Chapter 216: No, You're Right on Time!
In the mountainous region surrounding Tian Poison City, a former royal hunting ground of the Izumo Empire, now claimed by the Poison Sect, a scene of eerie beauty unfolded.
Deep within the mountain range, nestled among dense stone forests, toxic herbs and poisonous flowers thrived. Even a Dou Emperor would struggle to survive in this perilous environment. The strange rocks were alive with colorful poisonous snakes, their vibrant patterns dazzling yet deadly.
At the heart of this stone forest lay a black obsidian path. At its end stood a pool formed by four serpent head fountains, each spewing thick black liquid. The pool's water was inky and ominous, with faint mists curling above it, carrying a faintly pungent smell.
Sitting naked in the center of the pool, Lu Bu's body was marked with ominous black patterns, giving him an unsettling, terrifying appearance.
Xiao Yi Xian stood at the edge of the pool, her gaze fixed on Lu Bu's closed eyes. She sighed softly, the complex emotions swirling in her heart weighing heavily on her. Despite her efforts to distance herself from him for his safety, it seemed fate had brought her back to his side. She resolved to be careful avoiding direct contact with him and ensuring he wouldn't be poisoned.
Her eyes lingered on Lu Bu's peaceful face as she hesitated, then decided he wouldn't wake soon. Breathing deeply to steady her emotions, her slender fingers trembled slightly as they reached for her waist, undoing her robe.
As her white dress fell away, a figure of porcelain like ivory, delicate and shapely, was revealed to the air. Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she calmed her erratic thoughts and slid into the dark pool, the black liquid splashing faintly as she entered.
But then…
Splash!
The inky water erupted, splattering Lu Bu's face. When he wiped the droplets from his eyes, Xiao Yi Xian was already submerged in the pool with him, her face flaming with embarrassment.
Because of the thick, murky water, Lu Bu couldn't see much. He sighed dramatically and muttered, "What a shame…"
"Y you… why are you like this?!" Xiao Yi Xian stammered, her face burning with indignation as she splashed at the water.
"What did I do?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, his tone suddenly serious. "Do you think I, Lu Bu, am the kind of man who takes advantage of others? Am I "
"Alright, alright, you said the same thing the first time we met!" Xiao Yi Xian interrupted, exasperated. Memories of their first meeting flooded her mind, and her chest, which still faintly ached from that day, felt heavy.
"Then why do you keep avoiding me?" Lu Bu's tone softened, his words probing.
"I… I…" Xiao Yi Xian's expression dimmed. After parting ways with Lu Bu in that small valley years ago, her Woeful Poison Body had only brought death to anyone who approached her. She had no choice but to keep her distance.
Lu Bu's lips twitched in understanding. Her situation reminded him of Rogue from the X Men. Except, Xiao Yi Xian's condition was far worse her toxic body didn't just injure; it killed mercilessly, leaving victims writhing in agony before their ultimate demise.
Her voice grew distant as she recounted her lonely years, her tone tinged with sorrow. Viewed as a harbinger of misfortune, she was relentlessly hunted, forcing her to fight back and kill until she carved out her position as the Poison Mistress and leader of the Poison Sect.
"You've had it rough these past few years," Lu Bu said softly, his heart aching for her.
"It wasn't all bad…" Xiao Yi Xian managed a faint smile. "I'm still alive, and I still have ah!"
Before she could finish, Lu Bu grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.
"Tsk… Xiao Yi Xian, your figure hasn't changed a bit…" Lu Bu teased, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, his mischievous grin showing.
"Let me go! Don't touch me! You'll be poisoned!" Xiao Yi Xian cried out in panic, struggling to push him away. But fearing her poisonous touch, she could only flail helplessly, splashing water everywhere.
"Relax. Do I look like I've been poisoned?" Lu Bu said with a sly smile.
Startled, Xiao Yi Xian looked closer. His palm, which was holding her wrist, was indeed tinged with a grayish purple hue from the poison. Yet, faint glimmers of an invisible radiance hovered over his skin, sealing the poison completely, preventing it from spreading.
Moments later, a soft blue green flame ignited beneath his skin, and in an instant, all traces of poison vanished.
"This… Is this… Heavenly Flame?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, wide eyed in astonishment.
"Indeed," Lu Bu replied, his left hand gently caressing her waist as he spoke. His face, however, was solemn. "Ever since we parted, I've been searching for a way to resolve your Woeful Poison Body. I've always hoped to help you live a normal life again."
