Lan An didn't linger chatting with Tian Ye Yao and her companions. Entrusting the Multi-Treasure Pavilion to aid the Hua Clan in rebuilding Flower Bamboo City, he found a secluded spot and entered the Spirit Realm Pearl with the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth.
As for the remaining servants and concubines in the imperial palace, the Hua Clan spared their lives, taking only their Origin Souls to make them subordinates.
The White Sand Emperor's concubines were arranged to stay with him, allowing him to enjoy a mortal's pleasures, a gesture for Bai Lian Hua's sake.
It could be said the White Sand Emperor was Lan An's luckiest foe, spared for the sake of the kind and lovely Bai Lian Hua.
"Ah, Big Brother, Big Bear?"
As Lan An and the Anomalous Earth entered the Spirit Realm Pearl, a joyful voice rang out.
The adorable and lively Bai Lian Hua tiptoed over to greet them. Due to the involvement of the White Sand Emperor and Bai Tian, Lan An hadn't let the little princess join the battle to avoid hurting her.
"How are the girls?" Lan An hurriedly grabbed Bai Lian Hua's hand, asking.
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth was stunned by the Spirit Realm Pearl's environment. Compared to this, the White Sand Dynasty's Scenic Land was like a village next to a grand city.
"The sisters are stable, but Sister Zi Yin and Sister Meng Ying are still unconscious. Sister Meng Ji says their internal injuries are severe and need long-term recovery. Everyone's at the Husband and Wife Palace on the fourth floor of the Palace Tree…" Bai Lian Hua said gently. Her mother, weakened by the Strength-Boosting Pill's backlash, was like a mortal, unable to use Spiritual Energy.
Despite the Purple Wood Sword blocking most of the force, Mu Zi Yin was the most gravely injured, falling unconscious upon entering the Spirit Realm Pearl.
Qin Meng Ying also suffered a direct Integration-level self-detonation, far from unscathed.
"Let's go see them!" Lan An pulled Bai Lian Hua, soaring to the fourth floor like a celestial pair.
"Abandoning me again?" The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth muttered, sulking, before finding a cozy spot to lie down and sleep.
In slumber, boundless Spiritual Energy surged into its body, the fastest way for an Anomalous Earth to recover energy.
Reaching the highest canopy, the egg of a beast with Qing Luan bloodline caught Lan An's eye, but he had no time to focus on it, rushing into the Husband and Wife Palace with Bai Lian Hua.
Ding ding ding…
The melodies of Wu Qing and Ling Long echoed, the noble mermaid sisters playing the Seven Seas Mysterious Zither with focused grace, their delicate fingers dancing over the strings in the vast room's center, boosting Spiritual Energy absorption for the women.
Xiao Qing Xuan had set up a furnace on-site, clearly intent on refining healing pills quickly, with ample materials from the Spirit Herb Field.
An Acceleration Array enveloped the fourth floor, powered by endless top-grade Spirit Stones, as the women aimed to recover swiftly.
"Husband!"
Hua Qing Zhu, lying weakly on a cushioned bed, smiled faintly, her pale lips glowing with warmth in her eyes. Beside her, Mu Zi Yin and Qin Meng Ying lay unconscious, their breathing steady, faint smiles on their lips as if lost in sweet dreams.
The other women sat in meditation, immersed in cultivation, unaware of Lan An's arrival.
Seeing their pale, beautiful faces and closed eyes, Lan An's heart ached indescribably.
If possible, he wished he could've faced all enemies alone, sparing them even a scratch.
But he knew that was impossible. His wives had their own ambitions, warrior spirits, and desires to shine alongside him at the peak of the cultivation world. He couldn't, out of selfishness or outdated patriarchy, confine them to being mere ornamental flowers.
Among the women who fought, the lightest injuries were severe Spiritual Energy depletion, while the gravest, like Mu Zi Yin's, were internal injuries and comas.
"You're so mean, fighting without me!" Kun Ming Yue, hopping around the women, pouted at Lan An, hands on hips, pointing at him with the air of a scolding young mistress.
"Min Yue's still young, not suited for fighting!" Lan An gently pinched her smooth cheek, smiling.
