Hua Yu Feng rolled her eyes, thinking, I haven't agreed to marry you, and you're already calling yourself my husband? But now wasn't the time to embarrass him. Letting him have his verbal advantage, she nodded obediently.
"Husband, are you planning to subdue the Anomalous Earth?" Ji Ya and Ji Bing asked worriedly, sensing the immense power of the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth. Attempting to subdue it seemed more dangerous than promising.
Lan An's expression turned serious, his voice low,
"No, I'm not strong enough to subdue it yet…"
"Fourth Brother!"
The Fifth Elder and his companions roared in anguish, their eyes bloodshot. Their bond, forged over thousands of years, was deeper than family. Witnessing the Fourth Elder's tragic end drove them to madness. His death was gruesome—he detonated his Nascent Soul, his soul shattered to pieces.
Clearly, he aimed to perish alongside the women, nearly leaving Lan An with lifelong regret.
"I'll kill you all, you vile women!"
The Sixth Elder lost his mind, Earth Elemental Energy surging recklessly, attacking with life-or-death strikes.
"He's gone mad!" Yan Hong Lian fought while retreating, blood staining her body. Her Nine Yang Divine Art had nine stages, but she'd only mastered the first, condensing a single sun above her head—her limit.
The Sixth Elder, heedless of the Purple Heart Void-Burning Flame's scorching, closed in frenziedly, each move laden with killing intent, ignoring his burning body, forcing Yan Hong Lian into a desperate struggle.
"Wood Dance True Art – Spring Wood Dance!"
Yan Die Qing's forehead dripped with sweat, her Wind and Wood Rings glowing brilliantly. Her Spiritual Energy pushed to the limit, forming a translucent shield of Wind and Wood around Yan Hong Lian, a miraculous defense.
Protected by Spring Wood Dance, Yan Hong Lian felt revitalized, her wounds healing under Wood's nurturing, while Wind mitigated the Sixth Elder's attacks.
"I'm spent!"
After unleashing this powerful support technique, Yan Die Qing's Spiritual Energy drained, her delicate face pale as she collapsed to the ground.
"Well done, little sister!" Yan Hong Lian praised excitedly, her electric gaze locking onto the Sixth Elder's gaunt form. Raising her finger, flames surged, her full lips shouting,
"Nine Yang Divine Art – First Yang Annihilation Finger!"
The sun above her spun rapidly, dissolving into Fire Spiritual Energy, condensing at her fingertip with extreme intensity.
WHOOSH!
A finger strike that seemed to burn the heavens and earth. Yan Hong Lian gazed coldly at the Sixth Elder, her First Yang Annihilation Finger striking fiercely.
The sun's full power concentrated into one strike, the sky above her blazing purple, domineering beyond compare.
"Earth King Seal!"
The Sixth Elder solemnly unleashed his strongest technique. The First Yang Annihilation Finger pierced the void, its speed forcing him to counter.
SWISH!
To his disbelief, the First Yang Annihilation Finger pierced his Earth King Seal like paper, charging at him.
"Not good!" In a critical moment, the Sixth Elder, with a Peak Void Refinement cultivator's instincts, leaped aside, dodging a fatal headshot.
"AAAAH, NO!"
The First Yang Annihilation Finger pierced his chest, the Sixth Elder screaming as purple flames ignited like dry tinder, nearly incinerating him.
"You vile wench, this is all your fault… If I die, I'll take you with me!"
To Yan Hong Lian's horror, the Sixth Elder, like a flaming figure, locked onto Yan Die Qing on the ground. His body swelled, charging viciously. He hated Yan Die Qing more for her support, which led to his defeat.
"No! T'ing'er, escape to the Palace Tree!" Yan Hong Lian, unprepared for this, paled, screaming.
She tried to chase with Flame Pursuit Step, but after using First Yang Annihilation Finger, her Spiritual Energy was nearly depleted, slowing her.
"Ice-Water Barrier!"
Ji Ya's cold voice rang out, Ice and Water surging, forming a chilling barrier that trapped the Sixth Elder.
BOOM!
"AAAAH, damn it!" Trapped, the Sixth Elder roared helplessly, his body exploding like fireworks, dead beyond death.
For safety, Yan Die Qing used her token to teleport to the Palace Tree.
"Phew…" Yan Hong Lian sighed in relief. Mu Zi Yin's earlier fate had prompted their caution, preventing a repeat tragedy.
"Well done!" Ji Ya descended, feeding Yan Hong Lian a Healing Pill.
"Thanks, Sister Ji Ya! Peak Void Refinement is tough," Yan Hong Lian smiled beautifully, hugging Ji Ya's waist playfully.
By age, Ji Ya was of her mother's generation.
Ji Ya's cold face rarely smiled, but she said gently, "You two did excellently. Rest now…"
Fighting above their level was grueling; a single mistake could be fatal. The sisters exceeded her expectations.
Yan Hong Lian nodded firmly, using her token at the Red Lotus Palace, vanishing to the Palace Tree.
She knew her current state was at its limit, unfit for further combat.
Ji Ya scanned the battlefield. The Second Elder, entangled by two Stone Golems, remained composed, expending little effort.
On Wei Rong, Shi Qin, Xiao Shi, and Zhu Luan's front, with Ji Bing's aid, they swiftly killed the Seventh Elder without losses.
As for Bing Ling Er, after single-handedly facing thousands, she'd returned to the Palace Tree from exhaustion.
The Supreme Emperor, the strongest foe, depended on Lan An's side—the battle's crux.
"The Harem is terrifying!" Cheng Bi couldn't calm down, her purple lips trembling.
