Though the women had resided together in the Palace Tree during their seclusion, their focus on cultivation meant they hadn't truly bonded in ages. Lan An took the lead, introducing them to foster harmony, especially for newcomers like Kun Ming Yue and Hai Ling Long. The women marveled at the architectural treasures Lan An had acquired for the Spirit Realm Pearl, eagerly exploring the Four Seasons Mountain, Joyous Sea, and Crystal Palace. Their laughter echoed, carefree and vibrant.
Little Lion, in human form, joined the playful fray, darting among them with childlike glee. The harem buzzed with life, each woman a peerless beauty, their every gesture—be it a furrowed brow or a radiant smile—enough to captivate any man. Lan An, the fortunate witness, gazed at them with a contented heart, knowing he'd never tire of this scene.
Yet, duty called. Before him stood three colossal Intelligent Stone Statues from the Extreme Ice Demon Monarch's tomb, radiating no aura but possessing the might of Early Seventh-Turn Body Cultivators. Lan An focused, his soul force surging to erase the Monarch's lingering will, imprinting his own to claim them. The Monarch's death made this task straightforward, though time-consuming.
"White Sand Dynasty… I'll deliver justice for Qing Zhu!" Lan An's eyes gleamed with resolve. With his wives emerging and these statues under his command, his confidence for the Scenic Land soared.
"What's Husband doing?" the women asked, curiosity piqued as they gathered around the towering statues.
"Each statue rivals an Early Seventh-Turn Body Cultivator," Dan Meng Ji said gravely, her knowledge unmatched.
"Seventh-Turn? That's on par with Integration Stage!" the women gasped, awed by Lan An's acquisition.
"Amazing! Our harem's nearing Ninth-Grade Sect strength!" Li Zhu Luan beamed, her smile dazzling.
"Hmph, we could already challenge a Ninth-Grade Sect!" Yan Die Qing boasted, hands on hips.
"Oh, what about Bai Lian Hua and Hua Qing Zhu? Why hasn't Husband brought them in?" Hai Ling Long asked innocently, floating mid-air.
"The princess and the Empress?" The women's expressions turned odd.
Hai Ling Long nodded, recounting recent events on Lan An's behalf. The revelation stunned them—a Ninth-Grade Dynasty's princess and Empress, mother and daughter, both drawn into his harem. The implications were staggering.
Lan An, having just tamed the statues, felt a chill as his wives' piercing gazes turned on him. "Uh-oh," he muttered, sensing trouble.
As if to save him, the Spirit Realm Pearl's atmosphere grew scorching. A purple flame erupted, flooding the sky with fiery might and the aura of an Early Void Refinement cultivator.
"Sister broke through to Void Refinement!" Yan Die Qing cheered.
"Hong Lian's no ordinary talent," Mu Zi Yin mused, feeling a faint pressure despite her Mid Void Refinement cultivation.
All eyes turned expectantly. From the sea of flames emerged Yan Hong Lian, her red qipao hugging her voluptuous figure, fiery hair cascading like a blaze. Lan An's eyes sparkled as he stepped forward.
"Giggle, I'm a bit late. Sorry for keeping Husband and my sisters waiting!" Yan Hong Lian's sultry laugh rang out, her fiery aura retracting as she threw herself into his arms, kissing him passionately.
Their tongues danced under the women's gazes. Tuo Qing Xuan huffed softly, unaccustomed to such boldness. "The Nine Yang Divine Art is incredible," Yan Hong Lian gasped, pulling back. "I never imagined such a powerful technique existed!"
"It's your brilliance that makes it shine," Lan An praised sincerely. Her Great Sun Divine Body remained untapped, yet she'd reached Early Void Refinement through sheer talent and the Nine Yang Divine Art.
"Of course, I'm your wife!" Yan Hong Lian giggled, sticking out her tongue at the others. Noticing Yan Roxue's unfathomable aura, she pouted, rushing to her side. "Sister, what did that sneaky husband give you?"
Yan Die Qing eagerly spilled, "He gave Roxue a bloodline!" Yan Hong Lian, learning of Lan An's efforts in Sea Continent to prepare her future body, felt no jealousy, only warmth.
Suddenly, the heat plummeted, replaced by falling snowflakes and a misty drizzle. A rainbow arched across the sky. Two identical figures appeared—barefoot, crystalline, with flowing hair and icy, breathtaking beauty that felt untouchable.
"Sister!" Ji Bing's cold facade shattered, tears streaming as she threw herself into Ji Ya's arms, sobbing.
"Bing'er, what's wrong?" Ji Ya asked, bewildered by her sister's outburst.
Ji Bing clung tighter, crying without words. Lan An smiled, knowing her soul wounds had healed, her memories of Ji Ya restored. Some women, aware of her past, explained softly to the others, who wiped tears, relieved at the sisters' reunion and resentful toward the Heavenly Secret Palace.
