Lin An went two more times, but the Golden Lion remained unpersuaded, simply defeating Lin An and driving her off without ever giving chase.
After these few days of battles, Lin An had surprisingly made a breakthrough once again, smoothly stepping into the Second Level of the Nascent Soul Realm and becoming even more adept at wielding the True Dragon Technique and the Phoenix Divine Art.
The fights with the Golden Lion were lasting longer each time.
"Lin An, this approach won’t do. The Dragon Saliva Fruit is about to ripen, and the Golden Lion stubbornly guards its lair, refusing to leave, giving me no chance to make a move,"
"Then, do you have any ideas?" Lin An asked.
Su Chengyu pondered with closed eyes for a moment before suddenly saying, "Tomorrow, when you go again, just declare that it will be the last challenge and then you will leave the eastern area to seek other opportunities. Afterwards, pretend to be injured and escape."
Lin An, being clever, immediately grasped Su Chengyu’s intention and nodded.
"It seems we only have this option to try... However, with this tactic, you’re using me as bait. You’re the first to dare to do such a thing to me,"
"This humble one trembles in fear. I thank Princess Lin An in advance,"
Su Chengyu said, clasping his fists.
Lin An rolled her eyes at Su Chengyu and said, "Come on, it’s time to accompany you in your training."
In these past few days as Lin An fought with the Golden Lion, she would return to another island to heal her injuries and then spar with Su Chengyu. This was greatly beneficial for Su Chengyu as well, allowing him to become more skilled in the True Dragon Technique and the Phoenix Divine Art.
Having a powerful practitioner like Lin An as a sparring partner was something others could only wish for.
Su Chengyu had advanced three levels in succession with the help of the Dragon Spirit Pill, causing his realm to be unstable and his Dao Heart not solid enough. Lin An’s continuous battles during her tribulation and now having her as a sparring partner had thoroughly stabilized his realm.
"You have learned the True Way of Controlling Thunder; perhaps I should teach you the Nine Heavens Thunder Summoning Technique too. It’s much more powerful,"
Lin An said.
"The Nine Heavens Thunder Summoning Technique is a top-tier secret skill from Mount Longhu. Isn’t it improper for you to impart it to me privately?" Su Chengyu asked.
"If I, the princess, decide to impart it, then not even Mount Longhu can interfere with me," Lin An said.
Su Chengyu hesitated for a moment and then responded, "I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather not learn it. Our Mount Qingcheng’s Heavenly Qi-breaking Five Thunder Technique is no less powerful than the Nine Heavens Thunder Summoning Technique."
"Moreover, if someone from Mount Longhu were to see it, they’d likely want to attack and kill me. The Quanzhen Sect already believes I’ve stolen their secret techniques and they’ve repeatedly tried to kill me; if Mount Longhu joins them, I won’t be able to withstand it."
Su Chengyu made an excuse to decline.
Although Lin An was a princess who disregarded the rules of Mount Longhu and could impart their secret techniques privately, Su Chengyu did not want to cause her any trouble.
"Alright, focus on cultivating the Heavenly Qi-breaking Five Thunder Technique, that shouldn’t be a problem," Lin An said.
"Lin An, are you Number One?"
Su Chengyu suddenly asked without warning.
"What Number One?" Lin An asked with a puzzled face.
"Nothing, just asking,"
Su Chengyu had suspected Lin An might be one of the Earth Core Lotus Fragment holders because of her high talent. If she was, she could only be Number One.
The holders of the Earth Core Lotus Fragments numbered seven, with only Number One being the most mysterious, never having spoken, and Daoist Qingxu had mentioned that Number One and Number Two had the strongest gifts.
Lin An’s identity fit the profile of Number One.
However, seeing Lin An’s natural reaction without any flaw made Su Chengyu somewhat dismiss the notion that Lin An could be Number One.
Of course, this wasn’t conclusive. Lin An was inherently intelligent and quick-witted, so her quick reaction was quite normal.
Lin An didn’t press any further, but couldn’t help remark, "This is so bizarre. Could it be that I hit you too hard just now, and you have lost your mind?"
"Just think of it as if I’m spouting nonsense."
The night passed without further conversation, and the next day Lin An and Su Chengyu again set foot on Gold Sand Island.
Following the plan, Lin An once again provoked a confrontation, startling the Golden Lion out of its lair.
"You wretched girl, utterly detestable, never giving it a rest."
The Golden Lion was also seething with anger. An Eighth Grade Demon Emperor, harassed daily by a girl from the Human Clan, treated as if a mere stepping stone for refinement, it was peculiar if it wasn’t infuriated.
"Old Lion, don’t be angry. I’ve come today to tell you that I’m planning to leave the eastern district. The battles over these past few days have benefited me greatly, and my Realm has also improved," Lin An said.
"You’re leaving?"
The Golden Lion was taken aback.
"What? Can’t bear to part with me? Come on, one last fight. After this, I’ll leave the eastern district’s waters."
Lin An wasted no more words, took her stance, and rushed towards the Golden Lion.
This time, the Golden Lion attacked even more fiercely than before, every move lethal, seemingly determined to finish Lin An off completely.
"Today might be the chance."
From his hiding spot, Su Chengyu’s face showed a trace of delight.
Lin An also fought without reservation. After the collapse of the double-pupil space, she spat out blood on the spot, with tears of blood running from her eyes.
"You’re indeed formidable, Old Lion. I’m not playing with you anymore, goodbye... no, it’s farewell, because I won’t come to bother you again."
Lin An wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and eyes.
"You crazy girl, you’re not getting away today!" the Golden Lion roared furiously and launched another attack.
Lin An felt as if she was targeted, the air around her solidified, as if she was trapped in a quagmire.
Lin An immediately pulled out a talisman. With a flash of the talisman’s light, she broke free from the Golden Lion’s restraint, taunting, "Old Lion, you can’t kill me."
Lin An rapidly retreated, while the Golden Lion roared skywards. It released a wave of demonic power, covering the entrance of the lair, and immediately rode the clouds in pursuit.
"As expected, the Old Lion seemed angry, but it had been calculating all along. It wanted to wait for the Dragon Saliva Fruit to fully ripen and then eliminate Lin An in one fell swoop, so it wasn’t in a hurry at all and tolerated Lin An’s provocations," Su Chengyu thought to himself.
A smile appeared on Su Chengyu’s lips as he grasped the Golden Lion’s mindset.
Lin An’s talent, in certain respects, was even more enticing to the Golden Lion than the Dragon Saliva Fruit.
That’s why Su Chengyu instructed Lin An to pretend to leave, and sure enough, the Golden Lion couldn’t resist and gave chase.
Su Chengyu immediately headed for the Golden Lion’s lair. Before it left, the Golden Lion had set up a barrier of demonic power to guard the entrance.
"Little Shi, lend me your strength to break this barrier! This is our only chance!" Su Chengyu exclaimed.
"Here I come! This barrier is strong; you can’t open it. Let me try to tear a slit for you to enter and pick the fruit,"
The Heaven-Mending Stone flew out from Su Chengyu’s wrist and surged with Five-Colored Divine Light before slamming directly into the barrier.
Su Chengyu watched intently, while also splitting his attention to watch for the Golden Lion’s potential return.
"The barrier is open, get in quick!"
The Heaven-Mending Stone suddenly transmitted its voice.