Chapter 237: Bonds Forged in Hot Springs

Ai Xin sat stunned, her expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation as she stared at Lan An. He set aside thoughts of the bloodline, coughing lightly to shift the mood.

"How many wives does your father have?" he asked.

Ai Xin shot him a sidelong glance, answering instinctively, "Three. My mother and two aunts."

Lan An's face twitched. He'd assumed a Peak Void Refinement cultivator like Ai Zhen, with his status, would have a sprawling harem, yet only three?

Undeterred, he pressed on with a shameless grin. "That's because Father-in-Law found only three true loves. As for me, well, you know my true loves are just a tad more numerous, haha."

His smug look made Ai Xin grind her teeth, the romantic ambiance evaporating.

"Who's your father-in-law? Don't claim him!" she huffed, her plan to sneak up here at night to bond with him now soured.

"Of course it's your father. Who else?" Lan An said, grinning, certain she was already caught in his web.

"Don't dream! I'm just a Qi Refining cultivator. I don't have the heart to fight for affection," Ai Xin snapped, her disdain clear. She loathed the idea of family members scheming for favor, a principle her mother instilled from childhood.

Her mother taught that a man with too many women bred rivalry, with wives plotting against each other for dominance. Ai Xin despised such dynamics. Her father, Ai Zhen, had only three wives who lived harmoniously, never vying for supremacy.

But Lan An, with over twenty women? How could they possibly coexist peacefully?

Realization dawned on Lan An. Ai Xin feared harem strife. Relieved, he softened his tone. "Why would you need to compete? Our family is harmonious. With your beauty and talent, the sisters will adore you, spoiling you endlessly."

Ai Xin pursed her lips, her eyes dripping with skepticism. Was he trying to sweet-talk her? As if it were that easy.

Seeing her doubt, Lan An reached for her delicate hand, offering an example. "Remember the wife who came with me to Dwarf Island? Would someone like her fight for favor?"

He referred to Ji Ya, disguised as Bai Su Mai.

Ai Xin's expression shifted. She knew the woman he meant. Recalling Ji Ya's gentle, ethereal grace, even Ai Xin felt a twinge of inadequacy.

"Hmph, her not competing doesn't mean the others won't. I don't believe all your women are like that," Ai Xin said, crossing her arms, her chest heaving with indignation.

"I enforce strict family rules. Anyone causing discord or vying for favor faces punishment. You've nothing to fear," Lan An said solemnly.

"What rules?" Ai Xin asked, startled, wary of a domineering man, her eyes guarded.

"This is the rule!" Lan An roared playfully, scooping her soft form onto the spring's edge, his hand descending on her plump rear.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Rhythmic slaps echoed, her flesh rippling under the thin bikini, mesmerizingly enticing.

"Aaah! You pervert! What kind of rule is this?" Ai Xin shrieked, mortified, squirming to dodge his wicked hand, but it homed in like a magnet, alternating between cheeks.

After dozens of smacks, her rear glowed pink.

"Hmph… hmph…" Ai Xin's cries turned to panting, her cheeks flushed, eyes glistening with moisture.

Lan An froze, realizing she was aroused. Gently turning her to cradle her in his arms, he saw her teary pout and softened, chiding himself for going too far.

"Be good. I'll take you to our home, so you know I'm not lying," he said tenderly, gazing into her eyes.

"Hic, you bullied me…" Ai Xin buried her face in his chest, biting his nipple hard.

"Ow!" Lan An yelped theatrically, unharmed by her pearly teeth, thanks to his physical cultivation.

"Where's this home? Wait, I need to change!" Ai Xin said, glaring as she pulled back, satisfied.

Her rear still tingled, leaving her lower regions damp.

"No need. Just relax your mind," Lan An said, smiling. Their figures vanished.

"Is this home?" Ai Xin's eyes sparkled, her pink bikini bouncing as she darted around the Spirit Realm Pearl, gawking like a child.

Her mind reeled, feeling like she'd stumbled into a fairy tale. If asked her thoughts, she'd swear she was in paradise.

"Little Nam, is this the Four Seasons Mountain from the Festival? An artificial sea? Spirit Herb Fields? And that?" Ai Xin pointed excitedly, her mouth agape, her noble demeanor gone.

"That's the Blissful Paradise Spring and Palace Tree. Those palaces are for my wives. Pick one if you like," Lan An said, chuckling as he guided her.

"The spiritual energy here is so dense—four or five times stronger than my home!" Ai Xin inhaled deeply, grinning.

Lan An agreed. The Spirit Realm Pearl's aura, far surpassed the outside world post-upgrade. Yet, the Ai Clan's Heart Island, rich with spirit veins, was only slightly inferior.

"Look up there. Those are Xiao Qing Xuan and Xiao Shi, my wives," Lan An said, pointing to the Palace Tree's peak.

Ai Xin followed his gesture, spotting a stunning young woman, exuding resilience, engrossed in alchemy. Nearby, the adorable Xiao Shi curled up in clouds, stabilizing her recent breakthrough.

"An Alchemist? Her technique is masterful, at least Fifth-grade," Ai Xin said, impressed.

