Copy Dan King Gu He!

"It's good that you're alright, really good." Xiao Ning patted Xiao Chen on the shoulder, his face full of concern. "If anything had happened to you, I would never forgive myself for the rest of my life."

The Great Elder stood by, listening, and nodded.

"Ning'er is just worried about you. Seeing you brothers share such a close bond, I can finally set my mind at ease."

Xiao Chen sneered in his heart.

A close bond?

Close enough to want him dead in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?

"Chen'er, you should go back and rest first," the Great Elder said. "You've had quite a scare; take some time to recover properly."

"Very well." Xiao Chen nodded, turned, and walked toward his own quarters.

Xiao Ning watched Xiao Chen's retreating back, the concern in his eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by shock.

He had clearly abandoned Xiao Chen in the territory of a Tier 5 magical beast.

That was a Tier 5 beast—the Black Scale Python.

How could Xiao Chen possibly have returned alive?

And without a single injury on his body, at that.

Xiao Ning stood there, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

He couldn't figure it out.

Regardless, Xiao Chen had returned.

But next time, he wouldn't have such good luck.

A sliver of ruthlessness flashed in Xiao Ning's eyes.

Xiao Chen returned to his quarters and closed the door.

He sat on his bed, took out the magical core of the Black Scale Python to glance at it, then tossed it casually onto the table.

[Quest Triggered: Xiao Ning plotted to frame the host, nearly causing the host to die in the jaws of a magical beast. The host must retaliate.]

[Upon completion of the quest, an additional copy opportunity will be awarded.]

Xiao Chen looked at the system panel, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

Xiao Ning wanted him dead in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Then he would let Xiao Ning experience the feeling of being hunted by a magical beast himself.

Just as Xiao Chen was thinking this, a series of footsteps sounded outside his door.

"Brother Lin, are you in?"

Xiao Ning's voice drifted in from outside.

Xiao Chen raised his head, his expression instantly reverting to cold indifference.

"Come in," Xiao Chen said.

Xiao Ning pushed the door open and walked in, a smile on his face.

"Brother Lin, I hope I'm not interrupting your rest?" Xiao Ning asked.

"What is it?" Xiao Chen replied.

"Brother Lin, I've noticed your strength hasn't recovered, and I've been quite anxious about it," Xiao Ning said. "How about this: this afternoon, I'll accompany you outside the city to train, how does that sound?"

Xiao Chen looked at him without speaking.

"Don't worry, there will absolutely be no problems this time," Xiao Ning promised, patting his chest.

Hearing this, Xiao Chen sneered inwardly.

Protect him?

He was likely just looking for another place to lead him to his death.

"Very well," Xiao Chen said indifferently.

Seeing Xiao Chen agree so readily, Xiao Ning was overjoyed.

He had prepared plenty of persuasive words, but he hadn't expected to not need a single one.

"Then it's settled," Xiao Ning said.

With that, he turned and left.

In the afternoon.

Xiao Ning arrived at Xiao Chen's quarters right on time.

"Brother Lin, let's go."

Xiao Chen nodded and followed Xiao Ning out of the Xiao Clan gates.

The two walked out of the city, with Xiao Ning leading the way and Xiao Chen following behind.

As they walked, Xiao Chen noticed that the direction Xiao Ning was taking led, once again, to the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Brother Lin, although the Magical Beast Mountain Range is dangerous, the magical beasts on the perimeter are not very strong, which makes it perfect for your cultivation," Xiao Ning said.

"This time we will find a safe place; I promise it won't be like last time."

Xiao Chen watched him put on his act without exposing him.

"Sure," Xiao Chen said.

Seeing Xiao Chen so easy to talk to, Xiao Ning felt even more smug.

The two entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range, with Xiao Ning leading the way.

He sneered in his heart.

Xiao Chen, oh Xiao Chen, you were lucky last time, but you won't have such good luck this time.

He had already planned everything out.

The place he was taking Xiao Chen to this time was the territory of a Tier 5 magical beast.

That magical beast was even more ferocious than a Black Scale Python.

He did not believe Xiao Chen would be able to return alive this time.

The two walked for about an hour before Xiao Ning stopped.

