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Time was but an illusion. Before one could grasp its essence, six months had already slipped away, like sand trickling through one's fingers.
Xiao Hua stood in the courtyard of a wooden cabin nestled within a secluded valley, waiting for two young ladies to finish their preparations.
As he waited, he stirred the System with a mere thought. In an instant, a semi-transparent panel—visible only to him—materialized before his eyes.
Over the past six months, he had drawn the Gacha numerous times and steadily upgraded his ACP Rate. Fortune had favored him; he had pulled multiple ACP rewards from the Gacha, and after continuously refining his ACP Rate to generate 150 ACP every six hours, he still had an impressive 231,115 ACP stored.
Though he had the option to further enhance his ACP Rate, he had instead chosen to invest in more Gacha draws. In the past six months alone, he had conducted a hundred draws, bringing his total count to one hundred and fifty.
His luck had been nothing short of extraordinary. Not only had he repeatedly drawn ACP rewards, but he had also obtained massive amounts—enough to fund another hundred draws. In fact, two of his ACP rewards had exceeded a staggering 500,000 ACP each.
[You have drawn Gacha 7 times. Displaying your rewards…]
Xiao Hua's gaze swept across the rewards listed before him. Among them were a variety of medicinal herbs and plants, numerous treasures and artifacts, as well as Dou Techniques and Qi Methods of varying classes and ranks.
However, there were no Magical Beast corpses or ACP Rewards—an outcome that left him somewhat disappointed. Still, he quickly shook off his dissatisfaction and refocused on the rewards.
His eyes eventually settled on the final item, his brows arching slightly as a flicker of confusion flashed through his gaze.
[You have received a Heavenly Flame ranked second in the Heavenly Flame Ranking: Nihility Devouring Flame.]
'Since I can't afford to obtain the Primordial Heavenly Flames, is the System mocking me by giving me this instead?'
A faint irritation surfaced in his heart as he stared at the reward. Within the Mysterious Heaven Ring, nine Heavenly Flames were already sealed—including one he had previously acquired, excluding the Ghostly Poison Flame.
What he truly needed were the Primordial Heavenly Flames, not ordinary Heavenly Flames, which paled in comparison.
Moreover, his Qi Method was highly selective, only accepting Heavenly Lightning, Primordial Heavenly Flames, and Celestial Ancient Frost—making this reward utterly useless to him.
He let out a heavy sigh and retrieved all the rewards. In an instant, the items from the Gacha were stored within the Mysterious Heaven Ring.
Once the System had completed the transfer, he closed the interface. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, releasing the lingering disappointment in his heart. Though the results weren't exactly what he had hoped for, it wasn't as if he had walked away empty-handed.
On the bright side, the Mysterious Heaven Ring had grown significantly heavier, now overflowing with an abundance of rare natural treasures, priceless artifacts, and high-class Dou Techniques and Qi Methods.
Previously, he might have been considered an average alchemist in terms of wealth. But now? He could confidently claim to be the richest—even among alchemists, a profession already renowned for its vast fortunes.
Just as he was stretching lightly, a rough voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Master Xiao Hua, did something happen?"
Xiao Hua lifted his head, his gaze landing on a towering figure clad in deep purple robes—the new resident of the small valley.
The man possessed a rugged and imposing build, his skin carrying a faint purplish hue, reminiscent of the crystalline armor that had once covered his beastly form. His striking blood-red eyes gleamed with a subtle flicker of purple light, exuding an air of raw power.
His long deep purple hair was slicked back, cascading past his shoulders like a wild mane. His facial features were sharp and fierce—a strong jawline, thick brows, and an ever-present aura of intimidation.
"Amethyst Winged Lion, how is your condition?" Xiao Hua asked with a faint smile.
He was slightly surprised that the beast could sense his subtle shift in mood, but it was nothing worth dwelling on.
"Not bad. Thanks to you, I've grown accustomed to this form," the large man replied, shrugging his broad shoulders.
That's right—the Amethyst Winged Lion, once the ruler of the eastern region of Magic Beast Mountain Range, now stood before him in human form.
