Chapter 167: Charm of the Fox
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Inside the Spirit Realm Pearl…
Lan An slumped to the ground, grinding his teeth at the memory of the recent chaos. Those Thunderclap Sect lunatics were brainwashed madmen. He wasn't crazy enough to obsess over them.
Xiao Qing Xuan lacked his composure, overwhelmed by the Spirit Realm Pearl's splendor.
If White Jade City was a pinnacle of prosperity, this was a divine haven.
The Blissful Spring, clear and irresistibly warm to women; the majestic Palace Court Tree (Cung Đình Thụ), defying mortal limits; and spiritual energy far denser than the outside world words failed to describe it.
Even her master, a sage of vast knowledge, was speechless.
In that critical moment, Lan An had pulled Xiao Qing Xuan into the Spirit Realm Pearl to escape.
At its current level, the Spirit Realm Pearl easily shielded them from the explosion.
Whether the assassin Lian survived was unknown best if he didn't.
This ordeal taught Lan An not to over-rely on the Faceless Mask, especially against assassins like Lian.
Though the immediate danger was resolved, the outside situation was unclear.
The Teleportation Array's destruction opened countless possibilities.
They could've been sent to a secret location on Yue Long Planet (Việt Long Tinh Cầu), a perilous forbidden zone, or worst, trapped in endless void.
The thought of the latter made Lan An shudder.
"Little Nam, what's wrong?" From Mi Er Palace , Su Mei sensed the disturbance, gracefully descending.
Her ethereal movements exuded charm, her noble attire radiant, clutching the mystical Charming Sound Pipa .
Her enchanting beauty, surpassing even Bai Su Mei's purity, left Xiao Qing Xuan momentarily dazed.
Su Mei nodded politely to Xiao Qing Xuan but sat beside Lan An, awaiting his response.
Lan An removed the Faceless Mask, revealing his true face to his woman.
He recounted the events.
Su Mei listened silently, her delicate hand patting her forehead, soothing softly, "Thunderclap Sect has always been mad. The Thunder Wander Strike (Phích Du Kích) we met before was tame by comparison."
Lan An nodded. That fat Thunder Wander Strike loved bombs but valued his life enough to flee.
This one embraced death as glory terrifyingly extreme.
The most dangerous were those who feared nothing, not even death. Who'd dare provoke Thunderclap Sect?
Yet, thanks to that bomber, they escaped Lian. A silver lining in disaster.
Pushing aside stray thoughts, Lan An addressed the women, "Stay here. I'll check outside."
Hiding wasn't a solution. He rose.
"No!" Su Mei and Xiao Qing Xuan gasped, grabbing his hands.
If outside was a mysterious place, it might be manageable, but a forbidden zone or spatial turbulence could kill him instantly.
Xiao Qing Xuan, forgetting her shyness, clung to one hand.
Even Little Lion (Tiểu Sư) nuzzled his leg.
"Don't worry. If danger arises, I'll retreat to the Spirit Realm Pearl," he reassured, touched.
The women and Little Lion hesitated.
"We'll go too!" they said in unison.
Lan An's face turned stern. "In matters like this, you follow my lead. The Spirit Realm Pearl is mine—I can enter with a thought. You'd only hinder me."
Seeing their reluctance, he added, "I have a trump card: the Designated Teleportation Talisman, which can take me to any desired location. I hadn't planned to use it, but I will if needed."
Purchased after a Lucky Charm Shop upgrade, the rare talisman was a last resort he'd kept hidden.
Xiao Qing Xuan sighed in relief.
Little Lion sent, "Master, be careful!"
Su Mei sighed, knowing he was right. Her worry only added chaos. She hugged him, offering her fragrant lips.
Lan An's heart softened, gently lifting her chin, indulging tenderly.
Xiao Qing Xuan blushed, turning away.
After a deep kiss, Lan An vanished.
Outside…
In a vibrant flower forest, fragrant herbs bloomed everywhere.
A pearl smaller than a cell glowed on a petal.
Lan An appeared, inhaling deeply, muttering, "Where is this? My luck's not bad…"
Activating Thousand-Star Perception (Thấu Thị Vạn Lý), he scanned the surroundings. A refined cave amidst the flowers caught his eye.
