Chapter 1410: Gift

The women, all masters, reacted instantly. Yun Jianyue brought out her Changxin Palace Lantern, and its light shone on the monster. Those with weaker cultivation were practically immobilized by the light of her Changxin Palace Lantern. While the powerful Yayu beast wasn't completely frozen by the light, its movements visibly slowed.

Yu Yanluo, meanwhile, cast various runes on everyone while an unusual glow emanated from her eyes. Medusa's Eyes! The Yayu's skin had a faint yellowish-brown hue, as if covered in a layer of stone. Its entire body became extraordinarily heavy and clumsy. Clearly, it hadn't anticipated such a sudden change; losing its balance, it instantly tumbled down.

*If only it could get into the water, it would be safe!* However, it suddenly gaped with its massive eyes, because it abruptly realized that the familiar Weak Water below had now frozen solid. Only then did it notice the woman in the white dress casting a spell, with snowflakes swirling around her. Clearly, she was behind this trick.

It was too late to change direction. The Yayu crashed heavily onto the ice, and spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread across its surface. Yan Xuehen swayed, her face pale. Clearly, that impact had taken a toll on her. Nevertheless, she clenched her teeth, maintaining firm control over the icy surface, preventing the creature from escaping into the water.

By this time, Zu An had arrived. His Yin-Yang Twin Swords, empowered by the Fire Phoenix and Blue Drake, traced a gentle Tai Chi Yin-Yang fish arc. Like a natural stroke, it cleanly severed the Yayu's head. The Yayu's body stiffened, unable to support itself any longer, and it collapsed onto the ice. The women breathed a sigh of relief, having finally defeated the monster.

Yan Xuehen could no longer maintain the ice, and after it melted, the Yayu's body fell into the Weak Water. No one worried, as Zu An had carried its head to the shore. The head is the seat of the six yang energies; no creature could survive decapitation.

“Xiao Anzi, that sword strike of yours just now was almost Dao-like. Even I felt greatly inspired, as if I could perceive some natural laws from it. How did you do that?” Yun Jianyue asked, curious. Yan Xuehen's beautiful eyes also gazed at him silently. That wasn't the Snowflower Divine Sword technique; it seemed more like something he had created himself.

Zu An raised the Yin-Yang Twin Swords in his hand. “That strike just now seemed to be guided by these Yin-Yang Twin Swords, as if by fate.” Observing the two distinct lights and attributes on the swords, Yan Xuehen, being a cultivator herself, immediately understood: “It seems these Yin-Yang Twin Swords require the simultaneous infusion of both masculine and feminine elemental energies to achieve their full potential. Only you would possess such an ability.”

Most cultivators in this world can only specialize in one elemental power. Only an anomaly like Zu An carries several elemental powers simultaneously, some of which are opposing and conflicting.

Zu An smiled faintly. “Speaking of which, it's thanks to your assistance that I had the chance to kill this monster. I didn't realize how seamlessly we could coordinate, without needing any prior communication.” The women were also surprised. Reflecting on it, if any one of them had been missing, or if anyone's actions had been mistaken, they likely wouldn't have succeeded in killing the Yayu. They hadn't realized that their familiarity and synergy had reached such a level after spending time together.

Zu An, meanwhile, looked at Yu Yanluo. In these recent battles, she had cast numerous blessing auras on him, significantly boosting his strength, speed, and agility. He wondered why she never gave him these auras when they were in bed. *Hmm, next time he had the chance, he definitely had to try asking her.*

Although Yu Yanluo couldn't precisely read his mind, after being together for so long, she could guess some of his thoughts from his gaze. Her face instantly flushed. *This guy, really... and with Sister Yan and Sister Yun here too.*

Yan Xuehen seemed to notice their exchange of glances and said calmly, “I'll leave for a moment.”

Zu An was momentarily stunned. “Where are you going?”

