It's been less than seven years since Ji Mo got married, so why is he here again?
In a corridor on the outskirts of the Main Hall of Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, Wu Wang and Ji Mo walked side by side. Each held a folding fan, tapping or fanning with it, looking just like two young masters out for a spring outing.
However, the place they were strolling might seem sowhat inexplicable to other young masters. After all, the Main Hall of Benevolent Emperor Pavilion oversaw the internal affairs of the Human Domain, and the Main Hall itself could be considered the core of power in the Human Domain.
"I hurried over as soon as I heard you ca out of seclusion," Ji Mo sighed with a smile. "It wasn't easy for to get married, and since you couldn't co, I've always felt it was quite a pity."
Wu Wang laughed and said, "Then you should have brought Le Yao with you for a simple al together."
"She went to take care of matters on her father's side."
Gently swaying his folding fan, Ji Mo spoke softly, "Recently, the Sun Demon Sect had so friction with other sects. As the Vice Sect Master, she sotis needs to represent her sect in duels with the younger generation from other sects."
Wu Wang said, "I just reviewed the recent Benevolent Emperor Pavilion case files. After His Majesty severely injured the gods of Heaven Palace in the Northern Region, conflicts between sects have increased severalfold and continue to rise."
"Alas, this is probably the overt plot from Heaven Palace my grandmother talked about."
Ji Mo chuckled. "Sect conflicts are actually unavoidable. Where there are people, there will be disputes. As long as they don't really get out of hand or damage the sect's vitality too much, with the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion overseeing things and all the major sects aware of Heaven Palace's sches, there shouldn't be any serious issues."
"Brother Ji, your cultivation has progressed rapidly. You've already reached the later stages of the Ascending Immortal Realm."
"She has beco an Immortal already."
Ji Mo smiled as if basking in the spring breeze, his fan and body gently swaying, a pleased expression on his face. "The wonders of dual cultivation are indescribable, unspeakable, and oh so comfortable... Hahaha!"
Wu Wang truly couldn't stop himself from kicking out. Ji Mo deftly avoided it by jumping forward half a zhang, then winked and made faces at Wu Wang.
"Brother Wuwang, you should find a woman to marry too!"
"Without reaching the Transcendent Realm, how can I start a family?"
Wu Wang's expression turned somber. He clasped his hands behind his back, held his head high, and said, "Nowadays, Heaven Palace is targeting us and the Human Domain is struggling. Our forebears labor tirelessly, yet the younger generation is lackluster. Without the larger community, what is a family? As the Hall Master, I am wholly devoted to cultivation. My mind is focused solely on moving forward, striving to achieve the Transcendent Realm as soon as possible so I can contribute my modest strength to the future developnt of the human race! Brother Ji, you've lost sight of the big picture."
Light, there was a shining light.
Shielding his eyes with his hand, Ji Mo dared not look directly at Wu Wang, who was radiating brilliance at that mont. He then showed a sheepish expression and perford a respectful bow towards Wu Wang.
I'm no match, truly no match for Brother Wuwang!
Wu Wang said, "Brother Ji, I need to seriously criticize you. Later, when we're drinking, you shall drink three jars of wine as self-punishnt!"
"Certainly, certainly... But isn't three jars a bit too much? Even the donkeys at Benevolent Emperor Pavilion wouldn't dare drink that much."
"What? You've been married just over three years, and you're already taking care of your health?"
Ji Mo winked at Wu Wang, who imdiately returned an understanding expression.
The two chuckled lightly for a while, continuing their stroll and idle chat in the corridor. The conversation gradually beca less proper.
They hadn't seen each other for a few years. As soon as Ji Mo heard that Wu Wang had left seclusion, he imdiately ca to tell Wu Wang in person about his marriage to Le Yao, sharing the details of the day with Wu Wang as though he had been present.
While drinking at Wu Wang's residence, Ji Mo asked whether Wu Wang would return to the Annihilation Sect and when.
After taking a sip of fruit wine, Wu Wang sighed. "It will probably be over ten years before I can go back. At Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, I always feel so pressure and unconsciously find myself considering big issues. It's more relaxed in the Annihilation Sect, thinking daily about how to earn Spirit Stones externally and save them internally—it's much more comfortable."
