"Royal Sister, isn't flight prohibited within the city?"
Seeing Bing Lan Xi and Lan An's intimate disregard for surroundings, Bing Feifei finally spoke softly from her palanquin. Clearly, Bing Lan Xi's rule-breaking flight to greet Lan An irked her.
Bing Lan Xi glanced coolly: "If Ice Profound Guard objects—let them find me. Since when does Royal Sister care about such trifles?"
Ice Profound Guard maintained city security, order, violations, disputes. Yet during princes/princesses' covert struggles—they turned blind eyes, dared not intervene.
"I merely remind you kindly. Rules set by the Imperial Family—if even a princess ignores them, doesn't it encourage others?" Bing Feifei said calmly—voice sweet, yet gunpowder-laced.
Bing Lan Xi stayed silent—logically outmatched. But meeting Lan An? Trivial.
"Lan Xi was eager to greet me—momentary lapse. I'll take her punishment. Ice Profound Guard unhappy? Jail me!" Lan An grinned.
Crowds hushed, cursing shameless. Who dares arrest you? Even Bing Feifei fell silent—Lan An's protectiveness revealed their bond.
Bing Lan Xi's heart sweetened. Eyes sharpened on the general and guards: "Hmph—even my token unrecognizable? Eyes on your feet?"
She knew their faction—furious at their Bing Feifei-orchestrated obstruction.
"Forgive us, Third Princess—we were incompetent!" General and guards knelt one knee, pleading toward the palanquin—sensing faint killing intent.
"Indeed your oversight. What if Lin'er and Young Master Lan had urgent entry? Who bears consequences? From today—replacements. Plus five-year salary deduction!" Bing Feifei declared sternly.
"Obey Fifth Princess!" They exhaled in relief.
Bing Lan Xi snorted—dissatisfied with leniency. About to speak—Lan An shook her hand, headshake. No need to escalate—makes Third Princess seem petty.
Bing Lan Xi gazed tenderly. A voice cut in: "Miss… I missed you…"
Bing Lin'er whined aggrieved—Miss's eyes only for Young Master; she felt invisible.
"Giggle—little brat who once held off White Sand Dynasty's army now acts spoiled?" Bing Lan Xi laughed, pulling Bing Lin'er for inspection—pleased with progress.
Bing Lin'er stuck tongue playfully, hugging her.
Lan An's heart warmed. Sisterly bond—hard separation to accompany me.
"Home! We'll show you Ice Profound City's sights!" Bing Lan Xi and Bing Lin'er each linked an arm.
"Young Master Lan—Imperial Palace banquet in seven days. As Fifth Princess, I invite you as guest!" Bing Feifei's voice softened.
"My man—I'll bring him. No need for Royal Sister's concern!" Bing Lan Xi smirked, departing with Lan An and Bing Lin'er.
In the palanquin, Bing Feifei gnashed teeth. Hateful woman—every word "my man," fearing the world forgets? Rendered speechless. "Infuriating!"
Bing Feifei huffed—vowing flawless banquet performance. Make Lan An regret ignoring me.
Lan An strolled Ice Profound City with two beauties—fascinating. Snow everywhere; even ice mountains, pine forests, hills within—grand vistas.
Vast city—yet qualified powers few. Thirty-one Seventh Grade, three Eighth Grade—all under Imperial lead. Combined—terrifying force. Imperial might plus all vassals inside/outside formed complete Ice Profound Empire.
Ascend throne—command this terror at will. Power, beauties effortless—plus orthodox Imperial arts. No wonder Prince contest fierce.
"City industries partly divided by powers, partly held by princes/princesses. All pay full taxes annually—even Multitude Treasure Pavilion branches!" Bing Lan Xi explained while strolling.
Lan An nodded. Multitude Treasure Pavilion on others' land—taxes reasonable.
"Most Seventh Grade chose sides. Under me—only four pledged, one my maternal clan!" Bing Lan Xi said embarrassed.
Over thirty Seventh Grade—Bing Yong pulled four. His prior situation dire.
Lan An cared little. More Seventh Grade? Meaningless. City wealth combined—not in his eyes. See Hundred Flowers dowry.
"Wu Clan, Yang Clan chosen?" Lan An asked casually. Eighth Grade far outweighed Seventh—worth concern.
Bing Lan Xi recounted recent Yang Guo and Wu Ha visits to Bing Yong.
Lan An smiled. Want proof of our closeness? Show something big—settle old scores.
Thought to action. White eyes gleamed: "Take me to Lan Clan!"
Lan Clan—one of three Eighth Grade clans in Ice Profound Empire. Patriarch Lan Khon—Complete Void Refining, current Prime Minister—status self-evident.
Though in Ice Profound City, territory vast. Industries countless, thousands of clansmen—wealthy glory. In Empire, only below Imperial Family—untouchable without cause.
Thus, today's gate provocateur stunned two Spirit Transformation guards—dreaming?
"Where's Lan Khanh? Old friend visiting!"
Lan An stood hands clasped before gates, voice infused with spiritual force—echoing widely.
"L-Lan… Lan An…" Guards paled recognizing him.
Lan Khanh-Lan An feud worldwide known. Especially post-Golden Board fall—Lan Clan gnashed teeth in hatred. Yet with Lan An's status—paid to avoid trouble. He comes to us?
