Chapter 1145: Eerie Roar

Sensing the other's killing intent, Yan Xuehen was startled. "Are you mad? You're injured, yet you still want to fight me?" At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to find Zu An and get an explanation, so she naturally didn't want to waste time there. Moreover, between Grandmasters, no one would truly fight to the death unless absolutely necessary, as the victor would most likely suffer severe, perhaps irreparable, injuries.

Yun Jianyue sneered, "You're injured now too. We're both in the same boat; don't try to scare me."

"What's your relationship with him, that you're willing to fight me to the death for his sake?" Yan Xuehen asked, summoning her Flying Snow Sword to defend against an attack.

Yun Jianyue's phoenix eyes gleamed with malice. "He saved me and is my friend. I have nothing to repay him with. If you kill him, I'll avenge him!"

"Friend?" Yan Xuehen thought it strange that this demoness would call Zu An a friend; it was unprecedented. For how many years had the name of the Demonic Cult Master been enough to stop children crying at night? She had always been a solitary figure. When had anyone ever heard of her having friends? Now, she was calling a young man a friend and was willing to risk everything to duel a Grandmaster for him. Recalling the times she had helped Zu An before, Yan Xuehen thought it would be strange if there was nothing between them.

Yan Xuehen's face was frosty. Clearly, they had known each other for much longer than she had, and for some reason, this thought made her extremely uncomfortable. Coupled with their years as rivals, she was unwilling to reveal the truth, lest it seem like she was afraid of her opponent.

"Eliminating demons and defending the righteous is simply our duty. Blame only that fellow for his indulgence in women and going astray." Yan Xuehen knew that a slight concession could avoid this battle, but she was always proud. How could she show weakness in front of her old rival?

"Die!" Yun Jianyue could no longer hold back. She channeled her Crescent Wheel and charged straight at Yan Xuehen. Yan Xuehen immediately raised her Flying Snow Sword to meet the attack.

The clash of Grandmasters was immense. The surrounding mine tunnels immediately shook, and nearby shafts collapsed directly. However, the falling earth and rocks couldn't injure the two Grandmasters. Unaffected, they unleashed their unique skills. One, eager for revenge, and the other, stubbornly proud, fought a battle that seemed to make the heavens and earth dark.

Meanwhile, Zu An, who was speeding through the mine tunnel with Yu Yanluo, felt a terrifying pressure emanating from afar behind them and involuntarily stopped. Yu Yanluo also sensed it. "Who is Yan Xuehen fighting?"

"Who cares who she's fighting?" Zu An replied. "With her cultivation, who could possibly harm her, unless it's the Emperor himself?"

Yu Yanluo nodded. It was true. She and Zu An were top experts, yet they had been completely defenseless when they teamed up earlier. If Zu An hadn't come up with a plan, they would probably be dead by now. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but ask, "What method did you use just now to make Yan Xuehen let us go?"

Zu An's old face flushed. To be honest, that method was a bit underhanded, and he was too embarrassed to say it directly. He vaguely replied, "Perhaps she had a change of heart, worried that killing me would cause a rift between master and disciple in the future."

"But then she would have no reason to let me go, would she?" Yu Yanluo had actually guessed something similar but couldn't understand why she had managed to escape.

Zu An said, "Maybe she remembered that you haven't harmed anyone over the years; on the contrary, you've saved many. Or perhaps, seeing how beautiful you are, even she, a woman, was captivated by you and couldn't bear to destroy such a work of art, beloved by the heavens."

Yu Yanluo's cheeks flushed, and she lightly chided, "You always tease me." However, hearing him praise her beauty, her heart couldn't help but swell with joy. In truth, she had heard countless people praise her beauty over the years, many whose literary talent far surpassed Zu An's, their praises flowing like a cascade of flowers. But though she always responded with a smile, her heart had always remained calm. She even felt a little troubled by how much unnecessary trouble and turmoil her appearance brought her. Yet now, hearing Zu An's praise, she felt an unprecedented shyness.

Yu Yanluo was born a beauty capable of overthrowing kingdoms, and her current shy demeanor made her even more charming and seductive. Even Zu An, who had seen much of the world, was momentarily mesmerized. Yu Yanluo noticed his burning gaze, and amidst her shyness, she felt a hint of sweetness. "Do I look good?"

Zu An nodded, smiling, and said, "Yes, you do." He had wanted to use more flowery words to describe her, but as their eyes met, he felt it was unnecessary. Simple, genuine honesty felt best.

Yu Yanluo pursed her lips and smiled, adding a few touches of light to the dark mine. "You can look for as long as you want from now on." She was not an inexperienced young girl, needing to shyly hide her feelings. She already had a good impression of him, and this time, fleeing together in the mine, facing Yan Xuehen's pursuit, they had both been willing to risk their lives to save each other. Having shared life and death, their relationship naturally progressed.

Zu An, however, didn't quite grasp her hidden meaning. Instead, he joked, "As long as I want? So, can I look whenever I want?"

"Then when do you want to look?" Yu Yanluo's eyes swirled, and her voice softened slightly.

"Like, at night?" Zu An was slowly realizing something was amiss, but he still didn't think in that direction.

To his surprise, Yu Yanluo readily agreed, "Alright."

Zu An was stunned. What was happening? Seeing his dazed expression, Yu Yanluo chuckled, "Silly boy." As soon as she spoke, she wrapped her arms around Zu An's neck, and her soft red lips met his.

Zu An stiffened, instinctively wrapping his arms around her waist. He was kissed by Yu Yanluo? For so many years, countless men had circled her, longing for a taste of her affection but never succeeding. Yet now, she was actively kissing a man. Even if this news spread, probably no one would believe it.

After a long moment, their lips parted. Zu An only remembered her lips were very soft and very sweet. Yu Yanluo's face was flushed, like peach blossoms, but she still smiled shyly. "I thought you were a glib-tongued playboy, but it turns out you're just a blockhead."

Oh, I can't let that pass! Zu An couldn't tolerate it. He grabbed her wrist, pressed her against the nearby wall, and lowered his head to kiss her. Feeling the man's masculine, fiery pressure and his wild, even rough, movements, Yu Yanluo was initially startled. But she quickly realized she had provoked him. Her heart pounded, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she slowly closed her eyes and let him do as he pleased. No matter how mature her mindset, she was still inexperienced in such matters and no match for the battle-hardened Zu An. Under his seductive touch, she soon melted like candy in his arms.

Feeling her boneless body, Zu An felt himself growing stiff and quickly became unsatisfied with just kissing. As he began to explore, Yu Yanluo's breathing grew more rapid. She merely opened her eyes, casting him a resentful look, but did not stop him.

Zu An lifted her into his arms, and just as he was about to go further, a low, eerie roar suddenly echoed. Following it, the surrounding cave began to shake violently, and many clumps of earth fell from above. Both were startled. The sound came from a distance. The long mine tunnel was pitch black and endless; only some dark mist gradually emerged, with nothing else visible.

"Was that the cry of something just now?" Yu Yanluo's face was flushed, and she was completely limp in her lover's arms as if she had melted. If he hadn't been supporting her, she might have fallen to the ground.

"We heard it when we first jumped down too," Zu An said, his expression grave. He had initially thought it might be wind or an earthquake, amplified by the huge mine shaft, creating such a terrifying sound. Now, inside the mine, they could clearly feel that it was the roar of a creature. The terrifying pressure revealed in the sound put them both on high alert.