"Xiao Deng—"
"Deng Deng, how could you just leave us like that!"
Inside the cave dwelling, several figures surrounded the bench, gazing at the miniature bed upon it, where Xiao Deng lay with white hair.
Xiao Deng had aged rapidly within the last half a year, her body as if containing a tiny black hole that silently devoured her vibrant life force. Now, dicines and stones were of no use.
The Blue Bird landed next to the small window, its beak holding a palm-sized thin quilt, tucking in the corners for Xiao Deng.
Lin Suqing had been quite thoughtful, bringing over a brazier and yellow paper. Because she had not done this for a long ti, she was nervously holding the notes from when she first learned the ways, reading them constantly, "The sky is endless, the earth is boundless where spirits thrive, today we bring our heavy hearts..."
Wu Wang watched Xiao Deng in silence, a multitude of realizations welling up in his heart. As dawn picks up the flowers, all creatures silently exist. The lifespan of mortals is far inferior to that of Immortals, yet Immortals too have their own limits.
With hands clasped behind his back, Wu Wang thought of the current situation, the Lin Family's rebellion, and suddenly realized, what good is all the scheming of Lin Nuhao? Even if Lin Qi is forcibly elevated to the Human Emperor's high position, after the long passage of ti, won't it all be just endless sands in the desert of years?
The Sleep God was right.
"Quizmaster." Dongfang Mumu muttered under her breath with a pout, "Isn't there really no way to bring her back to life? Why does she only have a few years to live? For her, isn't that too unfair?"
"I'm not sure about the lifespan of beings myself." Wu Wang said earnestly, "This is the lifespan set by the Head Manager for all creatures, and it's also a part of the order of Heaven and Earth. If it were so easy to change, the Head Manager wouldn't be in such glory nowadays."
"Can't you just make dry wood blossom?" Immortal Mu's large round eyes were full of hope as she whispered, "I know it's wrong to demand so much, but I only have two friends, Xiao Deng and Suqing—ah, and Blue Bird, and Big Ears, of course, you count too, and Master and them, and that little deity of the big crab... But quizmaster, can't you let Xiao Deng live a few more years?"
"Sigh." Wu Wang laughed and sighed, slowly squatting down, his focus on the tiny figure before him. He brought his fingers together like a sword, pointing at Xiao Deng, and streams of clear energy flowed into her body. However, this energy soon exited through her nostrils, failing to stay within.
A lamp without oil can indeed make dry wood bloom again. Wu Wang was forcibly made the God of Spring, and he was very clear about the restrictions of this god position. It could not be used on living beings, or else he would suffer backlash from his god position. And this backlash was quite severe.
Wu Wang carefully sensed it. He realized that not only would his weak divine authority be sealed for so ti, but he would also be docked rit points and warned by the Heaven Palace. If serious enough, Heavenly Punishnt would descend as a warning...
"Huh?" Wu Wang suddenly caught himself. He wasn't a legitimate god of the Heaven Palace, so why should he be afraid of this? If it were an aged mber of the Human race before him, it might require a large amount of Divine Power. But how much does this little one weigh?
"Everyone, step back a bit." Wu Wang suddenly spoke up and calmly sat down on the ground.
Ling Xiaolan, Le Yao, and Ji Mo watched from behind. The Grand Elder, Yang Wudi, and others were also curious, probing this place with their Immortal Consciousness. They saw the Sect Master chanting under his breath, his hands forming a seal, but it was to add several layers of protection to himself.
Wu Wang's eyes suddenly opened, a bright light flickering within, startling the now 'elderly' Xiao Deng who nearly ran out of breath...
Extending his right hand forward, Wu Wang said in a gentle voice, "Seasons change, winter ets spring, all things revive, the spiritual mind awakens."
A stream of light green Divine Light surged from his palm, enshrouding Xiao Deng, and actually lifted her tiny form from the bench, suspending her in the air. Xiao Deng's gray and withered hair quickly returned to black, and her wrinkled little face gradually beca rosy and smooth.
The surrounding crowd exclaid in low voices, with Dongfang Mumu's mouth open so wide she seed ready to swallow the Blue Bird next to her.
「After a short while.」
Wu Wang withdrew his hand. The small figure floating above the bench unfurled two colorful thin wings at her back, flapping swiftly.
"Thank you, God."
"Xiao Deng!" Immortal Mu cheered, throwing herself at her while continuing to shout "Quizmaster!" causing Wu Wang to smile again and again.
