Chapitre 67: Chapter 67: Zi Yan's Power!
Though it lacked the ferocity of the King Flaming Bear, a different, indescribable aura of majesty filled the air. The beastly roar echoed powerfully through the nearby forest.
"Hm?"
The sudden roar did not surprise Jiang Yun and Zi Yan; it was as if they had anticipated it. The two simultaneously turned their heads to look at the distant sky, which was suffused with a purplish-red hue that almost covered half the sky. Even the lazy white clouds were tinted with a purple glow.
With their exceptional eyesight, they easily spotted the approaching figure.
"Amethyst Winged Lion King!"
"Lion dog?"
Two voices rang out simultaneously, revealing the difference between a skilled and an unskilled person. They exchanged glances, and Jiang Yun's eyes were full of teasing humor. He rubbed Zi Yan's head with a broad smile.
"Hmph, according to my inherited memory, this is just a gatekeeper!" Being looked at by Jiang Yun like this, even Zi Yan's usual thick-skinned demeanor couldn't help but flush slightly. She crossed her arms and spoke matter-of-factly.
Indeed, given the status of the Ancient Heaven Serpent Dragon in the magical beast world, the Amethyst Winged Lion King probably wouldn't even qualify to guard the door.
"Roar—"
Another beastly roar resounded as the Amethyst Winged Lion King appeared before them with a surge of wind pressure.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King, resembling a lion, had a fiery red spiral horn on its head, with clusters of purple flames coiling around its tip. Its back had a pair of purple wings that, when flapped, sent out waves of pale purple fire.
It was seven to eight meters long, covered in a layer of purple crystalline substance that radiated light, appearing both magnificent and menacing.
Just by appearance, this Amethyst Winged Lion King indeed looked good, suitable to pull a carriage!
A strange thought suddenly popped up in Jiang Yun's mind, making his gaze toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King turn somewhat peculiar.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King hovered in mid-air, scanning the surroundings. When it saw the badly injured King Flaming Bear lying on the ground, a flash of anger welled up in its eyes. This area was its territory, and all the magical beasts here were its subjects. Now, someone had severely injured its underling—if word got out, who would dare follow it?
As it scrutinized Zi Yan and Jiang Yun, it couldn't discern their strength, making it slightly surprised. However, seeing the young age of the two, how strong could they be?
Defeating a fifth-tier King Flaming Bear didn't necessarily mean they could defeat it!
Even though it felt a strange chill when looking at Zi Yan, it didn't have the time to investigate further.
"Humans, you dare intrude upon this king's territory and slaughter my subjects? How do you wish to die?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes gleamed coldly as it spoke, voice booming.
"Courting death!"
The words of the Amethyst Winged Lion King enraged Zi Yan instantly. Dare to curse Xiao Yun? Then you should die!
"Boom—"
As soon as the words fell, Zi Yan's slender leg stomped fiercely on the ground, causing the ground within a hundred-meter radius to collapse. She flew toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King like a missile.
"A sixth-tier shape-shifting beast!"
Upon Zi Yan's burst of aura, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's pupils contracted. It realized she was a shape-shifting magical beast, and her bloodline far surpassed its own.
"Wait—"
"Wait for what? Let me see how thick your skin is!"
Zi Yan's delicate shout echoed as her figure turned into a blur, appearing before the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Purple light gathered on her fair fist, transforming into a ferocious dragon head as it struck out.
Facing Zi Yan's attack, the Amethyst Winged Lion King dared not be careless. It circulated its Qi rapidly, extending its enraged claw toward Zi Yan. Under the boost of Qi, the purple crystal on its claw shone brilliantly, its defense drastically increased.
As fist met claw, a fierce wind burst forth from the point of contact, sending ripples through the air and easily shattering the stones below.
The tumultuous battle in the sky startled many magical beasts. The mountains around echoed with various strange beast roars. Rare magical beasts appeared from afar, watching the battle intently.
