Chapter 338: I Report, I Accuse, and I Have Accomplices!
The sudden turn of events left everyone struggling to react.
In the blink of an eye, one of the two fearsome, murderous Heavenly Elders from the Hall of Souls had been killed, leaving only one remaining. To make matters worse, a formidable puppet at the peak of six star Dou Zun had emerged its strength unmatched by anyone present.
"That pretty boy… he can even command those two old crones from the Nine Nether Earth Python clan?"
"Damn it… no wonder those two old hags spoke up for him earlier!"
"Fools! With that puppet, do you really think he needs those two old crones from the Nine Nether Earth Python clan?"
"Who is he? Why have I never heard of this person before?"
"He… he's… I don't know either, damn it!"
What shocked the crowd even more was that this seemingly unremarkable pretty boy could order around the two infamous Dou Zun elders of the Nine Nether Earth Python clan. That was simply outrageous!
While the spectators whispered in shock, Xiao Yi Xian and the two sisters let out a collective shout. Their overwhelming Dou Qi struck the Dou Saint skeleton with devastating force.
Clang!
A deafening metallic sound reverberated through the hall. Ya Rong winced slightly, the recoil from the blow leaving her hand stinging in pain.
Despite her being a magical beast, known for her formidable physical strength, she couldn't gain any advantage against this skeleton one that held only a sliver of its soul imprint.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The skeleton's figure trembled and staggered backward. Its earlier attack, the "Great Heaven Creation Palm," had consumed most of its energy. Now it was a spent force, struggling to defend itself against the onslaught of three five star Dou Zuns. It had no strength left to counterattack.
Some onlookers' eyes gleamed with greed. The Dou Saint skeleton was so powerful that it had drawn countless strong fighters to their knees. If I could claim it…
"Humph!" Xiao Yan snorted coldly, releasing his soul power in a sweeping wave. His sharp voice rang out, "Everyone, not all treasures are meant to be touched. Don't throw your lives away for nothing!"
His words jolted the crowd like a bucket of cold water. Though Xiao Yan's strength was relatively weaker compared to those battling the Hall of Souls, it was more than enough to deter the onlookers.
Thump!
Meanwhile, the golden Sky Demon Puppet and White Elder clashed fiercely, their fight moving at a much faster pace. The puppet's iron fists rained down relentlessly, like a storm battering a ship. White Elder spat blood with each hit.
At first, White Elder managed to hold his ground, but his defenses began to crumble. After taking a solid punch, his situation deteriorated rapidly, leaving him struggling to parry the puppet's relentless barrage.
Gulp.
The spectators couldn't help but swallow nervously. Who was this pretty boy? He was taking down a Hall of Souls Heavenly Elder as if it were nothing. Didn't he fear their wrath once he left this place?
"Enough gawking, fools! Let's get out of here!"
"Yes, hurry! If he's willing to kill the Hall of Souls, what's stopping him from slaughtering us next?"
"No… no way. There are dozens of us here he wouldn't kill fifty or sixty people, would he?"
"Humph! He dared to go after the Hall of Souls. Killing fifty or sixty of you is nothing to him!"
"Right, we need to leave now!"
Startled by this realization, the crowd scattered, fleeing for the exits. The situation was spiraling out of control. Though the Nine Nether Earth Python clan appeared to be following orders, the battle between them and the Hall of Souls was terrifying enough.
These two factions were far beyond their league. Intervening was out of the question. And with scrolls already in hand, there was no reason to stay.
Within moments, most of the bystanders had fled, leaving only a few daring opportunists and major factions like the Ice River Valley and the Burning Flame Valley.
Splatter!
A shadow flashed, and a bloody light erupted from White Elder's chest as a hand pierced through it. Ethereal, colorless flames began to rise, burning away his soul and snuffing out any chance of self destruction.
"Y You…" White Elder's face twisted in agony. He knew his fate was sealed. There was no hope of survival, nor the possibility of taking this enemy down with him.
"Cough… cough…" Blood filled his lungs, and his eyes turned bloodshot with rage and despair. "You… and your loved ones… will face endless vengeance from the Hall of Souls… endless pursuit until death!"
"Oh?" Lu Bu's lips curled into an amused smile. "Your Hall of Souls… do you even have strong fighters left to send?"
His voice was soft, heard only by White Elder.
"Y You… how do you know that?" White Elder's scalp tingled as terror flooded his body, drowning out even the excruciating pain.
"Heh… of course, I heard it from Mu Gu!" Lu Bu chuckled coldly, his wrist flicking as he yanked his hand back.
"W What?!" White Elder's pupils contracted violently. Mu Gu? Wasn't he killed by Xiao Yan? Then why was this pretty boy targeting the Hall of Souls? They had no grievances with him…
Splurt!
A spray of blood burst forth. White Elder's soul, clutched in Lu Bu's hand, was consumed by spiritual flames and reduced to nothingness. All that remained was an empty corpse.
