Chapter 246: Tensions Rise and Legends Gather

As Hai Fei Yun approached with greetings, A Lian Ya nodded courteously, her demeanor magnanimous. The Sea Palace, a Ninefold Power of the Sea Continent, was among the honored guests, deserving respect.

Yan Yue Qi, however, showed no such warmth. Her willow brows furrowed, her expression skeptical as she eyed Hai Fei Yun. "Who are you? Are we close?"

Lan An's lips twitched, barely suppressing a grin. Moments ago, she'd transmitted Hai Fei Yun's identity to him, yet her attitude flipped faster than a storm. He adored her fiery spirit. Hai Fei Yun's deliberate snub of Lan An irked her, especially knowing the Sea Palace's repeated clashes with him. Why bother giving them face?

Moreover, Hai Fei Yun's Mid Void Refinement cultivation was beneath her notice.

Hai Fei Yun's face stiffened briefly before cooling into a forced smile. "Song Yue, ever so aloof. I'm Yun, Young Lord of the Sea Palace. Do you recall?"

"No impression," Yan Yue Qi replied flatly. Before the stunned crowd, she linked arms with Lan An, descending to the island with him in tow.

Hai Fei Yun's expression darkened, her blatant provocation stinging. Determined to save face before his father and the onlookers, he turned to Lan An, hands clasped behind his back, and said coolly, "I hear my naive younger brother suffered at your hands, Little Brother Lan An. Congratulations on your union with the Ai Clan's lady."

He assumed Yan Yue Qi's pride would spark jealousy, perhaps even drive her to spurn Lan An at the mention of another woman. Eagerly, he watched for fear on Lan An's face.

His hopes crumbled. Lan An smirked playfully, wrapping an arm around Yan Yue Qi's supple waist, nodding at Hai Fei Yun. "Thanks for the well-wishes. My ladies and I are quite happy."

Yan Yue Qi's radiant smile affirmed his words, her support unwavering in public, fueling Lan An's devotion to her—and her mother. Hai Fei Yun forced a strained smile, his fists clenched until they bled, retreating to Hai Ying Tian's side, ashen-faced.

Elsewhere, he might've attacked, but this was Elf Island, home to the Elven Queendom, stronger than the Sea Palace. He dared not act rashly.

"Men need motivation to strive. You're not strong enough yet, boy," Hai Ying Tian transmitted to Hai Fei Yun, though the words were also for himself. Had he reached the Transcending Tribulation realm, he'd have won the Elf Queen long ago, sparing himself this emotional turmoil.

Hai Ying Tian's visit to Elf Island had a deeper purpose. Though he'd erased memories of the Elf Queen's beauty, the act left a knot in his heart—fleeing rather than facing his desire. As Sea Palace Lord, what couldn't he have? Yet, the Elf Queen eluded him, forcing him to erase his memories to preserve his sanity. This retreat scarred his Dao Heart, hindering his cultivation.

For years, he'd pursued strength to surpass her, aiming to claim her. Nearing a breakthrough to Late Body Saint, he faltered, his Dao Heart incomplete. He resolved to face the Elf Queen again. If he could behold her without losing himself, his Dao Heart would mend, unlocking his breakthrough.

Such was the resolve of a peak powerhouse, choosing confrontation over escape. What would the Elf Queen think, unknowingly shaking a Mid Body Saint's Dao Heart with her mere existence? A true femme fatale.

"Sect Master of the Water Heaven Sect, Thuy Tich Quan, arrives!"

Another announcement echoed. From the ninth heaven, a beauty descended, treading snow under moonlight, her aura serene as an autumn lake. Clad in a flowing white palace gown, a sheer veil concealed her peerless face. Her proud curves strained her attire, her eyes clear as ancient wells, her presence restrained yet regal.

Alone, she drew all eyes, even earning a glint of admiration from Hai Ying Tian. In the Sea Continent, only the Elf Queen and Thuy Tich Quan, Sect Master of the Water Heaven Sect, could stir his heart.

Don't mistake Thuy Tich Quan for an ancient relic despite her Ninefold Power status. Barely a thousand years old, she predated the Golden Rank's creation, missing its fame. Her cultivation art purified her emotions, rendering her tranquil, her heart unswayed by joy or sorrow, a celestial fairy distant yet near.

She'd taken no disciples, formed no family, ascending to Sect Master through sheer might, devoted to cultivation, earning universal respect. Though an Eastern beauty, Hai Ying Tian favored the Elf Queen's allure slightly more.

Lan An's expression flickered, not from Thuy Tich Quan's charm but because his Mysterious Water Cauldron trembled fiercely in his dantian. "The Water Heaven Sect Master possesses a Strange Water…" he murmured, stunned to find a second Strange Water on Elf Island.

Yan Yue Qi's eyes gleamed, transmitting, "Want to seize it? I'll get Master to help."

Lan An nearly choked, laughing wryly. "We've no grudge with Thuy Tich Quan. Besides, doesn't she remind you of Third Senior Sister?"

The more he observed, the more Thuy Tich Quan resembled Su Nhan. Yan Yue Qi pondered, smirking. "True, her aura's like Third Junior Sister's. But I meant having Master capture her for you to dual-cultivate, not kill and rob."

