Chapter 129

Chapter 129

"Jie Jie Jie..." Lu Bu chuckled as he stroked his chin. "So, where's the item?"

"This is the battle technique I prepared for Brother Xiao Yan…" Xiao Xun'er clenched her jade like fists, her tone tinged with resentment.

Hearing this, Lu Bu's eyes lit up. What a surprise! If this was what she had prepared for Xiao Yan, then the Imperial Seal Technique must be even better!

Under Lu Bu's glowing gaze, Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath. Slowly, she retrieved a black scroll from her storage ring.

"Hand it over!" Lu Bu snickered as he snatched the black scroll from Xiao Xun'er's hands without hesitation.

Xiao Xun'er's delicate frame trembled slightly. She felt as though something she had treasured for so long, something she had carefully preserved to gift her beloved, had been sullied. How could she ever explain this to Brother Xiao Yan?

Biting her red lips, Xiao Xun'er's bright eyes reflected the moonlight overhead. She silently comforted herself. Forget it… just treat it as if it were fed to a dog…

Ignoring the drama playing out in her heart, Lu Bu unfurled the scroll to inspect it. His brows furrowed slightly it was a straightforward battle technique scroll with no spiritual imprints or protective mechanisms, and it only contained the Mountain Splitting Seal and Sea Flipping Seal.

"Girl, where are the remaining three seals?" Lu Bu asked as he tossed the scroll lightly in his hand.

Of course, he knew she only had two seals, but why not push his luck for more?

"You should understand how valuable this is!" Xiao Xun'er said angrily. "I only have two seals!"

"Fine, but you owe me the other three seals. Don't forget," Lu Bu said nonchalantly, smacking his lips.

"Hmph!" Xiao Xun'er snorted coldly.

"Head back now. I'll make sure the medicinal ingredients get to Xiao Yan. After all… you wouldn't want Brother Xiao Yan to find out about what transpired between us, would you, Miss Xun'er?" Lu Bu's smile carried a teasing edge.

Xiao Xun'er's toes lightly touched the ground as she floated away without another word, ignoring Lu Bu's taunts.

As for the necessary precautions and warnings for cultivating the Imperial Seal Technique, especially the harm it could cause before reaching the Dou King level? Xiao Xun'er didn't bother to mention a single one.

Lu Bu tucked the battle technique away and then knocked on Xiao Yan's door. When Xiao Yan opened it, his face full of confusion, he saw Lu Bu standing there.

"Perhaps asking for the Bodhi Pill was a bit excessive," Lu Bu said with a neutral expression but a faint tone of regret in his voice. "How about this I'll settle for the Green Fuling Pill. That's my final offer."

"The Green Fuling Pill? What do you need that for?" Yao Lao's translucent figure emerged, his first reaction not one of joy but of confusion.

The Green Fuling Pill served a purpose similar to the Purple Revival Pill, helping restore one's strength after injuries. Lu Bu wanted it for a straightforward reason to prepare for the Heavenly Flame Dou Venerate.

"That's none of your concern. Do we have a deal or not?" Lu Bu said as he waved his hand, causing three jade boxes to appear. They contained the three ingredients required for the Earth Spirit Pill.

Yao Lao and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance. While the Green Fuling Pill was technically an eighth tier pill, it was relatively niche and less potent compared to many advanced seventh tier pills.

"Deal!" Yao Lao decided swiftly, drawing the three jade boxes to him with a wave of his hand. Simultaneously, a weathered scroll floated out.

No matter the reason, obtaining the ingredients was the priority!

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Xiao Yan asked suspiciously, scrutinizing Lu Bu.

"Ahaha… I guess I realized I was being too unreasonable," Lu Bu chuckled, scratching his head while giving Xiao Yan a meaningful look.

"W What are you staring at?" Xiao Yan felt a strange weight settle on his brow, as though he was being targeted by an unseen malice.

"Ahaha… nothing, nothing," Lu Bu laughed it off.

In truth, the world doesn't simply grant peace. Behind every quiet moment, someone bears the burden in silence.

After seeing Lu Bu off, Xiao Yan focused his attention on the three ingredients.

"Teacher?"

"The plan remains unchanged. Keep searching for the Green Wood Immortal Vine and prepare for the operation to seize the Sea Heart Flame," Yao Lao's ancient voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

"Yes!" Xiao Yan replied firmly.

...

In Black Emperor City, one of the most prosperous cities in the Black Corner Region and home to the influential Black Emperor Sect...

Mo Ya lifted the blanket and sat up from his bed. After several days of recovery, his internal injuries were fully healed. However...

He touched the empty space where his right arm used to be, his expression darkening as he was reminded that it had been completely severed.

