"What!?"
Su Yan's words stunned not only Wang Ying's trio but also the Hundred Flowers Sect elders, whose jaws dropped.
The Harem Lord Lan An was her destined partner—arranged by Wu San Niang!?
The elders exchanged glances. If true, the Sect Leader and three Saintesses… this was outrageous!
"Impossible—absurd!" Wang Ying rejected it first, finding it harder to believe than a sow climbing a tree.
"Sect Leader Su jests. I know your three Saintesses are involved with Lan An. How could you…" Ming Ngo inhaled deeply, speaking calmly.
"Hmph, so it's that pretty boy? Late Soul Transformation, Top 10 Golden Ranking—laughable! This King has long wanted a fight!" Ba Li Jiao Huang snorted, fuming at being outranked by a snot-nosed brat.
"It's my master's will. I don't oppose. Please leave," Su Yan ordered, evicting them. She didn't want to burden Lan An.
Mentioning him now was strategic—news would spread eventually. Better to reveal it now and deter pests like Wang Ying.
"Damn it! That bastard Lan An has a Harem and still dares covet my fairy!" Wang Ying raged.
Ming Ngo's face darkened silently. Lan An was a major client of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, yielding profits far beyond his branch. But he wouldn't yield Su Yan—she was the only woman he desired.
"Hmph, this King will crush Lan An and show her who's worthy!" Ba Li Jiao Huang vowed inwardly.
As tension thickened, a Hundred Flowers Sect enforcer rushed in, breathless:
"Sect Leader, Elders—Young Master Lan An has come to propose! It's chaos outside!"
"What!?" Faces shifted. Even the serene Su Yan trembled, complex emotions flooding her eyes.
Seeing her reaction, Wang Ying and Ming Ngo exchanged unwilling glances, gritting teeth.
They'd teach that greedy bastard a lesson.
The three shot outside. Su Yan and the elders followed.
Above the Hundred Flowers Sect, the Dream Immortal Boat's splendor awed countless female disciples.
Lan An stood at the bow, flanked by Yan Ruo Xue and Hua Yu Feng—stealing every spotlight.
Ruo Xue's silky blue hair was pinned high, her mature beauty enhanced by a gown accentuating her graceful, wifely allure and true expert's aura.
Yu Feng's proud face, phoenix eyes, and noble Phoenix Flower Robe radiated youthful charisma.
Between them, Lan An's robes fluttered, long hair loosely tied, devilishly handsome yet carefree—making countless disciples' eyes sparkle.
Lan An's legend was known sect-wide, especially as the man of three Saintesses. He dominated their gossip. Many envied the Saintesses, wishing they could join the Harem.
"Stunning scenery!"
Lan An's first visit to the Hundred Flowers Palace drew praise. The lush, picturesque landscape, dotted with flower-like beauties, was every man's paradise.
In overall strength, the Hundred Flowers Sect paled against the Spirit Island. But in scenery and beauties, they were equals.
Then, Su Yan entered his sight.
Their eyes met—a spark jolted them.
Lan An smiled warmly, descending with Ruo Xue and Yu Feng.
"Third Sister, long time no see…" he said to Su Yan, then politely greeted the elders.
"Master!" Ruo Xue and Yu Feng cooed, diving into their masters' arms, inhaling deeply, eyes misty.
Yan Ruo Lan and Hua Yu Luan's hearts melted. No matter their status, they were still their beloved disciples.
"Home safe—that's what matters. You've suffered," the elders said, eyes damp. They knew rapid growth demanded hardship.
"No suffering! How about you, Masters—happy and healthy?" the girls asked in unison.
"We're in the Hundred Flowers Sect—what's not to enjoy? Cultivation, gossip, sect duties…" the masters smiled warmly. Their disciples' achievements felt dreamlike, yet pride swelled.
The pure master-disciple reunion moved the sect.
Su Yan's nose tingled, asking Lan An,
"How's Mi'er?"
He secretly transmitted Su Mi's awakening of a legendary physique, clarifying her misunderstood talent—not seduction, but assassination. She was cultivating the Nine Yin Divine Art, unknown when she'd emerge.
Su Yan's eyes turned complex. Without him, Mi'er might never awaken her physique or correct her path—all due to her limited knowledge as a master.
