Chapter 96: Lu Bu's "Romantic Rival"?
In a room full of bookshelves at Jia Nan Academy, three or four elderly men sat together. In the main seat, an elder slowly placed a letter on the table. "A letter of recommendation from the Yun Lan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire. Their Young Sect Master wants to enroll in our academy."
"Oh? Didn't Sect Master Yun Yun already recommend a student to us before?"
"This time, it's the old sect master of Yun Lan Sect, Dou Zong Yun Shan."
"Dou Zong, huh… Yun Lan Sect sending disciples to us twice in a row. Could they be planning something big?"
"Indeed. According to the intelligence we've gathered, the Jia Ma Empire has recently begun mobilizing troops, seemingly targeting the northeastern Mu Lan Empire."
"Tsk, looks like they're sending their disciples to Jia Nan Academy as a refuge…"
"That's not necessarily the case. With the Jia Ma Empire's recent growth in strength and domestic instability, sending disciples abroad is a reasonable move."
"So, how do we arrange these two disciples from Yun Lan Sect?"
"We follow the rules, of course. A Dou Zong isn't enough to make us change them."
"Very well. First, evaluate their talent and aptitude, then… assign them to Yellow Class 2. Isn't that the class where Xiao Yan, who took a two year leave of absence, was assigned?"
"Now that you mention it, I almost forgot. There have been quite a few unruly students from the Jia Ma Empire."
"Hahaha… unruly students aren't necessarily a bad thing!"
"…"
In Black Seal City, at the City Lord's Mansion, which also served as the headquarters of the Eight Gates, a man with a hawk like face and clad in black robes sat sternly in the main seat. His expression was cold, exuding a natural aura of authority and menace.
Ten fingers rested on the chair's armrests, faintly glowing with a golden hue, each one as sharp as a blade.
At that moment, a middle aged man hurried over. "Gate Master, the situation with the Blood Sect has been clarified!"
"Several major pharmacies have responded, confirming that the boy purchased a significant amount of medicinal ingredients from their stores. Based on the provided lists, it's evident that he has a habit of grouping herbs with similar properties together."
"We can confirm that this person is indeed an alchemist!"
Yuan Yi's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze sharpened with a piercing intensity.
The middle aged man continued without pause. "Just an hour ago, that boy sold two Two Line Green Spirit Pills to our auction house. Judging by their quality, they seem to have been crafted by a beginner Tier 4 Alchemist."
"Gate Master, it's now certain the boy is indeed an alchemist! The Blood Sect… may truly be trying to recruit him!"
Despite this explanation, Yuan Yi's doubts had yet to dissipate. Fan Ling's high profile actions on his turf were highly suspicious. Moreover, Fan Ling, with his arrogant personality, was unlikely to bow his head so easily.
"Gate Master, I understand your concerns," the middle aged man said gravely. "Although Fan Ling is indeed arrogant, there is one person capable of forcing him to lower his head."
"Who?"
"His father, the Blood Sect's leader, Fan Lao!" the middle aged man explained. "If the orders came from Fan Lao, then everything Fan Ling has done makes perfect sense."
Yuan Yi tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "If that's the case, then go take care of it. Break both his legs, but leave him alive we still need him to refine pills."
"Jie… don't worry, Gate Master," the middle aged man said with a sly grin. "A mere Dou Ling ant is hardly a challenge."
"By the way, about the woman accompanying him…" the middle aged man rubbed his hands together. "Could I have her, Gate Master?"
"Fine," Yuan Yi said dismissively, not bothering to care. Every move Lu Bu had made since arriving in Black Seal City had already been thoroughly scrutinized by the Eight Gates.
"One more thing…" the middle aged man licked his lips, a twisted expression of pleasure spreading across his face. "Gate Master, you know my preferences. I'd like that brat to watch his woman accompany me."
"Just don't ruin the main task," Yuan Yi said with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you, Gate Master!" The middle aged man was overjoyed and quickly left.
