Chapter 68: Xiao Yan, You Know Me Well…
Within the Mitel family estate, nestled in the hillside, stood a serene manor. Surrounded by lush green forests, the manor boasted overlapping pavilions, small bridges, koi ponds, and winding paths that exuded tranquility and charm.
This was the residence arranged by the Mitel family for Lu Bu.
The Jia Ma Empire was a land ruled by noble families. These families controlled the empire's resources, from cultivation materials to essentials for survival. Though it was named the Jia Ma Holy City, much of its land was privately owned by these families, scattered throughout.
The Jia Ma royal family, though filled with resentment over this, was powerless to change it.
However, despite the heavy influence of the noble families, the Jia Ma Empire avoided stagnation and rigid class divisions. The reason was simple constant internal and external strife.
Externally, the three great empires of Luo Yan, Mu Lan, and Chu Yun hovered like vultures, ready to pounce. The Serpent Tribe, with its six Dou Huang and eight Dou Wang powerhouses, eyed the lush lands of the empire and sought to migrate out of the desert.
Internally, the Yun Lan Sect dominated the empire, its power overshadowing that of all other families.
This constant state of tension created an arms race. The royal family and the various noble families scrambled not only to gather resources but also to recruit talent.
As a result, the cultivation environment in the Jia Ma Empire was relatively favorable. Anyone who showed potential was given opportunities, making social mobility and advancement achievable for the talented.
Within the manor, a spacious training hall stood ready. Ya Fei led Lu Bu, Qing Lin, Hai Bodong, and Mitel Teng Shan into the hall.
"Mr. Lu, what do you think of this place?" Ya Fei asked with a polite smile. Everyone present outranked her, so she was relegated to handling these trivial matters.
"It's decent," Lu Bu said with a nod. Nestled by the mountain and surrounded by water, the location was secluded yet secure. With his formations, it would be impenetrable to prying eyes.
Considering that Wu Protector could control Yun Shan, it wasn't impossible for him to manipulate others in the Yun Lan Sect. Given how close the capital was to the sect, caution was essential.
"I'll start working here," Lu Bu said as he surveyed the surroundings. "Where are the materials?"
"All prepared," Mitel Teng Shan replied, handing Lu Bu a spatial ring.
Lu Bu accepted it and flicked his wrist, producing six yellow array flags. As always, formation first!
"Is that really necessary?" Hai Bodong chuckled. "This is the Mitel family's territory. No one would dare act recklessly here."
"Rest assured, Mr. Lu," Mitel Teng Shan added, patting his chest. "Even the royal family would think twice before offending the Mitel family."
"Are you sure?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his lips. "I already told you my enemy is a Dou Zong level expert. Even I can't defeat him."
Both Hai Bodong and Mitel Teng Shan stiffened, their faces growing awkward as they chuckled nervously. They wisely chose to say no more.
With a wave of his arm, Lu Bu sent the flags flying, embedding them into the ground at key points. Lines of energy connected the flags, forming a defensive barrier around the training hall.
"Impressive…" Mitel Teng Shan muttered internally. He no longer doubted Lu Bu. The formation alone was beyond what even a Dou Huang could easily dismantle. Such a feat spoke volumes about Lu Bu's capabilities.
Good thing Hai Lao has good judgment, Teng Shan thought. Otherwise, we'd have been in big trouble!
"Hai Lao, you take charge of the array's core. Qing Lin, go rest with your Sister Ya Fei. Teng Shan, feel free to observe," Lu Bu instructed.
He then produced a stack of materials and a sturdy red glowing cauldron, which landed with a heavy thud in front of him.
"Brother Lu, how's this cauldron? Nice, right?" Hai Bodong asked with a laugh. The cauldron, named Blazing Fire Cauldron, was a treasured artifact of the Mitel family.
"It's excellent!" Lu Bu said, knocking on the cauldron. Compared to bare handed refining, this five tier cauldron was a significant improvement.
"Alright, let's get started!"
Taking a deep breath, Lu Bu summoned the Green Lotus Core Flame into his palm. The flame transformed into a snake like wisp of fire that slithered into the cauldron.
But just as he was about to begin, Lu Bu suddenly froze.
Both Hai Bodong and Mitel Teng Shan tensed. Had something gone wrong?
By now, Mitel Teng Shan no longer doubted Lu Bu. The formation alone proved he was no ordinary alchemist. However, Lu Bu's sudden hesitation suggested a problem.
Ignoring the two men's concern, Lu Bu retrieved a thousand mile communication talisman. He activated it and asked, "What is it this time?"
The talisman was linked solely to Xiao Yan, so there could be no mistake.
"I'm outside the Mitel family manor. I need to talk to you it's urgent. Where are you?" Xiao Yan's anxious voice came through.
"You… fine, wait there," Lu Bu replied, cutting the connection. He informed Mitel Teng Shan, who left to fetch Xiao Yan.
Fifteen minutes later, Mitel Teng Shan returned, carrying Xiao Yan by the collar with his Dou Qi wings.
"Damn it, this guy's living the life," Xiao Yan muttered, his eye twitching. He had thought impressing two 4th tier alchemists was remarkable, but seeing Lu Bu's status put him to shame.
"What's the matter?" Lu Bu asked, impatient to return to refining pills.
"The Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva I can't find it," Xiao Yan said with a sigh. "The alchemists' guild doesn't have it either, so I had no choice but to come to you."
Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva? Mitel Teng Shan's brows furrowed. He remembered this material well. Years ago, Nalan Jie had suffered Branding Poison while trying to obtain it, leaving him half dead and barely clinging to life now.
"Sir, do you know where it is?" Xiao Yan asked, his voice hopeful as he noticed Teng Shan's expression.
"It's in the Nalan family," Lu Bu interjected with a smirk. "Nalan Jie has been suffering from Branding Poison because of it."
Xiao Yan's face darkened. Nalan Jie was Nalan Yanran's grandfather. His engagement to her had been arranged by Nalan Jie and Xiao Yan's late grandfather, Xiao Lin.
"Don't worry, kid," Lu Bu said with a mischievous grin. "Just cure Nalan Jie, and you'll get the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva in return."
"You have such faith in me…" Xiao Yan muttered bitterly, clearly reluctant. The Nalan family was the last place he wanted to go, and the reason was, unsurprisingly, Nalan Yanran.
Hai Bodong and Mitel Teng Shan exchanged astonished glances. This second tier alchemist claimed to have a cure for Branding Poison?
"Use your Heavenly Flame to burn the toxins in the bones, refining them bit by bit. Gu He shared this method," Lu Bu said dismissively. "Go on, it's all yours to handle."
Heavenly Flame?
Hai Bodong and Mitel Teng Shan were stunned. Another Heavenly Flame? These things were supposed to be rare, and yet they seemed to be everywhere lately.
"Why don't you go yourself? You also have a Heavenly Flame!" Xiao Yan snapped, irritated. He had no interest in helping the Nalan family, especially Nalan Jie.
"Xiao Yan, you know me well," Lu Bu said, shrugging with a sly grin. "If I go, the one bedridden might not be Nalan Jie it might just be Nalan Yanran."
Xiao Yan's face turned black, and he stormed off, grumbling.
Though he had annulled his engagement to Nalan Yanran three years ago, the thought of her becoming involved with someone else especially someone like Lu Bu made his blood boil. And knowing the Nalan family's tendencies, coupled with Lu Bu's undeniable charm and capability, the scenario wasn't far fetched.
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