The full moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light cascading over the Magic Beast Mountain Range like a tranquil veil.
Under the cover of night, the mountains were anything but peaceful—deafening roars sounded endlessly, shaking the earth.
A graceful figure darted through the darkness, her movements frantic and desperate.
"ROAR!"
A thunderous howl pierced the night as an enormous shadow emerged—a monstrous beast, nearly ten feet long, with wings that blotted out the moonlight. Lightning crackled around its massive form, its aura suffocatingly violent.
This was the Thunder Tiger Beast, a peak Rank 5 magical beast of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Born with the power to command thunder, its body was perpetually tempered by lightning, making it nearly invincible among creatures of the same rank.
Bolts of lightning danced across its fur, occasionally lashing out at the fleeing figure ahead.
Yun Yun's beautiful face paled with despair as she sensed the terrifying presence behind her.
"It seems... today is my end." Ever since being struck by the Amethyst Winged Lion King's seal, her strength had been draining away.
In just an hour, she had fallen from her peak to the level of a five-star Dou King—and the decline showed no signs of stopping.
BOOM!
Another thunderbolt struck her back, sending paralyzing currents through her body. Her movements slowed, her wounds multiplied.
"Damn it!" Glancing back at the Thunder Tiger Beast, Yun Yun's eyes burned with fury. The beast was toying with her, deliberately prolonging the chase like a cat tormenting its prey.
"You vile creature!"
A flash of madness crossed her eyes as she ignited her dou qi, unleashing a violent surge of energy. It was a desperate move—burning her life force for one last stand.
"Hmph!"
A voice, deep and mocking, rumbled through the air.
"Human, do you still think you can resist? You've been marked by this king's Amethyst Seal. Your fate is sealed!"
An overwhelming pressure descended, locking Yun Yun in place. Emerging from the darkness was the Amethyst Winged Lion King—but it was no longer the majestic ruler it had once been.
Its once-proud horn had been severed, leaving a smooth, glistening wound. Its aura was feeble, its body grievously injured.
Yet, its cold, murderous gaze remained fixed on Yun Yun.
"You... will die today."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's oppressive might crushed her like a collapsing sky. The dou qi she had just ignited froze within her veins. Her legs buckled, sending her crashing to the ground.
Weak and breathless, Yun Yun forced herself up, her heart filled with resignation.
"So this is how it ends..." Regret washed over her.
"I was too arrogant. Too careless." The Amethyst Winged Lion King was the undisputed ruler of these mountains—underestimating it had been her fatal mistake.
Now, it was too late for remorse.
Images flashed through her mind—her teacher, her disciple Nalan Yanran, and... Gu He.
Ever since refining the Qi Gathering Pill together, a subtle fondness had taken root in her heart. His grace, his mastery of alchemy—it all drew her in.
And when he had refined the Emperor's Pill for her, that fondness had deepened.
In all her life, no man had ever caught her attention.
But Gu He... was different.
A bitter smile touched her lips as his face surfaced in her thoughts.
"I suppose... I'll never see him again."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King, sensing her resignation, lost interest in prolonging the hunt.
With a beat of its massive wings, it lunged, jaws wide—revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Yun Yun shut her eyes, bracing for the end.
But just before the Lion King's fangs could close around her—A monstrous pressure erupted from the valley.
The Lion King froze mid-lunge, its eyes widening in horror.
"This aura...!"
"The Dou Ancestor expert—he was still here!"
Space rippled beside the beast, and a slender figure materialized.
Clad in white, his sleeves fluttering like an immortal's, Gu He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze icy.
"You... dare touch her?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's body trembled violently.
"M-My lord, I—"
Before it could finish, purple flames ignited across its body.
At first, the beast thought it was its own innate fire—but then agony seared through its flesh.
"ROOOAR—!"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King collapsed, writhing in torment. The other Rank 5 magical beast watching nearby scattered in terror.
"Mercy! Spare me!"
Gu He remained unmoved.
This world was one of survival—mercy was a luxury he couldn't afford.
Had he been a second later, Yun Yun would have been dead.
The thought alone ignited his killing intent.
Though he wasn't as infatuated with Yun Yun as his predecessor had been, he still held deep regard for her.
And so—he stoked the flames hotter.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's roars turned to shrieks as its flesh blackened.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" In a final, desperate lunge, it hurled itself at Gu He.
A cold smirk curled Gu He's lips.
With a single palm strike—he crushed the beast into the earth.
Soon, the screams faded.
All that remained was a charred husk.
Gu He waved a hand, withdrawing the flames—but not before preserving a single wisp of purple fire, the Lion King's beast flame.
"It is for my disciples."
If the system granted a ten-thousandfold return, he might even obtain a new Heavenly Flame.
Turning, he approached Yun Yun—now unconscious, her face deathly pale.
With a sigh, he lifted her gently into his arms.
Then, in a flicker of movement, he vanished—reappearing before the Lion King's cave, a trove of treasures awaiting inside.
Among them, the Purple Spirit Crystals and the Purple Crystal Source would be perfect gifts for Liu Ling and Little Fairy Doctor.
And if rewarding his disciples brought him greater rewards in return...
"It's a worthwhile venture." Smiling faintly, Gu He stepped into the cavern, its walls glittering with amethyst.
"This refined lion certainly knows how to live in luxury—better than most humans, even."
…
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