Chapter 64: Earth Class Dou Technique: Medusa's Gaze
Inside the train compartment, green flames flickered gently, illuminating the room. Ice element magic cores and medicinal herbs were tossed into the flames one by one, releasing a rich medicinal fragrance that filled the space.
Qing Lin rested her chin on her hands, her bright green eyes sparkling as she gazed intently at her young master. Her expression was full of admiration, and her thoughts were clear: My master is truly so handsome.
Before long, the green flames in Lu Bu's hands dissipated, revealing a white, viscous liquid floating above his palm.
Seeing this, Qing Lin quickly handed him a prepared jade bottle. Lu Bu flipped his hand, allowing the substance to pour into the bottle.
"Master, what is this?" Qing Lin curiously inspected the white, paste like substance inside the bottle, her little face filled with wonder.
"Remember the Burning Blood I made last time?" Lu Bu chuckled. "This is the ice element version. It's a Rank 4 medicinal item, not too shabby!"
"Burning Blood? Oh, I remember…" Qing Lin's face flushed red as she recalled the memory. Whenever her master used that medicine for cultivation, it required him to remove all his clothing, and she had to help him apply it to his entire body…
"Eh?" Suddenly, Qing Lin's delicate body shivered slightly, and her blushing face turned crimson as the memory fully formed in her mind. This method of cultivation…
"Jie Jie Jie…" Lu Bu rubbed his hands together, grinning mischievously. "Come on now, Qing Lin. Be a good girl and take off your clothes. Let me help you apply the medicine."
"I… I…" Qing Lin stammered, her face burning red as her slender fingers fidgeted nervously. Master is so annoying… but not in a bad way… Actually, I don't dislike it at all!
"Qing Lin, say something." Lu Bu retrieved a jade spatula and smiled at her warmly.
"Ah… O Okay… I I'll… do it…" Qing Lin's small hands trembled as she accepted the bottle and spatula from Lu Bu. "Master… you'll help me undo…"
Creak!
"Mr. Lu, I've brought the Ice Silkworm Mask you requested… Uh… am I interrupting something?" Ya Fei entered the room, her gaze landing on Qing Lin's flushed cheeks. She hesitated, feeling as though she'd walked in at the wrong moment.
Cough cough. Lu Bu cleared his throat, quickly regaining his composure. He handed the ice element paste to Ya Fei. "You've arrived just in time. Here, help Qing Lin apply the medicine. I need to speak with Hai Lao about something."
With that, he grabbed the Ice Silkworm Mask from Ya Fei's hands and left the room without looking back.
Ya Fei glanced at the jar in her hands, then at Qing Lin, feeling a little awkward.
Qing Lin shot Ya Fei a glare. This wicked woman!
Meanwhile, Lu Bu didn't actually head to Hai Bodong. Instead, he found an empty room to use as a training space. With about half a month remaining before they reached the imperial capital, he planned to spend the time cultivating.
"I think I've got something worth working on…" Lu Bu murmured, flipping his hand to reveal a gray scroll.
"Medusa's Gaze, Earth Class Intermediate Dou Technique…" Lu Bu examined the scroll closely. He had acquired it in the Serpent Men's treasure vault in exchange for an Emperor Pole Pill.
Back then, the scroll had intrigued him due to the faint spiritual fluctuations emanating from it.
Although the Serpent Men weren't born with the ability to refine pills, their understanding of spiritual power was remarkable.
For example, Yue Mei had used a specialized Dou Technique to fuse the spirits of serpent like magical beasts into her own body, deploying them in battle. However, she hadn't had the chance to use it before Lu Bu defeated her and turned her into a slave. Additionally, her escape technique, "Snake Art: Fragmentation," had a spiritual splitting effect.
Placing the scroll against his forehead, Lu Bu closed his eyes and began absorbing the information within. This was his first time acquiring an Earth Class Dou Technique, making it the highest level Dou Technique he had ever encountered.
After a while, Lu Bu opened his eyes, his expression serious. This technique, named "Medusa's Gaze," could more accurately be called "Medusa's Eye."
Its effect was straightforward but powerful: it used a unique method to concentrate spiritual power into an attack, inflicting a petrification like effect on the target's body.
In the original story, Medusa had debuted on Misty Cloud Mountain by delivering a petrifying blow to the elder Yun Leng. If not for Yun Shan's swift intervention, Yun Leng would likely have died.
Lu Bu speculated that this technique was likely the same one Medusa had used.
It was simple, but undeniably potent.
"Maybe I can use this as a basis to develop the Devouring Ancestor's Eye…" Lu Bu mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Unlike Lin Dong, who had a cheat like mastery of the Devouring Ancestor's Symbol, Lu Bu's understanding of his Devouring Symbol was relatively shallow. After several years of wielding it, he still hadn't developed any advanced applications, such as creating the Devouring Ancestor's Eye.
