Gold-Devouring Insects!

Not long after Han Chen hid himself, he heard Xiao Yan's voice. Just as I thought.

"Oh, what are you so anxious about? I already told you, I scanned the perimeter ages ago. There aren't any magical beasts here. Relax."

After hearing Xiao Yan's incessant questions, Yao Lao finally answered with some impatience.

"Hehe, I'm just worried that lion might suddenly come back. If he returns early, won't we both be done for?"

Seeing Yao Lao's impatience, Xiao Yan hurriedly explained with a sheepish chuckle.

"He won't. That female Dou Emperor is a Dou Huang expert, after all. She wouldn't lose twice in a row to a beast.

"Since she persisted and came back for another try, willingly taking such a great risk,

"there must be an extremely rare treasure in this Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave. While they're still fighting, let's hurry inside and look."

Yao Lao began analyzing the situation. He, too, was very curious about what this cave contained.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

Just as Xiao Yan nodded in agreement, Yao Lao, who was walking ahead, abruptly opened his eyes wide. His hand stopped stroking his beard, and he sent a burst of Bone Spirit Cold Flame hurtling forward.

His aura surged as he reached out to shield Xiao Yan behind him, glaring at the dark corner ahead as he shouted.

Startled, Xiao Yan took a step back and gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler, watching the space ahead warily.

Yao Lao floated in front of Xiao Yan. Seeing him draw the Heavy Xuan Ruler, he beckoned to him.

"Teacher?"

Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao in confusion, but Yao Lao said nothing and merely continued beckoning.

Without hesitating further, Xiao Yan handed him the Heavy Xuan Ruler.

Yao Lao took it and silently transmitted his voice to Xiao Yan.

"This place is unusual. The person inside isn't very strong, but he may have something to do with that female Dou Emperor.

"He also has a young Amethyst Winged Lion with him. He might end up drawing them both back here. I'll take over your body if necessary, so be ready."

Yao Lao's spiritual sense was immensely powerful. Although the continent's foremost Alchemist kept saying his soul power had yet to recover, he could still put up a fight even against a Dou Zong.

Thus, the moment he entered, he detected Han Chen hiding behind the corner. He scanned him from head to toe and spotted the Amethyst Winged Lion in his hands.

For Xiao Yan's safety, he could not take any risks.

Han Chen sidestepped the incoming Bone Spirit Cold Flame. Knowing he had been discovered, he slowly walked out and swept his gaze over the pair.

"To think... there's a second fisherman here today."

At the same time, he silently requested a check-in.

"Ding! Host check-in successful. Congratulations on obtaining..."

"Rewards will be issued later."

"Understood."

"Who are you?"

Xiao Yan's tone was demanding as he looked at the black-robed old man before him.

Han Chen smiled and stroked his beard, a crafty merchant's grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, come now~ Treasures belong to whoever fate favors. Do you really need to ask what I'm doing here?"

Yao Lao studied the thin, diminutive old man, a scrutinizing gleam flashing through his eyes.

"Since you've already searched the cave, friend, we'll take our leave."

"Wait, wait! Don't rush off, you two. Good things ought to be shared, shouldn't they?"

Seeing how cautious Yao Lao was, Han Chen hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and pulled some Amethyst Source from his pocket.

"This is...!"

Xiao Yan's eyes immediately lit up at the sight, and he wanted to step forward. Yao Lao hastily stopped him with a stern look, then addressed Han Chen.

"No need. What you found rightfully belongs to you. Little Yanzi, let's go."

With that, Yao Lao led Xiao Yan backward toward the exit. This place was far too cramped, and it was the Amethyst Winged Lion King's lair. He truly did not want to fight here.

"Hehe, don't be so hasty... catch!"

Han Chen threw the young Amethyst Winged Lion straight at them, along with a bottle of Amethyst Source.

Then he drew the Golden Aphid Mother-and-Son Blades and formed a hand seal. The blades spun at high speed, boring a hole through the stone wall beside him, and he fled straight through it. As he left, he casually tossed out a ball of fire, setting the ground ablaze.

Seeing the Amethyst Winged Lion flying toward him, Xiao Yan instinctively raised his fist.

"Don't kill him, or we won't be getting away at all."

Yao Lao caught the bottle of Amethyst Source as he spoke, extinguished the fire at the opening, and fled with Xiao Yan.

"Teacher, is this really companion amethyst source? Why would he give it to us?"

Xiao Yan stared at the bottle of companion amethyst source in his hand, unable to understand why Han Chen would give him something so precious.

"I don't..."

"Damned humans! You dared trespass in my cave abode! Die!"

Just as Yao Lao was about to explain, an earth-shaking roar suddenly erupted behind them, followed by a pillar of scorching fire.

The pair turned to see that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had returned at some point and was charging toward them in a fury.

The instant they saw the Amethyst Winged Lion King, they understood why Han Chen had given them a bottle of companion amethyst source. He had diverted the flood of trouble straight toward them!

"Lion King, you've got it wrong! We didn't trespass in your cave abode."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King stared at the still-warm companion amethyst source in Xiao Yan's hand, his eyes nearly bulging out with rage.

"Damn you! You still dare deny it? I'll roast you into jerky!"

Seeing that explanations were useless, Yao Lao knew they would be in trouble if they failed to escape. He immediately possessed Xiao Yan's body and flew swiftly away.

"Damn it, stop running..."

Standing on a distant peak, Han Chen clicked his tongue as he watched two streaks of light depart, one chasing the other.

"I suppose that counts as seeing the Heaven-tier Dou Technique 'Spirit Possession' with my own eyes? I really envy Huo Huo. Whenever trouble strikes, he has someone to back him up."

As he spoke, Han Chen genuinely grew envious. Who wouldn't want an old grandpa in a ring? When trouble came, he really stepped up!

He had seen it just now: Yao Lao had shielded Xiao Yan behind him the entire time. If they had actually fought, he would never have been able to touch Xiao Yan.

After reflecting on this for a while, Han Chen flew toward the valley where he had agreed to meet Yun Yun, pondering as he went.

"Should I learn an Escape Technique too?"

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered that he had yet to collect his check-in rewards.

"Right, the check-in! With Xiao Yan there, there's bound to be something good. System, where are my rewards?"

"Ding! Congratulations on a successful check-in, host. Obtained Spirit Nurturing Pellet ×10, violet blossom grass ×3, Giant Flying Boat crafting method ×1, Special Fragmentary Scroll Handkerchief ×1, gold-devouring insect ×10000."

"What?!"

Han Chen's expression barely changed as he heard the earlier rewards, but the gold-devouring insects truly shocked him. He even thought he might have misheard.

After all, what were gold-devouring insects? They were one of Han Li's greatest weapons, something that remained an enormous help to him even in the later stages.

Han Chen immediately accelerated toward the valley, intending to meet Yun Yun first and give her the Amethyst Source, then inspect the gold-devouring insects.