Chapter 388: Devouring Thunder Palm!
"Do you really think Starfall Pavilion is a soft persimmon for anyone to crush at will?" Yao Chen sneered coldly, but a hint of pride flickered in his eyes.
"How is this possible?" Bone Ghost and his group instantly darkened. The sudden surge in Starfall Pavilion's strength had caught them completely off guard.
In Bone Ghost's original plan, the only noteworthy individuals in Starfall Pavilion were the Half Saint Yao Chen and Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan bloodline holder. The rest were just a rabble, not worth mentioning. Even with Yao Chen's restored body and any recruited experts, the strongest they could muster would barely be a Nine Turn Dou Zun not a threat at all.
However, in just over a month, Starfall Pavilion had suddenly gained five Nine Turn Dou Zuns at the Saint Transition stage. How could this not shock them?
"This is trouble..." Bone Ghost's heart sank.
His plan had been straightforward: a blitzkrieg to annihilate Starfall Pavilion. They would strike quickly, destroy everything, and capture Xiao Yan, then return to maintain the stalemate with the Pill Tower. This balance of power across the battlefronts would remain unchanged.
This was why Bone Ghost had pulled all available Dou Zun experts from the Salt Mountain City front, leaving only Di Xiezi and the Fifth Heavenly Sovereign to hold the line. The intention was to injure but not kill, forcing Xuan Kong zi or Tian Lei zi to divert their forces to reinforce Salt Mountain City.
On the primary battlefield, Hun Qiao though only a Nine Turn Dou Zun was enough to stall one of the two Pill Tower powerhouses. This allowed Bone Ghost to lead the main force to crush Starfall Pavilion, kill Yao Chen, and capture Xiao Yan. It was a planned decisive strike.
At first, the plan went smoothly. Pill Tower had been effectively neutralized. But no one had expected the problem to arise from Starfall Pavilion itself.
"What should we do now, Heavenly Sovereign?" Hun Mei frowned lightly. Even she could tell that the situation was no longer favorable for them to continue the fight.
"Retreat!" Bone Ghost decisively issued a command through spiritual transmission. "We'll cover the retreat. The weaker Dou Zuns should withdraw first."
"Kehehe... Bone Ghost, trying to run?" Yao Chen's cold laughter interrupted. "Did you think Starfall Pavilion is a place you can come and go as you please?"
"Damn it!" Bone Ghost's heart sank. He immediately realized his mistake. He had underestimated Yao Chen's spiritual sensitivity. As an elite alchemist, Yao Chen's perception was extraordinary, and he had sensed their intent to retreat almost instantly.
Boom!
A blazing wave of heat surged forward as a massive, blood red flame palm loomed above, covering the entirety of the Soul Hall forces.
Hun Mei, the Sixth Heavenly Sovereign, and the others instantly turned pale, frozen in place by the overwhelming pressure. The might of a Half Saint was not something they could resist.
"Curse you!" Bone Ghost roared angrily. Yao Chen was forcing him to stay. If he retreated now, who among his forces could withstand a single attack from a Half Saint?
Especially since Yao Chen, as an elite alchemist, possessed soul power so strong that even a Saint might struggle to contend with it.
With a furious shout, Bone Ghost unleashed a surge of torrential Dou Qi, forming a massive hundred foot skeleton. The skeletal hand collided with the blood red flame palm.
Boom!
The deafening explosion sent shockwaves rippling outward. Both Bone Ghost and Yao Chen were forced back, their gazes sharp and unwavering.
Bone Ghost knew that retreating unscathed was now impossible.
"All members of Starfall Pavilion, attack with full force! Leave none of these Soul Hall scum alive!" Yao Chen bellowed.
In response, the powerhouses of Starfall Pavilion roared in unison. Their terrifying auras surged as they locked onto the Soul Hall forces.
Yao Chen wasn't aware of the intricate plotting Lu Bu had done behind the scenes, but he knew that Bone Ghost's sudden appearance likely signaled something significant. Since Starfall Pavilion was now stronger than ever, why not fight them head on?
If Yao Chen had known that Soul Hall's attack was part of Lu Bu's carefully orchestrated scheme, he wouldn't have coordinated so perfectly.
"Humph, everyone, attack at full strength! Destroy Starfall Pavilion!" Bone Ghost's gaze turned cold as he realized retreat was no longer an option.
If escape was impossible, the only choice was to commit fully capturing Yao Chen and Xiao Yan would still be a major victory.
With that, killing intent surged as terrifying Dou Qi attacks erupted across the battlefield, filling the sky.
...
Bang!
A muffled collision sent shockwaves rippling outward as Di Xiezi and Lu Bu were blown apart. Both men retreated rapidly, energy crackling around them.
"Hahaha... Truly exhilarating!" Lu Bu laughed heartily as he spread his Tian Yao Phoenix wings to stabilize himself midair.
Di Xiezi, however, had a grim expression. His arms burned with black flames, but the stinging pain in his muscles was undeniable. Lu Bu's physical strength far exceeded his expectations.
"Hahaha! Di Xiezi, shall we fight again?" Lu Bu laughed, his green red bone wings shimmering with golden light as his figure vanished like a phantom.
