Shock rippled through the crowd. No one had expected the domineering Devil Sect’s master to be willing to share a husband, but on second thought, this was to be expected. All of the women gathered here were extraordinary in their ways, but they'd still fallen for Zu An anyway.
But we didn’t expect her to be able to put down her enmity with Yan Xuehen for him. She must have truly fallen in love with Ah Zu. She must be trying to motivate him so he’ll grit his teeth and get through any danger he faces in Dreamland.
The ball had been thrown into Yan Xuehen’s court. All the gazes on her made her nervous. In truth, she didn’t think her concerns mattered now that Zu An’s safety was at stake. She might have said something similar to Yun Jianyue in the heat of the moment if they were alone, but how could she do so in front of so many people?
Amid her hesitation, her face turned pale. It suddenly occurred to her that she had lost.
The demoness has the guts to confess to Ah Zu in public, yet I’m unable to do the same. Everyone will think that my feelings for Ah Zu are less than hers. Even if Ah Zu understands my quandary, he might still feel uncomfortable about it.
Yan Xuehen felt bitter regret, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to change her tune. As a result, she just stood completely still on the spot. She felt so awkward that her fingernails were digging into her palm.
Zu An smiled. He grabbed both Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen’s hands and said, “Big sister Yun has said such words, and big sister Yan has implicitly acknowledged it. Looks like it’s a blessing in disguise for me.”
Yan Xuehen felt warmth in her heart. Ah Zu is as caring as ever. He resolved my regret and awkwardness with such ease. Now that I think about it, he was also involved in Manman’s actions. He's put a lot of thought into resolving my reservations.
Having thought things through, she didn’t shake off his hand. The warmth transmitted through his palm made her nervous heart slowly calm down.
Yun Jianyue eyed their hands in astonishment. Having been enemies for so many years, she could see through Yan Xuehen’s inner turmoil. I thought ice sculpture would shake off his hand. Tsk, I've already won here, but Ah Zu is taking such good care of her.
That made her heart boil with anger.
You have successfully trolled Yun Jianyue for +110... +110... +110...
“Hmph, we’ll talk about this when you return.”
The little Fiend Empress and the others secretly chuckled. Well well, you can’t expect maintaining a harem to be easy, right? Did I accept him too easily back then? I should have put him through a bit more, considering his philandering ways!
Having finally calmed down, Yan Xuehen worriedly said, “There’s no saying what you might face at Dreamland. You should bring some defensive artifacts with you.”
She regretted being so caught up in this matter that she'd forgotten to forge defensive artifacts for him. So, she took off her Flying Snow Sword and handed it over. “Ah Zu, your Blue Luan Sword Formation becomes stronger with more weapons. This Flying Snow Sword is a treasure passed down through the generations in our White Jade Sect. It should be of some help to you.”
The other women were shocked. The Flying Snow Sword had been with Yan Xuehen since she first entered the world of cultivation, yet she was giving it to a man now? Who was the one who said she practiced the Unshakable Daoist Manual?!
Yun Jianyue smiled. “I can’t be stingier than the ice sculpture. My Crescent Moon Blade won’t be of much use to you, so you can have my Empress Lantern instead. It can temporarily imprison an enemy.”
Seeing the other women reaching for their most prized treasures as well, Zu An hurriedly stopped them. “I appreciate your sentiments, but I've made ample preparations. I’ll feel more at ease if you keep these treasures with you.”
“But...”
Yan Xuehen wanted to argue, but Zu An interjected, “You've been gazed upon by a universal deity. There’s no saying when you might encounter danger. Your fighting prowess will be greatly reduced without your weapons, and that’ll only make me worry about your safety.”
Hearing those words, the others didn’t insist on it. “You must take care of yourself!”𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
All the women had countless words to say to him, but they were too embarrassed to speak up in front of everyone else.
Zu An smiled, and their surroundings suddenly changed. All the women realized that they were alone with their lover; they couldn’t see anyone else.
Snow’s heart thumped wildly. Did Ah Zu choose to bid me farewell first? Moved, she leaped into his arms, only to fall right through.
Zu An explained, “I'm currently in soul form. This way, I can bid all of you farewell at once.”
Snow pouted. I thought I was the special one. But with their separation imminent, she didn’t want to squander the precious time they had left on jealousy, so she spilled her heart out to him.
The same thing was happening in every corner in the world. All of Zu An’s lovers saw him, and their eyes reddened in sorrow. The more sentimental ones couldn’t stop their tears from flowing. Zu An could only console them over and over again.
Pei Mianman’s eyes were reddened too. “You don’t have a conscience! I've been working myself to the bone to settle those two women for you, but you’re dumping me now that the problem is almost resolved.”
“I didn’t expect Dreamland’s courier to arrive right now either," Zu An said.
Zu An was planning to update her about Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, but Pei Mianman interjected, “I don’t want to spend the precious time we have left talking about other women.”
Zu An’s heart melted. He held her with his soul, and the two of them soaked in each other’s warmth.
In the imperial palace, Bi Linglong was worried. “Ah Zu, I’m worried that I can’t hold the fort when you’re gone. I won’t be able to face you if I lose your empire.”
Zu An smiled. “This is your empire, not mine. You've been doing a good job as the empress.”
“No, this empire belongs to you. I'm merely taking care of it on your behalf.” Bi Linglong regretted not having his child. If something happens to him... Touch wood! What am I thinking? Ah Zu will surmount all dangers!
In the Ocean races’ dragon palace, Shang Liuyu and Shang Hongyu gathered around Zu An. “We could have fought alongside you if we were stronger.”
“You shouldn’t rush your cultivation. With your talent and fortuitous encounters, I believe it shouldn’t take long before you make a breakthrough.” Zu An knew about their past lives and understood that they were destined for greatness.
Beneath the Bridge of Helplessness, Zu An said with a worried expression, “Chuyan, you're the one I worry about the most. There’ll be no one to talk to you once I leave.”
Only he had the power to bring others into this land of the dead. Once he was gone, Yan Xuehen, Pei Mianman, and the others wouldn’t be able to visit Chu Chuyan anymore.
A tear trickled down Chu Chuyan’s cheeks. Her eyes brimmed with concern and worry. “That’s why you have to return safely, or else I’ll be alone for a thousand years. I don’t know if I’ll have the courage to last that long without you.”
Zu An felt a sharp pain in his chest. His eyes hardened in determination. “Chuyan, I’ll be back. Wait for me!”