Lan Nuo's Ascension to Half-Ancestor

Xiao Chen and Sha Polang traveled westward, crossing majestic mountain ranges and vast plains. They arrived in the Western Lands at night.

Sha Polang had been thriving in the East, but he made an excuse about getting tired of the Eastern lands and wanting to see the West. So he came along.

At this moment, the Western Lands were blanketed in snow. Heavy snowflakes danced wildly in the bitter wind. The ancient castles and cities on the plain shimmered with a soft light, offering a sense of warmth in the frozen landscape.

They entered a small town. The ancient streets were buried under snow, but the windows of a thousand homes glowed, and the aroma of mouth-watering dishes filled the air. It seemed to be the festive atmosphere of a holiday.

Xiao Chen wanted to rest here for one night before attacking the Tiger Clan's stronghold. However, the inns and taverns had all closed early. After searching the entire town, they found only a small bar open in a dim corner.

A few homeless wanderers were rubbing their hands and breathing steam outside the door. Inside, the bar was warm. A large fireplace blazed with roaring flames. Only a few customers were present, already dead drunk, still pouring down more.

The barkeeper was a decrepit old man, seemingly ancient and lifeless. He was drowsily flipping through a thick, old tome.

"O Spirit above, forgive me for not going home on Christmas," a middle-aged man with blue eyes said, then rolled his eyes and fainted at the bar when he saw Sha Polang, a skeleton.

"Spirit, forgive me. I will go home to my wife immediately, even if she scolds me twenty times a day," a burly, hairy golden-haired man said, fleeing toward the door as if escaping doom.

"The Spirit is merciful. My child, I forgive you," Sha Polang said with a pious wave after him.

"O Spirit, don't punish me! I did not speak or trade with a demon!"

"Fuck! I am a Spirit, not a demon!" Sha Polang explained with a straight face.

But the golden-haired man was in no mood to listen; he bolted out with speed that made even Sha Polang stare.

Aside from the three unconscious men sprawled under the bar, only the ancient barkeeper remained clear-headed. A few waitresses had already gone home early.

Whether this old man was truly brave or simply too blind to see, he showed no fear at the sight of a skeleton. He slowly poured two amber liquids and brought them to the counter.

Xiao Chen did not hesitate. He picked up the glass vessel, more like a jar than a cup, and downed it. It had a unique flavor unlike any Eastern liquor.

Sha Polang looked on with resentment. "When will I be able to regain flesh and blood? Others eat and drink, and I just stand here like a pole! Painful!"

"I sell Life Source Liquid here. If you can pay the price, even a demon can spend," the bleary-eyed proprietor said in a voice like a corpse crawling from its coffin.

Xiao Chen said nothing. Sha Polang sized him up. "I knew you weren't simple. Fine, give me a cup of Life Source Liquid. And if you have any sovereign's blood, even better."

The mysterious old man rose shakily and brought a cup of emerald-green Life Source Liquid. The glass shimmered with astonishing life energy fluctuations. He set it on the counter. "If you're willing to pay the appropriate price, even sovereign blood is not impossible."

"Pfft!" Sha Polang spat out the Life Source Liquid in shock, but then quickly sucked it back in to avoid wasting the precious essence.

"You... what did you say?" Jin Sanyi was astonished. After absorbing that mouthful of green life essence, his whole body glowed.

Xiao Chen also showed surprise, but he remained calm and watched.

"If you are willing to pay the price, I can consider selling you a drop of sovereign blood," the old man said, as unruffled as a thousand-year dead tree.

Sha Polang didn't really need sovereign blood—it would be useful but not essential. He was merely shocked and curious. "And what price must I pay?"

"Give me your soul."

Sha Polang nearly flipped the table. He snorted coldly. "You have a big mouth. Do you have the ability to take my soul?"

"Noble skeleton, I think you misunderstand," the white-haired old man said, his wrinkled face unchanged. "Have you never heard that the only price for trading with a demon is the soul? Ah, I see. You are from the East and know little about the Western lands."

"Who was the fallen Satan to you?" Xiao Chen, who had been silent, suddenly asked.

"He was my predecessor. Perhaps one day I will inherit all he had."

"So you are a great demon?" Sha Polang's expression darkened.

"Strictly speaking, I am a man, not a demon. I may have inherited some of the Demon King Satan's power," the old man explained patiently. "Even if we trade, I am not truly reaping your soul. I merely want your soul to serve me for a period of time."

"I never expected..." Xiao Chen seemed thoughtful, staring at the old man. "That the once brilliant illusionist spiritist, whose potential exceeded mine, would end up inheriting part of Satan's power."

At that moment, the decrepit old man, who had seemed half-buried in the grave, shot two divine lights from his murky eyes. He fixed a sharp gaze on Xiao Chen. "Who are you?"

Xiao Chen's face rippled with mist, revealing his true features.

"Xiao Chen?!" The old man showed shock.

Then he instantly changed form. His bones cracked and popped. In a single breath, he shed his aged appearance and became a young man in his twenties, full of vigorous life force. His golden hair was as dazzling as sunlight, his pale face handsome beyond compare.

