Chapter 1139: Medusa's Eye

She had been genuinely moved when he previously claimed ignorance of his wife's beauty, but now, upon reflection, she realized she had fallen into his trap. Now, she was desperate to know what he truly thought of her appearance.

Yan Xuehen also watched with amusement, awaiting his reply. Her words carried the will of a Grandmaster, capable of compelling someone to unconsciously reveal their true thoughts. She looked forward to seeing how Yu Yanluo would react once the young man admitted to being infatuated with her beauty. She could also inform her apprentice of these events, allowing her to see this man's true nature.

At that moment, Zu’an spoke with a serious expression, "The reason I saved Yu Yanluo is that she helped me when I was in distress. A true man, living between heaven and earth, naturally repays kindness and seeks justice for wrongs."

"Just repayment...?" Yu Yanluo quietly lowered her head, her expression unreadable.

"Does mere gratitude require you to stake your life and future? To my knowledge, while Yu Yanluo did assist you, she didn't truly sacrifice anything back then. This repayment, many times over, isn't it simply because you covet her beauty?" Despite Yu Yanluo being a demon, Yan Xuehen had to admit her peerless beauty. Even she, a woman, was captivated, let alone this lecherous man.

"Repaying kindness isn't a transaction; one shouldn't expect an equal return. Master Yan, you're too fixated on superficialities." Zu’an glanced at her with a strange expression.

Yan Xuehen nodded slightly. She was not an unreasonable person and realized her previous statement was indeed flawed.

Zu’an then continued, "Besides, there are many beautiful people in the world. For instance, Master Yan, you are a beauty no less stunning than Yu Yanluo. Would I risk my life to save you?"

Yan Xuehen was bewildered.

Yu Yanluo, however, secretly chuckled. This man was truly something; he was clearly undermining the other party while subtly complimenting her without a trace. No wonder he was so charming.

"Insolent! I am a dignified Grandmaster; why would I need saving by a junior like you?" Yan Xuehen scoffed, and the temperature in the cave perceptibly dropped.

[Anger value from Yan Xuehen +222+222+222...]

Zu’an retorted, "Master Yan, don't speak too soon. Life is unpredictable; no one can say if such a day will never come."

Yan Xuehen's expression turned solemn. "Rest assured, if such a situation ever arises, I would rather die than accept your rescue. Moreover, if even I were in such peril, you would likely have been annihilated long ago."

Zu’an shrugged. "My point in saying all this is that I saved Yu Yanluo not only because of her past kindness, but more importantly because we are kindred spirits, true friends who can confide in each other. Naturally, I am willing to go to great lengths for a friend."

A faint smile finally graced Yu Yanluo's face. She thought, *We are more than just kindred spirits; we are in...*

At that moment, Yan Xuehen's words interrupted her thoughts: "Given your loyalty, I will spare your life today. Step aside while I capture this snake demon."

Zu’an’s expression changed, and he shielded Yu Yanluo behind him. "Master Yan, if she is captured, she will face certain death. I implore you to show mercy."

Yan Xuehen said coldly, "I am simply eliminating a hidden danger for humanity. If you are infatuated by her beauty and refuse to see reason, I won't hesitate to act on behalf of Heaven and, incidentally, remove Chu Yan's inner demon."

Zu’an was speechless.

That last sentence was the key, wasn't it? This old Taoist nun was clearly trying every possible way to separate him and Chu Yan.

He was about to speak when Yu Yanluo stepped in front of him. "Young Master, I appreciate your kindness. I am already profoundly grateful for all your help. I cannot burden you further. Please step aside; I will handle the rest myself."

She knew very well that even together, they would be no match for a Grandmaster. It was better to save one person than lose both.

Zu’an frowned. "How could I be so cowardly? If I help you for a while only for you to die in the end, then what was the point of everything I did?"

Yu Yanluo gazed at him with her beautiful eyes, transmitting her voice through vital energy. "I understand your intentions, but at this point, persisting would only be throwing your life away. If you truly care, please help me find Xing Nu and the others, and escort them safely back to their homeland. I will repay your kindness in my next life."

Zu’an shook his head. "You don't need to say anything more. I won't leave you."

Tears welled in Yu Yanluo's eyes. As she was about to plead further, Yan Xuehen, standing nearby, grew impatient. "Are you two finished whispering? Are you putting on a show of lovers' affection right in front of me?" This man was truly outrageous. He knew perfectly well she was Chu Yan's master, yet he was openly flirting with another woman right in front of her.