Despite the many magical beasts, none dared to assist the Amethyst Winged Lion King. The oppressive aura from that direction instilled deep fear in their hearts.
"Ugh—"
A pained groan echoed as the purple crystal covering the Amethyst Winged Lion King's claw shattered completely, bleeding profusely. In a physical battle, it was no match for the Ancient Heaven Serpent Dragon.
"Seems like your strength is just talk!" Zi Yan taunted while she flexed her unharmed hand, watching the Amethyst Winged Lion King being knocked back. Her purple Qi wings flapped as she charged after it.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King roared, emitting a thunderous hum. Its wings flapped, gliding out of range as a two-to-three-meter column of purple fire shot from its body towards Zi Yan.
Zi Yan did not evade; she charged straight towards the approaching purple flame.
"Courting death!"
Seeing Zi Yan's arrogance, the Amethyst Winged Lion King sneered, its purple flames flaring. Its giant paw, shrouded in purple radiance, struck forward, faint dark cracks appearing under its paw.
It planned to seize this opportunity to defeat her!
"Amethyst Seal!"
Simultaneously, the purple light on the Amethyst Winged Lion King intensified. Suddenly, the light contracted sharply, and within the blink of an eye, the vast purple radiance condensed into a half-meter-deep purple beam.
"Is this the unique sealing technique of the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"
Far off, Jiang Yun, who was merely spectating, pocketed the King Flaming Bear's magic core and watched calmly. He wasn't worried about Zi Yan's safety.
With superior cultivation, strength, and bloodline, Zi Yan was far ahead. How could she lose?
Indeed, Zi Yan, facing the approaching fire beam and the purple light beam, shimmered with faint glimmers and disappeared before the Amethyst Winged Lion King's bewildered eyes.
"Here!"
A crisp voice sounded behind it. Though pleasant, it sent chills down the Amethyst Winged Lion King's spine.
"Boom—"
In the next second, a terrifying attack landed on its back, shattering the purple crystal layers it relied on for defense. Its once-impenetrable defenses were useless now.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King crashed into the ground, creating a large pit. The flames escaping from its body set the surrounding forest ablaze. If not for distant water-attributed magical beasts stopping the spread, who knows how far the fire would have reached.
Yet, at the epicenter of the battle, a small magma pool formed, silently showcasing the terror of a Dou Huang fight.
"Too fragile, should have held back a bit." Zi Yan grumbled as she looked at the incapacitated Amethyst Winged Lion King. She had just started to warm up and hadn't even used her newly learned combat techniques. How disappointing.
"Its strength was never on par with yours, and with the bloodline suppression, it could only exert 70% of its power. How could it handle your onslaught?"
Jiang Yun's words made Zi Yan's eyes light up, but she quickly curbed her excitement cautiously. "Then you're not allowed to use arrays or flames."
Every time she sparred with Jiang Yun, his endless arrays and alchemical flame techniques left her powerless, unable to use her full combat skills. It was frustrating.
Jiang Yun chuckled. "Alright, I promise not to use arrays or alchemical flames!"
Honestly, against opponents like Zi Yan who rely on brute strength, arrays are the best. Trapping her in one renders her strength useless.
He often used arrays and alchemical flame techniques to hone these skills. He only had up to fifth-level array inheritance; beyond that, he had nothing but fragments and partial diagrams.
Recently, he acquired the Five Wheels of Heavenly Flames array from Venerable Tian Huo. He'd been studying the arrays of the Dou Qi Continent to advance his array mastery. Currently, his arrays could handle a Dou Zong, but dealing with a Dou Sheng would be a challenge.
He was most interested in the major clans' guardian arrays and the Heavenly Refining Ancient Array of the Demon Saint Jing Lian.
As for alchemical flames, they were preparation for refining pills and an extra hand in future battles.
