As a Dou Emperor, Yun Yun naturally knew just how difficult it was to advance within that realm.
Her three-star Dou Emperor strength wasn't just due to her own talent—it was also thanks to the full backing of Misty Cloud Sect, the abundance of natural treasures, and the support of powerful pills.
Without those advantages, it would have taken her several years just to rise by one star in the Dou Emperor class.
But Lin Ran's so-called imprint—wasn't it just a branded wisp of his power? How could it possibly be that effective?
"Alright, the mark is already placed. Whether you accept it or not... that's not really up to you anymore."
Lin Ran chuckled, "Time will prove everything I've said. Oh, and don't forget about that little Amethyst Winged Lion cub outside."
"When you take it back, remember to suppress its consciousness. If it goes wild in Misty Cloud Sect, that'll be on you."
His dominance was clear, yet he still spoke with concern for her. That strange contradiction made Yun Yun unsure how to feel.
A trace of helplessness flickered in her beautiful eyes.
'If that little Amethyst Winged Lion reaches maturity, it'll become a true tier-6 Magic Beast. The imperial family of Jia Ma Empire relies on their tier-6 Nether Sea Flood Dragon and peak Dou Emperor Jia Xingtian to hold the throne.'
'If I really take this beast back, it'll be a huge boost to both myself and Misty Cloud Sect.'
She shook her head. "But I can't take this for nothing. You've already given me such a huge piece of Purple Spirit Crystal—how could I possibly… mmph!"
"Who said you've done nothing?"
Lin Ran's hand casually wandered where it pleased. "Now that you're returning to Misty Cloud Sect, I've got a task for you."
"You… you're shameless!" Yun Yun's body trembled slightly.
"Your Misty Cloud Sect may be weak, but it's been rooted in Jia Ma Empire for years. It's well-known even across the Northwest. I'm sure you have good intelligence on this region."
"I need you to help gather information on high-tier Magic Beasts. You don't need to act—just provide intel."
As he spoke, Lin Ran took out a crystal and a jade slip from his storage ring.
Yun Yun looked a bit exasperated. In the empire, Misty Cloud Sect was undoubtedly the top sect, a dominant force even within the Northwest region.
But from Lin Ran's mouth, it was dismissed as "weak."
Still, considering Lin Ran's age and strength, she could only accept it in silence. She took the crystal and jade slip from him.
"This crystal can be used to communicate with me. Just infuse it with your spiritual power and Dou Qi. Even if we're separated by thousands of miles, I'll receive it. Though, you can only send a few minutes of messages each day."
"If you come across anything about high-tier beasts, send it through this."
"As for the jade slip—within it lies a single attack of mine. If you ever face a crisis, crush it to activate it."
"Put simply, so long as you're facing anyone below a Dou Venerable, you'll have nothing to fear."
...
Yun Yun was, after all, the Sect Leader of Misty Cloud Sect. She had responsibilities that required her presence. Lin Ran didn't particularly care about sect business—but Yun Yun did.
She wasn't the kind of woman who would submit fully just because someone took her body.
In her heart, Misty Cloud Sect held the highest place. Lin Ran might make her feel refreshed and satisfied, but he didn't want to control her through force either.
'A melon forced off the vine won't taste sweet. I, Lin Ran, am the young sect master of Cloud Rain Sect—I value mutual consent!'
And so, after another long and passionate entanglement, Yun Yun finally left the Magic Beast Mountain Range, taking the cub and the large Purple Spirit Crystal with her.
"Misty Cloud Sect, huh..."
This sect was crucial in the early stages of Battle Through the Heavens. It intersected with far too many plot points. Not to mention, Xiao Yan—the biggest future threat—would inevitably appear there!
And then there was the Hall of Souls.
Both the Cloud Rain Sect and Hall of Souls were the kind of sects that made people grind their teeth. But compared to Cloud Rain Sect, the Hall of Souls was even darker and more evil.
Cloud Rain Sect mostly messed with bodies—and only within the sect.
Hall of Souls was different. They toyed with souls. Soul-binding chains spread across the continent, and they especially targeted high-ranking alchemists.
And what was the result?
It was Cloud Rain Sect that got driven out of Central Plains—not the Hall of Souls. In fact, those bastards from the Hall of Souls even helped fan the flames during Cloud Rain Sect's downfall.
Lin Ran had personally clashed with one of the Hall of Souls' Protectors before.
The Pure Yang Body didn't just make his physique absurdly powerful—his soul was special too. When the Hall of Souls' people saw Lin Ran, they got even more excited than when they saw top-tier alchemists.
If not for his three powerful masters, Lin Ran would have been captured by them long ago.
Thinking of those bastards, Lin Ran's eyes turned cold and sharp. He let out a chilling laugh.
"Wu Protector, is it…?"
"But Misty Cloud Sect really would make a solid foundation."
Building a sect wasn't easy. With enough resources, sure—it was manageable. But everyone knew the state Cloud Rain Sect was in now. If things were fine, why would he have come to this poor backwater to build a branch?
Aside from some decent resources in Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods, Lin Ran had basically nothing. He was starting from zero.
'If I had a sect as a foundation, everything would be much easier.'
With that thought, Lin Ran exhaled and cleared his mind.
Setting up a branch sect was a massive undertaking. It couldn't be done overnight. As the young master of Cloud Rain Sect, this branch would ultimately be his base.
If it was poorly done, even if the Scorpion Demon Three Ghosts approved—it wouldn't sit right with Lin Ran.
"Guess I'll focus on absorbing this Purple Flame first."
With a flick of his palm, the Violet Amethyst Essence appeared in his hand.
In the original story, Xiao Yan had been too weak to absorb the full essence. So he had broken it apart using the Purple Spirit Crystal, then absorbed the source energy inside.
But Lin Ran's Violet Amethyst Essence was whole and unbroken—still radiating a gentle glow like a crystal.
Feeling the burning heat inside it, Lin Ran sighed lightly.
His cultivation had stalled. Even Yun Yun's Dou Emperor Dou Qi couldn't push him further. To move forward again, he had to make up for his lacking blood vitality.
But collecting twelve types of tier-6 Magic Beast blood and three tier-7 Monster Cores was far too difficult. The Heavenly Spirit Blood Dragon Pill was still a distant dream.
For now, he could only hope this purple flame would help.
"Condense!"
Lin Ran took a deep breath as the ocean-like Dou Qi in his body surged forward, flowing into the Violet Amethyst Essence through his palm.
A humming sound came from the surface of the Essence. Its outer shell rippled like water as it began to absorb Lin Ran's Dou Qi.
But soon, the outer layer began to tremble violently.
The Violet Amethyst Essence had a unique property: it could absorb and neutralize all attacks.
But that ability had a limit.
Lin Ran's power was far too overwhelming. Under the immense compression of his Dou Qi, the outer shell quickly cracked and began to collapse inward.
Purple liquid began to leak from the cracks, but Lin Ran pushed it back in with his Dou Qi, preventing any loss.
Within a few breaths, the massive Violet Amethyst Essence had shrunk down to the size of a thumb. It glowed with a tempting purple light—like a violet glass orb or a perfectly formed pill.
(End of Chapter)