At the headquarters of the Heavenly Snake Mansion a faction with properties in major cities to gather intelligence and collect rare treasures an Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor was curled up in the corner of a room, snoring sweetly. His massive body had been reduced in size, as no house could have contained his true form.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. His yellow vertical pupils gleamed with surprise as he looked in a particular direction.
Nearby, Green Bull, who had been meditating, also opened his eyes. "The Eight Gates have finally made their move, huh."
"Tch, just one Dou Wang. The Eight Gates are really stingy," the Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor sneered, his disdain evident. There were five people in total, but only one Dou Wang the rest were nobodies.
"The Eight Gates only have one Dou Huang, so sending a Dou Wang is already a considerable effort," Green Bull said indifferently. "Are you not going to join the fun this time?"
"Suddenly lost interest. A Dou Wang isn't worth my energy… Hmm?"
Before the words were even out, the Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor's body tensed in surprise. The Dou Wang's aura had suddenly vanished. Whether he was dead or alive was unclear, and even the Snake Emperor couldn't sense him anymore.
"Jie, now this is getting interesting!" The Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor grinned, baring his fangs.
All over the city, various factions noticed the Eight Gates' setback and watched with schadenfreude. Losing a Dou Wang wasn't a small matter this was bound to rattle the Eight Gates.
"Hmph… A young outsider, handsome or not, is still just a pawn in my hands," Fan Ling sneered in the direction of Lu Bu's location.
He dared provoke the Eight Gates because he had the Blood Sect backing him. But that young man… he was as good as dead.
The Eight Gates may have been weaker than the Blood Sect, but only by a small margin. Even Fan Ling's father would tread carefully around Yuan Yi.
"This show is about to get interesting…"
"Jie, you're brilliant, Young Sect Master. Playing both sides against each other without lifting a finger."
At the Eight Gates headquarters:
Bang!
Yuan Yi slammed his palm down on the table with such force that the finely carved marble surface shattered into dust, scattering in all directions. "Such audacity, to treat my Eight Gates with such disdain!" Veins bulged on his hawk like face, his expression filled with rage. If the Eight Gates didn't respond to this incident, their position in Black Seal City would be untenable from now on.
"Gate Master, what are your orders?"
"Lure those two to Deadman's Valley outside the eastern gate. I will bury them there myself!"
"Understood, Gate Master!"
Inside the inn, an Eight Gates middle aged man lay on the ground, his face smeared with blood, his chest heaving violently, his eyes full of terror.
"Break my legs and take my woman?" Lu Bu sneered coldly. "Your Eight Gates sure has some fine ideas!"
"Sir, I was wrong! I was deceived by the Blood Sect this is a misunderstanding… a misunderstanding!"
Crack!
Lu Bu stomped down, breaking the man's neck. The Green Lotus Core Flame surged from his foot, instantly reducing the corpse to a pile of ash.
"There's no reason to let the Eight Gates stay standing," Medusa said indifferently.
"I feel the same way," Lu Bu nodded slightly.
Tap, tap, tap.
"Sir, we've found information on the medicinal ingredients you were looking for. The other party has requested a trade in Deadman's Valley outside the eastern gate."
"Jie… the bait worked perfectly." Lu Bu dusted off his clothes and turned to Medusa. "Your Majesty, let's go."
Half an hour later, the two of them set off toward Deadman's Valley outside the city.
As soon as Lu Bu and Medusa began moving, a furious roar erupted from the Eight Gates' headquarters. Four figures shot out like meteors, heading straight for the eastern outskirts.
This sudden development startled many within Black Seal City. The Gate Master of the Eight Gates was personally taking action a Dou Huang level powerhouse. Was a battle imminent?
Countless villains and thugs, notorious for their misdeeds, scrambled to flee the city in terror.
In many countries, people often say that the Chinese love to gather around to watch the excitement, lacking restraint, while Americans pride themselves on valuing privacy and staying away from trouble. The truth, however, is that Americans tend to avoid crowds for a simple reason: their "excitement" often comes with the risk of being shot. In the Black Corner Region, it was the same. Watching powerful fighters clash could easily result in collateral damage. These strong individuals had no regard for human life, and using bystanders as human shields was as casual to them as drinking water.
Thus, the moment Yuan Yi made his move, those who were smart fled immediately. However, not everyone feared becoming collateral damage. A few individuals hoped to be fishermen profiting from the battle between the snipe and the clam.
For example, the Heavenly Snake Mansion, the Blood Sect, and the Black Skeleton Tomb were all eager to watch the drama unfold. They followed closely behind Yuan Yi, heading toward Deadman's Valley.
Deadman's Valley. Just the name alone was enough to suggest it wasn't a pleasant place.
The area had once been a peaceful forested valley, but during the early days of the Eight Gates' establishment, a battle had taken place there. So many people died that the bodies were left unburied, and over time, it came to be known as Deadman's Valley.
Lu Bu sat quietly on a tree, waiting for the Eight Gates to arrive. Medusa, meanwhile, had found her own spot to stay, making it clear she had no intention of sitting next to him.
It wasn't long before the sound of rushing wind echoed from the horizon. Several figures with wings on their backs appeared in the sky Yuan Yi, the Gate Master of the Eight Gates, accompanied by three Dou Wang elders.
Below, members of the Blood Sect and the Black Skeleton Tomb had already entered the valley, finding good vantage points to watch the show.
As for the Heavenly Snake Mansion's people… they followed behind the Eight Gates cautiously, unwilling to take the lead.
"Boy, where is my Eight Gates man?" Yuan Yi barked coldly as he spotted Lu Bu perched on the tree. A Dou Wang was a significant combat asset within the Eight Gates and could not be casually lost.
Lu Bu said nothing, a faint smile playing on his lips as he waited for all the prey to enter the trap.
"Take him down!" Yuan Yi gave the order without hesitation. Since the boy wouldn't talk, he'd force the answers out of him.
The three Dou Wangs shot forward simultaneously, powerful energy ripples surging as they gathered their strength. This boy had taken down one of their Dou Wangs, which meant his strength might not be below theirs.
Not far away, the Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor flapped his wings and slowly approached, just in time to see the Eight Gates make their move.
"Jie… what perfect timing! I arrived just in time for the good part!" Bai Ya laughed heartily, shaking his massive head.
"Bai Ya, you fool, take a closer look. Do you know who that is?" Green Bull growled in a low voice. "Your rival in love from the Tagore Desert!"
Bai Ya froze at her words, then focused on the white robed youth in the distance. While the boy's face had been concealed back in the Tagore Desert, his aura was one Bai Ya could never forget.
The Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor's eyes bulged, and his jaw dropped as he prepared to shout. Fortunately, Green Bull reacted quickly, clamping a hand over his mouth.
"Retreat, now!" Green Bull hissed.
Bai Ya nodded repeatedly, his head bobbing like a chicken pecking at rice. He flapped his wings, cautiously backing away. But at that moment, an eerie ripple spread across the valley. The surrounding space abruptly solidified.
"Spatial Cage!" A cold voice rang out as a graceful figure appeared high in the sky, floating above them. Her frosty, stunning face gazed down at the trapped individuals below, her expression indifferent.
"Queen Medusa… my wife?" The Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor blurted out in shock, his voice loud with disbelief. Wasn't she supposed to have disappeared after a failed evolution?
Instantly, two icy gazes locked onto him one from above and one from the tree. The sharp, frigid stares pinned him in place.
The Black Snake Emperor's face went pale as a sheet, his snake like features trembling in terror. This was bad very bad!
"Jie…" Green Bull, maintaining a neutral expression, slowly drifted away from Bai Ya. She acted as though she didn't know this brainless magical beast.
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