"Speaking of our Annihilation Sect's businesses," Ji Mo smiled, "do they need my help? The Ji Family has shops for rent in many market towns. If the sect needs so store locations, they can just say the word."
Wu Wang waved his hand and said gravely, "These are two different things. Public and private matters must not be confused. As a protector of the Annihilation Sect, do your duty well and don't think too much about other matters."
"Alright," Ji Mo replied, lifting his cup. "Brother Wuwang, when you return to the Annihilation Sect, I must bring Le Yao to live there for a few years."
"To show off how affectionate you two are daily?"
Wu Wang snorted. "Just accompany your esteed wife properly! In the entire Annihilation Sect, how many believe that you, a young master of the Ji Family, truly ca to be a sect protector?"
Lin Suqing, bringing over new wine, chuckled and said, "Young Master, many people think Master Ji ca to the Annihilation Sect to be a protector for the Black Desire Door instead."
Ji Mo and Wu Wang exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
Nearby, Dongfang Mumu was joyfully chasing a small ear mouse that was wildly flying upside down, her hands outstretched in play.
...
The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion was a significant place within the Human Domain, and Ji Mo did not linger for long. After eting with Wu Wang and enjoying a couple of days of food and drink, he took several protectors back to the Ji Family to continue his cultivation and prepare for the Heavenly Punishnt of attaining immortality.
The Heavenly Punishnt for becoming an Immortal and the Heavenly Punishnt for becoming Transcendent were two Heavenly Tribulations of vastly different difficulty for cultivators; they could not be spoken of in the sa breath. The forr was relatively straightforward; one could smoothly pass through it with sufficient accumulation. A precious, mid-grade artifact protecting the Primordial Spirit would be enough for a cultivator at the peak of the Ascending Immortal Realm or the initial stage of the Yuanxian Realm to safely weather the Heavenly Punishnt of becoming an Immortal.
However, in the transcendence catastrophe, even top-tier artifacts that protected the Primordial Spirit had limited effects. One mainly had to rely on one's own Dao to withstand it directly. The Heavenly Punishnt of becoming an Immortal targeted the living being itself, while the transcendence calamity targeted the cultivator's Dao more.
After seeing Ji Mo off, Wu Wang dealt with a few minor cases in the Punishnt Hall before being called out by Xiao Jian Daoist.
This esteed disciple of Master Liu greeted Wu Wang with a triumphant smile that bead with the joy of spring. This wasn't because the expert had made another breakthrough in his realm—at Xiao Jian Daoist's level, breakthroughs primarily relied on opportunities, such as the new outlines of cultivation thods added to the Scripture Hall. The scriptures written by Wu Wang were currently being contemplated by only a few dozen of the top experts in the Human Domain. The Human Domain's experts couldn't all go into seclusion at once; they had to take turns. Although Xiao Jian Daoist was also in the Transcendent Realm, his cultivation level was similar to the Grand Elder's, aning he was a newly advanced expert and thus had to wait for later rounds. He wasn't even aware of those scriptures yet.
The main reason for Xiao Jian Daoist's good mood was...
"Hahaha, Wuwang Palace Lord, my master has gone into seclusion!"
"The Pavilion Master is in seclusion? Why do you seem so excited, Senior?"
"Hahaha? Do I seem to be laughing? Alas, I don't know what's gotten into my master these last two or three years. He keeps calling over for a beating, claiming his hands are always itching."
Xiao Jian Daoist stroked his beard, chuckled lightly, and said with a smile, "Just before entering seclusion, my master instructed to be responsible for practicing with Wuwang Palace Lord, sparring with you every other day for half a day. When shall we start today?"
"Let's go now," Wu Wang said, then asked, "Where is the Pavilion Master in seclusion?"
"In the main hall," Xiao Jian Daoist replied with a laugh. "The Pavilion Master specifically reserved your practice area."
"Pavilion Master Liu has indeed been very thoughtful."
