Chapter 166: Blaze of Splendor, Shattered Void

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No wonder White Jade City was famed for its bustling commerce…

Towering structures gleamed with lavish grandeur taverns, inns, pleasure houses, and trade guilds…

Xiao Qing Xuan, a recluse accustomed to cultivation, looked like a rustic stepping into a metropolis, her eyes darting east and west, devoid of the poise expected of a Fifth-Tier Alchemist and genius.

Recalling her first Academy assessment, clad in a shabby, oversized cloak that hid her beauty, Lan An noted the mocking glances from passersby. He sneered coldly.

Suddenly, he grabbed Xiao Qing Xuan's wrist, pulling her through the crowd.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Qing Xuan's face flushed crimson, her disguised appearance still plain.

In a secluded corner, Lan An wordlessly retrieved a stunning purple gown from his storage ring, exuding noble elegance, leaving Xiao Qing Xuan stunned.

During the Academy assessment, she'd secretly admired the exquisite attire of Lan An's companions, though her simple lifestyle kept her indifferent.

But when a breathtaking garment was offered to her, few women could resist.

"What's your intent?" Xiao Qing Xuan stammered, her round eyes fixed on him.

"This is the Purple Spring Treasure Robe. Beyond its beauty, it offers defensive properties. Wear it when you're with me," Lan An said casually, pressing the gown into her hands.

The robe felt light, smooth, and elastic in Xiao Qing Xuan's grasp, incredibly comfortable.

Imagining it on her…

"This is too precious. I can't accept it!" Xiao Qing Xuan shook her head after a moment, mindful of the Tribulation Stage inheritance she still owed him.

"I don't take back gifts. If you don't like it, toss it," Lan An said indifferently.

"You…" Xiao Qing Xuan bit her lip, unable to discard such a marvelous robe.

"Foolish girl, take it! It's free," her master's melodious voice urged within.

The master sighed inwardly, realizing she'd been too strict, forgetting Xiao Qing Xuan was just a young woman in her early twenties.

Heeding her master, Xiao Qing Xuan carefully stored the Purple Spring Treasure Robe and said softly, "Thank you!"

Lan An knew this wasn't the place to change, so he didn't press her. After a moment's thought, he produced two glossy, pink Beauty Nurturing Pills, their fragrance enchanting.

"Beauty Nurturing Pills?" Xiao Qing Xuan gasped, her mouth agape, as if it could fit an egg.

Her master muttered, "Impossible…"

Their shock wasn't due to the pills' crafting difficulty or effects, but their rarity.

Beauty was a woman's deadliest allure. Long ago, materials for Beauty Nurturing Pills were overharvested to supply female powerhouses, nearly driving them to extinction.

They never dreamed this man would possess them.

Under their complex gazes, the two pills landed in Xiao Qing Xuan's hands.

"For both of you," Lan An said, turning to leave.

"What did he say?" Xiao Qing Xuan and her master jolted, instantly wary.

"He can't possibly know I'm here!" her master said, voice trembling.

"Exactly, he must mean something else!" Xiao Qing Xuan nodded, calming herself.

"Standing there dazed? Come on!" Lan An turned, smiling to urge her.

Xiao Qing Xuan took a deep breath, regaining composure, and carefully stored the rare pills, following him.

The bustling streets teemed with stalls, offering myriad items in a lively atmosphere.

This was a rare market visit for Lan An, his first being in Ping An City with his women.

"Young master, this Lower Cold Grass can craft Earth-Grade pills, only a hundred Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones," a herb vendor called as they passed.

Lan An nodded, tossing out, "Buy!"

The vendor froze, stunned by the decisiveness no haggling. He gleefully completed the transaction.

"Young master, this Ice Mysterious Grass is excellent for alchemy, only eighty Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones," another vendor chimed in.

"Buy!" Lan An replied, paying instantly.

"Young sir, this Spirit Crown Mushroom can craft Low Heaven-Grade pills, four hundred Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones," a charming woman grabbed his arm.

"Buy, all you have!" Lan An tossed out a heap of spirit stones.

"Buy… buy… buy…"

Under Xiao Qing Xuan's incredulous gaze, he spent like a reckless tycoon, snapping up any alchemy herb or material without hesitation.

Xiao Qing Xuan felt her sanity fraying. He didn't even inquire about the herbs' effects, buying like a nouveau riche.

She estimated his spending reached a staggering sum, beyond her comprehension. Some stalls were emptied entirely.

"Young master, safe travels!" vendors called warmly as Lan An, seemingly satisfied, strolled on.

Xiao Qing Xuan couldn't hold back, rushing to his side and snapping, "Are you eating herbs for meals? Aren't you afraid of attracting thieves?"

Lan An shrugged, turning with a nonchalant smile. "I'm buying materials for your alchemy practice. You need to reach Sixth-Tier soon. If it's not enough, tell me!"

Xiao Qing Xuan froze, as if struck by lightning, staring at his earnest face.

Unknowingly, her eyes grew moist, reddening.

Finally, they reached a spacious area in White Jade City.

Two massive circular arrays, each ten meters wide, adorned the ground with intricate runes and mystical lights, forming glowing pillars.

White Jade City's Teleportation Arrays one for departure, one for arrival.

Cultivators queued, paying ten Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones to the manager, entering the array.

The manager placed half the stones in the array's core as fuel, the rest as the fee.

The array spun rapidly, consuming the stones' energy, flashing brightly as people vanished.

