Chapter 154: Master and Disciple, Flames of Destiny

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"Hundred Flowers Fairy Su Yan!"

Lan An jolted at Qin Meng Ying's words. Wasn't this the Sect Master of the Hundred Flowers Sect, Su Mei's master? He stood speechless, stunned by the revelation.

"Can you freely craft any face you desire?" Lan An asked, skeptical of such a coincidence.

"The Hundred Faces Heavenly Art has three tiers. At the first tier, faces form randomly. At the second, I can shape them as I wish!" Qin Meng Ying's smile bloomed like a flower, her visage reverting to its true, breathtaking form.

Lan An's eyes gleamed. He secretly vowed that each time Qin Meng Ying crafted a new face, he'd have her shape it to his liking.

"Hmph, I prepared a surprise for you. Don't you have a gift for me?" Qin Meng Ying extended a jade hand, unabashedly expectant.

Lan An chuckled wryly. This reunion showed her far more intimate than two years ago. Back then, she was shy; now, her boldness thrilled him. Her lack of reserve meant she truly saw him as family, their bond deepening.

Hastily opening the Lucky Charm Shop, he searched for a fitting gift.

Suddenly, Lan An froze, eyes widening in disbelief, his breath quickening.

Prestige Points: 13.8 billion…

"Heavens!" Lan An's heart pounded, murmuring in awe.

"No surprise there," Jin Ni chirped. "After the Sacred Lotus Rankings spread, your name echoed across the continent. Add the women admiring your second assessment feats and the men envying your entourage of beauties!"

Lan An took a deep breath. With such staggering Prestige Points, he could soon purchase another extraordinary Bloodline.

"What's wrong? No gift is fine you can make it up next time!" Qin Meng Ying, seeing his daze, thought he was embarrassed.

"No, wait a moment!" Lan An steadied his racing heart, diving back into the Lucky Charm Shop.

Though he'd anticipated it, seeing the Golden Crow Bloodline gone filled him with regret. Such a treasure—when would it reappear?

The five items displayed were lackluster. He refreshed repeatedly, burning through Prestige Points, but got only junk.

Qin Meng Ying, noting his darkening expression, gently took his hand. "I don't need anything extravagant. How about a cup of wine?"

Her warmth soothed him. Frustrated, he closed the Shop, gritting his teeth.

His hand flared with Violet-Gold Sacred Flame. From the Spirit Realm Pearl, he drew a blazing red flame.

The air's temperature soared. Qin Meng Ying gasped, covering her mouth.

"Lava Titan Heavy Flame?"

As a fire-element cultivator, she recognized the elephant-shaped Strange Flame.

"A gift for you, a token of my heart!" Lan An smiled. Trading a Strange Flame for a peerless beauty's heart felt worthwhile.

Besides, their future dual cultivation would keep the flame within his grasp, much like Yan Hong Lian's Golden Crow False Flame.

Qin Meng Ying's lips trembled. She knew he'd obtained this Strange Flame in the third assessment. Its rarity was undeniable, yet he gave it freely how could she not be moved?

In this moment, she felt every effort for him, every two years of waiting, was worth it.

Yet, she didn't accept immediately. Instead, she huffed, "What's with you and that Yan Hong Lian? Why do you both wield the Violet-Gold Sacred Flame?"

Lan An scratched his head, confessing, "My cultivation art is special, allowing me to share Strange Flames through dual cultivation with women."

"Hmph, I figured!" Qin Meng Ying had suspected as much, merely seeking confirmation.

Then, blushing fiercely, her hands fidgeted. "So… if we… dual cultivate… could I share the Lava Titan Heavy Flame too?"

Lan An, gazing at her fairy-like face, nodded vigorously, his breath quickening.

Qin Meng Ying lowered her head, heart racing, about to speak when a domineering female voice shattered their shy moment.

"Lava Titan Heavy Flame? Nice stuff, kid. Trade it with me!"

Lan An looked up. Space cracked open, and a figure stepped out.

A woman in simple martial robes, her long black hair tied in a carefree ponytail, swayed freely. Tall as Lan An, her toned, alluring body gleamed with honeyed skin.

Her chest was majestic round, full, like twin orbs threatening to burst free. Compared to Mu Zi Yin's, hers were a size larger.

Her waist was lithe, her hips high and firm, bouncing with each step, muscles taut and elastic, visually electrifying.

Her face bore pure Eastern beauty—red lips slightly thick, curled in defiance, a high nose, phoenix eyes glinting with madness, and sharp brows radiating heroic vigor surpassing most men.

Facing her, Lan An felt an oppressive weight, as if she were an invincible general forged in battle, wading through blood and bones, exuding wild, heroic might.

For the first time, Lan An regarded a woman with gravity. Her robust frame pulsed with volcanic power, suffocating him.

Then, Qin Meng Ying spotted the newcomer, stomping angrily. "Master, you spied on us? Hateful!"

Lan An's jaw dropped. Holy hell, this woman was Qin Meng Ying's master!

"Hmph, little girl's grown wings, huh? Got a man and forgot your master?" The woman tossed her ponytail, snorting imperiously.

Qin Meng Ying pouted, a little girl before her master, her Void Refinement Mid Stage aura vanishing.

Lan An realized this woman coveted his Lava Titan Heavy Flame. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Junior greets Senior! As Meng Ying's master, you're my master too. The Lava Titan Heavy Flame is yours by right!"

