Chapter 184: The Queen? She Won't Leave Here Unscathed!
Black Corner Region, Medicine Sovereign City.
After occupying this city, the Jia Nan Academy chose not to rename it, continuing to use its original name. This served two purposes:
First, it reminded students of the humiliation brought by Han Feng's attack. The feud between Han Feng and the academy was not concealed but rather commemorated in stone, with detailed accounts publicized throughout the Black Corner Region. Of course, the existence of the Fallen Heart Flame was not mentioned.
The Fallen Heart Flame was the academy's most prized possession, and the fewer who knew about it, the better. Otherwise, people like Xiao Yan and Yao Lao would have long since set their sights on it. If not for Lu Bu's intervention, they might have already succeeded.
Second, keeping the original name was a demonstration of strength.
The top five individuals on the Black Corner Region's blacklist were now either dead or had fled. Among them, the bodies of Golden and Silver Elders, Fan Lao, and others hung from the Tree of Death at Peace Town's entrance.
Han Feng's body, however, was not displayed. Out of respect for Yao Lao, Su Qian didn't insist on hanging it, and Xiao Yan had long since taken the corpse away likely to give it a proper burial.
After all, Xiao Yan couldn't disrespect Han Feng's body in Yao Lao's presence, as that body had once been painstakingly cultivated by his teacher.
In the dead of night, a wisp of black smoke floated silently over Medicine Sovereign City, investigating everything within.
However, the black smoke suddenly froze mid air before quietly retreating and vanishing without a trace.
In the former City Lord's mansion, an Elder of Jia Nan Academy stationed in Medicine Sovereign City abruptly opened his eyes. He instantly broke from his meditative state, let out a long howl, and leaped into the sky, landing atop the tallest building in the mansion. His sharp gaze swept vigilantly over the city.
Simultaneously, another loud howl echoed through the night as a figure in gray robes flew over. With his Dou Qi wings spread wide, the elder landed beside the first. "Elder Liao, what happened?"
Medicine Sovereign City's unique position made it a hotspot for visitors, generating considerable profits. Jia Nan Academy was reluctant to give it up, so while they only visibly stationed one Elder to guard the city, there were actually two Dou Kings one in the open and one in the shadows working together.
Tonight, Elder Liao's reaction was so extreme that it had triggered the other hidden Elder to reveal himself.
"Someone was spying on us," Elder Liao said gravely. "Elder Meng, you know my cultivation method is unique and grants me keen perception. I just sensed someone watching us. The intruder is very strong beyond what we can handle."
Elder Meng's expression changed, and he immediately spread his senses. Yet, he detected nothing. This either meant Elder Liao was overly paranoid, or the intruder was so powerful that Elder Meng couldn't sense them.
He preferred to believe the latter.
Neither of the Elders dared take any chances. They quickly sent word to Jia Nan Academy and alerted the enforcement team to prepare for evacuation. Their goal was to minimize losses if anything went wrong.
In the treetops, a wisp of black smoke hovered, muttering softly, its voice carried away by the wind.
"I underestimated the Black Corner Region…"
The intruder had not anticipated that even a mere Dou King stationed here could be so cautious. Just the faintest trace of his presence had prompted such an organized response. If he had truly acted against them, there was a high chance the news would have leaked.
"Impressive…" The black smoke cast one last glance at the bustling Medicine Sovereign City below, knowing his efforts tonight were in vain. With a slight ripple, he vanished.
One Day Later, a Hidden Cave.
Deep within the cave, two pairs of crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"Han Feng is dead, killed by a young boy…"
The members of the Hall of Souls were deeply frustrated. They knew Han Feng had gathered allies to attack Jia Nan Academy and had created the Black Alliance to protect himself.
However, many who had witnessed the battle were either dead hung on the Tree of Death or in hiding, fleeing from the academy's relentless pursuit. Reconstructing the events of that battle in a short time was nearly impossible.
"It's confirmed that Protector Xuan participated, but we can't identify who his opponent was…"
"All evidence points to Jia Nan Academy. It seems we can't avoid confronting them."
"…"
"In that case, we won't hide any longer!"
"Lure the snake from its hole. While Jia Nan Academy is strong, it has plenty of weaknesses."
"I agree. Let's plan this carefully."
"Very well!"
Jia Nan Academy, Inner Academy.
Purple haired Ziyan trudged out of the Holy Gate, visibly frustrated. She had asked around but learned that Lu Bu had not returned he hadn't even set foot back in the academy.
Not only that, but Senior Sister Nalan, Senior Brother Xiao Yan, and even Hu Jia and Wu Hao had also been frequently absent.
The Holy Gate members had told her it was because they were all preparing for the Strongest Ranking Competition. That's why they were constantly away.
Hearing this explanation, Zi Yan almost clenched her fists, ready to punch someone. If not for the time spent refining her temperament while being with Lu Bu, she probably would have started throwing punches already.
Lu Bu preparing for the Strongest Ranking Competition? That was impossible. He was stronger than she was, and defeating those so called top ranking competitors would be like smacking little kids one punch per person.
