Honorary Elder Token!

Mu Chen rubbed his nose and said with a smile, "Uh, why talk about exchanging anything? The Purple Spirit Crystal may be precious, but it isn't of much use to me.

Your help played a part in successfully extorting the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King this time, so the Purple Spirit Crystal naturally belongs to you.

But the Companion Purple Crystal Source and the magic core are useful to me, so they'll have to be mine."

To be honest, Yun Yun truly treated Nalan Yanran exceptionally well. Not only did she dote on her in every way on ordinary days, but after learning of the Three-Year Agreement between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, she had called in favors to have Gu He pave a path of "Krypton Pills" for Nalan Yanran. For the sake of a Purple Spirit Crystal, she had even disregarded the danger to her life and come to the vast Magic Beast Mountains to duel the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

But the wheel of history had already changed. Xiao Yan, who should originally have appeared here, had vanished without a trace. As for Mu Chen, if he had not encountered the beast tide and been forced deep into the Magic Beast Mountains, Yun Yun would very likely have fallen here.

Yun Yun was not a woman who dragged things out. Her many years as sect leader had long taught her decisiveness. After softly thanking him, she said no more overly sentimental words. Yet her favor toward Mu Chen deepened considerably, and she silently reminded herself that she owed him a favor.

Heh, what are you thanking me for? Sooner or later, you'll marry into the Mu family. Why be so polite with family?

Of course, that was only Mu Chen's inner thought. Though his imagination was running wild, he still controlled his expression well. Only when he looked at Yun Yun, his gaze resembled that of a big bad wolf eyeing a delicious little white rabbit... No, a big white rabbit.

"My name is Yun Yun. I am the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect in the Jia Ma Empire.

Thank you. If you had not come to my aid just now, I would certainly have fallen to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King."

Yun Yun sighed with feeling. She had never expected the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to possess such a strange sealing technique, and a trace of indignation appeared on her face.

She had simply been caught off guard before. If they fought again, Yun Yun believed that her ultimate technique, Extreme Wind: Meteoric Kill, would certainly not lose to that purple pillar of light.

Her beautiful eyes turned toward Mu Chen, lingering particularly on his face. Only after a long while did Yun Yun blink her long lashes and voice her guess.

"From what I can see, you are only around seventeen years old. When you fought those magical beasts yesterday, that was your true strength, wasn't it?"

Mu Chen chuckled softly. Strength that did not match one's actual age was indeed bound to arouse suspicion, but he answered calmly, "Whether that is my true strength or not, as long as I can wield this power, that is enough."

Yun Yun nodded. Mu Chen was right. No matter what, if he could control this power, then he was no different from a Dou Emperor powerhouse and would likewise earn everyone's respect.

"It seems you are alone. I can recommend a place for you. There, with your talent and strength, you will surely earn everyone's respect." Yun Yun spoke with anticipation in her eyes. Her increasingly rapid heartbeat caused a rosy blush to spread across her jade-like cheeks.

"You mean the Misty Cloud Sect, don't you? As the dominant force of the Jia Ma Empire, your sect is indeed an excellent place. I have long heard of its great reputation.

But I have grown used to idling about, and my nature is too wild. I cannot stand being bound by all those sect rules and regulations."

Though a beauty stood before him, delightful enough to feast one's eyes upon, Mu Chen still politely declined Yun Yun's invitation. Places like sects had too many factions and cliques, and Mu Chen greatly disliked their scheming atmosphere.

Besides, at this point in time, Wu Protector of the Soul Hall might already have infiltrated the Misty Cloud Sect. Mu Chen's true strength was only at the Dou Master level, and he did not wish to come into contact with the Soul Hall and... the Soul Clan so soon. One wrong move, and he would be finished. Mu Chen was not that reckless.

