Capítulo 868: Chapter 546: Tribulation Qi, Jun Huang Although trapped in such a situation, Zheng Ping and Chu An, despite being startled, remained calm, choosing not to invoke Zheng Chu’s name for protection. Instead, they kept their expressions taut and observed their surroundings intently, seeking an opportunity to escape. This composure surprised Chu Zheng somewhat. The following day, a team bearing the Zhang Family’s insignia happened to patrol the area, discovering anomalies outside the cave and engaging in fierce conflict with the group of cultivators. In an instant, spells flashed, shouts rang out, rocks crumbled, and the earth shook. But Chu Zheng clearly saw that despite the apparent intensity, neither side suffered casualties. He perceived the trick at a glance—it was barely a tactic, more akin to child’s play, indeed quite mild. In no time, the group of cultivators were driven away, the leader of the Zhang Family escort rescued Zheng Ping and Chu An, inquiring into their situation with concern, then offered them refuge in the city to recuperate from their fright. Zheng Ping and Chu An exchanged glances, heavy with doubt, sensing something amiss. Yet, since they had just been rescued and the man bore the Zhang Family banner, speaking earnestly, it seemed inappropriate to refuse outright. Thus, the pair were escorted back to Haoyun City by the guards, directly into the heavily guarded, sprawling Zhang Mansion. Later, they were ushered into a secluded yet rather elegant guesthouse, where Zhang Qingfeng swiftly arrived, displaying the perfect blend of worry, seemingly angry about their plight, fervently inviting them to stay while the truth got uncovered. This fervent invitation was, in fact, a soft imprisonment. Though no visible guards were outside the courtyard, secret sentinels were posted, and their movements were restricted to around that small yard. Chu Zheng, through his divine sense, absorbed all this, pondering. “Imprisonment—perhaps followed by coercion or temptation. This certainly forms a tribulation, not directly lethal like a death tribulation, offering room for maneuver, resembling more of a tempering.” However, such tribulation varied by person; those who are fiercely unyielding, unwilling to bend, might react against the humiliation furiously or even fatally, likening this to facing a death tribulation. Chu Zheng’s gaze pierced through layers of courtyard, focusing on the elegant yet cage-like small yard, watching quietly for changes. This tribulation wasn’t hard to endure, he was quite curious about how Chu An would handle it. “Zhang Qingfeng indeed is excessively hypocritical.” Zheng Ping’s brow furrowed tightly, transmitting his words, unmistakably filled with resentment and disdain. Seated at the table, his coarse fingers mindlessly rubbed the corner, his sharp gaze sweeping outside the courtyard. Having traversed the boundless Star Sea with his parents since childhood, experiencing the great universe’s splendors, such tricks could never deceive his eyes. A cold, sharp glint rose in his eyes, his qi and blood slightly surged. Chu An, however, remained exceptionally calm, like a tranquil deep pool, unperturbed, her gaze chillingly clear. She responded slowly: “Regardless of his hypocrisy or vile intentions, they no longer matter now. What matters is how we escape from here, rather than entangle ourselves in the judgments of good and evil.” She slightly raised her gaze, looking out toward the skies beyond the courtyard, her brow slightly furrowed, she murmured: “If we must trouble the master to personally resolve such a predicament, it certainly proves our incompetence, and would waste the master’s previous nurturing and expectations.” With that, the room fell into a brief silence. Zheng Ping clenched his fists, evidently agreeing with Chu An, yet momentarily was unable to devise a thorough plan. The Zhang Mansion was heavily guarded, secret sentinels swarmed, formations covered them, making escape no easy feat. Chu An pondered for a long time, suddenly a faint gleam flickered in her eyes, stirring subtle ripples, her lips curled indistinctly, seemingly having an idea. In the following days, Chu An’s behavior subtly changed. No longer did she coldly resist as initially; facing Zhang Qingfeng’s daily fake concerns and probing insinuations, she remained chilly, yet intentionally softened her stance a bit. She ceased staying in her room all day, occasionally leaving the courtyard to meander around the mansion, silently observing the patterns of the guards’ shifts, the faint fluctuations of formation nodes, and the servants’ paths. Zheng Ping, though not comprehending the deeper meaning, cooperated tacitly, calming his inner agitation. Chu An displayed tremendous patience, not hurriedly seeking Zhang Qingfeng’s trust, her aura increasingly restrained, suppressing any sharpness that might provoke suspicion. When Zhang Qingfeng occasionally gifted precious spirit fruits or exquisite magic artifacts, she showed slight hesitation and struggle. All this was observed by Zhang Qingfeng, thinking himself in control, making his smile increasingly smug, unknowingly lowering his guard. This cold beauty ultimately cannot escape his grasp. The timing quietly arrived in the patient wait. This day, Zhang Qingfeng again came to the small courtyard, this time alone without attendants, bringing a few spiritual medicines, and casually chatted. Chu An, head lowered listening, fingers slightly curling. As his words concluded, she suddenly raised her head, her gaze fixed on Zhang Qingfeng: “Young Master Zhang, might I have a word?” This was the first time she proactively requested a private conversation. Zhang Qingfeng slightly paused, then joy bloomed in his eyes as he followed Chu An into the room. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 The door wasn’t closed tightly, leaving a slight gap. Zheng Ping guarded outside, muscles taut like a tiger ready to pounce, focusing intensely on any movement within the room. Inside, Chu An’s voice was gentle, asking inconsequential cultivation questions, while her fingertips discreetly converged an exceedingly faint trace of Yuan Qi.