Chapter 80: Oh No, Xiao Yan Became the Scapegoat!
"Huh... what's that kid doing?" Hai Bodong asked, surprised. As a cultivator of ice based techniques, he was highly sensitive to cold energy. However, while the aura emanating from Xiao Yan felt icy, it also radiated intense heat an utterly bizarre sensation.
"Brother Lu, could you explain what's going on?" Jia Xingtian, equally curious, turned to Lu Bu. It was strange to see someone switch flames while refining pills.
Nalan Jie said nothing. Jia Xingtian's deference toward this youth in the one star alchemist robe had already made him realize that Lu Bu wasn't as simple as he seemed.
"Oh, he's refining the Three Lined Green Spirit Pill," Lu Bu said nonchalantly, resting his chin on his hand. This was something he had arranged with Xiao Yan during their exchange for the second stage of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Change. One of the conditions was for Xiao Yan to refine a specific pill this one.
Lu Bu had a theory: combining three different Heavenly Flames, each controlled by himself, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao, might exceed the pill's designated three star strength.
Currently, Lu Bu's cultivation had reached the level of a three star Dou Grandmaster. After swallowing the Green Lotus Core Flame, he had advanced by one star and had since gained two additional levels over the past few months, despite spending most of his time refining pills.
"The Three Lined Green Spirit Pill? Does that mean he'll have to switch to another flame?" Hai Bodong asked, raising a brow in surprise.
Before Lu Bu could respond, a faint blue gray flame erupted amidst the white mist surrounding Xiao Yan. Lu Bu's lips curved into a sly smile as his gaze shifted toward a distant viewing platform where Yunlan Sect's Elder Yun Leng was seated.
As expected, the moment the blue gray flame appeared, Yun Leng's face turned ashen. He recognized it immediately it was the Blue Spirit Flame, a Heavenly Flame he had painstakingly retrieved from a Blueflame Eagle after much effort, accompanied by two Yunlan Sect Dou King elders.
It was supposed to be a life saving asset for his son, Yun Xu.
The sight of this flame brought back memories of a chilling message, scrawled in blood: "Your son was killed by Xiao Huo!"
This message had once driven him to near madness. However, when Lord Hu Fa informed him that even he couldn't capture the perpetrator, Yun Leng had no choice but to bury his hatred. The enemy was simply beyond his reach.
But now, standing before him, was the man who had killed his son!
"Yan Xiao, you're dead!" Yun Leng's fists clenched tightly as rage consumed him. "Once the three year agreement is over, I'll take your head to honor my son!"
Meanwhile, Lu Bu stroked his chin, his eyes glinting with mischief. He felt no guilt he was merely messing with Yun Leng, who was a pawn of the Soul Hall. Nothing to feel bad about.
At that moment, the roar of the crowd snapped everyone's attention back to the arena.
"I now declare the winner of this year's Alchemist Conference Yan Xiao!" Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Association, announced from the podium.
Thunderous applause erupted as countless spectators rose to their feet, cheering and clapping to celebrate Yan Xiao's victory.
Nalan Yanran, seated among the audience, watched the scene unfold. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Yan Xiao, now the center of attention, showered in admiration. She found herself standing alongside the crowd, enthusiastically applauding.
Meanwhile, down in the arena, Xiao Yan inexplicably glanced toward Lu Bu's position or rather, toward Nalan Yanran, who was seated not far from him.
Jie. Seeing this, Lu Bu couldn't suppress a laugh. Something strange seemed to be brewing between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan.
"Let's go. The show's over," Lu Bu said as he stood and dusted himself off. The three year agreement would officially begin in two days, but first, Lu Bu needed to awaken Yao Lao.
That evening, Xiao Yan arrived at the mountain estate, clutching the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva. He was desperate to revive Yao Lao, his most important mentor and the one person he relied on most for survival.
"My item?" Lu Bu asked, grinning.
"Fine, here!" Xiao Yan grumbled, his earlier joy vanishing as he tossed a black scroll toward Lu Bu.
He'd spent the entire morning refining pills, switching flames, and even suffering a failed furnace explosion. Yet, the grand prize his hard earned reward was now in Lu Bu's hands.
Lu Bu smirked, storing the scroll in his ring.
In his arms, the tiny Seven Colored Swallowing Python perked up. Its eyes gleamed with greed as it watched Lu Bu stash the scroll, clearly tempted by the Soul Fusion Pill recipe it contained. However, the little snake soon settled down, curling up once more in quiet slumber.
"Xiao Yan, you'll anchor the array, and Hai Lao, you'll patrol the perimeter," Lu Bu instructed.
"Huh?" Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"There's an old man with a bad temper. I'm worried he might hurt you," Lu Bu replied, rolling his eyes. In the original story, Yao Lao had immediately lashed out at Ling Ying upon waking up.
"Fine…" Hai Bodong said with a shrug, though he still didn't fully understand. He exited the formation's range, leaving the hall to Lu Bu and Xiao Yan.
Lu Bu waved his hand, suspending nearly ten different medicinal herbs in the air. A potent fragrance filled the room.
"Snow Jade Ginseng, Soul Nether Flower, Crystal Clear Grass…" Xiao Yan's face grew serious as he recognized the ingredients. He'd originally planned to simply feed Yao Lao the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva, but now he realized how reckless that idea had been.
Paying no attention to Xiao Yan's musings, Lu Bu began the process. The Blazing Fire Cauldron landed on the ground with a thud, and one by one, the herbs were added. The ethereal Green Lotus Core Flame enveloped the ingredients, carefully refining them as a rich aroma wafted through the air.
Some of the materials had come from Lu Bu's own stock, while others were contributions from Jia Xingtian. The old man had been eager to curry favor and had readily sent rare items from the royal treasury when Lu Bu requested them.
The potent fragrance reinvigorated Xiao Yan, washing away the soul fatigue he'd accumulated during the day's pill refinement.
"It's working!" Xiao Yan's eyes burned with excitement. His teacher would finally return, putting his mind at ease once more.
Time passed slowly. Inside the cauldron, the Bone Spirit Ring lay submerged in a vibrant liquid mixture, absorbing it drop by drop.
The joyful anticipation on Xiao Yan's face grew as he sensed a familiar soul aura gradually awakening within the ring.
Suddenly, the previously still Bone Spirit Ring shuddered violently, unleashing a terrifying wave of soul energy. It exploded outward like a tidal wave, battering everything in its path. The brunt of the assault was directed at Lu Bu and his protective array.
"Jie! Old man, calm down!" Lu Bu growled, his voice laced with annoyance. "Xiao Yan's anchoring the array. If you wreck it, he'll be crippled!"
The overwhelming soul energy halted abruptly. In an instant, it softened, transforming into a gentle, soothing presence.
Moments later, a faintly glowing figure emerged from the cauldron Yao Lao. His expression, however, was anything but pleasant.
"You brat! You took advantage of my absence to bully my disciple!" Yao Lao snapped, referring to the Nether Lotus Flame fragment Lu Bu had taken from Xiao Yan. Even while dormant, Yao Lao had been vaguely aware of the outside world, though powerless to intervene.
"It was just business," Lu Bu said with a chuckle, spreading his hands in mock innocence. "Nothing personal."
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen