Chapter 98: Xiao Xun'er's Late Night Visit
By the time Lu Bu arrived at Wu Tan Town, it was nearing dusk. After briefly visiting the Deadwood Tree at the town's entrance, Lu Bu took out Yun Yun's recommendation letter.
The Deadwood Tree had several dried corpses hanging from its branches. A single glance was enough for Lu Bu to discern their cultivation levels when they were alive one Dou Huang and the rest Dou Wangs.
As far as Lu Bu knew, the captain of Jia Nan Academy's disciplinary squad was a man named Wu Tianlang, whose strength was on par with the Outer Academy's deputy dean, likely at the peak of the Dou Huang level.
When the recommendation letter was presented, the academy's disciplinary members immediately reported it. Shortly after, a middle aged instructor arrived and led Lu Bu into Jia Nan City.
After a simple test of strength and age, Jia Nan Academy quickly handled all the paperwork for him. There were a few gasps of surprise during the process, but Lu Bu didn't pay much attention just showing off a little, nothing special.
Of course, tuition fees, accommodation fees, and other charges still applied, costing him tens of thousands of gold coins in one go.
Once all formalities were complete, Lu Bu was shown to his dormitory a single room, as expected.
It was standard at Jia Nan Academy for dormitories to be single occupancy. Since all students were cultivators, they required a quiet environment. Any interruption during cultivation could lead to incorrect Dou Qi flow, resulting in physical injury or, in severe cases, deviation, leading to a complete collapse of one's cultivation.
"Not bad…" Lu Bu sighed with mixed emotions. It had been a long time since he'd experienced life as a student.
The last time he was a student was back in China, where he lived carefree apart from homework and exams, not having to worry about life or family. He even had a sweet romance. If it weren't for that truck, he'd probably have graduated by now, wouldn't he?
"Forget it, no point dwelling on it," Lu Bu muttered, shaking his head as he began organizing his dormitory. His class assignment was Yellow Rank Class Two. If his memory served him right, it should be the same class as Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er.
Strange how did he end up in the same class as them?
Lu Bu didn't think much of it. His purpose in coming here was Zi Yan. As for the Gu Clan's young lady, he wasn't particularly interested… well, maybe a little.
But Lu Bu's interest didn't matter. The girl's heart was entirely set on Xiao Yan. No matter how good Lu Bu's "shovel" was, it wouldn't change a thing!
"Forget it… pointless thoughts. Let's cultivate instead!" Lu Bu muttered to himself. With a loud thump, he placed the Flaming Cauldron on the ground. Dozens of medicinal ingredients flew out of his storage ring as he prepared to refine pills.
During his time in the Holy City of Jia Ma, Lu Bu had been preoccupied with plotting against Protector Wu. If he wasn't refining pills, he was on his way to do so. If he wasn't fighting, he was preparing for a fight. He had no time to cultivate, leaving his Dou Qi stuck at the two star Da Dou Shi level.
By the time he dealt with Protector Wu, he had to rush to the Black Corner Region to claim the Demon Saint's Map Fragment before Xiao Yan. Along the way, he had neglected his cultivation even more.
Even his plan to team up with Xiao Yan to use three types of Heavenly Flames to refine the Three Line Green Spirit Pill had been scrapped when Yao Lao made a hasty retreat.
Left with no choice, Lu Bu went to the Alchemist Association, where he borrowed the recipe for the Three Line Green Spirit Pill and learned how to refine it himself. However, using three Heavenly Flames was out of the question. Tonight, he planned to refine the pill solo.
Xiao Yan wasn't important enough for Lu Bu to wait around for him. Besides, the Three Line Green Spirit Pill didn't require Xiao Yan to refine it.
Green Flame Grass… Black Heavenly Hemp… White Spirit Fruit… One by one, the ingredients were placed into the cauldron and quickly refined into medicinal liquid or powder by the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Lu Bu's expression remained unchanged as he extended his left hand, suppressing and withdrawing the Green Lotus Core Flame. At the same time, a purple flame rose from his right hand, seamlessly replacing the Green Lotus Core Flame in the cauldron.
The entire process was smooth and fluid, without a hint of hesitation.
According to the teachings of his Soul Art, Lu Bu's current soul realm was at the latter stage of the Mortal Realm. As a Tier 7 alchemist, he had a decent success rate with low and mid tier Tier 7 pills.
