"Brother, take care on your journey."

"No worries. I've brought several maidens to keep me company on the road, so it won't be too lonely."

Upon hearing this, Wu Wang almost wished that Brother Xing Tian would capsize on his journey!

Thankfully, a burly man by his side said in a deep voice, "Xing Tian, you must focus on restoring and cultivating your essence, qi, and spirit from now on. You can't suffer any more losses. Before your Body Cultivation reaches the foundation stage, you must pay attention to these things."

Xing Tian laughed heartily. "No big deal, no problem! Without the Young Master's permission, they wouldn't dare to knock on the back of my head!"

Wu Wang: ...

It's indeed quite rare for one to follow such ancient customs so meticulously. I suggest using a Wolf Fang Club made from star ore when you do the knocking!

After sending Xing Tian off, Wu Wang wandered around the entrance of Annihilation Sect Mountain for a while, then went to check on Immortal Mu, who was 'trapping himself' inside the building ship.

Wu Wang also didn't expect that by merely sensing Immortal Mu's condition slightly, his mind would be filled with profound insights.

In a trance, he could see a Star Sea, filled with countless twinkling lights, with stars occasionally extinguishing and others igniting.

Dongfang Mumu's Dao seemed to be related to water, but the insights Wu Wang received were not about the Dao of water.

It was the sensation of a withered tree sprouting new shoots. It was Dongfang Mumu's Dao that had been severely damaged in the transcendent tribulation, which was now recovering and regenerating, radiating some peculiar Dao charm.

Wu Wang didn't delay. He summoned the protectors of the place from the Annihilation Sect, asking them to increase the guard and make sure no one disturbed this master from the Four Seas Pavilion during his seclusion.

He immediately returned to his Sect Master's small building, closed the door behind him, hung up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign, and promptly sat down on the soft couch that had been fitted with fresh bed linens.

With eyes closed and focused, he gripped the insight tightly, continuing to envision the boundless starry sky.

Oh? Lin Suqing poked her head around the staircase corner. She saw that her Young Master was so diligent, having just practiced for half a day before tirelessly continuing his cultivation, and she was a bit surprised herself.

Did Xing Tian's words carry such weight?

'Thanks, sister-in-law.'

What nonsense is Xing Tian spouting! Really! She's definitely not up to par!

Lin Suqing's cheeks flushed slightly red, and she tiptoed back to her room. She sat at the dressing table, staring blankly for a while, then smiled with pursed lips, sighed softly, and drifted off again in front of the mirror before finally moving to the cushion to sit and cultivate.

Before Immortal Mu finishes his seclusion, she must work hard. She cannot let others think that if she becomes an immortal in the future, it would be purely because of Immortal Mu's guidance.

She herself is also very diligent.

Soon, Immortal Light surrounded the attic. Both the man and woman upstairs and downstairs immersed themselves in their respective Daos as time slowly passed and their minds returned to their natural state.

「Floating Jade City.」

Under the sparse gaze of passersby, Ji Mo took a deep breath. He stood quietly in front of the courtyard rented for him by the Annihilation Sect, wanting to push open the gate, but his hands... were trembling.

Go back, go back to cultivating!

Ji Mo's mind echoed with a resounding call, as if ten thousand giants were roaring in unison!

You need to cultivate! You're already falling behind Lin Qi and Fairy Ling. Are you going to let Brother Wu Wang surpass you in cultivation realm too?

The weakest aspect for Brother Wu Wang was always his cultivation realm!

A man of the Ji Family cannot forget his responsibilities in pursuit of pleasure!

Yes, cultivate!

Then he heard a familiar voice nearby, "Protector Ji, what are you doing standing here? Let's go for a drink."

Ji Mo's body jolted. He took a deep breath and suddenly appeared at the street corner in front of Mao Aowu, looking at this senior Elder from his sect with burning eyes.

"Elder Mao, I'll pick the place, and the drinks are on me. Let's go!"

"There's such a good deal? HAHAHA!"

Mao Aowu laughed heartily with his hands on his hips as Ji Mo pulled him along to the most bustling alley in Floating Jade City.

There, towering buildings stood side by side, and the music of pipes and stringed instruments echoed through the nights. Whenever dusk fell, a number of figures would descend straight from the sky, trying their best to avoid acquaintances as they swiftly entered the warmly lit doorways.