But… everyone needs a dream, right?
During his previous life in the Hundred Empire War, Lu Bu had planned to learn a technique like the Desolation Demon Eye to aid in creating the Devouring Ancestor's Eye. Unfortunately, before he could leave the war, he had been killed.
"It's worth a try. If it doesn't work, I'll find another way." Lu Bu resolved to focus on this Dou Technique, dedicating his time to mastering it.
Without further delay, he closed his eyes and began cultivating.
Black Rock City, Alchemist Association
"Jie Jie Jie! Xiao Yan, if you had waited any longer, I would've gone to fetch you myself!" Otto laughed heartily, clapping Xiao Yan on the shoulder.
"How's your cultivation coming along? Encountering any difficulties?" Otto thumped his chest. "I'm an Eight Star Dou Ling; I can guide you without any problem."
"It's been going well. I just advanced another rank," Xiao Yan replied with a smile. Over the past month, he had progressed from a Four Star Dou Zhe to a Five Star Dou Zhe.
Unlike the Dou Zhe stage, advancements in the Dou Shi stage required much more effort. Even with the association's support, Xiao Yan's rapid progress was a testament to his exceptional talent.
"Phew… Kid, I don't even know whether to tell you to focus on alchemy or Dou Qi cultivation. Your talent is monstrous!" Otto exclaimed, his admiration evident.
"What did you need me for, Otto?" Xiao Yan smoothly changed the subject.
"Ah, yes," Otto said. "The National Alchemist Conference is a little over a month away. We'll be heading to the imperial capital soon to prepare. Go pack your things we leave tomorrow."
"Oh…" Xiao Yan's heart sank for a moment. His three year agreement with Nalan Yanran was only a little over a month away as well.
Once he reached the imperial capital, he would need to contact Lu Bu. He just hoped Lu Bu wouldn't go back on his word…
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Xiao Yan's hand brushed against a jade token hidden in his sleeve. It was a father son communication token, and he was holding the son token.
"Understood, Otto. I'll be ready to go whenever."
"Good. Rest up for today," Otto said with a laugh, clearly pleased. "Xue Mei, escort Xiao Yan out."
"Yes, Teacher." A silver haired girl responded sweetly, stepping forward to accompany Xiao Yan out of the office.
"Xiao Yan, where to next?"
"Huh?" Xiao Yan blinked, confused. "Aren't you just seeing me off?"
"Don't misunderstand. I finally got a chance to leave Teacher's office," Xue Mei said nonchalantly, though the subtle admiration in her gaze betrayed her.
"Oh, I was planning to visit the trading area. Care to join me?"
Ever since stumbling upon a mysterious iron shard in Wu Tan City, Xiao Yan had developed a fondness for treasure hunting. Who knew what hidden gems he might find this time?
"Sure!" Xue Mei's eyes sparkled. She loved treasure hunting too, especially if it meant spending time with Xiao Yan.
Walking side by side, they soon reached their destination. Xiao Yan extended his spiritual senses, scanning the area for anything unusual.
Before long, he sensed a black jade piece and walked over to pick it up.
"Well, well, Mr. Yan?" A middle aged man greeted him with a smile. He was both an alchemist and a merchant who had sold Xiao Yan many items before.
"How much for this?"
"Jie Jie Jie, one Rank 4 pill," the merchant replied with a grin.
"What? That's outrageous!" Xue Mei protested, glaring at the merchant. "It's just a broken jade piece!"
"You've already noticed it's special, haven't you?" the merchant countered, smirking at Xiao Yan.
Although he had sensed the jade's uniqueness, he couldn't discern its exact nature. Selling it might snag him a generous buyer or, in this case, a sucker.
"Fine, one Rank 4 pill." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and handed over a bottle of viscous liquid
. "Burning Blood. Rank 4. Excellent for fire element cultivators."
After parting ways, Xiao Yan inspected the jade piece in his quarters… only to find nothing special about it.
"Damn it… Did I get scammed?" he muttered, frustrated.
A tremendous force suddenly struck down from above, landing heavily on Mo Cheng's chest.
"Waaah!"
Mo Cheng spewed blood as his body, which had been rapidly ascending, was now sent hurtling back even faster.
"Grand Elder!"
The members of the Mo family cried out in shock. The renowned Grand Elder, whose name resounded across the entire eastern province, was now utterly powerless before that young man?
With a deafening crash, Mo Cheng slammed into the blue stone ground of the Mo Clan fortress. Blood poured from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, forming a gruesome scene.
"If you want to kill me, you'll have to pay a price!" Mo Cheng's dimming eyes suddenly sharpened, a madness and venomous hatred erupting in his transplanted beast like pupils.