"Humans?" Lan An grew curious, stepping lightly with Phantom Charm Wander Step (Mị Ảnh Tiêu Dao Bộ), approaching silently.
The area was eerily quiet, without even insect chirps.
Peering inside…
His heart stopped. A soul-deep attraction surged.
On a bed of vivid petals lay a creature.
Its fur whiter than snow, six tails swaying gently, a delicate, agile form with slender limbs, closed round eyes with quivering lashes, and a small, pink mouth.
The most enchanting beast Lan An had ever seen, surpassing even Bai Su Mei's allure.
An inexplicable force stirred his soul, drawing him closer.
Unable to resist, he scooped it into his arms.
The more he looked, the deeper his fascination. A stunning fox with an irresistible aura.
The fox seemed in a strange state, unaware of his touch.
Lan An held it, stroking its silky fur, examining it closely.
He noticed a delicate pink bud between its hind legs.
"Female?" He grinned.
Finally, sensing something, the fox opened its eyes.
Seeing itself cradled and inspected, its fur bristled, six tails thrashing.
Its emerald eyes, brimming with boundless charm surpassing Su Mei's Charm Art a thousandfold, captivated Lan An.
His Immortal Genesis Scripture (Bất Hủ Diễn Sinh Kinh) surged, snapping him awake.
"Daring to charm me? Let's see about that!" Lan An teased, kissing its pink lips as the fox's eyes widened.
A divine fragrance intoxicated him, stirring his heart.
The fox's white fur flushed pink, frozen in shock.
Unnoticed, Lan An's hand brushed a stone on the cave wall.
The cave shook violently.
Startled, he loosened his grip, and the fox fled, vanishing.
Before he could react, powerful auras approached rapidly.
Two were so overwhelming that Lan An knew he'd be obliterated if he didn't escape.
Instinctively, he crushed the Designated Teleportation Talisman, willing himself to Hai Zhou Continent.
He vanished.
Moments later, three female figures arrived outside the cave, entering.
Two knelt, their four tails swaying, rippling space, addressing the cave reverently, "Greetings, Clan Leader. What are your orders?"
Silence.
The third, a stunning pink-robed girl radiating otherworldly charm, was Hu Yu Yan, who'd aided Lan An against You Yuan Continent's geniuses.
Hu Yu Yan's face was etched with worry, sending, "Master, are you alright? Why activate the distress mechanism?"
Her master's seclusion was critical, her strength suppressed, fueling Hu Yu Yan's concern.
After a pause, a voice that could melt souls echoed, "I'm fine. I accidentally triggered the mechanism. You may leave."
Hu Yu Yan and the fox clan elders sighed in relief, retreating respectfully.
Inside, the fox trembled with rage, recalling the audacious man who'd humiliated her, then fled.
Her emerald eyes blazed with fury that could burn the heavens…
Yet held a trace of uncharacteristic shyness.
Hai Zhou Continent…
On a remote, desolate island…
Lan An appeared haggard, shivering at the memory of those terrifying auras.
"Jin Ni, what were those two?"
"Haha, Sixth-Tier Late Stage beasts, equivalent to human Late Void Refinement!" Jin Ni chuckled gleefully.
Lan An shuddered, relieved he'd escaped.
Jin Ni eyed him slyly, delivering a bombshell, "Young Master, you caressed and kissed a Seventh-Tier Late Stage fox, yet fear two Sixth-Tiers?"
Lan An nearly choked, snapping, "Nonsense! I'm not that bold…"
But recalling the scene, with powerful figures approaching after his touch, his face darkened.
"Not bad, Young Master. That little fox you 'cherished' is a Six-Tailed Charm Fox, Seventh-Tier Late Stage, in seclusion to break through to Peak Seventh-Tier, equivalent to human Peak Integration Stage!" Jin Ni giggled.
Lan An swallowed hard, licking his lips, still tasting sweetness, and asked shakily, "Why didn't you warn me?"
"Don't blame me. You were enthralled by her body. Even if I'd spoken, you wouldn't have stopped," Jin Ni sighed dramatically.
"Enthralled?" Lan An recalled his trance-like state, drawn irresistibly despite her beast form.
"Ha, who knows if it's fortune or calamity…" Jin Ni sighed, dropping a final bombshell, "That Seventh-Tier Late Stage fox possesses the Heavenly Charm Bone, a physique you've long sought…"