This Human Immortal Is Too Serious

The ancient fox nation of Qingqiu boasts numerous fox maidens, whose thousand charms and hundred beauties warm the heart.

Wu Wang thought back to his early years when he was but a youngster. His father, Xiong Han, had purchased some maidens of the Hundred Races from the marketplace in the Northern Wilderness, among them a young girl from Qingqiu with fox ears.

The impression that young girl left on Wu Wang was one of excessive flirtation yet inadequate grace, meriting nothing more than a 'not bad' evaluation.

—In fact, it was the fish-bodied, human-faced mermaid that stole the spotlight.

But today, seated within Guantao Tower, with the whiff of a subtle fragrance and a glimpse of her vague silhouette outside the door, Wu Wang began to entertain a hint of anticipation.

Naturally, this was just to admire beauty and cheer himself up.

As Zhang Moshan's voice conveyed, "Sect Master, the person has been brought here."

Wu Wang uttered a simple "Enter." The carved wooden door of the suite slowly opened, the separating Formation embedded within it temporarily ceasing operation.

The sound of jingling ornaments could be heard as a young girl with her head down stepped into the room.

Wu Wang looked up but felt no ripples in his heart.

It wasn't about comparing the beauty of different women. The truth was, he had seen Ling Xiaolan's real face for too long. Additionally, Lin Suqing, who fluttered before his eyes every day, had also become a top-class beauty. Not to mention, he harbored thoughts for that girl in green clothes and had once come face-to-face with the Young Master, a goddess from the Heaven Palace. How could he be easily astounded by the mere appearance of a woman?

Wu Wang's gaze first landed on the fluffy white fox ears of the girl before him; then, it shifted to the magic treasure ribbon tied around her slender neck.

Her facial features were quite delicate, with deep-set eyes and a prominent nose adding an exotic allure, her lips red and moist, eyebrows like willows, eyes bright and clear.

As was typical for a woman of the flower tower, it seemed she wore many layers of fabric, but in reality, they accentuated her enchanting figure.

Compared to the slender elegance that Fairy Immortals from the Human Domain often embodied, this woman from Qingqiu Nation had a figure that was more voluptuously seductive, capable of capturing one's gaze at first sight.

But Wu Wang looked away, bringing his attention back to the girl's face with a shallow smile. He said softly, "Is this the foreign maiden you spoke of?"

At his side, Lin Qi and Ji Mo couldn't help but gasp.

Lin Qi, looking somewhat embarrassed, turned away and whispered, "Replying to Teacher, yes, she is."

Ji Mo coughed, his gaze casually drifting to the ceiling as he spoke evenly, "Brother Wuwang, from my years of experience, such maidens are a rare find."

Ling Xiaolan hummed lightly. "You two, don't corrupt Brother Wuwang!"

"Does Brother Wuwang need corrupting from me?" Ji Mo's eyes filled with grievance. After receiving a glare from Wu Wang, he could only lower his head and sigh softly. So much for best friends. Now it's just Little Mo the passerby and Brother Sect Master…

While they spoke, the girl from Qingqiu also raised her head to take in Wu Wang and Ling Xiaolan.

She seemed unafraid and not at all timid, inwardly comparing herself with Fairy Ling, who was wearing several layers of disguise at this moment. Her eyes even betrayed a hint of confidence.

The madam behind her urged, "Ling Ling, quickly greet them!"

The girl from Qingqiu cooed, "Your servant has seen all the noble lords."

Wu Wang felt his skin crawl with goosebumps.

This… was incredibly coy!

He certainly hadn't forgotten the warning his mother gave him. Especially since the necklace warmed slightly as the girl from Qingqiu entered, as if telling Wu Wang to keep his distance from her.

Wu Wang said, "Lift up your head."

The girl's fox ears trembled gently. Her eyes hesitant, on the verge of speaking then stopping, she managed to lift her head to glance at Wu Wang, then hastily lowered it again in silence.

Every movement, every expression, was so… practiced.

It was as if she had rehearsed in front of a mirror.

Qiong Qi?

Wu Wang couldn't help but picture Boss Qiong Qi's outline behind this girl, dark lines appearing on his own forehead.

The Primordial Spirit avatar on the Immortal Platform in his God's Mansion vigorously shook its head, and Wu Wang decided it was time to test this girl.

