[Btth],The journey of Immortal Emperor

"Okay, so how about we make a deal? You want the Amethyst Spirit Crystal, and I want the Amethyst Lion birth essence," he said, his voice warm and open, showing no signs of hostility. After a moment, he added, "We can help each other. How about it?" His gaze held steady, as if confident she would agree.

"I agree," she replied. Having a companion was better than going alone, especially someone with his strength. And he was a Dou Ling, while she was a Dou Huang. Together, they would make a formidable duo.

Shen Yuan nodded in acknowledgment, then rose to his feet. He knew their destination: the nest of the Amethyst Winged Lion King. "Alright, here's the plan," he said, outlining his strategy. "You'll distract the Amethyst Winged Lion while I go in and grab both the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Lion birth essence." His mind filled with thoughts, piecing together details and calculating their best approach.

Yun Yun nodded again, signaling her understanding. She set off toward the area where the Amethyst Winged Lion usually prowled, moving with the calm, deadly grace of someone experienced in combat. Meanwhile, Shen Yuan made his way straight to the Amethyst Winged Lion's lair.

The mouth of the cave loomed before him, dark and foreboding, with a faint, otherworldly glow spilling out from deeper inside. It was as though the crystal's very presence suffused the air with a violet sheen. He could sense the magical beasts within, creatures powerful in their own right, each acting as a silent guardian.

Stepping cautiously into the depths of the cave, Shen Yuan suppressed his aura. He moved like a shadow, invisible and undetected by the creatures that lay in wait, each stationed as an unspoken line of defense. The air was thick with tension and a subtle energy that pressed against him as he descended further. Every step took him deeper into the heart of the lair, past the guarding beasts, their eyes closed in rest or fixated on the shadows, unaware of his presence.

As he reached the innermost chamber, the air felt different—denser, almost reverent. There, in the glow of faint purple light, he spotted a small cub, nestled close to the body of its mother. The Amethyst Winged Lioness lay lifeless beside her cub, her body a testament to a fierce and noble battle that had taken its toll. She lay protectively near her offspring, even in death.

The newborn cub was tiny, barely breathing, as it rested by its mother's side. It seemed frail, as if the slightest touch might break it, yet there was an aura of latent power surrounding it. The Purple Spirit Crystal lay nearby, its radiant energy pulsing softly, almost as though in tune with the cub's breaths. And, in the dim distance, about fifty yards to the north, the Amethyst Lion birth essence glowed faintly, a rare and potent treasure that carried the mystical energy of generations of these powerful beasts.

Shen Yuan studied the scene, his gaze shifting between the crystal, the cub, and the birth essence. His heart beat a little faster as he considered his next move. The plan was clear: retrieve the items and leave as quickly as possible. But as he looked at the cub lying beside its dead mother, a strange feeling washed over him. A glimmer of hesitation crept into his mind.

For a moment, he wondered: was taking these items right?

Without any hesitation, Shen Yuan immediately activated his stealth ability, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. With precision and speed, he reached out and took the Purple Spirit Crystal, feeling its immense power pulse under his touch. He knew this was only the first step.

He quickly turned his attention to the Amethyst Lion birth essence. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of spiritual energies, Shen Yuan knew that it could be extracted with a specific technique. "Immortal Pupil: Extract!" he shouted silently in his mind. Instantly, a torrent of liquid began to surge from the solid birth essence, flowing like a river of glowing violet energy. The essence poured forth, its power radiating as it filled the air with an almost tangible pressure.

Without wasting a single moment, Shen Yuan pulled a jade bottle from his storage ring. With practiced hands, he captured the liquid essence as it surged, sealing the bottle tightly once it was full. He then stashed it away in his spatial ring, making sure everything was secure.

With the mission complete, Shen Yuan began to retreat, moving swiftly but silently through the labyrinth of the cave. He knew that the battle between Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion would soon reach its climax, and he wanted to be as far from the action as possible. He did not intend to be caught in the aftermath.

---

Meanwhile, the battle outside between the Amethyst Winged Lion and Yun Yun was intensifying. The lion, sensing her presence from a great distance, charged toward her with an explosive burst of speed. Yun Yun had anticipated this. With her sharp instincts honed by years of experience, she deftly dodged its first ferocious strike, the lion's claws slicing through the air just inches from her.

"Damn, human women," the lion growled in frustration, its voice filled with annoyance and disbelief.

The exchange of strikes began in earnest. The lion's immense strength and wild fury were matched by Yun Yun's quick reflexes and precise counterattacks. She danced around the lion's attacks, her movements a blur as she harnessed her wind-based techniques. Every strike from the lion was met with swift evasions, the air crackling with each movement.

The battle reached a deadlock, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. The lion's massive form loomed over Yun Yun, but it seemed to be growing increasingly weary as it launched strike after strike. The tension in the air was palpable, a dangerous anticipation hanging between them.

As the lion prepared to make its final, most deadly strike, a surge of Qi, concentrated into a deadly attack, sliced through the air. It cleaved the last of the lion's amethyst horn, sending a shockwave of energy rippling through the cavern.

This sudden shift caused the lion's focus to waver, and Yun Yun saw the opportunity she'd been waiting for. She knew this was her moment.

"Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill!" she shouted, channeling her most powerful technique. In an instant, a long, silver-white ray of energy erupted from her, moving with the swiftness of a meteor. The beam of wind-based power shot through the air, its energy so sharp that it cut through the very fabric of space.

The ray sliced through the lion's chest with precision, piercing its heart. The force of the attack was so overwhelming that the lion's massive form seemed to falter for a moment before collapsing. Its great wings beat the air weakly, and with a final roar of defiance, the Amethyst Winged Lion crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Yun Yun stood tall, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. The battle had been fierce, but she had emerged victorious. She glanced toward the fallen beast, its magnificent form now still, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself a sense of triumph.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan,who attacked the lion from behind,was now far from the scene of the battle, was already heading toward the exit of the cave, the items he had come for securely in his possession. He didn't look back. His mind was already racing with thoughts of what he could do next with the powerful Amethyst Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Lion birth essence. The future was full of possibilities, and Shen Yuan was ready to take advantage of every one of them.