"Is this really a Grade 7 Transformation Pill?!"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King swallowed hard. It had always dreamed of obtaining a Transformation Pill, a treasure that could completely shed its beastly form, granting it the long lifespan of a magical beast and the cultivation talent of a human—a coveted item for all magical beasts.
The human before it was actually willing to offer such a treasure; what a waste!
At the same time, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's resolve began to waver. Putting aside the facts, the Dou Zong expert before it was also a good protector; it might be useful for breaking through its cultivation level in the future.
After a moment of contemplation, the Amethyst Winged Lion King raised its head and said, "Alright, I promise you, you will be my master from now on. I only ask that you give me one more Transformation Pill?"
Jiang Cheng smiled and said without hesitation, "No problem."
Seeing the other party agree so readily, the Amethyst Winged Lion King also decided to do something against the principles of magical beasts. What was a little humiliation compared to increasing its strength?
As a silvery-white light flowed into the Amethyst Winged Lion King's spiritual sea, a fan-shaped totem faintly flickered on its forehead, proving that it had truly become a human's mount.
[Congratulations, host, for completing the system task. Capture a sixth-tier magical beast within the specified time. Reward: Heaven-Rank Beginner Battle Skill, Azure Lotus Sword Shadow!]
[Next task time: three days later.]
Jiang Cheng slowly closed his eyes, feeling the turbulent energy within his body. The system had successfully learned this Heaven-Rank Battle Skill, which was one of the things he valued—learning it directly without needing to cultivate it himself saved a lot of time.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King respectfully said, "Master, I have a cub at home. May I bring it along?"
Jiang Cheng recalled the plot of Battle Through the Heavens, which clearly stated that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had a third-tier cub and also possessed the rare Amethyst Source.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King was a uniquely gifted beast; every time it gave birth, there was a very small chance that it would also produce this accompanying Amethyst Source along with its cub.
Because this symbiotic amethyst source had stayed inside the lion king's belly for an extremely long time, the pure energy it contained was quite magnificent. When a small beast grows to a fourth-tier magical beast, simply devouring this symbiotic amethyst source will directly transform it into a fifth-tier magical beast.
It can be considered a rare and precious treasure among magical beasts.
"Let's go."
Jiang Cheng didn't yet possess the symbiotic amethyst source, so he simply took it and kept it as a keepsake.
Guided by the amethyst-winged lion king, the two arrived at its dwelling. The place was extremely desolate, littered with the corpses of magical beasts. Clearly, this amethyst-winged lion king enjoyed cannibalizing high-tier magical beasts to enhance its strength.
Upon seeing humans, the surrounding third-tier magical beasts rushed forward, but were terrified by the lion king's fierce roar.
"Get out of the way!"
Under the amethyst-winged lion king's surging aura, these newly sentient magical beasts prostrated themselves on the ground in worship.
At this moment, the newly ascended third-tier Amethyst Winged Lion King, sensing its father's presence, anxiously rushed over.
However, upon seeing the humans, it also let out low growls, confused as to why its father had brought them home.
After the Amethyst Winged Lion King's brief explanation, the younger Amethyst Winged Lion King's temper softened somewhat, but it still watched him warily.
"Master, this is my son; please forgive his rudeness."
Jiang Cheng simply nodded slightly and strode into the cave. The little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King wanted to ask its father a question, but was stopped by him, told to just obey.
Entering the cave, the first thing that caught their eye was the Companion Purple Crystal Source, coveted by all alchemists. Looking at the sphere emitting a faint golden light, a smile appeared on their faces.
Jiang Cheng's fingers twitched slightly, and the special stone encasing the Companion Purple Crystal Source shattered. Although Yao Chen had said that brute force couldn't open the so-called Companion Purple Crystal Source, it didn't mean a Dou Sheng couldn't.
As drops of pure energy flowed from the cracks, Jiang Cheng unceremoniously took out a jade bottle to replenish it. He would give the little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King another bottle later when it broke through to the fourth-tier magical beast.
Outside the cave, the little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King suddenly widened its eyes. Clearly, it had sensed its companion energy being shattered and was filled with resentment, but under its father's oppression, it could only grovel and roar on the ground.
After collecting the accompanying amethyst sources, Jiang Cheng also took a piece of amethyst that the Amethyst Winged Lion King sheds every twenty years. In short, he wouldn't need them later, so they might as well go with him to cultivate in the deep mountains.
Suddenly, Jiang Cheng's expression subtly changed, because he sensed another Dou Huang aura flying in his direction. He could determine from the waves in the air that the approaching being was a human Dou Huang.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King raised its head high, its fierce gaze fixed on the approaching woman. It frowned, hovering in mid-air, and shouted:
"Human woman, how dare you disturb my rest! You have a lot of nerve!"
The newcomer was a voluptuous woman, wearing a gold-trimmed, purple-trimmed, tight-fitting brocade robe. Her long, black hair was styled in a phoenix-like updo, subtly exuding an undeniable nobility. Her face was serene and beautiful.
Behind her were a pair of azure wings, slightly ethereal, yet giving off an irresistible sense of oppression.
The woman hovered in mid-air, sword in hand, her voice calm as she said, "I mean no harm today, I only wish to borrow the Lion King's Amethyst Crystal."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King sneered, "It takes me twenty years to shed a small piece from my body, how can you just take it as you please?!"
Yun Yun frowned slightly. The Amethyst Winged Lion King before her was far more powerful than she had imagined, especially the peculiar aura emanating from it, giving her the feeling that it had a powerful backer.
Since the Amethyst Winged Lion King became Jiang Cheng's mount, its aura had changed. The originally dull amethyst had become exceptionally bright, as if it had evolved.
Just as the Amethyst Winged Lion King was about to attack her, its master's voice came from behind it.
"Stop."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King turned to the side, its eyes filled with respect, and withdrew its raised claws.
Yun Yun's gaze shifted to the white-robed youth beneath her, a hint of surprise on her face: "Sir, what brings you here?"
This was, after all, the territory of the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Even as a Dou Huang, she dared not easily set foot here. If it weren't for the Purple Spirit Crystal, Yun Yun wouldn't have risked making an enemy of a sixth-tier magical beast.
"My name is Jiang Cheng. This Amethyst Winged Lion King is my mount. Please forgive me, young lady."
"Mount?"
Yun Yun paused, curiously observing the polite Jiang Cheng. He gave her such an elegant feeling, like a close friend. His previously somewhat cold tone had softened considerably.
(End of Chapter)