"Why would you ask such a question?"

The Young Master's gaze fixed on Wu Wang, her voice indifferent. "Gods are born from the Dao, and all living beings are merely creations of the divine spirits. How could the Hundred Races' beings ever harbor delusional thoughts of treating gods as equals?"

Wu Wang smiled. "Then there's no point in talking this time, and there's no need to talk."

"Oh?"

The Young Master's eyes revealed a trace of confusion. "I would like to hear your esteemed opinion."

"Long-winded speeches are pointless. To put it simply," Wu Wang said, "in the eyes of the Heaven Palace, the Human Domain is the Human Emperor's domain, not the human race's domain. This is a fundamental difference in perspective. Right, Elder?"

"Good," Shennong nodded slightly. "Since you can speak, do say more."

"No, no," Wu Wang waved his hands repeatedly. "Here we have Zhu Jiuyin, the Heavenly Emperor Emperor Shun, and the Human Emperor—their levels are simply too high. How would I, a small cultivator from the Human Domain, understand all this?"

Impatience flickered in the Young Master's eyes.

Were this elder and this youngster playing games with her, mocking her?

Shennong laughed. "So, does Wu Wang's meaning imply that he does not want the Human Domain to make peace with the Heaven Palace?"

Wu Wang remained silent.

Does he really have to articulate it so bluntly?

Wu Wang sighed inwardly; how could he not understand the Elder's insinuation? If he uttered those words, it would be equivalent to promising the Elder that he would act as an intermediary for the harmonious relationship between the Human Domain and the Candle Dragon Divine Faction in the future. The Elder's strategizing was indeed too potent!

Wu Wang now doubted whether everything that happened after he encountered Shennong in the West Sea was mere coincidence. The Elder had laid out an extensive plot, spanning from the Human Domain to the Northern Wilderness, from the Western Wilderness to the East Sea. The only accident was the relationship that developed between him and Little Jingwei, which exceeded Shennong's expectations…

Wu Wang made up his mind.

I can't let the Elder dominate the negotiation all the time.

Because of his mother, the Northern Wilderness and the Bear Hug clan, in the Elder's eyes, were already considered representatives of the Candle Dragon Divine Faction that had been exiled from the Great Wilderness. Since it was his mother's task, as her son, he naturally had to support it; after all, family should stick together. As a Young Master, he must prioritize the Bear Hug clan's stance.

"Your Majesty, it seems that the Great Wilderness is not solely about the Heavenly Emperor and the Candle Dragon." With narrowed eyes and a slight glint in them, Wu Wang said warmly, "When you visited Mount Kunlun to prolong your life, you must have also encountered another divine faction." He was referring to the Queen Mother of the West.

The Young Master appeared reluctant to discuss the matter, pressing, "The Human Emperor should give a clear response so that I may also report back to the Heavenly Emperor."

Shennong glared at Wu Wang and said slowly, "The response is the transcendence catastrophe."

The Young Master spoke coldly, "Does that mean there is nothing to discuss?"

"What is there to discuss?" Shennong said slowly. "Since the Human Domain was established, the Heaven Palace has convened the Hundred Races to invade the Human Domain three hundred and sixty-two times. The blood of our people has moistened every piece of land in the Human Domain.

"Now that the Heaven Palace is in crisis, the Human Domain will face new dangers, but after the crisis, there will be even more opportunities. Reconcile with your Heaven Palace? The human race has one bad trait: an exceptional memory for grudges. With such a deep-seated enmity, how could we possibly forget?"

The Young Master remained silent.

Wu Wang cleared his throat. "Young Master, allow me to speak candidly."

"Speak."

"Don't always think that the beings of the Hundred Races are merely playthings of the divine spirits. Innate Gods are nurtured by the Great Dao, but living beings can also control the Dao." With a serious expression, Wu Wang earnestly advised, "I must say, the Heavenly Emperor sending you to the Human Domain in secret to seek peace is a bad move. Or perhaps you have other plans, intending to deliberately convey the wrong message to the Human Domain. But no matter what, your goals will not be achieved, and there's no need for you to go to such lengths."

"Ridiculous. There is nothing left to discuss between you and me. Take care, both of you."

The Young Master swept her sleeves, and her avatar burst into dazzling white light, then transformed into a host of transparent butterflies that dissipated gracefully before the Human Emperor and Wu Wang.

