Apologies for the late upload!I had a Group Project Presentation and was completely exhausted by the time I got home—I ended up crashing right away and just woke up.
Thank you for your patience, and once again, I truly apologize for the delay.I hope you enjoy the chapter!
------------------------|
As the warm dawn light bathed the dense, forested region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Hua, who had been recuperating, slowly opened his eyes. The moment he did, he stretched his body, a comfortable sensation spreading through him.
Though he had yet to fully recover, his condition was noticeably better than before. After confirming that his body was at least stable, he calmly turned his head.
Yun Yun sat cross-legged on the stone bed within the cave, her eyes closed in silent meditation. Resting upon her lap was her most cherished weapon—a peculiar yet exquisite longsword.
Today, she had changed back into her usual attire—a flowing, form-fitting outfit in shades of blue and teal, accentuated with intricate silver embroidery. A silver belt, adorned with a delicate floral ornament, cinched her slender waist, further enhancing her noble and ethereal presence.
Her long, dark hair, which had once been carelessly scattered, was now elegantly styled, with a silver phoenix hairpin adorning her head, emitting an air of grace and nobility. Her beautiful face was calm and poised, showing none of the fragility she had displayed in the past few days.
'Now this... is the Yun Yun I remember.' Xiao Hua mused to himself. This appearance of hers was exactly like her Donghua counterpart, a vision that made it clear why she was one of the heroines of Battle Through the Heavens.
Sensing his gaze, Yun Yun's eyes opened. Her beautiful pupils swept towards Xiao Hua as she faintly asked, "Ready?"
The voice was as clear as it had always been, but this time around, it carried a little coldness. The tone was distant and indifferent, one where a conversation happened between strangers.
After sweeping his gaze on Yun Yun, Xiao nodded. He didn't feel downcast by her indifference. He tilted his head and said with a smile, "Seems like the seal is broken."
"Indeed." Yun Yun nodded emotionlessly and shifted slightly. In the blink of an eye, she was standing right in front of Xiao Hua. Lowering her gaze, she looked into his eyes and said calmly, "Since we're ready, let's go."
With that, she turned around, her movements graceful yet distant, and led the way toward the cave exit.
Xiao Hua lifted his head, watching her retreating figure. Though he didn't feel particularly disheartened, he couldn't deny the faint disappointment lingering in his heart.
"Perhaps it's because we grew closer over the past few days… but I prefer that Yun Yun—not the one standing before me now."
Murmuring softly, he let out a quiet sigh. His voice was barely audible, never meant for anyone to hear.
Yet, just as his words faded, the beautiful figure at the cave's entrance faltered. She paused for a brief moment before resuming her steps, disappearing into the light beyond.
...
At the peak of noon, two figures stood atop a massive rock, bathed in the golden radiance of the sun.
One was a graceful, slender woman, her delicate features framed by flowing silk robes that exuded an air of nobility and elegance. The other was a tall, dignified man, his sharp features and refined presence carrying an effortless charm.
Sunlight cascaded from the horizon, draping them in a soft, golden glow, further enhancing the breathtaking spectacle.
Xiao Hua gazed at Yun Yun, sensing the aloofness in her pure and cold demeanor. Her noble grace carried an unspoken pressure, making others instinctively aware of their own inferiority.
Sensing his gaze, Yun Yun unhurriedly turned around, her eyes briefly meeting his heterochromatic ones. However, she quickly averted them, as if suppressing something, before speaking in a measured, indifferent tone.
"From what I can tell, your physical strength is comparable to that of a second-tier Magical Beast. With the Sea Core Vest, you can contend with a third-tier one. However, doing so may worsen your injuries. I don't think I need to remind you, but act with extreme caution."
"If you encounter a Magical Beast along your path, either finish it swiftly or avoid fighting altogether. Otherwise, the sounds of battle will only attract more… and if that happens, I'm afraid you will..."
She suddenly fell silent. Slightly turning her head, she stared at Xiao Hua for a moment.
"I understand," Xiao Hua responded with a slight nod, his gaze shifting toward the distant horizon.
As Xiao Hua stood there, an air of serenity surrounding him—one that even surpassed her own—Yun Yun found herself frowning slightly, though she couldn't quite explain why.
A moment later, she descended gracefully from the massive rock, landing beside him. Her voice was soft as she asked, "Shall we depart?"
