Chapter 1522: Death's Edge Exploration

Yun Jianyue was taken aback, completely unprepared for his direct confession. For a moment, she didn't know how to react.

Seeing his fervent gaze, a strange panic stirred within her. She slapped his hand away. "Stop messing around."

Instinctively tightening her clothes, she continued, "Both Ice Stone Maiden and I gained a lot from our journey to the Uncharted Land. For many years before this, we were stuck at our respective cultivation levels, making no progress. But in this secret realm, we witnessed too many higher-level beings—even celestials, who are more powerful than Earth Immortals. Also, the wisp of supreme majesty that emanated when the Heavenly Emperor bestowed the Sun-Shooting Bow upon you—it might not have much effect on ordinary people, but for those like Ice Stone Maiden and me, who have been stuck at the Grandmaster realm for years, it's more valuable than any rare treasure."

"We've only temporarily sealed away those experiences and insights, needing time to fully digest everything from the secret realm. I stayed with you before because your matters weren't resolved, but now that I see you can stand on your own, I'm greatly relieved. With your current combat power and the support of the Demon Clan Elders' Council, the Elf Tribe, and others, no one in the Royal Court should be able to harm you. It's time for me to return and attend to my own affairs."

At this point, she seemed a bit resentful. "That Ice Stone Maiden is so cunning. She must have gone back into seclusion to cultivate and break through, without even saying goodbye. I mean... I mean..."

"You mean what?" Zu An asked curiously, seeing her suddenly stammer.

"Nothing." Yun Jianyue's face flushed. It wouldn't do to admit that after all they'd been through, she had started seeing Yan Xuehen as a sister.

Bah! We're notorious rivals!

Next time we meet, it'll be a decisive battle for supremacy, even life or death!

That hypocritical Ice Stone Maiden, she secretly kept the Primeval Spirit Dew for herself. Fortunately, everyone got a share of the Feather Mountain Spirit Spring from the secret realm, otherwise, she would have pocketed that too.

"Can't you stay?" Zu An's mood was extremely low. After adventuring with Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue for so long, fighting alongside them, and facing life and death together, he had unconsciously formed a deep bond, feeling as if they were family. Now Yan Xuehen had left, and Yun Jianyue was also leaving. For a moment, he felt as though the whole world was abandoning him.

He didn't know why he had such a strong negative feeling. It was only a temporary separation, not a parting of life and death, and he knew logically that they would have to leave eventually.

Sensing the attachment in his voice, Yun Jianyue, whose heart was usually decisive and unyielding, softened slightly. "Xiao Anzi, I've been away for a long time. Our Holy Sect isn't as stable as Ice Stone Maiden's White Jade Capital. Those people are constantly scheming and backstabbing, always looking to benefit themselves at others' expense, plotting to overthrow and replace each other. Without a doubt, the Holy Sect must be in chaos by now. If I don't go back soon, it will be unmanageable."

She was also concerned about her disciple, Qiu Honglei. Although her secluded cultivation spot was safe, if the situation within the sect changed drastically, Honglei wouldn't be able to cultivate in peace.

For some reason, she didn't voice this concern, seemingly unwilling to discuss Honglei with Zu An.

Seeing Zu An fall silent, Yun Jianyue sighed softly. "I really must go. We'll meet again."

With that, she turned to leave. With her Grandmaster cultivation, she could have vanished from sight almost instantly, but for some reason, she walked very slowly, as if unaware of her own reluctance.

Just then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. "Don't go!"

Yun Jianyue's face colored deeply. Her long-standing instinct was to attack and shake off the other person, but upon realizing it was Zu An, her movements froze. Biting her red lips, she angrily asked, "What are you doing?"

"I don't want you to leave!" Zu An declared defiantly. He didn't know why, but his emotions were in turmoil, and he seemed much bolder than usual.

A complex expression flickered across Yun Jianyue's face. "Brat, you're getting bolder and bolder. How dare you take advantage of me? Let go!"

"No!" Zu An replied, with the stubbornness of a pig unafraid of boiling water. His nose caught the faint fragrance emanating from her, and he wondered why Sister Yun, who wasn't one to use cosmetics, smelled so fragrant.

This behavior bordered on impropriety. Even if Yun Jianyue had previously convinced herself it was just an embrace between siblings, she couldn't rationalize it now.

Her expression darkened. "I am Honglei's master!"

"I know, so what?" Zu An whispered into her ear.

Her ear, a sensitive spot, tingled as his warm breath brushed against it, sending a shiver through Yun Jianyue's body.

