An intimate moment

Inside the Mountain Cave, Xiao Fan took out the Purple Cloud Wings he had obtained earlier to examine them.

Perhaps because they had yet to be activated, the Purple Cloud Wings were only palm-sized. A pair of miniature purple wings lay in his palm.

"A Flying Dou Technique?"

Sitting nearby, Yun Zhi looked at the Purple Cloud Wings in Xiao Fan's hand and asked curiously.

Flying Dou Techniques were extremely rare. Even the Misty Cloud Sect, one of the foremost sects in the Jia Ma Empire, possessed none. This was not only because the crafting process was complicated, but also because the materials and proper crafting methods were scarce.

Although some sects could produce imitations of Flying Dou Techniques, those were all show and no substance. Anyone who knew their worth would never be fooled; they could only be used to swindle rookies.

"Yes. I came across it by chance."

"Heh, you really do have a generous share of good fortune."

Xiao Fan did not answer Yun Zhi's barbed remark. After all, his conscience was guilty.

Fortunately, when she saw that Xiao Fan was serious about practicing the Dou Technique, Yun Zhi knew what mattered. Rather than continuing to make a fuss, she took the initiative to help him.

Seeing Xiao Fan endlessly examining the Purple Cloud Wings inside the cave, Yun Zhi said, "You could stare at it until a flower bloomed, and it still wouldn't help."

"When Flying Dou Techniques are crafted, the magical beast's lingering will is left inside to preserve their vitality. To practice a Flying Dou Technique, you must activate it and suppress that lingering will before you can truly master it."

Xiao Fan looked surprised at her explanation. "There's something like that involved? What should I do, then?"

Once they turned to serious business, Yun Zhi's expression grew solemn, suddenly taking on a measure of authority.

"It's too cramped here. If you want to practice a Flying Dou Technique, we should go out into the valley."

Hearing that they would have to go outside into the valley, Xiao Fan frowned. But remembering that there had been no magical beasts nearby lately, he considered it for a while before nodding in agreement.

Mastering the Flying Dou Technique was his highest priority now. Without it, he would hardly be able to play much of a role in the battles to come.

The two entered the valley, where Yun Zhi sat on a rock and guided Xiao Fan through his training.

Xiao Fan looked at Yun Zhi and nodded, then took the Purple Cloud Wings out of his storage space.

"First, circulate your Dou Qi and feel the resonance within them."

Yun Zhi's calm voice sounded beside his ears.

Xiao Fan circulated the Dou Qi within his body. It swiftly flowed out of his Dou Qi Vortex and soon formed a connection with the Flying Dou Technique clasped in his hands.

Suddenly, an untamed aura emanated from the Purple Cloud Wings in his hands.

The Purple Cloud Wings seemed to come alive, struggling violently as they tried to break free of his grasp.

"Calm your mind and steady your breathing."

Yun Zhi's voice sounded at just the right moment, soothing Xiao Fan's nervous heart.

"Circulate your Dou Qi and hold them tight. Slowly wear away their will and conquer them. Otherwise, you won't be able to master them."

Hearing her words, Xiao Fan focused his mind and hardened his resolve. His grip on the Purple Cloud Wings tightened, and the Dou Qi within his body circulated faster.

"Screee!"

Xiao Fan seemed to see an eagle circling overhead, soaring freely through the sky. Its eyes shone with a piercing light as it dove toward him.

Feeling the eagle's imposing presence, Xiao Fan roared.

"Submit to me!"

With his roar, Xiao Fan unleashed his aura to its peak. Even the eagle seemed cowed by it.

"Seize this opportunity! Take control of the Flying Dou Technique with your soul power now."

Seeing that Xiao Fan had overcome the lingering consciousness within the Dou Technique, Yun Zhi spoke in delighted surprise.

Hearing her words, Xiao Fan sent his soul power into the Purple Cloud Wings to take possession of them.

