Time slipped by, with only ten days until the Earth Battle Grand Assembly resumed. Lan An, already crowned champion, needed only to appear and claim his title.
In these idle days, he stayed close to his two women, deepening his bond with Bai Lian Hua. The innocent princess, tasting love for the first time, beamed with joy at his attention. He showered her with Beauty-Nourishing Pills like candy and exquisite garments, delighting her. Nangong Yuan's gentle warmth drew them closer, their sisterly bond blossoming, smiles ever-present on their lips.
Yet, one regret gnawed at Lan An. He sought a cultivation method suited to Bai Lian Hua's Heavenly Charm Bone – Good Charm talent but found none. Even after refreshing the Lucky Shop a hundred times, spending a million Fame Points, no such technique appeared.
Jin Ni agreed that methods tied to Heavenly Charm Bone were exceedingly rare. The Lucky Shop's current level likely couldn't offer them.
During the shop's refreshes, several bloodlines appeared, but none suited his harem's current needs.
Lan An sighed, his luck seemingly exhausted on the Array Transformation Sacred Physique. He closed the shop, resolving to try again later.
Growing restless outside, the women entered the Spirit Realm Pearl to relax with Hai Ling Long, Kun Ming Yue, and Tuo Qing Xuan's master.
The Seventh-Grade beast Kun Ming Yue, childlike in spirit, played tirelessly before collapsing into sleep. Her voluptuous form clung to Bai Lian Hua, calling her "big sister" with a pouty voice, making Lan An chuckle wryly.
Learning of Kun Ming Yue's pitiful past, the women treated her like a cherished little sister, caring for her tenderly.
One day, a stir rippled through the Spirit Realm Pearl. Lan An sensed it first, his face lighting up.
With a thought, a small beast appeared in his arms, its fur predominantly white, interwoven with purple and black, utterly adorable. Its Sixth-Grade Initial Stage aura was solid, verging on Mid-Stage, showing slight progress.
"Master…" Little Lion nuzzled into his chest, greedily inhaling his scent, preferring her petite beast form to act coy.
Lan An petted her soft fur, stroking her tiny head, smiling. "Any progress?"
"I've refined most of the Sixth-Grade Perfect Stage Demon Pill's energy (Chapter 81). A few battles, and I'll break through to Mid-Stage," Little Lion chirped, lifting her head proudly.
"My treasure's amazing!" Lan An nodded approvingly, kissing her small head.
The Purple Thunder Lion Beast's talent was terrifying. Seizing opportunities, her advancement speed was staggering. After breaking through to Sixth-Grade Initial Stage, she secluded to stabilize her cultivation. In a short time, she'd consolidated it and neared Mid-Stage.
No genius could stand before her without shame, not even Lan An.
"She's powerful. I sense her connection to you," Little Lion said gravely, eyeing Hua Qing Zhu. The woman's aura felt like an insurmountable mountain.
"That's Hua Qing Zhu, my wife, at Body Unity Mid-Stage," Lan An introduced with a smile.
"You're incredible, even taming a Body Unity cultivator!" Little Lion giggled proudly, oblivious to jealousy.
"It's a long story, not so simple," Lan An shook his head, chuckling wryly. He'd claimed Hua Qing Zhu as his, and no one could stop him.
Man and beast chatted warmly. Lan An recounted recent events, making Little Lion both excited and regretful for missing them.
"Uyển Dung and Little Lion have emerged. The others should soon follow," Lan An mused, letting Little Lion curl on his shoulder.
His women's talents were exceptional; their cultivation faced no issues.
Only two worried him: Bai Tố Mai and Yên Nhược Tuyết, both refining bloodlines.
Nhược Tuyết's Water Desolation Bloodline was gentle, less volatile than divine beast bloodlines like Golden Crow or Qilin, requiring fewer harsh conditions.
Bai Tố Mai's Great White Star-Devouring Serpent Bloodline was fierce, rivaling the Golden Crow. As a descendant of this divine beast, her compatibility was high, with no life-threatening risks.
Still, their emergence remained uncertain.
Outside Hua Qing Palace…
A majestic figure descended, imperial robes fluttering, face stern.
"His Majesty arrives!"
"Long live His Majesty, ten thousand years!" Two Void Refinement Initial Stage eunuchs knelt, voices ringing in unison.
The White Sand Emperor's gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over them. "Announce my arrival. I wish to see the Empress."
The eunuchs exchanged glances, respectfully but firmly replying, "Your Majesty, the Empress forbade any entry during her seclusion, even for you."
"Insolent!" The Emperor's cold shout unleashed a crushing aura, pinning them to the ground.