A strong arm enveloped both sisters. "Naughty wives, forgetting your husband?" Lan An teased.
"Husband!" they exclaimed, embarrassed but eager, returning his embrace. Their cool, fragrant scent enveloped him.
Ji Ya fixed him with a piercing gaze. "You and Bing'er are hiding something, aren't you?"
Sighing, Lan An recounted Ji Bing's severe memory loss and her pretense of recovery. Ji Ya trembled, tears held back as she gazed at her sister. "You foolish girl, why go to such lengths?"
Ji Bing shook her head, smiling. She'd do it again without hesitation.
Ji Ya glared at Lan An, pinching his waist. "You conspired with her to deceive me all this time!"
He grinned sheepishly, hugging them as they descended. The past was behind them; he'd ensure no further harm came to them.
"Ji Bing greets our sisters. Thank you for your concern," Ji Bing said, her tone stiff but sincere.
"We're family, no need for formalities," Nam Cung Wan Rong said gracefully, taking her hand.
"Ji Ya, we meet again! Congrats on Late Void Refinement," Tuo Qing Xuan smiled, clasping Ji Ya's hand. Ji Ya's mastery of the Luo Moon Ice Scripture had spurred her breakthrough, while Ji Bing, recovering her memories, reached Mid Void Refinement, matching Mu Zi Yin.
The women's progress validated Lan An's investment in the Spirit Realm Pearl's cultivation haven. Even the Supreme Spirit Stone Staircase from the Extreme Ice Demon Monarch was displayed, boosting the realm's spiritual energy. If resources for the Acceleration Array ran low, he could repurpose parts of it.
A chilling breeze swept through as Shi Qin Palace's gates opened. A woman in pristine white glided forward, elegant and ethereal, a crescent mark on her forehead, eyes clear as autumn lakes, cheeks flushed, lips rosy—a perfect virtuous wife.
"Auntie!" Lan An rushed to her, lifting Liu Shi Qin in a princess carry, spinning her joyfully.
"Little Nam!" Liu Shi Qin's heart trembled, her longing for him overwhelming. During seclusion, his image fueled her cultivation, driving her to grow stronger to avoid burdening him, to find her sister, and to protect the Liu Clan.
Inspired by Hai You Qing's mystical singing and zither, which deepened her mastery of the Ice Moon Night Wind Sutra, she extended her seclusion, breaking through to Early Void Refinement. Now, she clung to him, uncaring of the world, embracing the man she shouldn't have claimed.
The women, like Mu Zi Yin, watched with amusement, long aware of their complex bond. Lan An lifted Liu Shi Qin's chin, kissing her luscious lips deeply before their eyes.
"Mmm…" Liu Shi Qin melted, her arms around his neck, lost in his masculine aura. Her lips, sweet and fragrant, entwined with his.
"Husband's unfair, our kisses were so short!" Yan Die Qing pouted.
Li Zhu Luan nodded, for once agreeing.
"Hehe, Master kissed me long and wet!" Bing Ling Er bragged, earning glares.
"Master has a special bond with Shi Qin," Little Lion said, her voice calm but perceptive.
The women nodded. Liu Shi Qin's bond with Lan An mixed familial and romantic love, and they harbored no jealousy.
"Enough, they're laughing!" Liu Shi Qin, blushing, pushed him away, resuming her fairy-like grace, holding his hand.
"Should we call her Auntie or Sister Shi Qin?" Yan Hong Lian teased.
"Both, like Master-Sister!" Li Zhu Luan giggled, dodging Mu Zi Yin's mock glare.
"Why do you all bicker? It's fun—I want to try!" Kun Ming Yue's childish voice made them blush. She pounced, pinning Lan An with her long legs, kissing him clumsily.
Lan An indulged her naive kiss, gently holding her waist. Her mental condition needed gradual care, and this was a start.
"Ow, that hurts!" he yelped as she bit his lip with her strong teeth.
The women roared with laughter.
"Su Mei hasn't stirred…" Hua Yu Feng murmured to Yan Roxue, who nodded, expectant.
ROAR!
A deafening sound shook the Spirit Realm Pearl. The massive Heavenly Star Deer Egg in Suo Mai Palace shattered. A colossal white shadow, like a primordial beast, flashed briefly before vanishing.
A woman emerged, clad in starlit white robes, radiant and pure. Her silvery hair cascaded past her curvaceous hips, her brows and lashes white, her skin flawless beyond description, her lips a vivid pink—a masterpiece of creation.
"Gorgeous…" the women breathed, entranced.
Even Lan An, familiar with every inch of her, was spellbound.
Bai Suo Mai had emerged.
Jin Ni appeared on his shoulder, eyeing her. "A perfect transformation…"