Chapter 173: Ice Fairy’s Emergence
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"Tell Shui Mo to kneel and enter the sect!"
The cold, commanding voice echoed across heaven and earth, draining the color from Shui Mo's face. It was unmistakably his sister's voice.
The transport ship carrying Hai Hong Sect's resources had been ambushed, suffering heavy losses. Shui Mo had already sent a Spirit Transformation elder back to report.
Knowing his sister's temperament, Shui Mo expected her fury, but not to this extent demanding he kneel to enter the sect in penance.
Lan An was startled. As the saying goes, a true man kneels only to his parents, not even to heaven and earth. Forcing a spirited youth like Shui Mo to kneel was a harsh demand.
However, this was a family matter sister disciplining brother. As a guest, Lan An couldn't interfere, only observing silently.
"Still not kneeling? You can't even handle such a small task. What face do you have to meet the disciples and those who died unjustly due to your reckless decision? Shui Mo, you've disappointed me greatly…"
A sigh, like an orchid's lament, echoed from deep within the sect, laden with disappointment.
The tens of thousands of Hai Hong Sect members fell silent, not daring to speak.
Shui Nương Khanh, the sect's sole Void Refinement expert, held unquestioned authority.
Shui Mo clenched his teeth, eyes shutting tightly. The brutal battle replayed in his mind.
Images of comrades falling in pools of blood under Black Shark's claws, and elders self-detonating to take enemies with them, flooded back.
His heart throbbed with pain. His cheerful facade these past days masked deep regret.
His body slowly bent.
Thud, thud, thud…
Suddenly, a chorus of knees hitting the ground rang out.
Every Hai Hong Sect member accompanying Shui Mo knelt, still bearing their cargo chests.
"What are you doing?" Shui Mo shouted, horrified.
"Young Master bears guilt, but we bear greater guilt!" Shui Fu prostrate, spoke mournfully.
"Young Master bears guilt, but we bear greater guilt!" the crew roared, eyes bloodshot.
Thud…
Shui Mo's knees finally hit the ground, eyes red, voice hoarse, "What guilt do you bear? You only followed my foolish orders!"
"As Hai Hong Sect members, we enjoy its blessings, living a hundred times better than Black Shark. Yet, our strength is inferior. Isn't that guilt?" Shui Fu wailed.
The crew bowed their heads, faces flushed.
Shui Mo froze at his words.
Lan An sighed inwardly. Shui Fu spoke truth. Compared to the pirates' knife-edge existence, Hai Hong Sect's comfortable life dulled their combat experience and ruthlessness.
Of course, the Black Shark Pirates were a notorious force, not every pirate band matched their strength.
"Well said. This kneeling honors the heroic souls who died for us. From today, Black Shark is my sworn enemy!" Shui Mo roared skyward, his voice shaking Red Island.
Led by him, the group advanced on their knees.
Thud, thud, thud…
The sound of knees striking ground echoed relentlessly.
For cultivators, moving on knees or even fingertips was effortless.
But for Hai Hong Sect's members, each kneel weighed like mountains, carrying their resolve and hatred for their foes, etching vengeance into their hearts.
Their eyes blazed with battle intent, yearning to clash with Black Shark for three hundred rounds and slaughter them all.
As the kneeling procession moved forward, Lan An kept a respectful distance to avoid awkwardness.
Wherever Shui Mo and his group passed, Hai Hong Sect members bowed, unwilling to accept their kneeling.
"This is the spirit a sect should have!" Lan An admired silently, following at a measured pace.
He secretly marveled at Shui's methods, growing curious about her.
Finally, a grand hall built from sea stone appeared.
Hai Hong Sect's high echelon stood before it, watching Shui Mo's group with complex expressions.
Lan An observed discreetly. Six elderly figures, men and women, sat on either side, their cultivation ranging from Early to Late Spirit Transformation likely the six elders.
A middle-aged couple occupied the central seats. The woman, elegant and noble, must have been a beauty in her youth. She wiped tears while gazing at Shui Mo lovingly, her cultivation at Mid Spirit Transformation.
The man, dignified yet stern, sighed at Shui Mo, a Peak Spirit Transformation expert.
"These must be Shui Mo's parents," Lan An mused.
His gaze shifted to the lone figure standing before the hall, her eyes cold.
Among those seated, she stood out like a crane among chickens.
Appearing 25 or 26, she was at the peak of feminine allure.
Her black dress clung to her captivating figure.
Smoke-gray hair cascaded past her slender waist, brushing the curve of her raised hips.
Her lithe, vigorous body carried a unique coastal charm, hard to describe.
Her phoenix eyes, deep as abysses, held thick brows arched defiantly. Her glossy purple lips, bold and distinctive, enhanced her aloof, orchid-like aura.
Her strength was perfectly concealed, appearing mortal yet commanding the scene.
"Shui Fairy? That title's too gentle for her," Lan An thought.
Suddenly, the Mysterious Water Cauldron within him trembled violently, yearning toward Shui Niang Qing.
Lan An swiftly summoned his other three cauldrons to suppress it, maintaining composure while inwardly puzzled.
"This woman possesses a Strange Water. No wonder the Mysterious Water Cauldron reacts!" Jin Ni said, eyeing Shui.
