Chapter 286: The Zhu Estate

“An Buyu, don’t come and disturb me and Haoran anymore, okay?”

“I understand, I’ll be more mindful in the future.”

After their one-sided duel, the defeated An Buyu sheathed her sword.

Observing Ning Xueluo’s gentle smile toward her, An Buyu felt a mix of emotions.

In the past, every time she had challenged Ning Xueluo, her moves were harsh and aggressive.

Of course, she never genuinely intended to harm her; it was merely to push Ning Xueluo to fight with full strength.

But now, the roles had reversed. Ning Xueluo didn’t make things difficult for her—instead, she was kind and considerate.

She’s truly a kind-hearted person! I never misjudged her!

Yet, seeing Ning Xueluo immediately seek praise and affection from the man she clung to, An Buyu internally sighed—

Ning Xueluo, how did you transform into such a typical little woman?!

You even particularly reminded me not to bother you and your husband! Are you afraid I’ll interrupt your intimacy?!

Come on, do you think I’m the kind of person who would intrude while you two are getting cozy to challenge you?! That’s impossible, alright!

I know how to respect the moment!

Next time I challenge you, I’ll make sure to send a proper challenge letter so you can prepare!

Evidently, An Buyu mistakenly believed her previous impromptu challenges were seen as a playful, engaging rivalry and not as the erratic behavior others perceived them to be. In their eyes, she came off as a madwoman wielding a sword.

Hence, the rumor in the Ancient Martial World that the top two on the Fengchu List, the “Asura Demon Ghost” and the “Falling Snow Fairy,” were sworn enemies.

Only after Ning Xueluo recovered her memories from past lives did she realize An Buyu merely wanted to spar.

Of course, this was before Wang Haoran appeared.

After he came into the picture… the battles turned deadly serious.

Thinking about this, Ning Xueluo, nestled in Wang Haoran’s arms and being patted on the head, looked back at the foolishly grateful An Buyu, lips curving slightly.

“An Buyu, my dear Haoran and I are in a hurry to find a place to be intimate… So we’re leaving now… Goodbye!”

“…Alright, goodbye!”

Watching Ning Xueluo leave, still clinging tightly to her man, An Buyu sighed and massaged her forehead.

Ning Xueluo, I know you two are affectionate, but do you have to emphasize it all the time?

Knowing the harsh truth about her own appearance, An Buyu had never considered finding a man. She couldn’t understand why Ning Xueluo had such a drastic change because of one.

“Other than being somewhat handsome… does Wang Haoran have anything special…?”

“What made Ning Xueluo so infatuated… to the point of publicly mentioning intimacy…”

“Forget it, her personal affairs are none of my business.”

An Buyu turned and departed.

It was time for her to enter seclusion and break through to Grandmaster level.

She had been at the peak of the Transformation stage for a long time. The reason she hadn’t attempted a breakthrough was her wish to be entirely ready and have a 99% success rate.

After all, breaking through major stages was risky.

There were several examples of people failing due to insufficient preparation, not only failing to break through but also suffering reversals, severe injuries, and weakened combat capabilities.

“I even heard of someone who, during seclusion, reminisced about being abandoned by their lover, leading to failure in the breakthrough and spewing blood while seriously injured!”

“Trying to break through without controlling their mindset… what a joke!”

A stable mindset during seclusion was crucial, An Buyu mused.

This prolonged preparation, combined with her crushing defeat against Ning Xueluo, cemented her resolve to enter seclusion.

“It seems Ning Xueluo succeeded in one try and reached Grandmaster!”

“I must catch up to her too!”

…

…

On the other side.

Riding in the carriage, observing Ning Xueluo’s return to her gentle and serene self, Zhu Nan couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Sister Luo Luo, you acted so strangely in front of An Buyu just now!”

“Did I?”

Ning Xueluo smiled and looked towards Wang Haoran.

He understood and pulled her into an embrace.

“Not strange at all! This side of Luo Luo is adorable too!”

Then,

Using his other arm, Wang Haoran held Zhu Nan close as well.

They were approaching Ruian City.

Despite Zhu Nan’s playful and sly demeanor, Wang Haoran could feel her occasional subtle trembling.

After over half an hour, they finally arrived at Ruian City.

As they disembarked,

Wang Haoran and Ning Xueluo took in the bustling streets.

To Zhu Nan, however, Ruian City was a deeply ingrained memory.

Even after nearly six years away.

Wang Haoran gently embraced her.

She pressed her face against his chest, shoulders shaking slightly. After a long silence, she spoke.

“Haoran, I want to see my home.”

“Let’s go together.”

“Okay.”

With reddened eyes, Zhu Nan forced a smile, holding Wang Haoran’s hand as they walked down familiar streets.

Ning Xueluo followed quietly.

They reached a dilapidated mansion.

The familiar scene, the dragon-and-phoenix-scripted “Zhu Estate” plaque still hung there.

Returning for the first time, Zhu Nan didn’t dare push the door open.

She remembered how, when Qingyi and she had fled, she saw her family sacrificing their lives to hold off a late Transformation stage assassin as fires raged through the Zhu Estate.

Then, she could do nothing but be carried away by Qingyi.

For the past six years, fearing those people might find her, she hadn’t even dared to return to the Ancient Martial World, let alone her home.

Recalling her parents and siblings, killed, their bodies consumed by fire…

Tears finally flowed from Zhu Nan’s eyes.

“Nan Nan…”

“…”

“Haoran, I’m fine! It’s just that memories are making me sad.”

Wiping her tears forcefully, Zhu Nan took a deep breath and walked to push open the gate.

“Before avenging everyone, I have no right to cry here!”