In this brief window, Hundred Flowers Sect spared no effort in spreading the news. They unveiled Liu Yingyu's betrothal gifts to the entire cosmos, not merely to exalt the sect's prestige, but to proclaim an unassailable truth: Lan An, son-in-law of Hundred Flowers, backed by the Rear Palace, with the Mad Violence Queen herself presiding over the engagement—who in the heavens dared provoke them now?
Cunningly, the sect withheld a portion of the gifts in the recordings—those Spirit-Grade Pinnacle treasures—to avoid attracting thieves and bandits. Yet even the revealed bounty—mountains of spirit stones, Youth Retaining Pills, exquisite robes, Heaven-Grade Pinnacle artifacts—sent the world into a frenzy as the Liu Yingyu spread like wildfire.
When the centerpiece was revealed—the Ancient Bear Jade Suppressing Earth in its true form—every soul could only utter one word: "Submit." Who else possessed such audacity?
The Rear Palace had just razed White Sand Empire to claim the Exotic Earth, and in the blink of an eye, offered it to court the Hundred Flowers Fairy.
Rumors claimed Ming Wu and Wang Ying, upon hearing this, could only exhale in utter defeat, abandoning all hope of rivaling her. Even if we had such a treasure, would we dare part with it? No man in the realm could match Lan An's boldness.
As the betrothal gifts thundered across the stars, women everywhere grew restless. Countless beauties schemed to join the Rear Palace—even as maids. Sects and clans with comely daughters practically begged to offer them up.
Renowned female geniuses publicly swore: "None but Lan An shall I wed. I would rather remain unwed forever than miss the Rear Palace."
Meanwhile, a horde of jealous men gnashed their teeth. Why do all the world's beauties belong to this son-in-law of Hundred Flowers? They denounced Lan An as a disgrace to true men, unworthy of reverence.
The moment they spoke, countless powers descended. Those fools died screaming—public sacrifices to curry favor with the Rear Palace. The world shuddered anew.
Peaceful City teetered on explosion. Powers great and small flooded the Liu Clan with stunning disciples and mountains of gifts, desperate to cozy up to Lan An's maternal family. The Lius basked in pride beyond words.
The Poison Human's identity shook the heavens. Besides Master Wu Sanniang, Lan An had this mother as his shield?
The Liu Clan—birthplace of Poison Human Liu Yuqing, Night Moon Fairy Liu Shiquan, and Lan An himself—ascended overnight. Even Ninth-Rank powers dared not slight them. The Rear Palace's might alone could crush them.
Whispers abounded: Where did Lan An amass such wealth? Some claimed ancient inheritance. Others pointed to Wu Sanniang's coffers. The boldest insisted he shared a bed with Heavenly Leaf Dao, Saintess of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Whatever the truth, Lan An's fame soared unstoppable.
Sea Continent, Ninth-Rank Power – Sea Palace
Once enemies of Lan An, they now squirmed in panic. Palace Lord Hai Ying Tian personally visited Sea Rainbow Sect, bearing heaps of cultivation resources to bury old grudges. To prove sincerity, he exterminated the entire Chen Clan—after all, Chen Jue had sparked the feud.
New Sect Leader Shui Niang Khanh remained noncommittal. "I must consult my husband."
Water Spirit Fairy Shui Niang Khanh and Rear Palace Master Lan An shared Nirvana Spirit Water—proof of their marital bond. With Lan An's fame skyrocketing, Sea Rainbow Sect trumpeted the connection, their prestige now rivaling the heavens.
Likewise, the Ai Clan loudly celebrated their son-in-law—hardly a secret. They hosted lavish banquets honoring Patriarch Ai's breakthrough to mid-Body Integration, courtesy of Lan An's gifted technique. The Ai Clan now eyed Ninth-Rank status.
On Elf Island, Princess A Ni proudly declared: "Only a suitor whose gifts surpass Lan An's may court my mother, the Elf Queen."
Bai Xiaosheng nearly spat blood. Such dowry demands? Even my father Bai Wusheng couldn't meet them! His hatred for Lan An burned hotter.
Dark Abyss Continent
The chiefs of Monkey Clan, Bat Clan, and Wolf Clan met in secret, plotting against the ever-rising Lan An and his Rear Palace.
The blood feud with him and Diyama Yueqi was irreconcilable. Rather than await vengeance, they gritted their teeth and chose submission.
The three clans pledged allegiance to Heavenly Demon Academy, merging as vassals under its protection.
If even the human Lac Clan could kneel to the Academy, beast clans face no barrier.
"Good. We'll link with the Lac Clan and crush Lan An. Rumor has it Lan Yu rises swiftly…"*
The chiefs nodded as one.
Kun Clan – One of Dark Abyss's Three Ninth-Rank Beast Powers
Beneath the lightless abyss, where sunbeams dared not tread, countless Crystal Palaces glowed like fallen stars, claiming a vast swath of ocean. None dared trespass.
In the grandest palace, a scarred elder clutched a Liu Yingyu, trembling as he watched Huo Ming Cult Leader Huo Wuya flee in terror from a silly, adorable girl.
