The two of them didn't act like a typical master and servant. On the back of the Blue Eagle, their conversation flowed easily and naturally. The atmosphere was light and pleasant.
This was exactly why Lin Ran had Xiao Yixian call him "Young Master" instead of "Master."
He had no shortage of women who obeyed him like slaves—Raincloud Sect was full of them.
What he wanted was someone who, aside from cultivation, could connect with him on a deeper level—someone who could share both mind and heart.
He hoped Xiao Yixian could be that person. Even if she wasn't yet… he hoped she would become one.
The Blue Eagle wasn't particularly fast, but after several days of flying, they finally arrived within the influence of a human city.
"Young Master, we've reached Black Rock City."
Xiao Yixian spoke softly as she looked ahead.
Lin Ran nodded slightly. His soul perception had been scanning the surroundings the entire journey, hoping to encounter one or two Rank 6 or Rank 7 Magic Beasts along the way. Unfortunately, reality didn't meet his expectations.
From the Magic Beast Mountain Range until now, not even a single Rank 5 Magic Beast had appeared. This showed just how weak the beasts in the Jia Ma Empire truly were.
Although this city was no match for those in the Central Plains, within the Jia Ma Empire, Black Rock City was still considered a major hub—bustling and lively.
From atop the Blue Eagle, the city glowed in the soft light of the setting sun. Its towering city walls were particularly striking, constructed from slabs of black rock, sturdy and solemn in appearance.
"Young Master, this Black Rock City is one of the fortified strongholds of the Jia Ma Empire. It may not be as developed as the Imperial Capital, but it ranks near the top among other cities in the Empire."
As she dismissed the Blue Eagle temporarily, Xiao Yixian walked beside Lin Ran, explaining eagerly, "The infrastructure here is excellent. There are auction houses, an Alchemist Guild, and even major flying transport services."
"Look at those walls! So thick! It's said the city once withstood a combined assault from two Dou Kings without so much as a scratch!"
She chatted nonstop, like a cheerful tour guide, pouring out everything she knew about the city while curiously observing her surroundings.
This bright and lively energy was completely different from the reserved Xiao Yixian in Qing Mountain Town.
And honestly, it wasn't surprising.
Though she had only been with Lin Ran for a few months, her identity had already shifted—from a free person to someone serving a master.
But the real change was within her heart.
In Qing Mountain Town, though loved by countless mercenaries, that affection had never been genuine. She constantly had to suppress her Woeful Poison Body, while warding off the desires of greedy factions. Her future was bleak. Her spirit, hopeless.
But after following Lin Ran, she not only learned how to cultivate—she even received Earth-rank Techniques and Dou Skills. Most importantly, the threat of her Woeful Poison Body had been resolved.
Without that curse, Xiao Yixian was like a bird freed from its cage. No more restraints, no more fear. And now, in the bloom of her youth, how could she not be happy?
"Let's buy some daily essentials first."
Watching the cheerful, bouncing girl, Lin Ran gave a faint smile. "Then we'll head to the auction house and see if they've got any high-tier Monster Cores."
"Yes, Young Master!"
They weren't in a rush. Wandering through Black Rock City, Xiao Yixian's gaze was soon caught by a tidy little stall, and she stopped in front of it.
It was a basic vendor, displaying various trinkets and accessories. Most of them were common in quality—cheap crystals and imitation gems.
Xiao Yixian extended her pale, delicate hand and picked up a bracelet in shades of white and violet.
It was clearly a cheap piece, though it had been embedded with a little ice-silver to give it a cool touch, perfect for summer wear. The purple crystal on it was a synthetic version—imitating the purple crystals found in the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's cave.
"A fine eye, miss! This amethyst bracelet is made from only the finest purple crystal. It may not be a Magic Core, but it's quite rare—only found in the lairs of the legendary Purple Crystal Winged Lion King!"
Seeing her interest, the vendor eagerly launched into his pitch, "Miss, your beauty and this bracelet are a perfect match. If you like it, I'll sell it to you for three hundred—no, two hundred and eighty gold coins!"
Xiao Yixian paused slightly at the price, then said softly, "Ordinary synthetic amethyst doesn't even cost ten gold. This one's clearly artificial. I'll take it for twenty gold."
"What—twenty?!"
The vendor's eyes bulged. He thought he had found a generous buyer, only to realize she knew the market better than he did. Flustered, he shook his head.
"No way, miss! This bracelet cost me a fortune! One hundred—no, eighty gold! That's the lowest I can go! I'm just a small vendor—I need to eat too, you know!"
"Twenty. Not a coin more."
Xiao Yixian sniffed softly. Her firm stance left the vendor speechless.
His eyes drifted to the young man beside her and brightened. "Sir! This young lady… perhaps you can—"
"Here."
Lin Ran casually tossed a pouch onto the stall. Inside were roughly a hundred gold coins. With a wave of his hand, the bracelet flew into his palm, and he called over to Xiao Yixian, "Let's go."
"Y-Young Master…"
Xiao Yixian's cheeks flushed red. She quickly followed behind him.
Once they had walked some distance from the vendor, she glanced at the bracelet in Lin Ran's hand and said a bit awkwardly, "Young Master… this bracelet is a little different from the others, so I just felt like buying it. But that vendor was… really shameless."
"Merchants are merchants. It's normal."
Lin Ran idly played with the bracelet, flicking the purple crystal embedded in it with his thumb. With a light squeeze between his fingers, the crystal began to crumble, breaking apart like wind-worn sand until only a few purple fragments remained.
"It really is Purple Spirit Crystal!"
Xiao Yixian lit up instantly.
Purple Spirit Crystal was a rare Alchemy material and also a valuable natural treasure that could assist cultivation.
According to legend, these crystals could only be produced by the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's kind—once every twenty years, a small piece might appear. Even though this was just leftover residue, its value was easily over a thousand gold coins!
Her first time striking gold—Xiao Yixian was overjoyed. Even if it wasn't of much use to her personally, the feeling alone was priceless.
"So beautiful."
Lin Ran's sudden words made Xiao Yixian pause. She blinked, unsure she'd heard correctly. "What was that, Young Master?"
"Nothing."
Lin Ran shook his head and casually tossed the purple fragments into his mouth, crunching on them like candy. At the same time, he pulled out a blue gemstone from his spatial ring and embedded it into the now-empty setting on the bracelet.
Dou Qi pulsed faintly, and the gemstone locked into place.
"Take it. A fifth-rank Ice Alligator Monster Core—it'll help strengthen your Ice Sovereign Force Dou Qi."
"Eh?"
"What, you don't want it? I'll take it back, then."
"I do! I do!"
Xiao Yixian quickly took the bracelet from his hand. Seeing Lin Ran's calm expression, her porcelain face flushed once again.
Still, she wasn't the shy type. After the initial embarrassment passed, she gracefully slipped the bracelet onto her fair, slender wrist. The ice-blue Monster Core caught the sunlight and shimmered—making the already beautiful girl appear even more elegant and ethereal.
She looked up at Lin Ran, who continued walking forward calmly, and smiled sweetly with a heart full of warmth.
"Thank you, Young Master."
(End of Chapter)