"No, because I know you're not that kind of person." Xiao Tian looked directly into Yun Yun's eyes with calm certainty.
Yun Yun avoided his gaze, nodding slightly as she whispered, "The Purple Spirit Crystal is usually kept inside the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. Tomorrow, I will lure the Amethyst Winged Lion King away. As for you… I'd like to ask you to sneak into its cave and help me retrieve the Purple Spirit Crystal."
Xiao Tian nodded without hesitation. "No problem."
"I'll cultivate for a while to increase my strength. That will give me more confidence for tomorrow's operation. You should rest well."
After speaking, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating, giving Yun Yun some space.
Yun Yun quietly stared at his handsome face, lost in thought for a long time, unable to pull herself away.
Night fell.
Xiao Tian examined the six strands of red lightning circling his Dou Crystal and slowly opened his eyes. He stood up and walked over to the stone platform.
Yun Yun lay there like a sleeping beauty, her breathing soft and even. Xiao Tian took out a clean long robe and gently draped it over her. After a final glance, he turned and walked out of the cave.
The moment he left, Yun Yun opened her eyes. Her slender jade-like hand touched the robe covering her body as an inexplicable ripple stirred in her heart.
Early the next morning.
Xiao Tian, who had stayed alert at the cave entrance all night, suddenly opened his eyes at the sound of approaching footsteps.
A woman emerged from the depths of the cave.
She wore a snow-white plain dress, her long hair elegantly tied up with a phoenix hairpin. Her expression was serene and noble, radiating an air of cold indifference.
"Mm. The seal broke this morning," she said, her voice now carrying a faint trace of aloofness.
Xiao Tian looked at her and shook his head. "The current Yun Zhi… I don't like her. I still prefer the previous one."
Yun Yun's body stiffened slightly before she regained her composure. "Since you're awake, let's prepare to move. Take this crystal. It will heat up when it gets close to the Purple Spirit Crystal and can help you locate it."
She took out a jade-green crystal from her storage ring and handed it to him. A pair of azure Dou Qi wings then unfolded behind her back.
"Then let's get to work." Xiao Tian hung the crystal around his neck and walked over to Yun Yun. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
"Tian Xiao, what are you doing?!" Yun Yun flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"It's so far to the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. Are you going to make me run the whole way?" Xiao Tian asked innocently.
Yun Yun took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions. "I warn you — don't move around, or I'll drop you."
"Don't worry, I'm the most honest person. I won't move," Xiao Tian said with a playful smile.
Yun Yun's wings flapped gracefully, and the two of them shot into the sky.
During the flight, Yun Yun's delicate body fragrance filled Xiao Tian's nose. He couldn't help but inhale deeply and murmur, "So fragrant…"
Yun Yun's body trembled slightly at his words, a blush spreading across her cheeks as her flying altitude dipped for a moment. "If you keep talking nonsense, I really will throw you down."
Xiao Tian wisely closed his mouth, though he continued quietly enjoying her scent. Yun Yun knew what he was doing but chose to ignore the thick-skinned youth.
A streak of azure light flashed across the sky before quietly descending not far from the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave.
After landing, Xiao Tian released his arms and stared at the massive cave entrance at the peak of the mountain range.
"The defenses are much stricter than before," Yun Yun said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. "I'll do my best to kill or distract the high-level magical beasts guarding the entrance later. You look for an opportunity to sneak inside. Also… Tian Xiao, be careful."
"No problem. You be careful too and don't get hurt," Xiao Tian replied.
Yun Yun nodded. A thin sword appeared in her hand. With a flap of her wings, she dove toward the dense forest below the cave. Soon, a series of shrill roars echoed through the trees.
"Human woman! You dare show your face again?! Today, I will take your life to avenge the destruction of my horn!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the cave as a majestic lion covered in amethyst scales, with a pair of powerful wings on its back, shot into the sky. The Amethyst Winged Lion King had appeared.
Two beams of light — one azure, one purple — chased each other across the sky, clashing fiercely thousands of meters above.
Xiao Tian watched as the guarding magical beasts were swiftly dealt with. He stepped forward and flew rapidly toward the cave entrance.
As he passed a large rock, he spotted a familiar figure hiding there.
"Xiao Yan Zi, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Yan, who had been secretly observing from behind the rock, had already noticed Xiao Tian thanks to Yao Lao's warning. "I was just passing by and heard the beast roars, so I came to take a look."
"Since you're here, come with me. Help me find something inside," Xiao Tian said, grabbing Xiao Yan's shoulder and speeding off with him.
"Okay."
When they reached the cave entrance, Xiao Tian frowned at the sight of two trembling Tier 3 magical beasts still staring fearfully at the sky. He grabbed Xiao Yan with one hand, summoned his long sword with the other, and manifested the Demonic Lotus Wings along with two glowing pink wings behind his back. Dou Qi surged as he charged the sword with energy.
"Tian Ge… you… you're a Dou King?!" Xiao Yan stared with his mouth wide open in shock.
"I'll explain later."
By the time the two magical beasts reacted, it was already too late. A crescent-shaped blade of energy slashed through them, cutting both cleanly in half.
"Go!"
Xiao Tian grabbed Xiao Yan and flapped his wings, flying straight into the depths of the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave.
Inside, the cave was surprisingly bright. The walls were adorned with circles of beautiful purple crystals, giving the entire space a magnificent, otherworldly glow.
Xiao Tian released Xiao Yan and continued deeper into the cave, with Xiao Yan quickly following behind.
While walking, Xiao Yan conversed with Yao Lao in his mind: "Teacher, those wings of my brother aren't ordinary Dou Qi wings. They look like an extremely rare flying Dou Technique."
"Flying Dou Technique?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
"It's a Dou Technique that allows the user to fly freely," Yao Lao explained.
"Then Teacher, do you have any? Just give me two or three!"
"Not even one. You want two or three? You're dreaming," Yao Lao scolded with a chuckle.
"Xiao Yan Zi, stay close to me. Don't get lost later," Xiao Tian called out.
"Okay, Tian Ge."
The two soon reached a fork in the path. Following his memory, Xiao Tian chose the right passage — the Purple Spirit Crystal was located there. The left path led to the accompanying purple crystal source, which required the Purple Spirit Crystal to be opened, making it useless for now.
After walking for some time, the passage opened into a wider chamber.
In the center of the cave lay a smaller Amethyst Winged Lion King, resting quietly.
"Take this crystal. It will heat up when it gets close to the Purple Spirit Crystal. Help me search for it near where this little one is lying. I'll handle the beast," Xiao Tian said, handing the jade-green crystal to Xiao Yan.
He then activated Flaming Lotus. A ball of flame formed in his palm as he hurled it toward the young Amethyst Winged Lion King.