Chapter 230: Shadows of Sun Island, Scent of Slaughter

In the Spirit Realm Pearl, little Kun Ming Yue slept soundly, utterly carefree.

After discussion, Hai You Qing would first cultivate the Sea God Pure Sound Art, later passing it to Hai Ling Long via song. Lan An respected their decision, chatting with them at length before departing the realm.

His Blood Iron Battle Armor and Sun-Moon Long Robe were destroyed in past battles, and he had no time to repair them. Instead, he opened the Lucky Shop, purchasing a new outfit: a pure black, top-grade Heavenly artifact called the Breath-Concealing Robe. Unremarkable in appearance to avoid attention, it excellently masked his cultivation aura, undetectable below the Fusion Realm. Paired with the Faceless Skin Mask, transforming him into an ordinary-looking man, Lan An roamed Sun Island's capital city incognito.

He also acquired a replacement for his armor: the Night Brilliance Battle Armor, a high-grade Spirit artifact with exceptional defensive capabilities.

Now, he approached a branch of the Treasure Pavilion in the capital.

Upon entering the opulent establishment, a lovely maiden greeted him respectfully. "I need intelligence," Lan An said directly, eager to reach the Ai Clan swiftly without delay.

"Intelligence? This servant lacks the authority, but please wait," the maiden replied, her expression shifting as she hurried to a back room.

Soon, a middle-aged scholar with sharp, calculating eyes approached, the epitome of a cunning merchant. "Greetings, young master. I am Li Cheng, a steward of Treasure Pavilion. Please follow me."

Li Cheng led Lan An to a private tea room, its walls inscribed with soundproof arrays—ideal for sensitive transactions. He was inwardly shocked, unable to discern anything about the unassuming youth, elevating his regard for Lan An.

"What intelligence do you seek? Our pavilion categorizes it into five tiers: Mysterious, Yellow, Earth, Heavenly, and Spirit. Prices vary greatly," Li Cheng explained smoothly.

"I want everything about the mysterious figure who poisoned ten thousand miles of ocean, turning it into a dead sea," Lan An said bluntly, curious about the Poison Physique wielder's identity, motives, and allegiance.

Li Cheng's face twitched. "That intelligence exceeds Spirit tier. I'm sorry, but it's beyond what we can sell."

Lan An frowned, tossing out a translucent token shimmering like a galaxy, engraved with "Treasure Pavilion" in bold. "Top-tier VIP token?" Li Cheng gasped, leaping to his feet.

"Is this sufficient now?" Lan An asked coolly, ready to seek Bao Qiao if needed.

"Please wait. I'll fetch the Head Steward. This exceeds my authority," Li Cheng said, bowing deeply before hurrying out.

Lan An realized the pavilion's branches had multiple stewards, with the Head Steward holding the highest authority.

The door soon opened, revealing a woman of ethereal grace, her movements refined like a noble of the highest order. She wore a traditional Sun Island pink kimono, accentuating her delicate charm and meticulous etiquette. Her jet-black hair was elegantly pinned with a peach blossom fan, her brows arched gracefully, eyes sparkling with spring-like warmth, cheeks rosy, and lips a dreamy red. White silk socks and wooden clogs adorned her feet, each step measured and poised.

A quintessential Eastern beauty, steeped in tradition.

She bowed respectfully, sitting opposite him to deftly pour tea. "As expected of a Sun Island woman," Lan An thought, admiring her decorum.

More shocking, she was a Mid Void Refinement cultivator, likely under 500 years old. "Probably a maid of Tian Ye Yao," Jin'er giggled in his mind.

"This humble servant, Le Huan, greets Young Master Lan An," she said, offering him a teacup, her peach lips parting softly.

Lan An gave a wry smile, removing his mask. The Treasure Pavilion's reach was formidable; disguising himself here was futile. "Greetings, Fusang Fairy," he replied courteously, recognizing her instantly.

Golden Ranking, 29th: Fusang Fairy – Le Huan, age 350, hailing from the Sea Continent. He hadn't expected to encounter a Golden Ranking prodigy in Sun Island's capital, her homeland. At Mid Void Refinement, she outclassed Bao Qiao and Cheng Bi, surpassing Chen Jue by several ranks.

Le Huan studied him closely. After his battle with Hai He, many believed he'd perished in the toxic miasma. Only the knowledgeable knew his two Strange Flames gave him a better survival chance than Hai He. His clash with Chen Jue, recorded on a Video Recording Jade, had shocked the world. Defeating a Mid Void Refinement cultivator at Late Spirit Transformation was unimaginable.

The Treasure Pavilion had verified the footage, with agents witnessing the battle. They held Lan An, a major client, in awe.

