The Young Master came to seek help from the Human Domain's Little Golden Dragon, asking him to make a move and somehow stop the Head Manager from self-destructing... This? Isn't this like singing out of tune—absurdly off the mark?

The words spoken by the Young Master, though not striking the core issue, were somewhat reasonable. What she mentioned was that Heaven Palace completely controls living beings through the Dao of Life. However, what the Heavenly Emperor actually intended was to elevate the order of Heaven and Earth by using the opposition of life and death, borrowing the power of living beings to create Yin and Yang.

From this, one could also see that the Innate Gods generally had a limited understanding of the Heaven and Earth Dao.

"Has the Young Master forgotten? Your elder brother, the Head Manager, has caused me no small amount of trouble," Wu Wang said.

Wu Wang leaned back, crossed his legs, tossed the hem of his robe forward, and relaxed his whole demeanor somewhat as he leisurely examined the Young Master's face.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, her lips lightly pursed, and her black skirt emitted a faint shimmer. Although she was just an avatar formed by a concentration of Divine Soul, she was indistinguishable from a body of flesh and blood. Even her skin had a kind of crystal-clear appearance.

She asked, "I am aware of these things, which is why I will compensate you."

Wu Wang: ...

Agreeing so decisively, could there be some trick?

"I really can't accept such 'compensation'," Wu Wang raised his eyebrows and said indifferently. "Tell me, what benefits can you offer me, and they must be delivered into my hands right now."

He didn't believe that the Young Master, a mighty Strong God of Heaven Palace, would really fall for such an obvious attempt to get something for nothing!

"The benefits I can offer you, and which can be given to you right now?"

The Young Master hummed lightly and began to consider seriously.

Wu Wang's facial muscles involuntarily twitched slightly, and even Nu Chou, the Acquired God who accompanied the Young Master, seemed somewhat helpless. Even his followers, like the whistling snake, Lin Suqing, and the Blue Bird in the corner, were affected. The Grand Elder and Xiao Jian Daoist outside the door were also either mildly surprised or utterly confused at this moment.

Is this really Heaven Palace's Young Master?

She doesn't even know how to haggle?

Wu Wang calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip with his head lowered, and used the refreshing tea to extinguish the faint pangs of guilt that should not have been there.

"Innocently charming," his mother had said; it truly captured the essence.

Suddenly, the Young Master began to speak, "My Great Dao is the Dao of Reproduction. I'm not sure what I can offer you. However, if you wish for offspring, you may designate a woman. As long as you are diligent in mating, I can ensure that you will have offspring within three years."

PFFT—

Wu Wang spat out a mouthful of tea to the side.

The whistling snake could have dodged but chose to endure. After all, this was a gift from his master.

Outside the door, the Grand Elder and Xiao Jian Daoist exchanged looks, both with peculiar expressions.

"The Young Master is quite knowledgeable, huh?" Wu Wang said nonchalantly.

"Would this benefit be acceptable?"

The Young Master had a hint of expectation in her eyes.

She continued, "The stronger the individual, the harder it is to have offspring. Many powerful beings among the Hundred Races wish to seek my help in utilizing the Great Dao."

"I believe that whether a partner can become pregnant depends on my strength, not on the permission of any Great Dao. How did we end up talking about this?"

Wu Wang laughed. "The Young Master is not familiar with the customs of the Human Domain. In our realm, we shy away from... the notion of mating. We are all civilized beings, and we use euphemisms for such things."

"If it is a matter of custom, why should it be so concealed?"

The Young Master wondered. "Isn't reproduction and survival the most important thing for living beings?"

Wu Wang said, "Living beings are also divided into those that have and haven't awakened their Spiritual Wisdom. For those with Spiritual Wisdom, the pursuit should not be solely reproduction. Like in the Human Domain, establishing and inheriting civilization is also important."

The Young Master said, "This so-called flame of civilization extinguishes and reignites, burning again and again, in a cycle that has continued since ancient times.

"The awakening of Spiritual Wisdom, the establishment of civilization—these are nothing but the fruits borne by a group on the foundation of reproduction.

"After some reflection, and considering the Human Domain's perspective, civilization turns into the dust of history. What remains at the end is merely a race, a community.

"Isn't the rudimentary form of civilization the order born within a group to protect themselves, their offspring, and ensure the smooth succession of their lineage?"

Wu Wang said, "There is no conflict between civilization and reproduction. What we were talking about is why we need to cover up reproductive matters and describe the great desires of human relationships with clever words.

"It's all because of modesty.

"Such are private matters between husband and wife, or Daoist partners, and should not be discussed publicly."