Suddenly, thunder rumbled outside the door. Wu Wang frowned slightly and said to Liu Guang, "Go disperse the thunderclouds."
Liu Guang quietly acknowledged the command, vanishing in a flash. The next instant, thunder exploded in the sky, the heavy clouds scattered, and Liu Guang's cold snort travelled a thousand miles.
Out of nowhere, a swirl of gray mist appeared around Wu Wang. Just as the mist was about to enter his body, the necklace on his chest glowed lightly, flaring with radiance, and the gray mist turned into a circle of dust, falling at Wu Wang's feet.
Heaven Palace punishnt? Is that all? Mother is aweso! Wu Wang thought, then raised his hand to draw the dust closer, pinching it between his fingertips to carefully feel its essence.
"Master," Liu Guang's figure appeared beside him, bowing his head, "The pathway connected to the Thunder Pool and this place has been closed, and the Divine Power from the Heavenly Punishnt is very weak."
"Mmm, after all, it was only to save Xiao Deng." Wu Wang nodded calmly as the wisp of dust on his fingertips emitted a faint fluctuation, which he found quite interesting.
The Grand Elder asked, "Sect Master, what is this?"
"The Heavenly Punishnt descended by the Dao of Order," Wu Wang spoke slowly, "a punishnt for my abuse of divine authority, which I have intercepted."
Everyone was suddenly... though they didn't understand what had happened, they all felt it was quite impressive.
Suddenly, Wu Wang spoke, "You all chat amongst yourselves; I'll retreat for so introspection. Call if there's an ergency."
Ling Xiaolan asked, "Shouldn't we make so sort of gesture towards the Lin Family?"
"Fairy Immortal, you ultimately see people's hearts a bit too simply." Wu Wang said with a smile, "It's best we do nothing right now. The more we do, the more mistakes we make, and it easily gives others a handle against us. There are plenty of experts in the Human Domain, and we don't have the power to turn Heaven and Earth ourselves, so there's no need to worry so much."
The crowd showed contemplation and nodded in agreent.
Wu Wang drew all the dust into his hand and took out a cloth bag, carefully storing it inside. He glanced at Xiao Deng, then suddenly said, "Senior, would you like to co and ponder this together? It seems there's also a surging Divine Power inside you."
"CHIRP!" The Blue Bird agreed, circling around Wu Wang but not daring to land on his shoulder.
Finding an inner cave, he sealed it with a Barrier. Without saying much more, Wu Wang divided the dust, placing half before the Blue Bird, and then began to ditate with closed eyes. His spiritual mind returned to his God's Mansion and connected to the Star Dao, faintly linking with the Star God's body.
Gradually, the dust laid out in front of him began to emit more complex fluctuations. These fluctuations were like threads, weaving into a grid that clung to the world.
Dao of Order.
Heavenly Punishnt.
The backlash from abusing divine authority...
A vision related to the principles of the world, obscured by the order nad Emperor Shun, was now being glimpsed by Wu Wang as he lifted a corner of the fog with this faint light.
「…」
Wu Wang had indeed retreated for enlightennt. At this mont, most of the people gathered here were sowhat taken aback.
Xing Tian muttered, "Could it be that Little Brother doesn't take Lin Qi very seriously? That would an I worried for nothing."
Ji Mo retorted, "If Brother Wu Wang didn't care about Brother Lin, why would he have braved the dangerous terrain of the Southeastern Region?"
Ling Xiaolan, who had been mulling over Wu Wang's earlier comnt about 'people's hearts,' thought deeply for a while and spoke slowly, "The closer one is, the more they should avoid suspicion at this mont. The Human Domain had already revealed many of its maladies, but because our sovereign successfully extended his life and set the lofty ambition of a northern campaign in a thousand years, these maladies were temporarily suppressed. Lin Nuhao's defection from the Human Domain not only caused substantial damage but also likely stirred the unsettling feelings in the hearts of various powers. This is the most troubleso part."
Ji Mo slowly nodded, "Does Brother Wu Wang fear that so will point the finger at him?"
"But this," Lin Suqing was sowhat puzzled, "is the Human Domain really so convoluted? Not to ntion that my master has no interest in the position of Human Emperor, which has been stated many tis before. Just looking at the rits he has achieved since coming to the Human Domain, even if one were to consider candidates for the Human Emperor, there's nothing wrong with that. Where is the unfairness in this?"
