Chapter 138: Driving Off a Ninth-Level Cultivator

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The battle within the cave between Lan An and the Double-Armed Lava Serpent shook the heavens, the mountain itself trembling, teetering on collapse.

This drew many nearby cultivators, but after assessing the scene, most fled swiftly.

Such cataclysmic upheaval signaled a foe beyond their provocation. To avoid trouble, retreat was wisest.

Yet, life always has exceptions. A figure in gleaming armor hovered arrogantly before the cave's entrance, awaiting those within.

His silver-white armor, pure as glacial crystal, marked him as one of the Ice Mysterious Empire's five prodigies in the third trial.

Some cultivators, eager to curry favor and forge ties with the Empire, approached, only to be repelled by his chilling aura clearly, he disdained them.

Beneath the armor, a youth with a defiant smirk and mocking eyes peered into the cave.

His name was Bing Yang, cousin to the Empire's Grand Prince through his maternal line, a figure of lofty status and prodigious talent.

At thirty, he'd reached Early Spirit Transformation, mastering a Heaven-Grade technique, wielding extraordinary treasures, and crushing foes above his rank with ease.

Thus, in this trial, despite his cultivation suppressed to Nascent Soul, Bing Yang thrived like a fish in water, undefeated, fostering disdain for his peers.

Robbing strong prodigies was one of his delights.

He'd forced many talents from Seventh and Eighth-Grade forces to retreat.

The commotion here sparked his interest, igniting his battle lust.

He yearned to see who within the cave was worthy of crossing blades with him.

Finally, under countless gazes, two figures soared from the cave.

A man and a woman his handsomeness striking, her beauty bewitching, allure seeping into the bones. He carried her piggyback, their laughter and chatter radiating intimacy.

Lan An and Su Mei emerged, instantly sensing numerous divine senses fixating on them, especially the armored figure hovering above.

Yet, neither cared. As focal points of attention, they were accustomed to scrutiny let others gawk.

"Next, we'll hunt beasts to boost points and track Ruo Xue and the others!" Lan An turned to Su Mei, smiling.

"Put me down already how long will you carry me?" Su Mei glared, her ample chest pressed against his back, letting him steal plenty of closeness.

"If you like it, I'll carry you forever!" Lan An teased, squeezing her round backside before reluctantly setting her beside him.

"Shameless rogue!" Su Mei huffed outwardly, inwardly pleased by his tact.

The crowd, watching the pair flirt openly, ignoring Bing Yang's presence, wore odd expressions.

The air chilled, frost emanating from Bing Yang, snowflakes drifting in the sky.

"My Mei, it's freezing let's leave before we catch a cold!" Lan An grasped Su Mei's hand, teasing, preparing to soar away.

"Agreed!" Su Mei nodded obediently.

"Leaving? Hand over the cave's treasures and your Tokens both of you!" A lofty command echoed, Bing Yang's voice resounding.

"Lunatic!" Lan An sneered, his eyes glinting. The serpent battle had left him slightly weary, eager to find his wives swiftly, yet this fool craved a beating.

"Say that again?" Bing Yang's eyes narrowed. Few in the Empire dared insult him.

"Good dogs don't block the path scram!" This time, Su Mei spoke, her enchanting eyes cold, glancing at Bing Yang with disdain.

Though she'd playfully sparred with Lan An, feigning defiance, her heart had long been his.

Now, someone challenged her man. Su Mei was no frail damsel. As Tô Nhan's disciple and Hundred Flowers Sect's Great Saintess, her pride rivaled any.

"Woman, your words could doom the entire Hundred Flowers Sect!" Bing Yang's face darkened, fury rising. He recognized Su Mei's identity.

"Pfft, you? If the Hundred Flowers Sect were so easily threatened, it'd have fallen ages ago!" Su Mei laughed scornfully, her spirit unyielding despite facing a Ninth-Grade force's prodigy.

Many onlookers admired her. Truly the Great Saintess, upholding the Sect's honor.