"Young Master Lan Khanh in death seclusion. Return later?" A guard pleaded fearfully.
"Seclusion? Drag him out. His life—mine today. Else—Lan Clan bears consequences!" Lan An said casually—as if Lan heir's fate his to decide.
Settle debts once. Even Lan Clan—no exception.
Recall: Lan Khanh shamelessly erupted Void Refining in equal-realm duel—desperate to kill Lan An over walking with Bing Lan Xi. Utterly despicable. Without Qin Mengying's preemptive strike—Lan An dead. Though survived—heavy wounds. Debt unforgotten—repay hundredfold.
"Young Master Lan—this is Ice Profound Empire, not your stage!" A guard inhaled, invoking Empire—hoping retreat.
"Scram!" Lan An punched cleanly—guards spat blood, flew inverted, unconscious.
"Audacious! Attacking in Ice Profound City?" Stern voice. Seven white-bearded elders emerged from Lan Clan—thunder roaring around, all Void Refining.
Lan Clan Seven Great Elders—early to late Void Refining—glaring: Let all Ice Profound hear. City banned combat—princes/princesses only covertly schemed, no evidence. Who attacks openly like Lan An?
"Where's Lan Khanh? That rat dare not face old acquaintance?" Lan An asked coldly—thunder-flame flickering, space quaking. Use Thunder Flame Profound Art to raze Lan Clan—slap Bing Changkong too. Justice for Evil Emperor.
"Lan An—whatever grudge with Young Master Lan Khanh—not settled here!" First Elder said grimly.
Another provocateur? Crush instantly. But this—Lan An. Continent's most feared. Forced Lan Clan and Mortal Hidden Temple to flee like bereaved dogs, casually annihilated Blood Spirit Sect mid-battle. Lan Clan sleepless recently. Yet backed by Imperial Family—hoped he'd back off. Doorstep instead. Hand over Lan Khanh? Lan Clan face—where?
"Where's Lan Khanh? Deliver—I leave!" Lan An demanded.
"Dream! You ruined Young Master—still won't spare?" An elder spat resentfully.
"Ruined him? Hahaha!" Lan An laughed madly—never seen such shamelessness. Enraged, growled: "Lan Khanh hides? I slaughter Lan Clan till he emerges!"
Lan An despised Lan Khanh-types. Cowardly villains—dare act, not own. Elders shield—think he escapes? Such snakes lurk, strike fatally on lapse. No mercy.
"You dare? This is Ice Profound City!" Elders flushed crimson.
"Watch me!" Lan An sneered.
Instant Shift—vanished. Reappeared beside early Void Refining elder—Exploding Star Fist blasted. Thunder-flame raged—space shattered layers…
"Thunder Monarch Seal!"
Elder reacted swiftly—Heaven-Grade Art, thunder condensed into seal—clashing fist head-on.
BOOM…
Thunder Monarch Seal shattered brutally. Elder's eyes bulged—fist smashed skull. Splatter. Watermelon burst. Thunder-flame pulverized body—even Nascent Soul annihilated. Dead beyond dead. Lan An considered Soul Snatch—but stabilizing Soul Cultivation—passed.
"Seventh!" Lan Elders wailed—eyes cracking. Lan Clan—humiliated thus?
"Lan Khanh hides—Lan Clan falls!" Lan An roared. Eight Desolate Sweeping Heaven Flame expanded hundred zhang—rampaging, razing Lan great hall. Hidden watching clansmen—burnt to ash.
"Bastard!" Elders' fury overrode reason. Thunder coiled—sky darkened, storms gathered, thunder amassed… Six Thunder Monarch Seals flickered in hands—space fracturing. In unison: "Thunder Monarch Six Harmonies Seal!"
Six seals merged under chant—earth-shaking might, illuminating Ice Profound corner in lightning. "You provoked—don't blame us!"
Six elders roared—unleashing. Dozen-zhang Thunder Monarch Seal twisted space to void-black.
Lan An's face shifted. Worthy Eighth Grade—unique arts. Six Harmonies Seal—slight threat. Merely slight. His strength long evolved. Heavy Sword appeared—thunder-flame infused. Heaven Cleave domineered down.
BOOM…
Sky exploded. Crescent sword qi slashed fiercely. Thunder Monarch Seal resisted breaths—then ground apart, halved.
"How so strong?"
Lan Clan watched horrified—Heaven Cleave advanced, poised to bombard six elders mid-air.
"Insolence!"
Sudden shift. Middle-aged man burst from Lan void—thunder howling, wielding majestic Thunder Spear—sweeping Heaven Cleave's qi, halting advance. Lan Clan Lord – Lan Khon, Complete Void Refining.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
Thunder Spear clashed Heaven Cleave—destructive shockwaves.
Lan Khon reeled hundreds of steps—sleeves shredded, hands bloodied—face horrified. His full block—still overwhelmed? Heaven Cleave pre-weakened by Six Harmonies Seal.
Lan An sneered. Complete Void Refining? Fight worthy.
"Brat—halt! Ice Profound Guard and Second Prince arrive!"
Heart-wrenching roar from outside. Horde charged Lan Clan.
Lan An locked on speaker—killing intent erupted.
Lan Khanh—finally here!