The space was engulfed in violet flames, their brilliance searing as if to consume all creation. At the center, a petite young woman sat cross-legged, her body shielded by a barrier of Wind and Wood spiritual energy, warding off the terrifying heat.
Yan Die Qing—Ting'er—had broken through, officially ascending to Early-Stage Golden Core.
On the Bing Tian Frost Continent, a Golden Core cultivator could establish a Third-Rank faction. Yet this fourteen-year-old girl had reached such a realm. Her genius was undeniable, surpassing even Lan Yu, the Lan Clan's prodigy, who achieved Golden Core at fifteen.
Ting'er opened her deep black eyes, a flush of pride on her cheeks. "Hmph, making me go through that ordeal—you'll pay for it," she muttered playfully, her gaze softening as she looked toward the figures within the flames.
The violet fire grew gentler, as if caressing the two figures within, their auras vibrant and robust, their spiritual presence radiating strength.
Yan Die Qing's eyes held a trace of wistfulness. Not long ago, she was a carefree girl, full of innocence. Now, she was bound to him, her heart intertwined with his. The transformation felt like a dream, yet she harbored no regrets—only a quiet sweetness in her soul.
"They're almost ready…" Ting'er whispered, her eyes brimming with anticipation as the two figures began to stir.
Within Lan An's dantian, a tremor shook the core of his being. A new colossal cauldron had formed, standing alongside the Spirit Earth Cauldron and Mysterious Water Cauldron, creating a triadic balance.
This new cauldron dwarfed the others, its size several times that of the Mysterious Water Cauldron. Lan An realized that the higher the grade of the item used to condense a cauldron, the larger and more formidable it became.
In his dantian, the newly formed cauldron blazed with an aura that could scorch the heavens, its body forged from deep violet flames. It voraciously absorbed and expelled Fire spiritual energy from the world, converting it into potent Fire spiritual power for Lan An.
"I'll name you Blazing Heart Cauldron, in honor of their clan," Lan An mused, a smile tugging at his lips.
His cultivation soared, the Three Cauldrons placing him on par with a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.
The higher one's realm, the slower cultivation progressed. For an ordinary Golden Core cultivator with dual spiritual roots, advancing from Early to Late Stage could take years, even with exceptional talent. Yet, in just three months, Lan An—without traditional cultivation—had surpassed such limits, his strength and speed defying norms.
The terrifying prowess of his forbidden technique, the Immortal Genesis Scripture, was evident.
Clang! "Achievement Unlocked: First Strange Fire Refinement. Reward: One random Earth-Grade martial skill summon."
The System's voice caught Lan An off guard, his expression turning wry. A Strange Fire, forged over countless years, was a heavenly treasure. Refining one for the first time earning an achievement was an unexpected boon.
Grinning, Lan An gently grasped a soft hand caressing his cheek.
Yan Hong Lian stirred beside him, her large, luminous eyes gazing at him with deep affection. Her aura had broken through to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul, nearing Late Stage, her presence now even more radiant and commanding.
With a thought, the violet flames around them receded into their bodies, as if they belonged to the pair by right.
The flames faded, revealing their close embrace, their bond unbroken.
Sensing her warmth, Lan An held Hong Lian tightly, his voice low. "You've become even more captivating as a Body Cultivator, Lian'er. Your vitality, your strength—it's mesmerizing."
Hong Lian's cheeks flushed, her breath quickening. "Under the Strange Fire's tempering, we've both reached Third-Turn Body Cultivation. Of course, our bodies have transformed," she said, her voice soft yet teasing, her movements graceful as she leaned closer.
Lan An's heart stirred, but before he could act, an indignant voice interrupted.
"Hmph, do you two even notice anyone else?"
Ting'er stomped forward, her cheeks puffed in mock anger.
"My little Ting'er," Lan An said, pausing to scoop Hong Lian into his arms and approach the girl. Guilt flickered in his heart. Ting'er was his beloved too, yet in the heat of his bond with Hong Lian—forged through life-and-death trials with the Strange Fire—he'd momentarily overlooked her. Their shared ordeal had deepened his connection with Hong Lian, but it was no excuse.
