Chapter 2825: Fortune Palace

Sensing Zu An’s thoughts, the Deity of Memory said, “You need not concern yourself with that.”

Zu An decided to change his strategy and asked from another direction. “May I know if there’s any way I can be of service to you?”

The stars in the ceiling flickered as if in contemplation. A while later, the Deity of Memory said, “The universal deities have bumped into some trouble recently. An apocalypse is approaching, and Annihilation has grown exceptionally powerful. Mi Li likely didn’t respond to you because she’s busy dealing with this matter.”

“Apocalypse?” Zu An struggled to understand the situation. “Universal deities are already at the pinnacle of the Myriad Worlds. Why would they fear an apocalypse?”

Speaking of which, he had encountered an apocalypse before, such as the destruction of the Monster World. However, he'd later learned that the so-called apocalypse was just Annihilation’s subordinates. That was nowhere near enough to threaten a universal deity.

“It’s different from the apocalypse you encountered. This is anapocalypse from behind the World Gate...” The Deity of Memory paused, reluctant to go into details with Zu An.

But Zu An wouldn’t let such a good opportunity slip through his fingers. “As your most faithful worshiper, I’m devoted to sharing Memory’s greatness across the Myriad Worlds and increasing your number of followers, so as to contribute whatever little I can.”

“My most faithful worshiper?” The stars in the ceiling flickered. “Not at all. You are my most cunning worshiper.”

Zu An was speechless.

“But I do have a task to entrust to you.”

“O great Deity of Memory, please ask anything of me. I won’t hesitate to dive into a sea of flames if you command me so!”

“Something huge is going to happen at the Universal Conglomerate soon. Head there in your capacity as Memory’s envoy and record this event.”

“May I know what that huge event is?”

“I wouldn’t need you to witness it if I knew.”

“...”

The Deity of Memory continued, “While universal deities can foresee the rough outline of an event, there are several universal deities in the Myriad Worlds. How the event will unfold and the eventual outcome remain as variables.”

“Using the terms of your Cultivation World, the great dao has fifty trajectories. 49 can be divined, but the last falls on human deeds.”

Zu An nodded in realization. Most events were set in stone, but there was still a single variable that simply couldn’t be grasped.

“O great Deity of Memory, it is my utmost honor to be able to serve you. However, I have lost contact with my friends, and I wish to know how they are faring.” Fearing that the other party would misunderstand, he quickly explained, “It is not my intention to talk terms. I just fear that I won’t be able to put my whole heart into fulfilling your task if I’m constantly worried about them.”

The stars in the ceiling flickered. “They are facing trials in their lives. You need not worry about them. They have their own pursuit as well, and they don’t want to remain under your protection permanently.”

Zu An’s heart initially skipped a beat when he heard they were facing trials, but his tension loosened up after hearing the following words.

Indeed, they were the most outstanding women in their fields before becoming my lovers. I can’t think of them as flowers in a greenhouse.

“Thank you for your advice. I know what I should do now.”

“Good. If you accomplish this task, I’ll tell you how you can find your friends who are lost in spacetime.”

Zu An was delighted to hear that. “Thank you, o great Deity of Memory.”

He was glad to have found a clue. He would feel a prick in his heart whenever he thought about the ancient Mermaid Queen and the Goddess of Wu Mountain.

“Don’t bother going to the other Divine Palaces, especially the Annihilation Divine Palace. Most of them aren’t favorable toward you. You might be killed if you show your face before them,” the Deity of Memory warned.

“Thank you for your reminder.” Zu An wiped off his cold sweat.

He had considered checking out the other Divine Palaces, thinking that this was a good chance to experience the other universal deities’ powers. Perhaps it wouldn't have been a good idea elsewhere, but this was his turf. Surely the danger level would be lowered, he'd thought.

But it seemed that he'd still been underestimating the universal deities.

Annihilation had to truly hate him. Were it not for the Memory’s and Chaos and Enigma’s protection, he could well have suffered divine retribution by now.

The other universal deities were aware of his affiliation, so they wouldn’t harbor goodwill toward ‘heretics’ like him.

Soon, the stars receded, leaving behind just the starry sky mural and the divine idol.

Before backing off, Zu An bowed to the divine idol once more. Then, he casually dealt with the upper echelons of the Memory Divine Temple before teleporting back to the Chu manor in the capital.

Chu Chuyan was busy chatting with her mother when she saw Zu An and excitedly rushed forward to welcome him back.

Qin Wanru felt stifled when she saw how naturally the two of them ignored her and walked away.

It’s one thing for my daughter to side with someone else, but Ah Zu isn’t talking much with me nowadays anymore.

“How was it?” Chu Chuyan was oblivious to her mother’s grudge.

Zu An shared his findings with her. He filtered away information regarding the universal deities, lest it brought her danger.

“Do you intend to head to the Universal Conglomerate next?”

“Yes.”

Zu An felt wistful. He had just rejected Isabella’s invitation not too long ago in Dreamland. To think that they would reunite so quickly.

“I’ll come too.”

“???”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

“Are you worried that I’ll stand between you and the big miss?” Chu Chuyan was still smiling, but Zu An felt a cold wind blowing at him.

“Of course not. I’m just worried about your safety,” Zu An replied awkwardly.

“Ah, I nearly forgot. You’re heading there to ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage. It isn’t apt for you to bring me along,” Chu Chuyan grumbled.

“Isabella knows about you...” Zu An replied sheepishly. Isabella’s father and the Universal Conglomerate could be displeased if Zu An brought Chu Chuyan along, and that could affect his relationship with Isabella and the gathering of the rare materials required to forge Mi Li’s body.

Above all, something that the Deity of Memory described as huge was going to happen to the Universal Conglomerate. Clearly, the trip would be fraught with danger.

“We've barely reunited after being apart for so long. I didn’t think that we would part ways so quickly.” Chu Chuyan’s expression darkened.

Zu An’s heart quivered. It might have only been a few years for him, but it had been ages for Chu Chuyan. With that thought in mind, he grabbed his lover’s hand and said, “Come with me.”

“Won’t I get in the way of your business?” Chu Chuyan was both surprised and delighted.

“Who knows? You might even be able to lend me a helping hand.” Zu An decided not to think too much. The Deity of Memory was right. He couldn’t be obsessed with thinking about how he could protect everyone. Chu Chuyan was a prodigy in her own right. Overcoming danger was also a fortuitous encounter to her.

Besides, the last thing he wanted was for her to disappear like the others when he returned. He couldn’t risk losing her again.

He went to the Sang manor to visit his daughter and made a series of arrangements before setting off to the Universal Conglomerate. He boarded Isabella’s starship and set the destination to be the Universal Conglomerate’s headquarters—the Contract Galaxy, Fortune Palace!