Yang An was not surprised that the Workshop Master could see the Rule Seal placed on his soul by Elder Zhuan Yu.

Back when he had broken through the Corpse Transformation and surpassed the limits of an Innate Flesh Mushroom, Yang An had suspected that someone had tampered with his soul. As it turned out, Elder Zhuan Yu’s Rule Seal was placed precisely there.

Yang An didn’t know who was stronger, the Workshop Master or Elder Zhuan Yu, but he was certain the Workshop Master was far from simple—an expert of the Insect Dao Realm, at the very least.

Moreover, the Workshop Master was a very shrewd man. He never proactively asked about anything, only speaking on a matter after Yang An had brought it up. It seemed he didn’t want to get involved in the private affairs of the Scripture Defector Association’s members.

This undoubtedly gave Yang An a great deal of room to maneuver. Thus, when the Workshop Master exposed the matter of the Seal with a single sentence, Yang An’s first thought wasn’t of being on guard, but that the Workshop Master truly possessed such skill.

The only thing Yang An didn’t understand was the meaning behind the Workshop Master’s words.

’What does he mean, "only because the Seal is on me" is there a solution?’

"Workshop Master, tell me! What is this solution?"

Yang An asked curiously.

"Do you still remember Miao Ye?"

This time, the Workshop Master didn’t beat around the bush. His reply came through, carrying a hint of laughter.

The moment he heard the name, Yang An instantly understood the Workshop Master’s meaning and why he had spoken as he did just now.

’It seems the one who can undo my Rule Seal isn’t the Workshop Master, but Miao Ye.’

’Elder Miao Ye, from the Xiyue River Ancient Collection.’

"The Seal on you is quite tenacious. Even the Vulgar Mouth Bow I gave you can’t handle it. But if that fellow Miao Ye makes a move, I’m sure he can undo it for you. The only thing is, getting him to act on your behalf will inevitably require some form of payment. A fair trade is the most suitable approach for something like this."

"Does Elder Miao Ye truly have the ability to undo the Seal?"

It wasn’t that Yang An disbelieved in Miao Ye’s abilities, but he didn’t dare take the risk unless he was absolutely certain of success.

Otherwise, if the attempt failed and Elder Zhuan Yu detected it, his situation would become even more perilous. He would then have to face the combined might of two major powers: the Golden Thread Pavilion and the Great Virtue Temple.

"That depends on you. If you can’t persuade him, then there’s no chance at all. If he agrees to help you... well, I can’t say it’s a hundred percent guaranteed, but it’s ninety-nine percent. It’s just..."

At this point, the Workshop Master’s transmitted message trailed off.

"Just what?"

"It’s just... I’ve observed the aura on your Seal before. Your current situation is very delicate. Are you truly determined to pull yourself out of these muddy waters? If you handle it poorly, I’m afraid there won’t be a place left for you in the entire Treasure Temple Domain."

"..."

Yang An didn’t respond for the moment.

’The Workshop Master has clearly guessed what I’m going through. Even before deciding to ask for his help, I was mentally prepared for the fact that these things couldn’t be hidden. And I was right.’

’And now that the Workshop Master has laid it all out, it means he must have already thought of a way to deal with the fallout. That must be why he’s asking.’

’The Workshop Master knows I’ve already made my decision; otherwise, I wouldn’t be looking for a way to remove the Seal. In that case, his objective is obvious.’

"Have you considered what comes after you escape? How about you help me lead the Scripture Defector Association?"

Another message came from the Workshop Master, just as Yang An had expected.

"I’m already a member of the Scripture Defector Association."

"That’s different. As an ordinary member of the Scripture Defector Association, our relationship is purely transactional. I pay, you do the work. It’s very fair.

But if you help me lead the Scripture Defector Association, we’ll be partners. You can still do whatever you want—I won’t restrict you. However, there will be things I need your help with, and in turn, I can help you.

Don’t you want to know my purpose for gathering so many Innate Flesh Mushrooms and establishing the Scripture Defector Association?"

’Compared to the Golden Thread Pavilion and Great Virtue Temple, the Workshop Master’s motives have always been unclear. But from the moment I joined the Scripture Defector Association until now, he has never done anything to harm its members.’

’But Yang An knew that in this world, you couldn’t rely on morality or friendship. Everything was just about using one another.’

’You use me, I use you.’

’In a way, the Tree of Flesh and Blood growing in his consciousness was just another kind of seal, wasn’t it?’

’But at least the Workshop Master hasn’t shown any ill intent toward me. And right now, he’s the only one I can turn to. That’s worth considering.’

"Then, Workshop Master, what is your purpose?"

"The fact that you’re asking means you’ve already made up your mind. My purpose is actually very simple: I want to return to the Central Continent!"

"Return to the Central Continent?"

’That statement contained two pieces of information. The Workshop Master was from the Central Continent? And why did he want to go back? Yang An was suddenly overcome with curiosity.’

"This world is on its last legs. The destruction of the Outer Continent is only a matter of time. Only the sealed-off Central Continent can buy us more time. From that perspective, everyone’s goal is actually the same. You’re no exception. We all want to leave this world."

Hearing this, and combining it with the information he already possessed, Yang An understood. It seemed the collapse of the Origin Realm was no secret to those at the top.

"Can one leave this world from atop the Immortal Platform?"

By asking this question, Yang An was signaling to the Workshop Master that he was also aware of the situation.

"Rumor has it that shattering the void and ascending to the Upper Realm to escape these shackles is the most promising path. But in reality, there are two other ways.

I’ve heard that the Central Continent found a new method. They’re attempting to forcibly draw in another, lower world and use that opportunity to leave this one. I just don’t know how far they’ve progressed.