Chapter 81

Xiao Yan's mind raced, a suspicion forming in his heart.

"This way, Lion King. Though humble, this dwelling still holds elegance." Xiao Yan led the way slowly, his expression unreadable.

Xiao Yan knew he wasn't just playing a game with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—he was dancing with Death itself; one misstep and Death would drag him into hell.

With calm expression, Xiao Yan passed calmly by the Lion King's side. Watching Xiao Yan's back, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's eyes narrowed slightly, then turned toward a nearby cave.

The cave carried the scent of companionable Purple Source Crystal.

That was because Xiao Yan often gave a bit of companionable Purple Source Crystal to Mao Wu, to help it grow faster.

But what truly interested the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King wasn't the companionable Purple Source Crystal—companionable Purple Source Crystal was, after all, merely a tonic, enough to help a young lion break through to Fourth Rank, equivalent to a Fourth-Rank Pill.

What truly caught the Lion King's attention was the wisp of Medicinal Mist drifting from within.

Fourth-Rank Pill aroma spreads widely, forming a faint Medicinal Mist imbued with energy fluctuations. Though still very weak, the presence of Medicinal Mist in the cave meant a Fourth-Rank Pill had been refined there not long ago.

This confirmed Xiao Yan's claim—he was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist!

"So it's true—the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King came for the Pills." Thanks to his powerful Soul Force, Xiao Yan sensed the Lion King's attention fixed on the cave.

This was exactly what Xiao Yan intended—he knew his only card for survival was his identity as an Alchemist!

Fourth-Rank Pills were useless to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, but they were useful to the young lion—the young lion was only Third Rank, perfectly suited for Third-Rank and Fourth-Rank Pills.

That's why Xiao Yan had prepared Third-Rank Fire-Enhancing Pills in advance—wasn't that precisely to cater to its preferences?

But Xiao Yan never expected that the Fire-Enhancing Pills he left for the young lion would be the very trigger for this entire chain of events!

With a hum, a purple light erupted from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King; its original fifteen-meter body slowly shrank until it became a two-meter-tall male lion.

It led the young lion as it followed Xiao Yan toward the thatched cottage.

Seeing the Sixth Rank Demon Beast, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, actually follow Xiao Yan into the thatched cottage, Xiao Yixian was stunned—she was skilled in pill-making and poisoncraft, but brewing tea? This was her first time.

Xiao Yixian forced calm, personally tending the stove as flames leapt. Xiao Yan sat before the table, gesturing for the Lion King and the young lion to sit.

Xiao Yixian poured hot water with her jade hand, brewing medicinal tea. She had no idea about tea-brewing techniques—she'd merely imitated others after seeing them brew tea while treating wealthy merchants in Qingshan Town.

The so-called medicinal tea was simply a random mix of several medicinal materials with strong herbal aromas, combined with some flower petals and leaves.

Moments later, mist curled around them, a faint herbal fragrance drifted gently, and the entire scene fell utterly silent—only the sound of pouring water and crackling fire remained.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Xiao Yan waited in silence, neither speaking first.

Xiao Yixian brought out two large bowls, poured tea into them, handed one to the Lion King, and personally presented a cup of medicinal tea to Xiao Yan—exactly like a gentle, composed wife.

Xiao Yan took it, sipped lightly, clicked his tongue, and smiled: "Fine tea. Xian'er's skill has improved."

Xiao Yixian shot him a look—go ahead and flatter, she'd never done this before.

A wisp of purple flame appeared; the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King manipulated the flame to lift the bowl and poured the scalding medicinal tea directly into its mouth.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King clan were born masters of flame control—their ability rivaled that of Alchemists of the same rank.

"The tea is good, but insufficient." After drinking, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King glanced coolly at Xiao Yan.

Without doubt, what the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King meant by "insufficient" was that Xiao Yan had taken the Purple Spirit Crystal and companionable Purple Source Crystal—though Xiao Yan had left behind Third-Rank Fire-Enhancing Pills, it was certainly not enough.

