A chariot came flying from beyond the sky.

Six horned dragons surged from within the clouds, the golden chariot they dragged behind shining with golden light for thousands of miles.

Wherever the golden light shone, Heaven and Earth were completely sealed off.

Wherever the horned dragons roared, the hearts of all living beings trembled with trepidation.

Behind the chariot, a golden wall advanced;

Thousands of Divine Guards followed the golden chariot like surging waves, grand and imposing.

Atop the chariot, a Goddess in Golden Armor stood quietly, her head adorned with a laurel and encircled by nine suns, enveloped in Divine Light with immortal ornaments hanging all around.

At this moment, her eyes were downcast, her delicate face bearing the unique charm of Ancient Gods, imprinted in the hearts of all beings.

The Heaven Palace, the Sun Goddess, Xihe!

The chariot stopped a hundred miles away, and the thousands of Divine Guards halted as one, forming a neat line behind it, like a long wall stretching across the sky.

Before the masters of the Human Domain could act, the Goddess's lips lightly parted, her gentle and mellifluous voice resounding in everyone's hearts.

"I am the Sun Goddess, here not for war."

The old men about to crush their Jade Talismans paused subconsciously. Then, realizing their situation, they hurriedly crushed the talismans, sending out the call for help.

However, the faint signals from the Jade Talismans were mostly trapped in this place by the golden light.

Once again, the gentle voice of the Goddess was heard,

"There's no need to be nervous. I do not wish to start a great war.

I have come hastily today only to discuss a matter with Wu Wangzi of the Human race.

If I truly wished to compare the Great Dao with you all, I would have attacked directly. Why would I bother with such talk?"

Upon hearing this, the Cultivators could not help but look at each other.

The several elders, who had been prepared to burn their Great Dao and die in battle, now showed hesitation.

「Inside Wu Wang's cabin.」

The cocoon of light he had formed was still there, and the Barrier left by Ling Xiaolan was also present. Two figures appeared before the soft couch: Lin Suqing and the Whistle Serpent.

Lin Suqing hesitated, wondering whether to wake Wu Wang.

The Whistle Serpent was already prepared to break through Heaven and Earth to flee with the people here at any moment.

In a corner of the cabin, the Sleep God stood by the window with his hands behind his back, his form immensely faint.

Had it not been for the direct visual sighting of the Sleep God's apparition here, anyone using Immortal Consciousness or Divine Thought to probe would only sense emptiness.

It was nothing but a small life-saving trick of the Ancient Gods.

"Should we wake the Young Master?" Lin Suqing asked softly.

The Whistle Serpent was clearly startled and said to Lin Suqing, "This decision should be made by you, Madam."

Madam...

Lin Suqing was obviously not used to being addressed as such.

She glanced at the Maidens gathering outside the cabin door, constantly pondering. Her Dao Heart was still unable to make a firm decision.

If the Heaven Palace had directly started a war, it would have been straightforward: just wake the Young Master and escape immediately.

But at this moment, the other party seemed to have no intention for battle. If she woke the Young Master and disturbed his breakthrough, it could lead to a lifelong regret for him, which would be even more undesirable...

In short, she was quite conflicted.

"Brother Wuwang is currently in cultivation."

Ling Xiaolan's voice suddenly came from outside the cabin.

Under the gaze of the Cultivators, Ling Xiaolan, holding a Short Sword and wearing a light white short skirt, rose from Wu Wang's ship on a cloud.

Although her face was veiled, her faultless facial contours and curves were still visible.

Logically, the closer one stood to the front, the stronger the oppressive force from Xihe they would have to bear.

But Ling Xiaolan, with her True Immortal Realm cultivation, effortlessly surpassed the elders. She led a few Xuan Nu Sect masters to stand before all the Human Domain Cultivators, appearing completely unaffected.

Her delicate feet were unwavering, and her shoulders bore no sign of tension.

However, she had come directly from Wu Wang's side and now faced such a formidable opponent. In the heat of the moment, she forgot to apply the Spell that usually concealed her figure. Her excellent physique was not hidden as usual, and many could see her deliberately holding her head high, her chest out with an air of confidence.

Her fingers trembled slightly, and Ling Xiaolan's voice, still cool and unhurried, asked,

"May I know the purpose of your visit?"

Xihe's half-lowered eyelids slowly opened. Smiling, she asked, "And who might you be?"

"Ling Xiaolan, a Disciple of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect."

She answered in her cool voice, her almond-shaped eyes meeting Xihe's across the expanse.

