Yan Clan, Hot Spring Chamber
The announcement of attending Bai Hua Blossom Sect's Saintess Ceremony caught Yan Hong Lian and Yan Die Qing off guard. The vast distance between their clan and the sect had led them to believe they'd only meet Yan Ruo at Sacred Lotus Academy. This unexpected chance stirred complex emotions.
"Our Yan Clan rarely interacts with Bai Hua Blossom Sect. Why the invitation now?" Yan Hong Lian asked, her mind sharpening.
"A few years ago, their Palace Master changed. The new one is an old friend of mine," Yan Yue Qi explained. "This Saintess Ceremony is pivotal. The three new saintesses will represent Bai Hua Blossom Sect's countless disciples at Sacred Lotus Academy."
"So, it's a stage to showcase their new saintesses to the continent," Yan Die Qing said, her quick wit shining.
"Precisely. Prepare yourselves. We depart in half a month. Though our clan is far, teleportation arrays will handle that. Stabilize your cultivation—don't shame the Yan Clan!" Yan Yue Qi's voice carried concern beneath her command as she turned to leave.
"Mother's still upset," the sisters said, exchanging wry smiles. They understood that a Void Refinement expert like Yan Yue Qi wouldn't deign to attend a Seventh-Grade sect's event. Sending the Yan Clan's princesses struck a balance—courteous without ostentation.
Imagining their meeting with Lan An's first woman, they locked eyes, seeing fierce determination in each other. In unison, they declared, "We won't let her look down on us!"
Ling Wu City, City Lord's Mansion
In the grand hall, a tall, imposing man in green robes sat, his stern face radiating authority. Muo Heng, Ling Wu City's lord, an outer elder of the Seventh-Grade Tian Mu Sect, and a Spirit Transformation expert, held status that inspired awe. His word could summon clouds or rain in the city.
Yet now, his face twisted with fury, eyes bloodshot as he glared at a white-haired youth kneeling in grievance. "You wretched brat, look at your mess!" he roared, pointing aside.
There lay Muo Ying, a black-robed man, limbless and dying. His Nascent Soul cultivation couldn't heal his wounds, blood pooling beneath his pale, ruined form—a true cripple.
Muo Ying, Muo Heng's loyal confidant, was deeply trusted. That he'd followed Muo Jiao's orders to this end, costing Muo Heng a vital ally, ignited his rage.
Slap!
A palm struck, swelling Muo Jiao's face, knocking out two teeth.
"Bravo, bravo! Even I wouldn't dare provoke Jun Lin Inn, yet my son sends men to swagger at its gates. Well done!" Muo Heng snarled.
Muo Jiao's eyes shrank. Gifted with Wood and Ice spiritual roots, he'd been pampered by his father and promised a future as a Tian Mu Sect disciple. Arrogant and envious of superior talents, he ruled Ling Wu City tyrannically. Witnessing Lan An's prowess, greed drove him to order Muo Ying to seize his movement art.
"I didn't know Jun Lin Inn had such a powerhouse! Why didn't you tell me, Father?" Muo Jiao protested, trembling at Muo Ying's fate, realizing it could've been him.
"Tell you?" Muo Heng laughed coldly. "Tell you that I, the city lord, had land taken for that inn, pay no taxes, and can only grovel to its master? Is that my pride?"
He roared, "I taught you humility, that higher mountains always exist, to never underestimate others. Did it go in one ear and out the other? Greedy for another's treasures? Fine, but act cleanly! Why send Muo Ying to rob in broad daylight? Is your brain dog-eaten?"
Turning to Muo Ying, he bellowed, "And you, blindly following his idiocy without consulting me!"
BOOM!
A Spirit Transformation palm obliterated Muo Ying into gore, no mercy spared.
Muo Jiao quaked, witnessing his father's wrath. Even a loyal aide was slain without hesitation.
"Hmph, why keep trash?" Muo Heng sneered, using the act to cow his household. His divine sense confirmed their terror.
"Father, I was wrong! That youth has secrets—if we seize them…" Muo Jiao rallied, knowing as Muo Heng's only son, he'd not be killed.
"Fool! He's younger, yet outshines you, backed by Jun Lin Inn's master. You think he lacks a mighty force behind him?" Muo Heng lectured.
Muo Jiao paled, nodding as cold sweat drenched him. Blinded by greed, he'd overlooked Lan An's potential backing.
"Know your enemy before striking. You didn't even probe his identity!" Muo Heng sighed, teaching despite his anger. Muo Jiao was his only heir.
"What did you do to Jiao'er?" a shrill voice cried. A beautiful woman rushed in, lifting Muo Jiao, glaring at Muo Heng.
"Mother!" Muo Jiao burrowed into her arms, whining.
"Hmph, a spoiled child reflects the mother," Muo Heng snorted, his lesson disrupted.
"What? Your son's bullied, your aide crippled, and you blame us? Are you a man?" she shrieked.
"Enough! If that woman's truly enraged, not just me, even Tian Mu Sect couldn't withstand her!" Muo Heng bellowed, flushed with fury.