"Sure." Xiao Hua nodded. Without hesitation, he reached out, wrapping an arm around her slender waist and pulling the noblewoman into his embrace.
Yun Yun's long eyelashes trembled, and her delicate face tensed slightly. Her tender body stiffened at the sudden closeness, a familiar warmth enveloping her once again. Taking a slow breath, she forcibly calmed her pounding heart before speaking in a cold, warning tone.
"Don't try anything funny, or I'll throw you off."
Xiao Hua chuckled, his lips curling into a teasing smile. In a low voice, he murmured, "I've already touched everything I should have."
Yun Yun's beautiful face instantly flushed with a captivating shade of red. Choosing to ignore his shameless remark, she merely turned her head slightly, pretending not to hear. Then, with a subtle movement of her mind, a pair of green wings unfurled from her back.
With a light shake, the powerful wings lifted them effortlessly off the ground. Within moments, they soared high into the skies, cutting through the wind with graceful speed.
As they flew, Yun Yun's gaze lingered on Xiao Hua. Her thoughts drifted to their journey here—to the moment she had offered to break the seal on his body. Yet, he had turned her down without hesitation, even warning her not to touch it.
She hadn't listened to his warnings and continued to insist—it was directly tied to their plan. If he could regain his strength, they wouldn't have to take such a roundabout approach.
"Fine, fine. The seal is at the center of my heart," Xiao Hua finally relented with a resigned sigh. "But if you sense danger, withdraw immediately. The backlash isn't something I can afford to pay for—even in a lifetime."
Having failed to dissuade her, he could only agree under one condition—she must retreat the moment she sensed danger, not when death was already upon her.
"I understand," Yun Yun replied firmly.
Slowly, her jade-like hands stretched forward, pressing lightly against Xiao Hua's back. With a gentle tap of her fingers, a turbulent surge of Dou Qi poured into his body.
She carefully guided the energy toward his heart, but the moment her Dou Qi neared its center, an icy chill surged through her entire body. A deep, primal fear gripped her—her instincts as a seasoned Dou Huang screaming at her to retreat.
It was a warning. A step further, and death would be the least of her concerns.
'So, this is what he meant…' Yun Yun gulped nervously, finally understanding Xiao Hua's caution. Without hesitation, she withdrew her Dou Qi from his body.
Her expression darkened as she fell into deep contemplation. She was curious about Xiao Hua's Qi Method, but she quickly dismissed the thought—Qi Methods were a cultivator's most closely guarded secret. Besides, she had witnessed firsthand the terrifying lightning that had descended upon him.
Just the mere thought of it sent a shiver down her spine.
Even if she were given the chance, she had no desire to cultivate his Qi Method. The sheer horror of it was enough to deter her completely.
"By the way, are you confident in defeating the Amethyst Winged Lion?"
Xiao Hua paid no mind to the clouds drifting past them, nor did he notice Yun Yun's momentary distraction. Leaning in, he brought his lips right next to her ear and suddenly asked.
The warm breath caressing her skin jolted Yun Yun from her thoughts. Perhaps out of embarrassment, her body tensed, and their flight momentarily wavered with an abrupt, unsteady sway.
She quickly regained control, but a trace of grievance flashed in her beautiful eyes. Shooting him a glare, she suppressed her emotions and answered in a flat tone, "Defeating the lion king will be difficult and time-consuming, but stalling it is not an issue."
"That's true. Even though the battle was close, you were still defeated rather quickly. As expected, a Magical Beast's physical strength is truly terrifying for ordinary cultivators. Even the wound on your chest—"
Before he could finish, his body suddenly plummeted several meters. However, having anticipated this reaction, Xiao Hua remained unfazed. Without missing a beat, he tightened his embrace around Yun Yun, stabilizing himself effortlessly.
Raising his gaze, he saw her cheeks puffed up in anger and humiliation.
'If those Misty Cloud Sect disciples saw their cold and indifferent Sect Leader acting like this… Their jaws wouldn't close for an entire month,' Xiao Hua mused, shaking his head helplessly with a wry sigh.
"Say one more word, and I'll really throw you down!" Yun Yun threatened, her voice laced with frustration. This irritating man continued to tease her without end, and she had no means to deal with him other than empty threats—ones she knew wouldn't work.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." Just as she expected, the mischievous young man remained utterly unaffected, letting out an amused chuckle instead.
"Fortunately, there aren't any ugly scars left on your body. For such a beautiful woman, having those unsightly marks wouldn't be good—especially in that particular place."