Wu Wang nodded with a smile and made a gesture to invite him, then hurried with Xiao Jian Daoist towards Master Liu's residence.
Unfortunately, Fairy Ling was still in a state of enlightennt. Without her flute to assist, Wu Wang felt a bit unaccustod.
The two n took their positions in the practice area. Wu Wang casually pulled off his robe.
Xiao Jian Daoist held his left hand behind his back. His right hand, ford into a sword finger, drew a gentle arc to the side, and the longsword on his back flew to a corner on its own.
The Daoist laughed and said, "My master instructed to be extra vigilant, to by no ans underestimate Wuwang Palace Lord's attacks, and more importantly, not to injure Sect Master Wuwang during our sparring. Wuwang Palace Lord, co at as you wish. Don't worry about ; I have that much confidence in myself."
"Senior, Master Liu has imnse trust in you, so I shall not hide anything."
Wu Wang took a light breath, and a purple crescent imprint slowly erged on his forehead. His aura, which had been lax and feeble a mont before, instantly beca incredibly sharp.
The light in the underground practice area was already sowhat dim. Now, as Wu Wang stood dozens of yards from Xiao Jian Daoist, dark shadows seed to appear behind him.
Xiao Jian Daoist raised an eyebrow. His right sword finger vibrated, and a three-foot-long Sword of Qi condensed at his fingertip.
Two layers of golden light appeared around Wu Wang. The inner layer of golden light condensed into golden scales, while the outer layer ford a full suit of armor.
He took one step forward. The walls of the six-sided array shimred with unstable Immortal Light, and an Azure Dragon seed to be faintly coiled within the shadows.
"Senior, please enlighten ."
The Sword of Qi at Xiao Jian Daoist's fingertip pulsed with light. One or two whirlwinds enveloped his body, as if he might ride the wind and depart at any mont.
"Co."
Golden and silver light flashed explosively around Wu Wang. His figure shot forward, leaving a trail of afterimages as he threw a straightforward punch, devoid of any flourish.
Xiao Jian Daoist inwardly cursed; he had almost lost the initiative to Wu Wang. Fortunately, he was a veteran of countless battles. He pointed his sword finger forward, drawing out a sword beam tens of yards long, and slashed it down towards Wu Wang's head...
「A mont later.」
Wu Wang sat cross-legged on the flat ground. The array beneath him channeled wisps of starlight and pure Spiritual Energy into his body.
Because he found Xiao Jian Daoist's sword montum not as sharp as expected, Wu Wang had already retracted his protective Golden Armor to his Spirit Platform during the earlier duel.
To be honest, Xiao Jian Daoist's quality as a sparring partner was clearly inferior to Master Liu's. When facing Wu Wang, although he could control his power, he lacked a certain quality of making difficult tasks look easy. Mainly, when he hit Wu Wang, it hurt, but the injuries weren't severe, so it didn't achieve the effect of loosening muscles and invigorating bones.
Of course, having such a sparring partner was already quite good; he couldn't be too picky.
Wu Wang comforted himself with these thoughts, diligently absorbing the power of the stars to temper his body.
As for Xiao Jian Daoist...
He was sitting three zhang away, his hands buried in his long hair. His eyes were sowhat vacant, his complexion rather ashen. His entire being, from his Primordial Spirit to his Immortal body, seed to embody four words: doubting his Immortal life.
Xiao Jian Daoist frowned as he looked at Wu Wang. Wu Wang was surrounded by a silvery-white light, his handso, resolute face devoid of joy or sorrow.
Xiao Jian Daoist continued to bow his head, lost in thought.
Actually, when his master, the Pavilion Master, his respected adoptive father, told him to be Wu Wang's sparring partner, Xiao Jian Daoist had initially been sowhat resistant. Especially when his master ntioned that he himself had been sparring with Wu Wang, Xiao Jian Daoist, as a disciple, naturally felt a bit unconvinced. His master hadn't even sparred with him on swordsmanship that many tis!
But at this mont, in this place, Xiao Jian Daoist no longer harbored those emotions. He looked up at Wu Wang again and couldn't help but murmur in his heart:
What breed is this, exactly?
