Chapter 1650: Secret Chamber

Not to mention Yun Jianyue, even Wang Wuxie and the other sect masters were staring wide-eyed at Zu An.

The Grand Daoist Tournament had been held countless times over thousands of years, but a scene like this had never occurred before. It was well known that the chief disciples of each sect were the elite of the elite, and to reach such a status, besides talent, their luck was undoubtedly exceptional. Those who made it to the later stages and finals possessed even more astonishing luck. With everyone balancing each other out, it was impossible for one person to receive byes throughout the entire tournament.

Since such a thing had never happened in history, the drawing of lots this time was most likely rigged. Yet, countless eyes had watched the entire drawing process. How could anyone have tampered with it without being noticed? The only suspicious detail was that Zu An would give Pei Mianman a strange pill every time before she drew lots.

"It's just a healing pill," Zu An said with a shrug, thinking how ungrateful this woman was, especially since he had previously helped Emptybright Island.

Yun Jianyue frowned, remaining silent as she pondered the methods he might have used. Despite her usual self-proclaimed brilliance, she couldn't decipher the mystery this time.

"Show us that pill you just gave her so we can examine it for any trickery," Guan Chouhai huffed. Although his sect, Lihentian, no longer had any participants advancing to the next round, this young man had crossed him several times. Normally, he, as a dignified sect master, wouldn't pay any mind to minor conflicts with ordinary young people. But for some reason, every time he saw Zu An, an inexplicable irritation bubbled up, as if the young man had stolen something precious from him. Wang Wuxie felt the same way. While Zu An's strength had earned his respect, after a few days of interaction, he found that he simply didn't like him. The world was indeed strange; many people would instinctively dislike someone upon first meeting, without being able to pinpoint why.

"I don't have any more. That pill is quite rare, and I only had one," Zu An replied, flatly refusing.

"Then tell us what its main ingredients are and what its effects are. There are plenty of experts in elixirs here who can give a fair assessment," Guan Chouhai pressed on.

Zu An's expression turned serious. "Sect Master Guan, don't you think it's quite rude to ask for someone's elixir formula?" In this cultivation world, secret cultivation manuals, array formations, or medicinal formulas were often closely guarded secrets of a sect or family.

Guan Chouhai's face flushed with embarrassment. He had indeed spoken too hastily out of impatience. He quickly explained, "I merely want to understand the secret behind how you managed to get Miss Pei three consecutive byes."

Zu An chuckled. "Are you suggesting that eating this pill allowed her to draw bye lots? Do 'lucky pills' truly exist in this world?"

"You!" Guan Chouhai paused, then realized that others were looking at him as if he were an idiot. His old face burned with heat.

At this point, Grandmaster Huoling interjected angrily, "Will you never stop? Last time, when Manman won the match, you jumped out to question it. Now that she's drawn byes, you're questioning it again. What, are these good things only for your few sects to enjoy, and if anyone else gets them, it's an act of presumption?"

"Grandmaster, you're overstating it," Wang Wuxie and the others quickly said, wiping cold sweat from their brows. They couldn't bear such an accusation.

Ultimately, with no concrete evidence found, they had no choice but to accept the outcome: Pei Mianman would receive byes all the way to the finals.

Soon, disciples from various sects dispersed, replaying the exciting details of the day's matches. However, the most talked-about topic was the miracle of Pei Mianman receiving three consecutive byes, along with speculation about whether Zu An had actually helped her. Some believed he hadn't, reasoning that the two were strangers, so there was no need to take such a great risk. Moreover, with so many top masters watching, any trickery would surely have been discovered. Others, however, thought he had, suspecting that Zu An, seeing Pei Mianman's voluptuous beauty, wanted to take advantage of the situation, lusting after her body—how despicable!

"It truly infuriates me! Others might not know, but I'm certain that scoundrel was behind it," Yun Jianyue fumed after returning to her room, still seething even after two cups of calming tea.

Qiu Honglei smiled, pursing her lips as she refilled her cup. "I didn't see you get so angry just now on Golden Summit."

"That boy has a special way of sensing people's anger. I was just afraid of revealing my identity," Yun Jianyue grumbled. Having adventured together for so long, she had some knowledge of his abilities.

"Alright, Master, I'm the one who has to compete, and I'm not even this angry," Qiu Honglei said, moving behind her to massage her shoulders. "Besides, how could he have pulled strings with everyone watching? Weren't you also there? Could he really have fooled your senses?"

"If it were anyone else, probably not, but that boy has created too many miracles; he definitely has his methods," Yun Jianyue scoffed. A wave of irritation washed over her when she recalled the flirtatious glances between him and that "big-chested woman" on Golden Summit just moments ago.

"Oh, Master, the 'Ah Zu' you speak of seems omnipotent! I didn't even realize he was that powerful," Qiu Honglei giggled. However, the higher her lover's standing in her master's eyes, the happier she naturally became.

What was said casually was taken to heart, and Yun Jianyue was startled. "I'm just worried about your competition! Oh, by the way, don't just focus on the matches these past few days. How are things going with the investigation?"

Qiu Honglei's smile faded. "These past few days, I've been visiting various places and discovered..."

Yun Jianyue nodded slightly as she listened, her expression growing more serious.

Meanwhile, everyone in the Daoist sect wondered what methods Zu An had used, and Pei Mianman was naturally no exception. She knew her injuries had already healed, so Ah Zu giving her a healing pill certainly wasn't without purpose. It was clearly related to the drawing of lots, and her heart was itching with curiosity. So, she found an opportunity to quietly ask Zu An, "Ah Zu, how did you actually do it?"

Zu An smiled faintly. "I just told you the truth, didn't I? That thing is called a Lucky Pill, but none of you believed me."

Pei Mianman gasped. "There's really such a miraculous thing in the world?"

"Do you remember when I won 7.5 million taels at the gambling house in Brightmoon City?" Zu An's lips curved slightly upwards.

"That was because you took this too?" Pei Mianman, of course, remembered the city-wide sensation at the time. Everyone had speculated how he achieved it, and she never expected to learn the answer today. Seeing him nod, Pei Mianman's eyes curved into crescent moons. "Ah Zu, you're so good to me!" If not for the presence of disciples from other sects nearby, she would have already thrown herself into his arms.

Yan Xuehen had also been curious how Zu An managed it and had intended to casually pass by and ask him. However, upon witnessing the affectionate scene between them, she immediately turned and walked away.

Rage points from Yan Xuehen +55, +55, +55...

Wang Wuxie had originally wanted to find an opportunity to talk to her, but seeing her face darken, he couldn't help but gulp and decided not to provoke her. Why was Fairy Yan so angry? Was it because White Jade Capital's participant hadn't made it to the finals this time? But that was Li Changsheng's disciple...

Zu An was startled by the sudden surge of rage points from backstage. He quickly turned to look but only saw Yan Xuehen's retreating back. At that moment, a cold snort sounded. Grandmaster Huoling had appeared beside him, gazing at Zu An with a wary expression. "Lord Zu, Manman's tournament is imminent. Don't distract her." With that, she pulled Pei Mianman away.

Zu An was speechless. This old maiden was acting like a school dean from his previous life, needlessly complicating things for him and Manman. Helpless, he returned to his residence. He had originally intended to seek out Yan Xuehen to gauge her mood, but suddenly his expression shifted, and he took out the Embroidered Envoy's golden plaque. A line of text appeared on it, indicating that Yijun had found information about the secret room where the Yan King's Mansion's ledgers were stored. So, he left a note, instructing Xie Daoyun and Zhang Zijiang on a few matters, then quickly descended the mountain and hurried towards Yicheng.