Xiao Hua's teasing words flowed effortlessly from his lips, like a mischievous breeze stirring trouble. The moment they reached Yun Yun's ears, her expression stiffened before her good-looking face flushed in a captivating shade of red.
Dou Qi subtly surged within her body as she seriously considered tossing this infuriating man straight out of her arms.
However, before she could act, Xiao Hua's tone shifted.
"I'm truly glad I was nearby. If I hadn't been… even if you managed to escape those Magical Beasts, the outcome wouldn't have been good. Wounds like that—if left alone—can leave lasting scars, and for a woman, that's something that matters no matter where she is."
His words, though spoken casually, carried a weight that caused a faint tremor deep within Yun Yun's heart. The teasing had vanished, replaced by a rare moment of earnestness.
Looking down, she met the serious gaze of the young man in her arms. The Dou Qi she had gathered slowly dissipated. Feigning indifference, she replied in a calm tone, "For that, I am truly grateful. And… relieved that you found me."
Xiao Hua simply nodded and said no more.
Although Yun Yun finally achieved the peaceful silence she desired, for some reason, her heart felt slightly stifled—almost as if something was missing.
Without another word, they descended, landing quietly upon a chaotic pile of jagged rocks.
After landing, Xiao Hua carefully released Yun Yun from his embrace, his gaze sweeping across the vast mountain range in the distance. At its peak, a massive cave was faintly visible, partially concealed by the dense foliage.
"We're here… but security seems tight," he murmured. With his keen spiritual perception, he could sense the presence of formidable Magical Beasts stationed at the cave entrance, while lower-ranked ones patrolled the surrounding area.
"It looks like that guy has tightened its defenses."
"Obviously. Anyone would after learning that a Dou Huang had sneaked into their territory unannounced—especially when they know that person isn't leaving without taking what they came for."
Xiao Hua's playful tone earned him a sharp glare from Yun Yun. Letting out a begrudging sigh, she shifted her gaze toward the cave entrance. Her voice carried a hint of concern as she spoke.
"I'll handle the high-ranked Magical Beasts guarding the entrance. I'll either kill or seriously injure them to create an opening. As for you, find the best moment to slip inside unnoticed."
"Okay." Xiao Hua nodded, showing his understanding.
With all instructions given, Yun Yun felt slightly relieved. Just as she was about to take off, she paused, tilting her head toward Xiao Hua and softly said, "You… be careful. Make sure nothing happens to you."
Xiao Hua smiled warmly. "You too. Although I wouldn't mind if you ended up sealed again, I'd still prefer if nothing happened to you."
Yun Yun shook her head helplessly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Without lingering any longer, the wings on her back trembled, and her graceful figure shot into the sky like a streak of green lightning, heading straight for the massive cave.
She made no effort to conceal her presence. The moment she entered the hundred-meter perimeter of the cave, waves of beastly roars echoed through the mountain range.
With a flick of her jade-like hand, her peculiar green-hued sword appeared. Her figure blurred into a streak of green light as she plunged into the dense forest surrounding the cave.
Almost instantly, agonized howls filled the air. Magic Beasts scattered in terror, fleeing frantically from the vicinity. Before a Dou Huang, these so-called ferocious creatures barely retained a shred of their former savagery.
"Human woman! You dare to appear before me again?! Today, I will take your life as compensation for my horn!"
As Yun Yun slaughtered the guarding Magic Beasts, a furious roar erupted from the depths of the massive cave. The Amethyst Winged Lion's voice rumbled like thunder, shaking the skies.
In the next instant, a blinding violet light burst from the cave like a streak of lightning, tearing through the air before slamming into the forest. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, reducing the dense woods to nothing but rubble.
"That depends on whether you're capable enough, Lion King!" Yun Yun's gaze sharpened as she locked onto the violet light. Without hesitation, her figure flickered, transforming into a streak of green light that shot toward the horizon, leading the Amethyst Winged Lion away from the cave.
The once-thriving forest lay in ruins as two streaks of light—one green, one violet—pierced the skies, colliding again and again. Their battle raged high above, shaking the sky and earth with each exchange of power.
Xiao Hua glanced at the battle raging in the skies before finally making his move. He withdrew a black cloak from his storage—a special artifact he had obtained from the Gacha, known as the Shrouding Veil.
