Chapter 38: The Ink-Jade Lotus Throne! Yun Yun’s Heart in Turmoil

"Host has gifted Xiao Yan a Millennium Azure Jade Lotus Platform, triggering a reward: a Hundred-Thousand-Year Ink Jade Lotus Platform."

"Host has gifted Xiao Yan eleven Fire Lotus Seeds, triggering a reward: one hundred Quenched Fire Lotus Seeds."

"Host has gifted Xiao Yan the Earth-tier Dou Technique 'Flame-Splitting Wave-Severing Ruler,' triggering a reward: Heaven-tier Low-grade Dou Technique 'Flame-Eroding Firmament.'"

"Host has gifted Xiao Yan..."

"..."

Hun Cang digested the information provided by the system, his mouth curling into a smile he could barely contain.

While the Azure Jade Lotus Platform was helpful for practicing fire-attribute cultivation techniques, its effects were leagues behind the system-rewarded Ink Jade Lotus Platform. This was because the Ink Jade Lotus Platform could provide the practitioner with nearly a hundredfold increase in cultivation speed. For Hun Cang, this was the finest treasure he had acquired in recent times.

"With the Ink Jade Lotus Platform, I no longer need to worry too much about the hidden dangers of re-cultivating the Suppressing Burning Art." Hun Cang had been constantly concerned that recovering his cultivation would take a long time, but now the problem was easily solved.

Raising a hand to wipe the corner of his eye, Xiao Yan took Hun Cang’s hand, saying excitedly, "Big Brother, you traveled thousands of miles to see me and brought me so many things. Your younger brother has nothing to repay you with right now; let me treat you to some grilled fish."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan could not help but blush, his face covered in a look of shame. Listen to what he had just said? Was that even appropriate? His Big Brother had gifted him Earth-tier Dou Techniques, cultivation treasures, and all manner of helpful items, and the only thing he could do was offer a grilled fish? Thinking this, Xiao Yan felt even more ashamed, resolving in his heart that he must cultivate diligently. In the future, if his Big Brother ever had need of him, he would not refuse, even if it meant braving fire and water.

"No, Second Brother, I have important matters to attend to next. I must be going." Hun Cang refused; his mind was already elsewhere.

He patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder firmly, and Dou Qi surged within Hun Cang, manifesting as a pair of wings. Under Xiao Yan’s reluctant gaze, he prepared to depart. However, just as Hun Cang flew into mid-air, he suddenly descended again.

"Big Brother, why not have something to eat before you go? My grilled fish technique has improved recently," Xiao Yan said happily, thinking Hun Cang had changed his mind. Having received so many good things from Hun Cang, he felt truly uneasy if he didn't do something in return.

Hun Cang shook his head and said, "I suddenly remembered something I almost forgot to tell you."

"Oh, whatever instructions you have, Big Brother, just say the word. I will be sure to remember them," Xiao Yan said, holding his breath and looking serious.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Hun Cang couldn't help but laugh. "It’s nothing too serious. I will be very busy for a while and might not be able to get away. If you encounter trouble and call for my help, I might not be able to assist, so..."

At this point, Hun Cang produced two porcelain bottles. After Xiao Yan took them with a puzzled expression, he explained, "These contain medicine to break seals and restore strength, respectively. Keep them safe. Once you leave the Magical Beast Mountain Range, head to Mo City. Find an old man named Hai there and mention my name; he will understand. Use these pills as a trade to have him protect you for a while."

Although the plot was unfolding as originally intended, Hun Cang still felt uneasy. After all, with his own preemptive interference, it would be troublesome if something unexpected occurred. Thus, Hun Cang decided to provide some degree of guidance.

Xiao Yan’s gaze fell on the two bottles in his hand, his eyes flickering. To be someone his Big Brother considered capable of protecting him, the other party must be a Dou Huang... Not only was his Big Brother kind to him, but even when he had his own affairs to attend to, he had arranged a bodyguard in advance. Such a Big Brother—he must repay him doubly in the future!