"That's impossible…" Xiao Yi Xian whispered, her voice filled with despair. "I've tried everything. There's no cure."
"It may not be curable, but it can be controlled," Lu Bu said firmly. Reaching into his storage ring, he produced a gray scroll, which he placed in front of her. "This is the method. It was created by an alchemist on the cusp of reaching the ninth tier, specifically to help a friend with the same condition as yours."
Xiao Yi Xian's pale face filled with hope as she read the scroll. Her hands trembled, and her gray purple eyes shimmered with emotion. But as her gaze traveled downward, her heart sank.
"Three ingredients are required to refine the poison pill: three Heavenly Flames, Bodhi Transforming Saliva, and the magic core of a seventh tier Scorpio Venom Dragon Beast."
"This… it's impossible to gather all of this," she murmured bitterly.
"Don't worry," Lu Bu said, his voice calm as he stroked her silken white hair. "I already have two Heavenly Flames."
Raising his left hand, two flames emerged: one vibrant blue green and the other an invisible yet fiercely scorching flame.
"And as for the third Heavenly Flame, I already know where to find it. I just need to grow a little stronger, and I'll retrieve it for you."
For the first time in years, a spark of hope reignited in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes.
"How… how did you manage to contain two flames within your body?" Xiao Yi Xian asked worriedly. She had once trained in fire attribute Dou Qi, but after unlocking the Woeful Poison Body, she had shifted to poison based Dou Qi. Over the years, she had gained enough knowledge to know that two Heavenly Flames couldn't coexist peacefully within a single body.
"I haven't contained them together. I've sealed one of the flames within my body," Lu Bu replied, waving his hand to reveal the invisible fire seal in his palm. He smiled faintly. "I know your condition, so over the years, I've been keeping an eye out for Heavenly Flames."
Xiao Yi Xian didn't notice that a faint wisp of gray purple poison gas had started creeping up Lu Bu's arm.
"You… how much hardship did you endure to gather those flames?" Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip, her beautiful eyes misting with emotion.
"Not much at all!" Lu Bu shook his head and said casually, "I only had to dive into magma twice, and both times, I managed to find Heavenly Flames. Pretty lucky, don't you think?"
"Lu Bu…" Xiao Yi Xian whispered, her voice trembling. She didn't know how to repay such kindness and effort.
"So now, there's one more thing to do seal your poison aura to delay its outbreak." Lu Bu chuckled and added, "Let's get that done."
"How… how will you seal it? How do you even know how to do that?" Xiao Yi Xian felt light headed, overwhelmed by the constant surprises.
"Hehe, I met an elder who had a friend with the Woeful Poison Body. He spent years developing a sealing technique to save his friend," Lu Bu explained.
And why had Lu Bu saved the Heavenly Flame Elder back then? Part of the reason was for the Fallen Heart Flame, but another crucial reason was learning this very sealing technique, called the "Heavenly Flame Seal."
"Xiao Yi Xian, this sealing method requires you to remove all your clothes. I'll need to carry you out of the pool first…" Lu Bu smirked mischievously, quickly adjusting his expression to appear serious, though his lips threatened to curve upward again.
"Do… do as you please…" Xiao Yi Xian's voice was barely audible, and her face flushed bright red. This rascal hadn't changed at all still as shameless as ever!
On the shore, Lu Bu gently laid Xiao Yi Xian on the ground. Igniting the Green Lotus Core Flame at his fingertips, he carefully placed it on the Tanzhong acupoint on her chest. He began tracing a complex seal over her flawless, porcelain like skin, meticulously drawing the array that would hold her poison at bay.
Xiao Yi Xian covered her eyes with her hands, but through her fingers, she peeked at Lu Bu, her gaze shimmering like ripples on water.
"Heavenly Flame Seal activate!"
Lu Bu's low voice echoed, and his palm pressed firmly against Xiao Yi Xian's flat abdomen. In an instant, her fair, jade like body emitted a soft green glow. The faint, lingering poisonous stench around her vanished entirely, and her skin took on a healthier, rosier hue.
A look of joy flashed across Xiao Yi Xian's face. She could clearly feel that the poisonous aura surrounding her had been completely sealed. It would no longer harm others, and her Dou Qi remained unaffected. Her strength was still intact.
Thud!
Suddenly, Lu Bu toppled over, collapsing to the ground, his face tinged with a gray purple hue. "I… feel dizzy…"
"No! Poison has entered his body!" Xiao Yi Xian's expression changed drastically. Realizing it must have happened when he held her earlier, she threw all embarrassment aside. Lowering her head, she leaned over him.
