"Who else would it be?" A Nhi huffed petulantly, her petite form darting to the pavilion like a dragonfly skimming water.
"General pays respects to the Princess!" A Lian Ya stood, saluting formally.
"No need for formalities, Sister Lian Ya!" A Nhi giggled, her eyes crinkling, and leapt into Lan An's lap, settling comfortably.
Lan An's face froze in shock. He'd guessed A Nhi's beauty was remarkable, but it surpassed his imagination, rivaling Jin'er's. This little girl, when grown, would be a calamity capable of toppling empires.
"Elven Princess, you're getting cuter!" Tian Die Dao's eyes sparkled as she swooped in, scooping A Nhi up with a radiant smile.
"Hmph, Holy Maiden, stay away from my mother. I've decided to marry her to Brother Tieu Nam!" A Nhi declared, puffing her cheeks and planting her hands on her hips.
"Pfft!"
The group choked on their tea in unison. Even Lan An coughed violently, while Yan Yue Qi's eyes glinted with dangerous amusement.
"Little girl, don't spout nonsense, or the Elf Queen will boot me off Elf Island," Lan An hurriedly clarified, maintaining decorum.
"Cowardly Brother, with A Nhi as your matchmaker, what's to fear? Mother's never looked at men, but you're the first she personally invited to Elf Island. You've got a big chance!" A Nhi winked, giggling.
The Elven Queendom had strategists who curated the guest list for the birthday celebration, but Lan An was personally invited by the Elf Queen herself. The group's expressions turned odd, Tian Die Dao grinding her teeth in jealousy, Yan Yue Qi smirking cryptically, and A Lian Ya pretending not to hear the bombshell.
"Ahem, alright, what's this gift for your brother?" Lan An redirected, uneasy under the women's peculiar stares.
"Ta-da!" A Nhi mimicked a fanfare, pulling a fluffy white rabbit from her chest. Its large, watery eyes sparkled with life, dangling by its ears in her grasp. A soothing fragrance spread, lingering endlessly.
"A rabbit?" The group exchanged glances, their faces soon turning grave. The rabbit's scent was potent, drawing ambient Spiritual Energy toward it.
"Million-Year Ginseng?" A Lian Ya leapt up. This rabbit was a sentient ginseng from Elf Island, among its rarest spiritual herbs.
The group snapped to attention. No wonder the rabbit seemed mystical—it was a ginseng so ancient it had taken animal form. "Ginseng is prone to gaining sentience, often transforming into animals that roam freely," Cheng Bich explained with her vast knowledge, smiling.
"Here, Brother, take it!" A Nhi grinned adorably, handing the rabbit to Lan An.
"Thank you, Little Sister!" Lan An nodded sincerely, storing it in his Spirit Realm Pearl to hop about freely.
"No need to thank me! You gave me the Agarwood Fruit, and I've used it!" A Nhi laughed brightly. With a thought, a fragrance even more pleasant than the ginseng's wafted from her, enchanting the group. The Agarwood Fruit gave her a natural, controllable scent.
Lan An smiled. Compared to the Million-Year Ginseng, the Agarwood Fruit was negligible. The Elf Queen's protection against Old Man Ice Sword was a debt he'd never forget. Given the chance, he'd repay Elf Island tenfold.
As the group chatted merrily, a voice resounded through the air: "Hundred Spirits Academy—Young Master Bach Hieu Sinh arrives!"
Lan An's cheerful expression darkened, a flash of killing intent in his black-and-white eyes. "This is Elf Island. Respect the Elf Queen," Yan Yue Qi transmitted, gripping his hand, fearing he'd act rashly.
Lan An nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. The Hundred Spirits Academy's inclusion on the guest list was expected, but Bach Hieu Sinh's presence was not. The women noticed their shift, silently understanding the cause but saying nothing.
Above, two figures emerged from the void. A refined Asian youth, his black hair casually tied up, wore flowing white robes, fanning himself with a folding fan. His handsome, courteous demeanor exuded approachability—Bach Hieu Sinh. Behind him, a hunched, white-haired elder with wrinkled skin followed respectfully, a Body Integration Early Stage powerhouse, narrowing Lan An's eyes.