"This time, I'll definitely defeat you!" Zi Yan brightly eyed Jiang Yun after he agreed to her terms, flames of determination burning in her eyes.
Side-glancing at her, Jiang Yun secretly thought to himself, besides arrays and the immortal flame, he still had his soul power—his true trump card against magical beasts.
Seeing excited Zi Yan, Jiang Yun didn't have the heart to tell her the truth. Though continually nurtured by the Bodhi Pendant he crafted, Zi Yan's soul power was no match for his.
Should he teach Zi Yan soul cultivation methods?
"Come on, let's see what good stuff this Amethyst Winged Lion King has!" Arriving at this thought, Jiang Yun glanced at the incapacitated lion and decided to spare it, instead leading Zi Yan toward its lair.
After they left, the observing magical beasts cautiously approached.
Two streams of light flashed and silently landed on a chaotic pile of stones.
Not far off was a towering mountain peak. At its summit, a massive cave entrance was faintly visible through the branches.
"Here, I smell something good!" Zi Yan's eyes gleamed as she spotted the distant cave, eager for the unexpected gain.
"Let's go!"
With no resistance save for a few third-tier guardian beasts, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan easily broke through.
Inside, the cave walls were embedded with purple crystals. The spacious, deep cave, adorned with these crystals, appeared incredibly beautiful.
But to Zi Yan, it held no attraction. Once inside, she scanned the surroundings, inspecting every corner.
"Found it!"
In no time, Zi Yan's eyes sparkled as she pulled Jiang Yun towards a deep passage.
The deeper they went, the hotter it got. In the center of the cave stood a platform of purple crystals with a head-sized purple sphere resting quietly on it.
"Good stuff!" Seeing it, Zi Yan's eyes shone as she circled the Companion Amethyst Source.
"It's a Companion Amethyst Source, a top-grade fire-attributed treasure!"
"Xiao Yun!" Zi Yan's bright eyes turned to Jiang Yun, not speaking a word, but he saw what she wanted in her gaze.
Laughing, Jiang Yun took out a piece of Amethyst Spirit Crystal and retrieved most of the Companion Amethyst Source.
"Roar—"
Just as Jiang Yun and Zi Yan were ready to leave, an angry roar came from behind. The sound, similar to the Amethyst Winged Lion King's, was more juvenile.
Following the sound, they saw a smaller Amethyst Winged Lion King snarling at them from the cave entrance.
"This must be the Amethyst Winged Lion King's offspring, just reaching third-tier!"
Seeing the small lion, Jiang Yun said indifferently. A mere third-tier beast was no obstacle.
Zi Yan, looking at the snarling little lion, revealed a hint of nostalgia, then sorrowfully said, "Xiao Yun, don't harm it; let's leave."
Familiar with Zi Yan, Jiang Yun understood she was likely reminded of her childhood. He waved a sleeve, sending a gust that knocked the little lion unconscious.
Gently holding Zi Yan's hand, Jiang Yun softly said, "Let's go. No matter what happened before, I'll always be with you!"
Letting Jiang Yun lead her away, Zi Yan felt her mood brighten, unaware of the smile curling her lips.
"Hmph, who needs you with me! I'm just worried if I'm not around, you'll get beaten up and waste my effort in raising a good alchemist. Wouldn't that be a huge loss!"
Though she spoke arrogantly, Zi Yan nestled close to Jiang Yun, eventually holding his arm and walking side by side.
Noticing the change, Jiang Yun's eyes shone with amusement.
May you always be happy. Whatever the challenge, I'll be here to support you!
Meanwhile.
On another side, Yun Yi follows Mu Gu to a towering peak shrouded in dense fog, an ancient palace vaguely visible within.
(The chapter ends here)
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Geriatric_Vibes
Geriatric_Vibes TL Note - Read up to 50+ chapters ahead for some really good novels (according to my taste) and other perks on my Patreon - patreon .com/geriatricvibes. Thanks a lot for the support
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone