The Elf Queen's birthday celebration concluded with a dazzling display of Elven dances, their ethereal grace captivating the guests like celestial maidens. The remaining time was filled with feasts and farewells, as the crowd basked in the glow of strengthened ties with the Elven Queendom—a privilege countless external forces could only dream of.
Lan An emerged as a blazing figure on Sea Continent, his gift of the Pseudo Heart of Nature cementing his legend. Several powerhouses approached to make his acquaintance, and he responded with neither arrogance nor deference, nodding courteously. Hai Ying Tian, Hai Fei Yun, and Ji Kha, however, hastily excused themselves, their urgency puzzling the crowd.
"Lolo, Yue Qi, come visit Duo Bao Pavilion when you're free!" Tian Die Dao called out, flanked by her four maids, her eyes sparkling with hope. The sight of five radiant beauties inviting Lan An drew envious twitches from the young men present. Cheng Bi's mature allure, Bao Qiao's regal poise, Le Huan's serene elegance, U Ji's captivating charm, and Tian Die Dao's angelic face paired with a devilish figure made them the banquet's focal point.
Regret flickered in Lan An's eyes as he declined. "I've lingered long in Sea Continent and must return soon. Please understand."
"Hmph, reject me, and Dao Dao will be cross!" Tian Die Dao pouted, hands on hips. Her maids blinked in surprise—men usually leapt at their invitation, yet Lan An refused swiftly.
"There's time ahead, and we're business partners. I'm not running off," Lan An said with a wry smile.
"We have private matters to attend, no time for lovesick women," Yan Yue Qi added haughtily. Seeing Tian Die Dao's dissatisfaction, Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao tugged her arms. "Miss, Duo Bao Pavilion's affairs await us," they urged. Le Huan smiled, "We can contact Young Master Lan through Sea Phoenix Sect." U Ji's eyes gleamed. "I look forward to sparring with you, Young Master Lan."
Tian Die Dao nodded reluctantly. Reaching Lan An via Sea Phoenix Sect was simple, and she wasn't one to press unreasonably. "Be careful, Lolo. Some who seem defeated are still dangerous," she warned cryptically before bidding the Elf Queen farewell.
Lan An's eyes flashed, knowing she meant Bach Hieu Sinh. "Dao Dao, no need for formalities. Elf Island will increase its herb supply to Duo Bao Pavilion by half," the Elf Queen said warmly, grateful for the Heavenly Star Deer Egg. Tian Die Dao spread her arms for a hug, but A Nhi darted into her mother's embrace first. "Mother's mine! No stealing, Sister Dao Dao!" she teased, her cheeks puffing like buns.
Tian Die Dao stomped, her chest heaving with mock anger. "Little brat, wait till you grow up!" A Nhi stuck out her tongue, determined to guard her mother for "Brother Lan An." Cheng Bi and her companions exchanged nods, forming seals. Boom! A resplendent palanquin burst through space, eclipsing the sun. It whisked Tian Die Dao and her maids away, her parting words echoing: "Lolo, visit Duo Bao Pavilion when you're free!"
Her favor sparked envy, teeth grinding among the crowd. "A Low-Grade True Treasure, capable of spatial travel, surpassing your Dream Fairy Boat," Jin Ni noted. Lan An wasn't surprised—Duo Bao Pavilion's wealth was expected. His boat matched the palanquin's grandeur but lacked spatial capabilities.
Guests departed one by one, their high stations leaving little time to linger. Shui Shuang Hua drifted away like an untouchable fairy, her hair flowing in the wind, her robes ethereal. Lan An sighed, recalling the daunting Epic Quest for her heart. She'd remained aloof, sipping tea and nodding curtly to pleasantries. "Interested? Mid-Integration Realm's no easy feat," Yan Yue Qi teased.
Lan An shook his head, the System's quest daunting yet intriguing. His lips curved, thinking of the Mother-in-Law Conquest Quest. He squeezed Yan Yue Qi's hand, earning a soft lean against his shoulder. "Once they're gone, ask A Lian Ya to join us," she whispered.
"What's your plan?" Lan An asked, curious. "Secret," she replied with a sly smile. He chuckled, indulging her without pressing further.
"Young Master Lan, Pill Valley desperately needs a Pseudo Heart of Nature. If your Grand Master has another, please speak for us," Dan Vo Hanh transmitted before tearing through space with Dan Manh. A Lian Ya, clad in armor, eyed Bach Hieu Sinh coldly. "Young Master Bach, anything else?"
His scheming against the Queen irked her, her tone devoid of courtesy. Bach Hieu Sinh smiled faintly. "General Ling Ya, so valiant, yet confined to maintaining order on Elf Island. Isn't that a waste?"
