Hearing the Supreme Emperor's roar, the Second Elder reacted first. Channeling all his strength, white sand filled the sky as he unleashed two Earth King Seals, smashing the two colossal Stone Golems back, then tore through space to escape.
The Second Elder's strength slightly surpassed the golems, but he couldn't destroy them, only entangle them in prolonged combat. Now, with the Supreme Emperor's order to flee, he acted decisively.
Lan An, seeing this, considered ordering the golems to self-detonate to stop him but abandoned the idea.
First, sacrificing the golems would cost the Harem two Integration-level fighters, a heavy loss given their limited numbers.
Second, even a self-detonation might not kill the Second Elder. If he escaped, the loss would be too great.
Letting the Second Elder flee to preserve the golems was a fair trade.
But while the Second Elder could escape due to his strength, the others wouldn't be so lucky.
Under Lan An's command, the two golems, repelled by the Second Elder, split directions—one attacking Bai Zhi, the other targeting Yu Mu.
Bai Zhi, already gravely injured, couldn't flee. Each attempt to slip into space was thwarted as the golem dragged him back. Surrounded, his head was crushed to pulp, his Nascent Soul fleeing.
Lan An seized the moment, flashing forward with Speed Shift, sneering at him,
"Old dog, did you think of this day when you used your authority to attack me?"
"Lan An, I was blind to your greatness. Spare me, and I'll serve you!" Bai Zhi's Nascent Soul trembled, pleading desperately.
"Haha, a coward like you? I'd disdain you as a slave!" Lan An scoffed, piercing his head with a Star-Piercing Finger, easily slaying Bai Zhi.
"Soul Seizure!"
Absorbing an Early Integration soul boosted his Soul Cultivation slightly, nearing a breakthrough, filling him with satisfaction.
On the other side, Yu Mu was trapped by Hua Ming, unable to escape. Despite his frenzied attacks, they were futile.
The Hua Clan was stronger than the Yu Clan, and Hua Ming outclassed Yu Mu. With a Stone Golem's aid, Yu Mu's fall was inevitable.
"Hua Clan, becoming the Harem's dogs won't end well for you!" Yu Mu roared venomously before dying, trying to sow discord.
Hua Ming laughed dismissively, "Petty schemes. My son-in-law is the Harem Master—others would beg for such a role!"
His Earth-Ice Falling Petal Palm roared, combining with the golem to crush Yu Mu into mincemeat, joining his ill-fated son, Yu Chen.
Lan An seized the chance, using Soul Seizure to ensure Yu Mu never reincarnated.
"Father-in-law, you've worked hard!" Lan An bowed respectfully to Hua Ming.
Etiquette toward elders was essential.
"Good, good, good! A hero rises young. Xiao Zhu chose well!" Hua Ming laughed heartily, tears streaming down. The Hua Clan's years of grievances were resolved in his generation, thanks to this son-in-law.
"After this, I'll formally propose to Qing Zhu at the Hua Clan!" Lan An said firmly.
"No need for extravagance. Just treat her and her mother well!" Hua Ming patted his shoulder, his words profound.
"Haha, I'm just afraid they'll bully me!" Lan An grinned awkwardly. These old foxes had keen eyes, unbothered by worldly ethics, accepting the unconventional bond between him, Qing Zhu, and her mother.
But he wouldn't let the Hua Clan suffer. Trusting the Harem deserved fitting rewards.
Hua Ming didn't linger, descending to tend to Hua Jue, the Hua Clan's eldest and strongest elder, who couldn't be neglected.
The Yu Clan elders were all blocked by the Hua Clan's elders. Lan An collected numerous souls, nearing Peak Spirit Transformation for his Soul Cultivation.
During the battle, the Hua Clan lost two Void Refinement elders, a sorrowful cost. But war was cruel—even Mu Zi Yin nearly fell. Survivors could only accept reality.
Lan An's gaze turned to the Supreme Emperor in the sky.
"Die!"
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth smashed both fists down, sending the Supreme Emperor crashing to the ground.
Bai Suo Mai seized the moment, whipping her massive tail at him.
Seeing only the Second Elder escaped, the Supreme Emperor's heart ached, despair rising. Bai Tian's dream of restoring the dynasty seemed impossibly hard.
"I'll die gloriously! Anomalous Earth, Demon Serpent, you won't have peace!" The Supreme Emperor roared, his Spiritual Energy nearly depleted, unable to wield the White Jade Seal.
With madness in his eyes, he hurled the White Jade Seal skyward before the Anomalous Earth and Bai Suo Mai, sneering,
"Explode!"
"Not good!" Bai Suo Mai reacted swiftly, retreating to the Palace Tree with a thought. Her Spiritual Energy drained, she couldn't defend or dodge, only flee.
Having seen her sisters do so, her action was seamless.
BOOM!
The White Jade Seal detonated like a nuclear blast, shattering the sky, leaving countless spatial fragments.
ROAR!
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth roared, a third of its massive body blown away, white sand scattering in a tragically beautiful scene. Earth Elements quickly reformed the bear, smaller than before.
Depleted by the Supreme Emperor, it would need time to recover, fueling its rage.
"Damn old man!" The Anomalous Earth bellowed. This man, whose dynasty thrived because of it, dared harm it in his final act?
Furious, black chains of Black Sand surged, binding the Supreme Emperor and pinning him to the ground, its massive foot stomping down coldly.
