That senior's wine... it must be fake, right? Thirty-thousand-year-old stuff?

Before the small building, Wu Wang moved a wooden chair to its usual spot. After sitting down, he clutched his forehead and drew in a sharp breath of cold air. This was the third day after getting drunk with his father-in-law, but the splitting headache from such a hangover still hadn't subsided. Looking at the people around him... The day the senior left, everyone he trusted, including the Grand Elder and Elder Miao, had announced they were going into seclusion. He didn't know if the senior had secretly given them some benefits, or if they simply couldn't accept the reality and each needed some time to digest it.

Was it really that big a deal to just have a drink with someone from the Shennong Family? Enough to get this worked up?

"AH—HISS—"

Wu Wang moaned softly, holding his forehead. He recalled the time when he was five or six years old and had fallen into General Xiong San's family wine jar. This headache was even worse than that incident.

In front of him, several temporary guards stood with their backs to the Sect Master, all wanting to laugh but not daring to make a sound.

'If you make the Sect Master unhappy, your Spirit Stones will be deducted!' Yang's warning still echoed in their ears.

A commotion still filled the Sect's grounds. A group of drunkards, arms linked, bounced around, performing an ancient prayer dance of the Human Domain. The new Disciples were also unable to focus on their cultivation; they wandered about in pairs and groups, chatting, laughing, chasing each other, and generally having a grand time.

And not far from the Sect Master's residence, which was still under construction, a pond enveloped in multiple Mana Barriers held dozens of beautiful, youthful-looking sorceresses from the Black Desire Door frolicking in the water.

What a pity. Such a shame. As a proper Sect Master, even if he could look, he wouldn't spare them a second glance. Not to mention... he couldn't see through the Barriers anyway.

Wu Wang extended his Spiritual Sense beyond the Sect's boundaries. He observed this region of barren mountains and treacherous rivers, where small and medium-sized Demonic Sects gathered. Everywhere, jubilant crowds celebrated the victory in the Northern Region in various ways.

He imagined the atmosphere across the entire Human Domain was likely the same.

The senior had told him to lie low during this 'storm' and report to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion in a few months.

This so-called 'storm' probably referred to these widespread celebrations throughout the Human Domain.

This battle, regardless of whether it was a scheme by the Heaven Palace, was undeniably a victory for the Human Domain. Wu Wang vaguely remembered saying while drinking that if His Majesty the Human Emperor could temper this celebratory atmosphere, it would be an opportune moment to hold ceremonies honoring the ancestors. He wondered if the Human Emperor would consider his suggestion.

"Suqing..." Ah, I almost forgot, she went into seclusion.

Wu Wang was about to brew himself a pot of tea when he realized the tea leaves and tea set were all in Lin Suqing's personal Storage magic treasure.

Never mind, I can endure it. A Cultivator at the Ascending Immortal Realm isn't going to die of thirst just because there's no tea.

After rubbing his forehead vigorously for a while, Wu Wang sat in the chair and spaced out. He didn't want to think about anything. Just sitting like this allowed his spiritual mind to relax completely, and the world before his eyes seemed to grow much brighter.

Next time I drink with that senior, I must use wine from the Northern Wilderness. That thirty-thousand-year-old 'Daoist liquor'... it has more of a kick than fake stuff!

"Sect Master! Are you sober now?"

A voice called out. It was Mao Aowu, leaping down from the sky, his silver hair fluttering lightly behind him. His hearty laughter drew sidelong glances from many junior Disciples within the Sect.

Wu Wang yawned and said, "Half-awake... What's up? Any good news?"

Mao Aowu asked, "The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion is hosting a grand banquet for heroes. Are you going?"

"No," Wu Wang replied weakly. "I'll go to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion in a few months. If I go now, it'll just be drinking and chatting, watching a bunch of people boast and joke around."