Her expression shifted briefly before she scoffed, "Serving the Elven Queendom is my honor. No need for your concern."
He rose, adjusting his robe. "Just a thought. If General Ling Ya craves grand battles, seek me anytime." A Lian Ya laughed mockingly. "Grand battles? Like sending lackeys to ambush rivals?"
"You—" the Integration Realm elder behind Bach Hieu Sinh bristled, but he was restrained. Fanning himself, Bach Hieu Sinh shrugged. "Don't slander me without proof, General. The Moonlight Fairy's ambush could be another foe's work."
"Shameless," A Lian Ya sneered, her disdain palpable. "I'd love to take that foe's head, given the chance," Yan Yue Qi said coolly, her aura commanding. "I look forward to it," Bach Hieu Sinh laughed, pivoting to the Elf Queen with sincerity. "My heart's intent is clear, Your Majesty. Please value the Wood-Wind Micro Array, even unused."
"Thank you," she replied with a nod, wary of his cunning. Without Lan An, even her heaven-defying cultivation would have been trapped. "I take my leave. Elf Island is part of Sea Continent—please remember that," he added cryptically, vanishing with his elder.
He never glanced at Lan An, as if the victor were invisible. "His cunning surpasses his father's," the Khao Clan Elders thought, exchanging looks. A Lian Ya snorted, turning to Yan Yue Qi. "What do you need, Moonlight?"
"We depart tomorrow. I'll explain on the way," Yan Yue Qi said, tossing her hair. "Fine, stay the night. We'll go tomorrow," A Lian Ya agreed. With Lan An and Yan Yue Qi's free access to Elf Island, a night's stay was trivial.
"When do you two plan to leave?" the Elf Queen asked the Khao Clan Elders, cradling A Nhi. "Immediately, but first, we share news for you, Young Master Lan, and Fairy Moonlight, if you're interested," the one-armed elder said, stroking his beard. His wife nodded.
Lan An's eyes lit up—only a fool would miss their insights. He and Yan Yue Qi sat respectfully, the Elf Queen and A Lian Ya listening intently. A Nhi, uninterested, munched on fruit and sipped tea, carefree.
The elder woman spoke, her voice hoarse. "Viet Dragon Star, formed eons ago, saw humanity rise through intellect, resolve, and survival, thriving to this day. Its recorded history begins with the Primordial Era, when the first humans emerged, learning to gather, eat, and sense spiritual energy, forging basic cultivation to combat mighty beasts."
Lan An and the women nodded, even A Nhi growing attentive. "The Primordial Era gave way to the Ancient Era, where cultivation matured. Prodigies abounded, geniuses blooming like autumn leaves. Ancient texts call it the Cultivation Realm's golden age," she continued.
The crowd agreed. The Golden Era paled beside the Ancient Era, where humans mastered cultivation, harnessed exotic treasures, and used spirit herbs, with spiritual energy a hundred times denser. The Primordial Era laid the foundation for the Ancient Era's brilliance.
"But that's wrong. The texts are mistaken," the elder man interjected, startling them. "Our Khao Clan ancestors unearthed unknown ruins across generations, proving a civilization more glorious than the Ancient Era existed before the Primordial Era, before humanity."
The crowd's faces paled. A greater cultivation civilization before humans? "We call it the Far Ancient Era," the elder woman said confidently. "No humans existed then. Viet Dragon Star was ruled by races far stronger—Elves, Merfolk, Dwarves, mere remnants of that era."
The Elf Queen's veil fell, revealing a flawless face frozen in disbelief. "Seniors, why did the Far Ancient Era end? Where did those races go?" Lan An asked gravely.
The elder man's face tightened. "The Far Ancient Era vanished in a mysterious Blank Epoch, wiping out nearly all races. After it, the Primordial Era began." His wife added, "The Blank Epoch after the Ancient Era is another cataclysm, recorded in texts."
"What?" The crowd leapt up, reeling. "Viet Dragon Star faced two Blank Epochs, each a great purge, leaving only a tenth of life, for unknown reasons," the elder man confirmed.
A heavy silence fell. Lan An sensed an invisible hand orchestrating eons, the Blank Epochs tied to a single cause. "Will another Blank Epoch come?" A Lian Ya asked, trembling.
"Its cause and recurrence remain unknown," the elder man sighed. "Our ancestors studied this for ages, sharing all we know. But one thing troubles us," his wife added, her face sorrowful.
"What worries you?" Lan An asked, a suspicion forming but unspoken. "The Far Ancient and Ancient Eras, at their cultivation peaks, faced Blank Epochs, leading to ruin and new eras. Now, the Golden Era shines brightly, with prodigies like you. If history repeats…" She trailed off, sighing.
"Another Blank Epoch?" the crowd whispered, chilled by the cosmic shadow looming over their world.