Chapter 375: You Are My Savior… Truly, My Savior!
Boom!
A tidal wave of energy surged violently, sweeping across the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb.
In an instant, all energy bodies whether they were cultivating, sleeping, or engaged in other activities were startled awake. With looks of shock, they turned their gazes toward the source of the energy storm.
The next moment, a powerful aura vanished as suddenly as melting snow under a scorching sun, returning to nothingness. Yet, the fact that it hadn't entirely dissipated was even more terrifying!
"Damn it, Xiao Xuan turned Wu Fa into an energy core!"
"What? What's going on? Xiao Xuan never cared about energy cores before!"
"Wu Fa was a late stage three star Dou Saint, yet he couldn't even last ten breaths against Xiao Xuan?"
"Damn it… Xiao Xuan has gone mad!"
Whispers erupted throughout the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb, with countless energy bodies trembling in fear. The weaker ones half Saints, one or two star Dou Zuns, and nine star Dou Zuns shivered uncontrollably.
Xiao Xuan's unprecedented actions, combined with the fact that this was the time when the younger generation of the imperial clans entered the Heavenly Tomb for training, led many to connect the dots… Damn it, wasn't the Xiao Clan wiped out? How could there still be Xiao Clan descendants entering the tomb?
"Damn it! I remember one of those brats was called Xiao Yan. Could it be that bastard?"
"Who else could it be? That damned Xiao Yan… the Heavenly Tomb is about to descend into chaos again!"
"Xiao Yan! That damned brat, if you've got guts, fight me one on one. Using Xiao Xuan? What kind of cowardice is this?"
"Wu Fa didn't deserve this! It's all because of that damned Xiao Yan!"
Angry curses echoed throughout the Heavenly Tomb. The commotion spread like wildfire, reaching even those training in their ancestors' territories, including the Stone Clan, Flame Clan, and Thunder Clan.
"What's going on? Did Xiao Yan dig up someone's ancestral grave? Wait, this is a graveyard. Could he actually have been digging up graves?"
Otherwise, why would so many powerful energy bodies be so enraged, as if they wanted to devour him alive?
Deep within the Heavenly Tomb, Gu Qingyang and Gu Hua exchanged glances before silently looking away. This has nothing to do with us. We know nothing.
"Our great commander sure is a difficult one to deal with…"
"Let's just stay away from him. Xiao Yan and Gu Yao are close to him, and look what happened…"
"What? Brother Qingyang, you call that 'close'?" Gu Hua twitched the corner of his mouth, his expression strange. Gu Yao has been beaten by the commander countless times, and Xiao Yan has been tricked by him just as many.
"Ahem… forget I said anything!" Gu Qingyang coughed awkwardly, sitting upright to continue cultivating. Inwardly, he resolved to stay as far away from Lu Bu as possible. That guy is too dangerous!
Fortunately, the situation wasn't too bad. The Gu Clan was powerful, with the clan leader, a nine star Dou Saint, standing at the peak of strength, as well as Hei Yan King, the three Grand Elders, and many other strong individuals.
A mere Lu Bu couldn't stir up trouble for the Gu Clan. There was no way he could reach that level of influence. However, the Void Ancient Dragon Clan… they might need to be careful. They don't want to end up like Xiao Yan bruised and battered…
Gu Qingyang's lips curled into a schadenfreude filled grin. Let's hope the new Dragon Emperor can handle him!
At the same time, Xiao Yan remained oblivious to everything as he endured the process of bloodline inheritance during the blood transfusion.
Boom!
In another area of the Heavenly Tomb, an overwhelming aura surged forth, no weaker than that of the Dou Saint Wu Fa, who had just been eliminated by Xiao Xuan.
"Another one… another one's gone… Is Xiao Xuan insane?"
The Blood Blade Sage's lips twitched uncontrollably, his scalp tingling with fear as an invisible sense of dread pressed down on him.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward the mountain where Lu Bu and Qing Lin were cultivating.
"Hey, kid! Open the formation!" The Blood Blade Sage clenched his fists, ready to hammer down in anger.
But as the gray barrier shimmered, black chains wreathed in flames emerged, radiating an aura of devouring energy. Terrified, the Blood Blade Sage shivered, pulling back instinctively before glaring furiously at Lu Bu.
If it weren't for the current circumstances, I'd destroy you for this!
"What is it?" Lu Bu opened his eyes, his brows furrowing in displeasure at the Blood Blade Sage's impatience.
"I need to return to my tomb! Lower the formation!" the Blood Blade Sage roared.
"Go back then. My formation doesn't block your tomb," Lu Bu replied flatly, his gaze darkening with irritation. If it weren't for the fact that he was still recovering and hadn't fully entered a meditative state, he might've turned this noisy half Saint into an energy core on the spot.
