Chapter 382: Yao Chen Wants More!
Lu Bu was referring to the ancient tomb described in the original storyline, the place where Yao Chen had obtained the poison pill technique. It was the resting place of a former Calamity Poison Body wielder. Within that tomb lay not only the means to completely control the Calamity Poison Body but also the terrifying poison gas left behind after the body's eruption.
That ancient tomb was inaccessible to anyone other than a Calamity Poison Body wielder. And this particular point was exactly what Lu Bu had his eye on!
How does this brat even know about it…? Yao Chen's expression shifted slightly, surprised by Lu Bu's knowledge. That tomb was a secret he hadn't shared with anyone not even Xiao Yan!
But as Yao Chen caught a glimpse of the meaningful smile on Lu Bu's face, his eyelid twitched, and his curiosity was quickly replaced by frustration.
Rumble!
Just then, the dull roar of thunder rolled from the horizon, bringing with it an oppressive sensation that swept across the area. The heavy atmosphere pulled Yao Chen's focus back to the pill refinement in progress.
"We'll discuss this later!"
Yao Chen snorted. Though startled by Lu Bu's accurate knowledge, he didn't outright reject the trade. After all, it was a pill formula he didn't possess, and one originating from the Yao Clan no less.
However, he disliked discussing private matters with Qiu Mao present. They could talk in more detail later.
Lu Bu didn't press the matter, smiling faintly. He had anticipated this outcome from the beginning.
Elder Qiu Mao scratched his head, sensing that the two had something they didn't want him to overhear. Deciding not to dwell on it, he refocused on the pill refinement.
Above them, a massive, ominous black thundercloud loomed in the sky, far larger than the ones brewing over Lu Bu's and Qiu Mao's cauldrons. Bolts of multicolored lightning flickered within the cloud, shifting among eight distinct hues.
"As expected of the Pill Saint!" Elder Qiu Mao said solemnly, his face turning grave. An Eight Tier Eight Colored Pill Lightning he could refine pills at that level, but doing so would leave him drained and require months of recovery. Yet Yao Chen could manage it while remaining so composed. It was a testament to his unparalleled alchemical mastery!
"Indeed, truly worthy of the legendary Pill Saint!" Lu Bu nodded in agreement, his tone filled with admiration as if he were reverently praising a senior he deeply respected.
Yao Chen rolled his eyes. This brat… I don't believe a word you're saying!
It didn't take much thought. The Seven Colored Pill Lightning brewing over Lu Bu's cauldron might be the limit of the Wulian Pill, but it was definitely not Lu Bu's limit.
Yao Chen guessed that Lu Bu's alchemical skill was at least comparable to his own, if not close. If not for Lu Bu intending to trade the Wulian Pill formula with him, Yao Chen suspected the brat wouldn't even bother refining an Eight Tier pill.
With Lu Bu's stingy and calculating personality, if it weren't for this deal, he might have simply refined a casual Sixth or Seventh Tier pill as a token effort or even outright refused to participate and left without a second thought.
The grandeur of three Eight Tier pills emerging simultaneously was something Yao Chen felt oddly grateful for. If not for Lu Bu needing something from him, he would've had no choice but to rely on Xiao Yan. But having his own disciple compete in alchemy against him as the master? That would've been… awkward.
This was why Xiao Yan had stayed out of the refinement altogether. Not only was it inappropriate, but his alchemical skill was leagues behind Lu Bu's.
"Gentlemen, the Pill Lightning is about to descend!" Elder Qiu Mao's eyes locked on the roiling thundercloud above, his expression turning serious.
His Six Colored Pill Lightning wasn't too powerful its strength fell between a Nine Star Dou Zun and a One Turn Dou Zun. It was something he could handle.
But the Seven Colored Pill Lightning above Lu Bu's cauldron and the Eight Colored one over Yao Chen's were on an entirely different level. Their power increased exponentially with each additional color. These were forces so terrifying they rivaled his earlier battles against Earthly Scorpion and Heavenly Scorpion.
And unlike humans, Pill Lightning couldn't be ambushed or tricked like those two combatants. Surely Lu Bu wasn't planning to sneak attack a massive thundercloud, was he?
Lu Bu and Yao Chen exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with an inscrutable depth. Their expressions were identical half smiles tinged with amusement that sent a chill down Elder Qiu Mao's spine.
What's going on? Did I say something wrong? Elder Qiu Mao's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly felt uneasy.
Before he could think further, a streak of golden light shot out from the mountainside, zipping toward the sky to intercept the descending Pill Lightning.
It was a Heaven Demon Puppet. Though it had evolved to the Dou Zun realm, it was no longer of much use to Xiao Yan or Yao Chen, who had long surpassed its capabilities. Its primary function now was to act as a lightning rod, absorbing Pill Lightning.
"What's this… a puppet?" Elder Qiu Mao was baffled. The puppet seemed ordinary, its strength comparable to a Three or Four Star Dou Zun. Was the Pill Saint seriously planning to use it to withstand an Eight Colored Pill Lightning?
