With the assistance of this vast energy, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King swiftly broke through its limits, reaching the threshold of transformation through cultivation.
For ordinary magical beasts to take human form, aside from requiring immense strength, they typically relied on a seventh-tier Transformation Pill.
However, crafting a Transformation Pill was no easy feat—not only was the main ingredient, the Shape-Shifting Grass, exceedingly rare, but the refinement process itself was highly complex.
After studying the Transformation Pill recipe stored within Yao Lao's soul memories, Xiao Yan had gained a deep understanding of the pill. He had then devised an alternative method—using cultivation techniques to open a third path for magical beasts to achieve human form.
Sensing the tremors caused by the surging energy, Xiao Yan abruptly opened his eyes and flashed out of the cave like lightning.
Soaring into the sky, his gaze locked onto the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, the source of the radiant light in the wilderness. He quickly assessed the situation.
"It's about to transform. This lion's comprehension is indeed extraordinary—though it still needs some time."
Flicking the Bone Flame Ring on his finger, Xiao Yan recalled that the Flame-Feathered Eagle Emperor's materials were of excellent quality. Its hide could be used to craft the Blazing Spirit Armor, while its elongated spine was premium material for forging weapons.
If the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King successfully transformed, given its comprehension, it could immediately begin weapon forging.
After all, crafting the Blazing Spirit Armor—a large-scale artifact—was far more complex than making puppets.
After a brief inspection, Xiao Yan returned to the cave and resumed his experiments with the Blazing Spirit Armor.
Three days later, Xiao Yan carefully sketched a blueprint for a rod-type weapon.
The once-tidy cave was now littered with shattered rocks, and cracks riddled the walls, making it seem as though the cavern might collapse at any moment.
As the area of the flame-feathered beast hide expanded, sealing five types of Heavenly Flames within it while ensuring stable usage became nearly impossible.
After repeated experiments over these three days, the hide's upper limit had been determined.
Once more than three Heavenly Flames were sealed within, the makeshift Blazing Spirit Armor had an extremely high chance of exploding.
Xiao Yan had suffered quite a bit as a result.
However, after identifying this limit, he devised a complementary solution.
The Blazing Spirit Armor was just one type of equipment—weapons could also achieve similar effects.
"It's about time." Xiao Yan picked up the completed blueprint and strode out of the cave.
At that moment, the dazzling purple light began to recede. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King unleashed a terrifying devouring force, its body transforming into the center of an energy vortex, drawing in vast amounts of natural energy.
Yun Yun, who had been meditating cross-legged, slowly opened her eyes. After three days of rest, she had recovered significantly. Her long, jade-like legs, smooth and flawless, gracefully lifted her to her feet.
"What's happening?" Seeing Xiao Yan finally emerge from the cave, she hurriedly asked.
Xiao Yan wrapped an arm around Yun Yun's slender, willow-like waist, unfurled his Dou Qi wings, and soared out of the valley. "Let's go take a look. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King is about to transform."
"Transform?" Yun Yun tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes widening in shock. "Did you feed it a Transformation Pill? That's a seventh-tier pill!"
Something like a seventh-tier pill—she had only heard of it in legends.
Xiao Yan chuckled. "There's more than one way for a magical beast to take human form."
"It's changing!" As they spoke, Yun Yun noticed that the purple energy vortex around the Lion King had condensed into a massive egg.
Amid a burst of intense light, the giant luminous cocoon cracked with a crisp sound, countless beams of radiant purple light shooting out from the fissures.
As the cracks multiplied, the cocoon shattered explosively, scattering into countless purple motes of light that drifted in the air.
Within the shimmering particles, a faint humanoid silhouette could be glimpsed.
As the light was absorbed by the figure at the center, its appearance gradually became clear.
The figure that emerged was that of a middle-aged man, clad in luxurious purple robes that exuded nobility. His flowing purple hair swayed gently in the wind, complementing his white beard and lending him an aura of mystery and majesty.
"Such overwhelming presence!" Yun Yun inhaled sharply. The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had already been formidable—now, after transforming, its power had grown even more terrifying.
The middle-aged man dropped to one knee before the two in the sky. "Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, Zi Yan, pays his respects to Young Master Yan."
"Zi Yan?" Xiao Yan repeated the name—it bore some resemblance to another magical beast's name.
The Lion King explained, "This name is derived from the first two characters of the cultivation technique I practice."
"A name is just a label." Xiao Yan didn't dwell on it. With a flick of his finger, he sent three objects flying toward the Lion King.
These were the Flame-Feathered Eagle Emperor's spine, the weapon blueprint, and a low-tier storage ring.
Zi Yan looked at the items in confusion. "Young Master Yan, these are…?"
Xiao Yan replied, "That storage ring is specially made—it will expand when you revert to your beast form. Inside, you'll find the other half of the companion Purple Crystal Source and a considerable amount of Purple Crystal. Now that you've taken human form, it's time to begin forging. The materials and blueprint are ready."
"Forging?" Zi Yan picked up the blueprint, his wise eyes narrowing in contemplation. This was no ordinary task.
Xiao Yan said calmly, "You have three months to complete it. Otherwise, the value of those two Flame-Feathered Eagle Emperor cores will have to be extracted from you directly."
"Understood!" Zi Yan responded firmly. Slipping the ring onto his finger, he hoisted the spine over his shoulder and strode toward his cave.
Yun Yun watched the Lion King's retreating figure in surprise. "He didn't complain at all. His temperament is unlike any ordinary being's."
Zi Yan understood perfectly—since he enjoyed extraordinary benefits, he naturally had to put in extraordinary effort.
If he weren't the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, he wouldn't even have qualified to be Young Master Yan's mount, let alone receive cultivation techniques and Magic Cores.
Xiao Yan turned to Yun Yun with a smile, admiring her mature, gentle features. "Yun Zhi's temperament is also extraordinary. Seeing the Lion King receive so much, you didn't show the slightest envy."
"I—" Yun Yun nearly retorted that as the leader of a sect, how could she possibly envy a magical beast? But after a moment's thought, she snorted lightly. "It's not like I lack those things anyway."
"Then what do you lack?" Xiao Yan tightened his arm around her slender waist, as if trying to meld her voluptuous figure into his own.
Her white dress did little to conceal her curves—her slender waist was enchanting, her ample bosom even more pronounced. Her entire being radiated an aura of saintly elegance and noble charm.
"What I lack…" Yun Yun began instinctively, only to suddenly sense an overwhelming heat emanating from him. Flustered, she quickly said, "I lack nothing at all!"
After letting Xiao Yan go wild for one night, she had needed three full days to recover!
(End of Chapter)
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