Chapter 1227: Adds Up Wrong

At these words, Yun Jianyue, who was standing nearby, burst into laughter. "I told you this fat Daoist priest is a charlatan," she scoffed. "For this 'ice maiden' to have her 'love star' moving – that's just ridiculous!"

Yu Yanluo, however, didn't laugh; instead, she looked thoughtful. She was well aware of Zu'an's charm, and after spending so much time together recently, it was indeed hard for any woman to resist his appeal.

However, Yan Xuehen was no ordinary person. Famously known as the 'Ice Fairy', could she truly have an entanglement with Zu'an?

Yan Xuehen subconsciously glanced at Zu'an, just as he happened to look her way. Their eyes met, and she guiltily looked away.

Her heart pounded wildly!

To live out her days alone, yet recently her 'love star' had moved, and it would harm those closest to her…

Thinking of everything she had discovered recently, and imagining Chu Yan's sadness and disappointment upon learning the truth, her entire mind went blank.

Was she truly destined for a romantic entanglement with Zu'an?

And what did the fat Daoist priest mean by 'many tribulations'?

She suddenly gave a desolate smile. Being with her disciple's man, both morally and ethically, she would be condemned by thousands. What else could 'many tribulations' mean?

Just then, Yu Yanluo's voice rang out again: "Daoist priest, please take a look at her."

Because this Daoist priest was indeed somewhat mystical, her tone had become much more courteous.

As she spoke, she took Yun Jianyue's hand and placed it before the priest.

Yun Jianyue seemed unimpressed. "What is there to divine about me…" she mumbled.

Just then, the fat Daoist priest glanced at her palm and was immediately startled. "Young lady, your murderous aura is overwhelming!" he exclaimed.

Yun Jianyue's smile froze, and her gaze towards the fat Daoist priest became a bit more serious.

The fat Daoist priest suddenly clucked in wonder, pointing at Yan Xuehen nearby. "How strange!" he said. "Your fate was originally similar to this young lady's: to live out your days alone, and even a high probability of an unfortunate end. But recently, your fate line seems to have changed. Eh? Why is it again the 'love star' moving?"

Yun Jianyue's face darkened. "Stinky Daoist priest," she snapped, "if you continue to spout nonsense, do you believe I won't smack you?"

Who was she? The venerable Matriarch of the Saint Cult, whose mere presence could silence all heroes and armies. How could she possibly need a man?

Normally, men trembled when they spoke to her. Who would dare to harbor such thoughts about her?

Currently, it seemed only Zu'an had a somewhat better relationship with her, but she considered it a bond of siblings, nothing more. So naturally, she assumed the fat Daoist priest was speaking nonsense.

The fat Daoist priest stroked his beard, smiling. "Whether you believe it or not, young lady," he said, "the arrangements of fate are inescapable. And heed this humble Daoist's advice: Cultivate your character and avoid creating too much karma from killing in your daily life, otherwise it may bring misfortune upon your descendants."

Yun Jianyue was furious. "Heh heh," she scoffed, "you fat Daoist priest, since you're so good at divining, did you calculate whether you'll have a calamity involving bloodshed today?"

The fat Daoist priest's expression changed. "What kind of person are you, young lady?" he stammered. "How could you trouble this humble Daoist for a few nonsensical words from me? This humble Daoist might have misread just now; let me re-examine."

"No, my killing intent has arisen; I must see blood," Yun Jianyue declared, her aura locking onto the fat Daoist priest.

Just as she was about to act, Yan Xuehen stepped between them. "You just mentioned misfortune befalling descendants," she said. "Will she have descendants?"

If she has descendants, she must have a man. Who knows who would have the ability to conquer this 'demoness'?

"Of course, she is fated to have a daughter," the fat Daoist priest answered subconsciously.

"Nonsense!" Yun Jianyue's face completely darkened. If such a rumor were to spread, her hard-earned reputation of many years would be utterly ruined.

After all, anyone would think, 'Yun Jianyue, you're so overbearing on normal days, yet in the end, you'll still be slept with by a man and bear children for him.'

Yan Xuehen, however, was uncharacteristically happy. "A daughter is good!" she said. "Daughters are sweet and attentive, and they can perfectly inherit your legacy."

Yun Jianyue was fuming, almost literally steaming from the head. Just then, the fat Daoist priest said, "This young lady needn't be envious. You too are fated to have a daughter. Eh, how strange, why are you both destined to bear daughters?"

Yan Xuehen's smile instantly froze on her face, replaced by a look of utter confusion.

