At the entrance of the cave, most of the demonic beasts that were guarding had been dealt with by Yun Zhi. However, due to the short time, two third-level demonic beasts hiding at the very back remained. At this moment, these two beasts were trembling as they gazed up at the intense battle in the sky. The residual energy from the battle above made them cower and shiver continuously.
Frowning at the two third-level demonic beasts crouched a few dozen meters away from the cave entrance, Xiao Yan quickly retrieved a bottle of medicinal powder from his Nalan Ring and sprinkled it all over his body. This powder, carefully crafted by him, could conceal the aura of his body, making it undetectable to the sensitive noses of the beasts.
After circling the dense forest, Xiao Yan climbed up to the cave entrance, using the cover of rocks to quietly reach directly above the cave. His eyes fixed on the two constantly quivering beasts. After a moment of contemplation, he once again took some soft cloth strips from his Nalan Ring and tied them around his feet.
With all preparations complete, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and leaped down from above the cave entrance. He flipped in mid-air and landed lightly on the ground. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Xiao Yan’s body arched slightly before darting into the cave.
As Xiao Yan’s figure disappeared into the darkness, one of the third-level demonic beasts turned its gaze towards the entrance. Finding nothing, it shifted its gaze back with a tinge of confusion, still trembling under the fierce battle high above.
Inside the cave, the light was not as dim as expected. Occasionally, purple crystal blocks were embedded in the surrounding cave walls. These crystals were a natural formation of the cave and, in the human world, were highly valued decorative items. The spacious and deep cave, adorned with these purple crystals, was extremely beautiful. Looking at the naturally formed cave, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but admire how even the lion, which had become a spirit, knew how to enjoy a comfortable life.
Carefully walking through the cave, just as Yun Zhi had said, there were no other demonic beasts inside. Apart from the faint sound of footsteps, there was no other noise. After passing through the long cave passage, two diverging paths appeared before him.
Frowning at the two paths, Xiao Yan pondered for a moment before cautiously stepping into the left path. The path was quite winding, and Xiao Yan had to turn several times. As he ventured deeper, he suddenly noticed that the temperature was rising.
Alert, Xiao Yan stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Gazing at the distant exit that was faintly glowing with purple light, he rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath. Slowly, his Dou Qi began to flow within his body, and the wind-attribute Dou Qi left by Yun Zhi also started to circulate. After completing these preparations, Xiao Yan continued forward.
Staring at the exit, now within reach, Xiao Yan carefully reduced the sound of his footsteps and slowly poked his head out. His gaze swept rapidly over the spacious interior of the cave. Surprisingly, he did not find any trace of a demonic beast.
Blinking in surprise, Xiao Yan observed for a while longer before finally stepping in with confidence. Inside the cave, Xiao Yan looked around and eventually focused his gaze on the central area of the cave. There, a pile of purple crystals, over a meter high, formed a square platform. On top of the platform, a purple, spherical object the size of Xiao Yan’s head was quietly placed.
His gaze fixed on the purple sphere, Xiao Yan realized that the heat in the cave was being emitted by this object. His eyes filled with wonder, Xiao Yan hadn’t expected such immense energy. Carefully scanning the surroundings, he muttered, “Is this the Purple Spirit Crystal? But why isn’t it hot?”
As he spoke, Xiao Yan pulled out the diamond-shaped crystal from his chest and exposed it to the air. After waiting a while, the crystal remained cool. Putting the crystal away, Xiao Yan slowly approached the purple crystal platform.
As he drew closer, a wave of heat washed over him, surprising Xiao Yan with the intensity of the heat. Bending down, he stared intently at the mysterious purple sphere. Suddenly, he called out in his mind, “Teacher, come out and see what this is.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s call, the Pharmacist Elder floated out of the ring. His gaze swept over the purple sphere, and his eyebrows raised in surprise. “This… could it be a Companion Purple Crystal Source? Goodness, I never expected you to find something like this!”
“Companion Purple Crystal Source? What is that?” Xiao Yan asked, frowning in confusion at the unfamiliar name.
