Chapter 143: The Harem Gathers

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In a shadowed valley, streaks of divine lightning flashed, illuminating the air. A young man hovered leisurely, smirking at the havoc he'd unleashed moments before.

Beside him, Lan Chang finally calmed, recounting every detail of their ordeal.

From Lan Xin and Lan Xing's ambush to Lan An and his women's ruthless counter, crushing each foe with terrifying prowess. Not a single nuance was omitted.

As Lan Yu listened, his face grew cautious.

He couldn't believe that a mere ant, once a speck in his eyes, a minor thorn in his heart, had grown into a towering behemoth.

"What unearthly fortune have you seized? If I slay you, dear brother, that fortune becomes mine!" Lan Yu muttered, greed glinting in his eyes.

"Young Lord, forgive my candor, but with our current strength, facing him head-on is unwise!" Lan Chang said, smiling bitterly.

"Why?" Lan Yu's face darkened, anger flaring.

He never imagined a prodigy like Lan Chang would falter, so pessimistic.

Lan Chang inhaled deeply, choosing his words carefully, "If Lan An were alone, Young Lord would fear nothing. But those women, united… they're formidable…"

Lan Yu fell silent, then chuckled, patting Lan Chang's shoulder, laughing heartily.

"Who said I'm alone?"

Lan Chang clenched his jaw, nodding fiercely. "Right! You have me, Lan Chang!"

"Not just you," Lan Yu said, shaking his head calmly.

Suddenly, he tilted his head skyward. Under Lan Chang's stunned gaze, he grinned, "Am I right, friends? Since you're here, show yourselves!"

"Hahaha, worthy of the Lan Clan's Young Lord, its greatest talent ever! Respect!" A boisterous laugh echoed as Blood Star Sect's Three Holy Sons appeared, grinning at Lan Yu.

"We've clashed with Lan An before and know his tricks!" Xiang Da declared, eager to share intel to prove their commitment.

"No rush. We've more allies," Lan Yu said lightly, glancing at a cliffside.

"Hmph, how'd you spot us?" A defiant voice rang out as two figures in emerald war armor soared forth.

"A small trick, Brother Bing Yang," Lan Yu replied coolly.

"Oh? Bing Yang, the Ice Mysterious Empire genius Lan An trounced?" the Blood Star Sect trio thought.

"This is Bing Feng, joining us this time!" Bing Yang ignored their odd looks, introducing his companion.

"So it's Brother Bing Feng! A pleasure!" Lan Yu's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Bing Feng, ranked 11th in the top 50, was a fierce general under the Ice Mysterious Empire's First Prince, his strength extraordinary.

"Surely you're all keen on Lan An's and his women's Points?" Lan Yu asked, knowing the answer.

The group nodded. For an alliance, trust was paramount.

"Since most of us have fought him, can you reveal his weaknesses? Know your enemy, win every battle!" Lan Yu asked earnestly.

"Of course! I'll start!" Xiang Qian began.

"Wait! How can such a spectacle exclude me, Yu Han?"

A thunderous voice boomed. All looked up.

A colossal eagle, its body razor-sharp, claws like vises, wings spanning ten zhang, descended slowly.

Atop it, a haughty youth cradled a grotesque pet beast.

"You are?" Lan Yu didn't recognize him but respected the mighty beast beneath him.

"Beast Control Battle Sect's Yu Han! I'm quite interested in Lan An's head!" Yu Han declared boldly.

"Hahaha, splendid! With Brother Yu Han's word, we're brothers!" Lan Yu roared with laughter.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Lan An is swayed by demonic charms and needs salvation. This monk seeks to join you!"

Golden light flared as two monks appeared.

One was the monk who'd recently escaped Bai Su Mei and Yan Hong Lian's pursuit.

The other wore a white kasaya, oddly sporting hair, looking wild and unhinged.

"Mortal Hidden Temple monks? May I have your names?" Lan Yu bowed politely.

"Amitabha, this monk is Fan Shan. This is my junior brother, Mu Song!" the older monk said, gesturing to the haired monk.

"Hey, monk, doesn't your Mortal Hidden Temple claim to save the world? Yet you ally with us Blood Star Sect?" Xiang Er sneered, noting their sects' rivalry.

"Amitabha, before demonic chaos, personal grudges are trivial!" Fan Shan said piously.

"Hmph!"

As Blood Star Sect bristled, Lan Yu intervened, "Brothers, we share a goal. Let's shelve personal grudges!"

The group nodded, resolved to eliminate Lan An from the Academy.

"Again, Brother Xiang Qian, please detail his techniques and abilities!" Lan Yu sat, humbled.

"It began when we three brothers refined a Blood Fiend Corpse in a desolate temple…"

As Xiang Qian's chilling voice recounted that day, the events unfolded.

When he finished, others who'd fought Lan An shared their tales.

In that moment, ten top-50 prodigies Lan Yu, Lan Chang, Bing Yang, Bing Feng, Blood Star Sect's Three Holy Sons, Fan Shan, Mu Song, Yu Han focused intently on one foe.