Mao Aowu's expression became somewhat awkward. "Then I'll send a message right away declining the invitation. I'll say you're in seclusion, cultivating to break through to the Immortal Realm."

"PHEW—" Wu Wang exhaled deeply, pulling out a Jade Talisman. He focused on the insights into the Dao of Stars left behind by a certain Daoist cultivator.

"Elder Mao, didn't you say you were going into seclusion? Why are you out after only a few days?"

"Actually, I didn't gain any particular insights," Mao Aowu said. "I just wanted some quiet. The previous incident had a rather large impact on me." He looked around and then transmitted his voice, "Sect Master, have you forgotten what happened towards the end, when you were drinking with that... esteemed person?"

"I remember, of course. Singing songs, bragging, cursing Gods—what else could have happened?" Wu Wang tried hard to recall. He was sure he hadn't blacked out, though some images were a bit fuzzy. He asked, "Don't tell me I... got into a fight with that esteemed person *again*?"

"A fight?" Mao Aowu was stunned, his voice quivering slightly. "What exactly do you mean? A fight with... that esteemed person? But... why did you say 'again'?"

Wu Wang shook his head and answered seriously, "I'm sure I didn't fight."

"Of course, you couldn't fight him!" Mao Aowu hurriedly said. "How could you possibly fight? If you fought with that esteemed person, I... this subordinate would be torn between loyalty and righteousness! I wouldn't know whose side to take!"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow, clutching the Jade Talisman in his palm, and said with a sly smile, "Then if it really came to a fight, Elder Mao, whose side would you take?"

Mao Aowu's mouth fell open, and he froze on the spot, wishing he could slap himself. "Sect—Sect Master, I... I have some matters to attend to at my branch pavilion..."

Wu Wang sighed theatrically. "Ah, some people... it wouldn't be the first time they've betrayed their Sect Master."

Mao Aowu, drenched in sweat, beat a hasty retreat. He rode the clouds out of the Annihilation Sect Formation and sped away on his Giant Sword, his retreating figure decidedly flustered.

Wu Wang burst into laughter, which eased his headache considerably.

Oh well. He wasn't some kind of devil, after all. Constantly asking such questions really was a good way to lose friends. So, it wasn't just Mao Aowu. The others had probably used seclusion as an excuse to earnestly process what had happened. To be fair, the old senior rarely moved about in the Human Domain these days. He gave off an impression of being aloof—the spiritual pillar and protective deity of the Human Domain. Coming into close contact with him must have indeed been a shock for them. But the old senior had no need to deliberately maintain his dignity. Whether he was approachable or standoffish, it didn't change the fact that he was the strongest in the Human Domain.

Reflecting on the old senior's words, 'My kith and kin have passed,' one couldn't help but taste the bitterness of countless untold sorrows. The era of the Shennong Family had passed. The old senior had endured so much to protect the Human Domain, hoping those who followed in his shadow could soon stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Is longevity truly a good thing? The answer to that question clearly varied, but 'longevity in solitude' certainly couldn't be considered a good thing.

Wu Wang chuckled, stretched his limbs, crossed his legs, and leaned back in the wooden chair. Accompanied by the laughter from the valley and the slowly westward-slanting sunlight, he contemplated the profundities of the Dao Realm and appreciated the marvels of all creation.

It wasn't until dusk, as the sun set, that Wu Wang put away the Jade Talisman. He carefully savored the many insights he had just gained, delighted by their subtleties, yet unsure how he could possibly convey such wonders to others.

"Sect Master!"

A familiar voice, a familiar tone. Wu Wang looked up to see Mao Aowu returning, a Flying Shuttle commonly seen in the Human Domain army hovering above his head.

Mao Aowu landed directly in front of the small building and said urgently, "People from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion have come to fetch you. This subordinate already declined for you earlier, but it seems Pavilion Master Liu himself personally requested your presence. He wants you to make a trip."