Xiao Hua had subdued him and was planning to make him the Guardian Beast of the Xiao Clan, much like the Serene Sea Scaly Beast that protected the Imperial Family.
Initially, he had dismissed the idea of keeping the Amethyst Winged Lion as a mount. After all, once he broke through in the future, reaching Half-Step Dou Di, he would have no need for one. With that in mind, he had all but forgotten about the creature.
However, the situation changed after an unexpected incident.
One day, Zi Yan had unknowingly wandered into the Amethyst Winged Lion's cave, drawn by the presence of a natural treasure. Naturally, her intrusion had enraged the Lion King, who immediately lashed out in fury. But instead of confronting the beast, she chose the easiest solution—running straight to Xiao Hua and hiding behind him.
As the Lion King locked eyes with Xiao Hua, hesitation flickered within its massive pupils. It recognized him instantly—the same young man who had once unleashed that terrifying Fire Lotus. More than that, it could keenly sense the overwhelming strength emitting from Xiao Hua's presence, causing cold sweat to bead on its forehead.
Xiao Hua, however, had no interest in fighting the Lion King. Seeing its hesitation and fear, he decided to offer a deal instead.
In exchange for a Body Transformation Pill, the Lion King agreed to follow Xiao Hua back to the Xiao Clan and serve as its Guardian Beast.
Naturally, at first, the Lion King was hesitant and anxious about the deal. However, when Xiao Hua promised to provide resources to increase its child's strength, the beast had no choice but to accept.
With Xiao Hua's strength, there was no real need to negotiate—he could have simply forced submission. Yet, by offering this deal, he displayed his goodwill and a clear lack of hostility toward the Lion King.
More importantly, he even agreed to compensate for the loss of the Amethyst Birth Essence and ensure that the cub would grow stronger. The offer was simply too generous for the Lion King to refuse, especially over something as trivial as pride and face.
After refining the Body Transformation Pill, the Amethyst Winged Lion assumed its current human form. As promised, Xiao Hua also provided resources for its cub, successfully evolving it into a fifth-ranked Magical Beast.
Unfortunately, this also led to a certain little girl sulking heavily, her envy toward the cub written all over her face.
In the end, Xiao Hua had no choice but to pamper her, fulfilling her every request just to appease her sour mood.
Regardless, seeing that Xiao Hua had kept his word, it was only right for the Lion King to do the same. Having already made his decision, he had fully prepared himself to serve as the Guardian Beast of the Xiao Clan.
"That's good." Xiao Hua nodded with a faint smile before asking, "By the way, Lion King, will you be bringing your child as well?"
"Of course. I can't help but worry about leaving him alone," the Amethyst Winged Lion let out a weary sigh.
The corner of Xiao Hua's lips curled into a knowing smile. As a parent, it was only natural to worry about one's child, especially when living apart.
Creak—!
The sound of a wooden door opening drew their attention toward the cabin.
Stepping out gracefully was a beautiful lady, her elegant posture exuding an air of refined poise. Beside her, a charming little girl followed, her face adorned with an innocent, radiant smile, holding her hand.
The lady was dressed in a flowing light-blue gown, its delicate fabric shimmering under the gentle morning sunlight. From a distance, she radiated a serene yet mysterious aura, like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, reaching her supple, slender waist, its silky strands catching the soft breeze. As the morning wind stirred, her raven locks fluttered gracefully, complementing her elegant and otherworldly presence.
Meanwhile, the little girl was draped in an elegant, purple-colored outfit adorned with gold and lilac accents. Her high-collared chest piece was embellished with intricate golden floral designs, while her shoulders bore detailed patterns and golden embellishments, striking a perfect balance between beauty and strength.
Her hair was styled into twin high ponytails, secured with golden ornamental accessories that resembled a delicate crown. With her fair complexion and delicate features, she looked almost like a young princess—though her playful, mischievous expression revealed a spoiled and spirited nature.
They were Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan.
Upon spotting Xiao Hua, Little Fairy Doctor's gentle smile widened, her radiance seemingly brightening the entire wooden cabin.
However, unlike her graceful demeanor, the little girl suddenly let go of her hand and charged straight toward him without a care in the world.