「The next day, at the same hour.」

Ji Mo stood with his hands clasped behind his back at the entrance of his small courtyard. He silently lowered the hand he had raised and turned to walk down the familiar path.

That's it. This will be the last time I indulge myself.

「The third day, at the same place.」

Ji Mo passed his own small courtyard, glancing symbolically inside before briskly continuing on his way.

Today, I dealt with a drunken immortal causing trouble and awarded myself a moment of joy in return.

Fourth day. Rewarding Elder Mao with a night out—I'll take it on his behalf.

Sixth day. Rewarding Lin Qi tonight.

Seventh day. I simply wish to roam free and enjoy myself! Isn't cultivation all about freeing the mind!

「Two months later.」 Mao Aowu found Ji Mo and chuckled, "Are you still living in that courtyard? I haven't seen you around. I was thinking of arranging for a few colleagues from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to stay there for a few days."

Ji Mo smiled and said, "Elder, please feel free to do so. Here's the talisman to enter and leave the courtyard formation. I might go into seclusion for a while. If the Sect Master asks..."

"Understood." Mao Aowu's eyebrows twitched. "Cultivate well."

"Strive on the Immortal Path!"

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily, invigorated.

「Several months later.」 Ji Mo had been in Floating Jade City for over half a year when an extravagantly dressed, beautiful woman found her way to the Annihilation Sect's Magic Treasure Shop. After much effort, she located Mao Aowu in a branch of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion and conveyed a few words to him.

"My lord, Young Master Ji had a sudden realization yesterday. He has bought a small courtyard behind the Drunken Fragrance Tower to go into seclusion for cultivation. Once he comes out, he will look for you to drink together. He specifically asked me to tell you."

Mao Aowu couldn't help but mutter, "Can this guy really withstand it physically?"

The beautiful woman looked somewhat embarrassed and whispered, "My lord, don't misunderstand. Young Master Ji is truly in seclusion for cultivation, not using it as an excuse to stay at our place. When the Young Master had his realization, Immortal Light surrounded him, a Treasure Wheel spontaneously formed behind him, and he emitted strange, fragrant scents. There were quite a few wonders, and it's likely he's about to make a big step forward. Several sisters who are close to Young Master Ji also had realizations, and their own bottlenecks seem to have loosened a bit."

"A realization in a brothel?"

Mao Aowu suddenly stood up and immediately said, "Lead the way. I, the Pavilion Master, am going to see Young Master Ji's place of seclusion. This can't be ignored."

The woman covered her mouth with a soft laugh, leading the way with a gentle voice and attracting the gaze of many male cultivators along the way.

Ji Mo was indeed in seclusion, and he had come across the chance of sudden enlightenment that cultivators find rare.

Mao Aowu was greatly astonished by this and stayed at the Drunken Fragrance Tower for a few days, deep suspicion in his heart.

But in just a few days, Mao Aowu was somewhat overwhelmed. He fled from the perfumed crowd, fearing that it might ruin his foundation for ascending to a Heavenly Immortal.

Looking back at the signboard of the Drunken Fragrance Tower, he saw that four new characters had been added to it: [Realm of Sudden Enlightenment].

Mao Aowu's forehead was lined with black lines. His footsteps wavered, and he didn't know what to make of this situation. He had to suppress the matter for now and secretly arranged for someone to keep a close watch on the courtyard behind the Drunken Fragrance Tower to protect Ji Mo's safety.

「Elsewhere, near the Sect Master's small building in the Annihilation Sect, in a wooden tower built less than half a year ago.」

Lin Qi slowly opened his eyes. Two beams of Immortal Light flashed in their depths as a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Mid-stage of Ascending Immortal Realm.

He was nominally a few years older than Ji Mo, and he was determined to become an Immortal before Fairy Ling and Ji Mo!

Having said that, he continued to sit in meditation, capturing the fleeting opportunities in the vastness, trying to push open a fine crack in the door in front of him.

「In the bamboo forest behind the Xuan Nu Sect.」

Ling Xiaolan sat quietly on the floor of the quiet chamber, surrounded by tendrils of Immortal Spirit energy. Ascendance to Immortality and Crossing Tribulation were only a few years away.

...

「Half a year had passed since Wu Wang formally went into seclusion.」

After gaining insight from Immortal Mu, Wu Wang shut himself away, cultivating and seeking enlightenment every day without interruption. When he rested, he would pick up a cultivation technique manual of the Star Dao to study.

