In a Rift Valley of barren mountains and treacherous waters, white mist rose from the hot spring pool.

Wu Wang had a piece of cloth stuck to his forehead, reclining at an angle in a rock that he had just melted half of with his immortal power, listening to the old Daoist beside him continually giving admonitions.

To call them 'admonitions' was to give Senior Sanxian face.

This was entirely on the level of nagging!

Wu Wang recalled a maternal cousin-uncle from his previous life who also liked to nag repeatedly about a single matter. However, one good thing about him was that he wasn't ill-intentioned.

Although there were many mysteries about Senior Sanxian, Wu Wang could genuinely feel that the old man had a good heart.

A wooden tray floated over the surface of the water, unsteady but purposeful. On it were a wine cup, a wine pot, and a small dish of Spirit Fruit to accompany the alcohol.

"Senior, shall we have some?"

"Good," the old Daoist said with a contented smile, speaking softly, "Wu Wang, you truly live a comfortable life."

Wu Wang laughed, raised his cup to drink with the old Daoist, and then pinched a Spirit Fruit to savor for a moment before saying, "I can't really say it's comfortable; it's a bit monotonous compared to the life I've once enjoyed."

"Oh? Is life in the Northern Wilderness that colorful?"

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian naturally didn't understand the meaning behind Wu Wang's words, and Wu Wang just laughed and steered the conversation away.

Wu Wang's eyes held a hint of brightness as he looked at the azure sky between the crevices of the mountains, speaking slowly, "Senior, what do you think the Human Domain will be like in the future?"

"It should become more prosperous."

Sanxian stroked his beard, smiling. His pale long hair had a slightly withered look, yet his eyes still shone with vitality.

He said, "I, with my limited cultivation, don't see things as clearly as you distinguished figures. However, as I've cultivated and traveled, I've truly felt that both the atmosphere and the environment of the entire Human Domain are getting better day by day."

"Heaven Palace is, after all, an insurmountable mountain."

Wu Wang murmured softly, but found himself unable to shift his gaze away from the sky.

Sanxian Daoist glanced at Wu Wang, stroked his beard, and hummed softly before speaking slowly, "Wu Wang, I've actually had some doubts."

"Senior, please ask."

"I can't quite understand it, and the more I know about you, the less I understand."

Sanxian Daoist drank the wine from his cup in one gulp and muttered, "Why do you help the Human Domain so much? You're the Young Master of a large family clan from the Northern Wilderness, and with the blessing of a Star God, you could have chosen not to involve yourself in the affairs of the Human Domain."

Wu Wang smiled and said, "Actually, it's because of love."

"Really? You better not be tricking me," Sanxian frowned. "You don't seem like the type to put your clan in danger over romantic affairs. If Heaven Palace learns that you are helping the Human Domain, won't your people be in danger?"

"That's a bit complicated to explain."

Wu Wang pondered deeply and sighed softly.

"Actually, it was also a matter of sentiment. When I initially came to the Human Domain, I was concerned about bringing trouble to my clan, so I deliberately concealed my whereabouts. Even after encountering His Majesty and receiving the Yan Emperor Order, I was still very uneasy after arriving in the Human Domain. After all, as the Young Master of a clan, I should consider my clan's interests."

"Then why?"

"In truth, it still comes down to the Human Domain itself."

Wu Wang smiled and said, "From books, I learned about Suiren drilling wood for fire, Fu Xi devising the Bagua, and Shen Nong tasting hundreds of herbs. I also became aware of a human power that directly confronts Heaven Palace, defies divine authority, and has carved out its own path of cultivation. I yearned for it and wished to come here to cultivate and become an Immortal. Later on, some things happened, and I thought, hey, this Human Domain isn't bad. Immortals and Demons don't actually fight each other—ahem, clash with each other, and Demonic Cultivators don't seem like the bloodthirsty sort, which is pretty nice."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian asked curiously, "Why should Demonic Cultivators be bloodthirsty?"

"Uh..."

Wu Wang blinked. "That was just my previous misconception."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian laughed and said, "So by your reasoning, you approved of the Human Domain and therefore decided to stay and help."

"Yes," Wu Wang's gaze grew more distant. "Senior, have you ever considered something?"

"What?"

Wu Wang said, "The current role of the Human Domain in the Great Wilderness."