"Hmm?" Wu Wang was in a good mood. He would inevitably have to work with Pavilion Master Liu in the future, so if Pavilion Master Liu sent people to fetch him, it was only right to extend him this courtesy. He glanced at his attire. Although it wasn't extraordinary, there was nothing disrespectful about it.

"Then let's go."

As Wu Wang got up to leave, the necklace on his chest became slightly warm, and faint ripples appeared on his Spirit Platform.

A warning?

"Who came to fetch me, and what are their cultivation levels?"

"Two Heavenly Immortals and six True Immortals."

Mao Aowu said, "There are many Immortals in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. This subordinate only recognizes one of them, a Heavenly Immortal named Shi Liangying. I'm not very familiar with the others."

Is there something wrong with these eight people?

Wu Wang pondered. His first thought, naturally, was to ask the Grand Elder to protect him secretly while he boarded the Flying Shuttle to size these fellows up.

But such a plan... was actually a bit risky, an unnecessary risk to take. If they were spies from the Ten Evils Hall, trying to take advantage of the Human Domain's widespread complacency to strike at him—the Sect Master of a Demonic Sect, currently at the Third Grade of Dreams—then all he needed was a little evidence to interrogate them.

Thoughts raced through his mind, and Wu Wang quickly made up his mind.

Wu Wang's brow furrowed slightly as he sighed, "Why only two Heavenly Immortals? Whenever this Sect Master goes out, don't I always have ten or eight Heavenly Immortals accompanying me?"

Mao Aowu's forehead practically sprouted question marks. He mumbled, "Sect Master, even if we count everyone in our Sect, we don't have..."

"AHEM," Wu Wang cleared his throat. "Go invite the Grand Elder out of seclusion. I'll go borrow a few household guards from the Lin Family. How many can that Flying Shuttle seat?"

"About a dozen should be enough."

"Oh? Then a dozen Heavenly Immortals accompanying me should be plenty."

Wu Wang muttered to himself and, with his hands clasped behind his back, walked towards the area where the Lin Family's expert Cultivators resided and trained.

From a second-story window, a small head peeked out, eyes brimming with eagerness, yet tinged with worry.

"Looks like Quiz Head forgot why I'm here, huh? I'm supposed to be his guard, y'know!"

Dongfang Mumu's small face showed her inner conflict for a moment. Then, she raised a hand and cast a Barrier around Lin Suqing, who was cultivating in the corner, to ensure her safety. After that, she grabbed her Short Sword and leaped out of the window.

"Quiz Head! Take me with you!"

Without turning his head, Wu Wang called back, "Go wait outside the Mountain Protection Array. I've called for people; we'll be there shortly."

At the same time, Wu Wang's Spiritual Sense carefully scanned the area and found Miao Cuijiao trying on new makeup at her dressing table. He sent her a telepathic message with a few instructions, asking her to help look after Lin Suqing, whose cultivation was relatively low.

So, apart from Suqing, Ji Mo, and Lin Qi, the others hadn't actually gone into seclusion for insights. They were just hiding away to digest the shock from the past few days.

「A moment later.」

The silver-gray Flying Shuttle was packed with Heavenly Immortals.

...

"Excuse me, squeeze in a bit, there's room for one more here."

"Sorry, sorry, my Sect just has too many experts."

"Esteemed Senior, could I trouble you to swap this large cushion for a smaller one? Or perhaps we could share?"

Amiable and cheerful, there was the Transcendent Realm Grand Elder in a red robe; the silver-haired young man, Mao Aowu, with a Giant Sword on his back; the little Dongfang Mumu; plus two Annihilation Sect Elders of the Heavenly Immortal Realm and six Lin Family household guards clad in Battle Armor. All in all, there were just eleven experts accompanying them.

Wu Wang was the last one to squeeze into the Flying Shuttle. As he entered, the eight Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion all looked over. They found Wu Wang quite striking at that moment; he wore a suit of golden Battle Armor that left only his head visible. Upon closer inspection with their senses, this precious armor seemed to contain inexhaustible power, faintly resonating with Heaven and Earth. It was clearly an extraordinary treasure.

