After a thorough search, Yun Yun found no trace of any hidden expert—not even a shadow.
Could there really be someone stronger than me?
The thought flashed through her mind, but she immediately shook her head in denial.
If such a person existed, they would have to be at the Dou Zong level.
The Jia Ma Empire hadn't seen a powerhouse of that caliber in decades. There was no way one would just appear here!
Watching Xiao Yan lounge lazily like a spoiled young master, Yun Yun grew even more convinced of his capricious nature—and that he was likely bluffing.
After all, even she, the sect master of the Yunlan Sect, had personally intervened to negotiate with the Amethyst Winged Lion King for the Purple Spirit Crystal. Who else could just sit back and reap the rewards like this?
Just then, a series of earth-shaking lion roars exploded across the sky like rolling thunder.
A sudden sense of danger prickled Yun Yun's instincts. Her delicate fingers tightened around the hilt of her ornate sword as she channeled her Dou Qi, bracing for battle.
"It's happening! Get up!" she snapped at Xiao Yan, who showed no intention of moving.
As if responding to her words, the entire mountain range trembled.
Countless black dots emerged from all directions, advancing toward the isolated peak with eerie coordination.
Each dot was a magical beast, their combined auras saturating the air with suffocating pressure.
Yun Yun inhaled sharply, her expression darkening. "The Amethyst Winged Lion King really mobilized its forces... No wonder I didn't sense any birds or beasts earlier—they must have fled from its summons."
While a Dou Huang could theoretically fight ten thousand human soldiers, facing an army of magical beasts—led by a sixth-tier monster like the lion king—was an entirely different matter.
As the beasts formed a tightening encirclement, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's laughter boomed across the mountains.
"Scheming humans! Ready to die?"
Yun Yun's cheeks flushed with indignation as she pointed her sword at the beast. "Watch your tongue! I have no connection to this man. Speak nonsense again, and I won't hesitate to act."
"Tch, pretty words." The lion king sneered. "You came to 'negotiate' for the Purple Spirit Crystal, but when I refused, you immediately resorted to theft."
"Humans are all about appearances. Tear off that facade, and you're worse than beasts. Don't think I don't know—dressed all prim and proper, but you've probably already shared pants with that 'Yao Yan'!"
Yun Yun never imagined she'd be left speechless by a lion. Her body trembled uncontrollably as her Dou Qi surged violently.
If not for her durable Sea Heart Armor, Xiao Yan suspected the resulting pressure might have shattered the mountain itself.
Xiao Yan was mildly surprised by the lion king's sharp tongue. For a beast with such a rugged appearance, it remembered his name and even had a way with words.
"Amethyst Winged Lion," he said calmly, "with this kind of display, I take it negotiations are off?"
"Negotiate my ass! Today, I feast on you!" The lion king roared, its voice reverberating through the mountains.
As the sound faded, the purple crystals on its body blazed with light, and violent violet flames erupted from within.
With another roar, the lion king summoned five additional beasts.
These newcomers were massive wolves—only slightly smaller than the lion king—with silver fur that shimmered like moonlight and four cyan wings on their backs.
"Fifth-tier magical beasts—Four-Winged Stormwolves!" Yun Yun's pupils contracted.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King truly lives up to its reputation as a regional overlord. Not only does it command countless subordinates, it can even call upon five Dou Wang-level beasts!
In truth, the lion king's influence wasn't as vast as Yun Yun assumed. It had only secured these wolves' aid by offering a Dou Huang corpse as payment.
The five Stormwolves circled overhead, their massive eyes appraising Yun Yun with clear satisfaction.
"Are you just going to sit there?!" Yun Yun's patience wore thin as Xiao Yan remained idle. "If you die, our agreement is void!"
Xiao Yan sat up slightly and poured himself another cup of tea. "Just a few small beasts. Like I said—they're not worth my direct involvement."
Watching his refined tea-pouring technique, Yun Yun suddenly realized what she'd overlooked.
If my background is extraordinary, how could someone younger and stronger than me be a nobody?
Could it be... Her eyes widened slightly as her thoughts raced.
"Die!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King bellowed, its violet flames condensing into a colossal pillar of fire.
The scorching heat radiated outward, making even the beasts at the mountain's base break into sweat.
Simultaneously, the Stormwolves attacked. Their wings hummed as they gathered raging wind energy, slashing out with razor-sharp claws that tore through the air.
By the time Yun Yun snapped out of her daze, it was too late to react.
Just as despair set in, Xiao Yan's Bone Flame Ring emitted several beams of profound black light.
These streaks shot out like arrows, materializing into six towering figures clad in ominous black armor.
Each radiated an aura so terrifying it effortlessly nullified the Stormwolves' attacks—as if they'd never happened.
Only the six armored sentinels remained, standing as silent witnesses to the impossible.
The abrupt turn of events left Yun Yun gasping—and the Amethyst Winged Lion King's forces frozen in horror.
Where did these pitch-black harbingers of doom come from?!
(End of Chapter)
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