Chapter 232: Fire and Fury at the Ai Clan

"Lan An?"

At the sound from outside, Ai Xin's face lit up, her sorrowful eyes sparkling. She set her cannon down and turned eagerly.

A black-robed youth strolled in, a faint smile on his lips. Who else but Lan An?

"Young Master Lan An greets Patriarch Ai," Lan An said, nodding to Ai Xin before clasping his hands respectfully toward Ai Zhen.

Ai Zhen's eyes flickered with intrigue, unable to sense the youth's aura. "A hero rises young," he praised, stroking his beard.

He'd seen the battle between Lan An and Chen Jue, aware of his true prowess, and was curious to see how he'd handle Chen Zhi and Hai Xiong. Despite Lan An's unclear background, among the youths Ai Zhen had encountered, none matched him.

"Are you alright, Young Master? I thought something happened, tormenting me for days," Ai Xin said, circling him to check for injuries, relief washing over her as the weight in her heart lifted.

"My apologies for worrying you, Miss," Lan An smiled, acknowledging his tardiness.

From start to finish, he didn't spare Chen Zhi or Hai Xiong a glance.

But ignoring them didn't mean they'd stay silent. Chen Zhi's face darkened. His brother was gravely injured, Hai He was dead, yet their enemy stood here, chatting with his goddess? How could he endure this?

"Lan An, where's Senior Hai He? What did you do to him? Explain yourself to Sea Palace!" Chen Zhi shouted, spittle flying.

Lan An ignored him, pulling a blazing longsword from his chest. Its blade shimmered with scorching cloud-shaped runes, rippling the surrounding space. Moments later, the air in the Ai Clan's hall cracked, and six elderly figures emerged—Void Refinement experts, the Ai Clan's six elders, their eyes burning with anticipation as they watched Lan An.

"My first visit to the Ai Clan as a guest. I heard Patriarch Ai is a peerless Fire System Sword Cultivator. I happen to have a sword called Fire Cloud, a gift for a hero like you," Lan An said with a smile, presenting the sword with both hands.

Ai Zhen's eyes gleamed as he grasped the blade. The air grew scorching, spiderweb-like spatial cracks spreading. "Fire Cloud Sword—top-grade Heavenly artifact. A fine sword, truly fine!" he exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.

The Ai Clan elders beamed, itching to caress the blade. As a fire-based clan, they coveted fire-system treasures. Though the Ai Clan possessed Heavenly-grade artifacts, they were few, and the Fire Cloud Sword ranked among their top three. Who'd refuse such a prize?

The elders' gazes toward Lan An and Ai Xin turned fervent, practically ready to wed them on the spot.

"What's with those looks?" Ai Xin gaped, sensing the elders were ready to sell her off.

"Ahem," Ai Zhen regained his patriarch's composure, offering the sword back. "Young friend, your visit is honor enough. This gift is too precious; I can't accept it without reason."

Lan An had anticipated this courtesy. A gift given couldn't be reclaimed. "Miss Ai Xin and I are close. As her father, you're my elder. It's only natural for a junior to honor his senior. Please, don't stand on ceremony," he said smoothly.

Ai Zhen, waiting for those words, laughed heartily. "Well said, Little Nam! No need to call me Patriarch Ai. Just call me Uncle Ai."

"As you wish, Uncle Ai. Greetings to you and the esteemed seniors," Lan An said, clasping his hands toward Ai Zhen and the elders.

"No need for formalities, Little Nam. A friend of Ai Xin is family," the Grand Elder, a red-haired old man, said warmly.

"Exactly! Being so polite will only annoy us," the others chimed in, their eyes twinkling with approval.

They found Lan An increasingly likable. Arriving with a top-grade Heavenly artifact—what magnanimity! Who on Viet Dragon Star could match that? His wealth hinted at a formidable background. Why rob him when they could befriend him, reaping endless benefits?

The elders shot disdainful glances at Hai Xiong. Sea Palace's actions were foolish. Why not use their beautiful disciples to charm him instead of letting Chen Jue rob him, only to suffer losses?

Ai Xin, seeing her elders practically adopt Lan An, blushed like a ripe peach, inwardly scolding them for embarrassing her. The Ai Clan was wealthy, Heart Island famed in the West Sea Continent for its crafting resources, with ties to Dwarf Island. Her grandfather's friendship with her master, an eighth-grade artificer, made them richer than most. Did they have to act so greedy?

Her embarrassment paled compared to Chen Zhi and Hai Xiong's fury and humiliation, feeling like outsiders.

"Lan An, didn't your elders teach you manners? Why ignore my question? Where's Senior Hai He?" Chen Zhi snapped, desperate to reclaim his presence.

His words silenced the room, all eyes turning to Lan An.

Sipping his tea calmly, Lan An frowned at Chen Zhi. "Didn't your elders teach you that strength reigns supreme? Since when does a powerhouse like me lower himself to answer an ant like you? Even a defeated dog like Chen Jue isn't worthy to speak with me."

"You…" Chen Zhi nearly fainted from rage, unable to counter Lan An's flawless logic.

