Chapter 165: Heavenly Sword’s Wrath

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"Is there something strange on my face?"

High in the sky, Lan An, disguised as Wen Lang, turned to Xiao Qing Xuan with a curious question.

Since escaping the monks, they'd flown nearly ten thousand miles, yet Xiao Qing Xuan kept staring at him, her eyes wide, utterly perplexing.

Xiao Qing Xuan took a deep breath, mustering her courage to ask, "How can you possess two Strange Flames at once? And one's the Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame, ranked sixth on the Strange Flame List…"

Lan An shook his head helplessly. Using his second Strange Flame had clearly rattled her. He explained candidly, "My cultivation art is unique, allowing me to wield more Strange Flames than most."

Inwardly, he marveled at her expertise. Along this journey, Lan Clan and Blood Spirit Sect (Huyết Linh Tông) agents had probed him, but he'd only flashed the cyan hue of his flame briefly. No one could confirm it was the Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame. After all, among the sixteen Strange Flames, several bore cyan hues.

Xiao Qing Xuan's eyes flickered, but she didn't pry further, instead communing silently with her master within.

"To wield multiple Strange Flames simultaneously, on this continent, I know only two arts capable of that," her master's solemn voice echoed.

"Oh? What arts, Master? Are they high-grade?" Xiao Qing Xuan asked eagerly.

"At Yellow Sand Continent, the Fire Bright Sect, a Ninth-Grade power, possesses the Fire Bright Burning Art (Hỏa Minh Phần Quyết), a High Spirit-Grade art and their sect's cornerstone. It allows cultivators to wield two Strange Flames and is a formidable Fire-based art," her master said with admiration.

"Oh! And the other?" Xiao Qing Xuan pressed.

Her master paused, sighing, "The other belongs to a deeply secretive clan, rarely seen on the continent. It permits wielding three Strange Flames, but no one in their clan has achieved such a feat."

Sensing her master's reluctance, Xiao Qing Xuan curbed her curiosity, glancing at Lan An with wonder. Could he be from the Fire Bright Sect or that mysterious clan?

Lan An, unaware of her thoughts, would've only smirked if he knew. His Immortal Genesis Scripture could devour all Strange Flames in existence, far beyond a mere two or three.

After an hour of flight, their first destination loomed in view.

From afar, it was a modest-sized city, yet extravagantly opulent, shimmering under the sun, a feast for the eyes.

White Jade City…

As its name implied, the entire city was crafted from precious White Jade, a mineral with miraculous temperature-regulating properties, priced at one Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone per block.

Lan An estimated that even his vast wealth plundered from Qing Yun Sect's treasury and Trọng Vô Danh's legacy might fall short of building such a city. Though, not by much.

"White Jade City is among the wealthiest cities on Yue Long Planet (Việt Long Tinh Cầu). It's said to host numerous Trade Guilds, making it a prime trading hub for cultivators, bustling with prosperity," Xiao Qing Xuan said softly.

Lan An nodded. While Myriad Treasure Pavilion (Đa Bảo Các) was the largest Trade Guild, it wasn't unrivaled. Yue Long Planet teemed with countless guilds, and White Jade City was a nexus for many.

Such prosperity was expected.

Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan descended before the city gates, joining a neat queue, as many others awaited entry.

Entry required a toll.

As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Don't assume cultivation grants impunity in White Jade City. Its denizens were wealthy, never lacking cultivation resources, and hidden experts abounded.

From prior research, Lan An knew White Jade City's City Lord Mansion rivaled an Eighth-Grade cultivation power.

Thus, most cultivators here adhered to rules, acting arrogantly.

While queuing, Lan An accessed his System, reviewing the latest Legendary-Grade quest.

Its lavish rewards piqued his interest.

Quest Description:

Five Elements Mini-World: Transform the Spirit Realm Pearl into a complete world with Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth, making the host its creator.

Lan An's brows furrowed. He asked inwardly, "Jin Ni (Kim Nhi)! Explain this Five Elements Mini-World in detail."

Jin Ni appeared on his shoulder, legs dangling, and said seriously, "Your Spirit Realm Pearl is merely a spatial treasure. A Mini-World is a complete entity, like Earth in your past life or Yue Long Planet itself."

"How do I turn the Spirit Realm Pearl into a Mini-World? It sounds daunting," Lan An said, half-joking. Creating a world like Earth or Yue Long Planet? He wasn't a god.

"That's why the System set no deadline. This terrifying quest is optional. Even Immortal Realm (Tiên Giới) powerhouses wouldn't dare claim they could create a world," Jin Ni pouted, clearly doubting Lan An's chances.

Her skepticism only fueled his determination. He asked earnestly, "To create a Mini-World, I need Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Can the Palace Court Tree count as Wood, and the Blissful Spring (Cực Lạc Suối) as Water?"

Jin Ni giggled, shaking her head. "You're too naive, Young Master. The Blissful Spring and Palace Court Tree are mere artifact constructs. They can't represent the Five Elements needed to form a world."

"Then what do I need?" Lan An's face darkened.

"You need Chaos Qi specifically, Chaos Water Qi, Chaos Fire Qi, Chaos Metal Qi, Chaos Wood Qi, and Chaos Earth Qi. Infuse these into the Spirit Realm Pearl, and they'll merge and evolve, generating other energies like Wind and Darkness, forming a complete world," Jin Ni explained patiently.

"Chaos Qi? What the hell is that? Where do I find it?" Lan An was baffled.

