"A sweep of Immortal Consciousness. 'The young women of the various races are truly delightful,' one of them remarked."

In the Southeastern Region, aboard the ship surrounded by Flying Shuttles.

Four wooden tubs emitted wisps of green smoke. Eight large feet soaked in the light brown soup, as wisps of Spiritual Energy entered their Immortal, God, and Demigod bodies through the acupoints on the soles of their feet.

The Sleep God, on the far left, yawned. The sights and sensations around him brought a surge of drowsiness.

Four attendants, whom the Sleep God had carved from wood, sat before them on small stools. Once their feet had soaked sufficiently, the attendants would lift their large feet out and tenderly knead them, following the method Wu Wang had described.

It is worth mentioning that the Sleep God and Xiao Jian Daoist were served by female attendants, while Wu Wang and the Grand Elder had male attendants.

Melodious string music played nearby, and clouds danced outside the cabin.

The Sleep God had existed in Heaven and Earth for such long eons, yet he had never imagined that the simple art of a footbath could hold such profundity.

"Not bad," the Sleep God praised. "The Human Domain's methods of enjoyment are quite impressive."

Xiao Jian Daoist, however, laughed and said, "This should be a pleasure technique from the Northern Wilderness, not something from our Human Domain."

The three of them immediately turned their heads to look at Wu Wang.

Wu Wang smacked his lips nonchalantly and chuckled. "Just some fun I figured out when I was bored as a kid."

Everyone smiled and did not press further.

Wu Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

These fellows... if they enjoy it, they enjoy it—why ask where it came from?

Xiao Jian Daoist exclaimed with admiration, "Opening a couple of footbath establishments in the town outside the main pavilion would be a significant source of Spirit Stones."

"Brother Xiao, are you in need of such things?" Wu Wang asked, turning to face him, a touch of amusement in his eyes.

Xiao Jian Daoist smiled. "I'm not in need, but the salary from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion isn't particularly high. Sometimes, when I want to exchange for some precious materials, I do face some minor troubles."

"Grand Elder," Wu Wang said, turning his head, "arrange for Brother Xiao Jian to join the Refining Master Alliance later. Give him a position with the benefits due to a veteran."

The Grand Elder bowed in agreement, but Xiao Jian Daoist seemed somewhat hesitant.

The Sleep God teased, "What's this? No need to avoid discussing power and strategy openly in the Human Domain anymore?"

Xiao Jian Daoist replied with a smile, "His Majesty's and my master's intention is for me to fully support Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wang."

"TSK," the Sleep God shook his head. "This aspect of the Human Domain is much more complex than the Heaven Palace."

"Let's not worry about that for now," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I'll go meet Senior Sanxian later. You all can wander around freely, or you could visit the Lin Family."

The Grand Elder said kindly, "Sect Master, I should naturally follow you to provide protection."

"Let's all go," the Sleep God said with a laugh. "I, too, would like to see what's so extraordinary about this Sanxian Daoist whom you praise so highly."

Wu Wang hesitated slightly.

This line of thought was quite peculiar. On one hand, he also wanted to bring along the 'God of Yun Meng,' an ancient being from the Great Wilderness. If Sanxian Daoist truly had some issues, the insights of this master of the 'Dao of Qi' would surely reveal any abnormalities. On the other hand, he worried that these matters would disturb the tranquility of Senior Sanxian's final days. This…

After some deliberation, Wu Wang said, "Wait for me to take a look first. You all go to Jiuhuang City and wait for me there. I'll find a way to invite him for a talk in Jiuhuang City."

The group nodded with understanding, not insisting further.

Wu Wang then took out a Jade Talisman and handed it to Xiao Jian Daoist with great earnestness. "This is a Jade Talisman to contact Old Snow Eagle, a well-respected figure here. If there's anything you'd like to experience, seeking him out is definitely the right choice."

Xiao Jian Daoist's eyes brightened instantly, and he carefully stored the Jade Talisman in his sleeve.

