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"Any chance the cub might relieve itself here?" Xue Yue asked, shaking her head helplessly as she inquired about the situation.
"Highly unlikely," Xiao Hua replied with a faint smile. "The room is spotless, and even the path leading here is pristine, devoid of any foul odor. This suggests that the Amethyst Winged Lion is particular about cleanliness. Whether this is due to its high grade or simply a personal habit, I neither know nor care."
Even as he spread his Spiritual Strength, Xiao Hua could sense that the cave was well-maintained. The likelihood of the cub handling its business outside was extremely high.
"Regardless, this is an improvised plan. Perfection is out of the question, and whether it will work remains uncertain."
With those words, Xiao Hua carefully infused the Anorexia Flower juice into the Purple Smoke Fruit. Once finished, he stored the remaining materials in his storage ring before gently placing the prepared fruit at the entrance of the cave chamber.
The moment he positioned the fruit, he leaped upward, his body shooting toward the tunnel's ceiling. Using his Spiritual Strength, he anchored himself firmly in place.
Almost immediately, a delicate fragrance wafted from the Purple Smoke Fruit. Carried by the wind, the scent began to spread throughout the cave.
The small Amethyst Winged Lion's nose twitched as it took a deep sniff.
The moment the fragrance entered its system, a low rumble echoed from its stomach. Slowly, the young beast opened its eyes, shaking its large head as it scanned the spacious cave in search of the enticing scent.
After a brief search, its gaze locked onto the source. Letting out a low yet excited roar, the young Amethyst Winged Lion sprang to its feet and dashed toward the Purple Smoke Fruit. Without hesitation, it extended its tongue and swallowed the fruit whole.
A satisfied expression flickered across its face as it turned toward the beautiful amethyst stone floor. However, just as it lay down, a muffled gurgling sound came from deep within its stomach. The sudden discomfort made the young lion bolt upright.
Without a moment's delay, it rushed out of the tunnel chamber, dashing toward the cave entrance at an astonishing speed.
The moment it disappeared, Xiao Hua exhaled in relief before descending from the ceiling. Wasting no time, he swiftly entered the cave chamber.
Approaching the amethyst platform where the young Amethyst Winged Lion had been resting, Xiao Hua crouched down, reached for the slate, and firmly pulled it aside.
He had already located the Spirit Purple Crystal after sweeping the entire cave with his Spiritual Strength. Because of this, he had no need for the crystal Yun Yun intended to give him.
As he lifted the slate, a burst of brilliant purple light erupted, forcing him to narrow his eyes against the dazzling glow. When the light finally subsided, he slowly opened them, his gaze settling on the small cavity beneath.
Inside, a fist-sized, purple-coloured spirit stone lay nestled, its smooth surface gleaming like a polished diamond. A radiant glow pulsed atop the crystal, giving it an almost mesmerizing beauty.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua swiftly tucked it beneath his clothes, pressing it against his chest. He stood up, preparing to leave—until, suddenly, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through his heart, as if it had been pierced by a blade. His body trembled, and with a heavy gasp, he dropped to one knee, struggling to endure the agony.
"Sister Xue Yue… what's happening…?" Xiao Hua gritted out through clenched teeth, his hand clutching the left side of his chest, right above his heart.
Hearing his anguished voice, a soft white light emerged from his body. In the next instant, the light coalesced into the form of a breathtakingly beautiful woman with long, snow-white hair. Dressed in pure white, her graceful figure exuded an ethereal presence, as if she had descended from the heavens themselves.
Xue Yue's gaze swept over Xiao Hua's body before probing his internal condition. Instantly, her delicate brows arched in surprise, a flicker of gloom flashing in her eyes. She let out a soft gasp and frowned.
"This is… the seal is about to break…!"
"Then why is it so painful?" Xiao Hua gritted his teeth, his entire body trembling as waves of turbulent lightning strength erupted from his heart, surging wildly through his meridians without restraint.
From what Xue Yue had previously told him, the breaking of the seal shouldn't be painful—only mildly uncomfortable. Yet now, it felt as if his heart was on the verge of exploding, pierced by countless needles.
