However, the Goddess of Wu Mountain didn’t mention what happened. She hesitantly said, “There are many things I can’t tell you. Xihe and little sister Chang’e have told me that the past has both fixed and uncertain variables. Things may become fixed if I say them now, and that may lead to unexpected outcomes.”
Zu An could roughly understand her concerns.
Mi Li had also shared her understanding of spacetime with him. It would be more accurate to refer to recorded history as Schrodinger’s history. Major events were fixed in place, but the unrecorded details granted room for peculiar maneuvers.
Zu An’s journey to the ancient era of the Celestial Court was an example of that. He had done many things there, and while his actions conformed to what had happened in recorded history, the nuances were completely different.
The Goddess of Wu Mountain sighed. “I wonder if big brother Zu will ever see this recording.”
Zu An’s heart quivered at her sigh. The Goddess of Wu Mountain continued to share events that had happened over the years, as well as her deep yearning for him. He quietly took in her stories and sentiments.
Some time later, the Goddess of Wu Mountain suddenly stood up to look into the distance. Her face reflected both trepidation and determination. “It’s about time. May reincarnation truly exist in this world, so our bond can continue in the future.”
A teardrop flowed down her beautiful cheek. She flew to Wu Mountain’s peak and stood there, gazing in the direction where Zu An had disappeared back then. Her body slowly transformed into the elegant Goddess Peak, fixing itself to the mountain.
Zu An’s heart became heavy. He knew that she often transformed into a mountain peak while gazing at the scenery, but he could tell that something was different this time. She couldn’t transform back anymore.
He dashed out of the cave and headed to Wu Mountain’s peak. Amid the fog, an elegant peak stood out like a graceful, dignified lady. A gentle breeze blew, tugging on the red maple leaves on the mountain. For a moment, he thought he saw the Goddess of Wu Mountain standing there, smiling at him.
“Yaoji...” Zu An subconsciously walked forward, only for her silhouette to vanish. It was only him and the mountain peak.
He turned into a giant as he walked up to the mountain peak and gently embraced the Goddess Peak. He couldn’t stop his tears anymore. “Yaoji, I’m sorry for coming late.”
He didn’t dare to exert any force, fearing that it would hurt the mountain. His tears fell on the Goddess Peak.
As if sensing his sorrow, it began to drizzle on Wu Mountain. A wind blew, and the clouds billowed. It was as if the world was manifesting his remembrance of the Goddess of Wu Mountain.
Zu An spent ten days on Wu Mountain just like that. He even constructed several defensive formations around the Goddess Peak, lest it be damaged by external forces. There were many formidable cultivators in this world capable of destroying mountains, after all.
Even though the Goddess Peak was located in the middle of a remote mountain range, he didn’t dare to take any risks. Worried that the formations would run out of energy over time, he designed a mechanism based on his previous world’s solar panels to tap into the sun and the moon’s essences.
Ten days later, however, Zu An had no choice but to leave. Be it the monsters, the Fiend races, or the Ocean races, there was a huge list of things that he needed to deal with. He kissed the Goddess Peak before departing via Rainbow Morph.
Wu Mountain’s maple leaves swayed as if bidding him goodbye.
...
Zu An descended upon the Fiend races’ new Imperial Court.
The Fiend races tensed up as if a terrifying monster had sprung out of nowhere. It was only when their Saintess leaped into his arms in delight that they remembered his identity.
Many in the Fiend races had previously harbored hostility toward Zu An because their Saintess had threatened to break ties with them to be with him. However, they recently learned that Zu An had single-handedly driven off the monsters from this world. Given his massive accomplishment and his astounding strength, who would dare continue to harbor dissatisfaction toward him?
All the race leaders expressed goodwill toward him, hoping to get into his good books. It was just that Zu An was too tired to deal with all that.
Fortunately, Xie Daoyun took care of it on his behalf. She scattered the crowd and brought him back to her residence. “Big brother Zu, did you find the Mermaid Queen and the Goddess of Wu Mountain?”
Zu An shook his head before explaining what had happened.
The ladies could tell that things hadn’t gone well from his expression, but his story still left them feeling melancholic. Even the most sincere promise couldn’t overcome the relentless passage of time.
“Big brother Zu, there is someone you'll be happy to meet.” Xie Daoyun revealed a rare mischievous smile.
Zu An widened his eyes. He already had a guess who it was.
The ladies escorted him to the entrance of a residence before urging him to enter alone.
Zu An took a deep breath before pushing the door with trembling hands. A woman wearing a red top and a black skirt was applying makeup by the window. Perhaps to conserve her energy, she rested her breasts on the table.
“Ling’er, you have to help me stall him...” The woman reflexively glanced over when she heard the door opening, only to freeze up when she saw Zu An. Her face swiftly reddened. She felt embarrassed to have him see her earnestly doing her makeup.
“Manman...” Zu An was dazed for an instant. It was only moments since he'd returned from Wu Mountain. He thus briefly thought the woman before him was the Goddess of Wu Mountain.
However, they had spent so much time together that he could tell the difference right away. Her air of seductiveness was at odds with the Goddess of Wu Mountain’s lofty disposition.
Pei Mianman had paid Yumen Beiqing a visit back when Xihe was still occupying her body. Afraid that her disguise would be exposed, Xihe had subdued her, but for some reason, she'd opted to imprison Pei Mianman in a formation instead of killing her.
Xihe had already told Zu An the location and the method to unravel the formation. Knowing that she was safe, Zu An had entrusted the task of rescuing her to Xie Daoyun instead.
“They're making fun of me.” Pei Mianman put down her brush as she stood up with a pout.
Unable to repress his yearning anymore, Zu An pulled Pei Mianman into his arms. The strength in his arms evoked the latter’s smile, and she tightly embraced him back. They had been apart for so long that Pei Mianman had even wondered if they would be separated eternally.
Some time later, Pei Mianman suddenly looked at him with an ambiguous smile. “Who are you thinking about right now... me or that Goddess of Wu Mountain?”