Testing was all about 'bluffing.'

Keep bluffing, and maybe something would reveal itself.

Wu Wang first remained silent for a while, a bright light sweeping through his eyes. He then stood up, scrutinizing the girl's face with interest, the corners of his mouth unintentionally curling into a slight sneer.

The fox-eared girl grew apprehensive, and a flicker of tension crossed her expression.

Wu Wang kept his hands behind his back and moved closer to the girl, only for his mother's soft call to ring out from the Immortal Platform in his God's Mansion, "Be careful, she's hiding something inside her."

There was indeed a problem.

Wu Wang accordingly sidestepped, leaning against the edge of a bookshelf, and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, have you been well?"

The girl pursed her lips slightly, hurriedly responding, "Noble Lord, I don't understand what you're saying. We seem to have never met before."

"Someone come."

No sooner had his words fallen than a group of strong men burst into the room.

But Wu Wang commanded, "Stand down. I need a few from the Transcendent Realm."

"Understood!"

The group of Body Cultivation Immortals bowed and responded, bustling back out again.

A few flashes of light zipped by, and the Grand Elder, along with three Transcendents sent by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion to guard Wu Wang's side, appeared simultaneously, encircling the Qingqiu girl in the middle.

The girl's complexion turned pale in an instant.

The four Transcendents slightly released their auras, causing the girl to go weak at the knees and collapse to the ground.

Ji Mo and Lin Qi exchanged glances, while Ling Xiaolan and Lin Suqing were also full of confusion.

Wu Wang crossed his arms and spoke in a gentle voice. "I'll only give you three chances and ask you three questions. If you conceal anything or tell even half a lie, based on the principle of 'rather kill by mistake than let go,' I will treat you as a spy from the Heaven Palace and deal with you accordingly. First question, what are you doing in the Human Domain?"

"I, I..."

The girl bit her lip, no longer caring for 'decorum', and hurriedly said, "I was captured by the Immortals of your Human Domain! What else could I possibly be doing in the Human Domain? I'm just trying to figure out how to get back, living in fear every day, and now I have to flatter you reluctantly."

Wu Wang was unmoved, asking the second question, "Who are you?"

The madam said softly, "Sir, her name is Nian Ling. We all call her Ling Ling. She's been with us at Drunken Fragrance Tower for five or six years, being raised in a separate garden, preparing to be introduced to society soon..."

Wu Wang glanced over, and the madam immediately knelt down, trembling all over, not daring to speak further.

"Who I am... who I am..."

The girl murmured, confusion evident in her eyes, and she said in a low voice, "I really don't know what you're asking, sir. I only remember before being captured, I was in a village, and everyone looked like me, with these kinds of ears and tail. Sir, I really am not the kind of spy you're talking about... please spare my life..."

Wu Wang's brow was tightly furrowed.

Was her fear at this moment an act?

She seemed completely like a woman of pleasure who had already despaired of her future, now driven by the instinct to survive, continuously begging for mercy.

"Do you want to live?"

Wu Wang asked the third question. The girl eagerly nodded, her eyes full of entreaty.

Ling Xiaolan spoke up, "Brother Wuwang, is there something wrong with her?"

Ji Mo added, "She doesn't seem to be pretending. Young people from the Qingqiu nation are not much different from our Human race; they usually mature physically around the age of fourteen or fifteen. She must have been about ten when she was captured and brought to the Human Domain."

"Teacher must have discovered something," said Lin Qi. "Let's not ask too many questions."

Wu Wang flipped his left hand, projecting a fist-sized Crystal Ball outwards, which hovered above the girl's head.

The Crystal Ball scattered specks of starlight, and the girl immediately fainted.

Wu Wang recited an incantation, heeding his mother's advice, and formed a Rune Imprint entirely different from the Spells of the Human Domain with his hands. The Crystal Ball burst forth with a dazzling light.

Under the starlight, a puff of blue smoke emerged from the top of the girl's head.

The smoke then split into two streams. One took the shape of the girl's original form, while the other whirled around her, first condensing into a fox head and then a fox body with seven snow-white tails.

Wu Wang, listening to his mother's explanation, was somewhat speechless and intentionally voiced the girl's oddity, "A companion fox spirit? And a seventh-grade at that?"

