Chapter 372: Devouring vs. Devouring, Ancestor's Mark vs. Heavenly Flame!
"Wait, senior!!"
The Medicine Clan's Dou Sheng's face turned pale with terror, his sharp voice trembling as he screamed, "I'll retreat right away! I'll leave and never meddle in these matters again!"
"Hehe... If you leave, won't I have to go through the trouble of finding another Dou Sheng?" Xiao Xuan said calmly, his voice indifferent.
"Xiao Xuan! Are you really determined to make an irreconcilable enmity with my Medicine Clan?!" the Medicine Clan Dou Sheng roared furiously, deep yellow flames erupting from his body as the space around him twisted violently under the immense pressure.
Pfft...
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yan and the others exchanged strange glances, while Gu Hua couldn't suppress a chuckle.
Forget about the Medicine Clan even the Soul Clan dared not provoke Xiao Xuan. And here, in the confines of the Heavenly Tomb, did the Medicine Clan even matter? What could they possibly offer? A mere eight grade or nine grade pill, perhaps?
"Hehe… Even in death, the Medicine Clan still keeps their noses in the air. Such arrogance… truly stubborn to the core!" Xiao Xuan sneered faintly, a trace of ridicule flashing across his otherwise calm face.
Without another word, he raised his finger, and a faint gray light flickered into existence.
Hummm
A low hum reverberated as the gray light trembled momentarily before vanishing in an instant.
Far off in the distance, the Medicine Clan Dou Sheng froze in place, the terrifying flames surrounding him coming to an abrupt halt.
"You… Xiao Xuan, you..." The Medicine Clan Dou Sheng stared at Xiao Xuan in utter disbelief, pointing at him as though unable to comprehend what was happening. How could he…? I'm from the Medicine Clan…
Pfft!
His body shuddered violently before transforming into a streak of light, dissipating into nothingness. All that remained was a fist sized energy core radiating a dense and powerful aura.
"Ancestor!" Medicine Star Ji and Medicine Yi let out piercing screams, their faces filled with disbelief. How could this be? Their ancestor was a Dou Sheng!
How could someone of that level be killed as easily as slaughtering a chicken?!
"Hehe..." Lu Bu's lips curled into a sly grin as he eyed the energy core, a glimmer of interest flashing in his eyes. What a fine treasure.
Beside him, Xiao Yan said nothing but turned his gaze toward the trembling Medicine Star Ji. His eyes flickered meaningfully. Didn't this guy possess the Heavenly Flame called the Nine Nether Wind Flame?
"Now, it's your turn…" Xiao Xuan's calm gaze shifted toward the four members of the Soul Clan. At that moment, Hun Yu and the others were already drenched in cold sweat.
They were not like the Medicine Clan. The Soul Clan had clashed with Xiao Xuan countless times before. They knew better than anyone else just how terrifying and invincible he was.
In the past, it had taken both the Soul Clan Leader and the Nihility Devouring Flame along with numerous other clan powerhouses to bring him down. Even then, the outcome was uncertain. Nearly all the Soul Clan's Eight Star Dou Shengs had perished, and both the clan leader and the Nihility Devouring Flame required millennia to recover.
But… Xiao Xuan was not invincible. He was human, and humans could be killed.
"Don't be afraid!" one of the Soul Clan Dou Shengs shouted, his voice stern as black mist surged around him. A cacophony of wailing souls and mournful cries reverberated chillingly.
"Xiao Xuan's power is overwhelming, but the Heavenly Tomb restricts him. He cannot leave his burial site freely!"
"Exactly!" the other Soul Clan Dou Sheng roared. "He can only leave once every ten years, and the time hasn't come yet. There's no way Xiao Xuan is here in person!"
"This must only be a projection a mere shadow of himself!"
Hearing this, Hun Yu and Hun Hu's faces lit up with hope. If it was just a projection, it likely wasn't at full power. And since he had just expended energy killing the Medicine Clan Dou Sheng, his strength must have been greatly depleted.
Now it all made sense: why the two Soul Clan Dou Shengs didn't ally with the Medicine Clan. They had been conserving their power!
