Duo Bao Pavilion, Suite 4
"No!" Qin Meng Ying leapt up, glaring fiercely at the cloaked figure. "Are you mad? Do you know what a Coexistence and Co-death Pact means?"
The figure, unyielding, gritted their teeth. "Of course I do. If not for my kin, why would I propose such a pact?"
Lan An, puzzled, queried Jin'er.
"The Coexistence and Co-death Pact is a highly binding contract, requiring both parties' consent. Once signed, if one dies, the other follows—a single death claims two lives," Jin'er explained.
Lan An jolted. Meeting this stranger for the first time, he hadn't expected such a drastic proposal.
Yet, he admired their resolve. Sacrificing their own safety for a loved one was rare in the cultivation world.
Qin Meng Ying and the cloaked figure teetered on the edge of violence, glaring, their spiritual energies poised to erupt.
Lan An cursed inwardly, pulling Qin Meng Ying's arm gently but sincerely. "If you were the one injured, I'd stake my life to save you, too."
Her heart softened, her aura retracting. She frowned at him. "You've decided? Do you understand what this pact entails?"
Lan An nodded, gazing at the figure with respect. "I agree because I understand. To sacrifice so much for a loved one—I admire that."
The figure's eyes softened slightly, but they huffed, "Don't think sweet words sway me. If my sister suffers in two years, I'll self-detonate, dragging you with me."
Lan An smiled wryly, nodding. Tying his life to a Void Refinement expert? Not a bad deal.
"Your sister?" Bai Su Mei caught the word, asking.
"Indeed. A Third-Stage Late-Period beast, transformed and bound to him," the figure assessed Bai Su Mei. "Haha, my self-detonation might claim three lives."
"Fine. I deserve to know who I'm binding my life to, right?" Lan An teased.
"Hmph." The figure snorted haughtily, removing their cloak and mask before the group's eyes.
Gasps followed. Silky hair cascaded like a waterfall, phoenix eyes gleamed, and ruby lips parted against snow-white skin. Clad in simple blue robes, her beauty was breathtaking, a cold nobility rejecting all, yet a faint warmth lingered in her aloof gaze.
"Another fairy?" Chen Jiang muttered, awestruck. Qin Meng Ying studied the woman, roughly her age, with surprise.
Her memory held no trace of this beauty, likely from another continent, but she didn't pry.
"Not bad, binding my life to a beauty," Lan An grinned. "I'm Lan An. Your name?"
The woman frowned but answered coldly, "Ji Ya."
"I need to assess your sister's condition before signing," Lan An proposed, wary of unforeseen severity.
"No issue," Ji Ya nodded, flipping her hand. A massive jade bed appeared.
On it lay a woman identical to Ji Ya, her age similar, but her exquisite face was pale, brows furrowed in pain, stirring pity.
"Twins?" Lan An studied his future charge, his gaze softening, recalling Yan Ruo's similar plight.
"Yes. Her name's Ji Bing," Ji Ya said, tenderly stroking her sister's hair, then glared at Lan An. "Two years from now, when this ends, I expect you to sever ties with her."
Lan An's brows knit, his gaze domineering. "Once mine, always mine. Even as her sister, you can't decide for her!"
Ji Ya's anger flared, but thinking of Ji Bing's dire state, she sighed. "If she accepts you then, I won't object. But if she doesn't, don't cling to her."
"Deal," Lan An said confidently, certain he could win Ji Bing's heart in two years.
"Ready to sign?" Ji Ya asked coldly, irked by his assurance.
Lan An nodded.
Ji Ya didn't hesitate, her jade hands weaving intricate seals as her lips chanted solemn incantations. A tiny soul fragment, mirroring her, floated from her flawless brow.
Her origin soul.
This vital soul fragment, though small, could cripple her if attacked. Yet, trusting Lan An's group, she proceeded.
Lan An summoned his own origin soul fragment, letting it merge with hers in midair.
Together, they intoned, "I, Ji Ya—Lan An, vow Coexistence and Co-death."
Their soul fragments fused, a singular entity.
A strange sensation bloomed in Lan An and Ji Ya, as if they held two lives, faintly sensing each other's existence—a marvel.
"It's done. My sister is my only kin. If she suffers, prepare to perish with me," Ji Ya said coldly, suppressing the odd feeling.
"Wrong. From now on, it's not just your sister. Bai Su Mei, Qin Meng Ying, and I are your kin," Lan An said gently, glancing at Ji Bing.
Ji Ya's heart trembled, but she retorted coldly, "Less flattery." She tossed him a bracelet. "This holds living beings, for carrying my sister."
Lan An shook his head, returning it. "I've got one. No need to worry."
Ji Ya blinked, surprised, but nodded.
Silence fell…
"Time to keep my promise," Ji Ya said, donning her mask and cloak. She caressed Ji Bing's pale face, then stepped out.
Lan An gazed at the beauty on the jade bed, murmuring, "Ji Bing, hold on a little longer."
He stored her and the bed in the Spirit Blossom Orb.
Outside, few remained, eager to see who claimed the Heart Unity Sword Art.
Suite 4's door opened, revealing the cloaked figure.
"Donor, you've seen his bluff, haven't you? That brat's all talk," Fan Kong mocked.
The figure nodded, rasping, "He's boastful, but your White Soul Flower doesn't meet my needs. The Heart Unity Sword Art is fated to miss this auction."
Cheng Bi sighed, smiling radiantly. "This auction is concluded. Duo Bao Pavilion thanks all guests for their enthusiasm."
The crowd dispersed, casting longing glances at the sword art.
Cheng Bi retrieved it, handing it to the cloaked figure.
