"If Qiong Qi were to seek revenge, where would it start?"

As Wu Wang chatted and drank with Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi, he pondered this question continuously.

If Qiong Qi were to seek revenge, where would it start?

It wasn't that he was afraid of that creature Qiong Qi. What a joke! He was the Young Master of the second largest clan of the Northern Wilderness, the Sect Master of the Demonic Sect, a bearer of the Star God's bloodline, and the son of the respected Lady Cang Xue. Would he be afraid of a minor divine beast elevated by the Heaven Palace?

It was just a bit of necessary caution.

Qiong Qi's true form didn't dare show itself in the Human Domain; it was more the sort to sneak around causing trouble. All he needed to do was to strengthen the Dao hearts of the people around him, keep everyone's mood cheerful, and not dwell on too many dark thoughts, and Qiong Qi would find no opportunities to exploit.

In that case, were Demonic Cultivators generally more susceptible to Qiong Qi's control?

Wu Wang mulled over this carefully.

Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi, clearly noticing Wu Wang's concern, maintained his high and unbothered demeanor, laughing as he reassured Wu Wang with a few words.

This is how the esteemed senior persuaded him:

"Alas, Master Liu's actions this time were indeed a bit underhanded. How could he just announce information about you like that?

You're still not at a very high level of cultivation. Isn't this just his roundabout way of telling you that going forward, only the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion will be safe, thereby threatening you to scheme and toil for him?

Or maybe, that guy is just extremely crafty. You've helped him so significantly, yet he still schemes against you like this. Is he really trying to elevate you?"

"Stop, please, senior, stop."

Wu Wang forced an awkward smile.

We're all centuries-old foxes here, so what's with the strange tales!

If I don't help the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion with advice and strategy, should I then help your Four Seas Pavilion and my own Mining Alliance with business?

The Four Seas Pavilion is out of the question. With the former Pavilion Master there, the old crone who confronted Elder Shen Nong, even if Yang Wudi were beaten to death, Wu Wang would never step foot in there!

That's how resolute I am!

"Not to hide it from Pavilion Master Feng, but Pavilion Master Liu has something I desire," Wu Wang admitted.

He continued, "I merely took advantage of the situation this time, and at best, let Qiong Qi suffer a small loss. It's not really anything worthy of pride. Pavilion Master Liu wants me to devise strategies, but I don't know what advice to offer or what plan to concoct."

"You're too modest, my friend, too modest," the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion praised. "Using Qiong Qi's hand to remove the thorn that the Ten Evils Hall had driven into the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was already a brilliant strategy!"

"You flatter me."

Wu Wang shook his head repeatedly, thinking of how to change the subject, then asked, "Why has the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion been so deeply infiltrated by spies?"

The Grand Elder, who had been silent all this while, picked up the wine jar and spoke indifferently, "The Human Domain is such a vital place, and it's almost been turned into a sieve by the Ten Evils Hall."

"This..."

Feng Zhizi stroked his beard and hummed softly, sighing as he said, "Before the Ten Evils Hall was exposed, we had no idea about these spies. How could we have guarded against them?"

"Is that so?"

Wu Wang looked suddenly enlightened and laughed, "So, you're saying the Ten Evils Hall's top priority is to infiltrate the power core of the Human Domain? And only then do they spread destruction?"

"Exactly, their most important task must indeed be to ascertain the foundations of the Human Domain."

Feng Zhizi said slowly,

"Beyond the Human Domain, the humans of the other regions, aside from the Northern and Western Wilderness, have mostly suffered hardships.

The Hall Masters of the Ten Evils Hall, the Elders, and others are all humans from outside the domain, tormented, bred, and controlled by the Evil Gods—they are all unfortunate souls.

Regrettably, we now stand on opposite sides, and it's impossible to feel even a shred of compassion when dealing with them."

"There's no need to feel any compassion for them. The fault lies with the Heaven Palace," Wu Wang said with a laugh.

"Speaking of the humans outside the Human Domain, an elder mentioned to me before that there was a proposal to move all the humans from the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness to the Human Domain. This would unite the strength of the humans against the Heaven Palace.

I wonder if you, Elder Feng, support this initiative?"

