Bai Chun never anticipated that his every move was calculated by Lan An.
First, Lan An lured him into complacency by hiding in Mother Earth's Embrace, secretly forming Desolate Universe Suppression Seal. When Bai Chun, elated at shattering the egg with his Earth Gold Mace, grew careless, Lan An struck.
Boom!
The seal slammed into Bai Chun's chest, silencing the heavens.
Destructive force ravaged his body. His Peak Earth-Grade armor shattered, organs twisted, bones pulverized.
Before the horrified eyes of Yu Chen and countless spectators, Bai Chun flew like a tattered rag, flung beyond the arena's bounds.
Blood sprayed midair, his mind fading. "Why? Why did he dare strike me, the Young Lord, with full force? Doesn't he fear becoming the White Sand Empire's enemy?" Bai Chun's thoughts muddled before he passed out, unable to fathom why Lan An didn't cower like others.
He didn't know Lan An cared nothing for his status, unaware he was the Young Lord. To Lan An, those who sought his life deserved death—simple as that.
"With that armor, he's probably not dead. Pity," Lan An muttered, his current strength insufficient to destroy a Peak Earth-Grade artifact and kill its wearer.
As Bai Chun's body neared the ground, a domineering figure tore through the air, catching him gently.
The crowd's eyes shrank, recognizing him. "Greetings, Lord Bai Zhi!"
Bai Zhi ignored the clamor, his face grim as he examined his son. Seeing Bai Chun alive, he exhaled in relief.
But his expression darkened, rage surging. Bai Chun's injuries were catastrophic—meridians, organs, and bones nearly obliterated. To resume cultivation, he'd need a new body or a Mid Spirit-Grade healing treasure.
Bai Zhi, who doted on his only son, had indulged Bai Chun's arrogance, believing he deserved it. Others, weaker, should endure his dominance. Now, seeing his son broken, Bai Zhi's eyes blazed with bloodshot fury. He glared at Lan An, voice low and menacing.
"A mere competition, yet you used such vicious methods. This Lord shall cripple you as a lesson!"
His words thundered, and spectators paled, none daring to object. Bai Zhi wasn't just the empire's lord but an Early Body Unity powerhouse.
Yu Chen retreated swiftly, fearing collateral damage, eyeing Lan An like a dead man.
"Shameless!" Nangong Yuan's voice rang coldly, her face darkening. Such audacity—attacking her husband for winning fairly.
If Lan An was harmed, she'd find a way to slay Bai Chun, even under Bai Zhi's protection, no matter the cost.
On the high platform, Bai Lian Hua, initially sympathetic to Bai Chun's plight, soured at Bai Zhi's words. Standing, she urged, "Lord Uncle, calm yourself. The Earth Battle Grand Assembly's rules dictate life and death are one's own. Bai Chun chose to compete—he and you should've been prepared!"
Her voice, laced with Good Charm, resonated, swaying many to nod in agreement.
But to a Body Unity powerhouse enraged over his son, her words were futile.
"Little Princess, your uncle's son was viciously attacked, yet you side with the culprit?" Bai Zhi growled, his elder status granting him authority to rebuke her.
"It's a competition—everyone saw!" Bai Lian Hua retorted calmly.
"The Earth Battle Grand Assembly is sacred. A venomous heart like his has no place here. This Lord will cripple him, and you can't stop me!" Bai Zhi's Body Unity aura surged like a sea.
"Lord Uncle, you're too much!" Bai Lian Hua glared, producing a jade pendant—not for Lan An, but to summon her mother, Hua Qing Zhu.
Seeing the Sound Transmission Jade, Bai Tian shivered, wary of that icy woman.
"Hahaha!" Lan An's laughter boomed, wild and scornful, drawing all eyes.
Wiping his grin, he mocked, "I was personally invited by the Great Elder to this assembly, thinking a Ninth-Grade faction's prestige would be grand. What a farce!"
The crowd darkened, knowing the Great Elder had indeed invited him—a fact many witnessed.
Spitting, Lan An shrugged. "Bai Chun challenged me, tried to kill me, even used a Peak Heaven-Grade artifact. Everyone saw! He failed, was saved by Yu Chen, then tried to sneak attack me with lethal moves. Should I have stood still? I defeated him fairly, yet someone uses status and power to threaten me? Laughable Earth Battle Grand Assembly!"
His bold laughter shamed White Emperor City's citizens, his words ringing true.
Prodigies from other factions clenched their fists. In Lan An's place, they'd face the same fate—crippled for winning.
"I recall past assemblies—high ranks always went to the empire, avoiding conflicts. Now, Bai Chun's defeat by an outsider prompts power abuse. Disgusting!" one whispered.
"Exactly! I've joined three assemblies, always watching the empire claim prizes," another grumbled.
"If I had Wen Lang's strength, I'd still be targeted!" a third hissed.