Shennong swept his robe, and all the residual specks of light were instantaneously blown away, leaving no trace. A girl from the White Kingdom thus vanished into thin air, leaving not a speck of dust behind.

If Ji Mo were here, he'd probably shed a few tears.

Wu Wang stared at the place where the Young Master's avatar had vanished, absorbed in thought, while Shennong also remained silent for a long time.

"Elder," Wu Wang spoke softly, "she has left."

Stroking his beard, Shennong sighed deeply and declared aloud, "The Heavenly Emperor always likes to play these games; the divine spirits of the Heaven Palace are arrogant at heart. It's a pity that the Human Domain is no longer in the era of the Ancient Emperor of the Suiren Clan. Today's Human Domain already has the foundation to battle the Emperor Shun Divine Faction. The end of the godly eras is the new beginning for the Human Domain and the Hundred Races!"

Hmm? It seems the atmosphere is a bit off.

"Now that the official business is done, there's a personal matter I'd like to confirm with you, Elder."

Wu Wang slowly stood up, his arms hanging limply at his sides, his body seemingly devoid of support, swaying slightly on the spot.

Shennong stroked his beard with a smile, speaking in a gentle tone, "Little Wang, what's gotten into you?"

"That time, it was at that Human Emperor's banquet here in the Grand Hall." Wu Wang's face was hidden in the shadows as he muttered, "The phrase you mentioned, 'A bad life is better than a good death,' I've pondered over it for a long time, and I couldn't be certain when I would have said such a thing to you, Elder. At that Human Emperor's banquet, your impassioned words truly moved me, and I felt like I had really helped you."

"Oh, haha, I didn't say it? Perhaps I remembered it wrong; it must've been someone else who said it." Shennong quietly stood up, taking two steps back.

Wu Wang, with his head down, circled around the low table, speaking in a steady stream of words, "I truly respect you, Elder. Shennong, Human Emperor, father of Jingwei, I even respect you more than my own father, Xiong Han. But Elder, from the very first time you met me and discovered that I was simultaneously practicing the Praying Star Technique and cultivation arts, you already knew Star God was in trouble, and that my mother standing behind me could already bypass Star God's rules. At that time, you were aware of my mother's identity and foresaw today's situation... right?"

"Mm, not bad, you are quite perceptive." Elder Shennong stroked his beard and nodded, adding, "Actually, when I went to find you, I had already been secretly observing in the Northern Wilderness for some time."

"So you mean to say," Wu Wang suddenly lifted his head, his eyes flashing with sharp red light, "your decision to prolong your life was because you discovered the state of Star God, knowing that the counterpart from the ancient divine war was going to return, not because of my emergence!"

"Young man, calm down." Shennong's staff trembled as he quickly stowed away his precious robe, scolding righteously, "What are you trying to do? My grandfatherly affection for you is genuine! Of all the talented individuals in the Human Domain, you are my favorite!"

WHOOSH!

Wu Wang's figure instantly appeared behind Shennong, red light flickering in his eyes, his body now covered in golden scales!

"Golden Dragon Claw!"

"You little rascal, itching for a fight again, aren't you? Ha— you've increased your strength so much! Haven't you been swallowing up plenty of Evil God's Divine Power?!"

"Pah! Liar! You even hoodwink the young people of the Human Domain!"

"Is it easy for me to support the Human Domain? If I don't encourage them... Scoundrel! Barely out of puberty! And yet you aspire to marry my daughter? You want my daughter to wait on and wash the feet of the God of Fate?!"

"Changing the subject is useless! I'm going all out with you today!"

"Afraid of you? Heavenly Fire Rages!"

"Golden Dragon Kick!"

"Old Steed Leaps!"

"Golden Dragon Second Kick!"

Outside the side hall door, Liu Baiyi stood with a blank expression, gazing vacantly at the door before him. He couldn't hear what was happening inside; after all, it was the Human Emperor who had set up the Barrier personally. But even through a piece of window paper, one could directly see with naked eyes the two figures inside chasing and wrestling, looking as if they were about to tear the place apart...

Liu Baiyi silently erected dozens of Barriers, letting out a soft sigh.

What a close bond they share. I was still rash before, mentioning 'Vice Hall Master'; this has to start with 'Vice Pavilion Master'!

