Chapter 275: Ancestral Rune Locks the Flame Dragon
Boom!
The deafening thunder of the three colored pill lightning roared continuously, with terrifying shockwaves rolling out like crashing tidal waves.
Underneath the dark clouds that blocked out the sun, a hulking, dark gold figure stood laughing, his fists swinging with force. Razor sharp, dark gold Dou Qi streaks tore through the air, obliterating the three colored pill lightning with overwhelming might.
In Saint Pill City, countless people stared in stunned silence, watching the fierce energy ripple and surge.
Many who had originally planned to meet this alchemy master quickly dismissed the idea. This was no ordinary alchemist; someone like this was beyond their reach at least for now.
Below, outside the mountain peak, an enormous silver white spatial barrier formed a protective dome, firmly shielding the serene and picturesque estate on the mountain.
"Truly worthy of the Ancient Void Dragon… Such mastery of spatial power is astounding," Cao Ying murmured, her beautiful eyes shimmering as she marveled at the impenetrable spatial shield outside.
Today, she was fortunate enough to witness the legendary Ancient Void Dragon, an experience that left her in awe.
"Lu Bu, do you really know Yao Chen? How is he now?" Xuan Kongzi asked, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. Yao Chen's disappearance had been a mystery for years, so long that Xuan Kongzi could no longer recall the last time he had seen him.
Lu Bu smiled faintly but said nothing.
"Name your terms," Xuan Yi said impatiently, unable to hide her urgency. She had been searching for Yao Chen for so long, but all her efforts had yielded nothing. Her worry grew with each passing day.
"Senior Yao Chen…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin and chuckled. "Seniors, how about I first tell you how he disappeared?"
"How did he disappear?" Xuan Kongzi interrupted before Xuan Yi could speak, his tone sharp.
Both Cao Ying and Dan Chen perked up their ears, focusing intently. The legendary Yao Zun zhe was a figure that no alchemist could ignore they were no exception.
"He… was ambushed by Han Feng, who conspired with the Hall of Souls to eliminate him," Lu Bu said with a faint smile.
"What!?"
Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi's expressions changed drastically, their exclamations filled with shock.
"It's a real pity," Lu Bu said, sighing. "Yao Chen rejected you, Senior Xuan Yi, in order to raise Han Feng. Who would have thought that this worthless scum would turn on his own teacher? Senior, your efforts were truly wasted."
Boom!
Before Lu Bu's words fully landed, Xuan Yi erupted with a violent surge of energy. Her long black hair whipped wildly in the air as her robes billowed with the force of her rage.
"Xuan Yi!" Xuan Kongzi barked, his voice sharp like thunder. He raised his hand to shield his two disciples from the oppressive energy.
Across from them, Lu Bu remained unfazed in the face of the peak Dou Zun's pressure. A faint smirk played on his lips, and a golden purple glow flashed in his eyes. The turbulent force crashing against him was like waves breaking upon an unyielding rock it had no effect.
Xuan Kongzi's shout echoed in Xuan Yi's ears, jolting her back to her senses. She reined in her energy, though her expression remained stormy.
"How do you know all this?" she demanded, glaring at Lu Bu with anger and suspicion.
"I have my sources," Lu Bu replied with a faint, enigmatic smile.
"Tell me where is he now? And where is Han Feng?" Xuan Yi pressed urgently.
Lu Bu merely smiled, refusing to answer.
"Just state your terms," Xuan Kongzi interjected with a sigh. Truthfully, he couldn't fathom what Lu Bu might want. As an eighth tier alchemist and now one of the eight great elders of the Dan Tower, Lu Bu already had access to immense resources second only to himself and the other two leaders of the Dan Tower. What could this young man possibly desire?
"I'd like to visit the Star Region to meet the Heavenly Flame known as the Three Thousand Burning Flame," Lu Bu said with a light chuckle.
"You already possess a Heavenly Flame. Why do you want another?" Xuan Kongzi frowned.
