Chapter 323: Xiao Yan: Thirty Years East of the River… Never Mind, Being Broke Is Fine
Within the estate in the Saint Dan Mountain Range, crisp shouts echoed from the training grounds. On the spacious field, two figures one in green and the other in purple darted about, their movements intertwining. White frost clashed with brilliant purple light, and powerful gusts burst forth with every exchange, leaving deep, unfillable scars across the ground.
Xiao Yi Xian reclined on a lounge chair nearby, holding a book in her jade like hands. While reading, she occasionally glanced up to check on the two young girls sparring.
Boom!
A dull collision echoed as Zi Yan groaned, her small figure stumbling backward until she hit an invisible barrier. Qing Lin also let out a muffled grunt, but she managed to stabilize herself after a few steps.
"Damn it, I'm done! I'm not fighting anymore!" Zi Yan shouted angrily. She remembered how, during their first meeting, she was stronger than Qing Lin. Now that Qing Lin had surpassed her, it felt utterly unfair!
Xiao Yi Xian chuckled softly, waving her hand. A flicker of silver light rippled outward, dispelling the spatial barrier around the training grounds.
"Magical beasts naturally progress slower in cultivation; it's perfectly normal. While Qing Lin may have surpassed you in cultivation, your battle prowess is still on par with hers," Xiao Yi Xian said with a gentle smile, her tone both comforting and honest.
It wasn't just empty reassurance. Zi Yan's combat strength was indeed remarkable. Qing Lin had reached the Spirit Realm in soul cultivation and had the power of a four star Dou Zong. Zi Yan, meanwhile, had progressed from a two star Dou Zong before her trip to Dragon Island to a three star Dou Zong upon her return. Though she lagged slightly in cultivation, their fights were always closely matched.
Moreover, by magical beast standards, Zi Yan's cultivation speed was already astonishingly fast.
"I don't care! I just want to win!" Zi Yan pouted, plopping down beside Xiao Yi Xian. Pulling out a bottle of pills, she began chomping on them, channeling her frustration into her appetite.
Even though she knew Xiao Yi Xian was telling the truth, watching those around her widen the gap in strength left her feeling more frustrated than ever.
"When Young Master emerges from seclusion, he'll surely find a solution for you," Qing Lin said softly, hugging Zi Yan while stroking her head with a comforting smile.
Zi Yan squirmed in Qing Lin's embrace, rolling her eyes in exasperation. Qing Lin had grown taller now not quite at the level of Medusa, Yun Yun, or Xiao Yi Xian, but no longer the small girl who used to struggle to see her own feet.
Reflecting on her own unchanged size, Zi Yan grew even more frustrated. When would she finally grow up?
Boom!
Suddenly, a rumbling noise reverberated across the estate as the surrounding energy of heaven and earth surged violently.
"What's happening?" Qing Lin and Zi Yan exclaimed in unison, leaping to their feet with alarmed expressions.
"Stay calm," Xiao Yi Xian said, though her own face showed a trace of tension. The overwhelming energy emanating from deep within the estate was unmistakable its source was none other than Lu Bu!
In the sky above, a near transparent barrier of shimmering light appeared. Tian Huo Zun Zhe, hovering midair, formed seals with his hands, sending ripples across the barrier before calming it once more.
"Such powerful soul fluctuations…" Tian Huo Zun Zhe murmured in shock. Lu Bu's soul strength had clearly surpassed his own, leaving him unable to gauge the man's current level.
Within the estate, the overwhelming aura flared briefly before dissipating as quickly as it had come, leaving everything in eerie silence.
Roughly half a quarter hour later, Lu Bu emerged from the secret chamber.
"Young Master!" Qing Lin called out joyfully, rushing over to throw herself into his arms. Her soft, delicate frame clung tightly to him.
Zi Yan rolled her eyes, unsure whether to be mad at Lu Bu or Qing Lin. Either way, she was fuming.
Xiao Yi Xian, however, pursed her lips into a smile. After three long months of waiting, Lu Bu had finally completed his seclusion.
"Did you advance?" Xiao Yi Xian asked expectantly. Having spent so much time with Lu Bu, she had gained a solid understanding of the relationship between soul cultivation and alchemy. If Lu Bu had reached the Heaven Realm in soul power, then as long as his Dou Qi advanced to the Dou Sheng stage, he would become one of the rare Nine Tier Alchemists on the continent!
"Not yet," Lu Bu said with a shake of his head. "I'm at the late stage of the Spirit Realm just shy of perfection."
While he hadn't achieved his ideal goal, this was still the greatest leap in his soul cultivation in years. As for reaching the Heaven Realm? That could wait. After all, the Soul Hall still had countless reserves of soul essence plenty of opportunities to take more.
"Young Master, you're incredible…" Qing Lin said with admiration. She had only just entered the Spirit Realm in soul cultivation, while Lu Bu had already reached its late stage. As someone with the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils, she had a unique sensitivity to souls and deeply understood just how difficult it was to progress in this area.
