Chapter 104: Xiao Xun'er's Second Late Night Visit!
"What… what's happening?"
Everyone was at a loss, unable to comprehend the scene before them. Xun'er… didn't look too well?
"Ugh…"
Xiao Xun'er's body trembled violently as she gritted her teeth. Her long, silky black hair began to float despite the absence of wind, with tiny golden sparks flickering at the tips.
She quickly realized what had happened. Though her brief loss of composure was corrected almost instantly, the raging Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame wasn't something that could be subdued so easily.
The violent Heavenly Flame ran rampant through her body. Her snow white skin flushed crimson, and faint golden patterns surged and rippled across its surface.
This was no good sign. It meant that the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame's rampage had reached a dangerous level. If this continued, Xiao Xun'er might be burned into a pile of ash by her own Heavenly Flame.
"Tch… such a headache…" Lu Bu clicked his tongue in frustration. With a flash of movement, he appeared in front of her, raised two fingers, and pressed them lightly against her forehead. A surge of immense soul power flowed from his fingers into her spirit.
"Ah…"
Xiao Xun'er let out a faint moan. The searing flames surging within her body had already begun to blur her consciousness.
The first stage of the Heavenly Flame's backlash was to overwhelm the soul. If it succeeded, both her soul and body would be reduced to nothingness…
"Damn it… did I fail?" Xiao Xun'er's heart sank in despair. The Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame's rampage this time was overwhelmingly fierce. Her mental defenses collapsed in an instant, leaving her unable to maintain clarity of mind.
But just then, a refreshing coolness suddenly spread through her spirit, like a drought stricken field encountering life giving rain. Xiao Xun'er's spirits lifted as she hurriedly guided the unexpected soul power to activate the restrictions her clan had placed within the Heavenly Flame, suppressing the unruly Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame.
The results were immediate. Like snow melting under the sun, the once dominant Heavenly Flame rapidly shrank and quieted until it became completely docile.
Moments later, Xiao Xun'er slowly opened her eyes. Her face was still pale with lingering fear as she collapsed onto the ground, sitting there while gasping for breath.
Her heaving chest rose and fell in rhythm with her labored breathing, and Lu Bu couldn't help but think to himself, What a magnificent sight.
"What's going on?"
"What just happened?"
The entire scene from the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame's rampage to its suppression had unfolded in a matter of seconds. Those watching only saw Xun'er falter as if she had gone into qi deviation, followed by Lu Bu raising his hand to press against her forehead and restoring her to normal.
Even Instructor Ruo Lin hadn't had time to react.
"Oh, it's nothing," Lu Bu casually dusted off his sleeves and said nonchalantly, "This girl's competitive spirit is too strong. Even during that time of the month, she insists on proving herself and ended up paying for it."
Upon hearing this, the female students' faces immediately flushed red. How could he casually bring up something so private?
Meanwhile, Xiao Xun'er, who had originally felt a surge of gratitude toward Lu Bu, nearly choked at his words. This man… Just when I was starting to feel better about him, he ruins it all over again!
In the shadows, Ling Ying was drenched in cold sweat, leaning against a tree for support. He had been scared out of his wits. If anything had happened to Xun'er, forget the Xiao clan he wouldn't have forgiven himself.
When he had realized the problem earlier, he was prepared to intervene, but Lu Bu's overwhelming aura had locked him in place, preventing him from moving. Luckily, Lu Bu being an alchemist had stepped in to help. Otherwise, the consequences would have been catastrophic.
"Ahem. Instructor Ruo Lin, shall we continue?" Lu Bu cleared his throat, giving a light cough before returning to his seat. But there was no need to continue; class had already ended, and it was time to dismiss the students.
After Instructor Ruo Lin announced the end of class, the students grouped up in threes and fours, animatedly discussing what had just happened. Meanwhile, Lu Bu caught up with Instructor Ruo Lin as she headed to her office to discuss his request.
When Lu Bu expressed his desire to train independently, Instructor Ruo Lin considered it for a moment before agreeing. Lu Bu's strength was already beyond the scope of what she could teach him. However, she imposed one condition: he would need to spend one day a week coaching his classmates.
Lu Bu accepted her condition without hesitation. One day a week wouldn't take up too much of his time.
…
That night, Lu Bu sat cross legged, meditating. After finishing his practice, he stretched and began organizing his room. He planned to head into the mountains to gather medicinal ingredients and refine a new puppet.
The body of Yuan Yi was of excellent quality. It was time to give himself a Dou Huang level bodyguard.
But just as he was finishing up, his gaze shifted toward the window. Xiao Xun'er stood perched on the windowsill.
A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Bu's face. The night before, Xiao Xun'er had shown up in combat attire, brimming with aggression and clearly ready to fight. Tonight, however, she wore a graceful, flowing gown. Her silky black hair fell to her waist, and a faint green bracelet adorned her fair wrist, the ice silver beads emitting a pleasant jingling sound.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was the bracelet Xiao Yan had bought for her in Wutan City.
"Miss Xun'er, perhaps it's best if you stop visiting," Lu Bu said with a faint smile. "I wouldn't want Xiao Yan to get the wrong idea."
"…I have some questions for you," Xiao Xun'er replied, exasperated. This was her first time encountering someone with such a casual attitude toward her.
Although she never cared much about how others perceived her, this man's indifference was strangely novel.
"I charge a hefty price," Lu Bu said with a smirk, arching an eyebrow. Her change in demeanor intrigued him.
Before he finished speaking, a scroll flew toward him.
Lu Bu instinctively caught it and, upon reading its title, grinned. Tianyun Pill!
A high level tier seven pill recipe, similar in function to the Po Zong Pill. However, while the Po Zong Pill aided Dou Huang practitioners in breaking through to Dou Zong, the Tianyun Pill was designed for Dou Zong practitioners striving to become Dou Zun. As for its success rate… well, that depended on the user's circumstances. But it was undoubtedly far superior to Xiao Yan's reliance on the Yin Yang Xuanlong Pill.
"As expected of the Xiao clan's young mistress so generous!" Lu Bu laughed heartily. "Alright, ask away. I'll answer everything I can!"
"What's going on between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan?" Xiao Xun'er asked sharply. So, this man did know her identity!
"Oh? Didn't you ask Ling Ying?"
"I did, but he only gave me a brief summary no details," Xiao Xun'er said, her face impassive, though there was a faint trace of irritation.
"Well…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin thoughtfully before recounting the events in the empire between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. His explanation was balanced and impartial, without leaning toward either side.
However, after hearing him out, Xiao Xun'er frowned deeply. "That doesn't make sense. After how Nalan Yanran treated Xiao Yan, there's no way he'd have feelings for her."
"The hardest kindness to resist is that of a beautiful woman," Lu Bu said, shrugging. "Nalan Yanran risked her life for him. Xiao Yan isn't the type to hold a grudge forever…"
"Still, it doesn't add up!" Xiao Xun'er gritted her teeth. "Xiao Yan is a rational person. He wouldn't act out of a sense of obligation, nor would he tell Nalan Yanran about the poison in his body. By logic, she shouldn't even know about it."
Lu Bu straightened his back, smirking shamelessly. "Oh, I told her."
Xiao Xun'er: (_ )
So it was you!
Lu Bu: Indeed, it was yours truly.
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