Chapter 346: A Display of Emperor Level Talent… Ahem, I Mean Dou Emperor Potential!
In the skies, the massive Nine Nether Earth Python, spanning over a hundred meters, streaked through the air like a black beam of light, flying rapidly toward the northwest.
The Flower Sect, located in the northwest of the Central Plains, was quite far from the Pill Tower. Even with the use of spatial wormholes, the journey would take over half a month.
Lu Bu's destination this time was the Flower Sect. Just as in the original storyline, the Demon Flower Evil Lord was currently hiding there, scheming for Hua Jin to ascend as the next sect leader.
Taking the traditional route would be too slow. By the time they arrived, the opportunity might already be lost. Thus, Lu Bu instructed Yao Rong to fly at top speed. With her strength as a Five Star Dou Zun, the journey would take approximately seven to eight days.
The only downside was the rapid depletion of Dou Qi, which could be exhausting. However, this wasn't a major issue. A few seventh tier pills for every hundred kilometers were enough to offset the energy consumption. For Lu Bu, this was merely a trivial expense.
Nestled in Lu Bu's embrace, Qing Lin held a scroll in her hands, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she studied it.
Lu Bu, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips, wrapped his arms around the cool, soft figure in his lap, feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction and contentment. Even though his Five Star Dou Zun cultivation rendered him impervious to heat and cold, who could refuse the soothing coolness of a girl like Qing Lin in the heat of summer?
Due to her practice of ice type Dou Qi, Qing Lin's body exuded a natural, refreshing chill that was calming and pleasant, making it impossible for Lu Bu to resist the urge to indulge.
"Master, didn't this Demon Flower Evil Lord already self detonate his body?" Qing Lin asked curiously, holding up the scroll as she tilted her head.
According to Yao Zi, the Demon Flower Evil Lord had been cornered by her Master and Xiao Yi Xian, forced into self detonation as a desperate escape.
What Yao Zi hadn't mentioned, however, was that Xiao Yi Xian could have prevented the self detonation. Unfortunately, Yao Zi, acting on instinct, interfered at a critical moment.
At the time, seeing Xiao Yi Xian wielding the tribe's most potent venom, the Empire Python Devouring Poison, both Yao Zi and Yao Rong had been instinctively wary. To them, someone outside their species possessing such a lethal poison was deeply unsettling. Their interference had been deliberate, hoping that Lu Bu and Xiao Yi Xian would at least sustain heavy injuries from the Evil Lord's self detonation.
However, contrary to their expectations, Lu Bu emerged unscathed his hair not even slightly disheveled. On the contrary, he unleashed a Six Star Dou Zun puppet to decisively suppress the sisters, forcing them into submission.
Looking back, Yao Zi and Yao Rong considered themselves fortunate. Lu Bu hadn't killed them on the spot and had even taken them on as guards. Others might not have been so merciful, likely exploiting them far more cruelly.
"That might have something to do with Hua Jin," Lu Bu said after glancing at the scroll and pondering for a moment.
After his self detonation, the Demon Flower Evil Lord had disappeared for about a month before reappearing completely unscathed, as if nothing had happened. The only noticeable change was a drop in his cultivation level from Six Star Dou Zun to Five Star Dou Zun. Aside from that, he continued his schemes as if nothing had happened.
"Hua Jin? The Flower Sect's young sect leader?" Qing Lin's expression turned odd. Hua Jin's reputation within the Flower Sect wasn't exactly stellar.
Her primary weakness was her lack of strength. At only Four Star Dou Zun, she struggled to command respect, as many within the sect far surpassed her in power. Hua Jin's sole advantage was being both the adopted daughter and disciple of the current sect leader, Hua Yu.
However, Hua Jin squandered even this advantage by aligning herself with the Demon Flower Evil Lord of the Heaven Nether Sect, using his influence to suppress all her competitors within the Flower Sect.
