With Bai Lian Hua's appearance, a looming battle dissolved into peace. The beasts' fury subsided, their gazes softening toward the angelic maiden. Even the Blazing Tiger, gravely wounded, was tamed by her innocent charm.
"All done! Tiger Uncle, rest well, and you'll fully recover," Bai Lian Hua said, her delicate hands coated in healing salve, smiling gently as the tiger's wounds stabilized.
"Thank you, little one," the Blazing Tiger rumbled, its fierce demeanor gone, eyes warm.
"We were at fault. I beg the beast seniors' forgiveness," Bai Lian Hua said earnestly, taking the blame with a pleading tone.
The beasts exchanged glances, their hostility washed away by her voice, as if purified. They felt no urge to fight. The Stone Ape and Blade Slaughter Tree Demon nodded to each other.
The Stone Ape hoisted its stone pillar, its voice booming, "White Sand Dynasty is a Ninth-Grade power. Next time, ensure your people aren't so arrogant—it tarnishes your reputation."
Its gaze flicked warningly to Yu Chen, who paled but held his tongue under Lu Lao's scrutinizing look. The White Sand Seven Eunuchs were legendary, the emperor's most trusted, with Lu Lao as the sixth. Yu Chen dared not defy him.
"Thank you, Ape Uncle, for the reminder. We'll travel by ground until we leave Autumn Pine Forest," Bai Lian Hua said with a radiant smile, unoffended.
The Stone Ape nodded, satisfied. Ignoring the surroundings, it smashed its pillar into the void, creating a rift, and strode through. The Blade Slaughter Tree Demon followed, its sharp vines carving a deep chasm. Its massive roots shook the earth, vanishing underground.
BOOM!
The ground quaked as the tree demon burrowed away. The remaining beasts, seeing their leaders retreat, returned to their territories. The Blazing Tiger and Ghost Cobra shot Yu Chen a final glare before departing.
In moments, the golden forest was left with only the White Sand Dynasty's entourage and a ravaged landscape, evidence of the recent clash. The White Bird Legion exchanged relieved glances. Despite their rigorous training, facing such a beast horde was daunting.
"Black Bird General, we were wrong. Be humbler in your travels," Bai Lian Hua said softly, wiping sweat from her brow, her tone gentle but firm.
"I understand, Princess," Yu Chen replied, startled, nodding stiffly. His fists clenched, pride stinging.
Bai Lian Hua said no more, skipping back to her carriage. "We'll walk until we're out of Autumn Pine Forest, then resume flying!"
"As you command, Princess!" the legion roared.
As her angelic figure disappeared into the carriage, Lu Lao turned to Yu Chen, patting his shoulder sternly. "Youthful pride is natural, but true strength lies in restraint. Without it, you're just a reckless brute."
Yu Chen's face soured, unconvinced. "Lu Lao, they're mere beasts. If we couldn't win, why not summon aid from the dynasty? A Body Unity expert could raze this forest. Why humble ourselves?"
White Sand Dynasty, a Ninth-Grade power on Yellow Sand Continent, rivaled the Fire Underworld Sect. A Body Unity expert could resolve this easily, he thought.
Lu Lao's eyes flashed with disappointment, quickly masked. "Body Unity experts are not trifles to deploy for bravado. Remember, we're not the sole power on this continent. Learn from the princess—she resolved this without a single loss. That's true strength."
Without waiting for a reply, Lu Lao returned to the carriage, guiding the White Sky Horses to the ground. Yu Chen took a deep breath, leaping onto his Black Bird. "Cease flying!" he ordered.
The White Bird Legion descended, their birds trotting along the uneven terrain. The bird carrying Lan An followed, its strides jostling him. Still feigning unconsciousness, he looked even more pitiful, bloodied and bouncing.
Lan An marveled at Bai Lian Hua's miraculous ability, his curiosity about Good Charm intensifying. He longed to encounter Demonic Charm, Immortal Charm, and Evil Charm someday. His wounds had stabilized, and he planned to escort the group to the dynasty, repay Bai Lian Hua with treasures from the Lucky Shop, then find his way back to Ice Heaven Continent.
He had much to do: complete his mission at the Mission Hall to obtain the Fusion Spirit Herb for crafting the Fusion Flame Pill, enabling Yan Hong Lian to forge her Great Sun Divine Body and boost her strength. Then, he'd visit his women's families—those like Tuo Qing Xuan, without kin, were simpler, but for Tuo Mi's sisters or Li Zhu Luan's clan, he'd offer proper betrothal gifts, earning their approval, as he had with Ai Xin's Ai Clan and Shui Nương Khanh's Sea Crimson Sect. It was his duty before training with Wu San Niang.
The White Bird Legion marched with Yu Chen at the lead, two powerful Late Fusion Realm soldiers guarding the rear. The bird carrying Lan An trailed them, and their hushed conversation reached his ears.
"Brother Li, why did His Majesty urgently recall the princess from the Academy?" one asked, voice low, confident their strength and distance prevented eavesdropping.
Brother Li's lips twitched. "You shouldn't know this."
"Come on, we're brothers for years. Don't you trust me?" the other pleaded.
Li sighed, recalling his comrade's discretion. Lowering his voice, he said, "That thing is stirring again. Even His Majesty and the Empress barely suppressed it. They need the princess's help."
"What? That thing again? Even His Majesty needs aid?" the soldier's face darkened. The emperor and empress were Body Unity experts.
Lan An's interest surged. The emperor, ruler of White Sand Dynasty, was undoubtedly formidable, yet only temporarily contained this "thing." What was it?
Brother Li exhaled. "Over countless years, it's gained intelligence rivaling humans, growing stronger in its environment."
He warned sternly, "This is the dynasty's secret. Don't leak it, or it'll cause panic."
Li only knew due to his father, a court minister. The other nodded solemnly but mused, "If I could tame it, I'd rule the dynasty—no, the entire star!"
"Hah, dream on! Even past emperors only bargained with it. It's a double-edged sword—mishandle it, and you're cut," Li scoffed.
"But without it, there'd be no White Sand Dynasty, right?" the soldier whispered, already knowing the answer.
Li smiled, saying nothing. Lan An's heart raced, excitement flooding him. The dynasty hid something extraordinary.
A mechanical voice echoed in his mind: "Ding! Epic Quest triggered: [Great Taming]. Success: Gain one Physique Summon and one Bloodline Summon. Failure: Become the White Sand Dynasty's mortal enemy."
Lan An's breath caught. Physiques and Bloodlines were his greatest desires, their Lucky Shop prices astronomical and appearances rare. A quest offering both was irresistible.
"I'll have to visit White Sand Dynasty," he resolved, opening the quest details.
Quest: Great Taming. Within one year, tame the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth sealed in White Sand Dynasty.
"Oh?" Lan An's heart stirred. This Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth was likely the "thing" mentioned. "Jin Ni, what's this Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth?" he asked, suspecting its nature.
"A Unique Earth, of course!" Jin Ni replied promptly.
"As expected," Lan An murmured, but frowned. "Unique Attributes are rare, but why an Epic Quest for this?"
His past Unique Attribute hunts rarely triggered quests. Jin Ni chirped, "It depends on the attribute's grade."
"Is this Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth high-grade?" Lan An pressed.
"I can't define its grade yet," Jin Ni pouted, licking her lips mischievously. "But I can confirm it's the strongest Unique Earth on Viet Dragon Star."
Gulp.
A swallowing sound came from the bloodied, "unconscious" youth on the White Bird.