Chapter 1277: Mutual Suspicion

This so-called treasure map records the location of an Unknown Land, but it doesn't specify which particular Unknown Land it is.

Seeing the women's reactions, Zu An's heart stirred. "You know about the Unknown Lands?" he asked.

When he first transmigrated to this world and unlocked the takeover system, he learned that he needed to collect secret texts from 12 Unknown Lands to unlock corresponding functions.

At first, he even asked Chu Chuyan, but she was very secretive about it and warned him not to inquire about related information.

Although their relationship gradually grew closer later, he always forgot to ask about it again.

Now, with two Grandmasters present, they surely knew more details.

Sure enough, Yan Xuehen explained directly, "You must have discovered many secret realms in this world, right? Many of them are likely vastly different from the customs and practices of our world. People speculate that these secret realms were left behind by ancient, heaven-defying figures, similar to their cultivation grotto-heavens."

"Of course, it's also possible that these secret realms connect to other worlds in the universe. Because they involve laws of space, our current world's understanding of them is merely rudimentary."

"These secret realms often represent opportunities and valuable treasures. They are also very suitable for cultivators to undergo trials, and controlling a secret realm often signifies the rise of a sect or family."

"It is generally accepted that the larger a secret realm is, the more dangerous it tends to be, but it also promises greater rewards. Furthermore, an ancient legend has always circulated: that there are 12 mysterious secret realms in the world, containing indescribable divine arts and precious treasures. Gaining one would make a person invincible under heaven, and perhaps even grant immortality."

Zu An's expression was strange, thinking that these legends were surely exaggerated. He had already obtained several secret realms, but he wasn't invincible under heaven.

Yan Xuehen, naturally unaware of his thoughts, continued, "However, no one knows the location of these 12 mysterious secret realms, nor even their names. Throughout history, countless powerful individuals with profound luck have accidentally entered them, but not a single one has emerged alive."

"The relatives and friends of those powerful individuals followed the clues they left behind to search for the secret realms in the same locations, but they could never find them. It's as if these secret realms can change their locations on their own, unpredictable and unknown. Thus, they are called the Unknown Lands."

Yun Jianyue added, "It's not that no one has ever emerged alive. Decades ago, Emperor Zhao Hao, seeking immortality, mobilized the nation's resources to search for these legendary Unknown Lands. Later, by chance, he did find information about an Unknown Land called Xiqi. He then sent all his trusted experts into the secret realm to search for the art of immortality. However, that entire group of experts was annihilated, and no news of them ever emerged again."

"Only in recent years did we learn that one eunuch from that group actually managed to escape. However, he became greedy for the divine art he obtained, wanting to keep it for himself, so he went to Brightmoon City and lived under a false identity. Unfortunately, the Emperor had been pursuing this matter, and ultimately, he could not escape death."

After she finished speaking, the women in the room all turned their gazes towards Zu An. After all, this incident had caused a great stir back then, and the Emperor had even personally issued an imperial decree for him to be brought back to the capital.

Zu An feigned a bit of "shyness." "Your gazes are like you want to devour me," he said, "it's making me a little scared."

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. "You're so annoying, you're practically asking for a beating!" she scoffed. "We're not like that dog Emperor Zhao Hao, who's dying and covets these things. We're just curious if those legends are true."

Zu An nodded. "What you described isn't far off," he said. "The only discrepancy is that with the Nirvana Phoenix Sutra, I haven't felt any ability to achieve immortality."

The women, hearing the explanation directly from the person involved, all showed relieved expressions.

Yan Xuehen sighed with emotion, "No wonder, at such a young age, your cultivation vastly surpasses that of all the geniuses I've known. It seems the cultivation techniques from these Unknown Lands are truly miraculous."

Zu An was stunned. "Is it really that impressive?" he asked. "Why do I feel like everyone I meet around me has higher cultivation?"

Yan Xuehen's breath hitched. *This guy is truly feigning humility after such great gains,* she thought. "Many of the people you've encountered are seniors," she said. "Even among your peers, they've cultivated for much longer than you."

She learned from her disciple that this guy was clearly an ordinary person who couldn't cultivate before he married into the Chu family. In just two or three years, he had already grown to this extent—enough to make all those who boasted of being geniuses throughout history die of shame. Yet, he was still not satisfied.

"Since you truly possess the Nirvana Phoenix Sutra, I'm even more curious why the Emperor would spare you." Yan Xuehen had met the Emperor a few times; his aura was too overwhelming, and coupled with the imperial court's overly domineering policies towards the major sects, she disliked him greatly.