"Brat, are *you* the one from the Demonic Sect, or am *I*?" His reply both angered and amused her. Even among the Demonic Sect, few would disregard such matters of identity.

"I don't know," Zu An said, holding her tighter. "I only know I don't want you to leave." His mind was in a complete mess, and his body was in a tumultuous state.

"Let go of me, or I'll... mmph..." Yun Jianyue was both embarrassed and furious. Just as she was about to retaliate, her mouth was suddenly covered, and her eyes widened in shock.

A thunderous roar filled her mind!

*I've been forcibly kissed?*

If anyone else had been there, their eyes would surely have popped out in astonishment. Who was Yun Jianyue? The Demonic Sect's leader, a notorious female demon, responsible for countless deaths.

Although she was skilled in charm techniques, she had always maintained her purity, possessing an inviolable, dignified aura. Among the Demonic Sect, there were many audacious and vicious individuals who, thinking she might have needs after so many years of being single, considered dual cultivation with her to enhance their powers and strengthen her influence.

Unwilling to accept rejection, some even harbored wicked thoughts, acquiring illicit drugs to take advantage of the situation.

The outcome for them was horrific: some were literally uprooted, while others had hot iron wires inserted directly into... well, *there*.

From then on, no one in the Demonic Sect dared to harbor any designs on her.

Outsiders were even more wary; it was rumored that someone who merely glanced at her for too long had their eyes gouged out.

Thus, it was known throughout the land that while this woman was incredibly beautiful, she was a venomous rose, a ruthless sorceress.

No one dared to scheme against her, and due to past lessons, they didn't even dare to glance at her too much, fearing she might kill them if she was in a bad mood.

Yet now, someone dared to embrace her and even forcibly kiss her?

Yun Jianyue was somewhat dumbfounded. For years, she had never allowed men within three feet of her, so nothing like this had ever happened. For a moment, she couldn't react. But after the initial shock came embarrassment, followed by fury!

Her ingrained instincts, developed over many years, couldn't be suppressed. She immediately drove an elbow into his chest.

With a muffled thud, anyone else would have had several bones broken, if not been severely injured.

But Zu An's body seemed to be made of something else; not a single bone broke, only a muffled groan escaped him.

Yun Jianyue tasted a hint of blood in her mouth, realizing he was injured. A touch of regret stirred within her; she had struck too hard, and it would be bad if she had truly hit a vital spot.

She had thought he would retreat after that, but to her surprise, he continued to kiss her relentlessly, even daring to use his tongue!

Yun Jianyue finally couldn't hold back. Her hands moved to retaliate with full force.

However, Zu An wasn't foolish. Even with his strong body, he couldn't withstand a Grandmaster's continuous attacks. He quickly grabbed her arms.

Yun Jianyue struggled desperately, but found her strength being absorbed as if by a black hole, leaving her powerless.

Recalling what Zu An had told her before, she finally understood how Mr. Bat had died. However, she was relieved that Zu An was only neutralizing her counter-attacks and not actively absorbing her cultivation.

"Brat! Don't push me!" she managed to project with her vital energy, despite her mouth being covered.

As a notorious demonic overlord, she naturally couldn't be subdued so easily. She possessed over a dozen methods to launch a full counter-attack, capable of grievously wounding or even killing her opponent.

Yet Zu An still didn't respond, continuing his relentless assault.

Yun Jianyue was torn between shame and fury. She wanted to strike but also worried about truly harming him, leaving her in a dilemma.

Soon, she felt something unusual within her body. Although she was a senior, in matters of romance, she was as pure as a blank sheet of paper, utterly unprepared for the provocations of a seasoned player like Zu An.

Feeling his powerful arms, especially with his upper body bare and exuding masculine energy, her breathing quickly became erratic. A rare blush appeared on her usually stern and dignified face, and her struggling hands gradually relaxed, losing their initial resolve.

*What am I doing?*

Yun Jianyue's mind was a complete muddle. This was Honglei's man! Ice Stone Maiden would surely laugh her to death if she found out!

At this thought, a sliver of clarity returned to her. She was about to push him away when his hand squeezed her, and she let out a soft moan, her entire body going limp.

---Today, I posted character art of Yun Jianyue on the official account. You can search for the official account: "六如和尚" (Six Ruxu Monk) to view it.Some people said her bust wasn't big enough... I think it's perfectly fine. The key is that it's hard to make Yun Jianyue look "busty" like that; her character design isn't meant to be a flirtatious woman. This time, I wanted to convey her glamorous and majestic side more. Of course, I also have a few other concept art pieces of her in different outfits, which should appeal more to gentlemen. I'll post them all another day for everyone to see.