Behind him, Qing Lin flicked her sleeve, and a violet figure darted into the air. Like the golden puppet, it positioned itself between the descending Pill Lightning and Lu Bu's cauldron.
"A Nine Star Dou Zun puppet?" Elder Qiu Mao's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't help but exclaim, "There's such a powerful puppet?"
But… so what if it was a Nine Star Dou Zun? Could it really withstand Seven Colored Pill Lightning?
"This Heaven Demon Puppet can evolve to such a degree?" Yao Chen's face darkened. The difference between a Nine Star Dou Zun and a Three Star Dou Zun was like heaven and earth. How had Lu Bu refined it to this level?
Didn't Lu Bu say he hadn't been refining pills lately…? On the mountainside, Xiao Yan's expression twitched as he took in the sight of the violet puppet. What's going on? Where did this purple puppet come from?
Boom!
A streak of white lightning tore through the gloomy sky, descending in a brilliant arc to strike the purple Heaven Demon Puppet squarely in the chest.
Clang!
A deafening clash of metal rang out, reverberating through the air like the toll of a giant bell. The energy ripples from the collision spread out in waves, shaking the heavens and earth.
To Elder Qiu Mao's astonishment, the white Pill Lightning didn't dissipate. Instead, it was slowly absorbed into the puppet's body, crackling arcs of electricity dancing across its surface. The eerie glow of the electric light reflected off Elder Qiu Mao's stunned face.
"This… this puppet can absorb Pill Lightning?!" Elder Qiu Mao gawked, his mind racing.
If these puppets could really absorb Pill Lightning, then… the only one who would have to endure the full brunt of the lightning's wrath would be him!
The thought sent Elder Qiu Mao into a spiral of despair. His face contorted as waves of frustration, helplessness, and resignation washed over him. Finally, he let out a long, defeated sigh.
"Ha ha ha… Elder Qiu Mao, there's no need to take it so hard!"
Yao Chen burst out laughing, feeling a sense of catharsis. He recalled how Lu Bu had flaunted his puppets in front of him before, and now, seeing Qiu Mao experience the same frustration, he couldn't help but feel elated.
Lu Bu clicked his tongue in disapproval. See? This is why Yao Chen has such a terrible reputation. Always opportunistic and conniving. No wonder they call you the crafty fox.
Yao Chen froze mid laugh, glaring at Lu Bu in fury. You're one to talk! Always blaming me and Xiao Yan for your schemes!
Meanwhile, Elder Qiu Mao sighed in resignation, silently resolving to get himself one of these puppets someday. This kind of suffering shouldn't just be mine to bear. Everyone else should experience it too Grand Elder Xuan Kong, Xuan Yi, and the rest of the Pill Tower elders included!
Boom, boom, boom!
Above the skies, the deafening rumble of thunder echoed continuously as bolts of colorful lightning imbued with terrifying destructive power roared downward. Meanwhile, Lu Bu and Yao Chen stood unfazed, letting their puppets absorb the strikes, strolling as if on a casual walk.
Elder Qiu Mao, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. After taking several lightning strikes head on, Lu Bu finally used his violet Heaven Demon Puppet to redirect the Pill Lightning and relieve Qiu Mao from his predicament.
Grateful yet envious, Elder Qiu Mao couldn't help but marvel at the ease with which Lu Bu and Yao Chen handled the Pill Lightning. They lounged around as if watching the storm dissipate, a far cry from his arduous struggle against the lightning.
What an enviable life!
After about half an hour, the three vast thunderclouds that had blotted out the sky had been completely absorbed by the two puppets. Not a shred of power remained. Finally, the clouds dissipated, fading into nothingness under the watchful eyes of the Starfallen Pavilion members.
The air soon filled with a rich fragrance of three Eight Tier pills, spreading throughout the Starfallen Pavilion. Everyone felt rejuvenated, and admiration burned in the eyes of every member of the Pavilion.
Three Eight Tier pills, crafted by three master alchemists truly an extraordinary feat!
After the pill refinement was over, Elder Qiu Mao retired to rest. He finally understood how Yao Chen had so many Eight Tier pills during their recent battles it wasn't because of hard work. Yao Chen didn't need to endure the Pill Lightning like ordinary alchemists.
If Qiu Mao were in the same position, he would have surely refined himself to death, unlike Yao Chen and Lu Bu. He suspected that Lu Bu's reserves of Eight Tier pills might number in the hundreds more than what two of the Pill Tower's eight elders could muster combined.
How enviable!
But during the recent fights against the Soul Hall, the Cloud Rain Sect, and the Sky Underworld Sect, why hadn't Yao Chen used his puppet? Could it have been in Xiao Yan's possession this whole time?
As Qiu Mao thought back to the puppets that had flown out from the mountainside, he felt he understood a little more. It seemed like Lu Bu's violet Heaven Demon Puppet was of a similar nature.
