Chapter 2688: Confession

Yun Jianyue had just flown out when she suddenly noticed the surrounding scenery was rapidly receding. In the blink of an eye, she was back in her original spot, clearly pulled back by Zu An's divine power.

Yun Jianyue: "..."

This was awkward.

Seeing Ice Maiden nearby and the eyes peeking from behind the door, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and embarrassment. "Zu, don't think your high cultivation allows you to bully me like this!" With that, she raised a hand to commit suicide. Zu An hadn't expected her to be so resolute; startled, he quickly appeared by her side and grabbed her hand. "How am I bullying you? The matter hasn't been decided yet, why are you leaving?"

"Didn't you just choose Ice Maiden? What's the point of me staying here?" As Yun Jianyue spoke, a pang of sadness went through her heart. Had she not always been strong-willed, she might have shed tears at that moment.

"That wasn't a choice!" Zu An felt a headache. He'd tried to appease one, only to realize he'd hurt the other.

Yan Xuehen, standing nearby, trembled at his words. Although she knew Zu An hadn't chosen her just now, hearing him say it directly still made her sad.

Meanwhile, the three women in the hall were thoroughly enjoying the drama.

Xue'er couldn't help but say, a little sourly, "Holding Sect Master Yan with one hand and Sect Master Yun with the other... perhaps only Ah Zu in the world could enjoy such a blessing of having multiple partners."

The Little Demon Queen smiled faintly. "But judging by the current situation, he probably won't be able to enjoy such a blessing. He might not even end up with one."

"No way," Xue'er said, a little confused. "Who do you think Ah Zu will choose?"

Yu Yanluo, usually quiet, also couldn't help but speculate: "It might be Sect Master Yan. Her ethereal, fairy-like aura is fatally alluring to men."

"I don't think so," the Little Demon Queen countered. "Sect Master Yun, who is a valiant Demon Sect leader in public but a passionate, devoted wife in private, creates a sense of conquest that no man could refuse." The Little Demon Queen favored Yun Jianyue, who shared a similar charming demeanor.

Xue'er looked strange. "Given Ah Zu's personality, he definitely wouldn't do anything to hurt someone else."

"So, what's your final answer?" Both Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue didn't want to prolong this ambiguous situation; they wanted a definitive answer.

Zu An was utterly overwhelmed. He had never imagined that after solving what he initially thought was the most troublesome external public opinion issue, he would instead overlook the two women's own feelings.

Originally, if they had approached him one by one, with his methods, he could always pacify them both.

But now, with both of them confronting him simultaneously, and three onlookers who thrived on drama nearby, there was no way to resolve this privately.

Yan Xuehen sighed. "Since you can't make a decision, let go. We were never meant to be together."

Yun Jianyue deeply agreed. It was already embarrassing to compete with her own disciple for a man; taking this opportunity to part as friends seemed like a good idea.

Just as Zu An was about to speak, he suddenly sensed something and instinctively looked up at the sky.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue initially thought he was trying to change the subject and were about to speak, when they too suddenly felt something and looked towards the sky.

Given their current cultivation levels, they could already sense a ship flying in from beyond the sky.

At that moment, Zu An took out the Dreamland invitation from his embrace. Its special material was faintly glowing, clearly activated.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue both knew about the Dreamland. Seeing this, they were startled. Could it be...

Just then, a silhouette of light appeared in the sky. A figure dressed elegantly, in a style reminiscent of a medieval butler, materialized not far from Zu An.

Upon seeing the two women beside him, the figure paused, a hint of admiration appearing in their eyes.

However, a flicker of embarrassment quickly crossed their face, and they bowed respectfully to Zu An. "Esteemed guest, please forgive my impropriety. It's simply that your two female companions are so exceptionally beautiful that even with my rigorous training, I momentarily lost my composure."

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, standing nearby, felt their faces flush. After all, being praised was always pleasant.

They had initially intended to explain that they were not Zu An's companions, but fearing they would make him lose face in front of an outsider, they ultimately chose to remain silent.

"And you are?" Zu An asked, despite having a guess.

"I am a staff member of the Boundless Merchants Guild, designation 9527. The Boundless Merchants Guild has been entrusted by the Dreamland to escort all invited distinguished guests, and I am responsible for escorting you, esteemed sir." The butler-like individual smiled slightly as they looked at the invitation in Zu An's hand.

Upon confirmation, both Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue felt their hearts tremble. They had never imagined that the time for separation would arrive so quickly.

They no longer had any mind to dispute the previous matter.

The three women in the hall also stopped watching the drama and rushed out. "Ah Zu!"

Their eyes were filled with worry.

Yun Jianyue couldn't help but ask, "Can companions come along?"

Yan Xuehen's eyes also lit up. She, too, was uneasy about Zu An going alone.

Staff member 9527 shook their head slightly. "Unfortunately, the Dreamland strictly screens all incoming and outgoing personnel. Only those with an invitation are permitted."

The women couldn't help but show disappointment on their faces.

Zu An asked in a low voice, "May I ask if you could wait a while? I still have some matters to attend to here."

Staff member 9527 immediately looked troubled. "If it were any other time, staying an extra ten days or half a month would be fine. However, there are other distinguished guests on board right now, so it's truly not possible."

Zu An's heart stirred. So there were other passengers. That was good; he could take the opportunity to gather information about the myriad worlds, as he was almost entirely in the dark.

"It won't take long, just an hour or two."

"That shouldn't be a problem. I'll go back and inform the other distinguished guests. When you are ready, simply activate the invitation in your hand." Staff member 9527 bowed and quickly vanished from sight.

"Ah Zu..." Qiao Xueying, unable to hide her youthful emotions, threw her arms around Zu An, holding him tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, she would lose him forever.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, standing nearby, felt a bit awkward. They instinctively released Zu An's hands; after all, it wouldn't be proper for four people to embrace like that.

"Don't worry, this is an opportunity, and I'll be careful." Zu An gently patted the young woman's shoulder, feeling her endless affection. He, too, was incredibly reluctant to part.

"I'd rather you be a local emperor in this world than go out and risk danger," Qiao Xueying choked out.

Yu Yanluo and the Little Demon Queen both secretly nodded, agreeing to some extent with what Xue'er had said.

Zu An sighed. "I can't just bury my head in the sand like an ostrich here. Otherwise, if a greater crisis arrives in the future, it will be too late to regret it then. Besides, there are people I must save; I need to go to the Dreamland to find a way."

Whether it was reconstructing Mi Li's body, saving Chu Yan, or reuniting with the Wushan Goddess and Chang'e, he had far too many things he needed to do.

The women also knew he had to go, so they refrained from trying to persuade him further, reluctantly bidding him farewell.

Zu An approached Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.

Yan Xuehen's cherry lips parted slightly. "Separation is imminent; nothing else matters now..."

Clearly, she was no longer in the mood to force him to choose. She had many things she wanted to say but didn't know how to begin.

Yun Jianyue's voice suddenly broke the silence. "Brat, make sure you stay alive. If you can come back safely..." She paused, seemingly a little embarrassed, but then looked at him with burning eyes. "As long as you can return safely, I wouldn't even mind sharing a husband with Ice Maiden."