Just as Xu Xianrong was about to swing her sword, the body of the wild bull suddenly shook and tried to squeeze into the cave, but because its movements were so big, rocks from the cave started tumbling down. The cave was about to collapse!

Xu Xianrong hurriedly withdrew her sword, not daring to pierce out the sword flowers.

She was confident in victory, but it was very likely that she’d directly collapse the entrance with it, and then the foolish bull’s body would be stuck at the entrance, making it difficult for Lin Tian to get out!

Suddenly, the strange bull, possibly provoked by something, started crazily pawing at the ground with its four hooves, trying to charge into the cave. With a rumbling noise, several rocks loosened and fell, crashing onto the bull’s body, yet it seemed to feel no pain or itch, showing no reaction at all. It still wanted to rush into the cave.

"Damn this beast." Xu Xianrong cursed bitterly, feeling both angry and anxious, utterly clueless on what to do.

"Lin Tian! Are you dead or what? If not, come out quickly, the cave’s about to collapse!" Xu Xianrong shouted loudly into the cave.

"I know! Don’t rush, just wait a bit!" Lin Tian responded.

"Wait my ass? The elixir is already ready, what are you still doing in there?" Xu Xianrong asked, exasperated.

"Uh... I’m checking what treasure this bull has on it. This third eye looks pretty strange, do you think I should cut it off?" Lin Tian shouted.

"..." Xu Xianrong’s face turned red with anger, was this the time for treasures? This jerk was still thinking about treasure!

"Come out now! There’s no treasure on that beast! Don’t end up dying in there!"

"Don’t worry, it’ll be just a moment!" Lin Tian replied.

After speaking, Lin Tian reached to his waist to grip the Black Dragon Dagger in his hand.

With his keen eye, Lin Tian could see this bull was anything but ordinary, indicated by the vertical eye between its brows and the sheen of its fur. This bull had not mutated; rather, it had eaten some rare herbs which altered its body.

The bull’s body was covered in treasures, not to mention its high medicinal value; they were heavenly treasures that couldn’t be found outside!

How could Lin Tian possibly let such treasures slip by?

Lin Tian stood in front of the wild bull, blocking the luminous glow from the Luminous Pearl inside the cave, allowing him to see only the vague outline of the bull and that one glowing red vertical eye!

Lin Tian inverted the dagger, raised it high, ready to stab through the bull’s head when the bull wildly whipped its head, determined to charge inside even at the cost of long bloody gashes against the stone wall. This left Lin Tian no place to strike! If that insane swinging bull horn were to hit him, his arm would be ruined — alas, the Black Dragon Dagger was too short!

Roar!~

With a deafening roar, the bull struggled and finally charged inside! Mouth open, it lunged at Lin Tian!

Lin Tian, like a nimble monkey, dodged backward, cursing, "You beast have an eye for treasures."

Clearly, this beast wanted the freshly crafted Foundation Establishment Elixir; otherwise, it wouldn’t have gone mad like this.

Seeing the strange bull enter the cave, Xu Xianrong clenched her teeth and cursed, "Lin Tian! You idiot! I told you to get out earlier, why did you dawdle? See what happens now!"

As soon as she finished, she heard Lin Tian’s response, "I’m fine, don’t come in, space is too tight in here!"

Xu Xianrong paused, scoffed, "That’s wishful thinking, I have no intention of going in!"

Just as she finished speaking, Lin Tian darted out of the cave, as fast as if he were escaping.

Soon after, the wild bull tried to follow suit, but its size was larger than Lin Tian’s, and it got stuck against the stone wall again, glaring with round eyes, roaring incessantly.

But its struggling movements were too immense, and with a ’rumble,’ stones from above finally fell, rolling down in a cloud of dust, partially blocking the cave entrance, and many rocks landed on its body.

"This beast has considerable strength but not much brain," Lin Tian said with a mischievous smile, looking calm and unbothered.

"If it had brains, I’d be dead on those horns!" Xu Xianrong said peevishly.

"Uh..." Lin Tian hesitated, stammering, "Sorry about that."

Xu Xianrong glanced at Lin Tian, questioning, "What are you apologizing for?

"..." Lin Tian was truly at a loss for words.

"There’s nothing to apologize for; I’m here as your protector. Can I blame you for my lack of skill? Fortunately, your alchemy is fast, otherwise, you’d be trapped inside!"

Lin Tian pursed his lips, sneaking a smile, thinking how Xu Xianrong’s sharp tongue was just like Mei Ruyan’s.

Truthfully, Xu Xianrong looked quite disheveled now, dust covering her body, her coat worn down with various holes, especially at the waist where she had been whipped by the bull’s tail, not only tearing her clothes but also leaving a deep red mark.

Through the clothes full of holes, besides various scratches, you could glimpse her stunning white skin.

Xu Xianrong noticed Lin Tian’s unusual gaze, just as she reached for her sword, she realized his eyes were as clean as a spring, with no filthy thoughts, only a touch of concern.

Instantly, Xu Xianrong’s anger subsided somewhat, she crossed her arms over her chest, covering the exposed view, scolding, "What are you looking at? Do you want to keep your eyes?"

Lin Tian quickly withdrew his gaze, chuckling awkwardly, suddenly he took off his jacket, revealing his toned muscles.

Xu Xianrong was startled, retreating three large steps, holding the Thousand Cyan Threads before her, coldly asking, "What are you planning to do?"

Lin Tian smiled helplessly, "What’s running through your mind? I only saw your clothes were too torn, and thought you might want to wear mine for a bit. The rest of the coats are back in the cave; this is all there is."

Xu Xianrong’s gaze softened, she put away her sword, and said coldly, "No need, I’m not wearing your clothes."

"Aunt, do you despise me?"

"Yes!"

"..." Lin Tian felt a stab in the heart; it had been a while since a girl had rejected him so outright.

Lin Tian smiled and didn’t insist further, putting his clothes back on, said, "Shall we head back now?"

"Hmm." Xu Xianrong nodded almost without hesitation.

"Then let’s go." Lin Tian smiled and led the way, saying, "I’ll lead this time."

Xu Xianrong stared at Lin Tian’s back blankly for a second, then resumed her serious demeanor and followed.

Lin Tian continued walking while talking non-stop, regardless of whether Xu Xianrong replied or not, and he never turned his head back, not catching any glimpse of spring beauty.