Chapter 622: Different Paths Converge

She, of course, knew he was deliberately teasing her. "Honglei is not my private property," she said coldly, "I cannot use her for a transaction with you."

"I'm not asking you to trade her; just don't stop her from being with me." Zu'an recalled how many TV dramas featured detestable, autocratic parents who obstructed the protagonists' relationships, and he certainly didn't want to experience that himself.

Yun Jianyue was genuinely surprised this time. "Your relationship has already progressed this far?" she asked.

She was startled. It seemed she had paid too little attention to her disciple lately, and she hadn't expected her to quietly fall for a man.

Zu'an puffed out his chest. "It's only natural for her to fall for an extraordinary man like me—handsome, dashing, elegant, suave, chivalrous, and loyal..."

Hearing his long string of adjectives, Yun Jianyue was speechless.

She truly wanted to grab a nearby pillow and shove it directly into his face. This guy was simply shameless.

Anger value from Yun Jianyue: +555, +555, +555...

Yun Jianyue took a deep breath to compose herself. "I can agree not to stop you two," she said, "but you must promise me not to compromise Honglei's virtue."

Zu'an: "???"

"If two people are in love, how can that be called 'compromising virtue'?"

Yun Jianyue sneered, "No matter how eloquently you speak, you can't change the fact that you desire her physically."

Zu'an was speechless.

Yun Jianyue continued, "Honglei's cultivation method is unique; she absolutely cannot lose her virginity before achieving mastery. Otherwise, she won't only fail to grasp the true path, but the cultivation method will also backfire, turning her into a slave to her desires."

Zu'an couldn't help but exclaim in anger, "What kind of nonsensical cultivation method is that? How can such an outrageous technique even exist in this world?"

Yun Jianyue gave him a sidelong glance and said calmly, "Why not? Isn't this the very method I cultivate?"

Zu'an stared at her, dumbfounded. So this was the reason for her long-standing celibacy?

Yun Jianyue showed no shyness and generously began to explain. "The cultivation method of our lineage is called the 'Heavenly Demonic Enchantment Sound.' As you can probably tell from the name, it's a charm technique. Having been in contact with Honglei for so long, you should already be aware of the charm she exudes."

Zu'an nodded. He recalled that when he first met Qiu Honglei, he indeed felt her innate charm was seductive, and his first thought was of a bed. After all, he was accustomed to seeing beautiful women, so his self-control was decent; it was the other men at the Immortal's Abode who were utterly captivated.

Yun Jianyue continued, "When she cultivates to a higher realm, she will constantly be troubled by karmic fire burning her body. If she can consistently remain clear-headed and rational to overcome these tribulations, she will then be able to glimpse the highest realm of the 'Heavenly Demonic Enchantment Sound.' Conversely, if she loses her virginity before then, not only will her cultivation regress significantly, but she will also suffer a backlash from the charm technique, causing her to feel desire whenever she sees a man. Since you and she are in love, I presume you wouldn't want to see her become like that, would you?"

Zu'an fell silent. He certainly wouldn't want to see Qiu Honglei become like that.

However, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. "What kind of hellish cultivation method is this? You're from the Demonic Cult, the Demonic Cult! And you're playing the 'chaste and pure' game like righteous sects? Shouldn't 'seductive and graceful' be more in line with your demeanor?"

Yun Jianyue's expression turned cold. "We are the Sacred Cult. Our aim is for all common people to become extraordinary. 'Demonic Cult' is merely a derogatory term deliberately used by the imperial court to slander us."

Zu'an was too lazy to argue with her about this. "Alright, alright, if you say 'Sacred Cult,' then 'Sacred Cult' it is. So, can Honglei just not practice your troublesome technique? I'll find another one for her to cultivate."

He had quite a few cultivation methods on hand now, so he wasn't worried about finding one suitable for her.

Yun Jianyue's eyes narrowed. "Could it be that you intend to teach her the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra'?"

All along the journey to the capital, the Demonic Cult had dispatched many people to capture him, precisely for the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra.'

Zu'an was originally about to explain that the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra,' a technique that required one to take beatings, wasn't suitable for her. However, he then decided there was no need to explain, as he had other cultivation methods anyway. "What if it is?" he challenged.

Yun Jianyue's expression instantly became very intriguing. She scrutinized him for a long time before finally sighing. "You really go all out to charm women," she remarked. "No wonder even Honglei is smitten with you."

If she had known this earlier, there would have been no need for such elaborate preparations; she could have just sent Honglei.

