Chapter 1048: Old Heaven, Please Stop Messing With Me

Zu An was startled. "You know her?"

Qiu Honglei hummed in affirmation. "She's the Sect Master of White Jade City, a senior figure in the martial arts world, a legendary individual. How could she possibly attack junior practitioners like us?" As she spoke, she deliberately raised her voice, seemingly to ensure everyone present could hear her.

Zu An was shocked. White Jade City? Isn't that Chu Chuyan's sect? No wonder when he fought Jian Taiding earlier, he found his moves a bit strange, and this Taoist nun also exuded an inexplicably familiar aura. It turned out to be because she resembled Chu Chuyan, which explained his subconscious feeling of closeness. He had always planned to leave a good impression on Chu Chuyan's sect elders when he next reunited with her and found White Jade City. Who would have thought their first meeting would be under such circumstances? Not only had they fought to the death, but he had also called her an old Taoist nun? He desperately hoped she wasn't Chuyan's master; otherwise, there would be no way out of this.

At that moment, the stunning Taoist nun calmly said, "Qiu Honglei? While it's true you are my junior, this person just defeated my junior brother and possesses an extraordinary presence. How could he possibly be my junior?"

"Why not?" Qiu Honglei blurted out, frantically grabbing Zu An's arm. "He's about my age, and he's my lover, so naturally, he's your junior too."

"Uh..." A warm, soft sensation emanated from his arm. Normally, this would be an incredibly pleasant experience, but with his wife's sect elder present, he felt his scalp tingle with dread. *Luckily, I'm wearing a mask; she won't recognize me, she won't recognize me...* He kept chanting silently to himself.

"Oh?" The Taoist nun, named Yan Xuehen, showed a hint of surprise and scrutinized Zu An from head to toe. "There's such a prodigy in the world?" *About the same age as Qiu Honglei, no more than 20 years old? At 20, he beat a Grandmaster like her junior brother senseless. Her most accomplished disciple was already formidable, but compared to him, she still fell far short.*

However, she quickly noticed a discrepancy and looked calmly at Qiu Honglei. "Are you no longer practicing your 'Demonic Enchantment Tone'?"

Qiu Honglei's pretty face flushed. "Of course I am."

"Then how do you have time to pursue a romantic relationship with a man?" Yan Xuehen seemed deeply pained. "This time next year is the day you and Chuyan will have your decisive battle. I certainly don't want Chuyan to merely defeat a good-for-nothing."

Zu An's mind exploded. This woman really was Chuyan's master! *To hell with "my fate is in my own hands, not heaven's." Right now, he just wanted to beg heaven to stop messing with him.*

Qiu Honglei tightened her grip on Zu An's arm. "My master told me to experience the mortal world. Only by forgetting this emotion afterward can I truly comprehend the pinnacle of the 'Demonic Enchantment Tone.' If one hasn't even experienced mortal love yet claims to have forgotten all worldly desires, it would be a bit self-deceptive."

Yan Xuehen's brows furrowed slightly. *Is this girl subtly criticizing me?* she wondered.

"The ways of the Demonic Sect are indeed peculiar," she scoffed. "Move aside. This is between him and me. Out of respect for your master, I will spare your life."

"No!" Qiu Honglei shielded Zu An behind her like a protective mother hen. "If you truly hurt him, you will regret it." *The opponent was a Grandmaster; if she truly attacked with full force, how could Ah Zu possibly withstand it?*

"I regret?" Yan Xuehen chuckled softly, clearly not understanding why she would regret it. However, her nature was calm, and she couldn't be bothered to argue with her.

"He is Chu... Mmph!" Qiu Honglei grew desperate. At that moment, she disregarded everything else and was about to reveal Zu An's relationship with Chu Chuyan. *You're her master; he's practically your half-son-in-law. Surely, you wouldn't be so shameless as to attack him now,* she thought. To her surprise, Zu An quickly covered her mouth, stopping her from speaking further. "Don't worry, I can handle it."

*Are you kidding? If this Taoist nun found out about his relationship with Chuyan, what would happen then? Not only had he called her an old Taoist nun, but he was also being intimate with another woman like this. She might actually tear him apart in a fit of rage, and it would be perfectly justified.*

Qiu Honglei blinked, utterly unable to comprehend how he could possibly deal with a Grandmaster. But since he had said so, she naturally chose to trust him.

Zu An cleared his throat and looked up at the Taoist nun on the roof. "Esteemed senior, I believe the condition you just proposed, where I take one of your moves, is a bit unfair."

