Chapter 1381: Trap

The three women nearby were both shocked and angry: "What are you doing!"

"Don't be nervous, he's just scouting ahead," the Demon Emperor said calmly. Time-space tunnels, especially those connected to unknown realms, were too risky. Even as an Earth Immortal, he wouldn't dare to take such a risk himself. However, he also didn't dare to let anyone go in first to investigate without precautions, because if they stumbled upon treasures of immortality from the unknown realm, he would be at a significant disadvantage. So, he tied a rope around the man, ready to pull him back at any moment.

The three women were well aware of the risks. Gritting their teeth, they also wanted to follow him in. After all, they had come for the unknown realm this time; even if they died inside with Zu An, it would be a noble death, certainly better than remaining captives of the Demon Emperor.

However, as soon as they made a move, the Demon Emperor stopped them. He looked at them with a strange expression: "I didn't realize you cared so much for that boy."

Yu Yanluo was indifferent, while Yan Xuehen felt very guilty hearing this. Yun Jianyue, however, retorted directly, "What nonsense are you talking about? We're just friends and don't want him to face the danger alone. Do you think everyone is as scheming as your demon race?"

The Demon Emperor sneered, "When it comes to scheming and backstabbing, your human race is far more adept."

Yun Jianyue gazed at the deep vortex, having no desire to debate with him. She replied directly, "Instead of worrying about us, you should consider if your beautiful young Demon Empress would follow you if you died."

The Demon Emperor's previously smiling face instantly stiffened, as if he had taken a critical hit.

Losing his mood for conversation, he snorted and gave a tug. Soon, the rope pulled Zu An back in front of everyone.

Seeing him safe and sound, the three women immediately breathed a sigh of relief. They rushed over to ask if he had sustained any hidden injuries.

Wu Liang watched with immense envy. This guy was incredible. The Medusa Queen, the Demonic Sect Master, the leader of the righteous path—ordinary people couldn't even manage one, yet this guy had three, and made them get along so harmoniously.

Crown Prince Jinwu's face was grim; he was practically seething with jealousy. How was it that all the world's most stunning beauties seemed to have a connection with this guy? First, the Elf Princess Xue, now the Medusa Queen, and even the Demonic Sect Master and the White Jade Capital Abbot seemed intimately close to him. He became even more determined that after his ascension, he would humiliate Zu An's women in front of him. Only then could he truly vent the frustration he had endured, otherwise, he felt he would forever be a loser in Zu An's presence.

The Demon Emperor paid no mind to their bickering. Instead, he stared at Zu An: "What's the situation in there?"

Zu An replied, "Although the tunnel inside isn't very stable, there's no great danger. After passing through the tunnel, there's another large lake. But since I was tied by the rope, I couldn't explore far."

"Wonderful, simply wonderful," Wu Liang exclaimed in admiration. "A lake here, a lake there—yin and yang, like a mirror image. This design is truly a work of divine craftsmanship." He had spent his life tomb-raiding, and this was the first time he had seen such an ingenious design.

The Demon Emperor ignored him, instead giving Zu An a strange look: "You don't seem scared at all, nor do you show any resentment for my recent actions."

"Why should I be scared?" Zu An replied calmly. "Besides, if my skills are inferior and I'm captured by you, it's only natural to accept the fate of a captive."

The three women exchanged glances, their eyes showing a mix of admiration and a strange amusement. Knowing Zu An, they knew he wouldn't be so docile; he was definitely planning something.

The Demon Emperor laughed, "You truly are an interesting young man. No wonder you're so highly valued by the human race. Even I'm starting to like you a little."

Zu An grumbled inwardly, 'It'd be more fitting if your wife, the young Demon Empress, liked me. What good is an old man like you liking me?'

Now that the other side was confirmed safe, the Demon Emperor waved his sleeve, sweeping everyone into it. He then walked directly into the vortex, his figure disappearing within.

Inside his sleeve, everyone looked at each other. They seemed to be in a chaotic void, surrounded by mist, with no sky or ground visible. Their feet felt as though they were stepping on clouds.

Yun Jianyue sighed, "This 'Sleeve Universe' technique is truly astonishing. I used to think my cultivation wasn't far from that of an Earth Immortal, but now I realize how arrogant I was."

Yan Xuehen rolled her eyes: "Being defeated by Zhao Hao without him even showing his face in the capital's imperial palace last time didn't wake you up? You only lament it now."