Fan Kong and Xue Chang suppressed their greed, vanishing into the void, but not before glaring maliciously at Suite 4, their schemes intact.
Noticing Lan An's group lingering, Cheng Bi, sharp as ever, transmitted to the figure, "Congratulations, Lady Ji Ya. You've found a way to save Lady Ji Bing."
Ji Ya remained silent, unsure if her entanglement was good or ill, but nodded, transmitting, "Thanks to your Young Mistress. I owe her another favor."
"Our Saintess is delighted to help," Cheng Bi replied. "This auction's fame boosts Duo Bao's renown. We should thank you."
Lan An, sensing the exchange, silently thanked Ji Ya. Denying his soul-healing ability publicly shielded him—his Soul Cultivator identity and the sword art were too dangerous to reveal.
Qin Meng Ying confirmed the crowd's departure, signaling it was safe to leave.
"Congratulations, Young Master, on securing a Heaven-Grade sword art," Cheng Bi teased.
"Thanks to you, Lady Cheng Bi," Lan An replied courteously, cupping his hands.
"Take it!" Ji Ya tossed the Heart Unity Sword Art to Lan An, fulfilling her promise. "I expect my sister healthy next time we meet."
Her figure stepped into the void, seeking soul-healing herbs as a backup, unwilling to rely solely on Lan An.
Watching her cloaked silhouette fade, Lan An muttered wryly, "Cold as ice. She should be Ji Bing."
"Giggle, countless prodigies on Hai Zhou Continent adore her passionately, yet she spares them no glance. Chatting with you? If word spreads, you'd be Hai Zhou's public enemy," Cheng Bi laughed, her chest trembling.
"Hai Zhou Continent?" Lan An ignored the suitors, focusing on Ji Ya's origin.
"Yes, the sisters hail from there," Cheng Bi confirmed.
Lan An nodded, deciding to ask Ji Bing later.
"We'll take our leave. Send my regards to your Young Mistress," Qin Meng Ying said coolly to Cheng Bi.
"Giggle, our Young Mistress is quite curious about Young Master Lan An," Cheng Bi teased.
"Hmph, careful, or this rogue might charm her," Qin Meng Ying pinched Lan An's waist, still irked about Ji Bing.
"Him? If he's got the skill, let him try," Cheng Bi challenged, puffing her chest at Lan An.
"Rumor says you maids are your Young Mistress's dowry. Careful, or you'll all fall to his claws," Qin Meng Ying snorted.
Cheng Bi blushed. Indeed, they'd follow their Saintess in marriage. Glancing at Lan An, she sized him up.
"Let's go, Su Mei," Lan An said, ignoring their banter, taking Bai Su Mei's soft hand to leave.
Outside Duo Bao Pavilion
Lan An's group emerged.
"Hm?"
Qin Meng Ying's brows furrowed, peering through the void. She sneered, "Still scheming? Think I'm a soft persimmon?"
Lan An's face darkened, asking, "Xue Chang or Fan Kong?"
"Both," Qin Meng Ying smirked.
Lan An grasped her hand, calm but firm. "They're after me. I can escape safely. Don't risk yourself."
She grinned confidently, her aura domineering. "I've been itching to test Thunder-Fire Mysterious Art. These two are perfect. Besides, targeting you isn't targeting me?"
Lan An's heart warmed. Unable to resist, he pulled her alluring form into his arms, kissing her lips boldly.
"Mmph."
Qin Meng Ying's eyes widened, her mouth parting instinctively, letting his tongue slip in.
Chup chup.
Under broad daylight, Lan An savored her soft, wet tongue, her mouth sweet and fragrant like a ripe apple, defying her scarred exterior.
Their saliva mingled, Lan An swallowing eagerly, but her endless sweetness overwhelmed him.
Chen Jiang gaped, revering Lan An like a god.
Bai Su Mei, veiled, mused about hastening her intimacy with her master.
Inside Duo Bao, Cheng Bi covered her mouth, recording the steamy scene with an artifact, a flicker of envy for Qin Meng Ying stirring within.
"Mmph, enough, let go," Qin Meng Ying panted, sensing the approaching auras, unable to linger in the sweet kiss.
"Shameless! Such indecency in daylight—die!" Xue Chang's voice dripped with killing intent.
"Young donors, your lust offends the heavens. Follow this monk for purification," Fan Kong intoned piously, his palm strike unrelenting.
"Come on, then!" Qin Meng Ying surged spiritual energy, her hands wielding thunder and fire, ready to clash.
"Cease!" Two authoritative voices boomed. Two withered hands tore through the void, crushing the incoming attacks.
Duo Bao's two Void Refinement elders appeared, one bellowing, "Fight elsewhere. Ling Wu City is under Duo Bao's protection!"
A Void Refinement battle could raze the city, and post-auction chaos would shame Duo Bao, eroding trust in future events.
Xue Chang and Fan Kong halted, vanishing silently into the void, their pursuit far from over.
Qin Meng Ying sighed, disappointed. She'd hidden her aura to ambush them, but Duo Bao's intervention thwarted her.
Lan An's face was grim, but he said nothing, pulling Qin Meng Ying and Bai Su Mei toward the inn.
"Brother, please wait."
A friendly voice stopped him. Lan An turned to see a handsome youth and a veiled girl, her shy demeanor evident.
"What's the matter?" Lan An asked, sensing their extraordinary status. The girl, despite her veil, exuded noble grace and elegance.
"I'm Li Lin, and this is my cousin, Li Zhu Lan. We've admired you since the Beast Arena and sincerely wish to befriend you," Li Lin said.