Chapter 2891: Firecloud Cave

Xihe turned around in astonishment and joy. The person who had just spoken was wearing a mask, but she still recognized him as the man whom she had just met.

“I thought you'd left?” Xihe put on a stern face and harrumphed coldly.

“I couldn’t help worrying about you, so I came back to take a look.” Zu An had indeed left earlier, but when he sensed her teardrops falling to the mortal world, it suddenly occurred to him that he was being too cruel to her.

They might have gotten together over a misunderstanding, but they had fallen in love, and he was on good terms with the future Shang Hongyu as well. So, he'd slowed his footsteps, only to sense powerful auras heading in Xihe’s direction. Worried that something was going to happen to her, he rushed back.

Guiche frowned. “Who are you?”

He wondered if Xihe had escaped from the marriage because of this man, but he didn’t dare to voice his thoughts aloud, as this conjecture would be an affront to the Celestial Emperor.

Zu An didn’t answer. Instead, he flashed over to Xihe’s side and swung the Slaughter Fang, severing the Immortal Binding Ropes. Xihe regained her freedom.

Guiche roared, “Audacious!”

You have successfully trolled Guiche for +444... +444... +444...

The celestial guards transformed into golden-armored giants and charged at Zu An.

“Be careful of Guiche’s soul siphoning ability!” Xihe warned. She was about to make her move as well when a streak of seven-colored light flashed past her eyes.

All the celestial guards, including Guiche, were spirited away by the divine light. When they finally reappeared, they crashed weakly to the ground. None could summon the strength to stand on their feet. They looked nowhere as imposing as they had been before.

Xihe blinked in surprise. She had known that Zu An was strong, but she hadn’t expected him to be this powerful.

Zu An didn’t want to interfere too much with anything here lest it affect the future, so he grabbed Xihe’s hand, morphed into a rainbow light, and fled. The celestial guards were too weak to chase after them.

It was only when they were finally somewhere safe that Zu An released his grip on her hand. “How can they treat you like that? You’re the future Celestial Empress!”

Guiche and the others had bound Xihe with Immortal Binding Ropes as if she was a criminal. Even if she had escaped from the marriage ceremony, there was no need to go to this extent.

“Who knows what's gotten into them? They say that Emperor Jun has gone missing, and they suspect that I’m the culprit.” Xihe was speechless. If she had the power to make the Celestial Emperor disappear, she wouldn’t have had to flee in the first place, let alone get captured by these people.

“Gone missing...” Zu An frowned. He knew Emperor Jun to be a powerful and scheming individual. Is he secretly plotting some apocalypse formation yet again?

“Regardless, I’m grateful for your help.” Xihe bowed to Zu An. Her expression looked gentler than before. “Why are you wearing this mask?”

“I’m from the future, after all. I’m worried that I’ll affect the past if someone sees my true face here,” Zu An replied.

Xihe nodded, though it was uncertain whether she truly understood his words. “I can see why the future me got together with you. It must be because of this encounter.”

Zu An was taken aback. He had been grieving at the Frost Palace and didn’t have the spare energy to think deeper into the situation. On top of that, Xihe’s arrival had been too abrupt. But Xihe’s words jolted something in him.

Xihe hadn’t known him when they first met. Their fates had only intertwined when he resorted to the Golden Phoenix’s ability in that desperate situation. That realization plunged his mind into chaos. He was both unsure and worried about what this mistake would have on the future.

“What’s wrong?” Xihe asked with concern upon sensing his unusual behavior.

“It’s nothing,” Zu An replied with a strained smile. He felt that something was amiss, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“You really aren’t an honest person.” Xihe put her hands on her hips. “I wonder why the future me fell in love with you.”

Zu An found her youthful demeanor rather fascinating. “That’s fate for you.”

“Forget it. Since you saved me, I’ll return the favor by helping you once. You’re looking for the Flame Emperor’s daughter, right? I’ll take you to her.” Xihe harrumphed.

Zu An was startled. “You know her?”

“I don’t, but I’m bound to be more familiar with this world than someone from the future.” Xihe had another intention in mind. She wanted to see what the woman who haunted Zu An’s mind looked like.

Those words made sense to Zu An. This was a massive world, and he had no idea where the Flame Emperor resided. “I’ll be troubling you.”

“How courteous of you. Didn’t you say that we’re a couple in the future?” Xihe rolled her eyes.

You do know that the future us have enjoyed intimacy at a negative distance. Just because we’re a thing in the future doesn’t mean it’s the same now, Zu An thought.

“What’s your name?” Xihe asked.

Zu An didn’t answer. Xihe frowned in displeasure. “You aren’t even going to tell me your name, my future lover?”

“I’m worried that it’ll affect the future.” Zu An felt distressed. He wondered if this world was truly in the same timeline as the Celestial Court world he knew.

“My knowledge of your name will change the future?” Xihe gnashed her teeth in annoyance. I feel like beating up this fellow. “I can’t be calling you husband, can I?”

Zu An chuckled. “I don’t mind you calling me that.”

Xihe was speechless.

Seeing that she was getting angry, Zu An acquiesced, “You can call me Ah Zu.”

“Ah Zu? Sounds terrible,” Xihe mumbled, though she jotted the name down in her mind.

“So, where is the Flame Emperor?” Zu An asked out of curiosity.

“He’s down south, but he’s only known as Shennong now. Emperor Jun is the only one worthy of the title of ‘emperor’.”

“I thought that Emperor Jun would have made a move on Shennong.”

“You’re right, but Shennong inherited the bloodlines of the Vermilion Bird and the Divine Ox, and he has joined forces with the Xuanyuan Dragon Clan. Emperor Jun is unable to do anything about them for the time being,” Xihe explained.

“Vermilion Bird...” No wonder he’s known as the Flame Emperor. The future Pei Mianman also specializes in flames. I guess it’s in their lineage.

“That Shennong is a farmer; I doubt his daughter will be beautiful. I’m skeptical about your taste,” Xihe remarked with a frown.

“She’s gorgeous.” Zu An chuckled. “She’s as beautiful as you.”

Xihe was initially displeased, but Zu An’s latter words brightened her mood. She continued probing along the way, leaving Zu An distressed about what he could and couldn’t talk about.

All of a sudden, Zu An noticed the scenery beneath. “Hm? Why are we flying toward the sea? Didn’t you say that Shennong resides in the south?”

“Shennong’s Firecloud Cave is located on a southern island,” Xihe casually replied.

Zu An jolted. “Firecloud Cave?”

He had once visited the Firecloud Cave while seeking a cure for the ancient Ocean races. There, he'd encountered a mysterious entity whom he still didn’t know the true identity of, even to this day.

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