Chapter 204: Lu Bu: I Don't Care!
On the mountaintop, beneath her white veil, Queen Medusa's crescent shaped eyes suddenly sharpened, her aura flaring intensely. In an instant, she reverted to the fierce and ruthless queen of the serpent people she had once been.
In the distant sky, a figure with purple and brown flame wings slowly emerged, his imposing aura rolling across the landscape.
Queen Medusa's eyes flickered as she recognized the newcomer it was Xiao Yan! Or rather, it was Yao Chen and Xiao Yan together!
Recalling the information Lu Bu had shared with her about these two, as well as his relationship with them, Medusa made a quick assessment. Allies.
As someone who had ruled the serpent people for decades, Medusa understood a hard truth about alliances: their only purpose was to be exploited.
Had Xiao Yan's combat strength been higher or Yao Chen's physical body restored, the Hall of Souls would have already known about Lu Bu's existence.
Medusa had voiced this concern to Lu Bu before, but he always interrupted her before she could finish, which was infuriating!
At this thought, Medusa ground her silver teeth in frustration. Next time, she would make him understand the consequences of interrupting her!
Of course, no matter how capable a man was, even he would have moments of exhaustion. Eventually, Medusa had managed to finish her question.
To this, Lu Bu had answered casually, "I don't care!"
According to him, restoring Yao Chen's body would require at least Xiao Yan reaching the level of a seventh or even eighth tier alchemist to perfectly refine the Bone Growth Blood Fusion Pill.
Aside from this, the preparation work alone would take significant time. By the time Xiao Yan advanced to the eighth tier and Yao Chen was restored, Lu Bu would no longer be a novice for others to manipulate.
Lu Bu was confident in this, and Medusa agreed with him. With his terrifying cultivation speed alone, not to mention his myriad trump cards and methods, Xiao Yan could never hope to catch up. Moreover, with her own assistance, their dual cultivation had accelerated his progress to absurd levels.
And then… there was herself.
Currently an eight star Dou Zong, Medusa was confident that with their dual cultivation and Lu Bu's pill support, she could touch the threshold of Dou Zun within a few years. Anyone who wanted to harm Lu Bu would first have to get past her.
As she mulled this over, Xiao Yan closed the distance with a few quick flashes, hovering above the valley and stopping a short distance from Medusa.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" Yao Chen's aged voice sounded from Xiao Yan's mouth.
"What is it?" Medusa asked coldly, gripping her longsword. Her indifferent gaze sent a chill through the air, and the leaves rustled ominously below as her killing intent swept out like a cold breeze, making one's entire body feel icy.
"Teacher, this Queen Medusa seems incredibly hostile toward us!" Xiao Yan muttered in his heart.
"She's not, really," Yao Chen replied. "Almost every Queen Medusa is like this unpredictable and prone to killing over the slightest disagreement. So shut up and don't say a word!"
"But Lu Bu…" Xiao Yan was stunned. How did that guy manage to chat and laugh with this woman?
"No idea. Maybe… he's handsome?" Yao Chen replied wistfully. He had some experience with this sort of thing. Back when he was still at the Pill Tower, his looks were decent comparable to Lu Bu's. Many senior and junior sisters treated him kindly, unlike Mu Gu, who received no such courtesy.
Xiao Yan: "..." You must've been insufferable back then.
"I've come to see Lu Bu and ask for his help refining a puppet," Yao Chen said, bowing slightly and speaking frankly to Medusa. It was better to be direct about their purpose.
Xiao Yan, remembering Yao Chen's advice, remained silent, leaving his teacher in full control of his body. This woman's demeanor was terrifying, and she truly seemed like she could kill at any moment.
At eight stars Dou Zong, she was far beyond what he and Yao Chen could handle in their current state. Still, wasn't Lu Bu already with Yun Yun? What would happen if Queen Medusa and Yun Yun met?
The thought made Xiao Yan grin mischievously, taking some schadenfreude in imagining the chaos. After all, Lu Bu had once stirred up trouble between him, Xun'er, and Ya Fei.
Now, it was Lu Bu's turn to face some trouble. Xiao Yan would definitely enjoy it except… no, he wouldn't!
Xiao Yan's grin faltered as he remembered that Lu Bu had dared to watch his drama because Xiao Yan couldn't take him on. If he dared watch Lu Bu's drama, he might find himself beaten to a pulp by Yun Yun, Medusa, and Lu Bu together.
Especially the woman in front of him her icy demeanor practically screamed that she wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Even if he were given ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare provoke this serpent queen.
"Lu Bu is refining a puppet. He doesn't have time," Medusa replied coldly.
"Oh?" Yao Chen's interest was piqued. "May I observe?"
"You can," Medusa said, her tone frosty. "But you mustn't disturb him." Her words carried an unmistakable threat.
With a metallic clang, her longsword stabbed into the stone beneath her feet. Invisible ripples of spatial energy spread outward, forming a massive barrier that sealed off the valley below.
