Chapter 1367: Kill on Sight

These skills seemed to exist in a grey area: not entirely useless, yet far from incredibly helpful.

Zu An, however, had grown accustomed to this over the years. Skills originating from his "keyboard" system were always a bit unconventional; if they weren't, they wouldn't be his. When used in the right context, these abilities often produced unexpected and remarkable results.

While Zu An usually had a good grasp of his previous skills, these two new ones left him stumped; he pondered for a long time but couldn't imagine a suitable scenario for their use.

Still, it was better than nothing.

Zu An could only console himself with this thought, then began to tally his other gains from the lottery. He had drawn a total of 608 Vitality Fruits, and that was all.

He felt a pang of regret; there was no Tiger Tally, and he wished he could have drawn more Valkyries.

Next, he summoned both Daji and Mo Xi. He initially considered upgrading Mo Xi's level, but upon seeing her untamed gaze, Zu An decided against it.

He decided to save the upgrade for when he truly needed her services. Mo Xi preferred transactions, and without Vitality Fruits, he doubted he could command her.

Daji was still so gentle and charming!

He had 306 fruits left from last time, and with this new batch, the total came to 914.

He hesitated but ultimately decided not to use them. The quantity wasn't enough for Daji to break through to the Eighth Rank, and using them now would be highly inefficient.

Given that the upcoming trip to the Imperial Mausoleum would undoubtedly involve facing formidable masters, even a slight enhancement to Daji's skills would likely be ineffective.

For some reason, he had a subtle premonition that these Vitality Fruits might prove immensely useful if kept for later.

He chatted with Daji and Mo Xi for a while—or rather, he spoke, and the two Valkyries listened silently.

Even though he knew the two Valkyries currently lacked souls, he felt that this interaction might somehow foster their connection.

It was a shame they couldn't truly communicate; this one-sided interaction felt quite inefficient.

The night passed without him realizing. The next morning, Zu An met with Yu, Yan, and Yun. All three women subtly furrowed their brows.

"He carries a unique fragrance of powder. Did he secretly visit Yu Yanluo last night?" Yan Xuehen wondered. Though she knew they were a couple and any intimacy was natural, she couldn't shake a peculiar feeling.

Meanwhile, Yun Jianyue secretly fumed, "That brat! Wasting his energy on such things right before a major battle? The nerve of him!"

Were it not for fear of embarrassing Yu Yanluo, she would have already given Zu An a thorough dressing-down.

Yu Yanluo, too, looked bewildered. She knew for certain Zu An hadn't been with her last night, so who could he have spent the night with to acquire such a distinct scent?

Yun Jianyue or Yan Xuehen?

The very thought startled her. Both were among the world's most formidable figures, and given their usual dispositions, it was hard to imagine either of them becoming involved with a man.

With each woman lost in her own thoughts, the atmosphere grew remarkably strange.

Zu An simply attributed their mood to pre-battle jitters and didn't give it much further thought.

The group arrived near the Imperial Mausoleum, where various clans had already gathered. A complex set of ceremonies ensued, complete with prayers to the heavens. The general gist was that the Crown Prince, being virtuous and talented, was soon to succeed as the new Demon Emperor. Before that, he would enter the Mausoleum to undergo trials set by his ancestral predecessors.

Subsequently, representatives from various clans began to disperse. Historical precedent showed that such trials could last anywhere from a day to several, making it unnecessary to wait outside. Furthermore, failures were virtually unheard of; everyone understood it was merely a formality, so the major figures from each clan saw no need to linger.

They merely left trusted confidants to await news, which was considered sufficient deference to the imperial family.

As Zu An made final confirmations with the women, the Little Demon Empress's voice, transmitted via vital energy, whispered in his ear: "Have you made your decision?"

Zu An looked up at the high platform, where the Little Demon Empress, resplendent in her grand palace attire, radiated the elegant nobility of a peony. Though her voice addressed him, her eyes never once glanced in his direction.

"Your Majesty is truly composed," Zu An remarked with a wry chuckle. "To only now inquire."

Noticing that his voice still clearly reached her alone from such a distance, the Little Demon Empress felt even more reassured about his abilities. "Who said I was composed?" she retorted. "I've wanted to ask you for ages, but the Demon Emperor was right beside me. Any vital energy transmission would surely have been detected by him."

"So you only dare to speak to me after your husband has departed? How heartbreaking," Zu An said with a theatrical sigh.

A peculiar smile touched the Little Demon Empress's lips. "You impudent boy! You even dare to take liberties with me, making it sound like we're having a secret tryst."

"Didn't you say yesterday that the young prince could recognize me as his 'Honored Father'?" Zu An retorted, feigning displeasure. "Going back on your word so soon?"

The Little Demon Empress giggled enchantingly. "I said that would be after the deed is done. So, it seems you've agreed?"

Zu An sighed dramatically, "Your Majesty possesses a beauty that can topple nations. What man in this world could possibly refuse?"