What happened next... well, actually, not much. When Wu Wang brought Sanxian Daoist to Jiuhuang City, they met at the largest temporary site for Crossing Tribulation in all of Jiuhuang City. It was quite an imposing sight.

And so, Wu Wang left the ship with the Blue Bird and the Green Snake. The Green Snake naturally assumed the role of a guard, while Wu Wang had asked the Blue Bird if she wanted to accompany him on an outing. The Blue Bird, of course, would not refuse; she perched on Wu Wang's shoulder and followed him as they descended.

After they left, a hint of loss flashed in Ling Xiaolan's eyes. Even when Lin Suqing naturally started a conversation, Ling Xiaolan found it hard to feign interest.

For the past few months, she seemed to have fallen into a strange state of mind. She always wanted to get closer to Wu Wang, yet when she actually was near, she did not know what to talk about. Thankfully, there were discussions about cultivation. Their conversations always revolved around cultivation insights and matters of state, which somewhat troubled Ling Xiaolan. In contrast, she noticed that the Blue Bird's interactions with Wu Wang appeared increasingly effortless. When Wu Wang was not in secluded cultivation, he often conversed with the Blue Bird. One 'felt' the other did not recognize them, and the other meticulously maintained this 'feeling.' It was indeed enviable.

Lin Suqing smiled and said, "Fairy Immortal, how about we go to the rear cabin for a cup of flower tea?"

"Mm," Ling Xiaolan nodded gently. As her gaze fixed on Lin Suqing's beautiful features, her thoughts grew more intricate.

「Elsewhere...」

Wu Wang, accompanied by the Blue Bird, crossed the rift in Heaven and Earth torn open by the Green Snake and arrived above a vast mountain forest.

The Southeastern Region was vast, but most areas were deep mountains and ancient forests like this one. This was not an uninhabited, green desert; instead, it was dotted with tribes of the Hundred Races, whose customs and habits were rather primitive. As the Human Domain cultivators' footsteps spread, the customs and culture of the Human Domain also influenced these tribes, which had already undergone assimilation for one and a half Human Emperor eras. The Hundred Races learned to speak the language of men, and all beings grew in spiritual wisdom.

Wu Wang had previously witnessed the lifestyle of the Hundred Races' tribes in the Southeastern Region when he and Lin Suqing had rushed to the city above the clouds.

It was that sort of... that sort of... thing. Apart from occasional tribes practicing communal living and marriage, they mostly weren't too different from the tribes in the Northern Wilderness, more like some of the Human Domain's remote mountain villages.

"Sect Master! Over here, over here!" Yang Wudi's voice floated over. The bald, burly man leaped to the top of a Great Tree, waving vigorously at Wu Wang.

Yang Wudi had been stationed here for some time.

Serving the Sect Master, one could not afford any negligence. Even if he couldn't persuade Sanxian Daoist, he still had to ensure the old man was comfortable and well taken care of.

As Wu Wang descended, Yang Wudi immediately came forward to greet him. "Sect Master, the sacks are all prepared; we can carry him away at any time."

"Now, now," Wu Wang said seriously, "let's respect the senior's choice. Imposing one's will on another is coercion, and that is the way of the Heaven Palace."

"Yes, yes," Yang Wudi nodded repeatedly.

That was precisely why he had said it; otherwise, when would he get an opportunity to showcase his eloquence?

Then, Yang Wudi glanced at the Green Snake, then at the Blue Bird on Wu Wang's shoulder. Without saying a word or offering a greeting to them, he asked Wu Wang, "Sect Master, shall we go over now?"

"Let's go," Wu Wang said. His Immortal Consciousness swept the area as he looked toward the southwest.

"This way, please."

"Hold on," Wu Wang said. He raised his hand to his face, and wisps of grey qi floated out, restoring his appearance to that of 'Yan Chixia' from the past.

"CHIRP?" The Blue Bird tilted its head, inquiring.

