Chapter 240: Commander Lu Bu, You're the Outsider!
In the deep, pitch black spatial tunnel, faint silver glimmers occasionally flickered on both sides. The silence was absolute, with no sound to be heard.
Two massive silver white spatial ships raced through the seemingly endless passage. In the depths of one ship, inside a training room, Lu Bu slowly opened his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he stretched lazily, his joints cracking loudly.
Crack, crack, crack!
The crisp sound of joints echoed as Lu Bu exhaled deeply. Clenching his fists, he felt the surging power within his body, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"Not bad. Seven star Dou Huang, and I've advanced four stars in one go…"
In truth, absorbing raw medicinal materials like this was the least efficient way to cultivate. The proper method would have been refining the herbs into pills to maximize the absorption of their medicinal energy.
But that applied to others, not to Lu Bu. With the Devouring Ancient Symbol, the benefits of refining the herbs into pills and directly absorbing them were nearly the same.
For most people, absorbing raw herbs meant enduring immense medicinal power while also dealing with the unprocessed impurities within the plants.
Lu Bu, however, was different. The Devouring Ancient Symbol could refine and purify every aspect of the herbs, converting them into the purest and most easily absorbed energy.
Thanks to this, even though Lu Bu was a high level seventh tier alchemist, his stockpile of herbs was usually scarce. Any herb he got his hands on would soon be devoured and absorbed.
The materials he had collected on his own were far from enough. If not for acquiring Mu Gu's vast fortune this time, Lu Bu's progress would have been much slower.
"Heh, thanks, Mu Gu. As expected of an eighth tier alchemist, you were filthy rich!" Lu Bu chuckled, satisfied. Mu Gu's wealth would continue to sustain him for a long time, at least until he advanced to Dou Zong.
"Looks like we're still in the spatial wormhole…" Extending his senses, Lu Bu realized that the spatial ship was still traveling through the wormhole.
Thanks to cultivating the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art, his Void Ancient Dragon bloodline was highly attuned to spatial forces. Lu Bu could sense that the tunnel's exit was not far off. Another day or two, and they would leave the wormhole.
With so little time left, it wasn't worth diving back into deep cultivation.
"In that case…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin as his consciousness entered Mu Gu's black storage ring. It was time to carefully examine the contents of what was now, without question, his wealth.
Previously, Lu Bu had only done a cursory check of the ring's treasures. Now, with some free time, he decided to thoroughly explore it, hoping to find suitable techniques or Dou Skills.
Mu Gu, who had been an eighth tier alchemist for many years, had refined countless pills and amassed an extraordinary collection of treasures. While his stockpile might not match the quality of Yao Lao's a peak eighth tier alchemist it certainly rivaled it in quantity.
Whoosh!
A silver white, slightly translucent scroll appeared in Lu Bu's hand. The cover bore three ancient, simple characters: Dissolving Energy Mist.
This was a type of poison, as its name suggested, designed to dissolve a person's Dou Qi, rendering them powerless. The poison had two main applications:
The first was brute force injecting it directly into the target's body to dissolve their Dou Qi. This process would take some time, depending on the skill of the poisoner.
The second was stealthy, gradually dissipating the target's Dou Qi without them noticing, similar to how Yao Lao had absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi in the past. This would leave the victim in a state of panic as their power mysteriously waned.
Of course, since it was a poison, it also came with an antidote. Mu Gu hadn't just developed the poison he had also perfected the accompanying antidote.
"What a treasure!" Lu Bu exclaimed. This poison would undoubtedly be highly effective in Xiao Yi Xian's hands. Truly a gem!
"Heh, let's keep looking!" Lu Bu grinned, diving deeper into his treasure hunt.
After a thorough search, however, Lu Bu didn't find the heavenly tier techniques or Dou Skills he had hoped for. The highest level of techniques in Mu Gu's collection was only earth tier high grade.
Though impressive, such techniques weren't rare for Lu Bu.
His arsenal already included the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art, the Emperor Seal Technique, and the Heavenly Underworld Shura Hand from the Lion Underworld Sect all superior to earth tier high grade skills.
Still, while he didn't uncover the heavenly tier treasures he sought, Lu Bu did find a wealth of poisons. Some were developed by Mu Gu himself, while others were payment from those who had hired him for alchemy.
"Not bad… These will be perfect for Xiao Yi Xian." Lu Bu nodded. While slightly disappointed, he wasn't entirely dissatisfied. At least he had plenty of pills and herbs for his own use, though he still lamented the lack of major treasures like heavenly tier techniques.