Joking aside, this woman was a powerhouse. Clinging to her thigh was ideal.

She raised a brow, pleased. "You really want to take me as your master?"

Lan An froze. He'd spoken offhandedly, not expecting her to take it seriously.

"Great! I've taken a liking to you. Offer wine and become my disciple!" She summoned a phoenix throne, lounging with one leg crossed, revealing a sleek, toned thigh that screamed allure.

"Uh… I already have a master!" Lan An scrambled for an excuse.

"I don't care. I'll be your second master!" She waved it off. Since watching his assessments, she'd resolved to train him.

Qin Meng Ying stood docilely, like a kitten. If Lan An became her disciple, he'd be her junior brother a thrilling sibling romance.

Lan An was torn. He didn't want a female master. Then, a sly idea struck. Smirking, he said, "My first master instructed I only take masters who can defeat me at the same cultivation level!"

Brimming with battle intent, he challenged the woman on the throne. He doubted anyone could best him at his level.

"Oh? You want to fight me at the same level?" Her smile widened.

Qin Meng Ying shot him warning glances.

Lan An thumped his chest, declaring boldly, "Yes! If Senior defeats me at my level, you're my master!"

She nodded, rising.

Her aura retracted, settling at Golden Core Stage.

Lan An gaped, furious. "Are you underestimating me?"

"Golden Core or Nascent Soul it's no different against you," she said, shaking her head, beckoning.

"Hmph, you'll regret this!" Lan An snorted inwardly, unleashing his full might.

His Strange Flame surged, launching his strongest move: "Star-Plucking Grasp!"

A massive hand formed in the air, blazing with Strange Flame, crashing toward her.

"Late Nascent Soul with such a fierce attack? Not bad!" she praised.

Qin Meng Ying beamed. Her master rarely complimented anyone.

The Star-Plucking Grasp roared forward, space trembling violently.

The woman shook her head. Her toned hand rose lightly, using no spiritual energy.

"Danger!" Lan An warned, not wanting to harm Qin Meng Ying's master.

But shock followed.

Her delicate hand clenched, and the Star-Plucking Grasp crumbled like clay.

"How?!" Lan An stammered. Her cultivation was still Golden Core Stage!

"My turn!" She smiled, her mature beauty distinct from Qin Meng Ying's.

Lan An summoned the Wood Tortoise for defense.

"Mutated Wood? You've got treasures, kid!" She licked her lips, intrigued, then tossed a roadside pebble at him.

BOOM BOOM BOOM…

Space collapsed in layers, turning to void.

ROAR…

The Wood Tortoise bellowed unwillingly, dissipating.

The pebble hurtled on. Before Lan An could use Speed Shift, it struck his chest.

Pu!

He flew back like a sack, spitting blood twice, face ashen.

"Little Nam!" Qin Meng Ying cried, rushing to support him.

The woman lounged back on her throne, legs crossed nonchalantly.

Lan An staggered up, staring in horror. The defeat crushed him.

He couldn't fathom why he'd lost so miserably.

"Young Master, she's an Eighth-Turn Body Cultivator. How could you win?" Jin Ni's words nearly made him spit blood again.

Damn it! No wonder she was terrifying despite dropping to Golden Core Stage. He wanted to cry. This was bullying a child! Body cultivators couldn't lower their physical strength. No wonder her presence was so oppressive. Even his Heavenly Emperor Transformation might lose.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Lan An grumbled to Jin Ni.

"Why bother? Taking her as a master is good. Even Great Emperors need mentors. She's perfect for guiding your body cultivation! Plus, she's a Tribulation Stage powerhouse!" Jin Ni prattled.

Lan An started. She was among Yue Long Star's top powerhouses.

Geniuses would beg for such a master. He couldn't play coy.

"And if you win her over, it'd be the legendary master-disciple romance!" Jin Ni added.

Pu!

Lan An spat blood for real. Win her? He'd be lucky if she didn't crush him. Still, it was thrilling.

He realized Jin Ni's innocence was getting corrupted.

Taking Qin Meng Ying's hand, he approached the woman.

"Disciple greets Master!"

He started to kneel, but she waved grandly, "My disciples don't fuss with formalities. Offer wine, and it's done!"

From Trong Vo Danh's Storage Ring, Lan An retrieved the finest wine jug, presenting it respectfully.

Before Qin Meng Ying's eyes, the woman downed half the jug, praising its taste, then tossed it back. "Drink the rest. We're master and disciple!"

Lan An didn't hesitate, lifting the jug.

Her fiery red lipstick marked the rim. He drank from that spot, draining it.

Fragrant, sweet the best wine he'd ever tasted.

Seeing his satisfied look, the woman chuckled, muttering, "Stinky brat."

"The Lava Titan Heavy Flame was meant for Meng Ying, but now it's my gift to Master. I'll find something else for her," Lan An said, offering the elephant-shaped flame. He understood why she wanted it.

As a formidable body cultivator, the gravity-controlling Strange Flame would make her unstoppable.

"I said trade, so trade." She took the Lava Titan Heavy Flame, handing him another item.

ROAR…

A defiant roar shook the heavens.

The air boiled violently. Despite their fire attributes, Lan An and Qin Meng Ying felt scorched.

They leaped back.

Jin Ni shouted gravely, "Rank 6 on the Strange Flame List Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame!"