Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 159: Qing Lin's Departure and Devouring the Heavenly Flame

"Join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion?"

Hearing Lu Man's invitation, Mu Yu was momentarily stunned, then a look of confusion flashed in his eyes. He hadn't expected her to take an interest in him; after all, he didn't possess a powerful physique like the Tri-Flower Eyes of the Green Snake that would warrant such attention.

"Hehe, that's right. I'm inviting you to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. I can promise you that if you do, your treatment will be no less than what Qing Lin enjoys. You should know, once this little girl is brought back to the mansion, she will be trained as a Saintess. Such treatment is rare, even across the entire Northwest Continent."

Seeing Mu Yu's surprised expression, a hint of pride appeared on Lu Man's lips. She had witnessed Mu Yu's talent firsthand, and she secretly believed that if he joined the mansion, his future achievements might not be any less than Qing Lin's.

After all, with proper training, someone with the Tri-Flower Eyes of the Green Snake could potentially break through to the Dou Zun level. And if Mu Yu, whom Lu Man considered a genius on par with Qing Lin, were nurtured, he too could be a Dou Zun in the making.

Though the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was a powerful force in the Northwest Continent, it wasn't yet a dominant, hegemonic power. But if they had two Dou Zuns in their ranks, they could not only rule the Northwest Continent but also establish themselves as a formidable force in Zhongzhou.

It was with these thoughts in mind that Lu Man sincerely invited Mu Yu to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, offering him very favorable conditions.

Qing Lin, standing nearby, also looked at Mu Yu with eager eyes. Although she had agreed to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion to ask for Lu Man's help, deep down, she didn't want to be separated from Mu Yu. If he joined the mansion with her, they wouldn't have to part ways.

Seeing Lu Man's sincere invitation and Qing Lin's hopeful expression, Mu Yu's eyes flickered with contemplation. After a moment, he slowly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Lu Man, but I have no intention of joining any faction right now. I hope you can understand."

While the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was indeed a powerful force, Mu Yu didn't lack for techniques or skills, and he harbored significant secrets. Moreover, with the Snake Lord secretly protecting him, he didn't need a faction as a backer. Besides, where there are people, there are conflicts. The more favorable the conditions Lu Man offered now, the more resentment he might face in the future. Although Mu Yu wasn't afraid of these troubles, he didn't want to get caught up in unnecessary disputes.

Upon hearing Mu Yu's refusal, Lu Man's beautiful eyes flashed with surprise. She had assumed that a young man from a family whose strongest member was only a Da Dou Shi would not refuse the personal invitation of a Dou Huang, especially when offered such generous terms. However, to her surprise, Mu Yu had calmly declined, as though he were simply turning down an invitation to visit.

Qing Lin also felt a twinge of disappointment at Mu Yu's answer, but she quickly hid it. After spending so much time with him, she knew just how powerful her young master was, so it was only natural that he wouldn't be swayed by the offer to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. Although she wanted to stay with him, Qing Lin didn't want to hold Mu Yu back from his future growth.

With this realization, Qing Lin's bright eyes showed a flash of determination. Although she had initially been reluctant to go to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, if it meant gaining the strength to catch up to Mu Yu, becoming the so-called Saintess was worth it.

"Are you sure you don't want to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion? Mulan Valley is likely searching for you everywhere by now. Although I promised Qing Lin I'd protect you, I won't be able to do so forever."

Lu Man's beautiful eyes were locked onto Mu Yu as she spoke in a half-threatening, half-pleading tone.

Mu Yu simply smiled and shook his head again. "I've already remembered the life-saving favor of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. I won't trouble you any further, Miss Lu Man. As for Mulan Valley, I'll handle that myself."

Mu Yu didn't reveal the existence of the Snake Lord, but with the Snake Lord's protection, he wasn't too worried about Mulan Valley unless two Dou Huangs attacked him at once.

