In the past few days, Yue Mei has been constantly dragged by Su Ting to many places.

People have started to recognize her as a young, charming girl.

It was only a matter of time before other members of the Su family would notice her.

Su Kang also decided to visit the new guest of the Su manor, Zhu Zhihao, who had also been staying in the Su manor for the past few days.

Her presence was a secret in the manor. Su Kang didn't know how to explain this to his family.

Her courtyard felt charged with a subtle energy, a testament to the presence of Zhu Zhihao. The air itself seemed to hum with barely restrained power.

Su Kang entered, his posture radiating a calm confidence that belied the gravity of the situation.

He was dressed in a deep blue robe, the silver embroidery glinting in the soft light filtering through the paper windows.

"Senior Zhu," he said, offering a respectful bow, his gaze meeting hers directly. "Thank you for meeting with me."

Zhu Zhihao, seated with an almost regal grace on a cushioned chair that seemed to perfectly complement her crimson robes, inclined her head.

Her violet eyes, deep and knowing, seemed to pierce through him, assessing his worth in a single glance.

"Young Master Su," she said, her voice soft but firm.

"Yue Mei is under my care. I need to know what you're offering her, and what trouble it might cause."

Su Kang sat down across from her. A nice teapot sat between them, steaming gently. "Senior," he said, "I think we should be honest with each other. I want to know about the world outside Jiang State, about the dangers out there." He had his own reasons for asking.

He was also thinking about the future and where he should go if he needed to.

A delicate eyebrow arched, a hint of surprise in her expression.

"Most would simply accept my presence as a guarantee of safety and ask no further questions. What are you planning?"

"Ignorance is dangerous, Senior," Su Kang countered, his gaze sincere.

A small smile appeared on her lips. "True enough. Alright, Young Master Su. Let's talk."

"I believe you know about Heng state, which is the northern neighbor of Jiang state."

Su Kang nodded his words. Heng state is slightly more prosperous because of denser spiritual energy.

"To the south of the Jiang state, where the barren lands stretch to the edges of the known world, no one governs this large piece of land."

Zhu Zhihao said, her voice in a light tone.

Su Kang just listened, waiting for her to continue. He knows this much information already.

"One day if you or your family needs to run for their lives, then run towards those barren lands."

Su Kang was surprised by her words. He didn't understand her reason for saying this.

Zhu Zhihao, sensing his confusion, continued her words,

"Divination techniques don't work in those barren lands. Your enemies will face difficulty in tracking you guys."

"Since there is a lack of spiritual energy in there, native people are more focused on the body cultivation. Till now people don't know how they cultivate their body."

"Now, the Xuantian Empire is ruled by the Yan family. They are a Nascent Soul lineage, ruthless, ambitious, and ever vigilant for opportunities to expand their dominion." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

"A prince, Yan Xinyi, has taken a particular interest in Yue Mei. He is known for his cruelty and his insatiable desire for power, no matter the cost."

Su Kang absorbed this information, his expression hardening. The threat was no longer abstract; it had a name and face now.

She was observing him to see if he was shaken by this information, but Su Kang didn't react to this. She could easily see his reaction with her spiritual sense.

"And further north lies the Zhou Empire," Zhu Zhihao continued when she saw that he was calm about this.

"A true vast and powerful one, with a history stretching back millennia. Their royal family, also of Nascent Soul lineage, commands legions and wields influence that dwarfs even the Xuantian Empire. They are many times stronger than them, and their spies are hidden across many states."

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"Don't worry; their focus has long been on other matters," Zhu Zhihao's eyes narrowed slightly. She decided not to say more about this.

She leaned back, her gaze sweeping over Su Kang, assessing. "You are aware, Young Master Su, that your… association with Yue Mei paints a target on your back. One that extends far beyond the borders of Jiang State."

"I am," Su Kang confirmed, his voice steady.

She rose gracefully to her feet, her crimson robes swirling around her like liquid fire. "The forces at play are far greater than you can imagine. But you have shown courage and a willingness to protect those you care for. That is a rare and valuable quality."

"I must confess," she added, a hint of amusement returning to her voice, "I am also amazed by your ability to mask your own fate. Even my divinations struggle to penetrate the veil around you."

A faint smile touched Su Kang's lips. "A useful skill, in these uncertain times." With Fate's protection, nobody can see through his destiny.

Zhu Zhihao's eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and respect. "Indeed. It seems you are full of surprises, Young Master Su."

She leaned forward and spoke. "You are familiar with the Heavenly Sword Sect, of course. They hold immense power in the Central Plains, a beacon of strength and righteous might."

Su Kang nodded. He was an outer disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect in his memory.

"But they are not the sole power in the Central Plains," Zhu Zhihao continued, her eyes gleaming with an unspoken intensity.

"To the north lies the Myriad Dao Academy. While the Heavenly Sword Sect focuses on the sword techniques, the Myriad Dao Academy embraces a multitude of paths to power. Their strength lies in their profound understanding of different techniques and the vast network of alliances they've cultivated over thousands of years."

This was something Su Kang didn't know; he had never even heard about this academy.

Looking at his furrowed face, Zhu Zhihao explained more.

"Since Heavenly Sword is situated in the southeast of the central region, it's normal for you to have heard about them because of their influence. Meanwhile, Myriad Dao Academy is way too far from here."

"There is also a group of three noble families in the west of the Heavenly Sword Sect, but their area of influence is limited."

"As for other regions, I don't think you will need that much information. They are out of your reach."

She paused and let him absorb all this information as she was observing his expression.

She took out a jade scroll and gestured for him to take it. As he received the jade scroll, she told him.

"I created this map with my years of experience and travelling; I guess this much information is plenty enough for you."

Su Kang was delighted after hearing this. A map created a nascent soul cultivator with her experience; it is very resourceful.

"I am sure you have heard about the war between the Hai and Mun states. Mun state has fallen under the influence of demonic cultivators from the eastern region of the continent." Her tone was cautious.

"No one is clear about why demon cultivators are doing this yet. But you should be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

Su Kang agreed with her.

"I will keep this in my mind."

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, then she turned towards the gate. "I will be leaving soon." Zhu Zhihao said, her voice a low, resonant hum.

And with a final, enigmatic smile, she swept from the room, leaving Su Kang alone with his thoughts.

Zhu Zhihao has finished her purpose in the Su manor. She could see that Su Ting likes Yue Mei.

"I hope Mei'er can find happiness here. This Su family has nothing special, yet their members are unaffected by her charm." Zhu Zhihao thought in her heart.

In the past few days, her investigation into the Su family didn't provide her any new information. Their members are ordinary people with nothing special.

Su Kang was a young man with above-average talent in her eyes; meanwhile, Su Ting had great blessings. She will go back to the Xuantian Empire for now.

Su Kang was sitting in the room. He now had a clearer picture of the forces arrayed against them, the empires that may be plotting something.

But he also had a glimmer of hope. The connection between Su Ting and Yue Mei, the potential to unlock her true power. Li Fang is a monster in terms of cultivation speed; if Yue Mei has even a slight chance to become someone like him, then this risk is worth it.