「A moment later.」

The door opened. The Human Emperor came out, covering his chin and smirking proudly, his demeanor refreshed. He gave a few instructions to Liu Baiyi and was about to step through the void to leave.

"Your Majesty!" Liu Baiyi called out softly.

"What's the matter? Is there something important?" Shennong turned his head to ask.

Liu Baiyi hesitated slightly, then turned his rotund body with a shake. The Elder glanced back at the robe behind him, now reduced to strips, calmly took out a cloak to drape over himself, and loosened his hand to reveal only half an inch of beard left.

Shennong spoke nonchalantly, "I still have to rush to the Northern Region to guard it. The people from the Heaven Palace are quite petty. If this matter doesn't come to an agreement, I fear they will intensify the Beast Tides."

With these words, he stepped forward, his figure disappearing into the void.

Liu Baiyi looked up and wiped the sweat from his forehead before peering into the room where Wu Wang was meditating in the corner. Wu Wang sat cross-legged with a bruised face, surrounded by strands of firelight, seemingly indicating a breakthrough, but his own aura showed no significant fluctuations.

Youth is truly wonderful, Pavilion Master Liu sighed to himself and waited quietly outside the door.

「Later.」

Has the Young Master broken down?

Half a day later, on the Flying Shuttle returning to Annihilation Sect, Lin Suqing looked at Wu Wang lying motionless in the corner, unavoidably worried. The Young Master usually talked quite a bit and was quite cheeky. Ever since leaving the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, the Young Master had worn an expression of weary resignation, not uttering a single complaint to her, which truly made her anxious.

"Young Master," Lin Suqing asked in a soft voice, "would you like something to drink?"

Wu Wang let out a long, quivering sigh. "Suqing."

The Grand Elder and Lin Suqing both stepped forward half a step with some concern.

"Sect Master? What's wrong?"

"Sect Master, if you're feeling upset or have been wronged, feel free to speak up," the Grand Elder said worriedly. "I am willing to alleviate the Sect Master's troubles."

Wu Wang waved his hand, his eyes showing a bit of melancholy, and spoke slowly, "The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion... they're truly unreasonable."

Lin Suqing said indignantly, "How dare the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion bully you, Young Master? Aren't you with that senior, you know?" As she spoke, she gently twiddled her two thumbs, fair as spring onions.

Immortal Mu's eyes suddenly lit up on the side. "Which one? Which one?"

"Sect Master, what exactly happened?" the Grand Elder asked with concern.

"I..." As the words reached his mouth, Wu Wang could only force a bitter smile. He couldn't possibly say that he had just participated in a "three-party conference that would decide the future of the Great Wilderness" and had a fight with the Human Emperor.

This was a secret known only to a few in the world!

Wu Wang could only sigh and say, "I was coerced by Pavilion Master Liu... insisting that I become the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

A hush fell over the cabin. Lin Suqing quietly returned to her original position to meditate, and the two Benevolent Emperor Pavilion Immortals steering this Flying Shuttle also had complex expressions on their faces.

Only the Grand Elder continued to ask with concern, "Sect Master, did you agree?"

"How could I agree!" Wu Wang sat up straight and said sternly, "Would I, the Sect Master, be such a casual man? The position of the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall plus the role of Vice Pavilion Master—how much work would that be? If I took those roles, would I still have time for cultivation? Even as a figurehead, even with double the monthly salary, it would give people the impression that I, the Sect Master, am having some improper relationship with Senior Liu Baiyi. I don't want this false reputation!"

The Grand Elder couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, but there was still a trace of worry in his eyes.

As the three-year deadline approached, if the Sect Master suddenly remembered this matter, then...

For the rest of the journey home, Wu Wang changed from his previous dejection and paced back and forth in the narrow cabin of the Flying Shuttle, showing a bit of aggression.

"Immortal Mu, ready for a quiz?"

Dongfang Mumu wore a look of horror. "No! I didn't cause any trouble!"

"Suqing, even though you're almost at the pinnacle in the realm of beauty, don't lose heart. Next time, I'll help you find some special herbs to give you a chance to bloom anew."

Lin Suqing's cheeks turned pink, and she bit her lip and said with annoyance, "Young Master, you're mean!"