Hearing her lament, Zu'an thought to himself, "If I could have both you and your disciple together, it wouldn't just be the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' I'd be willing to give up; I'd part with anything else too." Of course, he would never dare voice such a thought.

Yun Jianyue then asked, "Can the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' truly grant immortality?"

"Hey, hey, hey, how much information have you 'freeloaded' from me? Have you gotten used to exploiting me?" Zu'an complained incessantly, but he still replied, "The immortality promised by the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' is just a gimmick; it's impossible to achieve."

Originally, Yun Jianyue's delicate eyebrows were about to furrow, but hearing the latter part of his sentence, she couldn't help but sigh in relief. "That's good, that's good," she murmured.

As long as the Emperor couldn't achieve immortality, then nothing else was a major issue.

She didn't really suspect Zu'an of lying to her, as he himself had made such a conjecture before: if the 'Phoenix Nirvana Sutra' could truly grant immortality, the Emperor would never have let him go.

It was then that she continued, "I thank you on Honglei's behalf for your good intentions. Unfortunately, the 'Heavenly Demonic Enchantment Sound' is truly unique; once one begins cultivating it, it cannot be stopped unless one breaks through to my realm."

"Isn't this cultivation method harmful to people?" Zu'an paced back and forth agitatedly. Then, remembering something, he asked, "How old are you?"

Yun Jianyue's eyebrows rose. "Have you no more attachments to this mortal world?" she challenged.

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. Although the other party was severely wounded, the oppressive feeling at that moment made his mouth go dry. He seemed to understand that if he had held back near the rockery just now, he might never get another chance to defeat her.

He quickly said, "I wasn't trying to ask your age. I just wanted to know how many years it would take for Honglei to reach your realm, so I could have a clear understanding."

Yun Jianyue snorted. "If you truly loved her," she said, "why would you care about the passage of years? If you can't wait, it proves you don't love her, which would be a good thing for her."

Zu'an looked at her with pity. "You've definitely never been in love, have you?"

Yun Jianyue immediately flew into a rage. "Are you looking for death?" she demanded.

Zu'an said with a straight face, "Such a childish view of love is clearly something only people who have never been in love would theorize about. Feelings, you see, cannot withstand such tests."

Yun Jianyue's face flushed. She indeed had no experience in this regard, but she didn't want to admit it verbally. "Hmph," she scoffed, "I've crossed more bridges than you've walked roads. Do you really think I don't see things as clearly as you do?"

Zu'an knew she was losing face, so he stopped provoking her. "Alright," he said, "remember your promise. Once I find the medicine, you'll agree to our relationship."

Yun Jianyue frowned. "Where will you look for it?" she asked.

Zu'an replied, "The Imperial Medical Institute, of course. It gathers renowned doctors from all over the world, along with precious medicinal ingredients from various regions. There might just be what you're looking for there."

Yun Jianyue's eyes lit up. Although this guy spoke so frivolously, he truly hit the nail on the head when it came to assessing the problem. There really might be something there.

"Stay hidden here and don't wander off. Wait for me to come back." Zu'an was worried, so he repeatedly exhorted her.

"Alright," Yun Jianyue replied subconsciously. But soon, her brow furrowed slightly. Why did she feel like a young wife waiting for her husband to return? It was a strange sense of déjà vu.

She shook her head, quickly dismissing the thought from her mind.

On his way to the Imperial Medical Institute, Zu'an grumbled to himself incessantly. "It's a good thing I'm inherently righteous," he thought. "Any other man, seeing a once high and mighty beauty fallen into the mortal dust, wouldn't they take the opportunity to take advantage of her?"

At this moment, inside Kuning Palace, General Cheng Xiong of the Left Guard, with a full beard, emerged. His subordinates, waiting outside, quickly stepped forward to greet him. "General," they asked, "what did you find?"

Cheng Xiong's face was grim. "It was too chaotic at the time, and the Empress was startled," he reported. "She can't recall the details clearly. It seems we'll have to start investigating elsewhere."

His subordinates looked utterly devastated. This time, the Emperor was furious, tasking them with investigating the assassin incident on the Empress's side.

But the chaos here occurred earlier than at the Eastern Palace. By the time the great battle erupted there, the assassins here had already escaped in the confusion. Those who couldn't escape committed suicide, leaving not a single survivor.

Just as they were at a loss, Cheng Xiong suddenly said, "Go to the Imperial Medical Institute. If any assassins are still in the palace, they will definitely need medicine for treatment. They might target the Institute."

The others were overjoyed. "General, you are wise!" they exclaimed.