Thump, thump.
Bai Lian Hua's heart raced, so loud she could hear it herself.
Holding her breath, she floated inches above the ground, inching toward the bed.
Two perfect, naked bodies entwined, their intimate parts locked together, drawing in heavenly energy like a bottomless vortex. Lan An's arms regenerated, flesh knitting anew.
The sensitive scene flushed Bai Lian Hua's cheeks peach-red. Her round eyes didn't blink, her full lips parted in a perfect circle, her expression adorably indescribable.
"So this is how men and women love?" Her curiosity blazed, the dangerous spark of a maiden's inquisitiveness.
"Brother's thing is so big, yet it fits into Sister's tiny hole. How wondrous…" she murmured, glancing instinctively at her own lower body.
"Pah, Bai Lian Hua, stop thinking nonsense! Yours is too small for Brother to fit!" Her wild thoughts made her shake her head frantically, patting her cheeks to regain composure.
Taking a deep breath, she resolved to guard her mother's cultivation and Brother Lan An's dual cultivation.
Hua Qing Zhu was at a critical juncture, her mind cycling through the Extreme Ice Heavenly Art's mantras.
Created by the Extreme Ice Demon Monarch, the art had four tiers, all within her Body Unity grasp:
First Tier – Ice Refinement: Practitioners absorbed ice energy five times faster, enhancing cultivation and recovery speed compared to lesser arts.
Second Tier – Extreme Transformation: Converting ordinary ice energy into Extreme Ice, the art's cornerstone, allowing seamless toggling between forms.
Third Tier – Ice Control: Applying Extreme Ice to any technique, vastly boosting combat prowess.
Fourth Tier – Creation: Crafting personalized ice-based techniques, movements, or secret arts, unbound by existing methods.
The art's fearsome power explained the Monarch's legendary reign. Hua Qing Zhu's prodigious ice talent had mastered the first tier swiftly, now nearing completion of the second—transforming her ice energy into Extreme Ice.
Time blurred in cultivation's trance. A week passed.
One day, two pairs of eyes opened calmly. Lan An stretched his newly healed arms, pulling Nangong Yuan into his embrace, tenderly wiping sweat from her brow.
She nestled into his chest, utterly content.
Suddenly, both tensed, sensing something.
A pair of sparkling eyes blinked at them, cheeks flushed, a shy yet mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Lian Hua?" they exclaimed in unison.
Nangong Yuan, mortified, stifled a gasp, hastily withdrawing from Lan An and donning her Golden Mysterious Armor to cover her flushed body.
Lan An quelled his lingering desire, quickly dressing, feeling an odd mix of amusement and guilt.
Focused on healing, they hadn't noticed external movements. Bai Lian Hua, with her aura concealed and steps silent, had slipped in unnoticed.
Pouting adorably, she huffed, "It's not like I haven't seen it before. Why the rush?"
Nangong Yuan's face turned scarlet. A refined lady, she was mortified that a young girl had witnessed her intimacy, especially one she barely knew.
"Ahem, little girl, why sneak in here? Can't you see the adults are busy?" Lan An coughed, breaking the awkward silence with a playful tone.
Nangong Yuan regained her composure, adopting the air of a noble lady, eyeing Bai Lian Hua curiously.
Feeling scolded, Bai Lian Hua's eyes welled up, her lips trembling. "I heard Brother Lan An was kidnapped and was frantic, planning to ask Mother to save you, but…"
Her voice broke, tears threatening. She felt like an outsider.
Lan An's heart sank, guilt washing over him. He'd caused this sweet princess no small worry.
"My fault. Next time, I'll use the Sound Transmission Jade to update you," he said, approaching her, his tone sincerely apologetic.
His words only deepened her grievance. He had her jade but hadn't reassured her, too thoughtless! Huffing, she turned away, ignoring him.
Nangong Yuan stifled a giggle, amused by the drama.
Seeing Bai Lian Hua's pouty sulk, Lan An's heart ached. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, her delicate fragrance enveloping him.
"What're you doing? Let go!" she squeaked, squirming, though her soft body betrayed her protest.
Their training in Water Flower Valley had involved physical contact, but this was his first deliberate embrace. This man was taking advantage!
Lan An tightened his hold, lifting her petite frame onto his lap, securing her gently. "Your mother feared for my safety and brought us here. I didn't expect rumors of my kidnapping. My injuries were severe, so I forgot to inform you."
Her kind nature softened at his excuse. Her body relaxed in his arms, no longer resisting.
"Why not dual cultivate in the Spirit Realm Pearl? Mother's here. Aren't you afraid she'll wake?" Bai Lian Hua murmured, resting against his chest.
