Pills that originally posed little harm to the human body, when consumed in large quantities over a short period, eventually accumulated into a formidable amount of medicinal toxicity.
However, since Xiao Yan possessed Heavenly Flames within his body, he usually didn't notice these negligible effects on his cells.
Moreover, with the increase and strengthening of his Heavenly Flames, this hidden issue would likely remain undetected for a long time.
Returning his consciousness to his body, Xiao Yan accelerated his cultivation of the refined Three Realizations of the Bodhi.
Under the full force of this secret technique, black spots of varying sizes began appearing all over his body.
As the lotus beneath him shimmered with light, these black spots receded like a tide, revealing even fairer and smoother skin.
Gradually, the lotus beneath Xiao Yan became entirely enveloped in gold, transforming into a radiant golden lotus.
Simultaneously, as the black spots faded, his body emitted an even richer, more fragrant aroma.
If not for his long black hair, anyone who saw him might have mistaken him for an enlightened monk.
Time passed minute by minute, and the rising sun dispelled all the darkness before dawn, its gentle rays warm and comforting.
After a night of frenzied energy absorption, the accumulated energy of heaven and earth around Yun Yun completely withdrew into her body, allowing her to break through to the four-star Dou Huang level.
Under the lingering effects of the medicine, her cheeks remained flushed, as enchanting as peach blossoms in March.
A cool mountain breeze swept through the waterfall's mist, splashing against Yun Yun's breathtakingly beautiful face.
The clash of cold and heat made her let out a soft moan, her body shuddering violently.
It took a long while before Yun Yun finally awoke as if from a dream, slowly sitting up.
Finding herself on a damp stone bed, she rubbed her forehead as the events of the previous night flooded her mind like an unstoppable tide.
Everything felt so vivid, as if it had just happened.
"Ah?!" Yun Yun was both shocked and horrified, utterly unable to believe that the woman who had acted like a seductive enchantress could have been herself.
Especially the way she had squirmed in a man's embrace—her face burned crimson, as tempting as fine wine.
"Is that... me?" Yun Yun was stunned beyond words. She could hardly believe her own memories.
That wanton, bewitching woman who had moved so shamelessly in a man's arms—was that truly her?
Clutching her Sea Heart Armor tightly, her face flushed deep red, Yun Yun looked as intoxicating as if she had drunk too much.
She shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her heart.
But the images seemed seared into her mind, impossible to shake off, leaving her in utter turmoil.
"As the sect master of the Yunlan Sect, how could I have done such things? How can I face anyone after this?" Her body still weak, Yun Yun stood up shakily and reached into her storage ring—only to grasp at empty air.
"My sword..." She slumped back onto the stone bed, suddenly remembering that her sword had been left outside the cave.
Frowning, she circulated her Dou Qi again and was shocked to discover that her strength had unknowingly broken through to the four-star Dou Huang level.
This realization made her more astonished than ashamed.
She had been at the three-star Dou Huang level for some time now, and even with the Yunlan Sect's top-tier cultivation techniques, breaking through would normally have taken much longer.
Yet, she had simply slept through the night—and then broken through!
Even the invaluable sixth-tier Huang Ji Pill couldn't facilitate such an effortless breakthrough!
Thinking back to the golden hand that had caressed her body and the strange golden serpents, Yun Yun couldn't help but wonder: Just who is this Yao Yan? How does he possess such miraculous methods?
After pondering for a while, her cheeks burned even hotter. Why am I even thinking about him? He's probably some powerhouse from outside the Jia Ma Empire.
Glancing down at her still-properly-worn Sea Heart Armor, she quietly sighed in relief. Thank goodness I used a fake name. There's no way this could ever be traced back to the Yunlan Sect.
"Now that I've reached the four-star Dou Huang level, I should focus on obtaining the Purple Spirit Crystal for Yanran. After this, I'll just stay inside the Yunlan Sect for a long time—that way, I'll never have to see Yao Yan again."
After murmuring this to herself, she felt an inexplicable pang of melancholy. But as a sect master, she couldn't afford to act recklessly.
Looking up at the waterfall curtain at the cave entrance, she fiddled with her Sea Heart Armor hesitantly before finally deciding to remove it.
Taking out a towel from her storage ring, she dried her damp, alluring figure before changing into a fresh, moon-white robe.
After undergoing Xiao Yan's marrow-cleansing, Yun Yun had become almost unbelievably beautiful—her features like a painting, dignified and exquisite, her figure beyond description.
Her slender willow-like waist, fair skin, every inch of her body exuded the irresistible allure of a mature woman. Her cascading black hair, mesmerizing phoenix eyes, cherry-red lips, bright eyes, and gleaming teeth made her a vision of grace.
Her curvaceous form radiated vibrant vitality, her ample bosom seeming barely contained by her robes, as if ready to burst free at any moment.
Flying out through the waterfall, Yun Yun scanned the valley and quickly spotted Xiao Yan seated atop a golden lotus.
The dazzling golden light enveloping him made him shine like a miniature sun.
Seeing him in such a saintly, meditative state, Yun Yun couldn't help but giggle. This strange man ate that kind of thing, yet now he looks so pure and holy.
But upon reflection, in that situation, if she hadn't been so clueless, she might have devoured him instead. Yet Yao Yan had remained almost entirely unmoved...
Am I... not beautiful enough? Doubt creeping in, Yun Yun touched her face, then glanced down at her even more pronounced snowy peaks. Even as a woman, she found herself captivated...
What am I thinking?! She blushed furiously at her own thoughts. Thinking like this makes it seem like I'm... disappointed.
After quickly retrieving her sword, Yun Yun flapped her cyan wings and swiftly flew deeper into the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
When she had first come here, she hadn't planned to fight the Amethyst Winged Lion directly. Instead, she had prepared valuable treasures to trade with it.
The Amethyst Winged Lion was a sixth-tier magical beast, the ruler of the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range. Thanks to the innate physical superiority of magical beasts, its strength was extraordinary—no weaker than her own.
Now that she had fortuitously broken through to the four-star Dou Huang level, Yun Yun was even more determined to obtain the precious Purple Spirit Crystal.
After flying for about half an hour, her beautiful face had regained its usual composure. Channeling her Dou Qi, she called out into the distance:
"Lion King, show yourself!"
(End of Chapter)
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