Chapter 157: Wu San Niang

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Under the crowd's tense gazes, the two devastating attacks finally collided.

No earth-shattering explosion as expected, no shockwave hurling people back, spitting blood.

Instead, Dazzling Thunder Golden Crow Strike and Harmonious Spirit Palm clashed fiercely, grinding as if to crush each other.

The Harmonious Spirit Palm was a terrifying beam, piercing the Golden Crow's body, while the Dazzling Thunder Golden Crow Strike surged forward, intent on annihilating the palm.

Each attack bore the fearsome power of dual Strange Flames and another attribute.

Where they met, space had shattered into fragments, leaving a terrifying black void rift.

After a prolonged stalemate, the Harmonious Spirit Palm pierced through the Golden Crow's body.

Only then did the explosion erupt.

BOOM!

The pierced Golden Crow destabilized, detonating mid-air into a colossal mushroom cloud, swirling with dual Strange Flames and thunder, utterly horrifying.

Though weakened, the Harmonious Spirit Palm pressed on stubbornly, hurtling toward Yan Yue Qi as if to impale her.

"I've lost!"

Yan Yue Qi sighed softly, her cultivation swiftly returning to Void Refinement Peak. With a wave, she effortlessly dispelled the Harmonious Spirit Palm.

A trace of sorrow flickered in her proud eyes. For the first time, she'd been defeated by a peer at her suppressed level.

To claim she wasn't upset would be self-deception.

Seeing this, Lan An smiled, secretly transmitting, "You'll marry me eventually, so losing to me isn't shameful!"

"Keep dreaming! I won't wait for you to catch up. Ten years from now, I might be Integration Stage!" Yan Yue Qi, provoked by his boldness, huffed haughtily, her sadness dissipating.

Relieved to see her usual demeanor return, Lan An exhaled. He couldn't bear her sorrow—she should always be proud and domineering in his heart.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Applause rang out. Their master, eyes gleaming, stared at her disciples, laughing heartily, "Well done, well done! The Dazzling Thunder Golden Crow Strike was spectacular, its power surpassing some Spirit-Grade techniques!"

Having witnessed the dual-Strange Flame Dazzling Thunder Golden Crow Strike for the first time, she couldn't resist praising it. She'd seen Lan An's Harmonious Spirit Palm during his assessment and knew its might.

Lan An's Harmonious Spirit Palm, a Peak Heaven-Grade technique, matched True-Grade techniques due to his fusion of Strange Flames, Mutated Wood, and Mysterious Water. Had he used ordinary spiritual energy, Lan Yu would've shattered it during the assessment.

Turning to Lan An, she said sternly, "Don't get cocky over beating Qi'er briefly. Her Dazzling Thunder Golden Crow Strike at Void Refinement Peak would be thousands of times stronger!"

Knowing she was teaching him humility, Lan An clasped his hands, smiling, "This disciple understands. I may underestimate the world's heroes, but never Big Sister!"

Joking aside, Yan Yue Qi's determination and willpower were unmatched. She'd faked a marriage, borne children, claimed the Yan Clan leadership, and dual-cultivated with him all for strength. To her, power was an obsession. Acting arrogant before her was utterly foolish.

Qin Meng Ying and Su Yan exchanged glances, battle intent blazing in their eyes.

Losing to Yan Yue Qi was one thing, but if this "junior brother" surpassed them soon, how could they accept it?

They silently vowed to dive into cultivation, refusing to slack.

Their master, observing this, smirked with satisfaction.

This was her goal—instigating Yan Yue Qi's challenge to Lan An was a deliberate setup.

Her disciples must never grow complacent, striving relentlessly to reach the pinnacle of power.

Naturally, she held herself to the same standard.

"Young Master found a great master!" Jin Ni thought quietly.

As Lan An and Yan Yue Qi descended, the hidden old monsters, out of spectacle, slunk away.