"Ah," Yang Wudi chuckled, the bald muscular man muttering, "If we really pursued fairness, why would the people of the Human race within those great forces insist on banding together so tightly? What they want is not fairness at all."
The crowd fell silent.
Suddenly, Ling Xiaolan pursed her lips. She suddenly realized why Wu Wang had retreated for enlightennt, and why he had called Fairy Immortal Jingwei in alone. Is it that he doesn't want her to be involved in these twisted and convoluted affairs? Following this, Ling Xiaolan sighed softly in her heart but did not dwell on the matter.
「Half a day later.」
Daoist Xiao Jian hurried back. While he had been sowhat blinded by anger before, he had now cald down. His expression somber, he sought Wu Wang upon arrival at Annihilation Sect, but upon learning that Wu Wang had begun his retreat, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Grand Elder and Xiao Jian were sowhat acquainted and stepped forward to converse with him. "My friend, what happened?"
Xiao Jian sighed, "Nothing major, just got scolded by my master. He said that I, even at my age, still can't keep my composure."
"Why is that?" Grand Elder didn't understand. The people gathered around were also concerned, watching Daoist Xiao Jian closely.
Daoist Xiao Jian sighed lightly, sitting down on a wooden chair and looking up slightly. He said, "I thought that as long as I grasped the true aning of Sword Dao, one day I could break through the Heaven Palace with a single sword, join forces with my Human Domain comrades, cross the rivers and mountains, and rescue the Hundred Races enslaved by the Innate Gods. I even believed that although there are many people in the Human Domain with chaotic thoughts, they would put aside their personal desires in the face of righteousness. I never expected that in the end, it was I who was too naïve."
Ji Mo inquired, "Senior, what exactly happened?"
"Lin Nuhao has turned against the Human Domain and allied with the Heaven Palace, wanting to beco the new Human Emperor of the Human Domain." Daoist Xiao Jian said, "Within the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, there is actually a group of respected elders who have proposed to temporarily place Wu Wang under house arrest. They claim that Wu Wang's relationship with the Lin Family is too close and that restricting Wu Wang temporarily is for his own good.
"At that ti, my spiritual mind was in a state of agitation, and I argued with them. In the end, however, I was driven out.
"The title of successor to the Pavilion Master is likely gone as well, but it doesn't really matter.
"What right do they have!
"Alas—
"On what grounds do they slanderously accuse? Why would they harbor such vile thoughts against a young man of the Human race who can stand proudly even before the Head Manager?
"I truly do not understand, cannot understand at all."
Elder Miao, who was sitting beside the window, said indifferently, "The peak is the position of the Human Emperor; the Sect Master climbs the highest and will naturally beco the target of public criticism. There's nothing difficult to understand about that."
The Grand Elder, looking sowhat desolate, sighed, "When has our Human Domain beco so full of intrigue and scheming when there is a clear enemy at our door!"
"There's no need to worry about these," Xiao Jian said softly, "all parties are already prepared. From fortifications on the borders to the direct campaign ahead, all plans have been made. They an to exclude Wu Wang from this operation."
Ling Xiaolan suddenly said, "I'm going back to the Sect."
"Fairy Immortal, you mustn't!" Ji Mo quickly intervened, blocking Ling Xiaolan's path, and said, "Although the Xuan Nu Sect has extraordinary influence in the Human Domain, it is not appropriate for the Xuan Nu Sect to get involved in this matter. Moreover, now that you and Brother Wu Wang are confidants and companions on the Path, it would be difficult for the Xuan Nu Sect to stand up for Brother Wu Wang."
"His connections with the Xuan Nu Sect are not limited to alone... Never mind. Brother Wu Wang would probably not be pleased if we took action without his consent." Ling Xiaolan also quickly cald down, returned to her seat, took out a handkerchief, and began to ticulously wipe the armrest, saying no more.
It was at this mont that Xing Tian seed to co to his senses. He stood up with a SWOOSH and walked up to Xiao Jian. "Are you saying, senior, that the Human Domain doesn't think highly of my brother Xiong Ba?"
"It's not that they don't think highly of him," Xiao Jian said, "it's just that a small faction is sowhat wary of Brother Wu Wang, that's all."
