Chapter 1601: No Word Heaven Book

Chu Chuyan smiled at Zu An, then explained, "The Sect Grand Competition is a tradition established by the Nine Daoist Sects over thousands of years. Many years ago, the Daoist schools were divided into nine sects. Each believed their philosophy and cultivation methods were the only correct ones. Being proud and arrogant, they often resorted to fighting over disagreements, leading to severe losses for all nine sects."

"Later, enlightened individuals among the nine sects realized this could not continue. It not only led to the demise of many talented cultivators but also easily created irreconcilable blood feuds. However, the conflicts between the nine sects remained, making a complete cessation of hostilities impossible. Therefore, someone proposed that the nine sects jointly host a Grand Competition where disciples from each school could duel on an arena. With elders supervising, it would be easier to ensure the duels were controlled and stopped before serious harm."

"The leaders of the major sects later agreed that this method would not only resolve disputes but also strongly motivate their disciples to cultivate diligently. Thus, the tradition of the Grand Competition was preserved. Considering the varied cultivation progress among the different schools, it was usually scheduled to occur every ten years, ideally aligning with the decade mark."

"Such competitions must surely have prizes, otherwise it would be difficult for them not to become meaningless over the years," Zu An mused, thinking of certain basketball and football games from his previous life where athletes often didn't put in their full effort because the honors weren't particularly appealing.

"Of course there are," Chu Chuyan replied with a slight smile. This made the Disciples of Li Hentian across from them stare wide-eyed; they had never seen her smile so radiantly.

"The winning sect gains ten years of ownership of the Daoist supreme treasure, the 'Wordless Heavenly Scripture.' For that decade, the scripture remains within their sect for study and enlightenment."

Zu An was momentarily stunned. "The Wordless Heavenly Scripture?" he repeated.

Even King Yan and others perked up, feigning conversation with others while discreetly listening in.

"The Wordless Heavenly Scripture is fabled to have been left behind by the Daoist founder," Chu Chuyan explained, a hint of longing in her expression. "Legend has it that it contains the ultimate secrets of Daoism, though countless brilliant individuals over the years have failed to comprehend them."

"Does the Wordless Heavenly Scripture truly have no words written on it?" Zu An asked.

"I haven't seen it myself, but it is indeed said to be blank," Chu Chuyan nodded slightly. "However, this scripture is incredibly profound. Though it has no words, it seems to contain the Grand Dao of Heaven and Earth. While past generations of sects haven't deciphered its ultimate secrets, they have gained significant insights from it. Even simply being near the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, without actively studying it, can accelerate one's cultivation speed."

"That incredible?" Zu An thought, secretly wishing he could witness the Wordless Heavenly Scripture for himself someday. However, he refrained from speaking this aloud in the presence of the two sect leaders.

Chu Chuyan continued, "Besides the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, the top ten disciples from the Sect Grand Competition are also granted access to the 'Daoist Secret Realm,' which opens only once every ten years. For the younger generation, this is an unparalleled opportunity, which is why disciples from all sects give their absolute best in every competition."

Zu An nodded. He knew that major powers typically possessed their own secret realms; for instance, the academies in Brightmoon City once had theirs. A secret realm jointly owned by the Nine Daoist Sects would undoubtedly contain countless rare treasures and cultivation manuals, making it immensely attractive to young cultivators.

He suddenly felt a pang of alarm and asked worriedly, "Aren't you supposed to compete against the Demonic Sect's Saintess? Wouldn't participating in this Grand Competition beforehand be incredibly dangerous?"

If she were to participate in the Sect Grand Competition first, she wouldn't be in peak condition when facing Qiu Honglei. Given the long-standing animosity between the Demonic Sect and Daoist schools, casualties would be a real possibility.

Conversely, if she competed against Qiu Honglei first and then joined the Sect Grand Competition, it would be equally perilous. While the Nine Daoist Sects outwardly claimed unity, they inwardly regarded each other as rivals. With such enticing prizes, no one would hold back.

In either scenario, she would be in significant danger.

Feeling his concern, Chu Chuyan's heart warmed. "Don't worry," she reassured him, "I don't need to participate in the Sect Grand Competition. White Jade Capital's team for this event will be led by one of my senior brothers. Moreover, the major sects have granted me special permission: if I can defeat the Demonic Sect's Saintess, I will automatically secure a spot to enter the secret realm."

Hearing this, Zu An breathed a sigh of relief, though he immediately felt a new wave of worry. With Chu Chuyan's future at stake, she absolutely had to win this duel.

Yet, her victory would mean Qiu Honglei's defeat. The Demonic Sect, like the Daoist side, would undoubtedly have numerous incentives in place, and possibly even penalties for losing.

Both women were dear to him; he did not wish to see either of them lose.

For a moment, Zu An finally understood the helplessness of fate—how some things simply could not be perfectly resolved for all parties.

As the two chatted, the Disciples of Li Hentian across from them were all gaping in astonishment, especially Zhiyin, whose mind was buzzing with disbelief.

He still remembered the first time he saw Chu Chuyan. She had apparently come to Li Hentian to deliver a message, and he had been instantly captivated by her divine beauty, falling for her at first sight.

For a moment, he had even fantasized about the names of their future children: a son named Zhi Chu, a daughter named Zhi Yan...

No, wait, if he married her, how could he only have two children? That would be a terrible waste of her beauty; he should have at least eight or ten. During that period, he had even cut ties with several female disciples in the sect with whom he had ambiguous relationships, dedicating himself solely to pursuing her.

Unfortunately, Chu Chuyan was simply too aloof and spoke very little. He recalled that he couldn't remember her saying much to him at all, with the words "Oh," "Heh heh," "Okay," and "Understood" being the most memorable.

The longest phrase she ever uttered to him was "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Fortunately, her voice was truly beautiful; even her soft chuckles were an exquisite pleasure to hear.

What bolstered his sense of superiority was that Chu Chuyan spoke even less to other disciples than to him. During their interactions over those few days, he calculated she had spoken a grand total of seventy-eight words to him!

Sadly, that sense of superiority was utterly shattered in that instant. He had never imagined that the 'ice queen,' who was so sparing with her words, could be so talkative in front of another man. And that gentle smile—where was even a hint of her usual coldness?

What right did *he* have?!

Zhiyin felt his blood churn, nearly coughing up blood in his fury.

Rage points from Zhiyin: 88,888,888...

Noticing the immense stream of rage points, Zu An gave Zhiyin a puzzled glance. What was that pretty boy raving about now?

However, he quickly lost interest and continued chatting with Chu Chuyan. Fearing he might neglect Xie Daoyun, he also introduced her. The two were already somewhat familiar from Brightmoon City, so their conversation flowed easily without awkwardness.

Chu Chuyan, however, was attempting to decipher their relationship, while Xie Daoyun felt that they certainly didn't behave like divorced spouses. Beneath the calm surface, a subtle undercurrent seemed to surge.

Yan Xuehen, on the other hand, observed them with a cold gaze, thinking that Zu An's romantic luck was truly flourishing and that he thoroughly deserved to be hung up and given a good beating.

Across from them, Zhiyin trembled slightly, his hands clenched so tightly within his sleeves that his fingernails almost dug into his flesh.

Zhao Xiaodie, standing nearby, seemed to notice something and grumbled under her breath, "This Chu woman, an ice fairy on the surface, turns out to be such a sycophant, so overly enthusiastic when she sees a high-ranking official."

Zhiyin whirled around abruptly. "Shut up! You are not allowed to speak about her like that!"

The sudden outburst instantly drew the attention of everyone present, who stared at the two in astonishment, wondering what had just happened.