This alliance, potent enough to sweep the Secret Realm, wasn't the end…

By the second day, Lan An and his trio spotted three ethereal figures.

Mu Bai Yin, Li Zhu Luan, Yan Die Qing.

Like celestial maidens, they glided through the air.

"Husband! We missed you!" The two youngest wives leapt into his arms, nuzzling his chest, their heads clinking comically, making Lan An laugh and cry.

"Well done! Your husband missed you too!" Lan An hugged his youngest wives, brimming with affection.

He gazed at Mu Bai Yin with tender eyes.

Mu Bai Yin shook her head wryly. She'd played nanny to the bickering duo, mediating countless spats, but seeing this reunion, her efforts felt worthwhile.

Su Mei, eyeing these stunning beauties up close, marveled at Lan An's fortune.

Their allure rivaled even Hundred Flowers Sect's finest, shaming flowers and moons.

The three noticed Su Mei, her high Points, and Lan An's closeness, casting knowing glances at the pair.

Lan An grinned unabashedly, pulling Mu Bai Yin into his embrace, inhaling her mature fragrance, whispering lovingly, "Wife, battles loom. Protect your husband!"

Mu Bai Yin blushed, recalling their shared past, her heart melting. She leaned into his chest, arms around his waist.

They held each other long before sitting. Lan An formally introduced Su Mei, upright and honorable.

He owned his actions, ensuring no woman of his lacked status or hid in his shadow.

Su Mei, feeling cherished, beamed, her heart warmed.

Li Zhu Luan and Yan Die Qing chattered endlessly about their adventures.

Lan An lay back on the grass, head in Bai Su Mei's lap, listening with closed eyes.

Another day passed. Snowflakes swirled, and a delicate maiden appeared, approaching cautiously.

The women admired her gentle, virtuous air, her lovely face, glossy hair, and petite, enchanting figure.

Yet, they stayed vigilant, eyeing her warily.

"Is that Young Master?" the maiden asked Lan An timidly.

"Young Master?" Lan An blinked, baffled. The women exchanged glances.

"Ling Er, by my lady's order, comes to serve Young Master!" Her voice was soft as a breeze, her wide eyes fixed on Lan An.

The women's eyes widened, hands poised at Lan An's waist, ready to pinch.

"What Young Master? Little sister, you're mistaken!" Lan An said, smiling wryly.

"No mistake! Lady Lan Xi showed Ling Er your portrait!" the maiden insisted.

"Lan Xi? That vixen?" Lan An sprang up.

"Yes! Young Master remembers?" She smiled, dimples blooming.

"Come here, little sister!" Lan An beckoned, itching with curiosity.

"This humble Bing Ying Er greets Young Master and Madams!" She stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

"Bing Ying Er? Sounds familiar!" Li Zhu Luan murmured.

Yan Die Qing checked her Token.

Bing Ying Er, ranked 24th.

"So it's her! But what proves you know Lan Xi?" Yan Hong Lian asked, lips pursed.

The women nodded, wary of strangers.

"Please, Young Master and Madams!" Bing Ying Er offered a jade pendant.

Lan An crushed it without hesitation.

As the Shadow Message Jade shattered, a vision of a noble beauty appeared.

Graceful, refined, exuding elegance, her stunning face gazed softly at them.

"Vixen," Lan An muttered, entranced.

The women admired the vision.

Bing Lan Xi's crimson lips parted, her voice gentle, "Little An, I miss you dearly! But we can't yet…

"When you receive this Shadow Message Jade, you're likely bound for the Academy and have met Ling Er. Strive hard, you and our sisters…

"Ling Er has served me since childhood. She's a bit naive but utterly reliable…

"The struggle for the Crown Prince's throne grows fierce. Ling Er's strength isn't great, making her a target for foes' abductions.

"Thus, I entrust her to you, letting her tend to you so our sisters can cultivate…

"Until we meet… I love you!"

Her voice faded, the vision dissolving.

Lan An and his women's eyes misted, moved by Bing Lan Xi's sincerity, yet anxious about the fierce strife she faced.

Taking a deep breath, Lan An knew he must grow stronger. Overthinking would distract from cultivation.

Holding Bing Ying Er's small hands, he said gently, "If Lan Xi decrees, I obey. We're family now. Call me Brother, and them Sisters!"

The women smiled, nodding.

Bing Ying Er nodded eagerly, relieved.

She'd feared Lan An and his women would be difficult, but they were warm and approachable, far kinder than the stern Bing Yong.

"Why not call Lan Xi 'Princess' but 'Lady'?" Mu Bai Yin asked curiously.

Bing Ying Er smiled, "Lady said if she could choose, she'd not be a princess!"

Lan An's heart clenched.

The women fell silent, empathizing.

Born in an imperial house was often a tragedy.

The mood stayed somber until the next day.

The group rejoiced as more family arrived.

Ruo Xue, Liu Shi Qin, and Hua Yu Fei descended like celestial fairies.

Elegant, poised, proud three distinct auras converged.

This declared to the Secret Realm:

Lan An's Harem Faction was whole.

A rare calm before the storm's fury…

Utterly thrilling…