Besides her curiosity, a deep sense of gratitude welled up within Yun Yun. As she had said herself, if Chen Yang hadn't intervened, she likely would have been sealed by the Amethyst Winged Lion King and met her end in this treacherous mountain range.
Just as she opened her mouth to express her thanks more formally, Chen Yang's gaze shifted. He turned his head toward a massive rock several thousand meters away, his eyes piercing through the distance.
"Come out!" Chen Yang shouted, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "You brat, you've been watching for so long, aren't you going to say anything?"
Yun Yun was taken aback. Her body tensed slightly as she looked toward the boulder. ' There were other people here? To hide from both a Peak Rank 6 Magical Beast and myself... they must at least be a Dou Wang expert skilled in concealment. Could it be another young prodigy? '
Behind the rock, Xiao Yan touched his nose and smiled wryly. ' Teacher, it seems Brother Yang found us after all. '
The old man's voice chuckled within his mind, the translucent soul force rippling slightly as he withdrew it. "Then why don't you just go out? What are you afraid of him doing to you? At most, he'll just swindle you out of a little money. Overall, you'll still be the one making a profit."
"All right, all right," Xiao Yan muttered. He shook his head helplessly, and a pair of cyan wings suddenly unfurled from his back. With a flap of the Azure Swallow Wings, he soared out from behind the boulder.
Yun Yun's eyes widened in shock. ' Dou Qi transforming into wings at such a young age?! No... wait. '
As Xiao Yan drew closer, she realized her mistake. The boy was only a 6-Star Dou Shi; the wings were a rare flying Dou Technique. Xiao Yan didn't waste time, quickly landing near Chen Yang.
"Brother Yang!" Xiao Yan landed and immediately bowed with his hands clasped in a respectful greeting.
"Not bad," Chen Yang replied, landing softly on the grass. He patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, looking him over with an appreciative eye. "It's only been two months, and you're already nearing the 7-Star Dou Shi level. How has your training in the Monster Mountain Range been?"
"Thanks to Brother Yang's pills, I'm confident I can break through to Great Dou Master before I leave this place," Xiao Yan said. Internally, he felt a complex mix of emotions—heartbroken for his dwindling gold coins, yet deeply grateful for the rapid progress.
"I've had some new inspiration for alchemy recently," Chen Yang said, his eyes twinkling. "Once I break through again, I'll tailor-make another batch of pills for you. Of course..." He stopped and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in a rhythmic motion.
Xiao Yan blinked, confused. ' In the Dou Qi Continent, is there a specific meaning to that gesture? It looks like he's counting something... ' Realization dawned on him. ' Ah, money. He wants money. '
"Don't worry, Brother Yang," Xiao Yan said, scratching his head sheepishly. "I've made some decent gains in the mountains recently, and my own alchemy skills have improved. I should... be able to afford it." He felt a pang of shame. As an alchemist, he was probably the only one in the empire who was this perpetually broke.
Yun Yun, standing nearby, watched the exchange with growing intrigue. She noticed the boy's rare flying technique and the easy, almost brotherly rapport he had with the mysterious Dou Huang. When she landed beside them, the Amethyst Winged Lion King, now somewhat stabilized by the pills, let out a submissive low huff.
"Okay, keep it up. Make some more money!" Chen Yang encouraged Xiao Yan with a bright smile. ' Xiao Yan might not have much gold, but he's a walking vault of Yao Lao's prescriptions and high-level techniques. '
Xiao Yan nodded, then turned his gaze toward Yun Yun. His expression turned complicated. After a moment of heavy silence, he suddenly bowed deeply toward her.
"This humble one, Xiao Yan, greets Sect Master Yun!"
The air seemed to freeze. Yun Yun's eyes went wide, and even the invisible Yao Lao paused in surprise.
"You... what did you say your name was?" Yun Yun asked, her voice trembling slightly with shock.
"Sect Master Yun, I am Xiao Yan of Wutan City," Xiao Yan said, straightening his back. He touched his nose with a bitter smile. "I am also... your disciple's former fiancé."
In the original timeline, Xiao Yan's judgment might have been clouded by the resentment of the three-year agreement. But here, influenced by Chen Yang's presence, he was more composed. Seeing a female Dou Huang with wind-attribute Dou Qi in this specific region, the identity of the Sect Leader of the Yun Lan Sect was the only logical conclusion.
"How did you know... Oh." Yun Yun started to ask, but then stopped herself. ' A female Dou Huang of the Jia Ma Empire with wind-attribute Qi... it isn't exactly a long list. '
"So you're the leader of the Yun Lan Sect?" Chen Yang interjected, playing his part perfectly as he turned to her with a look of feigned surprise.
"My apologies," Yun Yun said, turning to Chen Yang with an apologetic dip of her head. "In the heat of the moment, I forgot to introduce myself properly. I am Yun Yun."
"It's quite alright. I was also a bit occupied," Chen Yang replied, cupping his hands. "My name is Chen Yang. I hail from Zhongzhou."
' As I thought! ' Both Yun Yun and Yao Lao reached the same conclusion simultaneously. ' Only the Central Plains could produce such a terrifying young talent. '
"Mr. Chen Yang," Yun Yun began, shifting the topic back to her original purpose. "I came to this range specifically for the Amethyst Crystal of the Lion King. I wonder if you would be willing to part with it? I am prepared to exchange items of equal value for it."
Xiao Yan stood by silently. ' She wants the crystal for Nalan Yanran's training. A Dou Huang wouldn't need it for themselves. '
' Don't you care that she's helping your rival grow stronger? ' Yao Lao's voice echoed in his mind.
' We are in two different worlds now, Teacher, ' Xiao Yan thought, a calm resolve settling over him. ' If I can devour a Heavenly Flame, a mere Amethyst Crystal won't save her in the three-year agreement. My goal isn't Nalan Yanran anymore; it's to be better than I was yesterday. '
' Haha! Good lad! ' Yao Lao laughed heartily.
"No problem at all," Chen Yang laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "It's just a crystal. The Lion King is mine now; its treasures are at my disposal."
"That is wonderful news!" Yun Yun was visibly relieved. She immediately produced the items she had prepared: three Rank 5 Magic Cores, a High-Level Xuan Rank fire-attribute cultivation method, and a matching Dou Technique.
Chen Yang swept the items into his storage ring with a casual flick of his wrist, then looked at the beast. "Lion King, you heard the lady. Go."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King nodded obediently, its massive wings creating a gust of wind as it retreated into its cave. A few moments later, it emerged, carrying a glowing purple crystal in its mouth.
By then, the trio had moved to a cleaner patch of grass, away from the charred crater. The Lion King prostrated itself before Chen Yang, placing the crystal on the grass.
"Master, here is the Amethyst Crystal," the beast spoke, its voice low and reverent.
Chen Yang nodded, picked up the glowing gem, and handed it directly to Yun Yun.