"Good eye. Xuan'er is Peak Fifth-grade, nearing Sixth-grade," Lan An said proudly.

Ai Xin studied her closely. Xiao Qing Xuan's alchemy talent rivaled her own artificing, a remarkable feat given Ai Xin's clan backing versus Xiao Qing Xuan's rogue cultivator roots.

"A rogue cultivator?" Ai Xin gasped, awed by the perseverance required for such a resource-intensive craft without support. She felt a kinship with Xiao Qing Xuan's passion.

"She killed Lam Ji's Black Heavenly Horse?" Ai Xin shifted to Xiao Shi, stunned to find her cultivation unreadable.

"Exactly. She broke through to Void Refinement recently and needs to stabilize," Lan An said, his pride evident.

"Void Refinement?" Ai Xin's jaw dropped. Two Void Refinement wives?

"Where's the sister who came with you?" Ai Xin pressed, determined to unravel his harem.

"Ji Ya's in seclusion, practicing martial skills in the Ya Ji Palace," Lan An said, smirking.

Ai Xin nodded, as expected, but paused. "Wait, what? Her name's Ji Ya?"

"Indeed. Nhã Ice Fairy of the Golden Ranking, my wife. She accompanied me to Dwarf Island but disguised herself as another wife for reasons," Lan An confirmed, explaining.

Ai Xin stared, dumbfounded, as if he were a monster.

"Isn't Nhã Ice Fairy a swordmaster? With a sister, both wielding swords?" Ai Xin took a deep breath, her questions tumbling out.

"The Twin Heart Sword Art was too low-grade, so they abandoned it. Bing'er, her sister, is also my wife, in seclusion at the Bing Ji Palace," Lan An said, pointing to the palace radiating ice and water energy.

Ji Bing, once Peak Spirit Transformation, was likely nearing Void Refinement. Her seclusion, longer than the others, suggested she'd regained past memories but sought further progress.

The palaces hummed with growing spiritual energy, the women's cultivation advancing rapidly, though to what extent was unclear.

An exception was Phoenix Flower Palace, emitting no spiritual growth but shimmering with intricate array patterns, signaling Hua Yu Feng's focus on becoming a Battle Array Master.

Ai Xin, listening, was speechless.

Twang… la la la…

Suddenly, zither music echoed, paired with ethereal singing from the ocean depths. Spiritual energy surged, its flow accelerating dramatically.

Ai Xin spun toward the Crystal Palace below, trembling. "Someone's in there?"

"Correct. That's Yu Qing's song. Two more wives, mermaids, reside there," Lan An said, smiling. Yu Qing was practicing the Sea God Pure Sound Art, teaching it to Ling Long.

As for "little one" Kun Ming Yue, he wasn't sure how to explain her, avoiding boasting about a child stronger than Ai Xin's grandfather.

"Mermaids?" Ai Xin collapsed, overwhelmed, feeling trapped in a dream.

Lan An let her process, turning back to the Lucky Shop to examine the 8-billion-point bloodline.

"Jin'er, the Primordial Purple Wood Butterfly sounds formidable," he said, itching to buy.

"You should. It's nearly as potent as Bai Su Mai's Primordial Star-Devouring Serpent," Jin'er said seriously.

"Give me more details," Lan An said, inhaling deeply. Eight billion was steep, earned through two continent-shaking deeds, with no points from his secret tribulation crossing.

Jin'er organized her thoughts, smiling. "The Primordial Purple Wood Butterfly, from the ancient era before humans, could rival Divine Beasts when mature. Its wood mastery ranks among the heavens' best, close to the Black Turtle or Wood Qilin. The Turtle excels in defensive wood, the Qilin in offensive, but the Butterfly prioritizes speed. Each has strengths, making them evenly matched in combat."

Lan An didn't hesitate, confirming the purchase.

Ding! 8 billion Prestige Points deducted.

"Zi Yin is the perfect fit," he said firmly.

Mu Zi Yin, adept with wood swords for assassination and cultivating the Illusory Wood True Scripture, would become a harem war general with this bloodline. But could her current cultivation handle it?

"The Butterfly is gentler than Qilins. Mu Zi Yin needs Late Void Refinement to refine it, or you could refine your Rebellious Dragon Blood first and assist her," Jin'er suggested.

Lan An nodded, agreeing with the plan.

"Keep refreshing," he ordered silently.

He'd noticed a pattern: his luck soared with a woman nearby. Ai Xin's presence had already netted the Primordial Purple Wood Butterfly.

With her beside him, he continued refreshing the Shop.

"See?" Lan An nearly laughed, confirming another purchase.

Ding! Acquired Supreme Spirit-grade Technique – Fire Artifice Dual Scripture, 500,000 Prestige Points.

A technique tailored for Artificers, allowing spiritual energy absorption during crafting to boost cultivation. Perfect for Ai Xin.

Ai Xin, now composed, watched him with complex emotions love, irritation, and admiration.

Lan An turned, beckoning with a grin. "Come here, my lucky Tâm'er! I've got gifts galore for you."