Chapter 341: The Mark of Devouring!
"That's Ren Xiezi?"
Hearing Lu Bu's words, Xiao Yi Xian's gaze turned icy cold in an instant. She had heard Lu Bu and Queen Medusa mention this man before a depraved old devil cultivating a sinister technique.
During their earlier operation to rescue Yao Chen and attack the Hall of Souls, Lu Bu and Medusa had encountered this man's pursuit. If they hadn't been prepared in advance, it could have been a perilous encounter.
Remembering this, killing intent surged in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. This man deserved to die a thousand deaths!
"Oh? Hahaha… Little beauty, you actually know of this old man's reputation?" Ren Xiezi was momentarily surprised before breaking into a twisted grin. "Hahaha, this trip wasn't in vain after all. Little beauty, it seems fate has brought us together!"
Lu Bu's gaze grew colder by the second. The annihilating force within the black speck in his palm retreated, leaving behind only a pure and terrifying devouring power.
Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes turned gray and purple, and a blood red sigil slowly appeared on her forehead. Instantly, a bone chilling, murderous aura surged into the surroundings.
Ren Xiezi's face contorted briefly in shock, a shudder coursing through him from the sheer killing intent. But as he regained composure, his twisted grin returned. "Hehehe… Interesting. Your Woeful Poison Qi has reached such purity?"
"How fascinating! Hahaha, splendid, splendid! I didn't travel all the way from the Dou Saint's ruins for nothing. This trip was well worth it!"
"Dou Saint's ruins?" Lu Bu's face darkened. This old devil had tracked them all the way from there? How had he managed to find them?
"Hehehe… Indeed, the Dou Saint's ruins!" Ren Xiezi said with a laugh. "That brat, Yao Hua Xiejun, proved quite resourceful. He helped me greatly. But you two aren't bad either, forcing him to self destruct and flee. Hehehe…"
"By rights, I should thank him. But, little beauty, if you submit to this old man, I'll personally get rid of that Yao Hua Xiejun for you. What do you think? Hehehe…"
Ren Xiezi stroked his chin as his face twisted with a lecherous grin, disgusting enough to make onlookers want to vomit.
Xiao Yi Xian's face remained expressionless as the full force of her Woeful Poison Body activated. In this state, she had no emotion, only pure killing intent.
"Third Elder, get rid of him. I've lost my appetite just looking at him!" Zi Yan frowned, her small eyebrows furrowed as she addressed Zhu Li.
"…Not yet," Zhu Li said, taking a deep breath while clenching his fists inside his robe. He too was disgusted by Ren Xiezi, but he wanted to see what that mysterious devouring power emanating from Lu Bu truly was.
In the air, purple black flames flickered in Lu Bu's eyes as he smirked coldly. "Ren Xiezi, if you manage to leave here alive today, I, Lu Bu, will no longer have a place on this continent!"
"Hehehe… Such bold words from a pretty boy!" Ren Xiezi sneered, his gaze sweeping over Lu Bu. "And what, pray tell, gives you that confidence? Your one or two star Dou Zun strength? Wait no!"
Before finishing, Ren Xiezi's expression changed abruptly, his gaze locking onto the purple black flames in Lu Bu's eyes. "You… you're the white robed man who destroyed the Hall of Souls in the Rainfall Mountains!"
He remembered that person vividly. The most notable trait was the control over a fearsome purple black flame. According to his second brother, it was likely the Three Thousand Starry Flame, ranked ninth on the Heavenly Flame list.
This man was likely from the Pill Tower. Given the Pill Tower's relationship with Yao Chen, this made sense.
But Ren Xiezi didn't care about these details. What interested him more were beautiful women.
"Hahahaha… What a lucky day! To think I'd find not just the Woeful Poison Body, but also the extraordinary beauty I lost track of before!"
"This is a gift from the heavens!" Ren Xiezi laughed hysterically, his face twisted with glee.
"You want beauties? Go ask for them in hell!" Lu Bu's expression turned ice cold as he stepped forward. In a flash of golden light, he vanished.
"Hehehe… Die, brat!" Ren Xiezi cackled, throwing a fierce punch into the void. "I hate men who hog all the beauties. Once you're dead, I'll take good care of your women!"
Boom!
A muffled explosion erupted in the void. Ren Xiezi's punch unleashed a violent, devastating force, tearing a pitch black rift in space.
Buzz!
In the next moment, a golden clad Lu Bu appeared, bathed in a gentle hum of energy as the wild winds tore around him.
"Hehehe… Die, you huh?" Ren Xiezi's grin froze as he realized that his punch, which could destroy a nine star Dou Zun, had mysteriously dissipated before even touching Lu Bu.
"Devouring Seal!"
Lu Bu's eyes turned cold as a deep black glow surged from his palm. A strange black sigil formed and floated lightly toward Ren Xiezi's fist.
