Star God.

This was the ancient powerhouse, the celestial Goddess of the stars who, at her peak, could send the Candle Dragon flying.

Her Great Dao explained the existence of the starry sky within the Great Wilderness.

Setting aside the entanglement between her, Wu Wang, and his mother, and the incident where the Star God attempted to seize Wu Wang's body, her contributions to the current order of heaven and earth were commendable.

The Star God's memories were as vast as a sea of smoke, but most of her time was spent quietly watching the starry sky.

Due to their direct confrontation, Wu Wang subconsciously thought that the Star God must be a cold, unfeeling, and acerbic Innate God.

But the more Wu Wang accessed the Star God's memories and the more comprehensively he understood her, the more he discovered her many strengths.

To living beings, she was an Evil God.

Whether before or after the ancient divine wars, her attitude towards living creatures never wavered; she regarded them as nothing more than weeds.

But to many Innate Gods, she was like a guide, an instructor for Innate Gods, and also a Guardian, watching over everything that happened on earth from the depths of the starry sky.

If one didn't apply the moral concepts of the Human Domain to the Star God, she would be considered a decent Innate God.

Regrettably, Wu Wang was a member of the human race. His very existence aligned with the fundamental interests of the human race, so he could only use the moral concepts of the Human Domain to assess these matters.

Wandering within the sea of memories left by the Star God, he might not capture any useful information even after ten or twenty years, yet he could always feel the Star God's contemplation of the starry sky.

And her love for heaven and earth.

Not all Innate Gods are absolute egoists.

Such a thought surfaced in Wu Wang's mind. Just as he intended to continue roaming the sea of the Star God's memories, he suddenly heard a 'distant' conversation.

That was a conversation his physical body was hearing. The voices were very soft, spoken in deliberate whispers.

"Is Ba'er still sleeping?"

"Reporting to the leader, the Young Master is still asleep; he hasn't woken up yet."

"Let him sleep. Don't disturb him."

Xiong Han's father whispered his instructions, then gradually moved away from the tent entrance.

Immediately, Wu Wang collected his spiritual mind, traveled through the Star God's Dao, and his consciousness returned to his physical body, leaping out of the large bed.

He lifted his hand and looked at the washbasin not far away, then gently flicked his finger. The glass basin, acquired from a Human Domain caravan, immediately smashed to the ground, startling several burly guards who rushed in.

"Young Master!"

"Young Master, what happened to you!"

Wu Wang smiled and shook his head, but Xiong Han did not return.

In fact, Xiong Han's departing footsteps seemed to quicken.

What was this? Wu Wang wondered. Is Father truly troubled by something? Something he finds difficult to discuss even with his son?

Wu Wang tilted his head, unable to help himself. He decided to proactively seek out his father for a talk later. After all, there should be no secrets between father and son.

The necklace on his chest trembled slightly, and Cang Xue's voice resonated in Wu Wang's mind:

"Ba'er, when will you come to Mother?"

Wu Wang blinked, his thoughts inevitably wandering further.

Could it be that his parents in this life... were having relationship issues?

But for as long as he could remember, he always had the distinct impression that my parents are the true love, and I'm just the accident. If this couple had any problems, Wu Wang genuinely found it hard to believe.

Unless it was something like indiscretions fueled by alcohol.

Mulling over these doubts, Wu Wang thought for a moment before informing his mother he would go to Big Snow Mountain in two days.

Cang Xue naturally agreed joyfully.

Wu Wang carefully discerned his mother's emotions, trying to find any hints, but...

It was a very ordinary and common sort of joy.

Am I overthinking this? Wu Wang murmured to himself, his Immortal Consciousness sweeping over the accommodations arranged for his entourage, all of which were near his large tent.

He could see Lin Suqing, who had been reading a book, now lying asleep on the couch, her long eyelashes so distinct each one could seemingly be counted.

The Blue Bird lay beside Lin Suqing's arm, covered with a handkerchief—clearly Lin Suqing's handiwork.

The tent where Fairy Ling was staying was enveloped in Immortal Light, guarded by two high-ranking practitioners from the Xuan Nu Sect.

