178: starting point

At the Peak of Yunmiao Mountain, the Grand Void Purple Qi and Yunmiao Spiritual Mist intertwined into a dazzling, ethereal glow.

The once desolate Sect was now adorned with lanterns and streamers. On the massive square paved with white marble, thousands of flying boats were docked like an ant colony beneath the mountain gate. This was not merely a celebration banquet; it was a ceremony marking the transfer of power across the entire Canglan Domain.

Lin Chen sat on the Nine Dragon Throne, which once belonged to the Old Ancestor of Taixu Sect. His black robe, embroidered with dark golden dragon patterns, made him appear like a deity who controlled life and death. He rested his chin on one hand, his expression indifferent as he overlooked the multitude of leaders from various forces kneeling below.

"Sect Master of Qinglan Sect offers ten thousand-year vermillion fruits and one hundred thousand top-grade immortal crystals, willing to serve as the Domain Lord's groom!" "Sect Leader of Xuan Nü Sect is willing to offer a hundred Core Disciples to reside on Yunmiao Mountain and attend to the Domain Lord's daily needs!"

Waves of pledges, like mountain calls and tsunamis, echoed through the valley. In this world where women were revered over men and strength was paramount, these female Sect Leaders, who usually held their heads high, were now as humble as dust, seeking only a slim chance of survival within the territory of Lin Chen, this 'anomaly' of a strong practitioner.

Behind Lin Chen, five stunning figures stood in a fan shape, each a peerless beauty capable of eclipsing the splendor of a region.

Gold Inlaid Jade wore a tight, deep purple cheongsam with high slits, her long, powerful, wheat-colored thighs occasionally glimpsed as she moved. Her slender fingers toyed with a golden abacus, her eyes, full of shrewdness and charm, darted about: "Little Brother, the annual tax revenue of this Canglan Domain is enough for us to buy half of the First Heaven. Sister must keep this money bag tightly secured for you."

Cold Without Double wore a silver-white Jiantian Division uniform, her long legs, encased in white silk stockings, were as straight as spears. Though she tried her best to maintain the cold and stern dignity of a Patrolling Envoy, the gaze in her eyes, directed at Lin Chen's back, had long since melted into an unbreakable tenderness: "The Jiantian Division's official document has been sent to the First Heaven Headquarters. Canglan Domain has changed ownership from now on. Anyone who disobeys challenges the laws of the Immortal Realm."

Yun Xi carefully poured tea for Lin Chen by his side, her normally aloof and immortal-like demeanor as docile as a house cat before him; Su Qingge, blindfolded, knelt by Lin Chen's feet, her jade hands gently massaging his legs; and Little Demoness Dragon sat idly in Lin Chen's arms, crunching on an Earth Immortal inner core.

Though the five women appeared harmonious on stage, the subtle scent of gunpowder and the undercurrents of rivalry in the air were palpable even to a blind person. Gold Inlaid Jade's charm clashed with Cold Without Double's aloofness, Su Qingge's devotion contended with Yun Xi's attentiveness. If not for Lin Chen's unfathomable pressure suppressing them, this place would have long since turned into a Shura field.

"Stop it," Lin Chen said faintly. His voice was not loud, yet it instantly silenced the noisy square.

He casually beckoned from the mountain of spoils, and a token, entirely crimson and emanating a high temperature capable of burning mountains and boiling seas, fell into his palm. This was the most core relic from the Taixu Sect Old Ancestor's secret vault—the Chì Míng Token.

"Buzz—!"

The moment the token touched Lin Chen's aura, it suddenly erupted with a wave of fire that distorted the Void Realm. The fire waves continuously intertwined in mid-air, finally condensing into a phantom figure spanning a hundred zhang.

It was an extremely domineering red-haired woman. She sat on a throne solidified from magma, her crimson hair flickering like flames. She wore only a few pieces of dark purple armor, exposing large areas of smooth, bronze-like skin. Her eyes held an arrogance and playfulness that transcended all beings, a natural strong practitioner's pressure that made even Heavenly Immortal experts like Cold Without Double and Gold Inlaid Jade feel a tremor in their hearts.