"A real transformation!" Sha Polang exclaimed in surprise.

"I didn't think you would remember me," the golden-haired handsome man, Kailuo, said, his divine energy surging like a vast ocean. In that moment, the sky above the small town blazed with heavenly radiance. Mighty divine power swelled like the sea, brilliant in the night sky.

Kailuo—the genius illusionist spiritist. When Xiao Chen first entered the World of Immortality and was trapped on Dragon Island, he had endured a desperate battle, and Kailuo was one of those who had threatened him gravely.

More than two hundred years had passed. Under the force of time, Kailuo had also become a white-haired old man. Only in battle would he adjust his vitality to its peak state.

Kailuo stared at Xiao Chen. "Do you want to kill me?"

Looking at this former enemy, Xiao Chen shook his head. "We have no conflict of interest. Since we cooperated in the later stages of Dragon Island in search of the Dragon Kings, the old grudges can be considered settled. There are fewer and fewer old acquaintances from our time. Each one we kill is one less. It is rare to meet someone of the same generation. However, if we become enemies again, I will not show mercy."

Hearing these words, the young Kailuo averted his vital energy and instantly aged back into a white-haired old man.

"You were an illusionist spiritist. Why did you choose to inherit Satan's power?" Xiao Chen asked, puzzled.

"Even if illusion reaches its peak, it lacks lethal attack power. It can never make a true supreme powerhouse," the old man said with a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

Xiao Chen was silent. He could see that this old man's circumstances seemed very difficult.

The brilliant genius illusionist spiritist Kailuo—once so proud and spirited, his genius so dazzling. But under the grind of time, everything had grown dim. Now he was an old man heavy with the breath of the grave, somewhat dejected.

"Time slowly wears away and forgets everything..." Xiao Chen sighed deeply.

"I have received word that the Tiger Clan is secretly mobilizing experts. All second- and third-generation elites have returned to Tiger Castle," Kailuo said, as placid as an ancient well, his face calm as he looked at Xiao Chen. "And the Sun Church's five hundred divine knights have also mobilized. It is said the core members are all antiques who have lived since ancient times. They may be more than a match for a half-ancestor. Suppressing one would be more than enough."

"Thank you for the news. I understand," Xiao Chen said calmly, downing another cup of wine.

Just then, a dragon roar came from the distant heavens, shaking the four wilds. A flash of purple light appeared in the bar, and a figure abruptly materialized.

The newcomer's speed was terrifying—even Xiao Chen showed surprise.

It was a purple-clad young woman. She was exquisitely beautiful, with delicate brows arching like crescent moons. Her eyes sparkled like autumn ripples. Her nose was straight, her lips red, her teeth pearly. Her figure was straight and graceful. Her purple hair shimmered with specks of light, flowing like water waves—ethereal and transcendent. The most peculiar thing was that she had a pair of gleaming purple jade horns on her head, translucent and bright. They not only made her look even more beautiful and celestial but also added a touch of cuteness.

Sha Polang, if he had saliva, would have left a small river down his chest. His eyes were completely glued to her.

But Xiao Chen was startled. Without a doubt, this was a dragon girl. Moreover, the purple jade horns on her head were Ancestral Dragon horns, gleaming with divine radiance. She must be a Dragon King!

There were only a dozen or so Dragon Kings, and only one had purple dragon horns—the Purple Dragon King, the first born on Dragon Island. In a flash, Xiao Chen thought of Lan Nuo. The Purple Dragon King had followed the Heavenly Maiden Lan Nuo. If she appeared now, it must mean Lan Nuo was nearby.

"Slender neck, sparkling eyes, a creature to make anyone sigh with pity..." Sha Polang recited with a straight face, pretending to be a carefree lover.

The ethereal dragon girl simply glanced at him. A purple light shot out, forcing Sha Polang back three steps. He stepped on the hand of a previously scared man, who howled in pain and woke up, then fled the bar in terror.

"Are the supplies ready?" the purple-clad dragon girl asked in a voice like heavenly music, soft and moving.

"Ready," Kailuo said, rising shakily, his old age evident. "But the transaction has changed. An extra ten drops of half-ancestor blood are required."

The purple-clad dragon girl's eyes emitted two beams of dreamlike rosy clouds. "Why change only now, when we are about to trade?"

"Purple Maiden, do not blame me. This is the idea of the sect's elders. I am merely an intermediary. Besides, Lan Nuo, the Heavenly Maiden, will achieve the eternal throne of a half-ancestor tonight. A few drops of blood mean nothing to her."

Hearing this, Sha Polang's jaw dropped into an "O" shape. Someone was about to achieve the eternal throne of a sovereign tonight? This news nearly stunned him into a stupor.

Xiao Chen was even more shaken. Over two hundred years had passed, and for all that time there had been no word of Lan Nuo. Now, to hear news of her and learn she was about to break into the half-ancestor realm—what a shock!

Truly a Heavenly Maiden of a generation! In just over two hundred years, she had reached such a height. She might be the youngest half-ancestor in history. Indeed, she was worthy of her legendary status!