"So… ruthless…" The remaining opportunists shivered, swallowing nervously. Was this truly an alchemist, or a remorseless executioner?
Did they really want to risk using this man's information to curry favor with the Hall of Souls?
"Damn it… I should've left when I had the chance. Why did I get involved in this mess?" Regret flooded their minds, their bodies turning cold as the realization of their foolishness sank in.
"Where does Lu Bu get the audacity to act like this?" Tang Zhen murmured, his expression grim. He had dared to side with Xiao Yan against the Hall of Souls only because Burning Flame Valley's Grand Elder was a one star Dou Saint.
But what gave Lu Bu the confidence to take on the Hall of Souls?
Not only that, but he might've also offended the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe. To simultaneously antagonize two such fearsome factions… Did he have some unimaginable backing?
A heavy thought crossed Tang Zhen's mind. Could it be… the Pill Tower?
The Pill Tower could stand against the Hall of Souls, and its influence among the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe might hold some sway. But against both factions together? That seemed unlikely.
"Could the Nine Nether Earth Python clan be supporting him?" Tang Zhen glanced at Ya Zi and Ya Rong, muttering under his breath.
If that were true, it would explain everything. Among magical beasts, alchemists were held in far higher esteem than among humans. After all, magical beasts could not become alchemists themselves. Even the Nine Nether Earth Python clan's leader would think twice before offending an eight tier alchemist.
"Damn it! Even the Hall of Souls couldn't take him down?" The Ice River Valley's leader ground his teeth, his bloodshot eyes filled with fury. He wanted nothing more than to crush this smug pretty boy with his own hands.
But he couldn't. At three star Dou Zun, he was no match for the five star Dou Zun Lu Bu, let alone Xiao Yi Xian's Enchanting Poison Body.
On the other side of the hall, Xiao Yi Xian gracefully returned, carrying the Dou Saint skeleton. Despite the veil obscuring her face, her warm, gentle smile radiated an undeniable charm.
"Damn it, that should've been mine to enjoy alone!" Ice River Valley's leader gnashed his teeth, filled with envy and jealousy. The Enchanting Poison Body was supposed to belong to him, yet all he could do now was watch Lu Bu and Xiao Yi Xian's intimate interactions, their closeness driving him mad.
"Squawk !"
Suddenly, a sharp phoenix cry echoed through the air. A domineering and oppressive force descended upon the area.
In the sky above, nearly a hundred figures with golden wings on their backs emerged in flashes of light. Their terrifying aura bore down on everyone below, making even the strongest feel an impulse to kneel and submit.
"The Heaven Demon Phoenix clan? Hahaha… it's the Heaven Demon Phoenix clan!" Ice River Valley's leader froze momentarily before throwing his head back in delighted laughter. His voice brimmed with unrestrained joy, like gulping down a bucket of icy water on a sweltering summer day.
What's better than seeing your enemies in trouble? Nothing!
Forget anything else whether or not Lu Bu killed those three Heaven Demon Phoenix members, just the bone wings on his back were enough for their entire clan to stop at nothing to hunt him down.
Pretty boy, you're done for!
"Hmph!" Lu Bu's eyes flashed coldly as he swung his sleeve. A powerful aura erupted from him, instantly breaking the oppressive force weighing down on him.
Ya Zi and Ya Rong, the two Nine Nether Earth Python sisters, refused to back down. They snorted coldly, their Dou Qi surging skyward.
On the other side, Tang Zhen from the Burning Flame Valley, Xiao Yan, and the Wind Elder all released their Dou Qi as well, showing no sign of submission.
Everyone who remained here was either fearlessly ambitious or backed by strong forces. The Heaven Demon Phoenix clan might make them cautious, but not enough to make them cower or kneel.
"Where are Huang Zhi and Huang Xuan?" the leading elder of the Heaven Demon Phoenix clan called out coldly, his sharp, hawk like gaze sweeping across the group below.
But as his eyes scanned the gathered crowd, his expression darkened.
In the Dou Saint's ruins, only about twenty or thirty people remained. Yet among them, neither of the Heaven Demon Phoenix members nor the Earth Tiger clan, the Silver Moon Wolf clan, or the Wind Lightning Pavilion disciples were present.
His face darkened even further, and the oppressive atmosphere in the sky grew heavier. The previously gentle breeze froze as an unsettling stillness filled the air.
Dark clouds rolled in as if signaling an imminent storm. A chilling killing intent seeped into the surroundings like a silent death knell.
Ice River Valley's leader smirked playfully, his face full of schadenfreude. He remained silent, choosing not to point the finger at Lu Bu.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix clan had plenty of ways to uncover the culprit, as well as the means to detect traces of their stolen wings.
"The Heaven Demon Phoenix clan? What are they up to?" Ya Zi and Ya Rong's faces turned grim. The Nine Nether Earth Python clan and the Heaven Demon Phoenix clan had always been at odds, perpetually clashing with one another.