"Lu Bu!" Zi Yan clung to his leg, climbing her way up with a pitiful expression. "I want to reach Dou Zun quickly and finally grow up. Do you have a way? You must have one, right?"
"Well…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Helping Zi Yan advance wasn't impossible, but the fastest method would require a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit…
"Lu Bu just came out of seclusion. Let him rest first," Xiao Yi Xian said with a gentle smile, though her expression revealed a hint of exasperation as she watched the three clinging to one another.
At that moment, a voice echoed from outside the estate.
"Ahem… Lu Bu, are you there? I need to talk to you."
Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan all frowned simultaneously.
"Xiao Yan? How long has it been? What's he doing here again?"
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, pondering for a moment. He couldn't think of any unresolved matters with Xiao Yan during this time, but a vague sense of suspicion crept into his mind.
Could it be that Xiao Yan's in trouble again? Lu Bu thought to himself.
"Come in," Lu Bu called, lightly coughing as he patted the two clinging to him, signaling them to let go.
Outside the gates, Xiao Yan scratched his head anxiously, his unease growing with each passing moment. Despite mobilizing the full resources of Falling Star Pavilion, reaching out to Feng Xian's old acquaintances, and leveraging Yao Chen's past connections, there was still no sign of the Soul Infant Fruit or Heavenly Spirit Dragon Herb.
Out of options, he had come to seek Lu Bu. If being taken advantage of was the price to pay, so be it. Restoring Yao Chen's physical body and ensuring the safety of Falling Star Pavilion were far more important.
Lu Bu might want money, but the Soul Hall would take lives.
"Come in," Lu Bu's voice rang out. With a creak, the gates slowly opened.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan activated his Three Thousand Lightning Movement, leaving a series of afterimages behind as he rushed inside.
At the training grounds, the first sight to greet him was Lu Bu seated in the center. Beside him sat the aloof Xiao Yi Xian in her white dress, looking indifferent to Xiao Yan's arrival. Qing Lin, the saintess of the Heavenly Snake House, observed him with faint curiosity before averting her gaze.
Xiao Yan's lips twitched. What kind of reception was this?
"Lu Bu, Senior Zi Yan, it's been a while!" Xiao Yan said, cupping his fists in greeting. Having little interaction with Xiao Yi Xian or Qing Lin, he opted to simply ignore them.
"Oh," Zi Yan responded with a nonchalant nod, showing little reaction.
Lu Bu had told her about Xiao Yan's extraordinary cultivation technique, so his achievements didn't surprise her.
"Speak. What do you need?" Lu Bu asked, glancing at Xiao Yan.
Last time they met, Xiao Yan was just half a step into Dou Zun. Now, he had crossed that threshold. It seemed likely he had used a Heavenly Fortune Pill to achieve this. After all, relying solely on cultivation, even three years wouldn't have been enough to make this leap, let alone three months.
In the Saint Dan Mountain Range estate, Lu Bu sat calmly, his expression composed, while Xiao Yan stood before him, visibly distressed.
From what Lu Bu knew, both the Sky Serpent from the Ice River Valley and the Second Elder of the Burning Flame Valley were Dou Zong experts at the peak of their strength. However, they had stagnated for years without making any progress. While Xiao Yan was undeniably talented, his rapid advancement without the use of medicinal pills was difficult to believe.
"You're aware of my teacher's condition," Xiao Yan sighed, breaking the silence. "I need to know if there's any way to help my teacher restore his damaged soul essence."
"With Yao Zun zhe's skills, shouldn't it be easy for him to find a solution?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, speaking with a hint of amusement.
"We've already identified two solutions: the Soul Infant Fruit and Heavenly Dragon Spirit Herb. However, despite all our efforts, we've been unable to locate either," Xiao Yan explained, his face twitching slightly. He felt like a sheep walking straight into the jaws of a wolf, willingly offering himself up to be fleeced.
"Heh, is that so..." Lu Bu's lips curved into a sly grin, his expression becoming somewhat cryptic.
This boy was proving to be a real lucky charm, constantly delivering treasures to him.
"Do you know the whereabouts of either of these treasures? If so, please tell me. I'm willing to pay any price," Xiao Yan said, his expression resigned. He looked as though he had accepted his fate, ready for Lu Bu to exploit him. After all, his most valuable technique for soul enhancement was already in Lu Bu's hands. At this point, Xiao Yan felt like he had nothing else left to lose.
"I don't know much about the Heavenly Dragon Spirit Herb," Lu Bu said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But I do have some information on the Soul Infant Fruit."
He glanced at Xiao Yan with a playful smirk. "What do you have to trade for it?"
Here it comes… Xiao Yan's heart tightened, but then he realized there wasn't much to be nervous about anymore. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied nonchalantly, "Name your price. If I have it, I'll give it to you. If I don't, I'll find it."
"Hmm, I can see it now you're broke!" Lu Bu rolled his eyes. After a moment of thought, he realized Xiao Yan no longer had anything worth coveting.