As Xiao Hua caught her, Zi Yan grinned playfully and asked,
"So, are we finally returning to your clan?"
"There are still five more days, so there's no need to rush back to the Xiao Clan," Xiao Hua replied with a smile.
With Xiao Hua and Little Fairy Doctor's speed, reaching Wu Tan City from the small valley would take almost no time at all—practically instantaneous. Even at the Amethyst Winged Lion's flying speed, they would arrive in less than three hours.
"Then… will there be a lot of people like last time?" Zi Yan asked, her brows slightly furrowed. She had little interest in the Xiao Clan and knew no one there, making her impatient at the thought of dealing with large crowds.
The noise and commotion from their previous visit had already left her annoyed.
"I heard from my cousin that they didn't invite anyone else and specifically requested that no one outside the Xiao Clan participate," Xiao Hua reassured her.
Before this, he had already sent a letter to Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang, making sure they were aware of the situation. Knowing Zi Yan's personality, he had anticipated her frustration and made arrangements to ensure the Adulthood Ceremony wouldn't be too lively or overwhelming.
In fact, he had even given them permission to use his name if necessary, ensuring that unwanted guests would be kept at bay.
Despite her agreement, Xiao Hua could already tell that she would stir up some mischief to delay their arrival at the Xiao Clan. He didn't mind in the slightest—if anything, he silently encouraged it. It would serve as a convenient excuse for his late return.
The Adulthood Ceremony was, in his eyes, nothing more than a troublesome and exhausting event. However, as the Supreme Elder, it was only proper for him to attend at least one Coming of Age Ceremony as a courtesy to the clan.
Exchanging a subtle glance, the two of them came to an unspoken agreement—to return just a day before the ceremony. With that decided, they chose to take their time and enjoy the journey. After all, it had been a while since they last left the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Feeling rather pleased that Zi Yan would be the cause of his delay, Xiao Hua gently ruffled her hair, his fingers running through the silky strands in a soft display of warmth and affection.
"Hehe."
A smile surfaced on Xiao Hua's face as he heard Zi Yan giggle, clearly enjoying his pats. Lifting his gaze, he met the warm, gentle eyes of the white-clothed, elegant young lady watching them with a soft, affectionate smile.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"I've taken care of everything that needed to be handled and packed, so I'm waiting for you."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded, her smile remaining as she quietly enjoyed the closeness between Xiao Hua and Zi Yan. She had already packed everything she needed, so she was ready to leave at any time.
"Then, let's go." Xiao Hua turned to the Amethyst Winged Lion, waiting for him to shift into his Magical Beast form.
"Haaa..."
The Amethyst Winged Lion let out a deep sigh before his entire body was engulfed in a radiant purple glow. Moments later, his massive beastly form emerged—an enormous lion, its body adorned with glowing amethyst-colored crystal veins that stretched from its limbs to its massive wings.
"Get on..." the Lion King muttered with great difficulty.
As the ruler of the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range, he had never once lowered himself to such obedience, let alone allowed anyone to ride atop him. Even now, the thought filled him with discomfort and reluctance, but since Xiao Hua had upheld his end of the deal, he had no reason to refuse.
Not that he had much of a choice. If he dared to flee, the combined strength of Xiao Hua and the Little Fairy Doctor would ensure he was caught and subdued in an instant.
Still, remaining by Xiao Hua's side had already granted him immense benefits. With the abundant resources and opportunities he had received, he could faintly sense the barrier of Rank 7 loosening.
At this rate, staying with Xiao Hua was far more rewarding than clinging to his former status as the so-called king of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
That didn't make the situation any less humiliating. If any of his subordinates ever witnessed this disgraceful scene, he would tear them apart on the spot to ensure they never spoke of it.
'Just give it time… I'll get used to it,' the Lion King grumbled to himself in resignation.
Once everyone was seated on his broad back, he let out a deep, resounding roar, his massive wings unfurling before he soared into the sky, heading toward Wu Tan City.
...
The scorching sun blazed overhead, its relentless heat causing the ground to crack open. With every step on the baked earth, a wave of searing heat rose from the surface, making travelers wince as sweat dripped down their bodies. Many cursed under their breath, lamenting the unbearable weather.
