Xiao Xun'er sensed, in some mysterious way, that she had gained an extra life, and was utterly amazed. She hurriedly rose and bowed to Jiang Xian in sincere thanks.
"Thank you for such a generous gift, Brother Jiang Xian. I'll always remember this."
"It's nothing. Everyone in our chat group is a true friend. And you're Xiao Yan's sweetheart, practically my sister-in-law. Don't take such a small thing to heart." Jiang Xian waved a hand, his expression calm and composed.
Xiao Yan immediately raised a hand to summon the restaurant's manager and declared generously, "Bring us every signature dish, rare spirit delicacy, fresh fruit, and fine wine you have! Oh, and a serving of every kind of beast milk in your restaurant."
Shi Hao's eyes lit up when he heard Xiao Yan.
"Yay!"
Soon, the private room's table was covered with delicacies. Everyone sampled the specialties of the Battle Through the Heavens World, chatting and laughing to their hearts' content as they celebrated Xiao Yan redeeming his past humiliation and pledging his love to Xun'er.
After the meal, Xiao Yan invited everyone, "Since you're all here, why not browse the market and experience Wutan City's local customs? If you see anything you want, just take it. I'll pay."
The group left the Hundred Flavors Tower together and headed to the Xiao Clan's trading market in the city. Xiao Yan spent generously, paying for everything Shi Hao, Ye Fan, and the others took a fancy to. They browsed and picked things out along the way, spending well over half a day there. By the time they left the market, dusk had already tinged the horizon.
Holding several specialty items from the Battle Through the Heavens World, Ye Fan cupped his hands toward Xiao Yan and said warmly and sincerely, "Sorry for all the trouble today, Brother Xiao Yan. You've treated us so generously and spent quite a bit on us. When you visit my world, I'll be sure to give you a proper welcome."
Beside him, Fang Han nodded slightly, his tone level but sincere. "Brother Xiao, thank you for your generous hospitality. If you have the chance to visit my world someday, I'll be sure to treat you well too."
His arms full of assorted snacks and trinkets, Shi Hao grinned happily. "You're so nice, Brother Xiao Yan! Come to Stone Village someday, and I'll treat you to roast meat and beast milk."
"You're all too kind!" Xiao Yan replied.
Jiang Xian stood to one side, smiling as he watched the lively scene before him. A single in-person gathering had brought the group members much closer together.
They contacted the Heavenly Chat Group, and Space Gates wreathed in flowing light slowly opened in the air. Ye Fan, Fang Han, and Shi Hao waved goodbye to Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, then stepped through the gates of light. Their figures vanished in an instant as they returned to their respective worlds.
Standing to one side, Xiao Xun'er watched them step into gates of light out of thin air and disappear. Her beautiful eyes filled with wonder, and she couldn't help tugging lightly on Xiao Yan's sleeve, marveling softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, to think such a wondrous means of traveling between worlds exists. It's truly unbelievable."
Xiao Yan took the opportunity to clasp Xun'er's small hand and said gently, "The chat group's functions really are remarkable."
Xiao Yan then looked at Jiang Xian beside him. "Group leader, since you haven't left yet, you must still have something to do, right? Tell me about it, and I'll see if I can help."
Jiang Xian did indeed have something to do. Everyone had their own particular hobbies. Some ordinary people liked collecting sports cars, while some novel protagonists liked collecting harems. His hobby was rather unusual: he liked collecting pets and mounts.
Since he happened to be in the Battle Through the Heavens World, and he remembered there was an Amethyst Winged Lion King in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he wanted to subdue it as a mount and take it back to the Swallowed Star World.
Jiang Xian looked at Xiao Yan and said, "I have a hobby of collecting mounts and pets. There happens to be an Amethyst Winged Lion King living on Cloudbreak Mountain in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and its looks should pass muster. I plan to subdue it as a flying mount. Could you find me a complete topographic map of the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"
Xiao Yan immediately replied, "I'll ask my father. He should have one."
With that, Xiao Yan hurried back to the Xiao Residence. He returned within minutes, holding a yellowed beast-hide map, which he handed to Jiang Xian. "This is a complete map of the Magical Beast Mountain Range treasured by the Xiao Clan. The lion king's den is clearly marked. That lion king is a rank-six magical beast with combat strength comparable to a Dou Emperor, but with your abilities, group leader, I'm not worried about you. It's the one that needs to be careful, hahaha."
Looking at the detailed map of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Jiang Xian surmised that it had probably been drawn when the Xiao Clan still had a Dou Wang or Dou Emperor.
"All right. I'll bring you some gifts when I return." Jiang Xian took the map and put it away. After briefly saying goodbye to the two of them, he rose into the air and flew straight toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range a thousand li away.
It didn't take long for Jiang Xian to reach the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Mountain ridges rose one behind another, and ancient trees towered into the sky, their immense canopies blotting out the sun. The roars of various magical beasts sounded from time to time. Streams surged through the mountains amid jagged rocks, and the scents of vegetation and magical beasts mingled in the air. The vast wilderness stretched as far as the eye could see.
Following the map, Jiang Xian headed straight for a mountaintop in the eastern Magical Beast Mountain Range and soon found the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
A huge cave stood at the summit, its entrance wreathed in dense purple flames. Sensing an intruder, the Amethyst Winged Lion King abruptly beat its enormous wings, shaking loose rocks that tumbled down the mountain. A roar shook the valley and echoed in every direction as scorching, raging purple Beast Flame swept toward Jiang Xian, filling the sky.
Jiang Xian's expression remained calm as Domain Power spread naturally around him, easily blocking the skyful of purple fire. The Amethyst Winged Lion King attacked repeatedly with its claws and purple flames, but none of its attacks could harm Jiang Xian in the slightest.
"Human boy! This is my territory! Retreat at once and leave, and I'll consider nothing to have happened today!" the Amethyst Winged Lion King blustered.
Without any change in expression, Jiang Xian activated the Yellow Emperor Earth Sovereign Way. An invisible pressure enveloped the entire summit, suppressing the lion king's power layer by layer.
"You forced me to do this! Amethyst Seal!" As the Amethyst Winged Lion King spoke, an intense purple light burst from its body, quickly compressing into a purple beam that shot toward Jiang Xian.
Jiang Xian watched the lion king shout before unleashing its ultimate move. Was it afraid I wouldn't be able to dodge? Still, he used the Yellow Emperor Earth Sovereign Way and easily blocked the strike.
Seeing Jiang Xian block its ultimate technique, the Amethyst Winged Lion King was already in despair.
"Submit or die!" Jiang Xian said, looking at the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
"I submit! Don't kill me!" the Amethyst Winged Lion King hastily replied.
Jiang Xian raised a hand and used the Soul Enslavement he had learned not long ago on the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
Within moments, the once-ferocious Amethyst Winged Lion King was trembling all over and prostrating itself on the ground. It reined in all its ferocity, lowered its proud head, and willingly acknowledged Jiang Xian as its master.
Jiang Xian and the Amethyst Winged Lion King went to the cave at the summit and took the Companion Amethyst Source and the little lion. Jiang Xian mounted the Amethyst Winged Lion King and set off back to Wutan City.
Some time later, Jiang Xian returned to the courtyard of the Xiao Residence. Since he had notified Xiao Yan in advance through the chat group, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er were already waiting there.
Jiang Xian dismounted and handed the Companion Amethyst Source and the Little Amethyst Winged Lion to Xiao Yan.
"This little lion is too weak for me, but it's just right for you to raise. This Companion Amethyst Source can give you a Beast Flame."
"Thank you, Brother Jiang!" Xiao Yan replied in delighted surprise.
Before you continue