It had been a long time since Zu An felt so frustrated over a problem ever since his breakthrough. He felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness. He thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a solution, so he decided to just take it one step at a time.
Since Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei suspected Yan Xuehen, Zu An thought he should warn the latter, or else she would be disadvantaged when dealing with them.
Yan Xuehen was appalled by his return, worrying that others would notice their relationship. However, when she learned the reason behind his return, she was shocked. “Huh? Is there something wrong with the demoness? Why is she doing that?”
She had doubted Yun Jianyue at the start, but she dropped her suspicion after Zu An promised her that nothing was amiss. From the looks of it now, the demoness had indeed come prepared.
“It’s all your fault. She must have started suspecting us after our trip to the Netherworld.” Yan Xuehen thought about the things he had done along the way, and her face turned so red that one could almost squeeze blood out of it.
She couldn’t even stand upright then. Given how sharp the demoness was, she was bound to have sensed that something was amiss.
“I suspect she intends to drag you down.” Zu An was aware of their relationship, and that allowed him to better guess her thoughts.
Yan Xuehen calmed down and thought about it. “Yes, you’re right. The demoness is capable of that. She probably plans for us to embarrass ourselves, so she can mock me for that...”
She felt stifled. I should be angry about that, but it just so happens I have an affair with Zu An. The demoness hit the nail on the head by chance!
Zu An couldn’t help but wonder if the two women would gang up against him if they learned about each other’s relationship with him. The ensuing drama that could arise from that made him shudder.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Xuehen was perplexed by his response.
“It’s nothing. We should tread carefully for now. She’ll probably let it slip when she fails to find any evidence,” Zu An consoled her.
“Easier said than done!” Yan Xuehen hissed. “She wields desire energy now. Who knows when she’ll use it against me?”
It finally made sense why she had been so affected earlier.
“You have something similar to void energy too. You fell for her trap because you were unguarded, but now that you know what she’s up to, you should be able to neutralize her desire energy with your void energy,” Zu An replied.
Yan Xuehen nodded. Fighting spirit blazed in her eyes. “I’d like to see whether my dao is stronger, or hers!”
Zu An thought, They're truly a match made in heaven. Neither side refuses to admit defeat.
Yan Xuehen suddenly narrowed her eyes. “I’m in too much of a disadvantage if I remain in a passive position. This won’t do. I should fight back too!” She could turn a blind eye to such things when it came to anyone else, but somehow, she couldn’t let herself lose when it came to Yun Jianyue.
Zu An was rendered speechless. Yun Jianyue’s action has already left me flustered. If Yan Xuehen makes a move too, given their wits, they might quickly realize our relationship, and that would spell the end of the world!
He said, “I’ll take her away with me. That way, she won’t be able to deal with you.”
Yan Xuehen turned to him. “Where do you plan to take her?” There was a tinge of jealousy in her voice.
“Her Corpse Mountain Blood Sea Domain resembles the Netherworld. That would be the perfect excuse to take her on a tour in the Netherworld. She won’t suspect a thing,” Zu An replied.
“You want to take her to the Netherworld?” Yan Xuehen raised her voice. “That means she would have to project her soul and stick close to you?”
Zu An was astounded. He was in an intimate relationship with Yun Jianyue, so he didn’t think much about embracing her. But to Yan Xuehen, who didn’t know about their relationship, that was overstepping a boundary.
He coughed. “What are you thinking? I’m also bringing Manman with us to observe the Red Spider Lilies. With her around, nothing can possibly happen.”
Yan Xuehen exhaled in relief. The atmosphere won’t be as chummy with someone else around. However, she still felt jealous. “Our previous duel ended with a draw. With her wits, it’s likely that she’ll advance her domain to a higher level after your trip to the Netherworld. By then, I might no longer be a match for her.”
She glared at him grudgingly as if blaming him for helping an outsider against her.
“I’m doing this to stop her from going after you.” Zu An lifted her chin. “Big sister Yan, you look so adorable when you’re jealous.”
“Who’s being jealous?” Yan Xuehen looked away in embarrassment. Why do I keep acting like that in front of Zu An?
To conceal her awkwardness, she changed the topic. “Forget it. Take her to the Netherworld if you want to, but can you leave Miss Jing here to accompany me?”
“Why are you looking for her?” Zu An was worried that a fight would ensue.
Yan Xuehen harrumphed. “I can’t end up lagging behind that demoness. Miss Jing has deep ties with the Dao Gate, and her knowledge runs deep. There are many things I’d like to consult her on. It might help me take a step forward.”
She also wanted to go to the Netherworld to meet Chuyan, but she dropped that thought because she was worried that Yun Jianyue would see through them. I can get Ah Zu to take me to the Netherworld whenever I want anyway. There’s no need for me to go with her.
Zu An’s heart was put at ease. “That’s a good idea. Jing Teng does command vast knowledge.”
Other than Mi Li, Jing Teng was the most knowledgeable person around him. Her wealth of life experience and experience in suppressing the giant tomb made her a living encyclopedia. Besides, Qiu Honglei was still too frail to head to the Netherworld. It would be good to leave Jing Teng here to take care of her.
Zu An paid a visit to Yun Jianyue and Pei Mianman to inform them about his plan.
Yun Jianyue wanted to plot against Yan Xuehen, but she knew advancing her cultivation was more important, so she agreed with Zu An's decision. Meanwhile, Pei Mianman could guess Zu An’s intentions, but she didn’t hesitate to accept the offer because she wanted to see the Red Spider Lilies in person.
Thus, Zu An quickly made preparations before taking Yun Jianyue and Pei Mianman’s souls to the Netherworld.
Yan Xuehen took this chance to consult Jing Teng about her dao. But Jing Teng didn’t seem interested in engaging with her.
Yan Xuehen sensed something was amiss and asked, “Miss Jing, is there something on your mind?”
Jing Teng replied, “Miss Yan, I have a question. Do you think a master can share a husband with her disciple?”
Yan Xuehen’s face turned pale.