Green Lotus Core Flame

Two days later, while Xiao Kun was searching for medicinal herbs deep within the Magic Beast Mountain Range, he suddenly heard sounds of battle ahead. He quickly concealed himself and quietly moved closer to take a look, only to discover that it was Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was currently fighting a second-tier Ironwood Ape, and from the looks of it, he was handling it with ease.

After a few exchanges, Xiao Yan unleashed an Eight-Level Collapse, and a burst of bloody mist instantly exploded from the Ironwood Ape's chest. It staggered before collapsing to the ground.

Seeing that Xiao Yan not only had a skilled fighting style now, but had also advanced six stars to become a seven-star Dou Master, Xiao Kun could not help but sigh. Xiao Yan had improved greatly as well!

Seeing that the battle had ended, Xiao Kun emerged from his hiding place and slowly flew toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan had just finished the battle and only just relaxed when his keen Soul Power detected a figure flying toward him. He hurriedly turned around and assumed a fighting stance.

"Who?"

After shouting, Xiao Yan focused his eyes and saw Xiao Kun slowly flying toward him with a smile on his face.

Seeing Xiao Kun's familiar figure and aura, Xiao Yan quickly dropped his fighting stance.

He put the Profound Heavy Ruler into his Storage Ring and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Third Brother, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Kun smiled with a hint of surprise. "Yeah! I didn't expect to run into you here either, Fourth Brother."

Xiao Kun was somewhat surprised as well, since he had come here to wait for Yun Yun.

Although he knew that Xiao Yan should also be deep within the Magic Beast Mountain Range around this time, he had not expected to encounter him, which gave him a slight sense of pleasant surprise.

Xiao Kun glanced around Xiao Yan and asked curiously, "Why isn't Xiao Yi Xian, who was following you around, with you?"

Seeing that Xiao Kun's first concern upon arriving was someone else, Xiao Yan was a little speechless and replied irritably, "We previously found a valley rich in energy and cultivated there for several months. I only separated from her recently and came out to gain experience."

Hearing Xiao Yan say this, Xiao Kun knew that the plot had already changed.

In the original story, Xiao Yan had gone to cultivate in the valley with Xiao Yi Xian only after saving Yun Yun. Now, Xiao Yan had already finished cultivating and come out.

Although he felt somewhat sentimental, this was inevitable because of his own appearance.

Since he had unexpectedly encountered Xiao Yan, he could conveniently give him the fifth-tier Beast Fire he had prepared. It had been so long since he had given anything away; he should be able to get a good critical-hit compensation this time.

The thought flashed through Xiao Kun's mind, but he did not reveal it directly. Instead, he teased, "Then you really are fortunate, spending several months alone with a girl! Nothing happened, right?"

"Of course not. Third Brother, you're overthinking it." Xiao Yan retorted awkwardly.

Seeing Xiao Yan's embarrassed expression, Xiao Kun stopped joking and said seriously, "Fourth Brother, I remember that your Dou Qi attribute was fire with a trace of wood mixed in. That's an exceptionally rare attribute that allows one to become an alchemist. Have you started refining pills yet?"

Xiao Yan did not know why Xiao Kun had suddenly asked this, but he still answered, "I can already refine second-grade medicinal pills."

"Mm-hmm, that's already very impressive." Xiao Kun praised him.

Then he raised his right hand and summoned a formless Fallen Heart Flame.

Though it could not be seen, the distorted air and his keen senses told Xiao Yan that a formless flame had appeared before him.

Looking at the formless flame before him, Xiao Yan suddenly recalled what had happened after Xiao Kun had used strange methods to wipe out the Wolf Head Mercenary Group last time.

Elder Yao had solemnly told Xiao Yan that Xiao Kun most likely possessed the Heavenly Flame he had long dreamed of obtaining—the fourteenth-ranked Fallen Heart Flame.

Recalling Elder Yao's words, Xiao Yan asked in disbelief, "This is the Heavenly Flame that alchemists dream of?"

"That's right. This is the fourteenth-ranked Fallen Heart Flame on the Heavenly Flame Ranking." Xiao Kun answered calmly, as though it were nothing remarkable.

But when he saw Xiao Yan's envious expression, he comforted him, "You also know how much a good flame can improve an alchemist. Although I don't have a second Heavenly Flame, I happened to obtain a fifth-tier Beast Fire before. It can still be of some use to you right now. As for a Heavenly Flame, I'll look for one for you later. Use this fifth-tier Beast Fire for now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Kun took out a red flame stored in a jade bottle from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment by Xiao Kun's kindness, then accepted the fifth-tier Beast Fire with a moved expression.

After all, he had already received far too many benefits from Third Brother. He did not stand on ceremony, merely swearing silently in his heart that once he became stronger, he would repay Third Brother as well.

After Xiao Yan accepted the Beast Fire, the System's notification sounded in Xiao Kun's mind.

"Ding! You gifted Xiao Yan one portion of fifth-tier Beast Fire."

"You triggered a millionfold critical-hit compensation."

"Congratulations! You obtained Green Lotus Core Flame ×1."

"The obtained item has been stored in the System Space. Please check it."

A millionfold critical-hit compensation—what a huge hit! And he had even obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame. His luck this time was truly excellent!

It seemed that giving a gift only once after such a long interval, and giving only a single item, could still increase the critical-hit multiplier.

Having received such wonderful news, Xiao Kun wore a broad smile.

He patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Fourth Brother, you came deep into the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gain experience while only a Dou Master. It seems you've had quite a profound fortunate encounter as well! But I still have to say this: be careful!"

Faced with Xiao Kun's concern, Xiao Yan nodded heavily. "Don't worry, Third Brother. I will."

"That's good. Then I won't disturb you any longer. Train well!" With that, Xiao Kun waved his hand, spread his golden Peng Wings, and slowly flew into the distance.

At Xiao Kun's farewell, Xiao Yan hurriedly waved back as well, saying with a trace of reluctance, "Goodbye, Third Brother!"

Flying through the air, Xiao Kun thought that although he had unexpectedly obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame this time, the Magic Beast Mountain Range was not a suitable place to refine a Heavenly Flame.

Better to wait until this matter was over, then find some secluded place to refine the Heavenly Flame! His top priority now was Yun Yun.

One morning three days later, Xiao Kun was meditating and cultivating in the cave as usual when a violent energy fluctuation and a savage lion's roar suddenly exploded across the sky.

Hearing that ferocious roar, Xiao Kun immediately stopped cultivating, stepped outside the cave, and looked toward the source of the sound.

With his sharp eyes, Xiao Kun spotted a graceful and dignified woman confronting the Lion King.

Two terrifying currents of Dou Qi split the distant sky in half—one side green, the other red.

Seeing this, how could Xiao Kun not realize that Yun Yun had come to the Lion King for the Purple Spirit Crystal?

Come to think of it, this was also Xiao Kun's first time in this life witnessing a battle between Dou Emperors. To see more clearly, he quickly spread the nearly transparent white Dou Qi wings behind him.

As for the Peng Wings, their golden color was far too conspicuous and unsuitable for stealth.

Then Xiao Kun gave his wings a slight beat, slowly lifting into the air before shooting low across the ground toward the battle.