"Brother Wuwang," a voice called out as Fairy Ling arrived from outside the hall, stepping on a colorful cloud.

Upon seeing Wu Wang before the hall's entrance, a slight smile graced her lips. However, when her gaze swept over to Ji Mo, her smile vanished, and her brows furrowed.

"Why is he here too?"

Ji Mo's face instantly elongated to the length of a donkey's. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fairy, can you please not voice your inner thoughts!"

"Hmph."

Ling Xiaolan, hands clasped behind her back, gracefully drifted to Wu Wang's side. Beneath her embroidered shoes, a half-inch thick layer of Immortal Light shimmered, and her plain white gown swayed gently with the breeze.

She looked up slightly into Wu Wang's eyes, gave a small curtsy, and smiled.

"Congratulations to Sect Master Wuwang on your promotion to Wuwang Palace Lord. Finally, if I wish to find Brother Wuwang, I no longer need to venture into that Demonic Sect."

Wu Wang: ...

Her tone wasn't one of disdain for the Demonic Sect, but rather one of immense relief.

"I haven't congratulated you on becoming an Immortal yet. Looking at you, has your condition worsened after your ascension?"

Ling Xiaolan sighed, "It should be a bit better now."

"Really?"

"Look." Ling Xiaolan dispersed the Immortal Light beneath her feet, her toes lightly touching the ground. She then gently spun in a circle before Wu Wang.

Countless Immortal Soldiers stared, captivated, as her skirt billowed gracefully.

Wu Wang gave her a thumbs-up. Ling Xiaolan chuckled and once again spread the Immortal Light beneath her feet.

Nearby, Ji Mo tilted his head up slightly, his eyes filled with a profound weariness.

The spotlight was on them; he was just the third wheel. Friendship was a sham, and abandoning a friend for a beauty was perfectly normal.

"Brother Wuwang, you should help me settle this matter first."

"Oh, right, I almost forgot about the important business."

Wu Wang immediately put on a serious demeanor and said with a smile, "Fairy, please come with us. You can help Brother Ji come up with some ideas."

Ling Xiaolan said, "On my way here, I saw several skilled Demonic Cultivators at the main gate of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Brother Ji, have you provoked another young lady?"

Ji Mo's eyes filled with indignation. "Yes, yes, yes! In the entire world, only your Brother Wuwang is a gentleman, while I'm just a philandering casanova who attracts trouble everywhere!"

"Isn't that so?"

Ling Xiaolan said nonchalantly, "Shall I list all the women you've courted since your twenties?"

Wu Wang's eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "It seems Brother Ji had quite a colorful life even *before* his days at the Drunken Fragrance Tower."

Ji Mo was instantly defeated. He whispered guiltily, "This time is different. I'm genuinely aiming to settle down this time. Let's not dwell on the follies of youth, please, no more."

"Hmph," Ling Xiaolan said, "Brother Wuwang, don't you dare help him."

"I believe Brother Ji definitely wouldn't dare to mess around this time."

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow at Ji Mo and then winked at Ling Xiaolan. Ling Xiaolan finally decided to let Ji Mo off the hook.

Wu Wang said with a laugh, "Let's go. We shouldn't keep that young woman waiting too long. This is a vital area of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion; it's not appropriate to cause a commotion over these matters."

"Thank you, Brother Wuwang."

Ji Mo offered a grateful smile and, folding fan in hand, quickly moved to Wu Wang's side, taking the lead position.

Ling Xiaolan silently drew her Treasure Sword. With light, water-colored lotus blossoms appearing beneath her feet, she hurried after the two men towards Wu Wang's residence.

Many Immortal Soldiers exchanged surprised messages amongst themselves.

"Isn't Fairy Ling that Tianyan Saintess?"

"Yes, that's her! The true Saintess rumored to be the next Human Emperor's dao companion, the one who lit seven stars on the Tianyan Stone... But why does it seem like there's a special light in her eyes when she looks at the Wuwang Palace Lord?"

"Could it be?"

"HISS! Our Wuwang Palace Lord, could he be...!"

