Chapter 1173: A Prophecy Fulfilled

Zu An slowly sank into the water, holding Yu Yanluo. Lan Fu's power created an air bubble in the water, preventing her from suffocating.

He circulated his energy to regulate his breathing, feeling that although he was also badly injured, his condition was still manageable.

He then activated the Primordial Chaos Sutra, sending a wisp of primordial chaos energy into her body.

Seemingly feeling the warm energy entering her body, Yu Yanluo let out a soft moan and slowly regained consciousness.

Unfortunately, she was too weak; even opening her eyes was difficult. After finally managing to see Zu An clearly, a faint smile appeared between her brows. "Ah Zu, have you recovered? Am I dreaming?"

Normally, she was as radiant as a peach blossom, her exquisite face possessing a captivating aura that made many men feel ashamed of their own inferiority and dare not look her directly in the eye.

But now her face was filled with weakness and exhaustion, as if she were a porcelain doll that would shatter with the slightest touch.

Zu An's heart ached at the sight. He took her hand and placed it on his cheek. "Yanluo, touch me. Can you feel my body temperature? How could this be a dream?"

Feeling the firm lines of his face, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Yu Yanluo's lips. "It's good that you're alright. It's just a pity I can't stay with you."

She was also a master, naturally understanding the consequences of forcefully using the Medusa's Eye several times against someone far beyond her cultivation level. However, she had no regrets; if given another chance, she would still choose the same.

"No, you can stay with me," Zu An said with certainty.

Yu Yanluo merely thought he was comforting her. She said weakly, "Right now, I just want to talk to you properly, to spend my last moments... I'm a little cold, could you hold me tighter?"

Only then did Zu An realize that she was always sensitive to cold. Now, severely injured and weak, her life force was almost extinguished. Coupled with the extreme coldness of this underground pool, she naturally couldn't bear it.

He quickly circulated his vital energy, continuously sending streams of warmth to her.

Yu Yanluo's previously trembling body gradually relaxed. She smiled faintly, "I remember back then, when you saw I was cold, you gave me some hand warmers. But now I realize, you're the best hand warmer of all."

As the capital's foremost beauty, even if she simply stood there, doing nothing, saying nothing, or even unseen, countless men across the land would be utterly captivated by her name alone.

What's more, she was now a warm, soft jade lying in his arms, softly whispering words of affection.

Yet, Zu An had no impure thoughts whatsoever at that moment, only endless pity and worry.

"There will be plenty of opportunities to talk to me later. Save your strength, I have a way to save you," he quickly reminded her.

Yu Yanluo smiled sadly. "You don't need to lie to me. I know best what state my body is in."

Zu An said earnestly, "I really do have a way. The cultivation method I practice is very special; it not only gives me powerful recovery abilities but can also heal various internal injuries in others that affect their very essence. Look, I also forcefully overused the Star-Shattering Mystic Seal just now, and aren't I gradually recovering now?"

Yu Yanluo was stunned. She recalled that he had also been close to death moments ago; although he wasn't fully recovered and energetic, his condition was clearly much better.

At this point, Zu An said, "It's just that the method of rescue is a bit... peculiar. I'm afraid you might not be able to accept it."

Yu Yanluo smiled faintly. "How could I not accept it if you're saving me?"

Zu An leaned in and whispered something into her ear.

Yu Yanluo's originally pale cheeks visibly flushed crimson. She pressed her lips together and finally, in a voice barely audible, replied, "Okay."

Zu An was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected her to agree so readily. "You don't suspect I'm trying to take advantage of you?"

Yu Yanluo shook her head. Her gem-like eyes were filled with tenderness. "Since I've chosen you, of course I'll trust you. Besides, my body will be yours sooner or later anyway."

"Yanluo..." Deeply moved by her affection, Zu An embraced her tightly.

Yu Yanluo's cheeks were hot. "I heard that back then, the eldest daughter of the Chu family was wounded at her foundation in the secret realm, and everyone in Brightmoon City thought she was going to perish. But in the end, she not only recovered completely but also advanced in strength. Was it because you... saved her this way?"

