He decided to help Mother Divination, not because he coveted any reward from her, but simply to repay her for her past kindness.

No matter her reasons for saving him multiple times back then, she had, at the very least, helped him. He would consider this repayment for that debt.

Seeing Yang An ask, Mother Divination thought he had agreed to contact Elder Life Crane for her. A look of joy instantly appeared in her eyes, chasing away her previous sorrow.

"That Elder Profound Dragon is at Dragon Fall Creek, a hundred-some li to the southeast. There’s still some time, so Elder Life Crane should be able to make it from the Outer Continent."

Even if he couldn’t make it in time, it wouldn’t matter. With Yang An here, if that Flood Dragon Demon knew of Elder Life Crane’s reputation, he would surely hesitate. As long as Elder Life Crane eventually came, everything could be resolved.

’This course of action will not only solve my current predicament but also give me a chance to latch onto someone as powerful as Yang An. Currying favor with Elder Life Crane himself is likely impossible, but by latching onto Yang An, isn’t that the same as latching onto Life Crane? It’s killing two birds with one stone.’

Yang An just smiled at Mother Divination’s words. He couldn’t be bothered to explain the matter between him and Life Crane. He simply stood up from the stone stool, then seemed to recall something.

"Could you warm another cup of Yolk Tea for me?"

"Of course, Senior. Please wait a moment."

Mother Divination nodded, pursed her lips slightly, and immediately reached to her body, plucking off an egg yolk.

’He must be testing my obedience. If he can truly help me with this, I wouldn’t mind giving him more than just an egg yolk; he could take this entire skirt of flesh of mine for all I care.’

’I just wonder what method Yang An will use to contact Elder Life Crane?’

’As Elder Life Crane’s disciple, he must have some special means of contact.’

With one hand, Mother Divination took out a cup. She extended her slender, jade-like hands and began her preparations. As her heart settled, she glanced at Yang An in confusion.

But in the next moment, Yang An suddenly vanished from where he stood. His aura appeared for an instant a thousand meters outside Golden Egg Jade Island, only to disappear again in the blink of an eye.

’That direction...’

Mother Divination froze. The direction in which Yang An’s aura had vanished was precisely the direction she had just indicated for the location of Profound Dragon Daoist.

’Could Elder Life Crane be arriving this instant? Is he really that powerful?’

Mother Divination’s face was a mask of astonishment.

A dozen or so breaths later, the fragrant, mellow Yolk Tea was ready. It seemed to carry a special, lingering warmth, making it the perfect moment to drink.

And just then, Yang An’s figure suddenly reappeared in the stone chamber. He snatched the cup from the table and tested its temperature.

’Perfect timing, indeed.’

Yang An had left and returned in a flash, and he now seemed to carry a faint, travel-worn aura.

Mother Divination didn’t know what had happened and subconsciously asked:

"Senior, has Elder Life Crane arrived...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Yang An held out a hand. Mana enveloped it, forming a thin bubble that burst with a soft POP. An aura that Mother Divination found utterly repulsive instantly billowed out from it.

"I’ve already slain him. You can leave this place whenever you wish."

Feeling that rapidly dissipating aura, Mother Divination was stunned.

’This... So fast!’

’Wait!’

’It wasn’t Elder Life Crane who killed Elder Profound Dragon?’

Mother Divination suddenly processed Yang An’s words. It was Yang An who had killed him, not Elder Life Crane. From start to finish, the Yolk Tea she had just prepared hadn’t even had a chance to cool, and that damned Flood Dragon Demon was already dead.

’This...’

Her beautiful eyes went wide as she stared at Yang An in utter disbelief.

As for Yang An, he downed the Yolk Tea in one gulp, savored the aftertaste for a moment, then set down the cup, completely satisfied.

’That so-called Elder Profound Dragon was indeed powerful, likely at the Late Stage of Zombie God,’ Yang An reflected. ’But my fighting style has always been to feign weakness; my main strategy is the element of surprise.’

’Even here on the Outer Continent, free from the suppression of the Power of Rules, he couldn’t even manage to use them under my sudden assault. He was instantly obliterated.’

’To ensure a one-hit kill, I didn’t hold back, which meant the Forbidden Artifact Fragment inside his body was destroyed. Fortunately, Elder Profound Dragon’s grotto-mansion was filled with a massive amount of Spiritual Objects and various materials. I made out like a bandit, so the trip wasn’t a total waste.’

’I repaid my debt to Mother Divination and got some decent loot in the process.’

’History tells the tale of slaying Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm. Today, I’ve slain a Flood Dragon Demon while the tea was still warm. How satisfying!’