"Quiet, quiet! This matter absolutely must not be spread! Don't tell anyone that the Tianyan Saintess fancies the Wuwang Palace Lord; it will bring him trouble!"

"Exactly! If the next Human Emperor's identity is revealed, wouldn't the Ten Evil Gods go mad targeting him?"

"Although we aren't afraid of those Divine Spirits, we can't be careless... No wonder our Hall Master can arm-wrestle with Qiong Qi. How could a mere Qiong Qi be a match for our Hall Master? The Heavenly Emperor is his true match!"

"Ah, our previous understanding was too limited."

"The Hall Master is too powerful!"

Such news spread like ripples across a placid pond.

「Meanwhile, just as Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Ling Xiaolan arrived outside the loft, they heard laughter coming from within.」

It was Lin Suqing and Le Yao chatting. It was unclear what Lin Suqing had said, but Le Yao was covering her mouth, laughing ceaselessly, while Immortal Mu beside them was clutching his stomach, hooting with laughter.

Wu Wang glanced at Ji Mo. Brother Ji's expression was relatively normal, though his eyes flickered slightly.

"Suqing, what amusing things are you talking about?"

Wu Wang's voice penetrated the Protective Array. Lin Suqing quickly ran over to open the door, and Le Yao also immediately rose from her chair, looking toward the door.

"Young Master, you're back..."

"Brother Ji Mo?"

Le Yao called softly, "Is that you, Brother Ji Mo?"

Ji Mo stood with his hands behind his back, sighing lightly. His eyes, brimming with warmth and affection, gazed at Le Yao as he said softly, "I've made you worry, little sister Yao'er."

Goosebumps! The hairs on Wu Wang's arms were standing on end!

Ling Xiaolan and Lin Suqing, being Fairy Immortals utterly devoid of such coarse body hair, could only shiver slightly at this display.

Le Yao shook her head slightly, her eyes filled with infatuation, her heart with tender affection. Any previous annoyance or fuss instantly vanished like flowing water, leaving only adoration in her gaze.

The form-fitting black dress she had changed into at some unknown point even seemed to gain a hint of pinkish radiance.

"It's good that you're here," Le Yao said softly. "I was worried about you, not knowing where you had gone... Did you come here to judge a case?"

Wu Wang: ...

Wasn't that his excuse just now? Hadn't this demoness Le Yao seen right through it and exposed him on the spot? How could this be!

Ji Mo shook his head and simply said, "I was just feeling a bit troubled and came to confide in Brother Wuwang."

"C-can't you tell me about it?"

Le Yao pursed her lips slightly, a hint of disappointment and anticipation in her eyes.

Ji Mo sighed softly, took half a step forward, and was about to open his arms...

WHOOSH!

In a flash, Ji Mo felt a blur before his eyes as a large hand dragged him back several zhang. Le Yao also appeared beside him, swept there by a current of blood qi.

THUD!

The wooden door of the loft suddenly slammed shut, and Wu Wang's scolding voice came from inside, "Only come back in after you're done with your sickening display!"

"Hey, Brother Wuwang!"

Ji Mo hurriedly called out. Beside him, Le Yao's small face showed a hint of disappointment.

She said, "Did I cause you to lose face by coming here, Brother Ji Mo?"

"Not at all," Ji Mo said warmly. "Brother Wuwang was mainly worried that you and I would quarrel. With you here, how could I feel I've lost face? To be able to walk beside you, countless people would envy me."

Le Yao pressed her lips together, a dimple appearing on her cheek as she looked up at him.

Ji Mo lowered his head slightly, a smile in his eyes as he gazed down at her lovely ones.

The two of them stood as still as statues, two chi apart, silently.

She stood with her hands behind her back, while he held a folding fan. Their gazes conveyed a thousand words, allowing the gentle night breeze to rustle their hair as they kept each other company.

Suddenly, torchlight flared within the loft.

Immortal Mu, Lin Suqing, and Wu Wang lined up, cruel smiles on their faces, each holding up a bright torch.

Ling Xiaolan, however, watched this scene thoughtfully. She went aside, found a chair, and began to wipe it meticulously with her immortal power, lost in some unknown contemplation.

