The All-Talented Daoist was led away, his gaze upon Wu Wang filled with... longing.

Wu Wang emphasized several times that he wasn't adept at poetry and that all the verses he knew were things he had heard; yet the All-Talented Daoist still kept looking back every few steps, as if to warn Wu Wang not to go back on his word.

It wasn't until Wu Wang took out a Jade Talisman, copied a few sections from the "Three Hundred Tang Poems" onto it, and handed it over to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, that the All-Talented Daoist finally left in earnest.

Only a few who knew Wu Wang's origins were now plunged into considerable doubt.

Was the Northern Wilderness truly so full of literary talent?

Immortal Soldiers began to escort the villains of the Ten Evils Hall away, and the masters from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion also followed to ensure protection. The beach buzzed with activity for a while before gradually quieting down.

Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Lin Qi, along with the masters from the Xuan Nu Sect, prepared to return to their Sect. Calculating the hours, they would arrive back at dawn.

Because they used the "slicing cake" method, the speed at which they conquered the second main hall of the Ten Evils Hall was incredibly fast.

Seven or eight Transcendents and more than twenty at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Immortal Realm joined forces, and it was all over in a 'snap'—nothing left.

There was no turning the tide against the wind, nor any arduous struggle.

—After all, removing one or two small wooden thorns from Human Domain territory should not require a fuss. If it did, then the present state of the Human Domain would surely be turbulent rather than stable and untroubled.

Mao Aowu hopped beside Wu Wang, presenting the Storage magic treasure containing the Evil God's blood 'wine jars,' and asked telepathically, "Sect Master, how should we handle these treasures? Hand them over to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

Wu Wang smiled and said, "Of course, they should be handed over; this mission was commissioned by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

"Sect Master," Mao Aowu muttered, "Hand all of it over? Shouldn't we keep one or two tenths? Although our Sect's days are no longer tough, we're not exactly wealthy now, and Pavilion Master Liu didn't ask for it to be submitted..."

"Approximately how much?"

"I've estimated that the precious materials and Spiritual Medicines in their treasury could sell for about five to six hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

Wu Wang frowned and said, "The specifics?"

"Around five hundred sixty thousand."

Wu Wang cleared his ears. "Why is this second main hall of the Ten Evils Hall so impoverished, possessing only one hundred sixty thousand Spirit Stones."

"Ah, right," Mao Aowu immediately understood and smiled. "One hundred sixty thousand Spirit Stones, that is rather poor."

"Then out of those one hundred sixty thousand Spirit Stones, hand over sixty thousand to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and keep one hundred thousand," Wu Wang said indifferently. "If anyone asks you, just tell them I've kept these one hundred thousand Spirit Stones for research into the characteristics of the Evil God's blood and the development of weapons to counter the Ten Evils Hall. Eventually, it will benefit the entire Human Domain as it will be fed back to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion."

"Understood, Sect Master!" Mao Aowu saluted and promptly turned to leave.

Wu Wang turned around and caught sight of several Xuan Nu Sect seniors with complex expressions on their faces.

"Uh... Sect Master Wuwang, we should be setting off now," one said.

"Mm, thank you for your hard work, senior," Wu Wang replied courteously, bowing his head in acknowledgment. He then surveyed the surroundings, glancing at the upturned rock formations and the ruins of the second hall that did not fit in with the rest of the landscape, and he shook his head and curled his lips.

The scars left on the earth could only be healed by time.

This ordeal faced by the Second Elder also served as a significant warning to himself.

Live quietly and endure; put on an act and risk being struck by lightning.

Originally, the Second Elder had diligently operated this 'branch hall,' occasionally sending underlings to play the villain and grant feats to the proud scions of the Human Domain—locations remote enough to avoid detection. But he just had to stir up trouble, even targeting a great Sect like Xuan Nu, overconfidently thinking he could come and go at will.

And then what happened? He still ended up revealing flaws, inadvertently drinking drugged wine without realizing it, and exposing his own main base.

Interestingly, this second main hall had various businesses in the southern region of the Human Domain, all earning Spirit Stones for it.

Mao Aowu hadn't seen even a shadow of the ledgers for these businesses; they had long since been collected by Master Liu's people.

Wu Wang had only taken a portion of the accumulated wealth from their treasury. All of the Ten Evils Hall's shops, fields, land, brothels, taverns, and so on would be seized and investigated by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

That was the real jackpot.