"My sister will achieve the eternal throne of a half-ancestor tonight while forging her holy sword. She lacked one material that you had promised before. But now, at the last moment, you demand more. Have you considered the consequences of angering a half-ancestor? You are holding us for ransom!" The purple-clad dragon girl's expression turned cold.

Kailuo shook his head. "This is not my decision. However, from what I know, these ten drops of blood were added due to an unexpected incident. I hope you understand."

"Fine. Give me what you have gathered. I will accept on behalf of my sister," the purple-clad dragon girl said, her face calm, unreadable.

Kailuo opened a metal box under the counter, and divine light shot into the sky. Inside was the legendary seven-colored divine iron, its brilliant radiance flooding the entire bar.

This kind of divine iron was extremely rare—hard to exchange for even a mountain of gold.

From their conversation, it appeared that this forging material was merely supplementary for Lan Nuo's holy sword, not the main component. One could imagine how extraordinary her holy sword would be!

But it was understandable—she was a Heavenly Maiden of a generation, perhaps the youngest half-ancestor in history. Naturally, she would forge her holy sword to the highest rank to match her standing. Ordinary half-ancestor divine treasures would not be acceptable.

As the purple-clad dragon girl was about to leave, Xiao Chen spoke: "Little Purple Dragon, do you still remember me?"

She turned and gazed seriously at him. After a moment, recognition dawned. "It's you."

"I want to see your sister."

"You may," the dragon girl nodded. "But do not speak when you go. Do not disturb her. You may only watch from afar."

"No problem."

Sha Polang immediately scampered ahead to follow her. Kailuo also left the bar and soared into the sky with them.

The Heavenly Maiden Lan Nuo achieving the eternal throne of a half-ancestor was no longer a secret to the major powers of the Western Lands. Some had already learned of it days ago.

Near Mount Mittikas, many cultivators had gathered, but none dared approach. They watched in secret, wanting to witness the miracle of a Heavenly Maiden successfully entering the half-ancestor realm.

The moonlight was like water, casting silvery radiance over the snowy peaks.

When Xiao Chen and the others arrived, they saw many who had come earlier. Everyone remained silent; not a single person spoke.

The purple-clad young girl left. Xiao Chen and Sha Polang stood quietly on a snowy peak. He had already spotted Tiger Clan experts and Sun Church divine knights.

Just then, familiar voices came.

Jin Sanyi, Tianya, and Qier flew in from afar and landed on the same snowy peak. Jin Sanyi was carrying a bulging sack.

"Here..." Sha Polang quickly greeted them.

"Fate brought us together... a thousand miles of fate," Jin Sanyi said, running over. He and Sha Polang were birds of a feather, instantly embracing fiercely, making Sha Polang's skeleton bones creak.

Sha Polang winced and pushed him away. "What's in your sack?"

Tianya curled his lip. "Third Brother Jin is terrible. He caught a kind spirit and stuffed him in his bag."

"Caught a spirit? What kind of deity?" Sha Polang asked curiously.

Xiao Chen was also curious. "What trouble have you caused this time, capturing a spirit like this?"

"This time I really didn't cause any trouble," Jin Sanyi said, quickly denying it. "To satisfy Tianya's curiosity, we followed a guy called Santa Claus to see what he looked like. Then, oops, I accidentally put him in his own sack. Sigh, disappointing. He's nowhere near as handsome as me—short and fat, nothing special."

Xiao Chen was speechless. This guy was too outrageous. "Release him immediately. To insult a benevolent spirit like this is really improper."

"Look, it's not that I won't release him. This guy clings to us and won't go. He wanted to come with us to see the Heavenly Maiden Lan Nuo ascend to half-ancestor. He said he couldn't get close, so I got angry and stuffed him in the bag."

"..." Xiao Chen wanted to knock him twice. "Release him. Now!"

Then Qier kept apologizing to the kindly, chubby old man.

Xiao Chen pulled Jin Sanyi aside. "You've been in the West for some time. Do you know if the Tiger Clan and the Sun Church have connections with any half-ancestors?"

"I haven't heard that, but tonight they seem to be making a big move," Jin Sanyi said, pointing at the surrounding snowy peaks. "Look, those are a few second-generation experts of the Tiger Clan. Over there are the Sun Church's divine knights."

Around them, figures gathered in the shadows—the major powers of the Western Lands had come in unknown numbers to witness this grand event.

"It doesn't matter," Xiao Chen said, nodding. He said nothing more.

The crowd grew. Many powerful itinerant cultivators had also heard the news and rushed to witness the birth of an extraordinary half-ancestor.

Then, a divine rainbow became the sole focus of the world. At the summit of the highest mountain, Mount Mittikas, a white-clad young woman appeared.

Under the watery moonlight, the snowy peak shimmered translucently, radiating a dreamlike splendor.

At the absolute summit, Lan Nuo stood in white garments whiter than snow. Bathed in moonlight, her immortal body seemed to emit a faint, sacred light. Her robes fluttered in the wind, making her appear like a celestial maiden untouched by worldly dust.