Lu Bu didn't feel much. All he noticed was a sudden warmth on his lips before he blacked out entirely. If he were conscious, he might've thought: Hmm… feels soft and smooth.
When Lu Bu finally regained consciousness, the first thing he noticed was Xiao Yi Xian sitting nearby, now fully dressed. Her white gown fluttered gently, making her look like a pristine lotus untouched by the mud.
"Uh… what happened?" Lu Bu muttered, rubbing his temples in confusion. He quickly realized his head was resting on Xiao Yi Xian's smooth, rounded thighs.
"You're fine now. The poison entered your body, but I've expelled it. I also took the opportunity to seal the Demon Poison Spot," Xiao Yi Xian replied, casting him a reproachful glare.
She had brought Lu Bu here with the original intention of helping him seal the Demon Poison Spot. But somehow, everything had gone off track, and it wasn't until Lu Bu passed out that she remembered her purpose. She couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated.
"Alright, let's head back to the Jia Ma Empire," Lu Bu said, standing up and casually taking Xiao Yi Xian's hand in his.
"You… you and Queen Medusa… and me… both…?" Xiao Yi Xian stammered hesitantly. She clearly remembered Medusa's furious reaction when she learned about the insidious nature of the Demon Poison Spot, which made her want to grind Scorpion Bi Yan's bones to dust.
"Yep, exactly what you're thinking," Lu Bu said with a bright smile.
"Scoundrel! Shameless philanderer!" Xiao Yi Xian huffed, stomping on Lu Bu's foot before turning to leave the stone forest.
"Hey, if you'd just come with me in the first place, none of this would've happened!"
"Shut up! If you dare find another 'sister,' I'll poison you so badly you'll end up as a crooked, pockmarked monster!"
"Eh? Haven't you already poisoned me? Otherwise, how could I be so hopelessly in love with you?"
"…"
…
In a room within the Black Mountain Fortress, Yun Yun stood quietly by the window. Her flowing dress swayed gently as she gazed at the distant, lush mountain forest. Beyond it, the deafening sounds of battle echoed like a storm.
Whoosh!
A figure appeared behind her. Feeling his presence, Yun Yun slowly turned around to see the person she had been longing for.
"Yun Yun, haha! I've missed you so much!" Lu Bu opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Yun Yun's cheeks flushed, shy at being addressed so intimately. But she didn't resist, letting him hold her.
Her soft, delicate body nestled in his arms, and the familiar fragrance filled his senses. Lu Bu couldn't help but take a few more greedy breaths.
"You missed me? Hmph! Then why did you bring home so many 'little sisters'?" Yun Yun huffed, her tone slightly sour as she pinched his cheek.
"Uh… did the Queen tell you everything?" Lu Bu asked awkwardly.
"She did! She even mentioned your dual cultivation! And… and about you and Zi Yan! How could you… Zi Yan is so adorable, and you…"
Lu Bu rolled his eyes. Yes, yes, an adorable little dragon who's several thousand years old.
"Where are they?" Lu Bu coughed, eager to change the subject.
"Medusa returned to the Serpent Tribe, and Zi Yan went off to fight," Yun Yun replied, seeing through his diversion but choosing not to press him.
"Yun Yun, speaking of dual cultivation, let me show you this technique…" Lu Bu grinned as he pulled out a jade scroll and handed it to her.
Yun Yun's face flushed, but after a moment of hesitation, she took the scroll. If Medusa had it, she wanted it too.
As she leaned against Lu Bu's chest, she began reading the scroll.
Whoosh!
A white shadow appeared at the doorway it was Xiao Yi Xian.
"Lu Bu, I… Oh, I'm sorry. I came at a bad time," she said, pausing mid sentence when she saw the two of them together. She instinctively stepped back.
"No, you're right on time!" Lu Bu smiled warmly, extending a hand toward her.
Yun Yun looked curiously at the elegant and powerful Xiao Yi Xian.
Xiao Yi Xian hesitated but quickly composed herself. She couldn't afford to falter now. Steeling herself, she stepped forward and leaned into Lu Bu's embrace.
"Yun Yun and I were just reviewing this dual cultivation technique. Now that you're here…" Lu Bu teased with a grin.
Xiao Yi Xian's body stiffened, and she cast him a sidelong glare. She really had come at just the "right" time.
(End of Chapter)
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