Chapter 1282: Mutual Suspicion

This so-called treasure map indicated the location of an Unknowable Land, but it did not specify which one.

Seeing the women's reactions, Zu An had an idea: "Do you know about the Unknowable Lands?" When he first transmigrated to this world and unlocked the Successor System, he learned that he needed to collect secret texts from 12 Unknowable Lands to unlock its functions. Initially, he had asked Chu Chuyan, but she had been very secretive about it and warned him not to inquire further. Although their relationship had grown closer, he had forgotten to ask about it again. Now, with two Grandmasters present, they would surely know more.

Just as expected, Yan Xuehen explained directly: "You've probably noticed many secret realms in this world, haven't you? Many of them likely have customs and environments vastly different from our own. People speculate that these realms were left behind by powerful figures from ancient times, similar to their cultivation caves. Of course, these secret realms might also connect to other worlds in the universe. Because they involve spatial laws, current understanding of them is very limited. These secret realms often hold opportunities and great treasures, and they are perfect for cultivators to undergo trials. Controlling a secret realm often signifies the rise of a sect or family. It's widely accepted that the larger a secret realm, the more dangerous it is, but also the more rewarding. There has always been an ancient legend that there are 12 mysterious secret realms in the world, containing unspeakable divine skills and immense treasures. Acquiring one is said to grant unrivaled power and even immortality."

Zu An's expression was odd. He thought these legends were somewhat exaggerated; he had already acquired several secret realms but hadn't become unrivaled in the world.

Yan Xuehen, unaware of his thoughts, continued: "However, no one knows the exact locations or even the names of these 12 mysterious secret realms. Throughout history, countless highly fortunate powerful individuals have stumbled into them, but none have ever emerged alive. The relatives and friends of those powerful individuals followed their clues to the same locations in search of these realms, but they could never find them. It's as if these realms shift their positions, becoming immeasurable and unknowable, hence the name 'Unknowable Lands'."

Yun Jianyue added: "It's not entirely true that no one has ever come out alive. Decades ago, Emperor Zhao Hao, in his quest for immortality, used the entire nation's resources to search for these legendary Unknowable Lands. By chance, he did find information about one called Xiqi. He then dispatched all his trusted elite experts into the realm to seek the art of immortality, but that entire group was wiped out, and no news of them ever emerged again. It was only in recent years that we learned one eunuch from that group actually escaped. However, he became greedy for the divine skill he acquired and tried to keep it for himself, so he went into hiding in Mingyue City under an assumed name. Unfortunately, the Emperor had been investigating the matter, and he ultimately couldn't escape death."

After she finished speaking, the women in the room all turned their gazes to Zu An. After all, this incident had caused a great stir back then, and the Emperor had even personally ordered his arrest and return to the capital.

Zu An feigned a bit of shyness: "Your gazes look like you want to devour me. I'm a little scared."

Yun Jianyue rolled her eyes: "You're truly a bit of a scoundrel, just begging for a beating. We're not like that dying dog Emperor Zhao Hao, coveting these things. We're just curious if those legends are actually true?"

Zu An nodded: "What you described is generally accurate. The only discrepancy is that I haven't felt any immortal capabilities from the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra."

Relieved to hear the explanation directly from him, the women showed expressions of understanding.

Yan Xuehen sighed with emotion: "No wonder your cultivation is far superior to all the geniuses I've known at such a young age. It seems the cultivation techniques from these Unknowable Lands are indeed miraculous."

Zu An was stunned: "Is it that powerful? It feels like everyone I meet has higher cultivation than me."

Yan Xuehen's breath hitched. This fellow seemed to be feigning modesty after gaining an advantage: "Many of those you've met are elders, and even among your peers, they've been cultivating for far longer than you." She had learned from her disciple that before he married into the Chu family, he was just an ordinary person who couldn't cultivate. In just two or three years, he had grown to such a level that it would make those who called themselves geniuses throughout history want to bash their heads in with a piece of tofu, yet he was still not satisfied.

"Since you truly possess the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra, I'm even more curious why the Emperor let you go." Yan Xuehen had met the Emperor a few times and disliked his overbearing demeanor and the court's aggressive policies towards major sects. Now even Yu Yanluo was curious. She had indeed interceded for Zu An back then, but even she hadn't been very confident.

"Because the cultivation method of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra is unique, the Emperor couldn't restart his cultivation. Besides, he also read the Sutra and concluded that the legendary immortality was false, so he let me go," Zu An said. Of course, he couldn't reveal that the Emperor had intended to use him to frame King Qi.

After hearing this explanation, the other women understood, but only Yun Jianyue's expression was suspicious: "Would you really give the true Phoenix Nirvana Sutra to that dog Emperor?"

Zu An blinked and smiled shyly: "Guess?"

Yun Jianyue's heart stirred, and she was about to ask further, but Yan Xuehen interrupted her impatiently: "You know very well what kind of cultivation the Emperor possesses. How could a fake secret realm deceive him? Don't make things difficult for him."

Yun Jianyue snorted: "Only you are a good person."

