The three women shared a goal: amass points and find loved ones.
Little did they dream that their targets, Lan An and Su Mei, were already united.
"Xue'er, is your Second Sister a War Formation Master?" Liu Shi Qin, though suspecting, asked Ruo Xue.
"Yes, Second Sister's talent in crafting Spirit Formations is exceptional!" Ruo Xue replied softly via voice transmission.
"What level has she reached?" Liu Shi Qin's suspicions confirmed, she probed further.
"Second Sister is an Early Fourth-Grade War Formation Master."
"Since the Hundred Flowers Sect lacks formation expertise, with only the Peach Blossom Formation of note, all her achievements stem from self-study!" Ruo Xue's voice held admiration.
Liu Shi Qin gazed at Hua Yu Fei with approval. Young, with Late Nascent Soul cultivation, and a self-taught Fourth-Grade War Formation Master, her talent in Spirit Formations was remarkable.
For Lan An, Liu Shi Qin's love as a woman blended with her role as his "aunt," planning for his future. His enemies were legion; surrounding him with talents, especially exceptional women, was ideal.
Ruo Xue, noting Liu Shi Qin's interest in her Second Sister, was no fool. Her clever mind sparked with realization, her blue eyes gleaming.
Ruo Xue had long schemed to pair her husband with her two senior sisters.
First, their childhood bond made sharing a husband feasible. Second, Lan An's excellence ensured her sisters wouldn't suffer as his women.
Lan An's "mysterious master" sporadically gifting wondrous items was no secret to the harem. Ruo Xue believed he could nurture her sisters' unique talents.
Su Mei excelled in Charm Arts, Hua Yu Fei in formations—neither were Hundred Flowers Sect strengths. Staying there would stifle their growth, offering no future security.
Joining the Sacred Spirit Academy might broaden their horizons, but Ruo Xue felt it paled beside the harem's potential. Bloodlines alone, unattainable at the Academy, set the harem apart.
"Auntie, what do you think of my Second Sister?" Ruo Xue boldly asked via transmission.
"Stunningly beautiful, highly talented—Lan An will likely fancy her!" Liu Shi Qin, astute, grasped Ruo Xue's intent.
"Hmph, any beauty catches Husband's eye…" Ruo Xue grumbled inwardly, but thrilled at their shared goal, replied, "Second Sister's proud and stubborn—Husband might not pursue her!"
"That's up to you!" Liu Shi Qin replied meaningfully.
Ruo Xue pursed her lips, eyeing Hua Yu Fei's aloof figure gliding ahead, then caught up to walk beside her.
Though Hua Yu Fei didn't hear their transmissions, she sensed their discussion, tactfully giving them space earlier. Seeing her third sister approach, she glanced curiously.
"Second Sister, what do you think of my husband?" Ruo Xue asked, arm linked affectionately.
Hua Yu Fei blinked, surprised. A blank slate in romance, she missed Ruo Xue's subtle intent, answering candidly, "Handsome, gifted, likely stronger than me!"
"Anything else?" Ruo Xue sensed a chance.
Hua Yu Fei pondered, nodding, "Yes!"
"What? That he's responsible, ideal as a husband?" Ruo Xue's eyes sparkled.
"No, he's a philanderer—be cautious, little sister!" Hua Yu Fei replied.
"Second Sister, what era is this? A capable man having a few wives is nothing!" Ruo Xue defended Lan An.
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"You're hopeless…" Hua Yu Fei sighed.
"Didn't you gaze at him fondly when he aided Xiao Qing Tuyen?" Ruo Xue teased, recalling.
"That… I admired his chivalry, unrelated to his flirtations…" Hua Yu Fei's cheeks flushed, clarifying.
"Really?" Ruo Xue smiled mysteriously, scheming.
Behind, Liu Shi Qin's eyes glinted with cunning wisdom.
Nearly half a month passed.
Many cultivators still lacked 1,000 points, frantically slaying beasts.
Epic clashes erupted as contenders vied for Tokens, the atmosphere growing fiercer.
Names rose to fame within the Realm.
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Nangong Wan Rong (Nangong Clan's Saintess) wielded golden needles, repelling lecherous prodigies.
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Fei Du Ji (Thunderbolt Hall) used twin grenades to fell a hundred-beast herd and an Eighth-Grade prodigy.
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Yu Han (Beast Taming War Sect) crushed three Seventh-Grade prodigies with a single formidable beast.
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Lan Yu (Lan Clan's Young Master) slaughtered beasts effortlessly, plundering many prodigies.
Yet, Lan An's fame eclipsed all.
In mere days, he'd won Great Saintess Su Mei's heart and routed a Ninth-Grade prodigy.
Even Yu Han and Fei Du Ji, previously renowned, fled him.
Lan An's feats stunned many, deemed exaggerated. A nobody besting a Ninth-Grade prodigy seemed absurd. With a harem already, how could Su Mei fall for him? Was she blind?
Believed or not, Lan An's name captivated the Realm, his every move watched.
Exactly fifteen days into the Realm's opening, Lan An and Su Mei hunted beasts as usual when their Tokens flared brilliantly, beams piercing the sky, broadcasting their position.