The move, while effective in silencing opposition, raised significant concerns. A sect leader candidate relying on the Heaven Nether Sect's support? How could she be trusted to lead the Flower Sect independently?
Hua Jin's actions alienated Hua Yu, who already had little time left due to her advanced age. Lacking a more suitable successor, Hua Yu was forced to watch helplessly as Hua Jin climbed toward the sect leader position.
Lu Bu wasn't interested in these politics. His sole concern was the Demon Flower Evil Lord. That man had to die, no exceptions. Unless the Heaven Nether Old Demon himself intervened, no one could save him.
"Exactly, Hua Jin," Lu Bu said, meeting Qing Lin's curious gaze. "The Heaven Nether Sect has long coveted the Flower Sect. There's no way they'd abandon their plans just because the Demon Flower Evil Lord was reduced to a soul form."
"The benefits of controlling the Flower Sect far outweigh the cost of restoring his body."
Qing Lin nodded thoughtfully. It made sense. The Heaven Nether Sect cared little about avenging the Evil Lord but had every reason to help him regain his strength to serve their larger goals. Without Hua Jin's backing, the Evil Lord would likely have been discarded as soon as he self detonated.
"So that's how it is…" Qing Lin murmured, resting her head on Lu Bu's shoulder while letting him idly play with her hand.
Watching Lu Bu's serious expression, Qing Lin couldn't help but giggle softly, reminiscing about their days back in the Jia Ma Empire. Back then, her Master often toyed with her like this though, unlike now, she'd also get to help apply medicinal ointments to him.
Hmm… I kind of miss that, she thought with a hint of nostalgia.
"Hmm?" Lu Bu suddenly raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the horizon where a streak of green light approached rapidly. It wasn't as fast as Yao Rong's flight, but it was quick enough to catch his attention.
"What's wrong?" Qing Lin frowned, displeased that someone dared disturb her time with Lu Bu. Squinting, she focused her vision and soon spotted the source of the light.
It was a giant green eagle carrying two figures a man and a woman.
"Huh? Is that Nalan and… that must be Xiao Yan, right?" Qing Lin asked hesitantly. Though she'd heard of Xiao Yan, she hadn't seen him in years.
"Why the doubt?" Lu Bu chuckled. "It's not like Nalan Yanran would be traveling with another man…"
Now that would make Xiao Yan's expression interesting!
In the distance, Xiao Yan also sensed their presence and turned his gaze. Spotting Lu Bu and Qing Lin, his expression turned contemplative.
"Lu Bu?" Xiao Yan muttered, his brow furrowing. "What's he doing heading toward the Flower Sect?"
"Hmm? Is that Qing Lin?" Nalan Yanran noticed the girl in Lu Bu's arms. It wasn't Xiao Yi Xian or Medusa, but Qing Lin instead.
"The Holy Maiden of the Sky Serpent Mansion?" Xiao Yan's surprise deepened. Upon closer inspection, his expression shifted.
"What's wrong?" Nalan Yanran asked, noticing his reaction.
"Didn't you say that when you first came to the Central Plains, she'd just broken into the Dou Zong realm?" Xiao Yan said with a frown. "How is she already a Seven Star Dou Zong?"
"What?!" Nalan Yanran's face paled in shock. Seven Star Dou Zong?
Back when they first arrived in the Central Plains, Qing Lin had only barely surpassed her as a Dou Zong, while Nalan Yanran was still at the Dou Huang peak.
Now, even though Nalan Yanran had advanced to Three Star Dou Zong a level considered exceptional among her peers Qing Lin had surged ahead to Seven Star Dou Zong.
This was unbelievable!
For context, even among the younger generation, such as Burning Flame Valley's Tang Huo'er or the Four Pavilion elites like Huang Quan Pavilion's Wang Chen and Myriad Sword Pavilion's Tang Ying, most hovered around the One or Two Star Dou Zong level.
