Chapter 144: The Third Reverse Scale
"What's wrong?" Yun Yun, whose hand Xiao Yan was still holding, felt his grip tighten suddenly.
"Nothing," Xiao Yan replied with a faint smile. "It seems this trip might be far more rewarding than I expected."
"What do you mean?" Yun Yun's curiosity grew as she watched the intriguing expression on Xiao Yan's face.
"Heh, there might be a treasure hidden in this cave worth far more than the Purple Spirit Crystal. Something so valuable even I can't help but be tempted." Xiao Yan chuckled, pulling her hand gently as they continued walking deeper into the cave.
"A treasure that even you would covet?" Yun Yun's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She couldn't imagine what kind of treasure it would take to pique Xiao Yan's interest, given that even a Breaking Sect Pill or a seventh tier medicinal pill seemed beneath his notice.
As they moved forward, a low growl echoed from deeper within the cave, causing Yun Yun to tense.
"Could there be another Purple Crystal Winged Lion here?" she wondered, her face briefly showing concern. But remembering the man beside her, her worry quickly faded, replaced by calm confidence.
Xiao Yan, on the other hand, had a somewhat amused expression as the growl continued.
As the pair drew closer, a young Purple Crystal Winged Lion appeared, about one meter tall, its body shimmering with the same distinctive purple crystal armor as its elder.
"What's this?" Yun Yun's face lit up with a mix of surprise and amusement.
The sight of the cub a miniature version of the mighty lion they had encountered before was unexpectedly adorable.
The little lion, sensing their approach, let out a threatening growl, trying to scare them off. Unfortunately for it, neither human seemed fazed.
"Growl!" The little lion dug its claws into the ground, its muscles tensed as it prepared to charge.
"Roar!" it barked again, but its voice, filled with false bravado, was abruptly interrupted by a loud smack.
"Smack!" Xiao Yan's casual slap sent the cub flying into the nearby wall, embedding half of its body into the rock.
"Go drink your milk, little one," Xiao Yan said dismissively, sparing the cub a brief glance.
Yun Yun couldn't help but burst into laughter, her melodic voice filling the cave. "You're so mean!"
"Mean?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow at her, then, with a sly grin, playfully smacked her as well albeit on a far less appropriate target.
"Stop that!" Yun Yun blushed furiously, turning her face away to hide her embarrassment.
Xiao Yan chuckled, taking her hand again as they continued their exploration.
Soon, they arrived at a spacious chamber bathed in a soft purple glow. A pile of Purple Spirit Crystals, stacked like a small mountain, gleamed brightly, illuminating the cavern.
"So, these are Purple Spirit Crystals?" Yun Yun said, astonished by the sheer number of crystals. There must have been dozens of them, yet the Purple Crystal Winged Lion had refused to part with even one.
"Magical beasts don't think the same way humans do," Xiao Yan explained with a faint smile.
Though magical beasts over the fifth rank had intelligence comparable to humans, they lacked the wisdom and adaptability gained from years of human education and experience.
"This is why some magical beasts can't see past their instincts. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion is a perfect example," Xiao Yan added, comparing the beast unfavorably to the cunning Netherworld Demon Snake.
Xiao Yan waved his hand casually, gathering the entire pile of Purple Spirit Crystals into his storage ring.
Before Yun Yun could recover from her surprise, Xiao Yan retrieved two shimmering, seven colored scales from his storage ring.
"What beautiful scales!" Yun Yun exclaimed, captivated by the radiant, multi hued light they emitted.
"If you like these, just wait. One day, I'll introduce you to someone who's just as beautiful," Xiao Yan thought, already scheming about the future.
The two scales began to spin slowly in his hand, emitting a faint hum.
Suddenly, from a pile of seemingly unremarkable trinkets in the corner of the chamber, a gentle vibration spread.
"What's that?" Yun Yun asked, noticing the movement.
Xiao Yan swept his hand across the pile, revealing a third seven colored scale hidden among the junk.
This third scale the third Reverse Scale of the legendary seven belonging to the Nine Star Beast Sovereign floated toward the other two in Xiao Yan's hand, resonating as it joined them.
Once the three scales were together, their spinning intensified, emitting a mysterious and powerful energy fluctuation.
"Congratulations, young master, on obtaining the third Reverse Scale. With your unparalleled destiny, gathering all seven and unlocking the Nine Star Beast Sovereign's inheritance is only a matter of time!" The voice of Netherworld Demon Snake echoed from within Xiao Yan's storage ring, filled with flattery.
Xiao Yan's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Now that's what I call 'sharp instincts.'"
After collecting the three scales, Xiao Yan quickly looted the remaining treasures in the cave. Though most of the items were of little use to him, he wasn't one to leave resources lying around.
Finally, his attention turned to a pedestal in the center of the chamber. Atop it sat a purple, spherical crystal about the size of a human head, radiating potent energy.
"This must be the Purple Crystal Source," Xiao Yan murmured. Though it wasn't particularly valuable to someone of his level, he wasn't about to leave it behind.
"Growl…" A weak, pitiful sound came from behind them.
Turning, Xiao Yan saw the little Purple Crystal Winged Lion had freed itself from the wall. Its face was swollen from his earlier slap, but it still bared its teeth at him, its eyes filled with defiance.
"Keep staring, and I'll turn you into stew," Xiao Yan said coldly, his gaze sharp and intimidating.
The cub whimpered, its once defiant posture crumbling into submission.
"Hmph. This little one has more potential than its parent," Xiao Yan muttered before effortlessly slicing the pedestal and collecting the Purple Crystal Source.
With their business concluded, Xiao Yan glanced back at the battered, elder lion lying in the cave's depths.
"This is your last chance," Xiao Yan warned. "Heal up and report to the Jia Ma Empire as part of the Flame Alliance. Otherwise, once my forces are established, you'll be the first we destroy."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the cave, Yun Yun at his side.
The lion cub watched them leave, its eyes filled with complex emotions.
"That human… terrifying."
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