Chapter 1554: Got Without Any Effort

"You've actually come out of seclusion! Last time, I heard Master Yan say you were cultivating in seclusion, apparently at a crucial stage in mastering a divine art. I didn't dare come looking for you, fearing I might disturb your practice." Zu An's words were sincere; he and Chu Chuyan, a newlywed couple, had been separated for far too long.

Seeing the sincerity in his tone, Yan Xuehen's expression softened slightly. "I had planned to remain in seclusion for a while longer, but Master suddenly returned and told me that cultivating alone isn't as beneficial as gaining experience in the mundane world. She also suggested I go challenge the Saintess of the Demonic Sect, so I came out."

Zu An was both surprised and delighted: "Master Yan... she's back? Is she injured?"

Although he had suspected she left without a word and that her cultivation was more than sufficient for self-preservation, he had still worried she might encounter some mishap. Now, learning of Yan Xuehen's safety, a heavy weight was lifted from his heart.

Chu Chuyan glanced at him curiously, not understanding why he was so concerned about her Master. "With Master's cultivation being so high, how could anything happen to her?"

"That's good, that's good," Zu An sighed in relief. Then, realizing his question sounded a bit strange, he quickly added, "Master Yan and I fought side-by-side before, so we are, in a way, friends. When she suddenly departed in the demon territory, I was indeed concerned something might have happened to her."

"Master mentioned it briefly," Chu Chuyan replied, her expression odd, "but you said you're friends? I know Master's temperament best; she's more aloof than an iceberg, completely detached from the world. I truly can't imagine someone like her becoming friends with you."

And if they're friends, wouldn't that make Zu An my elder?

Zu An's expression stiffened. "She didn't mention it to you?"

It seemed Yan Xuehen still couldn't confront their relationship directly, unconsciously avoiding it.

Chu Chuyan shook her head slightly. "She didn't mention that your relationship was particularly close, but since you entrusted her to bring me a gift, I suppose your relationship isn't bad."

"A gift?" Zu An was momentarily stunned. In that situation, how could he possibly ask Yan Xuehen to bring a gift to another woman? Wouldn't that just be rubbing salt in the wound?

Chu Chuyan looked down at the silk ribbon around her waist, her fair cheeks flushing as if reflecting its color. "I really like this Cosmic Silk Ribbon. Thank you."

Zu An then realized and smiled, "As long as you like it."

He sighed wistfully, wondering what Yan Xuehen meant by this. Was she trying to say a final farewell to him?

"Oh, by the way, Master has been a bit strange since she returned this time," Chu Chuyan said suddenly. "Strange how?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat.

"Sometimes she just sits alone and suddenly spaces out, with a silly grin on her face one moment and an angry expression the next. I even worried if there was a problem with her cultivation of the 'Grand Pure Emotionless Scripture,' but she said no," Chu Chuyan explained, her delicate brows tightly furrowed. She then looked at Zu An doubtfully. "You were with her for so long; do you know the reason?"

Everyone has a gossipy streak, and Chu Chuyan was no exception. She was eager to know what had truly happened to her Master, especially if it was something that couldn't be told to her.

Zu An's expression was a little awkward. Of course he knew the reason, but unfortunately, he couldn't say it directly.

He could only say, "Perhaps she encountered some immortal beings in the Unknowable Land, and that had a significant impact on her."

"Immortals?" Chu Youzhao, who had been holding her sister's arm, looked curious. She immediately let go and pulled Zu An. "Good brother-in-law, quickly tell me about it!"

Seeing Chu Youzhao's behavior, Chu Chuyan frowned slightly. The Chu family had invested significant effort in educating Youzhao to act like a true young master; why did she now seem to revert to her former girlish ways?

Seeing Murong Qinghe perk up her ears beside them, Zu An chuckled wryly. Anyway, no one present was an outsider, and Murong Qinghe's relationship with Youzhao made her almost family. So, he gave a rough account of the events in the Unknowable Land, keeping it relatively simple. As for the specific details, he could discuss them privately with Chu Chuyan later; knowing too much might only cause trouble for the two young girls.

