Su Mu hadn't finished speaking, Wen Yan caught the keyword.

Advancement.

A ladder of progress is the pursuit that all creatures hold, not limited to the intelligent ones.

Even the insects under the plants go through generations of iterations, searching for the path of evolution, the route better suited to the environment, which is a form of advancement.

As for intelligent creatures, they seek opportunities for advancement within a generation, or a foreseeable future, where advancement is possible.

The direction of progress may differ in kind, but progress itself is the eternal pursuit.

There is a good thing to desire; he actually fears that the Demon doesn't want anything at all and after fleeing, will directly hide for a century or two.

"Go on, what else?"

"He once suffered great losses at the hands of the Three Mountains and Five Ridges, and now he keeps circling around them.

Until today, the Old Celestial Master's power dominates the world, the Scorching Sun Department's influence spreads across the land, and he doesn't dare approach within a hundred kilometers of Dragon Tiger Mountain's surroundings.

The advancement he desires is impossible to achieve in the current world; daring to try would mean certain death.

He can only return to where he came from and complete his advancement there.

He cannot possess just anyone; it must be someone with spirituality, yet not high enough, without a strong soul, that he can easily possess.

Like you, with yang energy surging, flaming like fire, he could never possess you."

"Is this the only thing he cares about?"

"From what I know, he only cares about this one thing, nothing else that I am aware of."

"Following his guidance, I traced it to you and discovered you.

So now, I want to follow his guidance, focus attention on you, to thereby numb him.

The conditions are the same as before, as long as you live like those who only want to live well.

No matter what your identity, I can assure you that neither the Scorching Sun Department nor the Three Mountains and Five Ridges will cause you trouble."

Su Mu was silent, she had already prepared for the current days to become void upon seeing Wen Yan here.

Upon hearing Wen Yan propose this condition again, she couldn't refuse.

That Great Demon bears grudges, led her into the sights of the Scorching Sun Department, there might be bigger trouble ahead.

She doesn't want it to escalate into opposition against the authorities, against the Three Mountains and Five Ridges.

She has her own tasks, although what she needs to do doesn't count as causing trouble right now.

Even considering pure interests, maintaining existing rules fits her ideas perfectly and is beneficial to her, naturally she's on the side of the rules.

"As long as you can do me a favor, I am willing to cooperate fully with whatever you intend to do."

"Tell me, what is the matter."

"Help me find someone."

Wen Yan motioned for Su Mu to continue.

"I won't harm anyone, nor am I holding grudges; I just intend to fulfill a promise.

However, I don't know who he is, where he is now, how old he is, or whether he is male or female.

I want to find him, but it's as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"As long as it's within the rules, merely searching for someone, I can agree, but regarding your description, I can't guarantee we'll be able to find them."

"I understand." Su Mu's gaze was somewhat complex, not forcing it, she simply stated: "I can help you with what you need to do."

"Good, happy cooperation, further contact can be done by phone."

Wen Yan added Su Mu as a friend and then turned to leave.

Su Mu watched Wen Yan's retreating figure, feeling a bit dazed.

She originally only wanted the current lifestyle, yet now decisively agreed to assist.

Not because Wen Yan's conditions were exceptionally attractive.

But because, although Wen Yan knew she might not be human, he never questioned her identity from start to finish.

She had her suspicions; since Wen Yan knew about the Great Demon, he probably could deduce what she was.

But even so, he was still willing to cooperate without questioning her identity.

Such a convoluted notion allowed her to truly feel how things were entirely different now compared to before.

She also sensed a newfound form of respect.

This was the foundation of her trust in Wen Yan.

While Su Mu was dazed, her mother came up from behind, clicking her tongue.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, I just left for a moment, and you've added a friend, eh? That young man seems quite good to me, full of spirit.

In his twenties now, showing up here on a weekday, with good spirit, he must have decent conditions.

Walking with straight posture, he looks confident, his demeanor is also gentle, probably not a bad person..."

"Mom..." Su Mu clutched her mother's arm: "What are you thinking?"

Su Mu's mother rolled her eyes.

"Do you think I'm blind and can't tell?

Look at yourself when speaking to him, so reserved like a little quail.

This way, if you really dated, you'd only be a foot-washing maid.

Is he one of your teachers from school? Your high school or junior high teacher?"

Su Mu's mother was confident, having raised her daughter from infancy, she knew her well.

She wouldn't think too much, just teasing her daughter a bit.

"Uh..." Su Mu hesitated, unable to follow her mother's train of thought.

"Come on now, you meet someone who's taught you, and don't even call me over for a greeting."

"No, but..." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Look at your demeanor just now, exactly like the first time you went to school to meet a teacher, unruly at home, yet in school, more obedient than a quail!"

"..." Su Mu opened her mouth, momentarily unsure of what to say, finally blurting out: "Why are we docking here now?"