Chapter 119: The Grand Elder Su Qian!
Three days later, at the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower…
During these days, Lu Bu had stayed at the Holy Gate, refining medicine for a while and explaining the core business practices of the Medicine Gang. He instructed Hu Jia and Xiao Xun'er to pay attention when selling pills, and Wu Hao personally led a team to act as guards. After settling everything, Lu Bu headed to the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower to begin cultivating.
He and Xiao Yan had completed their assigned tasks; now it was up to the other four to handle their responsibilities.
The Heavenly Flame Refining Tower was an imposing structure constructed entirely of a heavy, black material. Though it was situated above a sea of magma, it exuded a strange, chilling aura.
Of course, Lu Bu wasn't particularly interested in the materials used to build it; what intrigued him were the formations carved into its surface. These formations were used to suppress the rampaging Fallen Heart Flame. Since the Inner Academy's establishment, every generation of Grand Elders had worked to reinforce these formations, striving to permanently seal the flame.
However… fire, by its very nature, cannot be fully suppressed. The more it is blocked, the more dangerous it becomes. When it eventually erupts, the consequences for the Inner Academy will undoubtedly be catastrophic.
In fact, the Inner Academy itself was built atop a volcano!
With a flick of his finger, a faint light shot into the tower's surface, revealing an intricate formation. Although the formation appeared singular, it was interconnected with others, forming a network akin to interlocking bricks that outlined the entire array suppressing the Fallen Heart Flame.
Moreover, the formation contained various restrictions, defensive mechanisms, and killing arrays, clearly designed to prevent any attempts at sabotage.
"Quite complex…" Lu Bu muttered, raising an eyebrow.
The principal of Jia Nan Academy, Mang Tian Chi, was either a Half Saint or a Dou Saint. The array he had laid down was indeed formidable…
Lu Bu rubbed his chin, preparing to delve further into its mysteries, when a sudden sense of danger jolted him. He instinctively turned around.
Behind him stood an old man in a black robe, silent and unassuming. The man's hair and beard were white, and his aged face carried a kind smile. Yet despite his seemingly benign demeanor, the fleeting sharpness in his eyes sent a shiver down Lu Bu's spine.
If his guess was correct, this must be Grand Elder Su Qian!
"Greetings, Grand Elder," Lu Bu said, bowing respectfully.
"Little one… were you the one who triggered the array on the tower?" Su Qian asked in a calm tone, his gaze carrying a hint of surprise. This young man wasn't bad he reminded Su Qian of his own younger self, though perhaps a bit more dashing.
"Grand Elder, I'm a pill alchemist, and my soul power… is rather decent," Lu Bu replied, lifting a finger. A flame as delicate and vibrant as a dancing spirit appeared it was the Green Lotus Core Flame.
"Hm?"
The moment Su Qian saw the Green Lotus Core Flame, his brows furrowed slightly, and his focus shifted from Lu Bu's appearance to the flame itself. Having spent half his life battling the Fallen Heart Flame, Su Qian could instantly recognize this as a Heavenly Flame. Such a flame held ferocious energy that no one could afford to underestimate.
"Your name is…?"
"Lu Bu," he replied calmly.
"Ah, so it's you…" Su Qian's expression softened with understanding.
"Uh… Grand Elder, you've heard of me?" Lu Bu asked, a bit bewildered. How had his reputation spread so far? It seemed like everyone knew his name.
"Zi Yan told me about you," Su Qian explained with a light laugh. In the entire Inner Academy, Zi Yan ignored almost everyone except Su Qian. After all, it was Su Qian who had brought her to the academy.
Had it not been for him, she would likely still be wandering the mountains.
"So it's that little girl…" Lu Bu muttered, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Hopefully, she hadn't mentioned his puppet. That could be problematic.
"Don't tamper with the array on the tower it's beyond your capability," Su Qian advised. "And, young one, I assume you already know the secrets within the tower. Focus on your cultivation. In the future… I may need to ask for your help."
"I understand, Grand Elder!" Lu Bu said solemnly, bowing respectfully.
He held Su Qian in high regard, especially since the elder could be considered a second father to Zi Yan.
Su Qian smiled and nodded, his figure blurring as he disappeared.
Lu Bu slowly began descending into the tower. He needed to find a training chamber to prepare for his breakthrough to Dou Ling.
"Which floor should I choose…" Lu Bu pondered as he walked. With the Green Fire Crystal Card in hand, he had access to training rooms from the first to the sixth floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
"Hey, isn't this the famous leader of the Holy Gate?"
A voice suddenly broke through Lu Bu's thoughts. Looking up, he realized he was on the third floor, and the speaker was someone wearing a badge of the White Gang.
The badge resembled the one worn by Fu Ao, who was standing not far away.
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed. If he wasn't mistaken, this must be Bai Cheng, the White Gang's leader.
"All disciples of your Holy Gate are said to possess the potential to become Dou Saints… A pleasure to meet you, Holy Gate's leader," Bai Cheng said with a smile, extending a hand toward Lu Bu.
Around them, Bai Cheng's words had already piqued the interest of several onlookers. Some chuckled softly, clearly anticipating a show.