"Bullshit! Your formation is blocking most of my tomb! How am I supposed to live there?" the Blood Blade Sage snapped.
Lu Bu's expression darkened further. You left of your own accord earlier. Now you're causing a scene?
His gaze cooled, and the black chains on the gray barrier began to shift and collide, producing a crisp, chilling sound.
Boom!
At that moment, another thunderous explosion echoed from the distance, accompanied by the dissipating aura of a powerful figure. The Blood Blade Sage winced. Another one had fallen… how many had it been now? Damn Xiao Xuan…
But before he could recover, his face suddenly twisted in horror as spatial ripples distorted around him, revealing a figure he least wanted to see.
"X Xiao Xuan… Senior Xiao Xuan!" The Blood Blade Sage froze in place, his energy fluctuating wildly as he trembled.
"Half Saint?" Xiao Xuan glanced at him briefly before withdrawing his gaze. "Too weak. I won't bother killing you."
"Thank you for sparing me, Senior Xiao Xuan!" the Blood Blade Sage exclaimed in delight. "You're my savior my benefactor! Please, feel free to do as you wish!"
"Savior?" Xiao Xuan's expression turned slightly odd.
"To spare my life is a great act of kindness. You are truly my savior!" the Blood Blade Sage said earnestly, his voice filled with reverence. He seemed moments away from throwing himself at Xiao Xuan's feet. With Xiao Xuan's protection, who in the Heavenly Tomb would dare to challenge him?
As for Xiao Xuan going back on his word… impossible. A peak level powerhouse like him had his pride and would never stoop to such petty behavior.
Xiao Xuan ignored him. With a flick of his finger, a gust of wind swept out, revealing the concealed formation around the mountain.
His eyes gleamed with surprise. The formation wasn't simple it operated on the foundation of devouring energy, capable of self sustenance while balancing both defense and offense. It was undeniably clever.
Within the formation, Lu Bu waved his sleeve, causing the barrier to part. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the now white haired and aged Xiao Xuan. Clearly, Xiao Xuan had already begun transferring his bloodline to Xiao Yan.
"The items you requested…" Xiao Xuan said, flicking his sleeve as seven radiant energy cores, brimming with power, floated before Lu Bu. Their enticing energy rippled through the air.
Three of them were freshly acquired Dou Saint energy cores, while the remaining four were collected by Xiao Xuan over the years… all from Soul Clan members.
"These are some fine treasures…" Lu Bu smirked, licking his lips before swiftly storing the cores away.
The Blood Blade Saint watched from the sidelines, cold sweat running down his face. To think that the three Dou Saints who had turned to ash earlier were all because of this seemingly harmless, pale faced young man? Truly terrifying!
"Heh… thank you, senior!" Lu Bu grinned and cupped his hands in a gesture of gratitude. "Rest assured, I will fulfill my promise!"
"That would be best…" Xiao Xuan cast a calm glance at Lu Bu, nodding slightly. With the young man's exceptional talent and the support of the Ancient Dragon Clan, achieving the Dou Saint level shouldn't be an issue.
Sigh… Xiao Yan, if only you could navigate the complex relationships between powerful figures with such skill. How much better things could be… Xiao Xuan thought with some regret. Xiao Yan wasn't bad, but compared to Lu Bu, the gap was undeniable. Hopefully, after receiving the bloodline inheritance, Xiao Yan could catch up… though the odds didn't seem promising. After all, Lu Bu was sitting on ten Dou Saint energy cores. If he absorbed them all, forget Dou Venerate he'd even be able to strengthen his standing within the Dou Saint realm.
"How about I handle this Half Saint energy core for you?" Xiao Xuan glanced at the Blood Blade Saint and chuckled faintly.
In Xiao Xuan's eyes, a Half Saint was as insignificant as an ant. Normally, he wouldn't even bother to lift a finger, but… he noticed that this particular one seemed to have had some conflict with Lu Bu earlier.
The Blood Blade Saint's scalp went numb, and his soul nearly fled his body. He didn't even dare to move if he so much as thought about running, he'd be dead for sure.
"Heh…" Lu Bu glanced at the Blood Blade Saint with a hint of amusement. "No need. Let him guard the area for me. Senior, you've been a bit conspicuous."
After eliminating three Dou Saints, Xiao Xuan hadn't even bothered to conceal his actions before heading to Lu Bu's location. By now, the subordinates or allies of those three Dou Saints probably hated Lu Bu to the core.
Lu Bu didn't have time to deal with all those nuisances himself better to let the Blood Blade Saint handle them.
"Very well…" Xiao Xuan gave Lu Bu a surprised look. To not let greed cloud his judgment and instead use the situation to his advantage by keeping the Half Saint as an ally this young man was indeed exceptional.
With a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind, Xiao Xuan slowly faded into the void, disappearing without a trace. He considered whether he should get a few energy cores for Xiao Yan as well. Dou Saint energy cores could be provided, but as for Transition Venerate or Half Saint energy cores… Xiao Yan would have to earn those on his own. After all, as an ancestor, he wasn't a babysitter who could handle everything for him.
…
"My lord, you are my savior!" The Blood Blade Saint watched Xiao Xuan leave, then turned excitedly to Lu Bu.
"Wasn't Xiao Xuan your savior?" Lu Bu said indifferently, having clearly witnessed everything that had just occurred.
"Being spared is a great kindness. You didn't kill me earlier you are my savior!" The Blood Blade Saint, undeterred by Lu Bu's tone, spoke with unwavering enthusiasm.
"In that case, stand guard for me." With a wave of his sleeve, Lu Bu reactivated the formation and resumed his cultivation.
"Yes, sir!" The Blood Blade Saint nodded vigorously, hoisting his blade and returning to his original mountain. Sure enough, he soon noticed several probing gazes sweeping across the area.
"Heh… already coming to cause trouble?" The Blood Blade Saint grinned wickedly, gripping his blade tightly as he shot out like a meteor. "Come, let me see which idiot dares to act so boldly!"
…
Within the formation, Lu Bu nodded slightly. Xiao Xuan had dealt with the potential threats, leaving him free of worry. Now that his state was adjusted, it was time to focus on cultivation.
"It's time to retreat into seclusion," Lu Bu murmured, stroking his chin. With a flick of his finger, a fist sized energy core appeared in his hands, radiating a vast and majestic energy that rippled gently in the air.
Hmm… Zi Yan is currently refining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. She has no use for this Dou Saint energy core right now, and once she completes the refinement, she won't need it anymore.
"In that case, I'll make use of it for now…" Lu Bu thought with a hint of regret. The deal with Xiao Xuan should have included twelve Dou Saint energy cores.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Bu sat cross legged, his hands interlocked in a meditative posture. The energy core hovered gently above his palms, its immense energy faintly trembling.
Black light flickered, and the power of devouring wrapped around the energy core, guiding its vast energy into his body.
Boom!
A deafening roar echoed in his mind as a boundless surge of terrifying energy poured into Lu Bu's body like a tidal wave. The immense force surged wildly, churning and roaring like a dragon overturning the seas.
"This energy… it's so vast?!" Lu Bu was shocked, realizing he had underestimated the potency of a Dou Saint's power.
Not daring to let his guard down, the Devouring Ancient Symbol within his soul emitted a dazzling black light. The devouring force spiraled outward like a black hole, madly consuming and refining the overwhelming energy flooding his body.
"He's absorbing a Dou Saint energy core?!"
In the distance, the Blood Blade Saint, returning from venting his frustrations with his blade, froze. The sight left him stunned, his envy palpable as his eyes turned a faint shade of green.
A Dou Saint energy core! Entirely absorbing one? Such treasures had rarely appeared in the Heavenly Tomb.
"Some things are just beyond envy…" The Blood Blade Saint sighed wistfully, closing his eyes for a moment of meditation before leaving once more. Staying nearby too long would only make him more jealous.
…
Time slipped by like a fleeting moment. Immersed in cultivation, Lu Bu and Qing Lin remained unaware of how much time had passed.
Boom!
From the depths of the Heavenly Tomb, within Xiao Xuan's burial chamber, a loud explosion suddenly resounded. Xiao Yan roared, his momentum soaring as if he had broken free from invisible shackles. His aura climbed rapidly, surging from the peak of the five star level to the peak of the eight star Dou Venerate.
"Hahaha… this feels amazing!" Xiao Yan threw his head back and laughed, reveling in the intoxicating surge of power.
"Hehehe… next, it's time to train your clan markings." Xiao Xuan stroked his beard with a smile. A scroll wreathed in fiery runes appeared in his hand.
"This is the complete version of the Flame Mantra. If you can master it, you will successfully cultivate your clan markings. Combined with your bloodline, you will be a match for any genius in this world…"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with determination, his face flushed with excitement.
Lu Bu, now that I have my bloodline power and my cultivation speed has increased exponentially, just wait. I'll surpass you, and we'll see how smug you can be then!
"Hehehe…" Xiao Xuan chuckled softly, saying nothing more. A rival like Lu Bu could motivate Xiao Yan to push himself harder, which wasn't a bad thing at all.
After all, back in his day, he and the Soul Heavenly Emperor had been the same way bitter rivals locked in a life and death struggle, where neither could afford to be weaker than the other.
As for Gu Yuan? …Well, he was fine in terms of cultivation. Beyond that… better left unsaid.
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