Chapter 260: Unrequited Love, One of Life's Greatest Regrets
"Elder Xuan… Elder Xuan… what is the Black Submerged Army?" Feng Qing'er asked softly, still harboring a hint of dissatisfaction, though her tone had noticeably calmed.
Lu Bu had already left by now, and the boundless dragon aura that had crushed them into submission had vanished. Thunder Master and the three pavilion masters of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, upon hearing Feng Qing'er's question, instinctively turned their gaze to Elder Huang Xuan.
After all, the token had directly struck Huang Xuan's face this five star Dou Zun, a mighty Heaven Demon Phoenix. Yet, instead of erupting with rage, he had remained frozen in stunned silence.
The meaning behind the "Black Submerged Army" token clearly merited deep contemplation.
Hearing Feng Qing'er's question, Huang Xuan snapped out of his daze. A cold snort escaped his lips, the dissatisfaction he felt toward Feng Qing'er evident. But after a moment of hesitation and considering her reckless nature, he finally opened his mouth, lest this foolish girl provoke that Void Ancient Dragon again.
"The Black Submerged Army is a subsidiary force of the Ancient Gu Clan, an ancient imperial clan. It is led by a powerful figure known as the Black Submerged King," Huang Xuan explained.
Upon hearing this, Feng Qing'er and the four from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion were left bewildered. The Gu Clan? Never heard of it. Black Submerged King? Is he a Dou Wang?
"Hmph… don't bother asking me what the Gu Clan is. I only know the bare minimum and not much more," Huang Xuan snorted coldly. "What I do know is this: the Black Submerged King is immensely powerful, unmatched by most. His strength is at the level of an eight star…"
"Eight star Dou Zun?" Feng Qing'er's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just an eight star Dou Zun what is there to fear?"
The four from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion also looked puzzled. An eight star Dou Zun was indeed incredibly strong, certainly among the top tier powerhouses of Central Plains. It was said that the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns of the Soul Hall were of this level.
However, compared to the might of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, an eight star Dou Zun seemed far from worth their fear. Perhaps Huang Xuan had been intimidated by the Void Ancient Dragon?
"Fools!" Huang Xuan's expression twisted with frustration, his voice low but filled with bitter scorn. "Eight star Dou Sheng! Not Dou Zun!"
"The Black Submerged King alone is strong enough to annihilate our entire Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan!"
Whoosh!
Feng Qing'er's face turned pale as a sheet.
She finally understood why Elder Huang Xuan hadn't reacted with anger. An eight star Dou Sheng was a figure of legend this was a realm just one step away from becoming a Dou Di!
Whoosh!
The faces of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's four leaders also went white. Thunder Master and the two southwestern pavilion masters turned to glare at Fei Tian, their expressions accusing. What kind of enemy did you drag us into this time?
Fei Tian looked as if he were about to cry. Damn you, Shen Yun! If you weren't already dead, I'd kill you myself!
"And this man's identity…" Feng Qing'er murmured, her throat dry. It was the first time she had heard of such a powerful figure. Before now, such a concept had been beyond her imagination.
"That was the command token of the Black Submerged Army. Based on his rank, he's likely the Eighth Commander…" Huang Xuan's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. No wonder someone so young could possess such strength. Not only is he a Void Ancient Dragon, but he's also likely a member of the Gu Clan…
"And his elder brother, this Xiao Yan…" Thunder Master's voice was hoarse, his scalp tingling with numbness. He hadn't felt such fear since breaking through to Dou Zun all those years ago.
"Yes," Huang Xuan said with a glint in his eyes. "It's very likely that Xiao Yan is the Great Commander of the Black Submerged Army. If that's true, he could well be the next Black Submerged King…"
"And his claims about Xiao Yan possessing the potential of a Dou Di…" Feng Qing'er was stunned. Could it actually be true? Could the Great Commander of the Black Submerged Army really possess such potential?
"Hmph! The Gu Clan descends from ancient Dou Di bloodlines. It's not surprising for them to make such claims," Huang Xuan snorted.
"I…" Feng Qing'er's eyes reddened slightly as guilt washed over her. "Elder Xuan, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked someone like that…"
"No!" Huang Xuan's eyes sharpened as he cut her off.
"The Black Submerged Army may be powerful, but it is still just the Black Submerged Army. The Black Submerged King may be strong, but he is still the Black Submerged King of the Gu Clan not the Black Submerged King of the Void Ancient Dragons. And this man is only the Eighth Commander, not the Great Commander!"
"A mere Void Ancient Dragon cannot act so arrogantly before us!"
"Elder Xuan…" Feng Qing'er's expression turned blank. "What… what do you mean by that?"
The four leaders of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion were equally dumbfounded. Based on everything Huang Xuan had said so far, they had expected him to suggest sealing their gates and avoiding all contact with Lu Bu at all costs.
