"No, because I know you're not that kind of person," Xiao Zhitian said, looking directly into Yun Yun's eyes.
Yun Yun avoided his gaze, nodded slightly, and whispered, "The Purple Spirit Crystal is usually placed inside the Amethyst Winged Lion King's Mountain Cave. Tomorrow, I will lure the Amethyst Winged Lion King away. As for you… I'd like you to enter the Mountain Cave and help me find the Purple Spirit Crystal."
Xiao Zhitian nodded slightly. "No problem."
"I'll cultivate for a bit to increase my strength, which will give me more confidence for tomorrow's operation. You should get some good rest," Yun Yun said.
After Xiao Zhitian finished speaking, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate, giving Yun Yun some time.
Yun Yun quietly stared at Xiao Zhitian's handsome face, lost in thought for a long while, unable to snap out of it.
Night fell. Xiao Zhitian inwardly examined his body, observing the six strands of red lightning circling his Dou Crystal, then slowly opened his eyes.
He stood and approached the stone platform. Seeing Yun Yun lying on it like a sleeping beauty, he took out a long robe and gently placed it over her before turning and walking out of the Mountain Cave.
After Xiao Zhitian left, Yun Yun opened her eyes, her jade hand brushing the clothes covering her. An inexplicable ripple stirred in her heart.
Early the next morning.
Xiao Zhitian, on alert at the Mountain Cave entrance all night, heard footsteps. He suddenly opened his eyes and turned: "The seal… it's broken?"
A woman emerged from the Mountain Cave, dressed in a snow-white plain dress. Her hair was tied with a phoenix hairpin, her expression serene and elegant, radiating nobility.
"Mm. It just broke this morning," Yun Yun said, her voice different now, carrying a hint of cold indifference.
"The current Yun Zhi… I don't like her. I still prefer the previous one," Xiao Zhitian muttered, glancing at her.
Yun Yun's body stiffened at his words but quickly recovered. "Since you're awake too, let's get ready to depart. Take this crystal; it will heat up when near the Purple Spirit Crystal. You can use it to locate it."
She took a jade-green crystal from her storage ring and handed it to him, a pair of azure Dou Qi wings appearing behind her.
"Then let's get down to business first." Xiao Zhitian took the crystal, hung it around his neck, then wrapped his arms around Yun Yun's waist.
"Jiang Feng, what are you doing?" Yun Yun asked, flustered.
"It's a long way to the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. Are you going to make me run all the way?" Xiao Zhitian said innocently.
Yun Yun drew a deep breath. "I warn you, don't move around, or I'll throw you down."
"Don't worry, I'm honest. I won't move," Xiao Zhitian said with a smile.
Yun Yun flapped her wings effortlessly, Xiao Zhitian holding on tightly. Together, they shot into the sky.
During the flight, Yun Yun's fragrance filled Xiao Zhitian's senses. He murmured, "So fragrant!"
Her delicate body trembled slightly at his words, a blush spreading across her cheeks. She lowered their altitude slightly: "If you talk nonsense again, I'll throw you down."
Xiao Zhitian closed his mouth, silently enjoying the scent. Yun Yun knew his little habits but ignored them.
A streak of azure light flashed across the sky, descending not far from the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave.
After landing, Xiao Zhitian consciously released his hold, fixing his gaze on the cave at the top of the nearby mountain.
"The surrounding defenses are much stricter. I'll try to kill or injure the high-level magical beasts at the entrance. You look for an opportunity to sneak in," Yun Yun said, scanning the area. Her brows slightly furrowed. "Also… Jiang Feng, be careful."
"No problem. You be careful too," Xiao Zhitian nodded.
Yun Yun drew a thin sword, flapped her wings, and swooped into the dense forest below the Mountain Cave. Shrill roars echoed through the trees.
"Human woman! You dare show your face again?! Today, I will take your life to avenge my horn!" From the Mountain Cave, the Amethyst Winged Lion King, its body covered in amethyst with wings on its back, flew out, roaring fiercely.
Two rays of light—one azure, one purple—raced into the sky, engaging in a fierce battle thousands of meters above.
Xiao Zhitian watched as the guarding magical beasts were swiftly slain, then stepped on the ground and flew rapidly toward the Mountain Cave.
Passing a large rock, he noticed a familiar figure. "Xiao Yan Zi, what are you doing here?" he asked, flying closer.
Xiao Yan, hiding on the rock, replied under Yao Lao's reminder, "I was passing by, heard the roars, and came to see what happened."
"Since you're here, come inside and help me find something." Xiao Zhitian grabbed his shoulder, speeding toward the cave.
"Okay."
At the cave entrance, Xiao Zhitian frowned at the two trembling third-tier magical beasts lying on the ground. He grabbed Xiao Yan with one hand, conjured the Heavenly Thunder Halberd in the other, and manifested the Thunder Roc Wings, charging the Moon Slash.
"Tian Ge, you… you're a Dou King?!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, mouth wide.
"No, there's no time. I'll explain later," Xiao Zhitian said, swinging Moon Slash at the two trembling magical beasts.
By the time they reacted, it was too late. The crescent-shaped energy cut them cleanly in two.
"Go." Xiao Zhitian grabbed Xiao Yan, flapped his wings, and flew directly into the Mountain Cave.
Inside, the light was brighter than expected. Purple crystals adorned the walls, giving the cave a magnificent appearance.
Xiao Zhitian released Xiao Yan and advanced deeper into the cave. Xiao Yan quickly followed.
While walking, Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao, "Yan'er, what about your brother's Dou Qi wings?"
"It's a flying Dou Technique—extremely rare," Yao Lao explained.
"A Dou Technique that grants flight? Can I have two or three?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Not even one. Two or three? You're dreaming," Yao Lao scolded with a chuckle.
"Xiao Yan Zi, stay close to me, don't get lost," Xiao Zhitian called.
"Okay, Tian Ge."
At a fork, Xiao Zhitian, recalling his memory, chose the right passage. The Purple Spirit Crystal was there; the left passage led to the supporting purple crystals, useless without the main crystal.
Walking further, the view opened to a smaller Amethyst Winged Lion King lying in the center of the Mountain Cave.
"Take this crystal. It heats up near the Purple Spirit Crystal. You find it where it lies, I'll handle this Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King," Xiao Zhitian said, handing the crystal to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Zhitian activated Thunder Blast, a ball of lightning forming in his hand. He threw it at the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.