At the banquet table, cups were cheerfully passed around amid the lively chatter.

Wu Wang was vigorously urged to drink by Old Snow Eagle, but in the end, it was Daoist Xiao Jian and Yang Wudi who ended up crawling under the table.

Fairy Ling seemed to be preoccupied with something. She wore her veil and did not take it off, occasionally staring absent-mindedly at the spotless bowls and chopsticks in front of her.

The Blue Bird was taken away by the old auntie and Immortal Mu, not sharing a table with them here, which, conversely, gave him a sense of relaxed comfort.

Wu Wang actually found it difficult to concentrate the entire time.

The fallen wine cup weighed on Wu Wang's mind like a heavy stone. He wanted to disregard such details, but the PING of the crisp sound kept echoing in his ears.

Based on his observations and understanding over the past five years, the Sleep God was, at heart, an innately lazy, timid, indolent deity with no grand ambitions...

COUGH, a free and unfettered crane, a free and unfettered crane.

His 'Old Brother,' the Sleep God, had reacted so strongly to Sanxian Daoist—dropping his wine cup and then quickly covering it up by claiming his hand merely trembled.

Would the hand of an Innate God tremble? Wu Wang didn't believe there wasn't a story behind it, especially after the successive deaths of the Head Manager, the New Thunder God, and Emperor Shun. But what about Sanxian Daoist...?

In the light from the illuminating magical device, Wu Wang saw Sanxian Daoist, slightly tipsy at the moment. His face, like old tree bark, wore a contented smile, and his slightly squinted eyes conveyed a peace with the ways of the world; as if, should he fall asleep right then, his consciousness would drift away with the wind just as easily.

Everyone has their own secrets, and I have an extraordinary number of them myself. At least, for now, it seems Sanxian Daoist harbors no ill will toward the Human Domain. This old Daoist is like an ordinary cultivator, harboring a love for the Human Domain and possessing the noble character to sacrifice himself for it. While confirming these points is actually enough, I still have some doubts.

After the meal, Wu Wang found an excuse to stroll arm-in-arm with the Sleep God and admire the night scenery of Jiuhuang City.

Seeing this, Daoist Xiao Jian, without needing a reminder from Wu Wang, had already focused his Transcendent Realm Immortal Consciousness on Sanxian Daoist. After Sanxian Daoist retired to his room to rest, Daoist Xiao Jian joined Old Snow Eagle to drink and chat nearby.

Ming Snake was left behind by Wu Wang to protect Lin Suqing and the others.

They are what I'm most worried about.

"What's the matter?" Wu Wang sent a telepathic inquiry.

The Sleep God yawned, his eyes fixed on an exotic woman approaching, and mumbled, "What do you mean, what's the matter?"

"The wine cup."

"Wasn't that just my hand trembling?"

The Sleep God chuckled, praising, "Brother, look at those legs! Wow, they're really something!"

"Brother, your skill at changing the subject has really gotten worse, hasn't it?"

"HEHEHE," the Sleep God laughed dryly, a helpless expression on his face. "This matter has nothing to do with me; I really don't want to be involved in your struggles between heaven and earth. Helping you put the Head Manager to sleep last time was risky. Fortunately, I hid well, and with so many things happening afterward, the Heaven Palace was too busy to mind me. Otherwise, powerful Strong Gods from the Heaven Palace would have come after me long ago. Brother, please spare me. I truly don't want to be involved in these affairs. As divine generations change and living beings increase or decrease, this world remains the same. You should ponder over this more and stay away from those plots and power games."

Wu Wang's lips thinned. "Aren't I also being forced into this?"

"It seems to me that you're enjoying it, slowly getting lost in the calls of 'Vice Pavilion Master'," the Sleep God chuckled. "Think about it, what is true eternity in this world? The Dao, the rules, the world itself, and beings like you and me who can live forever. Countless ages later, you'll find that you're just alone; whether it's a beautiful confidante or temporary fame, all will pass by like fleeting clouds."

Wu Wang laughed. "Brother, when did you start preaching?"

"Is this preaching? This is just me giving you a few pointers because we have a good relationship."

"So, what exactly is Senior Sanxian... Three supreme-quality beds."

The Sleep God shook his head, an expression of 'this boy is unteachable' helplessness on his face, and muttered, "Forget it. Those beds would be too hot for comfort. Actually, I don't know either."

Wu Wang: ...

"Then why were you trembling?"

"I was scared."

"How could you be scared if you don't even know who Senior Sanxian is?"

"He shouldn't exist in this world."

The Sleep God sighed softly, and a faint mist surrounding them isolated them from all probing. Even the necklace on Wu Wang's chest flickered twice before falling silent, causing his mother in the Starry Sky Temple to grow anxious.

With his hands crossed in front of him, the Sleep God's slightly chubby body leaned back, his eyes filled with memories. "He carries the divine essence of the Great Emperor Fu Xi from the Human Domain."

Wu Wang's Dao heart was unusually calm, not even trembling, as he immediately asked, "Divine essence? What does that mean?"

"It's hard to explain clearly. Divine essence is similar to Dao essence. Broadly speaking, divine essence is the impression one gives to others." The Sleep God smiled and said, "When your cultivation level is high enough, reaching the realm of Pavilion Master Liu, you will understand what divine essence is. Each powerful being has a different divine essence. For example, the Sun Goddess Xihe; her divine essence is constant and fiery. Or like the Laurel Goddess Chang Xi; her divine essence always carries a hint of coolness. I could never mistake the divine essence of the Great Emperor Fu Xi of the Human race. After all, he was the powerful being who nearly overturned the Heaven Palace back then—or more precisely, a living being who stood at the pinnacle of the Great Dao."

Wu Wang couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. He then asked, "What connection could Sanxian Daoist have with Emperor Fu Xi?"

"That's the strange part." The Sleep God took a slow breath. "Perhaps Emperor Fu Xi was unwilling to accept his fate, and a shred of his Divine Soul has been circulating in the world? Does he have any other peculiarities?"

"He said he promised someone that he couldn't become an Immortal," Wu Wang murmured, his hands behind his back, long hair fluttering in the night breeze, his face filled with contemplation.

The Sleep God said with a smile, "To become an Immortal is to attain one's Dao. One's own Great Dao begins to solidify, and the Dao grows within the Immortal body. The one restricting him from becoming an Immortal is likely Emperor Shun. Casually sending a dream, planting some barriers inside Sanxian Daoist's body, or even directly threatening Sanxian Daoist, like, 'If you become an Immortal, I will kill so-and-so many mortals'... It's incredibly easy for the Heavenly Emperor to do these things."

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow slightly.

When I first met Emperor Shun, he used the divine art of 'freezing a moment.' When he first turned his head, it was to speak to someone by his side. It was only after Emperor Shun had spoken a few words that I was able to hear his voice. It's quite possible Emperor Shun came here also to see Sanxian Daoist. Yes, if Sanxian Daoist has always been secretly controlled by the Heavenly Emperor, our meeting could have an unpredictable impact on my fate. The sudden aging of Senior Sanxian could very well be the secret work of the Heavenly Emperor! There's only one truth!

"I fear it is not so simple," the Sleep God said, his eyes filled with doubt. "This Sanxian Daoist has absolutely no idea who he really is. I speculate that Sanxian Daoist might have been an ordinary Cultivator who inadvertently fused with a very faint divine essence of the Great Emperor Fu Xi."

Wu Wang nodded slowly, saying, "That conjecture seems most reliable, as Senior Sanxian is extremely obsessed with the Dao of Formations."

"It's meaningless to think about it," laughed the Sleep God. "Sanxian Daoist is simply an old Daoist who cannot become an Immortal. I just probed him secretly earlier, almost emptied his memories, and still couldn't find anything unusual. He was probably just tainted with the divine essence; it really scared me when I first saw him. If the Human Domain were hiding a Great Emperor Fu Xi, the heavens might truly turn upside down."

Wu Wang: ...

"Brother, you...!"

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH! I accidentally let it slip." The Sleep God smiled awkwardly, hurriedly adding, "Don't worry, I was just secretly probing and definitely did no harm to him."