Wu Wang explained warmly, "The last time I met this senior, I used this appearance under the alias Yan Chixia. Although he knows my real name, what the senior cherishes is the Yan Chixia of the past, not some Vice Pavilion Master of the Human Domain."

The Blue Bird nodded lightly. When it looked at Wu Wang, there was a shine in its small eyes…

After flying over the wilderness for only a dozen or so miles, they saw treehouses nestled amongst the trees, from which merry laughter emanated. Many beings with keen senses also peeked out to look at their figures.

Interestingly, perhaps the Green Snake's arrival and its unique aura caused many snakes and pythons to appear in the woods. These creatures, normally hidden in the earth or absorbing Spiritual Energy while hibernating for their cultivation, now seemed as though they were paying homage to the king of their kind.

Wu Wang took a moment to observe…

Unsatisfactory. Not a single instance of a white snake and a green snake together.

As they ventured deeper into the dense forest, more treehouses appeared. Paths covered with fallen leaves and grass became visible on the ground, and watchful sentinels could be seen hidden in the trees above.

Yang Wudi was already well acquainted with this place. Wherever his trademark bald head went, the beings of the Hundred Races cast friendly glances his way.

The Green Snake frowned slightly and suddenly said, "Master, someone bears ill will."

Wu Wang nodded slightly. Looking towards several members of the Feather Country, he said slowly, "The great war between the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace destroyed the Feather Country's city in the clouds. Their displeasure with us is only natural."

"Rest assured, Sect Master," Yang Wudi said eagerly. "It's not a significant issue. We've already made secret contact with the Feather Country and offered them a lot of support. The Heaven Palace was the main culprit, and they are quite reasonable about it."

Wu Wang smiled.

In truth, the matter was not so simple. Out of a hundred slaves facing tyranny, ninety might kneel while ten remain standing. In the end, those ten who stand might not be hated by the ones imposing tyranny; they might even appreciate these ten slaves. The ones who hate those ten standing slaves the most are often those who knelt, received some benefits, and now fear that the ten standing slaves will disrupt their livelihood. Not all of the Hundred Races viewed the rise of the Human Domain as an indication of better days ahead; there were countless such examples. What were these called on Blue Star again? Compradors, nothing more.

Ahead, in a treehouse, Wu Wang could already see the old man's figure through the window. The old man pushed open the wooden door of the treehouse, revealing a somewhat helpless smile to Wu Wang. His eyes carried a hint of reproach mixed with a trace of warmth.

He said in a gentle voice, "Why must you insist on seeking me out?"

"I can't bear to see you pass away like this." Wu Wang bowed his head in a Daoist salute, and the Blue Bird on his shoulder also bowed its head respectfully.

The Green Snake simply stood quietly, suspended in mid-air. Like Yang Wudi, it did not step forward.

「Inside the treehouse.」

Wu Wang sat at a low table made from a tree stump, watching Sanxian Daoist busily moving around, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Sanxian Daoist was much, much older now than the last time they met. His hair was white, his frame stooped, and his vitality was waning. The life force within him was like a pool of stagnant water, one on the verge of drying up.

"Senior, why have you aged so much?"

"Alas, my time is almost up." Sanxian Daoist tried to sound carefree, but the words turned into a soft sigh as they left his lips. He added, "Everyone must face this. There's no need for excessive worry."

Wu Wang raised his eyebrows, took the Shen Nong Lifesaving Elixir from his sleeve, and said with a smile, "Look, a good thing, personally refined by His Majesty."

Sanxian Daoist came over with a teapot and immediately waved his hands. "No, it shouldn't be like this. I... I cannot accept such a favor."

Wu Wang hastily said, "Senior, the formation diagrams you bestowed have been placed in the Scripture Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Everyone who has seen them is full of praise! You truly deserve this!"

"Oh?" Sanxian Daoist's interest was piqued. His eyes lit up, and his steps grew lighter. He sat opposite Wu Wang, and without bothering to pour tea, he asked, "Who all has seen it?"

