Chapter 679: Can Come to Me

Meanwhile, Zu'an began to refine the immense energy within him. Though not vast in quantity, the energy—whether from the emperor or Yun Jianyue—far surpassed in quality anything he had encountered from other masters before. Of course, this excluded some superhuman beings he'd met in secret realms, who seemed almost non-human.

He sat cross-legged on the bed and began guiding the two types of energy to serve his purpose. Although the two energies were trapped in a black hole-like vortex from which they couldn't escape, one originated from an Earth Immortal and the other from a Grandmaster. Sensing that this ant-like being dared to devour them, they both became enraged and resisted fiercely.

Normally, for an ordinary seventh-rank cultivator, even at the peak, attempting to refine the energy of an Earth Immortal and a Grandmaster would be sheer fantasy; they'd be incredibly lucky not to explode on the spot. However, Zu'an was no ordinary seventh-rank. His elemental energy was incredibly potent, far exceeding others at his level. Coupled with the existence of a heaven-defying technique like the "Gluttonous Heaven Devouring Art," he was able to refine two high-level energies across so many ranks.

While refining, Zu'an also simulated the residual aura of the restriction, using the method Yun Jianyue had just taught him. Since the disguise was based on the emperor's lingering energy, it should be effective unless the emperor personally examined him closely.

After an unknown period, Zu'an suddenly opened his eyes, a brilliant light flashing within them. One eye seemed like a dazzling sun, the other a cool, clear moon. However, the divine radiance quickly receded, leaving no trace of abnormality. He inwardly surveyed his body and was surprised to find that only three formations had been lit in his seventh level before. Now, a full eight formations were lit, leaving only one more before he could break through to the eighth rank. Although the amount of energy from the emperor and Yun Jianyue was small, its quality was so high that it had such a potent nourishing effect.

He put on his clothes and noticed that dawn was breaking outside. He pushed open the door and went out to look for her. He made his way to Yun Jianyue's room, reached out to knock, but was repelled by a restriction at the door.

"Who is it?" Yun Jianyue's voice came from inside.

"It's me. I have something I'd like to ask, Church Master Sister," Zu'an replied, feeling a bit strange. Why did her voice sound so... alluring?

Silence filled the room, and then Yun Jianyue's voice finally came: "Wait a moment."

After a short pause, the door slowly opened, and Yun Jianyue's slightly weary voice invited him in: "Come in."

Zu'an stepped inside and saw the room filled with white mist, as if steam was everywhere. He was momentarily stunned: "What's going on here?"

"Nothing to be surprised about. I just finished bathing," a hazy figure slowly emerged from an inner room.

"You bathed all night?" Zu'an stared in disbelief. It had been night when she left yesterday, and now it was almost dawn.

"None of your business," Yun Jianyue scoffed softly, yet her tone was full of sweet allure, with a hint of petulance.

Zu'an frowned, sensing that something was off with her. However, his eyes soon widened, for he had clearly seen the figure emerging from the mist. Yun Jianyue was casually wrapped in a silk nightgown. While not transparent, its semi-sheer quality made it even more alluring. Her long, wet hair lay casually draped over her back, dampening parts of the nightgown, which clung tightly to her skin. Even from afar, her exquisite, shapely figure was evident.

Her beauty was like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned. This phrase came to Zu'an's mind, but he immediately dismissed it. "More than just a lotus," he thought, "only a peony or a rose could truly describe her captivating allure at this moment." Because of the nightgown, her two fair, delicate feet were exposed, with cute, rounded toes. Her calves were straight and slender, and her plump, firm thighs were subtly visible...

"Have you seen enough?" Yun Jianyue's playful voice broke the silence.

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat as he met her enigmatic gaze. He quickly explained, "It's mainly because Church Master Sister is too beautiful; I couldn't help but look a few times. Please forgive me, Sister." He secretly wondered, if this were the usual Yun Jianyue, she would have long since frowned and gotten angry. Why was she speaking to him so softly now? Wait, the usual Yun Jianyue would never appear before him dressed like this.

At that moment, Yun Jianyue casually lay on her side on a nearby soft couch, propping her head with one hand. Her long, subtly visible legs were naturally crossed. She reclined gracefully, like a beauty from a painting, gazing at Zu'an with an ambiguous smile. "Why are you looking for me at this hour?" she asked.