Ahead of them was a dense forest.

Xiao Ning looked at the thicket, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

This was the place.

Hidden within this dense forest was an Iron Thread Python, also a Tier 5 magical beast.

"Brother Lin, let's cultivate right here," Xiao Ning said.

Xiao Chen glanced at his surroundings and nodded.

"The environment here is quite good; it's suitable for cultivation," Xiao Chen said.

Suitable for cultivation?

More like suitable for dying.

Xiao Ning sneered in his heart.

Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, he heard a low sound coming from the distance.

Xiao Ning turned to look at Xiao Chen, only to find him standing in place with no expression on his face.

"Brother Lin, I suddenly remembered I have some business to attend to. You start cultivating first, and I will come back to find you in a while," Xiao Ning said.

Xiao Chen looked at him without saying a word.

Xiao Ning was just about to turn and leave when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He looked back at Xiao Chen, a smug grin appearing on his face.

"Xiao Chen, did you really think I intended to help you cultivate?" Xiao Ning asked.

Xiao Chen looked at him without saying a word.

"Go take a piss and look at your own reflection—what right does a piece of trash at the third stage of Dou Disciple have to ask for my help?"

Xiao Ning's face was full of arrogance.

He couldn't wait to see the look of terror on Xiao Chen's face.

Yet, Xiao Chen remained standing there, his face devoid of any expression.

Xiao Ning was stunned.

Why was it different from what he had imagined?

Just at that moment, a heaven-shaking hiss erupted from the depths of the forest.

A giant python as thick as a water barrel lunged out of the woods, its body covered in iron-gray scales, its vertical pupils radiating a cold, chilling light.

A Tier 5 magical beast, the Iron Thread Python.

"You can just wait here and die," Xiao Ning laughed wildly. "I'm leaving first."

Having said that, Xiao Ning turned and ran.

He took a few steps before he couldn't help but look back.

At that glance, Xiao Ning froze in his tracks.

Xiao Chen was standing in place, a pair of Dou Qi wings unfurling from his back.

Those wings emitted a faint glow, appearing exceptionally striking in the dim forest.

Dou Qi Wings.

This was something only a Dou King powerhouse could achieve.

Xiao Ning's eyes widened, his entire being stunned into silence.

He hung his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

How was this possible?

Xiao Chen was a Dou King expert?

How could a piece of trash with only the third stage of Dou Disciple power achieve this?

Xiao Ning's mind went completely blank.

Xiao Chen did not look at him, instead tapping his toes lightly against the ground and soaring into the sky.

Having lost Xiao Chen as a target, the Iron Thread Python fixed its vertical pupils onto Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

He turned to flee, but his speed was no match for the Iron Thread Python.

The Iron Thread Python lunged forward, opening its blood-stained maw to snap at Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning let out a miserable shriek, running forward with all his might.

The Iron Thread Python clamped its jaws onto Xiao Ning's leg and flung him high into the air.

Xiao Ning's screams echoed through the dense forest.

Xiao Chen hovered in mid-air, looking down at the scene below without a trace of expression on his face.

Xiao Ning had wanted him to die in the maw of a magical beast.

So, he would let Xiao Ning experience it for himself.

Xiao Chen did not watch any longer, turning to fly toward the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

He had not flown far when a system notification popped up before his eyes.

[Mission complete.]

[Obtained one extra copy opportunity.]

[Use immediately?]

Seeing the system's prompt, the corners of Xiao Chen's mouth curled upward slightly.

Another copy opportunity.

[Use immediately.]

Xiao Chen said in his heart.

[Copy target: Pill King Gu He.]

[Copy successful.]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the strength of a Tier 6 Alchemist from Gu He.]

Xiao Chen felt the information flooding into his mind, his lips tilting up slightly.

Gu He's Tier 6 Alchemist strength.

The properties and ages of various medicinal herbs surfaced clearly in his mind.

Pill recipes, refining techniques, and heat control were no exceptions.

Xiao Chen retracted his Dou Qi wings and landed on the ground.

He glanced back in the direction of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Xiao Ning's screams had already ceased.

Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze, turned, and began walking toward Wutan City.