With their two Dou Shengs still at full strength, surely they could take down a mere projection! The advantage was theirs!
"Hehe… The stench of Soul Clan bloodlines is truly repulsive," Xiao Xuan said coldly, his gaze filled with disdain as it swept over the two black mist shrouded Dou Shengs.
"Kill!"
The two Soul Clan Dou Shengs roared in unison, their figures flashing forward with lightning speed. Black mist surged out of their sleeves, filled with ghostly wails and the twisted faces of howling spirits, pouring out in a torrential wave.
Clang!
Chains of black energy shot out like dragons, crackling with terrifying force as they roared toward Xiao Xuan.
One from the left, the other from the right the two Soul Clan Dou Shengs coordinated their attack perfectly, intent on destroying Xiao Xuan.
In an instant, fierce winds howled, the sky darkened, and despair filled cries echoed as though the heavens themselves were collapsing.
"Hahaha..." Hun Hu laughed wildly, as if victory was already within his grasp. This is the fate of Lu Bu, Xiao Yan, and the Ancient Clan for daring to defy the Soul Clan!
Xiao Yan and the others paled as they witnessed the overwhelming power of two Dou Shengs. The sheer force was terrifying beyond comprehension.
Lu Bu, however, merely rolled his eyes. These Soul Clan fools really think Half Emperor Xiao Xuan isn't still a peak level powerhouse?
"You have decent eyesight, but you've overestimated yourselves..." Xiao Xuan said calmly as the terrifying attacks bore down on him. "With a mere one or two star Dou Sheng level, you aren't even qualified to speak in my presence."
His voice was calm, but as he raised his hand and gently clenched his fingers, his power became undeniable.
"Shatter!"
With a soft command, the surrounding space froze. The raging black chains and the torrent of black mist came to an abrupt halt.
Boom!
With a light cracking sound, the oppressive forces shattered into countless fragments, vanishing into the endless void of space.
"What?!"
"How is this possible?!"
Hun Yu and Hun Hu's eyes bulged in disbelief. They had imagined their Dou Sheng ancestors would slaughter Lu Bu with ease, crushing him like an insect.
But now, Lu Bu had somehow struck a deal with Xiao Xuan?!
Why does he always end up on top? How does he know so many secrets?
"I hate this! Why is the world so unfair?!" Hun Yu's face twisted in fury, his bloodshot eyes filled with envy and rage. Why does Lu Bu always get everything?!
Bang! Bang!
Before they could voice another complaint, the two Soul Clan Dou Shengs exploded into nothingness without so much as a scream. All that remained were two fist sized, crystalline energy cores exuding a mesmerizing aura.
Xiao Xuan waved his hand, and three Dou Sheng energy cores including the one from the Medicine Clan flew toward Lu Bu, landing lightly before him.
"Here are the items you wanted. I'll deliver the remaining seven cores as promised," Xiao Xuan said with a faint smile.
"Haha, many thanks, Senior Xiao Xuan!" Lu Bu laughed heartily, clasping his hands in gratitude. Beside him, Qing Lin gracefully reached out and stored the three energy cores.
Xiao Yan and the others looked on, their eyes nearly green with envy. Dou Sheng energy cores!
Ever since the eight great clans began exploring the Heavenly Tomb, they had only ever acquired Dou Zun energy cores at most, some from Turning Dou Zuns. Even Half Saint energy cores were unheard of.
Dou Sheng energy cores? They were beyond imagination.
And now, what had once seemed unattainable sat right in front of them… only to be pocketed by Lu Bu.
"Ugh… So jealous!" Gu Hua's eyes burned with envy, nearly driving him mad. Even the Ancient Clan had never owned a single Dou Sheng energy core!
"If I had known, I wouldn't have come here… Let Gu Xing or Gu Yao deal with this instead!" Gu Qingyang sighed helplessly, at a complete loss for words.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's gaze fixated on Medicine Star Ji. His body trembled with desire. That Nine Nether Wind Flame... That Heavenly Flame is far more valuable to me than these energy cores.
