Chapter 180: Ah... I'm Good Now!
Seeing Lu Bu's sly, meaningful smile, Xiao Yan's temples throbbed. He glared at him, ready to slam his fist in anger. However, the raised hand didn't strike the table but instead scratched his head awkwardly.
"Hmph, my Xun'er is virtuous, pure, and upright. How could she possibly do something like that?" Xiao Yan snorted, tilting his nose up.
Oh, sure, your sworn brother here is upright and chaste too. There's no way Xun'er would ever cuckold you… Lu Bu rolled his eyes, lamenting that his attempt to sow discord had failed.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes back. "Whatever. I'm going to continue practicing Mountain Splitting Seal."
"Alright, suit yourself," Lu Bu said with a faint sigh. He extended his hand, and the black scroll Xiao Yan had given him earlier appeared. Tossing it into the air and catching it, he remarked, "I'll practice Earth Covering Seal. They say the third seal of the Emperor Seal Technique isn't all that hard either..."
"..."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened in disbelief. Could it really be that simple?
Ignoring him, Lu Bu placed the scroll against his forehead. A torrent of information surged into his soul.
Closing his eyes, Lu Bu's expression grew serious as his spirit absorbed the complex details of the Emperor Seal Technique's third seal: Earth Covering Seal.
After a while, Lu Bu's mind fully registered the technique's intricacies. He took a deep breath. Though he had teased Xiao Yan, the truth was that the Earth Covering Seal wasn't easy at all it was a high tier Dou Technique that only Dou Zong level experts could master.
With his current strength as an eight star Dou Wang, practicing the technique was still challenging.
However, Lu Bu wasn't just any Dou Wang.
Seeing Lu Bu entering a state of concentration, Xiao Yan became intrigued. While he absentmindedly practiced the Mountain Splitting Seal hand seals, he quietly observed Lu Bu's progress.
Xiao Yan had read through the Earth Covering Seal's instructions before handing it over. Its cryptic incantations, complex hand seals, and chaotic Dou Qi flow made it one of the most difficult techniques to execute.
It wasn't just about forming the hand seals; the user's mind had to precisely guide the Dou Qi to the correct positions, with every step requiring near perfect accuracy. Otherwise, the energy seal would collapse, and the technique would fail.
Xiao Yan's struggles with Mountain Splitting Seal stemmed from this exact issue. Unlike most Dou Wang cultivators who advanced step by step, Xiao Yan had forcefully elevated his strength by consuming Heavenly Flames and relying on his unique cultivation method.
While his foundation was solid and didn't cause him major problems, the sudden surge in Dou Qi had made it difficult for him to control with the same precision as before.
To address this, Yao Lao had suggested two options: either engage in constant battles or practice a high difficulty Dou Technique to refine his control. Xiao Yan had chosen both, sparring with Nalan Yanran and seeking fights with magical beasts to push himself further.
There was a simpler alternative: he could borrow one of Lu Bu's Dou Wang level puppets for training. However, both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao had dismissed the idea almost immediately.
First, Lu Bu didn't have a ready made Dou Wang puppet and would need to custom create one.
Second, they knew Lu Bu too well. The moment they approached him, he'd figure out their intentions and use it as leverage to fleece them. Lu Bu would demand an outrageous price, Yao Lao would try to haggle, Lu Bu would counter with an even bigger scheme, and after years of back and forth, Xiao Yan would eventually realize all the benefits had gone to Lu Bu.
It wasn't speculation it was based on personal experience. Back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Lu Bu had already proven himself to be a master manipulator. A single Dou Wang puppet wasn't worth the risk of falling into another of his traps.
That said, when it came to irreplaceable items like the green red blood essence, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. The moment he saw it, he struck a deal with Lu Bu.
Even Xiao Yan was surprised at how decisively he had acted. Wasn't he supposed to be wary of being conned by Lu Bu?
The real reason was simple: the essence blood was invaluable for his teacher's recovery. Its unique properties, especially its ability to strengthen the physical body, made it worth any price.
If Lu Bu knew what Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were thinking, he'd probably loudly protest their accusations. How dare you tarnish the good name of Lu Bu! I'm a man of my word honest and fair in all my dealings! Look at Yue Mei, look at Medusa didn't they all get what they wanted from me?
Unaware of these thoughts, Lu Bu took a deep breath, focused his mind, and began forming the hand seals for the Earth Covering Seal.
Instantly, waves of Dou Qi surged around him. A green light glowed between his palms, and a strong wind swirled around him, carrying the energy's roar.
Xiao Yan's jaw dropped. Had Lu Bu already succeeded?
