Xiao Yan's mind raced, a suspicion forming in his heart.
"This way please, Lion King. Though humble, our abode is not without its charms," Xiao Yan said calmly as he led the way, his face betraying no emotion.
He knew he wasn't just engaging in a battle of wits with the Amethyst Winged Lion King; he was dancing with death itself. One misstep could drag him into the depths of hell.
Xiao Yan walked past the Lion King in a calm and collected manner. The Amethyst Winged Lion King's eyes narrowed slightly as it watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure before turning its gaze toward a nearby cave.
The cave emitted the scent of Amethyst Lion Birth Essence.
This was because Xiao Yan regularly provided some to Mao Wu to accelerate its growth.
However, what truly captured the Amethyst Winged Lion King's interest was not the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence, which, frankly speaking, was merely a supplement to aid the Little Lion King in breaking through to Rank 4, equivalent to a 4th-tier medicinal pill.
What truly mattered to the Lion King was the wisp of medicinal mist wafting from the cave.
The fragrance of a 4th-tier medicinal pill permeated the air, forming a subtle mist imbued with energy fluctuations. Though faint, its presence confirmed that a 4th-tier pill had indeed been refined there recently.
This corroborated Xiao Yan's claim of being a 4th-tier alchemist!
'It seems I was right. The Amethyst Winged Lion King is here for the medicinal pills.' Xiao Yan's powerful Spiritual Strength allowed him to sense the Lion King's attention focused on the cave.
This was also intentional on his part; he knew his identity as an alchemist was his only lifeline!
While 4th-tier pills were useless to the Amethyst Winged Lion King, they were invaluable to the Little Lion King, who was only at the Rank 3 and could benefit from 3rd and 4th-tier pills.
That's why Xiao Yan had refined the 3rd-tier Fire Rising Pill back then. It was specifically to cater to the Little Lion King's needs.
Little did he know that leaving that Fire Rising Pill for the Little Lion King would set off this chain of events!
With a soft hum, a purple light enveloped the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Its massive form originally over ten meters tall gradually shrank to a majestic two-meter lion.
It then led the Little Lion King, following Xiao Yan toward the thatched hut.
Little Fairy Doctor was stunned to see the Rank 6 Amethyst Winged Lion King actually following Xiao Yan into the thatched hut. While she was skilled in medicine and poison-making, tea brewing was new territory for her.
She forced herself to remain calm as she tended to the flickering stove. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan took a seat at the table and gestured for the Lion King and Little Lion King to join him.
Little Fairy Doctor poured hot water with her delicate hands to make medicinal tea. She knew nothing about the art of tea brewing; her knowledge came from observing others prepare tea while treating wealthy merchants in Qingshan Town, which she now imitated.
The so-called medicinal tea was simply a hasty selection of various fragrant medicinal herbs combined with a few leaves and flowers.
Moments later, the air was filled with a gentle medicinal fragrance amidst the misty steam from the boiling water, creating a tranquil atmosphere, so quiet that only the sound of bubbling water and crackling firewood could be heard.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King and Xiao Yan sat quietly, waiting, neither of them speaking first.
Little Fairy Doctor took out two large bowls, poured the tea into them, and handed one to the Lion King. She then carefully handed a cup of medicinal tea to Xiao Yan, acting every bit like a gentle and capable partner.
Xiao Yan accepted the cup, took a light sip, smacked his lips, and smiled, "Excellent tea, Xian Er. Your skills have improved."
Little Fairy Doctor gave Xiao Yan a blank look. He was really laying it on thick. It was still her first attempt.
A wisp of purple flame appeared as the Amethyst Winged Lion King controlled the fire, picked up the bowl, and directly poured the scalding medicinal tea into its mouth.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's tribe were natural experts in controlling fire, their ability to manipulate flames comparable to that of alchemists of the same rank.
"The tea is good, but it's not enough." The Amethyst Winged Lion King gave Xiao Yan a brief look after finishing the tea.
There was no doubt that what the Lion King meant by 'not enough' referred to Xiao Yan taking the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence from its cave. Although Xiao Yan had left a 3rd-tier Fire Rising Pill, it was certainly not sufficient.
The Lion King had come to settle the score!