"What?" The woman froze, paling. She knew Tian Mu Sect's might, yet it feared this woman. Who was she?
"Both of you, confined for three months! I'll oversee it myself," Muo Heng ordered.
Knowing her fault, the woman dragged Muo Jiao away to console him.
Alone, Muo Heng's anger subsided. "Muo Hu!" he called.
"Here, Lord!" A burly Nascent Soul Late-Stage man appeared.
"Deliver 1000 Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones to Jun Lin Inn as an apology. Say it's from me to Mistress Meng Ying," Muo Heng commanded.
"Yes, Lord!" Muo Hu bowed and left.
Muo Heng's face darkened. Losing an aide and groveling with gifts stung, but in this world, might ruled. His climb to power came from knowing whom to flatter or fear.
"Who is that youth?" he muttered. Having reviewed Lan An's Beast Arena feats via array, his Spirit Transformation insight saw what others missed. This "Xiao Nan" was the most terrifying prodigy he'd encountered, outshining Tian Mu Sect's young master. The force nurturing such talent chilled him.
He sank into silence, alone in the hall.
Ling Wu City, Auction Hype
As the auction neared, Ling Wu City buzzed. Powerhouses from all corners flocked in, from minor clans to major sects. Rumors of a Heaven-Grade item—a rarity promising immense power—drew even distant factions, their elders escorting disciples to witness history.
Heaven-Grade items defined Eighth-Grade powers, their scarcity and might unmatched. Many clans lacked even Earth-Grade treasures, making this auction unprecedented.
Spirit Blossom Orb
Unfazed by the city's fervor, two figures meditated within the orb, bathed in spiritual energy thrice denser than outside. The woman's aura had stabilized, while the man's grew steadily.
Bai Su Mei opened her radiant eyes, her Third-Tier Late-Stage beast cultivation solidified. Smiling dazzlingly, she tossed her long hair, seeking her master.
Nearby, a white-robed youth cultivated, his handsome face stern, exuding magnetic allure. Who else but Lan An?
Gazing fondly, Bai Su Mei noticed a pristine robe beside her, clearly paired with Lan An's Immortal Lovers' Fate Robes, and a pair of shimmering swords, drawing her irresistibly.
Immortal Lovers' Fate Robes
Star-Silver Twin Swords
Her heart trembled. They felt made for her. Grasping them, a familiar warmth enveloped her.
Glancing at Lan An, her cheeks flushed with joy. "A gift for me, Master?" she whispered, already rising. Her full, pale curves quivered as she donned the robes, their elegance amplifying her allure. Wielding the swords, she resembled a mythic sword goddess, noble beyond measure.
She danced, swords weaving silvery arcs, their sharp hum promising to cleave all obstacles. Pausing, she sat, watching Lan An, content to gaze forever.
Three Days Later
A potent aura flooded the Spirit Blossom Orb. Within Lan An's dantian, the Spirit Earth Cauldron, once smallest, now rivaled the Mysterious Water Cauldron, even surpassing it slightly. His aura neared Nascent Soul, not quite there, but he feared no Nascent Soul cultivator.
He'd reached Mid-Stage Three Cauldrons.
The True Earth from Qin Meng Ying had excelled, elevating his Earth Spiritual Energy to match his Water Spiritual Energy.
Lan An opened his eyes, a piercing glint fading. Smiling, he savored his progress.
A soft form leapt into his arms, her curves and fragrance enveloping him. Lan An grinned, lifting her chin to admire Bai Su Mei's exquisite face.
Overwhelmed with joy, she tiptoed, her lush lips meeting his, her tongue eagerly seeking. Lan An indulged, savoring her sweetness, his hands caressing her smooth thighs, her cool skin soothing him.
Experienced, Bai Su Mei hummed seductively, her delicate hand slipping into his trousers, stroking his hardened length.
Lan An inhaled sharply, her deft touch igniting him. But with the auction today, he tempered his desire. Parting their lips, he gazed at her flushed, glistening mouth, playfully slipping a finger inside, teasing her slick tongue.
"Master, I want to join with you!" Bai Su Mei panted, her lower body already slick. As a serpent beast, her primal urges were fierce, no matter her saintly human form.
"Be good. Not now, but soon," Lan An said tenderly, stroking her silken hair.
"When?" she asked, pouting eagerly.
"I'll take you to the auction. After, we'll be together," he promised, withdrawing his wet finger.
"Yes, as you wish," she nodded obediently. Raised in Shan Mu Forest, the human world was alien to her.
"My Su Mei is stunning," Lan An said, admiring her in the Immortal Lovers' Fate Robes, her allure heightened. Picking up the Star-Silver Twin Swords, he asked, "Like them?"
"Love them. They feel so close," she said happily, caressing them.
"Bind them. I'll find a sword art for you soon," he said, noting her lack of a proper sword technique.
"Yes," she complied, binding the swords with blood. With a thought, they shrank, hanging at her waist.
Lan An nodded, delighted by her sword-like aura. Taking her hand, they exited the Spirit Blossom Orb.