"Fairy Ling," an old crone's voice warned telepathically, "please step back a little. This is Xihe from the Heaven Palace; she is the wife of the Heavenly Emperor, the mother of the ten suns..."

Ling Xiaolan did not respond.

Xihe's smile grew more tender.

She looked up at the sky, spotting the large star in the clear blue expanse that was faintly shimmering, and pondered.

Cang Xue was watching this place.

This was the main reason Xihe wore Battle Armor and had been fully focused since arriving.

She remembered very clearly: when the Ice God battled other Gods, it was often without a word of warning...

At this moment, the golden light flickered slightly, and Xihe had already left the chariot, appearing before the Human Domain Cultivators.

Her Battle Armor 'melted' away, and her battle dress transformed into a fitted long gown, reflecting her nearly perfect silhouette.

The large star in the sky had dimmed by more than half.

Xihe gazed at Ling Xiaolan and asked with a smile, "Are you Wu Wangzi's close confidante, the Tianyan Saintess who holds considerable fame in the Human Domain?"

"The word 'fame' is perhaps a bit exaggerated."

Ling Xiaolan nodded slightly. "If Your Highness is not insisting on Wu Wang's personal appearance, I can relay the message on his behalf. If there is any lack of courtesy, please be forgiving, Mother of the Sun."

"Oh?"

Xihe's smile was ambiguous as the nine fiery orbs circling behind her radiated a scorching Dao charm.

Ling Xiaolan's immortal body trembled lightly, and she took half a step back, yet she still looked up at Xihe, a faint aura of gentle water surrounding her.

She declared firmly,

"Such a test from the Mother of the Sun seems rather like an insult to a junior."

"You, a woman of the Human race, are indeed astute and even aware of upholding our respective statuses."

Xihe chuckled lightly. The imposing aura surrounding her vanished in an instant, and the scorching Dao charm transformed into a warm spring breeze that lifted Ling Xiaolan's hair.

Xihe said,

"I've come here only to inquire about Wu Wangzi's thoughts regarding the matter mentioned by His Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor.

Since he is in seclusion, I do not wish to disrupt anything. How about I wait here until he awakens?

How does that sound?"

When Xihe said 'I,' her tone became much lighter.

The distance often implied by the self-referential pronouns used by Innate Gods was almost entirely dissipated in that instant.

Ling Xiaolan replied, "Brother Wuwang's response must have already reached the Heaven Palace by now. As for his reply, surely Your Highness is aware of it?"

"Of course I am, but I still wished to come and try to persuade him a little."

Xihe walked leisurely with her hands behind her back, descending from high above. All focus was on her, making it impossible for the eyes of the crowd and the Divine Guards to look away.

She continued,

"Before His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor returned to the Heaven Palace, I did not participate in the conquest of the Human Domain, and I have no deep ties with the Human Domain under the rule of Shen Nong.

Today, my personal presence here demonstrates the sincerity of the Heaven Palace.

If I can't even see Wu Wangzi's face, that would indeed be a pity, and His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor might become angry with the Human Domain."

Ling Xiaolan's eyes twinkled as she said with a smile, "The Heaven Palace actually values Wu Wang to such an extent. It's quite unexpected."

"Are you trying to extract some information from me, young lady?"

Xihe's smile became more pronounced, not a threatening one. Her phoenix eyes expressed even greater appreciation as she added,

"His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and I indeed value Wu Wangzi highly.

Let me be clear: our regard for Wu Wangzi isn't solely because of who he represents or who stands behind him.

The friendship Wu Wangzi formed with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor while in the Human Domain is the sole reason for my presence here today.

It's rare for His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor to appreciate a friend so much, and of course, I wish to help His Majesty by acting as a mediator."

Ling Xiaolan pondered for a moment before saying, "Then, according to Your Highness's wishes…"

"I will wait here for him to awaken," Xihe said with a smile. "It will not delay his enlightenment and Cultivation. Why not invite me inside to sit for a while?"

Ling Xiaolan did not hesitate. Turning, she made a gesture of invitation. "This place is modest, and we were not prepared for such an event. If the Human Domain shows any lack of courtesy, I ask for Your Highness's patience and understanding."

"Miss Ling is most courteous."

Xihe said softly, then continued to walk forward leisurely, hands clasped behind her back. The nine suns behind her slowly descended, sinking into her long hair.

The masters of the Human Domain were extremely vigilant, but upon Ling Xiaolan's hand signal, they dispersed to the left and right on their own.

They all understood the situation.

If Xihe made a move, not a single one of them would survive.