Even Yu Yanluo was curious now. She had indeed interceded for Zu An back then, but even she hadn't been very confident.

"Because the cultivation method of the Nirvana Phoenix Sutra is unique, it's impossible for the Emperor to re-cultivate it," Zu An explained. "Plus, he also read the Nirvana Phoenix Sutra and concluded that the legendary immortality was false, which is probably why he let me go." Zu An naturally couldn't reveal that the Emperor intended to use him to frame King Qi.

After hearing this explanation, the other women suddenly understood. Only Yun Jianyue's expression remained suspicious. "Would you really give the true Nirvana Phoenix Sutra to that dog Emperor?" she asked.

Zu An blinked and gave a shy smile. "Guess?" he said.

Yun Jianyue's heart stirred. Just as she was about to ask again, Yan Xuehen impatiently interrupted her. "You know perfectly well what the Emperor's cultivation level is," she said. "How could a fake secret realm deceive him? Don't trouble him further."

Yun Jianyue snorted. "Only you are a good person," she retorted.

The group chatted for a while longer, and soon their attention returned to the map.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were both quite knowledgeable and experienced, but they were utterly confused by the various symbols on this map. They seemed to have never seen such terrain before.

If they didn't know, it was even less likely that Zu An would know.

Only Yu Yanluo stared at the map intently. "This seems to be a map of the area near the Royal Court," she said.

"What?" the others exclaimed, startled.

Yu Yanluo looked for a while longer, then confirmed again, "Yes, it is the Royal Court's map. Over the years, because of my Medusa bloodline, I researched a lot of demon tribe intelligence while in Cloudtop Commandery. Later, during my few days back with the Serpent Tribe, I consulted many more records. This map indeed depicts the mountains and terrain of the Demon Royal Court."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly realized something and hastily said to Zu An, "Ah Zu, the Royal Court is too dangerous for you. The Demon Emperor will most likely not let you go, just to assert his authority for the Golden Crow Prince."

At this point, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue also advised, "That's right. And the Unknown Lands are far too dangerous. Apart from that eunuch, no one has ever emerged alive throughout history, and even that eunuch met a terrible end."

"While the Unknown Lands are dangerous, they're not that exaggerated," Zu An said quite humbly. "It's not like I haven't been there."

"You're too young, so your perception of this might not be clear," Yan Xuehen said. "For instance, in the history of our White Jade Capital, there were some astonishingly talented predecessors who went to seek the Unknown Lands, and ultimately vanished without a trace."

"That's right," Yun Jianyue added. "Several sect leaders in the history of our Sacred Cult also died in the Unknown Lands."

The two Grandmasters, midway through their persuasion, suddenly realized something and exclaimed in unison, "What? You've also been to an Unknown Land?"

Zu An nodded. "Yes," he said. "Didn't I tell you?"

*And not just one,* he secretly added.

Seeing him clearly wanting to show off yet pretending to be modest, the women all felt a little annoyed. It really matched his usual style.

However, at this moment, they didn't have time to dwell on that. "What Unknown Land have you been to?" they pressed. "Quick, tell us what happened!"

Each of their expressions was incredibly eager; even the usually aloof Yan Xuehen now looked like a little fan girl.

"Actually, it's nothing big," Zu An said casually. "Just fighting some ancient terrestrial immortals, or some immortal monsters, that's all..." The more nonchalantly Zu An spoke, the more it piqued the women's curiosity.

Next, Zu An briefly recounted a few of his adventure experiences, but they were too vague, making it difficult for them to fully enjoy.

Yun Jianyue wondered if perhaps there were things he didn't feel comfortable saying in front of everyone.

*That's right,* she thought. *That Ice Stone Woman was still threatening him with violence before, and she has the backing of a major sect like the White Jade Capital. If the news gets out, it will cause him big trouble. So, I'll find a time to go to his room privately and have him tell me slowly.*

Yan Xuehen had the same thought. *The demoness's Demonic Cult stops at nothing,* she mused. *He's probably worried about being exploited by her. It seems I'll have to find a chance to ask him about it privately.*

However, meeting him privately, she always worried that something might happen.

Among the three women, only Yu Yanluo was the most composed. She could easily find time to be alone with Zu An and ask him.

However, she still felt a bit resentful inwardly. *Such matters should only be told to me,* she thought. *Why tell the other two women? One is backed by the White Jade Capital, and the other by the Demonic Cult; they won't only consider personal interests.*

Although they had been getting along well these days, they weren't true sisters after all. Who knew if they would betray Ah Zu?