Xiao Yan slowly set down his cup and, with a flick of his finger, took out a bottle of pills from his storage ring. Inside were five purple-red pills, none other than the Purple Flame Pills he used to replenish the Ten Thousand Beast Flame.
"These pills were refined using the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence. Although they are not medicinal pills per se, but rather something made by adding some fire attribute herbs, these pills still conform to the principles of medicine."
"Compared to simply using the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence, they are more beneficial for Little Lion King and will help it break through the Rank 4 barrier more smoothly," Xiao Yan said with a smile as he poured a Purple Flame Pill from the bottle into his palm.
! ! ! ! !
The moment Xiao Yan poured out the Purple Flame Pill, the Little Lion King jumped up wanting to swallow it in one gulp, obviously craving it badly. However, it was stopped by the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
Xiao Yan simply gave a faint smile and said nothing more, as he had already said all that needed to be said.
Every word he spoke was perfectly chosen, like a seasoned businessman with excellent negotiation skills.
Shortly after Xiao Yan broke through to become a Dou Practitioner at the age of eleven, the Xiao Clan had already passed the position of Little Clan Leader to him. Over the past three years, he had learned many negotiation techniques under Xiao Zhan's tutelage.
Even the Amethyst Winged Lion King, who despised humans, couldn't find fault with Xiao Yan's words or actions; everything was impeccably executed.
If you try to intimidate me with your strength, I'll counter with my status as a 4th-tier alchemist and the backing of the Alchemist Association of the Jia Ma Empire. You say I stole your Amethyst Lion Birth Essence? Then I'll provide you with pills of equivalent effect.
Xiao Yan clearly understood that the most important aspect of negotiation was 'interests.'
The Amethyst Winged Lion King was indeed a Rank 6 magical beast. Killing him would be as easy as child's play for it. However, killing a 4th-tier alchemist did not align with the Amethyst Winged Lion King's interests.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King could also use its strength to threaten or even kidnap him. But Xiao Yan had previously been together with Yun Yun, who was an elite Dou Emperor! Kidnapping a 4th-tier alchemist who was closely associated with a Dou Emperor would bring major trouble if word got back to the Alchemist Association and that Dou Emperor.
Xiao Yan felt a surge of joy inside when he saw the serious expression on the Amethyst Winged Lion King's face, knowing his misdirection had succeeded!
In truth, he had virtually no relationship with Yun Yun, but he deliberately avoided mentioning this, misleading the Amethyst Winged Lion King into assuming their close relationship was a given that didn't need to be stated.
Moreover, his calm and collected demeanor, even having Little Fairy Doctor prepare medicinal tea as hospitality, was meant to give the Amethyst Winged Lion King the impression that 'This young master has an impressive background!'
The reason for bringing his 'little wife' to this small valley was simply to improve his alchemy skills.
After a moment of silence between the two parties, the Amethyst Winged Lion King finally released its paw. The Little Lion King's expression turned to one of wild joy as it jumped onto the table, staring intently at the Purple Flame Pill.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, knowing the Amethyst Winged Lion King had compromised. With a flick of his hand, he tossed the pill into the air with a flick of his hand and the Little Lion King swallowed it in one gulp.
Immediately, a surge of scorching fire energy filled its entire body. The Little Lion King hurriedly ran out of the thatched hut and stood under the sun, absorbing sunlight and the energy from the Purple Flame Pill simultaneously.
After putting away the remaining Purple Flame Pills, the Amethyst Winged Lion King said in a deep voice, "I want to make a deal with you."
The tables had turned!
Initially, the Amethyst Winged Lion King had planned to use its strength to intimidate Xiao Yan, and if that failed, to use the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence to coerce him. However, the latter had deftly defused all its attempts and even turned the situation to his advantage in the end!
Both Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they heard the softer tone of the Lion King. It was as if a knife pressed against their necks had been removed.
Xiao Yan's expression remained relaxed, though with a hint of curiosity, as he asked, "Oh? May I ask what deal the Lion King has in mind?"
"I want a Body Transformation Pill."
Xiao Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry upon hearing what the Amethyst Winged Lion King wanted. It's not just you who wants it, I want it too. There's no magical beast who wouldn't want it.
However, his heart nearly stopped and his pupils constricted when he heard its next words.
"I can tell you where the Ten Thousand Beast Flame is located."