Yun Jianyue immediately turned her anger into joy, bursting into laughter. "We aren't bothered by such things in our region," she cackled. "Maybe one day, on a whim, I might find a man to 'use'; it's not impossible. But you, an 'ice maiden' – under what circumstances would you bear a child with a man? Would you be forced?"

Yan Xuehen was completely stunned, never expecting to bring trouble upon herself.

Would she truly have a daughter?

She subconsciously glanced at Zu'an, wondering if it would be his child.

At this thought, her fair skin flushed.

Just then, Yu Yanluo suddenly pointed at Zu'an and asked, "Then how many children does he have?"

"Calculating this much requires extra payment," the fat Daoist priest grumbled. However, he still examined Zu'an carefully, then clucked in wonder, "A house full of children and grandchildren!"

"What does 'a house full of children and grandchildren' mean?" The three women were all startled in unison.

"It's the literal meaning," the fat Daoist priest commented while observing. "It means many children. Hmm, but it seems you'll have more daughters and fewer sons. You, young man, look tall and strong, but you're not so good at having sons."

Zu'an's eyes lit up. Daughters are so well-behaved and thoughtful, he thought; much better than mischievous sons. This fat Daoist priest knows nothing.

At this moment, the three women nearby also started laughing. "Congratulations, congratulations!" they chimed.

Zu'an instinctively replied, "Thank you, thank you."

Suddenly, the three women's expressions froze. How did the combined numbers not add up?

The three women simultaneously glared fiercely at Zu'an.

Seeing their absurd levels of fury, Zu'an's scalp tingled with fear. He was just about to confront the culprit when he was astonished to find that the fat Daoist priest had already vanished.

"Eh, where's that Wu Liang?"

The other women turned to look, and also frowned.

"This fat Daoist priest is quite mysterious," Yu Yanluo said, a hint of worry crossing her brows. "We don't know if he's friend or foe."

"He seems to have some magical artifact that conceals his aura; we can't discern his true cultivation level," Yun Jianyue stated.

Yan Xuehen also nodded. "It's hard to tell if what he said is true or false," she cautioned. "We should be careful tonight."

At these words, everyone looked at Zu'an. The claims about sons and daughters couldn't be verified immediately, but the prediction that he would encounter a romantic disaster tonight could be easily tested.

Zu'an felt a little awkward. "I think we shouldn't let him lead us by the nose," he said. "Let's first look for the Qinghuo flower. Once we find it, we'll leave here before dark."

With three beauties beside him, how could he still be thinking of a romantic encounter?

No matter how pretty, could anyone compare to these three next to him?

Moreover, the phrase 'calamity involving bloodshed' sounded terrifying.

The other women had no objections. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, contemplating the divination just now, somewhat distracted.

Next, the group arrived at the Fox Commercial Guild. Looking at the fox emblem on the guild's crest, Zu'an thought, "No wonder it's called that."

Upon entering, the staff inside, seeing their extraordinary demeanor, quickly sent out the shopkeeper. Upon learning their purpose, the shopkeeper apologetically said, "I'm truly sorry, we did recently acquire a batch of Qinghuo flowers, but they have already been pre-ordered."

Zu'an said in a deep voice, "I can pay double the price."

The Qinghuo flower was very important to him; Daji was only missing this material to break through to the seventh rank.

The shopkeeper shook his head. "Please don't make it difficult for us, esteemed guests," he said. "Business values integrity. The other party is our long-term partner, and this time they specifically requested this item."

At this moment, Yu Yanluo, who was nearby, said, "We'll pay ten times the price. Shopkeeper, you should know this price is enough for you to buy several more batches."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue showed surprised expressions. Although their respective sects held high positions, many areas required money, and it was hard for them to be as extravagantly wealthy as Yu Yanluo was.

Zu'an certainly knows how to live off women.

The shopkeeper gave a wry smile. "To be honest, this price is very tempting to me too," he said, "but the other party is a long-standing partner of ours. If we offend them with this order, our guild would instead suffer greater long-term losses. If you are so keen on obtaining the Qinghuo flower, you could try the Qingqiu Royal Palace. There should still be a small stock there."

The group exchanged glances. They had covertly entered the city precisely to avoid dealing with the Qingqiu Kingdom's authorities, never expecting that after all this, they still couldn't avoid it.

Yu Yanluo's gaze suddenly sharpened. "In a vast place like the Qingqiu Kingdom," she asked, "why is it that besides your establishment, only the Royal Palace has Qinghuo flowers?"