An old woman remarked, "So this is one of Qingqiu's fox spirits? It is said that Qingqiu has the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox capable of contending with Divine Spirits, which was later suppressed by the Heaven Palace. There was even a commotion known as the Heavenly Fox Rebellion in ancient times."

Wu Wang slowly nodded, stating lightly, "I was a bit nervous earlier. I thought it might be Qiong Qi causing trouble. Grand Elder, please seal her and send her to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for handling. A seventh-grade fox spirit is a very rare talent among the people of Qingqiu. Using their secret techniques, they can summon a Heavenly Fox with up to eight tails; such individuals are considered top generals of the ancient Qingqiu kingdom. Their secret techniques can grant this companion fox spirit an additional tail. If she cannot be retained, it's better to prevent future troubles."

The Grand Elder bowed and complied, retrieving a Spiritual Storage Magical Item confiscated by Long Jade Gate, placing the fox-girl Ling Ling inside the Treasure Sack, and disappearing along with the three Transcendents.

Ji Mo showed a hint of regret but then suddenly understood something.

Sending the fox girl to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, and within it, the place where judgments are made, along with the holding cells for the five Divine Children—isn't that the Punishment Hall?

In an instant, Ji Mo looked at Wu Wang with profound respect.

Brother Wuwang is indeed superior. He skillfully avoided Fairy Ling's attention, gained her favor, and even managed to establish an image of 'beauty is but a cloud to me.' Learned something new, learned something new.

Wu Wang inwardly thanked his mother for the reminder and mused, Heh, another small matter shrewdly handled.

He returned to his seat.

Fairy Ling summoned a wine jug, used several layers of immortal power to handle the jug without touching it, and poured a cup of wine for Wu Wang.

Wu Wang hurriedly protested, "This is improper, truly improper."

"This is to honor you for not being swayed."

"You know full well... AHEM!"

Wu Wang cleared his throat, revived his spirits, and called out, "Where's the madam?"

"Sir, here I am!"

The kneeling madam promptly raised her head, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying.

She said, "Sir, we truly did not know about Ling Ling's background. She was just purchased by me... Our Drunken Fragrance Tower buys one or two non-human women every few years."

Wu Wang said, "Don't be afraid. I have two questions for you, which I hope you'll answer truthfully."

"Please, go ahead and ask, sir," the madam hurriedly said. "I, along with Drunken Fragrance Tower, have been transferred to you. Please spare my life, sir!"

Wu Wang frowned. "No nonsense. I ask, you answer."

"Yes, yes."

"How much is the redemption price for this fox woman?"

"Sixty thousand Spirit Stones... to start."

Wu Wang's legs trembled slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

Sixty thousand Spirit Stones? For just one woman? That's enough to maintain a branch of the Ten Evils Hall for a hundred years!

Wu Wang murmured in confusion, "Does the Drunken Fragrance Tower do such good business?"

"Sir, it's your Drunken Fragrance Tower."

The madam explained, "Actually, we're at a loss even with sixty thousand Spirit Stones, as it's just a starting price. Previously, Young Master Lin even offered one hundred thousand. We bought Ling Ling six years ago for that amount. During this period, we've hired experts to train her in poetry, song, calligraphy, and painting. Furthermore, the six top courtesans of our Drunken Fragrance Tower have passed on bedroom secrets to her, as well as training her in a dual cultivation method that can aid your cultivation..."

"Bought her?"

Wu Wang raised an eyebrow. "From where?"

The madam said, "Naturally, from Yunxiu Square. A batch of non-human women becomes available there every few years. As long as you can afford it, you can pre-order them. Apart from women from nations like Bai Min and Si You, all are purchasable. Oh, right, not only women but also men can be bought, though there aren't many buyers for them."

"Yunxiu Square?"

Wu Wang turned to Ji Mo beside him. "Is there such a place?"

Ji Mo nodded slightly and spoke via voice transmission, "Yunxiu Square is very influential and is rumored to have the backing of the Four Seas Pavilion. They often engage in such trades."

The Four Seas Pavilion? Feng Zhizi?

Wu Wang said, "Alright, you may leave now. Go find Yang Wudi for the handover."

"Thank you, Sir! Thank you!"

