Chapter 1698: 求助

"So there's nothing, then?" the young ascetic monk pouted.

Master Jian Huang didn't waste any words, giving the young monk's shiny bald head a sharp rap.

Next, Wang Wuxie announced that the Taoist secret realm would open the following day. The nine first-place teams, the four best second-place teams, and Chu Chuyan as a wildcard entry, all qualified to enter. Among them, Peng Wuyan of Kongming Island replaced Qiu Honglei. Although Peng Wuyan hadn't competed, as the chief disciple of her sect, her inclusion was accepted by all. As Wan Guiyi gazed at Peng Wuyan's familiar face, he felt a profound sense of unfamiliarity and confusion. Her appearance was identical, yet he no longer perceived any beauty of strength in her.

After the announcements, the crowd gradually dispersed, with each sect needing to prepare their disciples for the next day's journey into the secret realm. Meanwhile, many people eagerly discussed the Demon Sect's leader and saintess. Though they feigned indignation for the sake of righteousness, it was clear that Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei had left a deep impression on them. The female demon, who killed without mercy, was surprisingly beautiful. The Demon Sect's Saintess was a peerless beauty, no less stunning than Fairy Chu, and her dance left an unforgettable impression.

Upon returning to his room, Zu An immediately opened his Rage Value system. Having accumulated a certain amount of rage value, he planned to draw some healing medicine, such as the "Believe in Brother Chun" type, to give to Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman. Since he couldn't enter the Taoist secret realm this time, he wouldn't be able to look after them. While their cultivation levels suggested they shouldn't face much danger, anything could happen in the secret realm, so he decided to be cautious.

He pressed the lottery button. Afterwards, various "Thank you for participating" messages continuously popped up, no longer stirring even a ripple in his heart. Finally, the cursor stopped on the "R" button, congratulating him on drawing a "Pseudonym Card." This card granted the ability to temporarily change someone's name. This wasn't the first time he had drawn this card. He had obtained it once before and initially thought it quite useless, but during his last encounter with Xia Jie in the secret realm, he discovered it could produce miraculous effects if used correctly. Previously, he would have been delighted to draw a skill card, but this time, he couldn't feel any joy. He hadn't drawn the healing elixir or defensive items he wanted. For some reason, his eyelids twitched whenever he thought about the upcoming Taoist secret realm, as if something ominous was about to occur.

Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Zu An looked up to see Xie Daoyun timidly standing at the entrance.

"Ling'er, is something wrong?" Zu An asked with a smile.

Xie Daoyun hesitated, then pulled two talismans from her bosom. "Brother Zu, I have two 'First Ray of Life' talismans that I drew myself. While not as effective as my teacher's, they can still ward off some dangers. Please give them to Miss Chu and Miss Pei."

Zu An was momentarily stunned, then greatly pleased. He had been fretting over how to provide defensive items for the two women, and unexpectedly, she had come to his aid when he needed it most.

"Thank you, Ling'er," Zu An suggested. "Why don't you deliver them yourself? You know them both."

Xie Daoyun shook her head slightly. "I came to Purple Mountain secretly, without revealing my identity, so it's inconvenient for me to show myself. It's the same if you deliver them, Brother Zu. I just saw you frowning and sighing, clearly worrying about them."

Zu An sighed with admiration, "Ling'er, you are truly understanding. Whoever marries you will be incredibly blessed."

Xie Daoyun's face flushed, and she playfully chided, "Brother Zu~"

Zu An chuckled. "Then I'll go now. I'll make sure to tell them these are from you."

Xie Daoyun's face was slightly flushed, but she said nothing. Having witnessed the intensity of Chu Chuyan and Qiu Honglei's fight earlier, he thought it best to establish good relations with them early on.

Zu An went directly to Baiyujing's residence. For some reason, Yan Xuehen did not come out to meet him. Zu An found Chu Chuyan and handed her the 'First Ray of Life' talisman.

Chu Chuyan was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you," she said.

Zu An informed her that Xie Daoyun had prepared the talismans. Chu Chuyan's expression was a little strange, but she replied, "Please thank her for me. I always thought she was a very kind person back in Mingyue City, completely without the airs typical of a gentry's daughter."

They chatted for a while, and the conversation gradually turned to the day's competition. "You weren't injured, were you?" Zu An asked.

Chu Chuyan shook her head slightly. "No, although Miss Qiu and I fought fiercely, neither of us truly went for a killing blow, so overall, it was a close call but safe."

Zu An chuckled. "That's good, that's good."

Chu Chuyan suddenly sighed. "Ah, back in Mingyue City, she cried and begged to call me 'sister' and wanted to be your concubine. Yet this time, she was fighting to be the 'elder sister.' If I had known this, I should have just agreed back then."

Zu An immediately broke into a cold sweat. He knew that despite her outwardly calm demeanor, she was likely displeased internally. He quickly used all his persuasive skills, barely managing to appease her.

After a moment, Chu Chuyan suddenly spoke. "Go to Manman's place. You must have prepared that talisman for her too, right?"

Zu An chuckled awkwardly. "It wasn't prepared by me; it was Miss Xie who prepared it."

Chu Chuyan simply chuckled.