Year-round unobstructed travel through the West Sea and East Sea, opening trade routes, and promoting commerce had led the Cultivators of the Human Domain to subconsciously relax their guard. Even occasional disturbances from the Heaven Palace typically did not involve the appearance of Innate Gods.

They had never anticipated that they would be the ones to encounter a raid by an Innate God on their trade routes!

And the visitor was none other than the mysterious and unfathomable Queen of Heaven, the Mother of the Sun, wife of Emperor Shun—the Sun Goddess!

How many in the Human Domain could rival Xihe?

The Cultivators racked their brains, only able to think of His Majesty Shennong and perhaps one or two long-standing Pavilion Masters. Even the latter could only buy some time against Xihe...

Xihe, however, seemed unconcerned about how many reinforcements the Human Domain might send. She strolled as leisurely as if she were back in her own grand hall.

Ling Xiaolan led the way on a cloud, bringing Xihe to a tower ship on the perimeter.

Lin Suqing, along with a few Maidens, hurriedly arrived at the tower ship just ahead of them. They quickly tidied up and cleared out a flower hall for Xihe, ensuring proper courtesies were not neglected.

Some Cultivators showed displeasure and voiced through transmitted thought,

"What kind of precedent is this? The Sun Goddess steps onto our Human Domain's ship; are we expected to serve her tea and wine too?"

No sooner had this person finished speaking than Wu Wang's special Maiden—the little water sprite—began to skillfully boil water outside the cabin.

Immediately, several masters rebuked the one who had just spoken via transmitted thought.

"Don't talk nonsense! Do you want to drag us all to our deaths?"

"Why didn't you step forward just now? Yet now you start spouting such words!"

"The Sun Goddess has only appeared in a few direct battles between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain. Given their enmity, her taking action isn't unjustifiable. Besides, she isn't known for attacking our Human Domain at other times.

What's more, she also possesses the power to command the suns."

Then another voice scolded via transmitted thought, "We must not lose the dignity of our Human Domain! Why should we kowtow just because this God is powerful?"

Immediately, someone retorted, "Then shout it out loud! Don't just transmit your thoughts! Whining through thought transmission, isn't that annoying to everyone?"

"Have you seen anyone groveling?"

"She came here as the Mother of the Sun from the Heaven Palace. Unless it is wartime and she has matters to discuss, even at the border of the Human Domain, we wouldn't directly attack her.

Besides, the Sun Goddess is ultimately different from entities like the Head Manager."

"What else can we do right now, other than stall for time?"

"Without the Sun Goddess, day and night would be indistinguishable, and living beings might struggle to survive. This is the Sun Goddess's contribution to Heaven and Earth. Unless it is a life-or-death situation, we should at least show her basic respect.

Let's not give the Hundred Races the impression that we in the Human Domain lack such magnanimity."

"Let Fairy Ling handle it then."

"A young girl like her is ten, even a hundred times, more capable than us old folks."

At this time, a voice transmission from a Transcendent in charge of the affair infiltrated the hearts of all Cultivators:

"Do not act rashly. Quietly wait for the situation to evolve."

Only then did the Cultivators stop their clamor. They retreated to both sides, subtly surrounding the flying boat where Xihe resided, each with a stern, unsmiling face, some even deliberately appearing fierce and menacing.

Even though all of them combined were no match for Xihe, the attitude they ought to display and the stance of the Human Domain that needed to be shown, could not be neglected.

There was no Barrier around the flower hall of that flying boat;

every move inside could be seen clearly from the outside.

Xihe had said she would wait for Wu Wang to awaken, and so she calmly took a seat, seemingly in quite a good mood.

Lin Suqing brought over tea and refreshments, while Ling Xiaolan sat composedly in the main seat.

Immortal Mu, holding a Blue Bird on another flying boat, watched from a distance. The Blue Bird's eyes were already covered with a verdant Divine Light, ready to respond to any sudden move from Xihe.

"An Innate Spirit?"

Xihe, looking outside at Xiao Shui, who was boiling water, smiled and said,

"Wu Wangzi is indeed the child of an old friend. Nowadays, Heaven and Earth are no longer suitable for these Innate Spirits to exist, and they have long since vanished.

I did not expect to see a water-attribute Innate Spirit here.

However, having an Innate Spirit boil water and prepare tea—isn't this somewhat an underuse of great talent?"

Ling Xiaolan smiled and nodded, her eyes revealing a hint of contemplation. She asked, "Did Your Highness come here today truly to persuade Wu Wang to take up a post in the Heaven Palace?"