Fu Ao, standing nearby, rubbed his bruised jaw and sneered as he stared at Lu Bu's handsome face. Kid, this time you're going to pay. Let's see how you handle being beaten to the ground!
"Bai Cheng?" Lu Bu chuckled softly, extending his hand to shake Bai Cheng's. "As expected of the 34th rank on the Strong Ranking. Truly impressive."
"Not at all," Bai Cheng replied with a faint smile, though a trace of darkness flashed across his face. "Even so, I cannot compare to you, Gate Master. A single pill of yours has suppressed me; the news has already spread across the Inner Academy."
By now, Bai Cheng had become the laughingstock of the Inner Academy, and the reputation of the so called Holy Gate had been built atop the humiliation of his White Gang.
As these thoughts surfaced, Bai Cheng subtly tightened his grip, slowly exerting pressure on Lu Bu's hand.
"Jie, Lu Bu, this is our first meeting, isn't it?" Bai Cheng smiled broadly, his expression gradually darkening as the force in his fingers increased.
This frail alchemist… Bai Cheng could hardly wait to see Lu Bu writhing in pain, begging him to let go. Would he plead tearfully? Bai Cheng could almost picture it.
However, in the next instant, his expression shifted dramatically.
Lu Bu's elegant face remained calm, without the slightest trace of discomfort.
Bai Cheng's heart sank. Instinctively, he tried to pull his arm back, but his hand wouldn't budge.
"Jie, Bai Cheng, Senior, I've heard so much about you. Now that we've met, I see you are indeed extraordinary," Lu Bu said with a light laugh, his grip slowly tightening. Bit by bit, he began to squeeze Bai Cheng's hand.
Pain surged like a tidal wave. Bai Cheng's face turned bright red as he realized he was in trouble.
Boom!
A powerful aura erupted from Bai Cheng's body, creating a gust that sent the robes of the surrounding spectators fluttering.
Yet Lu Bu remained unshaken. His handsome face maintained its faint smile as if Bai Cheng's display meant nothing.
Now, everyone around realized something was off. Glancing between Bai Cheng's increasingly pale face and their tightly clasped hands, many began chuckling quietly. Bai Cheng had clearly tried to bully someone, only to run into a brick wall.
"You… bastard. Let… go!" Bai Cheng growled through clenched teeth.
Crack!
Before he could finish, a sharp crack resounded. Despite the noise in the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, the sound was painfully clear.
"Jie…"
"Jie, this is getting interesting…"
"Look at Bai Cheng his face has gone pale… Jie!"
The crowd erupted into gleeful laughter.
In the center of it all, Bai Cheng stumbled backward, clutching his hand as he nearly lost his balance. His right hand dangled limply, twisted into an unnatural shape. Beads of sweat rolled down his face like raindrops.
"Grkk…" Bai Cheng ground his teeth audibly, enduring the excruciating pain. Cold sweat covered his forehead as bloodshot veins crawled through his eyes. He was clearly in agony.
Damn it… Bai Cheng cursed inwardly. How does this bastard have strength comparable to that brute Zi Yan?
His jaw tightened, muscles clenching as he struggled to maintain a semblance of composure.
"Senior Bai Cheng, are you all right?" Lu Bu's playful voice cut through the air.
"I'm fine!" Bai Cheng growled, his voice strained. Yet the humiliation burned fiercely in his heart. A flash of killing intent flickered in his eyes, but his expression quickly shifted, revealing a cunning glint.
"Lu Bu, you're here to cultivate, I assume?"
"That's right," Lu Bu replied, narrowing his eyes.
"Ah, I see…" Bai Cheng forced a smile, still clutching his injured hand.
"The advanced cultivation rooms on the third floor are already reserved by my White Gang. Only the single room at the far end is still available," Bai Cheng said, his left hand wiping away the sweat on his face as he gestured toward an unoccupied room at the back.
"If you wish to cultivate, that's your only option."
With that, he waved a hand. A member of the White Gang rushed forward, a green light emanating from his palms as he began healing Bai Cheng's mangled hand.
Lu Bu's expression turned slightly amused. Bai Cheng's poorly concealed smirk betrayed his intentions. It didn't take a genius to realize there was something fishy about that room.
Even if Bai Cheng's expression hadn't given it away, Lu Bu could guess the situation. If he wasn't mistaken, that particular room belonged to Liu Fei, the cousin of Liu Qing, the third ranked individual on the Strong Ranking.
In the original story, Xiao Yan's confrontation with Liu Qing and Liu Fei stemmed from this very room.
"What's wrong? Nervous, Lu Bu?" Bai Cheng taunted, his expression smug as he tried to provoke Lu Bu.
He didn't care if Lu Bu saw through the trap. If Lu Bu backed down, his reputation as the Holy Gate's leader would be ruined.
Who would take a coward seriously in the Inner Academy?
And if Lu Bu foolishly took the bait, he would find himself up against Liu Qing, one of the most powerful figures in the academy. Bai Cheng wouldn't even have to lift a finger Liu Qing would deal with both Lu Bu and his Holy Gate.
At the thought, Bai Cheng's pale face twisted into a cold smile.
Now, what will you choose to do?
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