Chapter 30: There are many alchemists in the group, but Wang Lin does not deserve a seat at this table

[Xiao Yan: Holy crap, didn't I just trick her away by transforming into Nalan Jie? How did she get back so fast?]

Xiao Yan was completely dumbfounded.

He had read *Battle Through the Heavens* and knew that Yun Yun had also come here to search for the Purple Spirit Crystal.

Therefore, before approaching the Amethyst Winged Lion King, he had first used the Transformation Technique he learned from Naruto to take on the appearance of Nalan Jie and proactively sought out Yun Yun.

Of course, at the time, he had asked Yao Lao to possess his body.

After all, Nalan Jie was a Dou Wang level expert and could fly.

If Yao Lao hadn't attached himself to him, Xiao Yan wouldn't have been able to fly.

Afterward, using the identity of "Nalan Jie," he had deceived Yun Yun, claiming that Nalan Yanran had accidentally suffered a cultivation deviation while training at the Misty Cloud Sect, resulting in severe injuries that no one in the entire sect could treat. He even claimed that even the Pill King Gu He was helpless, and that as her "grandfather," he was truly at his wits' end, which was why he had rushed here specifically to find Yun Yun, hoping she could return to provide medical aid.

Yun Yun had come to the Magical Beast Mountain Range specifically to find the Purple Spirit Crystal to boost Nalan Yanran's cultivation. Seeing "Old Man Nalan" personally seeking her out and hearing about Nalan Yanran's serious injuries, she panicked and immediately turned back.

Xiao Yan had assumed that for her to travel back and forth from the Misty Cloud Sect would take a considerable amount of time.

They only needed that window of time to obtain the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Companion Amethyst Source.

He never expected that Yun Yun would return so quickly.

This left him momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Dealing with one Amethyst Winged Lion King was already a massive headache.

Now, Yun Yun was back.

Did that mean they would now have to face a human Dou Huang expert and a sixth-tier magical beast with strength comparable to a Dou Huang?

The difficulty level hadn't just increased a little; it had skyrocketed!

"You're quite clever, kid, knowing to trick Yun Yun away before making your move," Zhu Chen said, looking at Xiao Yan with a smile.

"Brother Zhu, please don't tease me. Old Man Nalan Jie had visited our Xiao family before; I happened to see him and remember his appearance. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare use this method to trick a Dou Huang expert..."

A strained smile squeezed onto Xiao Yan's face as he continued, "Brother Zhu, now that Yun Yun is back, we have to face two Dou Huang level experts. This time, we really have to rely on you."

At that moment, Lin Dong suddenly interjected, "Brother Zhu, facing two Dou Huang experts, what are your chances of winning?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Yan also looked over nervously.

He remembered Zhu Chen saying just now that he had an eighty percent chance of dealing with the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

He wondered how much of a chance the other man would have when facing two Dou Huang experts simultaneously.

Looking at the clear yet foolish expressions of these two, Zhu Chen almost questioned his life choices.

It was one thing if Lin Dong was uneducated, but Xiao Yan had at least completed nine years of compulsory education—how had he become so dim-witted?

Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion King were already fighting. They only needed to sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers fight; why did they feel the need to jump in?

Wouldn't it be better to reap the benefits of the third party?

"You two idiots, Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion King aren't on the same side. It's perfect that they're fighting. Use this chance to hurry to the Amethyst Winged Lion King's lair and grab the Companion Amethyst Source and the Purple Spirit Crystal. This is a golden opportunity!"

Even Yao Lao couldn't stand it anymore. He floated out of the storage ring in his soul state and began lecturing Xiao Yan and Lin Dong.

Zhu Chen noticed that Yao Lao's soul body was somewhat unstable. It seemed he had exerted a great deal of effort while helping Xiao Yan and the others "outsmart" the Amethyst Winged Lion King just now.

"Damn, why didn't I think of that just now!"