Over the years, the sisters had taken their fair share of Heaven Demon Phoenix lives. Seeing the clan act so arrogantly now only made them more irritated.
"Lu Bu, what should we do?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, her delicate brows furrowing. Her tone carried a note of concern as her gaze swept over the Heaven Demon Phoenix elder, whose presence exuded overwhelming power.
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Lu Bu said with a faint smile. His gaze flicked toward the golden dragon imprint glowing faintly on his palm.
The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was too important to be careless with. As soon as Lu Bu obtained it, he had used the Dragon Seal to summon Hei Qing. Knowing the storyline and relying on this "cheat," he was confident Hei Qing and East Dragon Island would lend their full support to Zi Yan.
If not for this foreknowledge, he wouldn't have dared to act so brazenly with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
"Humph… just a bunch of feathered chickens!" Zi Yan crossed her small arms over her chest and sneered disdainfully. She exuded an air of nonchalance, completely unafraid.
If Medusa had done this, it would've been a sultry and alluring gesture, but from Zi Yan, it was… well, adorably small and cute.
In the sky, the Heaven Demon Phoenix elder grew increasingly enraged as he failed to locate his three missing clan members. His aura darkened further, resembling an impending thunderstorm.
His piercing gaze swept across the various Central Plains factions gathered below. Slowly, he raised his finger. A drop of red blood, tinged with a faint blue hue, condensed at his fingertip before dispersing into a fine mist.
The mist swirled as his finger traced an intricate rune in the air.
The rune gleamed with blue and red light, expanding outward like ripples.
Below, several rogue cultivators furrowed their brows. Some wanted to leave, but with countless Heaven Demon Phoenix members watching them, there was no escape. Frustrated, they suppressed their anger and waited to see what would happen next.
"Hey, Lu Bu, my job's done. You've got the Dou Saint skeleton now. Hurry up and give me my stuff!" Xiao Yan's eyes darted around nervously as he urged Lu Bu. He didn't want the Soul Infant Fruit to get caught up in the brewing chaos with the Heaven Demon Phoenix clan.
Lu Bu rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively, tossing two wooden boxes containing the Soul Infant Fruit to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan had a point the Dou Saint skeleton was in Lu Bu's possession now, and their transaction was complete. There was no reason to keep withholding the fruits. Doing so might earn Xiao Yan and Yao Chen's resentment or distrust, and that wasn't worth it.
These two… were excellent tools ahem valuable allies. Ruining the relationship would be a terrible loss.
"Heh, heh…" Xiao Yan caught the boxes and beamed. This trip had been worth it or had it?
He counted his gains on his fingers and realized that apart from the Soul Infant Fruit, he hadn't obtained much. In contrast, Lu Bu had walked away with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, the puppet technique, and the Dou Saint skeleton.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated Xiao Yan became. His cheerful mood soured, and his mouth twitched. What an infuriating deal!
Just then, a buzzing sound echoed. A red and blue light beam shot down from the rune, enveloping Lu Bu.
"Huh?" Xiao Yan exclaimed in surprise.
With a soft pop, a pair of glowing white bone wings, radiating blue and red light, appeared behind Lu Bu as if summoned against his will.
Shing!
All at once, nearly a hundred Heaven Demon Phoenix eyes locked onto Lu Bu, their sharp gazes brimming with killing intent.
"Ahaha!" Xiao Yan burst out laughing. "You're finally in trouble, huh?"
Lu Bu rolled his eyes. Could this kid not wish him well for once?
"Boy, you dare forge a Dou Technique using the wings of our Heaven Demon Phoenix clan?" The elder's icy voice rang out as his piercing gaze fixated on Lu Bu.
"Don't you know it's forbidden? Those who touch our wings will die!"
"Oh no… how terrifying…" Lu Bu feigned a frightened expression, but the Dragon Seal in his palm grew hotter.
"In that case, come with me. Our Heaven Demon Phoenix clan will strip you of your skin and bones to make an example for the world," the elder declared coldly, his tone like the final judgment.
"Heh, heh… fight, fight!" Xiao Yan stood to the side, rubbing his hands gleefully. Being a spectator with no worries was incredibly satisfying.
"Hiss…" Lu Bu sucked in a sharp breath, his expression suddenly turning serious. "Wait! I have a report to make, an accusation to lodge… and an accomplice to expose!"
He raised his hand, pointing straight at Xiao Yan. "It's him! He has Heaven Demon Phoenix blood in his possession!"
"Hm?" The elder's gaze snapped toward Xiao Yan, his sharp eyes like daggers.
Xiao Yan froze, wide eyed. "What the hell?"
"Heh, heh, heh…" Lu Bu chuckled slyly. "You thought you could just take the Soul Infant Fruit and sit this out? Too naive. I, Lu Bu, have plenty of ways to drag you into this… I mean, fight alongside me!"
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