Chapter 1635: The Art of Luring the Tiger Away from the Mountain

Qiu Honglei, standing nearby, rolled her eyes. "He didn't draw the lots for us. We contestants drew them ourselves. How could he rig it?"

Yun Jianyue snorted. "There's always a way. He must have seen that the big-breasted woman was injured and that the competition would be difficult for her now, so he arranged a bye for her to get more rest."

"Master, why do you keep calling her 'big-breasted woman'? You're not small yourself," Qiu Honglei said with a strange expression. "And I think you seem a bit too anxious."

Yun Jianyue's heart skipped a beat, but she immediately retorted, "Hmph, you ungrateful wretch! Your master is clearly worried about you, and this is how you talk?"

Qiu Honglei smiled and hugged her arm. "Master is the best!"

Yun Jianyue let out a faint sigh. "You'll know later that your master isn't so good after all."

Qiu Honglei was startled but quickly said, "No matter what, Master has always been the best person to me since I was little."

Disciples from other nearby sects glanced over. This Peng Wuyan was clearly incredibly ugly, yet she was acting so coquettishly. It was truly a bit unbearable to watch.

***

The day's grand competition concluded, and each sect returned to their respective lodgings. The elders helped their disciples review the past few days' matches, summarizing gains and losses and discussing improvements.

Additionally, chief disciples received individual coaching from the sect leader or the accompanying elder, who helped them analyze their opponents and devise subsequent battle plans.

Zu An, as a judge, felt quite relaxed. He found an opportunity to head straight to the Bipo Palace annex, eager to reunite with Da Manman, with whom he hadn't yet had a chance to speak after their long separation.

Upon arriving at the Bipo Palace annex, the disciples guarding the gate immediately became much more respectful when they saw him. After Zu An explained his purpose, they did not stop him and let him pass directly.

Zu An chuckled self-deprecatingly. If he had come a few days earlier, these disciples definitely wouldn't have been so accommodating.

His arrival immediately caused a stir, and many disciples came out to quietly observe him.

After all, for someone his age, or even younger, to defeat a Soul-Force Realm Grandmaster was truly astounding.

Furthermore, Zu An had previously helped Bipo Palace, so most people held a favorable impression of him.

Many female disciples, in particular, gazed at him with stars in their eyes.

Some bolder female disciples even wanted to strike up a conversation but were immediately pulled back by those around them.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't I just say hello to him?"

"Hmph, who doesn't know what you're thinking? But he's clearly here for Junior Sister Pei. Do you think you can compare to Junior Sister Pei?"

Recalling Pei Mianman's captivating beauty and ample bosom, the previously eager female disciple instantly deflated like a frostbitten eggplant, completely abandoning the idea of striking up a conversation.

Hearing the murmurs around him, Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. Just then, a young man with a defiant expression suddenly blocked his path.

Recognizing the other party as Wan Guiyi, the chief disciple of Bipo Palace, Zu An asked, "Can I help you?"

*This guy always acts like he's going to conquer the world. Is he going to challenge me?* Wan Guiyi's expression shifted, and finally, he spoke with a complicated look, "How did you cultivate?"

This was what puzzled him most. They were around the same age, and he was already recognized as a genius in his sect, always believing himself to be peerless among his contemporaries. He never imagined such a huge gap between them.

"Guiyi, do not be disrespectful to Sir Zu!" Wan Tongtian's voice boomed. He had received a report from his disciples and rushed out to greet Zu An, only to see his son blocking the way, which instantly made him break out in a cold sweat.

He knew his son's temperament best; he loved challenging experts. It would be troublesome if he offended the other party over a disagreement.

The man named Zu might seem amiable on the surface, but he was exceptionally ruthless. If Wan Guiyi challenged him, he would likely be severely injured, affecting the subsequent matches.

"Palace Master Wan!" Zu An cupped his hands in greeting towards Wan Tongtian.

Seeing Zu An's friendly expression, Wan Tongtian was somewhat flattered. "Sir Zu, your previous assistance is deeply etched in my memory."

Just a few days prior, he had somewhat looked down on this pretty boy, thinking the imperial court was becoming increasingly corrupt for appointing such an incompetent young man.

Now, however, he lamented that the court was indeed full of talent, and the gap between the Jianghu sects and the court was growing ever wider.

After a period of polite mutual praise, Zu An prepared to leave to find Pei Mianman. As he departed, he paused and said to Wan Guiyi, "Perhaps I've always been rather lucky?"

Wan Guiyi was stunned, thinking, *What kind of answer is that? So, all my years of effort were a joke?*

Zu An had no idea that his casual remark had made a young man doubt his entire existence; his mind was entirely focused on Da Manman.