That girl was Kun Mingyue.
Had Lan An been present, he would recognize the elder as Kun Huang, who once traded a single blow with Diyama Yueqi in Dark Abyss.
"Big Sister…"
After eons, Kun Huang's voice cracked. Tears mingled with seawater.
He had scoured every corner of the star for her, finding nothing. Now she appeared—how could his eyes stay dry?
Kun Mingyue was Kun Huang's elder sister. No wonder she wielded Northern Deep Water Wind Art – Devouring Heaven and Earth.
Long ago, the siblings co-created the art. Yet Kun Mingyue credited Kun Huang alone, caring nothing for fame.
During her inheritance to become Clan Leader, a heart demon struck. She broke free in madness and vanished, shaking the Kun Clan.
Back then, Kun Mingyue was the clan's supreme genius, unmatched in renown. She and Kun Huang—direct descendants of the previous leader—were Princess and Prince of the Kun.
The title Kun Huang was no empty boast.
"Wife, I must visit the Rear Palace. I have to bring Big Sister home…" Kun Huang inhaled, beaming at the old woman opposite.
"I support you!" Her cloudy eyes sparkled with joy.
For years, they had searched. Now she was found—how could they let her go?
As Kun Huang prepared to depart, the palace shuddered. The seafloor split. A regal elder emerged.
He wore deep azure robes embroidered with a winged whale that could eclipse the skies. Black hair and beard flowed like the abyss. His gaze thundered with innate majesty.
"Greetings, Royal Uncle!"
Kun Huang and his wife bowed.
Kun Liehai, uncle to Kun Mingyue and Kun Huang, brother to their late father—the previous Clan Leader.
When their father perished of lifespan, Kun Mingyue should have inherited. But during final inheritance, her heart demon erupted, and she fled.
Thus, Kun Liehai temporarily held the throne. As a Seventh-Grade Perfection beast and royal uncle, none contested him.
"Little Huang, you seek Mingyue?" Kun Liehai glanced at the Liu Yingyu, voice low.
"Yes, Royal Uncle! We've searched bitterly for years. Now we have news—I must bring Big Sister home!" Kun Huang beamed.
"From the recording, Mingyue remains unhealed. Can you cure her?" Kun Liehai's tone carried hidden meaning.
"I…" Kun Huang faltered, then steeled himself. "Even if I can't yet, I must see her. Let her know she still has family."
His wife nodded firmly.
"You are mistaken!" Kun Liehai reprimanded. "Mingyue's affliction may never lift. Let her live carefree—that is best. The Rear Palace suits her. We need only know she is safe. No need to retrieve her."
Kun Huang's face twisted. "Royal Uncle, you are wrong! Big Sister was proud and transcendent—our clan's future! Father said she had the greatest chance to reach Eighth-Grade among all Kun. How can we accept her living in a fog?"
"Hmph. Give me a cure, and this Clan Leader will allow her return!" Kun Liehai snorted.
His words grew absurd, even daring to claim the title before Kun Huang. Rage ignited.
"Royal Uncle, as an elder, you should seek to restore her—not surrender so easily!" Kun Huang's wife gripped his hand.
"You have no right to question this Clan Leader!" Kun Liehai snapped.
"My mind is set. I will see Big Sister—even if she stays." Kun Huang declared. At minimum, he would ensure Lan An treated her well.
"This Clan Leader forbids it. Let fate run its course. When she recovers, she will return herself!" Kun Liehai commanded.
Kun Huang laughed in fury, joy at finding his sister extinguished. He roared:
"Royal Uncle, are you afraid Big Sister will reclaim the throne? Remember—it was never yours!"
"INSOLENCE!" Kun Liehai's face contorted. The ocean howled. Space fractured.
Kun Huang and his wife paled, coughing blood under the pressure of Seventh-Grade Perfection.
"You dare treason? In our brother's name, I punish you—one hundred years imprisonment for insulting your uncle!" Kun Liehai thundered.
"You dare? Replace Father to discipline me? You lack the right!"
Kun Huang bellowed. His newly broken early Seventh-Grade erupted. He morphed into a colossal whale, maw yawning as Water Wind Devouring Heaven and Earth condensed.
His wife transformed into a white whale, Sixth-Grade Perfection, unleashing tsunamis.
"Overestimating yourselves. Treason against this Clan Leader—add another century!"
Kun Liehai sneered, remaining human. He raised both palms.
A shockwave detonated. Marine life prostrated in terror.
BOOM!
The Crystal Palace crumbled to dust. The couple's titanic forms hurled backward, flesh shredded, on death's door.
The gap was insurmountable.
"Ocean Prison Suppression!"
Kun Liehai intoned. The sea knelt. Water condensed into a colossal cage, swallowing the couple and sinking into the abyss.
"Kun Liehai… cough… the day Big Sister returns… is your doom!"
Kun Huang's broken yet defiant voice echoed from the depths.
Kun Liehai's eyes narrowed. He muttered to himself:
"This Clan Leader refuses to believe she can ever recover."