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Nearly two years since Lan An arrived, a blind 16-year-old waste, he's now an ambitious 18-year-old, surrounded by breathtaking confidantes each a heavenly talent. With Saint Spirit Academy's enrollment three months away, the continent buzzes with young geniuses emerging from seclusion, chasing fame to glorify their clans. Success at the academy promises continent-wide renown, even across Yue Dragon Star. For passionate youths, it's a once-in-a-millennium chance. Cultivators' long lifespans mean those under 100 are still youthful, and the academy's decennial recruitment allows retries, like university exams in Lan An's past life.
Harem's members, except Ji Bing Ying, meet the age limit. Mu Zi Yin and Liu Shi Qin are under 50, while Lan An and others are younger. Ji Bing Ying cultivates in Spirit Realm Pearl, ensuring they stay together. Unlike the outside fervor, Lan An and his women enjoy rare leisure at Liu Clan's elegant courtyard, bonding to stabilize their heart-states after rapid cultivation. Haste risks shaky foundations. Bai Su Mei reaches Mid Nascent Soul, catching Li Zhu Luan, her prior Star Transformation focus overcome.
Lan An sits calmly, Mu Zi Yin, Liu Shi Qin, Li Zhu Luan, and Bai Su Mei serving tea tenderly. Nearby, a wild beauty lounges on a rock, sunbathing like a cat. Clad in tight leather, her silver-purple hair and Western allure mark her as Little Lion's human form, a Fifth-Order beast reluctant to transform unless urged. Beside her, Liu Meng Ying cultivates amid Top-Grade Spirit Stones, wielding Water Sea True Scripture (High Heaven-Grade), a gift from Lan An's Lucky Shop for her Water-Repelling Pearl. From Hai Hong Sect, like Lan An's Great Hong Kick, it suits her pure Water Spiritual Root, propelling her to Late Qi Refining in ten days, a prodigy under 10.
"Husband, so unfair! Even Meng Ying gets a great scripture!" Li Zhu Luan pouts, leaning into him. She and Mu Zi Yin still use Supreme Earth-Grade Heavenly Wood Sect scriptures, adequate now but limiting later. High-level scriptures define strength at higher realms. Mu Zi Yin's Butterfly Sword Art relies on Purple Wood Sword to kill Late Spirit Transformation foes, but without it, she'd struggle. They fear falling behind Lan An.
"Relax, I've contacted Master. She'll bring suitable scriptures," Lan An soothes, stroking Li Zhu Luan's hair. Despite refreshing Lucky Shop countless times, no fitting Beyond Spirit-Grade scriptures appeared. "Two years flew by. Wonder how they're doing?" he muses, picturing Yan Ruo Xue, Hong Lian, Die Qing, Qin Meng Ying, and the aloof Ji Ya.
Suddenly, dread grips him, his heart constricting, breath ragged. He clutches his chest, standing. "Husband, Little Nam?" The women clutch him, alarmed. Little Lion roars skyward. Bai Su Mei, bound by contract, pales, sensing danger. The System's mechanical voice rings: "Epic Quest: Live and Die Together triggered. Reward: One Weapon Summon, One Scripture Summon, One Bloodline Summon. Failure: Death. Objective: Ji Ya is in critical danger. Host must rescue her immediately!"
Lan An's pupils shrink, realizing the dread stems from their Live and Die Together contract. "Ji Ya's in trouble!" he rasps. The women pale, aware of the contract. "How? She's Refining Void!" Li Zhu Luan cries, tears welling. "I feel the danger!" Bai Su Mei trembles. "Where is she? How do we save her?" Mu Zi Yin's hands bleed from clenching.
Liu Shi Qin inhales, calming herself. "Multi-Treasure Pavilion sells a Trace Teleportation Array that tracks via aura. We can find Ji Ya!" "To Multi-Treasure Pavilion!" Lan An orders, abandoning Lucky Shop for this solution. Little Lion transforms, growing massive, a lion-headed, feathered beast. They mount it, lightning streaking to the pavilion, awing Ping An City.
"Honored guests, how may we assist?" Two attendants bow, sneaking glances at their allure. "We need a Trace Teleportation Array!" Liu Shi Qin demands. "We must consult the steward!" They retreat. Lan An's group follows, urgency burning, ignoring the opulent pavilion and curious stares.
A sultry voice greets them. Lian, a mature stewardess, appears, surprised. The array, unearthed from an ancient cave, languished unsold for a decade due to its 70,000 Top-Grade Spirit Stone price. "Lian! It's life-or-death. Hurry!" Liu Shi Qin, acquainted from past deals, urges. "Follow me!" Lian leads them to a glass case holding a rolled leather mat, labeled: "Trace Teleportation Array: Tracks a person's aura via an item, teleporting one user instantly. Price: 70,000 Top-Grade Spirit Stones. Single use."
"It's the real deal!" Jin'er confirms. "Buy it!" Lan An orders, pooling stones. His Qing Yun Sect spoils, minus gifted items like Qing Yun Sword and Polar Ice Axe to Liu Clan, fund the purchase. Lian hands over the mat. "Lay it flat!" she instructs. Lan An spreads it, revealing a hexagonal array with mystical glyphs.
"Place an item with the target's aura in the center!" Lian says. "Ji Ya's item?" Lan An frowns. "I've got it!" Bai Su Mei offers Twin Heart Sword Art, steeped in Ji Ya's aura from years of use. "I'll find her. Prepare for Saint Spirit Academy. I'll return in time!" Lan An commands.
"No! I'm going!" Li Zhu Luan and Bai Su Mei protest. Liu Shi Qin and Mu Zi Yin restrain them. "Her foe is too strong. We'd hinder him. Prepare and wait!" Mu Zi Yin soothes, "Our palace tokens let us join him anytime." They relent. Liu Shi Qin places tiny Little Lion on Lan An's shoulder. "Its speed may help."
Lan An places Twin Heart Sword Art at the array's center, infusing Spirit Energy. Glyphs glow, a force scans the book, locking onto Ji Ya's aura. A spatial vortex forms, the mat dissolving. "Enter now!" Lian shouts. Lan An, with Little Lion, steps into the vortex, glancing at his worried women. "Wait for me!" His voice echoes.
"Who'd wait for you?" Lian blushes, stunned by their strength Nascent Soul and above, Liu Shi Qin nearing Spirit Transformation, Mu Zi Yin surpassing her. What man commands such unity? Lan An vanishes, the mat gone, leaving Twin Heart Sword Art. Bai Su Mei checks it Ji Ya's aura is absent, consumed by the array. Smiling, she assures, "It worked! Let's await his triumph!"