Chapter 1549: Got without any effort

"You've finally come out of seclusion! Last time, I heard Xue... ahem, I heard Grandmaster Yan say you were in seclusion, practicing a divine art and reaching a critical juncture. I didn't dare to disturb you, fearing I'd interfere with your cultivation." Zu An's words were sincere. He and Chu Chuyan, as newlyweds, had been separated for far too long.

Feeling the sincerity in his voice, Yan Xuehen's icy expression softened slightly. "I was originally going to remain in seclusion for a while longer, but Master suddenly returned and told me that instead of cultivating alone, it would be better to gain experience in the mundane world. She also suggested I challenge the Demonic Sect's Saintess to a match, so I came out."

Zu An was both surprised and delighted. "Grandmaster Yan... is back? Is she injured at all?"

Although he had previously guessed she left without saying goodbye and that her cultivation was more than enough for self-preservation, he still worried she might encounter an accident. Now, knowing Yan Xuehen was safe, a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

Chu Chuyan glanced at him curiously, not understanding why he was so concerned about her master. "Master's cultivation is so high; how could anything happen to her?"

"That's good, that's good," Zu An said, letting out a breath. Then, realizing his question sounded odd, he quickly added, "I fought alongside Grandmaster Yan before, and we're friends. When she suddenly left in the demon realm, I was worried something might have happened to her."

"Master briefly mentioned it to me, but you say you're friends?" Chu Chuyan's expression was strange. She knew her master's personality best—someone more aloof than an iceberg, detached from the world. It was hard to imagine such a person becoming friends with Zu An.

And if they were friends, wouldn't Zu An be considered her elder?

Zu An's expression stiffened. "She didn't mention it to you?"

It seemed Yan Xuehen still couldn't directly acknowledge their relationship and was subconsciously avoiding it.

Chu Chuyan shook her head slightly. "She didn't mention that your relationship was particularly good, but since you entrusted her to bring me a gift, I suppose your relationship isn't bad."

"A gift?" Zu An was taken aback. In that situation, how could he possibly ask Yan Xuehen to bring a gift to another woman? Wouldn't that be adding salt to the wound?

Chu Chuyan lowered her gaze to the silk ribbon on her waist, her jade cheeks seemingly flushed by its color. "I really like this Universe-Mixing Sash. Thank you."

Zu An then understood and smiled. "As long as you like it."

Inside, he sighed with a pang of melancholy. What did Yan Xuehen mean by this? Was she trying to bid him a final farewell?

"Oh, right, Master was a little strange in some ways when she returned this time," Chu Chuyan suddenly said. "Strange in what way?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat.

"Sometimes she'll just sit alone, suddenly spaced out, her expression alternating between a silly smile and anger. I was worried there was a problem with her cultivation of the 'Grand Pure Emotionlessness Scripture,' but she said no when I asked her," Chu Chuyan said, her delicate brows furrowed. She then looked at Zu An suspiciously. "You were with her for so long; do you know what the reason is?"

Everyone has a curious side, and Chu Chuyan was no exception. She really wanted to know what her master had encountered, especially since it was something she couldn't tell her.

Zu An's expression became a little awkward. He, of course, knew the reason, but he couldn't just say it directly.

He could only say, "Perhaps she encountered some immortal beings in the Unknowable Land, and it deeply affected her."

"Immortals?" Chu Youzhao, who was holding her sister's arm, looked curious. She immediately let go and tugged at Zu An. "Good brother-in-law, quickly tell me about it!"

Seeing Chu Youzhao's behavior, Chu Chuyan frowned slightly. The Chu family had gone to great lengths to educate Youzhao to act like a true young lord. Why did she now seem to have reverted to her former girlish ways?

Watching Murong Qinghe next to him perk up her ears, Zu An chuckled. In any case, those present weren't outsiders. Murong Qinghe's relationship with Youzhao could be considered that of a semi-insider. So, he briefly explained the matters of the Unknowable Land. Of course, he kept it simple; as for the specific details, he could discuss them privately with Chu Chuyan. Knowing too much might bring trouble to the two younger girls.

