Chapter 330
The lush medicinal herb forest stretched out endlessly, filled with fragrant aromas that calmed the mind. A light mist lingered, making the scene feel like a celestial paradise.
Hiss !
The sharp screech of a creature suddenly shattered the tranquility of this idyllic scene. A snake, as thin as a chopstick and covered in vivid patterns, shot out of the bushes.
Puff!
However, just as the snake darted into the air, a faint black flame appeared and engulfed it entirely.
Ssss ! The snake let out shrill cries, writhing desperately in the flames, trying to extinguish the eerie fire, but all its efforts were in vain.
"Damn it…" Xiao Yan muttered with a dark expression. This herb forest might look beautiful, but it was fraught with danger. Any carelessness could lead to becoming food for the ancient fierce beasts that roamed here.
That tiny, colorful snake might appear harmless, but it was actually a Tier Seven magical beast powerful enough to rule over a mountain in the Central Plains.
"These creatures are all ancient and ferocious!" Wind Venerable said, his face grim. Only the strongest beasts that had survived countless years could live in this herb forest. Even as a Four Star Dou Venerate, he wasn't confident he could make it out unscathed.
"Roar…!" From the depths of the forest, low, violent growls accompanied by waves of terrifying energy echoed faintly. Even Xiao Yan and Wind Venerable couldn't help but tense up at the oppressive presence.
"What powerful energy fluctuations!" Wind Venerable exclaimed with a wary expression.
"Looks like others are entering too!" Xiao Yan frowned. Unlike their group of eight, which included a Void Ancient Dragon, other intruders wouldn't be able to rely on such a deterrent. The fierce beasts might be watching them, but they didn't dare attack.
Others, however, weren't so lucky. In this forest teeming with magical beasts, every step was fraught with peril.
Still, the increasing number of people entering the forest meant only one thing: the race to explore and claim the treasures in this herb filled paradise was heating up.
"Lu Bu, are you done yet? Hurry up and find the Soul Infant Fruit already!" Xiao Yan turned around and yelled, his face dark with frustration.
"What's the rush?" Lu Bu emerged from the bushes, holding a medicinal herb in his hand.
"Here, top quality Transforming Grass. A gift for you." He held it out toward Xiao Yan.
"Just help me find the Soul Infant Fruit already!" Xiao Yan snapped, exasperated. All he cared about was finding the fruit.
"Young man, haste makes waste," Lu Bu said, shaking his head with a sigh, as if imparting profound wisdom.
Xiao Yan's face darkened further. When you were looking for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, you were in such a hurry you practically breathed down everyone's neck. Now that it's my turn, you're spouting nonsense about patience?
"I'm already helping you find it," Lu Bu said cryptically.
"...I don't see it. Just hurry up!"
"Fine, fine…" Lu Bu shrugged, then turned and gestured at Zi Yan. Zi Yan blinked in confusion, then mimicked his shrug, closed her eyes, and began sensing for the Soul Infant Fruit.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. It's about time! This guy never pulls his weight. At least he's finally starting to take this seriously.
"That way!" Zi Yan opened her eyes and pointed toward the east.
"Let's go! Hurry!" Xiao Yan and Wind Venerable's group of five exclaimed in delight, leaping into the air and speeding eastward. After spending half the day in this relic, they finally had a lead!
Swish swish!
The sound of wind slicing through dense forest echoed as they moved. Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed with determination, his vast soul energy fully unleashed. While following Zi Yan's guidance, he used his soul perception to search for traces of the fruit.
After about fifteen minutes of weaving through trees and obstacles, they came upon a small lake, about ten meters wide. The water was crystal clear but impossibly deep, making it impossible to see the bottom.
In the center of the lake was a small patch of land, like an island. Growing on the island was a strange, oddly shaped tree.
The tree's trunk was silvery gray, and its twisted branches wrapped around it like vines, forming a peculiar shape that resembled a pregnant woman. In the hollow created by the coiled branches, a faint golden light glimmered.
"It's the Soul Infant Demon Tree!" Xiao Yan and Wind Venerable exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with joy.
"Hahaha… Finally!"
"Zi Yan is incredible!" Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel envious. Why was Lu Bu so lucky to be so close to Zi Yan? If only I had met her first…
If I could go back, I'd make sure to meet Zi Yan before Lu Bu did! There's no way I'd let him get ahead of me!
