Ink Jade Lotus Platform! Yun Yun's Unease

"The host gifted Xiao Yan the Thousand Year Green Jade Lotus Platform, triggering the reward: Ten Thousand Year Ink Jade Lotus Platform."

"The host gifted Xiao Yan eleven Fire Lotus Seeds, triggering the reward: one hundred Quenching Fire Lotus Seeds."

"The host gifted Xiao Yan the Dou Technique Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, triggering the reward: low-grade Heaven Tier Dou Technique Flame Erosion of the Firmament."

"The host gifted Xiao Yan..."

"..."

Hun Cang processed the information provided by the system, grinning so broadly that he could barely close his mouth.

The Green Jade Lotus Platform aided the cultivation of fire-attributed techniques, but its effects were vastly inferior to those of the Ink Jade Lotus Platform rewarded by the system.

That was because the Ink Jade Lotus Platform could grant its user cultivation speed nearly a hundred times faster.

To Hun Cang, this was practically the best treasure he had obtained recently.

"With the Ink Jade Lotus Platform, I won't have to worry too much about the hidden risks of recultivating the Zhen Fen Jue." Hun Cang had always feared that recovering his cultivation would take a long time, but now the problem had been solved with ease.

Raising a hand to wipe the corners of his eyes, Xiao Yan grabbed Hun Cang's hand and said excitedly, "Big Brother, you came all this way to see me and even brought me so many things. I don't have anything to repay you with right now, so let me treat you to some grilled fish."

After saying that, Xiao Yan could not help blushing, his face full of shame.

Listen to what I just said?

Did that even sound decent?

Big Brother gave me an Earth Tier Dou Technique, cultivation treasures, and all kinds of things that help with cultivation, yet the only thing I can do is treat him to fish?

The more he thought about it, the more ashamed Xiao Yan became. He secretly resolved to cultivate diligently. If Big Brother ever had need of him in the future, then even if he had to charge through fire and water, he would never hesitate or refuse.

"No, Second Brother. I still have important matters to handle, so I'll be leaving first." Hun Cang refused. His mind had long since moved on from this place.

He heavily patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. Dou Qi surged from Hun Cang's body and transformed into a pair of wings. Under Xiao Yan's deeply reluctant gaze, he prepared to leave.

However, just as Hun Cang flew into the air, he suddenly descended again.

"Big Brother, how about having something to eat before you go? My grilled fish has gotten much better lately." Thinking Hun Cang had changed his mind, Xiao Yan spoke with delight.

Having received so many good things from Hun Cang all at once, he truly could not feel at ease without doing something in return.

Hun Cang shook his head. "I suddenly remembered something I nearly forgot to tell you."

"Oh? If you have any instructions, Big Brother, just say the word. I'll make sure to remember them carefully." Xiao Yan held his breath and focused, his expression serious.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Hun Cang could not help smiling. "It's nothing too serious. I may be very busy for a while and unable to get away, so if you need to ask me for help, I might not be able to assist you. So..."

At this point, Hun Cang took out two porcelain bottles. After Xiao Yan accepted them in confusion, he explained, "One contains medicine to remove a seal, and the other restores strength. Keep them safe. Once you leave the Monster Beast Mountain Range, make a trip to Mo City. Find an Old Man Hai there. Tell him my name, and he'll understand. Then use these pills in exchange for his protection for a while."

Although events were currently unfolding according to the original plot, Hun Cang was still somewhat uneasy.

After all, with his interference in advance, it would not be good if something unexpected happened.

Therefore, Hun Cang decided to provide a certain degree of guidance.

Xiao Yan looked at the two porcelain bottles in his hand, his eyes flickering. For Big Brother to acknowledge that someone was strong enough to protect him, that person was probably a Dou Emperor as well...

Big Brother not only treated me well, but even when he had matters to deal with, he still arranged a bodyguard for me in advance. I'll definitely repay a Big Brother like this many times over in the future!