"We won't provoke him, and we won't create conflict but that doesn't mean others won't!" Huang Xuan's eyes gleamed coldly. A Void Ancient Dragon? Hmph. Does he think our Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan can be pushed around so easily?
"Wind and Thunder Pavilion," Huang Xuan said, turning to the four leaders.
"Y yes, Elder Xuan," Thunder Master stammered, bowing deeply. "We are at your service and will give our all to assist you!"
After a brief pause, Huang Xuan said, "Help spread his name. He used the Heaven Nether Shura Hand, correct? Publicize it make it known far and wide. Focus on that. However, omit anything about his Void Ancient Dragon identity or his rank in the Black Submerged Army."
"Instead, emphasize that his elder brother, Xiao Yan, possesses the potential to become a Dou Di, and that he himself is a peerless master of the Heaven Nether Shura Hand."
"Understood!" Thunder Master's eyes gleamed with glee. Perfect! If we're going to suffer, everyone else should too!
"Do it," Huang Xuan said with a sly smile. "Heh… A Void Ancient Dragon? There's no way my Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan will bear this loss alone!"
"Let's see how far this little one star Dou Zong can go before he crashes down!"
…
In a remote mountain range in the northern region, a streak of purple light flashed across the sky as Lu Bu flew south.
He was riding a Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, a sixth tier magical beast he had specifically sought out as a mount. Initially, the lion had been utterly unwilling, exuding an air of pride as though daring Lu Bu to kill it before it would submit.
That was until Lu Bu used the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art and smacked it square on the head. From then on, the mighty lion could only whimper and obediently comply.
Lu Bu, however, found it irritating. "What are you whining about? You're not even female. If you were, then your whining might at least be pleasant to hear."
He sighed, thinking back to the Purple Crystal Winged Lioness he had encountered in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. I wonder how she's doing now…
It was a bittersweet thought. They had crossed paths, but fate had denied them any deeper connection. Now, any chance to reunite seemed slim.
The memory left Lu Bu feeling melancholic. Unrequited love… truly one of life's greatest regrets.
"Cough, cough… Lu Bu, where are we headed next?" asked a voice in his mind. It was the Heavenly Flame Venerable, who hadn't spoken up for quite some time.
"Hm? Oh…" Lu Bu shook himself from his reverie. "Venerable Yao, my next destination is the Falling God Gorge in the Pill Region."
"Falling God Gorge… I don't think I've heard of it," the Venerable muttered.
"There's a seventh tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast there," Lu Bu said with a chuckle. "I need its magic core."
"Oh… I see." Venerable Tian Huo suddenly understood. Lu Bu had a close companion with the Woeful Poison Body, and this trip was clearly to seek a method for the Poison Pill. He remembered that Lu Bu still had a drop of Bodhi Saliva in his possession, which was specifically prepared for this purpose.
"So, when do you plan to break through to the Spirit Realm in soul power?" Venerable Tian Huo asked, shifting the topic.
"That… could happen at any time…" Lu Bu stroked his chin, thinking aloud. "I just need to find a quiet, safe place and confirm that there aren't any Medicine Clan spies around."
"I see…" Venerable Tian Huo murmured.
"Is there something you need, Senior Yao?" Lu Bu asked curiously. The venerable seemed unusually talkative today.
"Haha… hahaha…" Venerable Tian Huo laughed awkwardly. "Well, I've nearly recovered my soul strength over the past few days. About the matter of crafting a body for me… haha…"
"Oh, that!" Lu Bu chuckled. "That is indeed important. My apologies, Senior Yao, for the oversight."
"Oh? Then… when do we begin? Ahem, no rush! I'm not in a hurry!" Venerable Tian Huo coughed lightly to mask his eagerness.
Lu Bu stroked his chin in thought for a moment. "Hmm… Senior Yao, how strong were you in your prime?"
"Eight star Dou Zun decently powerful," Venerable Tian Huo replied.
"Eight stars?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, his face momentarily showing surprise. In the original story, wasn't it said he was at five stars?
Wait… Lu Bu frowned as he pondered. He recalled that in the original story, after Xiao Yan returned from Dragon Island and prepared to head to the Gu Clan, Yao Lao mentioned that he had helped Venerable Tian Huo recover to the six star Dou Zun level.
If that was true, then Venerable Tian Huo's original strength must have been far beyond six stars.
So why did he tell Xiao Yan he was a five star Dou Zun? Was he deliberately downplaying his strength in case his recovery was disappointing?
That didn't seem necessary. After all, losing power isn't something to be ashamed of… well, okay, maybe a little bit.
"Why are you so confused?" Venerable Tian Huo's voice grew gruff with irritation. "Back in my prime, I possessed the Falling Heart Flame! Among those of my level, my cultivation speed was unrivaled!"
"If it weren't for being backstabbed by the Falling Heart Flame, I might have already achieved Dou Sheng by now! The title 'Heavenly Flame Sage' would not have been out of reach!"
"Cough… makes sense!" Lu Bu snapped out of his thoughts, finding the explanation reasonable, even if it felt a bit like hindsight bias.
