Chapter 373: The True Form of the Nihility Devouring Flame!
"What… what kind of monster are you?"
Staring at the pair of eerie black eyes in Lu Bu's sockets, the Nihility Devouring Flame's grotesque face twisted with terror.
Connected to it by his soul, Hun Yu felt his courage shatter. An overwhelming wave of fear swept through his body, threatening to rip his very soul apart.
"Hehe… why don't you take a guess?" Lu Bu sneered coldly. A black vortex, no larger than his palm, appeared in his hand and latched onto the massive, terrifying body of the Nihility Devouring Flame, which spanned nearly ten meters.
In an instant, a boundless, frenzied devouring force erupted, madly consuming everything that made up the Nihility Devouring Flame.
"No, let me go!!"
The Nihility Devouring Flame shrieked, its voice filled with terror. Black flames surged violently across its body, desperately attempting to escape the pull of the black vortex in Lu Bu's palm.
"You came uninvited and now think you can leave whenever you want?" Lu Bu's lips curled into a smirk as his five fingers bent slightly. An eerie black glow burst forth, and countless thin black threads shot out like voracious vines, tightly binding the Nihility Devouring Flame, which had already absorbed most of Hun Yu's Dou Qi.
"Stop! You can't do this!"
The Nihility Devouring Flame writhed frantically, struggling with all its might. Sharp, ear piercing cries echoed endlessly from the gaping mouth on its face.
"You can't kill me! My true form will know! If you kill me, you're dead for sure… AHHHH!"
"Your true form?" Lu Bu sneered. "Then I have even less reason to let you go. What, so your main body can find out all my secrets? Do you think I'm that foolish?"
Pop!
The space trembled lightly as the massive, eerie black flames of the Nihility Devouring Flame were sucked into the vortex in Lu Bu's palm. All that remained was its shrill, haunting scream, gradually fading into the air.
Lu Bu narrowed his eyes slightly as the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, lying dormant within his soul, began to tremble faintly. A wave of satisfaction and delight emanated from deep within.
Clang!
Lu Bu's soul vibrated sharply, and a strange, immense power coursed through him, flooding his entire being.
"Hmm…"
Lu Bu's body shuddered involuntarily as a surge of indescribable pleasure shot through his soul and mind.
"My Spirit Realm… is complete."
As Lu Bu opened his eyes, an overwhelming sense of power coursed through his body, and his vast spiritual force surged uncontrollably around him.
...
In the depths of the Heavenly Tomb, within a shadowy and ominous tomb mansion, Xiao Xuan furrowed his brow. His expression turned slightly puzzled as he glanced toward the outside.
"Senior?" Xiao Xun Er frowned as well. Before her, Xiao Yan was submerged in a blood pool, his skin deathly pale and stretched tightly over his bones, making him resemble a skeleton draped in human skin.
At this moment, Xiao Yan was undergoing a bloodline transformation, but Xiao Xuan's sudden distraction in such a crucial moment left Xiao Xun Er uneasy.
"It seems that kid Lu Bu… ran into a sub flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame," Xiao Xuan said, his weary and aged voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. His once youthful and vigorous appearance had vanished, leaving him with snow white hair and an air of frailty.
The bloodline he had retained in his body for so long had been entirely extracted and was now being used to restore Xiao Yan's Xiao Clan bloodline.
"Lu Bu…" Xiao Xun Er idly tapped her crystalline nails, her tone indifferent. "Oh? And how did he fare?"
"The devouring force has disappeared, so he must have dealt with it," Xiao Xuan replied casually.
"Oh…"
...
In a dark and oppressive world, piercing wails echoed intermittently, resembling the cries of ghosts in a hellish underworld.
"Hmm?"
On the peak of a mountain, a gaunt, skeletal middle aged man opened his eyes slowly. His pupils, as black and eerie as Lu Bu's, glimmered with a hint of confusion.
"My Lord Nihility, has something happened?"
A figure dressed in black, carrying a crimson ghost head blade, asked respectfully. His blood red eyes reflected a heavy seriousness anything that caught Lord Nihility's attention was never trivial.
But before the man could finish speaking, his grip on the hilt of his blade tightened instinctively. Was this a matter grave enough to inform the clan leader?
"One of my sub flames has disappeared?" The gaunt man frowned, his expression odd. The loss of the sub flame felt different this time completely unlike being dispersed by force. It was as if the flame had been utterly annihilated.
Normally, even if a sub flame was scattered, it could reassemble itself as long as the main body remained intact. But this time… the flame was gone, permanently erased. Even he, the main body, couldn't retrieve it.
"Interesting…" A strange smile spread across the gaunt man's face. "Soul Sha, investigate which of my sub flames has gone missing and who among its wielders has either vanished or died."
"For someone to destroy my sub flame… there are only two things in this world capable of such a feat: the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame and the Golden Emperor Heaven Burning Flame."
"Yes, my Lord!" Soul Sha responded solemnly, though he exhaled softly in relief. So, it was just the loss of a sub flame… nothing too catastrophic.