Wu Wang could only shake his head and sigh, saying no more. He and the Sleep God strolled through the night market, discussing 'Fu Xi in the eyes of the minor gods of the Heaven Palace.'

With this living fossil from the Great Wilderness by his side, Wu Wang's knowledge was also rapidly increasing.

Suiren Slaughtered Gods, Fu Xi Expounded the Methods, Shen Nong tasted hundreds of herbs; these were common tales within the Human Domain and the Nine Wildernesses. But in fact, these three Human Emperors of the Human Domain did far more. His Majesty Shennong had not yet reached his peak, but the other two former emperors had once made it impossible for the gods in the Heaven Palace to sleep soundly...

The Sleep God continued speaking, and Wu Wang listened attentively by his side, both of them wrapped in a faint mist as they strolled through the night market's streets and alleys. Sometimes they sat in a teahouse, drinking a couple of cups of refreshing bitter tea. Sometimes they joked and teased each other, their conversation not lacking in playful banter. Their hearts were content, pleased with themselves.

「Two days later.」

"Not returning to the Human Domain for now?" Xiao Jian Daoist, holding several communication Jade Talismans, frowned as he looked at Wu Wang.

The Daoist Essence of the Star Dao around Vice Pavilion Master Wu Wang gradually dissipated. He, originally in meditation, stretched his legs and leaned back with his hands, relaxing completely. He said, "What's the use of going back? To watch them argue?"

"But this..." Xiao Jian Daoist sat not far from Wu Wang, frowning as he said, "You've been here all this time. What if the Heaven Palace gets word and comes to trouble you?"

"No worries," Wu Wang said, wiggling his feet and pointing at the ceiling. "I have connections up there."

"This place, after all, is not the Human Domain," Xiao Jian Daoist said in a low voice. "It's not as if the Young Master and the others haven't tried anything before."

"It doesn't matter." Wu Wang pointed his thumb over his shoulder. "I have backing here too."

Ripples danced in the air as Ming Snake, clad in black, walked slowly forward, standing behind Wu Wang, his slender eyes gazing intently at him.

"Master."

"Ah, this!" Xiao Jian Daoist felt his scalp tingle, utterly puzzled. He asked, "Vice Pavilion Master, is there any special meaning to you staying here?"

"I just don't want to go back and argue with them," Wu Wang said indifferently. "Whether or not they want to launch a northern expedition, they can decide. If it's confirmed that we're fighting to the north, then I will plan and do my utmost. I'll give it my all, holding nothing back. But I won't participate in the process of making this decision."

Xiao Jian Daoist laughed and said, "If you don't speak up, the situation truly might not be resolved."

"HEH, you think too highly of me." Wu Wang's smile carried a hint of sarcasm as he said aloud, "The human heart is unpredictable, and everyone acts according to their position. When people speak, they are guided not only by their conscience and nature but also by their standing and perspective. The Human Domain has won consecutively in its conflicts with the Heaven Palace. Do you think I'm unaware, Daoist brother? Many people are already carefully planning for the grand future after overthrowing the Heaven Palace. The Lin Family's affair is the best proof. If Lin Nuhao didn't have his own schemes, even if his Dao heart was suppressed by the Head Manager, he wouldn't have revealed such a fatal flaw. There are indeed pure individuals in the Human Domain, wholeheartedly devoted to the Human Domain and the Human race, but as you know, Daoist brother, it's hard for purely altruistic people to reach high positions."

"Alas..." Xiao Jian Daoist shook his head and said slowly, "It seems you truly don't want to deal with this matter."

"Externally, I can," Wu Wang shook his head. "Internally, let the old seniors busy themselves."

"But you will eventually have to face these things," Xiao Jian Daoist said seriously. "The Human Domain's Little Golden Dragon, accompanied by the Tianyan Saintess—these labels have already pushed you to a prominent position."