The foreign prodigies' murmurs exposed the empire's bias, souring Bai Zhi's face. His rashness had tarnished the empire's reputation.
But his arrow was loosed. His hatred for Lan An deepened.
"Arrogant cur! Die!" Bai Zhi roared, his hand blurring as an Earth King Seal formed, aimed to cripple Lan An with the same technique his son failed with.
Nangong Yuan's robes flared, Golden Radiance Shadow activating, her figure a golden streak in the crowd. If Lan An fell, she'd ensure Bai Chun followed, no matter Bai Zhi's guard.
"Earth King Seal? Shameless fools dare call themselves kings?" Lan An laughed, his cauldrons roaring in his dantian, ready for the worst.
As Bai Zhi's seal surged, unstoppable, Lan An's rage ignited. He'd use every trump card to kill this fool.
"Enough!" A wizened hand pierced the void, earth energy forming a colossal palm, crushing the seal.
Nangong Yuan paused, watching closely.
The Great Elder appeared, addressing Bai Zhi sternly. "Lord Bai Zhi, we understand your pain, but don't tarnish the Earth Battle Grand Assembly or the empire's honor!"
"You…" Bai Zhi's face reddened, but the Great Elder's superior strength silenced his defiance.
Seeing Bai Zhi's restraint, the Great Elder added, "This is His Majesty's command. Bai Chun's loss isn't Wen Lang's fault. The White Sand Empire isn't so petty!"
Bai Zhi paled. Defying the White Sand Emperor was treason, but his son's state fueled his killing intent.
"His Majesty has sent Earth Ginseng to your manor. It can save the Young Lord with years of recovery," the Great Elder said.
"Earth Ginseng?" Bai Zhi's eyes lit with joy—a Mid Spirit-Grade treasure offered hope.
"Thank you, Imperial Brother. I lost control momentarily," Bai Zhi said, moving to leave with Bai Chun.
"Not so fast," Lan An interjected calmly. "A Body Unity powerhouse can't control his emotions, tries to kill an innocent, and leaves without an apology?"
"An apology?" The crowd froze.
Was he mad? Surviving was miracle enough, yet he demanded an apology from Lord Bai Zhi?
But they admired Lan An's courage, facing a stronger foe unflinchingly—a true man.
"You want this Lord to apologize?" Bai Zhi's rage flared anew.
"Why not? Is this the White Sand Empire's lordly conduct, refusing to face your wrongs? If so, I'll quit this assembly!" Lan An sneered, calm as ever.
Before thousands, he knew the emperor wouldn't let the empire's honor falter. These ancients valued prestige above all.
As expected, Bai Zhi received a stern transmission. "Apologize and end this!"
"Imperial Brother?" Bai Zhi recoiled, humiliated at the thought of apologizing publicly.
Understanding his reluctance, the emperor pressed, "Before the crowd, you must apologize. Once this passes, we have countless ways to crush this ant. Understood?"
Bai Zhi's eyes gleamed. He'd been rash.
"Apologies," he spat coldly, vanishing with Bai Chun, unwilling to linger in disgrace.
Unbeknownst to Lan An, Bai Zhi sent a secret transmission to Bai Lie, Bai Yang, and Yu Chen: "Unite and destroy that brat. This Lord owes you a favor!"
Lan An, unaware of the kill order, shrugged. "I graciously accept. The Earth Battle Grand Assembly isn't so bad after all."
The Great Elder shook his head wryly, admiring Lan An's defiance of tyranny.
"Continue the competition! Lord Bai Zhi's outburst was due to paternal love. Please understand," the Third Elder said perfunctorily.
The melee surged, eliminations mounting.
Lan An's bold stand against Bai Zhi earned silent respect from many prodigies, who avoided troubling him.
Until only eleven remained, eyes turned to Lan An. Only eight could advance, and none would yield, respect or not.
The eleven included Lan An, Bai Lie, Bai Yang, Yu Chen, the rugged Da Ling from the Great Earth Tribe, Qi Ming with his uncanny Quicksand, and a five-man team from Mysterious Yellow Academy.
Qi Ming, Da Ling, and the team surrounded Lan An.
"Oh? Targeting me? What about them?" Lan An grinned, nodding at Bai Lie's trio.
"Their status is untouchable for now, and your strength is too great. Eliminating you makes the next round easier," Da Ling said bluntly, cracking her knuckles.
"With seven of you, how do you choose who advances after me?" Lan An pressed.
"We'll draw lots," Qi Ming replied, wary.
Lan An glanced aside, smirking. "Your plans might change."
The group frowned, then understood.
Unnoticed, Yu Chen, Bai Lie, and Bai Yang had joined them, their cold gazes fixed on Lan An.
"What's happening?" Spectators rose, stunned.
Nangong Yuan and Bai Lian Hua gaped.
They saw it—a lone Wen Lang facing all remaining contenders.
The first 1 vs. 10 battle in Earth Battle Grand Assembly history began.