Haremlord: Rise of the Banished

On Dwarf Island, Lan An and Ji Ya paused as Ai Xin, the fifth-ranked genius on the Hundred Spirits Ranking, approached with unknown intentions. The group of young men and women trailing her followed suit.

"What's the matter?" Lan An asked, puzzled by their advance.

Hearing his voice, Ai Xin and her companions shifted their focus from Ji Ya to him. Their eyes widened, and Ai Xin stepped back in shock.

"What the hell?" Lan An muttered, exasperated. I'm not a demon.

"It's him the monster who fought Dark Li at Peak Nascent Soul!" a young woman in Ai Xin's group gasped, staring at Lan An like he was a freak.

Lan An realized the issue. The Video Recording Jade of his battle with Dark Li had spread across Western Hai Zhou, even reaching other territories. This group recognized him from it.

Hiding Shui Niang Qing during that fight was a wise move, or Hai Hong Sect would've drawn countless eyes.

Pondering briefly, Lan An released his Late Spirit Transformation aura, letting them sense it.

"Late Spirit Transformation? He hid his cultivation!"

"No wonder he held off Dark Li. I was shocked for nothing."

"Exactly. No Peak Nascent Soul could be that monstrous."

The youths relaxed, their fear easing. Holding off an Early Refining Void cultivator at Late Spirit Transformation marked Lan An as a top genius, far more believable than battling Dark Li at Peak Nascent Soul.

Lan An smirked inwardly, pleased with his deception. Claiming Late Spirit Transformation masked the shocking truth of his rapid breakthrough and Nascent Soul feats, reducing scrutiny.

The group bought his ruse, their monstrous gazes fading.

Ai Xin studied Lan An curiously. As a Late Spirit Transformation genius herself, ranked fifth on the Hundred Spirits Ranking, she was battle-hungry. She'd sparred with her clan's Refining Void elders, but they held back. Lan An's life-or-death clash with Dark Li piqued her interest, sparking a desire to test him.

Naively, she thought herself a match, unaware of his deception.

Yet, her approach wasn't about him. Setting aside her battle lust, she turned to Ji Ya with admiring eyes. "Your robes are stunning, Sister. May I know their origin?"

Ji Ya blinked, surprised that this was her goal. But who didn't love admiration, even for clothing? Beaming at Lan An, she said, "My husband gifted them. Ask him."

"Husband?" The group gaped. The Video Recording Jade showed Ji Ya as a Refining Void cultivator, not a sibling as they'd assumed.

"How's that possible?"

The young men seethed with envy. How could Lan An, a Spirit Transformation cultivator, wed a Refining Void powerhouse like Ji Ya, whose strength was nearly peerless in her realm? Some even wondered if he was her kept man.

Grinning, Lan An wrapped an arm around Ji Ya's slender waist, relishing their jealousy. Let them burn.

The youths fumed, eyes blazing.

Ai Xin was surprised but not one to pry. She asked, "Where did you get such robes? Could you share?"

The women in her group perked up, equally enamored with Ji Ya's Ice Silk Blue Robes. Even Western women fell for the System's enchanting designs.

"Ahem," Lan An coughed, feigning dignity. "I crafted these for my wife. They're not for sale. Try Treasure Pavilion their robes are decent, though not as fine."

"You crafted them?" The group scoffed, rolling their eyes.

Ai Xin sensed his teasing, frowning slightly. Kindly, she warned, "Many covet your wealth. Be cautious."

His face, exposed during fights with the Lam Clan and Night Shadow Island, marked him as the lavish spender at Treasure Pavilion's Barter Festival, making him a target. Yet, this boosted his Reputation Points to nearly 14 billion, awaiting his next shopping spree.

"Thanks," Lan An said, grinning at Ji Ya. "My wealth is for my wives. Thieves must face her first, right, Nhã nhi?"

Ji Ya stifled a laugh, glaring playfully. His childish antics charmed her ruthless to foes, valiant in battle, sometimes roguish, sometimes shameless, sometimes tender, sometimes playful. This unique Lan An was inimitable.

"Hmph, reckless colt," a youth behind Ai Xin sneered.

Lan An ignored him, ready to lead Ji Ya deeper into the island.

"Those beside Ai Xin are Spirit Transformation geniuses, likely on the Hundred Spirits Ranking," Ji Ya transmitted softly.

Lan An nodded. Only Golden Ranking figures interested him now; the Hundred Spirits and Saint Spirit Rankings held little allure.

"Wait!" a voice called.

Turning, Lan An saw a handsome youth from Ai Xin's group. "I'm Chen Zhi. If I recall, you obtained a Heavenly Thunder Stone at the festival, right?"

