Lan An's lips twitched as Wu San Niang's words sank in. Ten Revolutions Body Cultivation, equivalent to a True Immortal—a realm he'd never even heard of. Savage Star's power clearly dwarfed Viet Dragon Star by far more than a single tier.
On Viet Dragon Star, cultivators who surpassed Tribulation Crossing to reach Half-Immortal were forced to ascend to the Immortal Realm, as the world could no longer contain them. But Savage Star offered a broader stage, allowing cultivation to rival or even exceed True Immortals—a staggering advantage.
Imagine a Half-Immortal stepping into the Immortal Realm, akin to a Qi Refining novice on Viet Dragon Star: the lowest rung, a mere ant. For those accustomed to ruling the lower realms, adapting to such humility was excruciating. Yet, on Savage Star, a Ten Revolutions cultivator, or beyond, could ascend with a foothold, never relegated to the bottom.
This was the edge of a higher-tier world, one Viet Dragon Star couldn't match. A True Immortal—how formidable would they be? Could a Tribulation Crossing expert withstand even a single move? Savage Star's limits, beyond True Immortal, were unknown even to Wu San Niang, let alone Lan An.
Endless curiosity and ambition surged within him, igniting his fighting spirit. He yearned to witness Savage Star's titans.
"Even seen an Immortal King's heir, and you're this excited?" Jin Ni interrupted, pouting and sticking out her tongue.
Lan An jolted, recalling the two self-proclaimed Immortal Kings who descended to Viet Dragon Star because of him: Great Hand Immortal King and Phu Dong Immortal King. Without showing their true forms or unleashing a single notable move, they'd nearly destroyed the star.
"How much stronger is an Immortal King than a True Immortal?" Lan An asked, swallowing hard.
"No comment!" Jin Ni huffed, ignoring him.
Lan An shrugged, expecting as much. "Stinky brat, distracted while talking to me?" Wu San Niang snapped, grabbing his ear with slender fingers.
"Ow!" Lan An feigned a yelp, then said solemnly, "I was just wondering how strong the Great Beast and Great Han Clan Chiefs are."
Wu San Niang nodded, sharing his curiosity, but her voice brimmed with confidence. "Don't worry. Surpassing them is inevitable for us, master and disciple. But for now, we're not worthy of wondering."
Her nonchalance, unblinking eyes, and proud smirk radiated certainty, as if toppling Savage Star's titans was already in her grasp. Her aura as a supreme powerhouse shone, leaving Lan An in silent awe. Worthy of his master.
With nothing left to discuss, Wu San Niang dispelled the barrier.
The Dwarf Clan Leader, Elf Queen, and A Lian Ya, though curious, refrained from prying. "With this matter settled, Lian Nga and I should return to Elf Island," the Elf Queen said, her voice like a clear spring, her eyes admiring Wu San Niang. "This trip, witnessing Senior Wu's grandeur, was well worth it."
"My thanks for your aid, Queen," Lan An said sincerely, clasping his hands. The Elf Queen's valor, standing firm against the Dan Clan and Fire Underworld Sect, proved her a true heroine.
But hearing she'd take A Lian Ya, Lan An hesitated, about to speak when Wu San Niang turned to A Lian Ya. "This little Elf catches my eye, and she's Yan Yue Qi's friend. Skilled with saber and bow, are you interested in visiting Sacred Lotus Academy? I've some teachings for you. No pressure, of course."
A Lian Ya's eyes sparkled. She'd longed to join Lan An's harem but hadn't known how to broach it with her master. Wu San Niang's offer was a godsend. Lan An silently thanked his master—she was clearly playing matchmaker.
The Dwarf Clan Leader nodded enthusiastically. "They say the Mad Queen, beyond her famed fist arts, masters most weapons. For Lian Nga to catch her eye is enviable."
The Elf Queen was surprised. A Lian Ya's talent, though high, paled beside Lan An or Yan Yue Qi. She shouldn't have drawn Wu San Niang's attention. But such an opportunity, even briefly under a Tribulation Crossing expert, was priceless.
She bowed gracefully. "Senior Wu's favor is Lian Nga's fortune. I, Xi Shen, thank you on her behalf."
"Xi Shen? Noble name," Lan An murmured, fitting for the regal Elf Queen.
Wu San Niang shot Lan An a sly glance, sensing the spark between him and A Lian Ya. Not wanting to split the pair, she'd intervened. "No need for formalities. I act on fate. How much she learns is up to her," she said, exuding a master's aura.
"I won't disappoint you or Master, Senior!" A Lian Ya bowed deeply.
"Nga, study well under Senior Wu. Elf Island is safe with me and the elders," the Elf Queen instructed, then bid farewell to Lan An and the Dwarf Clan Leader. She tore open the void and returned to Elf Island.
"When I return, I'll ensure Elf Island's safety from all threats," A Lian Ya vowed, gazing at her master's retreating figure, her delicate hand clenching.
A warm, large hand covered hers. Lan An's deep voice rang out. "What you protect, I'll protect with you."
A Lian Ya's eyes shimmered, her fair cheeks flushing. "Done for… another maiden falls to his claws, just like my precious disciple," the Dwarf Clan Leader muttered, his beard bristling.