That was a prominent figure from the Second Heaven, Chì Míng Hè Yáng Heaven.

"It was you who killed that useless person named 'Taixu'?" The red-haired senior sister leaned forward slightly, her deep and wild eyes locking onto Lin Chen across the Void Realm, her tone tinged with amusement, "Not bad, this Queen appreciates men who can achieve great things, even if they are a stud from the Lower Realm."

"Who is Your Excellency?" Lin Chen toyed with the token, his expression unchanged.

"Chì Míng Hè Yáng Heaven, Hall Master of Burning Heaven Hall, Crimson Phoenix." The phantom's red lips slightly parted, revealing an extremely aggressive smile, "In half a month, the 'Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly' will open in the Second Heaven. Take this token and be there on time. If you disappoint this Queen... then this Canglan Domain will have no need to exist. This Queen's retinue happens to lack a few strong and robust 'Genius' with special Bloodlines to fill the harem. You'd best not make this Queen personally come and seize you."

At this moment, the image shattered explosively, dissipating into a sky full of red lotus karmic fire.

The entire venue fell silent, everyone too awestruck by the terrifying pressure from the Upper Heaven to speak.

Lin Chen looked at the token in his hand, a cruel and excited arc slowly forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly? Stud?" He looked down at the Saintess in his arms, who had a bewildered expression, and the women behind him, who were either astonished or worried, and sneered, "It seems the pond of this First Heaven can no longer satisfy my appetite."

...Night fell.

Within the Forbidden Ground of Yunmiao Sect, in Lin Chen's exclusive bedchamber, the air was filled with a suffocating stickiness.

Perhaps due to the threat from the red-haired phantom earlier in the day, or perhaps to assert their dominance, the five women were exceptionally proactive tonight, even somewhat frenzied.

Lin Chen strode onto the massive warm sheep fat jade bed, large enough to accommodate ten people.

"Master... let Yun Xi serve you." Yun Xi's normally cool eyes were now filled with passion.

Cold Without Double bit her silver teeth, her once unapproachable Patrolling Envoy uniform now disheveled.

"Lin Chen... if... if you really go to the Second Heaven, you must not forget this Envoy..." She let out a soft cry. With her high and cold facade completely torn away, the sense of surrender from within made her like a snow lotus ravaged by a gale.

Lin Chen wasted no words. The Ancestral Dragon Qi within him surged wildly with excitement at the prospect of crossing maps.

"Oh, Little Brother is so fiery tonight," Gold Inlaid Jade let out a cat-like moan.

"My Lord... Qingge wants it too... Qingge's eyes... only have you..."

That night, within Yunmiao Palace, red waves surged and gasps echoed continuously.

At that moment of ultimate Peak, Lin Chen seemed to see the red-haired senior sister on the crimson throne of the Second Heaven, through the room's sensuality.

"Crimson Phoenix, is it? Wash yourself clean and wait."

Outside the window, a meteor streaked across the night sky of the Canglan Domain.

After this night, Yunmiao Sect would unify Canglan, and Lin Chen's journey would extend towards the broader and more insane Higher Immortal Heavens.

[Congratulations, host! Canglan Domain map officially cleared! Obtained Ultimate Advancement Reward: Myriad Heavens Shuttle Boat!] [Current captured heroines: 5/5 (Yun Xi, Cold Without Double, Gold Inlaid Jade, Su Qingge, Little Demoness Dragon)!] [Side Quest activated: Proceed to Chì Míng Hè Yáng Heaven and make that arrogant "Hall Master Chì Huáng" kneel and call you Master!]

Lin Chen held the exhausted, sleeping women in his arms, his gaze fixed on the distant, fiery starry sky, a cold smile of control over all things gracing his lips.

Canglan was just a starting point.