Chapter 496: I Have Always Been Pure and Upright

Mosquito Daoist was also startled. The newcomer's cultivation was significantly higher than the previous three, likely at the Seventh Rank.

Furthermore, the timing was impeccable. If she had continued her attack, the well-endowed woman would certainly have died, but Mosquito Daoist herself would likely have sustained serious injuries. Having spent years on the run and constantly pursued, she prioritized self-preservation. Naturally, she was unwilling to risk severe injury just to kill one person. Therefore, she immediately retracted her hand and parried the incoming sword.

In a flash, they exchanged several blows. However, her opponent was exceptionally cunning, consistently refusing to engage in a head-on confrontation, thereby neutralizing Mosquito Daoist's advantage in cultivation.

It was then that Mosquito Daoist finally got a clear look at her opponent: an incredibly beautiful woman, exuding a cool and ethereal aura, as if a fairy had descended to the mortal realm. Mosquito Daoist was instantly disheartened. She usually considered herself quite beautiful, but the women she had encountered today were either more enchanting, far more voluptuous, or possessed a much more ethereal demeanor than her. She felt completely outclassed. She glared resentfully at Zu'an. What was it about this fellow? He looked unremarkable, yet he was surrounded by so many stunning beauties. Could he possess some hidden talent she couldn't perceive?

Meanwhile, Zu'an was overjoyed to see the woman in the ice-blue gown, as cold, aloof, and beautiful as he remembered. "Wife!" he exclaimed. They had been separated for months, only able to see each other occasionally through an audio-visual mirror, and even that had become impossible recently.

Hearing his call, Chu Chuyan's stern expression softened considerably. She turned to look at her husband, about to speak, when she suddenly noticed him pressed against her best friend, Pei Mianman, whose chest was somewhat disfigured. Her delicate brows subtly furrowed once more.

Pei Mianman, feeling inexplicably guilty, quickly pushed Zu'an off her. "Chuyan, you're finally here," she said.

Chu Chuyan offered a wry smile. "If I had arrived any later, I might have missed such an exciting scene."

Pei Mianman's face burned. She quickly waved her hand. "Don't misunderstand, it's not what you think. He was just trying to save me..."

Chu Chuyan let out a soft laugh. "Mianman, this isn't like your usual demeanor. I wasn't suspicious before, but now I'm actually starting to wonder if something is going on between you two."

Pei Mianman instantly realized her mistake. Given her typically fiery and flirtatious personality, she should have seized the opportunity for some playful banter, not rush to explain herself. However, she was quick to recover, immediately letting out a sweet laugh. "You know, I completely forgot until you brought it up. You and Azu aren't husband and wife anymore, so even if something *were* to happen between us, it wouldn't be your concern, would it?"

Chu Chuyan snorted. "Suit yourself. He's no good anyway, and I don't want him."

Zu'an looked wounded. "Chuyan, your words wound me."

To his surprise, Pei Mianman, standing nearby, promptly linked her arm through his and, grinning, said to Chu Chuyan, "You heard her."

Chu Chuyan was startled, wondering if this woman was actually serious. Recalling Pei Mianman's usual audacious personality, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. However, the words were out, and she couldn't retract them. She could only give Zu'an an annoyed glare, bewildered by his expression of pure enjoyment.

Rage value from Chu Chuyan +233!

Zu'an was just marveling at the surprising softness on his arm when he was startled by the rage value notification in the system.

At that moment, Qiu Honglei, standing nearby, wore a peculiar expression. She had keenly sensed the strange tension in the air, and the corners of her lips curved into a slight smile. Just moments ago, Pei Mianman had questioned her with the air of a legitimate wife. It was truly amusing to see her now, timid as a quail, in the presence of the actual legitimate wife. However, Pei Mianman's remark had indeed reminded her: Zu'an was now unattached, and the contest for him would depend on their individual abilities. A playful smile touched her lips. After all, she had once been the top courtesan of the Divine Residence; when it came to charming men, she was a professional.

At that moment, Mosquito Daoist snapped back to reality and angrily declared, "One after another! How many women do you have, you wretched boy? Just call them all out at once so you don't waste my time."

Rage value from Mosquito Daoist +582!

Seeing the gazes of the other three women suddenly fixed on him, Zu'an quickly waved his hand. "Don't even dream of sowing discord between us. You should know that I am a man of purity and integrity; how could I possibly have other women?"

