Chapter 216: Saving the Daughter, Not the Son

Chu Chuyan knew he was deliberately asking what everyone was wondering, to prevent others from speaking up and causing trouble. "That's because the Shi family forged a life-saving artifact for Shi Kun, sealing the soul of an ancient mythical beast, the 'Devourer Kun,' inside a ring."

"Devourer Kun?"

Hearing the name, the crowd immediately became noisy. Some students who hadn't heard of it quickly asked those nearby who did. The more knowledgeable ones seized the opportunity to show off: "The Devourer Kun is an ancient divine beast, hundreds of feet long, that floats in the air. It can evolve by continuously devouring enemies, eventually becoming incredibly powerful, at least reaching the ninth rank..."

Upon hearing the explanation, others gasped, discussing how such a massive creature could float in the air. Students who had previously entered the secret realm paled slightly. They remembered feeling a powerful pressure in the realm and vaguely seeing a colossal figure in the distance, which disappeared shortly after. Though startled, they hadn't given it much thought, as anything could appear in a secret realm.

They never imagined it was released by Shi Kun. The Shi family's power was truly astonishing, capable of forging such a terrifying creature as a tool. However, they were more curious about something else: how did Chu Chuyan manage to escape from such a terrifying creature?

Hearing the skepticism, Chu Chuyan replied, "The Devourer Kun's original power reached the ninth rank. Unfortunately, because it was only a remnant soul, its power was diminished by one level. Still, it was far beyond what I could contend with. Left with no choice, I had to use a forbidden technique. Although I eliminated the Devourer Kun's remnant soul, my own meridians were completely shattered, leaving me on the verge of death and utterly crippled."

Her words caused an uproar throughout the hall. Some were shocked that Chu Chuyan could destroy even a ninth-rank divine beast, proving herself worthy of being the academy's top genius. Others wondered what her ultimate forbidden technique was, enabling a fifth-rank practitioner to defeat such a powerful opponent. However, such techniques are a cultivator's most closely guarded secrets, concerning their future life and death, so no one would be so rude as to pry. They could only speculate in private.

However, more people were dismayed to hear that activating the forbidden technique had left her meridians shattered and her crippled. Chu Chuyan had always been a highly popular goddess; even after marriage, her charm remained undiminished. After all, rumors had spread that the couple had not yet consummated their marriage. Furthermore, Zu An had always been perceived as a good-for-nothing, so people didn't believe the Chu family truly considered him their son-in-law.

However, after the previous clan competition and this trip to the secret realm — especially the scene many men had witnessed firsthand — these notions gradually began to waver. But despite these shifts, Chu Chuyan remained their "white moonlight" (an idealized figure) for now. Therefore, upon hearing she had been forced to the point of shattered meridians, everyone was filled with indignation. Many even disregarded the Shi family's influence and began denouncing Shi Kun.

Jiang Luofu also paled. Upon hearing the news, she immediately appeared beside Chu Chuyan, grabbing her wrist to check her pulse. She breathed a sigh of relief only after finding her pulse steady and even more resilient than before.

At this point, Shi Lezhi sneered, "What a joke! You can run and jump now, and your cultivation is even stronger than before. Everyone just saw you fight; where's any sign of damaged meridians?"

Jiang Luofu also looked at her with some doubt. Chu Chuyan calmly replied, "That's because Ah Zu risked his life to save me. Afterward, he even helped me find a Traceless Illusion Lotus and had me consume it, which is how I recovered." She felt embarrassed to describe the true process of Zu An's rescue, so she vaguely attributed it to the Traceless Illusion Lotus. Even so, her cheeks felt warm.

"Traceless Illusion Lotus!" Everyone exclaimed in shock. It was an anti-heavenly treasure whose single petal could raise one's cultivation by a minor rank! Indeed, there had been a legend that a Traceless Illusion Lotus might exist in the secret realm, which was why countless people had come for it this time. Unfortunately, a large group had practically scoured the secret realm without finding it, thinking it was just a rumor. Who knew it actually existed?

Those around them looked at Zu An with complex expressions, pointing and whispering:

"Zu An's luck is ridiculously good, isn't it? Why does he get to find such a heaven-defying item?"

"I'm surprised Zu An was willing to give such a precious item to someone else. He's really willing to invest to woo a girl."

"No wonder so many women are devoted to him. It seems he truly has exceptional qualities. I certainly couldn't be so generous."

"I think he's too impulsive. Giving such an item to someone else will only move them for a moment. Besides, the gap between them will only widen, and eventually, they'll inevitably break up."

"Exactly. Wouldn't it be better if he used it himself? Once his power increases, any beauty would be at his beck and call. Even Miss Chu would think highly of him. In this world, ultimately, it's personal strength that speaks."

Unlike the sour, pragmatic men, the women in the crowd had sparkling eyes. Wasn't dedicating everything for the one they loved the very romance they sought their entire lives?

