Chapter 195: The Time-Altering Treasure

From the shadows of the clan to the rise of an Overlord...

If this chapter made your heart race, a Power Stone or Collection would be a huge encouragement.

Let's see how far Lan An can go with your support.

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The Item Exchange Ceremony had elevated Duo Bao Pavilion's prestige to new heights.

Yet, the plaza's attention wasn't on the pavilion's glory. The burning question on every mind was the identity of the extravagant tycoon, Lan An.

In recent days, he'd secured two more treasures.

First, a Spirit-grade refining material, Heavenly Thunder Stone, intended to repair his Thunder Scepter.

Second, a Heaven-grade Supreme-tier martial technique, Cold Plum Chaotic Dance, gifted unmistakably to Ji Ya.

Though Ji Ya had mastered the first layer of the Ice-Water Ling Bo Art, gaining extraordinary techniques, Lan An, through their battles and her duel with Shui Liu, identified a flaw: her lack of area-of-effect skills. Her techniques Ling Bo Twin Palms, Ling Bo Heaven-Imprisoning Hand, and Ice-Water Barrier targeted single foes. If surrounded, she'd struggle. Spotting Cold Plum Chaotic Dance, Lan An acquired it for her without hesitation.

Touched by his care, Ji Ya grew anxious as the festival neared its end. Gripping his hand, her lips pursed, she asked, "We've become prey in countless eyes. What are your plans?"

Despite their concealed identities, enemies didn't need to know who they were to strike. With so many targeting them, some might possess unique methods to uncover clues. The world teemed with extraordinary figures, not to be underestimated.

Shui Niang Qing nodded gravely. As a member of Hai Hong Sect, exposure could doom her faction. Recovering the Water-Sea True Art had already drawn hostile gazes. If her connection to a tycoon like Lan An surfaced, the consequences would be dire. Against ravenous wolves, Hai Hong Sect might crumble.

Xiao Qing Xuan harbored fewer fears. Having lost everything, she cared only for Lan An and her master. Life or death mattered little, though she'd prefer to live and destroy Blood Spirit Sect.

Lan An pondered, having prepared countermeasures. With reassuring glances, he asked, "Ya'er, you seem familiar with Cheng Bi. Can you arrange a meeting with her and Bao Qiao after the festival?"

"You want to meet them?" Shui Niang Qing's eyes sparkled. Leading Hai Hong Sect had honed her intuition, and she glimpsed his intent.

"Yes, can you contact them?" Lan An confirmed.

Ji Ya nodded, exhaling. "My bond with Cheng Bi isn't deep, just acquaintance level. Tian Ye Yao once sought to recruit my sister and me as her followers, but our foster father was alive then, so we declined. Arranging a private meeting, however, is no issue."

"Tian Ye Yao wanted you and Bing'er as maids?" Lan An's eyes flashed. Duo Bao Pavilion's Saintess was no ordinary figure, her ambition vast.

"I was invited too," Shui Niang Qing said with a wry smile. She'd declined Tian Ye Yao's offer, unwilling to leave her brother and mother.

"I'm curious about this Tian Ye Yao," Lan An smirked. Collecting Golden List women as maids? Perhaps even Meng Ying or Su Yan received such "invitations." Would she dare ask his Yue Qi to serve her?

"Alright, why meet Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao privately?" Ji Ya's eyes twinkled, sensing his plan.

"Exactly as you think," Lan An smiled faintly.

"What's with the secrecy? Anyone daring to steal Ai Er's mother will be blasted away," the little girl huffed, pouting at their neglect.

Two days passed without Lan An trading further. Only dozens remained to take the stage.

Even Night Shadow Island's trio traded, offering a Kill Order a token allowing its holder to commission an assassination of a Peak Void Refinement or lower cultivator. It was swiftly exchanged for a Heaven-grade martial technique, revealing the abundance of vendettas.

Lan An considered the Kill Order but, recalling Seven Kills Sect, abandoned the idea. If hiring assassins, he'd choose Seven Kills Sect over the dubious Night Shadow Island.

Finally, with about ten participants left, Lan An rose, unwilling to be last.

Whoosh

Countless eyes locked onto him.

He strode forward leisurely, nodding to Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao, then scanned the plaza.

Hearts pounded, anticipation surging. What would he trade?

Ai Xin, Lan Ji, Night Shadow Island, Sea Palace, Shui Tian Sect, Tian Ji Palace—all factions watched intently. Even Duo Bao Pavilion's hidden experts observed.

Clack

Clack

Clack

Three sounds rang out, eyes bulging across the plaza.

The three items' oppressive aura forced Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao to step back.

"Breathless Robe Spirit-grade Low-tier Garment. Conceals the wearer's aura and appearance, undetectable below Integration," Lan An said calmly, pointing to a black cloak on the ground.

Gasps echoed, greed blazing in countless eyes.

"Heaven-Burning Hammer Spirit-grade Low-tier Weapon. Suited for Fire cultivators, one strike burns the heavens," he continued, gesturing to a blazing war hammer.

Night Shadow Island's trio instinctively rose, spiritual energy stirring.

"Hmph," a cold snort reverberated, jarring everyone's ears.

The trio jolted, sitting back down. A Duo Bao Pavilion expert had warned them.