As someone who had transmigrated for the first time and lived in this strange world for over a decade, Xiao Yan once again felt the warmth of someone from his homeland. It was a wonderful feeling.

"Big Brother, I’ve remembered it. Are your matters... dangerous?" Pocketing the bottles into his storage ring, Xiao Yan looked concerned. "If there is danger, could you wait a bit? I will definitely become stronger as soon as possible and strive to be of help to you."

Hun Cang smiled. "I am satisfied just hearing you say that. Cultivate well. Don't worry about my affairs for now—just focus on fulfilling the Three-Year Agreement, understood?"

Xiao Yan nodded heavily, watching as Hun Cang took to the sky and vanished into the horizon.

"Oops, there was something I forgot to tell Big Brother." Energized by Hun Cang’s rewards, Xiao Yan had meant to tell him about the remnants of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame he had obtained, but it slipped his mind. He shook his head—never mind, he would tell him next time. It was just a fragment anyway.

"You brat, your Big Brother is truly good to you. If you slack off now, you would really be letting down his good intentions," Yao Chen said, looking at Xiao Yan with a complex expression.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at him. "Get lost. I’ll focus on the training, but you better devise the plan for me, or I’ll curse you even in my dreams."

Yao Chen gave a faint smile and retreated into the ring without a word.

Soon, the tattoo on Xiao Yan’s back rippled, forming a pair of purple wings that carried him back to a cave beside a waterfall.

As he walked inside, a woman with a beautiful face and an aura of nobility scanned him with a wary gaze. Her complexion was pale, and the soft armor over her chest bore obvious claw marks.

"Why did you take so long?" the woman asked, her voice cold, carrying a frost that kept people at a distance.

"I’ve told you many times, I was trying to apply medicine for you yesterday; I had no intention of taking advantage of you." Looking at her expression, Xiao Yan felt a headache coming on. Yesterday, this woman had been knocked into the water by the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Xiao Yan happened to be nearby and, feeling a moment of sympathy, rescued her and brought her back to the cave. Later, seeing the wound on her chest, he prepared to remove the armor to apply medicine, but the woman had just woken up. Seeing him staring at her chest, she had raised her sword and lunged at him. Xiao Yan had been scared to death at the time; had he dodged a second slower, he would have been skewered. Though he explained himself several times afterward, the woman didn't believe him, and in the end, she had applied the medicine herself.

Seeing the woman’s expression remained unchanged, Xiao Yan said helplessly, "I went to catch a fish to help you regain some strength."

Glancing at the fish, the woman’s expression softened slightly. "Thank you."

Later, while Xiao Yan was preparing the fish, the woman recalled the sound she had heard in the cave and couldn't help but ask, "What happened outside earlier? I thought I heard the roar of the Amethyst Winged Lion King."

A happy smile appeared on Xiao Yan’s face. "My Big Brother came by. That beast didn't know its place and dared to provoke him, so he killed it directly."

The Amethyst Winged Lion King... dead?! Yun Yun’s expression tightened. Her gaze shot toward the cave entrance, and her fingers tightened around her sword. That magical beast was someone she couldn't defeat even after exhausting all her strength, and his Big Brother killed it? Most importantly, the commotion just now had been brief, which meant it might have been a one-hit kill. Such strength was not that of an ordinary person. Perhaps he even knew her, and now that her strength was sealed...

Seeing the woman’s body tense up, Xiao Yan was speechless. It's just a pretty face, was there any need to be so suspicious? He added, "My Big Brother had things to do and has already left; he didn't come here."

The woman was still skeptical. "Why did he come to the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"

"That’s none of your business. Anyway, once you finish this fish, I’ll be leaving. With the Amethyst Winged Lion King dead, other beasts won't come looking for you. You’re safe now." Having received Hun Cang’s gifts, Xiao Yan was even more eager to become stronger; he didn't want to waste a single moment.