In the hazy blue bathhouse, streams of brilliant light flowed around Cao Zhilan, yet the stunning clarity of her captivating face grew more distinct.

Vast white mist coiled around her, resembling sentient creatures, and as her graceful form swayed, they transformed into long streaks of white, silver light, moving like water eels, lending an air of soft, elegant beauty.

Submerged in the pool, a charming smile bloomed across Cao Zhilan's delicate features.

Under the gaze of all present, she showed no fear, extending a slender, jade-like finger to point toward the rock ledge, her breath scented sweet as she issued her challenge.

The entire venue erupted in an uproar!

Whether it was the male and female martial artists in the bath or the young talents gathered in the surrounding taverns—those who knew Cao Zhilan's identity and those who did not—all stood stunned into silence.

Following the direction of Cao Zhilan's jade finger, the crowd sought their target and finally spotted Shi Yan perched on the window sill.

Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Shi Yan appeared entirely composed, as if unaware that he was the focus of everyone’s attention. He continued to drink leisurely, displaying an indifference that suggested he hadn't given Cao Zhilan a second thought, without even the slightest hint of unusual behavior. Beside him, Lin Yaqi and Ye Changfeng froze momentarily, exchanging strange glances toward him.

Dozens of young martial artists in this level of the tavern, hearing Cao Zhilan's call from the water, also turned their gazes toward him with profound astonishment, their eyes filled with a rare mix of awe, envy, jealousy, displeasure, and confusion. Inside their minds, pandemonium reigned as they secretly tried to deduce Shi Yan's true identity.

Behind Shi Yan, the four youths who had intended to cause trouble stood like wooden statues, too stunned to react immediately.

Gu Linglong silently gritted her teeth, a knot of hatred and annoyance tightening within her as she inwardly cursed Cao Zhilan for her shamelessness.

Qu Yanqing slowly sat back down, her head bowed, silent, lost in her own thoughts.

"Is that young lady from the Cao family down there calling you?"

Ye Changfeng blinked, then suddenly jolted with surprised curiosity, his face alight with gossip. "Brother, just who are you? I know Cao Zhilan; this woman is famous throughout the Endless Sea. Countless men are utterly infatuated with her, but I've never heard of her paying any man any mind. You’re something else; how did you manage to get her to openly make advances toward you?"

Shi Yan’s expression remained placid, and he gently shook his head. "She's delusional."

Lin Yaqi let out a soft snort and nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Definitely delusional. To act so shamelessly in front of so many people—I truly admire her nerve."

"You're not going down?" Ye Changfeng goaded. "That woman is a supreme treasure longed for by countless people in the Endless Sea. She's made the invitation; what are you waiting for?"

Countless eyes from all directions converged on Shi Yan, each face reflecting a different emotion, as if everyone awaited some definitive action.

Cao Zhilan smiled sweetly, like a peach blossom in full bloom, unparalleled in beauty. The light concealed the curves of her figure, her damp hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her red lips were intoxicating as she raised her voice again to challenge him: "Shi Yan, are you perhaps afraid of me? Afraid I'll devour you?"

In one of the taverns, a young woman whose long hair reached her waist and hips froze, covering her mouth, staring at Shi Yan in disbelief.

"Clang!"

The platter she was holding slipped, and several greenish fruits rolled across the floor.

"Linda!" a girl beside her quickly hissed, "Stop spacing out!"

Linda held her hand over her mouth, her face etched with astonishment, staring blankly at Shi Yan through the distant window, seemingly deaf to the call of the girl next to her.

"Sister Lan! What exactly are you doing!"

A fierce roar suddenly erupted from the tavern immediately to Shi Yan's left. A towering young man, well over two meters tall and incredibly powerfully built, had his face flushed deep red as he glared fiercely at Shi Yan.

This man was clad in coarse animal hides, his bare black skin crisscrossed with ferocious, intersecting scars. Prominent veins bulged beneath his muscles, seemingly filled with endless reservoirs of strength.

"Mangu, don't meddle in my affairs." Cao Zhilan still wore that mesmerizingly captivating smile. Her beautiful eyes fixed quietly on Shi Yan as she continued her provocation: "Shi Yan, truly don't dare?"

"The Cao family's young lady has gone mad!"

"She truly has!"

"Is that really her? I heard she’s never been smitten with any man before? What’s gotten into her today?"

"It must be her; otherwise, how would Mangu from the Savage Cult be so enraged?"

"..."

In the bathhouse and the surrounding taverns, the noise rose, and numerous martial artists discussed the scene animatedly, whispering to one another.

In that instant, Shi Yan became the focal point. Everyone was secretly trying to fathom his identity and understand the nature of his connection with Cao Zhilan.

In the distant marketplace, a graceful figure veiled in black gauze, upon hearing the commotion from the bath pool, couldn't help but approach. She joined many curious martial artists on a balcony in the marketplace, observing from afar.

The moment the black-veiled figure glimpsed the scene, her delicate frame trembled, and complex emotions flooded her beautiful eyes as she focused unwaveringly on Shi Yan.

Shi Yan suddenly sensed it, his powerful frame jolting slightly, and he abruptly turned to look toward her.

Their four eyes met, and it seemed countless sparks of electricity flashed between them; myriad emotions were exchanged in that single glance.

The numerous martial artists watching Shi Yan noticed the dramatic shift in his expression and instinctively followed his gaze toward the veiled figure, seeing only a pair of clear, deep, beautiful eyes.