As his soul power poured in, the Purple Cloud Wings in his hands gradually struggled less.

At last, Xiao Fan sensed that only a thread of lingering consciousness remained within the Purple Cloud Wings. He swept his soul power over it, destroying that remnant and taking complete possession of the wings.

The Purple Cloud Wings vanished from his hands, merging into his body through his palms.

Whoosh!

A pair of purple wings suddenly unfurled behind Xiao Fan.

Sitting cross-legged on the rock, Yun Zhi smiled happily at his success.

Xiao Fan opened his eyes in excitement and looked at the enormous wings behind him. After carefully sensing them for a moment, he circulated his Dou Qi, and the wings slowly spread.

Wobbling unsteadily, Xiao Fan gradually lifted his feet off the ground.

For the first time, he escaped the earth's pull through his own strength and soared freely through the sky. The excitement in his heart was beyond words.

After roaming through the air for a while, Xiao Fan looked down at Yun Zhi and swooped toward her in excitement.

As he drew near, he caught her up in one swift motion, then darted back into the sky like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Yun Zhi had never expected him to do this. She cried out in surprise and said, "Put me down!"

Xiao Fan ignored her cries and laughed instead. "No! Your strength hasn't recovered yet anyway. What can you do to me?"

As he spoke, he held Yun Zhi in his arms and flew higher into the sky.

Moments later, the entire valley spread out before their eyes, with wisps of mist drifting around them.

Looking at the mountain range beneath the sunset's lingering glow, Xiao Fan murmured, "This world... is so beautiful..."

In Xiao Fan's embrace, Yun Zhi heard his murmur. She had never realized how enchanting the view from above could be.

A faint smile curved her lips.

Another half month passed during their days in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Perhaps the Lion King was still recovering from his injuries and had not been pressing the magical beasts. Although they continued searching for Yun Zhi, their searches were no longer as intensive.

On the few occasions when magical beasts approached the valley, Xiao Fan lured them away in time.

After half a month of recuperation, Yun Zhi's internal injuries had almost completely healed. Today, she intended to begin breaking the Lion King's seal.

To be safe, Xiao Fan first searched the area around the valley for signs of magical beasts again. Seeing that none were wandering nearby, he returned to the Mountain Cave and told Yun Zhi.

Afterward, Xiao Fan stood guard at the cave entrance to protect Yun Zhi.

On the stone bed, Yun Zhi sat cross-legged with her palms resting on her knees and her eyes lightly closed. Pale green Dou Qi slowly rose from her abdomen and circulated around her.

Just as the Dou Qi within her rose, strange purple symbols suddenly appeared on Yun Zhi's chest. They were unmistakably the seal the Amethyst Winged Lion King had placed inside her.

Yun Zhi pressed her red lips together, and the Dou Qi within her began flowing noticeably faster.

Green and purple light swirled around Yun Zhi. Nearby, Xiao Fan was forced to retreat by the pressure of her aura.

Only now did he understand just how proud and imposing the Dou Emperor Xiao Yan had spoken of could be.

The aura she released merely while breaking her own seal was enough to deny Xiao Fan even the right to approach.

"Break!"

Yun Zhi's cold shout rang out. As her voice fell, the purple symbols on her body gradually shattered, then dissolved into faint motes of light and vanished.

The Dou Qi outside her body slowly withdrew inside, while her aura steadily climbed.

Xiao Fan looked at Yun Zhi on the stone bed. Though she was dressed exactly as before, she now radiated a silent, formidable authority. A faint sense of unfamiliarity settled over him.

As Xiao Fan watched her, the aura surrounding Yun Zhi slowly faded. Her lightly closed eyes abruptly opened, and a dazzling light flashed through them.

Yet the instant she saw Xiao Fan, that light retreated into the depths of her eyes.

"My strength has returned."

The words left Yun Zhi's lips quietly, yet seemed to carry no joy.