"You…!" Ren Xiezi's face paled, an ominous foreboding crawling up his spine.
Instinctively, he stepped back, wanting to retreat. This person was not to be underestimated!
"Retreat? Too late!" Lu Bu sneered. The black sigil transformed into a terrifying vortex a black hole emanating pure devouring energy and overwhelming crushing force.
Crack!
In an instant, a chilling sound echoed as Ren Xiezi's elbow and shoulder were wrenched apart, the crushing force snapping through the body of the Six Star Dou Zun.
"Bastard!" Ren Xiezi howled, his bones deep pain driving him into a rage. He gathered all his Dou Qi, directing it toward the source of the devouring power at Lu Bu's palm.
But it was like throwing stones into the ocean nothing happened.
Tear!
With a violent tug, Lu Bu ripped Ren Xiezi's entire right arm off. Blood sprayed everywhere, the air thick with the stench of iron. The sight stunned everyone watching.
A Six Star Dou Zun, someone nearing the legendary Half Saint level, had just lost an arm to a mere Five Star Dou Zun. It was horrifying.
The Nine Nether Earth Python sisters were drenched in cold sweat. Thinking back to all the schemes they had tried against Lu Bu in the Dou Saint's ruins, they felt lucky he hadn't killed them outright.
"Ahhh! I'll kill you, brat!" Ren Xiezi roared, his eyes bloodshot like an enraged bull.
Suddenly, a sharp hissing sound echoed. A tiny gray purple snake flew through the air, sinking its fangs into the bleeding stump of Ren Xiezi's shoulder.
The snake melted into liquid and seeped into the wound.
"You… damn it!" Ren Xiezi's face twisted in horror as he desperately tried to expel the liquid with his Dou Qi. The Woeful Poison Qi was too pure to ignore.
"Heh…" Xiao Yi Xian smirked coldly, her hands forming a new seal.
She wasn't skilled in frontal assaults or direct combat, but when it came to chasing down wounded prey and kicking a man while he was down… her poison excelled at this!
In an instant, a burst of gray purple mist surged from Ren Xiezi's wounds, spreading outward. Although Ren Xiezi reacted swiftly and sealed off the spread of the Woeful Poison Qi with Dou Qi, the terrifying toxin had already seeped into his body.
Pfft!
Pfft!
Two muffled explosions sounded simultaneously. A spray of blood mist burst from Ren Xiezi's right ear, while tears of blood dripped from his eye socket. Moments later, his right eye exploded violently.
"Ahhh!" Ren Xiezi clutched his bleeding eye, crimson liquid oozing through his fingers. The Woeful Poison Qi was corroding his body bit by bit, the searing pain driving him into a maddened rage.
"You… I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you! I'll feed you all to the dogs!"
Ren Xiezi's remaining left eye radiated boundless hatred. To be reduced to such a wretched state by mere ants how could he not be consumed by fury?
"You won't get the chance," a calm voice said from behind him. Zhu Li's figure had appeared silently, his right hand raised and pressing firmly against Ren Xiezi's head.
"What? You…?" Ren Xiezi's enraged face froze, his expression turning ghastly pale. A bone chilling dread spread through him in an instant.
"A… Half Saint? You're a Half Saint!?" For a brief moment, his mind blanked, and his scalp felt like it was about to explode.
"Impossible! How does this pretty boy have a Half Saint backing him? How could a Half Saint be protecting him?" Ren Xiezi's face turned from white to red as he shouted, his expression resembling that of a gambler who'd lost everything questioning his opponent, the world, and his entire existence.
"You came from the Dou Saint ruins, and no one told you about the Ancient Void Dragon?" Zhu Li asked curiously. To be honest, he was genuinely curious. Could someone truly be this foolish?
Ren Xiezi's body stiffened, and for a moment, he was utterly speechless. The information had indeed been presented to him before, but he hadn't cherished it…
"Senior, finish him!" Lu Bu casually discarded the severed arm in his hand and said coldly, "Trash like him doesn't deserve to live!"
Boom!
At that moment, a fiery and violent aura surged out from the grand hall. In a flash of light, a white robed elder appeared in the sky above.
"Hahaha… Zhu Li, Lu Bu, leave this scum to me!" Tianhuo Zun zhe laughed heartily, his voice filled with exhilaration. Freed from the void of being a soul, he felt unbridled joy and a strong urge to fight.
"Oh? Be my guest," Zhu Li nodded with a smile, raising his hand and slapping Ren Xiezi's face.
Smack!
With a crisp sound, Ren Xiezi flew through the air like a volleyball, sent hurtling toward the rapidly approaching Tianhuo Zun zhe.
"Hahaha… Today, with my newfound strength, I'll use you as practice!" Tianhuo Zun zhe roared with laughter. A deep yellow flame surged from his body, forming a massive hundred foot long fire dragon. Riding atop the dragon, he charged at Ren Xiezi.
It was his signature technique: Five Wheels of Raging Fire!
