With Chen Kun under his control, Lan An passed through the Spirit Sensing Array with effortless grace.
As the array's creator, Chen Kun sensed his master's passage instantly. His hand clenched, cold sweat beading on his brow as he muttered, "I hope this lunatic doesn't do anything foolish. If he falls, my old life goes with him."
Chen Kun wasn't ready to die. Knowing Lan An was a soul cultivator, he speculated wildly about his true identity, his mind racing with possibilities.
Unconcerned with Chen Kun's thoughts, Lan An moved cautiously through the White Sand Palace. The closer he got to the core, the denser the earth spiritual energy became. The Spirit Earth Cauldron buzzed with excitement, confirming Chen Kun's words.
Woof! Woof!
A chorus of barks snapped Lan An's attention. Soldiers in white armor patrolled atop massive white-furred beasts, their sizes rivaling adult lions. These were the White Dog Legion, a hundred Fusion Realm elites, as Chen Kun had described.
Lan An's eyes narrowed. Nearly ten soldiers rode past, their fifth-grade White Dogs sniffing the air with keen noses, barking as they scoured for intruders. The White Bird Legion and White Dog Legion were small but elite, the dynasty's finest.
Sniff, sniff.
Two dogs paused near Lan An's position, noses twitching. Finding nothing, they bounded off, their sturdy limbs pounding the ground.
"This Breath Concealment Robe is worth its price," Lan An thought, pleased. The White Dogs were formidable, but his robe fooled their senses.
"Hmph, System-grade gear outclasses these low-grade beasts," Jin Ni huffed proudly.
Ignoring her, Lan An noted the White Dog Legion's presence meant the Scenic Land was near. Eagerly, he accelerated, pushing Piercing Vision to its limit.
The palace's core was less sprawling than expected, with fewer buildings, making it easier to scan. Yet, this simplicity puzzled him. Where was the Scenic Land hidden?
Then, two figures caught his eye, drawing him closer.
In a lavish courtyard within the palace's core, a sharp voice rang out, laced with Late Refining Void authority. "Fool! Have you forgotten who Lian Hua is to you?"
It was Bai Tian, the Crown Prince.
Facing him, Bai Lie's expression burned with fervor, undeterred by the reprimand. Though Lan An didn't know Bai Tian, his strength and presence in the core marked him as royalty. Their conversation piqued his interest, and he crept closer to eavesdrop.
"Brother, you know me," Bai Lie said, meeting Bai Tian's gaze. "I care nothing for power. In the entire White Sand Dynasty, only our sister and the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth catch my eye."
Bai Tian's face darkened, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes at the mention of the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth. But Bai Lie's next words softened his expression.
"I know I'm not strong enough to claim the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth," Bai Lie continued. "But Lian Hua… Brother, please help us be together."
Lan An's jaw dropped. The Second Prince's obsession with Bai Lian Hua ran deep.
Bai Tian's face soured. "Even in the cultivation world, incest is a stain. One misstep, and the White Sand Dynasty's name would be tarnished for millennia. I won't allow it."
Seeing Bai Lie's defiance, he added, "Besides, it's not my decision. What of Father and the Empress? Father might spare you for kinship, but the Empress? She'd crush you and Lady Man without hesitation."
At the mention of the Emperor and Empress, Bai Lie paled, shivering. Yet, thoughts of Bai Lian Hua's beauty reignited his madness. "I know it's hard, which is why I need you. As Crown Prince, you'll be Emperor one day. Grant me Lian Hua then!"
"Father's still alive, and you dare speak such treason?" Bai Tian snapped, feigning anger.
"Haha, Brother, I know you better than anyone," Bai Lie sneered. "You've coveted the throne for years, haven't you?"
"You—" Bai Tian's face flushed, but he regained his composure. "Don't speak nonsense. Father is a Mid Body Unity powerhouse. I'm a firefly to his moon. How could I dream of his throne?"
Lan An's heart skipped. The White Sand Emperor was Mid Body Unity—formidable. The dynasty's strength was terrifying.
This revealed a key difference between the White Sand Dynasty and the Ice Mysterious Empire. Both Ninth-Grade Powers, the Empire required emperors reaching Body Unity to abdicate, focusing on secluded cultivation for higher realms. The Dynasty, however, let the strongest hold the throne.