Wu Wang carefully sensed Ling Xiaolan's Great Dao. Due to years of joint cultivation, they were quite familiar with each other's Great Dao, and at this moment, he could feel that Ling Xiaolan was on the verge of a breakthrough.

And this breakthrough was very likely to be a continuous one.

To think that playing a few games of chess with Xihe could have such an effect! Could Xihe possess the properties of a stone of enlightenment?

Wu Wang smiled, his Immortal Consciousness continuing to sweep over various places.

The Grand Elder and two Transcendent experts from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion had gone out, likely to hunt Ten-Thousand-Year Ferocious Beasts throughout the Northern Wilderness and gather Beast Cores to refine Magic Treasures.

Wu Wang wasn't worried in the slightest. With his mother comprehensively monitoring the entire Northern Wilderness, he would be aware of any issues immediately.

Those Immortal Soldiers were much more at ease.

They mingled with the elite giant wolf riders of the Xiong Bao clan. Many were still singing and dancing merrily, and one could see numerous men and women from the Human Domain pairing up with those from the Northern Wilderness.

The Immortal Soldiers had been ordered to cultivate peacefully here for a few years and to refrain from any actions that would disgrace the Human Domain or violate its public order and morals.

Simply put, they were to keep their own belts buckled.

Of course, many diligent Immortal Soldiers had already found locations rich in Spiritual Energy where they gathered to cultivate, tackling the hurdles of their practice together.

Inside and outside the clan estate, the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.

Just as Wu Wang was about to take a walk, his four maidens hurried over, bringing utensils for washing.

Clearly, they had been well-trained by the old aunty.

Wu Wang then appropriately enjoyed the feeling of being served by the maidens... Overall, it was very pleasant, though the hot tea brought by Little Shui had a peculiar, distinct fragrance.

「Half a day later.」

Near the clan estate, on a peaceful riverbank.

Wu Wang sat on a wooden chair, a bamboo fishing rod in hand, gazing at the clear river water before him and the plump Spirit Fish swimming within.

Ming She stood quietly behind him, dressed in a black skirt with her long hair tied up, her slender eyes filled with tranquility.

Just as a fish seemed about to bite, Wu Wang perked up, his gaze fixed intently on the bait underwater.

Suddenly, the thundering sound of approaching horse hooves shook the ground. The Spirit Fish flicked their tails and vanished instantly.

Wu Wang was speechless.

He turned, ready to vent his frustration, but looking up, he saw the robust figure approaching. His irritation instantly vanished, replaced by a slight smile.

It was none other than Xiong Han, accompanied by several hundred of his trusted aides.

Xiong Han asked curiously, "Why did you suddenly ask me to go fishing?"

Wu Wang produced another wooden chair, placed it beside his own, and said with a smile, "It's quite peaceful here."

"Hmm," Xiong Han acknowledged with a glance at Ming She. Without further questions, he calmly sat down in the wooden chair and accepted the brand-new fishing rod Wu Wang offered.

Baiting the hook and casting the line, Xiong Han's movements were strikingly casual.

Afterward, silence settled over the riverbank, broken only by occasional faint ripples on the water's surface or a fish releasing a bubble or two.

"The clan hasn't had any major issues these past few years, right?" Wu Wang asked.

"No, everything's been pretty smooth," Xiong Han replied calmly.

"Major events are rare in the Northern Wilderness. Any conflicts among the smaller clans are usually pacified by the Star God Cult.

With the protection of the Star God in the Northern Wilderness, everyone can live peacefully.

Some minor gods from the Western Wilderness and the Northwestern Region keep causing trouble, but each time, a few Sun Ritual priests teach them a lesson."

Wu Wang smiled. "It's good as long as things are generally stable."

Xiong Han asked, "Don't you get news in the Human Domain?"

"Sometimes I need to enter seclusion for cultivation," Wu Wang explained. "These sessions often last for several years, during which I don't hear or ask about anything, nor do I eat or drink. So, news can be a bit delayed."

Xiong Han muttered, "Cultivation, cultivation, does the Great Dao really need to be cultivated? Isn't the Great Dao just here?"

Wu Wang smiled without responding.

