BTTH: Transmigrated with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol

Chapter 118: Being Threatened!

"Jie Jie Jie…" Lu Bu chuckled meaningfully before saying, "No, I didn't come to the Inner Academy for that. My purpose is something else entirely…"

The most valuable thing in the Inner Academy wasn't the Fallen Heart Flame it was Zi Yan!

This was true not only for Lu Bu but also for Xiao Yan. The only difference was… Lu Bu had already intercepted Zi Yan!

"That's good to hear…" Xiao Yan exhaled slightly, smiling faintly as he said, "It's best if that's the case. Otherwise… things might not go well for everyone."

"Oh?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued as he replied, "Kid, am I to take that as a threat?"

Hearing Lu Bu's words, Xiao Yan pursed his lips and replied in a serious tone, "Not at all. I'm just stating a fact. I think you understand this better than I do."

"Jie Jie Jie…" Lu Bu's laughter grew louder. Ah, so it was a threat.

Originally, Lu Bu had no intention of interfering in Xiao Yan's pursuit of the Fallen Heart Flame. Although the flame was tempting, it wasn't irreplaceable. But now… perhaps meddling wouldn't be such a bad idea after all!

For instance, the Earthfire Ganoderma he had seized from the Eight Gates faction… or the other rare ingredients required for the Earth Spirit Pill.

"Kid, you sure are something…" Lu Bu gave Xiao Yan a sly smile. "Do your thing. I'm heading out."

With that, he turned and left.

As Lu Bu's figure disappeared into the distance, Yao Lao's spirit quietly emerged from the Bone Chilling Ring.

"Teacher, do you think he'll actually try to stop us from seizing the Fallen Heart Flame?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice. Lu Bu was strong, and there was nothing Xiao Yan could do to him. If he could, would he still be standing here? No he'd already have captured Lu Bu and forced every secret out of his mind!

"He won't," Yao Lao replied with a calm smile. "He knows our limits. If he dares to mess with us, we won't hesitate to go down together with him. If it ever reaches that point… whatever his purpose in the Inner Academy is, it'll fail completely."

With that, Yao Lao's figure retreated back into the Bone Chilling Ring. The Inner Academy had a powerful Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor), and he couldn't risk being detected.

"Let's get to work… we're still collaborating for now," Xiao Yan said, forcing a smile as he pulled out a dimly glowing medicinal cauldron. With a flick of his wrist, several ingredients flew into the cauldron. The crimson Ten Thousand Beast Flame roared to life, starting the refining process.

Elsewhere, Lu Bu, with his Violet Cloud Wings flapping gently, arrived at the Inner Academy's medicinal warehouse. He was after a particular herb: the Icefire Dragon Beard Fruit, a key ingredient for the Earth Spirit Pill.

While Lu Bu wouldn't go to the extreme of burning bridges, since Xiao Yan wanted to play this game, Lu Bu saw no harm in getting involved and profiting from it.

"Who's there… huh? A student?"

As Lu Bu neared the warehouse, a loud shout rang out, followed by a middle aged mentor, also flying with Dou Qi wings, who stopped him mid air. The mentor scrutinized Lu Bu's attire and badge, his surprise evident.

He was indeed a student… and a rather handsome one at that. But the mentor didn't recognize him.

"Greetings, mentor," Lu Bu said with a polite bow and smile.

"Ah, hello, student. That's a flying Dou Technique, isn't it?" The mentor nodded slightly, his initial impression of Lu Bu favorable. There was no hostility in his tone.

"Yes… Is flying forbidden in the Inner Academy?"

"It's not forbidden…" The mentor's expression turned slightly odd. After all, it was his first time seeing a student capable of flying.

Most Inner Academy students were at the Dou Ling (Dou Spirit) or Da Dou Shi (Dou Grandmaster) levels, and flying wasn't something they could typically manage.

"Still, I'd advise against flying too often it's a bit too attention grabbing," the mentor said with a light laugh, offering a friendly reminder. This student seemed decent. Unlike Zi Yan, who was also quite striking, he didn't have her fiery temper.

"Thank you, mentor. I'll keep that in mind," Lu Bu replied with a smile.

"What brings you to the medicinal warehouse?" the mentor asked curiously.

"I'm here for a particular herb, to use in refining pills," Lu Bu explained his purpose.

"Oh?" The mentor raised an eyebrow. "You're an alchemist?"

The medicinal warehouse didn't prohibit student access. Herbs were meant to be used, after all. In the Inner Academy, everything operated on a system of trade. Students could trade with one another, with mentors, or even with the academy itself.

"Yes."

"I'll take you to Elder Hao. You'll have to discuss it with him. Follow me," the mentor said, leading Lu Bu to an elderly man with a vigorous aura despite his aged appearance.

"Oh? You're Lu Bu?"

Upon hearing Lu Bu's name, Elder Hao's gaze sharpened with interest. While judging someone based on appearance wasn't ideal, Lu Bu's first impression was undeniably favorable.

"Elder, you've heard of me?" Lu Bu asked, equally surprised. He had only been in the Inner Academy for a few days.

"Of course. A fourth tier alchemist with the strength of a Da Dou Shi how could I not have heard of you?" Elder Hao chuckled. Such credentials were impressive anywhere, especially when paired with a good first impression.

"Swapping herbs is fine, but you'll need to offer something worthwhile in exchange," Elder Hao said with a sly smile. "I don't do ordinary trades!"

"Elder, you're making things difficult for me…" Lu Bu sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Jie Jie Jie…" Elder Hao's smile didn't falter. He simply wanted to test Lu Bu's capabilities. The boy had already made a name for himself by using his alchemical skills to suppress the notorious Bai Cheng shortly after arriving in the Inner Academy. Clearly, he wasn't just a pretty face.

Lu Bu's finger twitched, and a small jade vial appeared in his palm. He handed it to Elder Hao.

"This is…" Elder Hao's pupils contracted as he caught sight of the vial's contents: a verdant green liquid. "Earth Core Tempering Milk?!"

Lu Bu nodded with a smile. He had obtained about 50 drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk from the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape. After giving 10 drops to Zi Yan, he now offered another 10. He still had 30 drops left, which he intended to use for his breakthrough to Dou Ling.

"How about it, Elder Hao?" Lu Bu asked with a light laugh.

"Well done! Very well!" Elder Hao exclaimed, bursting into laughter. He handed Lu Bu a jade token. "You can pick anything from the medicinal warehouse, but only one item."

"Understood, Elder. Thank you," Lu Bu said with a smile, taking the token and heading into the warehouse.

Behind him, Elder Hao's eyes gleamed as he held the vial of Earth Core Tempering Milk. With a heavy sigh, he reluctantly pulled out a red Fire Crystal Card, transferring 1,000 Fire Energy points as payment.

Although he managed the warehouse and could borrow herbs when needed, outright stealing was forbidden it would be considered dereliction of duty.

"Lu Bu… What an interesting kid. Jie Jie Jie…" Elder Hao chuckled to himself, stroking his beard.

Inside the warehouse, Lu Bu quickly located the Icefire Dragon Beard Fruit and stored it in his ring. With this, Xiao Yan wouldn't be able to complete the Earth Spirit Pill without him!

Looking around, Lu Bu didn't spot a certain gluttonous, purple haired, white clad figure.

"Seems like she hasn't finished eating the Earth Core Tempering Milk I gave her," Lu Bu chuckled softly.

After reporting back to Elder Hao, Lu Bu left the medicinal warehouse. The elder even gave him a new token, allowing him to take items on credit in the future, promising to repay with equivalent goods later.

Lu Bu expressed his gratitude and left, heading toward the trading zone in the Inner Academy's eastern area to search for the Aoki Immortal Vine in Lin Yan's possession. Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found, nor was there any sign of the red eyed, impatient youth.

Somewhat disappointed, Lu Bu decided it was time to retreat for closed door cultivation. Once he broke through, Zi Yan would likely have finished her Earth Core Tempering Milk and come looking for him to refine more pills.

At that point, he'd use the opportunity to request her blood essence and finally begin cultivating the Azure Sky Dragon Transformation Technique.

(End of Chapter)

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