At that moment, a middle aged man dressed in a gold threaded python robe entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

It was Mo Tianxing, the Black Emperor Sect's leader, a four star Dou Zong, and a renowned figure in the Black Corner Region.

"I've fully recovered," Mo Ya said in a deep voice. The ordeal he had endured had indeed been perilous.

"The intel you brought back is valuable. We'll soon locate that hidden site," Mo Tianxing said with a nod. For once, his typically stern face softened into a faint smile.

"..." Mo Ya remained silent, pressing his lips together.

"Rest well. I've instructed Elder Qi Shan to find a way to help you regain your right arm," Mo Tianxing said, patting his son's shoulder.

"Father..." Mo Ya slowly raised his head, his eyes burning with hatred and rage. "I want revenge! This cannot end like this!"

Mo Tianxing paused briefly, then smirked. "Very well. I'll assign you our planted agents in the Inner Academy. But... remember, the enemies must be eliminated, and the agents must return safely!"

"Yes, Father!"

...

The next day, six people gathered in a room, summoned by Xiao Yan.

Scanning the group, Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on Lu Bu, who sat in the main seat, before turning to the others. Taking a deep breath, he said solemnly, "For the time being, I'll be entering seclusion. We'll have to set aside the matter of refining pills for now."

"Don't worry, Xiao Yan. Focus on your cultivation," Nalan Yanran said with a smile. "Do you have enough fire energy..."

"I have plenty," Xiao Yan replied, waving his hand dismissively. Thanks to the Saint Gate's fire energy resources, his account now held several hundred fire energy points, more than enough for his needs.

The Saint Gate had gradually begun to expand. Aside from Lu Bu and Xiao Yan, they had recruited two rogue alchemists one at the second tier level and the other at the third tier level. Along with their primary products, the Essence Cleansing Ice Spirit Liquid and Essence Cleansing Cold Spirit Liquid, Lu Bu and Xiao Yan decided to introduce third tier Qi Recovery Pills and second tier Ice Spirit Pills and Restorative Body Pills. The first restored Dou Qi, while the latter suppressed fire poison and served as a healing pill.

"I'm heading back to the arena!" Wu Hao scratched his head and laughed. He clearly preferred the arena to the Sky Burning Qi Tower.

"Wait… things haven't been very peaceful recently," Hu Jia reminded him.

"With Lu Bu here, there's nothing to worry about," Wu Hao said dismissively.

"Go ahead. I'll stay in the Saint Gate for a while," Lu Bu said with a smile. For now, he didn't plan to leave, focusing instead on delving deeper into the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Art. This martial art was incredibly profound, reshaping one's body into a dragon form it wasn't something achievable with mere brute force.

Hearing this, both Wu Hao and Xiao Yan were visibly pleased. After nearly a month of Lu Bu neglecting his duties, it seemed like he was finally back!

Without further thought, the two of them got up and left. In the blink of an eye, only Lu Bu and the three girls remained in the room.

"Let's continue," Lu Bu tapped his finger on the table and asked in a serious tone, "Hu Jia, what did you mean earlier when you said things haven't been peaceful recently?"

"Our conflict with the Medicine Gang has been escalating," Xiao Xun'er said solemnly. She was in charge of the herb gathering team as well as the sale of medicinal pills.

"After Senior Sister Liu Fei taught the Medicine Gang and the White Gang a lesson, they behaved for a few days. But now, they're stirring up trouble again!"

"This time, members of other factions have infiltrated the Medicine Gang. There's the White Gang, Jade Gate, Green Gate, and others..."

"The Green Gate and Jade Gate?" Lu Bu frowned. These two groups were unfamiliar to him.

"The Green Gate is a minor faction that's just following the trend. The real problem is the Jade Gate," Xiao Xun'er explained gravely. "It was established by Yan Hao, the fourth ranked on the Strong Ranking. Although they don't send many people and rarely make moves, the injuries they've inflicted on our members are severe."

As for the White Gang, Xiao Xun'er dismissed them outright. Their hostility toward the Saint Gate was nothing new.

"Yan Hao..." Lu Bu's eyes flickered. At this point, those on the Strong Ranking should be focused on their cultivation. The Medicine Gang's influence seemed stronger than expected.

"I can't just sit back and let my people take this lying down..." Lu Bu stroked his chin. The Medicine Gang definitely needed to be dealt with, but knowing oneself and one's enemy was essential for victory.

"Xun'er, what are the Medicine Gang's main medicinal products?"

"They sell similar items to ours, including healing pills and Dou Qi recovery pills. I have some samples here." Xiao Xun'er placed two bottles of pills on the table. Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. "Lu Bu, didn't you mention earlier that you sent people out to gather intelligence…?"