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. "I'm an eighth tier alchemist, and you dare call me broke? This is outrageous!"
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river... Forget it, he'd already used that phrase before.
With an exaggerated eye roll, Xiao Yan finally gave up. "Fine, I'm broke. So what? Just tell me your conditions."
"Hmm... I don't have anything specific in mind for now. Let's just say you owe me a favor," Lu Bu replied with a hint of helplessness. It was true there wasn't anything left to squeeze out of Xiao Yan.
"Deal! Now, where is the Soul Infant Fruit? I'll owe you the favor, and you can call it in whenever you like," Xiao Yan said, his eyes lighting up. A free favor in exchange for this information? He couldn't believe his luck.
"It's in the Beast Region, at the Skeletal Mountain Range," Lu Bu said, casually revealing the location.
"The Skeletal Mountain Range? The one with the Dou Sheng ruins?" Xiao Yan asked, his surprise evident as the words slipped from his mouth.
"What? Dou Sheng ruins?" Lu Bu's expression shifted. "They've already been discovered?"
Beside him, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan all raised their eyebrows, their faces filled with surprise.
"You didn't know?" Xiao Yan looked startled before his expression twisted with regret. "Damn it, I shouldn't have said that..."
Why did his mouth have to run like that? Now he'd dragged Lu Bu into it!
"Heh heh heh... Xiao Yan," Lu Bu said, rubbing his hands together with a wide grin. "Didn't you just say you owe me a favor? What a coincidence!"
"How about this I won't take advantage of you. I can pinpoint the exact location of the Soul Infant Fruit, but in return, you'll help me handle any opponents we encounter in the ruins. That's fair, isn't it?"
"You… You want me to be your lackey?" Xiao Yan instinctively took a step back.
"What lackey? That's such an ugly word," Lu Bu said, feigning indignation. "We'll be allies! Mutual support and cooperation! Of course... since you owe me a favor, you might have to work a little harder."
As Lu Bu spoke, he gestured with his thumb and forefinger, leaving only a tiny gap between them to emphasize his point.
Xiao Yan: "…"
And this isn't being a lackey?
"What do you say?" Lu Bu asked with a smile. "If you're not interested, I'll just keep the Soul Infant Fruit for myself."
Before Xiao Yan could respond, the Bone Spirit Ring on his hand trembled slightly, and a spectral figure emerged. It was Yao Chen, his face grim as he stared at Lu Bu.
"Haha, Master Yao Chen! Long time no see!" Lu Bu greeted him with a hearty laugh, as though he hadn't just made trouble for Xiao Yan.
In truth, he'd sensed Yao Chen's presence from the start but had chosen not to acknowledge it until now.
"Lu Bu, exploring ruins is fraught with danger. Are you planning to use us as your shield?" Yao Chen asked coldly. Having experienced numerous explorations of ancient ruins, he was well aware of the perils involved.
"Haha, of course not. We're simply seeking strong allies to watch our backs," Lu Bu replied with a laugh. "You know as well as I do that such ruins are filled with treasures and with treasure comes competition. We just need Falling Star Pavilion to handle anyone who dares to attack us. Surely that's a reasonable request?"
"'We're short on manpower'… Yeah, right," Xiao Yan thought to himself. He looked at Lu Bu, Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and the rest of their group all powerful Dou Zongs and couldn't believe Lu Bu had the audacity to claim they were undermanned.
Yao Chen's expression softened slightly. "If all you need is for us to deal with external threats, that's acceptable. But if you intend to use us as fodder for the dangers inside the ruins, don't blame us for walking away."
"No problem at all," Lu Bu replied with a grin, readily agreeing to Yao Chen's conditions.
"And how exactly do you plan to locate the Soul Infant Fruit so precisely?" Yao Chen asked. He was cautious by nature and unwilling to act without concrete evidence.
"With the help of a Taixu Ancient Dragon," Lu Bu said with a sly smile, gently stroking Zi Yan's soft lavender hair. "They have a natural affinity for detecting rare treasures like this. It'll be easy."
Zi Yan's small face lit up with excitement. Treasure hunting? That was her favorite thing!
Yao Chen studied Zi Yan skeptically. Though he didn't know much about the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan beyond their exceptional spatial abilities, he decided to give Lu Bu the benefit of the doubt.
"Very well. We'll meet at the Skeletal Mountain Range in a few days," Yao Chen said after a moment's thought. He cast a glance at Qing Lin, noting with surprise that her soul cultivation had reached the Spirit Realm.
The women around Lu Bu were truly extraordinary every single one of them!
"Safe travels," Lu Bu said with a smile, watching as Xiao Yan and Yao Chen departed from his estate.
Once they were gone, Lu Bu scooped up Zi Yan, laughing heartily. "Zi Yan, our opportunity has finally arrived!"
Zi Yan, though slightly dizzy from being picked up, couldn't help but grin. Treasure hunting sounded like the most fun ever!
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