The Three Thousand Burning Flame, known as the Undying Flame, had absorbed the boundless energy of the cosmos over countless ages. Even peak Dou Zuns like him couldn't subdue it. Unable to destroy or refine it, and unwilling to let it fall into the hands of the Hall of Souls, the three leaders of the Dan Tower had sealed it within the Star Region, hoping it would eventually bond with someone outside the Hall of Souls.
The idea seemed far fetched, but they clung to that faint hope.
"The nineteenth ranked flame pales in comparison to the ninth," Lu Bu replied with a smile.
Meanwhile, the massive thunderclouds in the sky above began to dissipate. Hei Qing descended, his fists slightly charred but his entire demeanor brimming with satisfaction.
"No!" Xuan Yi refused flatly. "The Three Thousand Burning Flame has already been announced as the prize for the upcoming Dan Meeting. How can we suddenly change that?"
Dan Chen and Cao Ying exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit exasperated. Did Lu Bu really need a Dan Meeting championship to prove his abilities?
"Ahem… Esteemed leaders of the Dan Tower, do you know why the Three Thousand Burning Flame takes on the form of our Ancient Dragon Tribe?" Hei Qing said, rolling his shoulders and grinning.
"What do you mean?" A bad feeling crept into Xuan Yi's heart.
Cao Ying and Dan Chen's eyes sparkled with curiosity. This trip had been incredibly enlightening not only had they witnessed a master refining pills, but they were also learning so many hidden secrets.
"That's because the Three Thousand Burning Flame was nurtured by a senior of my tribe," Hei Qing said with a chuckle. He raised his hand, and a dark gold dragon insignia appeared in his palm.
Radiant dark gold light glowed faintly as an overwhelming dragon's aura spread through the air.
The four alchemists of the Dan Tower felt their shoulders grow heavy as an invisible pressure bore down on them.
Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi's expressions shifted dramatically. In the Star Region, the Three Thousand Burning Flame sealed tightly by their combined efforts was beginning to stir faintly.
"Brother Hei Qing, don't overdo it!" Lu Bu called out quickly.
Hei Qing laughed and withdrew the dragon insignia. "Gentlemen, my brother here has approached you with sincerity. He has followed all the Dan Tower's rules to stand before you, proving his abilities through alchemy."
"You should know that if he wanted, I could escort him into your Star Region myself. The Three Thousand Burning Flame isn't yours to keep. It's more of a burden to you than an asset…"
"Ahem… Brother Hei Qing, enough. The elders of the Dan Tower are wise and just. Surely, they understand," Lu Bu interjected with a cough, cutting off Hei Qing.
Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi's faces darkened. Were these two putting on a good cop/bad cop routine?
"Well… Brother Hei Qing does have a point. What do you think, esteemed elders?" Lu Bu asked with a polite smile.
"If we refuse, will you give up?" Xuan Yi snapped, clearly annoyed.
"Lu Bu, in principle, we agree," Xuan Kongzi said. "But we need time. The Dan Tower isn't solely under our control we must consult Tian Lei Zi and the eight elders."
"Understandable. That's entirely reasonable," Lu Bu replied with a grin. "But… how much time will you need?"
"You little rascal…" Xuan Kongzi sighed. "Three days. In three days, we'll grant you entry to the Star Region."
"Thank you, elder," Lu Bu said with a smile. Then, glancing at Xuan Yi, he added, "As for Senior Yao Chen, he's still alive, though only as a soul fragment with barely a tenth of his strength. For more details, you can find Xiao Yan in the Falling Star Pavilion he's Yao Chen's newly accepted disciple."
Lu Bu refrained from sharing his suspicions about Yao Chen's current condition. Better to let them uncover the truth themselves than risk them meddling with his plans.
"Thank you!" Xuan Yi said solemnly, bowing slightly in gratitude.
"No need it's only right," Lu Bu replied with a smile. "Until we meet again in three days."
Xuan Kongzi nodded and, with a wave, led Xuan Yi and the two disciples into the void, vanishing from sight.
On the western outskirts of the Dan Region, deep within a misty, poisonous mountain range, stood a massive, foreboding hall.
