Chapter 1174: Confidentiality

"Could you please stop walking around? You're making me irritable," Yan Xuehen said, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

To Yan Xuehen's surprise, Yun Jianyue not only didn't stop but deliberately continued to walk back and forth in front of her. "I'll walk around as much as I want. What are you going to do about it?" she taunted.

Yan Xuehen was speechless.

"You demoness, how did you become as lazy and shameless as Zuan!"

Yun Jianyue paused, startled. Her recent behavior *did* resemble that scoundrel's. Could she have been unconsciously influenced by him?

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly tried to cover it up. "What a boring woman. Don't you always boast about your 'Supreme Detachment'? How could you get angry so easily?"

Yan Xuehen also seemed lost in thought. It felt as if ever since she met Zuan, her once tranquil mind, calm as still water, had frequently been disturbed.

As this thought crossed her mind, her throat suddenly tasted sweet, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Yun Jianyue was startled. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Yan Xuehen said, wiping her mouth. Her expression, however, was grave.

The Supreme Detachment cultivation method allowed her progress to advance rapidly, but its biggest taboo was intense emotional fluctuations. She could now feel that her spiritual state was becoming unstable.

Yun Jianyue was about to speak when she suddenly stopped, cocking her head to listen. "Do you hear something?"

"What?" Yan Xuehen also snapped back to attention. Could there be any death worms that had escaped?

However, she didn't hear the previous eerie rustling sound. Instead, there was a faint, almost imperceptible strange humming.

Although both were severely injured, they were Grandmasters after all, and their gazes quickly locked onto the nearby pool of water.

Yun Jianyue instantly became furious. "That scoundrel! He makes us stand guard here while he's enjoying himself down there?"

Yan Xuehen's jade cheeks also flushed faintly. Although she was usually pure and untainted, having lived so many years, she naturally guessed what was happening below.

A very strange feeling immediately arose in her heart. Originally, according to their initial plan, it was *she* who was supposed to undergo dual cultivation with him.

But now it was Yu Yanluo with him, and it felt odd.

It was Yun Jianyue who first managed to compose herself. "Although that guy is a lecher, he wouldn't go so far as to take advantage of someone in such a way. Could he be treating Yu Yanluo's injuries?"

Regardless, she resolved to keep Honglei hidden more securely in the future. This man truly could 'steal one's chastity invisibly,' daring to do such a thing even in front of two Grandmasters like them.

Yan Xuehen recalled their past interactions and nodded. "He indeed doesn't seem like that kind of person."

Yun Jianyue was a little surprised. "It's rare for you to speak up for him."

"I'm merely stating the facts," Yan Xuehen said plainly. "I just didn't expect him to know dual cultivation methods."

Yun Jianyue also showed some concern. "His own body is on the verge of collapse; how can he save someone else? Moreover, Yu Yanluo's condition is like a lamp running out of oil. It's impossible to save her with just dual cultivation."

The reasons for their injuries were different. Although Zuan was severely wounded, there was still a faint, vibrant life force within him. In contrast, Yu Yanluo's life force was like a flame on the verge of extinguishing at any moment.

If they were to use their cultivation and dual cultivation techniques to help the injured Zuan recover his vitality, there would be a fifty percent chance of success. However, even if they were men and in their prime, the success rate of saving Yu Yanluo would be infinitely close to zero.

"Perhaps they just didn't want to have any regrets before parting ways," Yun Jianyue mused, only able to come up with this reason after a long time. "But Yu Yanluo is in such a state; how could she endure such exertion? That scoundrel really is a jerk."

Yan Xuehen's expression was also strange as she recalled the intimacy between Zuan and Yu Yanluo throughout their journey. "But Yu Yanluo seemed willing."

Yun Jianyue sat down beside her. "Sigh, we're truly sisters in misfortune, reduced to standing guard outside for others."

Yan Xuehen remained silent.

"That's just your interpretation. I'm healing, so don't disturb me."

With that, she closed her eyes and began to regulate her breathing. However, the thought of what the two beneath the water were doing made it difficult for her to calm her mind.

Finding herself bored and unwilling to meditate and heal, Yun Jianyue propped her chin on her hand, amusing herself by counting the rhythm coming from below.

"That guy would definitely be a hit as a gigolo," Yun Jianyue suddenly remarked, tapping her fingers on the stone wall.

A moment later, she exclaimed again, "Yu Yanluo looks so delicate and gentle; I didn't expect her to be so resilient."

Hearing her continuous commentary, Yan Xuehen finally couldn't hold back. She opened her eyes and glared at her. "No one will think you're mute if you just keep quiet!"