This cloak was crafted from a rare material, allowing it to completely erase his aura, breathing, scent, and even the sound of his movements. Footsteps, voice—everything was silenced upon wearing it. Moreover, it had the ability to seamlessly blend into the surroundings, making it the perfect tool for stealth—especially in his current situation.
However, the artifact lacked durability and offered no defensive capabilities, functioning purely as a support tool. But its greatest advantage was that it required no Dou Qi to activate, making it invaluable to him now.
With his Dou Qi sealed, he could only rely on his Spiritual Strength. Even if he concealed his aura and masked his scent with medicinal powders, none of it would matter if he couldn't enter the cave undetected. He could sense two lower-ranked magical beasts still standing guard, their attention split between the distant battle and their post.
There was a time when he had dismissed this artifact as useless. But now, given his predicament, it had become his most crucial asset.
The moment his feet left the ground, his figure melded into the shadows, darting through the dense forest like a wisp of smoke as he made his way toward the cave atop the mountain.
With his physical capabilities, it didn't take long for him to traverse the path Yun Yun had originally taken. The gruesome sight of lifeless Magical Beasts—each third rank or higher—laying in pools of blood filled his vision.
Yet, he didn't spare them a second glance. He was no naive youngster unfamiliar with slaughter. In the lawless Black-Corner Region, such carnage was an everyday occurrence. Compared to the blood-soaked battlefields he had witnessed, this scene was nothing worth reacting to.
The corpses might contain valuable high-ranked Magic Cores, but he had no time to scavenge. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the fallen beasts, swiftly slipping past the forest's edge and closing in on the cave entrance.
Even so, as an alchemist, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret at being unable to collect the high-ranked Magic Cores.
Emerging from the dense forest, an impressively massive cave quickly appeared in his line of sight.
"It seems a few managed to miraculously survive the young lady's onslaught. Either that, or she was a little sloppy in her work."
A cold, indifferent voice echoed in his mind—tinged with a hint of warmth and softness. His lips curled into a slight smile as he responded, "That can't be helped. She has to conserve her energy to fight against the Lion King. Naturally, she couldn't waste time hunting down every last Magical Beast."
"Besides, she already took care of the high-ranked ones. That alone makes things much easier for me," he added with a light chuckle.
Xiao Hua's gaze swept over the two remaining rank-three Magical Beasts standing guard. Rather than taking them head-on, he opted for a more cautious approach.
Skirting around the dense foliage, he scaled the rocky terrain, using the uneven surfaces as cover until he reached a spot directly above the cave entrance.
After confirming that the beasts weren't paying attention to their surroundings, he swiftly leaped off, sliding down the smooth, curving rock before landing lightly on the ground.
The instant his feet touched the surface, Xiao Hua bent his body low and shot into the depths of the cave like a phantom.
Fortunately, thanks to the Shrouding Veil, the Magical Beasts neither heard his footsteps nor sensed his presence.
Their attention remained locked on the distant battle between Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion, their only concern being that they wouldn't get dragged into the clash of titans.
...
Upon entering the cave, Xiao Hua's gaze was met with a softly illuminated interior. The light emanated from naturally formed, purple-hued crystals clinging to the surrounding cave walls.
The deep and spacious cavern, adorned with these shimmering crystals, had an almost ethereal beauty.
However, Xiao Hua paid little attention to the scenery. Without pause, he pressed forward, heading deeper into the cave.
After traversing the long tunnel for some time, he arrived at a fork in the path—two diverging tunnels stretching into the darkness ahead.
Frowning slightly, Xiao Hua studied the two paths. He recalled that in the novel, Xiao Yan had taken the left route, but beyond that, the details remained unclear. Moreover, this world contained elements from both the Donghua and the novel, making it impossible to predict which version would unfold before him.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he shook his head. Without hesitation, his Spiritual Strength surged from between his brows, spreading throughout the cave in search of the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence.
It didn't take long to locate it—the essence emitted a distinct, powerful energy that stood out even amidst the cave's natural aura.
Without wasting another moment, Xiao Hua swiftly rushed toward the source of the energy.
After navigating several twists and turns through the winding tunnel, Xiao Hua suddenly noticed the temperature rising at an alarming rate. The heat pressed against his skin, intensifying with each step. Undeterred, he continued forward until he finally emerged from the tunnel into a vast, open chamber.