Before he realized it, his cultivation had entered the Jumping God Realm. At this time, his main focus was on the Stars, with the Dao of Fire as a secondary practice.

Nascent Soul, Jumping God, Ascending Immortal... the Immortal Realm seemed not too far away, yet it required a lengthy period of settling, and patience was essential.

Judging by the days, Brother Xing Tian should have arrived in the Northern Wilderness by now.

Wu Wang raised his hand to grasp the necklace, only to realize that he hadn't been in contact with his mother for over half a year.

Well, even if his mother intentionally hid some things from him and belonged to the same camp as that Innate God who cursed him, he couldn't really blame her.

The life he had was given by his dear mother.

"Mother... Mom?"

Wu Wang called out for a while but received no response from Lady Cang Xue.

Could his mother also be angry?

「At the same time, somewhere in the sea southwest of the Northern Wilderness, in a narrow strait no wider than a hundred miles.」

This place was the intersection with the Northwestern Region and Western Wilderness territories, as well as the essential route for ships traveling from the West Sea to the ports of the Northern Wilderness. On normal days, one could see large ships going south and north.

But for the past half-month, this sea had been overcast with dark clouds, and from time to time, hundred-zhang-high water walls would rise from the sea.

Most merchant ships had already detoured around this place, traveling from the other side of the Northwestern Region. Only a few merchant ships stopped far away, waiting for the storm to subside and watching the battle at this location.

On the southern shores of the sea, countless dark figures had gathered. Most had 'human bodies and beast heads' and others 'human faces and beast bodies,' all eyeing the lands of the Northern Wilderness with predatory gaze.

Finally, a black cloud flew in from the south. Upon it stood three dark figures, each several zhang tall and wrapped in thick fog, concealing their faces from the creatures on the ground, who could only feel their intimidating presence.

"They are minor gods from the Western Wilderness," a burly elder standing behind Xing Tian on the deck of a merchant ship whispered.

Clutching a long axe, Xing Tian, his eyes full of fighting spirit, whispered, "Teacher, throw me over there in a while. I'll go chop them down!"

"HEY," the burly elder hastily said, "don't act rashly. Even those gods who control minor Dao possess considerable strength and may have some strange and curious Divine Arts. What's more, there are three Divine Spirits here. Even if I charged up, I might get besieged. Look at the shore of the Northern Wilderness."

"Alright!"

Xing Tian responded. He raised his head to gaze across the strait, and his expression quickly became solemn as he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Teacher, I can't see anything."

"I had forgotten; you have not yet formally begun your cultivation," the elder said.

The elder pressed on Xing Tian's left shoulder. With a flash of brilliance in his eyes, Xing Tian could clearly see all that was happening a hundred miles away.

On the shores of the Northern Wilderness, ballistae had long been set up, forming a tight defense line.

Behind the defense line, dust billowed. Large packs of wolf riders galloped through the forest and over the hills, with elite troops of the Rong Dog Tribe and Deep Eye Tribe flanking them.

Leading them was the Clan Leader of the Bear Hug Clan, who was dressed in black iron armor and robust as a bear.

"It's Uncle Xiong Han!"

Xing Tian grinned. Just as he was about to praise Xiong Han's might, he suddenly heard a bizarre roar from the south side of the sea.

Countless beings of the Hundred Races, their eyes glowing red, jumped into the water in rows.

The three Gods emitted bursts of water-blue radiance from beneath their feet. The seawater formed into huge hands, carrying the creatures in the sea towards the northern shore—a spectacular sight.

Another God raised his left hand. Suddenly, a host of ferocious birds took flight from behind them, swarming towards the Northern Wilderness like a dark cloud.

Seeing this, Xing Tian could hardly contain the flames of eagerness within him, ready to rush into battle.

The burly elder behind him took a step forward, his eyes shining with determination, and he spoke in a low voice, "It seems that today, I must take action myself. The Northern Wilderness also has two great Human race clans; I cannot stand by and watch them die.

"Xing Tian, I can only try to scare off those three Gods. If I meet with any mishaps, you must report this to His Majesty, saying that I have let down His Majesty's trust, and ask His Majesty to choose another teacher for you."

"Teacher!"

Xing Tian's eyes filled with tears, but he firmly grasped the old man's arm. "This is the Northern Wilderness's battle! It has nothing to do with you, Teacher!"

The elder spoke firmly, "No, this matter is related to me as well..."

"Both of you, don't come any closer."