"Yes." Talking about another woman at this moment made Zu An a little awkward, but to give her more confidence, he admitted it. "I didn't expect you to know even about those things in Brightmoon City from back then."

Yu Yanluo rested her head on his chest. Her eyes sparkled with a strange brilliance. "When I was saved by a young man back then, I naturally paid more attention to his affairs. But at that time, it was purely out of gratitude. I never expected that this young man would eventually become my man."

Zu An thought of their first meeting and chuckled. "I told you back then that I'd be your man. You didn't think I was joking, did you?"

A hint of shyness flashed across Yu Yanluo's face. "Who knew you were such a mischievous brat back then?"

Back then, she had only taken his bold words as a joke. Little did she know they would become a prophecy.

Hearing the natural allure in her soft complaint, Zu An couldn't help but lean in and kiss her.

Yu Yanluo let out a soft moan, closing her eyes and responding. The shadows of her long eyelashes on her smooth, jade-like cheeks seemed to tremble slightly.

Soon, Zu An lifted his head. Saving her was still the most important thing at the moment, but he was also worried that this might make her uncomfortable.

Yu Yanluo seemed to guess his concern and said softly, "I don't even have the strength to lift my hand now. My clothes... you can take them off yourself."

After speaking, she turned her face away, not daring to meet his gaze. She was clearly overcome with extreme shyness.

That beautiful posture, inviting him to pick her, was truly the epitome of temptation.

Zu An repeatedly reminded himself that the immediate priority was to heal her, and he must not get distracted.

So he no longer hesitated and gently untied the silk ribbon around her waist.

Her skin was as smooth as silk. Without any effort, her dress slipped down by itself.

Ever since entering the mine, the surroundings had been dim and dark. But now, before his eyes, everything was crystal clear and dazzlingly white.

Even the priceless luminous pearl that had been providing light seemed to dim in comparison at this moment.

...

A while later, Yu Yanluo struggled to lift her hand to stop his actions, then said timidly, "Put the lining of my dress underneath."

Zu An was slightly startled, then chuckled, "There's no need for that."

Who knew Yu Yanluo's attitude would be so resolute. "After all, I've been married. I don't care what others think of me, but I care very much about what you think. Although I told you that the Duke and I were only husband and wife in name, words alone aren't proof. I don't want any seed of doubt to remain between us."

Zu An couldn't argue with her and could only place the pure white skirt beneath her.

Yu Yanluo's breathing quickened. Her beautiful eyes gazed tenderly at the masculine man before her, her red lips parted slightly. "Ah Zu, I love you~"

These simple words of love were even more potent than any of Hu Poison Boy's drugs.

With her loving gaze upon him, Zu An completely merged with her.

With a soft moan, Yu Yanluo nearly fainted, her entire body suddenly tensing.

Fortunately, a warm current of cosmic origin immediately entered her body, nourishing her withered and damaged meridians and internal organs.

It was an unprecedented experience. Yu Yanluo felt it was even more wondrous than when she achieved a breakthrough in cultivation years ago. At that moment, she felt as if she were in the primordial chaos of the universe, sensing life emerging and the Grand Dao evolving around her.

Her mind and body completely let go, and she tightly embraced her beloved.

...

Meanwhile, on the shore, Yan Xuehen sat cross-legged. She was trying hard to expel the poison, and if not, at least temporarily halt its spread.

Yun Jianyue, however, had no mind to heal her injuries. She knew her injuries wouldn't heal quickly, so she paced back and forth on the shore, feeling exceptionally restless in her heart.

Suddenly, she stared at Yan Xuehen suspiciously. "Ice-Stone Woman, why do I feel like your head is glowing green? Are you alright?"

"I think it's your face that's turning green," Yan Xuehen retorted. But inwardly, she felt a little uneasy. Had the poison in her body already spread throughout her system?