This Human Immortal Is Too Serious

The Human Emperor had gone to the Northern Region for a secluded retreat.

According to the Old Senior, he might be able to take another small step forward.

This small step would be a great stride for the Human Domain.

Of course, it also depended on opportunity and fate, as well as whether the Heaven Palace would grant them this time.

Wu Wang had done all he could. But at this moment, one puzzle, one question, one confusion lingered in his heart—how much of the Old Senior's infamous thirty-thousand-year-old fake wine was left? Could it be enough for the Human Domain to achieve a truly grand victory, prompting the Old Senior to bring out these wines and distribute them among the Human Domain's experts? To get dizzy drunk each time, to suffer a headache each time—who could bear it!?

"HISS—"

Wu Wang clutched his forehead and sat up from the soft couch. He vaguely remembered drinking with the Old Senior again, then stumbling back to his residence in a daze.

Immortal Light twinkled before him, revealing seven or eight figures. Each paid their respects to Wu Wang before beginning to speak softly.

Still under the influence of the wine, Wu Wang felt the world spin, dizzy and hazy. This continued until the Grand Elder's voice rang out, speaking of Yang Wudi...

"What? Yang Wudi went to the Ten Evils Hall as a mole?"

Upon hearing this, the Sect Master couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes wide with shock. How could that fellow have such an idea?

The Grand Elder quickly said, "Sect Master, there's no need to worry. He's flourishing in the Ten Evils Hall. He somehow deceived the people there and hasn't been controlled by their Blood Pool..."

Wu Wang sat there. After a moment, he regained his senses, the effects of the wine instantly vanishing.

On their way to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, Yang Wudi and Zhang Moshan had been acting foolishly. Yang Wudi was captured like a piglet, while Zhang Moshan managed to escape. Yang Wudi, however, had not only gotten himself caught but had also, quite inspiringly, become a minor leader.

"Heh," Wu Wang mused. "This guy really is something. What messages has he sent?"

The Grand Elder took out seven or eight stones from his sleeve and laid them in a row before Wu Wang.

Wu Wang examined the stones closely and muttered, "I'm fine, still alive. It's the Ten Evils Hall's forces. They're planning something. Find two mountains shaped like camel humps to locate their hideout. This cave abode is hidden at the bottom of a lake... Could this one mean they've assigned Yang Wudi a cultivation partner?"

A cultivation partner?

Looking at the stone he had personally deciphered, the Grand Elder pondered for a moment, then smiled. "It should be so. But Sect Master, could it also mean he has broken through to become a Heavenly Immortal? Sect Master, look at this symbol. Perhaps it's missing a part, the character for 'man'? There's a visual pun: 'man' plus 'heaven' can imply a 'broken crown,' referring to a Heavenly Immortal's baldness."

"Then why didn't he just write the character for 'man' directly?" Wu Wang chuckled. "Or, he could have drawn a simple bald head with a couple of arrows or feathers around it to represent the Heavenly Immortal realm. All his drawings here are in that style."

The Grand Elder, taken aback, nodded slowly. "The Sect Master is absolutely right."

"The Ten Evils Hall is really sparing no expense."

Wu Wang laughed, supporting his forehead as he slumped onto the soft couch. Lin Suqing brought him some sobering tea. He lowered his head, took a few GULPS, GULP, GULP, and let out a long sigh. Ah, that's much better.

The Grand Elder, however, turned to Zhang Moshan and said via voice transmission, "When you see Yang Wudi, if you find he has broken through to the Heavenly Immortal realm, reduce his cultivation level. The Sect Master cannot be wrong, understand?"

Zhang Moshan tensed and blinked repeatedly.

Several attendants, some familiar to Wu Wang and some not, stepped forward, each holding a tray, and bowed to Wu Wang.

"Wuwang Palace Lord, these are Spiritual Medicines from Master Liu as a reward for your hard work in seclusion."

"Wuwang Palace Lord, these are rare items sent by the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion: Phoenix Feathers, seldom seen in the Human Domain; a Sunwarming Stone from Yang Valley in the Eastern Wilderness; Danghu Flying Whiskers from the Western Wilderness; and this Ear Mouse, rare in the Northern Wilderness. All are stored in this Storage Magic Treasure."

"Wuwang Palace Lord, we are attendants from the Fire God Pavilion, established by His Majesty the Human Emperor. Our Pavilion Master was deeply moved to hear that you meditated on the Great Dao for three years and nine months. This is a letter from our Pavilion Master."

"Wuwang Palace Lord..."

Six attendants, representing four institutions directly under the Human Emperor, all brought congratulatory gifts. Besides the Four Seas Pavilion and the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, there were also the Fire God Pavilion and the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, which Wu Wang was hearing of for the first time.