Qing Lin, however, had completely outclassed them, her strength now comparable to the elders of major factions like Starfallen Pavilion.
In the skies, the massive Nine Nether Earth Python, over a hundred meters long, streaked through the air like a black ray of light, rushing toward the northwest.
The Flower Sect, located in the northwest of the Central Plains, was a fair distance from the Pill Tower. Even by spatial wormhole, the journey would take more than half a month.
Lu Bu's current destination was the Flower Sect. As in the original story, the Demon Flower Evil Lord was currently hiding within the sect, scheming to make Hua Jin the next sect master.
A normal route would take far too long. By the time they arrived, the opportunity might have passed. Thus, Lu Bu directly ordered Yao Rong to fly at full speed. With her Five Star Dou Zun strength, the journey would take about seven to eight days.
The only issue was the rapid consumption of Dou Qi, which could be exhausting. However, this wasn't much of a concern. Consuming a few seventh tier pills every hundred kilometers was a trivial matter for Lu Bu, who could easily afford it.
Nestled in Lu Bu's embrace, Qing Lin held a scroll in her hands, her delicate brows furrowed as she read.
Lu Bu, smiling faintly, wrapped his arms around her cool, soft figure, feeling a sense of peace and satisfaction. Even though his Five Star Dou Zun cultivation rendered him immune to extreme temperatures, who could say no to the refreshing presence of Qing Lin on a hot day?
Due to her cultivation of frost element Dou Qi, Qing Lin's body radiated a soothing chill, calming the heart and clearing the mind a sensation that Lu Bu greatly enjoyed.
"Master, hasn't this Demon Flower Evil Lord already self destructed his body?" Qing Lin asked curiously, raising her head as she glanced at Lu Bu.
Based on what Yao Zi had told her, the Demon Flower Evil Lord had been forced into self destruction by her master and Xiao Yi Xian.
What Yao Zi hadn't mentioned, however, was that Xiao Yi Xian could have stopped the self destruction. But, acting on instinct, Yao Zi had interfered.
Back then, seeing Xiao Yi Xian wielding the Empire Python Devouring Poison the tribe's most potent venom the sisters were instinctively wary. How could an outsider possess their race's deadliest poison? Their interference had been deliberate, intending to take advantage of the Evil Lord's explosion.
But their plan backfired. Lu Bu emerged unscathed, not even a hair out of place. Worse, he unleashed a Six Star Dou Zun puppet, suppressing the sisters and forcing them into submission.
Looking back, the sisters felt lucky. Lu Bu hadn't killed them and had even made them his guards. They knew others might not have been so merciful.
"That's probably thanks to Hua Jin," Lu Bu replied after glancing at the scroll, his tone thoughtful.
After his self destruction, the Demon Flower Evil Lord disappeared for about a month before reappearing unscathed. The only noticeable change was his cultivation level, which had dropped from Six Star Dou Zun to Five Star Dou Zun.
"Hua Jin? The young sect leader of the Flower Sect?" Qing Lin's expression turned peculiar. Hua Jin's reputation within the Flower Sect wasn't stellar.
First, her strength was too weak only Four Star Dou Zun making it hard to command respect. Many within the sect were far stronger than her. Hua Jin's only advantage was being the adopted daughter and disciple of the current sect master, Hua Yu.
However, Hua Jin squandered even that. She aligned herself with the Heaven Nether Sect's Demon Flower Evil Lord, relying on him to suppress her rivals.
But this move alienated Hua Yu, who despised the Heaven Nether Sect's influence. Hua Yu's impending death and lack of suitable successors left her no choice but to tolerate Hua Jin's ascension.
Lu Bu wasn't interested in the Flower Sect's politics. His sole focus was on the Demon Flower Evil Lord. That man had to die. Unless the Heaven Nether Old Demon appeared, no one could save him.
"Exactly. Hua Jin," Lu Bu said, noticing Qing Lin's puzzled look. "The Heaven Nether Sect has long targeted the Flower Sect. They wouldn't abandon their plans just because the Evil Lord became a mere soul."
