BTTH : From the beginning of the battle to the top

After becoming friends, the distance between the two of them had significantly decreased, and their conversations became more casual.

Lin Yuan asked Xiao Yixian, "What are your thoughts? Do you want to maintain the current state, or do you want to activate the Poison Body of Misfortune?"

Xiao Yixian frowned slightly, a hint of bitterness appearing on her beautiful face as she shook her head. "I don't know. My heart is very chaotic right now, and I have all kinds of thoughts."

Lin Yuan could understand Xiao Yixian's dilemma. After all, the Poison Body of Misfortune was different from the Three Flower Eyes of the Green Serpent; the latter had no side effects, while the former began a countdown on life the moment it was activated. Every bit of strength gained was a step closer to the end of life.

"Then take your time to think it over. Consider what you truly want, what you might lose with your decision, and what you might gain," Lin Yuan said with a bright smile, offering his advice.

From Lin Yuan's perspective, he naturally hoped Xiao Yixian would activate the Poison Body of Misfortune, as it would allow her to potentially become his ally in the future. Moreover, Lin Yuan was confident that, regardless of the outcome, Xiao Yixian would inevitably walk the path of activating the Poison Body; her extraordinary beauty destined her to never return to a mundane life.

As for how to deal with the side effects after activating the Poison Body, he already had some ideas in mind, but there was no need to explain them to Xiao Yixian for now. After all, confusion, entanglement, and decision-making were excellent trials for the strong, and this process of contemplation and resolution would lead to her transformation.

"If you were in my position, how would you choose? What would you do?" Looking into her friend's deep eyes, Xiao Yixian asked, genuinely curious about how the young man before her would decide.

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and honestly expressed his thoughts. "I am someone who pursues power, someone who wants to reach the peak. If there is a means to gain power, I would naturally not give it up."

Placing his right hand on his heart, Lin Yuan's tone became distant. "In fact, I have already paid some price for pursuing power. To become strong as soon as possible, I have less than four years of life left."

"You..." Looking at her friend, Xiao Yixian felt a mix of shock, worry, and more than a hint of regret. Such a remarkable person only had four years of life left. She felt a sense of shared suffering but didn't know what to say.

Seeing Xiao Yixian's expression, Lin Yuan chuckled lightly. "Haha, don't worry. I have already found a way to solve the problem. This continent is full of extraordinary people and events. When faced with a problem, one must find a solution. There must be a way to resolve the Poison Body of Misfortune."

"I hope so," Xiao Yixian said with a bitter smile. Deep down, she had a vague premonition that she would inevitably activate the Poison Body of Misfortune, and at that time, she would have to face its fate.

"Here, take this. You can also take the things from this side." Lin Yuan handed the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture to Xiao Yixian, having already memorized the parts he needed.

"Do you only want that flying combat skill? You clearly put in so much effort," Xiao Yixian said, surprised as she accepted the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.

Lin Yuan smiled without answering. Aside from the remnants of the Demon Fire map, the only thing worth studying here was the flying combat skill. He had a large collection of Xuan-level combat skills and medicinal materials in his storage ring, so this little treasure was insignificant to him as a sixth-grade alchemist, and giving it to Xiao Yixian was no big deal.

"Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay. The seeds in your heart will eventually sprout, and that will be the true time of harvest."

Ultimately, this treasure hunt concluded after Lin Yuan enjoyed watching Xiao Yixian's beautiful labor. He even specially gifted her two storage rings, but the amusing sight of her stuffed with a pile of items, making her body look round, was captured by Lin Yuan using a recording stone.

After the two walked out of the cave side by side, they found the blue eagle, Xiao Lan, waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Xiao Lan, Xiao Yixian ran over to check on its condition, and the giant blue eagle appeared particularly docile in front of her.

"Although it's only a first-tier magical beast, this little guy is quite intelligent. How did you tame it? Your strength is still below it, right?" Lin Yuan, who was walking behind, praised the blue eagle, which seemed to be somewhat protective of its master, and then posed a question to Xiao Yixian.

"Xiao Lan, this blue eagle, is one I saved by chance a few years ago. Later, through our interactions, I gained its loyalty and friendship. I suppose that's fate," Xiao Yixian said, stroking Xiao Lan's feathers as she recalled their first encounter, her tone tinged with nostalgia.