The Supreme Emperor, now like a frail mortal, exhausted from battling Hua Jue and Bai Suo Mai, and weakened by his secret art's backlash, lay motionless as the foot descended.
"Built by the Anomalous Earth, ruined by the Anomalous Earth!"
Tears welled in his clouded eyes, memories flashing like a slow-motion film, filled with endless regret.
If he hadn't imprisoned the Anomalous Earth despite its pleas for freedom…
If he hadn't suppressed the loyal Hua Clan out of fear…
If he hadn't coveted Wen Lang's techniques to boost the dynasty…
The outcome might've been different.
But there were no "ifs," no regret pills.
Splat!
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth's colossal body crushed the Supreme Emperor's frail form. Lan An seized the moment, using Soul Seizure.
"AAA!"
Excruciating pain surged in his mind. The Soul-Nurturing Lotus spun rapidly, countless soul scriptures chanting, easing the pain and aiding his refinement of a Late Integration soul.
His Soul Power surged, breaking through to Peak Spirit Transformation, even climbing toward Void Refinement before stopping.
Lan An frowned, feeling no joy in the breakthrough. His soul felt unstable, loose, unlike its usual solidity.
"Your soul hasn't consolidated. Rapid breakthroughs and absorbing resentful enemy souls have destabilized it. You must let the Soul-Nurturing Lotus and Immortal Scriptures purify your soul. Avoid Soul Seizure for a long time!" Jin'er concluded after observing.
Lan An nodded wryly. He'd been greedy. After breaking through against the Beast Taming War Sect, he'd reached Peak Spirit Transformation too soon. Avoiding soul damage was already fortunate.
"Kid, when's the deal?" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, like a guardian deity, loomed behind Lan An.
"No rush. I need to heal my wives first!" Lan An waved dismissively.
The Anomalous Earth huffed angrily. I'm the mightiest Anomalous Earth! Countless desire me. Why doesn't this kid value me?
Seeing the Supreme Emperor's tragic end, Lan An and the Hua Clan experts fell silent. Undeniably, he was a formidable figure.
Without the Anomalous Earth's intervention, the outcome might've differed.
With Bai Suo Mai and Hua Jue incapacitated, and the Supreme Emperor retaining some Spiritual Energy, the scales could've tipped.
Alas, built by the Anomalous Earth, ruined by it.
"It'll be tough ahead!" Hua Ming laughed to the Hua Clan elders, their eyes teary but faces brimming with excitement, seeing dawn after dark days, hopeful for a bright future.
"Henceforth, only the Hua Clan, a vassal of the Harem, exists—no White Sand Dynasty!" Hua Ming declared boldly, his voice, infused with Spiritual Energy, echoing across the sky, proclaiming to the world.
"Yes!"
The elders responded in unison. They didn't aspire to be another White Sand Dynasty. Being the Hua Clan was enough. With strength, whether clan or dynasty, prestige was assured.
Commoners and minor forces seeking peace could align with the Hua Clan, which would build a dreamlike domain like the Yan Clan's.
No need for empires or dynasties.
Lan An's gaze swept the heavens and earth, a heroic feeling swelling within.
The Harem's debut had toppled a Ninth-Grade force. Though two fish slipped the net, this feat ensured no one on the Vietnam Dragon Star would underestimate the Harem.
The Hua Clan would follow the Yan Clan's model, creating a vast, peaceful domain where all were equal—noble or lowly, strong or mortal.
No kneeling or chanting "long live" before the Hua Clan.
This was Yan Yue Qi and the women's dream. Bai Lian Hua wept hearing it, and Lan An wholeheartedly supported it—as long as his wives were happy.
The war ended, leaving a ruined city. Restoring White Emperor City's prosperity would take time.
"Giggle, what a spectacular show!"
A charming laugh rang out. Lan An turned to see five women descending.
The air became fragrant and pleasant, making him inhale deeply.
Tian Ye Yao and her four companions—he'd noticed them during the battle.
"Young Master Lan An, the Beauty-Preserving Pills and items you sent to the Multi-Treasure Pavilion are nearly sold out. We need restocking!" Cheng Bi, ever the businesswoman, got to the point, her alluring figure making it hard for Lan An to look away.
"So fast?" Lan An was surprised. The Multi-Treasure Pavilion's efficiency was astonishing.
"All top-quality goods, driving women wild. Supply can't meet demand," Bao Jiao giggled, her white dress like a fairy-tale princess, stunningly beautiful.
"Business later. Can the Multi-Treasure Pavilion help the Hua Clan rebuild White Emperor City quickly? The Harem will cover costs," Lan An said responsibly. His battle had destroyed countless homes, and rebuilding was urgent.
"No issue. This is our business hub. Even without your request, we'd do it—no cost needed!" Wu Ji glanced at him, her eyes blazing with battle intent, sending a shiver through Lan An.
"Sigh, the battle was too massive. Our White Emperor City branch could only evacuate non-combatants to save lives, not structures," Lei Huan sighed. With limited staff, protecting lives was their best effort.
"On behalf of the Harem, I thank the Multi-Treasure Pavilion!" Lan An said joyfully. He dreaded innocent deaths from the battle's fallout, relieved the pavilion had handled it. His gaze toward the women softened.
The four avoided his eyes, but Tian Ye Yao, hands on hips, said eagerly,
"Hey, we can't keep calling it White Emperor City. Got any ideas? We'll make a new sign!"
Lan An nodded, agreeing. White Emperor City evoked the White Sand Dynasty. He smiled gently,
"Call it Flower Bamboo City!"