Time slipped by.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
Over those three days, under Xiao Ze's guidance, Xiao Yi Xian had successfully switched her cultivation technique to the Heaven and Earth Poison Canon, a technique specially designed for the Woe Poison Body.
Because her Woe Poison Body had erupted earlier, her cultivation had advanced rapidly after she switched to the Heaven and Earth Poison Canon. In just three short days, she had successfully broken through to the Dou Shi realm.
As Xiao Yi Xian broke through to Dou Shi,
Xiao Ze returned to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and appeared before the Amethyst Winged Lion King once more.
"Little Lion, it's been three days. Have you recovered from your injuries?" Xiao Ze hovered before the Amethyst Winged Lion King and asked in a calm voice.
"Hmph! Damn human, you actually dare come back to my territory!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King spat out a mouthful of scorching flames, its purple beast eyes filled with bloodlust and ferocity.
"Oh? It's only been three days, and you're acting mighty again, Little Lion." Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow and mocked, "Have you forgotten how you knelt before me and begged for mercy three days ago?"
"Roar!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King let out an enraged roar, and purple flames burst forth. Its voice boomed, "Damn human, I was in poor condition last time. You only won by sheer luck!"
"This time, I'm fully prepared. You won't be a match for me!"
"Leave at once, or don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
"Is that so?" At that, Xiao Ze's lips curled into a smile, and his immense fighting spirit surged forth. Taixiao Sword rang as it left its sheath, its blade angled toward the ground. "I hope you can back up your words and last a little longer beneath my sword today."
"Damn human, you dare look down on me?" The Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes blazed with fury, and a pillar of purple fire shot into the sky. "Take this!"
Rumble!
A great battle erupted once more!
Two streaks of crimson fire lit up the whole sky, and the apocalyptic scene of world-shattering destruction appeared before everyone's eyes once again. Deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range, a great upheaval had quietly begun.
Two hours later.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
"I give up! I give up!"
"Don't hit me anymore!"
Panting, the Amethyst Winged Lion King fled with its head in its paws. After exhausting every trick it had and still failing to defeat its opponent, its legs gave way, and it collapsed to the ground, kneeling as it begged for mercy.
"It's only been two hours, and you're giving up again?"
"Weren't you just bragging? What happened? Can't take it anymore?"
"Get up! I just thought of a new combo move. Take this hit, then you can beg for mercy!"
Looking at the Amethyst Winged Lion King sprawled on the ground, Xiao Ze was very dissatisfied. It had lasted a little longer than last time, but it still wasn't enough.
Still, the battle had given him a lot of practical experience.
He had corrected all the flaws he'd had last time.
He could now wield the three Earth-Rank Dou Techniques—Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Myriad Transformation Phantom, and Heaven Burning Palm—with ease. Though he hadn't reached the point of mastering them perfectly, he had already become thoroughly proficient.
His overall strength was at least twice what it had been two months ago!
"I'm not fighting anymore! I'm not fighting anymore!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King panted heavily, its enormous body sprawled among the shattered rocks like a puddle of mud.
It shook its ferocious head. No matter how much Xiao Ze urged it, it didn't budge.
"Hmph! Useless!"
"You have five days. In five days, I'll come find you again!"
Xiao Ze gave a cold snort, left those words hanging, then took off into the sky once more.
"Phew~" Watching Xiao Ze's retreating figure, the Amethyst Winged Lion King immediately rolled over and got to its feet. "That damn human finally left. I'm exhausted!"
"How can he be so strong? I'm a high-tier sixth-rank magical beast, after all. Ordinary Dou Huang experts would be slapped to death by me!"
"But against him, I can't fight back at all."
"Could he not be human? Could he be a magical beast wearing human skin?"
After resting for a while, the Amethyst Winged Lion King felt its strength return, and its confidence swelled once more.
"Hmph! I was careless this time. I didn't prepare enough ways to counter him."
"Next time, I'll surely avenge myself!"
It swung its enormous tail and lumbered back to its cave. Deep in its heart, it swore that this damn human would soon get a taste of what it was like to be trampled beneath a beast's feet!
And so,
Xiao Ze came to the Amethyst Winged Lion King every few days to spar.
And every time, the battle ended with the Amethyst Winged Lion King losing and begging for mercy.