This was ridiculous. He had only glanced at the technique for less than fifteen minutes!
But just as the thought crossed his mind, there was a faint "pop." The green light dissipated, and Lu Bu's face turned pale as he stumbled back two steps.
"Poof… HAHAHAHA!" Xiao Yan instinctively covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter, but the sight of Lu Bu's failure was too satisfying. Straightening his back, he let out a hearty laugh. Watching Lu Bu fail was more rewarding than succeeding himself!
"What are you laughing at?" Lu Bu snapped, his face darkening. "This is the third seal! You haven't even mastered the first!"
"Fair enough," Xiao Yan admitted, grinning. "But the point isn't about me it's about you failing… Hehehe…"
Xiao Yan's laughter was filled with schadenfreude. Watching Lu Bu's frustration was the highlight of his day.
Lu Bu's face grew darker as he snorted. Ignoring Xiao Yan, he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. Focus. Enter sage mode… Wait, I'm still a virgin in this world, aren't I?
Cough, cough… That's irrelevant. The important thing is to eliminate distractions!
Taking another deep breath, Lu Bu resumed forming the hand seals, this time without generating any energy fluctuations.
Earlier, he had been too impatient, attempting to form the seal without first mastering the hand seals. Now, he decided to take things step by step.
Xiao Yan watched with a playful grin, but soon his expression turned serious.
On Lu Bu's first attempt, the hand seals were clumsy and awkward, much like Xiao Yan's own early practice.
But on the second attempt, Lu Bu's movements became fluid and seamless, with each transition between seals as smooth as flowing water.
Xiao Yan's smile froze. Alright, that's reasonable. Lu Bu has already mastered the Mountain Splitting and Sea Overturning Seals. This progress makes sense.
However, on the third attempt, Lu Bu's hand seals suddenly became rigid again, as though he had regressed to a beginner's level. Each movement was deliberate and precise.
Moments later, green light flared once more. But just as it grew brighter, there was another "pop," and the energy scattered.
Once again, failure.
Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. He was genuinely worried that Lu Bu might manage to master the Earth Covering Seal in one go. While his own difficulties with practicing Mountain Splitting Seal were understandable, watching Lu Bu pull off the third seal so effortlessly would have been a bit too demoralizing.
Lu Bu ignored Xiao Yan entirely, his half lidded eyes gleaming with a sharp light as he pondered the reasons for his earlier failure.
If there's one advantage I have, it's my strong soul force, Lu Bu thought to himself. His immense spiritual power allowed him to quickly identify the issue with the coordination between Dou Qi flow and hand seals.
"So that's it…" Lu Bu murmured, his eyes flickering with understanding.
"Huh?" Xiao Yan, who had been gathering Dou Qi to align with his own hand seals, looked up in confusion at Lu Bu's self talk.
But just like before, Lu Bu paid him no attention, his hands slowly beginning to form the intricate hand seals once again.
"Persistent after every failure? I like it!" Xiao Yan chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Lu Bu give it another try.
With a calm expression, Lu Bu moved his hands through the sequence of seals with deliberate precision. His actions were slow and measured, almost like a complete beginner. If Xiao Yan hadn't personally seen Lu Bu's earlier fluid mastery of the seals, he might have actually believed Lu Bu was starting from scratch.
But in the next moment, Lu Bu's movements suddenly accelerated.
Green light surged, and a wave of powerful Dou Qi erupted in the valley, stirring the air.
"What?!" Xiao Yan's face fell in shock.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Lu Bu's expression turned icy as his hands moved with lightning speed, forming complex hand seals. The once quiet valley was filled with the sound of fierce winds as the massive outburst of Dou Qi stirred the surrounding spiritual energy into a violent storm.
"Ah… I did it!" Lu Bu exclaimed triumphantly. His hands came together into a final intricate seal, and an emerald colored energy imprint coalesced in his palm. Its terrifying energy fluctuations filled the air, striking fear into anyone who dared to look directly at it.
Xiao Yan: (﹃;)
"Wahaha!" Lu Bu threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh, his voice echoing across the valley like waves crashing onto a shore. "Brother Xiao Yan, look! I've succeeded!"
"Ababababa…"
"Hey, Brother Xiao Yan, what's wrong?" Lu Bu asked, feigning surprise as he waved the Earth Covering Seal before Xiao Yan's face.
"Ababababa…"
"Come on, look at me!" Lu Bu teased, clearly enjoying Xiao Yan's dazed state.
"Ababa…"
"Just one glance!"
"Ababababa…"
"Earth Covering Seal!" Lu Bu shouted, pushing the seal toward Xiao Yan.