The gentle voice of a woman rang in their ears, making the elder look around alertly and instinctively search the surroundings, and causing Xing Tian to freeze in place.

At that moment, high above the Northern Wilderness, three figures stood silently on white clouds.

The person in the center, clad in a long white dress with hair flowing behind her, was closing her eyes and focusing, her wooden staff emanating strands of lightning.

Xing Tian was already exclaiming with joy, "Lady Cang Xue! It's Lady Cang Xue!"

The two people beside her, dressed similarly to Cang Xue, were reciting praises to the Star God in unison.

After a short while, Cang Xue took two steps forward, lifted her wooden staff high, and then swung it down in front of her.

The world suddenly darkened; the clear sky unexpectedly transformed into a profound starry expanse!

Stars twinkled, and streaks of silvery-white lightning fell, weaving a zigzagging curtain of thunder by the shores of the Northern Wilderness, as if hanging a pearl curtain across the heavens and earth.

Cang Xue pushed forward with her wooden staff. The curtain of lightning advanced a hundred miles across the sea in an instant, appearing in front of the great army of creatures intent on heading north.

Without hesitation or pause, lifeforms were shattered where the lightning passed!

The patch of dark clouds in the sky was 'dissolved' head-on. Countless silvery-white bolts of lightning plowed the sea surface, leaving behind severed limbs and remains, dyeing the entire sea blood-red.

The vast swathes of lightning destroyed a corner of the southern coast and gradually dissipated into the heavens and earth.

Looking back at the southern sky, where were the figures of the three Divine Spirits now?

Cang Xue retracted her staff and, shoulder to shoulder with the two Sun Ritual practitioners, flew towards the high skies, leaving behind only a faint statement, "The Star God protects; all invaders shall be slain."

Xing Tian stood at the bow of the ship, wide-eyed and unable to regain his senses for a long time.

The elder too was stricken with a frozen expression. Feeling that moment of extreme Divine Power, he whispered, "According to the rumors, wasn't it said that the Star God was severely injured and on the verge of death?"

"How is that possible!"

Xing Tian cracked a smile and said, "Now I know why my younger brother was so calm. With Lady Cang Xue around, what's there to fear?"

"Is this person perhaps the chief of the Sun Rituals?"

"Correct! The chief of the Sun Rituals, my brother Xiong Ba's own mother! Teacher! Let's go meet up with Uncle Xiong Han!"

Xing Tian excitedly said as he urged the large ship to ascend and head north.

「A moment later, within the Star God Grand Hall.」

Two Sun Ritual practitioners reached the entrance of the hall and then flew into the void, meeting with the other four Sun Ritual practitioners. They faintly surrounded the circular disc held in the hands of the Star Goddess, each sitting cross-legged and praying.

Cang Xue walked back to the center of the hall, standing quietly with her staff. The starlight under her feet started to gather, explode, and repeat the cycle.

She looked at her staff and called softly, "Ba'er, Ba'er? Did you just call for your mother?"

Soon Wu Wang's voice came through the staff, "Is Mother busy with important matters?"

"Stillness inspires motion; go and exercise your limbs," Cang Xue spoke gently. "I also saw your father, but due to the circumstances, we couldn't speak."

Wu Wang chuckled twice and awkwardly said, "About last time... I shouldn't have... When I am strong enough, Mother can tell me what can be told."

"Why speak such words between mother and child? Just focus on your cultivation."

Cang Xue spoke softly, "If you find the path of cultivation too bitter, you can also focus solely on your Bloodline Power."

"Borrowed strength is ultimately just that—borrowed strength," Wu Wang chuckled. "I still want to cultivate step by step, just like the Human race's ancestors, Emperor Suiren and Emperor Fu Xi, and carve out my own path."

"As you wish."

Cang Xue spoke softly, then initiated another topic, chatting with Wu Wang about the recent situation of the Star God Cult.

But in the end, there wasn't much for a mother and child to talk about, and they soon cut off the connection.

Wu Wang felt a weight lift from his heart. A slight smile appeared on his lips, and his thoughts became a bit clearer.

He took out a 'jar of wine,' picked up a jade slip, absorbed Divine Power, and comprehended the Star Dao—neither hindering the other. He continued his seclusion within the sect, waiting for the upcoming "Immortal and Demon Apprentice Selection Conference" in the southern Human Domain.

Whether the Annihilation Sect could rise in the coming centuries, this disciple recruitment was critical.

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