Kun Ming Yue's mind wasn't stable. No one could predict the consequences of her unleashing killing intent, potentially disrupting the healing process.
After careful thought, Lan An had excluded her, though her participation would've tipped the battle decisively in the Harem's favor.
"Hmph, who says I'm young? I'm bigger than them!" Kun Ming Yue huffed, proudly puffing out her ample chest, swaying it before him.
Lan An nearly coughed blood, inwardly agreeing she wasn't small at all.
"They're all busy, and no one plays with me. Ming Yue's strong and can help you beat bad guys!" Kun Ming Yue patted her chest confidently, her serious expression and red lips earnest.
Lan An's heart warmed. Though naive, she saw the Harem as home and eagerly wanted to fight enemies.
"Young Master, consider treating Kun Ming Yue's mind soon. Perfecting and repairing a cultivation technique isn't easy, and the System gives only about four years…" Jin'er's voice reminded him, thinking of the Harem's future. A recovered Kun Ming Yue would be a solid pillar.
Lan An nodded thoughtfully, testing Kun Ming Yue, "Min Yue, if I asked you to marry me, would you?"
"Marry?" Kun Ming Yue's bright eyes blinked, "What's that? Is it fun?"
Lan An's lips twitched, coaxing, "Marrying is like them, becoming my wife!"
"No problem, but if Ming Yue becomes your wife, you must play with me daily, feed me tasty food, sing me to sleep, and poke me with that stick!" Kun Ming Yue counted on her delicate fingers, listing demands.
"Poking stick?" Lan An's face turned odd.
"That one! I saw them enjoy being poked. Ming Yue wants it too!" Kun Ming Yue pointed downward.
Lan An, seeing her expression, felt she had a chance at recovery. Pushing her aside, he focused on visiting the women.
Bai Lian Hua and Hua Qing Zhu, witnessing the exchange, stifled laughter with difficulty.
"You've all suffered," Lan An took Hua Qing Zhu's hand, pressing it to his cheek, speaking tenderly.
"Not at all… The Hua Clan's triumph is thanks to you and the sisters…" Hua Qing Zhu shook her head, tears welling, her voice weak like a patient's.
She was deeply moved. By conventional standards, she and the other women were rivals, meant to compete. Yet, the sisters unconditionally aided her and the Hua Clan, risking their lives without hesitation.
"We're family. No need for formalities," Lan An wiped her tears, chuckling, then scooped her up, his other arm embracing the unconscious Mu Zi Yin and Qin Meng Ying.
"What are you doing?" Hua Qing Zhu blushed. Xiao Hua and Ming Yue were watching.
"Heal the severe cases first, then the lighter ones!" Lan An grinned, holding three voluptuous figures, vanishing in a blur.
"Mean guy, bullying Mother again!" Bai Lian Hua huffed, blushing.
"Sister Xiao Hua, is he going to poke them?" Kun Ming Yue asked excitedly.
Bai Lian Hua nodded shyly.
"Let's spy!" Kun Ming Yue clapped, thrilled.
"No way!" Bai Lian Hua sputtered, dragging her from the Palace Tree to join the snoring Big Bear.
Lan An swiftly stripped the three women, the Blissful Spring glowing as if illuminated.
Indeed, he'd brought them to soak in the spring, which enhanced Spiritual Energy absorption.
Their skin was so fair, the clear spring paled in comparison, quickening Lan An's breath.
Hua Qing Zhu, Mu Zi Yin, and Qin Meng Ying, mature beauties with curvaceous, sensual figures, their full breasts and rosy peaks mesmerizing.
Qin Meng Ying's allure was especially captivating, almost soul-stealing.
He placed a cushioned bed on a large rock in the spring, gently laying the three enticing figures on their backs.
"Good thing the two sisters are unconscious, or how could I face them?" Hua Qing Zhu murmured shyly, covering her private area, feeling an itch within.
"Heh, you'll get used to it. I'll tend to Zi Yin and Meng Ying first to spare your embarrassment!" Lan An smirked, kissing Hua Qing Zhu's lush lips before turning to the others.
Hua Qing Zhu nodded bashfully, unable to resist watching curiously.
The dual cultivation healing began.