Xue Yue's frown deepened. "Normally, the seal would gradually loosen, allowing your body to refine the lightning strength bit by bit without complications. But perhaps because you've been pushing yourself too hard lately, the seal has opened prematurely. That's why you're in pain—all the accumulated energy inside is surging out at once!"
Without hesitation, she placed her porcelain-white hand against his back, attempting to suppress the rampaging lightning force. However, despite her efforts, the energy was simply too overwhelming—like trying to hold back an endless tsunami with nothing but a fragile glass barrier.
"Sister Xue Yue, return to my body!" Xiao Hua shouted urgently, his voice laced with warning.
Without hesitation, Xue Yue swiftly entered his body and retreated into his spiritual sea. The moment she disappeared, Xiao Hua's body suddenly lifted into the air, and a piercing scream tore from his throat.
"AGH!"
At that instant, a violent surge of lightning energy burst from his body, wreaking havoc throughout the chamber. Sparks crackled as bolts of lightning lashed out wildly, scorching the surroundings. Yet, as if driven by an unseen force, the turbulent energy gradually retracted, instinctively returning to his body without losing its intensity and ferociousness.
Though the storm of power settled slightly, his agony remained. The untamed lightning continued to rampage within him, surging through his meridians without end.
His entire being trembled as wave after wave of lightning coursed through his Qi Paths, stabbing into his very core. Sparks flickered within his body, each strand of lightning relentlessly fusing with his blood, bones, and flesh—an unceasing transformation.
Crack—!
A sharp, echoing crack echoed behind him. Xiao Hua's steps faltered, and he hesitated before slowly turning around.
What he saw made his expression darken.
Xiao Hua's eyes widened as he caught sight of the floating orange-red sphere above the amethyst platform—a thin crack had appeared on its surface. One of the stray lightning bolts must have struck it before returning to his body.
Moments later, the crack spread like a spiderweb. With a sharp bang, the sphere shattered into countless fragments. From within, a brilliant purple glow erupted, followed by a viscous, purple-hued liquid that slowly trickled onto the amethyst platform.
'This is bad…' Xiao Hua's expression turned grim as he stared uneasily at the remains of the destroyed sphere.
The small Amethyst Winged Lion was born with the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence, allowing it to sense its status at all times. Now that the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence had been shattered, the beast would undoubtedly be alerted.
He had neither intended to take nor destroy the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence. After all, with his current condition, attempting to extract the Amethyst Essence from within would only make his escape even more difficult.
Since the lion would return regardless, he might as well collect the Amethyst Essence while he had the chance. With a flick of his wrist, a powerful suction force pulled the dripping purple liquid toward him. He swiftly retrieved several jade bottles, carefully storing the essence within them.
Once all the bottles were filled, he sealed them and returned them to his storage ring. Without wasting another moment, he turned around.
Despite the excruciating pain coursing through his body—lightning strength rampaging wildly within his meridians—he forced himself to move. Gritting his teeth, he sprang forward, dashing through the passageways with unwavering determination, racing toward the cave's entrance.
However, just as he exited the passage, a furious roar erupted from ahead.
A moment later, a small but savage Amethyst Winged Lion appeared in his path, its menacing gaze locked onto him.
Xiao Hua's expression shifted slightly. The speed at which he was running dropped in an instant, his feet skidding across the stone floor for nearly ten meters before he managed to come to a steady halt.
Now, only a few dozen meters separated him from the young Amethyst Winged Lion.
"I know taking the Amethyst Essence cost me precious time, but it was only a few seconds..." Xiao Hua muttered with a frustrated grin, his gaze locked onto the little cub, irritation flickering in his eyes.
A faint purple glow shimmered within the beast's fierce, bestial gaze. The thin layer of amethyst crystal covering its body—far less developed than its parent's—began to gleam, emitting a soft yet ominous radiance.
Fortunately, they were still inside the cave. Without sunlight to empower it, the young Amethyst Winged Lion couldn't summon its dreaded purple flame. Otherwise, in his current state, his already slim chances of escape would have plummeted even further.
Houhou!
The cub stomped its paw, releasing a powerful shockwave that shook the entire cave. The walls trembled, and shards of purple crystal broke loose, crashing down around Xiao Hua's feet.
