On this day, Lan An, under the alias Wen Lang, accompanied the Second Elder and ten others, including Bai Lie, to the Royal Library to select martial techniques as their reward from the Earth Battle Grand Assembly.
The group, led by Qi Ming, was visibly excited, except for Da Ling, who still bore heavy injuries from her all-out battle with Bai Yang. Her upright face was pale, her sturdy frame marred with bruises.
Last time, Lan An had sneaked in to scout; now, entering openly felt distinctly different. As they walked, he seized the chance to assess the overall strength within the White Sand Palace. There were hundreds of Spirit Transformation cultivators and several Void Refinement generals—a considerable force.
"Brother Wen Lang, this lady has never admired anyone but you. If you get the chance, visit my Great Earth Tribe. We'll treat you as an honored guest!" Da Ling approached, grinning as she walked beside him.
Up close, her towering, muscular frame dwarfed Lan An's nearly one-meter-nine height.
"Thanks! If I get the chance…" Lan An nodded politely, though he had no intention of befriending her. While he appreciated her straightforward nature, she was too naive—a classic liability teammate.
Unaware of his aloofness, Da Ling eagerly asked,
"You're the only one allowed to pick a Spirit-Grade technique this time. What do you want? I think the Earth King Seal is pretty strong!"
"Not interested!" Lan An replied with a faint smile. Though the Earth King Seal was impressive, it didn't catch his eye.
The Second Elder and the two princes, Bai Yang and Bai Lie, overheard his blatant dismissal of the Earth King Seal, their faces darkening with barely restrained anger, itching to strangle him.
"Is that so? I'm aiming for the Earth Form Fist, a Low Heaven-Grade technique!" Da Ling said boldly, favoring brute-force skills.
"We're here!" the Second Elder announced gravely.
Before them stood a majestic, tightly shut gate, engraved with the flowing, dragon-like calligraphy of "Royal Library."
Creak.
The gate opened, revealing a vast interior. Rows of neatly arranged shelves stretched endlessly, filled with countless scrolls and tomes.
"A Ninth-Grade power's library is indeed impressive, but most of it's just clutter…" Lan An scanned the area, slightly disappointed.
If the Second Elder knew his thoughts, he'd likely spit blood. The Royal Library's lowest techniques were Low Earth-Grade, priceless outside, yet this man called them clutter—utterly outrageous.
"Alright, choose based on your rewards. Report your selected technique to me afterward. Anyone caught cheating will be executed on the spot!"
The Second Elder's voice boomed, his Early Integration Realm aura radiating, his small stature suddenly imposing.
Qi Ming's group shivered and nodded obediently. They weren't foolish enough to test a supervising expert.
"This old man's at Early Integration but close to Mid Integration. Not to be underestimated…" Lan An mused silently.
The group dispersed, and Lan An headed to the Spirit-Grade technique section, scanning the options.
Earth King Seal, Earth Rift Finger, Earth Prison, White Sand Palm…
The White Sand Dynasty's Royal Library had few Spirit-Grade techniques, only those Lan An had seen the princes use. It seemed the stronger ones were kept by the White Sand Emperor himself.
Shaking his head in disappointment, Lan An's gaze shifted to the Heaven-Grade techniques.
"What's he doing?" The Second Elder, Bai Yang, and Bai Lie, who'd been watching him, were baffled. Was he dismissing Spirit-Grade techniques to look at lower-grade ones?
"What a weirdo!" Qi Ming's group shook their heads, ignoring him.
Soon, Lan An sighed in disappointment again, moving to the Earth-Grade section, hoping for something interesting.
Beyond techniques and cultivation methods, the library held ancient records, but with his harem's vast knowledge, Lan An had little interest in them.
The Second Elder, Bai Yang, and Bai Lie's lips twitched. Was this man looking down on their dynasty's techniques?
Having mastered all the royal techniques, Bai Lie and Bai Yang were only here for show, their eyes fixed on Lan An from start to finish.
Lan An grew bored. These techniques couldn't compare to his System's offerings. This reward was a waste of time.
"Hm? What's this?" His eyes locked onto an old, yellowed scroll among the Low Earth-Grade techniques, sparking his interest.
Unremarkable at first glance, the scroll bore vivid illustrations of a figure in an emperor's robe channeling a technique. Its power was staggering, shattering the surrounding space as roaring sandstorms swirled. It looked extraordinary.
Unfortunately, the depiction stopped short, the figure unable to complete the technique.
"This is an incomplete Earth-Element technique. Its creator lacked the ability to perfect it…" Jin Ni, perched on Lan An's shoulder, glanced at it and said.
The Second Elder, seeing Lan An study the scroll, recalled its history.
This technique was created by the White Sand Dynasty's founding emperor while sealing the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth. Despite his unparalleled talent, he couldn't complete it, leaving it as a draft. Over generations, emperors tried to perfect it to honor their ancestor but failed, concluding it was too powerful to exist—potentially surpassing Spirit-Grade to reach the legendary True-Grade.
Thus, the incomplete technique was tossed among the Low Earth-Grade pile, ignored by all.
"This is it!" Lan An grabbed the scroll without hesitation and turned to leave, not sparing the Spirit-Grade techniques a glance.
"Overestimating himself!" The Second Elder, Bai Yang, and Bai Lie sneered inwardly.
Even their ancestors couldn't perfect it. Did this Spirit Transformation kid think he could use it as scrap paper?