Still, this was enough to make the girls gasp in astonishment. Even Chu Chuyan was somewhat moved. For some reason, after her master returned this time, she felt like a different person, much more distant from her. It even gave her the impression that her master was afraid to see her.

Therefore, Master had only briefly told her about the situation in the Unknowable Land, and she knew very little. Now, hearing Zu An recount it, her beautiful eyes sparkled with wonder.

Sharp as she was, she could tell he had omitted some details, but she didn't doubt him. She figured it was because Murong Qinghe and Youzhao were present, and she could ask him privately later.

At this point, Zu An suddenly realized something. "By the way, you said you came out this time to have a martial arts match with the Demonic Sect's Saintess?"

Chu Chuyan nodded slightly. "Yes, Master and the Demonic Sect Leader Yun made an agreement for disciples from both factions to hold several matches between good and evil. However, the most recent agreement was originally set for one or two years later. I don't know why Master suddenly changed her mind, nor am I sure if the Demonic Sect has agreed."

Her delicate brows furrowed. She felt her departure from the mountain was somewhat hasty, almost as if her master was intentionally urging her to leave.

Zu An carefully examined her, sensing her vital energy fluctuations, and couldn't help but be surprised. "You've already reached the ninth rank?"

Chu Chuyan hummed in affirmation. "Master put a lot of effort into teaching me, and White Jade City also favored me, providing me with all sorts of rare treasures, so my progress has been quite fast. If I had come out of seclusion naturally, there would have been a high chance of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm."

This was also the most perplexing aspect for her. According to her progress, she should have been able to break through to the Grandmaster realm if she had exited seclusion naturally, which would have given her more confidence against the Demonic Sect Saintess.

However, she had always admired and respected her master, knowing her knowledge was vast and that there must be a purpose behind this action. Moreover, she truly missed Zu An, so she agreed to descend the mountain.

"Sister, you're amazing!" Chu Youzhao's eyes were full of admiration. She thought, "My sister truly is the idol I've looked up to since childhood."

Murong Qinghe also looked shocked. How old was Chu Chuyan? Not even twenty, right? Yet she had already reached the ninth rank. Murong Qinghe considered herself a genius, but compared to Chu Chuyan, she couldn't even come close.

Among the demon race, there were indeed those of the younger generation with higher cultivation levels, but the "younger generation" among demons could be considered middle-aged uncles or even old men among humans, not to mention that demons relied more on inherited bloodline power.

At this moment, Chu Chuyan's expression suddenly changed. She pulled Zu An's hand to examine him. "What's wrong with you? Why is your cultivation not as good as when we last parted? Could it be that an injury caused your cultivation to..."

After all, this world valued cultivation above all else. How heartbroken he would be if he truly became an ordinary person without any cultivation.

For a moment, she even thought to herself that she needed to cultivate harder and become stronger so she could protect him well.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that my cultivation method has mutated, making it difficult for others to detect my vital energy fluctuations," Zu An reassured her. He then gave a gentle flick, slicing a floating fallen leaf nearby into two pieces.

"That's good," Chu Chuyan visibly relaxed. Then, suddenly remembering something, she said with a strange expression, "You almost changed the subject. Where did you spend last night?"

Zu An's hair stood on end. Although she knew about his relationship with Zheng Dan, there was a saying that perfectly fit the situation: "Confess and be lenient, you'll sit in jail forever; resist and be strict, you'll go home for Chinese New Year."

Fortunately, he had already thought of an excuse. "Last night, I was investigating the Sang family's affairs. Sang Hong was assassinated and went missing; honestly, I bear some responsibility..."

Both Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe had heard their families mention the court struggles and quickly offered words of comfort, assuring him it wasn't his fault.

At this moment, a strange glint flashed in Chu Chuyan's eyes. "Sang Hong? I know where he is."