His eyes narrowed as the band on his arm flickered with light before swiftly unraveling and coiling around both his arms, transforming into a pair of sleek, white gauntlets. The moment they took shape, the heaviness weighing down his body vanished, leaving him feeling lighter and more agile.
Facing a peak third-rank Magic Beast in his current condition, holding back was the worst possible choice. Sometimes, a single split second determined the line between life and death.
With a furious roar, the young Amethyst Winged Lion lunged forward, its massive body pouncing toward Xiao Hua. Though smaller than its parent, it was still far larger than a human, its imposing frame casting a heavy shadow over the ground.
Xiao Hua's eyes flickered as he raised his head, watching the beast descend upon him. His knees bent slightly before he kicked off the ground, launching himself toward the ceiling of the passage.
Grabbing onto a stalactite, he clung there for a brief moment before swinging his body. With a sharp twist, he pushed off, flipping over the lion and landing smoothly behind it. The moment his feet touched the ground, he shot forward, dashing toward the cave's exit.
However, before he could gain much distance, the small Amethyst Winged Lion snapped its head around. Its massive jaws parted as its head tilted back—then, in an instant, a surge of purple flames burst forth, roaring straight toward him.
"Tch! This damn lion...!"
Feeling the scorching heat rapidly approaching, Xiao Hua clicked his tongue, a curse escaping his lips as he braced himself.
Xiao Hua admitted that he might have caused the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence to shatter, but it wasn't intentional. He had no desire to destroy it—let alone collect the Amethyst Essence within.
However, the young Amethyst Winged Lion clearly thought otherwise. Believing him to be the thief who had stolen its precious birth essence and was now fleeing, the cub let out an enraged roar. Its wings trembled violently before unfurling inside the cave. With a powerful push from its hind legs, its massive body lifted off the ground, gliding forward as it gave chase.
Inside the dim mountain cave, man and beast raced through the tunnels—one desperately fleeing, the other relentlessly pursuing. It was a heart-pounding struggle between life and death.
But no matter how fast Xiao Hua was, he couldn't outrun the small Amethyst Winged Lion in flight. As the chase dragged on, the oppressive killing intent behind him grew stronger, the distance between them steadily closing.
Forced into a dire situation, he gritted his teeth and forcefully circulated the unrefined lightning energy rampaging within him. Though he had yet to fully absorb and control it, the surge of power temporarily boosted his speed—just enough to keep him out of the lion's jaws.
"I have to absorb and refine the lightning strength at the same time? What terrible timing!" Xiao Hua muttered in frustration. He had never faced such a predicament before—especially not while dealing with the raw power of Heavenly Lightning.
At first, he could rely on his body to passively absorb and refine the energy. But as he neared his limit, the rampant lightning became increasingly defiant, surging wildly through his meridians.
To make matters worse, the seal showed no signs of stopping. Lightning strength continued to pour out endlessly, flooding his body with an overwhelming force, despite his efforts to absorb and refine it.
At that moment, he finally understood what Sister Xue Yue had meant—the seal was supposed to loosen gradually, allowing his body to slowly refine the released lightning strength. But now, with the seal forcefully breaking, all that accumulated energy was erupting at once!
"Dammit! The trial only lasted a few breaths, and I already absorbed and refined a portion! How is there still this ridiculous amount left?!"
Xiao Hua cursed loudly as fine cracks spread across the surface of his skin. His entire body felt as if a raging storm had been sealed within him, rampaging through his Qi Veins, meridians, blood vessels, bones, muscles, and internal organs—threatening to tear him apart from the inside out.
"Kgh!" A pained groan escaped Xiao Hua's lips as six arcs of lightning, each crackling with a different hue, danced wildly around his tattered robes. A faint red hue tinged his face, and with every exhale, tiny sparks flickered in the air.
After covering some distance, his steps faltered. His vision blurred, and he raised a trembling hand, staring at it through the haze. The distorted outline of his palm told him everything—his body had reached its limit.
Behind him, the small Amethyst Winged Lion noticed his strange condition. But the moment it recalled that he had stolen its precious Amethyst Essence, the fury in its bestial eyes ignited further, burning with unrestrained rage.
Hou!
