Chapter 143: The Stirring of the Scales
"I think I'm about to die!"
In the dimly lit cave, two magical beast core crystal lamps emitted a soft glow. Yun Yun sat, draped in a pristine white robe that concealed her elegant and alluring figure. Her damp hair clung to her flushed cheeks, glistening with a faint sheen of sweat.
"Already at your limit?" Xiao Yan teased, his expression smug. "Even a Dou Huang can't compare to Ya Fei's stamina, it seems."
Yun Yun shot him a glare, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. "You're unbelievable. Who comes out of the gate so… so aggressive?"
Xiao Yan shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unapologetic. "This young master has been nothing but generous! Look how much your cultivation has improved overnight. You've gained so much and still have complaints!"
Indeed, Yun Yun could sense her strength had significantly increased. In just a single night, her cultivation had surged from a three star Dou Huang to a four star Dou Huang. This kind of advancement, even for someone as talented as her, would normally take months of diligent training.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan appeared full of energy, his progress even more astounding. After a night of dual cultivation with Yun Yun, his strength had skyrocketed, now teetering at the very peak of the nine star Dou Huang level. If he consumed a Breaking Sect Pill or received another fortuitous opportunity, stepping into the Dou Zong realm was just a matter of time.
"While I've got time to spare, let's continue improving your strength." Xiao Yan's lips curved into a teasing smile.
Yun Yun quickly shook her head, her face burning. "No! That's enough for now."
Seeing her rejection, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. But before he could say anything, Yun Yun took him by surprise. She lowered her gaze shyly, then leaned forward, taking the initiative in a way that left him momentarily speechless.
Moments later, in a faint voice, she muttered, "You came here to help me get the Purple Spirit Crystal for Gu He, didn't you?"
Xiao Yan, clearly amused, casually changed the topic. "You think I'd be mad about that?"
Worry flickered across Yun Yun's delicate face as she looked at him, unsure of his feelings. But when she saw the faint, warm smile tugging at his lips, she visibly relaxed.
"Not at all," he reassured her. "At dawn, we'll go get the Purple Spirit Crystal. But once you return, make sure you tell Gu He that you already belong to me now, understand?"
Her heart fluttered at his words, and she nodded without hesitation. "Even if you didn't ask me to, I would have told him. This time, I won't let you leave me again."
Xiao Yan smirked to himself, recalling a saying that seemed to fit the situation perfectly: "Poor Gu He, played so easily."
When the golden rays of the morning sun lit up the magical beast mountain range, Yun Yun and Xiao Yan had already finished cleaning up by a nearby clear pond. Both wore fresh clothes, their appearances radiant and refreshed.
"There's something on your mouth," Xiao Yan said casually.
Startled, Yun Yun hurriedly wiped at her lips, only to realize she had been tricked. She glared at him with mock anger. "You're the worst!"
Xiao Yan chuckled, leaning in to steal another kiss before she could stop him. After some playful teasing, the two spread their Dou Qi wings and flew toward the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's lair.
At the lion king's lair, the beast had been on edge since the previous day. The appearance of that human boy had left it deeply unsettled, its sense of danger heightened to an unbearable degree. Even now, as the morning light bathed its surroundings, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King sat vigilantly, scanning the distant sky.
Its heart sank as two figures appeared on the horizon, growing clearer with every passing moment.
One was the elegant woman in a flowing green dress already troublesome enough on her own but the other was the black clad young man who had humiliated it the day before. Just seeing him sent a chill down the lion's spine, its fur standing on end.
The pair descended gracefully, like a celestial couple from a divine painting.
Xiao Yan's presence exuded a commanding mix of charm and dominance, while Yun Yun's noble aura, amplified by her regal dress and crown, only added to the lion's trepidation.
To its shock, it realized the woman's power had grown overnight.
"Did she… break through a star level?" the lion thought in disbelief.
Before it could voice its thoughts, the young man spoke first.
"Little kitty," Xiao Yan drawled lazily, "hand over a Purple Spirit Crystal, and I'll spare your life. If you're smart, I might even let you join my Flame Alliance as a guard dog. Don't be ungrateful."
"You dare insult me!" the lion roared, its deep voice shaking the earth. "If you want the Purple Spirit Crystal, you'll have to take it from my corpse!"
It launched itself into the air, its massive wings unfurling as it prepared to fight.
But before it could attack, Xiao Yan's figure blurred, vanishing from view.
"What " The lion's thoughts were cut short as a powerful hand suddenly appeared before its face, delivering a bone shattering slap.
"Boom!"
The impact sent the beast hurtling through the air like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with enough force to create a massive crater. Dust and debris filled the air as the lion lay embedded in the earth, its once pristine crystal mane shattered and its body limp.
"Whimper…" It let out a pitiful sound, unable to muster the strength to rise.
"What gave you the courage to bark at me?" Xiao Yan sneered, taking Yun Yun's hand as they leisurely approached the lion's lair.
The magical beasts guarding the entrance scattered in terror, knowing they stood no chance against this terrifying human.
Deeper within the lair, amidst the lion's treasures, Xiao Yan's attention was suddenly drawn to a strange phenomenon.
Two seven colored scales, lying dormant in his storage ring, began to emit a faint glow, vibrating gently.
Feeling the pulse of energy from the scales, Xiao Yan's calm expression shifted slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"Could it be…?"