Chapter 200: Thunder Qilin’s Might and Ambush in Capital City

"Enjoyed it?" Lan An teased, smoothing Shui Niang Qing's disheveled hair.

"Not bad," she replied shyly, her lips curling into a coy smile.

Their intimate connection remained, but as she moved to rise, his member nearly slipped out.

"Wait," Lan An caught her hand, thrusting deeply again.

"Mmm… it's a bit sore. Are you always this vigorous?" Shui Niang Qing frowned, glaring at him.

"Relax, your husband knows how to cherish the flower," Lan An said, holding her close. "This time, it's serious business."

"Serious business in this position?" She shot him a look, pinching his nipple sharply.

"Be good, lie still, and focus," he said gravely.

Puzzled but seeing his sincerity, Shui Niang Qing complied, lying calmly.

Glancing at the sleeping Ai Er, Lan An carried Shui Niang Qing into Shui Ling Palace, sealing the door. Their bodies still joined, they settled on the bed. With a wave, he enlarged the Time Acceleration Array to envelop them, tossing 20,000 spirit stones into its core.

Time within surged forward.

"What are you up to?" Shui Niang Qing's curiosity peaked.

"I'm imparting a dual cultivation technique and absorbing some of your Nirvana Spirit Water," Lan An said earnestly.

"Mmm, do it," she nodded, relaxing completely. Her heart was his; what was there to fear?

Touched, Lan An kissed her again, his movements gentle. The oral secrets of the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon flowed into her mind.

Shui Niang Qing sensed profound scriptures entering her consciousness, supremely arcane.

Releasing his suppression on the Mysterious Water Cauldron, boundless Mysterious Water surged through their connection into her body. Her Nirvana Spirit Water, as if summoned, rushed outward.

Though inferior to Nirvana Spirit Water, Mysterious Water acted as a catalyst, harmonizing both. Just as with Yue Qi, where Purple Heart Burning Void Flame bridged his Golden Crow Void Flame, the Immortal Genesis Scripture enabled this exchange, provided the partner received his power.

Dian Hong Lian, lacking this scripture, couldn't share her Purple Heart Burning Void Flame, nor could Lan An share his, as he already possessed it. Similarly, Meng Ying's Eight Desolations Heaven-Sweeping Flame was redundant, preventing further exchange.

For a woman to gain Lan An's Strange Fire via dual cultivation, she needed a unique Strange Fire he lacked or one surpassing it to pique the Flame Heart Cauldron's interest. With Xiao Qing Xuan, he'd use a Strange Fire to draw out her Nether Ghost Fire, sharing it in return.

Now, deep blue and green waters intertwined, forming a water egg enveloping them.

Over a day passed in real time.

At Lan An's will, the array halted. Holding Shui Niang Qing's nude form, he raised a finger, Nirvana Spirit Water dancing atop it. Biting his fingertip, the water enveloped the wound, healing it instantly.

"Xiao Nan, your technique is miraculous. My Strange Water barely weakened, and I gained Mysterious Water," Shui Niang Qing said, nestled in his arms, awestruck.

"Indeed," Lan An smiled. "What do you think of the Dragon Immortal Sacred Canon?"

"It's extraordinary. I've never seen such a profound technique," she nodded solemnly.

"That's just the dual cultivation art. Here's your real gift," Lan An said, producing a jade pendant crackling with endless thunder.

Roar

A figure burst from the pendant, roaring skyward, exuding overwhelming might.

"A technique?" Shui Niang Qing's heart raced, recalling the pendant he gave Shui Mo.

Lan An nodded seriously. He'd spent over a hundred million Prestige Points refreshing the Lucky Shop to acquire this for her.

Unable to follow him like the others, Shui Niang Qing stirred guilt in him, prompting lavish compensation.

"What technique?" Her curiosity burned, drawn to the thunder's allure, eager to cultivate.

"Thunder Qilin Tyrant Spear Art, Layer 1 Spirit-grade Supreme-tier," Lan An said.

"Spirit-grade Supreme-tier? Just the first layer?" Her eyes widened.

"Yes, I can't access higher layers yet, but the first is enough for now," he smiled.

Per the Thunder Qilin Tyrant Spear Art's details, it mimicked the Thunder Qilin's stance. At its peak, its power rivaled a true Thunder Qilin, dominating the heavens. With Shui Niang Qing's Water Qilin bloodline, adding this technique would make her a Dual Qilin War General, a peerless warrior under him.

Jin Ni had said beast bloodline fusion granted inherent legacies. Shui Niang Qing's Water Qilin bloodline provided its own, negating the need for a separate technique.

"Give it here," she urged, grabbing the pendant like a child after candy.

"Get out. I need to cultivate," she said, shooing him playfully.

"Heh, not yet," Lan An said mysteriously, standing nude.

Boom

Spiritual energy surged. A two-meter spear appeared, its diamond-sharp tip gleaming, its body swirling with water and thunder, flexible yet sturdy, radiating primordial might.

Shui Niang Qing sprang up, seizing the spear and performing the Ten Thunder Spear Forms. Spear shadows danced, slightly distorting the Spirit Pearl's space, now beyond True-grade, impervious to damage.

Lan An watched, captivated. Her nude form wielded the spear with grace, her breasts bouncing, her rear swaying, essence dripping from her core a sight urging him to battle three hundred rounds.

