Divine Grotto

The Divine Grotto is situated on a vast plain where the tall grass reaches waist-height and wild wolves howl; it is a remote location, rarely visited by people.

A group of travelers entered the grassland, startling many giant wolves along the way. They moved through the tall grass with cautious vigilance.

The setting sun stained the sky red, and the fiery clouds made the vast grassland appear even more desolate.

A stone mountain stood horizontally ahead, magnificent and incomparably massive. Being the only such mountain in this grassland, it appeared quite abrupt and imposing. Halfway up the mountainside, there was a black cave of unknown depth, exuding an inexplicable aura.

At the foot of the mountain, a group of creatures had long been waiting. Each was powerful, eyeing the newcomers with hostility, their murderous intent laid bare.

In particular, the leaders among them possessed extraordinary appearances: a nine-headed lion with a body of pure gold, a silver giant over ten meters tall, and a humanoid creature with a golden horn on its head and wings on its back.

Behind them stood their respective followers, among whom were many human geniuses who had been subdued and reduced to servants.

"You have finally arrived; you are too slow." The silver giant spoke, his voice like a great bell, booming and causing the mountain walls to tremble.

"Brother Little White, is this the Golden Lion that boasted about wanting to take me as a battle pet?" Little One stood among the crowd, pointing at the nine-headed Golden Lion and asking Bai Yixin beside him.

"Yes." Bai Yixin nodded; there was no difference between a battle servant and a battle pet.

"..." Little One's face showed a hint of anger mixed with hesitation. On one hand, he didn't want to cause trouble for Bai Yixin, but on the other, his "bear-like" temper was flaring, itching to deal with this arrogant nine-headed Golden Lion. He asked, "Brother Little White, can I go and beat it up?"

"You can even kill it if you want. I promised Huo Ling'er I wouldn't initiate trouble, but that doesn't include you. If you decide to strike, do as I taught you: use a sneak attack and aim for a one-hit kill."

Bai Yixin felt quite gratified. Although he hadn't seen Little One for a long time, the boy, despite having grown wilder, still listened to him.

"I also want to taste what braised lion head is like."

"Good! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧"

Little One nodded earnestly. He looked at the nine-headed Golden Lion with eyes full of anticipation, secretly driving his own power, preparing to give the Golden Lion a heavy blow.

Bai Yixin was not worried that Little One would lose to the nine-headed Golden Lion. It is no exaggeration to say that after his "tutelage"—no, his earnest instruction—Little One was far stronger than he was at this point in the original story.

If one added a preemptive sneak attack, it should be effortless for Little One to severely injure the nine-headed Golden Lion in one strike.

If Bai Yixin were to use his sword intent to ambush, he would be confident in cutting off all the heads of the nine-headed Golden Lion directly.

But since he had promised Huo Ling'er, Bai Yixin naturally would not strike unless the other party started the trouble.

Furthermore, Bai Yixin was currently in the process of digesting the Purple Cloud Heart. Concentrating on refining it would speed up the process; he could fight, but it was better not to during this period.

A cauldron used for alchemy could naturally also be used to refine medicine.

On a vast purple-gold ocean, in the center of a towering platform, a primitive purple-gold giant cauldron held a heart that looked like a half-melted purple diamond. It radiated precious light, emitting wisps of purple mist that liquefied and flowed to the bottom of the cauldron, gathering into a pool of purple spirit liquid.

After drinking this medicine, if I can also eat a Golden Lion, opening the seventh Heavenly Cave will be a sure thing. I can also take the opportunity to improve my physical strength, and then the seventh level of Foundation Establishment won't be far off, Bai Yixin pondered.

Because the Nine-Turn Heavenly Art was a dual-cultivation method, his spiritual power accumulation and realm were already sufficient. What restricted Bai Yixin from breaking through to the seventh level of Foundation Establishment was that his physical body was not yet strong enough; it would likely take a few more days.

Bai Yixin glanced at Huo Ling'er, who was conversing with the nine-headed Golden Lion, the Silver-Blooded Giant, and the Feather King. He had said he would help her defy her fate, but in truth, he had no good plan.

Currently, all Bai Yixin could do was prevent Little One and Huo Ling'er from forming a bond. If there was no connection, her fate would naturally be different. But the key issue was that she and the Sin Province were both captured by Anlan—how was he supposed to handle that? (ﾟoﾟ;

Unless he sacrificed himself to woo Huo Ling'er, he couldn't convince the Fire Emperor and Huo Ling'er to evacuate the Sin Province with mere empty words.

Well, although Bai Yixin had a good impression of Huo Ling'er due to his past life, and after meeting her, her appearance did indeed match the description of being beautiful and elegant, a pretty face is common, but an interesting soul is one in a million. Whether Huo Ling'er was truly suitable for him was hard to say.

Regarding this, Bai Yixin had one idiom: let nature take its course.