"Don't blame yourself, Third Sister. Mi'er's awakening was coincidence. Even our master couldn't foresee it!" Lan An comforted.
Even Jin Er couldn't detect latent physiques before awakening.
"Young Master Lan, thank you for caring for these girls and their astonishing progress!" Hua Yu Luan and Yan Ruo Lan said sincerely.
"Ruo Xue and Yu Feng are my treasures. No need for thanks!" Lan An replied earnestly, then solemnly addressed Su Yan and the elders:
"This junior intrudes to secure lifelong happiness for Mi'er, Feng'er, and Xue'er. I seek the sect's permission to propose! Betrothal gifts are ready—a token of my heart."
Prepared, the elders weren't shocked. Yan Ruo Lan nodded gently,
"Anything else?"
Lan An nodded, softly to Su Yan,
"First, propose to the three. Second, fulfill Master's pact with Third Sister!"
Su Yan trembled, indescribable feelings rising, speechless.
"What pact? Care to elaborate?" Hua Yu Luan and the elders grew curious at her reaction.
"We'll fight. If I win, I'm qualified to protect her forever!" Lan An grinned.
"Master said reach Void Refining!" Su Yan finally spoke, voice cool but trembling. She thought this day far off—or never, if she cultivated harder. It came too soon.
"That was Master's estimate. I can't wait!" Lan An said tenderly.
Before she replied…
"Hmph, you protect the fairy?" A ferocious voice cut in, frowning Ruo Xue and Yu Feng.
Lan An had noticed Wang Ying's trio, assuming guests, but the horned brute interrupted.
He opened his mouth, but Su Yan stepped forward, blocking him—her fragrance intoxicating.
"The Hundred Flowers Sect has private matters. Please leave," she told the trio coldly, annoyed at Ba Li Jiao Huang's intrusion.
Wang Ying and Ming Ngo cursed the pig teammate. Wait for their talk to end before showing off! Interrupting with beastly manners—zero class!
But Su Yan's eviction order meant missing this chance could lose her forever. In for a penny…
Wang Ying and Ming Ngo stepped forward:
"Ming Ngo/Wang Ying—we admire the Hundred Flowers Fairy. You claim to protect her, but you lack qualification. We'll test you!"
They declared war—Lan An wasn't worthy.
"You…" Su Yan fumed. Her worst fear—trouble for Lan An—caused by her.
"Don't overthink. Men settle this," Lan An grasped her soft hand, pulling her behind.
Her body jolted, hand burning, a strange warmth rising as his broad back shielded her.
Seeing him hold Su Yan's hand, the trio's eyes narrowed.
Lan An met their gazes, amused.
Compared to schemers like Bai Lie or Bai Xiao Sheng targeting women, he respected direct men like these—bold in love, bold in rivalry, with an irrefutable reason.
He recognized their Golden Ranking names and sensed their extraordinary backgrounds from cultivation. Yet, they didn't flaunt backing—admirable.
But admiration didn't mean mercy. They eyed his woman—he'd make them suffer.
"Honestly, whether I can protect Third Sister is for her to judge, not you. Even facing death, I'd die before her—no need for outsiders' concern…" Lan An said calmly.
"You pretty boy…" Ba Li Jiao Huang raged, about to charge—his temper explosive.
Lan An implied they were a couple; the trio, nosy outsiders.
Wang Ying and Ming Ngo restrained him, waiting.
Lan An continued leisurely,
"Some men, no matter how strong, are useless if the woman doesn't want their protection—yet they cling, refusing truth…"
"Young Master Lan, to the point!" Ming Ngo's face darkened. Lan An's calm words stung—truth hurt.
Wang Ying clenched fists. His first romantic defeat—before his beloved.
Lan An smirked,
"My point: your challenge reason is childish—fit to provoke a toddler…"
"Coward! Scared to fight?" Ba Li Jiao Huang growled.
"Hmph, Top 10 Golden Ranking—empty fame!" Wang Ying sneered.
"No… I'm not done!" Lan An shook his head, staring them down, domineering:
"I accept! Simply because you piss me off. I want to beat you senseless—not for your stupid reason. Got it?"