Yu Yanluo's face flushed slightly, but she no longer tried to dissuade Zu’an. Instead, she pushed him aside and then abruptly looked up at Yan Xuehen. She did not resort to the "Thousand Li Mountains and Seas Map," as such methods were mere child's play to a Grandmaster. Instead, she unleashed her ultimate ability directly, knowing she only had one chance.

Her beautiful, gem-like eyes now pulsed with an eerie red glow, and a stark, murderous aura permeated the entire cavern. She slowly ascended into mid-air, her flowing hair moving without wind, transforming into numerous small snakes, each with eyes glowing faintly red. All the red light enveloped Yan Xuehen, and her body began to turn to stone at a visibly rapid pace. Within a few breaths, her entire body had completely transformed into a stone statue.

Zu’an was startled. "You killed her?" He was astonished by Yu Yanluo's first full display of the Medusa's Eye's power. Beyond that, he remembered that Yan Xuehen was Chu Yan's master; if she truly died here, how would he ever explain it to Chu Yan?

At that moment, Yu Yanluo, still suspended in the air, suddenly went limp, as if all her strength had drained away, and began to fall. Zu’an quickly caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground.

The small snakes formed from Yu Yanluo's hair had closed their eyes, and her own eyes had returned to their normal color. Her face was pale as she asked, "Do I look very ugly like this?"

Zu’an was speechless. At a time like this, she was still concerned about such matters. Hadn't she claimed her appearance didn't matter to her?

"These little snakes actually look quite cute," Zu’an said, gently stroking one of the transformed hairs with a hint of curiosity.

Yu Yanluo trembled as if his gentle touch on the small snake was directly transmitted to her body. A faint blush crept onto her pale cheeks. "I've never fully unleashed the Medusa's Eye before, so I wasn't sure of its full power. Given that my opponent was a Grandmaster, I dared not hold anything back. I am truly sorry; I never expected this outcome." Only then did she recall that the other party was Zu’an’s wife’s master.

Zu’an sighed. "Since things have come to this, I'll take her body to the surface. I'll find an opportunity to send her back to White Jade Capital; we can't leave her forever in this dark, sunless place." He had not anticipated the Medusa's Eye would be so formidable. Based on the myths and legends he knew, it functioned somewhat like a causality weapon, its power not simply measurable by the combatants' strength levels. One could only conclude that Yan Xuehen had been overly confident, facing the Medusa's Eye head-on.

As he spoke, he cautiously approached Yan Xuehen, careful not to apply too much force lest he shatter her.

At that moment, a chilling voice echoed, "At least you have some conscience, young man."

Zu’an jumped, realizing the voice emanated from the stone statue. Terror gripped him. He was about to leap back and flee with Yu Yanluo when a terrifying pressure locked onto him. He felt an icy coldness penetrate his entire body, as if every cell had frozen. Moreover, the surroundings visibly became covered in a layer of frost, transforming the entire mine shaft into a world of ice and snow.

"This is a domain?" Zu’an mused, a realization dawning on him. He had encountered a similar aura in the Moonlit City secret realm, where Chu Yan had wielded forbidden spells to defeat the Kun Devourer despite a significant power disparity. However, the power then was utterly incomparable to what he felt now.

Just then, a cracking sound emanated from the stone statue before him. The surface stone then began to crack inch by inch, finally crumbling away to reveal Yan Xuehen's true form. Her originally fair, snow-like cheeks now bore an unnatural flush. "I was indeed a bit careless just now. If you had a few more years to cultivate, I might truly have been completely petrified. What a pity you no longer have that chance."

Having spoken, she slowly stepped forward, clearly intending to attack.

Zu’an grew anxious, channeling the Fire Phoenix power within him to counteract the biting cold. He stepped directly in front of her. "Yanluo, hurry and leave!"

Witnessing his action, Yan Xuehen's beautiful face darkened. "I had originally planned to be lenient with you, given your semblance of filial piety. But since you cannot distinguish right from wrong, do not blame me for acting without restraint." As she spoke, she raised her hand. At that exact moment, perhaps due to her movement, the distinct sound of fabric tearing could be heard. She looked down in astonishment, discovering that her clothes were dissipating into the air, piece by piece, like scattering butterflies.