With a startled cry, Xiao Yan snapped out of it. Flapping his Dou Qi wings, he shot into the air, glaring furiously. "You lunatic! Were you trying to kill me?!"
"Hehehe… So, did you see it?" Lu Bu teased, flashing a smug grin. "The third seal of the Emperor Seal Technique Earth Covering Seal I've mastered it!"
"Of course, I saw it, you bastard!" Xiao Yan growled in frustration. "So what? Am I supposed to give you a prize?"
"Hmph…" Lu Bu smirked, raising the green energy seal in his palm threateningly. "I'll give you one more chance to rephrase that. Care to try again?"
"Fine! I admit my tone was a little harsh just now," Xiao Yan muttered, shrinking back and conceding defeat.
He didn't have a choice. The Earth Covering Seal was no joke it could actually kill him.
"What are you two doing?" Nalan Yanran's voice suddenly interrupted, her puzzled gaze shifting between the two of them.
"He's bullying me!" Xiao Yan whined, flapping his wings as he dove toward Nalan Yanran. Wrapping his arms around her, he pouted and complained, "He's being mean to me!"
Nalan Yanran's expression hardened as she glared at Lu Bu. Unforgivable!
Xiao Yan, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying himself. Burying his face in the crook of Nalan Yanran's neck, he took a deep breath, savoring her sweet scent mixed with a faint medicinal aroma. Feeling emboldened, he even nuzzled her gently.
Lu Bu's face darkened as he dispersed the energy seal in his hand. "Hey, I don't care what you two do, but tone it down, will you? Don't make a baby right here!"
This is too much! Are you flaunting your affection just because my girl isn't here?!
Nalan Yanran blushed furiously. She understood Lu Bu's words weren't about reducing lives but… adding them.
"Don't worry. Not yet," Xiao Yan said, his tone unusually serious.
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, surprised by Xiao Yan's sudden maturity. Xiao Yan bore many responsibilities: his teacher, his father, Xun'er… He wasn't about to take such a step with Nalan Yanran before securing his future.
Satisfied, Lu Bu gave a small nod. But his thoughts wandered. Back then, how did that Tang San guy manage to knock up Blue Silver Empress while on the run? Was he reckless, or was there some deeper plan behind it?
The thought made Lu Bu shiver. Better not dwell on it. If he somehow crosses dimensions and confronts me, I'll be in trouble.
"Forget him. Let's go," Nalan Yanran said, taking Xiao Yan's hand. Her voice softened. "Hungry? I'll cook something for you."
"Sounds great!" Xiao Yan replied eagerly. The two of them found a spot and started preparing roasted meat.
Despite her noble upbringing, Nalan Yanran had been through many trials. Her cooking skills were surprisingly good, on par with both Lu Bu and Xiao Yan.
Perhaps to spite Lu Bu, the two began feeding each other bites of food, giggling, flirting, and exchanging sweet nothings. The sheer amount of sugar in the air was enough to make anyone nauseous.
Lu Bu rolled his eyes in disdain. Like Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa, he turned his frustration into an appetite for vengeance. With a grin, he devoured all their roasted meat, leaving the lovebirds in stunned silence before flying back to the academy without another word.
By the time Lu Bu returned to Xiao Yi Xian's little courtyard, night had fallen. Between extracting the Tian Yao Feng essence blood, refining the core, and practicing the Earth Covering Seal, hours had flown by unnoticed.
Xiao Yi Xian was still fast asleep, her only issue being her habit of kicking off the blanket. Lu Bu tucked her back in, ensuring the protective array remained intact before leaving quietly.
Next, he headed to the secret chamber to check on Medusa.
As soon as he entered, the dense energy within almost threw him back. Acting quickly, Lu Bu reinforced the chamber's array, preventing the energy from spilling out.
"Looks like the Eight Colored Origin Stone is potent…" Lu Bu murmured, watching Medusa's figure bathed in radiant light.
But then his expression changed. A faint, sweet scent like roses began to fill the air, accompanied by a pink mist. Lu Bu's scalp tingled as he realized Medusa's seductive aura was beginning to affect even him.
Something wasn't right.
Lu Bu's eyes flashed as he stepped forward, aiming two fingers at her forehead.
However, before he could act, Medusa suddenly lunged forward, collapsing into his arms. The soft, warm sensation of her body almost made him lose control.
"Y Your Majesty?" Lu Bu stammered.
"Ah…" Medusa moaned softly, her eyes dazed, her alluring voice spilling from her lips as a sweet, intoxicating scent surrounded him.
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