"Hehehe… Yao Chen, how does it feel? Has my Hall of Souls treated you well enough?" Hun Mogu sneered, his wrinkled face lighting up with cruel satisfaction as he gazed at the figure of Yao Chen, bound tightly by countless black soul chains.
Yao Chen raised his eyebrows slightly at the sight of the smug Mu Gu, a mocking smile flashing across his face before he slowly closed his eyes, disdaining to acknowledge Mu Gu's arrogance.
Mu Gu's expression instantly turned cold. He raised a hand and slammed his palm down onto the chain next to him. With a sharp crackle, a black arc of lightning snaked along the chain, striking Yao Chen's body.
"Jie jie… How is it? Doesn't the Black Lightning of Soul Punishment feel terrible?"
"Ugh… Argh! Mu Gu, you just wait!" Yao Chen couldn't help but cry out in pain, his voice filled with unrestrained killing intent.
"Still thinking of leaving my Hall of Souls after coming here? Dream on!" Mu Gu sneered, the black lightning in his hands intensifying.
"Enough. Don't kill him. For now, the hall still has use for him." A calm voice rang out, and Second Heavenly Sovereign Gu You emerged slowly from the void.
"Saint!" Mu Gu immediately bowed respectfully.
"Feng Zunzhe has already tracked this place. To be cautious, I'll personally escort Yao Chen away," Gu You declared.
"Saint, is this really necessary?" Mu Gu asked in shock. "It's just Feng Zunzhe. A single slap would be enough to kill him."
"Fool! Have you forgotten how many connections Yao Chen has?" Gu You shot him a glare. "If Feng Zunzhe were so easy to deal with, why did you flee at the sight of him before?"
Not to mention the nuisances from the Dan Tower.
"…Understood," Mu Gu grumbled, full of resentment but helpless. Damn Feng Xian!
"Also, there's news of a newly emerged eighth tier alchemist in the Dan Tower. Keep an eye on them," Gu You said, gesturing with his chin.
"Saint, should I…" Mu Gu made a slashing gesture across his neck with his hand.
"Hmph… If you think you're capable, then go ahead." Gu You sneered. "But let me remind you he has a protector by his side, at least a five star Dou Zun!"
Mu Gu's face twitched, and the idea of making a move instantly vanished from his mind.
"You'd better tread carefully. The hall's tasks are heavy these days, and if something goes wrong, we won't have the manpower to rescue you!" Gu You warned. Mu Gu might be an eighth tier alchemist, but his loss would still be a significant blow to the Hall of Souls.
Additionally, as he mentioned, the clan was preparing for something big, and they couldn't afford to deploy top tier combat strength for external matters especially against the Dan Tower.
"Yes!" Mu Gu's heart sank, and he immediately replied in a more respectful tone.
Recently, the Hall of Souls had been unsettled. The Star Snatcher and Eighth Heavenly Sovereign had both disappeared on missions, the Ninth Heavenly Sovereign had been urgently recalled from the Southern Region, and even the search for the one responsible for destroying the branch hall had been postponed.
All of this indicated a major operation was brewing, though the specifics remained unclear.
Dan Tower, Holy Pill Mountain Range
Three days flew by in the blink of an eye. A streak of light shot through the air and landed in front of Lu Bu it was Xuan Kongzi's message.
"Lu Bu, take this Dragon Mark," Hei Qing called out, throwing a dark golden dragon sigil that embedded itself into Lu Bu's palm.
"With this, paired with your Dragon Might, your chances of subduing the Three Thousand Burning Flame will be much higher," Hei Qing explained.
"Thank you, big brother." Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, though he didn't plan to rely on the Dragon Mark to subdue the flame.
"Hehe…" Hei Qing chuckled, tearing open a spatial rift and stepping through with Lu Bu.
On the other side, Xuan Kongzi and the others were already waiting.
"As expected, it's the Ancient Void Dragon!" A dark skinned, stern looking elder exclaimed in awe.
This man was Tian Lei Zi, one of the three giants of the Dan Tower, on par with Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi. Like them, his strength had reached the pinnacle of Dou Zun.
Hei Qing nodded slightly in greeting.
