Note: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to drop Power Stones and leave a comment to help the story reach more readers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the opulent tavern, a youth in plain black robes approached with unhurried steps, his veiled face unremarkable amidst the Sacred City's grandeur. Yet within, Lan An's heart stirred, guided by the Contract Bond with Bai Su Mei, sensing her presence as keenly as she felt his. The tavern loomed, its splendor a beacon of revelry, and he moved to enter, eager to reunite with his beloved harem, their bond a lifeline amidst the Conquer the Mother-in-Law quest's lingering trials.
"Hold!" Le Thanh stepped forward, his voice stern, blocking Lan An's path.
Lan An's brow furrowed. "I have friends inside. Permit me to pass," he said calmly.
"You?" Le Ni sneered, her eyes raking over his simple garb and eyepatch, dismissing him as a nobody.
"Listen, lad," Le Thanh scoffed, waving him off, "not just anyone qualifies for the Frenzy Battle Faction. You certainly don't."
Lan An's eyes narrowed, catching the disdain in their gazes. His humble attire, a rushed choice from the Black Tower Ring after gifting his White Horse Battle Robe to Yan Yue Qi, had marked him as insignificant. During their fervent days, he'd intended to purchase a lavish robe for her via the Lucky Shop, but Yan Yue Qi, in a rare whimsy, claimed his robe, cherishing its scent as a token. The Heaven-Grade garment suited her regal allure, its form-fitting elegance amplifying her mystique. Lan An, indulgent, complied, donning a plain robe to hasten to the Sacred City. Now, that choice branded him a target of scorn.
"Very well, I'll wait outside," Lan An said, a smile flickering as he sensed something, stepping aside.
Le Thanh and Le Ni's eyes gleamed with contempt, poised to mock, when a chorus of joyous cries erupted. "Husband! Master! Darling! Little Nam!" Melodious voices rang, and two soft forms flung themselves into Lan An's arms.
He shed his veil, inhaling the fragrant tresses of Li Zhu Luan and Bai Mu Mei, enveloping their trembling forms. "I'm back. I've worried my treasures," he murmured, his voice tender.
Bai Mu Mei and Li Zhu Luan nestled into his chest, their hearts soothed by his steady pulse, reluctant to part. Lan An savored their warmth, a spark igniting within as their curves pressed against him.
Mu Zi Yin and Liu Shi Qin stood nearby, their smiles radiant, eyes glistening with relief. The past weeks had been torment, their hearts ablaze with fear as Lan An ventured to a perilous realm to rescue a Void Refining titan like Ji Ya. Such audacity bordered on madness—how could he, against foes even Void Refining titans faltered before, prevail?
Their dread was justified. Without Yan Yue Qi, Lan An's fate would've been grim.
Bai Mu Mei and Li Zhu Luan reluctantly parted, and Lan An kissed their foreheads, then embraced Mu Zi Yin's mature form. "Mmm," she sighed, her arms encircling his waist, their gazes locked in silent communion, words unnecessary.
She gently pushed him away as his hand wandered to her rounded hips, but Lan An, shameless, turned to Liu Shi Qin, enveloping his "aunt" before the crowd. Her face flushed, torn between shyness and longing. "Little aunt, did you worry for me?" he whispered, his breath teasing her ear, sending shivers through her.
"No more solo risks," she said softly, caressing his face.
Lan An's heart swelled, holding her tighter.
Le Thanh and Le Ni gaped, rubbing their eyes, doubting their senses. The youth they'd scorned was now encircled by four celestial beauties, their intimacy akin to a marital bond, shattering their assumptions.
Unnoticed, Le Kang and the banquet's prodigies had gathered outside, their eyes a storm of shock, disbelief, and searing envy.
Lan An and his harem, absorbed in their reunion, spared them no heed. Eager to check on Ji Ya, Lan An lingered only to ease his wives' fears. "Let's go. We'll find an inn, and I'll introduce Ji Ya and her sister," he transmitted.
The women nodded, their hearts warmed by family's reunion, curious about his recent trials. The five prepared to depart.
"Stay!" Le Kang's voice boomed, his figure flashing before them, his movement swift.
"Who's this?" Lan An asked, brow raised.
"Our young master, vice-leader of the Frenzy Battle Faction, an Early Spirit Form titan!" Le Thanh declared, emboldened, his tone haughty.
Lan An's heart sank—when had servants earned the right to interrupt their master's discourse? Yet, pressed for time, he ignored the slight, moving to leave.
"Friend, I, Kang, admire your striking presence. May we forge a bond?" Le Kang said, his tone courteous, but a glint of jealousy betrayed him, caught by Lan An's White Moon Soul-Seizing Eye.
"Indeed, just a greeting. Is this young master afraid?" Lin Tai chimed in, his voice taunting.
The prodigies echoed, urging confrontation. Lan An glanced at his wives, a smirk forming as he grasped the situation. Beautiful wives bred envy, especially four such radiant ones.
"I'm occupied. Another time," Lan An said coolly, dismissing the crowd. He'd faced Sixth-Grade beasts with defiance; these minnows were beneath notice.
Changing his resolve was a pipe dream.
"You…" Le Kang's anger flared, unaccustomed to a Nascent Soul cultivator's disregard, poised to threaten.
Whoosh! A strange sound cut through, and Lan An, cradling Li Zhu Luan, appeared far from Le Kang, uninterested in further talk.