"Cough, cough… don't sweat the details," Lu Bu cleared his throat and waved his hand dismissively before picking up the Medicine Gang's pills to inspect them.

"Hmph," Xiao Xun'er snorted, clearly displeased. She suspected that this slacker had been offloading his responsibilities onto Brother Xiao Yan, making him toil away refining pills for an entire month.

Lu Bu poured out a pill from the bottle labeled Qi Restoration Pill and sniffed it. His brows furrowed. It was a first tier pill with barely any fragrance.

That wasn't the worst of it. The pill was crudely made, its ingredients haphazardly thrown together according to the formula. While it did have some effect on restoring Dou Qi, the potency was negligible.

The problem stemmed partly from the formula and partly from the alchemist's sloppy and careless process. The pill could have been much more effective.

Lu Bu then picked up the so called Blood Recovery Pill, a healing pill, but it was just as poorly made rough and ineffectual, relying entirely on the raw properties of the ingredients.

"How does the Medicine Gang have the audacity to sell pills like these?" Lu Bu tossed the two pills lightly in his hand, his face filled with disbelief.

"Before us, the Medicine Gang was the only faction selling pills in the Inner Academy," Nalan Yanran said.

"A monopoly, huh…" Lu Bu muttered. No wonder they were so arrogant and careless. Lin Yan wasn't wrong the Medicine Gang really was selling junk!

Lu Bu remained silent for a while. The Medicine Gang, White Gang, Green Gate, and Jade Gate seemed troublesome, but in reality, they were nothing more than a ragtag bunch.

The Jade Gate would be left to Zi Yan she'd certainly enjoy the task, especially since she was always worried about whether he'd help her refine pills.

The White Gang and Green Gate could be handled by Lin Yan. The guy owed Lu Bu a favor, so asking him to step in wasn't a big deal.

As for the Medicine Gang, Lu Bu decided he'd take care of them personally, whether through alchemy or direct combat it didn't matter.

As he was deep in thought, a commotion broke out outside the room, accompanied by the faint smell of blood.

The four of them exchanged glances and quickly stepped outside.

"Cough… cough… damn it, those Medicine Gang bastards..."

"Don't talk! Your lungs are severely injured, and blood is backing up into your nasal cavity…"

"Quick, healing pills! Anyone with wood attributes, come help stabilize him..."

"Get some hemostatic powder! We need more people to help with the bandages…"

The open space in the new student residential area was in complete chaos. Four individuals lay on the ground, blood staining their chests and mouths as they coughed violently. Fresh blood bubbled up from their throats with every cough.

One of them, the most severely injured, was already unconscious, though blood still trickled from the corners of his mouth.

Lu Bu's face darkened to the point where it seemed water might drip from it. He hadn't expected the Medicine Gang to go this far.

Walking over to the unconscious individual, Lu Bu pressed his fingers to the man's chest and channeled his soul power into him.

As his investigation concluded, a cold glint flashed in Lu Bu's eyes. The man's lungs had shifted, and his alveoli were partially ruptured. On Earth, such injuries would be considered catastrophic and irreversible.

"What's his name?" Lu Bu asked.

"His name is Atai… Gate Master, the Medicine Gang has gone too far!"

"They've injured all our people severely this can't go unanswered!"

"Gate Master, we can't endure this any longer. Those bastards have crossed the line!"

"Gate Master, give the order! Let's declare war there's no other choice!"

Looking at the outraged crowd of brothers, Lu Bu took a deep breath and said coldly:

"Fine. I promise you this Medicine Gang, White Gang, Jade Gate I will uproot them all, leaving none behind!"

"I'll make them understand that provoking the Saint Gate comes with a price no one can afford!"

His voice was resolute and firm. Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er exchanged glances, their expressions shifting slightly. This guy... he wouldn't go as far as killing, would he?

"Good! Gate Master, make them see that we are not to be trifled with!" The crowd of the Saint Gate erupted in roars, their morale surging.

"Take care of the injured first. Get them out of danger." Lu Bu retrieved a bottle of Zhengqi Pills, uncapped it, and poured out a few. "Distribute these to them," he instructed.

A rich medicinal fragrance wafted through the air, instantly boosting everyone's spirits.

"Gate Master, is this...?" one person couldn't help but ask.

"Fifth tier medicinal pills, Zhengqi Pills. Give them to the wounded," Lu Bu said calmly.

"Fifth tier pills?"

The members of the Saint Gate were overcome with joy and gratitude. Their Gate Master was willing to use such precious pills on them?