"Just a mere Five Star Dou Zun?" Ren Xiezi roared furiously. Being beaten by that brat earlier was one thing, as the boy's strange sigil was beyond comprehension. And being overpowered by a Half Saint was also acceptable, given the disparity in their strength.
But a measly Five Star Dou Zun dared to show off before him?
"Hahaha… Someone like you doesn't deserve more than this!" Tianhuo Zun zhe laughed as the fire dragon opened its massive maw, unleashing a torrent of searing heat.
"Five Star Dou Zun… Tianhuo Zun zhe's strength is a bit low, isn't it?" Xiao Yi Xian leaned against Lu Bu, her voice tinged with regret. After all, it was a Dou Saint's skeleton only reaching Five Star Dou Zun seemed underwhelming.
"It's already quite impressive." Lu Bu shrugged. "Tianhuo Zun zhe's strength in life was only around Eight Star Dou Zun. Jumping to Five Star after revival is already a significant leap."
In the original story, it was mentioned that Tianhuo Zun zhe was a Five Star Dou Zun, but during conversations with Lu Bu, he claimed to have been an Eight Star Dou Zun.
Between the two accounts, Lu Bu was more inclined to believe the latter.
Tianhuo Zun zhe's soul realm was at the Spirit Realm level, and he possessed the Fallen Heart Flame, a Heavenly Flame renowned as a cheat for cultivation. His strength was likely superior to individuals like the Star Reaching Elder and comparable to the Hall of Souls' top enforcers.
Hearing Lu Bu's explanation, Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly. That made sense it was already a considerable boost across such a large gap in strength.
"With Tianhuo Zun zhe's help, our burden will be much lighter…" Xiao Yi Xian said softly, holding Lu Bu's hand with a smile.
The forces of the Yunyu Sect, Tianming Sect, and Hall of Souls wouldn't stand a chance against Tianhuo Zun zhe unless they sent their high ranking elites. Now, they finally had a protector and no longer needed to rely on borrowed strength like before.
And there was still Yao Chen.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes gleamed. With Yao Chen's cunning nature, there was no guarantee he wouldn't turn against them once his strength returned.
Now, with Tianhuo Zun zhe by their side, if Yao Chen did make a move against Lu Bu or the five of them, he'd have to pay a steep price. That would give him pause and force him to reconsider.
Boom!
In the sky, a fiery explosion erupted as Ren Xiezi's already battered figure suffered even more horrifying burns.
"Hahaha… This is exhilarating!"
Tianhuo Zun zhe laughed, reveling in his newfound power. Meanwhile, Ren Xiezi's face darkened, his aura faltering as his thoughts raced.
He'd clearly bitten off more than he could chew. What now? Should he follow Yao Hua Xiejun's example and self destruct to escape?
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the void, gripping his neck tightly.
Crack!
With a single motion, Zhu Li crushed Ren Xiezi's neck, shattering his soul in the process.
"Ah…" Tianhuo Zun zhe let out a disappointed sigh. He hadn't had enough fun yet, but it was already over.
"Lu Bu, now that this matter is resolved, I'll take Zi Yan back to the clan," Zhu Li said with a slight smile, discarding Ren Xiezi's corpse to the side. He was eager to return to Dragon Island and didn't want to linger here any longer.
"Safe travels, Senior." Lu Bu nodded. After some thought, he said seriously, "The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is unlike ordinary treasures. If you encounter any complications, please don't hesitate to seek my help."
"Definitely," Zhu Li said with a nod of gratitude. Assistance from an Eight Tier Alchemist was something he welcomed with open arms.
With a wave of his sleeve, space rippled as he took Zi Yan and disappeared into the void.
"Lu Bu, Xiao Yi Xian, goodbye! I'll come back to visit in a few days!" Zi Yan waved her small hand, her eyes red and glistening with unshed tears. She looked reluctant to part.
"Goodbye…" Lu Bu chuckled. Perhaps the next time they met, the little girl would have grown into a beautiful woman.
Thinking of this, Lu Bu felt a rush of excitement, his anticipation for his upcoming trip to Dragon Island growing even stronger.
"Lu Bu, what do we do with this corpse?" Tianhuo Zun zhe asked, holding Ren Xiezi's mangled body with a look of disdain. The corpse was too damaged for use as a puppet, and the presence of Woeful Poison Qi rendered it unsuitable for a soul vessel.
"Send it to Yao Chen!" Lu Bu's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Tell him it's exceptionally fresh and delicious!"
Tianhuo Zun zhe scratched his head, confused but not questioning further. He handed the task off to a nearby magical beast under his command, which promptly left to deliver the body to the Falling Star Pavilion.
"Let's go!" Lu Bu said, taking Xiao Yi Xian's hand and motioning for the Nine Nether Earth Python sisters to follow. The group took to the skies, heading toward the Pill Tower.
(End of Chapter)
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