Dear Readers,
Thank you for exploring the vibrant Emei Archipelago with Lan An! If this tale of elites and intrigue captivates you, please unleash a torrent of Power Stones! Your support drives this xianxia epic. Share with fellow cultivators, and let's soar to the top together!
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"Who taught you to sell out your sister like that?" Shui Niang Qing's face flushed crimson as she smacked Shui Mo Er's head.
The shameless youth grinned, clutching the Spirit-grade technique and scampering off, eager to start cultivating.
In his heart, he vowed to return to Saint Spirit Academy and show off. Would the top prodigies of the Saint Spirit Ranking still dare to boast before him?
Confident in his talent, Shui Mo Er had reached the Saint Spirit Ranking with mere Earth-grade techniques. Now, with a Spirit-grade technique, only the geniuses of Ninth-grade Powers could rival him.
"Keep the origin of that technique a secret!" Shui Niang Qing called after him. If others knew a Nascent Soul Peak cultivator produced a Spirit-grade technique, Lan An would face endless trouble.
Shui Shuang Hua gave a wry smile. As a wise woman, by allowing Shui Mo Er to accept Lan An's great favor, she tacitly consented to entrusting her daughter to him.
"Tian An, your actions are extraordinary, and you're a monstrous genius. Surely your background isn't simple. Can you share it with us?" Shui Shuang Hua asked. A mother's concern for her daughter's suitor was only natural.
Shui Niang Qing perked her ears, equally curious.
Lan An paused, choosing his words carefully before replying, "I hail from the Liu Clan, a mere Fifth-grade family. But I was fortunate to be taken as a disciple by a great master, leading to my current achievements. I'm also building a faction, still in its early stages."
He avoided mentioning the Lan Clan, as it always brought an unnecessary gloom.
Shui Shuang Hua and Shui Niang Qing exchanged glances, surprised by his humble origins. His surname was Lan, yet he came from the Liu Clan?
Sensing his reluctance to elaborate, likely due to some hidden past, they didn't press further. Shui Niang Qing, intrigued, asked, "What faction? What's its scale?"
"It's just taking shape, with fewer than twenty members," Lan An said with a smile.
"Fewer than twenty?" Shui Shuang Hua blinked. With Lan An's prowess, shouldn't he have achieved more?
Shui Niang Qing's beautiful face showed doubt.
Lan An didn't hide further, saying honestly, "My faction only recruits the elite of elites, prioritizing quality over quantity. We currently have four Void Refinement experts, ranging from Early to Peak, with the rest at least Late Nascent Soul."
Shui Shuang Hua gasped, stammering, "Four Void Refiners? Peak… Peak Void Refinement?"
Four Void Refiners? That was nearly the foundation of an Eighth-grade Power.
Peak Void Refinement? Most leaders of Eighth-grade Powers couldn't reach that level.
Hadn't Shui Liu, after stealing the True Sea Scripture and cultivating for a millennium, only reached Late Void Refinement?
At such heights, breaking through was harder than ascending the heavens. Among thousands of Late Void Refiners, perhaps one might reach Peak, requiring not just techniques and talent but critical opportunities.
Lan An nodded, confirming. Though Yan Yue Qi acted haughty before him, she'd accepted a palace on the Palace Tree, joining his Harem. Qi Nan Palace was proof. The other three Void Refiners were Bing Lan Xi, Ji Ya, and Qin Meng Ying.
Even the stoic Shui Niang Qing inhaled sharply. A faction founded by a Nascent Soul Peak youth, with such terrifying power, would be unbelievable if told to others.
Yet they believed, having witnessed Ji Ya's might.
"Is Ya Er part of your faction?" Shui Niang Qing asked, seeking confirmation despite her suspicions.
"Indeed, my faction consists entirely of women!" Lan An declared proudly.
Having confirmed his feelings for Shui Niang Qing, he wouldn't deceive her.
Shui Shuang Hua covered her red lips in shock, and Shui Niang Qing's eyes widened in disbelief.
Their reaction stemmed from his claim of an all-female faction.
Female cultivators reaching Void Refinement were rare, less than one-fifth of their male counterparts. The cultivation path was grueling, and few women had the resilience to endure it, many choosing to rely on male powerhouses.