Opening the two letters from the Pavilion Masters, Wu Wang saw a familiar name that made him sit up straighter. The Heavenly Craft Pavilion! Where are the Human Domain's craftsmen? The Human Domain's craftsmen are here! No wonder! After I arrived at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, I searched secretly for the Human Domain's top craftsmen but found no trace. So it turns out they aren't even under the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's jurisdiction!

Wu Wang instructed Lin Suqing to accept all the gifts. Amidst the somewhat puzzled gazes of the Grand Elder, Lin Suqing, Immortal Mu, and even the attendants, he said with a smile, "Thank you all for your concern, seniors. My seclusion merely drained some energy; it was nothing major. On the contrary, it is you, seniors, who have toiled, supporting every aspect of the Human Domain. You are the great figures we cultivators must be grateful to. Suqing, prepare three gifts for the Pavilion Masters of the Four Seas Pavilion, the Fire God Pavilion, and the Heavenly Craft Pavilion."

Lin Suqing softly assented, reacting quickly. She went aside to select some treasure mines and assemble the gifts.

Soon, she returned with three brocade boxes. The attendants all promised, "We'll be sure to deliver them," and then took their leave.

An attendant from the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion asked in a low voice, "Palace Lord, shouldn't we prepare a return gift for our own Pavilion Master as well?"

"I will give it to him personally," Wu Wang said with a smile. The attendant, relieved, bowed to Wu Wang and exited the room.

"Sect Master," the Grand Elder said, puzzled, "This..."

Immortal Mu, her small, plump hands gripping the railing beside the soft couch, blurted out, "Problem Setter, have you really become the Human Emperor's heir?"

Startled, the Grand Elder quickly raised a barrier to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

The Human Emperor's heir? Immortal Mu's imagination didn't stretch much further than that.

Wu Wang smiled dismissively and took the Treasure Sacks from the Four Seas Pavilion, examining their contents.

He said, "I merely made a small contribution by chance, giving the Human Domain a few more bargaining chips against the Heaven Palace. These Pavilion Masters know the inside story and came to express their thanks. It's nothing significant. Did they really find Ear Mice? I had people search the Northern Wilderness for so long and only found about a dozen. These creatures were hunted to near extinction long ago because of their adorable appearance."

As he spoke, he tipped a fist-sized 'soft ball' out of a Treasure Sack. This soft ball was a special magical device capable of storing small Spirit Beasts.

Holding the soft ball up to the bright sunlight, he saw a furry bundle inside.

Intrigued, Wu Wang channeled a stream of Mana. The soft ball dissolved, and the furry Spirit Beast within slowly stretched its body.

It was a palm-sized mouse, somewhat like a squirrel but chubbier and shorter, its four tiny legs almost hidden in its soft fur. Its most striking features were its ears, which covered its head, and a tail longer than its body.

Wu Wang tapped the Ear Mouse's head. It alertly opened its gem-like eyes. The tip of its tail twitched a few times and then suddenly began to WHIR like a propeller, suspending its body upside down in front of Wu Wang.

"AH!"

"WOW!"

Lin Suqing gasped softly, while Immortal Mu's large eyes sparkled, and she couldn't help but move closer for a better look.

Wu Wang smiled, his eyes narrowed, and gently pushed the Ear Mouse. The little creature paddled and clawed nervously in the air, floating into Lin Suqing's embrace.

"If you like it, keep it. It eats all sorts of things and is quite easy to raise. Just be careful not to let it fly around too much. The ones I raised before were all eaten as snacks by giant wolves."

"Thank you, Young Master!" Lin Suqing cried joyfully, snatching up the little Ear Mouse. Immortal Mu immediately hopped over and darted around behind Lin Suqing.

Wu Wang stretched comfortably, took out a Jade Talisman, and inscribed upon it the scriptures he had written in the Scripture Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

The Grand Elder remarked, "Sect Master, while you were in seclusion, Protector Ji and Le Yao were married."

"Is that so?" Wu Wang said happily. "That fellow really was snared by Sister Le Yao. Fortunately, I have some rare items here; I'll add them to their wedding gifts. Grand Elder, this is for you."

"What is this?" The Grand Elder looked at the Jade Talisman before him, accepting it with both hands, his eyes tinged with confusion.

Wu Wang said via voice transmission with a smile, "In dreams, one finds golden houses; in dreams, one finds the supreme Dao. I not only achieve Enlightenment in Dream but also debate with ancient sages in my dreams. This is a scripture Emperor Fuxi imparted to me in a dream. I wrote it down in a daze in the Scripture Hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Consider this a little something extra for you, Grand Elder. But remember, you must not reveal this scripture to any third party. Who His Majesty the Human Emperor allows to study it is His Majesty's decision."