Pei Mianman rolled her eyes, thinking, *I don't believe a word of it. Didn't Zheng Dan nearly die for you before? Should I tell Chuyan about it later?*

Chu Chuyan and Qiu Honglei also scoffed, clearly not buying his nonsense.

Nevertheless, his comment about "Mosquito Daoist sowing discord" reminded the women that this was not the time to settle accounts with him; they needed to get through the current crisis first.

Mosquito Daoist seized the opportunity to quickly dart towards Qiu Honglei. After all, the Long-Letter Palace Lantern in that woman's hand was the greatest threat to her. Chu Chuyan swiftly wielded her sword to intervene. She had quickly assessed the situation: although Zu'an had been captured by the demon sect, Qiu Honglei had clearly been assisting him earlier. Moreover, she was far more aware of the relationship between the two than Pei Mianman; after all, Qiu Honglei had once voluntarily come to the Chu family to become Zu'an's concubine! While she harbored some resentment, she couldn't stand idly by and watch Qiu Honglei come to harm.

"Thank you!" Qiu Honglei said, looking gratefully at Chu Chuyan after being saved.

"We're all on the same side; there's no need for such formalities," Chu Chuyan said with a bright smile before rejoining the battle.

Qiu Honglei was momentarily stunned. What did Chu Chuyan mean by "on the same side"? However, she immediately noticed Chu Chuyan in peril. Discarding her thoughts, she quickly raised the lantern in her hand to assist her.

Zu'an and Pei Mianman also swiftly joined the fray. They knew well that, despite Chu Chuyan's addition, they were still no match for Mosquito Daoist's cultivation level.

Not long after, the light from the lantern in Qiu Honglei's hand suddenly dimmed. "My lantern has consumed too much energy today," she quickly stated, "It's almost depleted." Moments after she spoke, the lantern went completely dark.

Mosquito Daoist let out a triumphant laugh, her speed suddenly increasing dramatically. Soon, everyone present bore new injuries. Pei Mianman, already severely wounded, could no longer sustain herself. She was sent flying backward and collapsed to the side. Zu'an, acting as the primary shield, continuously sustained new injuries. Even with the constant healing from the Primordial Chaos Scripture, he couldn't endure much longer. Had his opponent not intended to keep him alive to extract information about the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture, he would have died a hundred times over. He was soon knocked aside as well, gasping for breath and unable to stand for a considerable time.

Chu Chuyan's heart ached at the sight of him covered in blood. "Mianman, you and Azu must leave here immediately," she urged. She didn't suggest finding Zhu Xie Chixin, as she believed Zu'an's path to the capital was a dead end anyway. It would be best for them to escape during the chaos. As for any future repercussions, she couldn't concern herself with them at the moment.

Pei Mianman frowned slightly but didn't reply. In truth, her condition was dire; she barely had the strength to speak.

Zu'an, however, refused. "No, how could I abandon my women and flee alone?" Even with all of them fighting together, they were no match for Mosquito Daoist. If only Chu Chuyan and Qiu Honglei remained, wouldn't they be in even greater danger?

Qiu Honglei's heart skipped a beat, wondering if his use of "women" instead of "wife" was intentional.

Chu Chuyan grew anxious. "If you stay, we'll all just die together! Besides, help will arrive soon; you don't need to worry about us..."

Mosquito Daoist interrupted sharply, "No one is leaving today!" With that, she intensified her assault, and the ice and snow around Chu Chuyan quickly began to melt.

Zu'an froze. Someone was coming, but who?

Just then, footsteps sounded, and the rogue members of the demon sect rushed forward. "Saintess!" they called out.

Qiu Honglei was overjoyed. "Quick, help me deal with Mosquito Daoist!" The others were initially puzzled by the presence of Chu Chuyan and Pei Mianman, but seeing Qiu Honglei in mortal danger, they wasted no time and swiftly joined the battle.

This immediately eased much of the pressure on Chu Chuyan. She quickly turned to Pei Mianman. "Mianman, take him and go now. Don't you understand the consequences of staying here?"

Pei Mianman bit her lip. "Alright!" Then, summoning her remaining strength, she pulled Zu'an away. "Azu, trust us!"

Zu'an was about to resist and refuse, but her words made him pause, and he followed her deeper into the forest.

Seeing this, the rogue demon sect members wanted to give chase, but Qiu Honglei immediately stopped them. "First, deal with Mosquito Daoist!"