Wu Wang clenched his teeth and uttered, "Charge!"

Immortal Mu kicked open the wooden door, and the three of them, torches ablaze, rushed at the couple.

Seeing this, Ji Mo swiftly pulled Le Yao and ran into the distance. The scene was chaotic for a moment, filled with the laughter of the young men and women, and the seemingly ageless Heavenly Immortal.

Playtime was over; serious matters still needed attention.

「A moment later, inside Wu Wang's loft.」

A square table was placed in the center, with several people seated quietly around it.

Wu Wang sat in the main seat, his expression quite serious.

To his right was the chair Ling Xiaolan had wiped clean, which now sparkled faintly. Fairy Ling herself sat with impeccable posture, a pure and refined Daoist charm emanating from her. Somehow, they seemed inexplicably well-matched.

Immortal Mu sat on Wu Wang's other side, currently clutching a Short Sword and glaring fiercely at Ji Mo and Le Yao. The latter pair sat opposite Wu Wang, their chairs' armrests touching.

Their hands hadn't separated once!

Lin Suqing floated over from the side, bringing tea and refreshments. After serving everyone, she stood behind Wu Wang.

"You two," Wu Wang said with a cold face, "are you here to deliver wedding invitations?"

Ji Mo hurriedly replied, "Brother Wuwang, it's about that matter from before."

"In that case, I'll speak plainly," Wu Wang said. "Sister Le Yao, the reason Brother Ji came to me is because he has an unresolved issue in his heart. Do you remember, a few days ago, you went to a peach blossom grove with Brother Ji?"

"Of course, I remember."

Le Yao's eyes regained their clarity. She sat up straight and looked at Wu Wang.

When facing Wu Wang, her expression and tone were so different from when she faced Ji Mo that she seemed like an entirely different person.

Wu Wang asked, "Sister Le Yao, what did you do back then?"

She said, "That time, I encountered a few troublemakers. I taught them a lesson but didn't take their lives."

"How did you teach them a lesson?"

"I... just beat them up."

Le Yao was somewhat puzzled. "What's wrong with that?"

Ji Mo, one hand on his forehead, didn't know how to explain.

Wu Wang laughed and said, "Sister, when you took action, you were a bit too ruthless. Brother Ji was frightened by you. In his memory, you were gentle, adorable, and innocently pure, always speaking in a soft, sweet voice. That day, he suddenly saw you kick someone to the ground, step on their forehead and spin around, then rip out their Nascent Soul and stuff it into someone else's mouth... Brother Ji was terrified at that moment."

Le Yao's face turned pale. She turned to look at Ji Mo and asked in a low voice, "Was I... that excessive?"

"Not at all, not at all," Ji Mo hastily said. "They started it; we were just retaliating. Our methods were just a bit intense."

Wu Wang laughed and said, "Brother Ji doesn't want to call off the wedding or run away from it. He just wants to know, Sister Le Yao, if you'll ever use those... methods of beating people up on him."

Le Yao slapped the table and stood up, glaring at Wu Wang and snapping, "What nonsense are you spouting! Why would I ever hit Brother Ji Mo!"

Ji Mo's Adam's apple trembled. "Don't be disrespectful to Brother Wuwang."

"Oh."

Le Yao's anger instantly dissolved. She sat back down, looking wronged and pouting. "I'm a Demonic Cultivator. When I fight, I activate my combat techniques... Anyway, I won't hurt Brother Ji Mo. In that case, from now on, I'll just seal my cultivation."

Ling Xiaolan laughed and said, "I, on the other hand, think Sister Le Yao doesn't need to seal her cultivation. It's Brother Ji who needs to be kept under stricter supervision."

Ji Mo repeatedly cupped his fists towards Ling Xiaolan, silently pleading for mercy.

Wu Wang said, "To put Brother Ji's mind at ease, I've asked the Formation experts in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to set up an Illusionary Formation. Le Yao, are you willing to enter it? The Illusionary Formation has no other purpose than to simulate some enemies for you to Duel with. If you two wish to marry, you can't just show your good sides to each other. You must also be aware of each other's flaws; otherwise, conflicts can easily arise after marriage. Marriage is no small matter; you'll have to walk through thick and thin together in the future."