"And why not?"

Xihe smiled and said,

"The Human Domain is also part of Heaven and Earth, existing within the order of Heaven and Earth.

The Heaven Palace and the Human Domain were not always at odds. Essentially, this is still a rebellion of living beings against the rule of Divine Spirits, a process of self-evolution of the order of Heaven and Earth.

The forces protecting the Human Domain, by rights, belong under the command of the Heaven Palace."

Ling Xiaolan's delicate eyebrows knitted slightly. She spoke softly, "Such words from the Mother of the Sun seem a bit heart-piercing."

"Oh? How so?"

"If we interpret what the Mother of the Sun has said, the Human Domain's resistance to the Heaven Palace is the dissatisfaction of living beings with Divine Spirit rule. However, this definition already predetermines a subordinate relationship between living beings and Divine Spirits."

Ling Xiaolan spoke earnestly, "Living beings do not belong to Divine Spirits, and the rule of Divine Spirits over living beings has not a shred of legitimacy."

The smile remained on Xihe's lips, her gaze carrying a trace of emotion.

"The rising stars of the Human Domain are truly admirable.

If we were to truly discuss this issue, I'm afraid it would take days and nights and still not be resolved.

But Fairy Ling should also be aware that the continuous great wars between the Heaven Palace and the Human Domain constantly consume the primordial energy of Heaven and Earth, trapping living beings in dire straits, with many Divine Spirits perishing…"

"However, the great wars are usually initiated by the Heaven Palace," Ling Xiaolan said softly.

"We merely wish to reclaim the Dao of Fire."

Ling Xiaolan countered, "During the two dark upheavals the Human Domain endured, the Dao of Fire was not reclaimed. The slaughtering blades raised by the Heaven Palace, given any opportunity, would not hesitate in the slightest."

"And yet, the Heaven Palace merely wishes to reclaim the Dao of Fire."

Xihe's phoenix eyes revealed a hint of helplessness as she repeated these words.

Ling Xiaolan was momentarily at a loss for words.

Xihe chuckled lightly, crossed her legs, lifted a teacup, took a gentle sip, and said with a laugh,

"I quite enjoy conversing with you. Let's talk about matters related to Cultivation.

The Cultivation Technique of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect doesn't seem to originate from the era when Fu Xi created all techniques; it appears to come from beyond the skies."

Ling Xiaolan said, "I am merely an inner-sect Disciple; I do not understand these matters."

"Is this how Human Domain Cultivators usually chat?"

Xihe leaned to the side, moving closer to Ling Xiaolan, curiosity in her gaze. She laughed, "If we keep chatting like this, the conversation will grow cold… Hmm, why don't we talk about your beloved?"

Ling Xiaolan's cheeks flushed a faint red, and she involuntarily glanced to one side.

She immediately realized her reaction.

At this moment, uttering girlish phrases such as 'nothing of the sort' would be somewhat inappropriate in such a context, facing such a powerful individual.

It would tarnish the reputation of the Human Domain.

Ling Xiaolan said, "We are not yet wed, so calling him 'beloved' is somewhat improper. A fated connection does not equate to marital ties, and what the future holds is still uncertain.

However, I am also curious as to why His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor within the Heaven Palace… keeps sending letters to Wu Wang."

"This is indeed a long story; let's talk about other, more interesting matters."

Xihe sighed softly, yet did not stop speaking.

In the flying boat, the Mother of the Sun, Xihe, dressed in a golden gown, and Fairy Ling of the Human Domain, in a short skirt, sat across the table from each other, quietly discussing something.

In the beginning, their conversation was audible to those outside; they spoke of the past of the Heaven Palace and discussed anecdotes from the previous divine era.

As they became engrossed in their conversation, Xihe raised a hand and conjured a layer of golden light, leaving those outside able to see only two figures chatting and laughing within, with no idea of what exactly they were discussing.

"This…"

Several Transcendent Realm Cultivators huddled together, their wide eyes staring blankly at one another.

Fight? They couldn't win.

Flee? They couldn't escape.

Now, they could only resolve to adopt the strategy: "Temporarily remain here and await reinforcements from the Human Domain."

They had lived for so many years; what situations had they not seen?

But this situation, they truly had never encountered before.

What these Cultivators did not expect was that after they waited here for two days and three nights, no reinforcements from the Human Domain arrived.

What came instead was a four-character order from the Human Emperor Pavilion:

"Quietly observe the changes."

The Cultivators could only try to find some humor in their misfortune, remarking, "At least it's not 'Quietly await good news.'"