A Dao Realm of the Ascending Immortal Realm, Divine Thoughts of the True Immortal Realm, a body that could withstand a strike from a Heavenly Immortal, and that shockingly young age.
He had just clearly sensed on Wu Wang's body a power similar to the Divine Power of an Innate God, Mana cultivated by the Human Domain's cultivation thods, pure power of the stars... These powers didn't clash with each other. Instead, they layered one upon another, enhancing his body.
Based on sheer physical strength alone, spiritual cultivators and body cultivators who had just entered the Heavenly Immortal Realm were simply no match for this Wu Wangzi at this mont! Not to ntion those exquisite fighting techniques!
Even during close combat with Wu Wang, Xiao Jian Daoist had been forced to retreat a step or two several tis because Wu Wang changed his moves too quickly. It had almost forced him to use his latest Cold Light Eleven Swords!
Xiao Jian Daoist looked at Wu Wang, thought of those young geniuses who were already dazzling enough in the Human Domain, and then thought of himself at that age—proud and unyielding, deferring to no one. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Wu Wang opened his eyes, his face solemn, and said in a low voice, "Senior, what's wrong? Did I perform poorly sowhere?"
"No, no, you're doing very well."
Xiao Jian Daoist waved his hands repeatedly. "Let's rest for now. Recover slowly. I don't have anything urgent to do; we can take our ti sparring."
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior."
Wu Wang cupped his hands in thanks and continued to close his eyes and regulate his breath, relying on the large Spirit Gathering Array set up here to quickly replenish his body's earlier expenditure.
After another mont, Wu Wang leaped up, vigorous as a dragon and fierce as a tiger, his aura abundant.
Xiao Jian Daoist imdiately stood up, a wooden sword now in his hand.
"Co, I've also pondered a bit on how to help you temper your body. You'll have to endure the pain this ti."
"Senior, please strike as you wish! If I cry out in pain, I, Wu Wangzi, will have disgraced myself!"
"Good!"
Xiao Jian Daoist took a deep breath and t Wu Wang's gaze. Their auras connected, and then, almost simultaneously, they both charged forward. SWISH! SWISH! They vanished from their original spots, transforming into two blurs of light that collided at extre speed...
「Late at night.」
Wu Wang limped back to his residence and sat down in the dicinal bath prepared by Lin Suqing. He gritted his teeth and let out several muffled grunts.
It doesn't hurt!
...
After Xiao Jian Daoist had been his sparring partner for three months, Wu Wang's ability to withstand attacks had not only further improved, but his pain tolerance had also increased significantly.
That night, Liu Baiyi suddenly appeared from underground, interrupting his secluded ditation to see Wu Wang.
Upon seeing his master, Xiao Jian Daoist visibly relaxed, truly feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He bowed and was about to slip away.
"Where are you going?"
Liu Baiyi raised his hand and clamped down on Xiao Jian Daoist's shoulder, dragging him back and placing him beside Wu Wang.
Pavilion Master Liu said, "You two have been practicing well. I must continue my secluded contemplation. I ca out this ti to give Wu Wangzi so offerings. Both of you, co with ."
The corner of Xiao Jian Daoist's mouth twitched slightly, and he sighed, "Master, your disciple really can't teach Wu Wangzi anything."
"You just spar with him. With his aptitude, does he even need our guidance?"
Liu Baiyi walked ahead with his hands behind his back, leading them towards a corner of the underground practice area. He added, "This is also His Majesty's decree."
"Then your disciple accepts the order," Xiao Jian Daoist imdiately puffed out his chest and straightened his back, smiling. "Master, you should have said so earlier! If it's a task from His Majesty, let alone sparring, even if Wuwang Palace Lord wanted to strike a few tis with his sword, it would be no issue."
Liu Baiyi smiled without saying a word. He walked to the stone wall in the corner and slowly pushed his hands forward.
Several layers of Immortal Light appeared on the stone wall before them, revealing a round disk with two palm prints. Liu Baiyi pressed his large hands onto it, humming a lighthearted tune. The disk trembled slightly, and a shallow blue vortex erged on the stone wall.