Seeing Mu Yu refuse again, Lu Man sighed and said reluctantly, "In that case, this is where we part ways. If the three Mulan Elders arrive, White Fang and I might not be able to get away."

Mu Yu understood the gravity of the situation when he heard about the three Mulan Elders. He nodded in agreement. The three elders, when combined, were as strong as a Dou Zong. Unless the Heavenly Serpent Mansion sent out a Dou Zong of their own, they wouldn't stand a chance.

With that, Mu Yu turned to Qing Lin and gently stroked her head. Seeing her red eyes, he felt a pang of sadness. "Little girl, when you reach the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, you must listen to Miss Lu Man. I'll come to visit you when I have the time."

Hearing Mu Yu's parting words, Qing Lin's cute face resembled a wronged kitten. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she tightly hugged Mu Yu's waist. "Young Master... Qing Lin is sorry. I promised I would always serve you."

Qing Lin held Mu Yu tightly, as if all the words she wanted to say and all her reluctance were wrapped up in that embrace.

Mu Yu gently wiped away her tears, feeling a warm sensation flow through his heart. After spending so much time together, he found it difficult to part so suddenly.

"Qing Lin, there's no such thing as a never-ending feast. Besides, you have the Tri-Flower Eyes of the Green Snake, a gift from the heavens. You must cherish it. We'll surely meet again in the future."

Hearing Mu Yu's comforting words, Qing Lin slowly stopped crying. She released him and looked at him with determination. "Young Master, don't worry. Qing Lin will train hard and become stronger. When that time comes, I will protect you."

Lu Man couldn't help but feel exasperated when she heard Qing Lin's words. The Heavenly Serpent Mansion's Saintess, someone they would train with great effort, was now saying she would protect someone else. It was almost laughable. However, Lu Man wisely kept her thoughts to herself. She figured that once Qing Lin was brought back and exposed to the grand world of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, she would naturally forget her past as a servant and embrace her new identity as a respected Saintess.

What she didn't realize was that Qing Lin was Qing Lin precisely because she held onto her purest feelings, never changing despite the passage of time. In her mind, if Mu Yu was her master once, he would always be her master.

As the sky darkened, Lu Man finally spoke up. "We should get going, Qing Lin."

Qing Lin's face stiffened slightly at Lu Man's urging. She turned to look at Mu Yu, her eyes still glistening with tears. "Young Master, Qing Lin has to go. Please take care of yourself."

"You too, Qing Lin. Take care," Mu Yu replied, looking at her with a mix of reluctance and affection. He had always planned to send her to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, but now that the moment had come, his feelings were more complex than he had anticipated.

Whether it was Xiao Yu or Yun Yun, neither could match Qing Lin's pure and cherished affection. Since arriving on the Dou Qi Continent, Qing Lin had undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Mu Yu's heart.

Seeing the two of them exchanging words, Lu Man felt like she was intruding on a private moment. She frowned slightly, then stepped forward, scooping Qing Lin into her arms. The Dou Qi wings on her back unfurled as she prepared to take off.

"Enough chit-chat. I need to regroup with White Fang. He's injured, and we don't have much time. Mu Yu, since you don't want to join the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, this is where we say goodbye."

With those words, Lu Man leaped into the air, ascending quickly. Looking down at Mu Yu from above, she added, "Mu Yu, give my regards to White Fang. Take care of Qing Lin for me. It's a long journey, so stay safe!"

"I can't say whether White Fang will appreciate your thanks, but Qing Lin is our Saintess. No one will dare mistreat her. You can rest assured," Lu Man replied coolly.

Mu Yu nodded, recalling from the original story that apart from some issues with forced marriages, the Heavenly Serpent Mansion treated Qing Lin well. As for the marriage issue, he could deal with that himself once he was powerful enough.

As he mulled over these thoughts, Lu Man gave him one last glance before flapping her wings and taking off. A powerful gust of wind swept over Mu Yu as she ascended, and by the time he looked up again, she had already become a distant shadow. Only her parting words lingered in the air.

