Departure, Target "Purple Crystal Winged Lion King!"

The golden roasted fish gave off a rich, mouthwatering aroma that was enough to catch anyone's attention just from the outside.

Yun Yun glanced at the charred fish beside her, then at the roasted fish Xiao Yi Xian had handed her...

"Why is the gap between people so big?"

As Yun Yun ate the crispy, tender roasted fish, its fragrant and delicious taste was nothing like her own attempt.

Xiao Yi Xian shot a sidelong glance at Yun Yun, who was eating with relish. Yun Yun's cooking skills were truly abysmal.

After all, as the leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, how could she possibly know how to cook?

It was probably best she never set foot in a kitchen again. It was perfectly normal for the strong to go without food or drink—even a Dou Zhe could fast for a day, let alone a Dou Emperor.

Still, getting her to completely give up eating was a bit tough. How could anyone abandon the joy of taste and flavor?

Even cultivators didn't go that far; the seven emotions and six desires were ultimately human nature.

Freedom, no restraints, roaming the world at will—that was true happiness!

In her past life, she had been bound by countless rules. In this life, she had to experience that sense of freedom.

Letting loose, but never crossing the line—that was her motto!

If a person had no bottom line at all, that would be truly terrifying...

"Mmm!"

Not gonna lie, Xiao Yi Xian thought her own roasted fish was delicious too, really nice... If only she had some soup to go with it...

"By the way, I have a friend in the Misty Cloud Sect. I could introduce you as a personal disciple. Would you be interested?" Yun Yun licked her slightly greasy red lips and smiled.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian was taken aback, then shook her head under Yun Yun's stunned gaze: "Thanks, but I think I'll pass."

Hearing that Xiao Yi Xian had refused her kindness, a clear flash of surprise crossed Yun Yun's pretty face. Her own recommendation had been turned down by the person in question?

This was the first time in all these years. For a moment, Yun Yun almost impulsively asked, "Do you even know who I'm planning to introduce you to?"

She had intended to bring her to the Misty Cloud Sect to take her as a disciple, or have Yun Shan do it. Then, once her identity was revealed and other factors came into play, she thought she could keep this prodigy. She never expected...

The impulse flickered through her mind and vanished. With Yun Yun's composure and status, she naturally wouldn't blurt out such a question on the spot. Instead, she just nodded slowly, a hint of unreadable emotion in her eyes.

"After your injuries heal, are you still planning to go after the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?" Xiao Yi Xian tore off the last piece of fish and asked somewhat indistinctly.

"Yeah, I need to get the Purple Spirit Crystal." Yun Yun let out a soft sigh.

"Do you need my help?" Xiao Yi Xian looked at Yun Yun seriously.

Yun Yun stared back at Xiao Yi Xian's gaze for a moment, then smiled and said, "I do. Here's what we'll do—you do this, then that..."

Xiao Yi Xian listened to words that were almost identical to the original story and smiled faintly. Not to mention, with her current strength, she was far better off than Xiao Yan had been back then.

Over this period, the bond between Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun had grown steadily, and she had even resolved the conflict between Yun Yun and Xiao Yan.

The future's direction was shifting from this point onward. Without the story between Yun Yun and Xiao Yan, what would become of the Misty Cloud Sect in the end?

Xiao Yi Xian didn't know, but she would do everything in her power to handle each matter. She could never forget what her teacher in her past life had said:

"Everyone has their own fate, decreed by heaven!"

"Some are born kings, others fall to banditry!"

"If the path beneath your feet isn't one you chose yourself, then no one knows where the journey's end will be!"

Since she had transmigrated here, with these small changes, the future had gradually blurred, drifting away from its destined course.

Since she had chosen this path, she would remain steadfast until death, walking it all the way. She wanted to see where the journey's end lay.

A few days later.

Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes, still groggy with sleep. The moment she did, she suddenly remembered something and turned her head.

Inside the cave, on the stone bed, Yun Yun sat cross-legged, her strange longsword resting flat across her thighs.

Today, she had changed into a pure white dress. The slightly lazy phoenix hair ornament atop her head had been tidied up again, exuding a faint air of nobility. Her beautiful face was calm and elegant.

The subtle weakness from a few days ago had completely vanished, as if she had been reborn like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Sensing that Xiao Yi Xian had woken up, Yun Yun's eyes slowly opened. Her gaze swept over Xiao Yi Xian, and she said flatly, "Awake?"

Her voice was still the same crisp tone as before, but this time, it carried a hint of cool detachment, though a trace of concern lingered beneath the calm words.

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes swept over Yun Yun, and she let out a slow breath, turning her head to ask, "The seal... is it broken?"

"Mm."

Yun Yun nodded faintly. With a slight shift of her form, she appeared directly in front of Xiao Yi Xian.

Her gaze dropped, fixing on Xiao Yi Xian's face, and she gave a faint smile. "Let's go. I believe we'll succeed..."

With that, she turned and walked toward the cave entrance, her graceful steps elegant and captivating.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded and followed Yun Yun. Perhaps because she was a girl herself, Yun Yun's attitude toward her was far better than it had been toward Xiao Yan in the original story.

Maybe this is what they call friendship between women!

If it were between a man and a woman, it might... well, just like in the original story.

Yun Yun led Xiao Yi Xian through the deep forest, dodging the wandering magical beasts.

Looking at the other woman, who was wrapped in a black robe that covered her face with a worn Bronze Mask, Yun Yun asked with some confusion, "Why are you dressed like that?"

There was no one else around, so why was Xiao Yi Xian in this getup?

Seeing Yun Yun's puzzled expression, Xiao Yi Xian said calmly, "I'm afraid that if I run into the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King next time, it'll come looking for payback."

Hearing this, Yun Yun felt a bit awkward. Forget pulling off such sneaky deeds—if Xiao Yi Xian encountered the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King alone...

It might really be dangerous...

Xiao Yi Xian, watching Yun Yun walk ahead, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. How could she say, "I'm afraid Xiao Yan will recognize me"?

She didn't know if Xiao Yan was still around. After all, a battle between Dou Emperors was a spectacular sight—what if he came over to watch the excitement?

What would she do then?

Better safe than sorry!

A streak of blue light flashed across the sky, then silently landed on a messy pile of rocks.

After landing, Xiao Yi Xian reluctantly let go of Yun Yun's soft, slender waist!

Her gaze swept over the massive mountain not far away. At the mountain's peak, a huge cave entrance was faintly visible, half-hidden by the branches.

"Is that the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's cave?" Standing behind a rock, Xiao Yi Xian cautiously directed her gaze toward the mountaintop and asked softly.

"Mhm." Yun Yun nodded slightly, her eyes slowly scanning the area around the cave. Her brows furrowed slightly as she said, "The defenses around here have gotten much tighter. It seems that thing has raised its guard."

"I'll try to kill or injure the high-level magical beasts near the cave entrance as much as I can. As for you, pick the best moment to sneak into the cave." Turning around, Yun Yun gave her instructions with concern.

"Alright."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded to show she understood. She didn't believe that if a Dou Shi could do it in the original story, she, a Da Dou Shi, couldn't.