"Ice woman, are you intentionally trying to argue with me?" Yun Jianyue glared fiercely at her.

Seeing the two women arguing, Wu Liang finally felt relieved, thinking, 'This is more like it. A man with many women can't have it easy.'

Only Crown Prince Jinwu, from a distance, stared coldly at everything, a wicked smile on his face.

Yu Yanluo leaned close to Zu An: "A'Zu, what do we do now?"

"Don't worry, I have similar experience," Zu An reassured her. The Demon Emperor probably couldn't have imagined that Zu An's last adventure in a secret realm was also under duress from another Earth Immortal, Zhao Hao, and he ultimately turned the tide from a desperate situation. If he knew this, he would certainly not have spared Zu An's life.

Originally, Mo Xi's "Farewell to Nanchao" transformed into scissors that could counter this kind of contract, but her cultivation was too low to meet the activation requirements.

Seeing the worry on his brows, Yu Yanluo sighed softly in her heart. 'A'Zu must have said that to comfort me. What could he possibly do against the Demon Emperor?'

Yan Xuehen also noticed this, and a look of determination suddenly appeared on her face. After what happened with him in the Great Snow Mountain, she hadn't known how to face her disciple. This was the perfect opportunity to make a clean break. This time, she would risk her life to save him, no matter what. That way, he and Chu Yan could live happily ever after, and she wouldn't mind resting here forever.

Yun Jianyue's phoenix eyes were also exceptionally sharp. She recalled Zu An saving her life multiple times, and the entire Holy Sect owed him a great debt. This time, no matter what, she had to repay him, even if it meant sacrificing herself. 'This Emissary has always distinguished clearly between gratitude and grudges, never owing anyone.'

As each person dwelled on their own thoughts, the space suddenly shook violently. Everyone instantly lost their footing and was filled with alarm. They knew this was the space within the Demon Emperor's sleeve; such instability proved that the Demon Emperor was facing extreme danger. Even he couldn't maintain the sleeve's stability. What could possibly have happened?

Crown Prince Jinwu glared at Zu An: "You brat, did you intentionally lead Imperial Father into a trap?"

Zu An sneered, "I wish there really was such a trap."

As the two sides argued, suddenly the space above them brightened, and everyone found themselves thrown onto the ground.

The Demon Emperor stood nearby, looking somewhat disheveled. He was drenched, his hair matted, and patches of his scalp, some bald, were faintly visible. The Demon Emperor seemed to realize his appearance was rather undignified. A burst of golden flames erupted from him, instantly drying his clothes and hair, restoring him to his former majestic state.

Zu An seized the opportunity to observe his surroundings. There were no terrifying enemies present, only a vast, boundless lake that looked like an ocean. They were on the shore of the lake, next to a towering mountain that seemed to reach the clouds. In the distance, continuous mountain ranges stretched out.

"Imperial Father, did this fellow just lead you into a trap?" Crown Prince Jinwu hurriedly approached the Demon Emperor.

The Demon Emperor shook his head slightly: "It's not his fault, there's something wrong with this water."

Some people died, but not completely...

He gulped in fresh air, his chest heaving. Confusion, bewilderment, all sorts of emotions flooded his mind. Where was this? Then, Shi Yu subconsciously looked around, becoming even more bewildered. A single dorm room? Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital room now. And his body... how could there be no injuries at all?

With growing doubt, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally resting on a mirror by the bed. The mirror reflected his current appearance: around seventeen or eighteen years old, very handsome. His previous self had been a distinguished and handsome young man in his twenties, who had been working for some time. But now, this appearance looked like that of a high school student... This change left Shi Yu dazed for a long time. Please don't tell him the surgery was successful... His body and appearance had both changed; this wasn't a matter of surgery at all, but rather immortal magic. He had completely turned into another person! Could it be... he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror by the bed, which was clearly placed in a bad feng shui spot, Shi Yu also found three books nearby. Shi Yu picked them up and looked at them, and the titles instantly silenced him.

"Beginner Breeder's Essential Beast-Rearing Manual""Post-Natal Care for Pet Beasts""Guide to Appraising Heterogeneous Beast-Eared Girls"

Shi Yu: ???

The first two book titles were normal enough, but what was up with the last one?

"Ahem."

Shi Yu's gaze sharpened, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened. Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his brain, and a flood of memories surged forth.

Icefield City.Pet Beast Breeding Base.Intern Pet Beast Breeder.Beast Tamer?