Chapter 81: Heading to Yunlan Sect!
"You're talking nonsense!" Yao Lao bellowed, his beard trembling with rage. "Even without you, my disciple could have awakened me just the same!"
The abundant soul energy flowing through Yao Lao's body had now restored him to a level far stronger than before. With his current power, taking on a Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor) head to head was no longer out of reach.
While Lu Bu's concocted medicinal liquid played a significant role in his recovery, it could hardly compensate for the Ancient Pill Saint's Fragment Map that Lu Bu had essentially swindled from him. Yao Lao, a proud Venerable Alchemist, had been thoroughly tricked into parting with a priceless ancient alchemy legacy!
The faint white Bone Spirit Cold Fire ignited in Yao Lao's ghostly palms, flickering with chilling light. He intended to teach Lu Bu a lesson.
As expected, this old man wasn't going to play nice… Lu Bu narrowed his eyes, a faint glow of the Green Lotus Core Flame igniting within them as he locked gazes with Yao Lao, unflinching.
"An extraordinary flame?" Yao Lao's expression shifted, astonishment flickering across his face. His one advantage over Lu Bu had just vanished.
Outside, Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong exchanged bewildered glances. They had just arrived and were clueless about what was going on. Who was this ghostly figure?
Hai Bodong looked equally lost. Was there going to be a fight? And if so, whose side should they take?
The two glanced at each other if it came to blows, they'd naturally side with Lu Bu. After all, they didn't even know who this spectral figure was.
In the sparring hall, as Yao Lao and Lu Bu squared off, each contemplating whether or not to escalate matters, a tiny, colorful head peeked out from the folds of Lu Bu's robe.
It was the Seven Colored Swallowing Python!
Yao Lao's hands trembled as he spotted the creature, a jolt of shock running through him. An ancient magical beast like this... how could it still exist?
The serpent's crystalline eyes glinted with a faint warning, though it quickly relaxed, lazily stretching its small body before retreating into the warmth of Lu Bu's robes.
Yao Lao's expression shifted once more. The aura emanating from that tiny creature's soul was no weaker than his own. Did this kid have such a powerful protector in his corner?
Lu Bu's lips curled into a sly smile. It seemed his efforts in securing the Soul Fusion Pill recipe from Xiao Yan hadn't been in vain Medusa's cooperation was proving to be invaluable.
"Jie!" Yao Lao huffed, withdrawing his aura and extinguishing the Bone Spirit Cold Fire in his palms. With the snake in play, reclaiming the Pill Saint's Fragment Map was out of the question.
"Calm down, old master. There's no need for such a temper," Lu Bu chuckled, tapping his foot lightly to deactivate the formation. He gestured toward Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong. "These are the reinforcements I've gathered one's a six star Dou Emperor, and the other is at the peak of the Dou Emperor level. Combined with the three of us, we've got more than enough strength to protect your disciple on his way down the mountain. Heck, we could even wipe out Yunlan Sect if we wanted to."
"Well? Isn't this worth the price of your map?"
"Three people…" From the shadows, a faint presence stirred slightly. The observer lurking in secret confirmed that Lu Bu had indeed noticed their existence.
Yao Lao glanced at Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian. In the time he had been dormant, Lu Bu had expanded his influence to a point where the old alchemist had no feasible way to counter him. Even if Yao Lao could somehow overpower Lu Bu, any retaliation would likely provoke these local powerhouses into retaliating against Xiao Yan's family.
With a grunt of frustration, Yao Lao shot a glare at Lu Bu before retreating into the Bone Spirit Ring, which promptly flew back to Xiao Yan's hand.
"Tch," Lu Bu smirked, unimpressed. "Stingy old geezer."
Xiao Yan offered a quick farewell before retreating to prepare for his final training session. His goal was clear: to use the Three Lined Green Spirit Pill to advance three levels, from a six star Dou Fighter to a nine star Dou Fighter. This would give him a fighting chance during the three year agreement.