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes at him. “Where else? To change her belt, of course. Just now, to save you, her belt was corroded and broken by the Weak Water. Speaking of which, I wonder what properties this Weak Water has, to even have corrosive effects.”

“Why are you telling him all this!” Yan Xuehen was a bit embarrassed and annoyed. After all, discussing her belt in front of a man was quite shameful. She looked at the broken half of the belt in her hand, a hint of distress in her eyes. It had been with her for many years, and she had always cherished it. She never expected it to break here.

*Oh no, this is bad. I don't seem to have a spare belt.* After all, this belt had been specially crafted; it was retractable and always spotless, so there was no need to prepare extra ones. Who would have thought such an awkward situation would arise? *Borrow one from that demonic woman? Then she'd mock her to death afterward. Borrow from Yu Yanluo? But I don't really want to owe her a favor.*

Just as she felt somewhat helpless, Zu An noticed her expression and said with a smile, “Sister Yan, you damaged your belt to save me, so of course I'm responsible. How about this: this Huntianling can also stretch and retract freely, and in some ways, it's quite similar to your belt. Use it as your new belt.”

At his words, the three women's eyes instantly widened. Yun Jianyue was the first to blurt out, “You're just giving away a Heaven-tier weapon like that? And as a belt? Isn't this practically a betrothal gift?!”

Yan Xuehen was both embarrassed and annoyed. “Demonic woman, what nonsense are you spouting?!” *And Zu An, really... saying this in front of them, aren't you exposing our relationship?*

Yun Jianyue glanced at her in surprise. “I was talking about a betrothal gift for your disciple, Chu Yan. Did you think I meant it for *you*? Dream on. A cold, stony woman like you could never get married.”

Yan Xuehen instantly flushed deep red. She had indeed thought Yun Jianyue was talking about her, but how could she admit it now? “Of course I know you're talking about Chu Yan. But I haven't agreed to this marriage yet, and you think a mere ribbon is enough to take away my precious disciple? There's no such good deal.”

Yun Jianyue retorted grumpily, “A Heaven-tier weapon isn't enough? Is your disciple encrusted with diamonds or something?”

Yan Xuehen was furious. “What did you say, demonic woman?!”

Yu Yanluo quickly intervened to mediate. “Sister Yan, since this is Ah Zu's heartfelt gesture, please accept it.” *Ah Zu and her shouldn't have any special relationship, right? Otherwise, how could he openly give such a valuable gift? Probably...*

Zu An also looked at Yan Xuehen with a gentle smile. “Yes, please accept it. Otherwise, my heart won't be at peace.”

Meeting his gaze, Yan Xuehen's heart suddenly pounded with extreme panic. Fearing that a further refusal would reveal her guilt to the other two women, she reluctantly said, “Alright then, considering your... your filial piety, I'll grudgingly accept it.”

*What a hypocritical woman.*

Zu An seized the opportunity. “Since that's the case, let me tie it for you.” Without waiting for her to object, he stepped directly in front of her, his arms circling behind her back, drawing her gently into an embrace as he tied the Huntianling around her waist.

Feeling his movements, and even clearly sensing his fingers gently brushing her skin around her waist, Yan Xuehen froze rigid, daring not to move. Her heart pounded fiercely. Her greatest concern now wasn't shyness, but rather the fear that Yun and Yu would notice the unusual nature of their relationship.

Fortunately, Zu An's actions didn't take too long, and he quickly finished tying the Huntianling. “It looks really good; the vibrant red adds a touch of liveliness,” Zu An said, praising his own gift.

“Red is hideous and doesn't match my clothes at all,” Yan Xuehen scoffed, speaking instinctively.

“I can't stand it! That ice-cold woman is truly ungrateful!” Yun Jianyue, standing nearby, was extremely displeased. “Xiao Anzi, you gave her something, what about me?”

Just then, Yu Yanluo, who was standing nearby, suddenly gasped, “The Yayu's head is gone!”