Chapter 58: Learning a Battle Skill on the Spot
There wasn't much to say about opening the boxes—it was just a matter of trying the three keys.
Xiao Yuan's luck wasn't great this time. It took him six tries to open all three boxes.
Inside each of the three boxes was a scroll.
Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, Purple Cloud Wings, and Roaring Lion's Howl.
Xiao Yuan stared at the three scrolls in his hands with a thoughtful expression. Beside him, Xiao Yixian perked up upon hearing the locks click open, though she didn't want to show any emotion other than anger in front of him.
So she shifted slightly to turn her back to him, occasionally sneaking glances at the scrolls in his hands.
Seven-Colored Poison Scripture: A compendium on poison concoction.
Purple Cloud Wings: High-tier Xuan-rank flying Dou Technique.
Roaring Lion's Howl: Wind-element high-tier Xuan-rank Dou Technique.
After a brief moment of consideration, Xiao Yuan flipped his palm and stored the scrolls into his ring, then turned toward Xiao Yixian.
"Let's go. Mu Li is probably already suspicious of us. We shouldn't linger here too long."
He extended his hand toward Xiao Yixian.
Smack!
Xiao Yixian slapped his hand away and stood up angrily, puffing her cheeks. "Who needs you to pull me! Shameless!"
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly.
Did this girl not understand her current situation?
Shaking his head, Xiao Yuan bent down. Under Xiao Yixian's confused gaze, he scooped her up by the legs and hoisted her over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?! Put me down!"
Xiao Yixian, carried like a sack of grain, was furious. She pounded his back with her small fists.
But despite her flurry of punches, Xiao Yuan didn't even flinch—instead, it was Xiao Yixian who ended up with sore hands.
Feeling the faint tickles from behind, Xiao Yuan sighed internally. This girl was always so troublesome.
Smack!
He landed a firm slap on her shapely rear.
"Ah! You—!"
Feeling her most sensitive spot being slapped, Xiao Yixian froze up, her face flushing red with shame and fury.
"If you keep disobeying, I'll throw you off the cliff. Mu Li isn't an idiot—he's probably already gathered his men and is headed this way. We need to get back up quickly."
Xiao Yuan's expression turned serious as he scolded.
Xiao Yixian fell silent, her struggling weakening. After a moment, she mumbled, "Fine, I'll stop moving. Just put me down—your shoulder is digging into my stomach."
Xiao Yuan stopped walking and set her down.
Once her feet hit the ground, Xiao Yixian bent over slightly, rubbing her waist and stomach.
"Let's go."
Xiao Yuan grabbed her hand again and strode forward quickly.
"Hey, slow down!"
Xiao Yixian almost tripped from being pulled along, but fearing he'd throw her over his shoulder again, she hurried to keep up, jogging after him.
Soon, the two reached the cave entrance, where the moon hung high in the night sky.
Before Xiao Yixian could ask how they were going to climb the cliff, Xiao Yuan suddenly pulled her behind him protectively.
?
Xiao Yixian's eyes flashed with confusion—but soon, she saw a pair of feet appear at the edge of the cave, followed by legs, torso, chest, and face…
Shing!
With a flash of cold light, the man let out a strangled gurgle and plummeted off the cliff.
Xiao Yixian snapped out of it and turned to look at Xiao Yuan.
He stood there, expression cold, long spear in hand, eyes narrowed.
The cave was too cramped—if a fight broke out here, he wouldn't be able to use his spear effectively.
"Let's go back inside!"
Xiao Yuan thought for a moment, then retracted his spear, pulled Xiao Yixian into his arms again, and quickly returned to the stone chamber deeper in the cave. His gaze swept around as he released his soul perception. After spotting the mechanism for the stone door, he immediately activated it. A soft yellow glow of earth-element Dou Qi lit up.
"Hey, why are we back? Shouldn't we be trying to break out?"
Xiao Yixian wiggled out of his arms, fuming.
"Mu Li's men are already here, and there are quite a few of them. Their strength is decent. I could force my way out, sure—but not while protecting you. We need a surefire plan. This door's mechanism can withstand even a Dou Shi's assault. They won't be able to break in right away. We still have time."
Xiao Yuan shook his head seriously.
"But what can we even do in this situation?"
Xiao Yixian frowned in confusion.
"Learn a battle technique!"
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan flipped his palm and pulled out the freshly acquired high-tier Xuan-rank Dou Technique—Purple Cloud Wings.
"Huh? A Dou Technique? At a time like this? You think you can master something now?!"
Xiao Yixian's face twisted. She thought the shameless bastard had lost his mind.
"Those are Mu Li's men. Even if they throw rocks down here, they could crush us to death. I'm not worried about myself—I can escape. But if I'm bringing you, I need to be absolutely sure. Rushing in blindly would be a disaster if anything goes wrong."
Xiao Yuan said firmly.
With that, he sat down and unrolled the Purple Cloud Wings scroll.
The pitch-black scroll unfurled to reveal a pair of cold, dark wings.
The wings were a deep obsidian shade, faintly etched with violet cloud patterns. They had a metallic sheen, and the feathers emitted a faint warmth.
Beside the wings was a line of small black text:
"Blackflame Violetcloud Eagle — Tier 5 flying magical beast. Said to carry a trace of ancient Phoenix blood."
"Xiao Yixian, keep an eye on the door. Once I've learned this, I'll fly us out of here."
As he read through the scroll's cultivation method, Xiao Yuan spoke calmly.
"Me?"
Xiao Yixian blinked in confusion, wide-eyed.
But Xiao Yuan said nothing more and fully immersed himself in the technique, placing both palms on the scroll's wings.
SKREEEE!
In the next moment, a sharp eagle cry seemed to shoot from the scroll, through his hands, and straight into his soul.
Xiao Yuan flinched, his brows furrowing, body trembling slightly.
Watching him really start training at such a moment, Xiao Yixian was surprised.
Such calm and focus… truly impressive.
Thud thud thud!
Suddenly, chaotic footsteps echoed from outside, followed by a voice Xiao Yixian most hated to hear.
"Heh, Xiao Yixian, you two really made me search all over! Not coming out to say hello?"
Mu Li's false, mocking laugh rang out.
Gritting her teeth, Xiao Yixian paused a moment, then shouted angrily:
"Mu Li, this door can withstand even a Dou Shi's blows! If you have the guts, come in yourself!"
"Heh..."
Mu Li's sneer came from outside—and in the next moment, a thunderous crash sounded as the cave trembled under the assault.
(END CHAPTER)
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