"Well, that's alright." Xing Tian nodded, crossed his arms, and pondered for a mont before saying, "I think no matter what, the Human Domain should not overcomplicate issues. If my brother Xiong Ba wants the position of Human Emperor, no one can beat him to it; his rits are clear for all to see. If my brother Xiong Ba does not desire the position of Human Emperor, and those people still fear he might covet it and thus sche and trap him, then I may need to go have a word with them. What, they think we of the Northern Wilderness can't get by without the Human Domain? Or do they think the n of the Northern Wilderness are all spineless?"
Everyone hastened to speak up, urging Xing Tian not to get angry. Daoist Xiao Jian, even more spiritedly, reassured them that there would be no further issues, before returning to the Main Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.
Thus, more than ten hours passed. ssages kept coming in. The Ji Family, Xuan Nu Sect, and Refining Master Alliance all had people bringing news from the northwest to this place.
The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion sent an Officer to the Lin Family to scold Lin Nuhao, giving him another chance to turn away from his evil ways. Lin Nuhao had his n drive the Officer away and, in front of many masters of the Human Domain, mixed a private army with a large group of Heaven Palace Divine Guards, establishing a defensive line. The condition of those Lin Family private soldiers seed a bit off; most of them were surrounded by black light, clearly having their spiritual minds controlled.
From within the Lin Family, news leaked that several masters from the military families detained by the Lin Family were having their spiritual minds aggressively assaulted by Qiong Qi. Should they also fall one after another, the Lin Family's montum would further increase.
As the sun rose and set, hour after hour ticked by. The two major factions in the Great Wilderness, the Human Domain and the Heaven Palace, had already amassed heavy troops in the northwest of the Human Domain. Scores of masters rushed to the region, and the Heaven Palace even unveiled the 'ancient tribe powerhouses' that had not appeared before.
Within the Heaven Palace, many Great Daos were awakening. Those Innate Gods who had previously had their domains outside were also recalled to inside the Heaven Palace.
The Head Manager was in high spirits, his laughter echoing throughout the Heaven Palace. He had waited far too long for this battle for the Heaven Palace to assert dominance over the Human Domain, and now he finally had this exquisite opportunity.
In a palace sowhere, the Young Master, sitting beside a jade pool, let her slender fingers glide through the water, her gaze slightly complex. So much so that the kneeling princess of the Feathered Race nearby, at this mont, did not dare to continue describing her expulsion by the Human Domain.
「Another half-day passed.」
In the blessed land of the Human Domain, Annihilation Sect Mountain.
The noise outside the cave dwelling penetrated the Barrier set up by Wu Wang, waking him from his contemplation. Looking at the completely inert dust, he felt sowhat disappointed and involuntarily frowned.
What's all the fuss?
"CHIRP!" The Blue Bird fluttered its wings and flew in front of Wu Wang, its form wrapped in Divine Light, hovering in mid-air, crying out a few tis to Wu Wang.
"Are you reminding , senior, that there are bad people outside?"
"CHIRP CHIRP!" The Blue Bird nodded its head like a bobblehead.
Wu Wang smiled, lifted the hem of his robe, and stood up calmly, saying, "Let's go have a look, and see what kind of demons or monsters have co."
The Blue Bird's eyes showed a hint of concern.
"You don't have to worry about , senior." Wu Wang said warmly, "All that has happened so far is within my expectations. I have never underestimated the upper limit of the Human Domain, nor have I overestimated the lower limits of certain individuals within it. All I seek is a clear conscience. If the Human Domain no longer needs my help, I can go anywhere in this world."
The Blue Bird nodded slightly, not showing any further reaction, rely pretending to hover over Wu Wang's shoulder, yet not daring to touch even lightly.
Wu Wang thickened the Ice Crystal film on his shoulder and said, "Senior, you can land."
The Blue Bird tilted its head, tentatively landing on Wu Wang's shoulder. Its claws felt the delicate texture of Wu Wang's robe, but Wu Wang did not faint.
"Just a little trick." Wu Wang showed the Ice Crystal film on his arm to the Blue Bird, then walked out of the Barrier.
In front of the Sect Master's chamber door, a large number of Immortal Soldiers held weapons. Several elders, looking troubled, continued to speak to the few people blocking the way. Xing Tian had already passed out, held under his teacher's arm. Apparently, Xing Tian had just been unable to refrain from starting a fight and was forcefully knocked out.
Ji Mo's indignant voice thundered, "Is this how the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion treats the Hall Master of the Punishnt Hall? Still suspecting the Hall Master of conspiring with the Lin Family? You all!"