The Young Master pondered briefly, then said, "I'm still somewhat puzzled. If everyone in the Human Domain is so secretive and does not teach the young Human race how to reproduce... What if the young do not know how? What then?"

"This is really not the same thing!"

Wu Wang almost jumped up, urging her, "Let's talk about how to deal with your brother. Let's not discuss this matter any further; it can't be clearly argued in just a few days and nights!

"In our Human Domain, we have a complete set of rituals for young people on their wedding day. These matters are simply not to be discussed openly, yet they are still privately circulated among us.

"Let me give you an example...

"Yang Wudi! Go get a few sets of Autumn Palace Pictures, as a gift from the Human Domain for the Young Master!"

Yang Wudi, who was eavesdropping from a distant corner, felt his legs go weak, and nearly knelt before the Sect Master.

With a grand wave of his hand, Wu Wang said, "Alright, let's talk about serious matters. Young Master, please take a seat."

The Young Master said, "What difference does it make whether I sit or stand?"

Was this Young Master missing a screw in her head? Wu Wang felt sweat forming on his forehead from her words.

In front of everyone, this exceptionally exquisite and saintly-looking young girl in a black skirt was discussing 'the reproduction of living beings' with him. And she did so, unflustered and composed.

If she wasn't truly innocent, then she was just obscenely astute.

Clearly, the Young Master was the former.

Water that is too clean holds no fish. At this moment, Wu Wang even began to fear this Innate God.

Wu Wang decisively retreated several steps. He then spoke indifferently, "Young Master, as for the benefits, just keep them in mind. If I have any requests in the future, I hope you will remember the favor I'm doing for you today."

The Young Master blinked softly.

Unexpectedly, this troublesome fellow is actually not a bad living being.

Suddenly, Nu Chou muttered softly, "Shouldn't this matter be mutually beneficial, a case of each taking what they need?"

"That's not important! HAHAHA! AHAHAHAHA!"

Wu Wang laughed heartily several times, not giving the Young Master a chance to speak, and promptly inquired about the Head Manager's condition.

The Head Manager had been very depressed lately. The beauties once 'stockpiled' in the Temple had been dismissed by him recently. Each was given many benefits, ensuring they would have no worries about their livelihood for the rest of their lives.

The Head Manager sat before the sea of clouds every day, his hair disheveled and his clothes soiled. He would sometimes drink, sometimes cry, and often wouldn't speak a single word for days on end.

The Young Master advised him to sleep for a while, as it would help him recover his Dao and also adjust his mindset.

But the Head Manager only offered a bitter smile, continuously pouring liquor, pushing the Young Master several yards away with his actions.

Finally, the Head Manager began attempting to collapse his own Dao.

For some reason, he wanted to separate the Lifespan Dao from himself, the God of Lifespan, and bestow the Lifespan Dao upon the Young Master.

You are my sibling, and in the end, I only want to fulfill your desires.

"His heart has died."

Nu Chou spoke softly, then scoffed, "The Head Manager has committed countless wrongs, truly..."

The Young Master just fell silent.

Wu Wang turned to look at the whistling snake, only to see the whistling snake was lost in thought, so he asked, "Whistling snake, what do you think of this?"

"Master," the whistling snake was somewhat flustered and quickly came to his senses, saying, "Our clan has a Heritage Cave. Its murals depict the steps of reproduction. Each time, pairs go inside, and after roughly eighteen hours, they come out ready for conception."

All beings, gods, demigods: ...

Lin Suqing, who was in a corner, hurriedly whispered a reminder, "Master is asking about the Head Manager's matter."

The whistling snake immediately tensed up, his expression becoming even colder as he spoke softly, "The Head Manager..."

Wu Wang put a hand to his forehead and waved with the other, "You may leave."

"Yes."

The whistling snake took a half step back, layers of ripples stirring in the air, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Although his posture remained elegant and his expression composed, it still looked like he was fleeing in panic.

This Evil God also has mortal concerns?

The Young Master asked, "After speaking so much, do you have a solution?"

"I do have a solution, and it's a simple one."

Wu Wang said calmly, "I've once entered the Head Manager's sea of memories and seen some of his dreams. What the Head Manager cares about most are two Innate Gods. One is his sister, which is you, Young Master.

"The other is the Heavenly Emperor, Emperor Shun."

"Ah, my brother actually cares more about the Heavenly Emperor."

"The problem with the Head Manager now is that he feels his existence is meaningless. He might think that if he were to fall, it would actually fulfill the desires of both you and Emperor Shun."

The Young Master said, "His anger towards the Heavenly Emperor had faded initially, and deep down, he was already harboring such thoughts."

Wu Wang slowly said, "The Head Manager seems to be quite a cowardly person at heart."

