Zu An had never been able to determine the origin of the Keyboard System. Even Mi Li seemingly had no idea.
Perhaps she knew, but withheld the information from him. Secrets posed danger in this world, after all. Perhaps Mi Li thought he wasn’t strong enough to know such things yet.
He understood where she was coming from, but he couldn’t curb his curiosity. It seemed the demon spider knew something. It was the strongest entity he had ever met aside from the universal deities, so it could know some secrets. It would be a worthwhile trip if he could acquire some intelligence from it.
“It should be related to a universal deity.” Firework lifted her head. “To think I can’t recall it. Either too much time has passed, or a universal deity has tampered with that piece of memory.”
She reassessed Zu An. “I wouldn’t have expected someone as weak as you to carry a secret concerning a universal deity. That would explain the skills you have.”
“A universal deity...” Zu An fell into deep thought.
Was the Keyboard System created by a universal deity? Who could it be? So far, I've met the Deity of Chaos and Enigma Mi Li and the Deity of Memory Meng, and they were fairly amicable. Could they be behind the Keyboard System?
While Zu An was in contemplation, Firework suddenly appeared next to him, traced his cheeks with her finger, then propped up his chin. “It may have just been a whim earlier, but now, I intend to make you my plaything.”
Feeling her cold touch, Zu An replied, “You haven’t answered my question. What happened to the real Firework?”
“Tsk tsk. I didn’t expect you to care so much about me. Don’t you already know my name is Firework?” Firework chuckled, her voice echoing in the room. She was dangerous, yet seductive.
“No, you aren’t Firework.” Zu An shook his head. How can this flirtatious woman possibly be the youthful and bubbly Firework?
Firework fell silent. A moment later, she asked, “Did you really fall in love with that lass? Even though you know she was a fake?”
Zu An shook his head. “No, I believe she exists. Many things can’t be faked.”
His words angered Firework. “How am I any less than her? Not only can I take her personality, but I can also turn into other women as well.”
Her body expanded into a two-meter-tall beauty. “You appear to be fond of Yani. You snuck glances at her and ogled her thighs. You don’t need to be secretive about it anymore. It’s now within your reach.”
Zu An calmly replied, “It’s normal for a gentleman to show interest in a lady, not to mention someone that outstanding. It would be abnormal for me not to look.”
“Aren’t you thick-skinned?” ‘Yani’ harrumphed. “Am I not beautiful? Why don’t I see desire in your eyes?”
Zu An fell silent.
“Does this physique intimidate you now that you’re seeing it close up?” ‘Yani’ laughed. Her physique changed once more, morphing into the graceful and ravishing Elder Diodora. “Then what do you think about Diodora? She’s a famed beauty in Dreamland. You saw how guests across the Myriad Worlds were mesmerized with her at the hotel. Just give the word, and she’ll become your dream lover.”
Zu An sighed. “But aren’t they all you?”
“What’s bad about me?” Firework harrumphed. “If you have me, you can have any woman in the world. I can turn into whoever you like; you can have your way with anyone you like in bed, all at the same time.”
“It’s a tempting offer. No man can turn down such temptation,” Zu An remarked.
“I hear a but.” Firework frowned.
Zu An sighed. “Yani and Diodora are beautiful in their own ways, but I prefer that bubbly, youthful Firework. Can you tell me what happened to her now?”
Surprise flickered across Firework’s eyes, but her gaze soon turned cold. “She’s dead.”
“You killed her?”
“Indeed. Do you plan to avenge her?”
“I would, but I am no match for you,” Zu An replied with a sigh. He had been simulating ways to defeat Firework in his mind, but none of them worked. The difference in strength was too great.
“Hmph. Men are all talk,” Firework grumbled.
“It sounds like you've been hurt by a man before,” Zu An remarked.
Firework’s face darkened. “Don’t you think you’re talking too much? It’s time for you to do what you have to do. I’ll spare your life on account of the time we have spent together.”
“You want me to be your plaything?” Zu An frowned.
“You can also choose to be devoured instead.” Firework smiled. “You know my main body. There’s nothing female spiders relish in more than devouring their male partners.”
Zu An said, “...There’s one more option. You can let Isabella and me go.”
Firework scoffed, “Are you mad, or are my ears failing me? Do you think you get to choose?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. You’re probably trapped here by some powerful formation, and everything you've done was in order for me to free you. That means you require my help. If so, there should be room for negotiation,” Zu An replied with a smile.
Firework narrowed her eyes. “You’re a smart man, but have you not considered the possibility that you've already released the seal?”
Zu An widened his eyes in shock. “The rift valley’s Eight Barren Netherworld Suppression Formation?”
“Indeed. That formation was relentlessly striking me, but you put your life on the line to protect me. Being protected by you made me feel something I've never felt before. I wouldn’t have wasted my breath on you if not for that,” Firework scoffed, and the surroundings cooled.
Zu An felt goosebumps, but he didn’t cower. “You’re lying. If you'd been released, you wouldn’t have had to urge me to release this formation under the pretext of cleansing the earth vein.”
“Hah, men. At this point, do you still think you’re indispensable?” Firework waved her hand, and the key Alati had entrusted to Zu An appeared in her hand. She walked up to the heart-like stone and inserted the key.