"Senior Yao, in that case… how about I get you the skeletal remains of a Dou Sheng for your new body?" Lu Bu stroked his chin as he spoke. If he could secure the support of a half saint or a multi rotation Dou Zun, he would have much greater freedom in his future plans.
As for Dou Sheng remains… they weren't hard to find. That ancient relic site contained some. He just needed to figure out a way to retrieve them.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Venerable Tian Huo's soul quivered, momentarily startled. Was Lu Bu suggesting he was going to hunt a Dou Sheng?
"The skeletal remains of a Dou Sheng, the Heaven Demon Phoenix's five star Dou Zun blood essence, and an eighth tier Bone Melding Blood Pill. If all of these are used together, Senior Yao, would you have confidence in reaching the five rotation Dou Zun or even the half saint level?"
Hearing this, Venerable Tian Huo's soul trembled, and his throat unconsciously moved as if swallowing. Even in his soul state, he felt parched. "Well… half saint would take some luck, but strength above five rotation Dou Zun is absolutely achievable."
"If that's the case, then Senior Yao, you'll have to wait a bit longer. I'll need to acquire the Dou Sheng remains first," Lu Bu said with a chuckle.
"No problem. I've waited this long; a little longer won't hurt." Venerable Tian Huo's voice was steady, though it carried a trace of solemn gratitude. "Lu Bu, this kindness of yours, I will never forget. If you ever need anything from me, just ask. My life is yours to command!"
"Senior Yao, you're too kind. I'll be counting on your support in the future," Lu Bu said earnestly. "The enemies I'll face… won't be weak."
"Haha! Then I'll await the good news. If you ever need me, don't hesitate to call upon me. If I can be of use, just say the word!" Venerable Tian Huo laughed heartily.
"Of course," Lu Bu replied with a smile.
As they spoke, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King carried Lu Bu to a spatial wormhole. With a flick of his wrist, Lu Bu released his spatial boat and entered the wormhole.
"Let's go. Onward to Falling God Gorge!"
…
In the Central Plains, deep within a remote mountain range.
Whoosh!
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air, and a jade slip shrouded in black mist shot into a grand hall.
Slap!
A hand reached out, catching it firmly.
"Hmm… interesting…" A man in blue robes held the jade slip, a faintly amused smile playing on his lips.
Instantly, all eyes in the hall turned toward him.
"Mo Yu, what is it?" asked Bone You, the Second Heavenly Sovereign of the Soul Hall, his skeletal, ghost like face emanating an eerie aura.
"Heh… Heh…" Mo Yu, the Ninth Heavenly Sovereign, smirked mockingly. "There's an interesting figure causing a stir in the northern region of Central Plains. This person claims that his elder brother, Xiao Yan, possesses the potential to become a Dou Di and that his brother even dares to challenge our Soul Hall."
"Hm?" The eyes of the others in the hall snapped open, their expressions shifting to amusement.
"Heh… how long has it been since someone dared to use our Soul Hall's name to make themselves famous?"
"What is this person's strength?"
"Merely a one star Dou Zong, though his combat prowess is decent. He did manage to kill a Dou Zong elder of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion."
"Heh… in that case, Mo Yu, go bring me his head," Bone You said nonchalantly. But before he could finish, another streak of light shot into the hall, landing on the floor.
Nearby, Mu Gu picked it up respectfully. After reading it, a smile crept across his face.
"My lords, we've received news about that mysterious golden puppet," Mu Gu said. He was referring to the incident involving the destruction of a Soul Hall branch in the northwestern continent.
"Oh? Speak!"
"Quickly!"
Hearing this, Bone You and the other Heavenly Sovereigns, including the Star Reaching Elder, leaned forward eagerly.
"The person controlling the puppet was spotted near the border between the northwest continent and the northern region of the Central Plains," Mu Gu reported. "However, the puppeteer is only a Dou Huang, and the puppet they control is a silver tier puppet with the strength of a Dou Zong."
Upon hearing this, the four Heavenly Sovereigns frowned in unison. A Dou Huang with a Dou Zong puppet didn't seem capable of annihilating two Dou Zun one of whom was a Heavenly Sovereign.
After a moment of contemplation, Bone You said, "Mu Gu, go investigate. Capture this person alive and interrogate them about the origin of their puppets."
"This individual may not be the one who destroyed our branch, but they could have valuable information."
"Yes!" Mu Gu replied. Sending a three star Dou Zun to apprehend a mere Dou Huang seemed more than sufficient.
As for the Dou Zong trying to use their Soul Hall for fame…
Mo Yu stood, a sinister grin spreading across his face as the space around him rippled. Moments later, his figure disappeared entirely from the hall.
The Soul Hall had gone too long without flexing its strength in the Central Plains. It seemed people had forgotten that the Soul Hall was synonymous with terror.
"Well then… let's remind them."
Heh heh heh…
(End of Chapter)
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