Since the day Xiao Yishen had fainted from poisoning, life in the small valley had once again become as calm and peaceful as it had been before. Moreover, perhaps because, even after learning her true identity, Xiao Feng had not grown distant from her, Xiao Yishen had been deeply moved and now spoke to him about everything, sharing her thoughts and feelings without reserve. It seemed that Xiao Feng's initially well-intentioned gestures—rooted in compassion—had by chance earned Xiao Yishen's complete trust, a development that Xiao Feng himself had never anticipated. Day by day, the tranquil life in the valley unfolded smoothly. Meanwhile, the purple flame within Xiao Feng steadily grew stronger, thanks to his persistent and tireless cultivation under the scorching sun. Of course, this remarkable progress was entirely due to the support of the Purple Crystal Source. Without this magical aid, it would have taken Xiao Feng several years to develop the purple flame to the level it had reached today. Another grueling session under the scorching sun. Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, the rich purple glow lingering in his dark gaze for a while before gradually fading. Upon completing this training, Xiao Yan did not rise to seek shade as he had in the past. Instead, he lifted his head, eyes slightly narrowed, gazing at the massive sun high in the sky. He then raised his hand and softly declared, "Now!" As the words settled, a surge of purple flame erupted from his palm, swiftly spreading to fully envelop it. The flame then flowed up his arm, climbing steadily until it reached his elbow, where it finally stabilized. Looking down at his now fully transformed purple-flamed arm, Xiao Yan's face lit up with delight. He clenched his fists tightly and then forcefully struck the ground. A sharp explosion followed, sending cracks radiating outward from the point of impact, spreading in all directions until they reached the mountain walls and stopped. "Remarkable power." "Staring at the destruction caused by this single punch, Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel. "It's not bad at all, but now the power of the purple flame is nearly reaching the limits of your control. If you continue to cultivate, the risk of counter-reaction will surely come." Yao Lao drifted out from within his ring, glanced at the purple flame wrapping around half of Xiao Yan's arm, and smiled. "Indeed, it's approaching the limit. Currently, my control over the purple flame within the vortex feels noticeably less fluid than before. If I let it grow further, it might just take the lead and become the dominant force." Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. "Then, shall we—" Yao Lao smiled slightly and spoke softly, "You should then act before it counterattacks—consume it prematurely." Gazing down at the swirling purple flame dancing on his palm, Xiao Yan cracked a smile and turned to ask, "When exactly?" "At noon tomorrow. For today, you'll need to prepare a few things." Yao Lao smiled. "What else do you need?" "Conquering the purple flame and evolving your cultivation technique isn't as simple as you might imagine. Though this purple flame falls far short of the 'diverse flames,' with your current nine-star cultivator strength, it's quite difficult to smoothly absorb it. Therefore, you'll need to prepare two types of pills as a contingency." The old pharmacist smiled and said. "The Pulse-Protecting Pill and the Heart-Clearing Pill—both are second-rank pills. By normal standards, with your first-rank alchemy skill, it would be difficult to successfully produce them. However, now that you possess a purple flame significantly stronger than ordinary qi flames, your success rate will improve. "The elder pharmacist said seriously, 'Moreover, since the purple flame is inherently bold and wild, as it is being consumed, its fierce energy will gradually seep into your spirit. If your spirit is eroded, then the very plan of consumption will collapse, and you may even be left with lasting, irreversible effects. Therefore, these two items are absolutely essential during the process of consuming the purple flame.' Seeing the elder's serious and earnest expression, Xiao Yan couldn't afford to be careless and promptly nodded in agreement. 'These are the prescriptions for two kinds of pills. The herbs required can be gathered entirely within this small valley. However, in addition to these, you will also need one second-order wooden-element and one second-order icy-element magic cores.' The elder gently tapped his finger on the top of Xiao Yan's head, transmitting the prescription details, and then added. 