At worst, he would just kidnap Huo Ling'er and her people when the time came; changing her ending would be the same.

"Kill!"

Above Little One's head, a volcano appeared, with crimson "magma" rolling within. A golden treasure floated, emitting dazzling rays of light as it rushed out to strike the Golden Lion.

That was the Golden Dragon Scissors Little One had obtained from a Pangolin Sacrificial Spirit. It was composed of two golden bones, resembling two intertwined dragons, emitting a sharp light that was indestructible and could pierce anything.

The Golden Dragon Scissors charged forward in an instant, emitting sounds of dragon roars and serpent hisses that made all living things tremble, unable to resist the urge to kneel and submit!

The nine-headed Golden Lion was shocked and dodged at high speed, turning into a streak of golden light darting across the grassland. One moment it was in the east, the next in the west, like a sea of blazing golden lightning in motion. With a whistling sound, the golden light merged into a sheet, dyeing the entire grassland gold.

It was erupting with power, moving rapidly. With a crack, the golden bone scissors swept past, severing a stone mountain. The upper half collapsed, rolling down with a rumble and kicking up endless dust.

"Roar..."

The lion's roar shook the heavens. A string of prayer beads flew out from the body of the nine-headed Golden Lion, looking as if they were cast from gold. Each bead was translucent, scattering brilliance as if nine worlds were descending to suppress the enemy, colliding with the bone scissors.

The sound was like thunder; a massive collision occurred in this place. Divine radiance permeated the air, the aura was heaven-shaking, and the dazzling light submerged the grassland, making people shudder and their legs tremble.

But even though the nine-headed Golden Lion had keen senses and reacted in time, the treasure bestowed by its elders, while powerful, still did not fully block Little One's strike.

The Golden Lion was terrified and dodged quickly, but it was still too late. Four soft puffs were heard; the four heads on its left side were severed, blood gushing wildly as they fell to the ground.

"Who are you?! Why did you attack me?!"

The nine-headed lion opened its mouths, spitting out nine flying swords that slashed continuously, finally blocking Little One's successive attacks, and shouted sharply.

This was another set of terrifying treasures with two forms: one moment they transformed into sharp swords, the next into lion fangs, brilliant and dazzling, as if nine suns were suppressing the area.

"Didn't you say you wanted to take me as a battle pet? I'm here; let's see what you're capable of." Little One sneered and said, "At this level, you're barely fit to be my battle pet!"

Little One glanced at Bai Yixin, who had silently stood before the Silver-Blooded Giant and the Feather King to block them. With a slight curl of his lips, he continued his violent assault on the nine-headed Golden Lion.

"Little lion, get into the bowl!"

"This path is closed." Bai Yixin watched the Silver-Blooded Giant and the Feather King, who seemed intent on intervening.

"You ignorant brat, you dare block my path?!"

The Silver-Blooded Giant, who had originally intended to sit back and watch the tigers fight, was somewhat hot-tempered. Seeing some random person pop out and speak to him in such a manner, he stepped forward and reached out a hand as large as a winnowing basket, grabbing toward Bai Yixin in an attempt to crush him to death.

Bai Yixin leaped into the air and threw a simple, direct punch at the Silver-Blooded Giant. When it collided with that massive palm, a thunderclap erupted in the sky, and runes exploded outward.

The Silver-Blooded Giant let out a roar as his body stumbled backward, his basket-sized palm dripping with blood; it had been punched clean through.

While the Silver-Blooded Giant was still reeling from his own underestimation, Bai Yixin shifted the trajectory of the kick he had intended for the giant's head and aimed it at the Feather King instead.

"Boom!"

It turned out the Feather King was also displeased by Bai Yixin's words and had seized the opportunity to launch a sneak attack. He flapped his wings, sending Five-Colored Divine Feathers flying like divine arrows piercing the air with a deafening, metallic clang.

"Crack!"

Bai Yixin's entire right leg glowed as golden lightning erupted, sweeping across the volley of feathers. With a clattering sound and a final, thunderous bang, he clashed head-on with the Feather King.

On the grassland, all the tall grass was flattened by the shockwave, and many boulders were sent flying.

Bai Yixin landed on the ground, while the Feather King was sent flying by the immense force, blood trickling from his seven orifices.

That single kick had nearly killed the Feather King!

"You guys!" Huo Ling'er's beautiful eyes widened. Wasn't it agreed that we wouldn't cause trouble?

Huh? I didn't actively cause trouble.

I was just standing there, saying "this road is blocked," that's all.

If Bai Yixin were to answer, that is how he would explain it.

Yes, Bai Yixin did it on purpose. He saw that the Silver-Blooded Giant and the Feather King would not make a move because of Little One's strength, preferring to watch Little One and the Nine-Headed Golden Lion fight it out. After all, they weren't on the same side, so why help?