An old voice ca from the vortex. "Who?"
"It is I, Liu Baiyi."
The voice replied, "Pavilion Master Liu, permission granted to enter."
The vortex radiated green light, enveloping Liu Baiyi, Wu Wang, and Xiao Jian Daoist, and pulled the three of them into a gray, hazy world.
At this mont, Wu Wang felt his scalp tingle.
What is this? What is Pavilion Master Liu trying to do? Such strict 'security asures'—who are they trying to guard against?
He was about to snort coldly to express his dissatisfaction but was imdiately captivated by the wondrous sight before him. His gaze shifted to the center of this narrow space.
This place had no discernible directions, no sun, moon, or stars, and the Great Dao was not manifest. It strongly resembled the 'small worlds' Wu Wang had read about in ancient texts, which were said to be created by top-tier experts using great divine power.
In the center of this small world, a large hall floated, devoid of any doors. On the roof of the hall sat more than a dozen figures shrouded in gray mist. Currently, one of them stood up and perford a Daoist salute to Pavilion Master Liu.
From beneath the hall, iron chains extended, completely entangling the corpse of a huge beast with nine heads and nine tails.
Longzhi, also known as Cangchi.
Occasionally, blue Immortal Light would slide along the chains, seemingly preserving the divine power within the Evil God's corpse. On the forehead of each of the nine fox heads, a small white flower blood.
Liu Baiyi said softly, "Wu Wang, I previously promised you ten percent a year."
Tsk, so it's no longer 'ten percent of the remaining total divine power each year'.
"Several years have passed. By rights, I should directly give you fifty percent of the divine power. But after careful calculation, I fear you might not even be able to accommodate ten percent."
Liu Baiyi raised his left hand and beckoned gently towards one of the fox heads. The white flower floated towards him, and the fox head, dozens of feet in diater, directly turned to powder and vanished.
Xiao Jian Daoist praised, "This is His Majesty's divine skill, impressive, isn't it?"
Wu Wang nodded with a smile, his eyes brimming with eagerness.
The small flower landed in Liu Baiyi's palm. With his right hand, Liu Baiyi ford a few rune imprints, causing a clay pot to appear beneath the flower before passing it to Wu Wang.
As soon as the flowerpot was in his hand, Wu Wang shuddered all over. His face flushed, his eyes sparkled wildly, and he felt an overwhelming urge to devour the object in one gulp.
Divine Power! So pure, so rich, similar to the Divine Power of a Star God, only slightly inferior, yet so vast, so abundant! I've struck it rich! What Ten Evils Hall, what Divine Child bloodline, what Blood Pool! Compared to this, they are but streams and gullies against a hundred-li great marsh!
Liu Baiyi said warmly, "Don't be in a hurry to absorb it. It would be good if you could assimilate this Evil God's divine power within a year..."
SWOOSH!
A light flickered on Wu Wang's chest. The small flower vanished instantly, leaving only the flowerpot, which disintegrated into immortal power.
The three of them stood there, stunned. Wu Wang pulled open his collar, revealing the necklace he had never taken off. The necklace emitted a soft glow, and a warm aura flowed into Wu Wang's body.
"This?"
Liu Baiyi frowned, staring intently at the necklace on Wu Wang's chest.
Wu Wang clutched the necklace, now recognizing what that aura was.
Pure Divine Power, on par with that of a Star God—continuous, stable, like a gentle rain nourishing all things, pouring into his limbs and bones!
Wu Wang suddenly realized this necklace was a treasure his mother, whom he had seen in his childhood, never took off. He had previously thought his mother was just the ordinary leader of the Sun Ritual and that this treasure was, at most, an immortal artifact that allowed him to maintain contact with her.
But now, thinking about the identity his mother had revealed... this necklace was no ordinary treasure!
Xiao Jian Daoist looked up at the sky, muttering, "Why has another star suddenly appeared?"
That star, however, quickly faded. Wu Wang heard his mother's voice, tinged with reproach, in his mind:
"This kind of low-grade divine power, mixed with the resentnts of all living beings—aren't you afraid of getting an upset stomach and ruining your foundation?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)