Preparing to Break Through!

Next, with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's assistance, Su Zhao carefully collected the Companion Purple Crystal Source.

He took out the jade bottles he had prepared beforehand and used a jade spoon to slowly scoop the purple liquid from the stone pillar, portioning it into the bottles.

He filled every bottle to the brim, using a full ten jade bottles before completely draining the Companion Purple Crystal Source from the stone pillar.

Su Zhao weighed the ten heavy jade bottles in his hand and estimated their value.

According to his senses, the purple flame energy contained in just one bottle of Companion Purple Crystal Source would be enough to help him break through the Dou Shi barrier.

The remaining nine bottles would be an extremely precious resource, whether for future cultivation or other purposes.

Just as he put the last jade bottle into his storage ring, Su Zhao suddenly froze.

He frowned slightly, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the solid rocky ground beneath his feet.

That feeling had returned.

While collecting the Companion Purple Crystal Source earlier, he had vaguely sensed a faint pulling force from deep beneath his feet, like an invisible thread lightly tugging at the source flame within his body, making his heartbeat quicken involuntarily.

But he had been busy collecting the Purple Crystal Source then and had temporarily ignored it.

Now that all the Purple Crystal Source had been put away, that attraction felt especially clear.

Noticing Su Zhao's odd behavior, Su You stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, did you discover something?"

Su Zhao did not answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and carefully sensed the area for a moment.

When he opened his eyes, Su Zhao pondered briefly before shaking his head. "Forget it. We won't investigate it for now. Let's return to the valley first. Once I break through to Dou Shi, we'll come back and inspect it properly."

Although that attraction was strong, it was not an urgent matter. It would not be too late to explore it carefully after his cultivation improved.

"Let's go back first."

Su Zhao turned and headed out of the cave, with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Su You following close behind.

The Little Amethyst Winged Lion King trailed behind its mother. It reluctantly looked back at its now-empty little nest and let out a soft whimper, but after Su You gently patted its head, it obediently followed the group.

Su Zhao brought the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King along as well.

Though the little fellow was not much of a fighter yet, it was still the offspring of a sixth-tier Magic Beast and had considerable potential for growth. It would make a fine pet for Little Doctor.

Besides, he had already promised the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King that he would help it reach the seventh tier, so it was best to keep it by his side.

A short while later, high in the sky.

Su Zhao sat atop the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's broad head, his legs crossed and his back straight as the howling wind whipped his robes with loud flaps.

During long-distance flights before, Su You could only carry him along. After all, human physiques were what they were; although Dou Qi wings could carry someone through the air, it was ultimately less comfortable than sitting down.

Now that he was riding the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, not only was it far more comfortable, it looked exceptionally imposing as well.

Below them, green mountains stretched like dark brows and forests rolled like waves. The countless sights of the Magic Beast Mountain Range flashed past beneath their feet, magnificent and vast.

Soon, the small valley shrouded in dense mist came into view.

At Su Zhao's instruction, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King suppressed its aura and slowly descended at the valley entrance.

Su Zhao had told it in advance to conceal its presence so it would not frighten Little Doctor.

The fearsome ruler of the Magic Beast Mountain Range was now as docile as a large house cat guarding a courtyard. It crouched at the valley entrance, its huge purple wings folded at its sides, not daring to act the least bit overbearing.

One after another, they entered the valley.

Before the wooden hut, Little Doctor sat on the doorstep, holding a wooden basin filled with freshly gathered herbs.

She was picking through them one stem at a time with her head lowered, her light purple hair falling over her shoulders. In the afterglow of the setting sun, her profile looked soft and tranquil.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up. Delight first appeared on her face, followed by...

Her entire body stiffened.

She saw the two enormous beastly figures following behind Su Zhao.

One large and one small Purple Crystal Winged Lion King stood there, their crimson-gold beast eyes lowered gently, completely at odds with the infamous reputation of the Magic Beast Mountain Range's ruler.

Yet Little Doctor recognized the larger one at a glance. Its body was covered in purple crystal armor, and it had a spiraling horn—it was the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King!

The herbs in her hand fell into the basin with a rustle. Her lips parted slightly, and she could not close her mouth for a long while.

Su Zhao walked over. Seeing her stunned expression, he could not help laughing. "What? Don't tell me you're scared? I said I'd bring you back a pet. Remember?"

Little Doctor blankly pointed at herself, then at the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King. "Th-this... is the... pet you meant?"

Su Zhao introduced them solemnly. "There's no need to explain the big one—the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. As for the little one, it's her child."

He turned toward the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, then gestured toward Little Doctor. "This is Little Doctor, my companion. From now on, treat her as you would treat me."

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King lowered its head slightly, its deep voice carrying a trace of respect and submission. "Yes, Master."

Little Doctor finally came back to her senses. "You went out for a trip and casually subdued the ruler of the entire mountain range?"

Su Zhao nodded as if it were only natural. "That's right."

Little Doctor sucked in a sharp breath.

This was a sixth-tier Magic Beast! The king of the Magic Beast Mountain Range! An existence equivalent to a human Dou Huang! Yet it had been subdued just like that, and it even looked so respectful.

She had long known that Su You was powerful, but seeing a sixth-tier Magic Beast submit before Su Zhao with her own eyes still left her deeply shaken.

Next, as they had agreed before, Su Zhao truly gave the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King to Little Doctor as a pet.

Though the Little Amethyst Winged Lion King looked quite large, it was actually extremely gentle. Especially around Little Doctor, it was obedient beyond measure. After circling her twice, it lay at her feet and rubbed against her. Before long, it had grown close to Little Doctor.

As Little Doctor stroked its fine purple fur, her delight was impossible to hide.

The Little Amethyst Winged Lion King did not resist this new owner at all. Its mother had said they were to submit, so naturally it would follow suit.

Moreover, Little Doctor carried a gentle, approachable aura, entirely different from Su Zhao's sharp, youthful presence. The little fellow quickly adapted to this new way of getting along.

After finishing all this, Su Zhao prepared to break through to Dou Shi.

He walked to the open space in the center of the valley and sat down cross-legged. Taking out a jade bottle containing Companion Purple Crystal Source, he found it warm to the touch. Even through the bottle wall, he could feel the dense purple flame energy within, so concentrated it seemed ready to overflow.

Su Zhao took a deep breath and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing for about the time it took to burn an incense stick. Only after the Dou Qi in his body had circulated to its peak did he slowly open his eyes.

He pulled out the jade bottle's stopper and tilted back his head, swallowing the mass of purple liquid in one gulp.