His wings flapped, his body surging forward like a black streak, charging straight at Qing Lin.
"Hahaha! Even if I die, I'll drag one of you down with me!" Mo Cheng shrieked wildly, his crimson Dou Qi surging forth in a scorching wave that rushed toward Qing Lin.
Qing Lin's delicate face turned pale; the oppressive aura of a Dou Ling was suffocating.
"You won't get the chance."
A calm voice echoed through the air before a resounding explosion followed.
A golden blue fist materialized out of nowhere, unadorned by Dou Qi or soul fluctuations.
Boom!
The ground shattered, spiderweb like cracks spreading in all directions. Mo Cheng's maniacal and contorted face was smashed deep into the stone floor.
Lu Bu flicked his foot, sending a sharp, whistling kick straight into Mo Cheng's abdomen.
Bang!
Mo Cheng's body flew backward, skidding across the ground, carving a long trench before coming to a half dead stop.
"Cough… I regret this…" Mo Cheng choked on his blood, his hawk like beast eyes glaring at Lu Bu with unrelenting hatred. He knew there was no way Lu Bu would spare him, so he no longer begged for mercy.
"I should have gone all out half a month ago to kill that old man and dig out those Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils!" Mo Cheng's eyes were bloodshot with hatred and madness. He deeply regretted not going all in from the start to seize the coveted eyes.
"Don't bother thinking about it. You never had a chance." Lu Bu's voice was indifferent.
If Mo Cheng had been reckless back then, his only outcome would have been death at Hai Bodong's hands. His only viable choice was to retreat and gather reinforcements.
But unfortunately for him, Lu Bu had returned. Now, there was no chance left for him.
"And now, you're completely out of time." Lu Bu flicked his fingers, sending a strand of Green Lotus Core Flame straight at Mo Cheng.
Mo Cheng's blood stained face twisted in terror. He gritted his teeth and frantically flapped his wings, desperately trying to dodge the incoming flame.
"You… You'll regret this! The Misty Cloud Sect won't let you go! Their Young Sect Leader, Nalan Yanran, is already on her way!" Mo Cheng screamed, clinging to his last hope.
"Idiot. I already told you I have a good relationship with the Misty Cloud Sect's leader." Lu Bu's tone was flat as he flicked his fingers again. A green flash cut through the air.
Mo Cheng was beyond reason now, his mind clinging desperately to the idea that the Misty Cloud Sect would avenge him.
If Yun Yun weren't confined to the Misty Cloud Sect, Lu Bu might have actually played along and psychologically destroyed Mo Cheng before killing him.
The Green Lotus Core Flame instantly adhered to Mo Cheng's body, expanding violently into a raging inferno.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!"
Mo Cheng howled in agony, rolling on the ground, his screams echoing through the fortress as he desperately tried to douse the flames with his Dou Qi.
But the Green Lotus Core Flame clung to him like a parasite, impossible to remove.
The Mo Clan members shivered uncontrollably, their faces pale with fear.
Qing Lin's expression hardened, her gaze frosty as she unsheathed a short sword and walked toward Mo Ran.
The remaining Mo Clan members had completely lost the will to resist. With the Grand Elder's gruesome demise unfolding before them, none dared to move.
"N No… Please… Spare me…" Mo Ran trembled as he tried to crawl backward, his voice shrill with terror.
Slash!
A cold light flashed.
The short sword pierced straight into Mo Ran's heart. His screams stopped abruptly as blood gushed forth. His lifeless eyes remained wide open, unable to believe his fate.
Lu Bu nodded slightly but said nothing. He had never pressured Qing Lin to take action before, but now that she had taken the initiative, he was pleased.
The Dou Qi Continent was no peaceful paradise it was a land of slaughter and survival. If one wasn't ruthless, they wouldn't live long.
Qing Lin removed Mo Ran's storage ring and took out a black and red beast core.
"Well done, Qing Lin." Hai Bodong nodded approvingly before lightly tapping his foot.
A tidal wave of freezing Dou Qi erupted, blanketing the stone ground in an icy frost.
The Mo Clan's elders and elite warriors were instantly turned into frozen statues, their lives extinguished in absolute silence.
"Hmph… Foolish Mo Clan!"
Hai Bodong snorted in disdain. He flicked his fingers, sending an invisible force rippling outward.
The frozen statues shattered, leaving nothing behind but scattered shards of ice.
"Let's go." Lu Bu waved his hand dismissively, flames surging once more as Mo Cheng's charred remains crumbled into ashes.
"Right." Hai Bodong nodded and took to the air.
"What's our next destination?"
"The Imperial Capital… Hmm? Looks like we just found a perfect ride." Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, gazing toward the northwest.
(End of Chapter)
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