Hearing her words, Xiao Fan suppressed the flutter in his heart. I have a system, and I know roughly how the future will unfold. What the hell am I afraid of?

With a bright smile, he said gently to Yun Zhi, "Congratulations! A Dou Huang expert!"

Yun Zhi was taken aback by his words. Seeing that Xiao Fan's attitude toward her had not changed at all because of her strength, a strange feeling stirred in her heart. It seemed more joyful than regaining her lost power.

Pressing her thin lips together, Yun Zhi looked at Xiao Fan's silly grin and recalled all his recent mischief. She said fiercely, "You've... certainly given me plenty to be angry about lately!"

As she spoke, she clenched her fists threateningly and narrowed her eyes, sizing Xiao Fan up as though deciding where to strike first.

A chill ran down Xiao Fan's back. He had not expected Yun Zhi to pull this.

Just as he was about to run out of the Mountain Cave, a wall of wind blocked his path. Xiao Fan could only use Dragon-Shocking Steps, instantly changing the direction of his swiftly moving figure. He was about to continue fleeing when he felt someone lift him by the neck.

Yes, she lifted him straight up, just like a puppy.

"Young man, you know nothing of a Dou Emperor's power!"

After lifting Xiao Fan, Yun Zhi immediately sealed his Dou Qi, then rained punches onto his body.

"That's for running away..."

"That's for making fun of me..."

"That's for making me angry..."

"That's for peeking at me while I bathed..."

As she recalled every little moment they had spent together, Yun Zhi's fists landed on Xiao Fan without mercy.

Xiao Fan could only cover his head with both hands and take the beating.

But Yun Zhi seemed to grow addicted to hitting him, becoming more enthusiastic with every blow. Seeing that she was only using her fists and no Dou Qi, Xiao Fan decided to raise his hands and fight back.

With the foundation he had built through his earlier training, Xiao Fan was not afraid of Yun Zhi if neither of them used Dou Qi.

Seeing that Xiao Fan actually intended to resist, Yun Zhi thought, I'm a Dou Emperor. Could I possibly lose to a mere Eight-Star Dou Zhe?

Indeed, during this past month, even without any missions, Xiao Fan had still broken through to eight stars. Without the system's missions, his current talent alone had allowed him to reach Eight-Star Dou Zhe with ease.

Both believed they could beat the other, and so they began fighting inside the little Mountain Cave.

At first, they were evenly matched. But since Xiao Fan could hardly strike many parts of Yun Zhi's body, he soon began losing ground. With so many vulnerable spots off-limits and his hands and feet tied by restraint, how was he supposed to win?

When Yun Zhi kicked him over to the stone bed, Xiao Fan hurriedly begged for mercy. "I was wrong, I was wrong! No more fighting, no more!"

Hearing Xiao Fan admit his mistake, Yun Zhi still wanted to add another kick. Seeing that she was kicking at him even after he had apologized, Xiao Fan leaned back and reached out to catch her foot.

Using Dragon-Shocking Steps, he pinned her onto the stone bed before she could react. With a simple grappling hold, he sat on Yun Zhi's back and said, "I already admitted I was wrong, and you're still hitting me!"

Feeling the forceful breath coming from behind her, Yun Zhi squirmed her shoulders in discomfort and shouted at Xiao Fan, "Let me go!"

"No. I won't let go."

Xiao Fan spoke arrogantly, then casually delivered a slap. The spot beneath his hand felt soft, and only then did he suddenly realize where he had struck.

"Shit, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."

When he looked at Yun Zhi, her eyes were blazing with anger. She circulated her Dou Qi and blasted Xiao Fan away. While he was still in midair, Yun Zhi gave him a thorough beating.

A long while later, Yun Zhi stopped and sat primly to one side. In stark contrast, Xiao Fan sat nearby applying medicine to his bruised and swollen face.

Once their roughhousing ended, the two returned to serious business: taking the Amethyst Winged Lion King's purple spirit crystal.