Yet, the Empire's past emperors, emerging from seclusion, might include Mid or even Late Body Unity cultivators. No wonder they let princes and princesses vie ruthlessly for the throne—Refining Void cultivators were mere pawns to a power with Body Unity backing. For Lan An to dominate the Ice Heaven Continent, as the System tasked, he'd need strength to rival Mid or Late Body Unity. The road ahead was long.
The brothers' conversation continued. "Father's strong, but he's grown complacent," Bai Lie said. "He lacks the courage to risk injury taming the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth. The Supreme Emperor and some courtiers are dissatisfied. If you, as Crown Prince, subdue it, I guarantee over seventy percent of the court will support your ascension. I'll lead your cause."
"What? Even the Supreme Emperor is displeased with Father?" Bai Tian's heart shook.
"Exactly," Bai Lie grinned confidently. "He told me himself. The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's unrest annoys him. Subdue it, and he'll favor you."
Bai Tian's breath quickened, enticed by the vision. Taming the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth could skyrocket his strength, perhaps pushing him to Body Unity in one leap. With court support, he could force his father to abdicate.
But he wasn't naive. Regaining calm, he shook his head. "You overestimate me. Can I really tame it?"
Bai Lie, prepared, smirked provocatively. "If you lack the guts, you'll forever cower in Father's shadow."
Bai Tian's face paled, the taunt striking his pride. Seizing the moment, Bai Lie pressed, "Even in its normal state, the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth is fearsome. But what if you strike when it's weakest?"
Bai Tian's eyes narrowed. "You mean during that time?"
Bai Lie nodded. "Yes. In two months, the Earth Battle Grand Assembly begins. The grand array will drain most of its power to fuel the Scenic Land. That's its weakest moment. Dare to try?"
Lan An's heart raced, his eyes glinting. Valuable information.
Bai Tian frowned. The White Sand Emperor had once tried this, only to be gravely injured by the weakened Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, never daring again. Seeing his hesitation, Bai Lie added, "Its allegiance isn't solely about strength. Father failed, but you might not."
Bai Tian fell silent, inwardly agreeing. Bai Lie stepped back, letting his brother decide.
"Fine," Bai Tian said, his eyes blazing. "I'll take the risk. If I claim the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth and rule the heavens, my first act will be to betroth Lian Hua to you."
He wasn't foolish. Failure meant injury and a reprimand, perhaps seclusion, but his Crown Prince status would hold. As royalty, he had the right to pursue the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth without opposition.
"Thank you, Brother," Bai Lie said, bowing, his eyes narrowing. "And I hope you'll deal with Third Brother…"
He mimed a throat-slitting gesture.
"What? Are you mad?" Bai Tian roared.
"Bai Yang covets Lian Hua," Bai Lie said coldly. "He must die."
Though he feigned camaraderie, Bai Lie saw Bai Yang as a rival. Only one could have Bai Lian Hua.
"Brother, Bai Yang's ambitions aren't limited to Lian Hua," Bai Lie sneered. "He eyes your Crown Prince title."
"Is that true?" Bai Tian's voice chilled.
"I wouldn't lie," Bai Lie said, producing an Image Recording Jade. "Check it yourself."
Bai Tian took it, studying Bai Lie before vanishing into the air.
Bai Lie lingered, a sly smile curling his lips. "Brother, if you tame the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, fine. If not, don't blame me for any accidents." He whispered, "Lian Hua, you're mine."
He strode off.
Watching him, Lan An sighed. The imperial family was ruthless—brothers and kin turned on each other for power and love. Bai Lie seemed brash but was cunning, his Golden List ranking well-earned.
Instinct urged Lan An to follow. Bai Lie didn't disappoint. Stopping at the palace's core, he chanted an incantation. The ground trembled violently.
A massive gate emerged, adorned with a colossal bear, its claws and fangs bared in majestic fury. Bai Lie pricked his finger, letting two drops of blood fall into the bear's hollow eyes.
Rumble!
Light flashed, and the gate creaked open. Earth spiritual energy poured out, thick and potent. Bai Lie stepped inside, unaware of the shadow trailing him.
As the gate sealed, a new world unfolded before Lan An. He smirked, heart pounding with excitement.
"The Scenic Land… I'm here."