Chapter 242: Azure Dragon Sky Throne Seal!
"I see now… no wonder you're so arrogant!" Gu Yao's voice was low and grave. The might of the Taixu Ancient Dragon was renowned across the entire Dou Qi Continent, respected and feared by all, even by the ancient clans.
On the other side, Xiao Xun'er narrowed her eyes slightly. She actually knew that Lu Bu was human and not a Taixu Ancient Dragon. Although his aura was almost identical to that of a Taixu Ancient Dragon, Xiao Xun'er, who had investigated Lu Bu's origins, was clear that Lu Bu himself was human, not a magical beast.
Her earlier suggestion to pull Lu Bu into the fight against the Soul Clan and tie the Ancient Dragon Clan to the war chariot was just a convenient excuse. At that moment, she was simply annoyed. How could she let Lu Bu, that rascal, beat up both herself and the rest of the Black Armored Army, only to pat himself off and walk away as if nothing had happened?
However, even though Lu Bu wasn't a true Taixu Ancient Dragon, the fact that he bore such a resemblance suggested a close relationship with the Ancient Dragon Clan. If this could be used to forge ties with the clan, it would be worthwhile.
But who would have thought this bastard was completely immune to favors? He even used Xiao Yan as leverage to threaten her! Outrageous!
Perhaps this was why Xiao Xun'er, like Yang Hao and Ling Quan, had let Gu Yao and Lu Bu clash it was an opportunity to teach that rascal a lesson.
Poor Gu Yao, though. Little did he know he had become a mere tool in the schemes of his goddess. A loyal dog chasing something he could never have.
Oh, wait. Xiao Xun'er herself was Xiao Yan's loyal admirer. Sometimes, loyal devotion could indeed yield everything.
"Don't flatter me your Gu Clan isn't bad either," Lu Bu said with a chuckle. "I'm referring to your arrogance and unruliness."
The battle raged on. Not only were Lu Bu and Gu Yao fiercely clashing physically, but their verbal exchanges were equally sharp.
Hearing Lu Bu's mocking words, Gu Yao's already icy expression turned even colder. White frost swirled violently around him, and his hair, lifted by the frosty air, whipped about chaotically.
Boom!
A fierce aura spiraled upward, sending chills rippling through the air. In the skies, sparkling ice crystals shimmered as they fell, the frigid energy freezing moisture in the air and forcing even the onlooking Black Armored Army soldiers to retreat further.
"Peak Dou Zong…" Lu Bu narrowed his eyes slightly. Impressive. As expected of one with Dou Emperor bloodlines, Gu Yao was likely only two or three years older than Lu Bu, yet his cultivation was an entire major realm higher.
It seemed Xiao Xun'er might possess the strongest bloodline within the younger generation of the Gu Clan, but in terms of pure strength and cultivation, she wasn't necessarily the strongest among them.
"Lu Bu, this time I'll be going all out. Don't die too quickly," Gu Yao's cold voice echoed through the frosty mist that swirled around him. The overwhelming killing intent and bone chilling frost pressed toward Lu Bu like a suffocating wave.
"Wow, truly terrifying, as expected of a Gu Clan genius!" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, his body suddenly glowing with a faint violet golden hue as a low dragon roar reverberated through the air.
In an instant, Lu Bu's figure transformed. His body was now covered in dark gold scales, and his already tall frame grew even larger and more muscular. His arms swelled with explosive power, with sharp claws extending from his fingers capable of tearing through mountains and splitting boulders with ease.
The onlooking Black Armored soldiers felt an invisible pressure wash over them. Their Dou Qi slowed involuntarily under the weight of the invisible force radiating from Lu Bu.
Gu Yao's pupils contracted slightly as an immense dragon aura pressed against his chest like a mountain. As expected of the Taixu Ancient Dragon.
