The atmosphere grew heavy, an unprecedented weight settling over the group. Lan An's brows furrowed tightly. What force could bury two flourishing cultivation civilizations, leaving two Blank Epochs as unsolved riddles for posterity? Even ancient texts and records offered no clues, with all knowledge painstakingly pieced together by the Khao Clan's generations of effort.
"You are all peerless prodigies. Don't let this news dishearten you. Instead, train harder to prepare for any calamity," the Khao Clan elder urged, his aged face radiating wisdom. "Indeed, no one knows if another Blank Epoch will come. Perhaps there were only two. No need for undue pessimism," his wife added, her tone measured.
Their caution stemmed from concern that this cosmic secret might shake Lan An and the women's resolve. "Thank you, Seniors. We won't falter. I'd like to see what this Blank Epoch is—whether it can bring us down," Lan An said, his initial gravity giving way to calm confidence. Fearing an unclear threat wasn't his way, not with his companions by his side. He met Yan Yue Qi's fiery gaze, their shared resolve sparking a mutual smile.
The Elf Queen swept her sleeve, her voice brimming with authority. "The Blank Epoch sounds daunting, but our Elven ancestors preserved our lineage to this day. I have no reason to fear, nor will I disappoint them." A Lian Ya and A Nhi nodded vigorously, fully endorsing her words.
The Khao Clan Elders exchanged satisfied glances—they'd chosen the right confidants for this revelation. Rising from their seats, they prompted Lan An and the women to stand respectfully. "These old bones must go. We'll continue our archaeological pursuits until the Blank Epoch's mystery is unraveled," the elder man said with unwavering dignity. His wife nodded, tearing open a spatial rift.
"Wait, Seniors!" Lan An called out. "What is it?" they asked, puzzled, as the women turned curiously. "Have you heard of the Light Holy Land?" Lan An asked, his heart pounding.
The elder woman smiled. "A famed sect from the Ancient Era, destroyed in the Blank Epoch. Few records remain." Lan An's pulse quickened. "Any clues about it?" he pressed, hoping they held what he sought.
Regretfully, both shook their heads. "Finding the Light Holy Land might reveal Blank Epoch secrets, but it remains lost," the elder man said. "Thank you, Seniors. I'll remember that," Lan An replied, clasping his hands. The elders, uncurious about his interest, vanished into the void.
"Farewell, Seniors," Lan An and the women bowed, admiring their selfless pursuit. The Elf Queen's lips parted, her tone grave. "Keep this secret for now to avoid unforeseen chaos." Lan An and Yan Yue Qi nodded—its implications could plunge Viet Dragon Star into panic.
"Young Master Lan, Fairy Moonlight, rest well. I'll accompany you tomorrow," A Lian Ya promised. "Where are we going? A Nhi wants to come!" A Nhi bounced, her eyes gleaming. "No, it's too dangerous," Yan Yue Qi said firmly. "You little rascal, no gallivanting until you reach Nascent Soul," the Elf Queen teased, tugging A Nhi's ear. With a nod to the group, she vanished with her daughter, eager to explore the Pseudo Heart of Nature further.
Trusting their strength, she didn't pry into Yan Yue Qi's plans. "To our room," Lan An said, wrapping an arm around Yan Yue Qi's waist with a mischievous grin. Before she could blush, A Lian Ya's cheeks flushed, and she stomped off, soaring away. Yan Yue Qi's eyes sparkled with amusement at her retreating figure.
The next morning, three figures emerged from a spatial rift into an uncharted cave at the border of Wu Yuan and Sea Continent. Yan Yue Qi had enlisted Lan An and A Lian Ya to slay a beast within, guarding a spirit herb she needed.
A Lian Ya, clad in the Elves' agile war armor, exuded valor. Yan Yue Qi's white robe hugged her flawless curves, a vision that could undo any man. Sensing a colossal presence deep within, A Lian Ya grinned, her eyes blazing with battle lust. "Not a weak foe."
"What beast is it, Yue Qi? Why target it?" Lan An asked, curious. "It guards a spirit herb perfect for me. Its strength nears Seventh Rank, almost Integration Realm. I can't take it alone," she replied, tossing her hair. Lan An nodded, unsurprised—she'd found her own opportunity.
"This border breeds such beasts. Let's fight!" A Lian Ya, ever belligerent, surged toward the cave's entrance. "As you wish," Yan Yue Qi said with a smug smile, gliding in. Lan An, trusting her, followed, though his brow furrowed slightly.
A scorching aura hit them, even warming Lan An's abdomen despite his Strange Fire. The cave, vast as a city, stretched endlessly. Hiss! A serpent's cry echoed, and a massive creature glared at them, its eyes narrowed. Lan An's gaze sharpened—its form was bizarre, with eight human legs sprouting from its red-scaled body, interwoven with black venomous patterns.
"Eight-Legged Desire Serpent. With your and Fairy Moonlight's strength, it's manageable," Jin Ni mused in Lan An's mind. The serpent's bloodshot eyes fixed on Yan Yue Qi. "Foolish human woman, you again?" it hissed, wary. She'd bested it before, and now she returned with allies.
"No chatter. Die!" Yan Yue Qi snapped, her Heavenly Fire Hand blazing with Golden Crow Flame, clawing at the serpent's head. The cave trembled under her Refining Void Realm might. "Arrogant!" the serpent roared, stomping its eight legs and vanishing, dodging her strike.
"Its strength lies in those legs," Jin Ni noted. "Fast, but let's see if it's faster than me," A Lian Ya sneered, translucent wings sprouting behind her. "Instant Shift!" She teleported behind the serpent, her Green Breeze longsword—a Low-Grade Spirit Treasure—slashing with gale-force winds at its neck.
Clang! A Lian Ya's wrist numbed, forced back. The serpent's scales, as tough as Spirit-Grade materials, repelled her blade. "Its scales match Spirit-Grade refining materials. Full force is needed," Yan Yue Qi explained, smirking.
"Chaotic Serpent Kick!" the serpent bellowed, its eight legs blurring into afterimages, cracking space as they struck A Lian Ya. Enraged by her painful slash, it unleashed its fury. "Eight Trigrams Heaven-Returning Palm!" Lan An darted in front of her, spinning like a shuttle, his palms weaving soft yet firm seals to counter the kicks.
Thud! The technique faltered, and a kick sent Lan An crashing into the cave wall, his arms tingling. "A mere Fusion Realm ant dares defy me?" the serpent sneered, assuming he was gravely injured. But Lan An rose, unscathed save for slight numbness. His Dragon Emperor Spear roared, unleashing Sweeping Thousand Armies at the serpent.
Yan Yue Qi and A Lian Ya, unwilling to lag, struck with Thunder Emperor Scepter and Green Breeze longsword. "Thunder Fist Shock!" "General-Slaying Slash!" Boom! The cave shook, stones crumbling, space fracturing into dark rifts.
"You think me a petty snake?" the serpent roared, transforming into a middle-aged man with a human torso and serpentine lower body, its eight legs moving with uncanny agility. Its scale-covered arms, dripping molten lava, met the women's attacks barehanded. Boom! The collision rocked the cave, earth and sky trembling.