From childhood, many girls dreamed of becoming consorts of true experts, not becoming experts themselves.
Thus, hearing a faction of fewer than twenty members boasted four female Void Refiners left the mother and daughter stunned. Each female Void Refiner was an idol to millions.
"Are… are they all your women?" Shui Niang Qing, wary of shocking her mother, asked via voice transmission.
Lan An replied swiftly through transmission, "Exactly. Soon, my Harem will welcome its fifth female Void Refiner you, Qing Er!"
"Harem? Shameless, who'd join your Harem?" Shui Niang Qing's face burned, scolding him. This guy was too confident. She hadn't agreed to join his faction, and its name screamed ulterior motives.
Shui Shuang Hua, lost in thought, spoke softly, "Tian An, could you consider letting Niang Qing join your faction?"
Shui Niang Qing: "…"
Seven days later…
The Dong Ming Merchant Guild officially merged with the Lan Hong Sect under Shui Niang Qing's decisive actions.
With its leadership mysteriously assassinated, the Guild, like a headless snake, was easily subdued.
Ming Island became a branch of the Lan Hong Sect, managed by a Late Divine Transformation elder, focusing on low-key commerce to funnel resources to the sect, avoiding unforeseen issues.
Simultaneously, the Lan Hong Sect announced to the world its closure for secluded cultivation, ignoring external affairs, with no set date for re-emergence.
This decision, made by Lan An and Shui Niang Qing after deliberation, was unanimously approved by the sect.
With the True Sea Scripture and vast resources, the Lan Hong Sect's urgent task was to digest everything optimally.
Sealing the sect, all members, from top to bottom, received resources and focused on cultivating the True Sea Scripture.
Cultivation was a long journey, and none could predict when the Lan Hong Sect would re-emerge.
But when it did, it would be transformed, like a carp leaping the dragon gate, perhaps surpassing its former glory.
Because they had Miss Shui Niang Qing and her betrothed, Young Master Lan An.
Naturally, the Lan Hong Sect also became a vassal of the Harem in Lan Zhou Continent.
One day, a hundred li from Hong Island, a man and woman floated gently under the dawn sky.
"Ready? Shall we head to the Western Sea?" Shui Niang Qing lightly traced the void, turning to the youth beside her.
"No problem. I'm still unfamiliar with Lan Zhou. I'll follow my guide's lead!" Lan An said with a carefree smile.
Shui Niang Qing nodded, took his hand, and tore open the void.
They stepped through together.
Western Sea…
An archipelago stretched endlessly, bustling with vibrant energy. Countless figures soared through the skies, while others walked the ground.
Docked at the islands were thousands of merchant ships from various factions, their clamor unending.
The locals stood out—tall, fair-skinned, blue-eyed. Men were robust, women strong and alluring, exuding a wild, Western charm.
Each region had its culture. Their attire was freer than the conservative dresses of Eastern women. Women's necklines plunged, revealing captivating cleavage between ample curves, utterly eye-catching.
Their legs weren't fully covered, offering glimpses of firm, alabaster thighs.
Men were unrestrained, some shirtless, flaunting chiseled physiques.
This was Emei Archipelago, vast as a continent, nestled in the boundless ocean, formed by countless islands, home to diverse races, predominantly Westerners.
A void rift appeared thousands of zhang above Emei Archipelago.
Lan An and Shui Niang Qing emerged, hovering in the sky, gazing down at the sprawling archipelago.
"Mm, harder! Haven't you eaten?" A sultry moan reached their ears, their faces turning odd as they glanced toward the sound.
Dozens of meters away, a magical carpet hovered. Atop it, a stout, blond, hairy man vigorously moved with a flirtatious Western woman.
Drenched in sweat, the woman clawed at the man's back, her ample chest bouncing rhythmically, panting and cursing, urging her partner to go harder.
The man panted like a slaughtered pig, his face pale, clearly unable to satisfy her.
"Haha, Westerners sure know how to have fun!" Lan An grinned, his eyes gleaming.
Making love mid-air, surrounded by drifting clouds—how romantic.
Ahem
Shui Niang Qing's face burned like a ripe peach. As a Void Refiner, she maintained composure despite her embarrassment, coughing softly, her Void Refinement aura carrying the sound to the couple.