"Kid, the Three Thousand Burning Flame is immensely powerful. You must avoid waking it at all costs, or it will bring catastrophe to the Dan Region!" Xuan Yi warned solemnly.
"Don't worry, Senior," Lu Bu replied with a cheerful smile. "You know me I never force anyone to do anything."
Xuan Yi's elegant face twitched slightly. True, you don't force anyone, but you're as cunning as a fox!
"Lu Bu, since you're entering with the Ancient Void Dragon, for the safety of the Dan Region, we will seal the Star Region as soon as you enter. I hope you understand," Xuan Kongzi explained.
With the Ancient Void Dragon present, Lu Bu didn't actually need their permission to leave the Star Region.
"Oh? No problem!" Lu Bu's lips curved into a grin. This worked perfectly in his favor.
Wasn't this practically an invitation to do as he pleased?
"Go on," Xuan Kongzi said as the three alchemists formed a hand seal together. Waves of majestic Dou Qi surged outward, and a deep, pitch black portal appeared before Lu Bu.
Lu Bu and Hei Qing stepped through, and the portal slowly closed behind them, vanishing entirely.
Inside the Star Region
Lu Bu raised his gaze. Before him lay a massive, seemingly endless dragon, coiled and serpentine, its enormous form engulfed in a sinister purple black flame. The surrounding space distorted from the heat of the flames.
"Goodness… It's grown this much!" Hei Qing exclaimed. Among magical beasts, size correlated strongly with power, and this purple black flame dragon was far beyond his ability to handle.
"Lu Bu, how do you plan to deal with this?" Hei Qing asked gravely. If even he admitted inferiority, how could a Dou Zong like Lu Bu manage?
"Hehe…" Lu Bu chuckled softly, his figure rising into the air until he hovered above the immense purple black flame dragon.
"Don't worry, big brother. Leave it to me!" Lu Bu said, and as his voice fell, his sclera turned pitch black, leaving only two bottomless black pupils that seemed to swallow all light.
"Devouring Realm!" Lu Bu's hands formed a seal, and he silently chanted in his heart.
In the next instant, a peculiar aura erupted.
Boom!
Hei Qing's expression changed drastically as a mysterious pressure weighed heavily on him.
"What… what is this?" Hei Qing exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. This wasn't Dou Qi, nor was it spiritual power or Dragon Might. Yet it felt overwhelmingly oppressive, as though he might be devoured at any moment.
Instinctively, Hei Qing stepped back, but before he could act further, a deep black light spread from beneath Lu Bu.
In a flash, the dark radiance surged, engulfing the purple black flame dragon. By the time Hei Qing regained his senses, both the dragon and Lu Bu had vanished completely.
In the Devouring Realm
The Three Thousand Burning Flame's massive dragon eyes opened in confusion. It shifted its colossal body, stunned to find that the seal binding it for countless years had… vanished?
"Hehehe… Foolish humans!"
The flame dragon's enormous head rose, its gaze locking onto Lu Bu, who floated in the air. It let out a mocking laugh.
"Humph…" Lu Bu sneered, his hand forming another seal. "Devouring Chains!"
Clang!
The sound of chains clashing echoed as countless black chains, formed from pure devouring power, shot out from all directions and plunged into the flame dragon's massive body.
With his soul having reached the Spirit Realm, Lu Bu's understanding of the Devouring Ancestral Rune had advanced significantly, allowing him to wield it with far greater mastery.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A series of muffled impacts sounded as chain after chain pierced through the dragon's immense form, binding it completely.
"What is this? What have you done to me?!" The flame dragon roared in fury, thrashing wildly but unable to break free from the sinister black chains.
"Nothing much… just wiping out your consciousness," Lu Bu said coldly.
His right hand lifted, his left forming rapid seals, and a dark, mysterious palm print filled with an eerie energy began to condense.
"Devouring Mark!"
The mark formed and descended swiftly.
In that instant, even the flame dragon's soul began to tremble violently.
"No…"
In its colossal dragon eyes, a wave of terror surged forth like a flood. But no matter how hard it struggled, it was futile.
(Chapter Ends)
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