"Correct," Lan An nodded. The stone was a Spirit-grade material meant to restore Yan Yue Qi's Thunder Scepter.

"Will you sell it? My brother needs it," Chen Zhi asked earnestly.

"No," Lan An refused flatly. Sell a gift for my fiery wife? Never.

He pulled Ji Ya onward.

"My brother is Chen Jue," Chen Zhi said coldly, a hint of threat in his tone.

"Chen Jue? Never heard of him," Lan An tossed back, heading toward the island's center.

Yet, the name rang a bell.

"Ranked 33 on the Golden Ranking, known as Young Master Chen," Ji Ya said lightly. "Mid Refining Void at 390, with strong lightning attributes."

"No wonder he dares threaten me," Lan An nodded. The Golden Ranking's brief details left only a faint impression.

"You're upgrading the Thunder Scepter to Spirit-grade?" Ji Ya asked gently, knowing his purpose here.

"Yes, but I'm no refiner. I need an expert's advice," Lan An admitted with a wry smile.

Jin Ni had said the Heavenly Thunder Stone alone wasn't enough, and the Lucky Shop lacked her suggested materials. Dwarf Island was his best bet.

Ji Ya frowned, equally unfamiliar with refining.

"What grade is this Thunder Scepter?" Ai Xin's pleasant voice interjected from behind.

Her companions had scattered, seeking their own refiners. They'd only traveled together initially.

"You know refining?" Lan An's eyes lit up.

"A bit," Ai Xin admitted modestly.

"Not bad. My Thunder Scepter is Low Heaven-grade. Any suggestions?" He produced the broken scepter, originally Earth-grade but upgraded by Yan Yue Qi.

"This?" Ai Xin frowned, puzzled why a wealthy man like Lan An would repair it instead of buying better.

Sensing her doubt, he said wistfully, "It's a memento between me and my wife. I can't discard it."

Ai Xin's eyes flickered. Ji Ya lacked lightning attributes, meaning Lan An had another wife. Seeing Ji Ya's contented lack of jealousy, she was speechless but touched by their bond. She explained, "Upgrading from Heaven to Spirit-grade is harder than crafting a new Spirit-grade item. Materials are scarce. Only one person on Dwarf Island might manage it."

"The Clan Chief?" Lan An and Ji Ya asked in unison. The Dwarf Clan Chief's refining prowess was legendary.

"Correct, but it's tricky," Ai Xin said hesitantly.

Lan An frowned. "Does the Chief have special requirements?"

"To make a clan chief refine for you, you need something to pique his interest. Wealth alone won't do," Ai Xin said softly, a touch apologetic.

"Why are you here, Miss Ai Xin? Any ties to the Dwarves?" Ji Ya asked, intrigued by her knowledge.

"No secrets here," Ai Xin smiled. "I've some talent in refining and was lucky to become the Dwarf Clan Chief's disciple."

A known fact, no need to hide.

"Can you introduce us to your master?" Lan An asked, grinning. What luck.

"No problem, but you must share the source of those robes," Ai Xin said slyly. Her true aim—hooked. She doubted a man could craft such exquisite garments.

Lan An shrugged. "After we're done, I'll gift you a few sets."

"My master has his quirks. I can only introduce you. Convincing him depends on you," Ai Xin cautioned.

Lan An and Ji Ya nodded, following her deeper into Dwarf Island.

"Hello, Miss Ai Xin!"

"You're back? The Chief mentions you often."

Dwarves greeted her warmly along the way.

"Miss Ai Xin's getting uglier. Why bring two ugly people?" a tiny Dwarf child asked innocently.

Its parents hushed it, apologizing.

Lan An and Ji Ya found it odd. By Dwarf aesthetics, Ai Xin should be "ugly and bizarre," yet the Chief took her as a disciple. Curious.

Sensing their confusion, Ai Xin smiled. "Master values refining talent over looks. He's a guest elder at Hundred Spirits Academy and my grandfather's friend."

Lan An nodded. A true heiress.

"What's your refining level?" Ji Ya asked curiously. Refiners' levels were hard to gauge without seeing them work.

"Just broke through to Sixth Rank," Ai Xin replied, unpretentious.

Lan An and Ji Ya were stunned. No wonder the Chief overlooked aesthetics her talent was monstrous, equivalent to a Refining Void cultivator.

Pointing to the island's largest volcano, Ai Xin said, "Master's up there. We climb, no flying."

They nodded, grateful for her guidance, and used movement techniques to ascend.

A cave came into view, glowing brilliantly. A gruff, teasing voice echoed, "Stinky girl, three months to visit your master, and you bring a beau?"