"Attention, everyone! The spatial ship is about to exit the wormhole!"
A deep voice echoed throughout the ship it was Lin Lao.
"So soon?" Lu Bu was surprised. Immersed in his treasure hunt, it had felt like only a moment had passed, yet two full days had gone by.
"Treasure really is mesmerizing…" Lu Bu chuckled, quickly dismantling the formations he had set up. He then walked out of the room at a leisurely pace.
Meanwhile, the Black Abyss soldiers were also wrapping up their cultivation. Leading their Four Winged Unicorns, they prepared to disembark.
In the distance, an enormous silver vortex came into view. Beyond it lay lush, verdant forests.
"It's time to disembark!" Lin Lao's voice called as the spatial ship slowed to a stop. With light laughter, the Black Abyss soldiers mounted their Four Winged Unicorns and urged them forward. The beasts neighed sharply, carrying their riders out of the wormhole.
Whoosh!
Riding his Four Winged Unicorn into the open air, Lu Bu immediately felt the rich, abundant spiritual energy of the heavens and earth filling his senses. It was so thick that it almost compelled him to begin cultivating on the spot.
"No wonder people look down on the Northwest Continent…" Lu Bu muttered, his lips twitching. Compared to the Central Plains, the spiritual energy in the Northwest was indeed pitifully scarce.
"Heh, Brother Lu Bu, don't say that," Yang Hao said, flying up beside him on his own unicorn. "This is the territory of the Medicine Clan. They've been cultivating this land for centuries it's no wonder it's so extraordinary."
"Oh?" Lu Bu's expression shifted to one of surprise. "This is Medicine Clan territory?"
He recalled that the Medicine Clan resided near the Shennong Mountain Range on the southern border of the Central Plains. How had their influence reached the southwestern region?
"Indeed," Yang Hao confirmed. "The Medicine Clan needs vast lands to cultivate medicinal herbs, so they control an extensive amount of territory…"
At this moment, Ling Quan flew over on his unicorn, his expression serious. "The Medicine Clan is known for their peculiar temperaments and unreasonable behavior. Brother Lu, if possible, it's best not to provoke them."
"What? Someone dares to act high and mighty in front of you? How domineering!" Lu Bu exclaimed in mock surprise. After all, they were members of the Gu Clan!
"They're not domineering, just extremely unreasonable…" Yang Hao muttered, his face darkening. Clearly, he didn't have a favorable impression of the Medicine Clan.
Lu Bu raised an eyebrow. "And you guys just put up with it?"
"They're alchemists. A little tolerance is a small price to pay," Ling Quan said with a helpless shrug. While the Gu Clan had their own alchemists, the Medicine Clan's expertise in pill refinement and their mastery of ancient recipes far surpassed most others.
Tolerating their minor quirks wasn't entirely unreasonable. After all, in this world, everything came with a price.
Lu Bu stroked his chin, his gaze flickering as he thought of the Medicine Clan's annihilation battle years into the future. There was significant potential in that event a chance to not only advance his strength but also severely wound Void Swallowing Flame and the Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan, potentially crippling the Heaven Devouring Emperor's ambitions.
On second thought... better focus on breaking through to Dou Zong first!
Lu Bu rolled his eyes. For now, he decided to humor the Black Abyss Troops for a while. Once Xiao Xun'er delivered the Earth Spirit Marrow, he would leave.
"Let's move! Time to regroup with the Grand Commander and the others!" Yang Hao laughed heartily, giving his Four Winged Unicorn a gentle pat. The intelligent beast neighed and flapped its wings, soaring swiftly into the air toward the distant horizon.
Lu Bu shrugged and followed. He didn't know the way, so sticking with the group was his best option.
Behind him, the rest of the Black Abyss Troops trailed in formation, while Lin Lao and Guan Lao, the two Dou Zongs, had once again vanished without a trace.
In the Forest: A Clearing
At the center of the clearing stood numerous stone houses constructed with Dou Qi energy. A pair of patrolling soldiers clad in purple black armor, armed with spears, were vigilantly making their rounds around the camp.
Suddenly, a streak of light shot across the sky, and a jade slip flew into the central stone house, landing in someone's palm.
The person holding the jade slip had a stern face, with a lock of black and white hair gently swaying over his forehead. His entire body radiated a chilling aura that could freeze anyone in his presence, even from a distance.
"Reinforcements have arrived," Gu Yao said coldly, handing the jade slip to the Second Commander, Gu Zhen, who stood at his side. "Xun'er, Yang Hao, and Ling Quan are on their way."
