That fiery-red figure did not attack Lin Yi. Instead, it darted toward the Green-Faced Lion's corpse, dug a Demonic Crystal out of its head, and swallowed it in one gulp before refining it on the spot.
The fiery-red figure was none other than Little Yan.
Fed with Stone Talisman Spirit Liquid, demonic beast meat, and even Demonic Crystals, Little Yan had, over the past few months, already gained strength comparable to that of a human at the Earth Yuan Stage.
Whenever Lin Yi went into the mountains and forests to hone his combat skills, Little Yan followed closely at his side and experienced quite a few battles.
Little Yan now had a few more scars on its body, but they made it look even fiercer. The might of a Fire Python Tiger was gradually revealing itself.
After a few months, Little Yan's body had grown countless times larger. It was now about the same size as an adult Fire Python Tiger.
As far as Lin Yi knew, Wu Yun's Fire Python Tiger cub had only grown to about the height of his thigh. Its combat strength was naturally far inferior to Little Yan's.
Lin Yi was not surprised by this.
After all, this was his future third brother!
After refining the Green-Faced Lion's Demonic Crystal, Little Yan returned to Lin Yi's side and rubbed its enormous head against him.
"You glutton, let's go. It's getting late, and we should head back..."
Lin Yi flipped onto Little Yan's back, patted it on the head, and let out a clear whistle.
Roar!
Little Yan let out a low growl and instantly transformed into a fiery-red blur, darting swiftly out of the mountains and forests.
After returning to Ironwood Manor, Lin Yi bathed and changed clothes before hurrying to their home in the manor.
"You child, you went deep into the mountains and forests again? Who knows how many demonic beasts are in there. How dangerous!"
Seeing that Lin Yi had clearly bathed and changed clothes, Liu Yan chided him with a hint of reproach.
As a mother, Liu Yan only hoped that her child would remain safe and sound. She did not want Lin Yi venturing deep into the mountains and forests.
Lin Yi smiled and reassured her, "Mother, don't worry. I was only wandering around the outskirts of the mountains and forests."
Lin Xiao said calmly, "Compared to the enemies he may face in the future, demonic beasts are actually less dangerous. It's good for him to train a little now."
"I can't win an argument with you two. In any case, Yi'er, you must be careful," Liu Yan said with a slight shake of her head.
"Yes, I will," Lin Yi replied with a smile and a nod.
After chatting for a while, the family gathered together and enjoyed a warm dinner.
After dinner, Lin Xiao put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "Tomorrow, your grandfather and I plan to go to Flame City. Yi'er, are you going this time?"
The last time Lin Yi went to Flame City, he had not only bought quite a few Spirit Medicines but had also given Lin Xiao some Yang Yuan Pills after returning. With the help of those pills, Lin Xiao had already broken through to the Late Heaven Origin Realm.
Lin Xiao was quite gratified by this. At the same time, he guessed that Lin Yi's master might be in Flame City, and that Lin Yi went there every so often to visit him.
Since they were going to Flame City anyway, it would be much safer for Lin Yi to travel there with them.
"Grandfather is going to Flame City too? Are you planning to sell Yang Yuan Stones there? How many Yang Yuan Stones have been mined over the past few months?" Lin Yi asked, his heart stirring at the words.
"Yes. The Yang Yuan Stone vein has been mined for nearly three months, and we've dug up a total of seven hundred and twenty-eight stones. Your grandfather has already decided to transport six hundred Yang Yuan Stones to Flame City tomorrow and exchange them for some Yang Yuan Pills."
Lin Xiao nodded.
Because of Lin Yi's reminder, the Lin Family had taken over Ironwood Manor a month earlier than in the original story, and their gains were greater as well.
"Three months' worth of harvest isn't bad," Lin Yi said with a slight nod. He then continued, "The Spirit Medicines I bought before have been used up. I'll go to Flame City with you tomorrow and buy some more."
Lin Dong, who was sitting nearby and had heard their conversation, looked expectant. "Father, can I go to Flame City with you?"
"And me! I want to go too. I've never been to Flame City before." Qing Tan hurriedly raised her little hand.
Lin Yi's heart stirred, and he smiled. "Father, let them come with us. You can handle your business while I take care of them."
"That works." Lin Xiao pondered briefly before agreeing.
"Great!" Qing Tan and Lin Dong were both overjoyed when they saw Lin Xiao agree.
Lin Xiao waved his hand. "All right, go back and rest early. If anyone misses the departure time tomorrow morning, they'll have to stay home."
"Mm."
Lin Yi, Lin Dong, and Qing Tan answered and left the main house, returning to their respective rooms.
Early the next morning.
At the entrance of Ironwood Manor, carriage after carriage stood in neat rows. Bound atop the carriages were huge black logs.
These were all Ironwood, used as a disguise.
As for the Yang Yuan Stones, they were naturally concealed beneath the Ironwood.
Lin Zhentian took this sale extremely seriously. Not only was he going personally, he had also brought along Lin Xiao, Lin Mang, and nearly a hundred Lin Family guards.
The journey went smoothly without incident. By noon, the convoy arrived safely at the gates of Flame City.
After paying the entrance fee at the city gates, the convoy slowly entered Flame City.
"Grandfather, Father, go handle your business. I'll take Lin Dong and Qing Tan around the city," Lin Yi said to Lin Zhentian and Lin Xiao after they reached their lodgings.
Lin Dong and Qing Tan both wore looks of anticipation.
"All right, go ahead." Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, then reminded Lin Dong and Qing Tan, "You two must remember to listen to Yi'er. Flame City is not the same as Qingyang Town, so don't cause any trouble."
"We know, Grandfather." Qing Tan and Lin Dong hurriedly answered obediently.
"Let's go." Lin Yi smiled slightly and led the way out of the lodgings.
Qing Tan and Lin Dong hurried after him.
As he took the two of them around the streets, Lin Yi introduced them to the distribution of forces in Flame City.
Before they knew it, the three of them had arrived at the center of the city, outside a grand and imposing pavilion.
"Curio Building." Qing Tan read the three large characters on the pavilion, then asked Lin Yi, "Brother Lin Yi, what does the Curio Building do?"
What a coincidence!
Lin Yi raised his brows and chuckled. "This is a place that sells all kinds of rare treasures. I bought my Universe Bag here. Come on, I'll take you inside for a look."
The three of them soon stepped into the Curio Building's main hall.
Looking at the dazzling array of precious items inside the Curio Building, Qing Tan and Lin Dong were both dazzled.
Lin Yi was not in a hurry to select Spirit Medicines. His gaze shifted, and he spotted Yan Xuan dozing off in a corner of the main hall.
"Hm? This is..."
The moment Lin Yi noticed Yan Xuan, Yan Xuan sensed him as well. His brows jumped sharply, and his heart shook with surprise.
He remembered that when he had first met Lin Yi several months ago, Lin Yi had not yet begun cultivating Spiritual Energy. Yet now, the strength of the latter's Spiritual Energy had already surpassed that of a One-Seal Rune Master!
Yan Xuan opened his eyes and pondered briefly before rising and walking toward Lin Yi. A warm smile appeared on his face. "Hehe, young friend, we meet again..."
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