"Don't bother, kid," Xiao Xuan said faintly. "That flame is sealed with countless restrictions by the Medicine Clan. Even if you obtained it, you couldn't use it."
As a combat specialist rather than a true alchemist, Xiao Xuan understood the dangers posed by the traps and hidden measures likely layered onto such treasures. Xiao Yan, as the Xiao Clan's only hope for revival, could not be risked.
For Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan's safety came first.
"What a pity..." Xiao Yan sighed deeply, his expression full of grief and disappointment. He had hoped to catch some benefit while Lu Bu feasted, but alas, he was left with nothing.
"Hehe… Xiao Yan, don't lose heart so quickly," Xiao Xuan said with a faint smile. "I have waited countless years for someone from the Xiao Clan not just to reminisce. Come now, Xiao Yan, and you too, young lady of the Ancient Clan, follow me to the tomb mansion."
"As for the rest of you, do as you please. If you wish, you can cultivate near my tomb mansion. No one will disturb you there."
"Uh… Ancestor, are you just going to let them off like this?" Xiao Yan asked hesitantly, glancing at Medicine Star Ji, Medicine Yi, Hun Yu, and Hun Hu. The four of them stood frozen, too afraid to move.
"They are mere ants not worth my attention," Xiao Xuan said indifferently. With his pride, how could he stoop to dealing with such minor figures?
Saying this, he turned and began leading Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun Er away. Gu Qingyang and Gu Hua exchanged glances and quickly followed. Their task was to protect Xiao Xun Er, and if the elders found out they hadn't stayed by her side, they'd undoubtedly face punishment.
Moreover… was there any place in the Heavenly Tomb better for cultivation than Xiao Xuan's tomb mansion? Absolutely not.
It was a win win situation!
With this thought in mind, Gu Qingyang and Gu Hua hurried after them.
"Thank the heavens!" Medicine Star Ji and Medicine Yi wiped the sweat from their foreheads and breathed a deep sigh of relief. Despite losing a Dou Sheng, they had at least survived. The only regret was that Lu Bu was still alive… Wait? Lu Bu?!
The two suddenly froze, their faces turning pale. They had just realized that Lu Bu hadn't followed Xiao Xuan when he left.
Pfft!
Two thin beams of purple black light shot out, piercing straight through their hearts.
"You… you…" The two Medicine Clan members pointed at Lu Bu, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Did you really think I'd let you go?" Lu Bu asked with a faint, mocking smile.
"The Medicine Clan won't let you get away with this!" Medicine Star Ji and Medicine Yi roared in fury.
Boom!
Before they could say another word, their bodies exploded into a bloody mist, reduced to scattered flesh. Even their souls were obliterated, leaving nothing for the Heavenly Tomb to salvage.
"Run!"
The two Soul Clan members, Hun Yu and Hun Hu, were horrified. Without hesitation, they activated their movement techniques, fleeing at full speed.
"Hmph… think you can escape so easily?" Qing Lin's crisp, icy voice echoed as her figure turned into a streak of purple lightning. With a swift motion, her small fist shot out.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion shook the air, and an unstoppable force of terrifying fist energy surged forward, striking at the vulnerable backs of the fleeing Soul Clan members with lightning speed.
"Damn it!" Hun Yu roared, twisting his body at the last moment to throw a desperate punch with his remaining arm.
Bang!
The collision of energies was evenly matched, sending both of them flying backward as a shockwave rippled out, slamming into Hun Hu nearby.
Both Soul Clan members groaned in pain as their flight came to a sudden halt.
"There's no escaping…"
"Then let's fight to the death!"
A savage determination flashed across Hun Yu and Hun Hu's faces. They knew Lu Bu was different from Xiao Xuan. He wouldn't spare their lives.
"Not running anymore?" Lu Bu asked mockingly, his eyes full of amusement as he looked at them. "Last time, you got lucky and managed to survive. This time, you won't be so fortunate."
"So you finally admit it was you!" Hun Yu growled, black light flickering in his eyes as a crazed expression appeared on his face.
"Men often grow honest when they're about to die," Lu Bu said with a faint smile. "Since you're so close to death, it's only fair you hear some pleasant words before the end."