"Lu Bu, who was that soul?" Hai Bodong asked, curiosity written across his face. The array's isolation had prevented him and Jia Xingtian from sensing Yao Lao's full strength, but he could tell from Lu Bu's expression that this spirit was no ordinary being.
"That's Yan Xiao's teacher. He's currently at the Dou Ancestor level and will be joining us when we head to Yunlan Sect," Lu Bu explained.
"Ah, I see..." Jia Xingtian's expression turned thoughtful. He couldn't help but notice that their timeline coincided with the infamous three year agreement that had stirred up so much attention.
Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow, clearly arriving at the same conclusion.
"Indeed, Yan Xiao is none other than Xiao Yan of Wutan City the main participant in the three year agreement," Lu Bu confirmed with a smirk. "But that's none of our concern. All I need you two to do is hold off Yun Shan. You don't need to injure or kill him just keep him occupied."
"Understood!" the two nodded. Holding off Yun Shan, a novice Dou Ancestor, wasn't too daunting for them, especially with the added help of the Ice Emperor Jia Xingtian's pet serpent, the Serpent of Ghostly Seas.
What they didn't ask, however, was why Yun Shan would get involved in the first place. Deep down, they suspected Lu Bu had plans to stir the pot during the three year agreement.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan returned to his quarters and immediately consumed the Three Lined Green Spirit Pill to begin his final breakthrough. Yao Lao sensed something unusual about the pill but refrained from interrupting, unwilling to disrupt his disciple's crucial advancement.
At Yunlan Sect, Yun Leng stormed into the Sect Leader's Hall with hurried steps.
"Sect Leader, why didn't you heed my suggestion to invite heroes from all over to witness this three year agreement? If you didn't want to issue widespread invitations, why forbid our own disciples from attending? This was a prime opportunity for our sect to showcase its strength and elevate the status of the Young Sect Leader! Isn't barring disciples from the main peak excessive?"
Yun Yun furrowed her brows, her elegant face turning cold as she interrupted Yun Leng's tirade. "Yun Leng, let me ask you who is the Sect Leader here? You or me?"
The enraged Yun Leng suddenly felt an invisible weight press down on him. The air grew stifling, and before he could react, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor with a resounding thud.
Years of Yun Yun's detachment from sect affairs had emboldened Yun Leng, making him forget that the Yunlan Sect was not his to command.
"S Sect Leader… I… I…" Yun Leng stammered, cold sweat dripping down his face as he knelt helplessly before her.
"Teacher… what's going on?" Nalan Yanran's voice rang out as she stepped into the hall, surprised by the scene before her.
"Oh, it's nothing," Yun Yun said calmly, waving her hand. The oppressive aura lifted, and Yun Leng hurriedly bowed and retreated, no longer daring to question her authority.
Watching Yun Leng leave, Nalan Yanran frowned. Although she didn't know the full story, it was clear he had grown arrogant.
"That old man has grown used to acting without restraint, to the point of disregarding me," Yun Yun said softly. "Go rest your three year agreement begins in two days."
"Yes, Teacher," Nalan Yanran replied before retreating.
Yun Yun gazed toward the imperial city, her mind drifting to Lu Bu. She couldn't wait to see how he planned to deal with the Soul Hall protector.
Two days passed quickly. In his room, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, his body now enveloped in a faint yet solid crimson aura.
"Well done. Congratulations on advancing to a nine star Dou Fighter," Yao Lao said with a smile.
"It's time," Xiao Yan said, hefting the Heavy Xuan Ruler onto his back. He opened the door and stepped out, his eyes filled with determination.
At the mountain estate, Lu Bu finished donning his usual first tier alchemist robes, assisted by Qing Lin. Everything was ready it was time to settle things with the Soul Hall's protector.
"Master…" Qing Lin looked up at Lu Bu, her eyes filled with longing.
"Stay here with Sister Ya Fei. I've got something to take care of," Lu Bu said, patting her head with a gentle smile.
With that, he left, flying toward Yunlan Sect with Hai Bodong at his side.
Inside the estate, Qing Lin bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears. She desperately wished she could fight alongside her master.
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