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Crack! The second stone shattered, a carved wooden fragment falling out. Lan An dusted it off, the women crowding around. Ancient, cryptic runes adorned the aged wood, baffling them.
"Carved on Star God Wood, it requires Stellar Force to access its contents," Jin Ni explained.
"Stellar Force? Perfect for Su Mei!" Lan An exclaimed.
"Indeed. The runes read Stellar Transformation, an ancient secret art," Jin Ni said gravely.
"Su Mei, probe it with your Stellar Force," Lan An urged, handing her the wood.
"Yes, Master!" Bai Su Mei nodded softly. Her unique Stellar Force enveloped the wood, triggering a phenomenon. The runes glowed, detaching magically, streaming into her forehead.
Her face paled, brows furrowed, sweat beading, the information overwhelming her. Yet, joy lit her features, the art clearly suited her. After a prolonged process, she collapsed, Lan An catching her.
Wiping her sweat, he kissed her lips encouragingly. "How's my treasure?"
"Master! I inherited an ancient secret art, Stellar Transformation. It absorbs Sun, Moon, and Star energies to boost cultivation during battle, leaving no hidden dangers," Bai Su Mei beamed, caressing his cheek.
"That powerful?" The group gasped. As a White Star Snake, Bai Su Mei naturally absorbed starlight, but harnessing Sun and Moon essence, even temporarily raising cultivation, was staggering.
"What's its grade?" Mu Zi Yin asked, smiling.
"The first layer rivals Supreme Heaven-Grade arts. Higher layers are beyond my current grasp," Bai Su Mei replied.
"First layer's already Supreme Heaven-Grade? Was the Ancient Era that advanced?" Li Zhu Luan marveled.
"History has gaps, but scholars agree the Ancient Era was the cultivation world's peak, followed by the Golden Era 500 years ago," Liu Shi Qin explained.
They nodded, understanding Stellar Transformation's origin. "Husband, smash the last stone!" Li Zhu Luan urged, excited by two treasures.
The women agreed, eyes gleaming. Lan An, growing nervous, crushed the orange-sized stone.
Crack! A torrent of soul force erupted, startling them. Even non-soul cultivators felt its potency. Ji Bing, comatose, stirred, her brows easing, lips curving faintly.
A translucent, five-petaled white lotus floated from the rubble, spinning gracefully. "A soul-type Strange Treasure!" Mu Zi Yin's eyes sparkled.
"Husband, you're a soul cultivator. Jackpot!" Li Zhu Luan giggled, as if she'd won.
The women smiled, the lotus's noble aura marking it as extraordinary. "Soul Nurturing Lotus, beyond Spirit-Grade, rarer than Strange Flames," Jin Ni told Lan An, making him gulp.
"How long to refine it?" he asked.
"Ten to fifteen days. Dual cultivate with Ji Bing during refinement for optimal results, possibly waking her," Jin Ni replied.
"Perfect!" Lan An laughed. Though Ji Bing's soul wouldn't fully heal, waking her was progress. He cherished her deeply, their dual cultivation fostering love rivaling his other bonds.
Sharing the news, the women rejoiced for Ji Bing, viewing her as family. Her coma pained them; her awakening was a balm. "Anyone recognize this?" Lan An showed the Bright Heaven Elephant map.
"No clue," they shook their heads.
"Here's a pile of spirit stones. Cultivate. I'll meet the mysterious woman, then refine the Soul Nurturing Lotus," Lan An said, suppressing his desire for intimacy with Liu Shi Qin present.
"Darling, need me outside?" Mu Zi Yin asked gently.
He declined, wary of Bing Lan Xi's motives. Hugging Mu Zi Yin, he admired her flawless devotion. Blushing under the others' teasing, she returned his embrace. He hugged each woman, leaving the Soul Nurturing Lotus floating—it couldn't escape.
Exiting Spirit Realm Pearl, the women claimed spirit stones, cultivating. Bai Su Mei studied Stellar Transformation, Liu Shi Qin tackled Green Breeze Sword Art and Great Wind Tempest.
