Chapter 234: The Dragon Transformation Technique and the Immovable Azure Dragon Bell
Central Plains
A Soul Messenger floated silently into a grand, shadowy hall, holding a jade scroll that emitted a faint, eerie glow. He kept his head bowed low, not daring to glance around or show even a shred of disrespect.
The grand hall was shrouded in a sinister atmosphere, with flickering lights casting ghostly shadows across the walls. Haunting wails and piercing howls echoed within, creating a chilling ambiance that would make anyone's heart pound and skin crawl.
"Hmm? News from Zhaixing and Mugu already?" On the elevated throne, a fair skinned and refined man spoke. His tone, hovering between surprise and indifference, made it difficult to discern his true emotions.
The Soul Messenger bowed deeply in silence, keeping his composure. In this hall, there was no room for the kind hearted or the weak every figure present was a merciless killer who wouldn't hesitate to shed blood.
Swish! The jade scroll floated upward, landing in the fair skinned man's palm. He infused it with his soul power, skimming through its contents. Moments later, he opened his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Interesting…" The man tapped the jade scroll against his palm rhythmically, a faint, playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Hall Master, has there been any progress regarding Hun Ya's situation?" a figure cloaked in thin black mist asked from the left side of the throne.
"Heh… there has. Not only that, but the Soul Hall's branch in the Wujin Swamp of the Northwestern Continent has been destroyed," the Soul Hall Master replied casually.
As his words fell, the hall's atmosphere suddenly became oppressive. The air felt thick and suffocating, and the Soul Messenger dropped to his knees with a thud, trembling with cold sweat as terror coursed through him.
"Heh… quite bold. Someone dared to attack one of our branches?" The Deputy Hall Master sneered darkly, breaking the heavy silence.
"Bone Ghost," the Hall Master called, flicking the jade scroll toward an elderly figure. "This task falls to you. Eliminate the possibility of locals those Northwestern fools wouldn't have the capability. Focus your attention on Central Plains factions or the other ancient clans."
"Someone with a near perfect mortal level soul almost took down Mugu, and that was even while Zhaixing assisted. This person… is intriguing."
"Yes, Hall Master." The old man called Bone Ghost spoke, his voice hoarse and grating like a crow's caw.
"Relay a message to Zhaixing and Mugu: capture this individual as soon as possible. I'm curious to see who could achieve such feats," the Deputy Hall Master ordered coldly.
"Yes!" Bone Ghost respectfully bowed before turning to leave. His figure vanished as he exited the hall.
Not long after, three streaks of light shot into the sky, each heading in a different direction.
The Ninth Heaven Sovereign flew toward the Wind Lightning Pavilion to investigate any recent movements surrounding Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
The Eighth Heaven Sovereign headed for the southern regions of the Central Plains to consult with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan about any reports of their kind's remains being desecrated or stolen. Ideally, they could even enlist the phoenix clan's aid in the search.
Bone Ghost, meanwhile, traveled to the Pill Domain, intending to check the local branch for recent activities connected to the Pill Tower. He sought any individuals matching the descriptions provided by Zhaixing and Mugu.
In truth, Bone Ghost harbored doubts about the information. A single individual possessing connections to the Pill Tower, the Wind Lightning Pavilion, and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan? It sounded ridiculous.
What's more, Zhaixing and Mugu had even suggested the possibility of this person being from one of the ancient clans. That alone was laughable. Why would someone from an ancient clan bother with a low tier technique like Three Thousand Lightning Movement?
Frustrated by the chaotic and contradictory information, Bone Ghost sighed. To make matters worse, both the Hall Master and Deputy Hall Master seemed deeply interested in the target, insisting on his capture.
"Troublesome…" Bone Ghost muttered. Still, he had to admit that Zhaixing and Mugu had made one good deduction: the person responsible was unlikely to be from the Northwestern Continent.
A stranger wreaking havoc there would surely draw the attention of the Ancient Clan.
Vanishing like a ghost, Bone Ghost streaked across the sky, a mere blur on the horizon.
Wind Lightning Pavilion
The arrival of the Ninth Heaven Sovereign was met with great fanfare. The Lightning Sovereign himself greeted the visitor warmly, eagerly cooperating with his requests. Soon, all records regarding thefts of Three Thousand Lightning Movement were laid out before the Soul Hall envoy.