"Ahh!" The pair, caught in the act, jumped. The thrill of being spotted sent the man trembling, releasing into his partner.
"Damn it, I wasn't done!" The woman gnashed her teeth, her face full of frustration.
Huff, huff
The man hurriedly activated the carpet's magical array, shielding their figures.
Rustling sounds followed, and the array opened again.
Now dressed, the couple acted as if nothing happened. The man grinned cheekily, boldly addressing Lan An, "Greetings, did you arrive by tearing the void?"
Lan An and Shui Niang Qing found it odd. With only Divine Transformation cultivation, shouldn't they be intimidated by Void Refiners? Why so casual?
Still, Lan An nodded politely.
"No wonder my personal elder didn't notice," the man chuckled, clapping twice.
"Young Master, your orders?" A void rift opened, and a two-meter-tall, muscular elder, like a wrestler, emerged a Void Refinement Early-stage expert.
Lan An and Shui Niang Qing were startled.
"Seventh Elder, I told you to secure a hundred li so A Li and I could enjoy ourselves mid-air. How careless, letting these honored guests see an unsightly scene!" The man scolded, pointing at Lan An and Shui Niang Qing.
"Young Master, you wrong me. Their aura-concealment is too sophisticated. I stayed vigilant but missed their void fluctuations," the Seventh Elder said with a wry smile.
"Oh?" The man raised an eyebrow. Evading the Seventh Elder meant these two were no ordinary figures. He waved, and the elder bowed, retreating.
Lan An and Shui Niang Qing watched, astonished. Commanding a Void Refiner elder suggested this man's status was extraordinary.
"Ahh!" A Li suddenly squealed, her face alight with excitement, pointing at Shui Niang Qing. "It's… it's Fairy Water Spirit, right?"
Shui Niang Qing nodded, puzzled, at the Western woman.
"Ahh, Little Li admires you so much! Can I have your autograph?" A Li beamed, producing paper and pen from nowhere, bounding toward Shui Niang Qing.
"Fairy Water Spirit? So it's her…" The man muttered, recalling seeing Shui Niang Qing before. Preferring the wild allure of Western women, he had little interest in Eastern ones, leaving no strong impression.
To each their own.
Shui Niang Qing signed for A Li under Lan An's teasing gaze.
Finished, they prepared to leave.
"Wait!" The man called out. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Bao Li, from the Emei branch of Duo Bao Pavilion. Honored to meet Fairy Water Spirit and this young master."
He produced a card, handing it to Lan An and Shui Niang Qing.
"Duo Bao Pavilion?" They exchanged glances. No wonder his extravagance—using a magical artifact for mid-air dalliance, guarded by a Void Refiner.
"Indeed. You two must be touring Emei Archipelago. In seven days, we're hosting an Item Exchange Ceremony for experts. Please join us!" Bao Li said, squinting like a cunning merchant.
"Item Exchange Ceremony?" Lan An and Shui Niang Qing's interest piqued.
"Yes, experts often collect treasures unsuitable for themselves, so they trade for what they need," A Li explained charmingly, tidying her disheveled hair.
Lan An and Shui Niang Qing nodded, grasping the ceremony's concept—a more convenient alternative to auctions.
"Alright, if we're free, we'll stop by!" Lan An said thoughtfully. His Lucky Shop didn't always yield ideal items, so this event could be a valuable experience, perhaps yielding suitable treasures.
Hosted by Duo Bao Pavilion, the items and attendees would surely be exceptional.
"Wonderful! Here's your invitation. Duo Bao Pavilion awaits your arrival!" Bao Li grinned, his chubby face jiggling, offering a gilded invite.
"Thank you!" Shui Niang Qing accepted, and they vanished.
Watching them leave, A Li smiled. "Word is, the Lan Hong Sect crushed the Black Sharks, took Ming Island, and recovered the long-lost True Sea Scripture. Their strength will soon leap forward, not to be underestimated."
"Not bad at all. My sister will definitely be interested in Fairy Water Spirit," Bao Li murmured.
His sister, a maid since childhood to the Duo Bao Pavilion's Saintess, served Tian Ye Yao Fairy Bao Long, fourth on the Golden Ranking.