Yao Chen and Xiao Yan remained above the valley, observing Lu Bu from a distance. They didn't dare make any sudden moves. The serpent queen was clearly someone not to be trifled with, and her hostility toward them was palpable. It was best to keep their mouths shut.
Yao Chen, having traveled across the continent, knew all too well how unreasonable Queen Medusa and her lineage could be.
"Teacher… is that the corpse of the Hall of Souls' elder?" Xiao Yan suddenly exclaimed in his mind.
Yao Chen focused his gaze. Wrapped in an invisible flame and metallic liquid was none other than the corpse of Qin Tian, the Hall of Souls elder they had fought not long ago.
"No wonder that kid had the puppet snatch Qin Tian's body!" Yao Chen's eyes widened. He had thought of negotiating with Lu Bu for the corpse to use as a potential host for his soul. But now, seeing this, it was clear that wasn't going to happen. He would have to find another option.
"Wait…" Yao Chen's expression shifted as he muttered, "Something's off."
"What is it, Teacher?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.
"An eighth tier magic core!" Yao Chen's voice was filled with shock. "That kid didn't just use a Dou Zun's corpse he used an eighth tier magic core!"
"The Heaven Demon Phoenix core?!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened in disbelief. "How could he bear to use it?"
He recalled watching Lu Bu refine an eighth tier magic core, envying it immensely. While it wasn't of much use to him at the time, it was still an object of unparalleled value.
But his envy had quickly turned into relief when Yao Chen told him about the Heaven Demon Phoenix. This species was fiercely protective of their dead, willing to mobilize their entire clan to avenge a single lost core. Possessing such a thing was like holding a hot potato, and being discovered could mean facing the wrath of Dou Zuns or even Dou Shengs.
Originally, Xiao Yan had planned to use this information to barter with Lu Bu and warn him of the dangers, but Yao Chen had advised against it. Based on his understanding of Lu Bu, the kid was undoubtedly aware of the risks. His confidence likely stemmed from his ties to the Ancient Void Dragon clan.
After all, Ancient Void Dragons considered Heaven Demon Phoenixes their prey. Taking their magic core and blood essence? Even devouring them whole wasn't out of the question.
"And that's not all," Yao Chen added. "See that unconscious soul floating nearby? That must be Qin Tian's original soul."
"No wonder he risked stealing Qin Tian's body and soul so this was his plan…" Yao Chen's lips twitched as he thought about it. This guy, Lu Bu… he truly never let an opportunity slip by, always squeezing out the maximum benefits, even in dangerous, life threatening battles like the one they'd faced recently.
And this time, he'd managed to reap a massive reward.
"So, Lu Bu will soon have a puppet that can rival a Dou Zun?" Xiao Yan asked enviously.
A Dou Zun… for Xiao Yan, that was a legendary level of strength. Even his teacher, in his prime, had only reached the Dou Zun level. Yet Lu Bu could now command a puppet one immune to death, pain, or fear that possessed such power. Truly enviable!
"Most likely…" Yao Chen muttered, his lips twitching. Lu Bu's puppets had always been unmatched at their level. His Dou Huang puppet had withstood Han Feng's violent onslaught when Han Feng was at the peak of Dou Huang, and his Dou Zong puppet had been equally terrifying.
While the Dou Zun level was a massive leap, the puppet's lack of fear and disregard for death might enable it to fight a four star Dou Zun to a standstill.
What's even more absurd, Yao Chen thought, was that this puppet could level up. Adding to the absurdity, Lu Bu could refine pills that summoned Dan Lightning to provide "nourishment" for the puppet's growth.
It was outrageous!
Once this puppet was completed, Lu Bu could roam freely across the Northwest Continent.
"This kid… his arsenal of cards is truly enviable," Yao Chen said, looking at Lu Bu, who was focused entirely on his work below.
Back in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Lu Bu had been just a fledgling, relying on tricks and schemes to trade with Yao Chen for cultivation resources. But now, Lu Bu had grown to a level that even Yao Chen had to fear.
Unless Yao Chen's physical body and cultivation were restored, he would have no choice but to compromise with Lu Bu, even if he returned to the Starfall Pavilion.
Above the valley, Queen Medusa stood proudly, her sword in hand. Her aura spread across the area, vigilantly watching for any danger.
In the valley below, Lu Bu was entirely immersed in refining the materials, aware of Xiao Yan and Yao Chen's presence but unconcerned. He trusted that Her Majesty would handle any interruptions. His priority now was completing the Heavenly Demon Puppet.
The materials he had were so precious that they were utterly irreplaceable at his current stage. He had to be extremely careful and thorough.
Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had gone by.
To ensure stability, Lu Bu took the same meticulous approach he used when refining pills, striving for perfection with every step before moving forward.
Yao Chen, watching Lu Bu's intricate process, nodded slightly in approval. Although this wasn't pill refinement, the precision and care Lu Bu displayed revealed much about his skills.