Seeing Lan An still so close to Hong Lian, Ting'er's eyes welled with tears, a pang of hurt crossing her face.
Lan An's heart ached. Kissing Hong Lian's forehead gently, he stepped forward, enveloping Ting'er in a warm embrace.
"Hey, what's this?" Ting'er huffed, squirming playfully as if to push him away.
Chuckling, Lan An lifted her in a princess carry, spinning her lightly. "My little treasure, don't be upset. Impressive—you've reached Golden Core."
"Hmph, of course. Did you think I needed your praise?" Ting'er pouted, though her anger was clearly feigned.
Lan An smiled at her adorable demeanor, his gaze softening. Leaning down, he captured her lips in a gentle kiss.
"Mmm…"
Ting'er resisted briefly before melting into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as their kiss deepened, a quiet exchange of affection.
Pulling back, Lan An brushed her slightly tousled short hair, whispering, "I'm sorry for making you feel left out."
Ting'er's eyes shimmered with tears, but his words washed away her grievances. To her, his sincerity made every hardship worthwhile.
"Silly girl, stealing our man's attention," Hong Lian teased, affectionately tugging Ting'er's ear.
"Hmph, look who's talking," Ting'er retorted, though her hand reached out to caress Hong Lian's radiant face, relief evident after their shared trials.
Lan An drew Hong Lian close, holding both women in his arms, their warmth a balm to his soul. "With companions like you two, what more could I ask for?"
"Pfft, who's your companion?" Ting'er scoffed, though her arms tightened around him.
"Haha, your sister already gave you to me," Lan An laughed, playfully patting Hong Lian to confirm.
Hong Lian blushed under Ting'er's scrutiny, marveling how she and her sister—admired by countless—had fallen for this mysterious young man.
"Enough teasing. Time for serious matters," Lan An said, guiding them to sit.
"What's so urgent?" the women asked, pouting.
"You're my partners now. We must understand each other to stand united," Lan An said earnestly.
Seeing his gravity, they nodded, sharing their origins.
They revealed they were daughters of the Yan Clan's matriarch, an Eighth-Rank clan on the Frost Continent, masters of Fire techniques. The Yan Clan's status rivaled the Lan Clan's, perhaps surpassing it, as Fire countered Ice. However, the clans' distant domains prevented conflict.
Lan An reciprocated, recounting his past as he had with Yan Ruo. To his women he cherished, he held nothing back.
Moved, the sisters gently touched his empty left eye socket, their hearts stirred but not as sorrowful as Yan Ruo's initial reaction, knowing he now possessed the White Moon Soul-Seizing Eye. Yet, their resentment toward the Lan Clan for his suffering was etched deep, vowing not to forgive those who harmed their man.
"Hmph, is Yan Ruo beautiful?" Ting'er asked, shifting to a playful interrogation, making Lan An smile wryly.
"Stunning, like both of you—my treasures," Lan An replied tenderly. In this era, monogamy wasn't the norm; powerful women often had multiple consorts, and men of strength gathered many partners. He hoped his women would harmonize, vowing to nurture their bonds.
"Two years from now, at Sacred Lotus Academy, I'll have to meet this 'sister,'" Ting'er huffed, still a touch jealous.
Hong Lian smiled serenely, accustomed to the ways of great clans where men took multiple wives. A man of Lan An's caliber having many partners was no surprise.
After all, Lan An wielded Earth, Water, and now Fire spiritual roots through the Strange Fire. At sixteen, he was Late-Stage Golden Core, a Third-Turn Body Cultivator, with three spiritual roots. Who on the Bing Tian Frost Continent could rival him?
Her heart warmed, Hong Lian leaned closer, her breath quickening.
Though Lan An spoke earnestly, his hands weren't idle, gently caressing the sisters, drawing soft gasps as their cheeks flushed.
"My dear partners, this chamber may be hard to revisit. Let's make memories to cherish," he said warmly.
With their assent, he deepened their embrace, their laughter and quiet murmurs filling the secret chamber, sealing their unbreakable bond.