Spurt!
Blood sprayed from their mouths, yet their faces remained defiant, unyielding.
"This palace is mine! Where can't I go?" he roared, fury boiling. Despite an exhaustive search for Wen Lang yielding nothing, Hua Qing Palace was the last unchecked place.
Though Hua Qing Zhu's aloof nature made her an unlikely culprit in Wen Lang's abduction, an uneasy instinct urged him to investigate. His paranoia, or perhaps the need to rule out every possibility, fueled his anger at being barred.
Past White Sand Emperors, stronger than their Hua Clan wives, used the clan's fate to enforce submission, as his father had with his mother, producing him.
But Hua Qing Zhu matched him in potential and talent. Despite his efforts—soft and hard—he'd never touched her. Once, he threatened the Hua Clan to force intimacy, only to receive her icy retort: "Fish die, net breaks."
She'd rather die than yield, unafraid of war between their clans. He, softened by power, dared not risk it. A war would cripple the empire, possibly costing its Ninth-Grade status.
He didn't dare gamble, except in dire necessity.
Their marriage was nominal, a secret kept from the world. To maintain appearances, Hua Qing Zhu conceived Bai Lian Hua using his seed, but not through conventional means—a fact that gnawed at him.
The eunuchs, unaware of his thoughts, stood firm. "Please calm, Your Majesty. We'll inform the Empress when she emerges."
Their repeated "seclusion" sparked an idea, his breathing quickening. "If I strike while she's unguarded, I could cripple her, making her submit!"
The more he thought, the more it seemed right. He craved her body; her strength was a mere obstacle.
"This time, you'll beg for mercy!"
Boom!
A palm strike sent the eunuchs flying, unconscious.
The Emperor sneered, striding in.
The commotion alerted those inside. Lan An's face darkened.
He hadn't expected the Emperor to come here now. If Hua Qing Zhu was disturbed, she risked qi deviation.
Seeing no sign of her waking, he rushed to her, ready to whisk her into the Spirit Realm Pearl.
Her cold, proud eyes snapped open, her aura retracting. She turned, speaking softly, "Hide first. I'll handle this."
"No. I won't let my woman face another man alone!" Lan An declared domineeringly, capturing her fragrant lips.
"Mmm."
Hua Qing Zhu trembled, touched, parting her lips for a deep kiss before pushing him away earnestly. "Be good. It's not time to clash with the imperial family. Give me a little longer."
Her pleading eyes softened him. Mischief sparked, and he bit her snowy neck, sucking hard.
"Ah, what're you doing?" she huffed, confused.
Releasing her, he admired the vivid red mark, complete with teeth imprints. "Don't heal it. It's my hickey, staking my claim."
"Got it… now hide!" she snapped, blushing at his "claim" remark, exasperated by his antics fresh from seclusion.
Grinning, he kissed her again, then hid a Recording Jade in a corner before entering the Spirit Realm Pearl.
Hua Qing Zhu's face turned icy, resuming her cross-legged pose, feigning cultivation.
The Emperor strode in.
Her perfect curves and ethereal beauty captivated him. "My Empress, you'll learn to obey… kaka!"
Sneering, his eyes glinted coldly. He summoned the Earth King Seal, aiming for her dantian, envisioning her crippled, a caged bird in his harem.
His triumphant grin froze as a calm voice cut through.
"Bai Sa, who gave you such audacity?"
Hua Qing Zhu vanished, the Earth King Seal shattering the palace floor.
Unable to deny his intent, the Emperor's face twisted. "I've waited too long. You're my wife; serving me is your duty!"
"You truly believe that?" Hua Qing Zhu raised a brow, meeting his gaze like a lofty phoenix.
His eyes shrank, spotting the vivid red mark on her neck, complete with a man's bite.
Rage and humiliation surged, his chest nearly exploding. His eyes turned bloodshot, voice hoarse. "Who? You let a man touch you?"
Hua Qing Zhu blinked, recalling Lan An's playful glance, torn between laughter and tears. Was he trying to infuriate Bai Sa to death?
"My personal affairs are not your concern. We're only married in name," she said coolly, unfazed.
"Wretch… wretch!" Bai Sa's hair stood on end, eyes blood-filled, seeing her lack of denial as confirmation.
He'd thought her untouchable, beyond any man's reach. Yet, someone had marked her, a glaring sign of his cuckolding, as if he wore horns twenty centimeters long.
A Ninth-Grade Emperor mocked by the world—unbearable.
Losing all reason, he roared, "Harlot, even if it costs us both, I'll make you kneel today!"