The father and son held their fishing rods, waiting a while longer. Finally, Wu Wang voiced the question that had been nagging at him, "Dad, are you worried about something?"

"Mm," Xiong Han grunted in acknowledgment, followed by a lengthy silence.

Wu Wang waited quietly; he had all the patience in the world.

"Your mother," Xiong Han sighed, "she's not just an ordinary priest, right? I mean, she's different from the other Sun Ritual priests."

Wu Wang nodded slowly in response.

"Mom is indeed not an ordinary priest. But Dad, you don't need to overthink it. Mom is genuinely sincere with us."

"I know that," Xiong Han grumbled.

"Your mother and I were childhood sweethearts; we grew up together. Neither of us ever knocked anyone out, nor were we ever knocked out by others. We married as soon as we came of age.

It's just that after she became a Sun Ritual priest, we began to spend more time apart. But if I'm not away on inspections, I can always go and be with her, so it's not like I'm just pining away.

It's just that, in recent years, I've increasingly felt that your mother... she's become so different from how I remember her."

"What differences?"

"Her strength is so formidable. The pressure she inadvertently exudes almost makes it hard for me to breathe."

Xiong Han raised his hand to his forehead, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"And don't you think that your mother has a particularly sacred aura that makes people dare not approach...

I'm really afraid that because she became a Sun Ritual priest, she's been secretly influenced by the Star God and has turned into a servant of the deity, someone neither of us would recognize.

It's not like there haven't been such cases before."

Wu Wang finally understood.

He had thought there was some other kind of problem; it turned out his father was worried about this.

"These things are hard to explain in just a few words," Wu Wang said with a smile.

"When you have time, have a good talk with Mom. I'm sure she can give you a satisfactory answer.

You're an old married couple; you should communicate more, talk things through."

"Absolutely not! What if your mother laughs at me?" Xiong Han sat up straight, his tone serious. "I am the Clan Leader. I can't spend all my time on matters of the heart."

Wu Wang was speechless again.

Mother had actually heard everything.

"Well, then you just keep trying your best," Wu Wang said.

"Heh heh," Xiong Han broke into a relieved smile. "Talking to you has made me feel much better! Come on, let's see who catches more fish today."

"Alright!" Wu Wang replied, his spirits lifting as he focused his attention on the fishing rod in his hand.

Meanwhile, Ming She quietly activated her Divine Skills, using her Evil God aura to influence the movements of the Spirit Fish.

She hmphed internally.

Master, it's impossible to lose.

「Another half day later.」

In a major city on the shores of the East Sea, within the Human Domain. Inside a branch of the Human Emperor Pavilion.

Xiao Jian Daoist sat in the main seat, his complexion livid. Sharp sword intent flickered around him intermittently, and his eyes flashed with an intense light.

Overnight! In just one night, news about the stele had spread throughout half the eastern region of the Human Domain!

The cultivators who had come into contact with the stele were successively attacked. The courtyard where the involved individuals had gathered was suddenly assaulted in the middle of the night. All the cultivators inside died horrifically, their souls scattered without a trace!

How powerful and resourceful must the perpetrators be!

The local Human Emperor Pavilion was caught off guard.

They truly hadn't expected anyone to be so audacious...

"Do we have any clues yet? Any idea who might have done this?" Xiao Jian Daoist asked coldly. Below him, everyone simply looked down, silent.

"The culprits struck under the cover of night, committed their crime, and fled. I had only been gone for an hour, yet such a bloodbath occurred here!"

Xiao Jian Daoist's voice grew increasingly stern, "Is this branch filled with useless louts?!"

Some below were clearly unconvinced, but just as they were about to speak, the memory of the gruesome scene they had witnessed made them reluctantly swallow their words.

This matter was beyond the capabilities of a small branch like theirs.

A middle-aged man in scholarly attire stepped forward from the side, cupped his fist, and said,

"Sir, spreading the news, murdering, and burning the corpses—it's clear the perpetrators have a premeditated plan to slander that esteemed person.

Our initial response was inadequate, and we never imagined someone would act so recklessly. That's how the enemy succeeded so easily.

The mastermind behind this must have a blackened heart!