"Then," Wu Wang glanced around, took out a cushion, and placed it in the only available central spot of the Flying Shuttle. "I'll sit here."

The eight Immortals from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion exchanged glances. Their expressions remained normal, but cold sweat had already appeared on their foreheads.

Inwardly, Wu Wang was somewhat puzzled. He didn't sense any aura of Evil God's blood on these eight individuals. Yet the warning from his mother was genuine. It clearly indicated that there was something wrong with these people, and that the problem was within his ability to handle. Otherwise, Mother would have spoken up to warn me not to fall into a trap or venture into danger.

He urged, "Let's get going! What if we're late for the banquet?"

GULP. The female Immortal named Shi Liangying's voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "Sect Master Wuwang, we are heading to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. With such an entourage..."

"Is it too small?" Wu Wang looked towards the Lin Family household guards. "Should we call for some more elite Immortal Soldiers from the True Immortal Realm?"

One of them immediately responded, "This subordinate will go at once!"

"N-no, that's not it," Shi Liangying hurriedly interjected. "This is already enough. It's just that such a grand entourage... it might be somewhat inappropriate."

Wu Wang smiled. "His Majesty the Human Emperor has won a great victory. Everyone is happy and wants to go to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to join the festivities, right?"

Over a dozen Heavenly Immortals nodded in unison, declaring, "The Sect Master is right!"

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of the eight experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

What was this Wu Wangzi up to? If he had seen through their plot, he should be counter-scheming or directly moving to take them down. If he hadn't seen through their plot, why bring so many experts and even don such precious Battle Armor? A... persuasion-to-surrender tactic?

"Depart!"

With a grand wave of his hand, Wu Wang set the Flying Shuttle trembling thrice as it slowly flew in a northwest direction.

Of course, there was no such thing as overloading a Magic Treasure.

They had barely flown a few li when Wu Wang suddenly said, "Grand Elder, this Flying Shuttle is too slow. Why don't you take control yourself?"

"Excellent," the Grand Elder responded with a smile, nodding. Before anyone else could speak, he had already placed his palm on the wall of the Flying Shuttle. In the next instant, a Transcendent aura completely enveloped the shuttle, severing all contact between the eight people inside and the outside world.

Wu Wang covertly observed the reactions of Shi Liangying and the others. Seeing them grow increasingly restless, he largely understood the situation.

The banquet at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was undoubtedly real, but it wasn't certain that Pavilion Master Liu had actually invited him. This must be a plot by the Ten Evils Hall to eliminate him. These eight were meant to lure him out of the Annihilation Sect, and there would surely be other ambushes on the way to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. If he had only brought two or three Heavenly Immortals from the Annihilation Sect, or a True Immortal guard like Yang Wudi, would he have been able to withstand it? Definitely not. Using eight spies at once—the Ten Evils Hall had really invested heavily this time. After all, Human race Immortals who weren't corrupted by Evil God's blood yet still obeyed their commands couldn't be numerous. From the perspective of covert operations, these individuals were many times more valuable than 'experts of the same rank' who had been transformed by Evil God's blood.

"Elder Mao, which one is your acquaintance, Daoist Friend Shi Liangying?"

Mao Aowu was about to speak when Shi Liangying—clad in a Daoist robe, with regular features—interjected, "Sect Master Wuwang, I am she."

"A pleasure to meet you," Wu Wang clasped his hands. "May I ask what position you hold in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, Daoist Friend?"

"I am a Fourth Grade Internal Affairs Steward," Shi Liangying hastily replied, "two ranks lower than Elder Mao."

Mao Aowu smiled. "A branch Pavilion Master is Sixth or Seventh Grade. The rank of an inspection immortal envoy corresponds to that of an Internal Affairs Steward."