"What a deep cleavage!" Zu'an's gaze fell upon her chest, the expanse of white skin breathtaking. Her entire being exuded an astonishing allure, leaving men parched and filled with desire. He felt an irresistible urge to rush forward, tear off her clothes, pin her beneath him, and ravish her...

Zu'an swallowed with difficulty, using immense willpower to suppress the surging thoughts in his mind. He was secretly shocked by his own reaction: *What was happening to him? Why was he feeling this way?* Worried about completely offending her, he dared not look further and quickly averted his gaze. "Ahem, I wanted to ask when you'll be leaving the capital? At least let me say goodbye to Honglei before you go."

After being separated like mandarin ducks last night, and with the clear intention of keeping them apart, he saw no hope of Qiu Honglei emerging from seclusion anytime soon. Naturally, he wanted a proper farewell before they departed.

"We'll be leaving when it gets light," Yun Jianyue replied. She had originally planned to stay longer, but the sudden flare-up of Karmic Fire last night made her eager to return to seclusion to investigate its cause. Also, in her current state, she dared not linger outside; it was safer within the sect, especially since there were many items she had used in the past to calm the Karmic Fire, which would help her endure the monthly burning more easily.

"So soon?" Zu'an was taken aback, not expecting such a quick separation.

"What, you don't want us to leave?" Yun Jianyue chuckled seductively, her chest trembling with laughter.

Zu'an silently sighed with admiration. A mature woman was indeed different from those fresh-faced young girls. At least, most girls couldn't compare to her curves—"Ugh, Manman is an anomaly, she doesn't count."

"Of course I don't want you to leave..." Zu'an was about to reply but suddenly froze. "Huh, wait, she said 'us'?" What did that mean? Usually, when he spoke to her, even a slight tease would make her furious. But today, it felt as if their roles were reversed, and she was the one teasing him.

"Church Master Sister, are you alright?" Zu'an had sensed her unusual state since earlier. At this moment, he didn't care to admire her captivating charm and quickly asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just a little bit of Karmic Fire bothering me," Yun Jianyue explained casually, as if it were a trivial matter.

"Karmic Fire bothering you?" Zu'an frowned. That name didn't sound good at all.

Yun Jianyue roughly explained to him what Karmic Fire was, and then continued, "Now you should understand why I had to prevent Honglei from being with you." Normally, she would never tell him such private matters. However, under the influence of the Karmic Fire, although most of it had dissipated after soaking in the pool all night, her entire being was still in a state of enchanting allure. Naturally, she was bolder and less inhibited than usual.

"So that's how it is." Zu'an's expression became incredibly complex. "Which idiot invented this terrible cultivation technique of the Demonic Sect? So many messy negative side effects, it's unbelievable!"

"Sister, haven't you already achieved perfection? Why are you still afflicted by Karmic Fire?" Zu'an suddenly realized the problem.

Yun Jianyue's eyes were half-closed, as if she were extremely tired and languid. "I don't know either. It just suddenly appeared after I interacted with the restriction for you... I suppose it must be because I was previously injured by the emperor, and then struggled with his restriction this time, which caused my cultivation level to drop slightly, leading to these symptoms. Once I return to seclusion and recover from my injuries, I should be fine."

Zu'an couldn't help but say, "Sister, Karmic Fire isn't something to joke about. You must protect yourself. If... and I mean *if*, Sister, you truly need a man's help to dispel the Karmic Fire, please don't look for anyone else. I can certainly be of service."

Yun Jianyue was initially a little touched by the first part of his sentence, but as she listened, it gradually changed in meaning. She opened her watery, starry eyes, and a hint of a dangerous smile appeared on her lips: "Are you truly completely unattached to this mortal world?"

***

**Author's Note:** Recent days, I've been severely sleep-deprived. I used to sleep about 9 hours a day, but now it's only a little over six. Yesterday, I planned to finish the second chapter, but I was so exhausted that I intended to nap at my desk before writing. However, a sudden surge of heat gathered in my chest, and I felt flustered, worried about sudden death, so I went to bed. The missing update will be provided today. Speaking of which, it's good to be young. Back then, I could play games all night and watch the Champions League starting at 11 PM without any apparent ill effects.