On the otherwise ordinary streets and alleys.

"Strange," muttered the Sanxian Daoist, "I just had the feeling that someone was walking back and forth... Young Master Yan, what's wrong with you?"

Beside him, Wu Wang's face turned pale, his breathing grew shallow, and he clutched his chest as he slowly bent over.

The Sanxian Daoist hurriedly asked, "What's happened?"

"It's nothing," Wu Wang said in a low voice. "This place is too foul. Senior, let's go back first."

"Alright, alright, let's hurry back."

The Sanxian Daoist stepped forward to offer support, but Wu Wang gestured that he was fine and secretly began to call out to his mother.

Hopefully, Mother won't get too excited and directly trigger a major upheaval in the Great Wilderness, the likes of which haven't been seen in hundreds of thousands of years...

Fortunately, Cang Xue responded quickly, her voice tinged with a hint of severity.

"Ba'er, what did that Emperor Shun do to you?"

"Mother, don't worry. He came to persuade me to surrender."

Through their necklace connection, Wu Wang recounted the details of his encounter with the Heavenly Emperor to his mother.

While conversing via their spiritual minds, Wu Wang and the Sanxian Daoist returned to the 'Demons Suppression Tavern.' Wu Wang made an excuse about needing to reflect on potential flaws in his cultivation and returned to the room he shared with Suqing.

The Sanxian Daoist was quite anxious about this. He even began to doubt himself, wondering if his "works" had caused the trouble. It wasn't easy to find an Immortal among the "book fans" he could reach, and he couldn't let this one's cultivation go to waste...

For this reason, the Sanxian Daoist waited outside the door for a while. When Lin Suqing came out to serve tea, he seized the opportunity to peek inside. He saw Wu Wang sitting in meditation on a cushion, his aura and the rhythm of his Dao perfectly normal, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Senior, what's wrong with you?" Lin Suqing asked with some curiosity.

"Ah, nothing," the Sanxian Daoist said, smiling as he put his hands behind his back. "I was just strolling around, just strolling."

He then hummed some soft, melodious tunes and drifted off to the top floor by himself.

Lin Suqing couldn't help but tilt her head, feeling that the old Daoist was a bit odd.

Inside the room, Wu Wang opened his eyes and slowly exhaled.

He was having a really tough time.

He had started facing the strong gods of the Celestial Court upon entering the Ascending Immortal Realm. Now, in the Yuanxian Realm, he was already face-to-face with Emperor Shun!

Would he have to engage in friendly talks with the Candle Dragon once he stepped into the True Immortal Realm? What kind of mess was this!

Wu Wang glanced at the copper mirror not far away, feeling as if he was shouldering a burden of life far beyond his years.

Of course, that was a rather flattering way to put it.

The reason Emperor Shun had appeared and spoken so much with him was merely to curry favor with his mother.

Wu Wang had just spoken with his mother for a while. Finding him unharmed, she was both worried and pleased.

Cang Xue was pleased because Wu Wang could face the Heavenly Emperor without losing his composure; her son was showing promise.

Cang Xue's worry, however, was not for her own situation.

The Heavenly Emperor's fear of acting rashly actually proved the importance of the Star God's Dao within the Heaven and Earth Seal.

Cang Xue's concern was this:

"Ba'er, Emperor Shun is a master at beguiling people's hearts; you mustn't be swayed by his words.

Years ago, when Emperor Shun rose in the Eastern Wilderness, no one ever imagined that when he stepped forward to challenge us, he would have gathered so many Innate Gods around him.

What's more, he used his own charm to attract several Goddesses, and by uniting with them, he conceived an entirely new order."

Wu Wang wondered, "Mother, what was the order of the world like before the ancient god war?"

"The order that Emperor Shun has now established," Cang Xue explained, "is centered around the ten days and the twelve months.

The heavens cycle, and the four seasons proceed in order.

The order before the god war was dominated by the Candle Dragon: open eyes for daylight, closed eyes for night, breath for wind, and exhalation for clouds.

The world back then was not as stable as it is now, and there were far fewer living beings."

Wu Wang thought, Well, it's no wonder Emperor Shun was so persuasive.

The current order of Heaven and Earth, for both living beings and Divine Spirits, was clearly superior to that of ancient times.