Wu Wang asked, "Then what about a Vice Pavilion Master of the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

"That would naturally be Eighth Grade."

Wu Wang nodded, his face hidden behind his golden visor, a smile playing on his lips. He was about to continue the casual conversation when the Grand Elder sent a telepathic message, informing him that a Formation seemed to be hidden between two mountain peaks up ahead.

Wu Wang smiled. "What was that you said, Grand Elder?"

The Grand Elder understood, stroking his beard and chuckling. "About three hundred li ahead, on our path, a Formation lies hidden. Judging from the fluctuations of Spiritual Power, it appears to be a combination of a trapping array and a killing array. If the Formation is activated, Heaven and Earth will be disturbed, and it will be able to isolate this area from the probings of Heaven and Earth for a period."

Shi Liangying immediately said, "Perhaps someone has set an ambush. We should take a detour. It's best to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"An ambush?" Wu Wang lifted the visor of his Golden Armor, his expression serious. "In this clear Heaven and Earth, in such a peaceful rear area of the Human Domain, why would anyone set an ambush here? Daoist Friend, you are from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. How can you stand by and ignore such wicked deeds?"

Shi Liangying hurriedly said, "We should hurry to..."

"Enough talk!" Wu Wang cut Shi Liangying off, an aura of righteousness seeming to glow around him. "Near my Annihilation Sect, I will not allow any nefarious Duels to occur! Grand Elder, conceal our auras. Only reveal the auras of the eight experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and mine. Everyone else, prepare for a Duel! Prioritize your own safety, but if possible, capture them alive."

"Yes!" The experts responded in unison. Wu Wang gave the Grand Elder a meaningful look, and the Grand Elder immediately understood.

The faces of Shi Liangying and her seven companions grew increasingly pale; by now, they were nearly out of their wits.

They had indeed arranged a trap. To be safe, they had painstakingly gathered a large force of elite troops in hiding here. Their plan was to lure Wu Wang into the Formation, eliminate his guards as quickly as possible, kill him, and then disperse and vanish. But in their estimations... where did the Annihilation Sect get so many Heavenly Immortals? And this Transcendent Realm Grand Elder acted almost like Wu Wangzi's attendant! Don't Transcendents usually hide away, focusing solely on cultivation and ignoring worldly affairs? How could this be!

"We're about to enter the range of the grand Formation." The Grand Elder's words had barely faded when the Flying Shuttle trembled lightly. Heaven and Earth seemed to spin, and illusory mountain ranges appeared out of nowhere, causing them to instantly lose their sense of direction.

A trapping Formation!

At that very moment, dozens of streaks of light shot from the forests on both sides towards the Flying Shuttle. Wu Wang sensed the aura of Evil God's blood.

It really was the Ten Evils Hall. To deal with me, they've certainly mobilized a lot of manpower this time.

The Heavenly Immortals inside the Flying Shuttle had already grasped their Magic Treasures and risen, bodies tensed in preparation. Shi Liangying and her companions also gripped their Magic Treasures tightly, adopting a stance as if ready to charge out and fight.

Wu Wang suddenly said, "Those from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, no need to make a move. They're just a rabble... Strike!"

With a sharp cry, he suddenly punched the floor of the Flying Shuttle beneath him. The Flying Shuttle unexpectedly exploded outwards, and more than ten figures from Wu Wang's side, led by the Grand Elder, shot out in all directions.

"Capture them all!"

The attackers, who had appeared as streaks of light, were clearly caught off guard. The Transcendent's oppressive might bore down, instantly crushing their will to fight.

But at that moment, Shi Liangying's eyes narrowed slightly. The gazes of all eight of them fell on Wu Wang, who was sitting cross-legged, suspended in mid-air. Suddenly, Shi Liangying's eyes gleamed with an enchanting red light. Her slender tongue flicked inside her mouth, and she bit down on a whistle-like object with her silver teeth, aiming it at Wu Wang's neck.