...

Yin and Yang harmonize; balance begets order.

From this, all laws arise, and all things become clear.

If brute force is used to disrupt the balance among all things, the instant Yin and Yang fall out of equilibrium, the explosive opposing forces are actually seeking a new balance… and are beyond control…

「In the cabin.」 Wu Wang slowly opened his eyes, greeted by the quietly flickering light of the Barrier and a Screen.

His eyes held a hint of confusion as he opened his left hand. An ordinary-looking, round, disc-shaped Jade Talisman spun slowly in his palm.

"Yin and Yang coexist."

Wu Wang slowly breathed out these four words. In the pupils of his eyes, an image of a pair of slowly rotating black and white fish—the Tai Chi symbol—emerged.

A faint Tai Chi Diagram appeared in his palm, floating just outside the Jade Talisman.

Wu Wang quietly contemplated for a while, as if searching for something.

A moment later, he formed a sword-finger gesture with his right hand and lightly tapped the Jade Talisman.

The three-inch diameter Tai Chi Diagram embedded itself into the Jade Talisman, which trembled gently as layers of cracks formed on its surface.

The Jade Talisman, which appeared to be ordinary Jade Stone, suddenly revealed a profound Dao charm at that instant. A stream of Liu Guang flew out from within, directly burrowing into Wu Wang's palm.

"Sigh—"

The sigh of Fu Xi resonated in the depths of Wu Wang's heart.

In Wu Wang's celestial mansion, a shadow slowly solidified.

This was a segment of images, essentially a Divine Thought.

Just as the Heavenly Emperor had said when trying to break Wu Wang's Dao Heart, this was the will of Fu Xi influencing Sanxian, secretly giving Wu Wang a 'reminder'.

The message was straightforward: Wu Wang should take resolute action and directly erase the existence of ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian. This would allow the wills of the Heavenly Emperor and Fu Xi to cycle once more.

Although in this life of Sanxian Daoist, the will of Fu Xi had been suppressed by the Heavenly Emperor, Fu Xi was not completely passive.

He had concealed within himself the profound truth of 'reversal when things reach an extreme,' confident that he could once again restore balance with the will of the Heavenly Emperor.

—This was also the main reason Emperor Shun had sought opportunities to act hastily.

In this segment of Divine Thought, Fu Xi did not elaborate on how he went to the Heaven Palace alone, nor did he explain why his will and that of the Heavenly Emperor had appeared in the body of old Sanxian.

Fu Xi simply instructed Wu Wang that when the time came to act, he should not hold back.

"You will certainly be able to do it."

With a smile, Fu Xi finished speaking. The shadow slowly dissipated from the depths of Wu Wang's heart, leaving behind a faint mark of the Great Dao, which was absorbed by the rotating Yin-Yang Diagram beneath Wu Wang's Primordial Spirit.

This was the crucial piece of information Wu Wang had missed before the great battle in the Southeastern Region.

Looking back on it now, it was indeed as the Heavenly Emperor had said: the answer had long been in Wu Wang's hands, yet he had been helpless.

Ultimately, it was because he hadn't paid attention at the time and hadn't truly valued it in his heart.

Returning to the Northern Wilderness these past few years… I really should reflect on myself.

Wu Wang opened his eyes again, smiling somewhat sheepishly.

He raised a hand and pointed towards the Screen, sending two faint wisps of energy into it.

[Divine Skill: Imbalance.]

The Screen silently turned to dust, which softly fell to the floor. A rich and pure burst of Spiritual Energy emerged, effortlessly absorbed by Wu Wang.

What an impressive Divine Skill!

Is this the prowess of the great Fu Xi?

Wu Wang's heart filled with admiration; he genuinely acknowledged that he had learned something this time... Meanwhile, he also released his Immortal Consciousness to observe his surroundings.

This casual observation yielded a startling sight. Wu Wang couldn't help but tilt his head, his expression frozen, his gaze lost, as he looked toward a nearby tower ship.

There, crowds of figures surrounded it thickly, layer upon layer.

In the flower hall of the tower ship, Ling Xiaolan and a woman dressed in a golden gown were sitting on opposite sides of a chessboard, deeply engrossed in their game.

That woman...

SLAP!

Wu Wang slapped his thigh forcefully. The impact created a faint shockwave, and he winced, his own face contorting with pain.

Xihe?

What is Emperor Shun's primary wife doing here!?

If any sort of 'rumor' were to spread, wouldn't Emperor Shun, who has now gained human emotions and is a bit petty, go mad!?

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