"Master Liu of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, Pavilion Master Feng Zhizi of the Four Seas Pavilion... There are too many to count." Wu Wang spoke earnestly, "The most pertinent comment I've heard is that if the theory of the basic Five Elements Formation is further improved, it could save the Human Domain thirty percent of the Spirit Stones spent on grand formations each year. This is an astronomical sum! Senior, the Human Domain still needs your brilliance and contributions."

There was an element of exaggeration in this. But Wu Wang knew that experts like him, who held the Human Domain in their hearts, couldn't bear to hear that the Human Domain needed them. To change Sanxian Daoist's mind and convince him to accept the life-extending elixir, Wu Wang had to resort to this lie.

Hearing this, Sanxian Daoist's eyes initially brightened, but the light gradually faded. He sighed and said, "As long as they think it's good, that's all that matters. As long as they think it's good. Then, my trip here was not in vain; I've managed to do something for the Human Domain."

Wu Wang was speechless. ...

"Senior, whom exactly did you promise? Even ants cling to life! How can you be so resigned?"

"It's because I lack the talent and understanding," Sanxian Daoist said gently. "I've experienced so much in all these years. It's enough. Besides, near the end, I even met you, Chi Xia. You really kept me in the dark for so long."

"Well," Wu Wang sighed, "at the time, it was necessary for scheming against the Heaven Palace..."

"Ah, let's not speak of that," Sanxian Daoist said with a smile. "Whether you are Yan Chixia or Wu Wangzi, a minor Yuanxian Realm scout from the Four Seas Pavilion, or the now-famous Vice Pavilion Master of the Human Domain, you are still you. The one I befriended is you; the one I admire is also you. Fame and fortune are irrelevant to this."

Wu Wang's gaze flickered. "Then Senior, for the sake of our friendship, could you..."

"Let's not discuss this," Sanxian Daoist said, pouring Wu Wang a cup of tea. "Your trip to the Southeastern Region this time... surely it wasn't solely to find me, was it?"

Wu Wang replied, "Actually, it was."

"You're an important person; your time is precious." Although Sanxian Daoist said this, the corners of his mouth still revealed a faint smile. "The fact that you remembered me is enough to make my heart content."

Wu Wang sighed and said earnestly, "Regardless of your choice, Senior, I came this time to express my gratitude."

"Let's not talk about that," Sanxian Daoist waved his hand and laughed. "Later, I'll take you around. You can see and appreciate how different the scenery here is from the Human Domain. Indeed, the Great Wilderness isn't just the Human Domain. If you have the chance in the future, you must travel and explore various places. Unlike me, with my limited strength, the Southeastern Region is the place I've roamed the most."

Wu Wang smiled and began to share stories with Sanxian Daoist about various local customs. He had grown up in the Northern Wilderness, drifted in the West Sea, visited the nation of women in the Western Wilderness, and traveled through numerous territories. Additionally, he was well-read, having particularly collected various miscellaneous books from different places before starting his cultivation. Now, as he recounted these experiences as stories, Sanxian Daoist listened with continuous admiration.

Before long, they left the treehouse and began to stroll and chat in the village below. Wu Wang had reinforced his shoulders with a thicker Ice Crystal film, upon which the Blue Bird perched. The Green Snake and Yang Wudi followed from a distance. The former, in particular, scanned hundreds of miles around them, guarding against any potential 'assassins'.

As they chatted, Sanxian Daoist began to test Wu Wang on his studies.

This was rather awkward...

Wu Wang could only explain that he was usually too busy with official duties. Even his cultivation revolved around comprehending his own Great Dao, leaving him little time to delve into formation theory.

Sanxian Daoist grabbed Wu Wang by the arm, his beard and hair fluttering, his eyes wide. "Today, I must ensure you fully grasp it!"

At that moment, Wu Wang's legs felt a bit weak.