Bai Yixin appeared to have stepped out only to prevent them from interfering with Little One, but in reality, he was provoking these arrogant Primordial Remnants into making the first move.

To Bai Yixin, exploring some Divine Grotto held no appeal; it was better to just kill these two Primordial Remnants and trade them to Huo Ling'er for something good.

The Divine Grotto only contained an egg; couldn't they get it without the Silver-Blooded Giant and the others anyway?

"Die!"

Bai Yixin didn't say another word. He swung his leg violently, dozens of layers of runes surging like waves. With a "bang," his foot collided with the Feather King.

The Feather King couldn't react in time; he shrieked as his teeth were shattered, blood flowed freely, and his body was sent flying.

Other creatures scrambled to avoid the impact as the Feather King slammed into the ground with a crash. He couldn't get back up, his jaw broken, wailing incessantly.

Immediately after, Bai Yixin caught up to the Silver-Blooded Giant, who was preparing to retreat after seeing the situation turn sour. Golden lightning erupted from his entire body as he unleashed his full strength; the sea of lightning boiled, crashing down upon the Silver-Blooded Giant.

Cracks spread across the ground as a humanoid figure was smashed into the earth and stone. The Silver-Blooded Giant convulsed, coughing up blood as dust and smoke billowed into the air.

"Awoo..."

The Silver-Blooded Giant rolled his eyes, nearly passing out. His physical body was powerful, cracking the rocks beneath him, but he was in immense pain, spitting blood as he struggled to rise.

However, Bai Yixin grabbed his ankle and swung him around, smashing him into a giant boulder. This time, the Silver-Blooded Giant fainted outright, his body covered in cracks as silver blood flowed out.

"Done." Bai Yixin tossed the Silver-Blooded Giant and the Feather King in front of Huo Ling'er and clapped his hands.

"They're still alive. Do with them as you please—kill them or skin them. How much are they worth?"

As long as you don't give them time to use their precious artifacts, killing these average Primordial Remnants is incredibly simple.

Huo Ling'er never expected Bai Yixin to be so terrifying. The Silver-Blooded Giant and the Feather King, who were on the same level as her, weren't even a match for a single blow from him; they were beaten unconscious in a few short moves.

"Human, return my Feather King!" one of the Feather King's followers, a humanoid creature with a single horn on his head and a pair of wings on his back—the Feather King's own kin—shouted.

Bai Yixin didn't say a word. He struck out with a palm, runes filling the sky and the sound of the Dao resonating. Golden lightning surged out like a wave, and with a "snap," the horned, winged humanoid flew into the air, transforming into a charred corpse.

"Oh? Does anyone else want them?"

As Bai Yixin's gaze swept over them, everyone he looked at instinctively took a few steps back, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Are you really giving them to me? I don't have anything to trade right now." Huo Ling'er's eyes sparkled. Although she was a bit angry that Bai Yixin had killed the allies she had brought, having him was enough.

"You can owe me. I believe that as the Fire Kingdom Princess, you won't welsh on a debt." Bai Yixin wasn't surprised; after all, who brings that many precious medicines into a secret realm?

Keeping them for himself was useless—he couldn't eat them—so giving them to Huo Ling'er was fine.

As for interrogating them or killing them to extract their Treasure Techniques, he didn't even bother thinking about it. They would either self-destruct or have restrictions placed on them; it would be a waste of effort, and he wasn't lacking in their techniques anyway.

"Let's go in together." Huo Ling'er spoke, her dark brows slightly arched, a hint of excitement on her crystalline, snow-white face. She knew well that this was the place where a deity had fallen.

Bai Yixin stopped in front of the Divine Grotto and did not enter. It was pitch black inside, incredibly deep, emitting waves of wailing sounds as if many vengeful spirits were crying.

"I'm not going. I advise you, if you want to go in, do it quickly, and you must come out before dark." Bai Yixin warned her earnestly, adding, "I feel this place is very strange. There's no need to take risks; I don't think it's worth it."

"Coward!" The Fire Kingdom Princess frowned. She was impressed by Bai Yixin's combat power and hoped he would join her, but seeing him refuse so decisively, she knew there was no way.

In the end, Huo Ling'er led dozens of human geniuses into the Divine Grotto, but she still heeded Bai Yixin's advice to make it quick and not linger inside.

"How was the harvest?" Bai Yixin asked as he set up a pot and heated oil, preparing to cook the Nine-Headed Golden Lion's head, watching Huo Ling'er emerge.

"An egg, the Wolf God's egg..." Huo Ling'er was beaming, surprised by how smooth things had gone; it exceeded her expectations.

Beside Huo Ling'er, a cloaked figure carried a beast skin bundle that radiated a golden glow, impossible to hide.

"Wolves lay eggs? That's truly rare." Bai Yixin said nonchalantly, watching Little One, who was about to finish off the Nine-Headed Golden Lion.