Lost in thought, Elder Qiu Mao returned to his quarters. He resolved to rest for a few days before seeking out Lu Bu to discuss some matters. After all, things were far from peaceful in the other regions where the Soul Hall was causing chaos.
Elsewhere, as Lu Bu held the radiant pill in his hand, Yao Chen's lips twitched. Eight Tier pills already had a spirit and, under normal circumstances, were capable of transforming into pill beasts. If care wasn't taken, they could even escape on their own.
Many alchemists had experienced the infuriating scenario of barely surviving the Pill Lightning only to have their precious pills sprout legs and run off. The frustration of staring into an empty cauldron while the pill was still warm was unforgettable.
Yet here was Lu Bu, calmly holding a Seven Colored Eight Tier pill in his palm without a hint of concern.
"The Yao Clan's Pill Transformation Array… How did you get your hands on that?" Yao Chen's mouth twitched as his eyes fell on the glowing array beneath Lu Bu's feet.
As a former member of the Yao Clan, Yao Chen had only heard rumors about this secret technique, never mind being qualified to learn it. Yet here it was in Lu Bu's hands!
"I killed two people from the Yao Clan," Lu Bu said casually, a faint smile on his face. He made no effort to hide the truth. As for whether Yao Chen would report him… not a chance. The Yao Clan looked down on Yao Chen, and Yao Chen couldn't stand the Yao Clan. They hadn't interacted in years.
Even if Yao Chen were to inform the Yao Clan, they'd likely dismiss it as a petty attempt to stir trouble. After all, Lu Bu was backed by the Ancient Dragon Clan.
Hearing this, Yao Chen's lips twitched again. If his guess was correct, those two promising Yao Clan geniuses who had entered the Heavenly Tomb were probably no longer among the living.
"Back to business. I want the location of the ancient tomb where the Calamity Poison Body wielder passed away. In exchange, I'll give you the Wulian Pill formula. What do you think, Senior Yao Chen?" Lu Bu asked, twirling the Wulian Pill in his hand, a smile on his face.
"I'm not interested in the Wulian Pill formula…" Yao Chen said with a faint smile. "But that Pill Transformation Array of yours, now that's something worth trading for."
"Hah! Dream on!" Lu Bu rolled his eyes, his tone full of disdain.
It wasn't that he couldn't part with the array. He had obtained it alongside the Wulian Pill formula from Yao Xingji's corpse, and it hadn't cost him a thing. Giving it to Yao Chen wouldn't have been an issue.
But Lu Bu was not the type to suffer a loss.
"Fine, forget it!" Lu Bu shrugged, getting up as if to leave. "With the Pill Tower's vast intelligence network, it's only a matter of time before I locate that ancient tomb. After all, we're looking for a tomb related to the Calamity Poison Body. With these three pieces of information, finding it shouldn't be that hard…"
"Wait, come back!" Yao Chen sighed in frustration. "The Wulian Pill formula will suffice. I agree."
Yao Chen could have contacted Xuan Kongzi and the others in the Pill Tower to block Lu Bu's efforts. But doing so would risk ruining their relationship.
Lu Bu wasn't the type to tolerate a grudge. And for Yao Chen, such a move would bring no tangible benefit. Besides, Lu Bu had already acquired the Poison Pill Technique from him long ago.
Xiao Yi Xian was no longer in any immediate danger, and searching for the method to completely control her Calamity Poison Body was merely a matter of refinement, not survival. If it were a life or death matter, Yao Chen might have stalled Lu Bu. But now? There was no leverage.
"Heh…" Lu Bu grinned. What Yao Chen didn't know was that Lu Bu was indeed in a hurry.
Although Xiao Yi Xian was no longer at risk of losing her life, the poison gas in her body hadn't been entirely suppressed. Her snow white hair was a constant reminder of that.
If the issue wasn't resolved, her cultivation would stagnate, and as her strength increased, there was even a risk of her losing control again, as she had during her Dou Zong days.
Lu Bu didn't want anything to happen to Xiao Yi Xian. Nor did he want her to end up like Yao Chen stuck at the Nine Turn stage for countless years, unable to take the next step.
With these thoughts in mind, Lu Bu tossed the scroll containing the Wulian Pill formula toward Yao Chen, who deftly caught it. In return, Yao Chen flicked a gray scroll toward Lu Bu, who snatched it mid air.
"This Wulian Pill will be quite useful…" Yao Chen murmured, a faint smile on his lips. With this pill, he could attract a few more high level Dou Zuns to Starfallen Pavilion, strengthening their ranks.
Watching Yao Chen's satisfaction, Lu Bu rolled his eyes. Does he really think a few Dou Zuns can stop the Soul Hall?
If they sent Four Heavenly Sovereigns this time, the next wave will likely include the Third and Second Heavenly Sovereigns. And if Dou Zuns can't hold them back, the Soul Hall will definitely send Half Saints.
As he tucked away the gray scroll, Lu Bu muttered to himself, Time to head home and test out that Shenyu Pill…
(End of Chapter)
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