With a flick of his finger, a slender purple black flame in the shape of a serpent shot forward.
"You think you can kill me that easily?!" Hun Yu roared, and a deep black fire burst forth behind him.
In an instant, a ferocious suction force erupted, pulling the surrounding energy and mist toward Hun Yu like a vortex.
Whoo whoo whoo!
The wind howled as Hun Yu's aura surged explosively.
"Clan Mark, activate!"
With a shout, Hun Yu's aura skyrocketed, faintly reaching the peak of the One Star Dou Zun level.
"Die!"
Clenching his only remaining fist, Hun Yu struck at Lu Bu's purple black flame serpent. A jet black beam of light shot forward, colliding with the serpent and instantly extinguishing it. The powerful attack, capable of annihilating a Nine Star Dou Zun, had no effect on Hun Yu.
"Oh? The Nihility Devouring Flame?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze locking onto the dark flames surrounding Hun Yu.
"Hmph… You have sharp eyes to recognize the most powerful flame in the world!" Hun Yu sneered, black veins bulging across his face, giving him a monstrous appearance.
"No, I'm just curious how you're wielding a sub flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame," Lu Bu replied indifferently. "With your strength as a Nine Star Dou Zun, you shouldn't even qualify to touch it."
In the original story, even Hun Miesheng, the Hall of Souls' master and a Five Star Dou Sheng, had barely managed to obtain a sub flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame and that, too, required endless care and reverence. Hun Miesheng practically treated it like a deity.
So how could Hun Yu, with his pitiful strength, have access to this sub flame?
"You dare question me? Take your doubts to the grave!" Hun Yu roared, channeling every ounce of his Dou Qi into the black flame.
Shriek!
A sharp, piercing cry rang out as the black flame ballooned in size, rapidly expanding to tens of meters in the blink of an eye.
"What an annoying sound…" Qing Lin frowned, covering her ears in displeasure at the grating noise.
In the depths of the Heavenly Tomb, within a grand mansion, Xiao Xuan furrowed his brows in confusion. He sensed a familiar devouring force. The Nihility Devouring Flame? No… it must be a sub flame. Those young Soul Clan members must have brought it with them.
"Ancestor, what's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
"Nothing… Let's proceed. It's time for your bloodline to be restored," Xiao Xuan said as he prepared to transfer the Xiao Clan's preserved bloodline into Xiao Yan.
Back on the battlefield, Hun Yu cackled maniacally, his pale face twisted with madness. "Die, Lu Bu!"
"Master Nihility, kill him!"
Shriek!
With Hun Yu's command, the sub flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame let out another shrill cry. Its sinister, fang filled face opened wide as it lunged toward Lu Bu.
Watching Hun Yu's deranged expression, Lu Bu shook his head. This sub flame is of terrible quality, and it's clearly affecting Hun Yu's mind. No wonder he rarely used it before it comes with too high a cost.
Sizzle!
The black flame's ghostly figure appeared before Lu Bu in an instant, black tendrils swirling around him like hungry snakes.
"Master!" Qing Lin cried out, her face pale as she moved to help.
"Hehehe… stay put!" Hun Hu sneered, throwing a punch at Qing Lin to stop her.
"You smell delicious… Prepare to be devoured!" the Nihility Devouring Flame cackled, unleashing a powerful suction force that threatened to pull Lu Bu's Dou Qi and blood straight out of his body.
But then…
Whoosh!
A strange, oppressive aura radiated from Lu Bu. His eyes turned completely black, his sclera fading into an abyssal void.
"What… what is this?!"
An indescribable fear gripped Hun Yu as he stared at Lu Bu. Even the Nihility Devouring Flame froze in midair, as if paralyzed.
Snap!
Lu Bu raised his hand, gripping the flame's grotesque face. A mocking smile spread across his lips. "You dare use devouring power in front of me? Bold, I'll give you that…"
"You… what kind of monster are you?!" the Nihility Devouring Flame stammered, its twisted visage filled with terror.
(End of Chapter)
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