"Hieu Sinh greets the Elf Queen and Elf Island," Bach Hieu Sinh said warmly, clasping his hands with effortless grace.
"Hmph, hypocrite!" Tian Die Dao sneered, disdain in her eyes. Even her innocent persona scorned him, a testament to his character. Outsiders would surely be charmed by his facade.
"What an honor for Young Master Bach to visit Elf Island," a stunning Elven general rose into the air, greeting him warmly.
"I'm flattered, but where's General Lian Ya?" Bach Hieu Sinh asked with a hint of regret, feigning nonchalance.
"Sister Lian Ya is occupied. We've prepared quarters for you, Young Master. Please follow," the general replied gracefully.
Bach Hieu Sinh nodded, his gaze locking onto the pavilion where Lan An and the women sat. "Interesting," he murmured, lips curving as he descended, the elder trailing like a shadow.
Seeing him approach, Tian Die Dao huffed, "An uninvited thick-skinned guest. Dao Dao's not pleased!"
Wu Ji flashed into a dark blur, reappearing before Bach Hieu Sinh, stating coldly, "My lady doesn't welcome you. Leave."
"Shadow Fairy, please understand, I only wish to greet Lian Ya and Twin Moon," Bach Hieu Sinh said calmly, his fan fluttering.
With his status, he feared Myriad Treasures Pavilion little. Ranked below Tian Die Dao on the Golden Rank, his background as the son of the Hundred Spirits Academy's Headmaster, a Tribulation Crossing powerhouse, gave him unshakable confidence.
"Lian Ya and Twin Moon are my lady's guests," Wu Ji emphasized, gripping her twin black daggers behind her back.
"Oh? I'd like to test the Shadow Fairy's strength. A panther's taste must be exquisite," Bach Hieu Sinh smirked, his gaze lingering on her daggers with deep intent.
Swoosh!
To Lan An's shock, Li Huan transformed into a cloth dummy, her curvaceous form vanishing. She reappeared beside Bach Hieu Sinh, a two-meter katana at his throat, her calm eyes radiating killing intent, a pouch of shuriken at her waist.
"Ninja?" Lan An muttered, intrigued by Li Huan's display.
Cheng Bich and Bao Qiao didn't lag. Cheng Bich's robes billowed as she rose, two massive wooden puppets appearing beside her like guardian deities, their sturdiness rivaling ancient trees, exuding Void Refinement aura. "Puppet Master?" Lan An gasped again.
Bao Qiao twirled, her brush painting swift strokes on paper, conjuring powerful talismans with ease—a master Talisman Master, at least Sixth Grade. "Talisman Master?" Lan An stood, overwhelmed by the surprises.
Each of Tian Die Dao's maids wielded unique talents: Wu Ji, a speed-and-power beast; Li Huan, a ninja skilled in assassination; Cheng Bich, a Puppet Master; Bao Qiao, a high-level Talisman Master. United, they blocked Bach Hieu Sinh, ready to strike if he advanced.
"Worthy of Myriad Treasures Pavilion," Lan An murmured, settling back, eyes gleaming with intrigue. Yan Yue Qi, familiar with their prowess, calmly poured him tea.
The elder behind Bach Hieu Sinh moved to intervene, but Bach stopped him, smiling at the four. "Ladies, you scare me, but this is Elf Island—no place for fighting. I only wish to speak with Lian Ya and Twin Moon, not to trouble your lady."
Tian Die Dao snorted, her innocent and cold personas teetering on the edge of switching.
"I've no words for a sneak-attacking coward, save one—fight!" Yan Yue Qi's eyes flashed, her lips parting sharply, thunder crackling in Lan An's gaze.
"Young Master Bach is a guest. Please rest. I'm occupied with the Treasure Dragon Fairy today," A Lian Ya said, sensing the tension and declining politely.
As an Elven genius with stunning beauty, she had many suitors in the Sea Continent, Bach Hieu Sinh likely among them. He'd appeared during her missions off-island, and now here. Though unsure of his true intentions, her elders had warned her to keep her distance.
"No one welcomes you. Leave," Wu Ji said, gripping her daggers, darkness swirling, the sky dimming.
