Chapter 174: Living with Yun Yun!
While Yun Yun was lost in her thoughts, Xiao Ze had already collected enough herbs to fill several low-level storage rings. Tossing one of the rings into the air, he thought he would need to get a high-level storage ring in the future. Now that he was a seventh-level alchemist, it was ridiculous that he didn't have one. With so many riches, he had to use more than ten rings to store them.
He remembered the advanced storage ring Yao Lao had left for Xiao Yan. Even with the alchemical methods within that ring, it took Xiao Yan two hours to find one. The storage space of an advanced ring was immense. Unfortunately, in the Jia Ma Empire, finding such a ring was difficult. If he wanted one, he would have to go to the Black Corner Region.
Xiao Ze entered the cave and saw Yun Yun, half-wrapped in a garment, with a melancholic expression as if she was lost in her thoughts.
"How are you feeling? Better?"
The sudden voice startled Yun Yun. She looked around but didn't see Xiao Ze, which increased her caution.
"Xiao Ze, have you returned?"
Xiao Ze realized this and undid his invisibility skill. With Yun Yun weakened, it was almost impossible for her to detect his presence. Seeing him appear out of nowhere, Yun Yun felt relieved instead of scared. She didn't know why, but Xiao Ze's presence dispelled her anxiety.
"Much better, thanks to the pills and ointment you left."
Mentioning the ointment made Yun Yun blush, recalling the discomfort of applying it. Whether it was Xiao Ze applying it to her or herself, the situation was always awkward, so she quickly changed the subject.
"So, have you been out all this time?"
"No," Xiao Ze replied, "After clearing out the magical beasts outside and setting up some defenses, I went to gather herbs to fill my storage."
Yun Yun assumed Xiao Ze had a hobby of collecting herbs and didn't think about his identity as an alchemist. They chatted for a while, although Yun Yun was mostly the one initiating the conversation.
"Why did you come to the Magical Beast Mountains?" Yun Yun asked. Xiao Ze smiled and petted the small colorful snake on his wrist.
"I came to find the Purple Crystal Source to feed this little one."
Yun Yun then noticed the beautiful snake on Xiao Ze's wrist, which immediately captured her attention. The beauty of the Rainbow Heaven Swallowing Python could charm anyone, and Yun Yun was no exception.
"This little one is lucky to have an owner like you."
Yun Yun exclaimed but suddenly realized.
"Purple Crystal Source? Your target is also the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?!"
Seeing Xiao Ze nod, Yun Yun got excited.
"If we work together, it will be easier to get the Purple Crystals."
Xiao Ze noticed the determination in her eyes. As a Dou Huang, Yun Yun didn't want to lose again to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
"Don't worry, once I recover and break the seal, I won't lose to him again."
She wanted to assure Xiao Ze, but remembering the location of her injury, she stopped.
"The seal from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King is complicated, but I saw that you injured him."
Xiao Ze nodded. With Yun Yun's attack, he could have really killed the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King if she hadn't been sealed. Seeing Xiao Ze's approval made Yun Yun smile.
"Are you agreeing to work together?"
"More or less," Xiao Ze said, dodging the question. Should he tell her he could defeat the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King alone?
Yun Yun interpreted his response as a yes, which made her happy. She wasn't sure if her happiness was due to obtaining materials for Na Lan Yan Ran or being able to fight alongside Xiao Ze.
As they talked, their relationship grew closer. Yun Yun asked Xiao Ze why he had rescued her, and he simply replied it was a favor among friends.
At night, Xiao Ze lit a campfire in the cave and roasted two fat rabbits, along with a couple of freshly cooked fish.
"Eat something," Xiao Ze said. Yun Yun was wearing the garment Xiao Ze had given her. He wondered why a Dou Huang didn't have spare clothes in her ring but didn't care as he had plenty.
Yun Yun took one of the fish and started eating. Being with Xiao Ze, she didn't feel like a leader, which made her feel more comfortable.
Of course, this was because she thought Xiao Ze had strength similar to hers. If she knew Xiao Ze could defeat even a Dou Zong, she wouldn't be so relaxed.
Often, a person's change in status altered their attitude towards them.
"Xiao Ze, when will the rabbits be ready?"
After finishing the fish, Yun Yun asked casually. Xiao Ze rolled his eyes.
"You act like I'm your servant!"
"Since I can't offer you anything that interests you, I have no worries about interest. As you said before, this is just a favor among friends."
Yun Yun smiled. Enjoying a relaxed conversation with a friend was a new experience for her. Xiao Ze shook his head, seasoned the rabbits, and handed one to Yun Yun.
Seeing her relaxed attitude, Xiao Ze also felt more at ease. This relationship felt closer to a genuine friendship.
After eating, Yun Yun sat down to break the Purple Crystal seal. Xiao Ze, on his part, closed his eyes to rest and reviewed his alchemical knowledge, planning to create new recipes for future challenges.
Thus, the two naturally shared the cave as a dwelling.
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