"Though not yet bonded, it doesn't resist me," she said, smiling.

Lan An nodded. The Water-Thunder War Spear, forged from Water-Thunder Ore absent on Yue Long Star, harmonized water and thunder, a High Spirit-grade weapon prepared for her before the festival. Its lack of resistance likely stemmed from her compatible attributes.

"We leave in a day. Save your practice for Hai Hong Sect," Lan An chuckled.

"Fine, I'll listen," she stuck out her tongue, utterly charming.

"One more thing," he said, waving.

"What now?" She approached, spear in hand.

"Heed me: don't consume this before Integration," he said gravely.

"What's so serious?" Curious but obedient, she nodded.

"A divine beast's bloodline suited for you," he declared.

"Divine beast?" Her eyes widened.

"Yes, Water Qilin. Though not overly ferocious, its divine might is immense. With your Strange Water, you can refine it at Integration; others would need Transcending Tribulation," Lan An said, presenting a jade bottle.

Roar

The bottle opened, a deep blue blood drop roaring, a faint Water Qilin phantom appearing—noble, armored, with piercing eyes and a gemmed forehead, matchlessly majestic.

Lan An shook the bottle, dissipating the phantom.

"This is it. Refining it grants semi-beast power a divine beast's," he said, per Jin Ni's guidance.

"It's calling me," Shui Niang Qing said, entranced by the pursuit of power.

"No, you'd explode at your current state, even with dual cultivation. Wait for Integration," he cautioned, pressing the bottle into her hand.

Trusting her Refining Void maturity, he believed in her restraint.

"I'll obey," she nodded, suppressing temptation, storing the bottle deep in her ring.

"The Thunder Qilin Tyrant Spear Art will suffice for now," Lan An said, embracing her slender waist.

Clang

The spear dropped as Shui Niang Qing's eyes misted, whispering, "I love you to death."

Lan An's vigor surged, lifting her enticing form again.

The room filled with spring's allure.

"Brother Lan An, where are you?" Ai Er rubbed her eyes, sparkling brightly. "So many spirit herbs!"

Like a butterfly, she danced to the Spirit Herb Field.

The newly planted field drooped lifelessly.

Smiling, Ai Er waved her hand, green Wood Spirit Energy enveloping the field. A radiant emerald glow flashed.

A miracle unfolded.

The wilted herbs surged with vitality, as if native to the soil.

"Phew, tiring," Ai Er plopped down, munching a spirit fruit Lan An bought her, then sprawled out, snoring softly.

The final day passed.

Lan An, holding Ai Er's hand, appeared in Duo Bao Pavilion.

"Here are the Blood Coagulation Herb and Soul Recovery Peach you requested," Cheng Bi and Bao Qiao said, resplendent, presenting two sealed jade boxes.

"Thank you," Lan An said, storing them in the Spirit Pearl. "Name the price."

The women exchanged glances, smiling. "After consulting the elders, Duo Bao Pavilion commits to long-term partnership. Consider these a meeting gift."

"I'm uneasy," Lan An frowned. Their value was at least 300,000 Supreme Spirit Stones.

"For a millennium-long partnership, if you're uneasy, offer us more benefits later," they giggled.

Lan An nodded firmly. As long as Duo Bao Pavilion remained loyal, he'd treat them as friends.

"Any news on the other materials?" he asked, mindful of the remaining rare items.

Regretfully, they shook their heads. "Too little time to gather information."

"My haste troubled you. No matter," he smiled apologetically.

"Ready to leave?" Cheng Bi asked.

"Yes. What of the flies outside?" Lan An said lightly.

"Some left, impatient. Others clashed over items, but most await you," Bao Qiao sneered, disdainful of their antics.

"Let them be. I'll teleport," Lan An decided, pulling Ai Er along.

"The farthest city from Emei is Capital City on Sun Island, still in Western Hai Zhou Continent. You can use it now," Bao Qiao gestured.

Following them to the pavilion's grand hall, Lan An and Ai Er stepped into a glowing teleportation array under Cheng Bi's guidance.

A flash, and they vanished.

"We'll meet again. He'll keep surprising us," Cheng Bi murmured, eyes distant.

Bao Qiao's face grew solemn.

Capital City

Lan An and Ai Er emerged from Duo Bao Pavilion. No one had followed.

Sun Island was prosperous, though far less than Emei.

"Little one, where's your home? I'll take you back," Lan An said, ruffling Ai Er's cap.

"Why go back? Following Brother is more fun," she pouted.

Shaking his head, he lifted her, preparing to summon Shui Niang Qing and return to Hai Hong Sect.

A chilling killing intent locked onto him, making him shudder. Ji Ya appeared instantly beside him.

In battle, he kept Shui Niang Qing hidden; her distinct traits could implicate Hai Hong Sect.

"Xiao Nan, what's wrong?" Ji Ya asked, worried, her Cold Plum Chaos Dance still unmastered.

"Some dogs tracked us," Lan An's eyes narrowed.

The System's mechanical voice rang out:

Ding "Branch Mission Activated: [Eliminate Nuisances]. Success: One Summoning Talisman, one Spirit Herb Summon. Failure: Hai Hong Sect implicated, targeted for annihilation."