The madam hurriedly kowtowed, then rose trembling and left the suite, not forgetting to close the door behind her.

Wu Wang sat in contemplation for a while, then downed the wine in his cup and stood up. His face turned slightly somber as he walked over to the window and looked out at the street view.

Ji Mo walked up to Wu Wang and asked via voice transmission, "Brother Wuwang, what is it?"

"Brother Ji, do you think," Wu Wang replied via voice transmission, "it's reasonable for Yunxiu Square to be openly selling men and women from other races like this?"

"This... of course, it's unreasonable."

Ji Mo said in a low voice, "The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion had issued a ban before, but there are always dark places its light cannot reach. Not to mention, an outstanding non-human woman can bring in substantial profits."

Wu Wang asked, "Could the Ji Family or the Lin Family be backing Yunxiu Square?"

"My family and the Lin Family could not possibly be involved."

Ji Mo conveyed through voice transmission, "Cultivation relies on methods and wealth. A faction needs a great deal of wealth for support. The accounts of my family and the Lin Family are clear and under the supervision of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion; the destinations of Spirit Stones are all detailed and categorized. Moreover, there are several large Spirit Stone mines in our fiefdoms. Half of the Lin Family's income comes from the Southeastern Region, where they protect several small nations."

Wu Wang pondered for a moment, his expression fluctuating.

Ji Mo queried through voice transmission, "Brother Wuwang, do you suspect there's a significant problem with Yunxiu Square?"

Wu Wang sighed deeply and replied via voice transmission, "The Hundred Races have submitted to the Heaven Palace and are enemies of our Human Domain, that is true. But such hostility should not extend to ordinary beings. Even towards enemies, a clean death in battle shows mutual respect for valor. Why demean them like this? What I detest is this Yunxiu Square, treating sentient beings with awakened Spiritual Wisdom as merchandise. I fear that Yunxiu Square also has external connections. If they sell non-human women internally, they would dare to sell Human race women externally."

Ji Mo nodded slowly, speaking in a hushed tone, "This does warrant an investigation."

"Brother Ji, this matter is yours to handle."

Wu Wang took out a command token from his sleeve and handed it to Ji Mo, advising via voice transmission, "Your reputation as a philandering frequenter of pleasure houses could help uncover initial clues. Find out Yunxiu Square's background as soon as possible. Regardless of who gets implicated or who it leads to, I want a thorough investigation. The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion appointed me to oversee the Punishment Hall, so they can't blame me for reorganizing its scope of authority. The systems in the Human Domain are too loose. We can't muster the strength needed to contend against the Heaven Palace. If we can make a big enough issue out of this, I'll directly petition His Majesty the Human Emperor for clear laws and new regulations."

Ji Mo, taken aback, said, "Are you planning something this big?"

Wu Wang smiled. "Just tell me if you dare to take it on. I have a premonition that this won't be a small issue."

Ji Mo gritted his teeth and solemnly stowed the command token, bowing. "I shall not fail you."

Wu Wang patted Ji Mo on the shoulder. "Be careful and keep me informed of any updates. Make sure to have some experts by your side."

"No problem, I'll get on it right away."

Ji Mo grinned, then turned his head and teasingly raised his eyebrows at Lin Qi, the taunt quite evident.

…

Ji Mo did not stay long. After accepting the task, he quickly departed.

Lin Qi patiently waited by the side for a while. Seeing his teacher standing by the window for a long time without moving, he finally couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Teacher, is there anything I can do?"

Wu Wang turned to look at Lin Qi. Seeing his eyes filled with eagerness, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

He said, "I need you to secretly protect Brother Ji. I am confident in his actions, but Brother Ji can often be careless. If necessary, you may reveal yourself and meet with him. With one in the light and one in the dark, you will complement each other."

"Yes!"

Lin Qi bowed to accept the order and ran outside immediately, not even asking Wu Wang for details about the task entrusted to Ji Mo.

After Lin Qi left, Wu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, resting his hands on the wooden railing by the window, gazing at the bustling street scene before him.

Do I really understand the Human Domain?

This thought surfaced in Wu Wang's mind, followed by a sigh.

On his journey from the Northern Wilderness, he had rarely had the time to stop and take a good look at the world.

