Chapter 160: Medusa: If I Don't Let You, You Can't Touch!
An endless sea of magma stretched as far as the eye could see, a vast crimson expanse with no visible end. With Lu Bu and Medusa's current strength, it was impossible to fully explore this place.
Without the guidance of the Fallen Heart Flame, Lu Bu would never have been able to locate the remains of the Skyfire Saint in this endless sea of magma.
Medusa glanced at the azure flame barrier surrounding them. Her delicate hand tightened slightly. Snakes preferred cold environments, and it was impossible for her to feel entirely at ease in this magma filled world.
"Don't worry," Lu Bu chuckled softly, gently squeezing her slender, soft hand. "This journey will be thrilling but safe. Consider it an eye opener."
"Heh... What haven't I seen before?" Medusa feigned calmness, speaking dismissively.
Lu Bu smiled without replying. The Skyfire Saint was a decent individual and could become a valuable ally in the future. Bringing Medusa to meet him seemed like a good idea.
"Why haven't you completely refined the Fallen Heart Flame yet?" Medusa asked, her gaze landing on the flame cradled in Lu Bu's hand.
"One person can only refine one Heavenly Flame. Otherwise, it would cause backlash," Lu Bu patiently explained.
"Heh... I don't believe it!" Medusa rolled her enchanting eyes. "That black rune you showed earlier could definitely solve that issue."
"You'll find out soon enough," Lu Bu said with a light smile. The real reason he hadn't refined the Fallen Heart Flame was that he intended to return it to the Inner Academy.
Although the Fallen Heart Flame was powerful, it lacked the incremental growth potential of the Green Lotus Core Flame. It wasn't worth giving up his already mastered Green Lotus Core Flame to start over.
Only top tier flames those ranked in the top ten would be worth such an effort. For example, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame... or the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.
As for the Fallen Heart Flame's energy, Lu Bu had already absorbed it. However, he didn't plan to refine it entirely. Instead, he was more interested in the juvenile version of the flame, which had great potential for cultivation. That one, he intended to take with him.
While the two conversed, the Fallen Heart Flame suddenly emitted a fiery beam of light. Moments later, the magma around them stirred, and a transparent ring of light slowly emerged, undulating with the movement of the molten rock.
"What a marvelous application of spatial power! It's able to independently create a small space," Medusa exclaimed, her beautiful eyes narrowing in surprise. She instinctively clenched her left hand, summoning a sword, her expression cautious.
The Fallen Heart Flame swayed slightly in Lu Bu's palm, causing his brow to furrow. The flame was signaling that something was approaching most likely the fire lizard creatures.
According to the original story, their strongest member should be at the half saint level. Moreover, the Skyfire Saint had supposedly fallen at their hands... or was it something else? Lu Bu couldn't quite recall.
Regardless, such a high level creature wasn't something Lu Bu could afford to provoke right now.
"Let's go inside. There should be a soul within," he said.
"How do you know that?" Medusa asked, puzzled. For spatial power to be applied with such precision, the one who did it must have been at least a Dou Zun level powerhouse.
"I have... unique sources of information," Lu Bu replied with a sly grin.
Medusa rolled her eyes. She might have been in deep slumber during her cultivation, but she hadn't entirely severed her perception of the outside world. Lu Bu having any kind of intelligence network? Impossible. She'd been around him for years and had never seen him gather information!
"Fine, don't tell me then…" Medusa muttered under her breath as Lu Bu pulled her into the glowing circle.
Outside the space, two figures swam rapidly through the magma, arriving near the light ring just as Lu Bu and Medusa entered. However, the creatures circled the area a few times as if they couldn't see the light at all. Confused, they swam off in another direction like headless flies.
While their combat strength was formidable, their understanding of spatial power was laughably shallow, as if they were born without such an aptitude.
Inside the light ring, the space was barren, devoid of anything but a single skeletal figure, pure white and illuminated faintly. Floating above the skeleton was another formless flame.
"The Fallen Heart Flame?" Medusa exclaimed in shock. "There's another one here?"
"Calm down, Your Majesty," Lu Bu replied in an unhurried tone. "What haven't you seen before?"
