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Ping An City, A New Dawn
Under Lan An and his allies' relentless assault, Cao Tai Shan, Yue Hai, and Yue Qun finally surrendered.
Cao Tai Shan's dantian was shattered by Lan An, reducing him to a mortal old man, imprisoned without even the chance to self-destruct. Lan An led Mu Zi Yin, Bai Su Mei, and Li Zhu Luan to round up the Cao and Yue Clans' remaining members, sealing their defeat.
The battle ended, but the system's mission completion notice lingered, urging Lan An to tie up loose ends.
In the Liu Clan's grand hall, now a cleaned-up ruin thanks to the clan's efforts, tension hung heavy.
"What do you plan for us?" Yue Qun asked, pale, his spiritual energy sealed.
Yue Hai glared at Lan An, knowing this youth held their fate.
"Compared to the Cao Clan, your Yue Clan's strength is mostly intact, losing only two elders," Lan An said, nodding at them.
"What do you mean?" Yue Qun's eyes flickered with hope.
"No need for long talks. You're fish on the chopping block. I offer two choices," Lan An said calmly.
"What choices?" Yue Hai pressed, desperate to live.
"First: you two die, and your clan buries you," Lan An said with a faint smile.
Their faces drained of color. Lan An nodded, continuing, "Second: you and the Yue Clan swear loyalty to the Liu Clan, serving Patriarch Liu."
The room stirred. They hadn't expected Lan An to champion the Liu Clan so fiercely, especially as a stranger.
Liu Shi Qin's eyes sparkled, studying Lan An, her thoughts unreadable.
Mu Zi Yin caught Liu Shi Qin's beauty and shot Lan An a glare, suspecting his motives, but held her tongue to preserve his dignity.
Even Lan An couldn't explain his drive to protect the Liu Clan. An instinct, deep and unspoken, urged him on.
"We choose the second," Yue Qun and Yue Hai agreed swiftly. Survival trumped pride. They'd served the Cao Clan for life; the Liu Clan was no different.
"I don't trust easily. Surrender your Origin Souls to Patriarch Liu. Serve loyally, and benefits will follow," Lan An demanded.
The two exchanged bitter smiles but complied, their lives as hostages leaving no room for defiance.
Liu Shi Qin accepted their souls without hesitation, securing their obedience.
In moments, the Liu Clan's power surged, unscathed and now dominant.
"What about Qing Yun Sect?" Yue Qun asked, now tied to the Liu Clan's fate.
"Qing Yun Sect, a Seventh-Grade power, wants Ping An City. Who rules it matters little—Cao or Liu Clan," Lan An said coolly.
"You mean the Liu Clan unifies Ping An City and submits to Qing Yun Sect?" Liu Shi Qin grasped his plan.
"Exactly. Ping An City's strength is modest. A protector is beneficial, requiring only annual resource tributes," Lan An nodded.
The room saw his logic. Qing Yun Sect sought control, not destruction. Tributes were a small price for protection.
Had the Cao Clan persuaded rather than coerced, they might have unified the city and earned Qing Yun Sect's favor. Instead, their arrogance led to ruin.
Liu Clan members gazed at Lan An in awe, his actions reshaping their destiny.
Liu Meng Meng ran to him, demanding a hug. Lan An pinched her chubby cheeks, hoisting her onto his shoulder.
Smack! "Big brother's awesome! Here's your reward!" Liu Meng Meng kissed his cheek, giggling.
The crowd chuckled at her adorableness.
"What's your name, little one?" Lan An ruffled her hair, smiling.
"I'm Meng Meng! What's big brother's name?" she beamed.
"Haha, I'm Xiao Nan. Call me Xiao Nan Brother!" Lan An chuckled.
Liu Shi Qin froze, her body trembling, eyes wide as she stared at Lan An.
The room noticed her reaction. Lan An frowned. "Patriarch Liu, what's wrong?"
Liu Shi Qin struggled to compose herself, rushing to grab his arm. "What's your name?"