"What speed!" the prodigies gasped, stunned.
Their shock deepened. "Hmph, good dogs don't block paths!" Bai Mu Mei snapped, her Stellar Wander Step carrying her to Lan An's side.
"Sigh," Liu Shi Qin's exasperated breath echoed, transforming into a black breeze, joining them.
"Move!" Mu Zi Yin, sensing Lan An's irritation, waved her hand, pushing Le Kang back several steps. Before he recovered, she vanished.
The five departed, sparing Le Kang no glance, their indifference a blade to his pride.
"What… what just happened?" Lin Tai stammered, the prodigies exchanging bewildered looks.
"Investigate! Find out who they are!" Le Kang's voice was icy, his eyes ablaze, suppressing his fury. His triumphant banquet, where he was the star, had become a farce, upstaged by a youth who wouldn't deign to speak with him. Had Sacred City permitted combat, his wrath would've erupted.
"Wait! Dare scorn me, Le Kang? In the Sacred Lotus Academy, you'll find no footing!" he vowed silently, vanishing.
In the shadows, Frenzy Battle Faction members trailed Lan An's group, but amidst the city's throng, the five slipped away like mist.
Lan An's will stirred, transporting his harem into the Spirit Pearl Realm. The space quivered, and Ji Ya and Ji Bing leapt up, alert.
But another was swifter. Little Lion, in her petite beast form, bounded into Lan An's arms, nuzzling him, tears brimming. He gazed at her fondly, kissing her forehead, stroking her glossy fur. Noting her healing wounds, his eyes softened with pity.
Placing her on his shoulder, he led his harem to face Ji Bing and Ji Ya. The sisters' beautiful eyes held unease, shy before his wives, awed by their peerless beauty.
Relieved at Ji Ya's stabilized condition, Lan An exhaled. The Spirit Pearl Realm's nurturing environment had aided her recovery. "We're family don't be shy," he said, easing the tension, then embraced Ji Bing.
Inhaling her cool fragrance, he smiled. "Treasure, when did you emerge from seclusion?"
"A while ago. I've made progress with the Ice Water Exquisite Scripture," Ji Bing said, nestling into him, proud of her gains.
"My Bing'er's brilliant," Lan An praised, ever gentle with her, the amnesiac closest to him.
Ji Ya, watching their intimacy, shivered, her lips pursed. Lan An turned to her, concern in his voice. "How's your recovery? Any pain?"
"Roughly Spirit Form strength. Returning to Void Refining will take time," Ji Ya said, biting her lip, feeling an outsider.
Sensing her unease, Lan An grasped her soft hand. She tried to pull away, but his grip held firm. "We've faced life and death together. What's there to shy from? Living is the greatest gift—nothing else matters," he transmitted.
Ji Ya trembled, her heart softening. After their near-death ordeal, she valued life's joy above pride. Taking a deep breath, she smiled radiantly at Mu Zi Yin's group. "Ji Ya greets my sisters."
Astonishingly, the aloof Void Refining titan showed warmth. "No need for formality, Sister Ya. We're family," Mu Zi Yin said, clasping her hand.
The women nodded, linking hands, introductions flowing. Ji Bing joined them, and Bai Mu Mei scooped up Little Lion. Seven women converged, their chatter a lively symphony, sidelining Lan An.
Three women make a market; seven were a festival. Mu Zi Yin and Liu Shi Qin, nearing breakthroughs, eagerly sought Ji Ya's Void Refining insights, the others listening raptly, their dedication to cultivation unwavering.
Lan An watched, amused, imagining Ruo Xue, Hong Lian, Die Qing, Meng Ying, and the haughty Yan Yue Qi joining them. Such a gathering might strain their harmony.
"Young master needs a woman of supreme virtue to unify your harem," Jin Ni teased.
"Even you mock me, brat?" Lan An laughed, though her words sparked thought.
Opening the Lucky Shop, he surveyed his wealth, gasping at his Prestige Points—billions, a dizzying sum too vast to count.
"Heavens, billions!" he muttered.
"Expected," Jin Ni said. "Your fame swept Dark Origin Continent, teeming with beasts, yielding such points naturally."
"Can this upgrade the Lucky Shop?" Lan An asked, eyeing his wives, resolved to equip them lavishly, ensuring their safety even apart.
"No issue, but Level 2 Lucky Shop items are costly. Billions won't last without restraint," Jin Ni warned.
Lan An nodded. His Dark Origin windfall, aided by Yan Yue Qi, was a rare boon, unlikely to repeat. Wealth, vast as mountains, dwindled if squandered.
"Summon the weapon first," he decided, using his Life-Death Pact rewards to avoid redundant purchases. Battles had taught him the need for a melee weapon; the Big Dipper Bow excelled at range but faltered in close quarters, as seen against Hou Jun and Lin Qing.
"Ding, initiating Weapon Summon. Countdown: 30, 29, 28… 3… 2…" the System intoned.
"Ding, congratulations, host, for summoning Supreme Heaven-Grade Weapon—Dragon King Halberd, stored in system space!"
"A Supreme Heaven-Grade? Like Zi Yin's Purple Wood Sword!" Lan An grinned, satisfied. His current strength suited Heaven-Grade weapons; higher grades risked underutilization.
Unhurried to inspect the Dragon King Halberd, he commanded, "Summon the Bloodline!"