Xiao Yan's mind wandered as he reminisced. But wait… What was I doing when I first joined the Inner Academy? Oh, right… I was dealing with Xun'er and Nalan Yanran. Never mind then…
Scratching his head, Xiao Yan rationalized, That was Lu Bu's fault! If Xun'er and Yanran hadn't been at odds, I'd have had time to meet Zi Yan first!
"Alright, let me grab that Soul Infant Fruit!" Wind Venerable said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Rolling up his sleeves, he prepared to make his move.
Once he had the fruit, he planned to take Xiao Yan and head straight back to Starfall Pavilion. As for the agreement with Lu Bu… Well, there are still two peak Dou Zong elders. Letting them handle things wouldn't technically violate the agreement.
Let Lu Bu struggle a bit. As for taking the blame, Yao Chen can handle that!
This was, after all, Yao Chen's suggestion. He figured Lu Bu would push the Starfall Pavilion members to their limits to get the Soul Infant Fruit, so bending the rules like this was entirely justified.
With this plan in mind, Wind Venerable's excitement only grew.
"Wait, Elder Feng!" Xiao Yan quickly called out. "Every great treasure is guarded by a beast. We can't act rashly!"
"I'll handle it," Lu Bu said with a shrug, slamming his palm onto the lake's surface. With a deafening boom, the once calm water erupted into a massive spray.
In the next moment, a surge of ferocious killing intent burst forth as a massive shadow emerged from the water with a deafening roar.
"Roooaaaarrr!"
The enormous beast's furious howl shook the heavens. The surrounding skies darkened, as though an apocalyptic storm loomed overhead.
"It's a Sky Reaching Serpent!"
"Damn it, I thought this species was extinct!"
The members of Starfall Pavilion cried out in shock, their faces pale with fear. Instinctively, they unleashed their Dou Qi to shield themselves.
The creature was a massive serpent with dark blue scales, its body as thick as a water barrel. A large black horn jutted from its forehead, engraved with mysterious patterns that exuded an oppressive aura.
"Why are you screaming?" Zi Yan frowned, covering her ears with her small hands, clearly annoyed.
The crisp and youthful voice wasn't loud, but it pierced through the deafening roar of the Sky Reaching Serpent, reverberating in everyone's ears.
"Ying, ying, ying…"
The moment the words fell, the Sky Reaching Serpent's neck suddenly shrank back, and the ferocious, earth shattering aura it emitted immediately dissipated. In the blink of an eye, the once terrifying beast became docile, as if the ferocious monster from moments ago was an illusion.
The massive serpent lowered its head submissively in front of Zi Yan, resembling a meek kitten, only a step away from rolling over to ask for cuddles.
Lu Bu couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. He had been planning to subdue the serpent himself, but he hadn't expected Zi Yan to act without warning.
"I want that." Zi Yan pointed at the Soul Infant Fruit in the center of the lake.
"Ying… ying…" Hearing Zi Yan's request, the Sky Reaching Serpent hesitated, its massive body drooping in defeat. It had guarded the fruit for so long, yet now it was being taken away so easily.
"Ahem, very sorry. How about I trade you for this?" Lu Bu cleared his throat lightly, clenching his fist. When he opened his hand, two stalks of Transforming Grass emanating rich energy appeared before the serpent.
"Ying! Ying! Ying!" The Sky Reaching Serpent's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. It nodded repeatedly, hurriedly swallowing the Transforming Grass into its maw.
Possessing a trace of Ancient Dragon bloodline, the serpent found transformation exceptionally difficult second only to fearsome beasts like Dragon Bears. Transforming Grass was an enormous temptation for it.
"What a big, noisy ying ying beast…" Lu Bu patted the Sky Reaching Serpent's head. If its strength wasn't only at the peak of Tier Seven, Lu Bu would've taken it with him. Unfortunately, its power fell short, and, even more disappointing, it wasn't female. That alone extinguished Lu Bu's interest, so he decided to leave it be.
While these thoughts swirled in his mind, Lu Bu raised his hand. The Soul Infant Demon Tree floating in the lake drifted toward him. With a clean slice, Lu Bu chopped the tree into two pieces and crafted two wooden boxes, sealing the two golden Soul Infant Fruits inside.
"Hahaha! Thank you, Lu Bu!" Xiao Yan laughed, reaching out to grab the wooden box in Lu Bu's hand.
Finally, after all this searching, he had found the Soul Infant Fruit! His teacher's fragmented soul essence could now be restored, and a physical body could finally be refined.
Nearby, Wind Venerable's grin widened. Once the fruit was in hand, he would immediately take Xiao Yan and leave!
