Chapter 283: Believe in Dou Qi, Reject Tricks and Deceit!
"It's the Ancestor!" Tian Shuangzi and Tian She shouted, their faces filled with both shock and joy.
But their expressions quickly stiffened as an immense surge of soul power erupted from the young man before them. The overwhelming spiritual force sent shivers down their spines, a bone deep trembling that came from the depths of their very souls.
And that was without even considering the enormous dark gold dragon eye that stared at them from the black spatial rift nearby.
In the distance, Medusa's face darkened the moment the white robed elder appeared. From him, she felt an intangible pressure, one that seemed even more imposing than a Dou Zun.
"This man is strong…" Medusa said in a low voice.
"Don't worry. Lu Bu isn't simple either," Xiao Yi Xian said weakly, her voice barely audible.
"Are you alright?" Yun Yun asked, looking worriedly at Xiao Yi Xian's pale, bloodless face. She raised a jade like hand, intending to check her condition.
"Don't… don't touch me!" Xiao Yi Xian quickly interrupted. The seal on her body had been completely undone, and now her deadly toxins pervaded every inch of her skin, every strand of her hair, and even the air she exhaled.
The only relief was that the toxic energy had been significantly depleted during her fight with the peak Dou Zong. This prevented it from triggering a catastrophic outbreak akin to a natural disaster, which would harm both others and herself.
Snap!
Yun Yun gently held Xiao Yi Xian's hand, channeling a stream of pure wind based Dou Qi into her body. A moment later, she frowned deeply before opening her eyes again.
Xiao Yi Xian's body was in utter disarray. Fine threads of poisonous energy rampaged within her, destroying her vitality. The good news was that the poison had been sufficiently weakened and wouldn't reach her mind, sparing her from the fate that had plagued previous bearers of the Woeful Poison Body.
The bad news? The toxins were still damaging her body. If this continued, Xiao Yi Xian's life would be in grave danger.
Yun Yun slowly let go of Xiao Yi Xian's delicate wrist, but her fair hand was now tinged with a faint grayish purple hue.
A flicker of invisible flame flowed up her arm, burning away the gray purple poison until it was completely neutralized. Yun Yun frowned slightly. This was troublesome.
"I'll help stabilize you," Medusa said softly. She raised her hand and pressed her palm gently against Xiao Yi Xian's back, sending a surge of Dou Qi to suppress the chaotic toxins.
Xiao Yi Xian's expression shifted. She worried that her poison might harm Medusa, but with the overwhelming force of the Dou Qi pouring into her, she had no choice but to focus her efforts on controlling the toxins.
Nearby, Zi Yan's small face was pale, her eyes tightly shut. A faint purple glow swirled around her. Yun Yun gently cradled her in her arms, carefully placing a recovery pill into her mouth to help her regain her strength.
High in the sky, the standoff between the three figures continued.
"Ice River Valley's ancestor?" Lu Bu tightened his grip slightly, the dark gold glow on his dragon scaled hand rippling as his fingers began to press into Ice River's skull.
Didn't Ice River Valley only have Ice River, the five star Dou Zun, as its leader? The one he currently held in his hand was supposed to be the founder of the valley. Where had this so called ancestor come from… Wait.
Lu Bu's brow furrowed slightly as he recalled something from the original storyline. During the Dou Saint Ruins arc, Xiao Yan had been ambushed by the Soul Hall and the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe, and Tang Zhen of the Burning Flame Valley had come to his aid only to be blocked by Ice River Valley. The excuse? "Ice River Valley and Burning Flame Valley have been at odds for generations."
It seemed Ice River Valley had more depth than he initially thought. But the fact that they later joined the Netherworld Alliance, only to be annihilated without making much of an impact, suggested their so called depth wasn't all that impressive.
Lu Bu let out a cold laugh. The white robed elder before him, at best, might be a three or four turn Dou Zun perhaps even weaker. And if he was stronger… well, how strong could he really be?
"Old man, I am Han Yangzi," the elder said, taking a deep breath and lowering his head slightly. His voice was calm but firm. "Might I ask this friend to spare Ice River? A mistake was made, and I offer my apologies on his behalf to you and your companions."
"Heh…" Lu Bu sneered. "Where was your plea for mercy when this old fossil was attacking my friends?"
"Young man, you " The elder's expression darkened.
"Oh? Planning to fight?" Lu Bu's mocking laughter echoed across the battlefield. High above, silver light erupted, surging like ocean waves.
"What an immense and majestic spatial power!"
Tian She and Tian Shuangzi turned pale, exclaiming in shock. They were both proficient in manipulating spatial energy, yet the disparity between their abilities and this was akin to the gap between a beggar and an emperor.
The silver light subsided, revealing a colossal dark gold dragon spanning hundreds of meters.