"That..."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian's face showed difficulty. "Wu Wang, you're making things difficult for me. I'm not well-versed in these matters."

"Don't take offense, Senior, I've gotten a bit used to speaking in riddles."

Wu Wang laughed and said, "The logic is actually quite simple. In the current Great Wilderness, the Human Domain plays a role in restraining Heaven Palace. This prevents divine authority from acting recklessly and gradually forces the gods of Heaven Palace to start acknowledging living beings. Although we don't have the strength to counterattack Heaven Palace, as long as they remain unable to fully reclaim the Dao of Fire and the Human Domain exists, they will remain restless. I've witnessed some scenes."

A few images flashed through Wu Wang's mind.

A thread of his Divine Soul became increasingly integrated with the Star God's divine body. The sea of Star God memories that his mother, Cang Xue, had sealed away also revealed a corner to Wu Wang, allowing him to occasionally see a few of the Star God's memories.

Those memories contained scenes of boundless persecution of living beings when divine authority was unchecked.

Wu Wang continued, "An ironic fact is that the Human Domain's existence gives the Hundred Races the value to be recognized by Heaven Palace. Yet, the experts of the Hundred Races are governed by Heaven Palace, becoming the vanguard in their campaigns against the Human Domain."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian thought carefully and said warmly, "You speak the truth."

"The enemy is in Heaven Palace."

Wu Wang picked up his wine jar and drank it in one gulp, then said, "Because the Human Domain exists, the Northern Wilderness can remain stable. If the Human Domain falls, the land of the Northern Wilderness will gradually be consumed by the Innate Gods. The Star God's condition is far from optimistic. I'm protecting the Human Domain, but in a way, I'm also protecting my own clan. The actual situation is, of course, not that simple. But ultimately, it boils down to the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.'"

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian's face showed sudden understanding, and he said slowly, "If that's the case, I understand."

"Of course," Wu Wang added, "there's also a little bit of personal sentiment involved."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian couldn't help but stroke his beard and chuckle. He wanted to tease Wu Wang but was worried the young man was too thin-skinned, so he changed the subject and talked about the art of formations.

Wu Wang suddenly felt a headache.

However, during his previous time in the Southeastern Region, he had also made up for some understanding of formations; although he couldn't respond with perfect fluency, he could make some competent remarks.

A thought crossed Wu Wang's mind, and he asked, "Why doesn't Senior stay in the Annihilation Sect for a few more months? You could teach me the way of formation arts. In a few months, I'll escort Senior to the Southeastern Region, where you could also stay for a while."

"That..."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian pondered for a moment and then accepted with a smile.

"My lifespan should be no more than two or three years, so there's not much else for me to do."

Wu Wang asked, "Does Senior have any loved ones you're concerned about?"

"Loved ones," ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian murmured, his eyes slightly cloudy. "Now, all I can do is wish blessings upon them, for today they have all become Immortals and still retain their beautiful appearances. It's best not to speak of past affairs. I hope their cultivation is successful and their lifespans are long."

Them? This old senior sure has a lot of stories.

"Master."

Ming Snake suddenly appeared behind Wu Wang and spoke calmly.

Wu Wang instinctively tightened the cloth wrapped around his waist.

"What is it?"

"Xiao Jian is hurrying over, traveling hastily, and is already less than a thousand li away."

Wu Wang said, "Alright, receive him and tell him to come here."

"Yes, Master."

Ming Snake's gaze never wavered, always watching Wu Wang's back. In an instant, his figure flashed and he vanished using a Heaven and Earth escape technique, leaving no trace across a thousand li.

Shortly after, Xiao Jian Daoist appeared beside the hot spring, thanking the air with a bow and lifting the hem of his robe in haste as he moved forward, speaking in a deep voice, "Wu Wang, something has happened!"

Heaven Palace launched a sneak attack on the Southeastern Region.

When Wu Wang first heard this news, he was truly startled, then utterly baffled.

He analyzed the motives of Heaven Palace's second strike on the Southeastern Region from all angles but failed to find any consistent logic.

Was the Earth God too arrogant, or was I thinking too complicatedly? What grand scheme was that Earth God planning?

By the hot spring, Wu Wang donned a long robe, stepped into his boots, and paced back and forth with Xiao Jian.