The other three stood resolute. Though few knew of Bach Hieu Sinh's ambush on Yan Yue Qi, Myriad Treasures Pavilion's intelligence network had uncovered it, even identifying the attacker as a Hundred Spirits Academy elder. Tian Die Dao, fond of Yan Yue Qi, and her maids had since despised him.
Seeing the cold reception, Bach Hieu Sinh remained unruffled, shifting his gaze to Lan An with feigned surprise. "Isn't this the renowned Young Master Lan An? Hieu Sinh has long admired your name. Care for a drink?"
The women sneered—his thick skin was beyond imagination. Such a composed, powerful, and well-backed foe was the most dangerous. They looked to Lan An, curious for his response.
Lan An's black-and-white eyes met Bach Hieu Sinh's refined, sincere face. Spitting on the ground, he uttered one word: "Scram!"
The women nearly laughed, A Nhi clapping gleefully. "Insolent brat! Do you know who you're facing?" the elder roared, his Body Integration aura surging toward Lan An.
"Old dog, you're angering this Holy Maiden!" Tian Die Dao stood, her lazy demeanor gone, replaced by cold nobility. Her aura erased the elder's pressure, the faint cry of the Golden-Winged Great Peng echoing through the space.
The elder's eyes shifted, and Bach Hieu Sinh's face grew grave. He hadn't expected Lan An's brazen disrespect or Tian Die Dao's fierce reaction. His true target wasn't A Lian Ya but the Elf Queen, elusive and rarely leaving the island. He'd approached A Lian Ya to bridge that gap.
Years ago, while pursuing Yan Yue Qi to Elf Island, the Elf Queen had saved her, revealing her unveiled face. Since then, Bach Hieu Sinh had been captivated, dreaming of her. He believed only she was worthy of him in the Sea Continent, bolstered by his father's Tribulation Crossing status. The Elf Queen's centennial birthday was his chance.
"Scram!" Tian Die Dao, losing patience, struck at Bach Hieu Sinh. A savage cry rang out as her hand transformed into a Great Peng's claw, its domineering force tearing space.
"Night Blade Slash!" Wu Ji became a shadow, her twin daggers slashing from above.
"Great Force Twin Fists!" Cheng Bich commanded, her giant puppets launching massive fists, shattering space.
"Shadow Evasion!" Li Huan vanished, her katana slicing horizontally, leaving a black gash in the void, aimed at Bach Hieu Sinh's neck.
Bao Qiao spun, her dual talismans—one ice, one fire—exploding with destructive power, collapsing the void.
Tian Die Dao's attack seemed the least flashy but was the deadliest, her golden claw locking Bach Hieu Sinh's escape. A top-five Golden Ranker was not to be underestimated. Even the elder grew wary, his withered hand gathering power to counter.
Lan An and Yan Yue Qi stood, their Thunder Flame Mysterious Art and Golden Crow Thunder Break flaring. At the critical moment, a massive shield broke through the air, an indomitable wall before Bach Hieu Sinh.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The terrifying attacks struck the shield, unleashing earth-shattering roars, the pavilion crumbling. Yet all were blocked. The verdant-white Wooden King Shield, towering into the clouds, stood unyielding.
"The Wooden King Shield? The Elf Queen's hand!" A Lian Ya murmured.
Amid the tense standoff, a gentle, melodious voice echoed: "Treasure Dragon Fairy, calm your anger. Young Master Hieu Sinh, please rest. This Queen apologizes for the delayed reception."
"The Elf Queen!" Bach Hieu Sinh's face lit with joy, fanning himself eagerly, scanning the void for her.
Only endless sky met his gaze, but her intervention satisfied him. Clasping his hands, he said, "My apologies, Your Majesty. I meant no conflict and will follow your arrangements."
With a flick of his fan, he and the elder retreated, vanishing swiftly. The Elf Queen's mystical voice soothed Tian Die Dao, her cold persona subsiding. Lan An and Yan Yue Qi's techniques dissipated, and the four maids returned to their places.
The Wooden King Shield loomed, the group's earlier ease gone. Lan An's eyes flickered. From this day, Bach Hieu Sinh's name was etched in his mind.