Bing Yang's expression shifted. He hadn't expected such resolve from this seemingly delicate woman. His threat was mere bluster his status didn't grant him authority to mobilize the Empire against a sect.

Moreover, the Hundred Flowers Sect held a unique position in the Ice Heaven Continent. Its marital and political ties with myriad forces made it untouchable.

Attacking it was like kicking a hornet's nest, inviting retaliation from countless allies.

Then there was Hundred Flowers Fairy Tô Nhan, a disciple of the Sacred Spirit Academy's current Headmaster, her status extraordinary.

Thus, despite being a Seventh-Grade force, no one dared truly cross the Hundred Flowers Sect.

If the Empire's Emperor targeted it, he might succeed, but at a ruinous cost.

Bing Yang? Far from qualified.

Seeing Su Mei's commanding presence, Lan An nodded approvingly, patting her backside, "Stealing my spotlight? You deserve a spanking!"

He pulled her behind him, stretching lazily, waving at Bing Yang, "My Mei says good dogs don't block the path. If this dog's naughty, I'll beat it till it behaves!"

Bing Yang's fury erupted, his voice hoarse, "I thought you'd keep cowering behind a woman, but you're rushing to die!"

"Haha, who's dying? I treated you like air, ignoring you, but you reek like dung, stinking up my path!" Lan An roared with laughter.

The world abounded with self-righteous fools, deeming themselves the universe's center. Strangers, yet they sought to prove superiority, trampling others as stepping stones.

For such types, Lan An had one word: "Fight!"

Su Mei stepped aside, yielding the stage. A wise woman knew when her man should shine.

"Whatever your status, mongrel, heaven won't save you today! Frost Mist Instant Shadow!" Bing Yang growled, his form dissolving into icy mist.

Frost Mist Instant Shadow, an Upper Earth-Grade movement art, was extraordinary.

Outside the Secret Realm, Bing Yang's battle aired on the Ten Thousand Mile Mirror. Seeing his foe was Lan An, the crowd gasped.

The Chief Enforcer Elder, noting Lan An's exit from the cave, ceased concealing him, letting the Mirror function normally.

Onlookers' divine senses couldn't track Bing Yang, marveling at his movement art's prowess.

Sadly, his foe was Lan An. Pierce Weakness and Thousand-Mile Vision activated, swiftly locating Bing Yang's stealthy approach.

"Sneak attack? Truly a dog!" Lan An sneered, unleashing Wood Form Fist. His hands, cloaked in Wood spiritual energy, morphed into ancient trees, spinning to strike overhead.

Bing Yang's expression shifted. Hidden above Lan An, he'd aimed for a lethal blow, yet was detected.

Unfazed, he sneered, materializing. Ice coated his fist, clashing with Lan An's.

"Extreme Ice Fist Mid Earth-Grade Martial Skill!"

Boom…

Their fists collided, Bing Yang recoiling, startled. His Ice energy had been absorbed by that punch, costing him the exchange.

Lan An gave no respite, using Speed Shift to appear before Bing Yang, Water Hong Kick lashing out.

"Arrogant!" Bing Yang roared. This direct assault, unlike his earlier stealth, showcased superior prowess.

Lan An intended it, proving to all he could crush a Ninth-Grade prodigy head-on.

Against the kick, Bing Yang defended, summoning a spiked ice shield.

"Reflective Ice Shield Mid Earth-Grade Treasure!"

Boom…

Lan An's kick struck, a rebounding force staggering him half a step, his foot numbed.

Bing Yang sneered, retracting the shield, hands slashing downward.

Countless ice crescents formed, sharp enough to rend space, slashing at Lan An.

"Ice Moon Slash Extreme Earth-Grade Martial Skill!"

Lan An's eyes narrowed. This prodigy wielded high-grade skills befitting his Ninth-Grade status.

Yet, such tricks were trivial before him.

"Piercing Star Finger!"