"I oppose such a move."

"Could you share why you oppose it?" Wu Wang asked.

"This is a long story..."

Feng Zhizi hummed slightly and then sighed.

"The most fundamental reason is that the future of the Human Domain is uncertain.

At present, the Human Domain seems to be thriving, with mortals and immortals living together, a vast population, and numerous Immortals. Yet, its strength has not reached the level of Emperor Fuxi's time.

Today, the number of Transcendent experts is still less than what it was at the peak of the Human Domain. Thankfully, the Human Emperor has reached the pinnacle realm that Emperor Fuxi once attained.

The two paths that the human race is currently taking are more advantageous for us.

If the Human Domain's resistance against the Heaven Palace fails, at least the remaining humans can continue to live alongside the Hundred Races.

And..."

And?

Wu Wang listened with rapt attention, his expression serious.

Feng Zhizi raised his hand slightly, and a Barrier of immortal power enveloped the two of them, isolating Grand Elder, Lin Suqing, and Immortal Mu outside.

Feng Zhizi spoke softly,

"According to the information obtained by the Four Seas Pavilion, there seems to be a change with the Northern Wilderness Star God. The Heaven Palace had previously sent several lesser gods from the Western Wilderness to probe, but they were scared off by your mother. The divine power of the Star God is not much different from its peak.

Now the Heaven Palace is also somewhat puzzled, not knowing the actual condition of the Star God.

According to rumors in the Heaven Palace, the Star God was severely injured in the recent Divine War, but without her desperate fight, there would be no Heaven Palace today. The gods of the Heaven Palace hold great respect and also considerable fear for the Star God.

When His Majesty last saw Young Master, you were also present, young friend. You must be privy to many insider details, so I won't hide anything from you.

To maintain one of the seals, the Heaven Palace at least needs to ensure that either the Dao of Fire in the Human Domain or the Star Dao of the Northern Wilderness is under their control.

Young friend, what do you think? Will the Heaven Palace deal a deadly blow to the Human Domain, or will they strike at the Northern Wilderness?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wang raised an eyebrow.

Although he knew the answer to the question, he deliberately said, "The Northern Wilderness?"

"It should be a simultaneous move."

Feng Zhizi picked up his wine pot and drank the remaining wine in one gulp, speaking slowly,

"Regardless of whether there is a change with the Northern Wilderness Star God, the Heaven Palace is eagerly seeking to recover the Dao of Fire from the Human Domain.

The prolonged battles with the Human Domain over the years have left the Heaven Palace thoroughly weary.

The previous raid led by the Head Manager with a handful of divine spirits was actually meant to give the gods of the Heaven Palace a chance to vent, essentially to lose to the Human Domain on purpose.

At this moment, the Heaven Palace now harbors a murderous intent towards the Human Domain, and even the few goddesses who initially opposed the destruction of the Human Domain have stopped voicing their objections.

This is part of the Head Manager's strategy, showing weakness to the Human Domain and pressuring the gods of the Heaven Palace...

The great battle is predicted to arrive in a hundred years."

After pondering for a while, Wu Wang smiled and said, "Listening to your words, senior, it seems that the Four Seas Pavilion also has its spies in the Heaven Palace?"

"The Heaven Palace is not just filled with gods."

Feng Zhizi lightly skipped over this topic, speaking gently,

"They will probably still test the Northern Wilderness to confirm the condition of the Star God.

The biggest trouble for the Heaven Palace right now is that the Heavenly Emperor is essentially bound to the Heaven Palace and cannot leave, or at least cannot stay away from the Heaven Palace for long.

One cannot rule out the possibility of the Heavenly Emperor descending to the Human Domain when the Heaven Palace launches a full-scale attack... But young friend, you need not worry too much; our Human Domain also has backups.

However, when the time comes, I fear there will be endless death and injury in the Human Domain."

After a pause, Feng Zhizi looked at Wu Wang and said warmly,

"I tell you so much, young friend, really just to let you know—the Four Seas Pavilion does not merely provide cultivation resources for the Human Domain.

We stand across the Four Seas, directly responsible to His Majesty, have the affairs of the Hundred Races at our fingertips, and can even glimpse into the secrets of the Heaven Palace.