Its gleaming scales rippled with an unyielding brilliance, its massive claws bulging with knotted muscles. Each curved talon gleamed like a blade, radiating an aura of raw power. The dragon's enormous maw, lined with sharp white fangs, exuded a ferocious presence.
A faint mist curled around its serpentine body, obscuring its full length. The oppressive might of a Taixu Ancient Dragon descended upon the land, majestic and otherworldly.
Tian Shuangzi and Tian She froze, their pupils contracting into pinpricks as their scalps tingled with fear. A paralyzing terror gripped their hearts.
"A Taixu Ancient Dragon?!"
Cradled in Yun Yun's arms, Zi Yan stirred, blinking her large, gem like eyes. A hint of confusion flickered across her face.
This dragon felt somewhat familiar, yet it didn't evoke the same closeness as Lu Bu. She preferred Lu Bu he was better.
"So this is a Taixu Ancient Dragon…" Medusa's enchanting eyes widened slightly as she gazed at the colossal beast. Lu Bu had mentioned them before, and she had felt this dragon's aura within him. This dragon was strong, yet… ordinary. Its aura lacked the majesty and purity of Lu Bu's.
"It really is a Taixu Ancient Dragon…" Han Yangzi's face turned grim, his earlier composure replaced with a heavy seriousness. He realized now that things had gotten far more complicated.
Whether it was the backing of the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan or the immense spiritual power radiating from Lu Bu, neither was something to be trifled with.
BOOM!
Han Yangzi's eyes turned sharp as his aura erupted, unleashing a fierce cold wind that momentarily dispersed Hei Qing's overwhelming draconic might.
"Friends, I admit Ice River Valley was in the wrong, and he has already paid for it. I ask for your mercy. Let us end this here, and I will be deeply grateful."
"Hah! On what grounds?" Hei Qing sneered, his dark gold light rippling ominously. "You're merely a three turn Dou Zun. What makes you think you can talk terms with us?"
"That's enough to end both of you!" Han Yangzi's voice turned cold, his palm swirling with icy energy. Fine crystals formed at his fingertips, his power subdued yet menacing.
"Really? I don't believe you."
Lu Bu smirked, and purple black flames surged from his palm, engulfing Ice River entirely. The next moment, Ice River's agonized screams filled the air.
"Ancestor, save me!" Ice River cried desperately as the purple black flames burned him alive.
"Valley Master!" Tian Shuangzi and Tian She's expressions changed drastically as they flew out, attempting to rescue him.
"You insolent fool!" Han Yangzi roared angrily. He couldn't believe the young man actually dared to make a move.
In an instant, his figure streaked forward, icy energy surging like a rolling sea, roaring toward Lu Bu.
Boom!
A dark gold pillar of energy burst out with a deafening roar. The ferocious dragon breath that had been gathering power erupted violently, blazing like a golden rainbow that pierced through the heavens.
Boom!
The clash of extreme cold and dragon breath detonated in an explosion of terrifying force, sweeping everything before it.
Tian Shuangzi and Tian She were immediately flung backward, not even able to approach the battlefield.
"Roar…" Hei Qing let out a deep growl, but his massive dragon body couldn't resist being pushed back his strength was ultimately weaker than Han Yangzi's.
At the same time, a white shadow darted through the air. A massive crystalline hand of ice condensed from the swirling cold and descended on Lu Bu's Baihui acupoint.
"Boy, die for me!" Han Yangzi bellowed, his old face twisted into a grim expression.
However, Lu Bu didn't move at all. He didn't even activate his Dou Qi or soul power to defend himself. Instead, his face was filled with mockery as he calmly watched Han Yangzi's attack.
Smack!
A black object flew through the air, spinning as it smacked into Han Yangzi's face. Reflexively, Han Yangzi grabbed it and glanced at the object. His expression instantly changed.
It was a black jade token engraved with a four winged unicorn soaring proudly. On the back of the token was a single bold character written in silver script: "Eight."
"The Black Abyss Army?!" Han Yangzi exclaimed in shock. The killing intent on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. The massive crystalline hand of ice froze in midair, stopping just above Lu Bu's head, unable to descend.
Boom!
A muffled sound rang out from Lu Bu's hand as gray ash scattered into the air. The renowned Ice River Sovereign was reduced to nothing more than a pile of dust.
"Ahhh!" A translucent soul suddenly flew out in panic and darted toward Han Yangzi, trembling in terror.
Han Yangzi's expression darkened considerably, his face alternating between red and ashen as his eyes burned with rage. His fury boiled over, yet he was powerless to act.
"Boy, who exactly are you?" Han Yangzi asked coldly, his gaze sharp and filled with murderous intent.
Lu Bu grinned wickedly. "My older brother is Xiao Yan, the one destined to become a Dou Di."