"The profits from controlling the Flower Sect far outweigh the costs of restoring his body."
Qing Lin nodded. The Heaven Nether Sect cared little for the Evil Lord's personal grudges but had every reason to ensure he regained his strength to fulfill their schemes. Without Hua Jin, the Evil Lord would likely have been discarded.
"So that's how it is…" Qing Lin murmured, her head resting on Lu Bu's shoulder as he gently toyed with her hand.
"Hmm?" Lu Bu suddenly raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the horizon. In the distance, a streak of green light approached swiftly. Its speed, however, was no match for Yao Rong's.
"What is it?" Qing Lin frowned slightly, displeased that someone was interrupting her time with Lu Bu. Squinting, her eyes focused, and she soon spotted the green light a large green eagle carrying two figures, a man and a woman.
"Is that Nalan… and Xiao Yan?" Qing Lin asked hesitantly. She'd heard of Xiao Yan but hadn't seen him in years.
"Why the hesitation?" Lu Bu chuckled. "Do you think Nalan Yanran would be traveling with another man?"
Now that would be amusing. Xiao Yan's expression would be priceless!
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, sensing their presence, turned to see Lu Bu and Qing Lin approaching.
"Lu Bu?" Xiao Yan frowned. "What's he doing heading to the Flower Sect?"
"Huh? Is that Qing Lin?" Nalan Yanran noticed the girl in Lu Bu's arms. It wasn't Xiao Yi Xian or Medusa this time, it was Qing Lin.
"The Holy Maiden of the Sky Serpent Mansion?" Xiao Yan's expression changed as he focused.
"What's wrong?" Nalan Yanran asked, noticing his reaction.
"Didn't you say she was only a Dou Zong when you first came to the Central Plains?" Xiao Yan's voice was heavy. "How is she already a Seven Star Dou Zong?"
"What?!" Nalan Yanran froze. A Seven Star Dou Zong?
When they arrived in the Central Plains, Qing Lin had only just surpassed her in strength. Now, even though Nalan Yanran had reached Three Star Dou Zong an impressive achievement Qing Lin had soared to Seven Star Dou Zong.
This level placed Qing Lin on par with the elders of prominent factions like the Starfallen Pavilion.
"Looks like this Holy Maiden isn't ordinary at all…" Xiao Yan muttered, glancing at Lu Bu.
Damn it! Why does this guy get all the luck? Xiao Yan thought bitterly. Not only is he terrifyingly strong, but even his companions are monsters.
From the Poison Mistress to Medusa, each one was a powerful figure capable of battling Soul Hall's Ten Sky Envoys.
Xiao Yan's envy reached new heights. He sighed, casting his gaze to the heavens. If it weren't for Yun Yun being slightly weaker, at least Lu Bu had one companion who wasn't overwhelming.
Nearby, Nalan Yanran smiled faintly, her confidence bolstered. Thanks to Xiao Yan's medicinal support, her cultivation speed had increased dramatically, and she was quickly closing the gap between herself and her teacher.
Given enough time, she was confident she would surpass Yun Yun entirely.
As these thoughts swirled, Lu Bu and Qing Lin caught up with Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.
"Well, if it isn't Xiao Yan," Lu Bu greeted, a smirk playing on his lips. "What brings you to the Flower Sect?"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "My teacher is an old friend of Hua Yu, the Flower Sect's master. She's seriously ill, so I've been sent to help her."
Lu Bu's eyes gleamed. "Ah, so your teacher doesn't want the Flower Sect falling into the Heaven Nether Sect's hands."
"And you?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Me?" Lu Bu chuckled. "I'm here to kill someone."
"Oh? Let me guess… the Demon Flower Evil Lord?" Xiao Yan smirked knowingly.
"Correct."
"Well then," Xiao Yan said, grinning, "it seems our goals align."
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