Chapter 134: Fury Ignites

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Outside the Secret Realm…

Watching Lan An once again scare off a Beast Taming War Sect disciple, the crowd was speechless.

Female disciples' eyes sparkled, hearts fluttering endlessly.

By now, none dared doubt this rising prodigy's prowess, instead brimming with admiration.

At this moment, even claims that Lan An could rival Ninth-Grade power geniuses met no rebuttal.

"Well done!"

The Chief Enforcer Elder couldn't resist praising his performance.

Though confident in the youth, Beast Taming War Sect disciples were no pushovers. Forcing one to flee was impressive indeed.

The Enforcers nodded gleefully, proud of the Academy's new talent. The Fifth Enforcer secretly vowed to prevent his disciples from clashing with Lan An, instead fostering ties.

Hundred Faces caressed her glossy hair, her veiled lips curling with pride.

Within the Secret Realm…

Lan An summoned Fire Phoenix to subdue the Crocodile Fish, leaving half barely alive for Su Mei to finish.

Only personal kills counted for points; he couldn't hog all the glory.

Unlike before, Su Mei ignored the gasping beasts, rising and swaying her graceful form toward him.

The Ten Thousand Mile Mirror cut away from this scene, leaving the outside crowd gnashing their teeth in curiosity, as if a romance novel paused at its climax for ads.

Her enchanting eyes swirled with complex emotions anger, resentment, reproach, admiration indescribable.

With her wit, how could she not realize she'd been deceived? No one under her charm could wield such varied techniques and overwhelming might.

She'd thought she'd enthralled him, only to be the fool toyed with in his palm.

Slap…

A sharp sound echoed as Su Mei's jade hand struck his cheek.

Lan An didn't block, calmly accepting her slap the first time a woman struck him. Smiling, he spoke first:

"You can stalk me, use charm arts on me, yet I trick you briefly, and you slap me in rage. Is this a woman's logic?"

Su Mei's expression shifted, coldly snapping, "Briefly? You took liberties with me and call it a brief trick?"

"What liberties?" Lan An asked, amusement in his teasing gaze.

"You…" Su Mei fumed, chest heaving. Stealing her first kiss without consent wasn't a liberty?

"What? Remind me what I did!" Lan An pressed, finding her flustered state oddly endearing.

Su Mei's face flushed with fury, snapping, "You know what you did! That slap settles the score let's part ways!"

She stomped, turning to fly off.

Whoosh…

Lan An flashed before her. Caught off guard, Su Mei couldn't slow, crashing into his chest.

His strong arms encircled her soft waist, giving her no chance to react. He sealed her luscious lips again.

His bold tongue parted her pearly teeth, claiming her sweet tongue, kissing fervently.

Smack, smack…

Su Mei struggled fiercely but couldn't break free, torn between anger and grievance, her hands pounding his back with full force.

Even as a Body Cultivator, Lan An felt pain, yet stubbornly held her, kissing unrelentingly.

Su Mei struck until exhausted, noticing blood at his lip, staining her mouth. Her heart softened, slumping into his embrace.

Lan An seized the golden chance, loosening his hold, his kiss turning tender.

Gently savoring her lips, his tongue caressed hers, cherishing her like a priceless treasure.

His gaze lingered on her face, sincerity shining in his eyes, which Su Mei saw.

Knowing not to push too far, Lan An kept his hands respectful at her waist, stroking lightly.

"Mmph…"

Su Mei relaxed, letting him claim her lips. Unlike the first kiss's roughness, this one's sweetness captivated her. Yet, recalling his欺辱, tears streamed down, her heart aggrieved.

After an eternity, Lan An parted, a silvery thread linking their lips.

Su Mei pursed her swollen lips, face tear-streaked, mocking, "I can't beat you, but doesn't a great man feel shame bullying a woman?"

Seeing her distress, Lan An reached to wipe her tears.

Su Mei turned away, denying his touch.

"Be good! Don't you look like a soggy kitten?" he teased.

"None of your business! I'll slap you again, then we're done!" Su Mei retorted, raising her hand.

Lan An caught her wrist, whispering into her teary eyes, "If a slap buys your priceless kiss, I'd let you slap me forever."

Su Mei trembled, sneering, "Is this sweet talk how you fooled Third Sister and the others?"

Lan An said earnestly, "Can't you feel if I'm true or false?"

Su Mei huffed, "How can a mere girl discern a playboy's words?"

Lan An sighed, women's wit unmatched, and surrendered, "Fine, you win. What must I do to earn your forgiveness?"

"Let me go!" Su Mei pouted firmly.

"Impossible!" Lan An refused outright.

"You'd kidnap me?" Su Mei ground her teeth.

"A lone woman in this Secret Realm is too dangerous. I can't rest easy…" Lan An murmured, holding her soft hand, genuinely worried. If harm befell her, Ruo Xue wouldn't forgive him.

Su Mei meant to argue, but seeing his earnest face and feeling his concern, she savored being cared for, falling silent.