"Come! Let me see if your Ancient Dragon heritage is as formidable as they say!" Gu Yao growled, his fingers curling into claws as a sinister frost energy condensed at his fingertips.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, Gu Yao's body shot forward like a streak of light, his claw, cloaked in violent frost energy, slashing mercilessly toward Lu Bu's throat.
Heavenly Evil Fragmentation Claw!
A high level Dou Technique of the Earth Tier. Yang Hao had once used it, but his execution of the Heavenly Evil Fragmentation Claw couldn't compare to Gu Yao's mastery.
The claw radiated a savage, freezing force sharp enough to penetrate the toughest defenses. Even the most resilient magical beast would think twice about taking it head on.
Lu Bu's eyes gleamed coldly. Dark gold energy surged through his arms as his entire body exuded explosive power. In one step, Lu Bu's figure blurred, as if crossing space, and he appeared directly in front of Gu Yao.
With his dragon claw raised, he swiped downward in an explosive arc.
Clang!
The sharp sound of metal clashing echoed through the air as the two claws collided, sending waves of razor sharp wind rippling outward.
Gold light flickered around Lu Bu's arm as he resisted the chilling energy radiating from Gu Yao. Then, his eyes narrowed as he twisted his waist.
Boom!
A dark gold dragon leg streaked through the air like a whip, accompanied by a deafening sonic boom.
Gu Yao's expression shifted as he sensed the immense power packed into the incoming strike. This was not an attack he could take lightly.
Quickly clenching his fist, frost energy surged along Gu Yao's arm, forming a crystalline layer of ice that encased it. He swung his frosted claw at the incoming dragon leg.
Bang!
The frosted claw met Lu Bu's dragon leg, and a shockwave of frost and gold energy exploded outward, spreading in all directions.
Lu Bu's eyes flickered with violet golden light as ancient dragon patterns danced in his pupils. With a sudden roar, he clenched both fists, unleashing a flurry of dragon punches.
In an instant, the sky was filled with heavy fist shadows, descending upon Gu Yao like a violent storm.
Gu Yao's face tensed as he inhaled deeply. White crystalline frost engulfed his arms as sharp frost energy condensed at his fingertips.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
With a sharp cry, Gu Yao began a furious counterattack. His hands moved like a blur, sending waves of frosted claw strikes to meet the oncoming storm of dragon fists.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rocked the battlefield as frost and dragon energy collided repeatedly. Sharp gusts of wind and violent energy surged across the sky, tearing small rifts in the void that flickered in and out of existence with eerie precision.
The Black Armored Army soldiers watching the battle couldn't help but look surprised. The eighth commander, Lu Bu, was actually able to rely on his physical strength to contend with the commander in chief, Gu Yao, who was using an Earth tier advanced Dou Technique. This was astonishing considering Gu Yao was at the peak of the Dou Zong realm, while Lu Bu appeared to be only a Dou Huang. Was the Taixu Ancient Dragon's body truly this terrifying?
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted in the sky. Following their violent clash, the two figures were sent flying backward. Gu Yao's aura weakened slightly but he remained unharmed. Lu Bu, however, now had a few faint blood marks on his fist.
"Your physical body is indeed formidable, but... if this is all you've got, then it's far from enough!" Gu Yao bellowed, his hands suddenly clasping together. A chilling white light surged in his palms as his hand seals flashed rapidly.
"Mountain Splitting Seal! Ocean Flipping Seal! Earth Crushing Seal! Heaven Burying Seal!"
"Four Seal Fusion!"
Four shocking white seals, each radiating terrifying energy fluctuations, were released in succession. In an instant, they merged into a single seal of overwhelming power.
"Empyrean Seal Art: Five Seals in One!"
Although Gu Yao had yet to achieve the full five seal fusion, the four seal version was still a force to be reckoned with. In the original story, Xiao Yan had relied on this very move to withstand the Heaven tier Dou Technique, Great Creation Palm.
Lu Bu's eyes glinted sharply as his hands began forming seals of his own.
"Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations! First Transformation! Second Transformation!"
In an instant, a cyan flame and an invisible fire erupted around him. Lu Bu's aura surged dramatically, climbing to the peak of the Dou Huang level, faintly approaching the barrier between Dou Huang and Dou Zong.
"The eighth commander is really only a Dou Huang?"
"That's the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations created by Xiao Xuan!"
Exclamations broke out one after another. Gu Zhen and Gu Luan, having brought back information from Lu Bu during their trip to the Northwest Continent, had already spread his abilities across the clan. The Gu Clan still held immense reverence for the legendary Xiao Xuan, though this respect had little to do with the Xiao Clan as a whole.
Hmph!
Sensing Lu Bu's rapidly rising aura, Gu Yao let out a cold snort. His wrist twisted violently, and he slammed his palm forward. The terrifying four seal fusion surged forth, the white crystal seal roaring toward Lu Bu with earth shattering momentum.
The incoming force generated a terrifying wind pressure. The pale crystal seal swelled in size as it barreled forward, resembling a massive stone weighing thousands of tons as it crushed down mercilessly.
Gu Yao, who was battle hardened, would never allow an opponent to finish activating a secret technique and form their Dou Technique without interference.
"Bring it on!" Lu Bu's eyes gleamed sharply as he stepped forward. The overwhelming dragon aura around him shifted suddenly, and a powerful killing intent erupted from his body.
"Heavenly Underworld Shura Hand!"
Lu Bu roared, and a thick white mist surged and condensed around his right arm. With a single step, the mist transformed into a massive spectral hand tens of meters long, slamming into the oncoming crystal seal.
"What a powerful killing intent!"
"Is that... the Heavenly Underworld Shura Hand from the Heavenly Underworld Sect in Central Plains?"
"And it's displaying this level of power?"
"Idiot! The power of a Dou Technique depends on the user. Do you think Gu Yao's Heavenly Evil Fragmentation Claw is comparable to Yang Hao's?"
"What the hell? What does this have to do with me!?"
The Black Armored Army commanders whispered among themselves, thoroughly enjoying the show. If it weren't for the fact that drinking was prohibited in the army, these guys might've cracked open some wine by now. After all, watching either the eighth commander or the commander in chief get beaten up was a rare treat.
Boom!
The massive spectral hand collided fiercely with the crystal seal like meteors clashing. The killing intent and the bone piercing chill burst outward in waves, creating a white energy ripple that erupted with violent force.
The weaker soldiers of the Black Armored Army were forced to retreat even further to avoid being caught in the aftermath of the terrifying battle.
Watching the two powerful Dou Techniques dissipate simultaneously, Lu Bu raised an eyebrow. "Gu Yao, is that your so called ultimate move...?"
Rumble!
Before he could finish speaking, thunder like rumblings echoed across the sky. Deep black clouds surged and roiled, blanketing the heavens as fierce winds howled. The swirling energy of heaven and earth became visible to the naked eye, forming a massive vortex that revolved rapidly, with Gu Yao standing at its center.
At the same time, an aura of extinction, as if from the depths of the Nine Netherworlds, began to emanate. It was cold, desolate, and suffused with the intent to annihilate all life.
"Great Annihilation Art!"
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized this scene it was all too familiar. He had witnessed it a month ago.
"Lu Bu, this is my real trump card!" Gu Yao's calm voice echoed from within the black clouds. In the next instant, the howling winds stopped abruptly, and the clouds coalesced, their terrifying energy surging continuously.
"Great Annihilation Finger!"
Gu Yao roared. A dark gray beam of light suddenly shot out from the black clouds. The beam radiated an overwhelming aura of annihilation, leaving a pitch black spatial rift as it tore through the void.
It was important to note that while Dou Zong experts could manipulate spatial forces, truly tearing space apart was a feat only Dou Zun experts could achieve.