But since Lan An had chosen, they couldn't object.
Da Ling's group had already selected their rewards and were escorted out of the White Sand Palace by the Second Elder's men.
"Not bad… Next, I'll take you and the two princes to the Scenic Land for cultivation!" the Second Elder said to Wen Lang, trying to sound amicable to avoid suspicion.
"That's great! Thank you, Second Elder!" Lan An feigned excitement, his eyes gleaming as if eager to enter the Scenic Land.
"Haha, he's walking to his doom!" Bai Yang and Bai Lie exchanged glances, sneering inwardly.
Under their guidance, Lan An calmly entered the Scenic Land.
"Dear brother, it's time to begin…" Bai Lie thought, his plan unfolding smoothly.
Deep underground…
In a vast space, a massive cage-like array stood, within which the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth roared ferociously.
But its roars lacked their former ferocity, tinged with weakness.
Its body, formed of countless Earth-Element particles, had faded significantly, its size reduced by a full circle.
Drained by the array to fuel the Scenic Land, the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth was at its weakest, needing time to recover.
This was its most vulnerable state.
Outside the cage, Bai Tian's eyes burned with zeal, seeing this as the perfect chance to claim this terrifying entity.
Beside him stood the Third and Fourth Elders, watching the scene gravely.
"Crown Prince, are you truly determined to subdue the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth?" the Third Elder asked in a low voice.
"Absolutely. This prince will take the risk. I ask the two elders to guard me!" Bai Tian said resolutely.
"As royal blood, you have the right to attempt it, but consider carefully to avoid severe injury!" the Fourth Elder cautioned.
"This prince is fully prepared. But I have one question: if I succeed in subduing the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, will you support me for that throne?" Bai Tian said boldly, brimming with confidence.
The Third and Fourth Elders' eyes narrowed, choosing their words carefully.
"Crown Prince, the throne is still held by His Majesty. Let's discuss this after you succeed!"
Bai Tian nodded with a faint smile. Though they didn't say it outright, their support hinged on his success. Without subduing the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, he had no claim to the throne.
"Haha, Father Emperor has let the dynasty decline these years, indulging in pleasures and taking concubines. Though still powerful, he's lost his drive. A dynasty needs an ambitious leader to grow stronger!"
The elders' faces grew stern, but a flicker of anticipation appeared in their eyes. Bai Tian was right. The White Sand Emperor had grown complacent, his progress stalled despite his strength. The Supreme Emperor was already dissatisfied, seeking a worthy successor. If Bai Tian could subdue the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, he'd prove his worth, making replacing the White Sand Emperor feasible.
"Haha!" Seeing their expressions, Bai Tian laughed heartily, his ambition soaring, and stepped toward the cage.
"Be careful, Crown Prince. If anything goes wrong, we'll inform His Majesty and the Supreme Emperor immediately!" the elders warned solemnly.
Bai Tian nodded, facing the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth and feeling unprecedented pressure.
"All or nothing… This prince has prepared for years for this day!" Bai Tian took a deep breath.
Suddenly, he produced a mysterious black talisman and aimed it at the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth.
ROAR!
To the elders' shock, the talisman transformed into countless intricate runes, flying toward the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth.
Unable to dodge, the runes embedded into its massive body, turning into chains that bound it tightly.
ROAR!
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth roared furiously, its colossal form thrashing to break the constricting chains.
"Damned human, what have you done to me?"
It felt its energy being siphoned by the chains, roaring in rage.
Blood trickled from Bai Tian's ears at the roar, but he laughed wildly.
"Spirit-Devouring Shackle Talisman, a Peak Heaven-Grade talisman I acquired at great cost in an auction, used to subdue you!"
"Subdue me? Foolish human!" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth bellowed. Generations of emperors had failed to tame it; this man was delusional.
In its fury, it summoned a surge of Earth-Element spiritual energy, its body expanding to shatter the runes.
"Struggle all you want, but submit to me, and we'll conquer the heavens together!" Bai Tian declared arrogantly, his presence commanding.
"ROAR! Even if I chose a master, it wouldn't be you shameless White Sand Dynasty lot!" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth roared, its eyes fierce with defiance.
"Hmph, you'll submit whether you like it or not!" Bai Tian sneered, swallowing a shimmering pill.
Instantly, his skin turned as hard as steel, nearly invulnerable.
"Diamond Pill? The Crown Prince has that too?" the elders gasped.
The Diamond Pill, a Peak Heaven-Grade elixir, vastly boosted defense temporarily. In this state, even they couldn't harm him.
"Haha, accept your fate!"
Bai Tian laughed arrogantly, launching himself into the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's massive body.
"Get out!" The entity roared, its sand-like surface swirling into a vortex, aiming to repel him.
Its body, formed of countless Earth-Element particles, lacked flesh but created a terrifying flow of sand to crush intruders.
With the Diamond Pill, Bai Tian pierced through.
Yet, the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's body was too vast. Though he entered, he hadn't reached its core.
"If I find its true body, I'm one step closer…" Bai Tian's eyes gleamed, sand grinding against him. Thanks to the Diamond Pill, he felt no pain, his divine sense surging to probe the massive form.
"You seek my true body? You're courting death!" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth thrashed violently, cracks appearing in the runes.
Like the Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame with its tiny heart or the Golden Crow Void Flame as a small crow, the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth had a compact true body, hidden within its massive form by generating Earth-Element energy to form a giant bear.
Finding that true body was the key to subduing it…