Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King: That'll Cost Extra

Xiao Peng did not mind. "Rather than clash head-on and both end up wounded, it's better to use the easiest method. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King cares most about its nest. You provoke it and lure it away from the nest, while I take the Purple Spirit Crystal and leave. It saves both time and effort."

After a pause, Xiao Peng added, "You only need to hold it off for a moment. There's no need to fight it to the death. With your strength, keeping a sixth-tier Magical Beast occupied for half an incense stick shouldn't be difficult, right?"

After a moment of silence, Yun Yun finally gritted her teeth.

Yun Yun raised a hand to smooth down the hair the wind had tousled. "Fine. We'll do as you say."

Though she had her reservations, for Nalan Yanran's sake, this small bit of underhandedness seemed worthwhile.

Yun Yun told Xiao Peng the location of the nest. Then the two went their separate ways and swiftly headed into the eastern region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Within the eastern forests of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, branches and leaves intertwined, blotting out the sky. Only scattered rays of sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting mottled patches of light across the ground.

The air was thick with the scent of damp soil and the peculiar rank stench of Magical Beasts. Every step on the thick carpet of fallen leaves produced a faint rustle, quickly drowned out by unknown beast roars echoing from farther away.

Xiao Peng concealed his aura and swiftly approached the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's nest.

Meanwhile, Yun Yun took a deep breath and adjusted the hem of her robes.

Rather than deliberately hiding her tracks, she circulated the Dou Qi within her body, allowing a restrained yet unmistakable wave of energy to spread outward.

Yun Yun's Dou Qi fluctuations were like a stone cast into a still lake, sending ripples spreading through the mountains and forest.

Before long, a teeth-grinding crack of splitting stone came from the direction of the nest, followed by a roar that shook the entire forest.

The roar carried the unique pressure of a sixth-tier Magical Beast, making the surrounding grass and trees tremble. The birds nesting in the forest scattered in panic.

A streak of purple light shot out of the nest, and when its massive wings spread, they nearly blocked out the light overhead.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King was enormous. Its seven- to eight-meter-long body was covered in a layer of purple crystals that gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, dazzling to the eye.

"Human, you've got some nerve, coming to my territory to provoke me!" the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King said furiously.

This was its territory, yet Yun Yun, a human, dared provoke it. She truly had a death wish.

Yun Yun tightened her grip on her sword hilt and calmly met the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's golden vertical pupils, burning with rage.

She said nothing more. She merely slowly drew her longsword. The blade hummed as pale green Dou Qi coiled around it like gauze, silently answering its fury.

She knew very well that any explanation was pointless now. Only by displaying enough strength could she make this proud Magical Beast focus entirely on her.

"Reckless human!" the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King flew into a rage.

Its massive body suddenly sank low, its limbs kicked off the ground, and it pounced toward Yun Yun amid a violent gale.

Its sharp claws tore through the air with a piercing shriek. Its crystal-covered head lunged directly at Yun Yun's face, and a foul stench rushed over her.

Yun Yun lightly tapped her toes against a rock, her body drifting backward like a startled swan. At the same time, her wrist turned, and her longsword traced a graceful arc. Her Dou Qi condensed into a crescent-shaped blade of light and slashed precisely at the Lion King's front claw.

Clang!

The blade of light struck the purple crystal claw, bursting into dazzling sparks, only to be forcefully deflected.

Yun Yun used the force to retreat several zhang, landing steadily on the branch of an ancient tree. Her robes snapped loudly in the fierce wind.

When its strike missed, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King became even more enraged. Its enormous wings beat fiercely, sweeping fallen leaves and shattered stones into the air.

It spread its wings and flew directly into the sky, circling overhead. Its golden pupils locked firmly onto Yun Yun in the tree, seemingly searching for the best chance to attack.

Human and beast launched into a fierce chase and battle amid the forest.

Meanwhile, Xiao Peng had already silently arrived near the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's nest.

Hearing the Lion King's distant roars and the clash of weapons, Xiao Peng knew that Yun Yun had successfully drawn the Lion King's attention.

He no longer hesitated. His body darted out like a wildcat, and after several leaps, he reached the entrance of the nest.

Once inside, the cave was not as dark as he had imagined. Purple crystal chunks were embedded here and there along the surrounding rock walls.

After walking for a while, Xiao Peng reached the Purple Spirit Crystals and took some of them.

As for the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, it had not noticed anything at all.

After taking the Purple Spirit Crystals, Xiao Peng went to the other side, where something else was located.

Purple crystals piled over a meter high formed a platform-like structure. Resting quietly atop the purple crystal platform was a purple spherical object the size of a human head.

Xiao Peng looked at the purple orb, used his strength to pry it off, and stored it in his Storage Ring.

"Time to go."

After taking the Companion Purple Crystal Source, Xiao Peng was about to leave the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's nest when he sensed a life force rushing rapidly toward him.

Before long, a Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King appeared before Xiao Peng.

Roar!

The Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King roared at Xiao Peng, demanding that he hand over the Companion Purple Crystal Source.

Seeing this, Xiao Peng smiled. He then took out some Flesh and Blood Essence and several pills that were useless to him from his Storage Ring.

These things were treasures to the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

The little fellow's furious roar abruptly stopped. A hint of hesitation flashed through its pupils as its gaze shifted back and forth between the items in Xiao Peng's hand and the purple crystal platform behind him. Clearly, the enticing scent had stirred its heart.

Seeing this, Xiao Peng gently placed the Flesh and Blood Essence and pills on the ground, then slowly retreated a few steps with a sly smile. "These things in exchange for that stone of yours. That's a good deal, isn't it?"

The Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King warily glanced at Xiao Peng, then lowered its head to sniff the items on the ground.

After struggling for a moment, the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King pointed at the items on the ground, indicating that those were important things and it would cost extra.

Xiao Peng was briefly stunned, then laughed. This little fellow was quite clever. It even knew how to bargain.

He raised a brow at the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. Though it was still young, there was a stubborn unwillingness to suffer losses in its eyes, carrying a hint of the adult Lion King's pride.

"Fine, you win." Xiao Peng smiled at the Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King as he took out some more Flesh and Blood Essence from his Storage Ring.

"Is this enough now? If you ask for more, I really won't have anything left."

The Little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King stared at the additional pile of life essence on the ground. Its golden pupils brightened as its nose moved close to take a deep sniff. The life aura, nearly tangible in its density, made it unable to resist flicking the tip of its tail.

It looked up at Xiao Peng, then turned to glance at the empty purple crystal platform. A low whine came from its throat, as if it had finally accepted the deal.