The Grand Elder's expression turned solemn. He pushed the Jade Talisman back and said gravely, "Sect Master, I cannot accept this."

"Just take it, Grand Elder. I wrote it, so why can't I decide what to do with it?"

"No, Sect Master, you cannot make this decision unilaterally," the Grand Elder said sternly. "Since it was entrusted by Emperor Fuxi in a dream, His Majesty should decide who is qualified to comprehend it."

Wu Wang thought, "Well, I've shot myself in the foot."

"Emperor Fuxi entrusted me in a dream to give a copy to those I trust," Wu Wang said seriously, pushing the Jade Talisman back. "As for what Emperor Fuxi told me in the dream, the final right of interpretation belongs to me."

"This?" The Grand Elder looked at Wu Wang, now understanding that the so-called dream entrustment was merely an excuse.

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

"Grand Elder, why be so formal? Hurry and go comprehend it."

The Grand Elder glanced at the contents of the Jade Talisman. At first, his eyes showed confusion, then dawning realization, followed by a frown of deep contemplation, as if he had gained some profound insight and was lost in mystery.

Soon, an aura of the Dao emanated from the Grand Elder. He gave Wu Wang a Daoist salute and hurried back to his residence. The sensation was incredibly strange, as if a missing piece of his own Great Dao had been restored, making him desperate to verify his understanding.

Wu Wang stood up, feeling an invigorating sensation throughout his body. He had actually gained many benefits, though they were intangible. In any case, it would be very difficult for him to encounter bottlenecks in his future cultivation. All he lacked was comprehension of the Stars and the Dao of Fire, and then he could advance unimpeded, like splitting bamboo. (Indeed, the accumulation of comprehension takes time and cannot be rushed.)

Wu Wang took a couple of steps forward. Zhang Moshan, standing tensely at the door with his head bowed, straightened up, awaiting orders.

"Moshan."

Here it comes! Zhang Moshan sighed inwardly. With Yang Wudi absent, he would be the target of the Sect Master's punishment. He didn't have many rewards; if his stipend was deducted, it would be a severe blow...

"You've worked hard." Wu Wang patted Zhang Moshan's shoulder and said solemnly, "Later, I'll arrange a Steward position for you at the Punishment Hall. You'll run some errands for me and receive stipends from both the Annihilation Sect and the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Do a good job, and don't disgrace our Annihilation Sect."

Tears nearly welled up in the eyes of the square-faced man. He looked up and roared, "Your subordinate accepts the order!"

"Mm," Wu Wang smiled. "Come on, let's take a stroll to the Punishment Hall."

Zhang Moshan immediately followed, his gaze alertly scanning their surroundings, his entire demeanor exuding earnestness.

And so, the Annihilation Sect—in which only Yang Wudi seemed to lose money—was thus established.

* * *

If, before Wu Wang's enlightenment in the Scripture Hall, the Human Domain's top echelon and its handful of peak combatants regarded him with a mixture of attention, affection, and observation, then after he spent three years and nine months writing down the scriptures supposedly entrusted by Emperor Fuxi in a dream, their attitude shifted to one of equal parts respect and concern.

They didn't believe the story about the dream. Instead, Liu Baiyi's analysis struck the experts as far more plausible: "This fellow clearly comprehended something himself! He saw the path left by Emperor Fuxi, pushed open the gate Emperor Fuxi had erected on the Great Dao, and brought out what was inside to show us. Don't mind that he himself hasn't grasped the meaning of these scriptures yet. Once his cultivation level increases, in a few dozen or a hundred years, he's likely to soar and achieve his own Great Dao!"

And these experts now held His Majesty Shennong's ability to judge character in the most profound admiration.

However, apart from the upper echelons, others' attitudes towards Wu Wang remained unchanged. They already held him in extremely high esteem; how much more respectful could they possibly become?

The true impact of this matter on the Human Domain would be seen in the future configuration of the Great Wilderness. Wu Wang's initial intention wasn't to scheme for anything, but simply to help the Human Domain, help the Human race, and find a second safety net for his own clan. By doing so, he could also alleviate some of his mother's burdens.

After arranging for Zhang Moshan at the Punishment Hall to work alongside the other stewards, Wu Wang hummed a little tune, strolling with his hands behind his back along a rain-slicked path. Faint trickles of insight, like flowing water, surfaced in his mind, and he carefully collected them all.

