Conversation

Chapter 102: Conversation

Xiao Yan was just about to bring the roasted meat and boiled water to Yun Zhi when a distant cry suddenly made him stop.

Looking up, he saw a dark shadow swiftly flying toward him, landing in front of him within seconds.

It was Xiao Lan, with a letter tied to its leg.

During the past two months that Xiao Yan had spent in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yi Xian had often exchanged letters with him through Xiao Lan.

"You've worked hard~"

Xiao Yan gently stroked Xiao Lan's head, and Xiao Lan, enjoying the touch, closed its eyes. Having spent so much time together, Xiao Lan had grown quite close to Xiao Yan. Other than Xiao Yi Xian, he was probably the only human Xiao Lan did not reject.

Xiao Yan untied the letter from Xiao Lan's leg and sat on a rock to read it.

[Xiao Yan, recently, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group has annexed several other mercenary groups and has begun frequently dispatching mercenaries into the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Be careful.]

The short message carried deep concern between the lines. While it warmed Xiao Yan's heart, it also made his brows furrow slightly.

He had initially left Qingshan Town without much worry because the Wolf Head Mercenary Group did not hold much influence there and was not strong enough to threaten Wan Yao Zhai, which had a high reputation in Qingshan Town.

But based on the letters from Xiao Yi Xian, he had learned that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's influence in Qingshan Town had been expanding at an alarming rate. If this continued, they might disregard Wan Yao Zhai's prestige and take action against Xiao Yi Xian and Boss Yao.

Why had they suddenly been able to expand so quickly?

Xiao Yan couldn't understand. It was true that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group was the top-ranked mercenary group in Qingshan Town, but they had never been strong enough to swallow other groups so easily. If they had possessed such power, they would have done so long ago.

But why only in these past two months? What had happened that enabled the Wolf Head Mercenary Group to develop so rapidly?

A deep sense of confusion settled in Xiao Yan's heart, but there was one thing he was certain of.

He had to return as soon as possible.

If he delayed any longer, Boss Yao and Xiao Yi Xian might be in real danger.

Having made his decision, Xiao Yan immediately took out a pen and paper from his storage ring and wrote a reply.

[I will return as soon as possible. You and Boss Yao, please stay safe.]

Then, he tied the letter to Xiao Lan's leg and gently patted its wings. Xiao Lan let out a loud cry before flapping its wings and soaring into the sky, gradually disappearing from Xiao Yan's view.

"Peach blossoms blooming everywhere, huh, Little Yan~" Yao Chen chuckled teasingly. "Another young lady has fallen for you~"

"Stop joking, Senior Yao."

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively, carrying the roasted meat and water toward the cave. He simply took Yao Chen's words as another one of her usual jests—after all, this wasn't the first time.

He and Xiao Yi Xian had very different worldviews. At most, they could be considered good friends. Xiao Yan didn't think there was anything about him that could make her fall for him.

"Think whatever you want~"

Yao Chen shrugged indifferently. In any case, she was certain that her disciple would have endless troubles with women in the future—it was only a matter of time.

When Xiao Yan returned to the cave, he saw that Yun Zhi was already sitting up. He quickly expressed his concern.

"Sister Yun Zhi, are you feeling better?"

"Mm, I'm much better now," Yun Zhi replied softly with a gentle smile. "Thank you for the healing pill."

"There's no need to thank me. If it weren't for you, Sister Yun Zhi, I would have already died."

Xiao Yan spoke sincerely. He had never forgotten how Yun Zhi had saved him from the hands of a Dou Wang.

He believed in repaying kindness many times over, and especially when it was a life-saving grace, he would go to great lengths to return the favor.

"Are you hungry? I roasted some meat for you."

"Mm, just in time. I've been craving your roasted meat."

Yun Zhi smiled as she picked up a piece of roasted meat and started eating. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, sat on a stone chair opposite her, quietly watching her.

Under Xiao Yan's gaze, Yun Zhi suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Ah? Ah…" Xiao Yan was startled, then awkwardly scratched his face. "I just felt like we were back in those days of traveling together. I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Perhaps it's fate," Yun Zhi said, taking another bite of roasted meat. As she chewed, she asked, "How long have you been in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"

"The day after we parted, I came here."

"Oh."

Yun Zhi responded lightly, and the conversation suddenly fell into an awkward silence. Xiao Yan turned his head to the side, while Yun Zhi quietly continued eating.

Both of them wanted to talk, but neither knew what to say. The cave was enveloped in a strange stillness.

After a few seconds, they both spoke at the same time, trying to break the silence.

"Uh…" "Uh…"

They paused in unison. Xiao Yan reacted first and gestured with his hand.

"Sister Yun Zhi, you go first."

"I wanted to ask… how do you know the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?"

This was the question that had been bothering Yun Zhi the most.

The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—what was it? A sixth-rank magical beast! The overlord of the Magic Beast Mountain Range! Logically speaking, it should have had no connection with a Dou Practitioner like Xiao Yan.

Yet, the way the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King treated Xiao Yan was undeniably respectful. This was something Yun Zhi had never believed possible.

Even though Xiao Yan had explained that he had helped the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, what kind of help could a Dou Practitioner possibly offer to a sixth-rank magical beast?

The Purple Spirit Crystal, which it had refused to hand over even when facing a Dou Huang like her, had been easily given up just because of Xiao Yan's request. Just how much did it owe him?

To this, Xiao Yan answered simply.

"It's nothing, really. I just happened to save its son, so it's grateful to me. That's all."

Hearing this, Yun Zhi nodded in understanding.

A debt for saving its child was indeed a huge favor.

But soon, she frowned slightly.

Would the Purple crystal Winged Lion King's son really need a Dou Practitioner to save it?

However, since Xiao Yan had said it, she had no reason to doubt him.

Xiao Yan would never lie—Yun Zhi was absolutely certain of that.

"Sister Yun Zhi, what do you need the Purple Spirit Crystal for?"

Xiao Yan asked. He had previously heard from Yao Chen that while the Purple Spirit Crystal was precious, its uses were limited. There shouldn't be anything at the Dou Huang level that required it.

"It's for…" Yun Zhi started, but then suddenly paused. After a brief hesitation, she continued, "It's for refining a pill for my disciple. I originally planned to exchange for it peacefully, but I nearly lost my life instead."

As she spoke, Yun Zhi let out a bitter laugh.

Even though she had lost because she had been distracted when the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King mentioned Xiao Yan's name, she knew that even if she had been fully focused, the battle would likely have ended in mutual destruction.

And if she were hit by the Purple Crystal Seal, regardless of what happened to the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, she would have had no chance of surviving in the Magic Beast Mountain Range—let alone obtaining the Purple Spirit Crystal.

But now, though she was still afflicted by the Purple Crystal Seal, she had the crystal in her hands, Xiao Yan was here to protect her, and he even had a connection with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. At least, her life was no longer in danger.

Thinking of this, Yun Zhi could only smile helplessly.

Last time, she had saved Xiao Yan's life. This time, the situation had reversed…

End of chapter