WHOOSH— A streak of black light shot out. It was immediately followed by a DING as the silver needle ricocheted off the Golden Armor, leaving not a single mark.

Wu Wang turned his head, somewhat bewildered. "What was that noise?"

Shi Liangying froze, while the other seven already had a murderous glint in their eyes.

"HMPH!" A cold snort came from the side.

The eight turned their heads, only to see the little girl who had boarded the shuttle with them. She was now casually strolling through the air with a Short Sword in hand, merely a few dozen zhang away from them. It was none other than Dongfang Mumu.

Dongfang Mumu's figure flashed, leaving behind trails of afterimages. Sword light flashed as those afterimages swept around the eight of them. Her movements—drawing her sword, thrusting—were simple, efficient, and incredibly sharp. When her figure reappeared, she was already standing in front of Wu Wang, slowly pushing her Short Sword back into its Scabbard.

Around them, the eight figures tilted backward, their Primordial Spirits already sealed and bound together by an Immortal Rope, left suspended in mid-air.

"That's it?" Dongfang Mumu muttered. "Why did you even bother wearing that precious Battle Armor? You just needlessly exposed its existence to the Ten Evils Hall."

"Just being careful with my life." With a thought from Wu Wang, the precious Battle Armor retracted into his Spirit Platform, where it continued to be nurtured by his Divine Thought. He looked around and realized the Duel was already nearing its end; it had been a completely one-sided capture.

Wu Wang chuckled. "Next time the Ten Evils Hall wants to deal with me, they should probably send a couple of bigger fish. Of course, if they realize the difficulty and decide to stop targeting me, that would be even better."

Dongfang Mumu blinked and grumbled, "I knew it, Quiz Head! You're always up to something sneaky!"

Wu Wang pulled a practice workbook with a light blue cover from his sleeve. Dongfang Mumu immediately leaped away, nearly colliding with Mao Aowu, who was hurrying back.

"Sect Master! What should we do with these people?"

"You take them and claim the merit. Have the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion send people to pick them up."

Mao Aowu's old face reddened as he hurriedly said, "Oh, that's rather embarrassing."

"Then just kill them all. We're unlikely to get any useful information out of them anyway."

"Claim the merit! I'll take them to claim the merit!" Mao Aowu hastily yelled, then gave Wu Wang a grin. "Sect Master, I haven't forgotten what you instructed me to do. It just feels a bit... awkward."

Wu Wang chuckled and teased him for a bit, reminding him that to get by in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, he needed to have a thick skin. Mao Aowu readily agreed.

Having broken the Ten Evils Hall's scheme, Wu Wang had no further intention of heading north. His Majesty the Human Emperor had instructed him to report to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion in a few months, and Wu Wang naturally treasured this period of leave. Although reporting to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was mostly a formality—he wouldn't actually be handling miscellaneous tasks—it was still an official duty. He would inevitably be at the beck and call of the senior figures there.

Oh well. For the sake of this sincere father-in-law and son-in-law relationship, I'll just have to endure it.

...

「Meanwhile, just as Wu Wang was once again thwarting the nefarious individuals of the Ten Evils Hall...」

「In the western border region of the Human Domain, in a mountain city situated a few hundred li behind the long border wall, within an opulent and stately General's residence...」

Xue Kailong sat quietly on a meditation cushion in his room. The Spirit Array around him emitted dense Spiritual Energy, yet his body trembled slightly, and a faint cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Brother Lin, I'm on your side, why do you... Brother Lin..."

CRACK!

Suddenly, thunder flashed and lightning crackled outside. Xue Kailong's body trembled violently as a wisp of black qi drilled up from the earth and merged into him. At the same time, a somewhat vague voice resonated from the depths of Xue Kailong's heart.

"Don't you wish to shock the world with a single brilliant feat and become the successor to the Human Emperor? In truth, you are not in the least bit inferior to that Lin Qi."

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