Companion Amethyst Source

Xuan Qing glanced at the Purple Spirit Crystal on the ground.

"You know the drill. Take me to the Companion Amethyst Source."

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King shuddered all over. Its massive lion head snapped up, its eyes filled with astonishment as it spoke in disbelief.

"You... how did you know?"

Xuan Qing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze directed into the cave's shadowy depths, his tone calm.

"I have my own sources of information. Don't ask questions. Lead the way."

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King was deeply unsettled. It stared at Xuan Qing for a long while, and after weighing the pros and cons, ultimately did not dare resist.

It let out a low roar, turned its enormous body around, and trudged deeper into the cave on heavy steps.

For the young man before it, taking its life would be as easy as slaughtering a chicken.

If it fought to the death, it would only throw away its life for nothing. It simply was not worth it for the Companion Amethyst Source alone.

Daughter, I'm sorry.

The resources you'll need to break through in the future are gone now.

Xuan Qing followed it inside.

The cave dwelling contained a world of its own. The space was vast, and purple-glowing crystals were embedded everywhere, making the cave as bright as day.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King paced to the innermost part of the dwelling, where a protruding purple rock platform stood before them.

Its enormous claws carefully dug through a crack in the rock and pulled out a round crystal sphere nearly the size of an adult's head. Its surface was smooth and lustrous, like a naturally formed purple crystal pearl.

Inside the sphere was a viscous purple crystal liquid, as thick as honey. Through the crystal shell, streams of light could clearly be seen flowing within, as though a cluster of purple flame lay quietly dormant inside.

That was the Companion Amethyst Source.

Holding the mass of amethyst source, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's huge body trembled slightly, its lion eyes full of deep reluctance.

After hesitating for a moment.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King slowly turned around and handed the incomparably precious treasure to Xuan Qing.

Xuan Qing nodded in satisfaction, put the item away, and headed outside.

Once Xuan Qing's figure vanished into the depths of the passage, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King let out a long breath of scorching air.

It lowered its massive head, its broad, soft lion paw gently stroking the little head of the young Purple Crystal Winged Lion beside it.

Better to lose money than lose one's life.

It was worth it to trade this bit of family wealth for its own life.

At worst, its daughter's cultivation would progress a little more slowly in the future. She could spend more years slowly strengthening her foundation. That was still better than having father and daughter both perish here today.

The young Purple Crystal Winged Lion nuzzled its foreleg in confusion and let out a clear, low growl.

[ Ding—Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Companion Amethyst Source and Purple Spirit Crystal. Reward: Dark Night's Protection talent. Battle Qi slowly recovers at night. ]

As Xuan Qing was about to reach the cave.

Yun Yun sat quietly at the cave entrance, her plain green dress fluttering gently in the wind.

Her elbow rested lightly on her knee, and her jade-like hand supported her cheek as she gazed toward the distant, rolling forested mountains, seemingly lost in thought.

Xuan Qing's figure swayed slightly, and like a falling leaf, he slowly descended from the sky.

He landed beside Yun Yun and teased her.

"Beauty, were you worried about me?"

Yun Yun's delicate brows rose slightly. Her watery eyes studied the returning youth, and a faint flush briefly crossed her cheeks before quickly fading.

She straightened up, gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and replied softly.

"I was merely observing the surrounding activity, in case magical beasts suddenly attacked."

Though that was what she said, the thread of worry hanging in her heart quietly dissipated with Xuan Qing's return.

Xuan Qing stepped forward and slowly walked into the cave, letting out a soft laugh.

"Heh, then I was flattering myself."

The faint teasing reached Yun Yun's ears. Her delicate body stiffened slightly as she watched the youth's carefree back, a strange ripple stirring in her heart.

The evening breeze stirred the hem of her dress, and she lightly bit her lower lip.

After a moment of silence, she slowly rose and followed Xuan Qing into the cave.

Yun Yun looked at Xuan Qing's profile, hesitated briefly, then spoke softly.

"Xuan Qing, can you do me a favor? I can pay you."

Xuan Qing turned his head, a flash of understanding passing through his eyes.

"Steal the Purple Spirit Crystal from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?"

Yun Yun's pupils contracted slightly, her lovely face filled with shock as she blurted out.

"How did you know?"

Xuan Qing curled his lips, looking rather confident as he calmly uttered a sentence.

"I know everything."

Yun Yun did not dwell on his somewhat childish remark.

She composed her scattered thoughts and looked straight at Xuan Qing with her clear eyes, her tone carrying a trace of earnestness.

"Then are you willing to help me?"

The light inside the cave was dim, and the faint daylight outlined her delicate, gentle figure.

She quietly waited for his answer, her slender fingers secretly gripping her sleeve as unease filled her heart.

The Purple Spirit Crystal was crucial to Yanran. If she could obtain it, Yanran's cultivation could advance by a level.

Xuan Qing gazed at her somewhat expectant face and spoke unhurriedly.

"You don't need to seek out the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King."

Yun Yun's willow brows furrowed lightly, and a hint of disappointment entered her voice.

"Why? Are you unwilling to help me?"

Xuan Qing shook his head.

"No. It's because the Purple Spirit Crystal is already with me."

Xuan Qing took the Purple Spirit Crystal out of his Storage Ring.

As soon as he spoke, Yun Yun's clear eyes widened in surprise.

She stared blankly at the Purple Spirit Crystal in Xuan Qing's hand, momentarily speechless.

A moment later.

Yun Yun's long lashes trembled lightly. After hesitating for a while, she still asked Xuan Qing for the Purple Spirit Crystal.

"Then... could you transfer this item to me? As for the compensation, everything is negotiable."

Xuan Qing knew the purpose of Yun Yun's trip. He had seized the Purple Spirit Crystal precisely because he had calculated that Yun Yun would certainly ask for it.

That was the only way Xuan Qing could make his conditions.

Otherwise, even for the sake of exploiting the system, he would not have bothered looking for such a trivial thing.

"You owe me another favor?"

"Alright." Yun Yun nodded without much thought.

She already owed him for saving her life. Owing him one more favor was nothing.

She had no idea that the more she owed him now, the more she would have to give in the future.

She might even have to give herself to him entirely.

A concealed smile flashed through Xuan Qing's eyes, though none of it showed on his face. He casually tossed the Purple Spirit Crystal to Yun Yun.

She lowered her eyes to gaze at the translucent purple crystal in her palm. Her long lashes drooped slightly, and a subtle feeling arose in her heart.

Then she raised her gaze to Xuan Qing and spoke solemnly.

"I'll remember this favor. If you need anything in the future, as long as it does not violate my principles, I will certainly not refuse."

Xuan Qing smiled faintly, his gaze falling upon her beautiful face.

"Alright."

Xuan Qing reached into his Storage Ring and took out an ancient wooden wine flask. He pulled out the stopper, raised his head, and took a small sip of sweet fruit wine.

The wine slid down his throat, its faint fruity fragrance spreading through his mouth.

Alas, there was no cola in this world of Battle Through the Heavens. Otherwise, why would he be willing to drink this fruit wine?

A faint sense of nostalgia welled up within him, longing for the exhilarating taste of icy bubbles bursting across his tongue in that former world.