In a way, this could also be considered progress for the Great Wilderness.

Wu Wang asked, "Mother, what do you think about this?"

Cang Xue said, "You don't need to worry too much. Just focus on what you want to do. There are ways to handle situations where things are out in the open.

The Emperor Shun you met today is a manifestation of the will of order.

Emperor Shun himself is not so mild, but this aspect of his will seeks to maintain the current situation, which is why he was so courteous to you.

Since the Heavenly Emperor is already aware of the affairs in the Northern Wilderness, the Human Domain you care about will likely face a powerful strike from the Heaven Palace."

Having said that, Cang Xue still seemed a bit worried, and she asked, "Ba'er, tell your mother honestly, were you convinced by Emperor Shun's rhetoric?"

"His rhetoric? It was all about the eternity of Heaven and Earth versus the transience of living beings, claiming that Heaven and Earth are unmoved by mortals, and that we, as mere sojourners, should be grateful."

Wu Wang curled his lips and chuckled.

"Is that all? The gods of the Heaven Palace hold swords to the necks of living beings and still expect them to be grateful?

Whether Innate Gods exist or not, wouldn't living beings survive just the same? The Human Domain is a prime example. Without Innate Gods, the Great Wilderness would immediately give birth to a new order dominated by living beings.

We're all just trying to get by in this world, so who's afraid of whom? If all the living beings in the Great Wilderness who lack the protection of a Great Dao were to unite... uh."

Wu Wang paused, suddenly remembering his mother's identity, and gave an awkward laugh.

"Mother, please don't mind me. I was referring to the Heaven Palace.

Let's return to the matter of the Human Domain.

The Seven Disasters and Six Calamities, the subjugation of the Hundred Races—the Heaven Palace has already begun preparations to annihilate the Human Domain. This is a very serious issue."

Cang Xue was silent for a moment. "In that case, I worried for nothing," she said. After a little more thought, she continued softly, "If your grandpa and the others cannot return in the future, Mother will take you and those you care about away from the Great Wilderness. Actually, compared to the Great Wilderness, the Outer Sky isn't too bad.

What the gods brood over is the betrayal of Emperor Shun and the other gods.

We were once companions, recuperating in the lands of the Great Wilderness. Ultimately, Emperor Shun's desire to ascend to the highest position and his challenge to the Candle Dragon led to the full-scale outbreak of the god war.

Naturally, the Outer Sky is different from the Human Domain; it's more like the Northern Wilderness."

Wu Wang asked, "Is it like the Northern Wilderness before the Star God was gravely injured? I saw a few glimpses of it in her memories."

"I know you care about this, Ba'er. Mother can only try her best not to let these matters trouble you," Cang Xue said softly.

"But as you know, most Divine Spirits are like that. They haven't experienced rebirth as Mother has, nor have they felt the weakness and beauty of living beings.

That feeling is utterly different.

The last time Mother was born—when I first came into existence—ice and snow sealed the entire North Sea, and I could extinguish weaker gods in the blink of an eye.

But when Mother was born in the Northern Wilderness this time, I was... so weak, constantly vulnerable to all sorts of dangers.

Then your father burst into Mother's sight, so dashing and strong, giving Mother a rare sense of security."

True love between parents, with the son merely an accessory, Wu Wang thought with a private chuckle, then sat there, continuing to ponder.

"Mother," Wu Wang asked with concern, "Emperor Shun said your Divine Soul descended directly?"

"Indeed," Cang Xue replied. "Otherwise, it would have been impossible to deceive both the Star God and her Divine Artifact's spirit."

"Such danger..."

"It's all in the past," Cang Xue said. "The move was indeed quite risky, but the opportunity was rare. There wasn't much time to consider; the fissure in the seal created by the Fire God's fall was about to close."

Wu Wang exclaimed, "Mother, you came that long ago?"

"Yes, Mother lay dormant for a long time and also recuperated for a long time," Cang Xue sighed. "It was indeed quite a trying experience."

Wu Wang asked, "Did Grandpa send you here?"

"He actually tried to stop me from coming. I was just too indignant at the time," Cang Xue said coldly. "The victor hadn't even been decided, yet they forcibly cast us into the Outer Sky.

That Emperor Shun, his heart is even darker than the Night God's face.