Wood spiritual energy condensed, his finger thrusting forward.

A green beam pierced the air, shattering several Ice Moon Slashes, dissolving them midair.

Piercing Star Finger surged on, Bing Yang's face grim. He hadn't expected a Heaven-Grade skill.

As it neared, the Reflective Ice Shield reappeared.

Boom…

The shield was blasted away by Piercing Star Finger's force, striking Bing Yang's armor.

Clang…

The Ice Spirit Armor Upper Earth-Grade erupted with icy energy, halting the finger, though Bing Yang retreated dozens of steps.

"Hahaha, you can't fathom a Ninth-Grade force's wealth! My Ice Spirit Armor is Upper Earth-Grade. Your fancy skills can't touch me!" Bing Yang laughed, retrieving his shield.

"Ninth-Grade is rich, but I'm richer!" Lan An said softly.

To Bing Yang's shock, the Dragon King Halberd materialized, its Dragon King roaring, shaking the heavens.

Outside the Secret Realm, seven enforcers gasped, "Heaven-Grade weapon?"

Even they each wielded only one, stunned a youth possessed such.

The students burned with envy Heaven-Grade, their dream.

Lan An wasted no words. With the halberd out, he sought swift victory. Phantom Charm Wander Step activated, his form flickering like a specter, charging with domineering force.

"How… how can this be?" Bing Yang stammered, but rallied, drawing a frost-radiating blade carved with a majestic iceberg.

"Mountain Cold Blade Extreme Earth-Grade Weapon!"

Facing Lan An's charge, Bing Yang's battle lust flared, roaring, "Extreme Cold Sky Slash Mid Heaven-Grade Martial Skill!"

The blade's aura solidified, the sky chilling like winter's night. The iceberg glowed fiercely. Bing Yang wielded the Reflective Ice Shield left-handed, the Mountain Cold Blade right-handed, a general's aura.

Raising the blade, his power surged unprecedentedly.

A savage slash, brimming with killing intent, cleaved at Lan An's charging form.

The blade's shadow roared, capable of sundering the sky, amplified by the Mountain Cold Blade's might terrifying.

This move enabled Bing Yang's cross-tier dominance.

Alas, his foe was Lan An.

Facing the fearsome slash, Lan An advanced, the Dragon King Halberd humming, his voice proud, "Heavenly Halberd Art Sweeping Thousand Armies!"

The halberd unleashed slaughterous might, unstoppable, as if crushing armies, sweeping against Extreme Cold Sky Slash.

Boom, boom, boom…

The clash birthed shockwaves, blood trickling from spectators' ears.

The ferocious blade shadow shattered midair upon meeting Lan An's strike.

Trees splintered, the ground split unbelievable for a Nascent Soul cultivator's power.

Lan An, fiercer still, emerged unscathed save for tattered robes, revealing a chiseled physique and bronzed skin.

Su Mei and female cultivators blushed, hands covering faces, though peeking fingers betrayed some.

Ignoring all, Lan An charged, halberd thrusting at Bing Yang.

Bing Yang's face twisted behind his mask, raising the Reflective Ice Shield and Mountain Cold Blade to block.

Clang…

The halberd struck both treasures, their inferior rank glaringly evident.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the blade and shield, Bing Yang hurled back dozens of miles.

"Well done, haha! Savor this moment. When the Ice Mysterious Empire's forces gather, let's see your fate!" Bing Yang laughed venomously, swallowing blood, glaring to memorize Lan An's face. Without his Earth-Grade treasures, he'd have perished.

Seeing Lan An advance to finish him, Bing Yang seethed with reluctance, teeth clenched.

Yet, as a prodigy, he knew when to yield. Outmatched, he planned escape, a talisman appearing in hand.

"Lesser Teleportation Talisman?" Lan An's eyes narrowed.

Bing Yang crushed it, vanishing.

Lan An turned to Su Mei, smirking, "The naughty dog blocking our path is tamed. Let's go!"