Why not consider it?"

This Daoist was nearly wearing the words "Join me in a grand endeavor" on his face.

Wu Wang seriously considered it for a while. Indeed, an 'intelligence agency' like the Four Seas Pavilion was enticing. Compared to the mundane and tedious internal affairs of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, the tasks of the Four Seas Pavilion were exciting and could satisfy his thirst for knowledge.

But Wu Wang asked, "Master Feng, can you get the corpse of the Evil God that's in Master Liu's hands?"

"That might be a bit difficult."

"Then I'm afraid I have no choice," Wu Wang picked up his wine cup. "I'll just have to continue whiling away my time in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

"That? I wouldn't want to force you, so be it then."

Feng Zhizi shook his head and chuckled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He's probably pondering how to snatch the Evil God's corpse from Liu Baiyi.

Wu Wang and the others had been personally invited back by Liu Baiyi.

No sooner had Feng Zhizi left than Daoist Xiao Jian rushed over with a large number of experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, startling all the cultivators in the great city, who thought they might have been harboring an evildoer from the Ten Evils Hall.

Wu Wang, feeling indignant, simply drank tea and listened to music in the tavern while sending Immortal Mu to guard outside the loft. Anyone who dared to barge in would have their hair directly chopped off.

This standoff lasted half a day.

After the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion had gained several bald immortals, Liu Baiyi finally came drifting over on a cloud, quite leisurely.

This Pavilion Master, who was almost at the summit of officialdom, apologized to Wu Wang with all due ceremony and repeatedly assured him that he wouldn't be given any strenuous or tiresome tasks; instead, he was simply invited to enjoy a life of ease in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

Taking advantage of the situation, Wu Wang obliged and returned to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to cultivate.

As per Wu Wang's request, the inauguration ceremony was kept simple. He just made an appearance at the Punishment Hall and then went back to his residence to cultivate in seclusion, refusing all visits for half a month.

The matter of Qiong Qi became a joking topic among the immortals of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

However, Wu Wang was quite interested in those from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion who had followed Xue Kailong.

Wu Wang sent his regards a few times and also took the initiative to invite these people for a meal, lest they harbor any grudges.

The human heart is truly the most elusive thing.

Wu Wang did not insist on anything; he simply did what he ought to do, seeking only a clear conscience.

Xue Kailong had the most tragic fate; after days of unconsciousness, he woke up only to find his divine soul weakened and his Nascent Soul listless. It would take at least a hundred years of recuperation before he could continue his cultivation journey.

Actually, the most awkward situation was that of Xue Kailong's parents.

Wu Wang had originally intended to pay them a visit but felt that his presence would be like rubbing salt into their wounds. After much contemplation, he instead wrote a letter and asked the Grand Elder to deliver it personally.

Adversity should be resolved and not worsened; Xue Kailong was merely exploited by Qiong Qi due to a flaw in his Dao heart. He himself was not at fault.

This incident should serve as a wakeup call for the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

After formally assuming the role of acting Hall Master of the Punishment Hall for half a month, Wu Wang, under the name of the Punishment Hall, released an article—

"Several Suggestions on Strengthening the Dao Heart Construction of Human Domain Cultivators."

Once the article reached the Immortal Mortal Hall and was presented to Master Liu, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion quickly began to promote its contents. Among the numerous suggestions listed, the key points were these:

Firstly, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion should spread awareness of the dangers of the Qiong Qi beast throughout the Human Domain and launch an "All-Dao Hearts, Purge Mind Demons" campaign to guard against fire, theft, and Qiong Qi.

Secondly, the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, its branch pavilions, various sects, and major cities should set up "Dao Heart Observation Chambers," employing gentle-natured Fairy Immortals and male immortals, who would provide Dao heart guidance to cultivators seeking help.

Thirdly, to encourage collective wisdom and effort, anyone who could create a magic treasure that detects the aura of evil gods or develop a cultivation technique that protects the Dao heart would be rewarded by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, with the honorary title "Vanquisher of Qiong Qi · Guardian of the Human Domain" bestowed on them…

Specifically targeted? It was nothing short of madness.