"Are you planning to use reverse psychology?" the Young Master asked softly.

"Reverse psychology won't work," Wu Wang said. "As His Majesty Shennong writes in The Hundred Herb Manual: for serious illnesses, drastic remedies are required!"

The flames from the Yan Emperor decree suddenly surged, almost scorching Wu Wang's Primordial Spirit.

Wu Wang's Primordial Spirit quickly dodged aside, continuing to speak, "To rekindle the Head Manager's fighting spirit, we need to establish a rival for him."

The Young Master revealed a hint of a smile.

She said, "This is what I think. If you can write a letter to provoke him, this matter should be feasible."

"I can't," Wu Wang smiled and waved his hand, a sharp glint passing through his eyes. "In the Head Manager's eyes, I'm really just a naughty little brat, hardly his opponent.

"Consider carefully, when he mentions me in front of you, isn't his tone always very disdainful?"

After pondering for a while, the Young Master nodded slightly. "That's true."

"And think about it, wasn't the Head Manager most worried about failing to complete the task entrusted by the Heavenly Emperor?"

"Indeed so," the Young Master was on the verge of an epiphany.

"Therefore, the true source of the Head Manager's heartache isn't the Human Domain, but rather… Heaven… Palace… Great… Authority."

Wu Wang knocked four times on the tabletop, while the Young Master nodded gently and incessantly.

Wu Wang continued, "To stir up the Head Manager's fighting spirit, we must portray the Strong God currently in control of Heaven Palace as his opponent. This will make him strive to reclaim such authority.

"Young Master, I actually quite admire you, and think you are the only Innate God in Heaven Palace with whom I can befriend..."

The Sleep god suddenly stirred in the next room!

Wu Wang's voice continued:

"Today, by telling you this, I have in fact already gone against my own stance.

"It's the Head Manager whom the Human Domain truly fears as an enemy. The current Strong God in charge of authority can't pose a direct threat to the Human Domain, right?"

The Young Master replied, "That's right. The Earth God is steady in disposition, excels in defense, and doesn't pose much of a threat to the Human Domain."

"Exactly."

Wu Wang mentally noted it down.

Important information! The Strong God currently in control of Heaven Palace's authority is the Earth God of the Five Element Subordinate Gods!

Good heavens, Heaven Palace has a new leader!

Wu Wang's expression remained unchanged as he leaned forward slightly, focusing on the Young Master, and continued in a gentle voice:

"To make the Head Manager give up on self-destruction, you need to set a goal for him, provide a driving force, and give him an opponent.

"He inherently looks down on living beings and ignores the Human Domain, so he could only find a target within Heaven Palace.

"You only need to speak to the Head Manager... Actually, never mind, you can't do it; it would be too easy for you to give yourself away. Don't you have the little princess from the Feather Country among your subordinates? You can have her secretly spread some rumors. Let them circulate among the beings within Heaven Palace.

"Just say that restoring the Dao of Life to its rightful place was the Earth God's advice to the Heavenly Emperor."

The Young Master tried to object, "But wouldn't this..."

"Wouldn't this make them turn against each other?"

Wu Wang said with a smile, "Which is a bigger deal, their conflict or his self-destruction? You need to weigh which is more significant."

The Young Master pondered deeply.

Wu Wang then said, "Of course, this method is just an intermediate strategy, not the best one. The best strategy would be to forcibly seal the Head Manager, and the worst would be to encourage the Head Manager to betray Heaven Palace.

"All these options come at too great a cost.

"If we can encourage the Head Manager to stand up and compete with the Earth God, Heaven Palace might seem a bit unstable for now. However, such instability is trivial in the long run. After all, Emperor Shun is the real ruler above.

"No matter how much they quarrel, they cannot overturn Heaven.

"Consider it carefully.

"I've given you the method; I'll remember this favor."

The Young Master sighed softly and smiled slightly, nodding to Wu Wang.

She said, "I'll give it a try."

"Alas," Wu Wang lamented, "If His Majesty Shennong knew that I helped the Head Manager rally again, I'm afraid he really would hand down punishment."

The Young Master's eyes showed apology as she said in a low voice, "I really had no other options..."

Wu Wang gestured with his hand for her not to continue and then yelled outside, "Yang Wudi! Are the Autumn Palace Pictures ready?"

"Rea-ready!"

Yang Wudi appeared at the door, cradling a brocaded box and lifting it high.

The Young Master was about to say something else, but Wu Wang was already waving his hand to hurry her away.

In the end, she took the brocaded box, bowed to Wu Wang, and left with Nu Chou.

Wu Wang: ...

After she left, Yang Wudi made faces at Wu Wang.

