“Partnership?” Zu An hadn't thought that a lofty universal deity would have to partner with him.

“I told you that we, the universal deities, have encountered something terrifying. For countless years, we have been trying to resolve it using our own methods, but aside from the obstinate Deity of Knowledge, the others have already conceded that our efforts were futile.”

The Deity of Bliss and Desire's words sparked a sense of danger from Zu An. If even the universal deities felt helpless, normal mortals wouldn’t stand a chance at all.

“That’s why I want to work with the first-generation universal deities to devise a solution for this ordeal,” the Deity of Bliss and Desire said while staring at Zu An expectantly.

Once again, Zu An had to acknowledge that she was the peak of femininity. However, he maintained an unwavering heart and said, “You sought to destroy the first-generation deities. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to harbor a deep-seated grudge against you. How can you expect them to work with you?”

The Deity of Bliss and Desire wrapped her smooth arm around Zu An’s neck and said, “That’s why I need your help. You’re on good terms with them. It’ll work if you mediate between us.”

She quickly added, “This ordeal concerns not just us universal deities, but all lifeforms in the Myriad Worlds as well. Even if the first-generation universal deities return to power, they will still have to face this problem. I think that is reason enough for us to put aside our differences and work together.”

“I don’t even know what the ordeal is. How can I know if you’re speaking the truth, let alone persuade them on your behalf?” Zu An said in dissatisfaction. Learning about the secret could put him in danger, but a lack of information could easily lead to a lapse in judgment.

The Deity of Bliss and Desire fell into deep thought. Moments later, she said, “Fine. You’re already caught up in it, so you deserve to know about it. Nevertheless, this secret is still way too dangerous, so you should prepare yourself.”

She leaned in and gently kissed Zu An, and a surge of pure ki flowed into his body. It resembled origin ki, but it seemed to harness some kind of law on top of that.

Zu An was taken aback. “That was...”

“It’s a sliver of my divinity. It’ll protect you from being obliterated by the heavenly laws after learning about the secret.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire gently touched Zu An’s chest. “Did you think I did it with you because I coveted your body? It was a ritual for me to transfer my divinity to you.”

Zu An knew that divinity was a universal deity’s authority, so he understood how valuable this gift was. “Thank you...” 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Don’t be in a rush to thank me. Hear me out first.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire pressed her finger against his lips. “You should have met the Annihilation Progenitor’s worshipers, right?”

Zu An narrowed his eyes. “Is the calamity ‘Annihilation’?”

The Annihilation Progenitor had recently siphoned away Order’s and Reproduction’s powers. Clearly, the balance of power among the universal deities had already been shattered.

“Him? He isn’t worthy.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire harrumphed. “I only mentioned him to make it easier for you to understand the situation. The Annihilation Progenitor’s worshipers have been bringing destruction upon the world, whereas the ordeal I mentioned would result in the end of the Myriad Worlds, including the universal deities.

“The Annihilation Progenitor knows that, and such a fate happens to be aligned with his dao, so he decided to push ahead with it and completely embrace the end.”

It could have been due to the sliver of divinity from the Deity of Bliss and Desire or the additional piece of information, but many things suddenly made sense to Zu An.

No wonder the Deity of Memory wants to record everything. She hopes to restore the Myriad Worlds after everything comes to an end. As long as she collects enough memories, she can bring the Myriad Worlds back into existence.

The Deity of Chaos and Enigma fears that the lack of variables will result in an inevitable end, so she seeks to confuse the history of as many worlds as possible in hopes of averting the end.

...

But it seemed that their efforts had failed.

“How can I help you?” Zu An asked. He was also a part of the Myriad Worlds, so its destruction would also spell the end of him and his loved ones. Naturally, he couldn’t let that happen.

“The Deity of Love and Beauty might have reincarnated the first-generation universal deities, but a universal deity’s authority is too great to be wielded by their reincarnated selves. Furthermore, to avoid our detection, they chose to undergo several generations of reincarnation.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire briefly paused before adding, “You need to gather their fragmented souls and restore their memories.”

“Who are the reincarnations of the first-generation universal deities?” Zu An asked with a nervous heart.

“You should ask yourself. No one knows them better than you do.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire sensed his dissatisfaction, so she added, “I can sense the souls of universal deities from those two women outside. Look at how worried they are for you. Aren’t you a capable one?”

Zu An looked at the projections of Xihe and Princess Liuli in the sky, and his eyes widened in realization.

“If we’re going to work together, you ought to share more detailed information with me to save time lest we hinder each other,” he said. “Since you entered this world as the Heavenly Devil Empress, you must be planning something.”

“What an impatient man you are.” The Deity of Bliss and Desire harrumphed. “Help me change this world controlled by the Deity of Knowledge first. They will descend in person to meet you. I don’t have a clear idea of who the first-generation universal deities have reincarnated into, but the Deity of Knowledge should know. You can get the answer from them.”

“How can we change this world?”

“We have to shatter the Deity of Knowledge’s rules. They decreed that the Celestials govern the sky, and Emperor Jun and Donghuan Taiyi are the leaders of the Celestials. If you tap into the power of the Asuras, overthrow the Celestial Court’s rule, and plunder all the authorities, you will be able to change this world.”

A plan was already starting to form in Zu An’s mind.

The Deity of Bliss and Desire noticed Zu An’s expression and smiled. “You are indeed a resourceful one. I can’t bear to leave you.”

“Then don’t.” Zu An wrapped his hand around her waist. Since he was planning to overthrow the world, he could start with the woman before him.

The Deity of Bliss and Desire was startled, then her eyes turned cold. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. That was a ritual I held to protect you. That doesn’t mean I permit your impertinence.”

“I’ll be going up against a universal deity anyway. Where can I find the courage to oppose the Deity of Knowledge if I can’t conquer you?”

The Deity of Bliss and Desire was merely a sliver of consciousness occupying the Heavenly Devil Empress’s body. She was unable to overcome the limitations of her body. “You rascal! You wouldn’t dare to treat Mi Li and Meng so insolently as well!”