Yun Jianyue pouted. "I'm talking to myself. Who told you to eavesdrop?"

"Your voice is so loud, can you blame me for 'eavesdropping'?" Yan Xuehen's expression was icy.

Yun Jianyue chuckled. "Are you trying to fool me? With our cultivation levels, if we truly wanted to enter a meditative state, how could we be disturbed by these sounds? It just shows that your own mind isn't calm, and you wanted to listen too."

Yan Xuehen's face felt hot. "I just saw you so close and was worried you might launch a sneak attack."

"I'm not that despicable. If I want to beat you, I'll do it fair and square," Yun Jianyue retorted as if insulted.

Yan Xuehen suddenly frowned. "It does seem a bit strange, though. Hasn't it been going on for too long? It's been almost an hour now."

Yun Jianyue scoffed. "Did you forget Yu Yanluo just mentioned that members of the snake race can engage in 'that' for several hours at a time? To be honest, I think that scoundrel will be the first one to give out."

Yan Xuehen glared at her. "Have you forgotten Yu Yanluo's injuries?"

Yun Jianyue's smile faltered, and she quickly turned back to look at the pool.

Oh, right. Given Yu Yanluo's physical condition, she obviously couldn't have lasted this long. At this intensity, she should have long since perished.

"Could Zuan's treatment have worked?" the two women asked in unison.

Yun Jianyue suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. I heard Honglei mention that your disciple was severely injured in Mingyue City, rendered a cripple, and even close to death?"

"There was indeed something like that. But when I asked her, she was vague about it. I just assumed Divine Doctor Ji had saved her, and since her body showed no problems, I didn't inquire further," Yan Xuehen replied after a moment's thought, suddenly startled. Could it be...

Yun Jianyue clearly reached the same conclusion. "It seems she was also saved by that Zuan, and he used the same method!"

Yan Xuehen's expression flickered. No wonder Chu Yan was so devoted to him, no matter how much she tried to dissuade her. So, there was this deep connection.

"Alright, it's good that Yu Yanluo could be saved," Yun Jianyue sighed in relief, silently pondering why Zuan possessed such an ability.

Was it a special effect of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra?

No wonder even the Emperor desired it.

That girl Honglei is truly useless. I even taught her exquisite seduction techniques, yet someone still beat her to it in Mingyue City.

Yan Xuehen, however, was deeply troubled. Given Zuan's vigor, he himself was clearly not seriously harmed, and Yu Yanluo would undoubtedly be saved as well.

Although Yun Jianyue was severely injured, she would recover with time.

Only she, Yan Xuehen, might perish here.

She couldn't possibly let that Zuan save her using *that* method, could she...

The moment this thought arose, she was startled herself and quickly tried to banish it from her mind. But the harder she tried, the more readily various chaotic images surfaced.

Thus, both women fell into silence.

After an unknown amount of time, hearing the increasingly intense commotion from below, Yun Jianyue's eyelids twitched. She finally couldn't bear it anymore and roared towards the pool, "You scoundrel, are you ever going to finish?! That's enough!"

Silence instantly fell below, followed by Zuan's somewhat guilty voice. "Almost done, almost done..."

Yan Xuehen pressed her lips together in a slight smile. For the first time, she found her adversary, Yun Jianyue, somewhat agreeable.

After another short while, the water surface suddenly parted, and Zuan flew out, carrying Yu Yanluo.

Zuan looked utterly pleased with himself, while Yu Yanluo hid behind him, not daring to meet the gazes of the two women.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue's eyes widened in disbelief, for Yu Yanluo was actually standing on her own!

Although her walking posture seemed a bit strange, she was indeed able to move independently.

Before, she had looked as if she could collapse at any moment.

Was Zuan really that miraculous?

Feeling the two women's direct stares, Yu Yanluo fiercely pinched the flesh at Zuan's waist. It was all because this guy had just finished again and again, leaving her too embarrassed to face anyone now.

Zuan, meanwhile, clutched his chest, looking warily at the two Grandmasters. "What do you want?"

Yan Xuehen uncomfortably averted her gaze, her fair cheeks flushed with red.

Yun Jianyue, however, exclaimed, "You little brat, you're practically a human elixir! If news of this gets out, you'll probably be squeezed dry in no time."

Zuan chuckled awkwardly. "My constitution and cultivation method are indeed a bit special; I can save women who are on the verge of death from external or internal injuries. I hope both of you ladies can keep it a secret for me."

To his surprise, Yun Jianyue flatly refused. "Impossible, unless you agree to one condition!"