"Grand Elder... I forgot you've already transcended. Never mind then."

Wu Wang's eyes were full of regret, and he said dejectedly, "Why did I forget to bring Invincible out?"

The bald strong man meditating in the Annihilation Sect suddenly shivered for no reason, opened his eyes, and was greeted by a wall of 'sneaky mechanisms.' He relaxed, sighed in relief, and vigorously rubbed his nose.

When Wu Wang grew tired of pacing, he returned to a corner to meditate and cultivate, and a bit of starlight began to swirl around him.

Dongfang Mumu snuggled up to Lin Suqing and whispered, "What's with him?"

"He's troubled," Lin Suqing whispered back. "Every time the Young Master is troubled or can't resolve his gloomy mood, he likes to play pranks on others. However, he usually doesn't tell anyone about his troubles and always suffers alone."

Lin Suqing couldn't help but recall the assassination attempt in the Northern Wilderness, when Wu Wang had Xiong San the General make arrangements to lure out the mastermind behind the attack, and then he sat silently for a long time. At that time, Lin Suqing did not understand the pressure the Young Master was under. Only after a clan was erased from the map of the Northern Wilderness did she realize what the Young Master had seen that night was a war, bloodshed for thousands of miles.

When they arrived at the Annihilation Sect late at night, Wu Wang took Lin Suqing and Dongfang Mumu back to the Sect Master's small building, said he was going into seclusion to meditate and cultivate, and hid in the narrow Barrier. He tried to clear his mind as much as possible, listening to the insects chirping outside the window.

A streak of starlight drifted in from outside the porthole, like the tender fingers of a woman, gently caressing Wu Wang's cheek.

"Ba'er, I'm sorry..."

The necklace trembled lightly, and his mother's call echoed deep within his heart.

"What's wrong?" Wu Wang responded in his heart, subconsciously clearing his throat and returning to his usual demeanor. He spoke telepathically, "I was just thinking about the future changes in the Great Wilderness."

In the Starry Sky Temple, Cang Xue spoke to the staff, "You don't want to ask your mother about these things?"

Wu Wang laughed. "Then... Mother, do you have anything to add or correct?"

"Ah, I'm sorry for letting you know about this too early; it really has put you in a bad mood."

"Why would you apologize to me? You don't owe me anything." Wu Wang laughed. "On the contrary, as your son, I'm not sure what help I could be. Mother, is there anything you need me to do? Although my strength is lacking, I can still provide some ideas when it comes to strategizing and taking people by surprise."

"Actually, the situation is far more complex than you can imagine." Cang Xue said, "Your mother doesn't wish for you to be involved in this. No matter who rules the Great Wilderness in the future, your mother will be able to protect you, your father, and the Bear Hug clan."

Wu Wang said with a smile, "Now I really want to know how Dad managed to marry you back then."

"According to the customs of the Northern Wilderness, it was actually your mother who knocked your father unconscious," Cang Xue clicked her tongue and chuckled lightly. "Do you think your father isn't handsome?"

"This?" Wu Wang was a bit flabbergasted and came close to drawing a portrait of his father to worship for an hour on the spot.

After some thought, he decided to ask about something more serious.

"Is the Candle Dragon really that brutal?"

"He was indeed much more cruel than Emperor Shun in the past and didn't care much for living beings, often wanting to destroy the world and start anew. However, he has been cultivating his character over the years, so his temper has improved somewhat."

"Temper improved somewhat... It seems he's still not an easy one. Then why did the God of Fate take action against me?"

"Your mother doesn't know the details. By the time she noticed her scheme, you had already been marked with her curse. Naturally, your mother will settle this account with her."

After careful consideration, Wu Wang cautiously asked, "Are you a reincarnation? Is life difficult for the gods who were driven out of the Great Wilderness?"

Cang Xue answered, "You could say I'm a reincarnation, but it's quite complex, and it has taken a lot of effort to circumvent Emperor Shun's seal... Your mother's true body is still beyond the Great Wilderness, you know. Once the seal is broken, your mother will also change your bloodline to hers! You are my first and only offspring for the future! Life is not harsh beyond the Great Wilderness. We joined forces to create a small world where many living beings of the Hundred Races who follow us reproduce and amass power. When the seal breaks, the order of the Great Wilderness will surely be rewritten."