However, having slumbered for so long and grown close to living beings, my temperament has mellowed considerably compared to my early years.

Otherwise, do you think you would have escaped a spanking when you were little?"

Wu Wang asked, "Mother, why bring that up... So, what's the story with Grandpa?"

"Mother's divine body is actually the primordial ice stone of Heaven and Earth.

But Mother's situation is very special. The Dao of Ice is incredibly powerful, but also restrictive. My initial consciousness was actually frozen by the Dao of Ice, preventing my birth.

It was the guidance of the ancient Water God—your Grandpa—and nourishment from the Water Dao over countless eons that allowed my initial consciousness to form.

So, the Water God is Mother's father, and thus your Grandpa."

Wu Wang muttered softly, "In that case, wouldn't calling him Grandma be more appropriate?"

"He presents himself in a male form, so of course, you should call him Grandpa."

Cang Xue added, "You don't need to be afraid of him. He has a very gentle temperament. Back then, when the Fire God bullied him terribly, he remained silent and didn't utter a single word in protest."

Wu Wang mused, Mother doesn't seem worried at all that Emperor Shun knows her identity? Is her confidence really that strong?

Wu Wang asked, "Mother, shouldn't we say something to the Heaven Palace?"

"There's no rush. I'll show them goodwill first to stabilize the current situation."

Cang Xue continued, "Since only Emperor Shun knows that the Star God is under my control, and he doesn't know that the Star God's Dao now belongs to you, Mother can actually help you openly later without worrying about the Heaven Palace causing trouble.

Looking at it this way, Emperor Shun sending the Young Master to the Northern Wilderness last time was also a probe.

That 'scram' of yours convinced Emperor Shun that the Star God was entirely under my control.

It was quite clever and a great help to me."

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Wang smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I won't overthink it."

Cang Xue asked, "Do you still plan to rescue Lin Qi?"

"Of course, I have to. I've already formulated this plan, and Lin Qi is a friend I value highly."

After pondering for a while, Wu Wang added, "But now, I must devise a new plan.

If Emperor Shun says a few words about not interfering in my contest with the Head Manager, and I actually believe him, that would be rather... In any case, I must now operate as if I'm already exposed and think of alternative methods.

Pinning hopes on the promises of a formidable enemy is almost tantamount to courting death."

Cang Xue laughed softly and offered Wu Wang a few more reminders.

"Don't wear yourself out. Even an Innate God like Mother can only do so much when facing the grand tides of Heaven and Earth."

Wu Wang acknowledged her words and also urged his mother to be extremely careful, prioritizing her own safety if Emperor Shun were to make a hostile move.

The necklace vibrated gently, and the power of the Stars slowly receded as the Evil God's Divine Power stored within flowed gradually into Wu Wang's body.

Worry was, of course, unavoidable.

After all, his and his mother's adversary was Emperor Shun, the master of the Heaven Palace.

But on second thought, Wu Wang realized his mother actually held the absolute initiative.

Emperor Shun's visit today, his proactive show of goodwill towards them, surely had more than one purpose.

Extending from this, two rather interesting points emerged.

First, Emperor Shun dared not venture into the Human Domain.

Second, Emperor Shun held Emperor Fuxi's Yin Yang Eight Trigrams in high regard.

Wu Wang recalled hearing Pavilion Master Liu Baiyi complain during his previous visit to the Scripture Hall at the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Liu Baiyi had lamented that during the dark and turbulent years of Emperor Fuxi's demise and Emperor Shen Nong's rise, a vast number of Emperor Fuxi's writings were lost.

Could it be that Emperor Shun got his hands on them?

He further considered Emperor Shun's admission that Innate Gods had varying depths of understanding of the Great Dao.

Are the gods of the Heaven Palace collectively studying Emperor Fuxi's texts?

A few thought bubbles appeared, drifting through Wu Wang's mind's eye, flickering with images of many Innate Gods sitting together, each holding an Eight Trigrams Disk...

He shook his head vigorously, dispelling the somewhat absurd vision.

Something's not right. There's something not quite right about this Emperor Shun.

Emperor Fu Xi is the only one who can be considered a true god!

As for his mother, a new title formed in his heart—Sword Holder of the Heaven Palace!

CREAK.