Lan An started, reassessing her but refraining from using Weakness Pierce out of courtesy. Her aura concealment was flawless.
"It's Nirvana Spirit Water," Jin Ni clarified.
"This must be Young Master Lan An?"
Ignoring the kneeling Shui Mo and his group, Shui Niang Qing first addressed the young man.
Guests took precedence in most situations.
She noted his relaxed demeanor, his heterochromatic eyes free of impurity, his handsome features, and his modest cultivation. Was he truly as formidable as reported?
Lan An sensed a subtle pressure probing him, clearly Shui Niang Qing's cautious test.
With his experience handling women, how could he falter?
Calmly, he first clasped his hands toward Hai Hong Sect's leaders, "Junior Lan An greets the esteemed seniors."
Only then did he nod to Shui, "Greetings, Miss Shui."
Shui Niang Qing nodded inwardly. This youth was neither arrogant nor obsequious, respecting protocol. Despite her superior cultivation, her parents and elders were present, so he addressed them first.
A less astute person, swayed by her aura, might have greeted her first a foolish move.
Hai Hong Sect's leaders approved of Lan An's etiquette, smiling and thanking him, aware of his reported prowess.
Shui Mo's mother rose warmly, clasping Lan An's hand, eyes teary, "You saved Little Mo and Elder Fu's lives. Henceforth, you're family to Hai Hong Sect. If you don't mind, call me Aunt Hua."
Lan An felt her genuine warmth, sensing she truly saw him as kin, likely due to her love for Shui Mo.
Sighing inwardly, suppressing thoughts of his own mother, he smiled, "Junior greets Aunt Hua!" He produced a jade vial, pressing it into her hand, "A token of respect for my senior. If Aunt refuses, it's as if you don't see me as family!"
Aunt Hua lifted the vial, revealing a glossy pink pill.
Her body trembled, staring at him in disbelief.
"This is a Beauty Nurturing Pill. Aunt Hua was surely a peerless beauty in her youth. I hope it restores time's grace," Lan An said sincerely.
"Good… good… dear child, Aunt Hua accepts your kindness. Hai Hong Sect is your home now. Anyone who dares bully you, I'll handle them!" Aunt Hua beamed, delighted.
The onlookers gaped, stunned. Even Shui Mo, kneeling, wanted to cry.
Mother, do you care about me at all?
Yet, they admired Lan An's generosity.
Shui's purple lips twitched, seeing her mother act like a giddy girl. She addressed Shui Fu, "Elder Fu, escort Young Master Lan An to rest. The sea journey must have been tiring."
"Why rush, lass? Little Nam's no outsider!" Aunt Hua huffed, displeased.
Shui Nương Khanh sighed helplessly. Her mother was her only weakness in Hai Hong Sect.
Lan An, amused, said to Aunt Hua, "I'm indeed weary. I'll take my leave, Aunt."
The sect's internal matters were next, and he shouldn't linger.
"Alright, rest well. Visit me tomorrow to chat!" Aunt Hua nodded.
Hai Hong Sect's leaders exchanged glances, resolving to befriend Lan An.
Even Shui Mo's stern father, the Sect Master, shook his head wryly.
"Young Master, this way," Shui Fu gestured.
Lan An nodded, clasping his hands to the group again.
He transmitted to Shui Mo, "A man rises where he falls. Don't lose heart. Your sister's actions are for your good."
Shui Mo nodded firmly.
In a lavish courtyard, Lan An sprawled on a plush bed, Shui Fu having departed.
"Though Shui Mo erred, he returned a large shipment. His punishment shouldn't be too severe."
"Shui Nương Khanh clearly aims to groom him as the next Sect Master, hence her strictness."
Such thoughts crossed Lan An's mind.
He glimpsed a flicker of affection for Shui Mo in Shui's eyes, despite her concealment.
She was more a stern mentor than a doting sister.
"Jin Ni, how formidable is Shui's Nirvana Spirit Water?" Lan An cut to the chase.
Her Golden Ranking (51st) surpassed Ji Ye and Su Yan, likely due to this Strange Water.
Strange Water was new to him, and he was clueless.
"Formidable. It grants its wielder terrifying injury recovery, even from Strange Fire burns," Jin Ni said gravely.
"Oh? Isn't she my counter then?" Lan An chuckled lightly.
"It depends on many factors in a fight. With two Strange Fires, her Strange Water would struggle to heal. With three, she'd be overwhelmed," Jin Ni giggled.
Lan An nodded, about to speak, when his face lit with wild joy.
In a flash, he vanished.
He reappeared in the Spirit Realm Pearl.
The Palace Tree's Ya Ji Palace opened.
The air chilled, snowflakes dancing.
A figure of peerless beauty, with icy grace and jade-like bones, stepped lightly through the void, breathtakingly stunning.
Nearby, Xiao Qing Xuan, refining pills, had learned her lesson, sealing her senses to focus.
The Blazing Heart Cauldron in Lan An trembled, drawn to the black flame coiling in her hand.
He had no time to ask Jin Ni its origin.
A fragrance, fresh as alpine snow lotus, enveloped him.
"Elegant Ice Fairy – Ji Ye has emerged from seclusion…"