Chapter 158: Your Majesty, Want to Try Something New?
Boom!
The cracks on the seal deepened, spreading across its surface like a shattered car windshield. Large and small fissures spiderwebbed over the seal, fragile and irreparable, ready to collapse at the slightest touch.
Han Feng let out a vicious laugh and struck another punch.
Bang!
The seal shattered completely. The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower was laid open, and the Fallen Heart Flame was once again freed from its confinement.
"Hahaha… You're mine now!" Han Feng exclaimed, sending his fiery blue hand to capture the Invisible Flame Python, aiming to subdue it in one swift grab.
"Heh…" Su Qian chuckled coldly. Though he couldn't shake off his two opponents in a short time, he had spent half his life dealing with the Fallen Heart Flame. Whether it was Han Feng, a peak Dou Huang, or even himself, a Dou Zong, none of them could truly subdue this flame.
Han Feng, in his madness for the Heavenly Flame, had entirely overlooked the gap in their power.
True to Su Qian's expectations, just as Han Feng's crystalline blue hand was about to grab the Invisible Flame Python, the python's blood red eyes flashed with a mocking glint.
The next moment, Han Feng's face turned bright red as his body stiffened, unable to move.
The Fallen Heart Flame, born from the human heart, burned from within. Even a moment of carelessness could lead to being consumed entirely.
As an expert in fire manipulation, Han Feng reacted quickly. The moment he sensed the heart flame rising, he channeled his Dou Qi to suppress it.
However, he seemed to forget he was dealing with the very source of the Fallen Heart Flame!
A sharp whistling sound suddenly filled the air as the Invisible Flame Python whipped its massive tail toward Han Feng. Its immense power wasn't something even a Dou Zong could withstand unscathed, let alone a Dou Huang.
At the last moment, the Sea Heart Flame protected its master instinctively, manifesting as a crystalline blue barrier in front of Han Feng.
Bang!
The snake's tail smashed through the barrier and struck Han Feng. Fortunately, in the final moments, Han Feng managed to extinguish the flames in his body and boost his Dou Qi to protect himself.
Boom!
Han Feng slammed into a wall, his arms fractured, his face pale as death. Just as Su Qian had predicted, Han Feng wasn't a match for the Invisible Flame Python.
The python let out a piercing screech and lunged at Han Feng with its massive maw wide open, ready to devour him.
"Get lost!" Han Feng roared, his eyes bloodshot as the Sea Heart Flame erupted skyward. The powerful column of flame smashed into the python's gaping mouth.
Boom!
The python let out a screech of agony. Han Feng couldn't defeat it outright, but it wasn't easy for the flame python to devour him either.
As Han Feng scanned his surroundings, his blood red eyes fell on a tall, graceful figure nearby. A shadow of greed and yearning flickered in the python's eyes as it focused on Lu Bu.
With his sharp soul perception, Lu Bu immediately sensed the moment the Invisible Flame Python locked onto him.
"Heh… Interesting," Lu Bu sneered. "Can't handle Han Feng, so you want to pick on me as the soft target?"
"Lu Bu, get out of here! That thing has its sights on you!" Zi Yan's face turned pale as she shouted urgently, her childish yet clear voice filled with worry.
"Screeech!"
The Invisible Flame Python let out a thunderous cry, and a surge of formless energy spread out like a shockwave.
In an instant, everyone present felt their faces flush red as the flames in their hearts flared uncontrollably, leaving them immobilized as they desperately fought to suppress the heart flames.
The students and teachers of Jia Nan Academy fared slightly better, having already experienced the effects of heart flames during their time training in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. Though the sudden surge of flames threw them off balance, they instinctively suppressed and absorbed the heart flames, converting them into energy for cultivation.
But the Black Corner Region's fighters weren't so lucky. Their immediate reaction was to expel or extinguish the flames, only to realize they had fueled the heart flames further.