A Lian Ya's blush deepened, radiant as a goddess. Lan An coughed. "Xin'er is in seclusion. Next time, I'll bring her to visit you, Elder."
"If Xin'er suffers the slightest grievance, I'll face even the Mad Queen to settle scores with you!" the Dwarf Clan Leader huffed, turning to leave.
"His refining realm rivals my status," Wu San Niang mused, impressed. With a punch, she shattered the void, taking Lan An and A Lian Ya with her.
Gazing at the vast sea, Lan An felt a pang of reluctance. Too many events here had touched his heart. At Sea Crimson Sect, a peerless Golden List beauty awaited, not joining him yet.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his emotions. His path was long. Holding Wu San Niang and A Lian Ya's hands, he stepped into the void.
In the misty void, countless rifts spread. Wu San Niang moved at a speed that left Lan An and A Lian Ya dizzy, able only to close their eyes. The distance between continents was vast, and void travel depended on a cultivator's strength.
A Lian Ya, a Refining Void expert, was no stranger to void travel, but Wu San Niang's pace was otherworldly. Vision and hearing couldn't keep up, only sensing unimaginable speed.
BOOM! CRACK!
A sudden anomaly erupted. The void twisted violently, countless spatial vortexes forming unnaturally, closing in on the trio. They were surrounded, forced to halt.
Before Lan An or A Lian Ya could react, their robes were shredded, leaving them bare. Wu San Niang, a peak continental powerhouse, stood unshaken, her spiritual shield barely trembling under the spatial pressure.
"Hmph, should've checked the almanac. A Void Storm, of all things," she cursed.
Void Storms, rare calamities in the void, spawned crushing spatial vortexes. To Refining Void cultivators, they were terrifying, but Wu San Niang, a Tribulation Crossing expert with Eight Revolutions Body Cultivation, was fearless.
Yet Lan An's body bled, his Fusion Realm cultivation struggling against the spatial pressure despite her protection. "We must leave quickly!" Wu San Niang muttered.
Lan An's eyes flashed. This was no real threat. He prepared to retreat into the Spirit Realm Pearl with A Lian Ya, letting Wu San Niang carry them out—the perfect escape.
But fate intervened. A deafening explosion rocked the void.
BOOM!
Countless vortexes detonated, startling even Wu San Niang. In that instant, she lost her grip on Lan An. The void seized the chance, sweeping him away.
"No!" A Lian Ya screamed, panic-stricken.
"Dream on!" Wu San Niang reacted swiftly, her fist blazing with flames.
BOOM! BOOM!
Her punch shattered the approaching vortexes, fragmenting the void. But in that moment, Lan An was sucked into an unknown spatial rift.
"Don't panic! Return to the Academy and wait!" Lan An roared before vanishing.
"Damn it! I'm furious!" Wu San Niang gritted her teeth, enraged at losing her disciple. Grabbing A Lian Ya, her golden eyes blazed, her aura shifting. Her hair danced in the void, her voice thundering, "Divide the Heavens!"
Her leg rose, then slammed down.
CRACK!
Before A Lian Ya's stunned eyes, the void split in two. The fearsome Void Storm crumbled like paper. Silence returned.
Holding A Lian Ya, Wu San Niang's brow furrowed. "Damn it, who tampered with the void to distract me?"
Her strength could handle a Void Storm, but its unnatural cause—human interference—had caught her off guard, costing her Lan An. With no time to ponder, she sped toward Sacred Lotus Academy.
Closing her eyes to sense Lan An's mark, her flawless face twisted. The mark she'd secretly placed on him was gone, crushed by the storm.
"No need to worry. That brat's got a tough fate. We'll wait for him to crawl back," she said to A Lian Ya with a light smile, waving dismissively. "In the meantime, I've got things to teach you."
A Lian Ya bit her lip, suppressing her worry, and nodded firmly.
At Blood Spirit Sect, in a hidden chamber, thousands of corpses and blood swirled in a massive cauldron, forming a colossal vortex. At its center, a crimson array pulsed, warping the surrounding space.
If Wu San Niang were here, she'd understand the Void Storm's unnatural origin. Blood flowed into the array, fueling its power.
Nearby, the Blood Emissary watched with eager anticipation. The Blood Spirit Sect Leader and Great Elder knelt reverently, gazing at the array with fervor.
"The Star-Crossing Blood Array cost half our lives to activate. I hope nothing goes wrong," the Sect Leader muttered, swallowing hard.
The Blood Emissary glanced disdainfully. "It's just the first step of the plan. No need for such worry."
"Wise words, Emissary!" the Great Elder fawned.
The array fully activated, bathing the space in blood-red light. The chamber shook violently.
BOOM! BOOM!
Heavy, disciplined footsteps echoed from the void. Figures in crimson robes, exuding sky-piercing killing intent and the stench of blood, emerged from the array. Thousands of Blood Realm Soldiers flooded in.
The Blood Emissary licked his lips, bloodthirsty. "Blood Realm Soldiers—descend upon Viet Dragon Star."