Unfazed by his rising fame, Lan An noted his Reputation Points exceeding 20 billion, eyeing a powerful bloodline purchase. "The pavilion is updating the Golden Ranking. You'll surely claim a spot. At barely 20, dominating the ranking is something even our Young Lady couldn't achieve," Le Huan said admiringly, her eyes twinkling.

They even knew Wu San Niang was his master. Yet, his monstrous talent needed no debate, even with a Transcending Tribulation mentor.

Lan An smiled, not denying it. "When will the new Golden Ranking be released?"

"At least ten positions must change. Announcing a new ranking across Viet Dragon Star is costly; we can't update for just a few shifts," Le Huan explained candidly.

He nodded. A Golden Ranking spot would boost his Reputation Points, helping his mother locate him—a hope beyond shining at the Four Academies Tournament. He suspected she'd left the Ice Heaven Continent, or she'd have found him at Saint Spirit Academy. He refused to entertain darker possibilities, dreading lifelong regret.

Seeing his contemplation, Le Huan unrolled a parchment. "Here's the intelligence on the poisoner. Even we lack much detail due to their secrecy."

"I also need the location of the Seven Kills Sect's branch in the capital," Lan An added, his eyes glinting. The constant targeting by various forces had ignited his anger.

Le Huan's eyes flashed with understanding. "That's not classified. Take this map; the red 'X' marks their base," she said, handing him a city map.

"Thank you. How much?" Lan An nodded, appreciating the pavilion's efficiency.

"With a 20% discount, 140,000 Top-Grade Spirit Stones," Le Huan replied warmly, her poised demeanor unwavering.

The price was modest compared to Spirit-grade techniques or treasures. Intelligence beyond Spirit tier was cheaper than expected. Without hesitation, he paid 140,000 stones, enough for 14 days in an Acceleration Array Disk, a luxury few could afford.

"Thank you, Young Master. For future needs in Sun Island, seek me directly," Le Huan said, rising gracefully to escort him.

"A gift, as I gave to Bao Qiao and Cheng Bi. Fairness, right?" Lan An smiled, slipping a vial of Youth-Preserving Pills into her hand before dashing off, leaving no chance for refusal.

Le Huan froze, feeling the vial's warmth, her cheeks flushing as she watched his retreating figure. "Young Master Lan… what kind of man is he?" Sun Island tradition forbade women from accepting gifts from strangers, yet she held the vial, conflicted.

In a secluded corner of the capital, a quiet tavern stood, rarely visited. Unlike the city's bustling establishments, its burly, menacing staff and hulking innkeeper, guzzling wine lazily, deterred patrons with their intimidating aura.

Today, however, an ordinary-looking youth strolled in, plopping onto a worn bench. "Waiter, bring me your strongest liquor!" Lan An barked, slamming the table.

The rough waiters' eyes gleamed with amusement. Even the innkeeper shed his lethargy, eyeing Lan An sharply. "Here's your drink, sir," a waiter said, fetching a potent jug from the storeroom, its aroma strong enough to fell an elephant.

Lan An grabbed the jug, chugging it before spitting it out, splashing the waiter's face. "What trash is this? I asked for your best!" he growled.

"Trash?" The innkeeper's interest piqued. Sauntering over, he sipped the jug, his cheeks reddening. The waiters crowded around, their bodies heating from the liquor's scent.

"I heard this place had fine wine. What a disappointment," Lan An scoffed, pulling a gourd from his storage ring—Trọng Vô Danh's liquor. He drank deeply, its divine aroma spreading, making the men salivate.

A Transcending Tribulation expert's wine was no ordinary brew. "Why bother with your swill?" Lan An taunted, smacking his thigh in satisfaction as spiritual qi converged around him, enhancing his aura.

The innkeeper and waiters stared, ravenous. As Lan An drained the last drop, they nearly demanded he regurgitate it.

"Close this sorry tavern," Lan An sneered, turning to leave.

"What's that wine, and where's it from?" the innkeeper blocked him, eyes greedy.

Lan An paused, surrounded by the hulking men. "You lot seem like wine lovers. I'll share a tidbit," he said coolly, producing another gourd and chugging it. "This is Slaughter Wine. It fuels killing intent, no need for seven months' preparation."

The innkeeper's eyes narrowed, the waiters subtly channeling spiritual energy, wary of trouble.

"But Slaughter Wine pales compared to another I've tasted, not even fit to polish its shoes," Lan An said with a chilling smile.

"Oh? What's that?" they asked, hooked.

"White Wine, also called Emperor Wine," Lan An said mysteriously.

"Emperor Wine? Bold claim!" Their curiosity surged, craving a taste.

"Want some? Do a job for me, and it's yours," Lan An offered slyly.

"What job?" the innkeeper asked, voice low.

Lan An drank deeply, laughing heartily before spitting out two words: "Kill people."