chapter 50

**Chapter 50: I Am Really Not the Protagonist!**

The night settled in, and the cave was dimly lit by the flickering flames of a small bonfire. The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls. The atmosphere was quiet, with both figures motionless as if lost in thought.

Suddenly, a spark flared up, momentarily breaking the silence.

Yun Yun turned her gaze to the young man sitting cross-legged by the fire and asked, "Why did you return to the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"

The area was remote, with treacherous terrain and powerful beasts roaming about. It wasn't exactly an ideal place to stay unless one had no other choice. Yun Yun herself wouldn't have lingered here if not for her severe injuries.

Xiao Ning opened his eyes, smiled casually, and said, "What else could it be for? I'm here to train. The Magic Beast Mountain Range is filled with formidable beasts, and fighting them is excellent practice."

He continued, "Besides, the scenery is beautiful, resources are abundant, and there are many rare treasures here that you can't find elsewhere. Except for the harsh environment, it's quite a good place."

Xiao Ning didn't hide his intentions, though he kept some of his true reasons to himself.

"So that's how it is..." Yun Yun nodded in understanding. Looking at Xiao Ning, she couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and regret.

"This Xiao Ning is truly extraordinary," she thought. "Not only is he incredibly talented—able to surpass his level and defeat much stronger opponents—but he's also so dedicated to his training. His future is limitless!"

"It would be a pity if we let such talent slip away."

She sighed inwardly, knowing that due to Nalan Yanran's broken engagement, the Xiao family probably held a grudge against the Yunlan Sect. Though the sect was far more powerful and influential, the Xiao family had shown incredible potential, with both Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning displaying extraordinary abilities. Their future could indeed be bright.

After a moment of silence, Yun Yun spoke again. "Xiao Ning?"

"Hmm? What's up?" Xiao Ning replied.

"Would you consider joining the Yunlan Sect? With your talent, you could avoid many detours on your path to greatness," Yun Yun suggested.

Xiao Ning shook his head with a smile, his gaze returning to the fire. After a brief pause, he said softly, "I'm sorry."

Yun Yun was taken aback. "Is it because of Xiao Yan? Once I return to the sect, the Yunlan Sect will make amends—"

Xiao Ning interrupted her. "Xiao Yan is Xiao Yan, and I am me. We may be from the same family and share the same blood, but that doesn't mean I have to give up anything for him. Please don't confuse the two of us."

"The reason I'm refusing is simple: I already have a master. Once a teacher, always a father. I won't accept another master."

After he finished speaking, Xiao Ning felt a sense of relief, as if a burden had been lifted.

From the moment he accepted the inheritance of Emperor Huangtian, Xiao Ning had considered him his teacher. It wasn't in his nature to take on another master afterward.

"My apologies, I didn't know you already had a teacher," Yun Yun said, her eyes flickering with curiosity. She wanted to know more about the person who had trained someone as gifted as Xiao Ning but decided against pressing the issue.

"It's fine. My teacher has a heart as vast as the world and wouldn't mind such matters. Just keep it in mind next time," Xiao Ning replied calmly.

Yun Yun hesitated. Xiao Ning's words had piqued her interest. She was curious about who his teacher was—what kind of extraordinary person could cultivate such a genius? But given the respect and reverence Xiao Ning showed toward his teacher, she thought it best not to ask further.

The two remained by the bonfire, passing the long night in silence.

As days passed, Yun Yun's injuries gradually improved. By the third day, she was able to move around and apply medicine on her own, much to Xiao Ning's relief and slight regret. He was happy for her recovery but would miss the closeness they had shared.

Yun Yun sat cross-legged on a stone bed, attempting to circulate her Dou Qi. After a while, she opened her eyes, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, enhancing her natural beauty. Despite this, her brows furrowed slightly in frustration.

"It seems it will take a few more days to break this Amethyst Seal," she thought, feeling discouraged.

Xiao Ning, chewing on a piece of grilled meat, noticed her troubled expression and asked, "What's wrong? Are you planning to fight the Amethyst Winged Lion King again after you recover?"

"Yes," Yun Yun replied, sounding a bit troubled.

Xiao Ning swallowed the last of his meal and said, "Ah, I saw your fight with the Amethyst Winged Lion King from a distance that day. It seems you couldn't defeat it."

Yun Yun's face flushed with annoyance, her breathing quickening. "What do you mean I couldn't defeat it? Our strengths are comparable, but I was caught off guard by its sealing technique. I lost because I was unprepared. Next time, with my Wind Extreme—Death Kill, I might not lose!"

"But you did lose," Xiao Ning muttered under his breath, his words cutting off Yun Yun's retort. She chewed angrily on a piece of grilled fish, glaring at him as if he were the enemy.

Xiao Ning scratched his head, realizing he needed to change the subject. "Why did you fight the Amethyst Winged Lion King in the first place?"

Yun Yun sighed, "I needed the Purple Spirit Crystal... By the way!"

Her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Xiao Ning. "Could you help me obtain the Purple Spirit Crystal?"

Xiao Ning tilted his head. "Are you asking me to help you steal the Purple Spirit Crystal?"

Yun Yun was slightly startled and hesitated. "Is it too much to ask?"

Xiao Ning quickly swallowed the last of his food, wiped his hands, and said, "No need to bother."

"Why?" Yun Yun asked, confused.

Xiao Ning looked at her and said nonchalantly, "Because the Purple Spirit Crystal is already in my possession."

With a flash of light from his ring, a small, clear amethyst appeared in his hand. He tossed it to Yun Yun and said, "Here, take it."

Yun Yun caught the crystal, staring at it in disbelief.