At the center of the cavern floated a radiant sphere, pulsating with an intense fiery glow. Its surface was textured with deep ridges and cracks, resembling a molten, living core of energy. Blazing orange-red hues dominated its form, making it appear like a miniature sun, condensed into a single, burning mass.
Encircling the sphere was an aura of shimmering energy, countless embers swirling around it like fireflies dancing in the night.
'That's the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence…' Xiao Hua immediately recognized the radiant sphere. It was an exceedingly rare treasure—one of immense significance to the Amethyst Winged Lion.
The Amethyst Winged Lion was a Magic Beast blessed with extraordinary innate talent. Otherwise, advancing to the rank of a sixth-tier Magic Beast would be extremely difficult.
When an Amethyst Winged Lion gave birth, there was an extremely rare chance that alongside its offspring, an Amethyst Lion Birth Essence would also be born.
Having remained within the Lion King's womb for an extended period, the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence contained an astonishing concentration of pure energy. If the young Lion King consumed it upon reaching the rank of a four-tier Magic Beast, it would be able to ascend to rank five instantly.
Moreover, the purple flames within its body would be far stronger than those of Amethyst Winged Lions that had never absorbed such an essence.
Xiao Hua's gaze lingered on the floating sphere before shifting to the sleeping lion below. 'That must be the Amethyst Lion King's cub…'
Standing at the entrance, he silently observed the one that lays beneath the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence. His Spiritual Perception confirmed that no other Magical Beasts were present within the cave—only one.
And that one was right before him, sleeping peacefully, undisturbed by the commotion outside.
A small-sized Amethyst Winged Lion lay curled up in a creeping posture, its breathing slow and steady. Beneath it, a crystal platform adorned with intricate circular patterns, its surface glowing faintly. Around it stood multiple large, jagged purple crystals, their smooth surfaces shimmering with a soft, ethereal light.
Xiao Hua let out a quiet sigh of exasperation. 'Of course… it just had to make its bed right where the Purple Spirit Crystal is…'
Xiao Hua shook his head, feeling a slight sense of helplessness. Reaching into his Storage Ring, he retrieved a pale purple fruit, a jade bottle containing a potent laxative, and a small needle.
The fruit was a Purple Smoke Fruit, a rare delicacy found in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Infused with traces of fire energy, it was highly favored by many fire-type Magic Beasts.
As for the laxative, it was something he had concocted after studying multiple ancient poison records. Its potency was enough to send even a fourth-ranked Magic Beast running for a toilet—let alone a third-ranked one.
With practiced precision, he carefully extracted a portion of the laxative liquid and injected it into the fruit using the needle. A gentle squeeze sent the greenish liquid seeping into the flesh of the fruit, blending seamlessly with its natural juices.
Just as he finished, a celestial voice echoed in his mind, tinged with suspicion and concern.
"Are you sure that will work?" The voice was smooth and elegant, yet carried a hint of doubt.
"Even if that little lion is of a lower rank than the one outside, it's not a fool. No matter how tempting the fruit is, it would never consume something of unknown origin so carelessly."
The voice belonged to none other than Xue Yue. Unlike Little Fairy Doctor, she had no interest in revealing herself. To her, there was nothing particularly fascinating about Yun Yun, so she remained hidden.
Over time, she had learned much about medicinal herbs and poisons by observing him. Naturally, she recognized the Purple Smoke Fruit and immediately identified the laxative in the jade bottle—one he had carefully made based on one of the ancient poison recipes.
"Don't worry, Sister Xue Yue." Xiao Hua shook his head with a reassuring smile. As he spoke, he retrieved another jade bottle, this one containing a crimson medicinal liquid.
"This is an extract from the Anorexia Flower. Once infused into the Purple Smoke Fruit, I refuse to believe that little beast will be able to resist such an irresistible delicacy."
Xue Yue was momentarily speechless.
Perhaps it was due to his years of refining medicinal ingredients since childhood, but Xiao Hua's peculiar choices when it came to concocting medicine were both amusing and exasperating.
She was well aware that this boy had spent countless hours researching and studying medicinal herbs, plants, and fruits from a young age. However, she had never expected him to have such an absurd variety of medicinal liquids stored in his ring—each serving an entirely different purpose.
"Just what exactly has my sister been teaching you…?"
Lost in thought, she couldn't help but mutter those words, her tone tinged with both exasperation and amazement.
-------|
Read 20 Advanced Chapters in Patreon:
http://patreon.com/GodYato