"Scared?" Yan Xuehen's face held a hint of a mocking smile. "Weren't you quite arrogant just a moment ago?"

"Arrogant doesn't mean foolish," Zu An said calmly. "Senior, you are a Grandmaster and a renowned figure in the martial arts world. It wouldn't look good for you to make the first move against a junior like me."

Yan Xuehen fell silent. In truth, had Jian Taiding not asked for her help, she wouldn't have bothered with this matter at all. Indeed, attacking a junior was not an honorable act.

"What do you propose?" Yan Xuehen looked at him with an indifferent expression. *Although it was somewhat dishonorable, how firm was a Grandmaster's resolve? How could a few words from him make her change her mind? She was definitely going to attack!* But she could listen to what he had to say first.

Zu An then said, "I think it should be Sect Master Yan who takes one of my moves first, to see if you can handle it."

"Take one of your moves?" Yan Xuehen's expression was strange, as if she had heard a joke.

"What, is Sect Master scared?" Zu An carefully observed her. He had to admit, the woman was indeed very beautiful, but what was the point of a cultivator being so stunning?

"You don't need to provoke me," Yan Xuehen said calmly, her gaze slightly lowered. "Very well, I will take one of your moves to convince you."

Zu An hesitated. "But the prelude to my move is a bit long. What if you attack me prematurely..."

"Hmph, rest assured. If I say I'll take one of your moves, I will. I won't interrupt you prematurely." Yan Xuehen also had her pride and naturally wouldn't attack early.

Jian Taiding, standing by, grew anxious. "Senior sister, this brat is incredibly cunning. Don't fall for his trick."

Yan Xuehen gave him an indifferent look. "Do you think I can't take one of his moves?" Jian Taiding's breath hitched. Although he suspected a trick, he couldn't imagine how anyone could be a match for a Grandmaster. He opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Yan Xuehen was not foolish either; she naturally understood what trick Zu An was playing. However, her formidable strength meant she didn't need to ponder such things. No matter what he tried, she would simply defeat him with a single sword stroke. She turned her gaze back to Zu An. "Make your move."

Zu An raised his sword, made a couple of gestures, then suddenly stopped. "But what if the Sect Master can't block it, and then gets angry and retaliates against me afterward?" *If a Grandmaster was determined to pursue him for trouble afterward, it would truly be impossible to guard against.*

Yan Xuehen: "..."

The others around them wore strange expressions. It felt as if everyone was waiting to see him mount his horse and charge, but he kept delaying, doing this and that without moving forward, truly exasperating. Even Qiu Honglei felt Zu An was just messing around, let alone everyone else.

"Are you stalling?" Yan Xuehen's expression turned cold.

"No, it's just to be prepared. I wouldn't want to win against the Sect Master this time only to be hunted by you afterward," Zu An said with a slightly shy smile.

Yan Xuehen scoffed. *This junior truly doesn't know his place, daring to even dream of defeating her?* "Rest assured, I am not a sore loser. If I genuinely lose, I will certainly not bother you afterward," she said, then subtly felt something was off and added, "However, you cannot endlessly stall like this, nor can you use any vile or despicable moves." Although she didn't believe any vile or despicable move he used could defeat her, she made sure to add that disclaimer. This young man was odd, making him somewhat unpredictable to her.

"Sect Master, you jest. How could I possibly use vile or despicable moves against someone as ethereal as you?" After all, she was Chuyan's master, so Zu An didn't hesitate to butter her up a little.

Yan Xuehen remained expressionless, but inwardly, she was somewhat pleased. "Then hurry up and make your move."

Zu An nodded. Just then, Tang Tian'er's voice transmission reached his ear. "Young Master, are you really sure you can do this? Should I plead on your behalf?" A few lines of worry appeared on her face. With her experience, she simply couldn't imagine how he could possibly contend with a formidable Grandmaster. It was a completely overwhelming situation. She only assumed he was stalling for time and worried that he was out of options, which was why she couldn't help but ask.

Zu An smiled and secretly replied, "You're very kind to me, miss."

Tang Tian'er spat lightly. *At a time like this, and he's still taking advantage of me!*

Zu An dropped his smile. "Don't worry, I can handle it." After speaking, he looked directly at Yan Xuehen on the roof.

Tang Tian'er was stunned. His calm and unhurried smile was incredibly infectious, as if he weren't facing a life-or-death situation. *No wonder even the Saintess of the Demonic Sect was infatuated with him...* She glanced at Qiu Honglei, who stood beside him with a worried expression, and thought, *Please, don't let him die.*