Since transmigrating for the first time, Xiao Yan had spent more than ten years living in another world. Once again, he felt the warmth of someone from his hometown.

This feeling was simply wonderful.

"Big Brother, I'll remember. Is your matter... dangerous?" Xiao Yan put the porcelain bottles back into his Storage Ring, concern and worry appearing on his face. "If it's dangerous, could you wait a while? I'll definitely grow stronger as quickly as possible and strive to be of help to you."

Hun Cang smiled. "Hearing you say that is enough to satisfy me. Cultivate well, and don't worry about my affairs for now. First fulfill the Three Year Agreement, understood?"

Xiao Yan nodded heavily as he watched Hun Cang soar into the sky and vanish beyond the horizon.

"Ah, there's something I forgot to tell Big Brother." Excited by Hun Cang's rewards, Xiao Yan had intended to tell him about obtaining the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map, but he had forgotten as well. Shaking his head, he decided it would be fine to mention it next time. It was only a fragment map anyway.

"Brat, your Big Brother really treats you well. If you slack off, you'll truly be letting down his good intentions." Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan with a complicated expression.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at him. "Get lost. I'll just focus on training; you make the plan for me. Otherwise, I'll curse you even in my dreams."

Yao Chen smiled faintly and slipped back into the ring without another word.

Soon, the tattoo on Xiao Yan's back trembled and transformed into a pair of purple wings, carrying him back to a cave beside a waterfall.

As he walked inside, a beautiful woman who exuded an air of nobility swept her guarded gaze over him. Her complexion was somewhat pale, and clear claw marks could be seen on the soft armor covering her chest.

"Why did you take so long?" The woman's voice was cold, carrying an icy distance that kept others away.

"I've told you many times already. Yesterday, I only wanted to apply medicine to your wound. I never intended to take advantage of you." Seeing her expression, Xiao Yan felt a headache coming on.

Yesterday, this woman had been knocked into the water by the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Xiao Yan happened to be nearby and, in a moment of softheartedness, rescued her and brought her back to the cave. Later, seeing the wound on her chest, he had prepared to remove her soft armor and apply medicine. Who would have thought that the woman would wake up at that very moment? When she saw him staring at her chest, she immediately stabbed at him with her sword.

Xiao Yan had been terrified at the time. If he had dodged even a little slower, he would have become Santa Claus.

Although he explained himself several times afterward, the woman simply would not believe him. In the end, she applied the medicine herself.

Seeing that her expression remained unchanged, Xiao Yan said helplessly, "I went to catch a fish to help you recover."

Her gaze swept over the fish, and her expression eased slightly. "Thank you."

Then, while watching Xiao Yan prepare the fish, the woman recalled the sounds she had heard from within the cave and could not help asking, "What happened outside just now? I think I heard the Amethyst Winged Lion King roar."

A blissful smile appeared on Xiao Yan's face. "My Big Brother came. That beast didn't know its place and actually dared provoke him, so it was killed outright."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King... was dead?! Yun Yun's expression tightened as her gaze snapped toward the cave entrance. Her fingers clenched harder around her sword. Even when she had gone all out, she had still suffered against that beast. Could his big brother really have killed it?

More importantly, the commotion had not lasted long. That meant it had likely been killed in a single strike. Such strength was far from ordinary. Perhaps that person even knew who she was—and her current strength had been sealed...

Xiao Yan saw how tense the woman was and felt rather speechless. Wasn't it just because he was a little handsome? Did she need to be this suspicious? He added, "My big brother had something to do and already left. He didn't come over."

The woman was half-convinced, half-doubtful. "Why did he come to the Monster Beast Mountain Range?"

"That's none of your business. Anyway, once I finish eating this fish, I'll be leaving first. Now that the Amethyst Winged Lion King is dead, the other magical beasts won't keep searching for you. You're safe now." Having taken Hun Cang's belongings, Xiao Yan yearned even more intensely to grow stronger. He did not want to stop for even a moment.