But as the Ninth Heaven Sovereign scanned the records, his face darkened. The most recent theft had occurred five hundred years ago!
What am I supposed to do with this? he thought, furious.
Seeing the Ninth Heaven Sovereign's frustration, the Lightning Sovereign offered an apologetic smile. "Senior, I regret to say that while Three Thousand Lightning Movement has been stolen in the past, it hasn't been lost in centuries. It is, after all, the Wind Lightning Pavilion's core technique. We wouldn't let it go missing so easily."
Glaring at the Lightning Sovereign, the Ninth Heaven Sovereign could only leave empty handed.
As he departed, the Lightning Sovereign escorted him to the hall's entrance, bidding him farewell. Once the envoy disappeared into the distance, the North Pavilion Master, Fei Tian, approached hesitantly.
"Sect Master… should we mention the theft from ten years ago?"
The Lightning Sovereign shot him a cold glare. "You fool! Do you think I don't know what the Soul Hall is like? Whatever reason brought their Ninth Heaven Sovereign here, it's clearly not trivial.
"If someone capable of provoking the Soul Hall is involved, do you think our Wind Lightning Pavilion can afford to take sides?"
Fei Tian fell silent, understanding the gravity of the situation. Any involvement would bring disaster upon them.
"This matter ends here. No one is to bring it up again," the Lightning Sovereign commanded, sweeping his sleeve as he returned to the main hall.
Southern Central Plains
Upon receiving the Eighth Heaven Sovereign's inquiries, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan erupted with fury. The idea of someone desecrating their kin's remains was intolerable.
However, after a thorough investigation, the clan concluded that no thefts had occurred in recent centuries. Adopting a similar approach to the Wind Lightning Pavilion, the clan politely denied any involvement and dismissed the Soul Hall envoy with courtesy.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Region of the Northwestern Continent
Unbeknownst to him, Lü Bu's decoy tactics had thoroughly confused the Soul Hall, entangling its upper echelons in fruitless negotiations with Central Plains factions.
Originally, Lü Bu's plan was simple: lure Zhaixing and Mugu out of the Northwestern Continent to ensure a peaceful environment for Yun Yun, Medusa, and Xiao Yi Xian to cultivate.
But with the sudden appearance of the Black Abyss Army…
Why bother driving them away? Lü Bu thought, his grin widening. Better to drag these fools along and take out Zhaixing and Mugu directly.
"Kehehe… you truly are the worst Black Abyss Army I've ever seen!" Lü Bu jeered. With Xiao Yan's face, his crazed and arrogant demeanor created a jarring contrast.
"Who are you? And how do you know the Ancient Clan's Emperor Seal Technique?" Yang Hao growled, wiping the dirt and blood from his face.
In the void, two concealed Dou Zun level elders exchanged glances as they observed the figure that had appeared before the Black Abyss Army soldiers.
"Old Lin, what do you make of this?" The black robed Ancient Clan elder stroked his chin, recalling the moment the figure emerged. His expression grew strange. The man didn't seem strong Miss Xun'er could easily take him down, let alone the two of them.
"Let him be. Miss Xun'er and the others can handle him with ease," Lin Lao shrugged, though a flicker of familiarity crossed his face. That aura… Have I met this person before? The thought crossed his mind but was quickly dismissed.
In the forest below, the dozens of armored Black Abyss Army soldiers leapt from branch to branch, moving swiftly. Suddenly, the Third Commander, Yang Hao, slowed his pace, his sharp instincts warning him of someone blocking their path.
Behind him, Xiao Xun'er also decelerated, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. Someone had dared to intercept them?
"How bold! Friend, may I ask who is blocking our path?" Yang Hao's voice carried a cold edge as his hand lowered to his side, Dou Qi swirling faintly. His tone was calm, but his mocking smile revealed his disdain. Who in the Northwestern Continent would dare challenge the Black Abyss Army?
Rustle...
A figure in black slowly emerged from the treetops, his movements unhurried. The man's face bore a faint smile, and his gaze was fixed on Xiao Xun'er.
"Xun'er, it's been a while," the man called out with a warm tone.
Yang Hao's eyes flashed as he recognized the face. "Xiao Yan?" This was a face he knew well. Years ago, he had crossed paths with him at the Jia Nan Academy. If it hadn't been for Xiao Xun'er and Su Qian's presence back then, Yang Hao would have made Xiao Yan "remember" him in the worst way possible.
"Xiao Yan gege!" Xiao Xun'er's voice trembled with joy as she saw the familiar face. In an instant, she leapt from her position, her figure darting forward like a swallow returning to its nest. She crashed into the man's embrace with unrestrained happiness.
"Xiao Yan gege, is it really you?" Xiao Xun'er hugged him tightly, her heart overwhelmed by years of longing. Every moment she had spent apart from Xiao Yan had been filled with endless thoughts of him.
Behind her, Yang Hao's face darkened as he clenched his fists, Dou Qi surging faintly around his body.
"Of course, it's me, Xun'er!" Lü Bu, disguised as Xiao Yan, grinned broadly. Though he felt nothing romantic for Xiao Xun'er, he couldn't deny her beauty. Ahem… Show some respect! he thought, his body reacting involuntarily.
"..."
Xiao Xun'er stiffened, her joy dissipating as her head tilted up to meet his gaze. Her once sweet expression turned cold as frost, and her golden eyes burned with killing intent.
"Uh… What's wrong?" Lü Bu's heart skipped a beat. Did she see through my disguise? Impossible!
"Xiao Yan gege would never address me like that," Xiao Xun'er said flatly, her tone carrying a dangerous chill.
Boom!
A violent surge of golden Dou Qi erupted from her body. Her three thousand strands of hair flew upward as an invisible force radiated outward, making the air tremble. Golden flames roared around her delicate figure, and her eyes sparkled with a fierce glint.
Without hesitation, her jade like palm slammed into Lü Bu's chest.
Bang!
A golden shockwave exploded outward, and Lü Bu's body was sent hurtling backward. He crashed through countless tree trunks, each impact sending splinters flying, before smashing into the ground, where he lay motionless.
Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath to calm her boiling anger. She clenched her hand into a fist, her face hidden behind the white veil now twisted in frustration. What is this guy made of? A Taixu Ancient Dragon? she thought, recalling the impact of her strike.
"Kehehe… Interesting. As expected of the Black Abyss Army," a voice echoed faintly.
Lü Bu slowly rose from the ground, brushing dirt off his clothes. He remained in Xiao Yan's form, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Are you a Soul Hall lackey?" Xiao Xun'er's tone grew colder, her killing intent reaching a new peak.
"How could I be?" Lü Bu chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery as he spoke in Xiao Yan's tone. "Xun'er, my dear sister, it's me, your Xiao Yan gege!"
Boom!
A terrifying aura surged forth from Xiao Xun'er, her killing intent igniting like a raging inferno. The air around her warped as her golden flames burned fiercely.
In an instant, she vanished from her position, reappearing before Lü Bu in the blink of an eye.
"Great Annihilation Finger!"
Her slender fingers, coated in golden light, pierced through the air, aiming straight for Lü Bu's throat.
Lü Bu's eyes gleamed with amusement. He raised his left arm to block her strike, dark gold dragon scales shimmering as they appeared on his skin.
At the same time, his right hand clenched into a fist, muscles swelling as an explosive force surged within. Without hesitation, he aimed a punch straight at Xiao Xun'er's face.
Clang!
Her golden flames collided with his dragon scales, creating a metallic screech. The force of the clash sent both of them skidding backward.
Xiao Xun'er's face twisted with fury beneath her veil. This bastard doesn't know how to go easy on a girl, does he? she thought, her anger boiling over.
"Let's see what you've got!" Lü Bu grinned as he clasped his hands together. A dazzling purple gold light burst forth, illuminating the forest.
The light coalesced into a massive dragon shaped shadow that loomed behind Lü Bu. The shadow slowly solidified, revealing a mighty dragon radiating a domineering aura.
"Dragon Transformation Technique Immovable Azure Dragon Bell!" Lü Bu shouted, his voice echoing like a thunderclap.
The shadowy dragon roared, its mighty cry shaking the heavens and earth. With a sweeping motion, it coiled around Lü Bu, its scales glowing with purple gold radiance as they formed a massive bell like barrier around him.
"Taixu Ancient Dragon?"
Both the hidden Dou Zun elders and the distant Black Abyss Army soldiers gasped in disbelief.
(Chapter End)
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