"Fate, huh!" Lin Yuan's tone was somewhat ethereal. He believed in fate but did not force it; he believed more in strategy and strength.

He walked over to Xiao Lan, reaching out to touch its beautiful feathers. Xiao Lan felt a bit fearful but did not dare to dodge under Lin Yuan's aura. It sensed a faint yet noble presence from the person before it, which made it have no thoughts of resistance.

Xiao Yixian watched in surprise from the side. Clearly, Xiao Lan did not like strangers touching its feathers, yet it was so docile under Lin Yuan's hand.

"Since it's fate, let me give you an opportunity! Xiao Yixian, step back a bit."

Although she didn't know what Lin Yuan was about to do, Xiao Yixian obediently took a few steps back, watching him curiously.

Lin Yuan took out a pill from his storage ring and a drop of magical beast blood, specifically the blood of the sixth-tier magical beast, the Gale Eagle King. With a thought, he conjured a ball of blue lotus earth fire to envelop the pill and the eagle king's blood. As the flames refined them, the energies of the pill and the magical beast blood mixed into a pure blood-red energy.

Under Lin Yuan's control, the blood-red energy enveloped Xiao Lan, slowly seeping into its body. During this process, Xiao Lan's bloodline and aura began to undergo a transformation, brewing an aura that surpassed that of a first-tier magical beast.

Before long, as the blood-red energy was completely absorbed and digested by Xiao Lan, a sharp eagle cry echoed through the night sky.

"Chirp!"

Xiao Lan let out a joyful cry, soaring into the sky. Its blue feathers seemed to shimmer with a hint of brilliance, exuding an impressive aura that could be considered outstanding even among second-tier magical beasts.

After circling in the sky a few times, Xiao Lan flew back to Xiao Yixian's side, gently nudging her chest with its head to express its joy. Xiao Yixian happily patted its head in response.

When Lin Yuan approached, Xiao Lan obediently extended its head toward him, expressing its friendliness. Lin Yuan reached out to stroke the feathers on Xiao Lan's head, looking at his creation and sensing its condition, his eyes showing a hint of satisfaction.

"The method tested on Hongyu is indeed effective. Using the blood of a high-tier magical beast of the same type combined with a suitable pill can enhance the bloodline and strength of lower-tier magical beasts. Hongyu probably hasn't completed its evolution because the quantity isn't sufficient yet."

Xiao Yixian looked at Lin Yuan enviously. This was an alchemist; this was a strong person, effortlessly allowing Xiao Lan to become a second-tier magical beast that could rival the strongest in Qingshan Town.

Shaking her head, Xiao Yixian suppressed her chaotic thoughts and walked over to Lin Yuan, looking at him earnestly to express her gratitude. "Thank you, Lin Yuan."

Lin Yuan smiled lightly at Xiao Yixian. "No need to be so formal. Although we haven't known each other for long, I feel an inexplicable familiarity with you. Perhaps this is what you call fate. Helping Xiao Lan was just a casual act for me; you don't need to thank me."

"Casual act? Is this what you mean by the capriciousness of the strong?" Xiao Yixian looked at the stars in the night sky, recalling Lin Yuan's earlier words, and asked softly.

"Yes, you could understand it that way," Lin Yuan replied, gazing at the same starry sky.

"Is that so? The capriciousness of the strong."

"If you really want to thank me, then give me a strand of your hair as a memento, as a token to witness our friendship."

"Is this also the capriciousness of the strong?"

"Yes, you could understand it that way."

Under the starry sky, the words of the young man and woman intertwined in the night breeze, their hearts drawing a little closer in silence while still maintaining a subtle distance.

After a long while, the two exchanged smiles.

Xiao Yixian took out a dagger from her storage ring, cut off a strand of her blue hair, tied it with a white ribbon, and handed it to Lin Yuan, her gentle voice carrying a hint of inexplicable meaning. "Here, this is the token of friendship you wanted. Be sure to cherish it."

Lin Yuan accepted the strand of hair, looking at Xiao Yixian with curiosity. He wondered what her expression would be when she activated the Poison Body of Misfortune and her blue hair turned white. It was truly something to look forward to.

Thank you all for your support. Please vote, bookmark, follow, and donate. Feel free to engage in the comments section.

(End of Chapter)