...
Back in the Heavenly Tomb
Pfft!
Hun Yu's legs buckled, and with a loud thud, he fell to his knees. Blood spurted from his mouth as his aura flickered weakly.
"No!"
Nearby, Hun Hu, who had been locked in battle with Qing Lin and her purple Demon Puppet, froze in terror as an icy chill ran down his spine.
"Run!"
Seeing Hun Yu's complete defeat and the utter hopelessness of their situation, Hun Hu didn't hesitate. He turned and bolted toward the distance at full speed, abandoning his companion without a second thought.
In the Soul Clan, betrayal and self preservation were second nature. For Hun Hu, leaving Hun Yu to buy time for his escape was just another survival strategy.
However, he had forgotten about someone: Qing Lin.
Did he really think the world was a place where he could come and go as he pleased?
"Hehehe… trying to run? Stay put!" Qing Lin giggled, mimicking Lu Bu's eerie laughter. Her crisp, playful tone sounded far from terrifying, carrying a hint of mischief.
But for Hun Hu, it was the grim echo of death itself.
Buzz!
A sudden hum of energy reverberated through the air as a biting cold wind howled, slicing through the air like icy blades.
"Ice Sovereign Art: Frozen Sky Palm!"
With a soft yet commanding cry, Qing Lin struck. A crystalline layer of frosty, white ice coated her delicate hand. While her palm seemed unassuming, the bone chilling cold it emanated was enough to make one's scalp tingle.
As the icy aura surged, an additional trace of malice radiated from the frost, making even a hardened Soul Clan killer like Hun Hu shudder.
"How can this woman be so terrifying…?"
Before Hun Hu could finish his thought, Qing Lin's palm shot out, releasing a frigid storm that froze even the air. The frost spread rapidly, engulfing everything in its path.
Hun Hu gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn't avoid the strike. But he also understood that if he took it head on, he wouldn't make it far.
"Damn it… if I must die, I'll take you with me!"
Roaring with rage, Hun Hu's forehead glowed as a rune appeared, instantly boosting his strength from an Eight Star Dou Zun to the peak of Nine Stars, teetering on the edge of becoming a Half Saint.
Boom!
He waved his sleeve, releasing a massive black dragon that roared as it soared toward Qing Lin. The dragon's size and ferocity made it seem invincible.
Qing Lin's eyes shimmered with determination. The three small flowers within her pupils spun gently, and with a flick of her wrist, the trajectory of her icy palm shifted slightly, landing a precise strike on the left side of the black dragon's neck.
Bang!
A muffled crash rang out as the massive black dragon let out a pained roar. Frost rapidly spread, freezing its head and most of its body in an instant.
"What… how did she know the weak spot of my technique!?" Hun Hu's face was full of shock. This girl, whose strength barely reached the level of a six star Dou Zun, had no right to take on his attack head on…
Bì Shé Sān Huā Tóng! (Triple Jade Green Serpent Flower Eyes)
Staring at the faint green glow in the girl's eyes, Hun Hu's heart sank into a sea of terror. So this was the so called "Number One Mystical Eye in the World"?
Thud thud thud!
Rapid footsteps echoed like a pounding drum, drawing nearer. Before the dissipating remnants of his black dragon attack could fully fade, he felt the dread of impending danger.
"Damn it!"
Hun Hu's heart clenched tightly. He knew the puppet was here!
Boom!
A heavy fist smashed into Hun Hu's face with immense force. His body twisted and flew through the air, a rain of broken teeth and blood spraying outward. The intense pain made tears and mucus stream uncontrollably down his face.
Before he could even hit the ground, a large hand grabbed a fistful of his hair from behind. Suddenly, the earth loomed closer at an alarming speed.
Thud!
A dull thud resounded as Hun Hu's face was smashed into the ground with bone crushing force. Cracks spread across the earth, and his head was deeply embedded in the dirt.
"Damn it! I'll kill you all!" Hun Hu roared in rage, his bloodshot eyes wide as his Dou Qi surged violently around him. How could he, Hun Hu, ever endure such humiliation?
However, the violet Heaven Demon Puppet gave him no chance. With a sudden burst of strength from its legs, it shoved Hun Hu's head forward, dragging it brutally across the ground.
Scrrraaaape!
The tough, hardened earth cracked and splintered as Hun Hu's face was forcibly plowed along, leaving a deep furrow behind.
"AHHH!"
Covered in blood and dirt, Hun Hu screamed repeatedly, struggling desperately. However…
Smack!
A foot slammed down on his shoulder with the weight of a thousand mountains, pinning him in place. His Dou Qi froze under the pressure, leaving him completely helpless.
Hun Hu strained to look up, only to see Lu Bu standing above him with a faint, mocking smile. In that moment, despair washed over him, chilling him to the core.
"Die, trash." Lu Bu sneered, violet black flames surging from his body to engulf Hun Hu entirely. Not far away, even Hun Yu wasn't spared from the flames.
"Argh… you bastard, just wait!"