Lu Bu's expression grew serious. The power of Gu Yao's technique far exceeded that of Xiao Xun'er's earlier attempt. Clearly, Gu Yao had spent far more time honing this Dou Technique.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Bu clasped his hands together, and dazzling violet golden light erupted from his body. A massive ancient dragon shadow emerged, coiling protectively around him.
"Immovable Azure Dragon Bell!"
Dark golden light surged outward, solidifying into an enormous ancient dragon bell. The bell was covered with intricate, tiny dark golden scales, and a faint dragon roar echoed from it. A heavy, majestic aura spread in all directions.
"What terrifying defense!"
The Black Armored Army soldiers looked on with awe, unable to hide their amazement. If it were them, they doubted they could even scratch this impregnable defense, no matter how hard they tried.
Xiao Xun'er bit her lip slightly. She had been defeated by this very technique before. She wondered if Gu Yao's Great Annihilation Finger could break through the dragon bell's defense.
Dong!
The dark gray beam of light tore through the void and slammed heavily into the dark golden dragon bell under everyone's watchful gaze.
Immediately, a deep, resounding bell chime rang out, like the tolling of a giant gong, reverberating in everyone's hearts.
The next moment, however, violent sound waves and energy shockwaves erupted like razor sharp blades, sweeping out in all directions.
"Retreat!"
The commanders of the Black Armored Army narrowed their eyes and shouted toward the soldiers watching the battle behind them. At the same time, their Dou Qi surged, forming protective barriers to shield themselves and their four winged unicorns.
Boom!
The sound waves swept out, transforming into a destructive energy storm that roared into the sky.
The soldiers of the Black Armored Army stared at the place where the dark gray and dark golden energies intertwined, their emotions mixed with tension. They wanted to see the Great Annihilation Finger destroy the dragon bell, but they also wanted to see the dragon bell withstand the Great Annihilation Finger.
In short, they wanted everything.
Boom!
The violent energy storm exploded. In the next moment, both the dark gray beam of light and the dark golden dragon bell were extinguished simultaneously, canceling each other out perfectly, with no winner or loser!
As the storm dissipated, it revealed Lu Bu, his face somewhat pale. At this moment, the dragon scales on his body had dimmed, and his aura had weakened significantly.
However, in the sky above, Gu Yao didn't fare much better. His face was equally pale, and his aura was just as feeble. The strain from performing a Heaven tier Dou Technique wasn't something one could endure lightly.
"Impressive," Gu Yao said in a low voice. "To battle me to this extent while still at the Dou Huang level among all the Dou Huangs I've encountered, you're the strongest."
"But… you're still far from enough. The foundation of the Gu Clan isn't something you can comprehend!"
Rumble!
The energy of heaven and earth suddenly roared to life, condensing into tangible streams that surged into Gu Yao's body.
Heaven tier cultivation technique!
This was the foundation Gu Yao spoke of. He had no intention of stopping. Since Lu Bu dared to challenge him, he had to pay the price. Otherwise, who wouldn't challenge him? How could he maintain his authority as the commander in chief?
As the Heaven tier cultivation technique operated, Gu Yao's previously weakened aura gradually grew more powerful and robust. "Lu Bu, surrender now!"
"You've already lost. I've cultivated nothing but the true heritage of the Gu Clan. My foundation is far beyond your reach!"
"…"
Lu Bu's expression turned peculiar. He indeed didn't have a Heaven tier cultivation technique, nor could he plunder the energy of heaven and earth as violently as Gu Yao.
But… he was an alchemist.
When it came to heritage, Lu Bu was indeed inferior, but this wasn't a contest of heritage. It was clearly a contest of wealth!
"Well, since Gu Yao wants to play, I can't exactly refuse, can I?" Lu Bu chuckled softly. With a flick of his wrist, a jade bottle appeared in his hand. Inside the bottle was an emerald green pill, and a rich medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air.
