Chapter 284: The Three Great Sacred Grounds

Tianyuan Town.

Located in a remote mountainous area, it was underdeveloped but had complete infrastructure.

Wang Haoran, along with Ning Xueluo and Zhu Nan, hitched a ride on the Special Management Bureau’s helicopter, arriving here in less than half a day.

By this time, it was already evening.

Fu Tianlin went to handle official duties, while Fu Xue enthusiastically showed them around and took them to dinner.

“Here, take this map.”

At a tavern, while waiting for their food, Fu Xue handed a map to Wang Haoran.

He examined it closely while Fu Xue provided some explanations.

“Wang Haoran, you must be cautious in the Ancient Martial World.”

“It’s common for people to fight to the death over women.”

She mentioned this while giving Zhu Nan a pointed look before continuing.

“The three specially marked locations on the map are the headquarters of the Three Great Sacred Grounds.”

“From south to north: Liuyun City, home to the Liuyun Holy Land.”

“Piaomiao Peak, home to the Piaomiao Holy Land.”

“Jiuyou Harbor, home to the Jiuyou Holy Land.”

“The boundaries on the map mark their respective territories.”

“The red-marked areas are dangerous zones where monsters frequently appear. Avoid those regions.”

Fu Xue knew that with Ning Xueluo’s many years spent in the Ancient Martial World, Wang Haoran probably didn’t need her advice. Still, she felt compelled to mention it, especially about the Three Great Sacred Grounds.

Wang Haoran already knew this and asked other questions.

“Do you know how this small world of the Ancient Martial World came to be?”

“It covers an area roughly half the size of a province and includes oceans, mountains, and rivers. It even has unique monsters not found in our world. Isn’t that quite fantastical?”

“If we could create such a small world today, wouldn’t that be unstoppable?”

Fu Xue shook her head. “I don’t know. Even the long-standing Three Great Sacred Grounds don’t know how it came about.”

“Replicating or creating something like this now is impossible.”

“…I see…”

In “Mighty and Romantic,” the Ancient Martial World suddenly appeared mid-story. The author never explained its origins.

Wang Haoran guessed it was likely a new plot device for introducing fresh storylines.

As they chatted, the food arrived.

Noting her companions’ public displays of affection even during meals, Fu Xue asked, “Are you leaving early tomorrow?”

“Yes, you?”

“My grandfather and I will leave in a few days.”

Fu Xue’s tone was tinged with disappointment.

She longed to accompany Sister Ning to the Ancient Martial World and experience its chivalrous heroic deeds and complex enmities firsthand. But her grandfather was adamant about not allowing it.

She understood since the Ancient Martial World wasn’t as safe as the outside world. Each trip required her grandfather’s close supervision.

“Sister Ning, we’ll have to part ways tomorrow…”

Fu Xue whined with a hopeful look for some comforting words.

Sighing at her theatrics, Ning Xueluo couldn’t help but console her.

“Xiaoxue, I’m not moving to the Ancient Martial World permanently. I’ll be back soon enough; no need to be so gloomy!”

“Okay!”

Feeling Sister Ning caringly pat her head made Fu Xue smile brightly.

Sister Ning really cares about me! Fantastic!

Hmph, that Wang Haoran truly is blind! Bringing another woman along while being with Sister Ning!

That Zhu Nan with her seductive eyes is obviously just a temptress! How can she compare to Sister Ning?

But gazing at Wang Haoran’s face conjured an odd, almost grotesque idea in Fu Xue’s mind—

Wang Haoran is so unfaithful… He might actually be interested in me too… If I seduce him just a bit… he’d surely pounce on me eagerly… Then, I’d go report it to Sister Ning!

Ignoring her own slender figure lacking any appeal, she imagined absurd scenarios:

“Woohoo, Sister Ning! I’ve been defiled!”

“Who did it?! Don’t worry, Xiaoxue, I’ll avenge you and kill that lecher!”

“…It was… Wang Haoran…”

Sister Ning gaspingly exclaimed: “…What?! My husband?!”

“It’s him!”

“…”

As Sister Ning hesitated, she started crying bitterly again.

“Woohoo, Sister Ning, now no one will want me! I must end this wretched life!”

Just as she turned to leave, Sister Ning grabbed her wrist firmly.

“…I want you!”

“…?”

Sister Ning’s determined eyes met hers: “My husband’s wrongdoings fall on me. Stay with me from now on; I’ll take responsibility!”

Staying with Sister Ning… If that happens…

Then being taken by Wang Haoran might not be so bad…

She laughed to herself.

Suddenly snapping back to reality—Shit! What am I thinking?!

How can I joke about losing my virginity!

How can I use my purity for sympathy!

Isn’t that basically selling myself?!

Imagining such scenarios where Wang Haoran assaults me—what a fool I am!

She slapped herself hard several times.

Seeing this, her companions looked utterly bewildered.

***

Deep night.

In their hotel room in Tianyuan Town.

Wang Haoran leaned against the headboard while Ning Xueluo and Zhu Nan sat on either side of him.

They were discussing their planned stop at Ruian City once they entered the Ancient Martial World.

Located within Piaomiao Holy Land’s territory, Ruian City was also where Zhu Nan’s former family lived.

While previously visiting the Ancient Martial World, Wang Haoran had operated within Piaomiao Holy Land’s domain but hadn’t yet been to Ruian City or Piaomiao Peak.

He decided to first help Zhu Nan seek her revenge.

However, Zhu Nan had been away from the Ancient Martial World for nearly six years… He wasn’t sure how Zhu Xiwang, suspected female protagonist from another novel genre (female-oriented web fiction), fared now.

Following typical tropes in female-oriented fiction novels across six years probably meant she had children by now.

These narratives usually involved reborn heroines severing blood ties for strength supported by the male lead—unlike domineering CEO urban romance where leads face unintentional pregnancies and have quintuplets return years later…

Interrupting their discussion about Ruian City abruptly,

Ning Xueluo asked playfully,

“Husband, do you think we might encounter your old flame on this trip?”

“Cough cough. Old flame? What old flame?”

Whenever it came to that person, Ning Xueluo loved teasing Wang Haoran, making him break into a wry smile instantly.

Zhu Nan curiously interjected,

“Sister Luo Luo, who are you talking about?”

“Oh just that top-ranked ‘Fengchu List’ Asura Demon Ghost—An Buyu!”

“…Asura Demon Ghost?!”

Of course Zhu Nan knew of her but only before hadn’t been first-ranked on ‘Fengchu List.’

“And what’s her relationship with Haoran?”

“Nothing! Luo Luo’s just joking around!”

Wang Haoran hurriedly interjected defensively then turned towards Ning Xueluo,

“If she shows up again—both of us shall give her a beating!”