When Master Liu had allowed Mao Aowu to collect the wealth here, he certainly hadn't intended for Wu Wang to spit out what he had already taken.

It was just that Mao Aowu, doing this for the first time, felt somewhat unsure and came to ask Wu Wang.

A loss of sixty thousand Spirit Stones just like that.

Thinking of this, Wu Wang let out a slight sigh and began to ponder how to deduct from Yang Wudi's offerings for the next hundred years, hoping to reclaim some funds for the sect.

"Brother Wuwang, what's wrong?"

High above on the Lotus Platform, the Elders of the Xuan Nu Sect were meditating at the periphery, enclosing the four young people in the center.

Ji Mo, seeing Wu Wang with a contemplative look, took the initiative to ask, "Is there something overlooked?"

"There's nothing overlooked about tonight's affair," Wu Wang casually brought up a topic. "I am thinking, who else is above that Second Elder? The Grand Elder? The Hall Master?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Mo also became interested and said with a smile, "Yeah, does the Ten Evils Hall have a Hall Master? Is that Hall Master also one of the Nine Divine Children?"

Lin Qi said, "It should be."

"Do you remember, Brother Wuwang?"

Fairy Ling said softly, "Previously, when we were transported away by the Ming Snake's incarnation, we interrogated a True Immortal and learned quite a bit from him. That person mentioned several Elders at that time."

Wu Wang carefully sorted through his memories for a while, then shook his head slightly and said, "This Second Elder didn't mention the Hall Master, but he did mention their Grand Elder several times, who seemed to be in their third main hall."

Lin Qi said with a laugh, "What strange names. They're all main halls, yet they're divided into first, second, and third."

"The Ten Evils Hall builds each of its main halls independently," Fairy Ling explained. "The 'third main hall' is just a designation, not an indication of being third in strength."

"The third main hall of the Ten Evils Hall is likely located in the Southeastern Region of the Great Wilderness, close to the Human Domain."

Wu Wang took out nine Spirit Stones and arranged them into a Nine Palaces grid, representing the Nine Wildernesses of the Great Wilderness.

He said, "As Cultivators of the Human Domain, we cannot just sit by and watch the Ten Evils Hall do evil. From the situation in the second main hall, these fellows have basically lost all humanity."

Lin Qi sighed, "Teacher, those children captured by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion have such pure eyes, and the youths are naive and ignorant. They don't even know why they ended up in the Ten Evils Hall, nor why they have to suffer in the Blood Pool. The crime is not theirs."

"You don't have to worry, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion won't kill them," Wu Wang said with a sigh.

"These are all victims of the Ten Evils Hall and will be properly taken care of. The Human Domain has many Cultivation Techniques for self-cultivation and nurturing one's nature, which can help them move past this shadow. What I am thinking now is that the Ten Evils Hall has been active in the Human Domain for thousands of years. The Blood Pools they made themselves, although not as dangerous as those made by the Evil God, still only allow one in ten to survive, and those who do become lethal weapons in the hands of the Ten Evils Hall. How much evil has this Ten Evils Hall wrought?"

Ji Mo wondered, "Hasn't the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion been able to find where the Ten Evils Hall is hiding all this time?"

"The elite forces of the Human Domain are all concentrated on the border," Fairy Ling explained. "The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion has always been short-staffed; otherwise, there wouldn't be positions like inspection immortal envoys. Judging from the several powerful formations destroyed at the second main hall, the Ten Evils Hall is adept at camouflage, making it not difficult for them to evade the inspection immortal envoys."

"There is actually a solution to this dilemma," Wu Wang said with a smile. "Later, if any of you want some merit, write an admonitory letter to the Human Emperor."

Ji Mo said with a smile, "Admonish about what?"

Wu Wang said, "Let each sect organize patrol teams, with sects near each other forming joint patrol teams. Mobilize the usual strength of various Immortal and Demonic Sects to suppress the areas where the Ten Evils Hall can be active."

"That's a good idea," said Ji Mo as he took out his writing materials.

However, Ling Xiaolan said, "This method was implemented years ago, but it easily led to disputes among the various sects, and it was soon abandoned."

"Then forget I said anything."

"This..." Ji Mo, holding pen and paper, looked at Wu Wang and said in a low voice, "Brother Wuwang's ideas, can there ever be a time when they are not useful?"