Swish!
Suddenly, Xiao Yan's hands touched nothing but air. The two wooden boxes had vanished into Lu Bu's storage ring.
"Lu Bu, what's the meaning of this?" Xiao Yan frowned, his tone displeased. Was this guy planning to go back on their agreement?
"Hmph… Don't play dumb. What if you take the Soul Infant Fruit and run straight back to Starfall Pavilion? Then what happens to me?" Lu Bu said coldly. "I'll hold onto this for now. Once we leave the Dou Saint's relic, I'll hand it over."
"You… Do you think I, Xiao Yan, am some kind of petty thief?" Xiao Yan's face darkened with anger. He shouted indignantly, "How can you insult me like this in front of Yanran? Am I someone who would break my word?"
"You're not, but your teacher certainly is," Lu Bu replied with a faint, knowing smirk. "That cunning old fox would definitely pull some tricks on me!"
"Enough nonsense. This is how it's going to be. I'll keep it safe for you. You're so weak what if someone robs you?" Lu Bu waved dismissively, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Xiao Yan's face was as dark as a thundercloud. If I could beat you, I'd show you why flowers bloom red!
"Let's go!" Lu Bu called out, leading Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan forward, heading toward the central hall of the ruins.
Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan cast Xiao Yan a faint glance before following Lu Bu, leaving the five members of Starfall Pavilion behind.
"Teacher, were you really planning to take the fruit and run?" Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Xiao Yan lifted his hand, gazing at the black ring on his finger.
All the Dou Venerates of Starfall Pavilion had entered the ruins, leaving Yao Chen no choice but to remain with Xiao Yan and Wind Venerable for safety.
"Of course. Why else would I work for him for free?" Yao Chen's exasperated voice came from the ring. His ghostly form emerged, his face twisted with frustration. "But I didn't expect this kid to be so slippery, constantly guarding against me. Outrageous!"
Ever since entering the relic, Yao Chen hadn't dared show himself in front of Lu Bu. And yet, Lu Bu had remained wary of him the entire time.
"Uh, but it's not exactly free labor. We had an agreement, remember?" Xiao Yan mumbled, raising his hand in a small protest. The deal was simple: they'd help Lu Bu, and Lu Bu would find the Soul Infant Fruit for them. Mutual benefit, fair and square.
"You're too honest, that's your problem!" Yao Chen huffed. "Think about how many times Lu Bu has tricked you!"
"Oh…" Xiao Yan scratched his head, remembering their deal during the Pill Realm. Back then, he'd even paid Lu Bu upfront…
"Forget it. Let's just follow them!" Yao Chen sighed in frustration. "Lu Bu is so slippery, he doesn't even respect his elders!"
"Alright…" Xiao Yan nodded and, with Nalan Yanran and the others, hurried after Lu Bu.
…
"So it really was Yao Chen…" A deep, shadowy voice murmured as space distorted. Two figures, one black and one white, appeared at the spot Lu Bu's group had recently left.
Their faces were dark and cold, seething with suppressed fury.
"Damn it, the Soul Infant Fruit is gone!" White Heaven Sovereign snarled, glaring at the now empty Soul Infant Demon Tree. His expression was livid.
Their mission had two objectives: the Dou Saint's remains and the Soul Infant Fruit. But they had arrived too late. By the time they found the tree, Starfall Pavilion and the Void Ancient Dragon had already acted.
With the help of the Void Ancient Dragon, retrieving the fruit had been ridiculously easy for them. There hadn't even been a fight. A few words and a few minutes were all it took.
The black robed figure clenched his fists. "What now?" White Heaven Sovereign asked, his face shifting between pale and dark shades. Judging from the traces of the earlier battle, this Void Ancient Dragon was not to be trifled with.
"And who knows how many others of their kind might be hiding in the shadows…"
"The Dou Saint's remains are the priority," Black Heaven Sovereign said gravely. "The Lord wants them, and we cannot fail."
"As for the Soul Infant Fruit… there's no rush. The Void Ancient Dragon and Starfall Pavilion will split eventually. When that happens…" His voice turned colder. "Yao Chen and the Soul Infant Fruit will be mine. And Xiao Yan… After destroying my three branches and slaughtering so many of my Dou Venerates, it's time he paid for his sins in blood."
With a chilling glint in his eyes, he turned to White Heaven Sovereign. "Let's head to the main hall. Prepare to seize the Dou Saint's remains!"
With that, space rippled, and the two figures vanished without a trace.
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