With a furious roar, the small Amethyst Winged Lion flapped its wings violently. Purple essence surged around its wings in a sudden explosion of energy, propelling its massive body forward at terrifying speed. Its enormous head barreled straight toward Xiao Hua like a meteor, intent on crushing him.
If that attack connected, with his current condition, he would have no chance of escape. Death would be inevitable.
"I don't have time to deal with you, damn lion!" Xiao Hua growled through gritted teeth, sensing the overwhelming force rushing toward him. Turning around, he clenched his fist tightly. Instantly, six lightning arcs—golden, blue, purple, green, and red—burst forth, crackling violently around his hand.
Bang!
The six lightning arcs surged violently around Xiao Hua's arm as he unleashed his fist, striking the small Amethyst Winged Lion just left of its horn. The combined force of the six elements barraged the beast relentlessly, crackling with terrifying intensity.
Puchi!
The sheer recoil sent Xiao Hua flying backward like a broken kite. A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from his lips, staining his already battered robes.
Though Xiao Hua's condition was pitiful, the impact of his attack was devastating. The small Amethyst Winged Lion was blasted into the air, spinning uncontrollably before crashing into the rock wall with a thunderous impact. Cracks spread like a spiderweb across the stone behind it, the sheer force shaking the entire cave.
The six lightning arcs continued to crackle violently around the beast's body, sending jolts of agonizing energy through its flesh. A piercing roar of pain echoed through the cavern.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Hua forced himself to stand despite the overwhelming pain. He knew—this was his only chance to escape.
But his body was in shambles. His mind wavered in instability, his vision remained blurred, his steps were unsteady, and within him, six different lightning strengths still rampaged without restraint.
With the support of the cavern walls, Xiao Hua staggered toward the exit, his steps slow and unsteady. Just as the glimmer of daylight came into view, a furious roar erupted behind him, followed by a wave of searing heat.
He didn't need to turn around to know—the small Amethyst Winged Lion had unleashed another blast of purple flames.
Boom!
A moment later, scorching fire crashed into his back, searing his flesh with a burning wound. He gritted his teeth, enduring the agony. Fortunately, the lion was weakened from their earlier battle, and the flames lacked the full intensity to reduce him to ashes.
Rather than resisting, Xiao Hua used the force of the impact to propel himself forward. Clenching his jaw, he bore the pain, letting his body be thrown out of the cave.
As he tumbled through the air, his blurry vision caught sight of two rank-three Magic Beasts stationed at the cave entrance. Their predatory eyes locked onto him, and their deafening roars filled his ears.
Before he could react, the two beasts lunged, their gaping maws rushing toward him, fangs gleaming with deadly intent.
'Shit… I can't… muster any strength…' Xiao Hua's thoughts grew sluggish. His entire body was drained—his limbs refused to move, and his meridians screamed in agony.
His vision darkened. As the foul breath of the beasts neared, he could do nothing but bite his lip in frustration.
Just as he resigned himself to death, two streaks of bitterly cold sword Qi descended from the sky, slicing through the air like divine judgment.
Schlkk—!
In an instant, the two ferocious Magic Beasts were severed mid-pounce, their bodies splitting apart before they could even land a bite.
As his body tumbled across the ground, Xiao Hua forced his eyes open with great difficulty. His vision was hazy, but he could make out Yun Yun standing nearby, her gaze filled with deep concern.
'You fool… Focus on the lion king…' He struggled to speak, but his voice was barely more than a whisper, lost to the wind before it could reach her ears.
Just as he tried to muster more strength, an intense purple light suddenly erupted in the distance, rapidly expanding before swiftly contracting.
Boom!
As the energy condensed, a deep, resonant voice echoed across the sky, carrying an undeniable pressure.
"Human woman, your opponent is me. In your current state, getting distracted is a fatal mistake."
As the light fully converged, it condensed into a small, pulsating sphere floating just in front of a colossal figure.
Unlike the young Amethyst Winged Lion inside the cave, this one was a towering behemoth—its oppressive aura rolling across the battlefield like a tidal wave. This was the true ruler of the eastern region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Yun Yun's expression tensed, her delicate face hardening with resolve. Without hesitation, her jade-like hands moved in a blur, forming a series of complex seals.
