Chapter 162: Shadows of Secrets

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Atop the Palace Court Tree within the Spirit Realm Pearl…

Lan An set aside the Legendary Quest for now, deeming it too grand to tackle immediately.

A task of such magnitude couldn't be completed overnight, and more pressing matters demanded his attention.

After moments of ecstasy, their bodies and souls sated, the critical juncture arrived.

Lan An gently summoned the Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame. Its fiery wings surged, heating the air, causing Qin Meng Ying's rosy skin to glisten with sweat, enhancing her allure.

"Have you fully grasped the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon I taught you?" he asked tenderly.

"No issue!" Qin Meng Ying smiled, nodding. Her comprehension was exceptional, and having dual-cultivated with him twice before, she wielded the technique proficiently, if not yet flawlessly.

"Let's begin!" Lan An's face turned serious. Despite the protection of the Violet-Gold Sacred Flame and Golden Crow False Flame, safety was paramount; he dared not be careless.

"Let me absorb it!" Qin Meng Ying urged, reaching for the blazing wings.

How could Lan An allow it? Swiftly, he swallowed the flame whole.

ROAR!

A guttural cry erupted from his throat as searing heat exploded from his dantian.

The Strange Flame's wings, freed from his grasp, rampaged within his body.

The Blazing Heart Cauldron hummed, its two resident Strange Flames proud and dominant suppressing the unruly newcomer.

The Golden Crow False Flame, ranked fifth on the Strange Flame List, outclassed the Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame. Under its dominance, the latter submitted, allowing Lan An to refine it.

The Immortal Genesis Core fulfilled its role, synergizing with the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon to channel energy into Qin Meng Ying.

They embraced tightly, hearts beating as one. The cyan flame enveloped them, tempering their bodies.

Compared to past agonizing refinements, Lan An found this smoother, even pleasant.

Their intimate connection persisted, the Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame's power evenly shared.

Time drifted slowly…

After an unknown duration, twin cyan wings, spanning thousands of meters, sprouted from their bare backs.

The Strange Flame methodically forged their bodies.

Lan An's Body Cultivation level rose incrementally.

Qin Meng Ying began her journey on this path.

A month passed swiftly.

The women remained in seclusion, high-grade techniques demanding lengthy refinement. Yet, the rising aura from Ya Ji Palace sparked Lan An's anticipation.

Su Mei showed signs of progress, enchanting pipa melodies occasionally drifting from Mi Er Palace, signaling her imminent emergence.

Stepping out of the Niang Zi Faction's main gate, Lan An froze.

Five elders men and women, their auras perfectly concealed stared at him in astonishment.

Their hearts churned with shock. In such a short time, this youth had reached Peak Nascent Soul?

The breakthrough stemmed from refining the sixth-ranked Strange Flame.

Jin Ni had noted that only Core Formation separated him from rivaling Spirit Transformation. His strength had hit a bottleneck.

"Greetings, esteemed seniors!" Lan An clasped his hands respectfully.

Though unaware of their identities, their oppressive presence marked them as Academy elites.

"Young man, you're impressive. Where are the Niang Zi Faction members? This old man's been waiting!" A white-bearded elder smiled.

The others nodded eagerly.

Lan An's eyes flickered, and he asked politely, "May I ask why you seek them? Shall I relay a message?"

"Naturally, to take disciples! That Liu Shi Qin has cultivated the rare Night Wind Song, worthy of my tutelage!" A breezy, refined man stroked his beard.

"Indeed, they're all fine seeds. I can nurture them!" The other four elders agreed.

Lan An's mind raced. My women wield top-tier arts and cultivate in unparalleled conditions. Can you match that?

Outwardly, he demurred, "Regrettably, my master is training them in seclusion. Even I don't know their whereabouts."

The five elders exchanged stunned glances. At the mention of "master," they gritted their teeth, communicating via transmission:

"That woman again? Even her disciple's lovers aren't spared?"

"I think she's just training them, not claiming them."

"The Fourth Elder's right. She can't handle so many talents."