Wu Wang was speechless.

"Mother, it's fine to skip the bloodline transformation. Being human is quite nice."

Cang Xue said with a smile, "Of course, I will listen to you. If the human race can really end the cycle of divine eras, then your mother will need your protection."

Wu Wang immediately perked up, ignited with a burning fighting spirit.

Suddenly, Wu Wang thought of something and, grasping the necklace, asked, "Mother, if the Heaven Palace takes action against the Northern Wilderness, will it be easy to handle?"

Cang Xue fell silent for a moment.

"Right now, the Star Dao has not been extracted from the Heavenly Emperor's seal; otherwise, the seal would have started to change violently already," Cang Xue said. "Don't worry about your mother's situation; your mother has a hundred ways to conceal this. On the contrary, the Human Domain is about to face trouble. Today, the Young Master from the Heaven Palace went to negotiate with the Human Domain. It seemed like the Heaven Palace was yielding to the Human Domain, but in fact, it was Emperor Shun convincing himself."

Wu Wang didn't quite understand. "Convincing himself? What do you mean?"

Cang Xue's voice clearly carried a trace of dissatisfaction as she spoke indifferently, "In ancient times, Emperor Shun was notoriously indecisive. Whenever he needed to make up his mind, he would make what seemed like rough probes. In reality, the results of these probes were already clear to Emperor Shun. He was just using them to come to a decision. Within the next hundred years, the Human Domain will inevitably suffer a fatal blow from the Heavenly God faction. Emperor Shun will stop at nothing to regain the Dao of Fire and secure the Heavenly Emperor's seal."

Wu Wang expressed his concerns, "Is it not yet possible to break the seal?"

"Simply extracting the Star Dao is not enough to destroy the seal," Cang Xue explained. "Over the years, Candle Dragon has been pressuring the seal with his divine power. This is why Emperor Shun cannot leave the Heaven Palace; they are constantly locked in a struggle."

Wu Wang envisioned the scene of the Heaven Palace above the clouds. The Heavenly Emperor, the Sun Goddess, the Ten Suns, the Head Manager, the Young Master, the Ten Evil Gods, various Innate Gods... Shadowy figures loomed above the Heaven Palace, their feet planted on endless armies of the Hundred Races from the Great Wilderness.

"What about the next Beast Tide?"

"The strangeness of the Star God has caused unrest among them, and the Heaven Palace will launch a total assault on the Human Domain for the Dao of Fire. Before that happens, your mother hopes you can return to the Northern Wilderness." Cang Xue sighed. "Moreover, the Heaven Palace will definitely attempt to disintegrate the Human Domain's power from within. The Ten Evils Hall is just a thorn, but they might not be the only ones. The despicable tactics of the Heaven Palace will be endless. Candle Dragon was defeated by the schemes of the Head Manager back in the day."

Wu Wang took out a communication Jade Talisman, pondered carefully while holding it, and then put it away.

"Mother, I want to do something for the Human Domain. The Northern Wilderness and the Human Domain share weal and woe."

"Ba'er, can divine spirits truly be equal to living beings?" Cang Xue asked softly in return.

"That's a question to bamboozle the Young Master from the Heaven Palace. How would I know the answer?" Wu Wang replied. He released the necklace with his left hand and jumped onto a soft couch nearby, jokingly saying, "Enough talking! I'm going to sleep and see if I can make a breakthrough in several stages!"

Cang Xue responded gently but didn't say much else. In the Starry Sky Temple, she set down the wooden staff in her hand.

Although the conversation was all about dull topics related to divine factions and the greater situation... it was a pleasant parent-child talk.

Cang Xue squinted with a smile, but gradually, she leaned back in her seat, her expression returning to her usual indifference. A soft sigh echoed slowly within the temple.

In that Sect Master's small building, Wu Wang pondered for a while with his arm as a pillow, soon let out a yawn, turned over, and fell asleep.

A breakthrough was impossible; the so-called "dream of breakthroughs" was nothing but a joke. As a proper cultivator who had been running around lately, how could he have so many insights to achieve a breakthrough?

Hmm? The Yan Emperor's command seemed to have experienced some changes again…

Before long, snores began to sound.

And with those snores, ripples like those on the surface of water began to spread slowly around Wu Wang...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.