"Could he have gone off to refine pills?" Zi Yan thought of a possibility, which seemed quite reasonable. Refining pills for Lu Bu was different from before. Previously, all he needed was a quiet and safe place. If it weren't for concerns about exposing his true strength, he could even have done it in the Inner Academy without issue.
Now that he no longer had to hide his strength, refining pills had become riskier. If he refined pills in the Inner Academy and triggered Pill Lightning, it could very well endanger the other students. Hence, Lu Bu wouldn't choose to refine pills in the academy.
"But how am I supposed to find him in this huge forest?" Zi Yan muttered to herself. Then, with a flip of her ponytail, she decided, Forget it. Let him come find me instead. I'll focus on cultivating now!
Bouncing and hopping, Zi Yan made her way toward the Heavenly Flame Training Tower. The flames there had long been tamed by Lu Bu, leaving her with no sense of dread. She gladly accepted the privilege of using the top floor, a benefit of being ranked first on the Strongest Ranking.
She soon arrived on the sixth floor and entered her exclusive training room. Inserting her crystal card, she activated the dense Heart Flame, which began flowing in, allowing her to refine her Dou Qi.
Heart Flame benefitted everyone. Many students chose to remain at the academy after graduating solely to continue leveraging the Fallen Heart Flame to train. The cultivation speed here was far beyond what their peers could achieve elsewhere.
In the original story, Xiao Yan's second brother had broken through to Dou Wang by swallowing the Devour Life Pill and continued refining his Dou Qi in the Heavenly Flame Training Tower. When the Heart Flame later waned, Xiao Yan sealed a wisp of its core essence in Xiao Li's body, allowing him to continuously enhance his Dou Qi as long as his reserves permitted.
Zi Yan was currently a seven star Dou Wang, just one step behind Lu Bu. While the gap between them didn't seem that large, she couldn't forget that Lu Bu had once been a mere Dou Ling, while she had always been a Dou Wang.
The disparity between them made her feel frustrated. She was determined to train hard and reclaim her position as the stronger one.
But speaking of Lu Bu, what could he be doing right now?
With that question lingering in her mind, Zi Yan slowly immersed herself in cultivation.
In the secret chamber, Medusa, smelling faintly of sweetness, slept soundly with a soft smile on her lips. She appeared utterly content.
Meanwhile, Lu Bu looked far less composed. He was panting, drenched in sweat, his once radiant golden body dimmed and dull. His face was pale, and his eyes were sunken.
"This is bad. How does this woman just keep getting stronger the longer we fight?" Lu Bu shuddered at the thought. Luckily, he had managed to hold on.
Here's what happened…
"Hmph, a little serpent demon nothing but a weakling… Wait, what?"
"Lu Bu, I feel like I still have energy. Shall we keep training?"
"Sure, sure!"
Two hours later.
Lu Bu looked at the fragrant and sweaty Medusa with satisfaction and smiled. "Your Majesty, the Queen, you must be tired by now. Take a good rest…"
"I'm fine. You know I'm an eight star Dou Zong. I don't feel that tired."
"…Oh, is that so? Then… shall we continue?"
"Sure, sure!"
Another two hours later.
Sweating profusely, Lu Bu suggested, "Your Majesty, how about we have some medicinal food? I made plenty for Zi Yan; there should still be some left."
"What could be better than dual cultivation?"
"Uh… this…"
"Come on, Lu Bu, let's keep going. I feel like my strength is improving rapidly. Let's keep the momentum!"
"But we've already been training for four hours…"
"Hehe, don't tell me you can't keep up?"
"Hmph, nonsense! Today, I'll show you what it means to have an indestructible golden body!"
Another two hours later.
A panting Lu Bu wiped the sweat from his face, still feeling a lingering fear.
He had once heard that snakes could mate for an entire day or even several days. Back then, he thought nothing of it. But now… it seemed to be true.
If not for his formidable golden body, he might not have been able to subdue this snake demoness… Ahem. Actually, there was nothing special about Medusa. She was just… alright.
After all, he'd only used his golden body this time. He hadn't even unleashed his Azure Dragon Transformation Technique. Next time, if the Queen dared to challenge him again, he'd ensure she wouldn't leave unscathed!
Suddenly, the chamber began to hum as a colorful glow erupted. Medusa, who had been sleeping soundly on Lu Bu's chest, suddenly shrank, transforming into a small seven colored snake.
The Little Swallowing Python lay limply on Lu Bu's chest. Her eyes barely opened to glance at him before closing again, falling into a deep sleep. Unlike before, she didn't curl up and nuzzle against Lu Bu upon appearing.
Lu Bu stared at the tiny snake resting on his chest, speechless. She could transform sizes at will?
Now both of his partners could change sizes freely?
But come to think of it, Lu Bu realized he'd never seen Zi Yan in her larger form…
"Guess that'll have to wait," Lu Bu muttered to himself.
(Chapter End)
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