Without any hesitation, Le Yao said directly, "I am willing to enter the Illusionary Formation."

"Brother Wuwang," Ji Mo said, "please also arrange an Illusionary Formation for me later. Since it's a trial before marriage, there's no reason to test only Le Yao and not me."

"Brother Ji Mo..."

"Yao'er..."

The two looked at each other, and a pinkish aura began to permeate the room.

The corner of Wu Wang's mouth twitched slightly, and he was just about to complain internally.

Ling Xiaolan, stifling her laughter, imitated Le Yao's tone and softly called out to Wu Wang, "Brother Wuwang~"

Wu Wang's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He replied in a gruff voice, "What is it? What's wrong?"

Ling Xiaolan instantly lost her composure, covering her mouth as she laughed uncontrollably.

Behind them, Lin Suqing raised an eyebrow and re-evaluated Ling Xiaolan for a few moments, her thoughts unreadable.

The results of the Illusionary Formation were soon revealed.

The Formation masters of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion were truly formidable. Le Yao and Ji Mo, both Ascending Immortal Realm Cultivators, despite knowing they were entering an Illusionary Formation, only lasted for an average of a quarter of an hour before becoming lost within it.

Incidentally, Le Yao lasted for half an hour.

Le Yao entered the Formation first and experienced four scenarios within the Illusionary Realm. The first three were relatively common: whether to draw her sword to aid in the face of injustice, how to defend herself when falsely accused, and how to cope when trapped by a Beast Tide.

This Demonic Cultivator, Le Yao, acted decisively and possessed a chivalrous heart, but her methods were excessively brutal.

When encountering injustice, she drew her sword to help, beating the aggressors half to death.

When falsely accused, she didn't bother with explanations, subduing everyone with her Short Sword.

Surrounded by the Beast Tide, she fought a bloody battle, carving her way through the enemy lines seven times. Finally, she dragged the corpses of her companions back to the main camp, her expression unchanging from start to finish.

The last scenario was practically tailor-made for Ji Mo, with a slightly more complex plot.

Le Yao's Sect was annihilated, with Ji Mo as the hidden mastermind. Le Yao fought her way to Ji Mo, but the sword she raised hesitated for a long time. Tears in her eyes, she gazed at Ji Mo, and finally, turned the blade on herself.

Ji Mo was moved to tears on the spot.

The Illusionary Formation was like a dream, its contents a reflection of one's innermost thoughts.

When the Formation faded, Le Yao remained seated, unmoving, her face streaked with tears, unable to recall what she had experienced within.

Wu Wang and the others pointedly ignored the scene of Ji Mo comforting Le Yao.

「Let's fast forward to Ji Mo's trial in the Illusionary Formation.」

The sole scene in the Illusionary Formation: the Drunken Fragrance Tower.

"Le Yao, watch closely," Wu Wang said slowly. "If Brother Ji can resist having any wicked thoughts for a full hour, we'll consider him passed."

Le Yao stared intently at the Illusionary Realm projected by the Formation, her eyes unblinking, watching the events within with some nervousness.

They saw Ji Mo passing by the Drunken Fragrance Tower, a folding fan swaying in his hand. Without any hesitation or struggle, he strode familiarly into the Drunken Fragrance Tower and was about to call for a few girls when he hesitated slightly.

A servant boy chuckled, "Master Ji, we have a new top courtesan in the house!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ji Mo smiled. "The usual place, the usual seat. There will be plenty of Spirit Stones."

"You got it! Master Ji, this way, please!"

Outside the Illusionary Formation, Wu Wang couldn't help but cover his eyes, truly unable to bear the sight. Ling Xiaolan had already begun to polish her Treasure Sword, wondering how quickly she would need to draw it to ensure the precious immortal treasure remained unstained by blood.

Le Yao sighed softly, a hint of frustration in her eyes, and murmured, "That's just his nature..."

Sounds emerged from within the Illusionary Formation, "Master Ji, Miss Le Yao has arrived!"