Lan An's heart skipped, feigning righteousness. "No need. You ladies are more than enough."

"When did I become yours?" Yan Yue Qi huffed through transmission, turning away haughtily.

"Who's in my arms then?" Lan An teased, tightening his grip on her waist.

She snorted, letting him be. Lan An studied Thuy Tich Quan, vowing to keep Su Nhan from becoming so emotionless. Su Nhan's purity retained human warmth, unlike Thuy Tich Quan, whose dead-water stillness unnerved him.

"Lian Ya greets Palace Lord Hai and Sect Master Thuy. Guest quarters are prepared; please proceed to rest," A Lian Ya said, gesturing to Hai Ying Tian and Thuy Tich Quan.

Thuy Tich Quan nodded gracefully, following an Elven guard's lead. Lan An watched her depart, curious about her Strange Water.

Jin'er was about to speak when the System's voice rang in his mind: Ding! Epic Quest [Open Heart] triggered. Success rewards: one Bloodline Summon, one Secret Art Summon, one Cultivation Art Summon. Duration: 10 years. Failure: become an enemy of the Water Heaven Sect.

Lan An's mouth twitched, checking the quest details: Thuy Tich Quan's heart is sealed. The host must open it…

"Damn it, does it think I'm a seduction saint?" Lan An cursed inwardly. He loved beauty, but Thuy Tich Quan's wooden demeanor sparked no desire. With a decade to complete it, he set it aside.

Hai Ying Tian and Hai Fei Yun followed another Elven guide. Before leaving, Hai Ying Tian shot Lan An a meaningful glance, transmitting, "Boy, the Sea-Binding Zither is vital to the Sea Palace. Return it, and we'll have a path forward."

The Sea Palace still believed Lan An had taken the Sea-Binding Zither, despite lacking proof. Lan An ignored the message, his face impassive.

"Bold lad, a hero among youths… but still just a youth," Hai Ying Tian sneered, departing with his son.

"What did they say?" Yan Yue Qi asked, sensing the transmission but not its content.

"Just dogs barking. Pay no mind," Lan An replied, smiling as he caressed her hand.

"Let's go," she nodded, following their Elven guide.

Before Lan An could move, another announcement halted him: "Vice Valley Master of Pill Valley, Dan Vo Hanh, arrives!"

Two figures appeared mid-air—an elder and a youth. The elder wore a starlit Daoist robe, his aura vast as mountains, exuding a potent medicinal fragrance that spread far. Behind him stood a handsome, scholarly youth, pride etched between his brows, fiery hair flowing, his Mid Void Refinement cultivation unrestrained—a haughty prodigy.

A Lian Ya stepped forward to greet them. "Even Pill Valley's here?" Lan An mused, recalling his research on major powers, including Pill Valley.

"Pill Valley is renowned for cultivating Spirit Herbs and often trades with our Elven Queendom, making us business partners," an Elven guard explained politely, her eyes tinged with admiration for Lan An, who'd matched their General.

"The youth with the elder is Dan Manh, Golden Rank 27th," Yan Yue Qi transmitted.

Lan An nodded, catching the faint medicinal scent, deducing Dan Manh was an Alchemist, though his rank was unclear. "Pill Valley's Vice Master is only Early Body Saint, but his alchemy likely reaches Late Seventh-Grade. Don't underestimate him," Yan Yue Qi added lightly.

She feared no Early Body Saint, especially Pill Valley's, whose combat strength often lagged. Suddenly, Dan Vo Hanh's eyes gleamed, locking onto Yan Yue Qi. As an Alchemist, his obsession with Strange Flames was unmatched, sensing two within her, igniting his greed.

"Song Yue Fairy?" Dan Manh blurted, confused. Wasn't she known for the Golden Crow False Flame alone?

"Song Yue? Untouchable!" Dan Vo Hanh shivered at his disciple's words, suppressing his avarice. He'd felt her familiarity, now realizing she was the Golden Rank's Top 10, backed by the Saint Spirit Academy's Headmaster—a formidable shield.

Pill Valley's Master had warned against provoking certain figures, including Yan Yue Qi. Thanks to Lan An's Immortal Derivation Scripture, Dan Vo Hanh couldn't sense his three Strange Flames, or their jaws would've dropped.

"What a gathering of titans. Elf Island's prestige is unmatched," Lan An thought, his resolve to conquer Thuy Tich Quan's heart feeling like a distant burden.

Seeing his burning determination, Yan Yue Qi's lips curved. If possible, she'd gift him the Elf Queen herself, but her strength fell short. "How are those two girls?" she transmitted, asking about their daughters.

"Tình'er and Hong Lian are in seclusion, likely breaking through to Spirit Transformation, but they haven't emerged," Lan An sighed, missing them. Their high-grade arts, ideal conditions, and his vendettas drove them to push further.

"Reaching Peak Spirit Transformation is manageable, but the Void Refinement barrier is steep without great fortune," Yan Yue Qi noted. Her century-long leap from Peak Spirit Transformation to Void Refinement was already deemed monstrous.

Lan An agreed. Bloodlines and Physiques were the best catalysts for their breakthroughs. As they spoke, another proclamation shook the heavens: "Holy Maiden of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, arrives!"