The group chatted for a while longer, then quickly refocused on the map. Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were well-traveled and knowledgeable, but the various symbols on the map completely confused them; they seemed to have never seen these geographical features before. If they didn't know, Zu An certainly wouldn't.

Only Yu Yanluo stared at the map intently: "This looks like a map of the area near the Royal Court."

"What?" The others were startled.

Yu Yanluo looked for a moment longer, then confirmed again: "Yes, it is the map of the Royal Court. In recent years, due to my Medusa bloodline, I researched a lot of demon tribe intelligence while I was in Yunzhong Commandery. Later, during my days back with the Snake Clan, I consulted many more documents. This map indeed depicts the mountains and terrain of the Demon Royal Court." After saying this, she suddenly realized something and quickly told Zu An: "Ah Zu, the Royal Court is too dangerous for you. The Demon Emperor will most likely not let you go, just to establish the Golden Crow Crown Prince's authority."

At this point, Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue also advised: "Exactly. And the Unknowable Lands are far too dangerous. Apart from that eunuch, no one has ever come out alive since ancient times. And even that eunuch's fate was extremely grim."

"While the Unknowable Lands are dangerous, it's not as exaggerated as you make it sound. It's not like I haven't been there," Zu An said quite modestly.

"You're too young, so your perception might not be clear," Yan Xuehen said. "In the history of our White Jade Capital, there were also some amazingly talented predecessors who pursued Unknowable Lands and ultimately vanished without a trace."

"Indeed," Yun Jianyue added, "several past leaders of our Holy Sect also died in Unknowable Lands."

As the two Grandmasters were halfway through their advice, they suddenly realized something and exclaimed in unison: "What? You've also been to an Unknowable Land?"

Zu An nodded: "Yes, haven't I told you?" He secretly added that he had been to more than one.

Seeing his act of feigned modesty while clearly wanting to show off, the women felt a bit annoyed; it was perfectly in line with his usual style. However, they had no time to dwell on that now: "Which Unknowable Land have you been to? Quickly tell us what happened!" Their expressions were incredibly eager; even the usually aloof Yan Xuehen now looked like a fangirl.

"Actually, it's no big deal. Just fighting some ancient Earth Immortals or a few immortal monsters..." The more nonchalantly Zu An spoke, the more the women's hearts felt like they were being scratched by a cat.

Zu An then generally recounted his several adventure experiences, though they were too broad to fully satisfy the women.

Yun Jianyue wondered if he found it inconvenient to speak openly in front of everyone. *Right, that woman had previously threatened to kill him, and she's backed by a major sect like White Jade Capital. If the information leaks, it would cause him great trouble. I'll find a time to go to his room privately and listen to him slowly.*

Yan Xuehen had the same thought. The Demoness's Demonic Sect was unscrupulous; he probably feared being exploited by her. It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to speak with him privately and get the full story. However, meeting him privately always brought a slight worry about what might happen.

Among the three women, only Yu Yanluo was the most composed. She could find time to be alone with Zu An and question him whenever she wished. Still, she felt a bit resentful. Such matters should only be told to her; why tell the other two women? One was backed by White Jade Capital, the other by the Demonic Sect, and they wouldn't solely consider individual interests. Although they had been getting along well these days, they weren't true sisters after all. Who knew if they would betray Ah Zu?

March, early spring.

The overcast sky was a dull gray, radiating heavy oppression, as if someone had spilled ink onto rice paper, soaking the firmament and blurring the clouds. Layers of clouds intertwined, dispersing streaks of crimson lightning accompanied by rumbling thunder, like the low growl of a deity, echoing through the human world.

The land was dim. A city in ruins stood silent in the dim red blood rain, devoid of life. Within the city, walls were broken and everything withered. Collapsed houses were everywhere, along with numerous greenish-black corpses and fragmented remains, silently decaying like broken autumn leaves. The once bustling streets were now desolate. The dirt roads that once saw people coming and going were now silent. Only blood-soaked mud remained, mixed with shattered flesh, dust, and paper, indistinguishable from each other, a truly shocking sight.

Not far away, a broken carriage was stuck deep in the mud, filled with a sense of desolation. Only an abandoned rabbit doll hung from the shafts, swaying in the wind. Its white fur had long been soaked crimson, lending it an eerie and sinister appearance. Its cloudy eyes seemed to hold some lingering resentment, staring lonely at the mottled stones ahead.

There, a figure lay prostrate. It was a boy of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in ragged, filthy clothes, with a broken leather pouch tied around his waist. The boy squinted, unmoving. A biting cold seeped through his worn outer garment from all directions, invading his entire body and slowly draining his warmth. Even with rain falling on his face, he didn't blink, his gaze fixed coldly on the distance like a hawk. Following his gaze, about seven or eight zhang away, a gaunt vulture was gnawing on the putrid carcass of a wild dog, occasionally observing its surroundings warily. It seemed that any slight movement or sound in this dangerous ruin would send it instantly soaring into the sky. After a long time, the opportunity arrived. The greedy vulture finally plunged its head entirely into the wild dog's abdominal cavity.