Back atop Qing Yun Sect, Lan An found it deserted. "She's not back," he muttered.
Slap! He jumped, turning to see Bing Lan Xi retracting her foot from his rear, giggling. "Who's 'she'?"
"Stinky woman, you a ghost?" Lan An glared, her roguishness grating.
"An enemy would've killed you," she said seriously.
He scoffed inwardly. As a soul cultivator, he'd sense killing intent. Her stealth lacked malice, catching him off guard. He hid his soul prowess.
"Your share," he offered half the treasury.
She accepted, teasing, "My consort should surrender all, but I'll allow half this time."
Fuming, he grabbed her waist, grinning wickedly. "Your consort demands favor. To bed!"
"Shameless," she chided, eyes challenging. "With your strength, you can't breach my veil."
He smirked. "Didn't you boast countless consorts? Yet you've a veil? Can it regrow?"
Her veiled face flushed, cursing her slip. Changing topics, "You've a living-space treasure. Missing a big opportunity."
"What opportunity?" he asked, intrigued.
"Beg, and I'll tell," she teased.
Rolling his eyes, he consulted Jin Ni. "Sect headquarters are built on spirit stone veins for rich aura. Qing Yun Sect, a Seventh-Grade force, has three Supreme-Grade veins. Store them in Spirit Realm Pearl to boost its aura," she advised.
Elated, Lan An ignored Bing Lan Xi, searching for veins. "How'd he know?" she stomped, fuming.
After a day's labor, he unearthed three veins across Qing Yun Mountain, storing them in Spirit Realm Pearl. As its master, he felt the aura surge sixfold, still climbing. "No wonder they sustain so many disciples," he sighed.
"No share for me?" Bing Lan Xi demanded.
"I found them myself," Lan An retorted.
"My consort's mine is mine," she huffed.
"Enough games. Who are you? Why approach me? For your help, name your price," Lan An said, seeking clarity.
Bing Lan Xi's face darkened, her eyes wavering. "Lan An, I want…"
"Tixi, Elder Sister, why with this nobody? I'd have escorted you!" A voice cut in, her face tightening with disgust.
Space tore open, a dashing man, thirtyish, with icy blue hair and sharp features, emerged. Lin Qing fawned over Bing Lan Xi, ignoring Lan An.
"Lin Qing, who said you could follow me?" Bing Lan Xi's tone turned frigid, unlike her playfulness with Lan An.
"Tixi's lone journey from the Empire is dangerous. Why not call me?" Lin Qing persisted.
"Are we close? Don't call me Tixi. It's repulsive," she snapped.
"I sought you in the Empire, but you snuck off for him?" Lin Qing sneered at Lan An.
"Enough! Who I meet isn't your business. Your father's Prime Minister title doesn't control me. Leave!" Bing Lan Xi commanded.
Lan An's mind raced. Empire? Prime Minister? "What's this?" he thought.
Lin Qing smiled, unashamed. "We grew up together. Why so cold?"
"Grew up with you? You're just the Second Prince's lapdog. Scram!" Bing Lan Xi snapped.
"Tixi, mind your tone. I'm Rank 64 on the Golden Era List," Lin Qing growled, pride stung.
"Means nothing to me. Last warning: go!" Bing Lan Xi waved dismissively.
Furious, Lin Qing eyed Lan An. "Brat, toads don't climb phoenixes."
Lan An grinned wickedly, pulling Bing Lan Xi into his arms. Stunning both, he yanked off her veil, revealing a breathtaking face, and kissed her fiercely.
"Mmph!" Bing Lan Xi trembled, eyes wide, her first kiss stolen publicly. "He's so bold, such a man," her heart raced.
"Filthy beast, you court death!" Lin Qing roared, humiliated. His Early Void Refinement aura surged, a palm strike shaking space.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Lan An used Speed Shift twice, dodging. Breaking the kiss, he teased Bing Lan Xi, then taunted Lin Qing. "Toad eats phoenix meat? The phoenix hasn't complained, so why's the lapdog barking?"