"Chaos Qi is a supreme treasure even in the Immortal Realm, appearing perhaps once in ten thousand years. If you're serious about creating a world, keep upgrading the System. This dream is still far off," Jin Ni encouraged, adding, "Creating a world is impossibly arduous, but success grants the creator the world's blessing, with unimaginable benefits. Even Immortal Realm powerhouses would fight to the death for it."

Lan An inhaled deeply. No wonder it was a Legendary-Grade quest—he couldn't even grasp its basics yet.

His promise to Qin Meng Ying felt heavier than ever.

He stopped pondering as their turn to enter arrived.

"Entry fee is five Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones per person," a guard said calmly.

Lan An nodded, pulling out ten Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones to pay for both.

CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP!

"Get out of my way! Clear the path for this young master!"

From afar, a beast clad in iron armor, its sharp horn gleaming fiercely, charged forward.

One-Horned Beast Late Fourth-Rank.

Atop it rode a youth in lavish robes, his face oozing arrogance, urging the beast toward the gate.

Ignoring the queue, he aimed to barrel through the crowd.

His aggression sent people scattering, plunging the scene into chaos.

"Isn't White Jade City strict?" Lan An frowned, asking the guard.

"That youth is the brother of the Fifth Madam, the City Lord's most favored consort. He's notoriously reckless. Best avoid him," the guard said helplessly.

Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan's faces darkened. Spoiled second-generation brats were universal, it seemed.

Though entry required queuing, the gate was vast.

Even without moving, Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan left ample space for the One-Horned Beast to pass.

But that was their logic. The youth, seeing someone dare stand their ground, sneered, patting the beast and roaring, "Crush them!"

ROAR!

The One-Horned Beast, spurred by its master, charged with savage fury, its horn aimed at Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan.

It meant to kill them.

"Scum!" Xiao Qing Xuan, unable to tolerate such reckless brutality, cursed aloud.

Lan An, as Wen Lang, didn't bother with words.

His cloak billowed. The thousand-pound Heavy Sword from his back appeared in hand, thrust into the ground as a shield.

The charging One-Horned Beast, unable to slow, slammed into the sword.

CRACK!

A shattering sound rang out.

The beast, struck by immense recoil, hurtled backward, its horn shattered. The youth atop was flung skyward, landing in disarray.

"Uh-oh!" The guards swallowed hard, sensing trouble brewing.

As expected, the arrogant youth scrambled up, eyes bloodshot with rage, glaring at Lan An as if to devour him.

"What did you do? Do you know who I am? You'll die miserably, beyond saving!" he screamed, pointing.

"To kill, be prepared to be killed," Lan An said coolly.

His figure vanished.

The Heavy Sword dragged a long trench, swinging ruthlessly toward the youth's head.

ROAR!

The One-Horned Beast, despite its injuries, lunged at Lan An to protect its master.

"Beat a dog, check its master. But your master's a dog too, so I'll beat both," Lan An's killing intent surged. One hand gripped the sword, raising it high.

"Heavy Flame Imperial Sword Art – Mountain Suppression (Trọng Hỏa Ngự Kiếm Quyết – Trấn Sơn)!"

His coarse shout echoed as cyan flames engulfed the Heavy Sword, its heat skyrocketing, descending with the force of a mountain.

The strike smashed the One-Horned Beast again, but this time it didn't fly back. Its massive body sank deep into the ground.

The cyan Strange Flame blazed, reducing it to ash in moments.

A brutal spectacle.

"No!" The youth's face paled, screaming in terror, soiling himself.

A wastrel barely at Core Formation, he relied on his family's influence, with even the One-Horned Beast gifted to him. How could he withstand Lan An's aura?

As the Heavy Sword neared his head, a calm voice intervened: "Friend, spare him. Leave a path for both."

An elderly figure in black appeared, his palm forming a strike, pushing against Lan An's sword.

BOOM!

Lan An felt his hand tingle, retreating three steps, eyeing the old man warily.

The old man, Third Master, was inwardly shocked. A Late Spirit Transformation cultivator, his arm bled from the clash, a wisp of cyan Strange Flame still burning his flesh.

"Strange Flame?"

His face grew grave. Channeling Earth spiritual energy, he extinguished the flame.

"Young brother, you've killed the beast. Spare him it benefits us all," Third Master said calmly to Wen Lang.

"Who are you?" Lan An raised an eyebrow. A Late Spirit Transformation cultivator wasn't to be underestimated.

The youth scrambled up, clinging to Third Master's leg, shrieking, "Third Grandpa, kill him! He tried to kill me!"

Third Master shook his head, knocking the youth out with a palm, and explained to Lan An, "Orphaned young, he's spoiled by the Fifth Madam, hence his extreme behavior. Please, for the City Lord's sake, let it go."

"Orphaned?" Lan An murmured, recalling his two lives' hardships. Sighing heavily, he shouldered the Heavy Sword.

"Old man, teach him well. I spare him today, but he'll die by another's hand someday," Lan An said, turning away.

Xiao Qing Xuan, seeing his demeanor, felt a pang of empathy.

"Thank you, young brother! We merchants value integrity. You've suffered a loss. Visit the City Lord Mansion for compensation in Spirit Stones," Third Master's voice followed.

Lan An waved dismissively, striding off.

Compensation? Laughable. How much could they offer?

His goal was the Teleportation Array. He didn't want further entanglements.

This incident taught him that merchants prioritized peace, unlike cultivation factions that might've swarmed him.

As Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan's figures faded, Third Master muttered, "Heavy Sword? Strange Flame? Could it be that person's heir?"