Seeing her calm, Lan An knew her anger had ebbed. He pointed at the dying Crocodile Fish, "Quick, finish them for points!"

Su Mei, noting his released embrace, felt a pang of loss but kept a cool facade, accepting his kindness, striking to end the beasts.

Gazing at the beast corpses, Lan An recalled his early days, penniless, selling carcasses for Spirit Stones.

Now, those sums were trivial—how times changed.

"Let's go!" Lan An took her hand, moving on.

Su Mei glanced at her clasped hand, glaring, but followed obediently.

Two days later…

Before them stretched a vast, primal mountain range, ideal for hunting beasts.

Such areas teemed with more beasts than others.

Their points well exceeded 1,000, but aiming for the Sacred Spirit Ranking, more was better.

"How did you meet Ruo Xue?" Su Mei suddenly asked.

Lan An's eyes softened, recalling his first encounter with Ruo Xue, as if fated.

Seeing his expression, Su Mei envied her Third Sister.

"Ruo Xue and I…" Lan An didn't hide, recounting his teleportation to her side during her grave injury.

He even admitted seizing her body, unflinchingly honest.

Su Mei, listening, felt their bond was destined. Though he took Ruo Xue's body, he saved her life.

Recalling Ruo Xue's joy when mentioning Lan An, Su Mei found no reason to blame him.

Suddenly, Lan An grinned intriguingly, whispering, "There's excitement ahead. Let's check it out!"

Su Mei nodded, trusting his superior perception, following him.

Soon, they spotted dozens of cultivators before a massive cave, occupying half a mountain.

A fragrant aroma wafted to Lan An and Su Mei, emanating from the cave.

"A Spirit Herb!" they exchanged glances, the thought striking simultaneously.

The cultivators weren't fighting but stood united, listening to a youth speak passionately.

"Friends, the cave holds a Spirit Herb, its grade and type yet unknown…" the youth continued calmly, "But a Mid Fifth-Order beast guards it, so it's no ordinary herb!"

"Mid Fifth-Order?" The crowd grew solemn. A Mid Fifth-Order beast equaled a Mid Spirit Transformation cultivator, capable of crushing anyone here.

The youth pressed on, "Thus, I, Tống, humbly propose we unite to slay the beast. The herb goes to the highest bidder, with proceeds split among all present!"

The crowd nodded, finding the plan fair.

"All follow Young Master Tống's lead, hoping for victory and gains!" a cultivator clasped his hands in agreement.

"Indeed, Young Master Tống, from a Seventh-Grade power, holds unmatched prestige here!" others chimed in.

Lan An, hearing this, shook his head, unimpressed. A single herb, split among so many, wasn't worth his time.

"Let's go!" he said to Su Mei, ready to leave.

"Wait!" Young Master Tống called, his eyes glinting at Su Mei.

The crowd noticed Lan An and Su Mei, many men's eyes flashing jealousy at his intimate hand-holding with the Hundred Flowers Sect's Great Saintess.

"We're just passing by!" Lan An said.

"Friend, the cultivation world is treacherous. Since you've seen the herb, to prevent opportunists, join us!" Tống declared righteously, implying Lan An might exploit their efforts.

Though aware of Lan An's trial achievements, Tống, backed by dozens, felt fearless, eager to suppress this rising star.

Lan An's eyes flashed, sensing Tống's provocation.

"Young Master Tống's right. Join us, and you'll get a share!" the crowd echoed.

Their gazes lingered on Su Mei, their true aim clear—less about Lan An, more about roping in Su Mei.

Indeed, a beauty brings calamity.

Su Mei frowned, seeing their target was her. She said firmly, "We're truly just passing, uninterested in your herb…"

"Tống Fairy jests! If we trusted words so easily, we wouldn't survive today!" Tống dismissed her explanation.

Lan An, done bickering, pulled Su Mei to leave.

Suddenly…

Whoosh…

A whirlwind tore through, targeting them.

Tống, a Wind cultivator, had struck.

Lan An's brow rose, killing intent flickering. Speed Shift activated, pulling Su Mei to dodge.

"Courting death?" Lan An stared coldly at Tống.

The crowd shivered, his white eye's gaze like death's whisper.

Yet, bolstered by numbers, they advanced, glaring menacingly at Lan An and Su Mei.

"I merely wished to stop you from leaving!" Tống said smugly, emboldened by allies.

Lan An's fury ignited, a chilling laugh escaping.

A sneak attack he could forgive, but with Su Mei beside him…

Whoosh…

His form vanished.

Reappearing behind Tống.

Water Hong Kick surged, striking fiercely.

"Careful, Young Master Tống!" Lan An's speed stunned the crowd, only able to shout warnings.

"Storm Wind Kick!" Tống reacted swiftly, wind vortices cloaking him, countering with a kick.

Water Hong Kick clashed with Storm Wind Kick.

Crack…

Bones snapped. Tống's body hurtled back, one leg's bones fracturing.

"How's this possible?" The crowd gaped, stunned.

Before they recovered, a deathly voice echoed, "Hand over all your Tokens, or die!"