Whenever the Amethyst Winged Lion King knelt and begged, Xiao Ze chose not to kill it. Instead, he gave it time to recover from its injuries, then fought it again and again.
Through these repeated battles, Xiao Ze continually gained practical experience.
After a month passed,
he had undergone a complete transformation.
His presence had grown steadier, his bearing deeper. His bright, piercing eyes and slanted brows were as profound as a cold pool, holding terrifying energy within.
"By my reckoning, I've been in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for two months now."
"My battles with the Amethyst Winged Lion King have also been going on for about a month."
"I've gained a lot over these two months. Not only has my practical experience improved, but my cultivation has unexpectedly advanced to the Eight-Star Dou Emperor realm."
"As for combat strength, I'm far stronger than before."
"With three Earth-Rank Dou Techniques mastered, even a Peak Dou Emperor probably won't be a match for me!"
"Even a powerhouse who's just broken through to Dou Zong could fight me to a standstill!"
Green Mountain Town.
In the courtyard of Xiao Yi Xian's home.
It was the height of summer, and the blazing sun hung overhead.
Sweltering heat filled every corner of Green Mountain Town.
Xiao Ze was lounging beneath a large willow tree in the courtyard, enjoying the shade as he leisurely reviewed what he'd gained over the past two months.
Just then, a graceful figure arrived at his side, trailing a waft of fragrance.
"Xiao Ze!"
A light, gentle voice rang beside him. Xiao Ze lazily opened one eye and looked over.
The first thing he saw was a pair of fair, slender legs. Her smooth ankles glimmered in the sunlight, and her pale dress outlined a graceful, curvaceous figure. The two proud peaks on her chest blocked most of his view.
"Why are you back?"
"Weren't you supposed to go into the Magical Beast Mountain Range with the people from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion to gather herbs today?"
After realizing who it was, Xiao Ze closed his eyes again.
"Don't ask!" Xiao Yi Xian said in a resentful tone. "I was supposed to go into the mountains to gather herbs today."
"But who would've thought that magical beasts had occupied all the areas that were usually safe?"
"We hadn't even officially entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range before we were attacked several times. The mercenary guards suffered heavy casualties, and in the end, we had no choice but to abandon the trip."
Xiao Yi Xian sat beside Xiao Ze and complained softly.
"Oh?" Xiao Ze opened his eyes, curious. "That happened?"
"Did it happen often before?"
As soon as he said that, he saw Xiao Yi Xian giving him a resentful look. "This never used to happen."
"The Magical Beast Mountain Range has a strict hierarchy."
"High-rank magical beasts almost never go to low-rank areas."
"This might have something to do with the disturbances in the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range over the past month."
"Some people suspect that high-rank magical beasts have been fighting in the depths of the mountain range, forcing other magical beasts to flee to the outskirts for shelter."
"So now even the areas that used to be safe are full of danger."
After hearing Xiao Yi Xian's explanation, Xiao Ze's expression stiffened.
"I-Is that so?" He gave an awkward laugh. He hadn't expected this to have something to do with him!
"That's right!" Xiao Yi Xian sighed, then waved a small fist and said fiercely, "It's all the fault of those two high-rank magical beasts that keep fighting. If not for them, I could've gone into the mountains to gather herbs!"
"Do you know how many gold coins I lose every time I miss a chance to gather herbs in the mountains?"
"Tell me..."
"Don't you think those two magical beasts in the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range are going too far?"
Xiao Yi Xian held up her small fist and stared at Xiao Ze without blinking. A smile touched the corners of her eyes, and her clear gaze seemed able to see right through him.
"Too far!" Xiao Ze declared indignantly. "They've gone way too far!"
"How could they do this?"
"One of these days, I'll venture deep into the Magical Beast Mountain Range and give those two magical beasts a piece of my mind."
As he spoke with righteous indignation, Xiao Ze gently took her soft, pink fist and quietly lowered it.
"Uh, okay!" With her fist now in his hand, Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed pink. Her eyes darted around, and she stammered, "X-Xiao Ze."
"Hmm?"
"Are you free tomorrow?"
"What for?"
"A few high-rank medicinal herbs will ripen in the next couple of days. I have to go into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, but they're growing in a third-rank area. I hope you can come with me tomorrow."
"Sure!"
"Really? It's a promise?"
"..."
Before you continue