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian also paid close attention to the matter. He wanted to speak several times but, feeling his suggestions would be too superficial, restrained his impulse to talk.

Heaven Palace launched an unannounced war, attacking the forces of the Human Domain in the northwestern part of the Southeastern Region. They caught the Human Domain off guard, killing thousands of cultivators, affecting several Southeastern Region clans, and leveling six Spiritual Stone Veins.

Spirit stones are scarce resources in the Human Domain. Although the gods of Heaven Palace also have uses for them, they are not as widely used as in the Human Domain.

Destroying Spiritual Stone Veins like this also demonstrated that Heaven Palace was not planning to cultivate puppets in the Southeastern Region; they simply wanted to strike at Human Domain forces.

"Heaven Palace went to the Southeastern Region?"

Wu Wang muttered, "It can't be that they felt the defeat was too harsh last time in the Southeastern Region, and they are trying to get back on their feet from where they fell, can it?"

"It's not impossible," Xiao Jian said. "Sometimes, things we think Heaven Palace wouldn't do, they actually do."

Did I overestimate the Earth God?

Wu Wang took a sharp breath. "I really can't understand what the Earth God is trying to do with this move. What's our response?"

"We have already mobilized the forces of the Southeastern Region to begin defenses," Xiao Jian said. "His Majesty has ordered all forces to temporarily retreat to the southern part of the Southeastern Region. Losing some Spiritual Stone Veins is not a big deal; the current stage is to minimize casualties as much as possible and wait for the Human Domain's army to arrive. His Majesty has also issued an order, and the Human Domain's retaliation is being prepared in full swing. I have been granted permission by His Majesty to come and discuss this matter with you, Wu Wang. What do you think?"

"I can't see through it. I have no idea what the Earth God is up to."

Xiao Jian then asked, "Does the Earth God possess any formidable abilities?"

"As one of the elemental gods of the five phases, the Earth God is, in fact, of equal rank with the Fire God within the Heaven Palace's hierarchy," Wu Wang said. "From what I've gathered, the Earth God is a steadfast and cautious individual, never one to take risks. If Heaven Palace's attack on the Southeastern Region was truly his doing, then this matter is certainly far from simple. We must be extremely cautious."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian took the opportunity to chime in, "Indeed."

A glint appeared in Wu Wang's eyes. "Senior also knows of the Earth God?"

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian showed a hint of embarrassment. "The Earth God... the name itself sounds very steadfast."

"In that case, Wu Wang," Xiao Jian said solemnly, "why don't you go to His Majesty and discuss this matter together?"

Wu Wang hesitated slightly and spoke slowly, "Having just resigned from my official position, it isn't appropriate for me to appear beside the Human Emperor right now. Therefore, I will inscribe a Jade Talisman with all I know about the Earth God and hand it to you, Brother Dao, to take back. Also, please convey a message to His Majesty for me."

"What message?"

"If needed, His Majesty can call on me at any time," Wu Wang said, his voice calm but his expression very serious. "But I don't want to hear any voice that would sully my ears, and there's no need to appoint me to any official post."

Xiao Jian and ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian both looked at Wu Wang intently.

Xiao Jian directly asked, "Why do you insist on this?"

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian also said warmly, "Wu Wang, if you can serve the Human Domain, you should do your utmost."

"I'm not being needlessly sentimental."

Wu Wang said indifferently, "I just feel that since His Majesty has come to the forefront, he should personally preside over this matter. We should strive for a significant victory. This will help the Human Domain adapt more quickly to His Majesty personally controlling the power. Having resigned not long ago, it would invite censure if I were to resume my post so soon. Later, we should simply use communication Jade Talismans to stay in touch. There's no need for you, Brother Dao, to make the journey in person."

"Very well," Xiao Jian agreed, and with a wry smile said, "I came directly because it seemed like the respectful thing to do toward you, Wu Wang. It was also my teacher's instruction that I meet with you as often as possible, to ensure our relationship doesn't become estranged. I will go back now and report to His Majesty, including delivering your message."

Wu Wang reminded, "Remember to report it privately."

"Of course," Xiao Jian replied with a bow, leaping into the sky and transforming into a streak of sword light, shooting toward the north.

Wu Wang stood with his hands clasped behind him, pondering next to the warm spring for a while.