"Brother Xiao, no time to lose, let's move immediately."

"Right!"

Only after hearing Yao Lao's lecture did Xiao Yan and Lin Dong realize their mistake.

The two gave Zhu Chen a quick nod and immediately activated the *Qi Concealment Technique*, creeping stealthily toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King's lair.

Xiao Yan even @'d Uzumaki Naruto in the group chat, who was stationed near the lair, telling him to be ready to provide backup at any time.

They were coming.

Watching the retreating backs of Xiao Yan and Lin Dong, Zhu Chen was momentarily speechless.

"One becomes like those they associate with." Xiao Yan had been spending so much time with Lin Dong lately; could he have been infected?

If that happened, wouldn't their group end up with a pair of "legendary geniuses" (idiots)?

"Forget it, Yao Lao is there to guide Xiao Yan. Why should I bother worrying about it?"

Zhu Chen gave a bitter smile and followed them.

They deliberately avoided the battlefield between Yun Yun and the Amethyst Winged Lion King, cautiously making their way to the lion king's lair.

Zhu Chen finally spotted Uzumaki Naruto there.

It turned out the guy had used the Transformation Technique to turn himself into a rock, lying outside the lair to keep watch.

To mask his scent, he had picked up a pile of magical beast dung from somewhere and smeared it all around himself.

In his own world, this guy was called the "ninja of most unpredictable actions." He certainly had something going on in his head to think of such a method to hide himself; even a sixth-tier magical beast had been fooled.

Though, the act of using dung to mask one's scent was truly a bit disgusting.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Amethyst Winged Lion King was still outside "cuddling" with Yun Yun, Zhu Chen and the others immediately rushed into the cave and sped toward the depths.

Worried that the cub inside might cry out and attract the old lion, Zhu Chen decisively activated the [Vermilion Bird Divine Art · Flowing Fire] to lead the team. The moment he saw the cub, he immediately used [Vermilion Bird Divine Art · Imprisonment] to freeze it in place, then delivered a heavy punch that directly crushed its head.

By the time Xiao Yan and the others arrived, they only saw a bloody, mangled lion carcass on the ground.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King had occupied the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range for many years and had hoarded many good things in its lair. Besides the Companion Amethyst Source and the Purple Spirit Crystal, there were also many rare ores and spiritual herbs.

Zhu Chen had no interest in the rare ores, but the spiritual herbs and medicinal plants were quite good.

There were many alchemists in the group.

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao could refine pills, Han Li could refine pills, and even Lin Dong's Ancestral Stone could refine pills.

And then there was Wang Lin...

Forget it, that guy isn't suited for alchemy.

He's better off being used for fighting!

In any case, with so many alchemists in the group, the more spiritual herbs and medicinal resources, the better.

"Look, the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Companion Amethyst Source are right there..."

Upon entering, Yao Lao immediately spotted the treasures and signaled Xiao Yan to take them instantly.

Xiao Yan looked at Zhu Chen and the others somewhat apologetically, cupping his fists. "Everyone, this Purple Spirit Crystal and the Companion Amethyst Source are of great use to me. I'll take these first. Next time, if you..."

"—RUMBLE!"

Before he could finish, the cave began to shake violently.

Immediately following that, a furious lion's roar erupted from the forest miles away. The sound was like rolling thunder, reaching them here and causing the very mountains to resonate.

"Bad news! The Amethyst Winged Lion King is blood-linked to its offspring. It felt the cub die! Hurry up and grab the things, then get out of here!" Yao Lao urgently warned.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan no longer hesitated and immediately grabbed the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Companion Amethyst Source.

Lin Dong set his sights on the rare ores, while Zhu Chen swept up all the spiritual herbs and medicinal plants in the cave in one go.

Uzumaki Naruto took nothing, as there was nothing there he needed.

After quickly clearing the battlefield, the group sprinted out of the cave at full speed.

...

(End of Chapter)