Although piloting a spaceship is every man's dream, linear algebra contains none of a common man's romance. His lifelong interest had been artifact refining, but his knowledge there was merely superficial. And though he could discuss formation theory, he had never intended to make significant achievements in this field. Never had he expected to be strong-armed like this one day.

Thus, along the picturesque lakeshore, in a medicinal garden full of exotic flowers and rare fruits, one could see an old man in gray robes with white hair, dragging along a young Daoist, incessantly explaining theories about the transformations of the Five Elements. Even the Blue Bird on Wu Wang's shoulder seemed to be dozing off.

However, there was a silver lining. Sanxian Daoist finally agreed to accompany Wu Wang on a trip to Jiuhuang City. During Wu Wang's stay in the Southeastern Region, Sanxian Daoist would stay by his side, helping him comprehend the formation theories to which he had devoted half his life.

Wu Wang had already secretly ordered a few formation experts to come over. If worse came to worst, he would 'cheat during the session,' using telepathy to answer the old master's questions. After all, the secrecy of telepathy depended on the difference in their cultivation levels.

「The next day.」

The Green Snake tore open a passage in Heaven and Earth. Wu Wang, using his immortal power, enveloped Sanxian Daoist and brought him directly outside the great formation of Jiuhuang City.

Guards from various races, sent by Old Snow Eagle, were already waiting there. Yang Wudi went ahead to make contact, and they passed through the area unimpeded.

Wu Wang thought back to when he first arrived at Jiuhuang City, standing in line outside with Lin Suqing.

Now, looking at his own towering ship floating above the formation, figures gracefully descending from it, and the city's protective formation momentarily opening to admit them... Wu Wang felt quite sentimental. This was power and influence. Jiuhuang City's longstanding principles were worthless under the pressure applied by the Human Domain's powerful elite. If this continued, would he too be corrupted by these two words one day?

As Wu Wang pondered this, he laughed and joked with Sanxian Daoist while they approached an ornately decorated 'grand hall.'

This place was full of curious delights.

As soon as Wu Wang entered, he sensed this was not a respectable establishment. The gazes of the exotically enchanting women of various races all carried hints of flirtation. Luckily, Old Snow Eagle had booked the entire venue, so the usual overwhelming spectacle of indescribable scenes was absent.

He immediately raised his hand to cover the Blue Bird's head and muttered, "Why was the dinner arranged here?"

Sanxian Daoist, standing beside him, narrowed his eyes in amusement, seemingly unfazed.

Following an attendant, they ascended the spacious stairs. After just a few steps onto the second floor, they were greeted by several familiar figures from the balcony railing, some holding wine glasses, others bowing in greeting.

Old Snow Eagle, his face beaming, hailed, "Greetings, Vice Pavilion Master! Greetings, Vice Pavilion Master!"

Wu Wang's mouth twitched. He chuckled and retorted, "Well then, don't just shout it, actually bow."

"Uh..." Old Snow Eagle chuckled awkwardly, preparing to perform a grand salute.

Wu Wang said, "We're here on a private basis. If you act so formally, I won't come here anymore."

"That mustn't happen, indeed it mustn't," Old Snow Eagle hastily agreed. He then turned to Sanxian Daoist, his expression dimming slightly. "You... you finally decided to come see me!"

Sanxian Daoist looked ashamed and gave Old Snow Eagle a respectful Daoist salute.

PING!

Just as Sanxian Daoist was about to offer a few words of apology, a sudden noise from the side drew everyone's attention. Looking towards the sound, they saw the Sleep God with a stiff expression, his right hand held as if still gripping something, while his wine glass lay shattered on the ground.

"Brother?" Wu Wang frowned, his brow furrowed in concern.

The Sleep God quickly averted his gaze from Sanxian Daoist and, with a flick of his hand, retrieved the fallen wine glass from the floor as if nothing had happened. He then said, "It's nothing, nothing. I sleep too much. My hand just twitched."

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