Chapter 2554: Mastermind Concern appeared in the Goddess of Wu Mountain’s usually cold eyes. She intended to step forward to help Zu An when a sudden flash of seven-colored light caused the furious Nuba to vanish into thin air. The Goddess of Wu Mountain’s mouth opened so wide that one could fit a chicken egg into it. Thinking that Nuba had hidden herself using a special movement skill, she quickly scanned the surroundings with her ki, but Nuba was truly nowhere to be found. Even the heat and dryness were beginning to recede. Nuba had truly vanished. Xingtian and Kuafu exchanged relieved looks. Whew, we aren’t the only ones who fell for that. Yumen Beiqing was shocked and intimidated. His Seven-Colored Divine Halo is capable of subjugating Nuba too! I must only make a move when I’m confident of victory, or else there won’t be a second chance. He’s just a normal human. Other than being taller, more handsome, and more muscular than average, there are hardly any strengths to him. How did he obtain such a ridiculously overpowered ability? Another seven-colored light flickered around Zu An, and a disoriented Nuba fell to the ground. Zu An looked at her and said, “It was the Celestial Emperor who sentenced Gu to death based on the celestial laws. If you agree to not go after the goddess and the others, I’ll spare your life in light of the fact that you're still grieving over your son.” Nuba coldly spat, “What if I refuse?” “Then I’ll kill you right now,” Zu An calmly replied, as if it was something insignificant. He had weathered many storms and had been in a position of authority for a long time, so he naturally exuded an air of intimidation. Nuba fell silent. She sensed that it wasn’t an empty bluff. She was ill-tempered, but she was no fool. The other party’s Seven-Colored Divine Halo was incredible. If she obstinately marched down this path, only death awaited her, but she needed to stay alive to avenge her son. “I promise you.” She harrumphed before taking her leave. Xingtian and Kuafu bowed to Zu An. “Thank you for showing mercy to Madam.” As fellow shamans, they wouldn’t be able to turn a blind eye if Zu An made a move. Zu An breathed a sigh of relief too. Nuba was the Yellow Emperor’s daughter and an Ancestral Shaman’s wife. It was hard to predict what would happen if he took her life. “Thank you for your help,” a voice said as a faint fragrance drifted into Zu An’s nose. The Goddess of Wu Mountain’s gaze had mellowed considerably compared to before. “Pardon me for my unnecessary intervention, goddess.” Looking at the Goddess of Wu Mountain’s snowy skin close up, Zu An couldn’t help but think that she was carved out of the same mold as Pei Mianman. “You need not be so courteous. Nuba’s power happens to suppress mine. I’d have been in danger if not for your intervention.” The Goddess of Wu Mountain suddenly noticed his gaze, but Zu An's expression didn’t carry any lust; just yearning and tenderness. That shook her heart. “Are you yearning for your lover again?” Zu An snapped out of his daze and awkwardly bowed. “My apologies.” The Goddess of Wu Mountain smiled. Do I look identical to Miss Pei? It doesn’t seem as if he’s lying, and... Her eyes fell on the Mermaid Queen. His two companions aren’t ordinary women. Since they backed up his words, it should be safe to assume that Miss Pei does exist. But how could there be two completely identical people in the world? Unless... The conclusion she arrived at alarmed her. It prompted her to assess Zu An once more. Meanwhile, Zu An was scanning his surroundings. He turned to the Mermaid Queen and asked, “Did you see little sister Ling’er?” The Mermaid Queen turned to her side and was taken aback. “Hm? The Saintess was still there a moment ago. Where did she go?” ... Meanwhile, Yumen Beiqing was discreetly following Nuba. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t do something like this, as her identity could be easily revealed. But now that her plan had fallen into shambles, she no longer cared as much whether Zu An learned about her true identity or not. This is my final chance. I have to kill Nuba now so she won’t be scorched to death by the Golden Crows’ Ten Suns, thus preventing the series of subsequent events... Such as Kuafu dying of exhaustion while trying to avenge Nuba, completely igniting the Shaman races’ fury. That was what later caused Hou Yi’s shooting of the suns. As long as I kill Nuba, there will be no reason for those events to happen. I might be able to change the fate of the Ten Suns! She trailed behind Nuba, awaiting the perfect chance to make her move. Nuba was a formidable adversary, but Yumen Beiqing happened to be impervious to her power. Thus, she believed that if she utilized the element of surprise well, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to kill Nuba. After stalking Nuba for some time, she finally found a chance to make a move. She was about to strike when she suddenly noticed a strange movement and hurriedly hid in a nearby tree. “Who is it?!” Nuba was alarmed, but she looked in another direction instead of where Yumen Beiqing was hiding. Crisp applause filled the air. A woman walked out and said, “As expected of a renowned expert. You found me so quickly.” “It’s her?” Yumen Beiqing recognized the woman. It was Salamay. They had parted ways with the Lord of Slaughter’s party after entering this world, and there had been no news from the latter in the meantime. She hadn’t expected to stumble upon Salamay here. I wonder if Mojard told her anything. Probably not, since the Time Scribe wasn’t the real Mojard. While Yumen Beiqing was still in thought, Salamay had already arrived in front of Nuba. Nuba frowned. “A slave?” Salamay was speechless. Her smile immediately froze. Can’t we have a pleasant chat? I used to be the princess of a powerful world, you know! Why does everyone in this world treat us like slaves and pets? She felt uneasy. The legends passed down through the generations are likely false, meaning we didn’t descend from a lofty bloodline. The truth would plunge the entire Monster World into despair. Recalling her mission, she took a deep breath and suppressed her feelings. “My master tasked me to relay a message to you.” “I have no interest in what your master has to say. Scram!” Nuba was in a terrible mood after having suffered a defeat. She released a powerful heat wave that pushed Salamay a hundred meters away before the latter finally regained her balance. Seeing that Nuba was going to leave without even sparing her a glance, Salamay anxiously shouted, “Are you not curious to know the true culprit behind your son’s death?” Nuba instantly reappeared in front of Salamay, who was raised into the air as if an invisible pair of hands was holding her up by the neck. Nuba’s hair fluttered wildly as she looked at Salamay with a twisted expression. “Who is it?” “Someone goaded Gu into stealing the immortal medicine, convincing him to see it as an opportunity to eliminate his two older brothers... Cough cough. Release me! I... can’t breathe...” Salamay struggled desperately as she instinctively clawed at her neck, but it was to no avail. “Give me a name!” Nuba roared as she finally dropped Salamay to the ground. Salamay gasped for air, sounding like a broken bellows. For a moment there, she had almost tasted death! This world is too dangerous! “My master says that this clue should be enough to lead you to the mastermind,” she quickly replied, fearing that Nuba would resort to violence once more. Nuba frowned. A while later, she turned away and left without saying a word. Salamay breathed a sigh of relief. She spat, “That madwoman.” She tidied up her clothes and patted her chest, muttering, “When my master refused to tell me the mastermind’s name, I thought that woman would hound me to no end. To think that she would leave just like that. Master has it all figured out!” She glanced fearfully in the direction Nuba had departed in before heading back to report the matter to her master. It was only after Salamay left that Yumen Beiqing finally emerged from her hiding spot with a darkened expression. Looking at the two directions where Nuba and Salamay had gone respectively, she hesitated for a second before deciding to follow Salamay.