The opposite array operated inversely, flashing as new arrivals stepped out.

A marvel.

Lan An's first encounter with a Teleportation Array sparked curiosity, and he observed it closely.

Xiao Qing Xuan was equally enthralled.

"Could Hua Yu Feng set up a Teleportation Array?" Lan An mused.

Though not for combat, their convenience was unmatched.

If Hua Yu Feng could create them, Lan An envisioned placing entry points across Yue Long Planet (Việt Long Tinh Cầu), with exits in the Spirit Realm Pearl.

Travel would be effortless, entering the Spirit Realm Pearl's array to go anywhere, returning via personal tokens.

Outsiders couldn't access the Spirit Realm Pearl through external arrays.

Lan An's breath quickened at the thought freedom to roam the planet at will.

"The Spirit Realm Pearl's space is independent of Yue Long Planet. Unless Hua Yu Feng reaches Eighth-Tier Formation Master, it's impossible," Jin Ni doused his enthusiasm.

"But the Palace Court Tree can teleport them in and out," Lan An frowned.

"The Palace Court Tree is a treasure surpassing True Grade (Chân Cấp), several tiers above. Don't dream too big," Jin Ni giggled.

Lan An was stunned. He'd assumed the Palace Court Tree was just beyond Spirit Grade (Linh Cấp), equating to True Grade. Now, it seemed far higher, undisclosed earlier due to his limited understanding.

He shelved the impractical idea.

Their turn arrived.

"Where to?" the middle-aged manager asked politely.

White Jade City connected to five cities, with Ding Yan City closest to Hai Zhou Continent .

"To Ding Yan City," Lan An said, paying twenty Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones for both.

"Anyone else for Ding Yan City? Join this young master!" the manager announced.

Two calm youths stepped forward, paying their stones.

"Anyone else?" the manager asked again.

No response.

Only four in the array.

Fewer travelers meant less fuel consumption, still profitable for the array's owner.

Seeing no more, the manager waved.

The array spun, consuming stones rapidly, runes glowing, the ground trembling.

In White Jade City, the four vanished.

Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan felt darkness envelop them, traversing endless space, void flashing past, a surreal sensation.

No one dared move.

Teleportation Arrays were prone to mishaps. Any disturbance could alter the destination or trap them in the void forever.

Even Void Refinement cultivators avoided arrays for short distances, preferring direct travel.

Hence, Sacred Spirit Academy's elders rarely used them.

Lan An and Xiao Qing Xuan stayed silent, awaiting completion.

But fate had other plans.

One of the plain-looking youths grinned wickedly, a sharp dagger aimed at Lan An's heart.

The attack was swift, unexpected.

Who would dare strike during teleportation? Utter madness.

CLANG!

Metal clashed as the dagger struck Lan An's massive, fiery Heavy Sword.

"Couldn't hold back? I wondered why a Void Refinement cultivator used a Teleportation Array," Lan An said coldly, blocking the surprise attack.

The array trembled.

"No wonder You Yuan Continent's elders paid a fortune for your head! You're not simple," the youth licked his dagger, sneering.

Lan An's eyes narrowed, but he snorted, "Assassin? How did a Void Refinement see through my disguise?"

"Those marked for death by Lian need not know," the youth, Lian, grinned wickedly.

"He must cultivate a secret art to pierce disguises. Your Faceless Mask a High Heaven-Grade treasure, can't be seen through below Integration Stage," Jin Ni explained in his mind.

Lan An nodded. The world was full of hidden talents.

The assassin vanished into black smoke.

Darkness affinity? Lan An muttered, activating White Moon Spirit Grasp (Bạch Nguyệt Đoạt Hồn Nhãn) and Weakness Pierce .

In the Teleportation Array, a Void Refinement couldn't unleash full power without risking an explosion, endangering even themselves. Thus, Lian used only Late Spirit Transformation strength.

CLANG!

Another sharp clang as the Heavy Sword blocked a lethal strike.

"How did you track me?" Lian demanded. His stealth was supreme, nearly undetectable even by peers, yet this Peak Core Formation youth countered him?

Lan An licked his lips, mimicking Lian's tone. "Those marked for death by Nam need not know!"

Lian's eyes blazed with killing intent at the mockery.

Xiao Qing Xuan stood back-to-back with Lan An, her Giant Saber ready, eyeing the foe warily.

Lian sneered, "Looks like Lian must use a fraction of true power"

Before he finished, the other seemingly harmless youth shed his cloak.

"What the hell?" the three exclaimed.

The youth's body was strapped with explosives, his chest and back adorned with massive grenades.

Thunderclap Sect? These lunatics brought bombs? Damn it!" Lan An cursed.

"Brother, let's talk! Don't play like that my weak heart can't take it," Lian gulped.

In the high-speed array, even a Void Refinement couldn't tear through the void to escape.

"HAHA! Thunderclap Sect's first to bomb a Teleportation Array! Thunder One Strike (Phích Một Kích) will be legendary, idol of our sect's youth!" the youth laughed maniacally, eyes bloodshot, as if drugged, pressing a button.

The bombs glowed.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Teleportation Array shattered.

Space collapsed, engulfing the four.

White Jade City and Ding Yan City quaked violently.

Both array terminals exploded into fragments.

Countless cultivators were blasted back, some dead, others gravely injured.

The commotion was staggering.

Thunderclap Sect's suicidal bombing, once again…

Etched in history.