Chapter 175: Flames of Vengeanc

Dear Readers,

Thank you for diving into Lan An's fiery resolve and intricate bonds! If this tale of vengeance and charm captivates you, please shower it with Power Stones! Your support fuels this epic xianxia adventure. Share with fellow cultivators, and let's ascend the rankings together!

-----------------------------------------

As Ji Ya's tale concluded, a raging inferno blazed in Lan An's eyes.

Never had he felt such a consuming desire to kill—not even when facing Luo Yu.

Using soul force to manipulate others was among the most heinous acts, leaving victims with grave consequences.

Liu Bing Er's severe soul injuries were proof enough. Had Lan An not crossed their path, she would have perished before Ji Ya could find the Dark Spring Herb.

In his past life, Lan An had a foster father but a fleeting existence. In this life, he was cast into the heartless Luo Clan. Only with great struggle had he found his beloved wives, each more precious to him than life itself.

No matter the reason, those who harmed them would face death.

His killing intent solidified, palpable enough to make Ji Ya shiver, yet her heart swelled with warmth. She channeled a thread of cool ice spirit energy into him, grasping his hand gently.

"Don't let anger consume you, my love. Had that wretch not attacked Bing Er, we sisters would never have met you."

Lan An drew a deep breath, the crimson in his eyes fading. His voice was hoarse but resolute.

"No matter the cause or excuse, those who touch you will not be spared—not even the Heavenly Mechanism Secret Hall."

From Ji Ya's account, the sisters had served the Secret Hall loyally for years. Yet, the moment their mentor died, predators struck. Were the Hall's elders blind to this injustice? Clearly, they treated the sisters with callous indifference.

"The Secret Hall is formidable, skilled in divination, peering into past and future. You mustn't act rashly, or you'll suffer," Ji Ya urged, her voice laced with worry.

"Rest assured, I won't lose my reason. But tell me, what strength does the one who harmed Bing Er possess?" Lan An asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"His name is Ji Shao Huang, an arrogant fool who views the world as his well. He ranks nineteenth on the Golden Lotus Ranking," Ji Ya said, her eyes flashing with disgust.

Lan An swiftly consulted the Golden Lotus Ranking.

Sure enough, the name appeared.

Golden Lotus Ranking, 19th: Ji Shao Huang, hailing from Lan Zhou Continent, 401 years old, mid-stage Void Refinement.

"Hmph, no mention of his soul cultivation?" Lan An snorted.

"He conceals it deeply. Even I don't know his soul cultivation level. But he often uses soul force to ambush opponents in battle, which boosts his ranking," Ji Ya said, frowning in thought.

"Resorting to soul sneak attacks? His soul cultivation must pale compared to his spiritual cultivation," Lan An mused.

If Ji Shao Huang's soul cultivation matched or exceeded his spiritual prowess, he could crush foes outright without subterfuge.

"Indeed. Soul cultivation is always more arduous than spiritual cultivation. Even in the Secret Hall, soul cultivation resources are scarce," Ji Ya agreed.

Lan An closed the Golden Lotus Ranking and pressed further.

"Who is the strongest in the Secret Hall? Do you know their cultivation?"

Ji Ya shook her head apologetically, her lips parting softly.

"The Hall Master, perhaps. But he's shrouded in mystery. We never knew his face or name. Our mentor, the Third Elder, was an early-stage Fusion realm expert with late-stage Void Refinement soul cultivation."

Lan An pondered silently. If the Third Elder was so formidable, the Great Elder and Hall Master must be even mightier. This vendetta would require patience.

"I'm still too weak. I must hasten to condense my core and refine the Reverse Dragon Bloodline," he vowed, clenching his fists with unwavering resolve.

Ji Ya's heart ached at his determination. She pleaded softly, "Don't rush into vengeance. Being with you is enough for us. Promise you won't push yourself too far."

"I promise," Lan An assured, kissing her silken forehead. Shifting topics, he asked, "You lived on Lan Zhou Continent. You must know of the Water Dragon Immortal Fairy?"

"You mean Shui Niang Qing?" Ji Ya asked, puzzled by the mention.

"Exactly her," Lan An nodded, sensing they were acquainted.

"We clashed once at the Bai Ling Academy. Shui Niang Qing is steadfast and decisive—a formidable foe. Why do you ask?" Ji Ya praised generously, eyeing him curiously.