"I appreciate your kindness, Yun Yun. For us to meet in the vast Magic Beast Mountains is fate ordained by heaven. If I ever change my mind someday, I will surely come to your Misty Cloud Sect. I only hope that when the time comes, you, the great sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, will not drive me away." Mu Chen teased.

Mu Chen's answer caused Yun Yun's beautiful eyes to dim slightly, but she soon revealed a radiant smile. With a light brush of her hand over her Storage Ring, an engraved token bearing a white-cloud sword pattern appeared.

The azure wings behind her fluttered slightly as Yun Yun flew to within about a meter of Mu Chen. Carrying a refreshing fragrance, she extended the token in her delicate hand toward him and said softly, "This is the Honorary Elder Token of my Misty Cloud Sect. Since the founding of our sect, only eighteen have ever been issued.

Possessing this token allows one to ignore the sect's rules and restrictions. Its status is equivalent to that of a highest-ranking elder. Unless it is an especially serious matter, even the Law Enforcement Hall has no authority to interfere. You may enjoy the treatment of an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and may mobilize a small squad of elite sect disciples at any time.

Its only requirement is that you must offer assistance when the sect is in danger."

The Honorary Elder Token was the highest courtesy the Misty Cloud Sect extended to outsiders. It represented both strength and status; one needed at least the strength of a Dou Wang to qualify for it.

In the past century, aside from Gu He, the King of Pills who had made his name throughout the Jia Ma Empire, Mu Chen was the second person to receive one. Especially since Mu Chen was currently only at the Dou Master realm, if the great clans of the Jia Ma Empire learned of this, who knew what cries of shock and envy it would provoke.

Mu Chen frowned. Although the white jade token in Yun Yun's delicate hand was highly sought after by the people of the Jia Ma Empire, and its benefits sounded quite good, Mu Chen knew clearly that the Misty Cloud Sect would be destroyed in a few years. Perhaps even now, its higher ranks had already been corrupted by people from the Soul Hall. If he accepted this token, it would be no different from taking hold of a scorching-hot potato.

Mu Chen exhaled softly. He had originally wanted to refuse, but when their eyes met, especially when he saw the faint plea in Yun Yun's beautiful eyes, he simply could not bring himself to be cruel.

*Fine, I'll take it. I can't exactly ignore her if she runs into trouble in the future, can I?

As for whether the Misty Cloud Sect lives or dies, what does that have to do with me?*

Taking the jade token from Yun Yun's delicate hand, Mu Chen's fingertips inadvertently brushed against her soft fingers. Yun Yun immediately pulled her hand back as swiftly as lightning and retreated a distance away like a startled rabbit.

Yun Yun lightly bit her red lips, her thoughts in utter turmoil. Since she began cultivating, in all these years, her state of mind had never been as unsettled as it was today. It left her at a loss, and she wished she could flee this place at once.

At the entrance of the enormous cave, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King appeared, its entire body charred black. Seeing the two detestable humans acting all lovey-dovey in the sky cast their gazes at it, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King darkened its lion's face. With a flap of its wings, several streaks of light shot straight toward them.

Mu Chen reached out and made a grasping motion, causing those streaks of light to halt in midair before being drawn into his hand.

"Purple Spirit Crystal," purple grade, worth 2,000 points.

"Companion Purple Crystal Source," purple grade, worth 1,900 points.

"Fifth-tier wind-attribute magic core," purple grade, worth 1,200 points.

"Shameless humans! I have already given you what you wanted. I do not want to see you, you bandit and robber, ever again! Get out of the Magic Beast Mountains at once!"

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King roared furiously. Air currents mixed with pale purple flames continuously surged from its charred nostrils, while its lion eyes, fixed on Mu Chen, were filled with grievance.

Having handed over the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Companion Purple Crystal Source, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had suffered a massive loss. It had always been the one extorting others, yet now it had been extorted by someone else. It only wanted some peace and quiet now; it did not want to see that hateful face again.

"Humans are all vile! From this day onward, anyone who approaches my territory will be killed!"