"Oh?" Ji Mo rose to greet her, looking at the lightly made-up, jade-like beauty behind the beaded curtain. Who else could it be but Le Yao?

Outside the Illusionary Formation, Le Yao blinked, her eyes filled with excitement. She looked left and right, unsure with whom to share the joy in her heart.

Within the Drunken Fragrance Tower created by the Illusionary Realm, Ji Mo and the illusory Le Yao played music, danced, and toasted each other. Before long, they were whispering intimately, their eyes hazy with infatuation.

"Stop!"

Wu Wang shouted loudly. A skilled practitioner from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion immediately intervened, halting the Illusionary Formation and forcibly ejecting Ji Mo from the Illusionary Realm.

Ji Mo sat cross-legged on the open ground before the loft, his eyes full of regret. His experiences within the Illusionary Realm had already faded into a blur.

He looked down at his robes, cleared his throat, and sat there for a while before finally standing up.

"Brother Ji Mo!"

Le Yao called out softly and rushed towards him, throwing herself into his embrace like a young swallow returning to its nest, her forehead rubbing gently against his chest.

"I know now that your heart belongs only to me! I'm so happy, I never want to be separated from you again! Shall we go home, please?"

Ji Mo's eyes held a trace of bewilderment, but he instinctively hugged the beautiful woman, then looked at Wu Wang in confusion.

Wu Wang calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said indifferently, "Go on home. Remember to send an invitation for the wedding."

"Thank you, Brother Wuwang, for your help! Well then, I won't disturb you and Fairy Ling any longer! Hahahaha... *hic*."

Ling Xiaolan snorted softly but said nothing more.

Wu Wang, however, sat there gazing at the night sky for a while, letting out a faint sigh.

Ah, that accursed God of Luck!

...

「Half a day later, high noon.」

In the southwestern part of the Human Domain, within a bustling six-story tavern in a large city where Immortals and mortals mingled:

"Hey, have you heard? The Tianyan Saintess of the Xuan Nu Sect, Fairy Ling Xiaolan—her beloved is none other than Wu Wangzi, the Hall Master of the Punishment Hall in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!"

"Really? Doesn't that make Wu Wangzi the next Human Emperor then?"

"Shh! Keep it down! Is that something you can say out loud? It's enough to know it in your heart!"

"No wonder Wu Wangzi could outwit Qiong Qi, the leader of the Evil Gods. How could Qiong Qi ever be a match for Wu Wangzi? Their levels are worlds apart."

"Just keep it to yourself, fellow cultivator. Don't tell anyone else. I'm only making an exception for you because we've had such a good chat."

"Hahaha, I even heard something about a Golden Qiong Qi Award before."

SNAP!

In a corner of the tavern, a female Immortal wearing a bamboo hat suddenly crushed the wine cup in her hand. She tossed down a few small Spirit Stones, then rose and walked out of the tavern.

As the sunlight fell upon her, the beautiful face hidden beneath the bamboo hat revealed a cold smirk.

An identical cold smirk appeared on the lips of a middle-aged man seated on a stone platform in a cave dwelling hundreds of thousands of li away, in the southwestern region of the Great Wilderness.

Wu Wangzi, successor to the Human Emperor?

You caused me, this eminence, to be reprimanded by the Heaven Palace and almost lose my God position!

I, this eminence, will definitely let you know what cruelty truly is!

I can only possess Cultivators with my soul; my true body cannot descend. It's indeed troublesome to set traps for that Wu Wangzi.

First, I should go find those good-for-nothings from the Temple of the Ten Gods.

Speaking of which, why did that mysterious Divine Spirit attack my true form and punish me last time?

At that time, I only heard a cold snort; not a single word was spoken.

Was it because the mixed tribe of the Hundred Races I devoured back then had believers of that Divine Spirit among them?

Qiong Qi pondered for a moment, then dismissed the question and continued to plot his grand spectacle.

Since that Wu Wangzi is considered the next Human Emperor of the Human Domain, he naturally wouldn't have any connections with the various Gods.

From this perspective, if I, Qiong Qi, deal with Wu Wangzi, it's unlikely I'll provoke that mysterious Divine Spirit again.

The logic is sound.

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