town. Lu Bu quickly followed her, and before long, a massive blue eagle soared through the sky, its powerful wings creating strong gusts of wind.
"This is Little Blue, my good friend. I once saved her, and she's been grateful ever since. She's a second tier magical beast," Xiao Yi Xian explained. "Let's get on."
With that, she leaped lightly, landing on the blue eagle's back. Seeing this, Lu Bu hesitated briefly before following her. Once both were aboard, the blue eagle spread its wings and ascended rapidly, soaring toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
On the eagle's back, as the clouds zipped past, Lu Bu shuddered, clutching Xiao Yi Xian tightly from behind.
"W what are you doing?!" Xiao Yi Xian's body stiffened as she stammered, her cheeks flushing red.
"I'm afraid of heights…" Lu Bu said with a trembling voice, holding onto her petite figure tightly, his fear evident.
Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes. A man with a flying battle technique claiming to be afraid of heights? This guy was clearly using this as an excuse to get close!
Still, Xiao Yi Xian didn't push him away. Instead, she shifted slightly, settling into a more comfortable position against Lu Bu, her eyes closing in quiet acceptance.
"Uh…" Lu Bu was left speechless. Aren't you supposed to resist? How can I take advantage of the situation if you don't?
…
With the blue eagle leading them, they soon arrived at a secluded basin. As soon as they entered, Lu Bu could feel the thick, vibrant natural energy permeating the area.
"So? Not bad, right?" Xiao Yi Xian asked with a light laugh.
"This place could be considered a paradise," Lu Bu nodded in approval.
"Little Blue discovered it by chance," Xiao Yi Xian explained. "From above, it's shrouded in mist, making its location hard to pinpoint. From the ground, it's surrounded by steep cliffs with no paths leading in extremely well hidden."
"Perfect. Let's train here, then," Lu Bu said with a smile.
"That's my hut over there. It's a simple shelter where we can rest," Xiao Yi Xian said, pointing to a small, grass covered area nearby.
"Not bad," Lu Bu remarked. "But before that, I have a question for you."
Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head in curiosity. "What is it?"
"What are your plans after leaving this place?" Lu Bu asked seriously.
"I…" Xiao Yi Xian hesitated, her expression stiffening slightly. After a moment, she said, "I plan to travel to the Cloud Mist Empire for a while and then figure out what to do next."
"Why not come with me?" Lu Bu asked, taking her hand and speaking softly.
He intended to head to the Tagore Desert next to search for the Heavenly Flame and obtain the map of the Demon Lotus Saint. It wasn't entirely inconvenient to have Xiao Yi Xian accompany him.
"I…" Xiao Yi Xian hesitated again before shaking her head. "I have the Woeful Poison Body. It easily releases toxins and makes me a target wherever I go…"
Her voice trailed off, and her eyes dimmed. The hateful words and angry curses from the mercenaries in Qingshan Town still echoed in her mind. She feared that her presence would bring similar trouble to Lu Bu.
This time, it had been a group of ordinary Dou Zhe mercenaries. What if next time it was Dou Shi, Dou Ling, or even Dou Wang level experts?
A trace of fear flickered in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. She had prepared herself for such scenarios ever since awakening the Woeful Poison Body, but she didn't want to drag Lu Bu into her struggles. Most of all, she feared poisoning him by accident.
Lu Bu sighed inwardly. She really has a psychological shadow over this… Damn Mu Li and his cruel schemes.
"Xiao Yi Xian, you don't need to worry about me," Lu Bu said, his tone soft but firm. "I'm very strong. In the Jia Ma Empire, you can count on one hand the people who can defeat me. Staying with me would be good for you. We can train together."
"That would only harm you…" Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip and shook her head gently. In just three months since awakening her Woeful Poison Body, her cultivation had skyrocketed from a one star Dou Zhe to a one star Dou Shi. The speed was so terrifying even she couldn't comprehend it.
Quick cultivation also meant rapid toxin accumulation. If the poison ever erupted… everyone around her would be in danger. She didn't want Lu Bu to get hurt because of her.
"You…" Lu Bu was at a loss for words. "So you don't trust me?"
"It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust myself," Xiao Yi Xian said firmly.
Lu Bu: "…"
So frustrating!
"Fine, whatever…" Xiao Yi Xian said with a faint smile, though there was a hint of loneliness in her tone. She seemed resigned to the fact that even her closest friend was better off keeping his distance.
Smack!
"Ah! What are you doing?!" Xiao Yi Xian yelped, her face turning bright red as she clutched her backside.
"Punishing you!" Lu Bu said with a snort. "If you don't trust me, who am I supposed to scold?"
With that, he raised his hand again, making as if to strike her once more.
"Lu Bu… don't push me!" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she pouted pitifully.
Lu Bu sighed deeply. Curse you, Mu Li. Curse your despicable mind games!
"Fine, have it your way," Lu Bu relented with a wave of his hand. "But I'll find a way to cure your Woeful Poison Body. Believe in me. Don't let what happened in Qingshan Town make you reckless, understand?"
"I don't want to finally figure out a cure only to find out you're gone."
"Don't worry. That won't happen," Xiao Yi Xian said softly, wiping the corners of her eyes. A faint smile returned to her face.
"Alright, then. Let's get to work." Lu Bu shook his head with a sigh. "I'm going to gather some herbs."
With that, he leaped into the basin, ready to start refining the Purple Flame. Once he was done, it would be time to leave the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The spiritual flame he had been using was effective but consumed a great deal of soul energy. Finding herbs and crafting pills to restore soul energy was both difficult and time consuming. Thus, he decided it was time to refine the Purple Flame.
Though… now that he thought about it, there was still the Qingming Flame he had extracted from Yun Yun.
It doesn't seem as powerful as the Purple Flame, though… maybe I could trade it with Xiao Yan for something useful… Lu Bu mused, a sly smile creeping across his face.
Perfect. Another opportunity for a deal… or a scam.
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