They glared enviously at their master. Why did she monopolize the best disciples?

She raised her head haughtily, as if retorting, "I like it, so what?"

"What do you need those herbs for? I have Fire Crimson Sap!" Yan Yue Qi recalled Lan An's request to their master, asking.

"To refine a Fire Fusion Pill for Hong Lian. It's a small matter…" Lan An didn't hide, nodding with a smile.

The women's eyes flickered with curiosity, especially Qin Meng Ying, who jealously pinched his waist.

"Not bad, those two girls didn't misjudge you. Take it!" Satisfied, Yan Yue Qi nodded, tossing him a red, fiery sap.

Lan An accepted it without hesitation, asking, "Big Sister, won't you visit them?"

They'd fought and chatted here; the opening ceremony was likely over, and the women had returned to the Niang Zi Faction's base.

"No rush. You still need Spirit Fusion Grass. I'll search for it!" Yan Yue Qi, hearing the Fire Fusion Pill was for her daughter, grew attentive.

"No need. The Academy's Mission Hall has a task offering Spirit Fusion Grass as a reward, posted by the Fifth Elder. I'll make him cough it up!" their master declared domineeringly.

Lan An's mouth twitched, hastily shaking his head. He couldn't let her extort for his sake. Rolling his eyes, he said, "I'm new to the Academy. I should try a mission to get a feel for it. Master, don't worry!"

Finding his reasoning sound, she nodded. Turning to her three female disciples, she instructed, "I'm secluding to refine the Lava Titan Heavy Flame. Protect your little brother well!"

Their beautiful faces flushed, thinking, We're not his nannies!

Ignoring their reactions, she addressed Lan An, "Don't think you can act reckless because I've got your back. Unless an Integration Stage fool attacks, I'll personally deal with them. Void Refinement Peak and below, handle yourself."

Lan An's face fell. "Master, I've only condensed four cauldrons, and you're leaving me to face Void-Sixth Stage experts? Trying to kill me?"

But he understood she wanted him to avoid over-reliance. A Tribulation Stage, Eighth-Turn Body Cultivator lowering herself to slay Integration Stage enemies was already indulgent protection.

Seeing his moping, she snorted inwardly, tossing ancient scrolls to him and Yan Yue Qi. "The path of body refinement isn't easy. You two need to focus on it your ranks are still lacking!"

After their dual cultivation, Lan An, absorbing her Golden Crow False Flame, had reached Fourth Stage Early. Yan Yue Qi was only at Third Stage Early.

Their master's keen eyes missed nothing.

Opening the scrolls, they found Wu San Niang's body cultivation insights and a Heaven-Grade body technique (Body Art).

Lan An's was a Mid Heaven-Grade Body Art Gentleman's Demon-Slaying Fist.

Yan Yue Qi's was another Mid Heaven-Grade Body Art Beauty's Monster-Taming Palm.

The complementary techniques suited them perfectly.

"I found these in an ancient ruin. They're pretty good. Train hard, and don't skip my insights!" Wu San Niang said, then, without waiting, punched a gaping hole in space and strode through.

Such brutal power.

Lan An's heart warmed with gratitude. His master trusted him so much from the start he wouldn't let her down.

"Thank you, Master!" he and Yan Yue Qi bowed respectfully, exchanging glances before storing their scrolls.

"Hmph! I'm off to the Niang Zi Faction. I miss Sister Mei!" Qin Meng Ying, irked by their "flirtatious glances," stomped and flew off.

Lan An shook his head wryly. A jealous woman was unreasonable, but time was on his side—no need to rush.

"Big Sister, Third Sister, take care!" Su Yan sighed softly, preparing to leave.

"Wait, Third Sister!" Lan An called urgently.

"What else, Junior Brother?" Su Yan looked at him, conflicted, biting her lip.

"Big Sister, what does Third Sister like?" Lan An whispered to Yan Yue Qi.