"I'm Xiao Nan," Lan An said, feeling an inexplicable calm at her touch, though wary.
"Your… surname?" Her voice quivered.
Lan An tensed. In the South of Bing Tian Continent, the Luo Clan's name carried weight. He hesitated to reveal his surname.
Yet, an urgent pull in his heart urged him to speak. Before he could, Mu Zi Yin, sensing his unease, stepped forward, taking his arm with a gentle smile. "We're weary from battle, Patriarch Liu. Let's discuss later."
Liu Shi Qin snapped back, realizing her impulsiveness. She released Lan An, resuming her poised demeanor. "My apologies. Steward, prepare guest rooms."
"Yes, Patriarch," the chubby steward replied, gesturing to Lan An's group. "Please follow me."
"Thank you," Lan An said, sensing the moment wasn't right for answers. He led Bai Su Mei, Li Zhu Luan, and Mu Zi Yin away.
"Rest, everyone. Await my orders," Liu Shi Qin dismissed her clan, including Liu Meng Meng.
Alone in the hall, Liu Shi Qin closed her eyes, memories flooding back.
"He's so lively. I named him Nam, hoping he'd stand tall, even without a spirit root, never bowing to anyone…"
"The Luo Clan tore us apart, Shi Qin! My heart aches. Without cultivation, he'll be bullied…"
"Luo Po Lei's a beast, abandoning his own son. My greatest regret was marrying a man I didn't love…"
"But refusing him would've doomed our Liu Clan…"
"I'll reunite with my son. I'll save Xiao Nan from that vile clan…"
"I must grow stronger, no matter the cost…"
"Even if it means… my body and soul shatter…"
That voice, raw with pain, echoed in her ears. Liu Shi Qin's face was soaked with tears, recalling the woman who left that night, broken but unyielding.
Seventeen years had passed, yet it felt like yesterday.
Lan An's Quarters, A Heart's Turmoil
"Ding! Mission 'Assist Liu Clan' completed. Reward: One Female Cultivator Technique Summon."
The system's voice rang as Lan An entered his room, but his mind was elsewhere. Liu Shi Qin's tearful gaze haunted him, a pang in his chest he couldn't shake.
Suppressing his questions, he knocked on Mu Zi Yin's door. "Darling, it's me."
"Why not visit Tuo Mei or Zhu Li?" Mu Zi Yin teased from within.
"Don't worry, they'll get their turn. I want you first," Lan An transmitted, grinning.
"Get in here," she huffed.
Lan An stepped inside, finding a large wooden bathtub filled with rose petals—Mu Zi Yin's personal bath, stored in her ring, a habit shared by his women.
Mu Zi Yin soaked, her curves half-submerged, her eyes teasing. Lan An shed his robes, joining her.
Embracing her smooth, warm body, he closed his eyes, comforted. Mu Zi Yin wrapped her arms around him, sensing his unease, her touch soothing.
"I'm lucky to have you," Lan whispered, kissing her forehead.
"Sweet talker," she purred.
"You made me shine today," Lan An said, recalling the envious men. "Those guys were green with jealousy."
"If Tuo Mei and Zhu Li hadn't veiled up, they'd have stormed the city to fight you," Mu Zi Yin giggled.
"They deserve a reward, but I'm starting with you," Lan An said, his voice low.
"Take me to bed," Mu Zi Yin murmured, eyes dreamy, arms around his neck.
"As my queen," Lan An lifted her bridal-style, laying her on the soft bed.
Mu Zi Yin waved away the tub, her mature beauty glowing. Lan An pressed against her, capturing her lips in a tender, fervent kiss.
Their tongues danced, a soft intimacy binding them, their breaths mingling in quiet passion.
"Darling, I'm ready," Mu Zi Yin whispered, parting her thighs.
Lan An smiled, finding her warmth. "Getting sensitive, love?"
"All your fault," she moaned softly. "You make me melt."
Their kisses deepened, their touches igniting a gentle fire, each moment a balm for Lan An's troubled heart.