Di Xiezi's pupils contracted sharply, and his brow furrowed as his soul energy surged outward in all directions, scanning for Lu Bu's position.
From their repeated clashes, Di Xiezi had already recognized Lu Bu's mastery of the Tian Yao Phoenix's Phantom Phoenix Step, granting him extraordinary speed.
Boom!
This time, however, Lu Bu made no effort to conceal himself. His body surged with radiant purple gold light as deafening dragon roars filled the battlefield. Fierce, violent winds exploded outward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of explosive sonic booms resounded as Lu Bu unleashed an unrelenting barrage of attacks like a torrential flood. His fists, elbows, knees, and even his shoulders became deadly weapons, raining down blows with unmatched ferocity.
Di Xiezi roared furiously, his body enveloped in black flames as he met Lu Bu's attacks head on. Yet despite his best efforts, every strike from Lu Bu carried an unimaginable, bone shattering force that left him reeling.
"What terrifying physical power! Truly worthy of being a Taixu Ancient Dragon!" Qiu Mao watched with shock and awe. He had known Lu Bu could fight across ranks, but witnessing it firsthand was a completely different experience.
"If this is an alchemist, then what are the rest of us?" Cao Ye's eyelids twitched. Lu Bu was like a wild, bloodthirsty beast far removed from what anyone would associate with an alchemist.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Purple gold and pitch black auras clashed violently, filling the battlefield with ear splitting rumbles. The space around them began to crack and warp, black fissures appearing and vanishing as if unable to withstand the chaos.
Bang!
A dark gold, dragon scaled leg swung down like a massive battle axe, splitting through the air with a sharp, grating screech.
"Roar !" Di Xiezi roared in anger, condensing black flames into his fist as he compressed their energy to the extreme.
For too long, he had been suppressed by Lu Bu's relentless attacks. His fury and hatred had reached their peak this blow would end it!
Boom!
The dragon scaled leg collided with Di Xiezi's flaming fist, and a brilliant explosion of purple gold and black energy illuminated the battlefield.
Di Xiezi let out a muffled groan as his body trembled and staggered backward. His face flushed red, and a trace of blood uncontrollably seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Hahaha… Truly exhilarating!" Lu Bu laughed heartily, his aura surging with unparalleled dominance. The overwhelming dragon's might swept across the area, forcing everyone present to lower their gazes, unable to meet his eyes directly out of fear.
"Hmph, but you didn't come out unscathed either, did you?" Di Xiezi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, sneering coldly. Internally, however, he resolved not to engage Lu Bu in close combat again.
…
"This man… his combat strength and the threat he poses far surpass Xiao Yan!"
The Fifth Heavenly Sovereign of the Soul Hall was struck with terror as he watched the battlefield where explosions and shockwaves erupted. At last, he understood why Di Xiezi had been so desperate. Perhaps revenge played a part, but Lu Bu's danger was undeniable.
"How ridiculous that we've been so focused on Xiao Yan, yet failed to see that Lu Bu is the true threat!"
The Fifth Heavenly Sovereign couldn't help but laugh bitterly at the absurdity. The Second Heavenly Sovereign, himself, the Sixth Heavenly Sovereign, and even the two emissaries of the Soul Clan how had all of them fixated solely on Xiao Yan while ignoring Lu Bu?
With that thought, cold sweat dripped down the Fifth Heavenly Sovereign's forehead.
"No, this matter must be reported to the Hall immediately…"
"Heh… Fifth Heavenly Sovereign, do you think you'll get the chance to escape?" Tianhuo Zunzhe sneered coldly. He had been by Lu Bu's side for quite some time and knew full well that Lu Bu had no intention of letting anyone warn the Soul Hall.
What a joke did he think Tianhuo Zunzhe didn't exist?
"Five Wheel Departed Flame Array, activate!" Tianhuo Zunzhe formed a series of seals with his hands as flames surged around him. Five fiery spirits took form, their energy converging into a massive, mountain like formation that coalesced with an overwhelming aura.
"Five Wheel Departed Flame Disk!" Tianhuo Zunzhe bellowed as a fire pillar, no larger than a thumb, shot out with terrifying destructive power toward the Fifth Heavenly Sovereign.
"Damn it!" The Fifth Heavenly Sovereign's heart sank in despair as he frantically unleashed his Dou Qi to perform a defensive technique.
But how could he match Tianhuo Zunzhe?
The moment the fiery column descended, the Fifth Heavenly Sovereign let out a muffled grunt, blood spraying into the air as he was violently thrown back.
Meanwhile, Lu Bu clenched his five fingers as a surge of violet black flames erupted from his palm. Moments later, a trace of black fire slowly emerged.
"Heh… you thought you could pull off such tricks in front of me?" Lu Bu flicked the black flame away with a casual wave, sneering at Di Xiezi. "Did you forget that your flames are worthless against my Heavenly Flames?"
The trap Di Xiezi had set during their earlier clash turned out to be completely ineffective.
"Let's finish this in one move!" A glint of cold light flashed in Lu Bu's eyes as purple gold dragon patterns faintly emerged in the depths of his pupils.