It had come to collect a debt!

Xiao Yan slowly set down his cup, flicked his finger, and pulled a pill bottle from his storage ring—inside were five purple-red Pills: the Purple Flame Pills Xiao Yan used to replenish the Ten Thousand Beasts' Spiritual Flame.

"These Pills are refined from companionable Purple Source Crystal. Though not true Pills, they're made by adding some fire-attribute medicinal materials, yet they still conform to the principles of medicine."

"They're better for the young lion than pure companionable Purple Source Crystal, and more beneficial for its smooth breakthrough to Fourth Rank." Xiao Yan poured one Purple Flame Pill onto his palm and smiled.

!!!!!!!!

The instant Xiao Yan poured out the Purple Flame Pill, the young lion leapt up, desperate to swallow it whole—it was utterly entranced. But the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King blocked it.

Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly and said nothing further—he had already said all he needed to say.

Every word Xiao Yan spoke was perfectly timed, like a seasoned merchant—his negotiation skills were superb.

Shortly after Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zhe at age eleven, the Xiao Clan had already bestowed upon him the title of Young Clan Leader; over these three years, Xiao Yan had learned many negotiation techniques from Xiao Zhan.

Even the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, who despised humans, found no fault in Xiao Yan's words or actions—everything was perfectly calibrated.

You want to threaten me with strength? I counter with my identity as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist and the backing of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild. You accuse me of stealing your companionable Purple Source Crystal? I give you Pills of equal effect.

Xiao Yan understood perfectly: the two most important words in negotiation—interest.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King was indeed a Sixth Rank Demon Beast; killing Xiao Yan would be as easy as playing. But killing a Fourth-Rank Alchemist served no interest of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King could threaten Xiao Yan with force—or even kidnap him. But Xiao Yan had once been with Yun Yun—that was a Dou Huang! A Fourth-Rank Alchemist closely tied to a Dou Huang—if he were kidnapped and word reached the Alchemist Guild and that Dou Huang, the Lion King would face great trouble.

Even the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King understood: Xiao Yan, so young and already a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, must hold high status.

Seeing the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's serious expression, Xiao Yan felt a surge of joy—he knew his deception had succeeded!

He had no connection whatsoever with Yun Yun, yet he deliberately said nothing—aiming to mislead the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King into assuming his connection with Yun Yun was implied, without needing to state it explicitly.

Coupled with Xiao Yan's calm composure—and even having Xiao Yixian prepare medicinal tea to entertain—it was meant to create the impression in the Lion King's mind: "I've got serious backing."

He came to the Small Valley with his concubine to improve his Alchemy.

After a moment of silence, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King finally loosened its claw; the young lion's face lit up with ecstatic joy, leaping to the table and staring fixedly at the Purple Flame Pill.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly—he knew the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had conceded. He shook his hand, sending the Pill soaring into the air, where the young lion swallowed it whole.

Instantly, a searing Fire Energy flooded its body; the young lion dashed out of the thatched cottage, stood under the sun, absorbing sunlight and Purple Flame Pill energy simultaneously.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King tucked away the remaining Purple Flame Pills, then said gravely: "I wish to make a transaction with you."

The tables had turned!

Originally, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King intended to threaten Xiao Yan with force—or coerce him with companionable Purple Source Crystal. But Xiao Yan had defused every move, and ultimately turned the tables on it!

Hearing the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's tone soften, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian exhaled in relief, the heavy weight on their hearts lifting—as if a knife had been lifted from their throats.

Xiao Yan's face remained relaxed, a hint of surprise in his expression: "Oh? What sort of transaction does the Lion King propose?"

"I want a Transformation Pill."

Hearing what the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King desired, Xiao Yan felt a bitter laugh rising in his chest—not just you want it, I want it too; no Demon Beast doesn't.

But when Xiao Yan heard the next sentence from the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, his heart froze, his pupils contracting.

"I can tell you where the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame is."

(End of Chapter)