Chapter 101: Conversation

Xiao Yan was about to bring the grilled meat and boiled water to Yun Zhi when a distant cry caught his attention.

Looking up, he saw a black figure swiftly flying towards him, and within seconds, it landed in front of him.

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

During the two months Xiao Yan stayed in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yixian frequently exchanged letters with him through Xiao Lan.

"You've worked hard~"

Xiao Yan gently patted Xiao Lan's head, and the creature closed its eyes, enjoying the affection. 

The frequent interaction had made Xiao Lan quite familiar and friendly with Xiao Yan. 

Besides Xiao Yixian, he seemed to be the only human it didn't repel.

Xiao Yan took the letter from Xiao Lan's leg, sat on a rock, and read the contents.

[Xiao Yan, the Wolf Head Mercenary Company has recently swallowed several other Mercenary Companies and started sending mercenaries into the Magic Beast Mountain Range frequently. Be careful.]

These two brief lines carried a deep concern that warmed Xiao Yan's heart. 

However, they also made his brow slightly furrow.

The reason why Xiao Yan could confidently leave Qingshan Town was that the influence of the Wolf Head Mercenary Company there wasn't significant enough to threaten the prestigious Myriad Medicines Hall.

But recent letters from Xiao Yixian indicated that the Wolf Head Mercenary Company's power had been rapidly expanding in Qingshan Town. 

If this trend continued, they might ignore Myriad Medicines Hall's prestige and take action against Xiao Yixian and Boss Yao.

Why had they suddenly expanded so rapidly?

Xiao Yan couldn't comprehend it. While the Wolf Head Mercenary Company was indeed the top-ranked Mercenary Company in Qingshan Town, they were not powerful enough to casually absorb other groups. If they had such strength, they would have done so long ago.

So why did it happen specifically during the past two months? What had transpired to enable such rapid growth for the Wolf Head Mercenary Company?

Xiao Yan felt deeply puzzled, but one thing was clear.

He had to return as soon as possible.

If he continued to delay, Boss Yao and Xiao Yixian might be in danger.

Determined to act, Xiao Yan took out pen and paper from his storage ring and wrote a sentence on the letter.

[I will rush back soon. You and Boss Yao just stay safe.]

He then tied the letter to Xiao Lan's leg, lightly patted its wings, and Xiao Lan loudly chirped as it flew higher and further away under Xiao Yan's gaze.

"You've fallen for another one, huh, Xiao Yan?" Yao Chen teased with a light smile. "One more girl has succumbed~"

"Don't joke around, Senior Yao," Xiao Yan waved his hand, holding the grilled meat and water as he walked towards the cave. 

He knew that Senior Yao was teasing him, as it wasn't the first time.

Many of his ideals conflicted with those of Xiao Yixian, so at most, they were just good friends. Xiao Yan didn't believe there was anything special about him that would make her like him.

"Just think whatever you want~"

Yao Chen shrugged. 

She had a hunch that her disciple would inevitably be troubled by women in the future, sooner or later.

Returning to the cave, Xiao Yan saw that Yun Zhi was already sitting up. He immediately expressed his concern.

"Yun Zhi, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, much better," Yun Zhi replied softly with a smile. "Thank you for the healing medicine."

"Don't mention it. If it weren't for you, I would have died before."

Xiao Yan expressed his gratitude, still remembering how Yun Zhi saved him in front of the Dou Wang.

A drop of water in return for a gushing spring; moreover, it was a life-saving favor. Xiao Yan naturally felt compelled to repay it with all his efforts.

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

"Yes, I've been craving your grilled meat."

Yun Zhi smiled and picked up the grilled meat to eat, while Xiao Yan sat on a stone chair opposite her, quietly watching her.

Being scrutinized by Xiao Yan, Yun Zhi inexplicably felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.

"Ah? Ah..." Xiao Yan was slightly startled and then scratched his face awkwardly. "It just feels like I'm back to those days of traveling together. I didn't expect to meet you again so soon."

"Perhaps it's fate," Yun Zhi said and took another bite of the grilled meat. 

While chewing, she asked, "How long have you been in the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"

"I came here the day after we separated."

"Oh."

Yun Zhi replied, and then the atmosphere inexplicably became awkward. Xiao Yan turned his head away, and Yun Zhi quietly ate her grilled meat.

Both of them wanted to talk about something, but they didn't know what to say, leading to an eerie silence in the cave.

After a few seconds, both of them seemed to want to break the awkwardness and spoke at the same time.

"That—" "That—" 

Once again, they both paused at the same time. 

Xiao Yan was the first to react and gestured for Yun Zhi to speak first.

"Yun Zhi, you go ahead."

"I just wanted to know how you met the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"

This was currently the thing Yun Zhi was most curious about. 

The Amethyst Winged Lion King was a Rank 6 Magical Beast and the ruler of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. 

It was seemingly unrelated to Xiao Yan, who was merely a Dou Zhe, and yet the attitude the Amethyst Winged Lion King showed towards him was extremely respectful. 

This was something Yun Zhi had never imagined.

Although Xiao Yan had said it was because he had helped the son of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, she found it hard to believe that a Dou Zhe could be of any help to the creature's son.

Even though Xiao Yan gave her an answer, Yun Zhi couldn't help but frown slightly.

Did the son of the Amethyst Winged Lion King really need a Dou Zhe's help?

However, since Xiao Yan said so, it must be true. 

Yun Zhi had complete confidence that Xiao Yan would never lie.

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

Xiao Yan asked, as Yao Chen had mentioned that while Purple Spirit Crystal were precious, there were very few places where a Dou Huang like Yun Zhi would need them.

"It's for my disciple—" Yun Zhi was about to reply, but her words suddenly choked, and after a pause, she continued, "It's needed to refine pills for my disciple. I intended to make a peaceful exchange, but it almost cost me my life."

Saying this, Yun Zhi couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

Although she was defeated by the Amethyst Winged Lion King earlier because she was distracted by Xiao Yan, the battle between her and the creature would most likely have ended in mutual defeat even if she had no distractions. 

Once she was hit by the Amethyst Seal, regardless of the Amethyst Winged Lion King's intentions, her chances of surviving in the Magic Beast Mountain Range were slim, let alone obtaining the Purple Spirit Crystal.

But now, although she was still under the influence of the Amethyst Seal, she had obtained the Purple Spirit Crystal, and Xiao Yan was by her side to protect her. 

Moreover, Xiao Yan was acquainted with the Amethyst Winged Lion King, so at least there was no life-threatening danger.

Thinking of this, Yun Zhi couldn't help but smile helplessly.

Last time, she saved Xiao Yan's life, and now the roles seemed to be reversed...