Near the outskirts of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, close to Wu Tan City, a steady flow of mercenaries and merchants—both in large caravans and smaller groups—moved in and out of the treacherous wilderness. Some were returning from expeditions, while others ventured forth in search of fortune.
Among one of the mercenary groups departing the mountains, a young man wiped the sweat from his brow, his face glistening under the harsh sunlight. Tilting his head back, he squinted up at the sky—only to freeze in confusion.
"What… is that?"
A black dot loomed in the otherwise clear blue expanse. Blinking in puzzlement, he instinctively tapped the shoulder of a nearby mercenary—their leader—who was gulping down water in large mouthfuls.
"Leader… is there a flying magical beast with purple-colored fur?"
The older man let out a grunt, lowering his waterskin with a sigh. "Plenty. You'll have to give me a better description than just its color, brat."
The young mercenary shook his head, narrowing his gaze as he focused on the distant figure. After a few moments, his eyes widened slightly as he made out the beast's distinct features.
"It has the head of a lion, a horn on its forehead, and its body is covered in glowing purple crystals."
"I don't think there's any—Wait… what did you just say?"
The seasoned mercenary initially searched his memory with a bored expression, dismissing the question—until his brain fully processed the young man's words.
His body stiffened.
His eyes widened as he suddenly whipped his head upward, locking onto the distant figure soaring through the sky. The moment his gaze landed on it, his face drained of color.
"That's… the Amethyst Winged Lion!" he exclaimed in horror. "Why is the King of the Eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range here?!"
His panicked outburst sent a shockwave of fear through their entire group. The nearby travelers, mercenaries, and merchants, all instinctively turned their heads to the sky.
The moment they confirmed what they were seeing, a wave of chaos erupted.
Shouts of alarm filled the air as panic spread like wildfire. Some clutched their weapons, their Dou Qi flaring instinctively in preparation for a desperate struggle. Others, not willing to take their chances, turned on their heels, ready to flee for their lives—abandoning even their own comrades in sheer terror.
Yet, all of them silently prayed that the Lion King was merely passing by, hoping it wouldn't descend upon them—or worse, even glance in their direction.
"What's it doing flying here?"
"It's not heading toward us… looks more like it's flying straight for Wu Tan City…"
"Wait… don't tell me it's planning to attack Wu Tan City?!"
At those words, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. The previous panic was suddenly replaced by a moment of clarity as they regained their composure.
Would Wu Tan City really be in danger?
No. They quickly reassured themselves. Even if the Amethyst Winged Lion was heading toward the city, Wu Tan City was far from defenseless.
Their confidence stemmed from the most powerful force within Wu Tan City—the Xiao Clan.
And this belief wasn't baseless. After all, the Xiao Clan boasted multiple Dou Wang experts and even two formidable Dou Huangs.
Even if the King of the Eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range attacked, there was no way it would escape unscathed, let alone wreak havoc unchecked.
As these thoughts settled their nerves, the Amethyst Winged Lion soared past them, its massive form casting a fleeting shadow over the land before it continued its course toward Wu Tan City's gates.
Naturally, the appearance of the colossal Amethyst Winged Lion caused an immediate commotion. The gate guards instinctively reached for the alarm bell, prepared to send word to the Xiao Clan and request reinforcements.
As gatekeepers, they were well aware of the four kings ruling different sections of the Magic Beast Mountain Range—and this one was unmistakably the King of the Eastern Region.
However, just as they were about to act, a calm yet commanding voice suddenly resonated in their minds, freezing them in place.
A moment later, they snapped out of their daze, their tense bodies relaxing as they silently stepped aside, allowing the Amethyst Winged Lion to pass through unimpeded.
Then, as if a realization suddenly dawned upon them, their hearts pounded with excitement. It felt as though they had just been personally addressed by their greatest idol—a moment they would never forget.
"As expected of Master Xiao Hua… Only someone like him could subdue a powerful magical beast like the Amethyst Winged Lion and make it his mount."
"Indeed! My admiration for him has only grown even stronger after witnessing this."