'Second-order wooden and icy-element magic cores?' "Heard this, Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a sense of resignation. His inventory contained only one second-order ice-type magic core—something he had earned through great effort during his last assessment of his own strength, by finally slaying a second-order beast. As for a second-order wood-type magic core, however, he simply didn't have one. It seemed he would have to venture into the beast mountains himself and hunt for such creatures in the near future. Closing his eyes, he recalled the required herbs for the two types of pills, then glanced at the sky before leaping down from the rock and finding Xiao Yixian, who was quietly studying the Seven-Color Toxic Classic in the valley. He explained his intention to leave the valley. Upon hearing that Xiao Yan intended to go out and hunt second-order beasts, Xiao Yixian expressed concern and wished to accompany him, but was gently persuaded to stay behind. After all, with his current strength, he couldn't guarantee her safety against even a single second-order beast." Blocked by Xiao Yan, the young physician had no choice but to reluctantly abandon their joint decision. Yet, she still felt uneasy and gently handed him a carefully prepared pill of her own concoction. Fully aware of the young physician's skill in crafting poisons, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate this time, carefully receiving the dark pill and expressing his gratitude. He then swiftly rushed toward the mountain wall, his feet producing a resonant sound as he launched himself like a great phoenix, soaring straight toward the summit of the valley. Standing atop the peak, Xiao Yan waved to the young physician at the valley floor. Then, his body slightly vibrated, and his purple cloud wings unfolded from behind, shimmering with delicate purple glimmers under the sunlight. From the summit, Xiao Yan simply lifted his eyes and could see the outline of half the Monster Mountain range. Dominating the view were lush green trees, occasionally sending gusts of wind sweeping through the mountain's interior, creating sweeping waves of green that were truly magnificent. Glancing up at the blazing sun, Xiao Yan wiped sweat from his brow, his back wings gently fluttering as he leapt off the cliff. With each flap, the wings generated lift, propelling him swiftly toward the heart of the Monster Mountain range. Although he had always claimed that after entering the WoW Mountains, everything would have to be handled by Xiao Yan himself, the current situation had prompted Yao Lao to no longer find excuses, merely closing his eyes for a while before slowly opening them again, pointing toward the southeast and smiling, "There are second-tier wood-type魔兽 there, though there seems to be something else going on as well. Shall we go? If not, we can search elsewhere, though it will take some more time." As soon as Xiao Yan saw where Yao Lao was pointing, he flapped his wings and swiftly darted forward, quickly swallowing a breath-restoring pill as he murmured, "Let's check it out first." "Hmm, some mercenaries are hunting the beasts down below, but it seems they've accidentally drawn in a second-tier wooden-element creature as well—now they're being chased around like chickens with their heads cut off." The laughter of the herbal elder echoed through the ring. Shaking his head in resignation, Xiao Yan slowly folded his wings behind him, eventually settling them as tattoos on his back. With a fluid motion, he spun through the air, his feet稳稳 landing on a massive tree trunk. His gaze swept downward. As his gaze carefully swept over the mercenaries, Xiao Yan suddenly noticed that they all seemed to belong to a single mercenary company, and upon observing the familiar insignia on some of them, he realized it was precisely the Blood Battle Mercenary Company where he had first encountered Ka Gang and his companions. As the sound of the drink echoed, a sturdy figure burst forth from the forest, wielding a broad, massive sword that shimmered with dense combat energy, delivering a powerful strike upon the second-tier beast's paw. Both parties were forced to retreat a step. "Huh?" Upon seeing the suddenly appearing figure able to hold his own against the second-tier beast without faltering, Xiao Yan uttered a surprised exclamation. "Uncle Fei-ree!" The girl, whose face had been pale with fear, now beamed with relief and joy at the sight of the sturdy man, quickly speaking. "Ling, step back!" The middle-aged man known as Fei-ree did not turn around but issued a low command, then scanned the two beasts, whose energy had begun to gather again due to his arrival. He found himself deeply disappointed—though a two-star combat specialist, he could only manage to handle one second-tier beast at a time. "What should we do, Commander?" A middle-aged man stepped forward from among the mercenaries, asking anxiously, fully aware of Fei-ree's capabilities. "Kagang, first consolidate the formation—don't let them get disorganized; otherwise, they'll pick off our units one by one!" Feré commanded firmly. "Feré uncle, you won't be able to hold your own against those two second-tier dragons alone," Lin'er urged urgently. As she stepped forward, a long, graceful arm extended from behind and caught her firmly, while the woman's cool voice