"Her weapon's a flute," Yan Yue Qi replied, feeling oddly sour but answering.

Lan An nodded, frantically browsing the Lucky Charm Shop while meeting Su Yan's eyes sincerely. "I promise to care for Su Mei and the others. Please reconsider my suggestion marriage and Hundred Flowers Sect leadership aren't mutually exclusive. That old rule's outdated; consider changing it!"

Su Yan took a deep breath, nodding calmly. "I'll discuss with the elders. Anything else, Junior Brother?"

"As it's our first meeting, I have a gift for you—a small token. I hope you'll accept!"

Fearing refusal, he added quickly, "Of course, you owe me a gift too, or your junior brother won't be happy!"

He produced a translucent jade flute, adorned with elegant petal patterns, slender and noble.

"This is the Jade Blossom Flute, made for Third Sister. You can't refuse!"

He pressed it into her delicate, radiant hand.

Su Yan's eyes shifted, sensing its extraordinary grade. She tried to return it. "It's too precious; I can't accept!"

Lan An shamelessly withdrew his hand, feigning anger. "What I, Lan An, gift, I never take back. If you don't like it, toss it!"

Su Yan's pure nature couldn't counter his roguery, leaving her torn.

"Hmph, Third Sister, take it. This guy's rich. Besides, Master's marrying you to him why be polite?" Yan Yue Qi teased with a charming glance.

"Don't jest, Big Sister… Thank you, Junior Brother. I'll go!" Su Yan said calmly, her face red as a ripe peach. She tore space and fled.

"Where's my gift?" Lan An shouted after her, but she was too embarrassed to hear, already gone.

"Junior Brother's impressive, gifting a Spirit-Grade treasure!" Yan Yue Qi crossed her arms, saying haughtily.

Lan An grinned, pleased the Lucky Charm Shop yielded a fitting item.

Jade Blossom Flute—Mid Spirit-Grade treasure, compatible with any attribute cultivator. Cost: 50,000 Prestige Points.

He'd gambled on the shop, planning to gift a robe if no flute appeared, but luck delivered after a few refreshes.

This left a good impression on Su Yan, who didn't outright dislike him a promising start.

Smirking, Lan An eyed Yan Yue Qi's proud, stunning face, suddenly lunging to wrap his arms around her waist.

"What do you want with me?" She didn't push him away, raising her head provocatively.

Lan An leaned close, whispering by her ear, "Yue Qi, I've missed you so much!"

Her body trembled, a strange warmth flooding her heart.

After parting from him days ago, she'd felt an odd emptiness, unlike anything she'd known.

She'd suppressed it, focusing on Yan Clan affairs, but the feeling grew, urging her to find him.

Yan Yue Qi, naive in love despite their long dual cultivation, had seen it as mere training.

But, Void Refinement cultivator or noble matriarch, she was a woman.

Having tasted intimacy, a woman naturally craved more especially one as fiery as Yan Yue Qi.

Yen Ruo Xue, gentle and refined, had pined for Lan An to the point of self-comfort over two years. How much more intense was Yan Yue Qi's burning desire?

Thus, she'd rushed to the Academy, claiming to visit her daughters, but truly to "ravish" him again.

Yet, she believed it was her body's need, a cultivation urge, not love.

"Don't think sweet words will make me forget our ten-year wager!" she said stubbornly, turning away.

"I want you… want you… so badly!" Lan An murmured, holding her mature, fiery body, breathing warmly against her neck.

"Then hurry up!" Yan Yue Qi's eyes widened.

"Relax. I'll take you to our home Hong Lian and Qing Ni's too…"

Lan An spoke, holding her tightly, preparing to enter the Spirit Realm Pearl.

"Wait!" he paused.

"What?" Yan Yue Qi frowned.

"What's our master's name?" Lan An realized he didn't know.

Yan Yue Qi's eyes shone with reverence, her lips parting proudly, "Mad Tyrant Queen – Wu San Niang…"