Lan An chuckled inwardly, I wouldn't mind if she did. Aloud, he said righteously, "Your mother's at a critical cultivation moment. I need to watch in case she needs aid."
"Mmm," Bai Lian Hua nodded, soothed by his steady heartbeat, basking in his affection, recalling all he'd done for her. Her eyes grew dreamy.
But remembering Nangong Yuan nearby, she flushed, struggling free. "Sister's watching! Want me to die of shame?"
"Hehe, you saved my husband twice. I'm grateful, not mocking," Nangong Yuan giggled, unperturbed.
Her husband was a charmer, attracting women wherever he went. While she and her sisters secluded themselves, who knew how many had fallen into his clutches?
Yet, the harem was too small, and the Spirit Realm Pearl's space was vast. More sisters were needed. Lan An's unique cultivation required constant quests for cauldron materials, unlike their secluded breakthroughs. With them often in seclusion, others needed to keep him company, ensuring he wasn't lonely.
"Hear that? Be good and let me hold you. You've lost weight worrying," Lan An teased, playfully turning Bai Lian Hua in his lap.
"Giggle, stop it! You'll disturb Mother!" She glared, but her radiant smile, revealing perfect teeth, banished her gloom.
"Uyển Dung, come here," Lan An called, an idea sparking.
She obediently sat beside him, curious.
Grinning mysteriously, he wrapped an arm around her waist, relishing the bliss of embracing two beauties.
"Tch," both women rolled their eyes, expecting something grander.
"System, summon the Physique!" Lan An commanded inwardly.
With his wives by his side, his luck soared. Now, embracing two, he seized the moment to summon.
His women were his lucky stars, always bringing miraculous fortune. Once they all emerged from seclusion, he'd gather them for a grand summoning to see what heaven-defying treasure emerged.
"Ding, confirm Physique Summon?" the System's mechanical voice asked.
"Yes!" Lan An replied firmly.
"Ding, initiating Physique Summon: 600, 599, 598…" The countdown began.
Lan An's heart clenched, his breathing quickening with unprecedented anticipation. A longer countdown meant a higher-grade reward. His Rebellious Dragon Blood had taken 1000 seconds, yet this Physique Summon reached 600.
This Physique was terrifyingly potent, rivaling half his bloodline's value.
The women, nestled in his arms, mistook his racing heart for joy at their presence, unaware he awaited a monumental prize.
The seconds felt eternal, like sitting on pins.
Finally, a Ding nearly sent his heart to his throat.
"Ding, Summon Complete. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Array Transformation Sacred Physique, ranked 12th on the Great Physique Chart!"
"Rank 12? MUAHAHA!" Lan An leaped up, startling the women, laughing maniacally.
He didn't yet know the physique's details, but its rank spoke volumes. Even Great Sun Divine Physique, Diệp Hồng Liên's vaunted, poison-immune body, ranked 17th. Tô Mị's Nine Yin Heavenly Physique, aiding cultivation, was 26th.
This top-12 physique was a colossal boon for his harem, if suited to the right person.
"Jin Ni, spill the details on the Array Transformation Sacred Physique!" Lan An demanded, swaggering like a tycoon.
"Didn't expect such luck…" Jin Ni muttered, surprised herself. His fortune indeed spiked near women.
Lan An smirked, kissing Nangong Yuan and Bai Lian Hua's cheeks.
"Pervert! Showing your true colors!" Bai Lian Hua stomped, puffing indignantly at his opportunism.
Nangong Yuan, curious, sensed his joy meant another gift from his "master."
"Array Transformation Sacred Physique: A Battle Array Master with this physique can engrave arrays directly onto their body, becoming a walking arsenal of thousands of arrays. With a thought, they can activate grand arrays without setup," Jin Ni explained gravely, respecting the physique's might.
Lan An gasped. Thousands of arrays on one body? What a terrifying prospect!
Battle Array Masters typically needed time to set up arrays, often in secret to avoid detection, relegating them to rear support. Only masters like Bach Hieu Sinh, an Eighth-Grade Array Master, could deploy low-grade arrays instantly. High-grade arrays still required preparation.
Another limitation: arrays were static. If enemies escaped, the array was useless.
The Array Transformation Sacred Physique obliterated these flaws. Pre-engraved arrays needed no setup and moved with the user. Defensive arrays could neutralize attacks instantly.
Lan An shuddered, imagining facing such a foe—dozens of potent arrays unleashed at once. How could he counter?
"The stronger the Battle Array Master, the more arrays they can engrave. Activating them consumes energy, so it's not invincible," Jin Ni noted its limits.
Lan An nodded. Despite constraints, the physique exceeded expectations.
"Hua Ngọc Phượng… she'll be the harem's new trump card!" he thought, excitement surging.