Cooperation

Nightfall.

Yun Xui sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes tightly closed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and murmured, "Someone is coming."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Xui's body disappeared from the bed.

Under the night sky, in the void, dou qi wings appeared behind Yun Yun. She stood there, seemingly waiting for something.

Suddenly, Yun Xui appeared opposite Yun Yun and said, "Sect Master Yun Yun, it's not proper to leave Yun Lan Sect and appear above the Xiao family in the middle of the night."

"I'm waiting for you," Yun Yun said directly without preamble.

"Waiting for me?"

Yun Xui was slightly stunned and said, "If I remember correctly, this should be the first time we've met?"

"Indeed."

Yun Yun nodded. "Today is the first time we've met."

Yun Xui was puzzled. "Then why are you waiting for me?"

Yun Yun smiled and said, "May I have a word with you?"

"Of course."

Yun Yun and Yun Xui left together, unnoticed by anyone except Ling Ying, who was hidden in the dark.

---

The two landed in a quiet area filled with flowers, grass, and fireflies.

"Sect Master Yun Yun, if you have something to say, just say it," Yun Xui said, glancing around to confirm there was no ambush. He felt he was overthinking it.

Given his strength, if there had been an ambush, he would have sensed it. Besides, even if there was, it wouldn't be a threat.

Yun Xui truly believed no one in the small Gama Empire could pose a danger to him.

"To be honest, I have a request," Yun Yun said seriously.

"Go on," Yun Xui responded calmly, maintaining a composed demeanor.

Yun Yun didn't waste words. "I wonder if you've heard of the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"

Yun Xui nodded, replying slowly, "I've heard of the overlord of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, a sixth-level magical beast."

"Exactly."

Yun Yun nodded again. "What I need concerns the Amethyst Winged Lion King. If you agree to help, my Yun Lan Sect will reward you generously."

"You want the Purple Spirit Crystal?" Yun Xui asked, his expression calm.

"No."

Yun Yun shook her head. "Although the Purple Spirit Crystal is precious, I don't want it. What I seek is the cub of the Amethyst Winged Lion King."

"The cub of the Amethyst Winged Lion King?" Yun Xui asked, intrigued.

Yun Yun explained, "My Yun Lan Sect received news that the Amethyst Winged Lion King recently gave birth to a cub. The sect wishes to acquire it."

"I see," Yun Xui said. "From what I understand, the Yun Lan Sect is powerful. If you want the cub, why not send the sect's forces? Why seek me out? Isn't that unnecessary?"

"It's not that simple," Yun Yun sighed. "Although the Yun Lan Sect is powerful, it still lacks a guardian beast. Since becoming the Sect Master, I've faced resistance from elders who consider me inexperienced.

"I need to strengthen my own power. Do you understand?"

"You want the cub of the Amethyst Winged Lion King to serve as the Yun Lan Sect's guardian beast, but you're acting independently without involving the sect? Is that it?" Yun Xui asked.

"Yes."

Yun Yun nodded, looking slightly embarrassed.

No one in the Yun Lan Sect knew about the cub except her, as they didn't care. She hadn't shared her plans with anyone.

"I'm not interested," Yun Xui said, shaking his head.

With that, he turned to leave.

He wasn't a saint, nor was he someone easily swayed by women. Helping her? Out of the question.

The system chimed in his mind: "Don't pretend. You are. No one knows you better than me."

Yun Xui's face darkened and turned around.

Seeing Yun Xui about to leave, Yun Yun stepped forward. "I won't let you help me for free. I'll offer a reward you won't regret."

"I don't need it," Yun Xui replied, attempting to bypass her.

This time, Yun Yun didn't stop him but instead pulled out a jade bottle from her ring, her thoughts unreadable.

Yun Xui left without hesitation, but the system's voice echoed in his mind.

"Ding!"

"A task has appeared. Do you want to accept it?"

"What task?" Yun Xui asked, puzzled.

"Will you accept it?"

"When did I—?" Yun Xui began, but the system ignored him.

"Help Yun Yun acquire the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cub."

"Mission deadline: Ten years."

"Reward: Luck Points."

"Luck Points?" Yun Xui muttered, stopping in his tracks. After some mental struggle, he turned around.

It wasn't about the mission or the luck points. He simply enjoyed helping people.

"Why did you come back?" Yun Yun asked, quickly hiding the jade bottle, her expression flustered.

Yun Xui replied calmly, "Upon reflection and careful decision, I've decided to consider it."

"Really?"

Yun Yun's face showed surprise, though she was inwardly thrilled.

"Of course," Yun Xui said seriously. "Sect Master Yun Yun, I assume you won't mind letting the Amethyst Winged Lion King remain in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for a while?"

"Of course not," Yun Yun said with a slight smile.

"Good. That's settled then."

Yun Xui added, "Sect Master Yun Yun, please return to the Yun Lan Sect. I'll find you when the time comes. Remember, don't act rashly without me."

"I understand," Yun Yun agreed.

Yun Xui smiled. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Pleasure working with you," Yun Yun echoed.

After reaching an agreement, Yun Xui left.

Yun Yun watched him disappear, a faint smile on her lips. She retrieved the jade bottle once more, wearing a thoughtful expression.

Moments later, Yun Yun put the bottle away and vanished into the night.