"I always feel like you're mocking me, your Sect Master."

"How could I," Ji Mo said with a smile. "My admiration for you, Brother Wuwang, is growing by the day, endless and overwhelming! However, I have a small question, and I'd like to ask Brother Wuwang for some clarification."

"What's your question?"

Ji Mo leaned in closer and asked quietly, "What did you say to Senior Jing Yue? How come with just a few words, Senior Jing Yue's attitude towards Brother Wuwang changed as if she were a completely different person?"

The surrounding Xuan Nu Sect Elders also pricked up their ears.

Wu Wang hummed in contemplation, struggling to invent a convincing explanation, and could only say, "Maybe Senior Jing Yue just finds me quite agreeable, I suppose."

Ling Xiaolan couldn't help but overthink this, pursing her lips slightly before turning her head to gaze at the night scene passing outside the Lotus Platform.

She was actually somewhat puzzled. She had hardly met the Sect Master a few times, and he usually only cultivated on the back mountain... Still, she didn't know how to explain to the Sect Master that her relationship with Brother Wuwang wasn't of the 'we must become dao companions or else' sort.

Wu Wang keenly caught onto this point and, fearing that Fairy Ling might misunderstand, quickly added, "Seriously speaking, the care Senior Jing Yue shows me is probably out of respect for another senior."

Ling Xiaolan blinked, feeling unexpectedly empty inside.

Ji Mo and Lin Qi then asked who this other senior was, leaving Wu Wang no choice but to wrack his brains to change the subject and prevent them from associating it with the Human Emperor, Yan Emperor.

Throughout their journey, Ling Xiaolan concealed a sense of emptiness in her heart as Ji Mo and Lin Qi persistently questioned Wu Wang about this 'other senior'.

As they neared the entrance to the Xuan Nu Sect, the eastern sky began to brighten with the light of dawn.

It was Lin Qi who noticed Ling Xiaolan's lack of enthusiasm and took the initiative to ask, "Teacher, what's wrong with Fairy Ling?"

Wu Wang: ...

Why didn't he just ask Ling Xiaolan directly?

"I'm fine," Ling Xiaolan said with a chuckle. "I'm just a bit weary from the journey and concerned for Master's injury. To be able to help two Senior Uncles from our Sect avenge their grievances, I'm actually quite delighted at heart."

Wu Wang said, "Fairy, you should rest more. Don't tire yourself out."

Ji Mo also said with a smile, "The Ten Evils Hall has already stirred up trouble, so what disturbances could the disciple-acceptance ceremony possibly face? It will surely proceed smoothly and steadily, no need to worry."

"Don't jinx it," Wu Wang glared at Ji Mo. "Every time you open your mouth, I feel unsettled."

"I don't have that kind of influence," Ji Mo continued with a bitter smile.

Meanwhile, a Xuan Nu Sect Elder advised, "Xiaolan, you'll need to perform a sword dance on the stage later, so make sure you're up to the task."

"Yes, Uncle-Master, rest assured. I'll be fine after a bit of meditation," she replied.

Sword dance?

Ling Xiaolan suddenly felt the gazes of the people beside her sharpen and involuntarily turned her head to look, only to see the six bright and clear eyes of Wu Wang, Ji Mo, and Lin Qi, practically gleaming.

...

In a shadowy corner, a few jade talismans flickered softly, and the two silhouettes before them were also frowning deeply.

A voice, somewhat anxious, emerged from the jade talismans:

"What? The Second Elder has been killed, the All-Talented Daoist captured?"

"When did this happen? How was the second main hall exposed? This is impossible!"

"According to an insider within the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, it was the Pavilion that launched a sudden assault. Dozens of experts attacked stealthily, lifting the ground into the air, sealing Heaven and Earth, cutting off the ley lines, and launching a fierce attack from the side. The Second Elder couldn't even escape."

"The Second Elder was always cautious in his actions. Although we don't know how he was exposed... everyone, even underground is now unsafe."

"What else can we do? Place the Bloodline Treasure Pond out in the open? That would be an even faster way to die!"

There was silence from both the jade talismans and the two figures.

"Each of you, find ways to hide and lie low," suggested the figure on the left with a surprisingly gentle voice. "I've advised you before: you could find an inconspicuous Demonic Sect, take over their nest, and replace them."