When Pei Mianman saw him, her expression showed both surprise and delight, as she had specifically sent him a message earlier, suggesting they meet again after some time.

"Miss Pei, how is your injury recovering now?" Because Grandmaster Huoling was watching vigilantly nearby, Zu An did not dare to act too intimately.

After all, Chu Yan and Yan Xuehen were still on the mountain. The rumors about them had been rampant, and exposing his relationship with Pei Mianman would truly lead to a chaotic scene.

"Thank you, Sir Zu. I've recovered about sixty to seventy percent," Pei Mianman replied politely. She knew her master strongly disapproved of romantic matters and worried that knowing about their relationship would upset her.

They instantly understood each other, tacitly agreeing not to reveal their relationship.

"Only sixty to seventy percent?" Zu An couldn't help but frown. Even if she had two extra days of rest compared to others, facing other chief disciples at sixty to seventy percent strength would likely lead to a grim outcome.

Grandmaster Huoling, standing nearby, sighed. "Zhi Yin of the Lihen Heaven truly lives up to his genius reputation. His final blow severely wounded Manman. Getting her to recover sixty to seventy percent of her combat strength is already the result of all our efforts."

She was only so amiable because Zu An had helped them previously. On normal days, any male disciples who tried to get close to Manman were driven away with a grim face.

Zu An secretly transmitted a message to Pei Mianman using his vital energy: "Manman, I'll come help you tonight."

Pei Mianman's face flushed, and she quickly replied, "No, Master is here."

Zu An's brows furrowed slightly. This was a problem. If Grandmaster Huoling stayed inseparable from Da Manman, he really wouldn't be able to meet her.

He suddenly had an idea. "Do you have any handwriting from Wan Tongtian or Grandmaster Huoling?"

Pei Mianman was momentarily startled but replied, "Yes, we do. Palace Master Wan and Master used to write down some cultivation insights for us important disciples."

Zu An immediately smiled. "Then that's easy."

He found an opportunity to distract Grandmaster Huoling, then quietly took a small booklet from Pei Mianman.

After succeeding, he stood up, bid farewell to the two, and left with light steps.

Watching his retreating back, Grandmaster Huoling's expression was somewhat puzzled. "Why do I feel that Sir Zu is a bit strange?"

"No, I think he's quite nice," Pei Mianman replied evasively.

"Hmph, that boy is probably coveting your beauty. Stay away from him in the future," Grandmaster Huoling suddenly snorted.

Pei Mianman secretly lamented, "Master, he just helped me."

"If he hadn't helped you, do you think I would let him get so close to you?" Grandmaster Huoling's face hardened. "That boy just now had a lewd smile; he was probably thinking something indecent."

Pei Mianman's face flushed. *Master clearly has no romantic experience, so why is she so perceptive?* she wondered.

"Anyway, remember what I told you: there isn't a single good man in this world," Grandmaster Huoling said grumpily.

Pei Mianman wanted to say that there were good men in the world, but remembering her master's past, she didn't want to wound her feelings.

All that remained was worry about whether Zu An would come that night and what would happen if her master found out.

Meanwhile, Zu An excitedly returned to his annex. He took out Wan Tongtian's handwritten letter and began to imitate it: "Junior Sister, due to past unfortunate circumstances, there have been many misunderstandings. My heart has been restless, and I have many things I wish to tell you... When the moon hangs over the willow branches, meet me behind the Heavenly Pool. Beneath the Yellow Flower Tree, I will wait for you."

After finishing, he took out another piece of letter paper and wrote: "Senior Brother, meet me at Heavenly Pool Peak at the third watch. There is an important matter I wish to discuss."

Grandmaster Huoling appeared stern and unapproachable on the surface, but Zu An knew that such people merely sealed off their inner world due to love turning into hatred. Deep down, she was likely still like a young girl, with a certain yearning for love. As long as Wan Tongtian gave her a way to reconcile, she would probably accept.

On the other hand, Wan Tongtian would be more difficult. After all, his children were already grown. If the letter were too ambiguous, it wouldn't match Grandmaster Huoling's style, and he might not go to avoid suspicion. A business-like approach would be more persuasive for him.

Everything was ready, but looking at the two letters, Zu An still couldn't help but shake his head.

Although he had learned painting from Yu Yanluo and had some foundational skill, his handwriting was still lacking. The imitated handwriting might be enough to fool ordinary people, but deceiving two grandmasters would likely be difficult.

Just then, Xie Daoyun's gentle voice sounded from the doorway: "Brother Zu, what are you busy with?"

Zu An's eyes lit up. He had an idea!