Gu Zhen took the jade slip, his spirit energy sweeping through it to examine the information. A moment later, he raised his head, chuckling. "Not just them. There's also a new recruit an Eighth Commander."
On another chair, Gu Luan's eyes lit up. "Lu Bu is coming?"
"Eighth Commander…" Lin Xiu, another Black Abyss Commander, looked confused. "When did we get an Eighth Commander?"
Gu Yao's indifferent gaze swept across them. He didn't bother explaining further. It was likely another genius who had recently emerged from the clan. That wasn't unusual. In the Black Abyss Troops, positions were earned through merit those with ability rose, while the weak were replaced. Whoever was capable would secure higher ranks and more resources for cultivation.
"Fifth Commander, do you know this Eighth Commander?" Lin Xiu asked Gu Luan curiously.
Earlier, Gu Luan's gleaming eyes had been hard to miss.
"Well… I've met him before," Gu Luan hesitated, preparing to explain. But before he could, another streak of light arrived, landing in Gu Yao's hand. It was another jade slip.
"Hm?" As soon as he grasped the jade slip, Gu Yao's brow arched slightly, and his icy face showed a rare trace of interest.
"Heh… interesting. This Eighth Commander isn't from the clan. He was recruited by Xun'er at Jia Nan Academy."
At this, Lin Xiu's eyes glinted coldly. Jia Nan Academy? Recruited by Miss Xun'er? Could it be… that Xiao Yan?
Many of them still remembered the aftermath of Yang Hao and Ling Quan's trip to the Northwest Continent. Their opinions of Xiao Yan were far from favorable apparently, the man had no sense of propriety and dared to harbor inappropriate feelings for Xun'er.
Gu Luan and Gu Zhen exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with mischief. They recalled their time in the Black Corner Region, where Lu Bu had menacingly demanded they relay a message to Xun'er: If she didn't deliver what he wanted, he'd send Xiao Yan's "parts" as a gift.
Unfortunately, neither Gu Luan nor Gu Zhen had dared to witness Xun'er's reaction to that particular message. They had delivered it to Qingyang Dou Tong and then promptly left to avoid any fallout.
Now, however… the prospect of seeing what would unfold was too tempting. They were genuinely curious about the strength of the Void Ancient Dragon bloodline.
"Prepare the camp to welcome our reinforcements," Gu Yao ordered, gesturing toward another commander. "Shen Song, expand the camp and set up additional stone houses."
"Lin Xiu, send a message to the clan and head to the spatial wormhole. Arrange provisions for the two new troops joining us."
"Yes, Grand Commander!" the two replied in unison.
"As for the rest, remain on standby and await the reinforcements," Gu Yao added nonchalantly, as if he cared little about Lu Bu's arrival.
However, the faint cold mist rising from the armrest of his chair suggested otherwise.
Two Days Later
The sound of rushing wind filled the air as a distinct aura belonging to Four Winged Unicorns approached. Gu Yao and the other commanders instantly recognized who was arriving.
Without hesitation, Gu Yao, Gu Zhen, and the other three commanders mounted their own Four Winged Unicorns and soared into the sky to greet them.
Initially, their purpose was to welcome Xun'er. However, as their gazes shifted to the front of the formation, all five commanders' eyes locked onto one particular figure leading the Black Abyss Troops.
Even from a distance, five formidable Dou Zong auras surged forward, crashing toward Lu Bu like a tidal wave. The intensity of their "warm" welcome was unmistakable.
"Tsk… This doesn't look friendly," Lu Bu muttered, raising an eyebrow.
What's Gu Yao's problem? Did I offend him somehow? Or does he just dislike newcomers?
"Hey, Commander Lu Bu, you're the outsider here," Yang Hao teased, pulling back on his reins with a mischievous grin.
"Lu Bu, watch out," Ling Quan added, riding up alongside him. "Big Brother Gu Yao isn't someone to take lightly. While his bloodline may not be as pure as Xun'er's, his strength is at the peak of Dou Zong. His Dou Qi is every bit as powerful as hers."
"Gu Yao, be courteous to my guest," Xun'er's calm voice suddenly rang out, carrying a clear warning despite its soft tone.
Lu Bu turned his head sharply to glare at her. This woman! Trying to stir up trouble? How devious!
Ling Quan and Yang Hao exchanged a glance, a shared glint of amusement in their eyes. They couldn't help but chuckle so, Miss Xun'er shared their sentiment after all. Well, fair enough, considering even she had once been on the receiving end of Lu Bu's fists.
This was going to be entertaining.
As if on cue, a bone chilling aura began to rise the moment Xun'er's voice faded.
(End of Chapter)
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