"Right. If that doesn't work, we refrain from touching the Blood Pool for now. I refuse to believe the enemy truly has a way to discern our bloodline!"

"What should we do with the assets from the second main hall?"

The two figures and the jade talismans fell silent together.

One said, "Let them go. At this point, we can't afford to reveal the slightest flaw; survival is the priority."

"Agreed."

"It shall be so."

Suddenly, a somewhat gentle voice, its gender indistinguishable, emerged from behind the two figures, saying, "The incident with the second main hall reeks of strangeness; we must find out exactly what happened. Investigate carefully; we must find out how the Second Elder was exposed. There's no need to bother with the All-Talented Daoist; he knows nothing of our actions after arriving in the Human Domain. For now, do not report this matter to our fathers."

The jade talismans and the two shadows spoke in unison, "Yes, Grand Elder."

"Hmm."

No other sound came from the corner, and the light from the jade talismans gradually faded.

...

The wind howled as the mischievous sun, tied to the chariot by the Sun Goddess, slowly rose from Soup Valley, bringing half a day's light to the Great Wilderness World.

In the coastal area of the southwestern part of the Human Domain, numerous large ships hurriedly unloaded their cargo.

Most of those coming and going were robust men and women, large as bears, dressed unlike anyone from the Human Domain.

Over a hundred Golden Core Realm cultivators and two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, tasked with guarding this place, watched the scene with furrowed brows from a distance, wary that these strong men and women who had suddenly arrived might cause trouble.

The aura of vitality around these men and women was more exaggerated than that of ferocious beasts that had lived for hundreds of years!

Yet they possessed proper passage documents, bearing the seal of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and were an emissary delegation from a Large Family Clan from the Northern Wilderness visiting the Human Domain.

Just then, several streaks of light flew swiftly from the east, transforming into several male and female Immortals who complained aloud:

"We were suddenly dispatched to escort the prisoners from the Ten Evils Hall, and nearly forgot about things here!"

"I've been saying we need more hands, more hands, but the higher-ups won't listen to us! With such a meager salary, running around day after day, whoever likes being an inspection immortal envoy can have it!"

"Quick, quick, ask where the emissary group from the Big Wave Tribe has gone!"

In a flurry of haste and panic, these Immortals landed on the docks and after a brief exchange with the most vigorous and also the strongest of the robust men there.

The female Immortal shouted in disbelief, "What? Your Young Master has already left with a group of guards and priests? Where did he go?"

"Don't worry," the robust man laughed. "My Young Master is far stronger than I am. At just twenty or thirty years of age, he's already capable of knocking down our Clan Leader! There won't be any safety issues!"

The female Immortal nearly ripped out two strands of her hair. "I'm worried about his safety! The body cultivators of the Northern Wilderness rely on Divine Power, so their upper limit isn't high, and there are plenty of Human Domain Immortals stronger than him!"

A group of robust men immediately surrounded her.

"That's looking down on people! How is the upper limit of strength for us Northern Wilderness men low?"

"Let's have a match; I'll give you the advantage of one arm!"

"I'll give you the advantage of both arms and both legs, and just use my head to compete with you!"

"Our Young Master, Great Wave Xing Tian, his name will surely echo throughout the Human Domain!"

The female Immortal's forehead was lined with black marks, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away.

A giant eagle, with wings spanning over a hundred feet, cut swiftly through the sky of the Human Domain, pursued by streaks of light, drawing the attention of countless cultivators.

A ferocious beast? Such good fortune, a ferocious beast with a lifespan of thousands of years appearing in the Human Domain sky? Isn't this a walking Beast Core?

On the back of the eagle, men built like iron towers clad in Black Armor stood silently.

Before them, a young, powerfully built man lay on a cushion, arms behind his head and legs crossed, a foxtail grass dangling from his mouth, revealing a slight smile.

'Xiong Ba, my brother, you wouldn't have expected this, right? Wait until I make a name for myself in the Human Domain, meet with its heroes, and then continue to look out for you here!'

He asked, "Which force here is the biggest and most lively?"

"Young Master, it's said that the Xuan Nu Sect is holding a disciple acceptance ceremony today, not far from here."

"Let's go there, the more people the better!"

Xing Tian took a deep breath, and flames began to burn in his eyes.

"I am Great Wave Xing Tian, and today my name shall spread throughout the world!"

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