"Their techniques and arts are entirely novel. We had no prior knowledge, like Yan Hong Lian's art that conjures a sun for battle—so domineering…" Bao Jiao's beautiful face was grave.
"A mighty divine beast, plus Yan Ruo Xue's absurd cultivation boosts—they're all monsters…" Cheng Bi agreed.
The Multi-Treasure Pavilion held some knowledge of most powers' techniques, but the Harem's display showed how limited their understanding was.
"I want to fight them!" Wu Ji licked her lips, her eyes blazing with dark night-like intensity.
"Just our Saintess and the four of us wouldn't suffice against the Harem…" Lei Huan patted her ample chest, sighing. Tian Ye Yao was nearing Mid Integration, and they'd progressed, but they couldn't rival the Harem.
"Why not join the Harem? Dao Dao's very interested in these sisters…" Tian Ye Yao suggested eagerly.
"…" The four women rolled their eyes, ignoring her.
Deep within the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, Bai Tian's face paled.
He'd searched for ages without finding its true form, and his protective pill's effects were fading.
"Damn it, am I to fail at the last step?" Bai Tian gasped, moving frantically, filled with unwillingness.
He wasn't entirely to blame. Countless emperors had failed to subdue the Anomalous Earth. This was his first attempt; failure was normal.
Bai Tian had prepared meticulously, waiting for the Anomalous Earth's weakened state, using talismans and pills. His mistake was greed, spurred by Bai Lie's reckless ambition. The White Sand Emperor had foreseen this outcome and ignored it.
"Deceptive beast, your dynasty's doomed, yet you seek to subdue me?" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth roared, its sealing runes nearly gone, ready to break free.
"False words won't fool me! Even with a slim chance, I won't give up…" Bai Tian snorted, unconvinced, struggling through sandstorms, searching for the core.
After a while, near the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's heart, Bai Tian's eyes lit up. He saw a small bear, black and white, curled up quietly, Earth Spiritual Energy so dense it formed droplets. Laughing maniacally,
"Haha, I found your true form, a little bear… Submit to me!"
He surged toward the core, but after two steps, his face changed drastically.
The pill's protection ended, his defenses plummeting. Sandstorms tore at him, flaying his skin, exposing bones.
"No… just one step away, I can't give up…" Bai Tian roared, enduring excruciating pain, charging at the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's form.
His willpower was formidable, pushing through despite his ravaged body.
"Scram!"
The small bear, sleeping soundly, snapped its eyes open, glaring at Bai Tian. Its voice, clear and sharp, contrasted its ferocious appearance, swinging a tiny fist.
Splurt!
A force like mountain-splitting struck, sending Bai Tian flying.
Splurt splurt splurt!
Spitting blood thrice, Bai Tian was hurled from the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's body, nearly fainting from rage.
No one was more tragic. He'd prepared thoroughly, enduring pain and danger, only to be punched out by the Anomalous Earth's true form after finding it—a futile effort.
"AAAAH, I'm not reconciled!" Bai Tian roared like a beast, his body bloodied, not a single part intact.
ROAR! "Die, ant!"
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth broke free of its seals, its massive arm smashing toward Bai Tian.
"Next time, I'll succeed!" Bai Tian, unwilling, left a cry, frantically dodging the devastating strike.
But upon emerging, a doomsday scene struck him. Rubbing his eyes, he was dazed.
The Scenic Land was desolate, the White Sand Palace in ruins, half the White Sand Imperial City apocalyptic.
His grandfather, father, and elders were besieged by stunning women, divine beasts roaring, constantly wounded.
"What… what's happening…" Bai Tian muttered, recalling the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's words, his heart sinking.
"Isn't this the lofty Crown Prince?" Lan An and Hua Yu Feng arrived, smirking at Bai Tian's wretched state.
Startled, Bai Tian turned, recognizing Lan An faintly, shouting imperiously,
"Who are you?"
"Wen Lang, also Lan An!" Lan An declared, a Star-Burst Fist forming, Speed Shift bringing him behind Bai Tian, unleashing a explosive punch.
"Lan An?" Bai Tian's eyes shrank, endless White Earth surging, turning to counter with a fierce fist.
Splurt!
Like a broken kite, Bai Tian crashed, his face smashed into the ground.
Injured from his attempt on the Anomalous Earth, he was no match for Lan An.
Turning to flee…
"Peach Blossom Array!"
A bizarre formation appeared, vines entangling his legs, cherry blossoms fluttering, holding Bai Tian briefly.
"Battle Array Master?" Bai Tian warily eyed Hua Yu Feng's proud expression.
"You're all together? Why target our White Sand Dynasty?" Bai Tian roared hoarsely, the dreamlike events overwhelming him.
"Target? Haha!" Lan An laughed, ignoring him, his hands clawing, Star-Plucking Hand forming, grabbing at Bai Tian.
"Damn it!" Knowing Lan An's reputation and his own weakened state, Bai Tian unleashed White Earth, shattering the Peach Blossom Array, fleeing frantically.
His heart filled with absurdity. The Wen Lang he'd dismissed, never considering his equal, was Lan An. He'd even tried to forbid Bai Lian Hua from associating with him, intending to betroth her to Bai Lie.
"Ya'er, Bing'er, finish him!" Lan An called softly to the sky.
Ji Ya and Ji Bing nodded, swiftly pursuing Bai Tian.
Lan An had no time to chase him, turning to the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth glaring at him.
Gently holding Hua Yu Feng's hand…
"Cunning human, you want to subdue me too?"
The Anomalous Earth roared, its mood buoyant from breaking free.
Lan An met its massive eyes, suppressing the trembling Spirit Earth Cauldron in his Dantian, speaking sincerely,
"I want to make a deal with you. Trust me… you'll be the only one to benefit!"