added, "Don't interrupt the commander!" Caught by the woman, Lin'er looked down sadly at the tall, statuesque figure with a figure that could be called divine, and said, "Qing sister, shall we go and help Feré uncle hold off the dragons for a while?" The woman whom Ling'er has come to call Qing Sister is of notably tall stature, her skin not the pale, porcelain white typically associated with such elegance, but rather a warm, sensual copper tone. Wearing a short, fitted black leather jacket that reaches just to her navel, the jacket accentuates the striking curves of her chest. With the jacket so short, her smooth, slender waist—thin enough to barely grasp—reveals itself fully bare, exquisitely alluring. Her lower body is clad in a similarly short, fitted black leather skirt. On her long, toned legs, she wears a slender dagger. In this manner, she appears much like a majestic mother leopard in the forest—full of dynamic energy and untamed wildness. And such a woman, full of wildness, would immediately leave a man with the impression that he must conquer her—make this lioness-like woman bow and yield beneath him. Indeed, when Xiao Yan first glanced at her, he too had initially thought the same. Yet as soon as that thought arose, it was swiftly set aside. After all, he was no one with an overactive mind; his long years of rigorous cultivation had forged an exceptional self-control. "With the people here, if we don't consolidate our team, we'll be picked off one by one by the second-tier beasts. Right now, just follow the团长's instructions and gather our forces. Don't make any more disruptions—had it not been for your earlier interference, how would we have summoned two second-tier beasts? Just now, we were on the verge of losing a comrade!" The woman, known as Qing Sister, furrowed her delicate brows and gently scolded Ling'er. Though slightly pained by this reprimand, Ling'er dared not speak further and merely stood quietly beside the woman. "Qingye, if anything happens later, you take Ling'er and go first. We'll hold things here." A young man in a white robe approached, smiling. Glancing at him, the woman known as Qingye replied calmly, "Until the commander gives the order, I won't leave first. And as for strength, you're far behind me." Hearing this, the young man in white blushed slightly, then helplessly spread his hands at the girl beside him, who was making a face. Seeing Mu Lan enjoying the turtle soup, Ling'er quietly smiled. In the past, whenever she saw Mu Lan being particularly attentive and courteous to Seiye, she would have felt a little uncomfortable. But now, for some reason, she finds it hard to feel the same admiration for Mu Lan—the one she used to deeply respect—any longer. Occasionally, her thoughts would suddenly drift to the silhouette of a young man, the one carrying a large black ruler. "They say he even defeated Mu Se, the leader of the Wolf Head Guild, who was known to trouble even Master Fere himself. Such a convincing liar—he claims to only have eighth-dan battle energy!" Holding onto Seiye's arm, Ling'er recalled the news that had been circulating in Qingshan Town for a full month, and a strange sense of meaning stirred within her. "Blood Battle Team, form up! Hold off the wood-type second-stage beast and protect the团长!" While Ling'er was gasping and struggling with her thoughts, Kang-ka on the side swiftly organized the team. With a wave of his hand, dozens of now well-coordinated mercenaries quickly surged forward, intercepting the two-tiered beast that had just begun advancing toward Fei-ree. Blocked by a group of mere foot soldiers, the sizable creature roared in fury, its massive, sharp claws sweeping down with tremendous force, instantly tearing through several shields. "Hold it! Position the earth-element fighters at the front, and the fire-element fighters to strike at its vital points!" Kang-ka shouted urgently, observing the team quickly falling behind upon initial contact. As soon as his command rang out, the wooden-beast grew impatient, unleashing a thunderous roar that sent a surge of vibrant green light erupting from within. From its body, thick vines of green energy shot out like sharp blades, sweeping across the battlefield. Several mercenaries, unable to dodge in time, were forcefully launched into the air by the impact. The team that had finally been consolidated proved remarkably fragile under the onslaught of the two-tiered dragons. After breaching the frontline defense, the plant-type dragons, their eyes blazing red, launched a relentless assault, sending several mercenaries who had failed to evade the attacks staggering back, bleeding profusely. "Sir, we can't hold!" Seeing the two-tiered dragons mercilessly slaughtering their ranks, Kagan, pale-faced, shouted urgently to Ferre, who was engaged in a fierce battle with another two-tiered dragon. With a powerful blow from his great sword, Ferre pushed the opposing dragon back and retreated several steps. Under the collective gaze of the onlookers, he