"Don't think you'll be safe just because you're under the protection of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. The Soul Clan will hunt you down!"
"Lu Bu, I'll be waiting for you in hell… HAHAHA!"
Pop! Pop!
Two eerie noises followed in quick succession. The violet black flames gradually dissipated, leaving behind only two small piles of white ash on the ground.
"Tch…" Lu Bu let out a faint scoff, flicking his sleeve to conjure a gust of wind that scattered the ashes beneath his feet.
With that, the once feared enemy Hun Yu was reduced to nothing, completely obliterated. As for Hun Hu… his death was incidental. If he hadn't come to the Heavenly Tomb, he wouldn't have met his end here.
On the other side, Qing Lin descended gracefully. As if nothing had happened, she wrapped her arms around Lu Bu's and smiled softly. "Young Master, where shall we go next?"
"Let's find a place to cultivate," Lu Bu said with a chuckle as he glanced around. "We've collected a fair number of energy cores. Let's absorb some first, then head out to hunt for more."
"Mm, mm!" Qing Lin nodded enthusiastically, her cheerful voice ringing out. "This place has plenty of Turning Dou Zun energy bodies. We can fight and hunt them to consolidate our strength while also gathering energy cores for Sister Yun Yun, Sister Medusa, and Sister Xiao Yi Xian, right?"
"Haha… Qing Lin, you're so thoughtful!" Lu Bu burst out laughing, the joy of having such an understanding girl by his side evident on his face.
Qing Lin smiled smugly, her eyes twinkling with pride. Hmph, I'm clearly the one who understands Young Master best!
"So, where do you think we should go to cultivate?" Qing Lin raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, scanning the surroundings. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly in contemplation.
Unlike the ancient emperor clans, they didn't have ancestors or elders residing in the Heavenly Tomb to guide them to the best locations. Without such support, finding an ideal spot was going to be a challenge.
"Hmm…" Lu Bu extended his soul force, sweeping the area. Moments later, he detected a suitable location.
"Found it. Come with me," Lu Bu said with a smile, gently squeezing Qing Lin's hand.
"Young Master, what kind of place is it?"
"It's a spot where a Half Saint resides. Not bad at all. Let's go claim it!" Lu Bu laughed as he pulled Qing Lin along, their figures vanishing into the distance, leaving behind only a faint breeze.
…
Atop a towering rocky mountain, energy mist swirled faintly.
The mist wasn't dense, and the occasional breeze would scatter it, revealing a faint silhouette at the summit. However, the energy concentration in this area was far higher than in most places, making it a rare cultivation ground. While it couldn't compare to Xiao Xuan's territory, it was still a treasure trove.
On the mountain peak stood a massive stone throne. Sitting cross legged upon it was a figure clad in blood red robes, exuding an aura of immense power. The surging energy around him seemed to make the very heavens and earth tremble in resonance.
To the right of the throne lay a dark crimson executioner's blade, its heavy, bloody aura enough to make any observer shudder.
Suddenly, the blood robed figure opened his eyes. The executioner's blade at his side rose of its own accord, releasing a violent energy storm that filled the air with the scent of blood.
"Who dares to intrude so boldly? Seeking death?!" The Blood Blade Saint gripped his weapon tightly, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon.
In the distance, a man and a woman approached slowly. The woman was cute and lively, full of youthful charm, while the man… Damn it, why is he so strong?!
The Blood Blade Saint's heart filled with dread. The young man was clearly alive and appeared quite young, yet his vast soul force rivaled his own. If this person possessed methods to counter soul bodies, then the Blood Blade Saint's fate would be grim.
"Hehe… Blood Blade Saint, no need to panic," Lu Bu said with a polite smile, waving his hand dismissively. "I've taken a liking to this place of yours. Why don't you let me have it?"
As expected, the visitor comes with ill intentions. The Blood Blade Saint's expression turned cold, the blood red aura around his blade growing more intense.
"Relax. I'm an alchemist, adept in making deals," Lu Bu said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he smiled faintly. "How about this? I'll give you a satisfactory price."
Hearing this, the Blood Blade Saint's expression softened slightly. Though this young man's behavior was presumptuous, at least he showed some decorum.
These two were clearly alive, meaning they couldn't remain in the Heavenly Tomb forever. If conflict could be avoided, it was better not to escalate things.
"Fine, but don't think my demands will be easy to meet," the Blood Blade Saint said coldly. If there was profit to be gained, why not take it? After all, this would be a one time transaction.
"Well then… how about this?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed. With a flick of his finger, a Dou Saint energy core flew through the air and landed before the Blood Blade Saint.
"A… a Dou Saint energy core?!"
The Blood Blade Saint's eyes bulged, and his voice trembled uncontrollably. His legs nearly gave out as he almost fell to his knees.
This young man… had actually slain a Dou Saint?!
No, wait could someone else have helped him kill the Dou Saint?!
Cold sweat poured down the Blood Blade Saint's back. Regardless of the truth, one thing was clear: this was someone he couldn't afford to provoke.
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