If we can find any trace of them, we must uproot their entire backing network!"

Xiao Jian Daoist said helplessly,

"What's the use of such harsh words?

The priority now is to find clues, find clues, and find more clues! Only by finding clues can we escalate this report."

"Well..."

"Sir, can't we just report it directly?"

"That would be playing right into the mastermind's hands," Xiao Jian Daoist said gravely.

"The culprits didn't just kill and burn the bodies; they did it deliberately to blow this matter up.

The instigator behind this incident is highly capable, and their motives deserve careful consideration. It's likely not as simple as mere slander.

Regardless, they are now waiting for us to report and publicize this incident, thereby sparking an uproar among Cultivators throughout the Human Domain.

Within the Human Domain, there's no shortage of people adept at jumping to conclusions.

The news will become increasingly distorted as it spreads. With someone fanning the flames from behind, various rumors will emerge to slander the Wuwang Palace Lord.

Even if the Human Emperor Pavilion tries its utmost to explain, it might not be able to counteract the negative effects caused by the perpetrators.

Moreover, it's highly probable they intend to use this incident to damage the Human Emperor Pavilion's credibility."

Everyone fell into silence.

"REPORT—"

Suddenly, an urgent shout came from outside the hall. A messenger hurried in and delivered a Jade Talisman into Xiao Jian Daoist's hands.

After reading the message, Xiao Jian Daoist erupted in fury. He slammed the table, shot to his feet, and cursed, "Shameless! Rascals!"

The others, bewildered, were about to inquire when Xiao Jian Daoist barked out instructions, then hastily departed with a few trusted aides.

He ordered the Pavilion Master of this branch to meticulously record everything that had transpired and send it to the main Pavilion posthaste.

No sooner had they left the branch Pavilion than one of Xiao Jian Daoist's entourage couldn't help but ask:

"Sir, what happened?"

"Weren't we supposed to suppress this news? Why have we suddenly stopped?"

"This situation is now beyond our control," Xiao Jian Daoist said in a low voice.

"I just received news. In the eastern, southern, western, and northern quadrants of the Human Domain, two large cities in each direction have displayed steles identical to the ones we've seen.

The content on these steles is identical. If their locations are plotted on a map, they form a simple Eight Trigrams Array.

Clearly, whoever orchestrated this has made thorough preparations.

I suspect it's not just some noble family or Sect trying to slander the Wuwang Palace Lord. Everyone knows His Majesty the Human Emperor favors him; no one would have the audacity now.

Hmph!

If you told me the Heaven Palace wasn't pulling the strings behind this, I'd eat this sword!"

His companions nodded, their expressions growing even more solemn.

However, even as Xiao Jian Daoist rushed back to the main Pavilion, rumors about the 'North Desolate Star' were already spreading like wildfire throughout the Human Domain.

Xiao Jian Daoist was quite puzzled by this.

And within an hour, Wu Wang, who had also received similar news, was equally perplexed.

The Human Domain is vast.

Every part of it is bustling, densely populated, and home to many Cultivators.

To simultaneously organize and premeditate the placement of eight steles across such a vast area, while ensuring the news spread accurately among the populace, would require an immense power backing it.

Even if internal forces within the Human Domain possessed such strength, they likely lacked the motivation. Moreover, they wouldn't risk angering the Human Emperor to slander someone merely suspected to be his successor.

What puzzled both of them was...

Why would such a powerful entity go to such great lengths merely to spread rumors?

Furthermore, this entity might face severe repercussions in the future. The potential gains were clearly disproportionate to the risks involved.

This modus operandi quickly brought an 'old friend' to Wu Wang's mind.

Ten Evils Hall.

"Strange. Could it be that the main hall of the Ten Evils Hall couldn't resist revealing itself?" Wu Wang muttered to himself.

"Master, do you need me to open a path back to the Human Domain?" Ming She asked proactively from his side.

"No need." Wu Wang closed the communication Jade Talisman and said with a smile, "We've left the mundane world far behind; let's not be tainted by its dust. If someone wants to ruin my reputation, let them."

Ming She looked somewhat puzzled.

But Wu Wang calmly added,

"Sooner or later, I'll eliminate them."

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