Chapter 194: The Azure Phoenix Feather

Dear Readers,

Thank you for immersing in the Item Exchange Ceremony's grandeur with Lan An and his companions! If the Azure Phoenix Feather's allure, Lan An's lavish trades, and Tian Ji Palace's looming threat fuel your excitement, unleash a torrent of Power Stones! Your support drives this xianxia saga. Share with fellow cultivators, and let's ascend the heavens together!

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"Adopt your mother?"

Lan An's mouth twitched, sensing three faint murderous auras swirling nearby none other than the three lionesses seated beside him: Ji Ya, Shui Niang Qing, and Xiao Qing Xuan.

"Ahem!"

Clearing his throat, he sidestepped the adoption talk, diverting the conversation. "How beautiful is your mother, Ai Er? Sister Ya, Sister Qing, and Sister Xuan are peerless beauties in my heart. To claim the title of Lan Zhou's number one beauty before them? Truly a naive little girl."

"Hmph, just wait till you see Mother. Don't drool," Ai Er huffed, annoyed at his disbelief, turning her head away.

The three women smiled, pleased with his tact, thinking he knew better than to entertain the notion.

They dismissed Ai Er's words as childish exaggeration. To a young girl, her mother being the world's most beautiful was no surprise.

Curious, Lan An transmitted to Shui Niang Qing and Ji Ya, "Is there a woman in Lan Zhou hailed as the number one beauty?"

The two exchanged glances, pondering, then shook their heads.

Both were considered fairies by countless men, yet neither dared claim the title of Lan Zhou's top beauty. Lan Zhou's vast expanse, immeasurable population, and diverse races each held unique aesthetic standards. How could one woman be deemed the fairest?

For instance, to the Dwarf Tribe, shorter and darker women were the epitome of beauty. Conquering every race's tastes was impossible.

Lan An's question was casual, not taken seriously, though he mused inwardly, Does Lan Zhou have a tradition of matchmaking? Shui Mo tried to sell me her sister, and now this girl's peddling her mother. Unbelievable.

Three days passed.

Countless trades unfolded, the sheer volume and value of items enough to make any force salivate.

Under Ai Er's expectant gaze, Lan An traded a Heaven-grade Mid-tier artifact for an Agarwood Fruit, a rare spirit fruit that granted a natural, controllable fragrance for life a favorite among women.

His wealth no longer surprised anyone. They let him trade as he pleased, but greed simmered in many hearts, plotting to rob him once he left.

"Little Nan, I want that!" Shui Niang Qing grabbed his hand, eyeing a Heaven-grade Supreme-tier Thunder Long Spear on stage.

A bold beauty, she'd chosen to follow this man and saw no need for restraint. Her strength would serve his battles, after all.

"You're at Void Refinement now. Heaven-grade isn't worthy. I've prepared a Spirit-grade spear for you," Lan An said with a sly smile, playfully flicking her soft hand. Among the Lucky Shop items bought for the festival, he'd acquired a Spirit-grade spear perfect for her.

"Ugh, why didn't you say so?" Shui Niang Qing's heart melted, forgetting the stage's spear, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Hmph, what's this?" Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao muttered, catching the scene. No place for romance elsewhere? Masked mysteries cuddling in broad daylight? Bizarre.

Another day passed.

Everyone felt satisfied. Even those without successful trades gained invaluable exposure to extraordinary items.

On stage, a plump woman in resplendent robes, her face veiled by ethereal silk, stood as a Peak Void Refinement cultivator.

Knowledgeable attendees' mouths twitched. She was Shui Ke, Second Elder of the Ninth-grade Shui Tian Sect. Her attire was recognizable, her mask merely a nod to Duo Bao Pavilion's rules. With her strength and backing, she feared no robbery.

"That's Shui Ke, Shui Tian Sect's Second Elder," Ji Ya and Shui Niang Qing said, recognizing her.

"Another Shui?" Lan An asked.

"In Lan Zhou, Shui and Hai surnames dominate," Ji Ya said with a smile.

Shui Niang Qing nodded.

Lan An shrugged. Surname overlaps were common, but Shui Niang Qing's presence piqued his interest.

The crowd grew curious about what treasure a figure of her stature would offer.

Shui Ke wasted no time. Her plump hand rose, light flashing.

A sky-blue feather floated in the breeze, exuding an ancient, melancholic aura that stirred every heart.

Whoosh

Wind spiritual energy converged from all directions, its intensity surpassing Lan An's previous artifacts.

Gasps echoed, faces turning grave.

"Young Master, you must get it," Jin Ni's urgent voice transmitted to Lan An.

His eyes narrowed, a profound familiarity with the feather overwhelming him. Its ancient aura could only mean one thing: a relic from the primordial era, the planet's golden age. Could such remnants be ordinary?

Shui Ke caressed the feather, a flicker of reluctance in her eyes. She'd cherished it for years, but as a Water cultivator, this Wind attribute feather offered her little. Taking a deep breath, she said gravely, "Some may recognize this as a feather from an ancient beast. Indeed, it's the Tail Feather of the Divine Beast Azure Phoenix, imbued with Wind attributes, absolutely authentic."

Boom

Her words unleashed a tidal wave of shock. Wind cultivators' heartbeats thundered.

The Divine Beast's Tail Feather needed no explanation of its terrifying potential. It enhanced Wind comprehension and absorption speed exponentially. As a top-tier material for artifact forging, in the hands of a master like the Dwarf Tribe's chief, it could yield a True-grade artifact effortlessly.

"With this, the little one's egg will hatch faster," Lan An's eyes gleamed, excitement barely contained.