In a world where strength ruled, the weak had no right to demand answers. Once a genius on the Hundred Spirits Ranking, Chen Zhi had never been deemed weak until facing this monstrous anomaly.

Speechless, his blood boiled, on the verge of erupting.

Ai Zhen and the elders nodded approvingly. Lan An's "strength reigns supreme" silenced a peer genius, a feat likely unique to him on Viet Dragon Star.

Ai Xin bit her lip, her confidence returning as she recalled her unmatched crafting talent, smirking beside him.

Only then did Ai Zhen and the elders realize: only Lan An matched their princess. In the Sea Continent, under 100 years old, Ai Xin lagged behind a few in spiritual cultivation. But in crafting, she was peerless, a sixth-grade Artificer by her age, equivalent to a Void Refinement expert. If Viet Dragon Star had a ranking for professions, she'd top it.

Looking at the pair, everyone silently agreed they were a perfect match his monstrous spiritual talent complementing her crafting genius.

Amidst applause, Hai Xiong's eyes glinted with meaning as he sneered, "Well said, strength reigns supreme. Chen Zhi's not worthy to speak with you, but am I? Where's Hai He? Give Sea Palace an explanation."

An invisible pressure surged toward Lan An, nearly Peak Void Refinement in strength.

Lan An's eyes narrowed, amused. He'd withstood Transcending Tribulation pressure on the 99th step of Heavenly Heavy Mountain without spiritual power. Now, with his cultivation soaring and full access to his energy, a near-Peak Void Refinement cultivator's aura was laughable.

Seeing Lan An's calm demeanor, Hai Xiong smirked, thinking he was struggling, intensifying his pressure.

"The air's getting stuffy. What's that buzzing fly?" Lan An said lazily, his gaze sharpening.

A terrifying aura erupted, surpassing Hai Xiong's, his hair turning golden, exuding supreme dominance Heavenly Emperor Transformation – Unrivaled Under Heaven.

"Pfft!" Chen Zhi, caught off-guard at close range, spat blood under the crushing pressure.

Ai Xin, stronger and untargeted, fared better, but her face flushed, her heart racing as if facing an emperor, her body trembling. Ai Zhen and the elders were shocked, their combat strength diminished by a tenth—terrifying.

Hai Xiong's aura crumbled, his face alternating between pale and green with embarrassment.

Lan An retracted his aura, smirking. "Old man, strength reigns supreme, but yours falls short of dominating me."

Comparing raw power was uncertain, but in aura, Hai Xiong was outclassed. The Heavenly Emperor Transformation, a secret art of unknown grade, was overwhelmingly dominant.

"Hahaha!" Hai Xiong laughed in fury, roaring, "Let's see if my strength is enough!"

His hand, wreathed in boundless water spiritual energy, slammed toward Lan An, shattering space with its force.

Lan An sneered, ready to counter, when Ai Zhen, still seated, slashed out with a fiery sword strike.

BOOM!

The collision of Peak Void Refinement attacks shook the hall. Chen Zhi and Ai Xin were blown back, unprepared.

"Ai Xin!" Lan An darted forward, catching her delicate form, skidding across the floor.

The elders leaped up, their fire energy neutralizing the shockwaves, preserving the hall.

An aged, furious voice rang out, "Sea Palace's Fourth Elder, this is the Ai Clan!"

A figure appeared in the hall, his arrival inexplicable. An old man in a long robe, his hair and beard a bizarre mix of red and green, dual fire and water energies swirling around him.

"Grandfather!" Ai Xin cried, realizing she was in Lan An's arms. Seeing his disheveled effort to protect her, her heart sweetened.

"Little Nam, are you okay?" she asked, helping him up, forgetting to call him "Young Master."

Lan An inhaled her tulip-like scent, captivated. "Disgusting!" Ai Xin blushed, swatting him, her newfound affection fading.

"I'm tough as nails. As long as you're fine," Lan An grinned, unfazed.

"Hmph, I'm not weak. Who needs your concern?" Ai Xin huffed, darting to the old man's side, glaring at Hai Xiong.

"Greetings, Elder Ai," Hai Xiong said, startled. He'd only meant to humble Lan An, not fight, knowing Ai Zhen outmatched him. But to draw out Ai Guo, a Fusion Realm powerhouse, was unexpected.

"Hmph, Hai Xiong, this is the Ai Clan. Even Sea Palace can't attack our guests. Apologize!" Ai Guo snapped, his fiery temper flaring.

"Me? Apologize to him?" Hai Xiong scoffed, pointing at Lan An.

"Yes, he's our guest. If word spreads that we let our guests be bullied, where's our face? Apologize!" Ai Guo roared.

"Can he even handle my apology?" Hai Xiong sneered, backed by Sea Palace, fearless.

"If you won't, I'll make you," Ai Guo growled, ready to act.

"Grandfather Ai, please hold. Fourth Elder, apologize to Young Master Lan!" a voice interrupted from outside.

A handsome youth with flowing green hair entered, refined and courteous. Hai Xiong jolted, exclaiming, "Third Young Master, you've emerged from seclusion?"