"Enough. With Master Xiao Hua's return, the Xiao Clan will be in an uproar. There will definitely be people trying to sneak in, hoping to catch his attention. We must ensure the gates remain secure—no one is to disrupt Master Xiao Hua's mood."
""Yes, sir!""
The guards straightened their postures, saluting their captain with unwavering determination. Their eyes hardened with resolve, scanning their surroundings with renewed vigilance—no detail would escape their watch.
…
As the commotion at the city gate gradually settled, the Xiao Clan was already deep in preparations for Xiao Hua's return.
Having received advance notice from Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang, the clan had taken careful measures to ensure that the celebration would not be too extravagant.
While servants bustled about, making last-minute arrangements, and lower-ranked members focused on their training, the sound of rushing winds sounded as multiple streaks of light appeared, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Clear the area! The Supreme Elder has returned to the clan!"
Before curiosity could take hold and whispers could spread, several lower-ranked elders swiftly appeared, their commanding voices echoing across the Xiao Clan's grounds—though still contained within the premises to maintain order.
Yet, the moment the name "Xiao Hua" was mentioned, the entire Xiao Clan seemed to ignite with excitement.
The younger generation, in particular, stirred with anticipation. Realization flashed in their eyes as they quickly turned their heads toward the sky, searching eagerly for a glimpse of Xiao Hua.
They understood immediately—the streaks of light were none other than the elders who had personally gone out to welcome his return.
As excitement boiled in the plaza, the crowd instinctively parted, creating a vast open space for Xiao Hua's landing.
Before long, a colossal figure loomed in the sky—the Amethyst Winged Lion, descending slowly yet majestically toward the Xiao Clan, its trajectory aimed precisely at the cleared space below.
The sheer dominance of its aura, coupled with its incomparable presence, sent a wave of unease through the younger generation of the Xiao Clan. Even those who prided themselves on their strength couldn't help but feel a flicker of instinctive fear.
"Is he… riding that enormous magical beast?"
"Incredible. Its aura feels no weaker than the Clan Head's…"
"Does that mean this beast is strong enough to rival a Dou Huang?"
"It wouldn't surprise me. We're talking about Supreme Elder Xiao Hua—everything he brings to the clan is beyond ordinary."
Murmurs and whispers spread like wildfire through the plaza. Yet, fear soon gave way to awe. Their anticipation to see Xiao Hua far outweighed their initial apprehension.
Some craned their necks, desperately searching for his figure, while others simply watched in admiration, marveling at the fact that such a powerful magical beast now served as his mount.
Little did they know, however, that the Amethyst Winged Lion had come here for a far greater purpose—one that would soon elevate it to one of the most respectful guardians of the Xiao Clan.
Meanwhile, standing atop a rooftop some distance away, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the excited clansmen before shifting to the Amethyst Winged Lion, which was now approaching the clan grounds.
He understood their excitement—after all, even he couldn't suppress his own growing curiosity. However, his interest stemmed from something else entirely.
As he continued to observe, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Master… is it just me, or is there someone else on the lion's back beside Cousin Xiao Hua?" Xiao Yan murmured inwardly.
A familiar voice resonated from the ring on his finger.
"You're not mistaken. Your eyesight is quite sharp if you can spot her from here," Yao Lao replied, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue. "Moreover, she has a unique presence… and an extraordinary treasure on her."
"So that person is a girl... but what is this unique presence? Extraordinary treasure?" Xiao Yan's brows furrowed in confusion. A flicker of curiosity ignited in his heart as he stared at the ring, awaiting his master's explanation.
Over the years, he had come to understand Yao Lao well. In this remote town of Wu Tan City, there were few things that could truly capture his interest, let alone earn his praise.
Even the Xiao Clan's back mountain, which housed a treasure trove of rare medicinal herbs and spiritual plants, barely intrigued Yao Lao.
A brief silence followed.
Realizing his momentary slip, Yao Lao hesitated. He hadn't intended to speak of the treasure—yet the sheer shock of discovering it in the possession of a mere young girl had made him let it slip.
Since Xiao Yan had caught interest in it, there was no point in hiding it.
"She has… refined a Heavenly Flame within her."
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