As the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was spreading the news of the Qiong Qi invasion across the Human Domain, the Four Seas Pavilion also began disseminating this information throughout the Great Wilderness and, tacitly or overtly, leaked it to the Heaven Palace.

According to the messages Wu Wang received thereafter, it seemed that Qiong Qi had been summoned to the Heaven Palace...

In short, it was all very frustrating.

Throughout this entire time, Wu Wang hadn't received any hints from his mother; evidently, she didn't consider an evil god like Qiong Qi to be a significant concern.

His conversation with Feng Zhizi had made Wu Wang worry somewhat about his mother's situation.

Only he and Elder Shen Nong knew about his mother's probable background.

The Heaven Palace, wary of the Star God, was only probing cautiously around the edges for now and had not yet gone directly to the Starry Sky Temple to question.

But if the gods of Heaven Palace did go to question, could Mother cope?

Since returning to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, Wu Wang had reached for the necklace several times, wanting to ask if his mother had any plans to deal with the situation.

But he stopped himself, realizing that asking would only make him feel at ease; it wouldn't actually help his mother in any way.

Elder Shen Nong had once said that if Wu Wang had been born three thousand years earlier, he could have altered so much.

Wu Wang felt the same way.

He wished that he was not just a few decades old but rather a few millennia old. That way, he would be stronger than he was now, when all he could do was devise strategies and come up with ideas.

No, that's not right. Mother succeeded to the Sun Ritual after giving birth to me, and her publicly known Lifespan is only a few hundred years...

Wu Wang remembered the custom of the Bear Hug Clan—the chief's spouse becoming the Sun Ritual or the Head Priest.

This was the tie that linked the priestly powers to the chief's bloodline. Before inheriting the role of Sun Ritual, a mother must give birth to an heir for the clan.

After becoming the Sun Ritual, she would inevitably act against the Star God, thereby stirring the affairs of the Great Wilderness.

In other words, he was destined to face the current situation at the age of just a few decades.

Sigh...

"Young Master, what's wrong?"

Lin Suqing floated over with her hands behind her back.

Standing by the window and lost in thought, Wu Wang smiled and said gently, "One link follows another, and I am still a player within this game, unable to see the whole picture."

"The whole picture?"

Lin Suqing asked softly, "Are you referring to dealing with these evil gods and matters of the Dao heart?"

Wu Wang clasped his hands behind him, looking out the window with a serene expression, "If we're going to bother with something, it should be the Dao hearts of innate gods. After all, evil gods are ultimately weaker."

"Really?"

Lin Suqing leaned forward, getting close to Wu Wang, looking up at his expression, and whispered, "Have you decided to go toe-to-toe with the Heaven Palace?"

"There's no longer a path of retreat," he said, his eyes filled with emotion. Wu Wang intentionally teased her, "Suqing, if on this path we ultimately fail one day..."

"Hush, hush, hush," Lin Suqing hastily interjected. "You shouldn't say such things! Young Master, don't worry, the Human Emperor is invincible!"

Wu Wang pressed, "I'm saying 'if.'"

After humming thoughtfully and standing straight to ponder carefully for a while, Lin Suqing's eyes filled with earnestness, and she finally said resolutely,

"Then…I will take good care of your grave! I will weed and water the flowers every day, play music for a few hours, and even sing songs, so you won't feel bored!"

VWOOM—

Wu Wang's eyes radiated bright red light. Just as he was about to use the Praying Star Technique, Lin Suqing nimbly jumped aside, her giggles ringing in the air.

"If it comes down to it, I'll join you there. Young Master, don't be angry, okay?"

This old auntie is getting more and more irritating!

Who did she learn this from?!

Suddenly, Master Liu's voice was heard from outside the door:

"Hehehe, am I disturbing you two? Wu Wang, come with me for a moment."

Wu Wang loosened his shoulders, glared at Lin Suqing, and cursed,

"I'll deal with you when I come back!"

Making a face, Lin Suqing, who as a cultivator of the Spiritual Silence Realm had no fear of such threats, floated back to the second floor, even humming a light tune.

Outside the attic, Liu Baiyi's laughter bloomed like a bright chrysanthemum as he winked at Wu Wang.

