Beside him, Lan Chang finally calmed, recounting every detail of their ordeal. From Lan Xin and Lan Xing's ambush to Lan An and his women's ruthless counter, crushing each foe with terrifying prowess. Not a single nuance was omitted.
As Lan Yu listened, his face grew cautious. He couldn't believe that a mere ant, once a speck in his eyes, a minor thorn in his heart, had grown into a towering behemoth.
"What unearthly fortune have you seized? If I slay you, dear brother, that fortune becomes mine!" Lan Yu muttered, greed glinting in his eyes.
"Young Lord, forgive my candor, but with our current strength, facing him head-on is unwise!" Lan Chang said, smiling bitterly.
"Why?" Lan Yu's face darkened, anger flaring.
Lan Chang inhaled deeply, choosing his words carefully, "If Lan An were alone, Young Lord would fear nothing. But those women, united… they're formidable…"
Lan Yu fell silent, then chuckled, patting Lan Chang's shoulder, laughing heartily. "Who said I'm alone?"
Lan Chang clenched his jaw, nodding fiercely. "Right! You have me, Lan Chang!"
"Not just you," Lan Yu said, shaking his head calmly. Suddenly, he tilted his head skyward. Under Lan Chang's stunned gaze, he grinned, "Am I right, friends? Since you're here, show yourselves!"
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Blood Star Sect: "Hahaha, worthy of the Lan Clan's Young Lord, its greatest talent ever! Respect!" A boisterous laugh echoed as Blood Star Sect's Three Holy Sons appeared. Xiang Da declared: "We've clashed with Lan An before and know his tricks!" Xiang Qian and Xiang Er were also present.
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Ice Mysterious Empire: "Hmph, how'd you spot us?" A defiant voice rang out as Bing Yang and Bing Feng (ranked 11th) soared forth.
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Beast Control Battle Sect: "Wait! How can such a spectacle exclude me, Yu Han?" A thunderous voice boomed. Yu Han, atop a colossal eagle, declared: "I'm quite interested in Lan An's head!"
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Mortal Hidden Temple: Golden light flared as two monks appeared. The older monk, Fan Shan, stated: "Amitabha, Benefactor Lan An is swayed by demonic charms and needs salvation. This monk seeks to join you!" His junior brother, Mu Song, was the one oddly sporting hair.
Lan Yu intervened: "Brothers, we share a goal. Let's shelve personal grudges!" The group (ten top-50 prodigies) nodded, resolved to eliminate Lan An.
"Again, Brother Xiang Qian, please detail his techniques and abilities!" Lan Yu sat, humbled.
Xiang Qian's chilling voice recounted: "It began when we three brothers refined a Blood Fiend Corpse in a desolate temple…"
When he finished, others who'd fought Lan An shared their tales. This alliance, potent enough to sweep the Secret Realm, wasn't the end…
By the second day, Lan An and his trio spotted three ethereal figures: Mu Bai Yin, Li Zhu Luan, and Yan Die Qing.
"Husband! We missed you!" The two youngest wives leapt into his arms. Lan An hugged them, then gazed at Mu Bai Yin with tender eyes.
Mu Bai Yin shook her head wryly, while Su Mei marveled at their allure. The three noticed Su Mei's high Points and proximity to Lan An.
Lan An pulled Mu Bai Yin into his embrace, whispering: "Wife, battles loom. Protect your husband!" He formally introduced Su Mei, then lay back on the grass, head in Bai Su Mei's lap, listening to Li Zhu Luan and Yan Die Qing.
Another day passed. Snowflakes swirled, and a delicate maiden, Bing Ying Er (ranked 24th), appeared.
"Ling Er, by my lady's order, comes to serve Young Master!"
"Lan Xi? That vixen?" Lan An sprang up.
Bing Ying Er offered a jade pendant, which Lan An crushed.
A vision of Lady Bing Lan Xi appeared: "Little An, I miss you dearly!… The struggle for the Crown Prince's throne grows fierce… Ling Er's strength isn't great, making her a target… Thus, I entrust her to you, letting her tend to you so our sisters can cultivate… I love you!"
Lan An held Bing Ying Er's small hands: "If Lan Xi decrees, I obey. We're family now. Call me Brother, and them Sisters!"
Bing Ying Er smiled, "Lady said if she could choose, she'd not be a princess!"
The group rejoiced as more family arrived. Ruo Xue, Liu Shi Qin, and Hua Yu Fei descended.
This declared to the Secret Realm:
Lan An's Harem Faction was whole.
A rare calm before the storm's fury… Utterly thrilling…