"Fine, the Academy has other prospects. Let these girls be."

"The ninth-grade students aren't bad either."

"Indeed, let's go."

The five glanced at each other and vanished, dissolving into space.

Lan An exhaled. Integration Stage cultivators, as expected only they could pull off such a feat.

Yet, his women possessed treasures aplenty. He didn't trust these old monsters, and Integration Stage wasn't worthy of mentoring them.

If others knew his thoughts, they'd choke. Most entered the Academy seeking mighty masters, yet he hid his women like precious gems.

"When did I hide your little lovers?" A playful voice rang out.

Before Lan An could react, a kick sent him sprawling.

Scrambling up, he faced his master, Wu San Niang, hands on hips, and grinned shamelessly, "Master, I can't trust those old fogeys. If they were as stunning and majestic as you, it'd be different."

Wu San Niang's aura had grown stronger, her Tribulation Stage cultivation making short work of refining the Lava Titan Heavy Flame, allowing her to emerge before him.

"Sweet talker. I'll take the blame this time. What's your next move?" Wu San Niang waved magnanimously.

"I'm heading to the Mission Hall for a task rewarding Spirit Fusion Grass," Lan An replied honestly.

"Not bad. You can't linger in the Academy forever. A trip out is good. Where's Meng Ying?" Wu San Niang nodded.

"Second Sister's back at the Lecture Hall teaching. She broke through to Late Void Refinement after refining the Strange Flame with me," Lan An smiled.

In their dual cultivation, he'd channeled most of the energy to Qin Meng Ying, his Peak Nascent Soul bottleneck limiting his gains.

"Not bad. Meng Ying didn't misjudge you. Hurry back—I've got 'special training' for you," Wu San Niang said with a sly smile.

Lan An shivered, her "special training" feeling like a demon's stare.

"Master, please investigate my mother's whereabouts!" After some thought, he made the request. Her prolonged absence worried him.

"Rest assured, I know your situation. If your mother reaches the Academy, I'll be the first to meet her," Wu San Niang promised earnestly, empathizing with their separation.

"Thank you, Master!" Lan An was touched.

"Scram!" Wu San Niang kicked him flying, scolding, "Be so formal again, and I won't spare you!"

Her kick was no jest. As Lan An soared, soft hands caught him.

"So fragrant!" Her gentle scent filled his nose, and he couldn't resist praising.

"Hmph!" The catcher snorted, tossing him to the ground.

Lan An sprang up, beholding his rescuer.

Snow-white skin outshone the fairest jade.

Willow brows, curved lashes, a refined nose, rosy lips, her face bearing a trace of resolve and stubbornness.

"Qing Xuan, my treasure!" Lan An exclaimed joyfully.

"Mind your words, Young Master! Qing Xuan isn't one for your teasing," Xiao Qing Xuan bit her lip, sternly.

"When did you emerge? How's the inheritance?" Lan An, sensing her mood, asked gently.

"Thanks to you, I claimed the inheritance mid-last month," Xiao Qing Xuan recalled the trial steps, suppressing her racing heart.

"Good," Lan An sighed in relief. A Tribulation Stage inheritance was formidable she'd leaped from Late Nascent Soul to Early Spirit Transformation, a terrifying feat.

"I'd like you to join my faction. What do you say?" He cut to the chase.

"Sorry, I'm used to wandering alone," Xiao Qing Xuan shook her head.

"No repayment for my help?" Lan An asked shamelessly.

Xiao Qing Xuan frowned, not expecting such a clear ledger, but didn't mind. "I won't forget your kindness. Except joining a faction or tasks beyond my ability, I'll fulfill your request."

"Then marry me immediately," he said gravely.

"You… that's beyond me!" Xiao Qing Xuan stomped, fuming.

"It's natural for men to wed and women to marry. How's that beyond you?" Lan An shook his head, feigning displeasure.

"If you're not serious, I'm leaving," Xiao Qing Xuan snapped, truly annoyed.