The egg atop the Palace Tree would take decades to hatch, Jin Ni had said—a short estimate. Divine Beasts, heaven-defying entities, outclassed peers at their rank, countered only by other Divine Beasts. Their growth, however, was agonizingly slow, often spanning countless years.

Though not a true Divine Beast, the egg bore strong Azure Phoenix blood, explaining its prolonged incubation.

Lan An now understood Jin Ni's insistence. Even without her urging, he couldn't let this pass. To others, the feather aided cultivation or forging, but for him, it was fuel for a future Divine Beast an immeasurable value.

Ji Ya, Shui Niang Qing, and Xiao Qing Xuan, aware of the egg, gave him encouraging looks.

"It's truly the Azure Phoenix Tail Feather! Though none have seen the beast, ancient records confirm its traits and Wind influence. Its quality is assured," a white-haired elder, appearing suddenly on stage, declared after examining the feather.

"This is Master Yong, Duo Bao Pavilion's expert appraiser," Bao Qiao introduced.

The plaza nodded. With the expert's validation, the feather's authenticity was unquestionable.

Satisfied, Shui Ke stated, "I wish to trade this feather for a Spirit-grade Water attribute offensive artifact. Make your offers."

The crowd fell silent. Her demand was fair, but Spirit-grade artifacts were rare, sect-guarding treasures, especially offensive ones that amplified combat prowess. Their owners were no ordinary figures.

"Fellow Daoist, could you lower your terms? I offer a Heaven-grade Supreme-tier artifact for the Azure Phoenix Feather," a hoarse-voiced elder stood, his age evident.

"Hmph, I don't lack Heaven-grade items. Who'd want yours?" Shui Ke sneered. A Heaven-grade for a Divine Beast feather? Did he think her a fool?

"You…" the elder barked, "Let's see which idiot trades a Spirit-grade for your feather."

"Spirit-grade Low-tier Artifact Formless Water Sword. Water as formless, formless as water, all waters are its blade. I offer it for your feather," Lan An's voice rang out, a slap to the elder's face.

With a flick, countless Water spiritual energies formed a sword, the surrounding space cracking with dark fissures.

"Brother, could you elaborate on the Formless Water Sword's abilities?" Shui Ke asked calmly, unimpressed by a Low-tier Spirit-grade.

As a Ninth-grade sect elder, her standards were high.

Lan An shook his head, uninterested in haggling, and swapped the sword for a fan. "Sea-Parting Fan Spirit-grade Mid-tier. One wave can split oceans."

"Deal!" Shui Ke nodded decisively. Lan An's generosity, coupled with her status, ended her bargaining.

The crowd's eyes bulged as the monumental trade concluded. Lan An's dual Spirit-grade offerings left them speechless, greed intensifying. Even a Ninth-grade backing couldn't quell their avarice.

Unfazed, Lan An noted his soaring Prestige Points, ignoring the world as he stowed the feather and returned to his seat.

"Xuan'er, take the Formless Water Sword and trade for what I want," he said, handing Xiao Qing Xuan a storage ring.

She nodded, ascending the stage.

"Definitely a woman," Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao confirmed, noting her graceful movements, their curiosity deepening.

"This is the Formless Water Sword. I seek a comparable architectural artifact, or quantity for quality," Xiao Qing Xuan said, altering her voice as Lan An instructed, holding the sword.

"That's the one with the two Heaven-grade cauldrons," the crowd murmured, familiar with the sword. Someone stood.

"Clear Heart Pavilion Heaven-grade High-tier architectural artifact. A nine-story pavilion forged from Clear Heart Wood, calming the mind and reducing heart demon influence during cultivation. I offer it for the Formless Water Sword," a cultivator said.

Xiao Qing Xuan frowned, shaking her head. With the Blissful Spring countering heart demons and the Palace Tree, a pavilion was redundant.

"Artificial Sea Spirit-grade Low-tier architectural artifact. Forms a hundred-zhang ocean with coral, ocean vistas, and white sands, boosting Water technique comprehension. I offer it for the Formless Water Sword," a blue-robed man said with a faint smile, presenting a condensed, extraordinary miniature sea.

It was Hai Wu, Sea Palace's Second Elder. He preferred the Formless Water Sword over an architectural artifact, given Sea Palace's oceanic home.

"Agreed," Xiao Qing Xuan's eyes lit up, nodding eagerly.

Unlike the Blissful Spring, the Artificial Sea offered unique scenery.

Lan An approved, satisfied with the Spirit Pearl's new sea and spring.

Xiao Qing Xuan completed the trade with Hai Wu, smiling as she returned, mission accomplished.

Lan An gave her an encouraging look, handing the storage ring to Ji Ya.

Fairy Frost Ya ascended, swiftly trading a Heaven-grade Supreme-tier artifact for a Spirit Herb Field, a Heaven-grade Supreme-tier architectural artifact spanning dozens of zhang for planting spirit herbs.

Finally, Shui Niang Qing's turn came. She acquired the Four Seasons Mountain, a Spirit-grade Mid-tier architectural artifact a mountain with spring, summer, autumn, and winter, a picturesque fairyland for another Spirit-grade Mid-tier artifact.

Seeing Lan An's group amass architectural artifacts, the crowd speculated, Is he founding a sect? With his wealth, shouldn't he already have one?

Time passed, trades multiplied, and the festival neared its end, with fewer than a hundred yet to take the stage, including Lan An.

In a secluded corner, two robed elders occasionally glanced at Lan An's group. One muttered, "We must divine their origins upon returning."

The other nodded.

Their divinations could unveil even Ninth-grade sect members, for they hailed from Tian Ji Palace.