Chapter 63: The Deal and the Heavenly Snake Mansion's Movements
"May I ask, Hai Lao, what was your rank as a Dou Emperor before you were sealed?" Lu Bu asked with a faint smile.
"Five stars!" Hai Bodong replied, his expression darkening.
Back then, although he was only a Five Star Dou Emperor, his combat strength was formidable. He had once exchanged blows with Jia Xingtian, and even Jia Xingtian had to tread carefully against him.
It was precisely due to his pride and confidence that he had challenged Queen Medusa, resulting in his being sealed for over a decade.
Now, after more than ten years, his strength had regressed rather than progressed. Those who had once fought on equal footing with him were likely already at the peak of Dou Emperor, if not higher.
"Oh? And how is your strength now?"
"Two stars," Hai Bodong replied irritably. Although the Breaking Evil Pill had effectively lifted the seal, it wasn't meant to restore strength. Having Two Star Dou Emperor strength already counted as a success.
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled. With a casual flick of his wrist, he produced a piece of parchment and gently slid it across the table.
Hai Bodong looked at it in confusion. Upon reading its contents, his eyes lit up, and his hands began to tremble with excitement. "This… this pill actually exists?"
Lu Bu remained silent, waiting patiently. After a moment, Hai Bodong snapped out of his astonishment and furrowed his brows at Lu Bu. "What do you want me to do?"
Though there was some camaraderie between him and Lu Bu, it wasn't enough for him to expect a favor of this magnitude for free. Moreover, even if the offer seemed gratuitous, Hai Bodong was wary gifts without a price often came with hidden costs.
"I'll need to visit the Misty Cloud Sect in about a month and a half. I'd like you to accompany me," Lu Bu said with a calm smile.
"What are you planning to do?" Hai Bodong felt a chill down his spine. He knew that Lu Bu's strength was enough to contend with Jia Xingtian or even escape unscathed from the Misty Cloud Sect. Now, Lu Bu wanted his help?
"Kid, let me warn you," Hai Bodong said seriously, "The Misty Cloud Sect's former leader, Yun Shan, was already an Eight Star Dou Emperor when he handed over leadership to Yun Yun. It's been over ten years since then. He may have broken through to Dou Ancestor by now!"
"Perfect. You're exactly the one I need to hold him off," Lu Bu teased with a smirk. "Don't worry. I'll throw in an Emperor Pole Pill as well, ready for you before we head to the Misty Cloud Sect."
"What?!" Hai Bodong shot to his feet. "I'm just a Two Star Dou Emperor! Even if I go all out, I can't stop him!"
"Calm down." Lu Bu gestured for him to sit. "I'm not asking you to kill him, just to stall him."
"That's still impossible!" Hai Bodong exclaimed. "Even with the Restorative Purple Pill and the Emperor Pole Pill, I'd only reach Six Star Dou Emperor at best. Against Yun Shan as he was ten years ago, my chances are slim. If he's advanced further, I'd stand no chance at all."
"Do you consider this task dangerous?"
"Of course!" Hai Bodong rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with exasperation. This was a rhetorical question how could it not be dangerous? Facing a potential Dou Ancestor was practically suicidal.
"Then don't you have any close friends you'd like to bring along?" Lu Bu suggested with a sly smile.
"Huh?" Hai Bodong blinked, stunned for a moment. Then, his mind raced. That… could work.
"Jie Jie Jie…" Suddenly, Hai Bodong's eyes sparkled, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. How could he forget about his dear friend Jia Xingtian?
He had to bring Jia Xingtian into this! There was no way he'd face this alone, especially since the cost wouldn't be his to bear.
"Yes, that's it! It's decided!"
"Heh, I'm in!" Hai Bodong declared confidently, pounding his chest. "As long as I have the Restorative Purple Pill and Emperor Pole Pill, I'll go with you to the Misty Cloud Sect without hesitation!"