Pei Mianman inwardly lamented her massive loss. If she had known, she would have stuck with Zu An from the beginning; at least she could have gotten a share. Now, Zu An had undoubtedly won Chu Chuyan's heart with this, and he probably didn't need their alliance as much anymore. That was secondary. The crucial point was that while she was nominally Chu Chuyan's good friend, she had secretly been comparing herself to her. Before this, she hadn't felt inferior to Chu Chuyan in any way; in fact, she was confident her actual cultivation was slightly higher. But now that Chu Chuyan had consumed the Traceless Illusion Lotus, her rank had increased by at least one major realm, as could be seen from her recent exchange with the eighth-rank Shi Lezhi.

As a result, her own strength had been surpassed. Crucially, she knew very well that their aptitudes were similar, and without other fortuitous encounters, she might never catch up to Chu Chuyan in her lifetime. The thought of being overshadowed by Chu Chuyan for life filled her with intense frustration. She glared hatefully at the "culprit," blaming him for everything!

Rage from Pei Mianman +666!

Zheng Dan, standing nearby, also wore a complex expression. She had been very curious about how Zu An had escaped Shi Kun's carefully laid death trap, and now she finally understood why. She never imagined this guy was such a passionate and devoted lover. Unlike others, from her very first encounters with him, she had realized he wasn't the useless person rumor claimed. Instead, there was a profound mystery about him, a sense of enigma that held a fatal allure for her. Now, learning how he had treated Chu Chuyan, she felt a momentary daze. If her fiancé, Sang Qian, had obtained a Traceless Illusion Lotus, would he save her? After thinking for a moment, she shook her head slightly, a self-mocking, bitter smile appearing on her face.

Even Wu Qing looked at Zu An with a hint of admiration, thinking that she had indeed misunderstood him before. Only Jiang Luofu gave Zu An a strange look. She was one of the few who knew the inside story, understanding what the Traceless Illusion Lotus meant to him. She wondered how this man could make such a great sacrifice just to save a wife who was only a wife in name.

Noticing the gazes and murmurs of those around him, Shi Kun's expression changed slightly, and he looked at Shi Lezhi for help. Shi Lezhi, having lived longer, quickly came up with an idea: "Nonsense! Throughout the world, who has ever heard of shattered meridians being fully restored? At most, one might regain a bit of mobility, becoming less capable than an ordinary person, let alone being as lively as she is now."

"Furthermore, the Traceless Illusion Lotus's effect is to raise one's cultivation level, but I've never heard of it restoring meridians. If you don't believe me, you can consult Divine Doctor Ji in the city."

Those close to the Shi family quickly chimed in to support him. Jiang Luofu frowned. She also recalled that the Traceless Illusion Lotus shouldn't have the effect of restoring meridians.

Shi Kun, evidently inspired, also called out, "Although Divine Doctor Ji isn't here, his daughter, Ji Xiaoxi, is. As everyone knows, Miss Ji has thoroughly inherited her father's teachings; she can give an impartial opinion." Hearing him say this, everyone's gaze immediately fell upon Ji Xiaoxi. Ji Xiaoxi was already somewhat shy, and being stared at by so many people made her even more flustered. She opened her mouth several times but couldn't think of what to say.

Shi Kun said in a deep voice, "Miss Ji, everyone knows you don't lie, and your opinion represents the authority of your esteemed father's medical skills. Please consider carefully before you speak."

Zu An immediately protested, "Shi, are you threatening a witness?"

Shi Kun snorted, "There's no threat. I'm simply reminding her, lest she be misled by some deceitful individuals." He racked his brain but couldn't understand why he had considered this guy a friend in the secret realm before. Now, the thought made him sick to his stomach.

He wasn't the only one feeling nauseous. Zu An was also annoyed about the 100,000 taels of silver he'd spent, which had been utterly useless. And the 100,000 taels used to win over Zhang Han, while somewhat effective, wasn't enough to make him feel it was worth that much. It seemed he would have to seriously consider how to use the "Proximity to Wealth" skill, which felt rather useless at the moment.

At this moment, Ji Xiaoxi suddenly calmed down. Perhaps hearing his words made her realize this was her professional domain, and her demeanor instantly changed. "To my knowledge, no medical text or precedent indicates that the Traceless Illusion Lotus has the effect of restoring shattered meridians."

Shi Kun laughed heartily, looking triumphantly at Chu Chuyan. "Did you hear that? Even Miss Ji said so. So you're completely slandering us."

Chu Chuyan frowned slightly. She had indeed lied about this matter, but with so many people present, how could she possibly reveal the truth?

Just then, Ji Xiaoxi continued, "I haven't finished. Although there's no precedent of the Traceless Illusion Lotus healing meridian damage, such a miraculous heavenly treasure might not lack this function. It's simply too rare; no one has ever used it on someone with shattered meridians before, so it naturally cannot be proven. If Miss Chu's words are true, then this would be a significant discovery in the medical field, and those with shattered meridians in the world would finally have hope for recovery."

Chu Chuyan's face flushed. If she truly ended up misleading medical knowledge, her transgression would be immense. She instinctively glanced at Zu An, thinking she would tell Ji Xiaoxi privately later that finding the Traceless Illusion Lotus was useless for restoring meridians; only he could do it. Zu An seemed to sense the meaning in her gaze, thinking, *I won't save men. But if the woman is pretty, then perhaps it's not out of the question...*