Yet these were battle hardened rogues who had danced on the edge of life and death countless times. They quickly adjusted, using Dou Qi to envelop and suppress the flames.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the Invisible Flame Python lashed its tail and lunged toward Lu Bu, its massive jaws wide open. Instead of swallowing him directly, it spat a burst of formless flames at Zi Yan, who was nearby.
Exhausted from suppressing the heart flames, Zi Yan was unable to dodge. Only Lu Bu could intervene.
"Cunning beast!" A flash of anger lit up Lu Bu's eyes. You're dead meat!
"I'll destroy your intelligence, leaving you trapped in eternal mindlessness!"
With a blur of motion, Lu Bu stepped in front of Zi Yan and raised his hand, summoning a towering screen of azure flames to shield her.
The Invisible Flame Python was overjoyed. This was exactly the outcome it wanted!
The next moment, its massive jaws clamped down and swallowed Lu Bu whole, azure flames and all.
"Beast, don't get cocky!"
A booming voice shattered the night. Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan arrived with a squad of powerful Outer Academy experts, just in time to witness Lu Bu being devoured.
The shout startled everyone, including the Invisible Flame Python. With a flick of its tail, it turned and fled toward the magma beneath the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, taking Lu Bu with it.
"You're not getting away!" Hu Gan roared as he and the other Dou Huangs unleashed a barrage of fierce attacks on the python.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their combined assault battered the python's massive body. Seeing Lu Bu trapped inside the beast, they resolved to rescue him at all costs, abandoning the idea of restraining the flame with a seal.
"Attack together!" Su Qian commanded, breaking away from his fight with the Golden and Silver Elders to pursue the python.
More and more Inner Academy elders broke free of the heart flames and joined the chase.
Screeech!
Sensing its predicament, the python let out a desperate screech and dove headfirst into the magma below.
"What now, Great Elder?" Hu Gan asked anxiously.
"…Seal it!" Su Qian ordered after a moment of silence. His gaze flicked to Zi Yan, who stood biting her lip, her eyes glistening with tears.
"All Inner Academy elders and instructors, form a sealing array!" Su Qian bellowed. "Outer Academy experts, eliminate those Black Corner Region scum!"
"Yes, sir!"
…
Deep Beneath the Magma
The Invisible Flame Python coiled itself in the depths, its body radiating waves of invisible flames as it attempted to refine and absorb the Azure Lotus Heart Flame.
As for Lu Bu… he felt nothing. In fact, he thought it was a bit chilly.
Beneath him, an icy blue formation hummed faintly, its core powered by a sixth tier ice attribute magical core he had pilfered from one of the Black Emperor Sect elders.
"Too bad I didn't find a water attribute core," Lu Bu muttered, rolling his eyes. "Water would've been more comfortable than this cold."
Outside the protective array, the python writhed furiously, its flames roaring. Lu Bu's sharp eyes gleamed as he extended his soul perception, searching for the Fallen Heart Flame's core. His plan was simple: devour the flame and then seek out the Skyfire Sovereign below.
But just then, a burst of radiant light appeared before him, and Queen Medusa materialized out of nowhere.
"An enemy? Damn it, where is this place?" Queen Medusa exclaimed, startled by the unfamiliar surroundings.
Sensing Lu Bu's battle ready aura, she assumed they were in a dire situation. But when she noticed the flame python outside the array, her expression froze. As a magical beast herself, she immediately recognized the terrifying entity before them.
"Your Majesty…" Lu Bu sighed dramatically, putting on a bitter expression. "I regret to inform you that we've been captured by a Heavenly Flame. We have only one hour left…"
"What did you just say?" Queen Medusa shrieked, her usual regal composure crumbling in an instant.
"In our final moments," Lu Bu continued gravely, though a sly grin tugged at his lips, "would Your Majesty care to try something… new?"
Queen Medusa froze, her head lowered in silent contemplation. Her luscious red lips pressed together tightly, she remained silent.
Slowly, Lu Bu reached out, his hand gently cupping her flawless face. Beneath his touch, her skin was as smooth as fine jade. Hidden within his gaze, however, was a mischievous glint.
(To be continued)
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