“Ah, this is a fine thing…” Floating in the air, the Pharmacist Elder circled the purple sphere, praising, “The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King is a unique and gifted creature, which is why it can become a sixth-level demonic beast. During their reproduction, there is a tiny chance that, along with the offspring, they produce a Companion Purple Crystal Source.”
“This Companion Purple Crystal Source, because it stays in the lion king’s belly for a long time, contains a significant amount of pure energy. When the young lion grows to a fourth-level demonic beast, if it consumes this source, it can directly become a fifth-level demonic beast. Moreover, the purple fire within its body will be stronger than those of other Purple Crystal Winged Lions that haven’t consumed the Companion Purple Crystal Source.”
After explaining, the Pharmacist Elder added, “I once explored eight Purple Crystal Winged Lion dens, but never found this. I never thought you would come across it.”
“Wow, so valuable?” Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up. He rushed to the purple crystal platform and reached out to grab the Companion Purple Crystal Source.
“Ahh!” As his hand touched the source, Xiao Yan let out a suppressed scream. Recoiling, he withdrew his burnt hands, applied some healing medicine, and exclaimed, “It’s so hot! How can I take it away?”
“Hehe, of course it’s hot, and this Companion Purple Crystal Source is fused with the platform. You’ll have to dig it out to take it,” the Pharmacist Elder said gleefully.
“Dig it out?” Xiao Yan’s face fell. Glancing at the base of the platform, he realized it extended deep into the ground. Even if he dug for months, it would be impossible to extract it alone.
Sighing, Xiao Yan turned to the Pharmacist Elder in the air. Only he had the power to dig out the platform. Seeing Xiao Yan’s gaze, the elder shook his head and laughed, “Don’t look at me. Even though I can do it, the commotion will alert the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King outside. Moreover, even if we get it, you won’t be able to break open the Companion Purple Crystal Source.”
“What do you mean?” Xiao Yan, unwilling to let such a prize slip away, asked urgently.
“To break this Companion Purple Crystal Source, you either have to swallow it whole or forcibly smash it. However, any attack is difficult to crack it due to its unique properties. Its shell has a sort of absorption effect, swallowing any attack.”
“Swallow it whole?” Staring at the purple sphere the size of his head, Xiao Yan grimaced. The high temperature alone, not to mention the size, made it impossible to swallow.
“What should I do then? Since you were looking for it, you must know a way,” Xiao Yan asked, slightly frustrated.
“True, brute force won’t work. Only one thing can break it,” the Pharmacist Elder said mysteriously.
“What is it?” Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up.
“Hehe.” The Pharmacist Elder smiled, his gaze falling on the diamond-shaped crystal around Xiao Yan’s neck. “This crystal? No… you mean the Purple Spirit Crystal?”
Startled, Xiao Yan realized, “That’s right, the Purple Spirit Crystal is needed to break it.”
Nodding, the Pharmacist Elder seemed pleased with Xiao Yan’s understanding. “Then, let’s find the Purple Spirit Crystal!”
Turning, Xiao Yan dashed out. There was clearly no Purple Spirit Crystal here, so it must be in the other path.
“Oh, by the way, if there’s a Companion Purple Crystal Source here, there must also be a young Purple Crystal Winged Lion,” the Pharmacist Elder added, smiling.
Xiao Yan’s steps faltered, his eyes twitching. After a moment, he growled, “Damn it, if it dares to block my way, I’ll kill it. I doubt it’s as fierce as the one outside.”
With that, Xiao Yan ran out of the cave.
“Bold,” the Pharmacist Elder smiled, watching Xiao Yan leave. “But perhaps overestimating himself. Hehe.”
Running smoothly out of the tunnel, Xiao Yan turned towards the other path. Knowing about the young Purple Crystal Winged Lion, he was extra cautious, avoiding stepping on loose stones.
After a short walk, the view opened up again. Pressing his body against the cave wall, Xiao Yan peeked out. His gaze swept over the almost entirely purple crystal-filled cave, stopping at the center. There, a smaller Purple Crystal Winged Lion was sleeping peacefully.
Looking at the sleeping lion, Xiao Yan swallowed and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Hehe, it’s only a third-level. Go for it,” the Pharmacist Elder’s voice echoed slyly.
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