The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind: Slaying the Amethyst Winged Lion King

Not long ago.

Above the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Yun Yun held a longsword as she lured the Amethyst Winged Lion King out of its cave.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King looked at the unfamiliar human Dou Emperor who had suddenly appeared within his territory, his tone hostile. "Human Dou Emperor, trespassing into my territory will be regarded as a provocation!"

Yun Yun immediately denied it. "Lion King, do not misunderstand. I drew you out only to make a deal."

"A deal? Hmph, what do you want, and what can you offer me?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King snorted out a plume of hot breath.

"Purple Spirit Crystal," Yun Yun said.

Hearing this, the Amethyst Winged Lion King sneered. "I can only shed a small piece of Purple Spirit Crystal once every twenty years. What can you use to trade for it?"

"Human, let me tell you this: unless you bring me a Humanoid Transformation Pill, stop dreaming!"

"A Humanoid Transformation Pill?" Yun Yun frowned slightly.

A Humanoid Transformation Pill was a genuine High Seventh Grade medicinal pill. Forget a Purple Spirit Crystal—even if the entire Amethyst Winged Lion King were offered up, it would not be enough to exchange for one.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King's demand was clearly a blunt refusal to trade.

Yun Yun tried again. "Lion King, the Humanoid Transformation Pill is far too precious. I cannot produce one. I am willing to offer three Tier Five Magic Cores, along with a High Xuan Rank cultivation method and Dou Technique that you can cultivate. Please reconsider."

"Stop talking nonsense. If you cannot produce a Humanoid Transformation Pill, I will never trade away the Purple Spirit Crystal. Leave the Magical Beast Mountain Range at once!" the Purple Gold Winged Lion King said without courtesy.

Yun Yun tightened her grip on her slender sword, understanding that force was unavoidable.

Her beloved disciple, Nalan Yanran, had trained like mad in order to defeat Xiao Yan three years later.

Yun Yun saw it all and ached for her.

But after Xiao Yan broke off the engagement, his talent had returned. In just one year, he had broken through to Nine-Star Dou Zhe, surpassing her obedient disciple.

How could her disciple possibly surpass him? As her master, she could only find a way herself.

Medicinal pills were the only solution.

Thus, she had entrusted Gu He with refining pills for Nalan Yanran that could increase her cultivation and accelerate her training.

The crucial primary ingredient for those pills was Purple Spirit Crystal.

So she could not retreat!

Besides, after breaking through to Dou Emperor, she had rarely fought opponents of the same rank. She might not necessarily be inferior to the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

A pale cyan tornado began spinning around her sword, its might oppressive.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King did not fear Yun Yun either. He opened his mouth, gathering flames.

Several dozen meters from the aerial battlefield.

Xiao Yan stood atop a great tree, the Purple Cloud Wings on his back flapping rhythmically.

He looked at Yao Lao's soul form beside him and smiled. "Teacher, while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind. Once they finish fighting, it will be our turn. Be prepared."

Yao Lao hovered in midair and said helplessly, "You brat, possessing you even once consumes quite a bit of my soul power. You will have to make it up to me later."

Xiao Yan chuckled. "Don't worry, Teacher. I will not forget your contribution."

Yao Lao stroked his beard. "You truly are bold. You are merely a Dou Master, yet you are already thinking of interfering in a battle between a Dou Emperor and a Tier Six Magical Beast."

Xiao Yan answered decisively, "Opportunities are rare. Since we have encountered one, we cannot let it slip away because of cowardice."

"The Amethyst Winged Lion King's flesh and blood can temper my body, while the Purple Flame on its body can upgrade the Burning Mantra."

"One step ahead means every step ahead. Teacher, you should understand that better than I do."

Yao Lao nodded. "I never said you were wrong."

"This is indeed a good opportunity."

"That woman's strength is, in my view, evenly matched with the Amethyst Winged Lion King's. The human and beast should fight until both are seriously injured."

"At that point, if I possess you, then with your monstrous physical strength and Eight-Star Dou Master cultivation, you should be able to unleash the strength of a High-Star Dou Wang. With the formidable power of an Earth Rank Dou Technique added in, it should be enough."

After finishing their discussion, the old man and youth continued concealing their auras as they observed the battle overhead.

The battle had already reached its fiercest stage. Towering pillars of fire and wind made it impossible for weak humans and magical beasts to even watch from afar.

Even Xiao Yan, relying on the physique of a Tier Four Magical Beast, could only barely endure it.

Three Tier Five Magical Beasts, each comparable to a Dou Wang expert, were also watching alongside him.

He silently observed the three magical beasts, knowing that if he wanted to play the oriole behind the mantis, he had to swiftly deal with them first.

In the sky, the pillars of fire and wind gradually dissipated.

The battle was reaching its end.

Both the Amethyst Winged Lion King and Yun Yun had suffered a considerable drop in aura.

Both human and beast understood that their next strike would determine the victor.

"Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill!"

"Amethyst Seal!"

Just as the human and beast gathered their strength, a sudden change occurred.

Xiao Yan finally moved.

"Teacher, do it!"

As soon as he spoke, Yao Lao immediately entered Xiao Yan's body, transforming into pure white energy.

Xiao Yan felt the power within his body surge dozens of times over in an instant, giving him the sensation that he could shatter mountains.

He knew it was no illusion.

At this moment, he possessed at least the strength of a High-Tier Dou Wang.

Even with such power under his command, his mind remained clear, his gaze locking onto the three Tier Five Magical Beasts watching nearby.

Flames gathered around his fist, faintly drawing upon the power of heaven and earth.

This was the unique quality of an Earth Rank Dou Technique: it could invoke the power of heaven and earth, greatly enhancing the move.

"Flame Burst!"

He charged toward the nearest one. Before the magical beast could even react, he threw a punch.

"Bang!"

The flames exploded instantly. The Tier Five Magical Beast died without even making a sound.

A High-Tier Dou Wang wielding an Earth Rank Dou Technique was naturally more than the mere Tier Five Magical Beast could resist.

After killing one Tier Five Magical Beast, Xiao Yan did not pause for even a moment before charging at the other two with raised fists.

Of the remaining two Tier Five Magical Beasts, one let out a savage roar and charged at him viciously.

The other did the complete opposite. It fearfully glanced at the Amethyst Winged Lion King in the sky, seemingly realizing something, then fled the battlefield without looking back.

Xiao Yan had no chance to pursue it. He unleashed another Flame Burst Fist, its might no weaker than before.

With one punch, the Tier Five Magical Beast charging at him also died instantly.

Quickly storing the corpses of the two Tier Five Magical Beasts in his Storage Ring, Xiao Yan did not even have time to inspect whether they contained Magic Cores before rushing toward the sky.

While he was killing the two Tier Five Magical Beasts, Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion King had already finished gathering power for their ultimate moves and launched them at one another.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King saw Xiao Yan speeding toward him, but Yun Yun's powerful attack forced him to defend with all his strength. He could only curse inwardly, Damn human, how despicable!!!

"Flame Burst!"

Just as he evaded Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill, Xiao Yan unleashed his third Flame Burst Fist of the battle. This punch even drew upon Yao Lao's Bone Chilling Flame, covering his fist in white fire and raising its power to another level.

"Boom!"

Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill and the Flame Burst Fist struck the Amethyst Winged Lion King at the same time, inflicting enormous damage.

In only a few moments, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's aura began rapidly fading beyond recovery.

As for Yun Yun, she failed to evade in time and was struck by the Amethyst Seal, sent flying far away before falling into the forest below.