Zu An walked into the center of a group of Genesis Shamans and copied their kneeling posture. “They aren’t kneeling to the sculpture to pray. No, they're kneeling to someone who is of a lofty standing.”
The others were astonished to hear that. They quickly tried kneeling alongside the Genesis Shamans and looking toward the sculpture too—their expressions slowly turned grim. Clearly, they agreed with his deduction.
“Only a handful of people can inspire such respect from the Genesis Shamans,” the Goddess of Wu Mountain said. Her respect for Zu An deepened a little.
They had been still completely clueless just a second ago, but he was able to gather so much crucial information from these minor details. She had always preferred to maintain serenity, but a little ripple of emotions spread through her heart that had remained still for many years.
“Could it be an influential celestial from the Celestial Court?” Zu An asked Wuhui, in hopes that the latter could help to brainstorm as to who fit the criteria.
Wuhui was infuriated. “Nonsense! The Celestial Court has no such conspirators! I bet the shamans are behind this! Only another shaman could command such worship from the Genesis Shaman race.”
You have successfully trolled Wuhui for +299... +299... +299...
The Mermaid Queen interjected, “The Shaman races have unbridled personalities and wouldn’t easily submit to others, especially their peers. Other than Lady Houtu and the other Ancestral Shamans, there is no shaman who can inspire such respect from the Genesis Shaman race. Do you really think they could be the masterminds?”
Even though she wasn’t a true shaman, she had spent a period of time in the Chang clan as their Saintess, which gave her some understanding of the Shaman races. She felt closer to the Shaman races, so she couldn’t help but speak up for them.
Wuhui’s flames flared, but he didn’t dare to reply yes despite his anger. He was the Fire Celestial, but he, too, could land in hot water if he recklessly accused those lofty entities of a crime.
Zu An’s mind churned into action. Could it be the Ancestral Shamans? Lady Houtu, for instance, is suspicious. She is the reason that the Mermaid Queen and I are here. Despite knowing the truth behind the Chang clan, she chose to withhold the truth.
There’s also Gonggong, who challenged the Celestial Emperor earlier at Zhong Mountain.
He couldn’t help but remember how he had witnessed the final generation Gonggong being sealed in the dungeon. In contrast, this generation’s Gonggong felt like a villain.
Of course, the Celestial Court was full of suspects too.
“We have narrowed down our suspects, but we’re still lacking a clue to further our investigation. Against entities of this level, an accusation without evidence is meaningless.” The Goddess of Wu Mountain looked at Zu An, wondering if the latter would bring them more surprises.
It was also then that Yun Yuqing finally recovered from her rollercoaster of emotions and began paying attention to the two women beside Zu An.
“Manman!” she exclaimed as she rushed to grab the Goddess of Wu Mountain’s hands.
She had already lost touch with two close sisters in this foreign world. Seeing yet another familiar face here brought her great solace. The other woman is also ridiculously beautiful. Why does Manman allow him to go around flirting with other women when she’s with him?
And why does he have to get involved with such beautiful women all the time? That heaps so much pressure on me!
Unaccustomed to Yun Yuqing’s cordiality, the Goddess of Wu Mountain pulled back her hands. He wasn’t lying. He does have a woman named Manman who looks like me. Even Miss Yun, whom he had just reunited with, mistook me for her.
“What’s wrong, Manman?” Yun Yuqing was taken aback by her distant attitude.
“She isn’t Manman. They just look alike. She is this world’s Goddess of Wu Mountain,” Zu An quickly clarified the situation. “Goddess, please don’t mind it...”
The Goddess of Wu Mountain smiled. “I don’t mind it. Rather, I can tell that Miss Yun is on good terms with Miss Manman.”
She was curious why so many outstanding women were romantically involved with him, yet instead of harboring jealousy toward one another, they got along well like real sisters.
“Ah, so it’s the Goddess of Wu Mountain...” Yun Yuqing hurriedly apologized while assessing her. She sensed something amiss from how the other party looked at Zu An. Looks like I’m still underestimating big brother Zu.
“Why does this lady look so familiar? Miss Shang?” Yun Yuqing soon turned her attention to the Mermaid Queen. Even though the Mermaid Queen wore a veil, her features could still be made out when looking up close.
“She also only resembles Liuyu; she’s the Chang clan’s Saintess Chang’e," Zu An said. It would be tough to explain the Mermaid Queen’s true identity with outsiders around.
Wuhui and the golden-armored warriors were taken aback. This fellow is a player! How can he meet so many people who look like his lovers?
Even the Goddess of Wu Mountain couldn’t help but stare at Zu An. She would have never thought that even the Chang clan’s Saintess resembled his lover. This was starting to get a little ridiculous.
The glares from all sides made Zu An gulp. He quickly interjected, “I thought of a clue.”
“What is it?”
That immediately diverted everyone’s attention.
Zu An pointed to the chieftain of the Genesis Shaman race. “Do you know where his room is?”
“This...” The Goddess of Wu Mountain had been to Genesis Mountain before, but she had never visited the chieftain’s room.
Wuhui, however, replied with a harrumph, “That’s easy to figure out. The chieftain’s residence is bound to be grander than the others, and their race worships fire...”
The fire seething around him transformed into small fiery figures that scattered all over Genesis Mountain. There was no need to search the lower levels; there was no way the chieftain would live there.
Soon, the small fire figures returned and whispered into Wuhui’s ears.
“It’s over there,” Wuhui said as he began making his way over.
The group followed him and soon arrived at a house. The gate had two ferocious beast knobs, and they were both forged out of Genesis Mountain’s copper. However, the gate was opened wide, revealing the interior. In the room were nine pillars positioned in a specific formation, and each of these pillars was wrapped in the skin of a renowned beast. They seemed to be room decor elements to highlight the chieftain’s valiance.
At the center of the room was a furnace. This furnace was linked to Genesis Mountain’s earth flame, so its fire would never go out. All sorts of smithing tools were placed neatly by the side. Even the chieftain was constantly upgrading his skills, it seemed.
However, the room was a mess. It was as if someone had just burgled it.
Zu An walked up to the furnace and saw that it was full of ashes. There were several turtle shells inside too. The Shaman races used such things for divination. His heart sank. He'd thought that even if he chose to take the request to forge a malevolent artifact, the chieftain would have taken some precautions, so it would be possible to find clues in his room.
However, the mysterious culprit appeared to have shared the same thoughts as him.
Just then, a bizarre sound came from outside. The group looked up. A beast fang wind chime hanging on the roof outside was ringing despite the absence of wind. An earthquake suddenly ensued, as if something had come to life.
“Fire Celestial, look outside...” the golden-armored warriors exclaimed in horror.