"Prepare the ingredients. I can start refining the pills anytime," Lu Bu said with a satisfied smile, the deal sealed. He handed Hai Bodong a list of materials for the Restorative Purple Pill and even contributed some of the ingredients he already had on hand.
"Jie Jie Jie, excellent!" Hai Bodong laughed heartily as he cradled the pile of materials. "Once we reach the imperial capital, I'll gather the remaining ingredients right away. You can count on me!"
Southwest of Black Corner Region, Deep Within the Mountains, Heavenly Snake Mansion
In the depths of the mountains stood the Heavenly Snake Mansion, its halls protected by a powerful formation. The Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor and Green Python exchanged bitter looks as they approached.
"This is going to be a disaster. Just thinking about reporting our failure to the boss makes my legs tremble," the Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor muttered nervously.
"Wake up. You don't have legs," Green Python retorted with a smirk.
The snake emperor glared at her, but Green Python remained unfazed. Instead, she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Don't you think it's strange that our injuries aren't worse?"
"Injuries? What injuries? You didn't even bother treating mine!"
"I'm doing you a favor!" Green Python snapped. Before the snake emperor could retort, she continued, "The worse our injuries, the stronger the enemy seems. The stronger the enemy, the less blame falls on us!"
"Ah! You're absolutely right!" The snake emperor's eyes lit up. For once, Green Python's words weren't infuriating.
"Quick! Help me reopen my wounds so they look fresh!" The Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor spun in circles, laughing awkwardly.
Suddenly, Green Python froze, her demeanor turning serious. She straightened her posture, bowing respectfully as a deep, resonant voice rang out from above.
"Go ahead. Show me the extent of your little 'act.' Let's see just how convincing this charade will be."
A white bearded elder hovered in the sky, his long robes billowing despite the still air. His piercing gaze bore down on the two injured snakes.
The snake emperor felt as though his skull might split open. Desperately, he began to babble, "Boss, let me explain! It's not what you think! This is all "
"Boss, this is all the snake emperor's doing," Green Python interrupted calmly. "Not only did he abandon the mission and provoke a powerful enemy, but he also tried to cover it up with this pitiful excuse of a ploy."
"What?!" The snake emperor's eyes bulged in disbelief. You treacherous woman!
"You… failed?" The elder's gaze sharpened, his robe flaring as a chilling aura enveloped the area.
The snake emperor froze, unable to form a coherent response.
Crash! Bang! Clang!
Green Python covered her eyes, sparing the snake emperor no sympathy. Rest easy I'll tend to your wounds later. You've worked hard.
Moments later, when the dust settled, the Eight Winged Black Snake Emperor lay on the ground, bruised and battered, groaning pitifully.
"Now, tell me exactly what happened!" the elder commanded.
"Yes, sir. Here's what transpired…" Green Python began, recounting the details in full.
An hour later, two streaks of light shot into the sky, heading straight toward the Jia Ma Empire.
Jia Ma Empire, Onboard the Train
Knock, knock.
"Come in," Lu Bu called out.
"Uh… Mr. Lu, here are the items you requested," Ya Fei said as she entered, carrying a tray laden with white magic cores and frost imbued medicinal herbs.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Lu Bu, memories of their encounter two years prior flashing through her mind. She recognized him instantly as the young man she had met on the train to Wu Tan City.
It wasn't just his sudden disappearance that had left an impression it was his striking appearance. She hadn't expected that, upon reuniting, he would not only have gained power but also secured the loyalty of her clan's leader.
"Young master, what do you need these items for?" Qing Lin, who had been meditating, opened her eyes and interjected, squeezing herself between Ya Fei and Lu Bu.
"They're for your cultivation," Lu Bu said, patting Qing Lin on the head with a gentle smile.
Qing Lin's eyes sparkled with excitement. She was becoming increasingly eager for strength, her desire for power growing with each passing day.
(End of Chapter)
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