"What? This is the first time I've seen you. Are you feeling alright?"
Bai Lian Hua's luminous eyes widened, her lips parting in concern.
She'd only met him once, yet he claimed she'd saved him twice. His mind must still be foggy from his grievous wounds.
She couldn't fathom what kind of attack could inflict such horrific injuries, yet miraculously, he lived and was recovering. Had it been her, she'd have perished long ago.
The thought stirred a memory of a youth named Wen Lang, whose healing speed was equally astonishing.
Lan An caught her adorable expression and realized his mistake. He was in his true form, not Wen Lang or Bach Hieu Sinh. His face, scarred and peeling from battles with Body Unity cultivators, bore no trace of its usual charm, only a grim ferocity.
Knowing he'd misspoken, he opted not to explain. Feeling her soft hand still channeling spiritual energy into his chest, he said gently, "Thank you, but don't waste your spiritual energy. I'll recover on my own in a few days."
Bai Lian Hua shot him a playful glare, chiding softly, "Don't lie! With those injuries, you'd be bedridden for half a year without treatment!"
Lan An chuckled, noticing he lay on a cozy wooden bed, likely brought here by her. Warmth flooded his heart. "If you don't believe me, let's make a bet!"
"A bet? How so?" A spark of intrigue lit her eyes. As a princess of a Ninth-Grade Power, she'd never been invited to such a game.
"I bet I'll fully recover in half a month. If I win, you'll give me a way to contact you anytime!" Lan An said with a sly grin.
Bai Lian Hua's cheeks flushed. His intentions were clear, but recovering in half a month seemed impossible. She huffed, "And if you lose?"
Lan An pondered, then said firmly, "If you win, I'll do one thing for you, as long as it's not against the heavens or reason!"
Her eyes darted as she mulled it over, lips pursed, hand propping her chin. She stifled a laugh—she had no tasks for him. With her status, a single word could summon countless helpers. Yet, this was her first bet, and the novelty thrilled her. She nodded, sealing the wager.
As a princess, Bai Lian Hua had spent her youth mastering etiquette, arts, and cultivation. At sixteen, her Peak Fusion Realm was proof of her diligence. She often used her Heavenly Charm Voice to quell dynasty disputes, leaving little room for friendships or playful bets.
Lan An saw the loneliness in her eyes, his heart aching. Extending his pinky with a mischievous grin, he said in a childish tone, "Pinky swear!"
Bai Lian Hua blinked, then giggled, hooking her delicate pinky with his. A strange warmth spread, her cheeks reddening. Never had she been so close to a man.
Curiosity resurfaced. "What role do you hold in the palace, and why did you fall into my Water Flower Valley?"
This serene valley, nestled within the White Sand Palace, was her private haven, built by her mother for her love of tranquility. Surrounded by palace defenses, it was utterly secure, unguarded. She assumed Lan An was a palace member to have landed here.
His reply stunned her. "Water Flower Valley? I teleported here by chance. I'm not from the dynasty."
Her eyes widened. "Not from the dynasty? How do you know I'm the Little Princess? Should I tell Father?"
By dynasty law, unauthorized entry into the palace warranted arrest, regardless of reason. Lan An had breached not just the palace but her personal sanctuary.
Lan An gave a wry smile. "Who doesn't know the Little Princess across the Yellow Sand Continent? You saved my life with such effort. Telling your father would be like tossing me to the wolves!"
"Nonsense!" she retorted, puffing her cheeks. "Father is kind. He wouldn't kill you—maybe just detain you to verify your identity."
Lan An knew badmouthing her father was unwise, but alerting the White Sand Emperor would spell doom. Even his mysterious master, Wu San Niang, might not save him now.
"If I'm not welcome, I'll leave. Just don't tell anyone, especially your father," he said softly, struggling to rise. If he could move, he'd buy another Minor Teleportation Talisman from the Lucky Shop.
Crack!
Pain seared his bones. One step, and his weakened body collapsed, kneeling, face ashen. His thighs, pierced by Earth Rift Finger, were gravely damaged.
"My recovery's slower than I thought," he muttered, sighing.
"Ah!" Bai Lian Hua gasped, rushing to support him, guiding him back to the bed. "I didn't mean to chase you out! Rest with those injuries!"
Her kind heart couldn't bear his suffering. To ease his fears, she added, "I won't tell anyone. Recover in peace—we have a bet!"