He went to check on Ling Xiaolan, who was still in deep contemplation. Then, he wrote a letter, enclosing the Phoenix Feather for Ji Mo as a belated wedding gift, and arranged for a squad of Immortal Soldiers to deliver it to the Ji Family.

Ji Mo had been married for over three years; I wonder if they have children yet. And then there's Yang Wudi, 'married into' the Ten Evils Hall for over three years now, and still hasn't managed to become a Vice Hall Master. He's truly embarrassing the Annihilation Sect. I need to think of a way to spur him on.

HUM—

The necklace Wu Wang always wore on his chest trembled slightly. It wasn't a warning, just his mother initiating a call.

Wu Wang immediately found a secluded corner, raised a barrier, held the necklace, closed his eyes, and called out a few times in his mind.

"Mother, have you been well lately? I've been preoccupied with enlightenment and have neglected to check in on you."

"No worries," Cang Xue responded softly. "When you were in the Scripture Hall, even though I couldn't see you, I could still sense your aura, so I wasn't too worried about your situation... Your father just left me a few months ago."

"Is Father alright?"

"He's very well."

"Mother, has the Heaven Palace been troubling you lately?"

"Certainly not."

Then, an awkward silence fell between mother and son, neither knowing what to say next.

Cang Xue quickly spoke, "Seeing you're alright, I am relieved. You should—"

"Mother, are you also interested in those scriptures?"

"Interested might be too strong a word. I'm just a little curious." Cang Xue sounded slightly embarrassed, her voice softening as she said gently, "I just caught a glimpse of the phrase 'the Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao,' and felt it made sense. Regardless of whether one is a mortal being or a Divine Spirit, in exploring the world, one always seeks to understand the true nature of the universe."

"Mother, I'll recite everything I can remember for you."

"You can just recite the first part for me... And I won't share the insights you've gained from Emperor Fu Xi's relics with any other sentient spirit, not even your grandfather or aunts. After all, this is the wisdom of the Human Domain."

I have a grandfather?

"Well..."

"Mother, I'm starting to recite now. Just listen as you please."

Wu Wang chuckled inwardly. He mentally recited the scriptures he had previously written for the Human Domain and also repeated the words he had inscribed on the third stone tablet.

Cang Xue listened for a long time without speaking. Finally, she said, "Emperor Fuxi truly was a hero who dominated his era."

"Yes," Wu Wang sighed. "He walked the path of seeking the ultimate truth of the universe. Though bound by the Dao of Fire, he still managed to deduce myriad Daos and laws."

Cang Xue chuckled a few times, but her voice grew more serious as she admonished warmly, "The three Human Emperors of the Human Domain are all remarkable beings. However, Ba'er, you must remember this: although all laws converge and all Daos lead to the same ultimate end, different spirits resonate with the Great Dao in unique ways, leading to different paths.

"Generally, when we contemplate the ultimate truth of the universe, we consider its origin to be that instant when the universe first opened and the myriad Daos first bloomed. To call it an instant isn't quite right, as the Dao of Time had not yet unfolded; time was chaotic, and measurements were without order. How disorder transformed into order, how the Dao evolved into the heavens and earth, or how the heavens and earth nurtured the Dao—none of these questions have been answered, and even the Gods have differing opinions.

"Throughout the history of the Great Wilderness, half the successions of divine ages have been due to ideological rifts leading to immense conflicts. There will always be Gods who, living in excessive solitude, attempt to reverse-engineer the ultimate truth of the Dao through destruction, thereby causing many disasters.

"These scriptures of yours contain many principles that could entice the Gods to pursue them. From now on, you must insist firmly that they were a gift from Emperor Fu Xi in a dream. Don't be swayed by the current prosperity of the Human Domain. The Great Wilderness, in the end, still belongs to the Gods."

Wu Wang was silent for a moment. "Mother, your son understands. I got a bit carried away before."

"Ba'er, don't be upset. I'm just afraid you'll underestimate the Divine Spirits."

"Of course not," Wu Wang sighed lightly. "Mother, I will certainly be more cautious. My main intention was to help the Human Domain."

"I know." Cang Xue offered a few more tender words of advice and then ended the communication.

Wu Wang sat lost in thought in a quiet corner of the courtyard for a while. Then, several attendants ran over. Meanwhile, in the reception hall, Ji Mo—young master of the Ji Family and Le Yao's husband—had appeared.

「In the Starry Sky Temple」

On the exquisite, elegant, transparent throne surrounded by Crystal, Cang Xue sat with her legs crossed and her chin resting in her hand, gazing silently at the Jade Talisman she held.

How could Ba'er comprehend such profound truths? If he truly realized them himself... Her eyes held a thoughtful look as she sat silently in the vast, empty hall, a charming smile playing on her lips.