"I'm at the Lan Hong Sect, her territory," Lan An explained, recounting his mission to Lan Zhou Continent and his chance rescue of Shui Mo Er.

Ji Ya sighed wistfully, her voice cool yet teasing. "You have a knack for charming beauties. If you're not saving a damsel, you're saving her brother."

Lan An chuckled. He hadn't meant to meddle, but fate led him to the Lan Hong Sect.

"If you're on Lan Zhou Continent, I shouldn't appear publicly, lest the Secret Hall's spies notice," Ji Ya said cautiously.

"No worries. You've cultivated a new art. With a changed appearance, even the Secret Hall's divine calculations won't detect you," Lan An reassured, handing her the Faceless Skin Mask.

He no longer needed to disguise as Wen Lang, rendering the mask unnecessary.

Ji Ya's eyes sparkled at the Faceless Skin Mask, her lips curving into a smile. "Then I'm at ease. As long as they don't divine my presence abruptly, they won't find me."

"Shall we head out now?" Lan An asked gently.

Ji Ya shook her head, whispering, "I'd rather stay here to monitor Bing Er's recovery. Lan Zhou is too familiar to me. Call me when you need me."

Having grown up there, she felt no urge to explore.

"Very well. I'll step out to avoid surprising the Lan Hong Sect," Lan An said, leaning down to kiss her fragrant lips once more.

Ji Ya blushed, still unready to surrender her body fully.

Lan An, unhurried, respected her pace.

His form flickered, reappearing before an ancient coffin within the Spirit Realm Pearl.

The mention of the Secret Hall's soul cultivators stirred his memory of this item.

The Soul-Calming Coffin, seized during the auction at Duo Bao Pavilion in Ling Wu City, held a profound secret, per the system's mission.

Lan An's curiosity burned.

Placing a hand on the lid, he poured soul force into it.

Within his dantian, the Soul-Warming Lotus stirred, supplying endless soul energy.

Yet, after a long while, the coffin remained inert, unresponsive.

Even his Pierce Weakness Vision yielded no clues.

"Jin Ni, must my soul cultivation reach the Divine Transformation realm?" Lan An asked.

"To open it with certainty, your soul cultivation needs to be at the Void Refinement level. But your soul force is purer than most. At Divine Transformation, you might have a chance," Jin Ni replied, pursing her lips.

Lan An nodded, his form vanishing decisively.

Outside, he pushed open the courtyard gate, inhaling the salty sea air.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

Two lovely maidens, barely twenty, stood gracefully outside, bowing as he emerged.

Lan An observed them covertly. Fair-skinned with rosy lips, one with long hair, the other short, both at the peak Foundation Establishment realm, they were strikingly beautiful.

"Why are you here?" he asked, puzzled.

If the Lan Hong Sect meant to monitor him, they wouldn't send such low-cultivation maids.

"Our lady instructed us to serve you and warm your bed," they replied, blushing and lowering their heads shyly.

"Shui Niang Qing?" Lan An startled. What kind of man did she take him for, sending women to his bed?

"Rest assured, Young Master, we are still pure," the long-haired maiden said, summoning courage.

Lan An laughed wryly, glaring playfully. "Your names?"

"I'm Xiao Yu," the long-haired maiden said, biting her lip.

"I'm Xiao He," the short-haired one added, nervously wringing her hands.

Lan An sighed. Two radiant young women, compelled by a mere order to serve a stranger.

Such was the weight of power.

"Go back. Take these spirit stones for your cultivation," he said, offering a pouch.

Though beautiful, they paled beside his wives peerless prodigies and powerhouses. His tastes were discerning.

Moreover, he felt no connection with these maids. True intimacy, to him, required harmony of soul and body, the pinnacle of transcendence.

Xiao He and Xiao Yu paled, collapsing to their knees in terror.

"What's this?" Lan An exclaimed, lifting them with a surge of peak Nascent Soul energy.

"Our lady said we'd be yours after tonight. If we fail, we'll be cast out of the Lan Hong Sect," Xiao Yu sobbed.

"Indeed, we've been with the sect since childhood. Expulsion would be worse than death," Xiao He wept, her eyes red.