Unable to withstand her ethereal and cold gaze, Zu An eventually fled in a hurry. After he left, Yan Xuehen appeared in the room. "Is this man truly worth it, being so fickle?"

Chu Chuyan gently touched the talisman in her hand, a soft smile appearing on her face. "Who knew I would meet him? Perhaps it's just fate."

Yan Xuehen sighed deeply. "Indeed, it is fate."

Chu Chuyan gave her a surprised glance. Why did it feel as though her master was more emotionally invested than she was?

Meanwhile, Zu An headed to Biluo Palace's detached residence. Due to Pei Mianman's previous disappearance, Grandmaster Huoling had become even more overbearing, staying practically inseparable from her. She scrutinized anyone who approached her disciples as if they were criminals. Zu An had no opportunity to speak privately with Pei Mianman. After handing her the 'First Ray of Life' talisman, he left.

After he left, Grandmaster Huoling looked at her disciple with a scrutinizing gaze. "Manman, tell me honestly, what is your relationship with him?" While Zu An's previous acts of help could be explained away, his strong support for Pei Mianman's first-place victory, combined with sending such valuable talismans, could not be attributed to mere infatuation with her beauty.

Helpless, Pei Mianman subtly hinted at her relationship with Zu An. After all, if her master continued to obstruct them in the future, it would be unbearable.

"Men are no good," Grandmaster Huoling exclaimed, her face paling upon learning of their private relationship. She felt as if her carefully nurtured cabbage had been rooted up by a pig. However, considering Zu An's help over the past few days, she added, "This young man is actually quite good, better than that scoundrel Wan Tongtian back then." Then she frowned. "But he's a bit too fickle. I heard rumors that he has an ambiguous relationship with that Chu woman from Baiyujing."

Pei Mianman carefully explained, "They used to be married..."

Before she could finish, Grandmaster Huoling immediately exclaimed, "No, no! Are you going to be a concubine? Someone of your caliber deserves a man devoted solely to you."

"They've already divorced..."

"Even so, it's not acceptable! Why would you want someone another woman didn't want?"

"You can't put it like that..."

***

Early the next morning, all Taoist sects gathered atop Golden Summit. An elder from the Zhengyang Sect came out to open the secret realm, and Zu An was surprised to discover that the so-called Taoist secret realm was actually hidden within the Wordless Heavenly Book. The Wordless Heavenly Book opened, and after a series of incantations by the Taoist priests, blue-black lights emanated from the book, projecting a wormhole-like light gate nearby.

The qualified contestants from each sect bid farewell to their masters and then stepped into the spatial gate one by one. Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman also quietly said goodbye to Zu An. He had initially considered suggesting they cooperate inside, but he worried his advice might prove counterproductive. After all, the two women were good friends and would know what to do if they encountered trouble.

Once everyone had entered the secret realm, the light gate vanished, and the Wordless Heavenly Book returned to its tranquil state. The spatial gate would only reopen after half a month. What those inside would gain from the secret realm would depend entirely on their individual fortunes. Since the Wordless Heavenly Book was currently under the stewardship of Biluo Palace, Wan Tongtian and Grandmaster Huoling jointly guarded it to prevent anything happening to the book that might endanger the disciples inside. Other sects, still uneasy, also dispatched their experts to guard the vicinity.

Seeing this, Zu An felt somewhat relieved. After leaving Golden Summit, he had intended to speak with Yan Xuehen, but she was nowhere to be found. Guessing she might be avoiding him, Zu An, feeling helpless, could only return to his room. Upon entering his room, he found Xie Daoyun still asleep on the bed. He felt a strange sensation, then frowned and looked towards the inner chamber.

Just then, a woman with long, flowing hair slowly emerged. "Tsk tsk, our Lord Zu truly has quite the luck with women," she purred. "He always finds a beauty to keep hidden wherever he goes."

"Sister Yun," Zu An said, his face lighting up. He then saw another beautiful woman behind her. "Honglei, you're here."

Qiu Honglei pursed her lips and smiled. "What, do you think our return disturbed your private time?"

Zu An chuckled. "What are you saying? You know the reason Miss Xie is here. I was just worried about you two being discovered by those Taoists."

Yun Jianyue snorted. "Those Taoists are nothing but chickens and dogs in my eyes."

Zu An couldn't help but retort, "You might not worry, but what about Honglei?"

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes. "Don't you count? With you and me working together, I don't believe anyone can touch her."

Qiu Honglei simply stared. *Master, that's not what you said when you prevented me and Ah Zu from acknowledging each other.*

Zu An laughed. "That's true."

"Speaking of which, it still makes me angry," Yun Jianyue said, annoyed. "Honglei originally had a chance to check out the Taoist secret realm. It would have been exhilarating to plunder all the secret treasures of the Taoist sect." She was especially vexed that today was the day those people entered the secret realm.

Zu An asked curiously, "How exactly did those people from Kongming Island escape? Have you found out the reason?"

"I haven't had time to investigate yet. Right now, there's a more important matter to attend to," Yun Jianyue said, then coughed.

Qiu Honglei, standing nearby, seemed to snap out of a trance. "Ah Zu," she said, "actually, we specifically came to you this time because we need your help with something. We need you to help us save someone."