suddenly raised his voice, addressing a towering tree: "Friend! We all make our living in the Dragon Mountains. If you could lend a hand, we would be deeply grateful—our Blood Battle Company will never forget it!" Ferre's gesture caught the surrounding Blood Battle mercenaries by surprise. They exchanged startled glances and then turned their attention toward the direction he had indicated. A moment after Feré's voice echoed through the forest, a response finally emerged from the dense woods: "Of course I'll help—but if this beast harbors a magical core within its body…" "Then it's settled!" Feré beamed with delight and declared without hesitation. "Ah, how generous the captain is! Just recently, we received assistance from several of your comrades, and today, I shall repay that favor." With a light chuckle, the leaves above the trees swayed, and suddenly, a dark figure plunged down with the swift grace of a great eagle. "Clang!" Qingye clenched her teeth, meeting the wooden-element beast charging at her with full force. The powerful impact sent her face pale as she stepped back in alarm. The beast pushed her aside, roared fiercely, and then charged again. Just as Qingye prepared to engage once more, a dark figure shot through the sky with tremendous speed, crashing down hard onto the ground with a thunderous crash, sending a storm of dust and debris swirling around. Dust slowly dispersed, and a slender figure, carrying an unusual, massive black iron ruler on its back, came into view before everyone present. "Xiao Yan?" The distinctive emblem of the great ruler immediately caused Cagang and the others to gasp aloud. "Ah, Cagang, good to see you're well," Xiao Yan slowly turned his head, first glancing at Qingye behind him, then smiling warmly at Cagang beside him. "All right, let's save our small talk for later—let's focus on getting rid of this beast first. Shaking his hand at Karang, who was beaming with delight, Xiao Yan turned to face the massive second-tier beast before him, a faint smile playing on his lips. He slowly lifted his foot, then firmly planted it onto the ground. With a thunderous crack, Xiao Yan's figure surged forward like a streak of shadow, appearing on the left side of the beast. Grasping the hilt of the Xu Zhong Chi tightly, he suddenly pulled it free, sending a powerful gust of wind rushing past as the staff struck the creature's head with tremendous force. The impact was so strong that it sent the massive beast flying through the air, crashing through several towering trees before finally coming to a gentle halt. "Excellent!" Fei Lei, who had been watching the scene closely, exclaimed in awe at Xiao Yan's astonishing display. The Qingye standing behind Xiao Yan watched the second-tier beast, kicked like a soccer ball, traveling over ten meters by Xiao Yan's powerful strike. Her delicate hands instinctively covered her flushed lips, her face filled with astonishment. It was hard to believe that such a slender-looking youth possessed such explosive strength—truly, one cannot judge a person by their appearance. At a distance, Ling'er had kept her gaze fixed on Xiao Yan since his arrival. Now, witnessing his magnificent display, a spark of admiration gleamed in her water-like eyes. Gazing at the tendrils shooting toward him, Xiao Yan raised his hand, and a cascade of purple flame vines erupted from his palm, brushing across the surface of the jade ruler. Delicate streaks of pale purple flame adhered to the ruler's body. With a firm grip on the ruler, he swung it forward, and the several tendrils were swiftly consumed by the flames. Gazing down at the ethereal purple flames rising from his arm, Xiao Yan lifted his head to meet the approaching beast. Now, the press of the beast's armored shell was driving a powerful gust of wind directly toward him. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan planted his feet firmly on the ground, and his body surged forward like an arrow released from its bow, choosing to meet the beast head-on amidst the stunned silence of onlookers. "Has he gone mad?" everyone present murmured in astonishment at his bold move. "Eight-Point Collapse!" As the two were about to collide, Xiao Yan suddenly exhaled a sharp command in his mind. The fist, enveloped in purple fire, burst forth with a piercing wind sound, then struck the beast's head with tremendous force. Upon first contact, the green armor covering the beast began to dissolve under Xiao Yan's fire, crumbling into a vast hollow, revealing the creature's head. "Boom!" The fist, infused with violet flame, struck heavily upon the魔兽's head. After a slightly dull thud, the force of the flame's intense heat enabled Xiao Yan's fist to penetrate the魔兽's skull with a resounding crash, as if it had been driven through by sheer will. The deep, resonant sound echoed through the vast forest. Xiao Yan's arm nearly disappeared into the魔兽's head, blood dripping steadily from his arm, forming an eerie, quiet patter against the otherwise still forest.