The door opened, and Lin Suqing floated in, hopping lightly.

"Uncle-Master, what's wrong? You look a bit gloomy."

Wu Wang smiled and shook his head. He was about to say he was fine when a sentence Emperor Shun had spoken suddenly came to mind.

You are your mother's weakness.

It seems, he thought, I must cherish my life even more now.

「Early the next day」

Wu Wang was called out of his room by Old Snow Eagle and the Sanxian Daoist.

The day had arrived for their agreed-upon journey to the City Above the Clouds.

However, Wu Wang said, "I'm afraid I can't leave today. I just received a message from my superiors; I need to wait here for some assistants."

Old Snow Eagle was somewhat dissatisfied by this.

But Wu Wang took out a token from the Four Seas Pavilion and a Treasure Sack from his sleeve.

"Senior, this is an elder's token from the Four Seas Pavilion. I took the liberty of securing an external affairs elder position for you. It doesn't require much on a daily basis, and, of course, the remuneration isn't substantial.

However, if you encounter trouble, you can use this to seek assistance from the Four Seas Pavilion's branch in the Southeastern Region."

Old Snow Eagle's dissatisfaction vanished instantly. He took the token with both hands, turning it over and over, and grinned at Wu Wang.

"We're practically family now! When we go to the City Above the Clouds is a trivial matter!

Do you need my help getting you all in?

Is there a ranking for this external affairs elder position? What merits must one accumulate to be promoted to a higher rank?

To be honest, I'm privy to quite a few romantic affairs of notable cultivators and experts from the Hundred Races in the Southeastern Region. Gathering information is a breeze for me."

Wu Wang thought, Let's try to maintain some professional ethics here!

The Sanxian Daoist shot Old Snow Eagle a disdainful look, flicked his sleeve with an air of lofty integrity, and declared loudly, "I am ashamed to be associated with you!"

"Ahem," Wu Wang coughed, then added, "Senior, would you be interested in visiting the Heavenly Craft Pavilion? Actually, in the Human Domain, I happen to know a few 'old' friends.

Arranging a visit to the Heavenly Craft Pavilion to exchange some insights on artifact forging wouldn't be a problem at all."

"Really?"

The Sanxian Daoist's old eyes suddenly lit up.

Wu Wang nodded with a smile, apologized to the two seniors again, and then shut himself in his room, refusing to come out.

Just as his mother had said, an open hand required its own strategy.

After a night of contemplation, Wu Wang had decided to execute two plans simultaneously.

The original plan would still proceed, but he had to think several steps ahead, incorporating contingencies for 'the enemy already knowing his whereabouts' into it.

Before taking formal action, he had to meticulously scout all locations to ensure that the experts he summoned from the Human Domain wouldn't be led into an ambush.

If they were beings native to this world, faced with a promise from the Heavenly Emperor, they would subconsciously believe it.

But Wu Wang was already thinking. I need to secretly bring in some experts and thoroughly investigate the surroundings of the City Above the Clouds. Hmm, it's necessary to create a large-scale, sealed-off battle zone to prevent potential enemy reinforcements. If I can use a teleportation array, they might prepare one too. Yes, I'll assume they have prepared teleportation arrays—and more than one. Teleporting over first, then severing the Heaven and Earth near the battle zone, is an essential tactic. Saving people is one objective; crushing the enemy's effective forces is another tactical goal. The most crucial aspect is to consider how to retreat. I can't have only one plan. Fight if we can win, retreat if we can't. Tactical deviousness shouldn't overshadow the inherent nobility of our actions. Does the Human Domain have any unique strengths in terms of firepower?

In the room, Wu Wang kept whispering to Lin Suqing via voice transmission. His thoughts leaped so rapidly that Lin Suqing was utterly unable to offer any meaningful advice.

After several more hours, Wu Wang adjusted the wick of the Yan Emperor Token's flame within his spiritual altar.

After leaving the Human Domain, the flame of the Yan Emperor Token seemed to have weakened slightly.

Shen Nong's voice came through, asking, "Have you reached the City Above the Clouds?"

"Not yet."

Wu Wang feigned contemplation, then calmly delivered his bombshell.

"I saw Emperor Shun yesterday in Jiuhuang City."

The flame of the Yan Emperor Token flared up with a WHOOSH.

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