BTTH: Transmigrated with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol

Chapter 128: Xiao Xun'er: "Brother Xiao Yan, I'm sorry…"

In the room, Lu Bu chuckled mischievously as he retrieved the Earth Heart Flame Ganoderma and Ice Fire Dragon Beard Fruit from his storage ring and placed them on the table.

The former had been obtained from the Eight Gates, while the latter came from the Inner Academy's medicinal storage.

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with excitement. He had been searching for these items for a long time.

With another laugh, Lu Bu retrieved a blue magic core from his storage ring. It was a sixth tier water elemental magic core, taken from the unlucky Black Emperor Sect elder Che Cheng's ring.

As for the Green Wood Immortal Vine… that wasn't up for discussion.

Lu Bu wasn't trying to help Xiao Yan refine pills; he was here to make a profit. After all, he thought to himself with amusement, I might be a bit of a villain here.

Seeing these three items, the Bone Spirit Ring on Xiao Yan's hand trembled lightly. A translucent, illusory figure of Yao Lao slowly emerged, his expression solemn.

After their previous dealings with Lu Bu, both Yao Lao and Xiao Yan knew how tricky he could be. And what's more, this guy never negotiated with Xiao Yan it was always with Yao Lao, the once renowned Medicine Venerable.

"These items we'll take them. Name your price," Yao Lao said in a deep voice.

"As expected of the illustrious Medicine Venerable. Straightforward!" Lu Bu laughed, giving Yao Lao a thumbs up in mock admiration.

Neither Yao Lao nor Xiao Yan reacted to his flattery. They were long used to Lu Bu's two faced antics calling him "Medicine Venerable" during negotiations and "that old geezer" afterward.

"So, what do you want?" Yao Lao asked again, his tone steady.

"It's simple…" Lu Bu rubbed his chin, a harmless smile spreading across his face. "I want your Art of Pill Spirit Elevation!"

This technique, created by Yao Lao himself, was exactly as its name suggested it enhanced the spiritual potency of pills. For seventh and eighth tier pills, it was a game changing method to significantly boost their efficacy.

Xiao Yan blinked in confusion, clearly clueless about this technique.

At his current level as a mere third tier alchemist, even crafting fourth tier pills was a challenge. Naturally, Yao Lao hadn't yet mentioned such advanced concepts to him.

However, Yao Lao's face instantly darkened. His expression grew cold as he said sternly, "Impossible. Don't even think about it."

The Art of Pill Spirit Elevation was one of his trump cards, a treasured skill that he guarded fiercely. Even Han Feng, the disciple he had personally trained, only knew of its name but had no idea how it worked.

Did this brat think he could claim it for a mere set of ingredients for a sixth tier pill?

Who did Lu Bu think he was his disciple? His son?

Yao Lao saw Lu Bu as nothing more than a rogue who had stolen some alchemical skills from him, not even worthy of being called a nominal disciple.

"Fine," Lu Bu replied flatly with a faint smile. He casually swept the three items back into his arms and added, "Then there's no deal. Without the Earth Heart Flame Ganoderma, Xiao Yan won't even be able to touch the Fallen Heart Flame."

"Choose something else. Anything but the Art of Pill Spirit Elevation, and I'll agree," Yao Lao countered firmly.

"Really?" Lu Bu's eyes lit up. "Then I want the formula for the Bodhi Pill!"

Yao Lao frowned deeply at this request. He indeed possessed the formula, having used it to help Xiao Yan refine the pill later on. However…

"You've got some nerve!" Yao Lao snapped, flicking his sleeve with a cold snort. The Bodhi Pill was a ninth colored eighth tier pill!

Xiao Yan's face turned pale. He didn't understand the Art of Pill Spirit Elevation, but he certainly knew what the Bodhi Pill was. Its formula was priceless Lu Bu demanding it for a mere set of ingredients was utterly absurd.

Outside the room, a portion of a skirt hem swayed gently in the shadows before settling again.

"Tsk, it seems this deal isn't going to happen," Lu Bu said, shaking his head as he reluctantly put the ingredients back into his storage ring.

Xiao Yan's Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but he ultimately remained silent. Lu Bu's price was simply too steep.

"We'll find the ingredients ourselves," Yao Lao said coldly before leading Xiao Yan away.

Lu Bu watched them leave, chuckling softly to himself. He knew perfectly well that Yao Lao would never exchange the Art of Pill Spirit Elevation for the Earth Spirit Pill's ingredients.

After all, the Earth Spirit Pill was merely a sixth tier pill, hardly deserving such a high price. If Yao Lao had agreed immediately, Lu Bu would've been suspicious.

His real intention was simple: to disrupt Xiao Yan's plans to acquire the Fallen Heart Flame.

Given Xiao Yan's current strength, attempting to seize the Fallen Heart Flame without the Earth Spirit Pill would be suicide. Not even Yao Lao could save him in that scenario.

The Fallen Heart Flame's eruption wouldn't occur until after the Strong Ranking Tournament, leaving only a few months.

Lu Bu doubted Xiao Yan could both train and gather all the necessary ingredients within such a short timeframe.

Without someone like Zi Yan, who could accurately pinpoint specific ingredients, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were essentially searching for a needle in a haystack.

Furthermore, the Inner Academy's surroundings might not even contain all the required ingredients. For example, the Earth Heart Flame Ganoderma only grew near volcanic craters it was practically impossible for them to find it nearby.

If they really managed to find them... then so be it. But Lu Bu had no intention of letting Xiao Yan refine the Fallen Heart Flame.

Elsewhere, Xiao Yan returned to his room, his face grim. "Teacher, what do we do now?"

"Of course, we keep looking," Yao Lao snorted. "I refuse to believe we can't find them!"

"Yes, Teacher!" Xiao Yan responded seriously.

"Also... focus on cultivating during this time," Yao Lao's voice turned grave. "Our attention isn't just on the Fallen Heart Flame we must also prepare for the Sea Heart Flame!"

Xiao Yan's heart sank. The Sea Heart Flame, controlled by Han Feng, the so called Medicine Emperor of the Black Corner Region, his treacherous senior brother, and the bastard who betrayed their teacher.

"Teacher, my strength isn't enough..." Xiao Yan murmured bitterly, fully aware of his current limitations.

"Have you forgotten how Lu Bu dealt with Protector Wu?" Yao Lao's tone shifted to one of calm calculation. "Lure the snake out of its hole and then become the mantis stalking it only to be the oriole behind the mantis. I know his methods inside and out. There are plenty of lures to draw him out, and as for that mantis... Lu Bu is quite the schemer himself. He's tricked me plenty of times, so this time, I'll repay the favor."

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Work hard."

...

That night, Lu Bu sat cross legged in his room, faint traces of a purple gold glow circulating beneath his skin.

Suddenly, his eyelids twitched, and his eyes snapped open. Outside the window stood a girl with flowing robes, her figure lit faintly by the moonlight.

With a light step, she floated gently into Lu Bu's room.

"Tsk... Miss Xun'er, what brings you here so late at night instead of sleeping?" Lu Bu teased as he scrutinized Xiao Xun'er with a playful glint in his eyes. "Aren't you worried your Brother Xiao Yan might find out you're visiting my room... for the third time?"

Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time he had tried to use such a threat it had long since lost its effect.

"Speak. What's your purpose this time?" Lu Bu raised his chin slightly, smiling as he urged her to get to the point.

Xiao Xun'er sighed inwardly. As always, Lu Bu wasted no time in trying to send her away. Anyone else would probably be eager to keep her around longer.

"I want those three medicinal ingredients of yours. Here's the Bodhi Pill formula," Xiao Xun'er said flatly, pulling out a scroll and waving it in front of him.

Surprise flashed across Lu Bu's face. He genuinely hadn't expected her to make such an offer.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly.

"As expected of the eldest daughter of the Ancient Clan. Truly as wealthy as a nation," Lu Bu said, shaking his head in amazement. The Bodhi Pill was capable of reaching the pinnacle of an eighth tier nine colored pill, making it exceptionally rare and precious.

"Hmph... While it's rare, it's not particularly scarce. Any skilled alchemist can acquire it with some effort," Xiao Xun'er said indifferently. "Now, where are the ingredients?"

Lu Bu rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression turning serious as he considered her offer. After a moment of silence, he slowly shook his head. "I've changed my mind. I don't want the Bodhi Pill formula anymore. Let's trade for something else."

"You...!" Xiao Xun'er's pretty face flushed with anger.

"I want... the Imperial Seal Technique," Lu Bu said with a wide grin, locking his gaze on her.

"Dream on!" Xiao Xun'er snapped angrily, her sleeves billowing as she spun around to leave. That technique was meant for Brother Xiao Yan it was out of the question.

"Are you really going to walk away?" Lu Bu's calm voice stopped her in her tracks. "From what I've observed, the Fallen Heart Flame has already begun to grow unstable. It won't be long before it erupts. The Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower won't be able to suppress it any longer. When that happens... your Brother Xiao Yan will be left standing there, helpless, staring at the Fallen Heart Flame he can't reach."

Coming and going as you please... Did you think you could disregard me, Lu Bu?

Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er hesitated, her expression conflicted. She took a deep breath before replying coldly, "Even so, it's out of the question. Pick something else!"

"No deal," Lu Bu said with a mischievous smile, shaking his head firmly. "You know the value of the Fallen Heart Flame. It's a cultivation accelerator, the very foundation of the Inner Academy's development to this day. If Xiao Yan could harness it, his achievements would soar even higher. And wouldn't that increase your chances of staying by his side?"

Pausing, Lu Bu leaned closer, his sharp gaze locking onto Xiao Xun'er's ethereal beauty. "Miss Xun'er, you wouldn't want your Brother Xiao Yan to be looked down upon within your clan, would you?"

Xiao Xun'er clenched her jade like fists, her delicate face twisting with inner turmoil. The Imperial Seal Technique wasn't as valuable as the Bodhi Pill formula, but... it was meant as a gift for her Brother Xiao Yan!

"Fine..." Lu Bu sighed theatrically. "It seems I'll just have to use these ingredients myself."

As he spoke, the Ice Fire Dragon Beard Fruit appeared in his palm, and the Azure Lotus Heart Flame flared to life.

"Wait!" Xiao Xun'er's pupils shrank as she cried out.

"Hehe..." Lu Bu looked at her with great interest.

Biting her lip, Xiao Xun'er's voice trembled slightly as she finally relented. "I... I'll trade."

Letting out a soft sigh, her delicate face turned pale. Deep inside, she whispered apologetically, Brother Xiao Yan... Xun'er... Xun'er is sorry...

(End of Chapter)

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