Le Yao spoke lightly, "The older one gets, the less respect they command."
An Officer from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion said, "Brother Ji, this is just a precaution. We also hold great respect for Hall Master Wu Wang."
Ling Xiaolan coolly said, "Why haven't you produced any evidence then?"
"Vice Pavilion Master Wang's personal seal is here..."
"I don't know any Vice Pavilion Master Wang," Ling Xiaolan's pretty face turned cold, "please bring out Master Liu's token!"
The Grand Elder said, "Everyone, if our Sect Master loses his temper, do you think your Vice Pavilion Master Wang can withstand it? If you take even half a step further, I will go to see His Majesty the Human Emperor and offer my blood as a recomndation!"
"Right! What right do you have to arrest people!"
"Our Sect Master has so many great achievents. You just suspect him because you say so?"
"Are you bullying our Sect Master because he's young? Are you ganging up to bully our Sect Master because he's kind-hearted?!"
A group of True Immortals and Yuanxians from the Annihilation Sect stepped forward in unison, each showing ferocious expressions, exhibiting the boldness typical of a Demonic Sect. The group of Immortal Soldiers could only tighten their formation again.
"I'll just ask once," Ji Mo said, "is Master Liu aware of this?"
An elder in a yellow robe whispered, "We will report to Master Liu after we return."
Inside the cave dwelling, separated by the Formation, Wu Wang watched this scene unfolding outside. To say his heart wasn't annoyed would be a lie. But he simply sighed softly, not wishing to cause more trouble with these people.
Just as Wu Wang was about to step forward and send these people away, the Blue Bird on his shoulder spread its wings and flew up. From her angry little eyes, it seed she was about to reveal her true form and question these old n from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for being there. Wu Wang hesitated for a mont, then quickly wrapped the Blue Bird in Immortal Light and pulled her back. This was not the ti to stir up the 'news' that the Princess of the Human Domain was now a Demigod, which could potentially cause a great deal of chaos. Moreover, Wu Wang did not want a woman to stand up for him.
"Senior, there's no need for you to intervene in this matter. I can handle it, I can handle it."
"CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP! CHIRP CHIRP!" The Blue Bird hopped continuously on Wu Wang's shoulder, making him chuckle lightly. Even in such irritation, she was just as adorable.
"Is Senior upset because they're trying to suppress by taking advantage of the situation?"
"Yes! Cough, CHIRP!"
"That's easy," Wu Wang said with a smile, "Senior, stand firm on my shoulder today. I'll let you swagger with for once; they are not qualified to suppress ."
Having said that, Wu Wang lifted the hem of his robe and, with a strong flick, stepped out from the area covered by the Formation. The people in front of the gate wore expressions of joy and made way for him on either side. Wu Wang strode out unhurriedly, his face betraying neither joy nor anger, his gaze sweeping over the people before him.
"Hall Master Wu Wang." Several elders imdiately bowed and presented a scroll of cloth to Wu Wang. This was a more formal order from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.
Wu Wang opened it, noted the nas signed on the cloth, then a fla rose in the palm of his hand, burning the scroll to ashes.
"Hall Master Wu Wang, this..."
"Are you perhaps unwilling to follow orders?"
Wu Wang asked, "Is Brother Xiao Jian being held by you all?"
The n were silent.
Wu Wang dusted off his hands. "Please go to my Punishnt Hall later to receive your punishnt. You may leave now."
"Hall Master Wu Wang, what do you an by this? We are just following orders!"
"No other aning, I just don't like the look of you." Wu Wang said indifferently, "Where is Liu Guang?"
"Master," Liu Guang appeared in the sky above, his feet positioned over the group of Immortal Soldiers from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.
"Remove their armor and bind them. Send them over to Master Liu, and then co back to pick us up. Don't injure their Dao foundation; just beat them up a bit."
Wu Wang watched as the few old n in front of him showed signs of panic, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly as Liu Guang's palm already ca down... He knew well that within the Human Domain, he had no enemies, only petty individuals who did not even dare to show their faces.
"Brother Ji, sisters, Fairy Immortal, Suqing, Grand Elder, Elder Miao, Mumu, Wudi." Wu Wang called out a series of nas. Everyone stepped forward, watching Wu Wang's silhouette, hearing his laughter, and receiving his invitation.
"Shall we all go for a cruise together?"
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