Mysterious Yellow Earth Qi

"Let's go. Since we've already got the goods, it's time to head out."

Ling Xi carefully stowed away the jade bottle containing the Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk, gave the stone chamber one more thorough check, then led the four of them out of the cave.

"Damn humans! You beat me up, and now you've stolen the treasure I've guarded for so long—I'm not living anymore!"

No sooner had the four emerged from the cave than they were greeted by the sight of the Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle, looming like a small mountain.

But this time, there was none of the ferocity from their first encounter. Instead, its voice—rumbling and grating—carried a pitiful, aggrieved tone, like a wronged young bride.

To put it mildly, the scene was so jarring that Ling Xi and the others stood frozen in place.

"I worked so hard digging this cave for years! Do you think it was easy?!"

Seeing Ling Xi and the others rooted to the spot, the Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle didn't attack them—it just wailed even louder.

A Seventh-tier Magical Beast was already on par with a human Dou Zong. The sheer force of its roar alone could make lower-tier beasts tremble in terror.

Ling Xi and the others couldn't help covering their ears, their footing unsteady as pain twisted their faces.

"Stop howling!"

Ling Xi clamped one hand over his ear while waving the other through the air.

In an instant, the golden-glowing Heavenly Demon Puppet appeared at his side.

The moment it saw the Heavenly Demon Puppet, the Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle immediately cut off its wailing, its eyes even clearing up considerably.

As a magical beast, its perception of danger was far sharper than a human's.

It had only recently advanced to the Seventh-tier, so it could clearly sense the intense threat radiating from the Heavenly Demon Puppet.

"Senior Dragon Turtle, treasures of heaven and earth naturally go to those fated to possess them—or rather, to those strong enough to claim them."

Seeing the turtle had stopped its racket, Ling Xi gave a slight bow and continued.

"By all logic, you magical beasts should understand this principle even better than us humans."

The Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle faltered for a moment, a look of awkward embarrassment flickering across its draconic face.

But it quickly shifted back into an even thicker layer of grievance.

"Still, this Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk was discovered by you, Senior, and this tunnel was also dug by you."

With a helpless sigh, Ling Xi noted how the turtle looked as cluelessly endearing as a fresh college graduate from his past life.

Though killing for treasure was common in this world, this massive lump in front of him was clearly not human.

"We left some Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk behind in the cave—consider it compensation for your years of guardianship, Senior."

"Really?"

The Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle's eyes lit up at the words.

"Of course it's true."

Ling Xi nodded slightly, then hesitated before pulling out a jade box from his storage Soul Tool.

"You carry ancient dragon bloodline, so taking human form must be quite difficult for you."

"Consider this mature Form-Shaping Grass as my compensation."

Since he couldn't refine a Seventh-tier Form-Shaping Pill anytime soon anyway, and he'd taken pity on the beast, Ling Xi decided to gift the Form-Shaping Grass outright.

"Form-Shaping Grass?"

The Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle's voice brimmed with ecstasy.

For a magical beast that hadn't yet taken human form, Form-Shaping Grass was worth no less than any Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure.

Cao Ying and Dan Xuan exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of absurdity in each other's eyes.

Even in the Central Continent, Form-Shaping Grass was extremely valuable.

Yet Ling Xi had just given it away—something they simply couldn't fathom.

"Heh, you're not a bad human."

As if afraid Ling Xi might change his mind, the Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle opened its mouth and spat out a stream of yellow energy, pulling the jade box with the Form-Shaping Grass into its maw.

"This Old Man may be a magical beast, but I never take without giving back."

The turtle opened its mouth again, and a purple glow was spat out, landing before Ling Xi.

"This medicine cauldron—I stumbled upon it while digging for the Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk. Consider it a gift to you."

The purple light gradually faded, revealing a cauldron that exuded a deep, noble purple aura.

The entire cauldron looked as if it had been formed by nature itself, with no trace of artificial carving—and it carried a sense of ancient mystery.

Faint, intricate patterns were visible on its surface, shimmering with a soft purple light like a river of stars in the sky.

"This is... Purple Abyss!"

Before Ling Xi could react, Cao Ying blurted out in shock.

Even the usually composed Dan Xuan and Dan Chen covered their mouths, their eyes locked onto the cauldron before Ling Xi.

"Purple Abyss... the third-ranked cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking?"

Ling Xi was also taken aback.

He knew that the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, like the Heavenly Flame Ranking, carried immense authority among Alchemists.

And this so-called Purple Abyss ranked third on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. Legend had it that it was a purple divine stone that had absorbed the essence of the sun and moon for a thousand years, gathering Spiritual Qi over the long ages before finally taking the form of a cauldron.

It was a divine object born of heaven and earth's creation, a supreme treasure sought after by countless Alchemists.

"Senior is far too generous. Then I'll accept it without further protest."

Without a moment's hesitation, Ling Xi directly stored the Purple Abyss into his Nakai Ring.

No kidding—this thing was a treasure on par with a Heavenly Flame!

"Hmph, rest assured. This Old Man's word is as good as iron. What I said is yours, and yours it is."

The Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle snorted, its massive form slowly shuffling toward the cave's depths.

"Human, if you ever run into trouble in this space from now on, you can come find me."

As the Mysterious Armored Dragon Turtle's figure vanished into the cave, its voice still echoed from afar.

Only Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Dan Xuan remained, staring at Ling Xi with expressions of extreme complexity.

The Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk had been mostly taken by this brat, and he'd even snagged the third-ranked treasure on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking—this whole trip had been nothing but a wedding dress sewn for Ling Xi.

"Hey, let's find a safe place and split the Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk first."

Ling Xi felt a chill run down his spine under the trio's resentful gazes and couldn't help changing the subject.

"Safe? What place in this space could be safer than here?"

Cao Ying couldn't help but snort.

"Fair point."

Ling Xi scratched his head, letting out an awkward dry laugh.

Without wasting any more words, Ling Xi immediately took out the jade bottle containing the Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk from his Nakai Ring.

Carefully dividing the Mysterious Yellow Quenching Spirit Milk into four portions, Ling Xi then tossed the three jade bottles to the others.

"Thank you, Brother Ling."

"Thanks, Brother Ling."

Dan Xuan and Dan Chen put away their jade bottles and quickly thanked Ling Xi.

"Don't mention it. This was rightfully yours."

Ling Xi waved his hand with a smile.

"Just hand over the medicinal ingredients for refining the Blood Lotus Pill, and we'll be square."

"Ah, right. I forgot."

Dan Xuan laughed heartily, then took out two jade boxes from his Nakai Ring and personally handed them to Ling Xi.

"These are two stalks of Ice Flame Grass. I hope Brother Ling can refine the flame you need."

"Many thanks!"

Ling Xi put away the jade boxes and immediately cupped his hands toward Dan Xuan.

"If Brother Ling ever has the time, feel free to visit the Dan Family. We will roll out the welcome mat!"

Dan Xuan pulled Dan Chen along and solemnly returned the gesture, then gave a slight nod to Cao Ying before turning into a streak of light and departing with Dan Chen.