The Deity of Love and Beauty stared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why?” Zu An panicked.

“Have you forgotten that you’re the envoy of both the Deity of Chaos and Enigma and the Deity of Memory?” the Deity of Love and Beauty sneered. “Not to mention that you’re carrying Death’s authority, Reproduction’s seed, and the Deity of Bliss and Desire’s scent. How can I trust you?”

Zu An was speechless. He might have withheld some information from her, but there was no way he could hide these details from her when they were in such proximity. Still, he said, “It’s not our first time dealing with each other. You should know what kind of person I am. This time, the second-generation deities want to reach out to you to deal with the impending calamity.”

The Deity of Love and Beauty shook her head and smiled. “It’s not that I don’t trust you; I just don’t trust the people looming behind you. This matter is too big for you. You won’t be able to stop them if they choose to betray me.”

Zu An fell silent before finally conceding, “Yes, your words make sense. Fine, you don’t have to tell me those things. I’ll help you.”

The Deity of Love and Beauty was surprised. “Oh? The strong tend to have strong convictions as well, such that even death can’t change their perspective. I’m surprised that you’re taking a step back here.”

“I’m just being objective.” Zu An had just thought things through. It struck him that there was no point in interfering with the affairs of the universal deities now when he had limited say. He would have no recourse if the Deity of Bliss and Desire double-crossed him in this matter.

“I could be deceiving you as well,” the Deity of Love and Beauty pointed out.

Zu An replied, “You went to great lengths to protect the first-generation universal deities. From that, I don’t think that you’re that kind of person. Besides, you are Yanluo’s previous incarnation. I trust Yanluo, so I’ll trust her previous incarnation as well.”

The Deity of Love and Beauty laughed. “The world celebrates my beauty. There is no lack of people who demean their lovers to compliment me. It’s only with you that I become someone else’s substitute.”

The sudden charm from the Deity of Love and Beauty made Zu An’s heart pound. He hurriedly lowered his eyes and said, “We shouldn’t be fighting among ourselves now.”

“I didn’t expect you to be so shy,” the Deity of Love and Beauty teased, “I thought you feared nothing at all.”

Zu An sighed. “You’re the Deity of Love and Beauty, and I’m not made of stone. There’s no way I can resist your charm.”

“You say that when you have chosen another woman over me,” the Deity of Love and Beauty harrumphed. That person was her future incarnation, but it still displeased her.

Zu An quickly changed the topic with a cough. “We only need the Beast Path now. I might have an idea.”

The Deity of Love and Beauty immediately resumed her air of majesty upon talking about serious affairs. “Even I am unable to do anything about it in this special world. What ideas can you have?”

Zu An replied, “The idea came from the future. Our future selves successfully forged the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and the Beast Path’s power insignias came from the Monster World. I always wondered what the deal with the Monster World was, but I think I know what’s going on now.”

The Deity of Love and Beauty closed her eyes as if to inspect her memories across spacetime. Soon, she opened her eyes and asked, “You wish to create the Monster World?”

“That’s right.”

The Monster World’s upper echelons had been very intent on finding the Fiend races’ Celestial Court, believing the latter to be their ancestors. Later, they found out that they were merely sentient beasts reared by the Fiend races’ Celestial Court.

Zu An had wondered why those monsters had forgotten about their birthright, but looking at it now, perhaps someone had intentionally deceived them right from the start. Only then would they be desperate to find the Celestial Court, leading up to their eventual meeting with his future self. That was what gave him the chance to obtain the Beast Path’s power insignia.

The Deity of Love and Beauty frowned. “It looks like you’re the only one who can create the Beast Path now. However, the Beast Path is still one of the Six Paths, after all. It’ll take time for it to be properly established.”

Despite being a universal deity, many of her abilities were limited, as she was in the Deity of Knowledge’s world. Furthermore, this wasn't her complete body. She would be in danger if she caught the Deity of Knowledge’s gaze.

“That’s why the Six Paths can only be formed in the future.” Zu An felt conflicted, especially when he thought about how the Monster World had invaded other worlds and brought calamity upon the Cultivation World. Who could have thought that he was the mastermind behind it all?

And yet the establishment of the Six Paths was necessary to save even more lives. He had always snorted in disdain in response to the trolley problem, but in a cruel twist of fate, he found himself facing such a choice now.

“Alright. Tread carefully. Don’t catch the Deity of Knowledge’s gaze.” The Deity of Love and Beauty had long transcended mortality. She wouldn’t fuss about the deaths of a handful of lives. “I’ll slowly reveal necessary information to you when the time calls for it. May our partnership go smoothly.”

Zu An nodded grimly. His surroundings blurred, and before he knew it, he had been transported back to Xihe and Princess Liuli’s side.

The two women surveyed the surroundings warily. “Where is Lady Houtu?”

“She has gone elsewhere. Let’s return to the Celestial Court first.”

Xihe was delighted, as that was her home, as well as where they had gotten married. She was glad to be able to return home.

Princess Liuli, on the other hand, was hesitant. “The last time an Asura was brought to the Celestial Court, there was a war between the two worlds...”

Xihe laughed. “There’s no need to worry about that. I’m with you. Who would dare to stop...”

She regretted saying those words right away. She was only bringing trouble to herself by bringing such a beautiful lady back.

Zu An laughed. The Xihe in this world harbored much greater jealousy compared to the other Xihes he had met in the other spacetime fragments, though that was to be expected. She was the Celestial Empress in this world, and she had just gotten married as well.

Soon, the three of them returned to the Celestial Court.

Some Celestials were alarmed to see Princess Liuli and tried to stop her, but Princess Liuli grabbed Zu An’s arm and said, “I have been captured by him as his slave.”

The Celestials guffawed heartily upon hearing that. “All hail the Celestial Emperor!”

They felt like they had scored one against the Asuras, so naturally, there was no reason for them to continue blocking Princess Liuli anymore.

That spared Zu An's group the hassle of creating a pretext, but Xihe gritted her teeth in annoyance. This little vixen doesn’t hesitate to say anything at all.

As soon as they returned to the Celestial Court, Zu An began preparing for the creation of the Monster World. He ordered every Celestial to offer a droplet of their blood essence to him. That caused a huge commotion.

Even Donghuang Taiyi, who was busy fighting against Xuanyuan at the frontlines, sent a sliver of consciousness back to question him.

“How’s your battle against Xuanyuan going?” Zu An asked.

“It’s all within our grasp,” Donghuang Taiyi replied proudly.

“Is it? I heard that you’re slowly losing your upper hand.” Zu An chuckled.

Donghuang Taiyi’s expression darkened. If only the real Emperor Jun was still here, we could have joined hands, and Xuanyuan wouldn’t have been anything at all!

Zu An continued, “Xuanyuan has the upper hand now because he has rallied many races to his side. I ordered the Celestials to offer a droplet of their blood essence to bestow sentience upon the beasts. They should become a considerable army for you in due time.”

Donghuang Taiyi’s breathing hastened. Indeed, having more soldiers would lighten his burden. Still, he remained vigilant. He eyed Zu An with skepticism and asked, “What’s your goal?”

“I want to become the real Celestial Emperor. I can have all the women I want in the world, from the Celestial Empress to Princess Liuli. What can be better than being the ruler of the world?” Zu An laughed. “I’m not about to let Xuanyuan take this away from me.”

Donghuang Taiyi’s expression turned cold. “You’re just a fraud.”

“But you need this fraud. Even a fraud can become real with enough time.”