His true objective, of course, was the Unknowable Land. If this vixen wished to play games, he would gladly indulge her. They would see who ended up capsizing.

A faint blush bloomed on the Little Demon Empress's face. "With so many beautiful confidantes by your side, how could you possibly be interested in an old woman like me?"

"If Your Majesty is to be called an old woman, then every other old woman in the world would surely die laughing in their sleep," Zu An quipped. He managed to discuss details with the three women while simultaneously bantering with the Little Demon Empress, internally marveling at his own genius for such masterful multitasking.

"Your words are certainly sweet; no wonder you have so many beauties by your side," the Little Demon Empress scoffed playfully. "The Crown Prince and his party have already set off. You should hurry too. Once you return, I'll invite you to my bedchamber for a leisurely chat."

Despite the seductive undertone in her voice, a glint of coldness flickered in her eyes. After such a momentous undertaking, she certainly wouldn't let him live. Did that brat truly believe she was some fickle, unfaithful woman?

Naturally, she had no qualms about using her allure as a tantalizing, if ultimately empty, promise to further incentivize him to complete the task.

Zu An feigned an expression of overwhelming delight. "I've taken Your Majesty's words to heart. You mustn't go back on them when the time comes!"

"Oh, you!" the Little Demon Empress purred playfully. "I'm completely tied to you now; how could I possibly go back on my word? I wish you a successful journey here."

"Your Majesty, wait for me safely in your bedchamber." Zu An chuckled heartily, then led the three women toward the side slope of the Imperial Mausoleum mountain.

"That man's lecherous grin means he's surely up to something nefarious again," Yun Jianyue snorted.

Yan Xuehen, expressionless, commented, "He was just communicating with the Little Demon Empress via vital energy, wasn't he?"

Yu Yanluo, with a faint, knowing smile, added, "What were you all chatting about that made you so pleased?"

Zu An instantly broke into a cold sweat. He had just prided himself on his flawless execution, only to realize these women had seen right through him all along.

Why were the women around him always so perceptive?

"Cough, cough, we were just discussing some details about the Imperial Mausoleum," Zu An stammered. He certainly wasn't foolish enough to tell them about the charade he and the empress had just performed; that would have truly been a battlefield of jealous fury.

"Oh, if she knows information about the Imperial Mausoleum's interior, that would certainly make things easier for us," Yun Jianyue exclaimed, her face brightening with anticipation as she looked at him.

Zu An replied, "She hasn't entered the Imperial Mausoleum herself, so she's not familiar with its interior. She merely pointed out the weakest points in the outer defenses and formations, advising us to enter from that direction."

"You didn't even get any internal information about the Mausoleum, yet you were chatting so happily," Yun Jianyue said, a look of dissatisfaction on her face.

Yan Xuehen, however, interjected, "Actually, we might not even need to enter the Imperial Mausoleum. Our objective this time is the Unknowable Land. We'll simply search for it according to the map when we get there."

Yu Yanluo's eyes lit up. "Sister Yan is right; you're so clear-headed! I've been preoccupied with worrying about the Imperial Mausoleum's interior."

Yan Xuehen smiled. "Don't celebrate too soon. The Unknowable Land might very well be inside the Imperial Mausoleum, meaning we'll still have to enter."

"Let's take things one step at a time; there's no use thinking so much now," Yu Yanluo said, her gaze fixed on Yan Xuehen. "Sister Yan, your smile is truly lovely. You've been smiling much more recently than before, and it suits you so well!"

Yan Xuehen froze. Was she really smiling that much lately?

"Otherwise, why would she be called the 'Ice Stone Woman'?" Yun Jianyue scoffed. "It's strange, actually. I've known her for years, and she hasn't smiled this much in her entire life combined. Are you finally feeling the stirrings of romance?"

"Nonsense!" Yan Xuehen's heart gave a sudden leap, and she quickly composed her face into a stern expression.

Zu An, fearing their relationship might be exposed if the conversation continued, quickly interjected, "Ahem, let's change our clothes quickly. We need to make haste."

Yun Jianyue's expression instantly turned peculiar. "You're only having us change now? Are you doing this on purpose, you rascal, hoping to watch us undress?"

No sooner had she spoken than she remembered he had already seen her naked. Her usually dignified face instantly flushed crimson.

"Uh, weren't we just attending the ceremony? How could we have changed beforehand?" Zu An retrieved the clothes and handed them to the women. "Don't worry, I'll use my divine sense to keep watch for you; no one will see you."

"Hmph, no divine sense allowed!" the three women declared in unison. It was clear that, in their minds, he was the one they most needed to guard against.

Ultimately, to demonstrate his integrity, Zu An indeed kept his back turned throughout. The three women, all masters, changed their clothes almost instantaneously, leaving no room for any lingering, intimate moments.

The four then proceeded towards the mountain where the Imperial Mausoleum was located. Before long, a squad of soldiers suddenly appeared, surrounding them completely. "During the Crown Prince's trial," a soldier declared, "anyone who approaches will be killed without quarter!"