Lu Bu was calm, composed, and methodical. Such steadiness and precise control were invaluable qualities for an alchemist.
Lu Bu's rapid progress in alchemy wasn't just due to his powerful and unusual soul it was also thanks to his exceptional control and temperament.
By comparison, Xiao Yan, though talented, was still young and lacked patience and composure. He was not yet on Lu Bu's level in these aspects.
Thankfully, Yao Chen thought, this was not an insurmountable problem. With enough experience and trials, Xiao Yan would mature and refine his talents. As his teacher, Yao Chen was confident he could guide his student well.
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light burst forth from the flames below. Qin Tian's corpse, enveloped in invisible fire and molten metal, transformed into a golden body that looked as if it had been cast from pure gold.
As the flames burned, the sound of metallic clanging echoed continuously.
A vast and menacing aura erupted from the golden figure, sharp and bloodthirsty like a blade drawn to kill.
Both Yao Chen and Xiao Yan felt a chill run down their spines. They had no doubt about the puppet's combat prowess this oppressive aura exceeded even the presence Qin Tian had when he was alive.
Lu Bu laughed heartily, flicking his finger to send a drop of blood flying. At the same time, an overwhelming wave of soul power surged from his brow, enveloping the blood and merging it into the golden body. A faint red glow appeared at the center of the puppet's forehead.
Lu Bu patted the puppet's body a few times to test its durability.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal rang out crisply.
"Perfect!" Lu Bu exclaimed with a laugh, full of satisfaction. "As long as the Hall of Souls doesn't send a Tian Zun, who can touch me now?"
Cough, cough. A faint cough sounded from above, and Xiao Yan called out, "Lu Bu, nice work there!"
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow and glanced at his wife. Medusa got the message, dispelling the spatial barrier with a wave of her hand before transforming back into her Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python form and returning to Lu Bu's shoulder.
Lu Bu chuckled softly and narrowed his eyes at Xiao Yan. He had long known Xiao Yan and Yao Chen were present.
The existence of the Heavenly Demon Puppet wasn't something Lu Bu intended to hide. Like nuclear weapons, its primary purpose was deterrence, especially when it came to Xiao Yan and Yao Chen. Its value as a threat far outweighed its direct combat utility.
With this puppet in his arsenal, any schemes they might have would surely be tempered by caution.
"I already know why you're here," Lu Bu said, smiling faintly. "But since we're all alchemists, why not handle this the alchemist way? You provide the materials, and the payment will be negotiated separately."
Xiao Yan's lips twitched. After so many dealings with Lu Bu, he was well aware of the man's habit of making outrageous demands. Yet, even knowing what was coming, it was still frustrating to face it directly.
"I don't know much about your puppet. Could you explain it?" Xiao Yan asked, wanting to learn more about the product before agreeing to anything.
"Of course!" Lu Bu said with a grin. "This is a Heavenly Demon Puppet, an ancient creation. It feels no joy or sorrow, no pain, and no injury. Its power is immense, and its combat capabilities are extraordinary!"
"The Heavenly Demon Puppets are divided into three levels: Heaven, Earth, and Man. Heaven grade puppets have golden bodies and Dou Zun level strength. Earth grade puppets have silver bodies and Dou Zong level strength. As for Man grade puppets with bronze bodies… their combat strength isn't worth mentioning. I doubt you'd be interested."
"Furthermore, these puppets have the incredible ability to absorb Dan Lightning to enhance their strength. They can absorb all Dan Lightning below Black Magic Lightning, meaning they can withstand even the Eight Colored Dan Lightning of eighth tier pills!"
"What?!" Xiao Yan and Yao Chen exclaimed simultaneously, their faces filled with shock as they stared at the golden puppet beside Lu Bu.
An eighth tier, Eight Colored Dan Lightning was so powerful that even a Half Saint might struggle to endure it unscathed.
The idea that this puppet could absorb such lightning implied it could eventually rival peak Dou Zuns or even Half Saints.
"Are you serious?" Yao Chen asked gravely. If this was true, the puppet was a priceless treasure.
"Absolutely," Lu Bu replied confidently. "This conclusion was personally tested by your disciple. If it's wrong… well, you can blame Xiao Yan!"
"Any other questions?" Lu Bu asked with a grin.
"Yes. What are the materials required for crafting it?" Xiao Yan asked.
"A body, a magic core, a soul, and some rare metals," Lu Bu explained. "For a silver Earth Puppet, I used a Dou Zong corpse, a seventh tier magic core, and a compatible soul. For the golden Heavenly Demon Puppet, it was a Dou Zun corpse, an eighth tier magic core, and a suitable soul!"
"So, my dear clients, what price are you willing to pay?" Lu Bu said with a sly smile, rubbing his hands together expectantly.
The way he looked at Xiao Yan and Yao Chen was like a butcher eyeing a pair of plump sheep, practically salivating.
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