Sect Master, isn't it a bit unscrupulous of us to deceive a pure Goddess like this?

Wu Wang smiled calmly, raising his eyebrows and smirking at Yang Wudi.

What's this? When the Heavenly Emperor deceives the Young Master, he has her directly devour the Head Manager's Dao. This Young Master will even have to thank me later.

"Thank you, Wu Wangzi."

Wu Wang almost couldn't help but laugh when the voice of the Young Master suddenly rang in his ear.

However, following that, Nu Chou returned, her sleeves casting several streaks of light, depositing several pairs of orphans and widows in the courtyard.

Nu Chou said, "I almost forgot. I rescued these people at sea. The voices in their hearts are very clear, and they bear no guilt. It's best if you of the Human race make arrangements for them."

Having said that, Nu Chou looked at Wu Wang with a smile that was not quite a smile, covered her chest in a respectful salute, and then her figure turned into Divine Light and vanished.

As soon as the Young Master left, everyone gathered around Wu Wang, praising him incessantly.

The looks they gave Wu Wang were now tinged with slightly more reverence than before.

A certain Goddess in the Starry Sky Temple at this moment was doubled over in laughter, almost sliding off her throne while clutching her staff.

If the Young Master really resorted to such a tactic, it would be driving the Head Manager into a corner.

If the Head Manager really started a conflict with the Earth God, and Emperor Shun didn't handle it promptly, Heaven Palace would certainly divide into factions. Perhaps some Innate Gods might even leave Heaven Palace.

But indeed, this was a way to make the Head Manager rise from his slump and take action.

"I didn't deceive her."

Wu Wang let out a light breath. "To tell the truth, the Young Master is the Innate God closest to the Great Dao, and there's really no fault in that statement."

Everyone naturally nodded with a smile.

Yang Wudi looked outside the courtyard, only to see those few women hugging two children, looking around in confusion and trembling all over.

He said, "Sect Master, allow me to inquire about their circumstances."

"Go ahead," replied Wu Wang, then added, "No, not you. You might scare them. Suqing, you go."

"Okay."

Lin Suqing immediately responded, stepped briskly out of the room, and approached the group. She took out some low-grade Elixirs that mortals could also use to help stabilize their spiritual minds and regulate their bodies.

Soon, more than ten Maidens arrived and ushered the troubled individuals to the back courtyard.

Yet in just a short while, Lin Suqing returned to Wu Wang, lips pursed and her pretty face slightly frosty.

"Master!"

"What's wrong?" asked Wu Wang, somewhat perplexed by Lin Suqing's expression. "It's rare to see you angry."

"You must intervene in this matter!"

Lin Suqing glanced around, her expression easing slightly, and said in a low voice, "Those orphans and widows escaped from the Human Domain. They were originally meant to die at sea but were coincidentally saved by that Divine Spirit.

"They... ah!"

Xiao Jian Daoist asked in confusion, "Why did they escape?"

Lin Suqing replied, "They were being pursued."

"Did they offend someone powerful?"

"What powerful person! It's the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion!"

"The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

Xiao Jian Daoist's eyes widened. "What's this mess! How did they get involved with the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion?"

Lin Suqing cursed, "They are from several towns in the Southeastern Region and had support at home.

"But some days ago, their husbands died in battles in foreign lands. According to the rules, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion should have given them compensation in Spirit Stones and other assets. However, what they ultimately received was only three-tenths of what they were owed.

"They were dissatisfied. More than a dozen families banded together to seek justice from the branch office responsible for distributing compensation. Initially, they were pacified, but then, unexpectedly, they were put under house arrest.

"Luckily, there were no powerful cultivators in that branch office, and they possessed some cultivation themselves. Fearing the consequences of speaking out further, they seized an opportunity to leave. After discussing among themselves, they decided to seek refuge in the Southeastern Region.

"Then they were attacked near the Southeastern Region, on a ship full of old and young from over a dozen families... now only these few remain.

"Master, aren't you the Vice Pavilion Master?

"If you don't seek justice for them... I! I won't serve you for half a year!"

"Calm yourself."

Wu Wang reclined in his chair, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Died in battle beyond the borders.

Wu Wang asked, "When, where, which foreign territory? The Lin Family's rebellion half a year ago?"

"It was that incident in the Southeastern Region," Lin Suqing suddenly remembered something, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of worry in her eyes. "The Battle of Yun City."

"Ah, the Battle of Yun City."

Wu Wang closed his eyes, murmuring, "That's the one I led."

The ground, the desk, the carpet, and the floor beneath everyone's feet inexplicably frosted over. Within an instant, icicles began to form on the eaves of the attic.

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.