"Aren't you afraid I'm a villain?" Lan An teased.
"Even if you are, you can't beat me!" she said, patting her modest chest confidently.
Lan An stifled a laugh. At Peak Fusion Realm, she outranked his Late Fusion Realm and felt secure. If she knew he could slay Refining Void cultivators at his level, what would she think?
"Then I'll trouble you, Little Princess," he said, dropping the pretense. Truthfully, he cherished the company of this pure-hearted girl.
"Rest well. Only Father and Mother can enter Water Flower Valley, but they're busy lately. You're safe," she assured, leaving to give him space.
Watching her graceful figure vanish, Lan An mused, "Water Flower Valley is both the most dangerous and safest place. But caution first."
He opened the Lucky Shop, hoping for defensive items or a gift for the gracious princess. A Minor Teleportation Talisman or Tribulation Guard Talisman would be ideal.
He avoided entering the Spirit Realm Pearl. If Yan Yue Qi saw his state, she'd likely storm the dynasty in a rage. With the Fire Void Pill's aftereffects, even dual cultivation was useless.
A week passed swiftly.
The Fire Void Pill's side effects faded four days ago. Spiritual energy surged within Lan An, the Five Supreme Cauldrons humming smoothly. Nirvana Spirit Water coursed through him, mending his wounds.
With its aid, he stepped off the bed, hobbling out of the cozy room.
Though not fully healed, he could defend himself.
"Blazing Earth Falling Petal Palm!"
A melodious cry echoed through Water Flower Valley. Bai Lian Hua glided midair, her delicate hands weaving earth and fire elements into cascading palm strikes, rippling the air.
"Fire and Earth Spiritual Roots," Lan An praised silently. Beyond her Heavenly Charm Voice, she was a dual-root genius.
Absorbed in her practice, she didn't notice him. Using Piercing Weakness Vision, Lan An spotted flaws in her technique.
"Genius, but lacking real combat experience," he sighed, pinpointing her greatest weakness.
His sigh startled her. "Ah!" She spun, mouth agape.
Disbelief filled her innocent eyes. He'd recovered so fast in just a week? Did this mean she'd lose the bet?
"His looks are quite handsome—not a bad person," she thought, noting his healed face, now restored to its natural charm.
Though Lan An's fame had spread across the planet, not everyone knew him. Bai Lian Hua, secluded in cultivation at the academy, shunned gossip and news, unaware of the rising prodigy.
"Your technique is powerful, likely a Supreme Earth-Grade skill, but it has limitations," Lan An said, approaching with a warm smile.
"Hmph, I don't believe you!" she pouted. Blazing Earth Falling Petal Palm was her most practiced skill—how could it be flawed?
Lan An shook his head, pointing out, "First, your spiritual energy gathers too slowly. Focus harder, imagining an enemy attacking you."
"Second, your palm strikes lack a fixed target, scattering their power. Aim at a branch or rock."
"Third, have you ever used this in real combat? I sense no fighting intent."
Bai Lian Hua's expression shifted. Instinctively, she followed his advice, locking her gaze on a large rock, envisioning it as a foe.
Spiritual energy surged, her fighting spirit igniting. Earth and fire roared, forming a palm strike.
"Blazing Earth Falling Petal Palm!"
BOOM!
The valley quaked. The rock shattered to dust, a chunk of the cliff collapsing.
Stunned, Bai Lian Hua realized her technique's true might. Beaming at Lan An, she exclaimed, "You're amazing!"
Lan An, equally surprised, said, "Not as amazing as you. You mastered my advice instantly. Terrifying talent!"
He hadn't expected her to grasp his pointers so quickly. Others would need days to practice, yet she succeeded at once.
"Father and Mother often praise my talent, but they don't teach like you," she said, eyes sparkling. She found this youth fascinating.
Lan An understood why. His advice stemmed from combat experience, but to the White Sand Emperor and Empress, their princess needed no such skills, given her lofty status.
"I have other techniques I haven't shown. Teach me to boost their power!" she urged, excited.
"No problem. I'll spar with you myself," Lan An agreed, smiling.
They faced off, Lan An attacking and defending, using Piercing Weakness Vision to critique her techniques. His mastery of spiritual energy guided her further.
Bai Lian Hua's combat prowess soared visibly.
Seven more days passed in a blur.