Whoosh!
As the final seal was completed, emerald-green winds materialized around her, swirling violently before solidifying into an impenetrable barrier.
However, the green barrier flickered unsteadily, barely holding together. It was clear that it wouldn't withstand the Amethyst Winged Lion's impending attack.
Yun Yun's expression darkened—she knew she couldn't stop this strike. A sense of helplessness crept into her heart, but just as despair began to set in, a faint breath reached her ears.
"Yun… Yun…"
A weak murmur escaped from Xiao Hua. His gaze remained locked onto Yun Yun, unwavering, as memories of their time together in the cave flooded his mind.
—
"You're the patient, so it's my turn to take care of you. I'll grill the fish today."
"You? Cook?"
"This is my first time cooking anything. Even if it doesn't taste good, you have to finish it. Otherwise… when I recover…"
—
As the recollections surged through him, a newfound resolve ignited within Xiao Hua. Gritting his teeth, he forced his battered body to move. Step by step, he struggled to rise, his legs trembling violently beneath him. Though his stance remained unsteady, he refused to fall.
At that moment, the long-suppressed seal within his body fully unraveled.
Boom!
A torrent of Dou Qi erupted within him, surging through his meridians like a raging flood. His starved body, long deprived of its energy, absorbed it greedily—revitalizing him in an instant.
Feeling his Dou Qi restored, Xiao Hua took a deep breath. His strength had yet to fully recover, and this strike alone wouldn't determine the battle's outcome. But it would buy Yun Yun enough time to regain her footing and turn the tides against the Amethyst Winged Lion.
And right now, that was all she needed.
With a wave of his hand, two flames of contrasting colors—golden-green and crystal-blue—burst to life in his palms, swirling together in a mesmerizing dance of raw power.
Then, with a slight pull of both hands, the flames began to split apart, each separating into their respective flames and lightning form.
The golden-green flame divided into a cluster of vibrant green flames and a web of golden lightning, crackling with fierce energy.
The crystal-blue flame transformed into an invisible flame that burned the soul itself, alongside streaks of blue lightning that sent tremors through one's spirit.
With a flick of his finger, the twin streaks of lightning shrank and vanished into Xiao Hua's palm, leaving only the two powerful flames on his other palm.
After a brief pause, he brought his hands together, pressing the two flames against each other.
Buzz!
The very space around him began to ripple violently the instant the two Primordial Heavenly Flames made contact.
Sensing the terrifying undulations of energy, both the Amethyst Winged Lion and Yun Yun's expressions shifted drastically!
Their gazes immediately locked onto the black-robed young man standing near the cave entrance. His snow-white gloves glowed faintly, and despite his battered state, he stood with unshakable resolve, his determined expression as sharp as a blade.
Yet, the energy radiating from his hands made their expressions shift drastically. The two flames swirling before Xiao Hua carried an aura of unimaginable destruction—an energy so terrifying that even the Amethyst Winged Lion and Yun Yun tensed instinctively!
Even so, after a brief moment, a different glint flickered in each of their eyes. One held fear and dread, while the other carried concern and unease. The former trembled at the sheer destructive force, while the latter understood the young man's condition—realizing that he was pushing himself far beyond his limits.
Xiu! Xiu! Xiu! Xiu!
The two flames rapidly merged, their colors intertwining in a chaotic yet mesmerizing dance. Within moments, a foot-wide emerald-glazed lotus took form, hovering gently above his palm.
A violent, untamed energy rippled from the lotus, distorting the surrounding space. Its mere presence sent shockwaves through the air, causing both the beast and the young woman to stare in disbelief, their hearts pounding at the sheer intensity of its power.
The black-robed young man slowly lifted his head. His crimson and cyan eyes shimmered with unwavering resolve. Despite his battered state—his body marred with injuries, fresh blood trickling from his lips—he stood as straight as a spear, exuding an overwhelming presence.
"I never imagined I'd form the 'Angry Buddha Lotus' in a situation like this."
A weak chuckle escaped Xiao Hua's lips, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Even as exhaustion clawed at his body, he couldn't help but feel a trace of astonishment—he had truly replicated the strongest attack of Xiao Yan…
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