"Young Master, she's a Fifth-Turn Alchemist with a Strange Flame. Her alchemy talent is fearsome, and a wounded soul hides within her, likely her mentor. Don't let her slip!" Jin Ni's voice echoed in his mind.

Lan An was stunned, asking, "She has a Strange Flame? Why can't I sense it?"

"It's linked to both her and the soul, hidden by a secret art. Only a Tribulation Stage cultivator could detect it," Jin Ni explained.

Lan An inhaled deeply. Seeing Xiao Qing Xuan's impatience, he said, "Join me for a mission. After, we're even."

"That simple?" Xiao Qing Xuan asked skeptically, wondering at his sudden generosity.

"Look at this face does it lie?" Lan An touched his face confidently.

Very much so, she thought but nodded, agreeing.

"To the Mission Hall!" Lan An smiled.

Xiao Qing Xuan watched his back, puzzled by his contradictions rogue, gentleman, magnanimous. Which was the real him?

"He's no simple youth, Qing Xuan. Be cautious," a gentle voice within her warned.

"Master, he's just Peak Nascent Soul. Stronger than me?" Xiao Qing Xuan asked competitively.

"My instinct says so," the voice sighed.

Xiao Qing Xuan's curiosity about him intensified.

"Interesting," Wu San Niang muttered, watching them leave. Her sharp eyes had noticed Xiao Qing Xuan's secret but cared little for meddling.

At the Mission Hall…

A majestic five-story structure bustled with students.

Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan's arrival drew countless eyes.

Both were exceptional a Sacred Lotus Champion and a Tribulation Stage inheritance bearer.

Their companionship, recalling Lan An yielding the inheritance to her in the second trial, sparked rumors that this radiant flower had been plucked.

Ignoring the stares, they scanned towering boards listing meticulous mission details—tasks, locations, rewards.

"One-Star Missions?" Lan An murmured.

"Need help, Junior Brother, Junior Sister? I'm the guide for new students," a beautiful senior in a special uniform approached.

"Greetings, Senior Sister. I seek a mission rewarding Spirit Fusion Grass," Lan An said directly.

"Spirit Fusion Grass? He's aiming for a Fire Fusion Pill?" Xiao Qing Xuan and her hidden soul thought simultaneously, their alchemist instincts sharp.

The senior pondered, smiling, "Missions have five difficulty levels, One-Star to Five-Star, corresponding to the hall's floors. The first two offer only Accumulation Points. For item rewards, start at the third floor."

"Thank you, Senior Sister. You're lovely!" Lan An smiled warmly, slipping her a pouch of Spirit Stones.

"Charmer," Xiao Qing Xuan pouted.

The senior's eyes sparkled, escorting them to the stairs before resuming her duties.

Peeking into the pouch, she gasped hundreds of Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones, worth years of her work. Her eyes turned heart-shaped.

On the third floor, fewer students lingered, but their strength surpassed the lower floors, mostly veteran students.

Three-Star Mission: Slay a Fifth-Rank Beast harming civilians in Ping Ming Town. Reward: 3,000 Accumulation Points, one Core Formation Pill.

Three-Star Mission: Escort the Hong Ying Merchant Group for 10,000 miles. Reward: 2,800 Accumulation Points, one Water Spirit Grass.

Three-Star Mission: Pose as Jin Lan Su's lover for a week. Reward: 3,500 Accumulation Points, one Self-Castrating Blade Art.

Lan An scanned the Three-Star Missions, finding no Spirit Fusion Grass rewards.

"Onward," he said, pulling Xiao Qing Xuan to the fourth floor.

A mission caught his eye immediately.

Four-Star Mission: Collect seven Fifth-Rank Beast Cores from Sea Octopuses in the Western Sea of Hai Zhou Continent. Reward: 14,000 Accumulation Points, two stalks of Spirit Fusion Grass.

"That's it!" Lan An's eyes lit up. He leaped, snatching the mission parchment from its high perch, officially claiming it.

Instantly, the sparse crowd on the fourth floor cast curious glances.