Though for Lu Bu, fifth tier pills were no more than candy he was, after all, a seventh tier alchemist, and crafting these pills was a trivial task for him.

But for these students, most of whom were Dou Shi or Da Dou Shi, encountering fifth tier pills was a rarity.

"Fifth tier pills, Lu Bu, you're really extravagant!" A sweet voice came from behind. Turning around, Lu Bu saw Liu Fei, whom he'd previously met once.

"Liu Fei, Senior Sister!" Lu Bu clasped his hands respectfully. Although Liu Fei didn't have the best reputation in the original story, she had neither troubled him in the Sky Burning Qi Tower nor done harm to the Saint Gate. Instead, she'd helped them. His impression of her was relatively positive.

Liu Fei nodded, scanning the chaotic scene at the Saint Gate. Her delicate face darkened. "My people were injured too!"

"Nalan, take care of the situation. Senior Sister, let's talk inside." Lu Bu led Xiao Xun'er, Hu Jia, and Liu Fei into the room while Nalan Yanran stayed behind to organize and oversee the members.

"What happened?" Lu Bu asked seriously. While the Medicine Gang had clashed with them before, they hadn't gone this far. This sudden escalation was unexpected.

Liu Fei sighed. "Han Xian is closely connected to the eighth ranked on the Strong Ranking. That person just finished their retreat, and now Han Xian is emboldened, no longer mindful of my presence."

"The eighth ranked?" Lu Bu frowned. He couldn't recall such a character from the original story.

"His name is Zongzheng Cai. He's highly proficient in wood attribute Dou Qi and extremely powerful. Even Yao Sheng couldn't withstand a single move from him." Liu Fei sighed again. "My cousin is still in retreat, and even if he wasn't, he wouldn't get involved. His goal has always been Lin Xiuya."

"Zongzheng Cai is the second in command of Jade Gate. The leader is Yan Hao, who has a close relationship with Lin Xiuya."

"Zongzheng Cai..." Lu Bu ignored the rest of Liu Fei's words. Just knowing this was enough.

"What do you plan to do?" Xiao Xun'er asked in a serious tone. She didn't think for a second that Lu Bu would let this slide.

"I said it before I will uproot them all!" Lu Bu declared resolutely. "Senior Sister Liu Fei, can you tell me more about the Medicine Gang?"

The Medicine Gang was the key. They were the central link connecting everything, the Saint Gate's number one enemy, and the source of all the trouble.

Zongzheng Cai wasn't important just another strong fighter. Lu Bu could swat him down with a single blow.

"I'll explain the Medicine Gang. I've had plenty of run ins with those frauds." A booming voice came from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Lin Yan standing there.

Liu Fei's eyes widened in surprise. Lin Yan? Lu Bu was connected to the tenth ranked on the Strong Ranking?

Ignoring Liu Fei's astonishment, Lin Yan dragged a chair over, sat down, and began: "The Medicine Gang is just a bunch of crooks selling fake pills."

"Jie... A year ago, I bought a Beast Power Pill from Han Xian, planning to hunt a fifth tier magical beast in the mountains. But that Beast Power Pill had only half the promised effect and lasted barely a minute. I nearly died to the beast's claws."

As he spoke, Lin Yan rolled up his sleeve, revealing three hideous scars on his left arm.

"The Medicine Gang doesn't just sell fake pills to me they do it to everyone. Sometimes we'd rather take leave and go to the Alchemy Department than buy pills from the Medicine Gang within the Inner Academy," Lin Yan said grimly.

"How could you tolerate that?" Liu Fei couldn't help but ask. A fifth tier magical beast was far beyond her level as a Da Dou Shi.

"Zongzheng Cai sent me packing," Lin Yan said coldly. If he hadn't been afflicted by fire poison, would he even have to fear Zongzheng Cai? He'd definitely reclaim his honor, and the day wasn't far off.

Knock, knock!

A knock on the door interrupted them. A Saint Gate member walked in, holding a red, gold trimmed invitation.

"Gate Master, this was sent by the Medicine Gang. Their leader, Han Xian, is inviting you to a banquet," the member said grimly. The Medicine Gang's audacity was outrageous.

Lu Bu took the invitation and opened it:

"To my dear brother, Lu Bu: Your brother, Han Xian of the Medicine Gang, has arranged a banquet at the Fortune Hall. I sincerely invite you to honor me with your presence. Your brother wishes to discuss important matters with you!"

"Hmph... A Hongmen Banquet, is it? They're inviting me..." Lu Bu slapped the invitation onto the table, his face darkening. The condescending tone in the letter was unmistakable.

"Lu Bu, what do you plan to do?"

"I'll attend!" Lu Bu snorted. "Let's see what they're up to!"

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