The Man's Mouth

"Yes." Xiao Han nodded slightly.

"You knew?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King looked stunned.

"Of course." Xiao Han remained perfectly calm as he slowly continued, "If I didn't know your cave contained this treasure, would I have come here to make this deal with you?"

"Uh..."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King fell silent for a while before shaking its head. "No. The Amethyst Source is extremely precious—more precious even than a Transformation Pill. One Transformation Pill can only be exchanged for one Amethyst Spirit Crystal. Of course, if you can produce a second Transformation Pill, I can exchange the Amethyst Source with you."

A second Transformation Pill?

Yes, there was also a third-tier Little Amethyst Winged Lion King in the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. It was probably trying to extort a Transformation Pill for its child as well.

"Do you take me for an idiot?" Xiao Han rolled his eyes at the Amethyst Winged Lion King and said irritably, "Pills that can transform monster beasts are priceless and unavailable on the market. Once you monster beasts obtain and consume such pills, you can transform into human form ahead of time. While possessing human intelligence, you can also retain your monster beast race's exceptionally long lifespan. To cultivators, that is undoubtedly something utterly terrifying. Therefore, its value far exceeds that of an Amethyst Spirit Crystal. Trading it for Amethyst Source is no loss for you."

"Uh..."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King was stunned. Clearly, it had not expected Xiao Han to know so much.

"Enough with the useless talk. One Transformation Pill for one Amethyst Spirit Crystal and four bottles of Amethyst Source. What do you say? Deal or no deal?" Xiao Han waved his hand and took out four Jade Bottles.

"Four bottles?"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King's mouth twitched several times as it replied painfully, "No. Five bottles is far too much. My entire cave may not even have that much Amethyst Source."

The prospect of a monster beast transforming was simply too tempting for the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Once it transformed, it could blend into the human world and live a vibrant, colorful life.

"Don't worry. Your cave has that much Amethyst Source. Besides, even if you give me four bottles, there will definitely still be some left over. Enough to strengthen your child." Xiao Han smiled. He knew the deal was already settled.

"My child?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King's expression darkened, and its gaze sharpened. This was clearly one of its sore spots.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King became troubled. Born into the Amethyst Winged Lion King clan, it knew all too well just how rare Amethyst Source was.

Xiao Han smiled faintly. The Amethyst Winged Lion King's reaction had been within his expectations, and he continued, "Is there still any need to worry, Amethyst Winged Lion King?"

"Hm?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King stared intently at Xiao Han.

"If you can transform, you will effectively possess human intelligence from then on. After transforming, your cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds, soaring a thousand miles in a day. More importantly, you can later befriend some highly accomplished alchemists. With your cultivation, I imagine those alchemists would be more than willing to owe you a favor. At that point, would you still lack pills?"

Indeed, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes gleamed with fervor.

If it could take human form, not only the Amethyst Winged Lion King clan, but perhaps even the entire Monster Beast Mountain Range would have to submit beneath its feet. Although it would lose some rare Amethyst Source, it might accomplish the grand ambition that the monster beasts of the Monster Beast Mountain Range had never achieved.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King turned its head to look back at the cave. Inside was a young Little Amethyst Winged Lion King. If it could leave some Amethyst Source for its cub, it could allow the cub to produce even more formidable purple flames. And once it transformed into human form, it could leave the Monster Beast Mountain Range and find even more terrifying Heavenly Flames for its child.

As it thought, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's heart wavered. "Human, you really know how to spout nonsense. Fine, you have successfully persuaded me. I agree to this deal. Come inside with me and collect the Amethyst Source."

"No. I'll wait outside."

Xiao Han waved his hand, and the four Jade Bottles floated before the Amethyst Winged Lion King. He rejected its invitation.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King possessed combat strength comparable to a Dou Emperor. If he entered the cave with it, Xiao Han would not feel safe exposing his back to it. If the Amethyst Winged Lion King suddenly attacked while he was collecting the Amethyst Source and seized the pill, it would be too late for regrets.

"Fine."

Seeing the Amethyst Winged Lion King take the four small Jade Bottles, Xiao Han added, "The method for breaking open the purple sphere containing the Amethyst Source is simple: just smash it open directly with the Amethyst Spirit Crystal. Also, don't try to fake it by mixing water into the Jade Bottles. Mm, my master is a high-level alchemist, and his senses are very sharp. After you transform in the future, you may need to trouble him for some pills to improve your cultivation!"

"Uh!"

Now that it had taken the Jade Bottles, the Amethyst Winged Lion King really had been thinking exactly that. It had been wondering whether it could mix in something else and deceive him.

After hearing Xiao Han's reminder, the Amethyst Winged Lion King secretly felt that it made sense. High-level alchemists were extremely rare, and after transforming in the future, it might need the other party's help. It immediately dismissed the idea and cast Xiao Han a sidelong glance. "Human, I am the dignified Amethyst Winged Lion King. Deception is something only you humans enjoy doing. Do not insult me with such a word."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King entered the cave and followed Xiao Han's instructions, smashing open the purple sphere with the Amethyst Spirit Crystal. It then used the Jade Bottles to collect the Amethyst Source. Once the four small Jade Bottles had been filled, the Amethyst Winged Lion King looked in astonishment at the little Amethyst Source remaining inside the sphere. The truth was exactly as Xiao Han had said: only a tiny bit had been left for it.

Of course, it hurt. But faced with the temptation of transforming into human form from then on, the Amethyst Winged Lion King still carried the Jade Bottles and the Amethyst Spirit Crystal out of the cave. Behind it followed the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King, looking miserable as though it owed someone five million.

"Human, I have brought what you wanted. Now you can hand over the pill, yes?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King controlled its energy to wrap around the four Jade Bottles and a sharp Amethyst Spirit Crystal.

"Give me the items first. Then I'll give you the pill. My heartless master sent me to this place to carry out a mission just because I made a few mistakes. Although he promised that if I died, he would definitely avenge me, I still have no choice but to be cautious!" Xiao Han said emotionally.

"Uh, fine. But I advise you not to try any tricks. This is the Monster Beast Mountain Range, not your human territory. If you dare play games, I will make you regret ever coming into this world." The Amethyst Winged Lion King warned Xiao Han, then added, "Before the transaction, shouldn't you take out the pill first?"