"Young Master, don't forget Qing Lin..."

Standing on the mountain peak, Mu Yu watched the faint green figure disappear into the horizon. With a heavy sigh, he wondered when he would see the little girl again. The next time they met, Qing Lin would likely be a powerful warrior in her own right.

His expression was tinged with both melancholy and pride, but he quickly shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside.

After standing on the mountain for a while and calming himself, Mu Yu's expression turned serious. Now that the immediate crisis was over and Mulan Valley and the Serpent Clan couldn't find him, and with Qing Lin safely gone, it was time to carry out his plan to have his Xuan Thunder devour the Heavenly Flame.

But before that, he needed to find a suitable place. Glancing around at the now-darkened sky, Mu Yu began searching the area.

After scouting the mountain for a while, Mu Yu finally found a spot that satisfied him—a natural cave formed midway up a steep cliff. The cave was located on a vertical cliff face with no footholds, making it extremely hidden.

Nodding in satisfaction, Mu Yu wasted no time and leaped off the cliff. As the wind roared in his ears, his back trembled slightly, and the Purple Cloud Wings spread out, slowing his descent.

Inside the cave, the space was small but sufficient for Mu Yu's needs. He took out a few moonstones from his ring and embedded them in the walls. The dim cave instantly became much brighter.

After tidying up the cave a bit, Mu Yu finally let out a long breath. He sat cross-legged on a large rock in the center of the cave, his dark eyes flickering with anticipation.

"Mu Yu, are you planning to have your Xuan Thunder devour the Heavenly Flame now?"

The Snake Lord seemed to have guessed Mu Yu's intentions and emerged from the ring, his cold voice carrying a hint of gravity.

"Yes," Mu Yu nodded.

"Though I'm not entirely sure how the Xuan Thunder will devour the Heavenly Flame to evolve, I do know that the process will be incredibly intense. I'll use my soul power to envelop the entire cave. Otherwise, the mountain might be burned to ashes before you're even halfway through the process, and both the Serpent Clan and Mulan Valley will discover you," the Snake Lord warned.

Mu Yu chuckled softly. "Thank you, Snake Lord."

"With our current relationship, there's no need for thanks. Besides, I'm curious to see what kind of changes your Xuan Thunder will undergo after devouring the Heavenly Flame," the Snake Lord replied, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Mu Yu smiled, feeling grateful. Having an "old grandpa" by his side indeed made things much easier.

With everything prepared, Mu Yu lightly tapped his ring, and a small scarlet flame encased in a containment barrier emerged.

As soon as the containment barrier was released, a terrifying heat surged through the cave. Although the barrier could temporarily trap the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, it couldn't contain its heat.

With the Heavenly Flame so close, beads of sweat began to form on Mu Yu's forehead.

"Release it," the Snake Lord instructed.

Mu Yu nodded slightly and directed his soul power into the containment barrier.

Under Mu Yu's control, the barrier slowly unraveled like a garment being undone.

As soon as the containment barrier was removed, the small scarlet flame expanded several times in an instant. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a large fireball, hovering in midair. As the flame grew, the temperature inside the cave skyrocketed, and the ceiling of the cave began to melt silently, forming a head-sized hole.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Mu Yu took a few steps back, his expression tense as he stared at the large scarlet flame.

At the same time, the Vermilion Bird Skyfire Thunder appeared in Mu Yu's right hand, crackling with electricity.

The Vermilion Bird Skyfire Thunder was like a ravenous bird, crackling with electricity that filled the cave with a buzzing sound. Whenever the lightning made contact with the flame, a faint aura of annihilation would spread through the air.

The simultaneous presence of the Heavenly Flame and the Xuan Thunder sparked an intense reaction, like dry tinder meeting a raging fire.

Mu Yu's gaze was fixed on the growing scarlet flame and the red lightning in his hand. He knew the process had begun—the Xuan Thunder was starting to devour the Heavenly Flame!

(End of Chapter)

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