’I can even taste a hint of wine in this tea.’

"Quite the ’hero saves the damsel’ act. You’ve left that old vixen completely stunned. You little brat, you haven’t taken a liking to her, have you? It’s obvious she’s just using you to cozy up to your master. If she’s so capable, she should find him herself. Why did you have to help her?"

The Bow Lady, apparently unable to restrain herself any longer, asked huffily in Yang An’s ear.

Hearing the Bow Lady’s words, Yang An felt a bit helpless at her sudden and inexplicable jealousy. ’A woman’s heart is as hard to fathom as a needle at the bottom of the sea.’

So, he explained to the Bow Lady how Mother Divination had helped him in the past.

When she learned that Yang An was only repaying an old debt and had no other intentions, the Bow Lady finally relented.

"Hmph! Old vixen!"

She gave a cold snort, not wanting to be outdone, and then fell silent.

Yang An was speechless. He turned to look at Mother Divination, who was still in a daze, and after a moment’s thought, asked about Sansong Mountain.

There was still plenty of time, and his other business was concluded. Yang An wanted to know what exactly had happened at Sansong Mountain to make the Workshop Master describe it in such dire terms.

With something this major, it was impossible that Xiyue River hadn’t received any news.

Hearing Yang An’s sudden question about Sansong Mountain, Mother Divination snapped back to her senses. She stared blankly at him for a moment, still looking a little shaken.

She remembered that when Yang An had come to participate in the great feast, the two people accompanying him had been from Sansong Mountain.

But when she thought about how quickly time had passed—how in the blink of an eye, the clueless fledgling from back then had grown into a Great Power capable of slaying a Zombie God in the space of a breath—an indescribable feeling welled up in Mother Divination’s heart.

It wasn’t a feeling of loss, however; after all, from her perspective, she had just successfully latched onto this powerful backer.

"I have not seen what is happening at Sansong Mountain with my own eyes," she began. "I’ve only heard that a strange phenomenon has descended from the heavens there. An area a hundred li in radius is impossible to enter, and that area is still expanding. I fear that sooner or later, it will affect all of Dingzhou."

"What kind of phenomenon?" Yang An asked curiously.

"They say a massive Illusion Realm has inexplicably appeared there. Although no one can enter it, it’s possible to see scenes from another world inside of it. I don’t know if it’s true or not."

Mother Divination’s words reminded Yang An of the Cultivation Technique Pan Yu practiced, giving him a sense of déjà vu. ’Could the anomaly at Sansong Mountain really be related to Pan Yu?’

’And based on what the Workshop Master said, does this have something to do with the Central Continent?’

"Has no one ever managed to get inside?"

"Some have, but not willingly. They were sucked in when the phenomenon first appeared and were never seen again. That place is now called a Forbidden Land. No one dares approach it."

This was the extent of Mother Divination’s knowledge. Having been trapped here by Elder Profound Dragon recently, she had only been able to glean bits and pieces from rumors circulating in the outside world.

Yang An fell into deep thought, considering whether he should go to Sansong Mountain and see for himself.

’Just hearing this news isn’t enough to understand the whole picture. Why not see it with my own eyes? Seeing is believing.’

"I have already sworn an oath to accompany you from now on, Senior, to serve you personally and obey your every command. I wonder, when will you be returning to the Outer Continent?"

At this, Mother Divination brought up the matter of traveling to the Outer Continent, clearly intending to tie her fate completely to Yang An’s.

She was completely unfamiliar with the Outer Continent, and having just chosen to follow Yang An, she naturally wanted to proactively fulfill her oath.

Yang An’s face flushed. ’Serve me personally...’ AHEM.

However, he shook his head. In a few more hours, the Magical Artifact the Workshop Master had given him would activate, returning him to the Outer Continent. There was no way to take Mother Divination with him.

Besides, if he brought Mother Divination along, he couldn’t imagine the sheer amount of resentment the Bow Lady would harbor.

As for Mother Divination, he had already repaid his debt to her. They were even now.

With her Cultivation Level and strength, Mother Divination couldn’t help him with anything and would only be a burden. In that regard, she was no match for the Bow Lady.

Yang An knew how to weigh his priorities.

"I can’t take you with me. If you want to go to the Outer Continent, you’ll have to go on your own. You don’t need to abide by any oath, either. However, I do have one small matter you could help me with, if you’re willing. That would be for the best."

"In Han State, there’s a place called Wuwei Peak. On Wuwei Peak, you will find a man named the Ding Chong Daoist. If it’s on your way, do me a favor and get rid of him."