"Hmph, just you?" Di Xiezi sneered, sensing Lu Bu's surging aura. His hands moved swiftly, forming a seal as an odd, crystal clear light erupted in his murky eyes.
An indescribable, mysterious wave of energy spread outward, causing Lu Bu to feel a faint sense of unease.
"Hm?" Lu Bu's gaze sharpened. This energy didn't seem like Dou Qi. Alarmed, he unleashed his soul power, erecting sturdy barriers before him.
"Kehehe… too late!" Di Xiezi cackled, his hand seals changing rapidly as he shouted, "Soul Explosion!"
In that instant, a crystalline light flashed at the center of Di Xiezi's forehead.
Boom!
Suddenly, Lu Bu's soul was struck with an intense vibration, throwing his mind into disarray. Disoriented, he lost all control over his body, his senses spinning into chaos.
"Kehehe… die!"
With a twisted grin, Di Xiezi moved like a phantom, appearing before the stunned Lu Bu. His fingers, shrouded in black flames, glowed like searing hot nails as he aimed directly for Lu Bu's skull.
There was no way he would waste such a golden opportunity!
This was the moment he had been waiting for his chance to reverse the tide!
Lu Bu was now teetering on the brink of death!
"Not good!" Qiu Mao and Cao Ye cried out in unison, their expressions twisting with panic as they realized the danger Lu Bu was in.
Di Xiezi's eyes glinted with savage joy as he bellowed, "Die and repay your debt for my brothers!"
Snap!
But just as his flaming claws were about to land, Lu Bu's dazed eyes suddenly turned pitch black, like an endless void or a starless night sky. An eerie, otherworldly pull radiated from them, striking fear deep into Di Xiezi's heart.
"What… what is this?!"
"Heh… I'll admit, that was close. You almost succeeded," Lu Bu said, his inky black eyes slowly fading back to normal. His irises and pupils returned to their usual color.
Crackle!
In that moment, arcs of black lightning crackled across Lu Bu's body. One after another, the black bolts danced like specters, emitting a menacing aura that sent chills down Di Xiezi's spine.
Devouring Thunder Palm!
Lu Bu's gaze turned icy as he inwardly chanted. He thrust his palm forward, aiming directly at Di Xiezi's chest.
Black lightning coiled around Lu Bu's palm as a pitch black imprint, wreathed in electric arcs, slammed into Di Xiezi's heart.
Boom!
A muffled sound reverberated through the air, faint yet piercing, as if it directly targeted the soul itself.
Di Xiezi's cloudy, aged eyes flickered with black lightning before turning pale and lifeless. His consciousness dissolved, and the deadly energy emanating from his fingertips dissipated like frost under the scorching sun.
"Is… is Di Xiezi dead?" Cao Ye and Qiu Mao froze in place, dumbfounded. All they had seen was a burst of black lightning surrounding Lu Bu, followed by a single palm strike and the infamous Di Xiezi was gone.
Boom!
On the other side, a deafening explosion erupted as blazing flames swept across the battlefield.
"Ahhh!" The Fifth Heavenly Sovereign's agonized screams filled the air before abruptly fading, leaving only silence and dying embers.
"The Fifth Heavenly Sovereign is gone too…" Cao Ye and Qiu Mao were left in stunned disbelief. The crisis that had plagued the Pill Tower for half a year had just… ended?
"Don't just stand there." Lu Bu's voice broke their trance. "Di Xiezi mentioned that Bone Ghost has led a Soul Hall force to attack Starfall Pavilion. They plan to annihilate Yao Chen and everyone there."
"What?!" Qiu Mao gasped. "That damned Soul Hall is pulling a sneak attack?"
"Let's regroup with Elder Xuan Kong and Tian Lei first," Lu Bu suggested with a faint smile. "With Bone Ghost gone, the Soul Hall's forces in that region shouldn't be too strong. Once we deal with them, we can head to Starfall Pavilion and wipe out the rest of the Soul Hall."
"Agreed!" The two elders snapped back to attention, realizing the urgency of the situation.
"You go ahead," Lu Bu said with a casual wave of his hand. "Oh, and Elder Qiu Mao… let's keep our little secret to ourselves, especially from Yao Chen."
"Uh… you're not coming?" Qiu Mao asked, a bit surprised. But he didn't pry further, silently agreeing to Lu Bu's request. After all, this was Lu Bu, backed by both the Gu Clan and the Taixu Ancient Dragons someone no one wanted to offend.
"I'll leave it to Elder Yao. I've got other matters to attend to," Lu Bu replied with a light smile.
"Very well…" After some brief arrangements for Salt Mountain City's defenses, the three elders hurried off to rendezvous with Xuan Kong and Tian Lei.
"Young Master, what should we do now?" Qing Lin approached cautiously. Her strength was limited, so she hadn't been able to join the battle.
"Go home, of course," Lu Bu said with a sly grin as he gently pinched Qing Lin's nose. "I've been missing your elder sister Medusa…"
"Ugh, you're terrible!" Qing Lin pouted playfully, blushing.
(End of Chapter)
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