Unperturbed, Lan An pointed to a boat-shaped item. "Water-Wind Vessel Spirit-grade Mid-tier Artifact. Spans zhangs, capable of flight and aquatic travel, matching Void Refinement flight speed, with robust defensive arrays. It cannot tear space, however."

Eyes widened, especially among larger factions. The Water-Wind Vessel was a game-changer.

"Fellow Daoist, trading three items at once seems to violate Duo Bao Pavilion's rules," a man in an ornate mask Lan Ji stood, his voice laced with envy. Despite gaining a Heaven-grade weapon, he felt like a beggar beside Lan An's wealth.

His point was valid, prompting skeptical glances from Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao.

"Trading thrice would break rules, but I seek one item for all three Spirit-grade artifacts. That's within bounds," Lan An replied, prepared and unruffled.

"What?"

The plaza reeled. Three Spirit-grade items for one? Was anything more insane?

"It's permissible. Each participant gets one trade on stage. Though you offer three items, it's one transaction, fully compliant," Cheng Bi nodded, her curiosity peaking.

She and Bao Qiao burned to know what he sought.

"Name your desired item," an elder stood, clasping hands, impatient.

"Speak, Fellow Daoist!" the crowd roared, electrified.

Lan An raised a finger, cutting to the chase. "I seek a Heaven-Earth Anomaly, any attribute, any rank. If my offer falls short, I'll add more."

Silence.

Utter stillness, broken only by breathing.

Some thought Lan An mad, tempted to mock him, but his three Spirit-grade offerings stifled laughter. His willingness to add more sealed their silence.

Could you laugh? No.

The plaza exchanged glances, stunned by his request.

Heaven-Earth Anomalies Strange Fires, Strange Waters, Strange Metals, Strange Earths—granted extraordinary abilities, vastly boosting combat power. As their master grew, so did they, unlike techniques or artifacts that could become obsolete. Anomaly wielders were often invincible among peers. Who'd trade one?

Yet, with three Spirit-grade items, many questioned if they'd trade an anomaly for Lan An's offer.

Seeing the silence, Lan An repeated, "Strange Fire, Strange Water, Strange Metal, Strange Earth any Heaven-Earth Anomaly, I'll accept. If three items aren't enough, I'll compensate further."

No response.

Bao Qiao and Cheng Bi exchanged grave looks.

Sighing inwardly, Lan An knew anomalies were elusive found by chance, not sought. Prepared for failure, he moved to retrieve his artifacts.

"Wait!" a melodious voice, like a spring's flow, rang out.

Lan An turned, startled.

Bao Qiao took a deep breath, deciding. "I have a Strange Water and agree to trade."

Her Bao Clan had unearthed a Strange Water deep beneath the sea, unused due to their Earth attribute affinity.

"Strange Water? I accept," Lan An nearly leaped, thrilled. Though not for cauldron-forging, any anomaly was a boon.

Unsold by the Lucky Shop, anomalies gnawed at him. Acquiring one was ideal.

"Its effects aren't potent, so no additional payment is needed," Bao Qiao said frankly.

Lan An nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness.

Clap clap

Bao Qiao clapped her delicate hands.

Thud thud

Bao Li's plump figure hurried over, holding a black stone box.

Lan An recognized it as the type used to hold Devouring Heaven Wood, stolen from Yun Zhi Ping, designed for anomalies.

"Here's the Strange Water, Sister," Bao Li said respectfully, handing the box to Bao Qiao. She'd transmitted instructions to fetch it when Lan An named his desire.

Bao Qiao nodded, passing it to Lan An.

The crowd watched with mixed emotions. The Bao Clan's strength would surge with three Spirit-grade artifacts, elevating their status in Duo Bao Pavilion.

Cheng Bi silently regretted her Cheng Clan's lack of an anomaly, always slightly weaker than the Bao Clan.

Lan An handed over the three artifacts. Jin Ni confirmed the box held a Strange Water. Trusting the Bao Clan's integrity, he stowed it without inspection.

Bao Qiao's eyes shimmered. Lan An's trust and generosity impressed her, deepening her curiosity about him.

Lan An returned to his seat, resuming his watch of the festival, now nearing its close with only a few traders left.

Participants completed trades, some sighing over failures.

The final cultivator arrived, his item marking the festival's last.

Post-festival, many would grow stronger, potentially reshaping Lan Zhou's power dynamics. Sea Palace and Shui Tian Sect, for instance, gained Spirit-grade artifacts from Lan An.

On stage, a mysterious man in purple robes, a Mid Integration cultivator per Jin Ni's intel, stood among the strongest present.

Lan An's interest surged. What would an Integration cultivator offer?

Under curious gazes, the purple-robed man hesitated, deliberating whether to reveal his item.

"What could make an Integration cultivator waver?" Lan An frowned, observing closely.

"Fellow Daoist, please present your item," Bao Qiao urged, noting his indecision.

"Give me a moment to consider," he said faintly, reluctance evident.

Cheng Bi frowned. A Duo Bao Pavilion elder transmitted that he was an elder of Hundred Spirits Academy. What item could trouble such a prestigious figure?

Seconds passed. The purple-robed man inhaled deeply, clenching his teeth, making the hardest choice of his life. From his storage ring, he produced an object.

"It… manipulates time," Jin Ni's voice echoed, prompting Lan An to leap to his feet.