Han Yangzi clenched his fists tightly. Claims of being "destined for Dou Di" were often nothing more than a joke, but if the other party was from an ancient imperial bloodline, it was an entirely different matter.
"Xiao Yan, is it? I'll remember that name!"
"Hmph… Let's go!"
Han Yangzi's expression was dark and uncertain. With a wave of his sleeve, icy winds swept up Tian Shuangzi, Tian She, and the shattered soul of Ice River Sovereign. Together, they disappeared into a spatial rift, retreating in disgrace.
Han Yangzi knew he couldn't kill the young man. The jade token marked him as the eighth commander of the Black Abyss Army. If Lu Bu were to die here, Han Yangzi would have to worry about surviving the wrath of the Black Abyss Army's Dou Sheng powerhouses.
As the light of the rift faded, Hei Qing now in human form flew back with a furrowed brow. "Lu Bu, why didn't you destroy Ice River's soul as well?"
"Are you trying to force a fight to the death?" Lu Bu shrugged. If he had completely erased Ice River's soul, Han Yangzi would have pursued them relentlessly. And if he turned to Soul Hall for support, things would only get worse.
The Black Abyss Army wasn't invincible, after all. Besides, Lu Bu didn't come out of this empty handed. With a flick of his finger, a pale, frosty storage ring appeared in his palm.
This battle had cost Ice River his body, his painstakingly crafted artificial Woeful Poison Body, and his resilient Dou Zun physique. Now even his storage ring was in Lu Bu's hands. Without Ice River Valley, Ice River was nothing more than a wandering soul.
In the vast expanse of dark space, aboard a simple spatial ship a few meters long
Xiao Yan, deep in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes and shivered involuntarily.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yan, sitting at the helm, asked curiously. Xiao Yan looked like he'd just been bitten by a snake.
"I don't know. I suddenly felt a chill, like someone's plotting against me!" Xiao Yan glanced around, his expression suspicious.
"You're overthinking things." Lin Yan gave him a disdainful look. "Kid, believe in Dou Qi. Believe in your strength. Reject superstition, nonsense, and deceitful tricks!"
Xiao Yan's face darkened. He scratched his head, frowning. I get it, but… why do I feel like I've been framed again?
"Enough overthinking. We've arrived at the Central Region. Tianhuang City is just ahead. Let's go find Liu Qing," Lin Yan said with a laugh.
Xiao Yan shook his head, tossing aside his strange thoughts. He had more important things to focus on like mastering the Flame Mantra and enhancing his reputation.
"Alright then. From now on, I am the alchemy prodigy, Lu Bu. Don't forget!" Xiao Yan declared, puffing out his chest as he gazed at the massive silver light circle on the horizon.
Their destination had arrived!
Leaf City
Situated on the outskirts of the Pill Domain, Leaf City had long since fallen out of its golden days. During the Ye Clan's peak, the city bustled with activity, filled with travelers and merchants. Countless spatial wormholes connected it to the Pill Domain and beyond.
Now, with the decline of the Ye Clan, only a single, dilapidated wormhole remained, leaving Leaf City desolate and peaceful except for the occasional factions trying to annex the Ye Clan.
In the otherwise tranquil city, several overwhelming auras suddenly descended upon the Ye Clan's ancestral grounds: the Yang Fire Altar.
In an instant, the entire Ye Clan including Ye Zhong was paralyzed by the sheer pressure, unable to move.
"What's going on?" Ye Zhong slumped into his chair, his face pale with terror.
"Don't worry. We're just borrowing this place," said a burly figure as he stepped through the door, his tone indifferent.
"It's… it's him!" Ye Zhong's heart trembled in fear. Was Xiao Yan finally here to exact revenge for what had happened?
Hei Qing's face twisted with mockery as he silently observed Ye Zhong's changing expressions.
At the Yang Fire Altar, Lu Bu held a green lotus in his hand, a strange blue flame flickering at its heart.
"Your Majesty, you and Zi Yan stand guard outside. Yun Yun, Xiao Yi Xian, let's head in," Lu Bu said with a smile, taking their soft, delicate hands in his.
Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian's faces turned red as a blush spread across their cheeks. The atmosphere felt… strange.
"Ahem… Alright. Zi Yan and I will guard the area. Don't worry," Medusa said quickly, sensing the awkwardness. She scooped up the confused Zi Yan and left in haste.
"Uh… So, Xiao Yi Xian, the Poison Pill Method requires three types of Heavenly Flames, and Yun Yun is indispensable," Lu Bu explained with a serious expression.
"I… I'll follow your lead," Xiao Yi Xian stammered, her ears flushed a bright red.
Yun Yun's fair face was also tinged with pink as she tried to swallow her nerves. Her mouth felt dry, and she couldn't find the words to respond.
(End of Chapter)
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