The Southeastern Region of the Great Wilderness, the sudden assault by Heaven Palace... Where lies the logical pivot of this matter?

Wu Wang felt a slight sense of conflict.

"Wu Wang," ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian said gently beside him, "you need not worry about my affairs. It's fine for me to stay temporarily in your Annihilation Sect without causing any trouble for you."

Wu Wang smiled and replied, "Then I'm imposing on you, Senior."

"Ah, there's no need for such courtesies."

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian said with a sigh, "I, too, have a heart that longs to slay enemies for the Human Domain. Alas, I am no Immortal, and my decrepit body cannot even produce much of a spark."

Wu Wang said seriously, "Senior's contributions towards perfecting the Human Domain's formations must not be forgotten by the Human Domain."

"It's nothing more than a minor contribution," ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian said with a smile, yet also feeling somewhat appreciated.

Wu Wang did not linger by the hot spring for long and quickly returned to the Annihilation Sect with Sanxian Daoist. ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian immediately went to his quarters and informed Old Snow Eagle about the events in the Southeastern Region.

Old Snow Eagle's entire fortune was in the Southeastern Region, and hearing this news obviously made him restless. He soon sought out Wu Wang, wanting to return to the Southeastern Region with the Human Domain's distinguished experts.

Wu Wang did not hesitate much and agreed, ordering Ming Snake to send Old Snow Eagle to the Four Seas Pavilion.

With Pavilion Master Feng looking out for him, Old Snow Eagle could safely be returned to the Southeastern Region.

Old Snow Eagle had many friends and subordinates in the Southeastern Region, and with his cultivation at the level of Heavenly Immortal, he could accomplish a great deal there.

ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian initially planned to accompany his old friend but was stopped by both Old Snow Eagle and Wu Wang.

The face-off between the Human Domain and Heaven Palace in the Southeastern Region unfolded rapidly.

In the initial days, the Human Domain's original forces in the Southeastern Region swiftly contracted, but in the face of the relentless pursuit and ferocious attack by the Heaven Palace Divine Guard, the losses were still extremely grave.

The Lin Family stepped forward in a timely manner, with Lin Nuhao pushing Lin Qi to the front. As the bearer of the Yan Emperor's order, Lin Qi rallied all Human Domain forces in the Southeastern Region to set up defenses and to fight while retreating.

On the fifth day of Heaven Palace's surprise attack, large numbers of Human Domain Immortal Soldiers surged into the Southeastern Region, and the Heaven Palace Divine Guard hastily retreated north.

The leader of the Human Domain forces was Liu Baiyi.

Previously, due to a major oversight in the Southeast Division, Pavilion Master Liu Baiyi of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion had offered to resign but had been retained by Human Emperor Shen Nong.

This time, Liu Baiyi sought to redeem himself through merits. Having received a lot of information about the Earth God from Wu Wang, he himself became exceptionally prudent.

While many experts of the Human Domain suggested pursuing the retreating Heaven Palace Divine Guard, Liu Baiyi held firm to setting up defenses and securing the Southeast.

Afterward, it was proven that Liu Baiyi's insistence paid off significantly.

The Divine Guard army was merely bait, as countless elites from the Hundred Races had lain in ambush behind them.

Moreover, the Human Domain had received no prior inkling of either the movements of the Heaven Palace Divine Guard or the convergence of the Hundred Races' elites.

All signs indicated that the current Heaven Palace was drastically different from the one when the Head Manager was in charge.

Completely different.

In the following half month, the Southeastern Region was engulfed in tumultuous activities.

Strong gods from Heaven Palace continuously revealed their presence, and more and more elite troops from the Hundred Races entered the Southeastern Region from the Eastern Wilderness. They occupied vast territories in the north of the Southeastern Region and began an undertaking that made the jaws of the Human Cultivators drop.

Heaven Palace, which had always remained aloof, looking down on all beings and unwilling to yield a single inch, actually began to move mountains and fill seas, constructing defensive formations favorable to them, as if they were preparing for a prolonged stand-off with Human Cultivators in the Southeastern Region.

This truly took everyone in the Human Domain by surprise.

Wu Wang, keeping an eye on a series of communication Jade Talismans in the Annihilation Sect, was as puzzled as the incomprehensible Yang Wudi upon hearing the news.