Lan An frowned, recalling Shui Niang Qing's character. A spark of amusement flickered within him.

"Where is Shui Niang Qing? Who gave her the right to dictate others' fates?"

He roared deliberately, pulling the maids along.

"Young Master, please! Our lady will scold us," they cried, faces pale with fear.

"Fear not, I'll protect you," Lan An said, shaking his head with a confident smile.

Beyond the courtyard, Elder Fu stood waiting, smiling at the trio.

"Young Master, the madam and lady await you," Elder Fu said, leading the way.

Lan An nodded calmly, still holding Xiao Yu and Xiao He's hands.

In an elegant pavilion by a lake, Madam Hua and Shui Niang Qing sipped tea with refined grace.

Seeing Elder Fu arrive with Lan An and the tearful maids, Madam Hua beamed, glancing triumphantly at Shui Niang Qing.

"See? I told you Xiao Nan isn't a frivolous man. You didn't believe me."

Shui Niang Qing's glossy purple lips sipped her tea, leaving a faint mark on the cup. "Perhaps Xiao Yu and Xiao He's beauty isn't enough."

"You cheeky girl, twisting words so fast!" Madam Hua huffed, her chest heaving.

Though distant, Lan An's sharp ears caught their exchange. His suspicions confirmed.

Forcing two beauties to serve him? With Shui Niang Qing's pride, such an act was unlikely.

Clearly, it was a test of his character a clumsy one at that.

"Young Master, we're scared," Xiao Yu whispered.

"No harm will come to you," Lan An reassured, leading them closer.

Elder Fu tactfully withdrew.

"Greetings, Madam Hua! Lady Shui!" Lan An said, clasping his hands casually.

Madam Hua admired his carefree charm, growing fonder. "Xiao Nan, come sit. Niang Qing, pour tea!"

Shui Niang Qing's lips twitched, but she gracefully filled a teapot.

"You two may leave. Henceforth, you're core disciples of the Lan Hong Sect. As long as the sect stands, none shall harm you," Madam Hua said to the maids with a smile.

Their hearts raced, exchanging disbelieving glances. Mere outer disciples, they were worlds apart from core status.

"I speak true. Niang Qing was only teasing," Madam Hua confirmed.

"Wonderful! Thank you, Madam, Lady, and Young Master!" the maids exclaimed, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Lan An shook his head wryly. The maids' innocence had been exploited, but no one intended their expulsion.

"Come here," he beckoned.

They hesitated, then approached, biting their lips.

"Xiao He, you have a Wind Spirit Root. Here are the Cloud-Riding Leap and Earth-grade Green Breeze Sword Art. Cultivate diligently," he said, tossing her two manuals from the Qing Yun Sect's treasury.

Xiao He trembled with shock.

To Xiao Yu, he offered more. "Xiao Yu, you have a Wood Spirit Root. Here are Ten Thousand Forest Growth and Wood Form Fist, both Earth-grade skills."

The maids quivered, collapsing to their knees, tears streaming as they sobbed.

"These are too precious! We dare not accept!"

Shui Niang Qing and Madam Hua's eyes glinted with surprise. Though their sect specialized in Water techniques, they possessed some skills for other attributes, but Earth-grade ones were rare.

Lan An's generosity was staggering.

"What I give, I don't reclaim. If you won't take them, discard them," Lan An said firmly.

The maids wavered, unsure.

"Since Xiao Nan offers, accept them. Cultivate earnestly to honor him," Madam Hua advised.

"Thank you, Young Master, Madam, and Lady! We retire," the maids said, accepting with dazed expressions.

Today felt like a dream. Their status and fate had soared overnight.

Earth-grade skills beyond their wildest dreams were now theirs.

As the maids skipped away, Shui Niang Qing held her teacup, finally meeting Lan An's gaze. "Your methods are extraordinary, Young Master. After today, two more maidens will never forget you."

Lan An smirked, picking up a teacup and sipping.

The tea was sweet, fragrant like orchids.

Madam Hua burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.

Shui Niang Qing's face flushed, her teeth clenched as she glared furiously.

Lan An blinked, then noticed his error. His teacup lay in her hand, untouched. He'd drunk from hers, marked by a vivid purple lip print, alluring beyond measure.

Cursing his carelessness, he said nonchalantly, "Fine tea."