The Top 50 Ranking was revealed:
Rank 50: Fan Song – 5,150 Points
Rank 49: Lei Loi – 5,350 Points
Rank 48: Nangong Wan Rong – 5,600 Points
Rank 47: Xue Qian – 5,850 Points
Rank 46: Xue Da – 5,900 Points
…
Lan An's eyes scanned, pausing at a cluster of familiar names.
Rank 25: Wang Xiao – 7,500 Points
Rank 24: Bing Ling Er – 7,550 Points
Rank 23: Yan Die Qing – 7,600 Points
Rank 22: Li Zhu Luan – 7,650 Points
Rank 20: Hua Yu Feng – 7,800 Points
Rank 19: Ruo Xue – 8,200 Points
Rank 18: Liu Shi Qin – 8,300 Points
Rank 17: Mu Zi Yin – 8,500 Points
Rank 16: Bai Su Mei – 8,550 Points
Rank 15: Yan Hong Lian – 8,600 Points
Rank 14: Fei Du Ji – 8,700 Points
Rank 13: Bing Yang – 8,800 Points
Rank 12: Yu Han – 9,100 Points
Rank 11: Bing Feng – 9,300 Points
Rank 10: Wang Ying – 9,400 Points
Rank 9: Xue Zi – 9,500 Points
Rank 8: Wang Tian Ying – 9,700 Points
Rank 7: Bing Bao – 9,800 Points
Rank 6: Lan Yu – 10,000 Points
Rank 5: Wang Lin – 11,000 Points
Rank 4: Su Mei – 12,500 Points
Rank 3: Lan An – 14,500 Points
Rank 2: Bing Ao – 14,900 Points
Rank 1: Wang Ba – 14,950 Points
Across the Realm, the top 50's Tokens blazed, their beams unquenchable, exposing their bearers' locations.
Other candidates' Tokens, unlit, still displayed the top 50, informing them of the elite.
No fool, the cultivators grasped the Academy's intent.
With half a month left, these rankings could shift. Seizing a top 50's Token could alter fates.
The glowing Tokens revealed the top 50's positions, inviting pursuit by all, even among themselves.
This was the Academy's design: ignite peak competition, testing the top 50's ability to hold their ranks.
They'd become hunted prey, coveted by others, or hunters themselves.
Fifty names sparked myriad thoughts among the Realm's candidates.
Shock, regret, glee, resentment emotions swirled.
All knew the true trial had just begun, with half a month to reshape the outcome.
Ruo Xue, clutching her Token, exchanged glances with Hua Yu Feng, both stunned.
They hadn't expected their Eldest Sister to rank fourth, surpassing countless talents. Knowing Su Mei's auxiliary-focused abilities, top 20 was her limit.
Reaching fourth meant a reliable ally's aid.
The next name struck them: Lan An.
"Your fine husband's already targeting our Eldest Sister!" Hua Yu Feng teased Ruo Xue, her smile sly.
Ruo Xue laughed and cried, secretly awed by her husband's prowess.
"We're now fat lambs in others' eyes. We must join Tiao Nan swiftly. The Tokens' light will guide us!" Liu Shi Qin said gravely, their glowing Tokens making them targets.
"Yes, let's go!" The two nodded, speeding away.
Shortly after, a mob of cultivators arrived, intent on ambushing top 50 rankers.
Similar scenes unfolded for the other women. Hong Lian and Zi Yin, sharp-witted, led their groups away swiftly.
In a desolate region, Nangong Wan Rong stared at Lan An's third rank, recalling Nangong Yu's earnest advice. Biting her lip, she stepped into an ethereal movement art, becoming a golden streak.
By a clear stream, a youthful girl with innocent features, rosy cheeks, and lively eyes gazed at her glowing Token. Her short blue hair fluttered, her gaze fixed on the third rank: Lan An.
Her pink lips murmured, "Miss, Ling Er's found Young Master. I'll rush to him!"
Her words faded as she dissolved into icy mist.
Atop a cloud-piercing peak…
"Intriguing, Lan An, is it?" Two unremarkable youths, auras restrained, muttered.
They were Wang Ba and Bing Ao, holding first and second ranks.
Wang Ba, son of Heavenly Mountain Immortal Realm's Great Elder.
Bing Ao, the Ice Mysterious Empire's youngest prince, the Seventh.
"Our clash is inevitable, but not now!" Wang Ba said coolly to Bing Ao.
Bing Ao shrugged, vanishing into the void.
Wang Ba flicked his cloak, melting into the night.
In a barren desert, Wang Lin, fifth-ranked, seethed. He'd hunted beasts tirelessly, yet trailed Wang Ba and Bing Ao acceptable losses.
But Su Mei and Lan An? Daring to surpass him?
Glancing at Wang Tian Ying's eighth rank, he sneered, "Foolish woman, had you allied with me, you'd rank higher!"
"Damn it! How can this be?"
In a thunder-ravaged valley, Lan Yu stared, incredulous, at Lan An's rank far above his, his heart roiling with resentment and envy.
Unbeknownst, as his negative emotions flared, a sinister glint, alien to him, flickered in his bright eyes…