One thing after another piled up, leaving little time even for cultivation, let alone wandering around aimlessly.

Lin Suqing asked from the side, "Young Master, would you like something to drink?"

—Since that incident at Guantao Tower, where she used the wrong address term and caused Wu Wang a bit of trouble, she had made sure to always remember what to call him and when.

Wu Wang said, "Plain tea will do. No honey today."

"Okay."

Lin Suqing's voice was soft as she carried the teapot out of the suite with Immortal Mu, leaving Wu Wang and Ling Xiaolan alone.

Ling Xiaolan waited quietly for a while. Seeing that Wu Wang did not come over, she then called out, "Brother Wuwang, what's the matter?"

"I was thinking about the Heavenly Tribulation I just faced."

Wu Wang said slowly, "This time, the Heaven Palace tried to erase me, which was a wake-up call. To be honest, I've been thinking all this time about how to get even with the Heaven Palace."

Ling Xiaolan sighed. "The Heaven Palace is powerful; it's not something one person can contend with."

"Indeed, the Heaven Palace represents the current order in the Great Wilderness. It's not something one person can contend with," Wu Wang said. "That's why I've narrowed down my revenge target to the Head Manager."

Ling Xiaolan: …

How is that any different?

Wu Wang patted the railing in front of him, his gaze looking toward the East Sky, and murmured, "One day, I will make that Head Manager suffer the torment of inner demons and endure the tribulation of ten thousand thunders. What he imposed on me, I will return in full measure."

Ling Xiaolan said with concern, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"I won't," Wu Wang turned around, his lips once again bearing his usual gentle smile. "Come, let's discuss what we can do for the Human Domain in the future. Only if the Human Domain is strong enough will I have a chance to bring down the Head Manager."

"Okay."

Ling Xiaolan agreed softly, quietly removing the Immortal Light surrounding her, and walked with Wu Wang to the desk in the inner room.

She wrapped her fingers with immortal power, grinding the ink for Wu Wang on the side.

Wu Wang sat at the desk, pen in hand, focusing as he drafted a formal memorial to His Majesty the Human Emperor. He carefully pondered each word, but the entire document resonated with two prominent characters: stir up trouble.

The ailment of the Human Domain lay in the Human Emperor's rule relying solely on his personal prestige.

But now that the Heaven Palace was sharpening its knives, any act of centralizing power would induce 'growing pains' within the Human Domain, thereby providing the Heaven Palace with an opportunity.

Wu Wang seemed to be sleeping after his tribulation… and indeed, he was sleeping.

However, between naps, Wu Wang had thoroughly pondered how to enhance the cohesion of the Human Domain.

To achieve an effect in a short period, it was necessary to start with those passionate young people, letting them influence various factions and unite the hearts of the people.

Wu Wang wrote swiftly, brimming with enthusiasm, when Ling Xiaolan suddenly turned her head toward the door.

"Sect Master."

The Grand Elder's voice came from outside. "I have handed over the Qingqiu fox woman to the experts of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for escort to the Punishment Hall. There is urgent news from the border; it seems Fellow Daoist Xiao Jian is requesting aid."

Wu Wang paused his wrist, looking at the paper before him with some lingering dissatisfaction, and wondered aloud, "He's run into trouble? Grand Elder, come in."

"The trouble is far from small."

The Grand Elder stepped inside, giving Ling Xiaolan an apologetic smile, then said gravely, "I only encountered the messenger on my way and used my Heaven and Earth Divine Skills to rush back and deliver this message to you, Sect Master. Sect Master, there are two pieces of news. They seem unrelated, but I feel there is a hidden connection between them."

Wu Wang urged, "Grand Elder, don't keep us in suspense."

The Grand Elder smiled, his voice gentle. "Firstly, some experts from the Hundred Races have appeared at the northeastern border, seeking to speak with experts from the Human Domain. You should already be aware of this… The latest news is that Xiao Jian has agreed to their request and is making arrangements. Secondly, the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion has received information that the Head Manager of the Heaven Palace has summoned new Ten Evil Gods to the Heaven Palace. The position of Longzhi has been filled by a new Evil God."

"Oh?"

Wu Wang raised his eyebrows slightly, sitting there lost in thought for a while.

It seems a trip to the Human Domain's border is unavoidable.