I couldn't help but be silent for a moment. I looked at the Immortal Platform in my God's Mansion, at that constantly pulsing Yan Emperor's command. Before the first time I went back in time, I had actually already been targeted by those coveting the position of Human Emperor because of the Lin Family's affair. In the latter three rewinds to break the deadlock, however, I managed to cover it up. That Vice Pavilion Master Wang Jian was utterly confused and sidelined; even now, he's still brooding over how he might have offended me...

Wu Wang sighed softly and said in a low voice, "To tell you the truth, I'm somewhat disappointed with the Human Domain.

"I subconsciously viewed the Human Domain as an ideal realm from my memories, influenced by its prosperity and its united front against external threats, which gave me an inexplicable fondness for it.

"But upon coming to my senses, delving deeper, engaging, and observing, I gradually realized that at its core, the Human Domain still operates on the principle of the strong ruling the weak. Its current prosperity is only due to immense external pressure.

"The day the Heaven Palace is overthrown will be the day the Human Domain fractures.

"I don't really want to confront these issues, nor do I want to spend my energy on them.

"You know, Daoist brother, I control over a third of the Human Domain's treasure mines and sources of Spiritual Cores. I don't need to take on significant responsibility to get everything I want from the Human Domain.

"The position of Human Emperor is merely a burden to me; I lack the motivation to shoulder this responsibility.

"Moreover, I'm not the only one capable of filling this seat. The old seniors must have prepared numerous contingencies."

With his words concluded, Wu Wang turned his head to look at a nearby bookshelf. The Blue Bird was watching them, but... a bird's face and eyes simply couldn't convey overly complex emotions.

"I think I understand," Xiao Jian Daoist laughed and said, "Let's just keep these words between us. Many things are beyond our control, and sometimes the timing just isn't right. How long do you plan to stay here, Wu Wang?"

"Until they stop arguing." Wu Wang snorted, then raised his hand to massage his brow. "And I have to master a set of Formation theories... After all, I owe a debt of gratitude to Sanxian Daoist. The old man's Lifespan isn't much longer, and accompanying him is also a way of repaying his kindness."

Xiao Jian Daoist asked in a low voice, "This senior's identity..."

"There's nothing special about him," Wu Wang said. "By the way, I have a class to attend at the courtyard's little school in an hour. Brother Dao, why don't you come and have a look with me?"

After a moment's thought, Xiao Jian Daoist nodded in agreement.

「Off the southeastern coast of the East Sea, in the waters near the Southeastern Region.」

The wreckage of a broken ship was scattered all around. Corpses floating on the sea's surface attracted flocks of seabirds and bloodthirsty deep-sea beasts.

On a somewhat larger plank of wood, several figures huddled together, protecting two young children.

In the water beneath the plank, shadows continuously flitted by.

A young girl's trembling voice called out, "Mom, I'm scared."

The woman, with a faint trace of Mana, hugged the girl tightly, stifling her own urge to cry...

A mournful sound, WOO—, like that of a clay xun, suddenly came from somewhere. Amid the surrounding waters, several fish heads with terrifying fangs emerged, looking towards the distant sea surface.

There, with a few slight ripples on the water, a giant one-horned turtle-fish slowly floated up. The woman sitting on its back wore a long blue-green dress, its hem fluttering like scattered petals. She emerged from the sea, yet not a single droplet of water dampened her attire, and she was surrounded by a faint golden glow. She held the clay xun in her hands, quietly playing it.

The beasts sank back into the sea, swimming towards the deep ocean...

A hundred miles away, the dozen or so figures that had retreated earlier now stopped in unison at the seabed. They turned and looked towards where the lady in blue had appeared.

"A Divine Spirit?"

"Why would a Divine Spirit be here?"

"I told you to strike harder, didn't I? But no, you said they wouldn't survive as widows and orphans. HMPH!"

"That Divine Spirit has taken them away... What do we do now?"

"We are merely True Immortals; how can we contend with a Divine Spirit? Let's return and report. Remember, just say we were about to kill them when that Divine Spirit drove us away. The higher-ups surely won't question a Divine Spirit. Leave two behind to follow from a distance and keep an eye on where they're taken. That Divine Spirit can't keep them by her side forever."

"Yes!"

"We should have been more decisive earlier!"

"This will be an endless source of trouble!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.