However, this was enough to elicit gasps of astonishment from the girls. Even Chu Chuyan was somewhat moved. She didn't know why, but since Master's return, she felt as if Master had transformed into a different person and had become much more distant from her. She even had a sense that her Master was afraid to see her.

That's why Master had only briefly mentioned the situation in the Unknowable Land to her; she knew very little. Now, hearing Zu An's account, her beautiful eyes sparkled with wonder.

However, perceptive as she was, she also sensed that he was omitting some details. But she didn't doubt him, surmising that it was likely due to Murong Qinghe and Youzhao's presence, and she could ask him privately later.

Just then, Zu An suddenly realized, "Oh, right, you said you came out this time to have a martial arts competition with the Demonic Sect Saintess?"

Chu Chuyan nodded slightly. "Yes, Master and the Demonic Sect's Leader Yun had agreed for disciples from both sects to hold several righteous-versus-evil competitions. However, the most recent agreement was originally set for one or two years from now. I'm not sure why Master suddenly changed her mind, and whether the Demonic Sect agreed is also uncertain."

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her departure from the mountain felt somewhat rushed, almost as if her Master had deliberately sent her away.

Zu An scrutinized her, sensing her primal energy fluctuations, and couldn't help but be surprised. "You're already at the Ninth Rank?"

Chu Chuyan hummed in affirmation. "Master put a lot of effort into teaching me, and White Jade Capital also favored me, supplying me with all sorts of rare treasures. That's why my progress has been quite rapid. If I had emerged from seclusion at the natural time, there would have been a high chance of breaking through to the Grandmaster rank."

This was also what perplexed her the most. According to her progress, she should have been able to break through to the Grandmaster rank by emerging from seclusion naturally, which would have given her more confidence in facing the Demonic Sect Saintess.

But she had always admired and respected her Master, knowing that with her extensive knowledge, this action must have a purpose. Moreover, she truly missed Zu An, so she agreed to descend the mountain.

"Sister is amazing!" Chu Youzhao's eyes were filled with admiration, thinking, *Sister truly is the idol I've had since childhood*.

Murong Qinghe was also shocked. How old was she? Not even twenty, right? Yet she was already at the Ninth Rank! She considered herself a genius, but compared to Chu Chuyan, she was utterly outmatched.

Among the demon race, there were indeed younger individuals with higher cultivation, but the so-called young generation among demons would be considered middle-aged or even elderly among humans. Furthermore, most of the demon race relied on bloodline inheritance for their power.

At that moment, Chu Chuyan's expression suddenly changed. She took Zu An's hand and examined it. "What happened to you? Why is your cultivation not even as good as when we parted? Could it be that you were injured, causing your cultivation to..."

After all, this world valued cultivation. If he truly became an ordinary person without any cultivation, how sad he would be.

For a moment, she even thought that she needed to cultivate even harder and become stronger so she could protect him properly.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Zu An reassured her. "It's just that my cultivation technique has mutated, making it difficult for others to detect my primal energy fluctuations." As he spoke, he lightly waved his hand, slicing a floating fallen leaf nearby into two.

"That's good," Chu Chuyan visibly sighed in relief. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her expression turned odd. "You almost changed the subject. Where exactly did you spend the night last night?"

Zu An's hair stood on end. Although she knew about his relationship with Zheng Dan, a common saying perfectly described the situation: "Confess freely and face lifelong imprisonment; resist staunchly and go home for the New Year."

Fortunately, he had already thought of an excuse by then. "Last night, I was investigating the Sang family's affairs. Sang Hong was assassinated and went missing, and truthfully, I bear some responsibility..."

Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe had both heard their families mention the court struggles and quickly spoke up to comfort him, saying none of it was his fault.

At that moment, a strange glint flashed in Chu Chuyan's eyes. "Sang Hong? I know where he is."