To attempt high tier Tier 7 pills, however, he would need to reach the Mortal Realm's peak. But for someone of his current level, refining a Tier 4 pill like the Three Line Green Spirit Pill was child's play.
In a nearby dormitory, Xiao Xun'er was in the middle of cultivation when she suddenly sensed something and slowly opened her eyes.
"Someone's refining pills… Strange, no one's supposed to be living in that room," Xiao Xun'er muttered, her serene face betraying a hint of curiosity.
Just then, the shadow on the ground wriggled, and a thin old man emerged from it.
"Uncle Ling? Why didn't you notify me before coming?" Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly. She didn't want her identity revealed at Jia Nan Academy.
"Miss, Lu Bu is here at Jia Nan Academy!" Ling Ying said gravely, pointing in a certain direction. Having monitored Xiao Yan for a long time, he was very familiar with Lu Bu's soul aura.
Even though Lu Bu was currently suppressing his power, Ling Ying could detect him immediately.
"What!?" Xiao Xun'er's face darkened. Wasn't this person supposed to be in the Jia Ma Empire? How did he end up here?
Ling Ying remained silent. This individual's combat power was extraordinary comparable to his own. If they fought… he would lose.
The reason was simple: Lu Bu possessed a Heavenly Flame, a natural counter to Ling Ying's cold Dou Qi.
Ling Ying didn't know that Lu Bu's strength had already advanced. On the day Xiao Yan's three year agreement concluded, Ling Ying had left the Jia Ma Empire. His departure emboldened the low level soul envoys monitoring the Xiao Clan to launch an attack, though their attempt ultimately failed.
"Let's go take a look," Xiao Xun'er said, her eyes flashing with determination.
"Miss?" Ling Ying was alarmed. The two of them couldn't take on Lu Bu, especially since he had to protect her.
"A peak Dou Huang sneaking into Jia Nan Academy surely has a hidden agenda," Xiao Xun'er said coldly. "If the academy discovers this, what do you think his fate will be?"
"…Understood, Miss," Ling Ying said, bowing. This was Jia Nan Academy's territory. Lu Bu wouldn't dare act recklessly.
The shadows on the ground writhed and grew, engulfing the two figures as they disappeared silently from the room. Moments later, they reappeared on a tree outside Lu Bu's dormitory.
Through the window, they could see Lu Bu refining pills. The cauldron glowed with purple flames, which Lu Bu calmly controlled with one hand, gently withdrawing it. The previously wild and untamed Amethyst Winged Lion Flame now seemed as docile as a lazy kitten in his hands.
Is that… the Three Line Green Spirit Pill?
Xiao Xun'er and Ling Ying exchanged glances. The pill itself wasn't particularly remarkable, but since Xiao Yan had once painstakingly refined it, it held special significance to Xiao Xun'er.
At that moment, Lu Bu flicked his fingers. As the last wisp of purple flame was withdrawn, his spiritual flame enveloped the pill. A perfectly round pill with three glowing patterns, one azure and two purple, emerged, nurtured by the invisible, colorless fire.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes flickered with surprise. She had long known Lu Bu's alchemy skills were exceptional, but seeing this seamless and masterful process with her own eyes left her impressed.
Before long, the Three Line Green Spirit Pill was fully refined, and the cauldron's lid opened. The vibrant medicinal fragrance condensed midair before vanishing silently. A single azure pill, encircled by three distinct pill patterns, fell into Lu Bu's hand.
"Friends outside the window, aren't you tired of watching by now?" Lu Bu asked with a slight smile, his gaze sweeping toward the window.
At that moment, a faint light flashed beneath Lu Bu's feet. If one looked closely, it was a jade token engraved with intricate runes.
With a swish, Ling Ying and Xiao Xun'er appeared in Lu Bu's room. Xiao Xun'er's expression was cold, and she looked at him without any sign of being swayed by his handsome face.
"So, it's you…" Lu Bu grinned, casually observing the Gu Clan's young lady. She was undeniably beautiful.
But… did he offend her? The way she was staring at him, anyone would think he owed her money!
"Lu Bu, is it? What are your intentions in following my Xiao Yan gege?" Xiao Xun'er asked coldly, golden light gleaming in her eyes as she stood on the windowsill, looking down at Lu Bu.
Lu Bu chuckled, unbothered. "Classic Xiao Xun'er," he thought.
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