Suddenly turning back, Shi Yan flashed a grin. Under the gaze of the multitude, he declared: "It's not that I don't dare, but that I am unwilling. I appreciate Miss Cao's affections, but regrettably, my heart is already claimed. If you wish to become a concubine or a servant girl, you must work harder and first obtain her approval."

Shi Yan abruptly pointed toward the black-veiled figure.

The crowd followed his pointed finger in a daze.

Under the intense scrutiny of all, the woman removed the black veil from her face, revealing an unparalleled, world-toppling beauty.

With a light, graceful movement, amidst countless gazes, she floated into the air and stepped, step by step, toward Shi Yan, resembling a goddess descending from the heavens to walk among mortals, her bearing magnificent and alluring.

Under an astonishing surge of presence, she slowly approached Shi Yan, passed over the window sill, and stopped right beside him.

The entire venue erupted once more.

"Xia Xinyan of the Galo Sea Region!"

"It is indeed her. Her Reincarnation Martial Soul is profound and unfathomable; we finally get to see it today."

"Who is that young man? How could the two most dazzling flowers of the Endless Sea both be attached to this block of meat?"

"Shi Yan? Have any of you heard that name?"

"Who the hell has heard of him! Damn it! It makes no sense. How could the Cao family's eldest daughter, whom I admire, be so fiery and bold for this scoundrel?"

"..."

The numerous young martial artists lost their color, glaring at Shi Yan with teeth gritted, looking as if they wished to devour him raw.

Many young women, however, displayed expressions of keen interest, their beautiful eyes shining with lively curiosity as they observed Shi Yan, eager to discover what charm he possessed that could move both Cao Zhilan and Xia Xinyan to such passion.

Momentarily, the bathhouse and its surroundings became a scene of booming clamor.

"When did you arrive?" Shi Yan asked softly.

Xia Xinyan, sitting beside him and pointedly ignoring the resentful Cao Zhilan in the pool, smiled gently. "I arrived this morning. I was invited by the Three Gods Sect. Accompanying me is my grandfather."

"Tang Yuannan certainly takes great pains," Shi Yan nodded, reaching out to take her jade hand, only to have it playfully slapped away, accompanied by a mild glare.

"Scoundrel! How dare you upset Sister Lan! I'll make you pay with your life!"

A furious roar came from the Savage Cult youth, Mangu, the one built like a bear. He screamed, and his body shot toward Shi Yan like a cannonball.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

A piercing whistle cut through the air. Mangu, mid-flight, suddenly coiled his body tightly, his muscles bunching up as waves of violent power erupted from his frame.

Shi Yan frowned, his gaze gradually turning icy cold.

"Splash, splash, splash!"

The surface of the water beneath Mangu suddenly erupted, sending crystalline water columns rocketing toward the sky, sweeping wildly toward him.

"Get lost!"

Mangu bellowed, and the sound wave struck the columns like myriad arrows, directly impacting the shimmering water jets rising from below.

The colossal water dragons, thick as towering stone pillars, seemed to be sliced by countless sword energies, shattering into a spray of fine droplets that scattered everywhere.

Mangu’s burly body stepped on the massive drops of water, charging toward Shi Yan with a ferocious snarl.

A black great hammer, the size of a millstone and crackling with lightning, suddenly appeared in Mangu's hand.

With a dull thunderclap, countless streaks of blinding light shot out from the thunder-hammer. The pure, magnificent light beams struck with unparalleled force, instantly blasting toward Shi Yan's chest.

"Be careful!" Ye Changfeng cried out lightly but remained rooted to his spot, only his brow furrowed slightly.

Lin Yaqi, however, looked excited, her face flushed crimson. Her voice was soft as she said, "This brute possesses innate divine strength; they say one punch can kill a martial artist at the first layer of Nirvana Realm. Today, we finally get to see his might. Ha, this time he’s fighting with full anger; there’s going to be a real show."

Hand seals condensed from pure light manifested at extreme speed from Shi Yan's palm, overlapping, merging into one, and were violently thrust outward.

Sheng Yin!

Seven seals combined, the imprint was mountain-like, divine light surging, capable of splitting open mountains and cleaving the earth.

"Boom!"

A world-shaking explosion suddenly erupted above the bathhouse.

Amidst the deafening roar, the bluestone slabs around the hot spring pool shattered one by one.

The three taverns bordering the spring pool collapsed instantly, sending huge stone blocks tumbling down, causing many martial artists to cover their heads and flee, cursing loudly.

Mangu's body trembled violently in mid-air, then he plunged into the bathhouse. The black great hammer slipped from his grasp, smashing into a nearby tavern and completely demolishing it.

Shi Yan felt an acid burn in his arms, his meridians nearly bursting, his face flushed crimson. He was forced back three steps before he could stabilize himself.

Powerful!

A chilling realization struck him. Shi Yan’s expression instantly turned as cold as ice, and endless fighting intent flared in his eyes. He suddenly launched himself forward, diving toward the fallen Mangu in the pool like a fierce eagle.

"Again!"

Mangu had just surfaced in the water when he saw Shi Yan descending from above. He let out a savage, sharp laugh, and his bones emitted continuous popping sounds like firecrackers exploding.

Mangu's inherently ferocious and violent aura surged higher with every crack of his joints.

PS Third chapter! Ten thousand characters! Brothers, got any monthly tickets!! Roaring wildly! I want monthly tickets!! (To be continued)