What's going on? What does Heaven Palace want to do?

The Southeastern Region was the farthest boundary from the Central Mountain Heaven Palace and had always been known as the Human Domain's backyard. Heaven Palace had journeyed from the Eastern Wilderness, moving troops over a great distance. They deployed a heavy force to initiate a stand-off with the Human Domain in the Southeastern Region...

No matter how Wu Wang thought about it, he couldn't understand what the Heavenly Emperor and the Earth God were up to.

When something is abnormal, there must be a hidden reason!

Wu Wang racked his brains and mobilized all the resources he could to observe Heaven Palace's every move everywhere.

In the Starry Sky Temple, Cang Xue also stopped her daily casual viewing of the spectacle, looking down upon Central Mountain, her hands never leaving the Staff for a moment.

In the deepest parts of the North Sea, on that ice plain, an orchid swayed gently amidst a blizzard.

In the territories of Central Mountain, the scouts of the Human Domain became unprecedentedly active.

Many tribes of the Hundred Races that had secret contacts with the Human Domain were repeatedly questioned, but they all appeared perplexed and at a loss.

"This Earth God is indeed much more difficult to deal with than the Head Manager," Wu Wang couldn't help but sigh, yet his fighting spirit was also slightly aroused. He began to meticulously sort through the information he knew, hoping to glimpse Heaven Palace's schemes.

It wasn't just Wu Wang who couldn't understand. Even the Sleep God, an ancient living fossil of the Great Wilderness with vast experience, was as befuddled by the actions of Heaven Palace as if engulfed in fog.

These days, the Sleep God's most frequently uttered sentence was: "Aren't they afraid of being flanked and having their rear cut off?"

To be on the safe side, the Human Domain had already started to intensively mobilize troops. They were deployed not only over the East Sea, but defenses were also being strengthened along all frontiers.

Even the various Immortal Sects and Demonic Sects were mobilized, patrolling everywhere within the Human Domain, making all preparations for a possible major battle.

In the Southeastern Region, both sides maintained a delicate balance in the stand-off.

In the series of ongoing side battles, Heaven Palace also always cleverly resolved the encirclement by the Human Cultivators.

And then, a stalemate ensued.

Wu Wang was almost pulling his hair out of frustration, also somewhat unable to decipher Heaven Palace's actions. Without a clear objective, they had mobilized such a significant force...

Strike first to gain the advantage? Regardless of what Heaven Palace intended, should we just confront them directly without overthinking?

The Southeastern Region was not the Human Domain; it lacked the contingency plans left by Suiren and Fu Xi, two former emperors. Initiating a battle there with Heaven Palace would actually be to their disadvantage.

They were truly being outmaneuvered by that Earth God.

Thus, the stand-off persisted for two months.

The Human Domain conducted several tentative offensive probes, which were all cleverly defused by Heaven Palace.

This time, the gods of Heaven Palace displayed extraordinary patience. They even had seven or eight escape routes left in the Eastern Wilderness, with Goddess Xi He herself overseeing things there.

Meticulously planned and unbreakable.

The Dao of Earth was actually applied to military formations.

"Heaven Palace truly has capable people," Wu Wang remarked.

In the Temple of the Sleep God, Wu Wang faced the Sleep God directly. Wu Wang looked somewhat haggard, while the Sleep God also furrowed his brows in worry.

The Sleep God muttered, "No matter what, I think the Human Domain must take the initiative, even if it requires a greater sacrifice."

"I'm planning to go to see the old senior," Wu Wang shook his head. "Waiting like this is really uncomfortable, and dozens of communication Jade Talismans have been consumed."

"I can't help you this time," the Sleep God shook his head. "The Human Domain should face it on its own."

"Alright," Wu Wang smiled. "Brother, just rest easy here. After all, this is a war that doesn't concern you."

"It's not entirely unrelated to me... huh?"

The Sleep God suddenly turned his head towards the direction of the Temple's door. His eyes flashed with golden divine light, and his expression slightly changed.

Wu Wang asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"Your Senior Sanxian, he's dreaming," the Sleep God said softly. "But he has been pulled into a dream realm, and the Dao Rhyme that pulled him into this dream realm..."

"Who?"

The Sleep God hesitated for a moment, placed a hand on Wu Wang's arm, and whispered two words:

"Emperor Shun."

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.