"What is that…?" Hidden within the void, the four elders' eyes sharpened, their expressions tinged with curiosity and awe.
"What a potent medicinal fragrance!"
"What kind of pill is this? Its fragrance can't even be contained by the jade bottle!"
The Black Armored Army soldiers whispered among themselves in amazement. Even Xiao Xun'er was momentarily stunned. She knew Lu Bu was an alchemist, but… had he really refined this kind of pill?
Gu Yao's heart suddenly skipped a beat, an ominous feeling welling up within him.
Crack!
With a calm smile, Lu Bu clenched his fingers and crushed the jade bottle. Immediately, the emerald green pill burst into a brilliant light, transforming into a small green squirrel that squirmed and squeaked in Lu Bu's palm.
"An… an eighth tier pill!?"
The Black Armored Army soldiers' eyes bulged, their exclamations filled with disbelief. The eighth commander had actually pulled out an eighth tier pill?
"This… this kid…" The four elders hidden in the void trembled slightly. That was an eighth tier pill! Even as Dou Zong experts of the Gu Clan, they hadn't had the luxury of enjoying many of those!
"D doesn't that hurt your heart?" Gu Yao swallowed hard, his lips trembling as he couldn't help but ask.
The Gu Clan was indeed a grand clan, but they had only a dozen or so eighth tier alchemists and two or three ninth tier ones. While it sounded like a lot more than even the Pill Tower these alchemists couldn't possibly supply the entire vast clan. Let's not forget that in the Gu Clan, Dou Zongs were as common as dirt, and Dou Shengs were everywhere. There simply wasn't enough of this precious resource to go around.
This was also why the Gu Clan tolerated the peculiarities of the Yao Clan because eighth and ninth tier pills were far too valuable.
Even Gu Yao himself had never consumed an eighth tier pill.
"Oh… not really," Lu Bu said, shaking the pill in his hand with a smile. "I have plenty more where this came from."
He really didn't care, as these eighth tier pills were all refined by Mu Gu. There were still dozens of them in Mu Gu's storage ring, accumulated over the years.
With that, Lu Bu casually stuffed the green squirrel into his mouth and bit down hard. A faint green liquid spilled from the corners of his mouth as an intense medicinal fragrance spread from his body.
As soon as the pill entered his mouth, an explosive energy surged through him, racing straight to the top of his head.
Boom!
His black hair flew wildly despite the absence of wind, and his clothes burst apart, revealing his muscular torso covered in dark golden dragon scales.
Instantly, the dark golden scales glowed brilliantly, and Lu Bu's weakened aura skyrocketed. However, at the same time, the violent energy seemed as if it would burst out of his body.
Gu Yao's expression shifted. An eighth tier pill was far too overwhelming for someone at the Dou Huang level. Would it cause Lu Bu to explode?
But before that thought could fully form, a faint and nearly imperceptible black light flickered across Lu Bu's body. The violent energy instantly dissipated, replaced by a calm and steady aura. At the same time, a faint ancient dragon light pattern appeared on Lu Bu's right shoulder, slowly winding down his arm.
Gu Yao's pupils constricted. From that ancient dragon light pattern, he felt an extremely dangerous aura.
"Gu Yao, one last move!" Lu Bu said with a light laugh. "This is my final technique. If you can withstand it, I'll concede defeat."
With that, he clenched his fist, and radiant purple golden light erupted outward. A resounding dragon roar echoed through the heavens as a massive, hundred meter long divine dragon solidified amidst the dazzling purple golden light.
"Azure Dragon Heaven Seal!"
As Lu Bu's deep voice fell, the enormous ancient dragon, shimmering with intertwined dark gold and purple golden light, stretched out its massive claw. The purple golden light converged into a dragon shaped imprint that descended like a tidal wave.
Gu Yao's icy face suddenly changed. The boundless pressure rolled down like a towering mountain, leaving him utterly unable to muster the will to resist under the dragon's claw!
(To be continued)
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