The elder straightforwardly said, "Do you want to change your Maidens?"

"Forget it, she's attentive. A beating will set her straight!" Wu Wang calmed himself down. "Pavilion Master, what do you need me for?"

"Let's go. Starting today, I'll teach you the methods of Body Cultivation."

Liu Baiyi beckoned and said,

"Follow me. I've been modifying this cultivation place for you to hide your secrets from prying eyes.

It has taken quite a bit of manpower, with several Transcendent experts personally setting up powerful Formations for you!

I haven't been stingy with you, have I?"

"Pavilion Master, you've been very thoughtful. Where is this place?"

"Below ground. The only entrance is at my residence."

Hearing Liu Baiyi's words, Wu Wang began to feel a tinge of anticipation.

Wu Wang followed the esteemed Pavilion Master to a nearby warm pavilion. He watched as Liu Baiyi pushed aside a bookshelf, triggering a Formation and revealing a path leading downwards...

Stepping in felt like entering the stars. The path was flanked by stone walls, but it gave Wu Wang the impression of an empty expanse.

The sophistication of the Formation was readily apparent.

They descended hundreds of feet, passing through six distinct Formations, until they finally reached an underground palace.

A cultivator at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal Realm could move mountains and fill seas; carving out such an underground palace was no difficult feat. The layout here was simple—a row of low stone houses, and the rest was flat open space.

Rare was the powerful six-sided Formation that surrounded it.

Precious was its location, directly beneath the residence of the Pavilion Master of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

In such a place, one wouldn't lack a sense of security while cultivating.

Liu Baiyi took off his robe and tossed it aside, wearing only a short shirt and trousers, his body glowing with an earthy yellow light. He turned to look at Wu Wang.

"Boy, give me your full strength. Let me measure what you're made of first."

Wu Wang nodded slowly, reminding him, "Pavilion Master, make sure to put up some defenses for yourself."

"Hahahaha! Hahaha!"

Liu Baiyi laughed heartily, the robust look commonly seen on his richly 'nourished' body now exuding a fierce aura.

"I could just stand here and let you hit me, but what can you possibly do?"

CRACK!

Wu Wang's left hand transformed into a Dragon Claw, its golden tips seeming capable of tearing Heaven and Earth apart.

Liu Baiyi's laughter abruptly stopped. He offered a sheepish smile and composedly covered himself in two layers of immortal power before gesturing for Wu Wang to come at him.

With a dragon's roar, Wu Wang looked up and roared, transforming into a Golden Dragon, charging at Liu Baiyi with streaks of flowing light...

So, about half an hour later.

Liu Baiyi stood there, deep in thought and mumbling to himself, as he devised the most suitable path of Body Cultivation for Wu Wang.

Wu Wang lay in a slightly indented stone pit, drenched in blood and sweat, catching his breath. The golden scales on his body had now faded, only his tattered trousers covering the base of his thighs.

"Elder... how did I do..."

"Very strong, much stronger than I had anticipated," Liu Baiyi said in a measured tone.

"You have immense potential. The power of the stars has poured into your body, awakening your bloodline, allowing the Star God to directly grant you Divine Power, and you've also integrated the body refining techniques of Cultivation...

Wu Wang, how much hardship can you endure?"

How much hardship can I endure...?

Wu Wang lifted his left hand, made a light grab at the air, and then let it fall powerlessly.

He closed his eyes, but before him appeared the image of that girl glowing softly, and the thought of his mother standing alone in the depths of the starry sky.

The grasslands of the Northern Wilderness, the howling wolf riders.

The Rift Valley of the Annihilation Sect, the laughter of children.

The peaceful women's country, the standing statues.

Before he realized it, he, who had always considered himself not deeply entangled with the Great Wilderness, already had so many memories.

It was as if he had returned to his previous life, recalling the days when a group of volunteers endured physical training drills.

Wu Wang exhaled lightly and gritted his teeth to shout,

"As long as it won't kill me, push me to the brink of death in training!"

"Not to that extent, not to that extent," Liu Baiyi said with a slight smile. "I can assure you... at most, you'll be half-dead."

Wu Wang's body shuddered as he lay there, unable to move for a moment.

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