Medusa shot him a glare. This guy... Why were his words always so infuriating?
"What now?" she asked.
"Collect the flame, of course!" Lu Bu chuckled. With a wave of his sleeve, his vast soul power surged out, immediately capturing the juvenile Fallen Heart Flame.
The fledgling flame emitted faint pulses of light, struggling to break free from Lu Bu's grasp. However, its efforts were in vain. One intricate rune after another wrapped around it, binding and sealing it completely.
Finally, it transformed into a faint, glowing mark on Lu Bu's left palm.
With that done, Lu Bu turned his gaze toward the skeleton, smiling faintly. "Elder, won't you show yourself? If you don't, we'll be on our way."
As his words fell, light began to gather around the skeleton. The radiance condensed, eventually forming into an elderly figure with white hair, a white robe, and a weary expression.
Medusa's brow arched. While the elder's aura seemed strong, it also appeared fragile, as though a light touch could shatter him. No wonder he hadn't revealed himself earlier.
"Greetings, young friend... Your soul power is extraordinary," the Skyfire Saint said, clasping his hands respectfully.
"It's passable barely at the latter stage of the Mortal Realm. Nothing remarkable," Lu Bu replied casually with a faint smile. "My name is Lu Bu. Greetings, elder."
The Skyfire Saint's pupils shrank slightly. Though soul cultivation wasn't a closely guarded secret, it wasn't common knowledge either. For someone of Lu Bu's level to know about it, and even reach the latter stage of the Mortal Realm, was truly extraordinary.
"Old man Yao Tianhuo, at your service. Feel free to call me Yao Lao," the elder said with a chuckle.
"Elder, you don't seem to be in good shape," Lu Bu observed with a light laugh.
"As you can see, I'm but a remnant soul, clinging to existence. If no one had come to aid me, I would have dissipated entirely within a year or two," the Skyfire Saint said with a wry smile. "I humbly ask for your help in restoring my soul. I swear upon my soul that I will never act against you in the future!"
With that, Yao Tianhuo clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
"Elder, there's no need for such formality!" Lu Bu said, his palm rising. His soul power gently lifted Yao Tianhuo upright. "Saving a life is the right thing to do. I'll help you."
"Haha... Thank you, young friend!" The Skyfire Saint laughed heartily, finally seeing a glimmer of hope.
He then raised a hand, summoning a white storage ring from the skeleton. With a flick of his finger, he retrieved a white scroll from within. "This is my signature Dou Technique, the Five Wheel Fire Method. Consider it my token of gratitude."
Lu Bu glanced at the scroll and accepted it with a smile. If he didn't take it, the Skyfire Saint likely wouldn't sleep well at night.
"Thank you, elder." Lu Bu laughed as he stored the scroll. "Now, let's leave this place."
Yao Tianhuo nodded, collecting his skeleton before retreating into the white storage ring. Lu Bu called the ring to his hand and pocketed it.
"Your Majesty, shall I carry you out?" Lu Bu asked, extending an arm to wrap around Medusa's slender waist.
Medusa snorted coldly. A burst of colorful light enveloped her, transforming her into her Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python form, giving Lu Bu no chance to take advantage of her.
If she allowed him to hold her hand, he could only hold her hand. If she didn't permit it, he couldn't touch her waist. Only with her consent could he act!
Lu Bu awkwardly withdrew his arm, muttering to himself about her being a haughty queen.
"Lu Bu, be careful when we leave. Don't make too much noise. There are other creatures in the magma," Yao Tianhuo cautioned.
"Oh, don't worry. I have another way out!" Lu Bu replied, tapping his brow as silver light surrounded him.
The Skyfire Saint was stunned. Wasn't this boy only a Dou Wang? How could he wield such strong spatial power?
Before he could process it, the world spun, and they found themselves in a quiet room above ground, far from the magma world.
Teleportation... Lu Bu's abilities were truly astounding!
This time, the Skyfire Saint was utterly shocked. But soon, his surprise turned to excitement. Not only could this young man restore his soul, but he might even help him reconstruct his body and reclaim his life!
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